Mage Slayer part 4: Battle for my Homeland

 Jack stood anger blazing in his eyes as he grabbed the spear off the ground, looking out he saw three giants attacking his village. One giant was armed with a large club, another threw human-sized spears at the screaming villagers, and the third tore down houses and stomped down the rubble. The giants were the size of five tall men, covered in leather armor. A woman in the distance screamed for someone to save her, Jack recognized her voice, "Mother!"

Launching himself forward Jack bellowed at the top of their lungs, like a Viking warrior leading the charge in battle, Jack got the attention of the giants, throwing the spear through the skull of the giant who threatened his mother, and the giant fell back dead. Looking at his childhood home Jack saw his mother, lying under rubble, as a wooden beam was stuck through her heart. Tears filled his eyes as a large hand smacked the back of his head, "Where were you!"

Jack turned seeing his father, or at least the man who said he was his father, fear, anger, and grief mixed in the depths of his soul as his hand rose, slugging the man in the jaw, as one of the giants yelled out in mourning of the giant Jack had killed moments before. The old farmer fell backward into the dirt. Jack stood over him eyes narrow, "Don't talk to me, old man."

Looking up at his destiny, the boy yelled in reply to the abominable creatures who deserved to die. Looking around for a weapon, Jack spotted a pickaxe as the giant wielding the club charged forward, Jack ran, dropping to one side, he rolled, grasping the pickaxe. He threw his momentum forward, as the pickaxe landed in the giants foot. Before the giant could react to the pain, Jack yanked the weapon out of its foot and into the creature's knee. The giant fell back, crying out, and a spear landed next to the boy. he looked up, Finished the creature first then got the other one. Jack launched himself forward, stabbing the pickaxe into the giant's chest. Jack looked up and saw the giant launching another spear at him, leaning back, he dodged the spear. Jack grabbed the spear the other giant had just threw, and launched it at him, the spear missed, Jack yanked the pickaxe out of the dead giant's carcass and jumped at the giant, landing the weapon in the giant's knee, he fell backward. Pulling his weapon out of the creatures knee, the giant yelled, "Please end it!"

Jack looked up, "You speak?"

The giant roared, and it was evident that the creature had no more speech left in him. So Jack took the Giants spear and stabbed it in the heart, granting it a merciful end.

Off in the distance, the man of shadows stood on the mountain watching the battle transpire, smiling he turned to the realm of darkness were the king of giants resides. 

"You said that the humans are too weak to fight my soldiers, but that one warrior just killed three of my men." The Giant king said, his nostrils flared as he stepped out of the shadows, "Do you know what he will do to you if you fail too often?"

The shrimp like man of shadows shuddered as the king leaned closer, "Do you remember what he did to her last time?"

"Don't speak to me of failures, when you have a deeper ledger than I." the shadowy man countered, "It was your men who were too weak to face a farmer's son..."

"That is no mere farm boy!" The king said.

"I mean an unskilled human, I meant no disrespect your greatness." The man said, while giving a mock curtsy, "The fact is that your men failed, ooonnnly because they did not listen to my strategy."

"Had they listened they could have avoided failure?" The Giant king said, completing the man of shadows thought.

"Of course." the man said.

From the darkness a deep menacing voice exclaimed, "Excuses are for the weak, failure is only shame, end this discussion now and you shall live again."

The Giant king and man of shadows shivered in fear, bowing low with his face on the ground the little king said, "Master, what are your orders?"

A hand launched from the shadows, that dwarfed the giant in sheer size as it pointed to the portal, "Send your forces to Camelot, We have been hiding for long enough, It is time that the golden age of this kingdom comes to an end, I must feast on dead souls once again."

The man of shadows shrieked back in fear as he bowed low, "Yes my lord, I shall tell Morgana to take her new pet to the peaks..."

The finger bent back pointing at the man making him squeak in terror. 

The voice commanded, "Noooooooo, bring me the boy, I must see him for myself."

"Sire, the boy is not ready, he has only been initiated in the first phase of magehood..."

The voice interrupted, "End your excuses, I will see him and if he lives he shall be my vessel to rule the world of man from the throne of chaos."

Bowing low the man gulped, "As you wish my liege."

While still bowed the man left through the portal.

