《Forsaken One》


 Chapter 1: Forsaken

    How unfortunate, In all of this worlds history there has never been a recorded instance of a non caster, in its rich tens of thousands of years of history Linus had to be the first, although thatcould just be a belief that grew popularity within their town for all he knew.


    He understood, just rejected what this meant not only to him but to his mother. This was a world where those with power called the shots and the weak were look down on in disdain. Everyday Linus would creep into the forest bordering his hometown of Cleargrove in an attempt to use any form of magic. That being exactly where he came from before he ended up in his current predicament.


    ¡°Look at who we found here.¡± A pot bellied kid just short of 5¡¯ stated.


    I could feel the deep seeded antipathy from the three eyes that bored straight into me. AlthoughI stood above the three standing around 5''5 in height this meant nothing in a world of magic, a fireball didn''t care how tall you were afterall. Planted in my current position, I staredat the three with void eyes, the darkest shade of brown matchingmy hair. I was thin to the point where Ishould''vebeen worried, and maybe I would''ve been if not for all of the other shit that took my attention from the smaller things. My already ragged cloths, still torn from previous altercations threatened to fall off at any second.


    ¡°P..Please just let me go.¡±


    ¡°Reem, It¡¯s your turn this time.¡± The pot bellied kid stated, glaring at Linus in disdain.


    I just stood there, I had grown used to this by now. Constantly getting beat up, spit on none of it seemed to faze me anymore. At this point in life there were only four things that could tug any type of emotion from behind that mask of mines, although there were quite the few times I would force emotions trying not to stand out anymore than I already did,


    I closed my eyes bracing myself for the punch coming my way.


    1¡­.


    2¡­.


    3 seconds¡­.


    ¡°How sad¡­.To pick on those weaker than you.¡±


    Sigh¡­.I can¡¯t even defend myself.


    I opened my eyes watching the scene play out before me. Reem, the one who had thrown the punch was now unconscious on the floor being repeatedly stomped out. The fat bellied kid tried running away but made it but only two steps away before being pulled back by the back of his robe.


    ¡°Sooooo¡­.You like bullying people huh?¡±


    I opened my eyes and couldn¡¯t help but crack a smile at the scene. These were two of the four things that could pull the hidden emotion out, my only friend, and revenge. Truly amazing how fast a situation can turn. One moment you could be ganging up on a kid with no way to defend himself and the next you could be forced to eat grass, and moo like a cow. The scene drew a crowd, one could see the mocking laughter was really getting under the pot bellied kids skin with a bulging vein popping out of his head, while tears of regret flowed across the other guys face.


    ¡°Ok, I have things to do, you three can go now¡­Shoo¡± Zenith watched the three skirt off before turning towards Linus.


    ¡°You coming.¡±


    I followed Zenith through the small town. We transversed through a series of back allies only stopping after we entered his small house.


    ¡°Damn, You can¡¯t just let them walk all over you like that.¡±


    Zenith said in a serious tone as he sat down in a chair looking at the crooked picture frames hung on the wall only by a nail threatening to fall at any moment. Zenith had been the only affable person I had run into yet in life once discovering my situation, I used to tell myself who needed people? Staying by myself is safer. But there was nothing quite like having a good friend you could trust.


    ¡°It¡¯s alright, I will become stronger and¡­..¡±


    ¡°Listen Linus, You have really been pushing yourself, That can be dangerous.¡±


    Zenith stated only after deeply exhaling eyes still on the picture frames.


    ¡°You should be the last one talking.¡± I said in a jest manner.


    <hr>


    ¡°It¡¯ getting dark I should get home.¡±


    I stood up approaching the door stopped only by a hand on my shoulder.


    ¡°Remember, If you ever need help just tell me.¡± Zenith stated


    ¡°Ok, I will keep that in mind.¡±


    With that I stepped out the door heading home.


    The second I took a step into my home the dark and gloomy atmosphere washed over me. All of my previous happiness instantly vanished as I trudged through all the broken glass from those who would throw rocks through the windows, Walking towards my mother kneeling by her side.


    In her healthy state she was the life of the party. I could only sit there reminiscing the times way back when I would walk into the home to her singing and dancing. Now with her bedridden all I would walk into were her weak, shallow breaths. I was known for being a stone faced person but whenever I would enter home I couldn¡¯t help but burst out into tears at the scene.


    ¡°I¡¯m sorry!!¡± I struggled to say through my sobs.


