《Dark Shade Chronicle》


 Prolougue - Beginning of a journey down the Mountain

    Hey guys. This is my first story. Hope you guys enjoy the many more chapter that are to come. Leave a comment for any mistakes, I would appreciate that.


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    Loganth scurried on the floor. Scratching and crawling for help. Dirt and mud rubbed against his face as he dragged himself on the ground. Struggling with any strength left, he pushed himself with his legs out of the tent.


    "Where are you going Loganth? Have you not learnt anything I''ve taught you?" Garbed in bear''s fur around his top with wolf''s fur draped around his neck. The King pushed the flaps of the tent to draw closer to Loganth. "I took you in when you were twelve years of age. It''s been six years, but you''ve never killed for me."


    Circling Loganth, he said, "I am King! Everyone listens to me. You better do well to listen to me next time." With hell-fire spurting through his ears and nose, impatience is not one of the King of Mountain''s greatest virtue. "Stop crawling Loganth!" He shouted.


    The fear instilled into Loganth''s heart and soul is one of eternity. Gripped by instinct, Loganth continued digging his fingers into the soil, pulling himself away. A hand grabbed him by his shirt from behind. The king smacked his face with the back of his massive hands.


    "Ahhh.." His face swollen and numbed, ears ringing and heart throbbing in his temple. He stopped and gripped at his face. Adrenaline pumping through his veins. He felt anger, but his fear was bigger.


    Everyone was standing around. thousands of people looked at them and shouted praises to the one true king of the mountains. None of them wanted to be in Loganth''s state. Especially being hit by the King of the Mountains. But seeing blood, their own blood starts to boil.


    "You can''t even do a simple task I asked of you." Not waiting for a reply, he walked back into the tent. "Take him away, wash him, he''s going down the mountain." The King said without a turn. "Prepare all that he needs. He''ll leave in three days." Not waiting another second, two named men of the mountain dragged him to a tent not too far away.


    "Loganth." Slapping his face lightly to snap him out of his daze. "Loganth." This time louder and harder.


    "Mmmm." Loganth murmured. His eyelid opened but revealed the white of his eye. He must have fainted, they thought. Loganth was usually smart and good-looking. But when he doesn''t obey the King, this would happen.


    Everyone liked Loganth. Smart and courageous, quick and agile, strong and big, disciplined and inspiring. Only thing he didn''t have, or rather have, and what his father hated most was his sparing and forgiving attitude.


    It was this quality that made him get beaten by his father all the time, today included.


    "Queth, get him on the trunk. We''ve got to clean him." Spar said without looking at him. Queth, before being named was known as ''The Silent'' just nodded without speaking a word.


    Loganth turned in his sleep to get a better position. Forgetting that he was just beaten, he winced at the pain. "Argh! Fuck!" Face crumpled in pain and anger, he shouted under his breath. Feeling the pain, he wondered how being hit in the face always brought pain throughout his body.


    Pushing himself out of bed he went to quench his thirst with some water prepared beforehand. Probably by Queth he thought. Queth and Spar were his men. They took care of him since he turned twelve, six years ago. They were good men, but they still took orders from his father, the King.


    Stepping out of the tent, the drowning Sun showered his face warmly. It was evening and dinner was probably just finished. Loganth walked up to a person, it was Spar. "Any food? probably something soft."  Pointing to his swollen face with his eyes.


    "Can''t say I''m sorry Log. I''ve told you before. Even if you let them live, Berth would still have them killed one way or another. He doesn''t like loose ends. He''s king for a reason." Bringing a pot of soup out. It usually isn''t like this. But they were on a campaign, moving about all the time. Thus the camp and primitive lifestyle.


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    Waving his hands down towards Spar, signalling him that he doesn''t want to talk about it. Spar scooped the soup into a bowl and Loganth drank.


    "Kid, remember that there''s is much to learn. Do not be arrogant, we are better than no one." Spar suddenly said.


    Loganth ignored spar. Spar has always been smart, he has his own family and he cared about Loganth like a son. The only reason Spar knelt under the reign of Berth, the King of the Mountains was to safeguard his family from the terror of Berth. Berth took control of the Mountain, all clans either submit or die under his blade.


    "Just be careful. I know you''ve never killed. Berth took you in from a family of a nearby clan at twelve. You learned the art of killing but never killed. That tells a lot." Pausing for a sip of water. "But one day, you''ll understand. Especially when you''re older. You''ll find yourself doing things unthinkable." Breathing a deep sigh.


    Loganth never caught on. Until that sigh. It told many pain thoughts and feelings. "What''s happening. Why are you telling me all of these?"


    "Berth wants you down the mountain." Not waiting a moment, Spar said.


    "No" He answered quickly.


    "Right, down the mountain." Emphasizing with his fingers.


    "No. He can''t do this." Hands now touching his face. Remembering that slap. "Why?"


    Spar just gave a shrug. Hands shivering in the cold breeze.


    Not waiting a moment later, Loganth got up from his sit. He feared his father. Mentally preparing himself. He strode his way towards the largest tent.


    Feeling a hand grabbing his, he stopped and turned. "Don''t" Spar said. Offering a ''no'' with his head. "He''s in a bad mood."


    "Don''t worry. I''ll only ask the reason."


    Hesitantly he released his hand. Letting Loganth go.


    As if waiting for Loganth the whole time. The King sat on his ''throne''. Swirling his wine, he waited for Loganth to speak up.


    "What for?" Loganth started.


    Waiting a while longer. He had no reply.