The Giant slowly rose from the ground, "Master, I do not believe that I have enough giant soldiers to win a battle against the humans, with your permission, and honor, will you allow for me and my men to  bring humans so they can be cleansed by the, The Balor?" his voice cracked as he gulped, memories from his unpleasant turning momentarily rose to the surface. 

The voice hummed for a moment, "Go."

© Copyright Tailspinners Ink all rights reserved 2024

Mage Slayer part 3: Attack of the Giants

 The morning began with tranquility. The rooster crowed in the distance, as Jack stirred at the sound, day had arrived, and it was time to start the work. Leaping out of bed Jack started to his backpack and ran to the barn to take the cattle to pasture. The family had five cows, two old females, two young females and one male calfling. They used to have one bull, which had died the previous year from disease. The younger calfling, was half the size of the other cattle by now, and tried to show his dominance on the other females, but being so small could never make the landing. 

Jack sat at the base of the tree as the cattle grazed reading one of his books about the history of the Fae, which he wondered if Nimue was, based on the description of the fae in the book. 

"Oye," Shouted a voice from behind, Jack looked around, there was no one there. 

"Am I hearing things?" Looking around some more, hearing footsteps behind him, Jack turned. Nothing, turned again, nothing. The only sound he heard was teeth ripping grass out of the ground. Then a tap on his shoulder made his skin crawl, turning. Wack. Jack landed on the ground, punched in the nose, looking up he saw, Fremde. 

"What was that for?" Jack exclaimed.

"You need to pay attention, anyone can sneak up on you," said Fremde confidently, "That's your next lesson."

"Not letting people sneak up on me?" said Jack turning his head up to drain the blood.

"In part, seeing danger coming before it happens." Fremde took an offensive stance, his feet slightly wider than shoulder width apart, hands up and loosely held, not quite fists, not quite chops either, Fremde had that strange look that told Jack this lesson was one of the more difficult ones, his eyes were narrow as he grinned wickedly at Jack, Yeah this was going to be a hard lesson.

Moments later Fremde was blind folded in the field, as Jack snuck up on him, stick in hand, ready to  strike.

Jack charged the Fremde swinging the stick like a club and the old man ducked under the stick in one swift motion, swinging his leg at the back of Jack's knees. flying through the air Jack landed on his back the wind knocked out of him. Jack stood back on his feet holding the stick out, Fremde, with the blindfold still over his eyes, "Good lad, back on your feet."

It frustrated Jack how the old man could do that. Jack swung his stick again, like a sword this time, Fremde parried with his off hand, knocking the stick-sword back, Jack struck again, but only hitting air, Fremde dodged behind the stick, and slapped Jack in the face. 

"How is this teaching me to see danger before it happens?" Jack asked frustrated.

Fremde chuckled, as he disarmed Jack, slapping him backward. "Boy if you are going to announce your presence while we are training, then you won't learn anything."

Jack stood his nose flaring, and brow furrowed, "What am I learning, WHAT AM I LEARNING?!?" 

Fremde slapped Jack's face with the stick, "In order to see danger coming, you must become the danger that comes, in order to see the monster in the dark, you must become that monster in the shadows, once you know how to take a city, you can be more equipped to protect your walls, and lands."

"What does that even mean, Become darkness to defeat darkness?"

"Do you want to be a hero?" asked Fremde

"I want to protect my home, a hero is a knight or a king or a mage, not a farmer." 

"Not all who wear shining fancy armor are heroes, and most who wield magic are corrupt, some of my favorite heroes are farmers, and I know of a king who was once a carpenter's son, understand that not all will be or ever has been what it seems, life is more beautiful than that."

Jack stood silently, pondering the wise man's words, "Sir..."

"Yes, son?"

Jack cleared his throat awkwardly, "What is your name?" Jack stammered, "I always call you Fremde, because no one knows where you come from, nor cares who you are, but I want to know who are you?"

The old man chuckled, "Well boy, you can say that my name is..." He never got to finish, as he spoke a spear blade protruded out of his chest as Jack jumped back, eyes wide and heart racing, "Sir?"

The old man looked down absent minded as he fell over, blood pouring from the corner of his mouth, Jack caught him before he hit the ground, he pulled the spear out of the mans chest. Looking up Jack saw giants, Giants? His mind raced as he saw a ditch close by. Sliding on the ground with Fremde on his back Jack crawled to the ditch laying back holding the old man who was bleeding out. "J-J....a...c..k..."