    ¡°D¡­..nt b¡­..not¡­...our¡­..f..lt..¡±


    ¡°MOM!¡± My heart started palpitating threatening to climb up and out of my throat at any given second. This was the first time she has shown any sign of hearing me in so long, of course I would be a little more than excited.


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    I sat there for what felt like a day, of course I was ok with that. Showing a sign of hope sparked the previous extinguished flames of hope I had, had. Her breathing seemed to be getting more stable, her once deathly pale face which was so drained that aside from her long flowing jet black hair one could mistake her as albino finally had a stroke of color.


    After sitting there talking to her if that¡¯s what you could call it as I would never get a reply. I had finally succumbed to the drowsiness I had been fighting the whole night. Although I wanted to stay a little while longer, eyelids drooping, and weighing a ton made that impossible.


    ¡°Goodnight mother.¡±


    I stood up walking into my room plopping onto my bed...no a better term would be a slim sheet I would lay on. Although I did miss my bed I had no regrets. I had ended up selling a lot of my stuff in order to help pay for the rent. Of course it was a lot to bare for one kid but when desperate times are called on, desperate measures are taken.


    Unlike the usual it didn¡¯t take me long to drift off to sleep. Unlike most nights where insomnia would shake me awake at the faintest sign of drifting off, and constant twisting and turning on the twisted cold floor, This was a better feeling, more comfortable to say the least. It wasn¡¯t just a harsh night eating away at me until I could finally unconsciously and temporarily escape it all. This was something I hadn¡¯t experienced in so long, my long time friend insomnia who overstayed his welcome wasn¡¯t around and something new showed up this time, tossing covers over him, as he drifted into the darkness which was my only source of peace. It was the first night in so long that I fell asleep with a smile displayed on his face.


    <hr>


    ¡°Huh, Where the fu¡­..¡±


    I couldn¡¯t help but pinch my arms trying to see if I felt any pain.


    It was the embodiment of nothingness. Although it was nothing somehow I could feel it was something, or better put someone. There was nothing, complete blackness yet somewhere I knew there was more than just this.


    Where the fuck am I?


    I turned around to the same image my eyes processed facing up, down, left, and right, and of course I can¡¯t forget forward.


    ¡°It has been so long come to my presence my child.¡±


    ¡°Who¡­.¡±


    I couldn¡¯t even question before being abruptly interrupted.


    ¡°It is not time for you to know that yet, but you can get answers in due time.¡±


    ¡°But what¡¯s gonna happen?¡±


    ¡°You will get your answer in due time, for now you are a forsaken one. But heed not you will be able to stand atop the world and save those dearest to you, whether or not this happens is entirely up to you.¡±


    *Bleep*


    Custom creation.


    ¡°This is your awakening as aforsaken, power in rest who would dare track you down? Now choose wisely as you can only choose once.¡±


    Power in rest?


    I looked at the dimly lit green status menu in front of my eyes. On the screen were six figures of six different races, that being an elf, human, dwarf, beastman, spriggan, and a goblin.


    I was a human currently so I knew the hate that could stem from a human heart, but I couldn¡¯t be anything else being a human was all I knew, but then again everything I knew was utter shit. I knew all of these but one.


    [If you don''t know something simply click the slanted ¡®I¡¯ at the top right]


    Oh wow¡­.Ok then what is a spriggan?


    [Spriggan: Love the forest? Then you might want to be one of these forest dwelling creatures. Although not to strong physically with their tree like appearance and their quick wits they are very difficult to deal with and their keen sense for valuable treasures is second to none.]


    Oh so they look like trees¡­..I¡¯ll pass on that. How about a beastman.


    [Beastman: Beastman resembling that of a human, have much in common with the latter ¡®excluding the fact that they still hold resemblances to their true breeds (that being their tails, ears, claws, etc.)¡¯. Unlike humans beastman have a set path. If they are more skilled as a caster knight then they will practice under the will of the sword, if its spells that they specialise in then they practice under the will of the mage trying to do the other ¡®though not impossible¡¯ would prove to be extremely difficult.]


    Hmmmm¡­.Fuck it, it¡¯s just a dream after all.


    [You have chosen beastman, choose a class.]


    Class?


    [Rouge, Ranger, Monk, Paladin, Warrior]


    Definitely a rouge.


    [You have chosen rouge. Finalize beastman, rouge?]