    "Why do I have to head down the Mountain?" Loganth continued respectfully. "I may have let you down with my inability to kill. But I''ve served you as a general in leading your men, named and unnamed." He felt the throbbing of his face with the blood rushing wildly.


    "You''ll go and learn." Deeply Berth said. "See the world. If you can''t kill on the Mountain, maybe the other side will let you see." Berth did not believed what he said to be true. The Mountain was a cruel place. Killing and plundering is seen everyday. The other side are filled with cowardly people. But what they had were scheming, lying and cunning men. Berth did not want to see Loganth anymore for the time being.


    "Father." He said his goodbye. Not satisfied with the answer, he just got off his knees and left. He knew that was the best his father would answer. Anymore and he would be slapped again. But he wondered how was he going to get pass the walls.


    Spar sat outside. Listening to everything. He shouldn''t have, but he did anyways. He knew what was Loganth thinking. Reading his mind from experience. "Don''t worry. you''ll figure it out, you always do." "You''ll learn from them. Their arts, their people and their culture." Loganth mentally thanked Spar for his vote of confidence.


    Further from the tent, Spar smacked Loganth in the head, he screamed, "Ow.." Loganth knew that Spar love him. The closest he had to his previous family. He just didn''t show it. Like all men of the Mountain they had scars and wounds, but they always fought through it.


    Spar forced out a smile. Loganth knew it.

 Chapter 1 - Smart and Stupid

    Hope you guys enjoy. All comments are recognized and taken into deep consideration. Have a great day! :)


    Fun fact 1: Women feel twice the pain a man feels. But they have a higher tolerance. Girls! you rock.


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    Rustling and crunching of the leaves on foot. Leaves filtering the Sun light from above. It was getting warmer with winter passing. It was a great feeling. The snow was also thinning with every step further from the Mountain.


    "We''re soon reaching Loganth." Spar said. His young-wrinkled face showed no emotion. Nudging Loganth who sat on the same horse as him. Loganth was fully awake. Heart beating and hands sweating. His face slowly healing. Spar just liked to disturb Loganth.


    Not answering. He got of the horse. Food rations and water just enough for the trip slung over his shoulder in a leather bag. Clothed in enough to fit in and withstand the cold. Loganth was scared. It was his first time leaving the Mountain. No one left the Mountain, it was rare for one to leave unless on order from the King, which in this case he was.. Though not for a mission or a letter to the King over the Walls.


    Looking up to face Spar, he smiled for the last time. "Thanks. For everything." he said.


    "Don''t be all teary now boy. We''ll see you soon too. Just remember that no human can know everything. Strive to be better!" With a loud voice he said and laughed.


    Loganth ignored his craziness. "Here." Queth said. He was so quiet no one would have realized he was there at all. Throughout the whole trip he said nothing. Only now when he was offering a dagger to Loganth. Loganth had his own sword, but it was a half and a half sword. They knew it was a nuisance when travelling with it. Especially when he was going past the Walls. Queth came prepared.


    It was hard holding a conversation with Queth. But he liked the man nonetheless. Since a young age he''s been cared by these two men. Despite their weird and awkward character, they were great company. The dagger was Queth''s own. Taking the dagger out of its leather sheath. It has dulled over the years but it was looted from a soldier. It was simple but it was made by men past the Walls. Everything of theirs were better and sharper, stronger and sturdier. The weapon had a symbol engraved into its blade. It was clean but crudely engraved. Probably no effort was put into its symbol.


    He thanked Queth and left without a second glance. It was a new life, and he wasn''t ready. But he had to go. The main reason Queth and Spar came along was to make sure Loganth didn''t have second thoughts, disobeying his father. Otherwise they had to force him or kill him. Which none of them wanted to do, but orders are orders. Kill or be killed was the rule.


    After walking a day and a half, a fair way from the foot of the mountain. He heard a voice. It was shouting but quiet. excited but sturdy. Going closer, he hid behind a bush. Quietly he edged closer for a better look. These were not Mountain men. They looked clean and clumsy. Though not much could be said considering Loganth looking quite the same as them. But he knew, they were not of the Mountain. Five of them they sat around, dressed in the same clothing as Loganth.


    "Hahah. We finally got that rabbit!" A man twice Loganth''s size said. "Man oh man, you little bugger." Cutting into the rabbit he slowly and painfully skinned it while still breathing. It writhed and squirmed crazily. Loganth pitied the rabbit. Despite living in the Mountains, his men always gave a swift chop of its head to end its live before cutting into it. Unless they are humans, whereby they would probably do the same and skin them alive.


    Watching this scene, Loganth already did not like them. But he still watched from afar.


    "This little bugger." Flicking the rabbit''s skull with his finger. "Stealing our teal leaves! Lucky we got you otherwise we would be losing our job." The big man said again. That''s why Loganth thought.


    "Hah Ashur, that''s enough. We got the leaves back, quickly prepare the fire. It''s getting dark quick and soon." Another man said.


    The man torturing the rabbit got up, pocketed his knife and went the opposite direction of where Loganth hid. One more left with him.


    That night Loganth hid a fair ways away from them. He hid and observed them. He avoided making any movement to prevent them from hearing him. He did not trust them and he did not know anything about them. But he knew he did not like Ashur. He was considered small relative to his people. But these people were smaller than him in height, besides Ashur. They did nothing besides resting the whole and recuperating and maintenance.