"Shhhh..." 

The pounding of distant thunder could be heard, or was it their footsteps, Jack peered up over the ridge, to see the giants standing at least a full oaks length tall, their heads shaved, and their beards thick and long, they wore simple leather armor. Jack remembered back to the night before, Nimue said that the giants would return, but he didn't know if it was a dream. This is real! The giants of myth and legend had returned, and they came back with a vengeance.

"J...a...c...k..." Jack looked down, as the old man's eyes faded, the old man who had been like a father to him, more than his 'true' Father ever was. 

"Fremde?" Jack asked, hope for his survival rising, "What is it?"

"You.........asked............my.............name...........I........must..........tell ........you..before......" 

"DON'T SAY THAT YOURE GOING TO LIVE." 

Fremde let out a chuckle, that was more of a cough, "Don't....be...s-stupid......boy."

Tears filled Jack's eyes as he held the old man close, "Don't die, please don't die on me..."

"My name....is....Lancelot...."

Jack's eyes perked up, "Lancelot... You?"

Lancelot the old smiled, as his eyes faded, speaking his last breath, "You must save your brother Jack...." Lancelot's voice strained as he gripped on to life to tell Jack one last secret before he faded from this realm, from his vessel, "Jack your....f-father is not....the farmer, you....and......your brother are sons.......of.........The king."

Jack blinked, "W....WHAT?!?" Jack stammered, his breath quickening as his mind raced with this new information, thinking of the farmer who raised him and fed him, the man who beat him, and belittled him, the man who favored his older brother, Dredmur over him. Dredmur, the liar and the cheat, there is not saving that.

Jack sat in the ditch deep in thought until he could hear the cries from the cattle, from  the village, the laughter from the giants, from the thunder, and the old man who taught him how to fight, who taught him the difference between right and wrong, lying dead in his arms, Jack's blood boiled as he laid Lancelot to rest pulling his hunting knife from his sheath, and stood from the ditch, as a giant wielding his fathers pickaxe, the pickaxe that had his father's, well not his father, the symbol of the family the old farmer belonged to, Jack looked up knife in hand as he charged the giant.

© Copyright Tailspinners Ink all rights reserved 2024

The Thunderfist

    Torston’s hand trembled slightly as he dragged his blood-soaked sword out of the man’s chest, the metallic scent mixed with the unfamiliar stench of death flooding his nostrils, mingling with the putrid stench of burning flesh. The life drained from the man’s eyes, leaving behind an empty, haunting gaze that sent shivers down Torston’s spine. The deafening sounds of carnage enveloped him as he stood amidst the chaos of the battlefield, the clash of weapons and anguished cries echoing in his ears. Blood dripping down the shaft of his sword, warm and sticky against his palm.

    A fierce warrior charged towards Torston, his battle axe raised high, the glint of deadly intent reflecting off its cold metal surface. With a swift motion, Torston drew his own axe from his belt, deflecting the warrior’s attack, the loud clash of metal ringing through the air, a symphony of violence. Another enemy lunged at him, but Torston skillfully parried the strike, the impact reverberating through his arms, his heart pounding with adrenaline.

    Amidst the chaos, Torston pressed forward, his body moving with determination. Every swing of his weapon was fueled by the words of his grandfather, “Fight for the kingdom.” But Why fight for a king or an emperor who cares not for the people. The High Emperor would not let the kings waste the imperial army on their petty land squabbles, so they were forced to rely on the nobles and warriors from the conquered colonies. The echoes of Noorai against Noorai, Kidmor, against Kidmor, brother against brother reverberated across the battlefield, the once revered class of noble warriors had been reduced to mere pawns in the disputes between brothers.

    Torston stood at the edge of the battlefield, his eyes fixated on the gruesome sight before him. The metallic tang of blood coated his hands, a stark reminder of the lives he had just taken. His hand wanted to tremble, but seven years of training prevented it. As his mind pondered the brutality, a man lunged at him, his hands instinctively moving of their own volition attacking and defending, tearing, ripping, slicing his way through the of warriors, numbing the guilt of every kill, the sensation of each impact vibrating up his arm.

