Dawn spilled its golden breath across the quiet hills, slipping through the windowpanes like an old friend. Achlys stirred from slumber, only to find an unexpected foot pressing firmly against his face—fragrant with the ripe scent of unwashed adventure.
He groaned and recoiled. "By the gods, what is that stench?" he muttered, shoving the offending foot aside.
With a graceless thud, Tiabishi tumbled from the bed, grumbling. "Why the hell would you wake me like that, crackhead!?"
Achlys rubbed his cheek, a lopsided grin forming. "You smell like you wrestled a swamp bear. Go bathe."
Tiabishi narrowed her eyes. "Did you just call me disgusting?"
Before he could answer, she was on her feet, swift as a shadow, delivering a precise kick to his head. Blood misted in the air as he staggered back.
"Say it again!?" she demanded, thrusting her foot near his face.
Achlys, undeterred, struck her midriff with an elbow. "You're not sleeping in my bed again until you wash, elf-girl."
With a gasp, she locked him into a chokehold. "One more word and your last breath will be a regret."
Their sparring ceased abruptly when a flying slipper struck Tiabishi on the head.
"It is SEVEN in the morning!" Mariola stood in the doorway, annoyed by their unreasonable brawl.
"You both better cease your blows right this moment or both of you are cleaning this house from top to bottom."
They froze. Achlys launched into a dramatic bow, sliding across the floor. "Mother, please no!"
Tiabishi vanished behind her bed like a startled cat.
With practiced precision, Mariola kicked Achlys onto the mattress. "Why did I choose motherhood again?"
Achlys whimpered into the bedding just as Tiabishi delivered a vengeful strike to the balls.
His scream echoed down the hall.
Mariola entered, slipper in hand. The rest was chaos.
Sometime later, Achlys limped into the living room, his face and pride equally bruised.
"Oh my, just what happened?" Tiabishi lounged nearby, a smug across her face.
"Witch," he muttered with hatred in his eyes. He lies down on the sofa, tired and all beaten up. His gaze fell on his sword. Without a word, he took it and walked toward the door.
"What about your breakfast?" Mariola asked.
"Not hungry, Mom. Thanks." Achlys replied as he shut the door and left.
Mariola sighed. Her worried expression could be seen on her face. Tiabishi cast her a sidelong glance. "He never eats breakfast. It's like he's... driven by something…something that lets him train every day."
Tiabishi turned toward the closed doorway, a worried look on her face. "Achlys..."
"What do you want to eat, Tiabishi?" Mariola asked.
There was no answer, she turned around just to find no one. She sighed. "I guess, they will have lunch."
Mariola's hand paused above the pan. "Why did you leave us, Marco? He's chasing something. He's lost without you. I just want him to be safe, happy."
Deep within the Forest, Achlys moved like a whisper, his sword in his hand. Meanwhile, Tiabishi followed at a distance, being cautious not to be caught by Achlys.
Then—a scream.
Without hesitation, he darted toward the scream and found himself in front of a horde of goblins and several orcs.
"Back, beasts! I'll not fall so easily!"
A woman stood there bloodied, panting, and a sword she gripped tightly. Around her circled two towering orcs and five goblins, all hungry for blood.
Upon further observation, Achlys recognized the black-and-white stripes. A pattern, exclusive to the Loipetras Army. "An army captain…" Achlys muttered.
With a roar, Achlys drew his blade and leaped into the battlefield. Just one stroke of the sword and the orc's head was lying on the ground.
He landed beside the woman. "Captain, are you hurt?"
She managed a smile before collapsing. "Too much blood loss. I need to finish this quickly."
The monsters charged straight at him.
"Fools," Achlys whispered. "You breathe your last breath here."
Tiabishi watched hiding in the bushes, eyes wide open as she saw Achlys cut down goblins with deadly elegance. The remaining orc bellowed, fists like hammers. Achlys scaled its arm, struck its eyes, and drove his blade into its chest.
"Rest now," he murmured, withdrawing his blade.
He turned to the fallen woman resting his sword on his shoulder. She stirred.
"A knight's captain alone in these woods?"
"You know me...? Are you... an enemy?"
He paused and glanced at Tiabishi. Still hiding in the bushes, she shook her head.
"No. I'm Achlys, and she back there is Tiabishi."