    The thing he hated that night was not having the comfort of a fire. The nights can get very cold. Despite living in the Mountains throughout his whole life, the cold was unbearable especially in the night. But he had to carefully plan his every movement. Not anyone can enter past the Walls, according to Spar. He said that there were strict rules against foreigners without a paper for entry. Since the rule of Berth, and the recent campaigns to gain control of Westea in the South. Berth had all the land he needed. But greed and power have blinded him. Stories mentioned of Berth in his younger valiant day in effort to survive when it was cold and dark. That led one to another to the point of him being King. Unifying all men under one name through blood and sweat.


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    Through the night and another day he wrapped himself in his cloak. His legs hurt with the lack of movement. Pins and needles crawling up his leg. Snacking on the bread that have turned hard.


    After the second day, "Joe, time is coming to an end. We''ll have to go back soon." The skinniest man said.


    "Got it" Collecting his thoughts.  "Mak could you scout out around us and a little more towards the north. Give it a final run." Joe, the leader of the group spoke to the scout. "We''ll pack your things."


    "Ahh. Lucky Mak, always getting your things packed for you." Ashur teased a little.


    "You wanna scout instead? I would pack your things." Sounding a little annoyed. He looked towards Ashur''s belonging. A pack of water, a small bag to sleep in, a sword and another bag, filled with teal leaves.


    Ashur just grinned. Mak knew that he teased a lot, but it got annoying after a long time. It has been three months since leaving the wall. With the recent struggle against the Mountain, the men past the Wall have been on alert. Sending small groups of soldiers to report for any advancements.


    That noon, they got everything packed. Loganth had to move away while Mak scouted the area. While he came back following Mak''s footsteps. Not a very good scout Loganth noted. Though it cannot be compared to Loganth who lived in the Mountains all his life. Apparently they are two days away from the Wall. Loganth had to come up with a plan to get past the Wall. He racked his brain and nothing came up. Spar told him that the Wall cannot be infiltrated with the massive wall and strict rules.


    And from the conversations he had heard, they were soldiers and thus the best way would be to follow them. But no one has crossed out of the Wall since the rule of Berth. The only chance of him getting past the Wall is with the status of a soldier. But no one goes out alone from his observations. Thus a story was what he needed.


    Quickly passing the group. He stopped by one tree and hid behind it. He took the strap of his leather bag and bit into it. Taking the dagger, he cut a few wounds into his arms and he stabbed himself into the thigh. Muffled sounds of pain came out of Loganth''s mouth. Though not loud enough for it to reach the soldiers. He then wiped some of his own blood onto his face and clothes.


    As soon as heard their footsteps. He stepped out, clutching his stabbed leg. "Help." He said weakly.


    Being soldiers means being cautious and ready at any moment. They drew their swords out quickly. Pointing the tip of the blade at him. "Help" Loganth said again. This time dropping to the floor. This was not an act. Loganth regretted this, he should have came up with something better he thought. "Fuck!!" he thought.


    "Who are you?" The leader Joe said.


    Still in pain and not in an act, Loganth''s words got stuck in his throat.


    "Speak or this sword goes through your heart boy!" Ashur said. He was big and definitely intimidating.


    Catching his breath. He has gotten into many fights where he gets wounded. But with no adrenaline coursing through his veins beforehand, the pain was quite unbearable. "Mountain men. They attacked me." Paled face and sweating, Loganth managed to say. His swollen face making it even more convincing.


    The group of men spoke with their eyes. Glancing at each other. Especially glaring at Mak, the scout. They must be thinking how he did not see me when scouting Loganth thought. Suspicious but seeing how weak and fragile Loganth was at that moment, they relaxed and quickly took Loganth into their care.


    "Tell me what happened." Joe said. Suspicious and curious.


    "I got separated from my group when Mountain men ambushed us from the trees. We got careless, and I don''t know what happened to them." Loganth replied. Voice shaking with every moment passed. The cold was getting to him.


    "Ergh!" Loganth looked down and saw the fifth person binding his wound with cloth. He knew that there was five soldiers. but this one was so quiet like Queth. Probably having the same title, ''the Silent'' too if these man were not named since birth. This man was a professional he thought. It was swift and efficient. Pouring some water into Loganth''s mouth.


    Joe looked at Loganth suspiciously. "What''s your name?" Jerking Loganth from fainting.


    "Loganth" he managed to squeeze before blacking out.


    Mak took the dagger and looked at the symbol. Passing it to Joe, they nodded. Confirming that he is part of the army. Loganth did not know. And Queth definitely did not know as well. It was fortunate that he came up with the story of him being a soldier. "They must have used his own dagger to stab him. Bad way to get stabbed." Ashur teased. Again.


    No one mused his teasing. "His body is heating up. Getting a fever." Mak chimed in. Touching his forehead and neck for a feel.


    "Lucky fella." The skinny man said. They were on the way back home. And it was not far. He was lucky he wouldn''t die from stabbing himself. He would wake regretting his actions. Maybe thinking smarter.

 Chapter 2 - The Art of Pain and Longing

    Hey guys, a new chapter again today. I hope I can keep things up. I have exams next week butt the story is so damn good :p


    Fun fact 2: In a fight, adrenaline would be released and would course through the body. With that, everything would seem like it is in slow motion. It feels like you can see everything coming. But of course, an untrained body wouldn''t be able to react to it.


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    Loganth woke up in bed, pained and ached, again. Looking over his body. He saw that his body has been wiped clean of blood and dirt. The would are all wrapped in cloth and smeared with yellow ointment. His whole body ached and he regretted everything he did before. Especially his thigh, the pain was still fresh and it was the worst.


    He looked around. It was a big room. Beds allowing a single person to lie on, distributed with calculation and organisation. It was intimidating. It was crude and it numbered at least twenty. though only two other individuals lied on the bed. He didn''t like it. Resting enough, he got off the bed. He needed to know where he was.