    More men charged towards Torston, their heavy footsteps pounding against the earth, the ground trembling beneath their weight. In a desperate move, he unleashed a blast of light, the sudden burst illuminating the darkness, temporarily blinding his attackers. Swinging his azure blade, he carved a path through the army of warriors, the searing heat of metal melting through flesh filling his senses.

    Amidst the chaos, a light arrow burned past Torston’s cheek as he leaned away from its strike. Determination fueled his actions as he launched himself in the direction of the archer. In her place he saw a girl of 15 years, she brandished a billhook spear. Dodging her strikes, Torston exclaimed, “You can go home, you don’t have to be here!”

    Torston did not want to harm her because of her youth, seeing his Aunt Ragga in her eyes.

    She knocked him off his feet, exploiting his bladed stance, she exclaimed, anger fueling her voice, “FIGHT ME LIKE A MAN, GRANDSON OF RAGNAR THE BOLD!!!”

    With a swift swing of his sword, Torston deflected her spear, only to feel the hook dig into his shoulder. The pain made him grimace, yet he still pleaded with her to leave. Ignoring his words, she pressed on, launching a flurry of attacks. Blinded by her aggression, Torston instinctively thrust his sword forward, unintentionally striking her in the heart.

    As she collapsed, Torston rushed to her side, pulling her close. He watched in anguish as the life in her eyes faded, tears streaming down his face. Torston held her to his chest, as the innocence of his youth faded. He was a man now, a Noordanian man now. Torston couldn’t help but question their king’s motives. What kind of ruler sends young girls and boys to face battle-hardened warriors? What kind of man forces others to fight on his behalf? No, true king sends others to pay for his mistakes, only a tyrant. Clenching his fist, he gently laid her down. The battle went on around the platform he stood on as he sat there looking at the lifeless body of the girl he had just slain. He knew, Grandfather would say, “There are always casualties in war.” But this death could not be justified. Never would he justify this. Still, he had a duty, to his kingdom, to his clan, to his family. Retrieving his sword and removing his axe. Summoning his strength, he leaped back onto the battlefield, soaring through the air, his grandfather’s words echoing in his mind, his heart echoes in reply Casualties are never justified.

    Despite his inner turmoil, he did as his grandfather had instructed, fighting for the glory of the kingdom. But deep down, he knew this was not the king he truly desired to serve.

    Torston mindlessly cut through the enemy soldiers, his sword, his axe slicing through them effortlessly. Amidst the chaos, a new warrior emerged onto the battlefield, he glowed with Orificium-clad armor. Torston’s eyes caught sight of him - it was his father.

    Suppressing his rage, Torston propelled himself further into the horde, refusing to even acknowledge the man, even though they fought on the same side. As he mowed down the enemy army, a brilliant light radiated from Torston’s eyes, his strength gradually fading as he used his power.

    A Kidemor soldier thrust his weapon in Torston’s direction, but he skillfully deflected it to the side and swiftly counterattacked through the man’s chest. Amid the battle, shouts could be heard from behind - another enemy was attempting to strike. Torston swiftly pivoted, slicing upwards, his sword colliding with the other man’s war hammer, shattering the sword like brittle ice.

    Torston’s eyes transformed into a deep shade of red as his fists emitted a vibrant blue glow. Seizing the shaft of the broken war hammer, he pulled the enemy soldier closer, delivering a devastating blow to the man’s face, sending him soaring through the air. Now weaponless, Torston improvised, relying on quick and precise strikes of light to fend off his assailants, skillfully evading their blades to land his thunderous punches to their faces. As he fought, the enemy soldiers closed in from all sides. His mind wondered for an escape route, but no opportunity presented itself. The enemy soldiers overwhelmed Torston, their attacks scratching his hands and face, as they covered him with their bodies, trying to subdue him. Summoning the last reserves of his strength, Torston released a powerful blast of energy from his body, forcefully knocking all the men onto their backs. Exhausted and drained, he collapsed to the ground, feeling the weight of his armor pressing down on him as if it weighed a thousand pounds. His eyes faded as the enemy Kidmore surrounded him with no means of escape.

 © Copyright  Tailspinners Ink and Dustin Cooley all rights reserved 2024

Major Blood

This is a short story I wrote for my creative writing club, as a personal project after we collectively worldbuilt to write short stories about. I was the only one who did so. Now I present Major Blood.