    Under the pop up there were two options yes, and no. The moment my finger touched yes I felt my body going through a change. It wasn¡¯t uncomfortable, the best way I could describe the feeling was that feeling you would get when your eyes were twitching only this time it was throughout my whole body.


    [Beastman, rouge finalized. Transfering to cleargrove.]


    Cleargrove? Guess I can¡¯t escape it even in my dreams.


    The space around me distorted. I could see the disproportioned town from what seemed to be another part of time and space entirely.


    [Would you like to mark Cleargrove on your map?]


    Huh? I looked at the text on the pop up screen, under the words was an empty map with just the town shown on it. Yea, I guess i¡¯ll mark it.


    [Cleargrove marked for future reference.]


    I walked into the town not really caring to take in the depressing scenery. If I tried taking in the scenery I would just be reminded of all the ass beatings I had taken in the town.


    Hmm...I should check out my house.


    I couldn¡¯t help but be curious. Approaching my home what I saw made my face distort. Outside my home were those three bastards from today. Throwing rocks at my home.


    ¡°Haha¡­..that bastard Zenith isn¡¯t here to save you now you bitch.¡±


    Even in my dreams I can¡¯t escape them. Oh well, it can¡¯t be helped I guess i¡¯ll just get a few years worth of revenge.


    Without a word I rushed the three. Passing by the other two scum I aimed only for the pot bellied kid as he was the cause of most of my pain, on top of that even if it were just a dream standing outside the place were my mother was currently dwelling with malicious intent was unforgivable. I would make sure to make him pay his dues tenfold.


    Stunned the three did not have a chance to react before a fist slammed into the fat bellied kid rocketing him into a nearby tree. A trail of blood slowly found its way down his lips only letting go past his chin. Seeing this excited me, never in my life have I ever been this excited. For once my heart palpitated not out of fear but out of pure excitement. I bum rushed him throwing swing after swing one would consider me a mad man at the scene.


    [You have gained a new skill: A madman''s rage - When activated all reason will be consumed sparking the true nature of a beast.]


    Huh?


    The pop up caught my attention. Throwing the pot bellied kid to the side, I read the skills, attributes only to push the thought to the side. I mean it was only a dream, once I woke up it would be all for naught anyway, but damn did this feel good.


    ¡°Give me all your belongings.¡± I turned looking at the other two who at this point were paralyzed by fear. What they had just saw was on a whole new level of brutal. Their boss was now laying in a puddle of blood, his teeth scattered around his body, all one had to do was paint him green and he could easily be mistaken as a goblin but that would be even insulting goblins at this point.


    ¡°H...h..here take it all. Just please spare master Toflin.¡± The two replied simultaneously not daring to look this guy in the eyes.


    Grabbing the items from the two and taking all of the pot bellied kids items. I looked at the scene with an approving gaze ignoring their words before turning around and strutting to the forest with an armful of items.


    [Would you like to store items:]


    Hmm¡­.Yea


    Looking at my arms full It was all I could do I didn¡¯t feel like carrying an arm full of things the whole time. Seeing the items go into a space gate surprised me. Just how strong was this body? Space gates were only used by the elite in this world. One could imagine the face others would make seeing a space gate being opened in front of them. That was a skill only those coveted by guilds and kingdoms wielded.


    <hr>


    I woke up with a smile on my face. That was the best dream I had ever had and it damn well would be hard to beat. It¡¯s a pity I was interrupted by the sound of knocking at my door. I only cracked the door open a little just in case some bastards came to cause trouble which frankly wouldn¡¯t surprise me. But it was just two of the towns guardsmen. What were they doing here?


    ¡°Hello, We are the towns chiefs, guardsmen last night we had got note of a murder around here if you know anything we would like for you to let us know.¡± guard one stated.


    ¡°I don¡¯t know anything sorry.¡±


    I tried closing the door before the other guard put his foot in between the closing path. Unlike the other guard I could feel the animosity coming from this one. Was it because I was a non caster? Or was it just because he was having a bad day? I don¡¯t know.


    ¡°Listen little bastard, With the damage caused outside your home there is no way you didn¡¯t see anything. So tell us what you know.¡±


    ¡°I¡¯m telling the truth.¡±


    ¡°Toflin, calm yourself we have a job to do don¡¯t get tunnel vision.¡± Guard one said before turning towards Linus and thanking him for his time.


    Watching the two guardsmen move onto the next house, what the one guard said stuck with him.


    With the damage caused outside your home there is no way you didn¡¯t see anything.


