Alone, Traveling These Towns

Ian walked down the beaten dirt path towards a small town. The chain on his shoulder rattled as he moved. A sword hovered behind him. As he reached the town the villagers looked warily at him as he made his way thru towards the inn. It had been several days since he had left the town of Mine-Stead. So far he had only stopped for a nap alongside the road. He had gotten pretty hungry on his journey so he decided to get something to eat in this town.

"Hey Freak what do want?" a villager called from the sidewalk.

Ian ignored the man and continued on his path.

"Hey I'm talking to you!" the man continued.

Ian reached the in with the villager on his heels making rude comments at him the whole way there. Ian walked up to a table and sat down. A young woman that couldn't have been over the age of 18 appeared beside him.

"Hello sir how may I help you this evening?"

Ian looked away from her and pulled a small sack of jewel from a pocket. Inside his coat.

"how much for soup and a bed?" he asked.

"18 for the soup and 76 for the room. I hope that's not a problem." she apologized.

"its not here."

Ian dropped the sack of jewel on the table. It burst open and gold coins skidded across the table.

"110 jewel, keep the amount left I don't need it."

"Thank you very much sir, I'll bring you your soup right away as well as your room key."

The villager had finally left him alone and he was able to eat his soup in peace. It had been awhile since the last time he had a hot meal. He savored the flavor of the soup. He could taste all of the vegetables in it. The tomatoes, carrots, celery, and potatoes. He slurped back the last of the soup and headed up to his room for the night.

The room was small yet comfortable. Ian sat his bag down on the bed and removed the sword from his back. He unrolled his sleeping bag and placed it on the floor. He laid down clutching the sword in his left hand tightly. He was used to sleeping on the cold hard floor. There was no reason to use the bed and experience comfort for just one night.

Ian was aware of how he looked to everyone. He looked like a lowly hobo walking town to town looking for food. He only had one change of clothes and a weapon anyone would question how he obtained. However, he came from a wealthy family. His family had money they didn't know what to do with. Even after sending millions to poor towns across Fiore they still had billions left.

After his parents died he was left the entire fortune. All 7 billion of it. Instead of living a comfortable life like his parents he decided to leave his home and venture out looking for a place he can help. And he did. At least until the thieves burned his store to the ground.

As for his magic ability he had had since he could remember. The ability to manipulate metal, shape it to what he pleased. Then guide its movements through the air. Breaking it down and reforming it in seconds. Over the years in Coal Town he learned that he could pull the metal from the ground and use it raw with out a furnace to purify it. Over the last few years he had concentrated on the creation aspect of his magic. Perfecting the power to make objects out of metals and manipulating it to the way he wanted. He really didn't focus much on any offensive spells. He didn't need them.

The next morning Ian was up early. Before the sun even. He rolled up his sleeping bag and replaced all of his gear on his back. He left the room in the same shape he arrived in. he walked though the lobby of the hotel and out onto the street. The sun was just starting to come up over the horizon now.

The morning was cold and wet. A young man walked into the still sleeping town it seemed like a peaceful place to live. He looked up and down the streets and spotted one other person. A man, dressed in a long coat and black pants. He had a sword and backpack on. The man walked in the same direction as him so he decided to follow him a little was before going his own way. The man made it to the end of the street before another man jumped out from an ally way and pulled him in. the young man ran to the ally and peered around the corner. He saw the man he was following and three other large men. All of which were kicking and punching the man until he fell to the ground. One man climbed on top of the man and continued beating him while his friends cheered on.

The young man couldn't understand why the man wasn't fighting back. He had sensed a really strong magical power emanating from him but he refused to use his power to teach the men their rightful place. The young man rounded the corner and called out the men.

"Hey you! If its a fight you're looking for I'll give you one."

with that he snapped his fingers and thrusted his hand forward. A dark power released and arced through the air and hit the beaten man on the ground slowly his eyes reopened. His eyed drained of color and the natural blue color dissipated and was replaced by and evil red glow. He stood up slowly.

The men panicked at the sight of their target still standing after what they had done. Ian Raised his right hand and the chain lying peacefully on his shoulder lifted off and wrapped around one of the mens necks. The other two started to panic. One tried to run but tripped over his own feet. Ian lifted a nearby dumpster and dropped it on the mans head killing him. The man with the chain around his neck passed out from exfixiation. Leaving only the leader alive.

The young man at the end of the ally way smiled grimly and his eyes narrowed.

"Yes now kill the ingrate human. Show him that he is below us mages."

Ian raised a hand, the chain floated in the air behind him. What am I doing? This isn't me. I don't want to hurt these people even tho they hurt me. Ian thought to himself helplessly doing as the young man commanded of him. Ian closed his eyes. NO, I won't do it! Ian's eyes changed back from the devilish glow and back to the normal soft blue he was born with. The man in front of him ran off screaming. The chain only inches away from his throat. Ian looked at the young man at the end of the ally way. He fixed his coat and walked down the ally pushing the young man out of the way.

"hey wait!"

he called to Ian but he ignored him. He had to leave the village now and never come back.

"hey, I'm talking to you. Don't you think you should say thank you? After all I did just save your life."

Ian stopped dead in his tracks causing the young man to bump into him. Ian looked at the ground. The young man obviously had no idea as to the trouble he had caused. Two men died because of him. Ian started walking again.

"my name's Ryu, Ryu Okimie. I'm a command mage. I used my power to make it so you could beat those guys."

"Ryu, let me ask you something."

Ian started. He didn't make eye contact with Ryu.

"do you know why I chose not to fight those men? Do you know what it feels like to be alone for so long you don't even remember the names of your friends? I've been wondering from town to town for over a year and a half. Every where I go I'm hated because I'm a mage. All I want is to have one person I can call a friend. But obviously that's just too much to ask for."

Ryu remained quiet for a minute. He followed step for step as Ian left the town and back into the wilderness.

"I know. I can be your friend."

"No."

Ian's words were cold and harsh. The dark mage flustered and clenched his fists.

"why not? If you're so desperate for friends than why not me?"

Ian continued walking away from the dark mage and into the forest.

"I don't want to be friends with someone who kills for fun. And uses other for their dirty work."

Ryu spit words at Ian, harsh words and maybe words he didn't mean but they were said none the less.

"I hate you. And I'm going to be the one that kills you. But first I'm going to have YOU kill everything you hold dear and release you just long enough for the full effect of what you've done to sink in before I end your life."