        Seekers have been hunting me ever since, since… THAT DAY. The day my world was taken from me.

        “They won’t take me,” I thought, “They’ll be dead before that.”

I stood on the top of the Ursan tower of Bear-Human counsel watching as the Ursan Capitol exploded.         Then the Temple to Ursa Minor exploded, I watched in satisfaction as my vengeance began on Ursa himself.

        A knife flew by my face barely nicking my fussy bear ear. I pulled my Necrostone Otatchi’s from its scabbard. My blade met the seekers as the man behind the helmet passionately defended his home, his people, and his god.

        My sword was dedicated to a far greater cause. My lost love, Lady Rachel. I shouted, “YOU WON’T TAKE ME!”

        My sword flew through the air as I fought 3 seekers at once, I stabbed forward killing one, slashed through the others armor killing him as well. Then one yelled, “FOR URSA!!!!”

        I stabbed forward, into his gut, “Ursa is Dead.”

        The man’s face contorted as he saw my face, “You…are…an abomination.”

        I kicked him off my sword and on to the ground below, as I ran off into the night.

        Am I an Abomination? I don’t know. But I know that I am alive for a purpose, and that’s all I need.

        As I ran visions of Rachel flooded my mind, I tried to push them back. But then I heard a voice say, “This is not what she wanted, Major.”

        I stopped and looked around seeing no one.

        “WHO SAID THAT!!!!” I yelled, but there was no answer.

        Then the image of Rachel tied up to a tree in Necroland ran through my mind as I battled my tears, losing, I fell to my knees sobbing. Her wrists and ankles run raw from the rope binding her to that tree, crying out for help as all the men and their bear companions laughed at her. I could only see her through bars, I pushed against them trying to break them to get to her, but I failed. I knew that day that Ursa had to be dead, if someone as sweet as Rachel could be slaughtered so brutally, Ursa couldn’t be real! So I vowed to get my revenge on the Ursan Empire. I would make them hurt like they hurt me, I stood, pushing down the pain, pushing down the loss, pushing aside the heartbreak. I will not let them take me. They don’t own me. I am MAJOR BLOOD, and I will have my revenge.

        Then Great Yom sounded, I looked out to the distance to see the face of the clock, it was 12:00, midnight. I knew that it was time to pay an old friend a visit.

        I leapt off the rooftop, my body hitting the ground as everything went black.

        I remembered the first time Rachel got me to try death jumping. I was nervous, but she had that smile on her face. I would travel to the pits of hell just to see that smile again.

        I followed her to the edge of the cliff; I gazed over the edge; she laughed at me for being afraid of heights. She kissed me on the cheek, facing me, with her back to the cliff, she closed her eyes as she relaxed into the fall. I tried to grab her to pull her back, but it was too late, I thought she fell to her death, but next thing I knew she came up behind me pinching my bottom. I was so surprised; I fell off the cliff as she laughed mischievously. As the cliff raced past me, I screamed at the top of my lungs, until I hit the bottom. Only to appear next to her. She giggled like a schoolgirl as she wrapped her arms around me.

        “Wanna try it again?” she asked, still giggling.

        I looked at her, eyes round surprised that she would suggest doing THAT again, “NO!” I said now shouting, “I’m never doing that again!”

        She leaned close, lips inches away from mine, “Really?”

        I lowered my guards as I leaned closer, wondering, is she really going to kiss me?

        She put her hand on the small of my back as her leg ran up my thigh and she stomped her foot down behind me, quickly, shifting her body weight to push me over the edge AGAIN!

        It took me until I reached the ground to finally register what happened. I emerged next to her as she looked up at me beaming ear to ear, not with that smile from earlier that lured me over the edge, like a moth to the flame, but now with a different smile that said, ‘I got you.’

        I closed my eyes chuckling to myself, she put her hands on my shoulder pulling me close. Her eyes widened as she realized that I pushed her over the edge.

        I respawned next to an old, abandoned factory. Pushing old memories down, I trotted through the machinery when a bear’s voice from behind said, “Major…”

        I looked back to see Harold, my cousin, He walked on all fours towards me nuzzling his head on my shoulder. I rubbed his fuzzy neck.