    ¡°The dream¡­..¡± I muttered under my breath before quickly rushing outside without hesitation. What I saw caused my heart to drop. The tree I knocked the pot bellied kid into was snapped, splintered pieces of wood scattered around the area, and right under the demolished tree laid a puddle of dried up blood, with teeth littering the ground around it.


    What the fuck?!?!?!?!


    Then it hit me what the mysterious voice said.


    ¡°Power in rest who would dare track you down?¡±


    Wait what about the whole thing about forsakens? This was just to much in one go. As I was staring at the scene in thought I felt a pair of eyes bore into me. Turning around I could see the one guardsmen looking at me before turning around and going onto the next house.


    <hr>

 Chapter 2: Essence to Mana

    ¡°I will find the bastar..hick*.....That killed my so...hick*..son.¡± Guardsman Toflins drunken words contained anger but even more sadness.


    ¡°Toflin, that¡¯s your fourth bottle, you should just relax for a little now.¡±


    ¡°I will relax alright...hick*....I will relax...hick* When my son''s murde¡­.hick* murderer is displayed for the whol¡­..hick* for the whole town to see.¡± Slapping the table Toflin almost fell off his seat before guardsman one (Gulliver) caught him, helping him position himself back up.


    So far all we have is that it was a beastman. But we searched everywhere even the outskirts in the forest and¡­¡­.nothing. But something tells me that kid knows more than he''s letting on. He''s good at hiding his emotions for a kid but everyone¡¯s mask slips sometimes. It was only a second¡­..no less than even that but at that moment I could see it.


    Picturing the scene Guardsman Gulliver couldn¡¯t help but shake his head at the whole situation. In such a quiet town the most you will usually hear are the usual fights, a few curses spouted, and maybe some shattering glass.


    ¡°Ahh...hick*....you pussy¡­..hick*.....you go killing a kid¡­..hick* then run!¡± Guardsman Toflin in a sudden fit of rage stood up grabbing his stool throwing it at the glass case containing all the fine ale decorating the wooden floor with shattered, frangments of glass, the pungent odor of the strong ale gnawing at the nostrils of all present.


    ¡°What was that noise?¡± An older man came out from the back of the pub to a scene that made his heart touch his toes.


    ¡°MY ALE!!!! Who did this?!?!¡± He scanned the room stopping his eyes on Toflin.


    ¡°You bastard! You think just because your a towns guardsman you can do whatever the fuck you want!¡±


    ¡°Old man, I¡¯m sorry about my friend here, I will be sure to pay for all of the damage.¡± Guardsman Gulliver said, throwing Toflins arms over his shoulder supporting him on their way out.


    ¡°You better, and have all of it paid fast too! Now get out of my pub!¡± The old man said causing a scene shooing the two away with his hands.


    <hr>


    ¡°Quite an event huh?¡± Gulliver said noticing Toflin sobering up.


    ¡°I¡¯m sorry¡­..¡± Toflin stared at his leather boots, now completely soaked from the constant pouring of his tears from just a few moments earlier. His head hung low causing his coffee brown hair to hang freely infront of his face, all that was going through his head at that time and moment were the birthing moments of his one and only child. The one who was meant to grab the torch of his legacy and add to the flame, but at last that was impossible. Now he was only left with a dead son and amissing wife. How had his life gotten to such a miserable state? He was at the point were he couldn''t find anything nor anyone else to blame but himself for not being able to protect, and look after the ones he loved the most.


    ¡°There¡¯s no need to be sorry. I know the pain of losing a loved one.¡±


    Gulliver sat down in a chair across the table from Toflin thinking about his brother. Gulliver was originally a knight in the kingdoms army, His brother was a shopkeeper, He couldn¡¯t help but crack a smile at the old memories of walking into his brothers store and just chatting about life, flirting with female customers, although it was never to get the girl more just to get under his brothers skin who considered it rude to his customers. But that all came to an end quickly when he was framed. The official decree issued by a general himself claimed to have seen him stealing ore from multiple mines. He was sentenced to 15 years, he ended up dying early in hissentence due to malnourishment. When Gulliver found this out he abhorred the kingdom, causing him to leave, leading him to his current location.


    I know it more than you could ever know.