    Though a nurse, followed by Joe and the skinny man strode up to his bed. They took Loganth into their arms and lied him back on the bed. They must have been checking in every so often to catch him now.


    "You''re not rested enough. We''ll bring you some water." The nurse had the most serenading voice.


    "No, I''m fine." He tried getting up again. Though this time he wobbled when his wounded leg touched the ground.


    "Easy there." Joe swooped in and laid him on the bed.


    Feeling weak and seeing as they''ve aided his wounds, he conceded and laid back on the bed. Running his hands over his wound on the leg. A tear flowed.


    Joe took a chair and sat by the bed while the skinny man stood behind him. Quiet and cautious he looked. "So tell me everything that happened." Joe started.


    A quiet pause later, Loganth pushed himself to his backside. Leaning against a pillow he said, "Me and my group got ambushed while scouting the area." Creating a believable story quickly he continued, "We went around, just like your group. But we lost ourselves and apparently went too far into their territory." "And I got separated from my group. That''s it." He  hoped that was enough. Meanwhile the nurse offered him the cup of water. That was refreshing he thought.Though the water tasted weird.


    Though Joe and the skinny man did not seem happy with the answer. It was the same thing he told them when they first met. "Where are you from?" Shit, Loganth thought. Did they caught onto his accent? He tried following as well as he could..


    "I''m not from around here. Far away I lived. You wouldn''t know if I told you."


    More suspicious now then ever, Joe asked again. " Where are you from?" This time louder and firmer.


    Remembering the stories Spar told him and the many nonsensical stories his people told him of their past. He picked a name. He hoped and prayed. "I was from the Typical Seas. From a smaller town just a little ways from Vas Kingdom." Ready to jump and run at any moment.


    As if in thought, Joe and the skinny man paused a while. "Fair enough." He said. "I won''t bother you for now. When you feel better, come find me. I would like to talk more." As if a changed in his attitude, Joe flashed a smile. It was not filled with a thread of emotion. Just a boring smile, Loganth thought.


    Finally having a breather, Loganth sighed a breath of relief.


    Joe walked to the door and left with the skinny man. "Do you think he''s telling the truth?"


    The skinny man replied, "Not so. There is some truth in it I believe." Thinking, "Do you think he''s from the Mountain?"


    "His accent was rough and he was found nearer to the Walls. It seemed like it was planned. He couldn''t have walked with a wounded leg all the way to the place we met him. It seems weird." Joe said.


    "His wounds are deep. No man is stupid to inflict a wound, so mortal if he is a spy. If caught, can''t run."


    Before he could say another word. A man walked up to the both of them. "Haha! Look who we have here. I didn''t think that it would be you Joe!" Arms spread and heading towards Joe. The man hugged him.


    Flashing a genuine smile this time. He returned the hug. "What brings you here my old Krit?" "You too!" Looking at the man behind.


    "It''s us." Krit was huge and fit. He could take easily take a bear or two down with his bear hands.


    "What are you doing here?" The man with Krit said. Bon was not so big. Shorter and stubbier. But tough as well. Scars littered his body. A veteran he was.


    "We just finished our scout a few days ago." "Man it was a tough one this time. The cold was terrible and the wood were damp." "All the animals were in hibernation." Shaking his head and swinging his fist, he elaborated. Telling of their scouting trip, they continued. Though the skinny man said little as he was not a close acquaintance of the new company.


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    "So tell me. Joe said. "What about you? Taking the next shift?"


    "Hah. We were the same. My group did a scouting around the area next your group." Patting Bon on the shoulder. It was terrible with the winter. They were on the same boat and they wanted to get home, quick. "Both out groups were assigned here."


    Caught onto something, Joe asked, "But I met a man who said he scouted this area as well. He was separated his group while being ambushed by Mountain men." Realizing that his suspicion was well found, anger built up and impatience worn. "Swords." He whispered. Creeping into the room, but Loganth was gone. He must''ve heard their talk, Joe thought.


    Loganth sneakily got out of the room through the back window, careful to not wake the two patients. Not forgetting his dagger, he placed it into its sheath. It was on the lowest floor he praised. But to his disappointment. There was no tall buildings, no roads lined with cobblestone, no castle of great effort. He past the Wall, though not brought into the Kingdom, only he first line of defense from the Mountain. He still had to go further.


    Looking around he saw a few horses. Grazing the grass they lived. Limping with every step, he climbed the horse. Signalling the guards to open the gate, the horse galloped away. Once past the Walls, the guards allow all to exit. Unless coming in, he had to provide reason or paper.


    He knew Joe and his friends would be by his tail any moment now. Turning to look over his shoulder, four men on horses chased after him. He tried to outrun, but he couldn''t. "Stop!" Joe shouted.


    Loganth knew he couldn''t outrun them.And even if he ran all the way to the Kingdom, these four men were soldiers, they would have connections and he would be trapped. He slowly pulled the reins and the horse came to a stop. The men circled him on their horses. With his heart thumping so hard, he felt his wounds opening and throbbing. Sweat running down his face.


    "You can''t fight us. Drop you weapon and let us take you to the Kingdom." "If you promise to get off your horse, we''ll ensure you no blood will be spilled." Swords still sheathed, the four men circled him. Intimidating as it was, he knew he couldn''t be spared. He was a Mountain men, sworn enemy of the Kingdoms.