        “Hey, bud, Missed you.” I thought

        “Why do we have to hide here?” Harold asked vocally.

        “Shh, they’ll hear you.” I whispered.

        Harold said, “That’s stupid, you know I have hard time thinking too people.”

        I lowered my head trying to think of how to put it, thinking, “Some people like rules, for the sake of rules, thinking it makes them safe and secure, but all it does is make things too difficult for everyone.”

        “Why don’t the humans like us?”

        “They see us as cursed! I’m a half bear, and you are a retarded bear.” I thought mater of factly.

        “What does cursed mean?” Harold asked innocently.

        “Harold, Concentrate think only think. Cursed means ones who is… um… rejected by god or something.”

        “Why would God curse me?” Harold thought, concentrating very hard.

        “Because he’s a jerk.” I thought, “Lets stop talking about him.”

        “My mommy would tell me about God, she said that he would provide for our ancestors before the out people changed everything.” Harold said lost in thought, “She told me, if I was very good, God would send someone help me.”

        “Harold, I said to hush!” I spat.

        “Major, don’t yell at me.” Harold said, his eyes were half closed and welt up with tears as he hung his head.

        “I…I’m sorry, bud.” I said wrapping my arms around Harolds neck.

        Harold hugged back, then his body dropped, I looked at his face. He was dead. “No…No, NO, NO!!!”

        I turned him over to see a Necrostone dagger in his back, I pulled it out, looking up to see a Seeker. No not a Seeker, this was him. Sir Calmonious, the High priest of the Ursa Minor worshippers. The one who murdered Rachel in cold blood, who just murdered my cousin IN COLD BLOOD!

        “Hello, Major.” Calmonious said, voice like crimson.

        “You…YOU CONTORTED DOG!” I shouted.

        Calmonious called over his messenger, “Tell, this thing…”

        Before The Priest could finish his words the Necrostone Otatchi flew out of my had twirling in the air as it rammed right into the messenger’s head.

        “Talk to me yourself like a man, Ursa Dammit!” The words came spewing out of my mouth as I stood there the other Necrostone sword out as my eyes were fixed on that Son of a Gravid who murdered my cousin, WHO MURDERED RACHEL! The man who would pay the price for her death even if it meant I met my end delivering the killing blow.

        “Still one for blasphemy, I see.” Calmonious said, his shocked face turned into an evil grin, his eyes narrowed as he pulled his seeker swords with their unnaturally bent shapes and he adopted the seeker stance, swords out, knees bent body ready for any attack.

        He thinks he can goad me into making the first strike, that Malurs thinks he is going to get me to attack first?

        I launched off my feet in Calmonious’s direction, my Otatchi in hand. Our swords clashed I slashed, and he parried, then The Great Yom sounded again, I grinned as we began floating off the ground, midnight until 3:30 AM everything floats. I took advantage of this opportunity Sliding past his blade grabbing his cloak and throwing him out the window, he grabbed my hood, dragging me with him. I latched myself on the broken window, I slipped. As I slipped, I tried to regain my hold on the window, knocking some rope loose. I grabbed the rope and Calmonious came flying in my direction. I kicked him back, He grabbed my foot, slashing with his sword, I cried out in pain, my big toe came flying in my direction. I kicked again furiously trying to attach the rope to my belt so I don’t float away.

        “YOU COULD HAVE STAYED QUIET KID! YOU DIDN’T HAVE TO TELL EVERYONE WHAT WE DID!” Calmonious said.

        “YOU MURDERED THE WOMAN I LOVED! I WILL NEVER LET YOU GET AWAY WITH WHAT YOU DID TO HER! I WILL GIVE MY LIFE TO HAVE YOU AND THE CATHEDRIL EXPOSED AND DESTROYED FOR YOUR CRIMES!” I screamed at Calmonious as I tackled him to the tree. He punched me but I Head butt him. “I’LL KILL YOU, I’LL KILL YOU, I’LL KILL YOU!!!”

        I wrapped my hands around his throat clenching my hands as I felt the life drain from his body. I looked him in the eye, “But not today.”

        I kicked myself off the tree and into a portal tree leading to Necroland.