    <hr>


    I sat down next to my mom stuck in my thoughts. That night played out in my mind over and over again. Everything from the bones crunching to the teeth littering the floor. Such a bloody incident caused by me, yet I don¡¯t even feel the slightest bit of shame. Am I still human? Do I have the mentality of a beastman now? The day I found out that my dream was reality and examined the scene I couldn¡¯t help but let a smirk find its way onto my face. The big bad wolf in town was now the big bad corpse after all. It was truly amazing, one second you could be on top of the world and the next¡­¡­.gone.


    I didn¡¯t know what was gloomier, my thoughts, or the atmosphere I was engulfed by upon stepping into this house. Surely it would be my thoughts wouldn¡¯t it? But one would need to know that, that is just how gloomy of a feeling this house left on a person, it could really match up to thoughts like these. These were the thoughts going through my head before being snapped out of it by the sound of knocking on the door.


    Opening the door revealed a smiling Zenith.


    ¡°Hey, Linus did you see it?¡±


    ¡°See what?¡± I played dumb like I didn¡¯t know what he was talking about, not really wanting to talk about it.


    ¡°C¡¯mon the beastman. I heard he had claws a foot in length and stood at a towering 7¡¯ tall with muscles that were the size of a person''s head.¡±


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    Well they blew that out of proportion.


    ¡°No I didn¡¯t see anything.¡± I looked outside at the spot that was now cleaned up.


    ¡°Let me come outside, I need some fresh air.¡± Stepping outside I let the cool draft press against my face before turning towards Zenith.


    ¡°Zenith, how much do you think sleep potions are?¡±


    ¡°Huh? Oh i¡¯d say around ermmm¡­..40 silver for a good one but the cheapest maybe around like¡­.uhhh¡­.2 silver.¡±


    ¡°You think I could borrow 2 silver?¡±


    ¡°Tryna buy a sleeping potion?¡±


    ¡°Yea, sleeping has been difficult lately and I think I need a little rest.


    ¡°Oh, ok yea. Don¡¯t worry about paying me back, think of it as a gift.¡±


    I took the 2 silver from Zenith¡¯s hand without hesitation before turning around walking towards the potions shop, Zenith not far behind.


    ¡°Y¡¯know, with the 2 silver I gave you, you could get a way better potion.¡± Zenith said, hands interlaced on top of his head in a relaxed nature.


    ¡°It all depends on the circumstance.¡±


    ¡°Yea, true.¡±


    We ambled along through the murky streets. Unusuallyempty the only sign of life were the sounds of nature.The birds could be heard, continuing their daily duties and the wind could be heard rustling the trees. We talked about nothing, regular youthful conversion. So is this what it feels like?


    It took us about 5 minutes of nonstop walking until we finally came across the sign we had been looking for.The sign read ¡®Cleargrove potions¡¯ in a faint etched italic font with a potion bottle substituting for the ¡®I¡¯, hanging low slightly blocking the door, the two were forced to duck in order to enter the small potions shop. Entering the shop it was a tight fitting space with a few shelves that sat very close to one another. Overall the look wasn¡¯t bad just not the spectacular place I thought it would be in fact it was quite unkempt. With the aroma I could tell that elderly stayed here a lot as the odor clawed up my nostrils.


    ¡°What may I help you with today, child.¡± An elderly lady greeted Zenith completely ignoring Linus who stood right beside the former.


    ¡°No, my friend here wants to buy something.¡± Zenith stated, giving the older woman a look of disappointment.


    ¡°What? The non caster?¡± The elderly woman turned facing Linus, she felt that with her old age she could read most people but she couldn¡¯t get the slightest glimpse of what was going through this kids head. She knew he was a non caster so he was the last person she would expect in her store, to be entirely honest she would expect a potion to be bought for someone''s pet before she would expect one for a non caster, but a customer was a customer.


    ¡°I¡¯m sorry dear, How may I help you today?¡± The old lady said in a raspy, trembling voice from the lifetime of strain on her vocal chords.


    If not for the fact that I really felt like I needed this potion I would''ve turned and left at the mention of me being a non caster. The mask only hid what was going on below, and let me tell you it was not something splendid, the moment this hag uttered the word ''non caster'' a deeply sealed anger for just an instance shot up drastically. Under the mask was a boiling pot that almost shot the top off. Maybe I should give her a visit in my sleep, these were the thoughts stored very far back. Of course like usual he wouldn¡¯t act on it.


    ¡°Yea, i just need your lesser sleep potion.¡±


    The old lady trudged to the back, humming one of those old tunes that most of the older generation seemed to enjoy to do as well. The liquid within the bottle resembled that of the night sky, with the last pieces of light slowly creeping away just the sight of it alone made me a little drowsy, looking to my side I could see it even affected Zenith, stretching heavily with a loud yawn I could tell it had definitely affected him more.