The woman nodded weakly. "I am Saria. Captain of Loipetras Army."
As the situation settled down, Achlys signaled Tiabishi to come out. Tiabishi approached, ears twitching as she walked out of those bushes, all shy and awkward.
Saria's gaze widened. "A forest elf!?"
Because of her sudden surprised response, Tiabishi hid again behind a tree.
Achlys stepped forward. "Is that a problem?"
"Not at all, I was just surprised," Saria replied. "She's a rare kind."
Achlys relaxed and lowered his guard. He helped her stand up.
Saria steadied herself. "I like your spirit. Ever considered formal training?" She took out a potion from her back pocket and drank it. It worked magnificently, her wounds all healed without leaving any scars but some wounds still open.
Achlys raised a brow. "What kind?"
She handed him a metal card. "Visit the army training grounds or the Adventurers' Guild."
Tiabishi snatched it before he could respond.
"When do we begin?" he didn't mind Tiabishi's behavior and asked.
"At sunrise. Don't be late."
Tiabishi opened her mouth to object, but Saria vanished and reappeared behind her, gently tapping her neck. The elf fainted.
"That wasn't a suggestion."
Achlys sighed, hoisting Tiabishi over his shoulder and heading home as Saria watched from the shadows.
The next morning, stars still glimmered in the sky as Achlys woke with a jolt, elbowing Tiabishi in the process.
"Ow!" she yelped, falling off the bed.
He was already at the door with his sword in his hand.
"Wait for me, you dolt!"
They reached the training grounds breathless as light tinged the horizon. A tall man with raven hair and glasses approached them.
"Names?"
"Achlys and Tiabishi. Captain Saria invited us."
He nodded. "You're expected. Welcome to the training grounds. Stay vigilant."
A sword shot toward them. Tiabishi drew Achlys's blade, deflecting it. Achlys caught the projectile and hurled it back.
A figure darted out, laughing. "You're early! Good!"
Saria approached them, bandaged but beaming.
"You should be resting," Achlys said.
"I don't break so easily."
A massive figure joined them, he was muscular and bronze-skinned. Above all, he wielded a giant axe.
"They've got potential," he rumbled.
"Meet Nox," Saria said. "He comes here often to test the newbies skills."
Nox ran towards a tree and hung upside down. "Yo."
Achlys raised an eyebrow. "This weird old man is a leader?"
Tiabishi shrugged. "doesn't look like it, Achy."
"My first nickname! Let's gooo—"
WHACK.
Saria smacked him.
"Let's test your skills."
Saria summoned her fire-based attacks. Flames chased them as they fled.
"You can't escape forever, Achlys!" Saria laughed.
"Where's the closest grave?!" Tiabishi cried.
"You're a monster, not a captain!" Achlys wailed.
Saria grinned; eyes alight. "Then slay the monster."
She lunged in front of Tiabishi pointing her sword at her. Tiabishi froze, but Achlys blocked the strike and countered. She vanished, reappeared behind him.
"Bad move."
He threw his sword. Tiabishi caught it and struck, forcing Saria back.
"Wrong move, Saria!" Achlys charged from the side.
"Think!" Saria slammed her sword into the ground.
"Magna's Rage!" She roared as she summoned another spell.
Flames erupted.
"Shit!" Achlys grabbed Tiabishi, hurling her aside before falling.
The fire cleared—Achlys struck her cheek.
"Well done... but not enough," Saria whispered. "Lava Sword"
She summoned a magma blade and swung it just to stop at his neck.
"I win."
A cold touch met her back.
"Forgot me?" Tiabishi asked.
Achlys nodded with a thumb-up. "Good job!"
But the fight was not over, in the nick of time Saria pressed against Tiabishi's belly stopping her from stabbing her back. "Almost…" Saria laughed. "You're gems, uncut and bright. Time to polish you."
Nox dropped down. "Join my guild."
"We'd be honored," Achlys said.
Tiabishi nodded.
Nox handed them bronze cards. "A map. Don't get lost."
"Lost? Me? You'll regret that—"
WHACK.
"Respect your elders!"
Tiabishi chuckled. Then Saria struck her.
"And open up, you introverted elf!"
The duo collapsed, groaning. Saria and Nox laughed, their tormenters and now, their mentors.
Training had only just begun.