        But I was transported somewhere else, I was standing in what looked like the sky stars surrounded me, in front of me was The Great Bear, Ursa. He leaned forward placing a comforting paw on my shoulder as he said, “Major…”

© Copyright Tailspinners Ink all rights reserved 2024

Mage Slayer: Two Brothers

Hello fellow travelers, welcome to Tailspinner's Ink where stories come alive. I am Elon Quillspark, your the curator and guide in these vast realms of legends and adventures. This story came from Mythron's adventures in the wastelands of stories and tales of Adventures where Heroes and Myths lie waiting to be discovered. I have restored and translated this manuscript to its original glory and Hope that you are equally inspired by the contents of the story to come. 

Now go on your adventure to the distant lands of the Kingdom of Camelot: 

_____________________________________________________________________________

It was a cool Autumn evening, a good day for a fight, and Jack’s brother had antagonized him for the last time. Wrapping his knuckles thoroughly, he slowed his breathing, remembering the punches and kicks the foreigner taught him. He bobbed his head from side to side as a voice from behind him said, “You look like a loon.”

The girl standing next to the knight, Dredmur, chuckled at his remark., Morgan was her name. Dredmur pulled her close to his lips, overtaking her like a panther drinking up a young gazelle’s flesh after winning the pursuit. Jack’s stomach churned at the sight.

Dred pulled away from his prey, tenderly stroking her face, “I’ll win this fight for you, my immaculate maiden.”

Jack approached his brother, towering over the knight.

“Morgan’s under his spell, she has to be,” Jack thought, “no woman would appreciate the way Dred treats her.”

Dredmur pulled away from the girl, approaching Jack. Jack looked back at Morgan, who watched intently., Dred slapped his face, “Oy, eyes over here loonie!”

“Dredmur is going to antagonize. Don’t let him in.” he thought. “You got this.”

Dred’s fist flew at Jack, He leaned back, throwing his own back, hitting his brothers cheekbone. Doubling back, he plowed forward. Jack threw his front foot into his brother’s gut, repelling him away, leaning forward, he backhanded at him, intending to hit his head. Dred ducked under the punch, shifting his weight, slamming his fist into Jack’s ribs.

Jack grunted, “I thought you said that was cowardly!”

“It’s only cowardly when you do it, brother, you’re bigger.” Dredmur said, bouncing on the balls of his feet.

Rolling his eyes, he threw a round kick, slamming into Dred’s ribcage.

Dred doubled over in pain. Looking in his eyes, Jack saw something he’d never seen in his brother before, desperation!

Image credit: D'andre Clarke
artbydre138@gmail.com

Morgan smiled at Jack as it became evident that he was winning the fight. Dred saw this remark and could not let Jack win.

Dredmur pushed his hands forward onto Jack’s chest and an unnatural force pushed him backwards.

Back slamming on the ground, many stone throws away, pain shot through Jack’s body as he cried out.

Dred huddled over to his injured brother, barely masking the pain he felt.

“Does this mean I win?”

Looking up, he saw that stupid smirk on his brother’s face. He knew that whatever dark force allowed his brother to perform in this way, he couldn’t beat it.

Jack nodded.

Dred’s smirk grew, “Sorry, Jack, I can’t hear you. Can you repeat yourself?”

His face contorted in a mixture of pain and disgust, “YOU...WIN!”

With that, Dred patted Jack’s belly, sending shots of pain and humiliation throughout his body. “There you go, brother.”

Then Morgan galloped over to Dred, rewarding him with a deep, passionate kiss., Dred looked down at his conquered foe, expressing his claim over the maiden. He pulled back from the kiss as she said, her voice cheery and excited, “I knew you’d win.”

“I always do.” Dred said, stroking her face.

Jack gagged.

Jack laid on his back alone. The ground beneath him uneven and rough as dust clung to his tunic. Looking up, Jack saw what he dreaded the most, his father. An old man with a straw hat and a stern face, marching over to him.

Jack’s mind raced, remembering the last time his father caught him fighting his brother...

“Son, that’s why he’s the knight and you ain’t. Now pick yourself up and get them cattle hauled!” Dad shouted as Jack moaned, pain shooting through his back.

“Ain’t gonna tell you again, son!” The old man said, turning his back to the boy.