    I paid for the potion before stepping out of the shop. Heading back to my house.


    ¡°Linus, imma go back to the training field, we can link up some other time.¡±


    ¡°Alright, catch you later.¡±


    Entering my home, I waltzed straight to my resting place. Sitting down on the cold, unwelcoming floor I examined the bottle in my hand. To be honest I couldn¡¯t possibly believe it was a lesser potion, the strong sense of drowsiness it gave me was remarkable. Now i¡¯m no expert in potions but what I do know is that you don¡¯t feel the effects until you consume the potion, yet here I was tired as fuck without taking a sip.


    I popped the cork off the top, and started chugging it down fast, The scene could be compared to that of an alcoholic being gifted with the finest ale with how fast it disappeared. I wiped the liquid off my mouth sitting there waiting for the effects.


    Guess i¡¯ll just close my eyes and wait for it to take effect.


    I closed my eyes laying on the floor, fighting the cool breeze only with the thin sheet draped over my small frame.


    <hr>


    My eyes opened in the familiar lush forest that I always trained in also being the last place I was at before I awoke. Nature''s aroma was always refreshing, I would always come here whenever I needed to clear my mind or when I wanted to practice. I just sat there basking in the beauty of the nature. The trees seemed to reach to the clouds with trees full of lush green leaves. The sound of birds chirping enhanced the experience tenfold. I could sit here all day but I didn¡¯t have time for that. There were no instructions that came with the potion but somehow I could feel that the sleeping potions effect would only last for 4 hours.


    I opened the space gate pulling out various items I had taken from the trio. Throwing anything I didn¡¯t care about behind me. It felt like I wasn¡¯t going to truly find anything worth anything to me until I grabbed a book out of the gate that read ¡®Fireball - the basics¡¯. I opened the book skimming through the context full of interest. This was the first time I was able to get my hands on a skill book and it had peaked my curiosity. I sat there for a whole 3 hours skimming through the same book over and over until I finally got an understanding of it.


    [Would you like to learn: Fireball - Basic]


    I can learn a magic skill? Fuck yea I want to learn it.


    [You have gained a new skill: Fireball - Basic - The flames are lit]


    Hmmm¡­.How do I use the skill though?


    ¡°FIREBALL!¡± I threw my hands out in the same fashion I saw the casters from my class. But was rewarded with the sounds of crickets and birds chirping. There was no one around to see such an embarrassing scene but that didn¡¯t save me from the feeling of embarrassment as I scratched my head in confusion.


    One of them must''ve had something about casting skills.


    [access inventory]


    I opened my inventory, revealing all of the contents within it. I scrolled through all of the items. Only showing interests in the books.


    Oh¡­.what¡¯s this?¡±


    In my inventory list was a book titled ¡®The use of essence.¡¯ I grabbed the book out of the space gate, with a stain book cover as if coffee had been dropped onto it, it¡¯s a shame some people just can¡¯t appreciate such valuable things. I skimmed through the contents as I had done previously but this time it had only taken me around 30 minutes.


    [Would you like to learn - The use of essence]


    Yes, I would.


    [Not capable of using essence, would you like to convert to mana?]


    Mana? Convert? wellll¡­...yea, if I can''t use essence what other choice do I have.


    [Conversion in progress: Essence to Mana (25%)]


    Damn there¡¯s only around 30 more minutes left. I hope this shit finishes or can continue to convert while i¡¯m awake.


    ¡°Ahhh, Quite the luck eh?¡± A voice sounded out from behind me.


    I turned around to make out the owner of this new voice. I couldn¡¯t help but click my tongue, one wouldn¡¯t believe my awful luck. It¡¯s truly terrible.


    ¡°Why did you kill that child?¡± The man stated looking at the beastman with disgust.


    I stood there trying to give off the illusion of a mighty warrior. I had both hands behind my back giving off the aura of dominance. But little did the newcomer know the fear I was feeling.


    If I were to die in this state would my real body die as well?


    This thought was bouncing around my head, just the thought made me sweat a little.


    ¡°I am Guardsman Gulliver and under the decree from the towns chief you shall be punished for your crimes.¡±


    ***

 BASELESS JUDGMENT

    Zenith¡¯s POV


    I looked at the tattered dummies, leaking animal blood a pool started to form under them,. It was a normal day, nothing new, as usual I was at the training grounds. The birds carried out their daily routines and the breeze caressed Zenith¡¯s face with it¡¯s cool touch.