    Loganth got off his horse. Dagger in hand pointed to be concealed. Still circled, leg limping, heart throbbing. He slashed at Joe''s horse''s hind leg. Next he took the dagger and stabbed it at Krit''s leg. "Ahh!" He was the biggest, so he had to disable him first. Though the men were all veterans, fought through the elements and blood. They just didn''t think a man stupid enough to fight four men by himself. Loganth quickly drew Bon''s sword from his scabbard and pushed through the circle. Trying to get as far as possible, he limped and finally turned to face them.


    Joe was dropped by his horse, still struggling to get up. Krit was disabled, dagger still in his leg, he stood up and leaned on a wall. The skinny man and Bon stood opposite him. "You''re dead!" Bon shouted. He rushed at Loganth with his dagger. Loganth parried and attacked. But Bon was as trained as him. Though Loganth held the advantage, he did not want to kill. The skinny man shouted. Turning he saw a sword coming at him. He dodged and jump away. He was paling with his wound opened and bleeding again. He had no strength left. Was he going to die?


    ~~~~~~~~~~


    I can''t fight anymore. My leg hurts and I''m losing consciousness. With every swing of my sword and every step of my feet. My leg struggles. Father, Spar, Queth, I''m sorry. I''m blacking out. NO!


    ~~~~~~~~~~


    Loganth eye''s closed. And he limped and his body slowly fell. But before hitting the ground. His body stopped midway. His body turning dark and covered in black mist. He became unrecognizable. "What the heck!" Bon said aloud. Loganth''s wounds started to heal and he stood again. Back bent, wounds healed, eyes closed. He was like a puppet being controlled by a puppeteer. He swayed eerily. The men backed way. they have heard of the mysterious arts. But this was different. It was ominous. It was dangerous.


    Without a sign, Loganth''s body appeared beside Bon and he slashed his head clean off his body. The head rolled but Loganth showed no sign of fear or disgust. "Fuck! Get away from me you monster!" The Skinny man backed out in fear. he was always the most collected besides the fifth man. but this time he looked like a little kid chased my a bee.


    Not disturbed, Loganth walked up to the skinny man and crushed his head with his hands. Like a blur he appeared beside Krit and Joe, stabbing them and taking their hearts out. Like a shade, he appeared and dissipated again. The men lied on the ground. Relaxed and serene. The only giveaway was their bodies covered in blood.


    As time passed, Loganth got farther but closer to the Kingdom. He flashed.


    "Ergh." Joe''s chest was holed out. But he screamed. A root, a vine, came up from the ground and wrapped around his body. Somehow he still had life. He struggled in pain and screamed, though Loganth was too far and unconscious to hear it.

 Chapter 3 - Mysteries and Questions

    Keeping up with one chapter a day! Though I might have to take a break sometime for a while because exams are coming. I''ll try to keep it up at one chapter a day! To those who follow my story, thank you. Love you guys! :)


    Fun fact 3: You can''t read words and time in your dreams. (FACT!!)


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    Loganth was lined up in a queue. Hundreds of people buzzed around him. No space was spared and it crowded the compound. This was a separated space, a private space for a test.


    It was just two days that Loganth fought and killed a human for the first time. He reached the gates wondering where he was. It was surreal. He felt no pain from his legs or his body from the cuts he inflicted on himself. He felt no ached nor did he tire. He felt great and he did not believe that it was reality. No blood stains no dirt. It looked like nothing happened. And that was what Loganth thought too.


    He knew that he was chased. Everything that transpired was real but Loganth remembered nothing. He questioned reality. Loganth wondered whether everything before the Wall was a dream? But one thing he knew was that he felt pain in his heart. It was uncomfortable, a block weighed on his heart. Strung and chained, crushed and suffocating, it did not feel great. Only his body felt great.


    He arrived with little to no security at the doors. The doors were barely guarded. He wondered maybe the Kingdom relied too much on the Wall. Though it could not be argued that the Walls were quite impossible to breach. With great care and thought, he entered the Kingdom with little effort. The Kingdom was named Drownstone. It was peculiar, the name. Reading from the front gate where a history stone was laid, writing of its name and its history. Drownstone, named after the valiant effort by the seventh King, Hurdon Pyne. The House of Pyne laid their name and rule, fought through history and law, and they stood above many.


    History writes that the Pyne House laid claim to this land due to its strong foundation, Drownstone. Bordered between the Mountains where blood constantly flowed and cold that never ceased, while drowned by ocean water surrounding it. Similarly the hot stone to the East, where truth and Kingdoms fought for its rights. It was not the best place, but the history laid on it made it mighty. And whoever took it would reign.


    It was not lies, as the Pyne House is the strongest with the support of their Gods. They fought wars from the Further East while holding their ground against the Mountain men. What stood was the Mountain, the Wall, Pyne Kingdom and the Further East, separated by the Typical seas where Vas Kingdom stood close.


    The Kingdom was spectacular. The crowd walked the streets, no sword in hand. It was peaceful, very unlike the Mountains. Only the guards could lay their hands on their swords. Climbed by armor and thick sweat. The weather was warm, Loganth who lived in the Mountains overflowed with sweat. It filled buckets. Flowers grew by the houses and vendors. Men spoke with elegance and wonder. Quiet with just enough voice, calm and mannered. It was different Loganth thought.


    With the Sun sat atop the sky, it was noon. He woke up early in the morning he thought. But he did not know that he ran while unconscious for two days and two night with no rest. Only awake at the gate. It was like a few hours ago when he left the Wall.


    Coming up to the front of the line, he was called. "Next" the instructor said. Coming up, he went into a tent. The surface of the inner tent was white compared to its red extremities. The tent was simple though mysterious. Everything was mysterious since he came into the tent. No one was in the tent as he thought, he heard the voice from within the tent.