Jack silently and painfully rolled over to his stomach, slowly picking himself up to his knees. He stood, limping to his backpack full of scrolls, then staggered over to the barn to herd the cattle. A woman observed him as she stood hidden in the old wooden shack.

A man approached her, covered in darkness outlining his silhouette.

“I see you found yourself another puppet.” she said, eyeing him carefully.

The man grinned wildly, “Ohhh Yesssss, this one is thirstier for my power than the last one was.”

She looked at him, “He will lose, you know that.”

The man howled with laughter, “If he does, then at the least he will cause more chaos, and the beacon of light YOU have put in my way will be extinguished, If he does not rule, I will choose another.”

The woman smiled as she looked in Jack’s direction, “There is another who has been chosen to fight.”

The man followed her gaze to Jack, who was herding the cattle.

The man blinked, “HIM?!”

Jack leaned against a tree as he opened the scroll.

“You did well this time, mate,” said a voice from behind.

Jack looked back, seeing the old foreigner, “Oy! Fremde, you saw?”

“Aye, I saw, and you gave your brother a good beatin’ too.”

“I lost.” Jack admitted.

“Aye you did, but tis life. You win, you kill, you lose, you die. But if you do lose and live, tis better to run and fight another day.” The foreigner said as he watched the cattle graze peacefully.

“The king wouldn’t have run.” Jack stubbornly exclaimed.

The old man laughed, “The King has Merlin and 10,000 loyal knights to defend him, you only have you. Once you hone that, people will follow. If you focus on who’s better, you’ll spend your time following instead of becoming, and becoming is better than following. Look at me, I don’t follow nobody, but I got you following me.”

Jack looked up, “I’m not following you.”

“Of course, you’re not.” he said through a hearty chuckle.

Jack looked up annoyed, “What do you want?”

The Fremde breathed as he composed his laughter, “Your brother displayed some unnatural abilities in the fight.”

“Aye, he did.”

“Any ideas where he might have learned that?”

“I’ve never known him to have an affinity for spells and incantations.”

The Fremde looked down, deep in thought, “It seems your brother holds a great deal of secrets.”

“What is going to happen to him?” Jack asked.

“Who knows? Those who pursue such darkness are marked for life. Keep an eye on your brother.”

Jack nodded as Fremde the left.

That night, Jack was herding the cattle into the barn when he saw a light in the distance. A light that glistened through the trees. If it was in the sky Jack would have thought it was a star, but it was in the forest. I need to know what that light is! After locking the barn and grabbing his hunting knife, he sought after the light. Pushing his way through the bushes, he saw a bear. The beast’s back was turned to him as it devoured the flesh of a buck. So as not to disturb its meal, he turned to go the other direction, but there was a snap under his foot.

Image credit: D'andre Clarke
artbydre138@gmail.com

Jack turned to see the bear lunging at him. He bobbed under the slashing claw stepping back, breathing. The bear slashed at Jack’s ribcage, ripping open his side, making him grunt in agony. He pulled out his knife, stabbing the bear’s eye. Enraged, the bear stood on its hind legs, roaring. Jack doubled back, dwarfed by the mighty beast. The Bear slashed his claws at Jack's shoulder. He bobbed under the paw, hook punching the bear’s kidney, the other fist slammed into the bear’s front, knocking the wind out of it. Sweeping his leg, he tripped the bear on its back. Jack dropped, grabbing the knife. He pushed it further into the predator’s brain. He twisted and pulled the knife out. The bear manically waved its claws around, Jack dodging its claws, rolling onto his side, away from the bear’s mania. He stood to his feet, seeing the bear struggle to get up.

I need to end his suffering, now! Jack ran forward holding his hunting knife in reverse grip, stabbing down into the heart of the mighty beast, with a loud grunt! It struggles no longer... Despite the bloody eye and the wound on its chest. The bear almost looked peaceful. Jack looked back at the river which led to the lake. Seeing a woman with light emanating from her body, she almost looks ethereal, her clothing though in the water was not wet, she stepped out of the water on to dry land as the rocks below her almost looked fluidlike, bending around her bare feet as she stepped, this was no ordinary bear and this was no ordinary encounter.

“It’s time for you to face your destiny.” The woman said, her voice sounding like an echo radiating with power.

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And Yes... that was the first legend of Mage Slayer, please stay tuned, I have more on the way.

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