    I sat on a nearby bench, pulling out a note that I had received earlier that morning. Just the sight of the note would thrilled me everytime, note in hand I could see faint lettering on the front reading ¡®From mom and dad¡¯. Even if it didn¡¯t say that I still would¡¯ve know who had sent it from the seal,  The seal, sealing the letter was a special one used only by his parents.


    Unsealing the note with a knife, I pulled the note from within dropping a bunch of coins onto the ground in the process.


    ¡®Hey son, our journey has been very busy lately. We love and miss you so much. We will be back soon. We left you 60 silver coins for whatever you needed while we are gone.¡¯


    As much as I wanted to believe the note and anticipate the arrival of my parents at any moment, they had said the same thing in their notes for years now. I remember as a kid anytime I would hear knocking I would get excited, Maybe my parents had finally returned. Life didn¡¯t feel complete without them, they were my parents after all.


    Thinking back to the day when they left, I remembered it as if it were yesterday. The explorers guild had sent out a notice of a massive mission. Explore to the final floor of an unexplored dungeon the gift would be 20 gold coins. A whole 3 years since they had first posted the mission and no one has successfully finished it yet...Just how difficult is it? And why have a mission to explore to the final floor when you could send people? It was all confusing to me.


    My family didn¡¯t just abandon me though. That would¡¯ve been fucked up, with how young I was they needed to find a place for me to stay, so they had asked the towns chief to take care of me. The town''s chief agreed trying to convince me to stay in his residence, but with me escaping the premises each night, sneaking to the place I called my true home the town¡¯s chief eventually gave in, ordering guards to guard the home.


    my constant begging continued to fall upon deaf ears. I would continue time and time again begging the chief to pull his guards back, only just getting what I had wanted these past few years last year. But the constant sharp pangs and unrelentless headaches I had gained from the lack of privacy often trying to get the guards to leave to no avail, these feelings were quickly glossed over with an unbearable loneliness.


    The thoughts of utter loneliness reminded me of when I had first met Linus. The same group of three that always bullied him where the ones who were messing with him when I had first met him. The memory was vivid as if I had just experienced it. The trio had grabbed his money, playing a quick game of monkey in the middle, their laughter filling the air, one of them even hunching over out of breath. All I could think about was ¡®What would dad do¡¯. I wanted to be a hero like my father thus inserting myself into the situation. Linus and I gradually got close as time passed, to be honest at first I just wanted to be a hero and have something, or someone to protect, like my father. But with time the we had truly become close.


    ***


    ¡°Senseless, that all it was.¡± Gulliver stood across from me. One could easily tell he had a high sense of justice. The pair of eyes had yet to look away, It felt like the hardest round of a staring contest I had ever played, the tension so thick one could cut it with a knife. I stood not taking my eyes off of him afraid of a sudden sneak attack, but then again he did catch me off guard when he showed up, he could¡¯ve easily attacked me. Maybe he was one of those ¡®I¡¯d Prefer to fight you face to face¡¯ type of guys.


    Senseless? Baseless judgement.


    ¡°You, have a lot to atone for.¡± unsheathing his blade the sword was truly mesmerizing. The intricate patterns that ran down the blade let me know that it wasn¡¯t a simple blade, and verifying my thoughts I could feel a faint power from the blade.


    ¡°You have no blade? There¡¯s no satisfaction in capturing an unprepared man.¡± Gulliver stated before opening up a space gate taking out a dagger, tossing it, landing right in front of me¡­.Wait what?!?!?!?! My eyes repeatedly took in the three, the dagger, the space gate, and the enchanted sword.Love this story? Find the genuine version on the author''s preferred platform and support their work!


    What the fuck? This motherfucker can use a spacegate, has an enchanted sword, and can use a spacegate¡­...Maybe I should try to avoid this fight¡­.


    I could feel the potion was slowly wearing off. At most I had around twenty minutes left, so that would be twenty minutes of holding off.


    ¡°To be completely honest...I don¡¯t want to fight you. Where''s the fun in capturing someone way less experienced than yourself?¡± I stated trying to take advantage of that overly strong sense of justice of his.


    ¡°I''ve been doing this to long to fall for that trick¡±. Stepping closer, ¡°I gave you a way to defend yourself, So there is no excuse.¡±


    Gulliver lunged forward, kicking up a layer of dust behind him, partially blocking out the sight of the sun.