    The mystery though, was the octahedron. It was two pyramids stacked base to base against each other. It was simple but deep. Darkness colored the object. The object lighted the tent, he wondered but he saw no candle, he assumed. He was cautious. He did not know the rules. But he knew that this was enrollment into the University. Not everyone could enter. It was the smartest, the most talented, the richest, the toughest and the most mysterious that entered. He knew not the criteria, but what he didn''t know was that the tent he was in, was the mysterious mystery test.


    No hearing another instruction. He looked around another time. He braced himself. He didn''t know what to do, but he felt compelled to reach for the octahedron. So that was what he did.


    With the first touch, he found himself in another land. Far and vast. A house stood in front of him. Alone and isolated. It was familiar and mysterious. He never wondered why was he there. It was natural at that moment. Mysterious as it was, it was his home, before the King of the Mountain took him back for servitude. He looked around. There was nothing but vast skies and stretched land. It wasn''t like this. But looking at his home, he reminisced, the nostalgia. It was his life. Appearing out of nowhere, a boy phased through the standing and bewildered Loganth. Shocked, Loganth moved his hands to his body. It touched. It was there. He sighed a breath of relief. With no time for another question, Loganth hears the galloping of horses. He was so focused previously he never realized.


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    Seven men rode to the front. Led by the King of the Mountain, they got off their horses and got to the door of the house. Not having the chance to call for an audience, the door creaked softly and two people came out. "What do you want Berth." The mother of the child said.


    Berth, the King spoke resolutely, "Give me the child Vesa, I need him."


    Hiding the child behind her. Berth spoke again, "You knew this was coming, hand the child over." His men rough looking and scarred. They needed a bath.


    "No!" The mother shouted. "He''s still too young. He needs a home and he needs me!" She said with fear and disgust. He showed it.


    As if on queue, two men walked up and pulled the mother from the boy. She struggled and kicked. Female as she was, she pulled herself free from the man, elbowed him in the face and ran up to the boy. She punched the other man in the face. Pulling the boy into her embrace again. Loganth stood there looking as an observer. Looking at this scene, he remembered everything and was going to happen. Not wanting it to happen again.


    The man previously elbowed, angry and fuming, unsheathed his sword. Pulling the mother away, he grabbed her from behind and slashed her abdomen. Her intestines dropped out and blood flowed with it. "NO!!" the boy screamed. Late as Loganth was to react, he tried catching the woman into his embrace before she phased through him and fell to the ground. He bawled and screamed. This was torture, watching his mother dying again. He felt anger and sadness.


    He lied on the floor by the Vesa, his mother. He ran his fingers by her face. tearing in pain and anger. She held onto the little life she had left.


    The boy, despite being ten, practiced the art of killing from a young age. He ran and tackled the killer of his mother. Caught off guard, the boy sat on the man by his chest and punched the man tirelessly. His flesh on his knuckles tore, his fingers broken and his heart ached. The man''s face twisted with fragments of broken facial bones with torn flesh and missing teeth.


    "Loganth." the woman said softly, the loudest she could. Though a whisper, little Loganth heard it as clear as day. He stopped and looked at her. Pale and wet, she still smiled. It was the sweetest.


    "Don''t" She continued. "Stop, Loganth" She said more but he heard nothing more. But what he little he heard, it was the voice of heaven. It melted his heart, and he broke down as she breathed her last breath.


    Little Loganth, consumed by grief and revenge. Cried and took her last words as a vow. He would live and eat by it.


    Though, the ephemeral Loganth. Lying down by her side, heard everything he never heard the first time. "Don''t kill when consumed." That was her last words.


    Still grieving, Berth came up to little Loganth. He pushed him away from the unrecognizable man, took a sword and drove it through the man. Despite his own men, he cared little for the man. Vesa was his one of many women he slept with. And he cherished her. He did nothing to stop the man, as he knew these would be a weakness and flaw in his life if his men knew what a weak Mountain man and King he is. But he still could kill the man if he wanted to. Strength was the answer.


    Little Loganth, took that as revenge against the man, by his hands or another. The man had to die.


    Still crying. His vision changed once more. In a forest, he stood. Blade in hand. This time he was in his own body. Not an observer but a participant. Though, he could not control his muscles, he sees, he smells, he feels, he hears, he taste and he thinks his own, present, at that moment.


    Four men across his view. Two on the floor and two directly in front of him. He felt the blade through Bon''s neck, slicing the head off its shoulder. He felt the head of the skinny man, crushed between his fingers. And he felt his hand through Krit and Joe''s chest, and their hearts beating in his palm. He smelled their blood. He tasted their blood from the messy job. He heard blade and hand through bones and flesh. He saw what he did. He gagged. Disgusted by the act. He knew it was him. He just knew. The felt his heart tugged. That was what happened.


    His vision blurred this time and he was back to where he first touched the octahedron. He realized now, it was some sort of stone. It was cold and elongated and it fitted right in his hands. There he stood, six foot two tall, black haired to his neck, clean faced and bewildered.


    "You didn''t pass." A voice said, the instructor it must be. Loganth heard it though he didn''t pay it much thought nor did he question the method. He did not question whether this was natural, how much time passed or whether they saw what he saw. He walked out the way he came in. The crowd was bustling with tiny cliques and small conversations. Though his mind was working, silence from any external noises. He mind just went back to those scenes. Reliving it. He was in his own world at this moment.

 Chapter 4 - Humble and integration

    Sorry for a day missed, was busy. Hope you people out there have a great day! Please do comment on any mistakes found. I love comments. <3 The story is starting to build up now! Can''t wait!