    So fas¡­.


    Throwing myself to the side, cold metal gliding dangerously close by my skin brought me out of any though I was in. ¡°Shit!¡± I hissed, my searing skin causing me to wince.


    A rude awakening indeed¡­..


    The sound of flesh searing beating at his eardrums, it took all of my control not to look at my now cooking arm, as I knew a split second of diversion against this guy could very well mean death.


    Cautiously picking up the dagger on the ground, eyes never leaving Gulliver.


    ¡°Dodging getting boring?¡± One could see him gushing from the thought of getting into a real fight. ¡°Haha, lets not hold back anymore.¡±


    Hold back? Dafaq¡­..That was holding back?


    Gullivers image vibrated at speeds to fast for the naked eye, his previous aura was now gone¡­.It almost, and I mean almost, felt like a new person altogether. His appearance didn¡¯t change much¡­.well except for his eyes, which now were very¡­.dead looking, that¡¯s the best way I could put it. His aura on the other hand was completely different, previously exuding an aura of pure justice, he now had an aura that spread a feeling of sorrow, and longing.


    I didn¡¯t realise it, but I was unconsciously being overcome with a despondent feeling.


    ¡°AGGGGHHHHH!¡± I could feel the cold glint of metal digging into my arm, digging almost completely through, dangling entrails lay alongside the barely attached limb, closely hugging my side, searing the inside preventing an otherwise waterfall of blood from covering the ground beneath me.


    Arms noodles, and legs needles I could feel death looming over me. Was I going to die? Was I just going to wake up? The multiple options didn¡¯t make this moment any less terrifying. Raising his sword, I just kept a steady gaze on him before finally closing my eyes ready for whatever awaited me.


    1¡­¡­


    2¡­¡­


    3¡­..


    10 seconds¡­¡­.


    [A madman''s rage activated -  lvl 1 - A beast isn¡¯t always its physical nature]


    [Conversion complete: Essence to Mana (100%)]


    It all went black¡­.


    POV: Guardsman Gulliver


    I could feel an unimaginable pressure suddenly come from the beast.


    Wh...No what is this thing?!?!?!


    In all my years I have never felt such a pressure. It wasn¡¯t that I haven''t been pressured by those stronger than myself. It was just that¡­.this was something new, completely foreign to even myself. The power it had just let go upon awakening, slammed into my side catapulting me away some feet. Struggling onto my feet I couldn¡¯t help but feel very wary at this moment. First off this¡­...what was this form it had taken. It looked like a direwolf/eagle. I had heard of some magi-scientists trying to cross breed species but it usually ended up with a crazed beast on a rampage that had to be eliminated. On Top of that those experiments were usually horrendous, but this beast before me was beautiful, majestic looking in a way. Pitch black fur covered its body, only changing near it¡¯s four paws which where a blinding shade of white, It¡¯s two wings curled up behind its back is if saying ¡®I¡¯m not going anywhere¡¯. As beautiful as it wa,  a beast was a beast in the end and this beast in particular had already killed within the town.


    ¡°C¡¯mon you confused piece of shit.¡± I sneered. Waiting for it to make it move. ¡°Fine, if you won¡¯t go then I will.¡± I slighted, Plunging forward with all the speed I had. Letting out an agonizing cry, I could see the pure anger within its eyes.


    ¡°Down under!¡± Under the beast formed a small circle of quicksand. Yes, the beast didn¡¯t look that frightened but had he known how deep it went maybe that would be different.


    ¡°Time for you to atone.¡± I sneered. The beast only looked at me with those dark blank eyes. I lunged forward to finish off what I had started only to stop halfway to the target.


    What the?!?!?!


    I jumped back, cautious from the scene playing out before me. The beast started glowing a brilliant light, The light dancing about it¡¯s body until he was completely coated in light. One could call him the opposite of a shadow at this point, Until he vanished a few particles of light drifting off into the air before completely disappearing as well.


    ¡°Fuck!!!¡± I threw my sword onto the ground in a fit a fury. I had been so close to getting that bastard. How the fuck did he just disappear all of a sudden? I couldn¡¯t wrap my head around it. He wasn¡¯t even stronger than me, that''s what truly angered me. I knew I could end that bastard yet he somehow still got away. I glared at the spot the beast was at just a moment before spouting out another round of nonsensical curses.


    ***