    Fun fact 4 - You can''t spell the letter ''p'' without separating your lips.


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    Still caught up in his thought, Loganth continued walking. His mind was distracted from reality. His mother, his mother¡¯s killer, the men he killed and the feeling. Everything were unpleasant experiences, though each one repeated themselves in his mind. His heart weighed heavier with every scene. But he¡¯s gone through them in the past. He knew better than to dwell. He¡¯s seen the brutalities, torture and savages of men. He led them in the past. But this time it was him who killed them.


    Further out of the testing area, he had no destination. But turning the quiet corner, he felt apat on his shoulder. Shocked out of his reverie, he jumped. Turning, a man greeted him, tall and skinny, old and experienced. This man held wisdom in his eyes Loganth thought. ¡°Hello there boy.¡± The wise man greeted.


    Just waking up from his daydream, his mouth wanted to open, but he voluntarily shut them, not wanting to tell any sevrets. Confusion was seen in his eyes. He was in a Kingdom of his enemy. No men knew him here and he knew no men here. He acted his best to fit in. Elegance in every step, crudeness absent in his posture, eyes not wandering as if a foreigner. Obviously his eyes were not wandering considering that he was daydreaming. Did his steps falter or did his back and neck crumbled under his loss in thought. He repeated in his mind that no one knew who he was thus he would not react exaggeratedly.


    Smiling, the man continued, ¡°You see¡± A pulse of a pause, his eyes looked up to the walls of the alley, ¡°I saw that you did not pass the test.¡±


    Catching his flying thoughts, ¡°Um, yea.¡± Loganth said.


    ¡°Why did you not ask why you failed? You are obviously new and inexperienced in this discipline and its gifts.¡± The wise man said, showing his aged teeth kindly.


    ¡°Well, no I just didn¡¯t think about it.¡±


    ¡°You obviously went there knowing something, to experience or to discover¡±¡± Pointing his wrinkled finger at Loganth with a knowing face,


    ¡°You heard of it, but actually knew nothing. You saw the test and wanted to try your chance.¡± Not a question, a statement this time.


    He continued, ¡°I see you. I remember seeing you.¡± Grinning wildly, ¡°You¡¯re one of them, a Mountain men.¡± He stretched the words, emphasizing, isolating its word.


    He was found out. He tried to act innocent. But his body tensed, heartbeat rised. But Loganth knew better than to overreact. Yes he was discovered. He should run, bribe the man with money untouched, hide, beg, or kill? He could do one of them. Running would do nothing, he would not get out of the Kingdom without a paper and a reason. Bribe the man, though he had nothing. Hide in a Kingdom that he knew nothing of, with everyone against him. Beg or kill? He would need to find out first.


    First off, Loganth wouldn¡¯t kill, yet. Secondly, Loganth wouldn¡¯t kill a man under the afternoon Sun, the man knew it too, otherwise he wouldn¡¯t be here, alone. Unless he had mysterious arts Loganth knew naught of. Which was a better reason not to.


    ¡°What do you want?¡± Loganth whispered out of his teeth.


    The man stood and drew closer. ¡°Nothing.¡± The wise man said. ¡°I am just but a curious tall man.¡±


    Still on guard. There was nobody in the alley, only rats scampering through the tiny sewage holes. The closest men were those walking pass the alley. Too noisy to hear anything, but clear enough to see a man murdered. Loganth chose not to speak. Careful with every notion.


    ¡°I¡¯m curious about your people, while you¡¯re curious about mine. I can see a reciprocal relationship being established.¡± An undistinguished sound was later accompanied by a nudge. It was funny, the man¡¯s action. Waiting for Loganth¡¯s approval or even a sound loganth was silent the whole time. But what he was really interested weren¡¯t Loganth¡¯s people, but his gift.


    ¡°Why should I believe you?¡± Loganth said.


    The man didn¡¯t answer. Pulling Loganth¡¯s arm, they walked out of the alley onto the busy road. Embracing the full experience of a University entry day. Loganth had no choice, the man did not report him. He knew that was a reason to believe the man. So he let himself get dragged.


    ¡°I¡¯ve seen many of your men.¡± The wise man took his chance. ¡°Few years ago, when your people started pushing their way east, I participated in one of the campaigns. To say the least, I was observing. You see, as I said I¡¯m a curious men. I observe many things. From war to culture, politics and music, disciplines and arts. He emphasized on the last. The man knew what he was doing. And it was drawing Loganth¡¯s attention. They walked back towards the University.


    He continued about his curiosity and his hungry mind. The man craved for knowledge. ¡°I saw your test. It was terrible! It is common for the stone to shine when touched. But yours didn¡¯t react.¡± The man left it there. The man knew Loganth came here for knowledge, otherwise he wouldn¡¯t even attempt the test. But Loganth was still cautious, and he was just quiet in nature. And he was digesting everything the man said.


    Impatient, he continued, ¡°You see, people with the gift and study these mysterious arts can breathe out fire and survive under water for long periods of time! Are you not curious?¡± The man growing impatient. He was a man of knowledge. And it was difficult for him to see a man with so little question.


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    ¡°Tell me more.¡± Loganth satisfied the man.


    Grinning that a man wants to know more, from him no less. ¡°You see, I¡¯m not like most people. When I see your test, I see a gift, the gift more precisely. I studied history, I predicted future possibilities. Many do not try to understand. Any men who lives will have an affinity to something. Little or not, they have it. And people with stronger affinities usually show a unique ability, they have a spirit in them. Mysterious beings, weird and powerful. It was theorize by a master of the discipline that these spirits enhances a man¡¯s affinity.¡± This man liked saying ¡®you see¡¯, Loganth thought. It was annoying.


    ¡°And these stones show your affinity. It is color coded, and the stone will shine its color according to the affinity. Maroon is fire, turquoise is water, green is wind and brown for earth. There were many reported incidence of stones not shining. Like yours.¡± He said. ¡°But I see things differently.¡±


    Coming up to a field. It was in the University. Loganth never realized that he had entered the grounds. He must have took a roundabout way and walked from the front to the back way he thought. Coming up were students, aged quite similarly to Loganth. Some the same, many older in age. They were practicing swordplay. Knights were practicing their swings. Some with no technique nor power nor the will. Empty swings he quietly said. Though some were intimidating, frightening and plainly dangerous. The students paid no attention, though some paid a little too much attention. Probably angry that strangers disturb their time.


    Suddenly a man came up. ¡°Sir¡± the man said. Blonde and young, tough and tall. He greeted Loganth with a nod.


    ¡°Ashter, get someone to duel this man here.¡± The wise man said.


    Loganth, not in the best position to retort considering he was a victim this time did not refute. Ashter handed Loganth a sword. It was his favorite, a half and a half sword. Slowly, people edged away, the old wise man did the same. It was uncommon for a man to duel unless to prove himself or to settle a feud.


    The man dueling Loganth greeted, stood his ground and waited for Loganth to return his greet. But Loganth, who lived in the Mountain did not know that a greeting was in order. The old man shook his head. ¡°Show me what you got boy¡± the dueling man said. Clearly pissed.


    Suddenly the man, impatient and simply feeling not respected as a man plunged towards Loganth. Living in the Mountain and fighting so often, Loganth did not shy away. Most fights in the Mountain were to kill but he knew this man wasn¡¯t. Loganth, on instinct lifted his sword and moved to parry. The wise man knew he would be able to fight, though he still tested him. Maybe he could enter the University for his fighting discipline. He wanted to know Loganth better, as a Mountain men and as an abnormality in the mysterious arts and its gift.


    The man dove and swung. Right and left Loganth swayed while parrying the man¡¯s sword. Careful to keep a distance. The man growing impatient, plunged angrily. A mistake Loganth knew. And he took his chance. Careless and angry, it was an opportunity. He plunged too far and Loganth parried and circled his wrist, taking the sword out of the man¡¯s hand. He trained himself to not kill while preventing men from killing him. At optimum state and no wounds, the man was too easy. All knights were trained to have a firm grip on a sword. Fight with a sword, die with a sword.


    Taunting Loganth beforehand and losing, the man felt humiliated. Furthermore being disarmed, that was total defeat. The man walked up and shook Loganth¡¯s hand. ¡°Good fight. I¡¯m Davis¡± He said. Loganth returned the shake, Spar warned him of their weird customs.


    The wise man walked up and patted him. ¡°Great job. I knew you could fight.¡±


    Loganth did not say much. He was being taken advantage of but he had no choice but to listen. The students clapped and congratulated Loganth. Apparently the man was quite a good knight. Davis, black haired and black irises like many others, though shorter than most.


    Taking Loganth away, the man jumped towards his chance, ¡°You see, I¡¯ll ask the University to let you join into the knight''s discipline. Do you want to?¡± Loganth was obviously surprised. He knew that the man said he saw his test in the tent with the stone, but it just didn¡¯t clicked until now that he was one of the teachers. But this was denied immediately, he answered to his mind read. ¡°No, I¡¯m not a teacher. But I have connections.¡± He said.


    Loganth not letting his chance go to integrate himself into the University for Knowledge quickly said yes. Though what he wanted was to learn their mysterious arts. But obviously the wise man knew that, otherwise Loganth wouldn¡¯t try the test. ¡°You¡¯ll not be able to practice their arts considering you failed their discipline test. Though, you could enter the lectures on their arts.¡± Pausing a little, ¡°And you¡¯ll practice their arts secretly.¡± The man gave a sly grin. ¡°Go find Ashter, tell him you¡¯re new and that Sir Humble recommended you.¡±


    Loganth was confused. First he failed the test, the wise man also said that his test was terrible, a total blunder! The man explained all the reasons he was not eligible to practice. But now he said this. What was he on about?


    Throughout the whole encounter, Loganth did not speak nor disclose anything about himself. Trust was not a virtue a Mountain men afforded to spare. Trust means opening himself to the man. And he did not trust the man. The only people he trusted were Spar and Queth, maybe his King too considering that he had no choice but to listen to his orders. No matter what the order, he had to ''trust''. But not this time, not in Pyne Kingdom. He was here to learn and to expose himself to their culture and knowledge. He was going to go through University life without trust. Because trust only warrants distrust, was what he believe.

 Notice

    Basically, I have no time and I''m not happy with the story. I know I can do better, and so I will.


    Hey guys thank you to those who follow this story. And those that Favorited this story, I''m glad you guys enjoyed this story.


    But exams are coming and I can''t continue as of now.


    Also I''m not very happy with the story and the effort I put in. I know I can do better. Thus I am going to rewrite this story when I have the time. And it wont be a chapter a day. I''m going to write longer chapters with maybe a faster pace or more action. I will also have to set the story and background of the world more carefully.


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    The story will still be the same, as in the world setting, the mysteries and character. Maybe a slight variation. The story will have more action, more cruel and more fantasy.


    So I will post the new fiction page when I''ve posted a chapter soon. I will post it on this fiction page. Hope you guys stay and continue reading. Thank you <3