AN: With school starting up, I wanted to get this one chapter out before I got back to learning and testing. This is of course drastically shorter then the previous chapter. This is also the last chapter I had stored to revise. That means that there are no other chapters to work on and that any future chapter will be written from nothing instead of being revisions. Of course with school starting up soon, I have been busy preparing for it so I have not had much time to work on stories. I have stopped revising these entirely and I'm not really sure about getting a beta. Reviews are a nice thing by the way and I do hope you enjoy this chapter!

"So Master Garrosh has taken you on as his pupil," Williston spoke my way while he gently sliced his silverware into the meat prepared on the expertly designed plate. To his left sat Delilah and on his right was the first born son of the Corchet House, Lachnet Corchet. I remembered the taller dark boy from the village quite vividly.

"Yes, he deemed my skills worthy of his training. I am humbled by his attention," I replied politely. Lachnet was tall, yes but barely taller than me. He was, considerably, older than me by a few years and was also packed more mass on his bones. He was not fat, don't get me wrong. He was larger but in the more muscular department. That of course likely became part of his intimidation factor for some of the scrawnier boys in Korcha.

On my side of the extremely… lavish and long table sat Master Garrosh on my left and on the right Bachten Corchet. Looking at the smaller boy in spectacles, I found that he might not be as bad at Lachnet himself. I knew for a fact that seeing as we had no foul history; it might be easier to befriend the boy. Lachnet on the other hand…

I glanced his way and examined his jaw. He took it as a glaring challenge and beamed hatred at me in the form of silent prayers of death. It had long since healed; most likely just a dislocation had occurred rather than an actual fracture. "How's that jaw?" I nodded his way and smirked when he sucked in a breath.

"Fine," he spat. Delilah looked between us with a confused expression. It seems she hadn't learned the full story of the incident, only that I had been evicted from my household. She was a smart girl so I expected her to figure it out soon enough.

To be honest, with my power, I had guessed that by now I would've used it to smash his skull in and maybe dislocate a few things. By dislocate, I meant dislocate organs, not bones. Bones were much too easy to push out of place. Of course, with the familiar lightness on my head that came with my new existence, negative emotions were cleared out almost instantly. This boy, this thing across the table had spread lies and tales of things I had never committed so he could get back at me for defending myself. Maybe striking him with the full force of my strength which was, may I say, greatly amplified to allow me to punch trees was a bit much.

I could easily blame him for my basic disownment from my own household, but I was too calm and levelheaded for that. They'd seen what I had become over the years and I knew that both parents were greatly against it. I could not solely blame how poorly they reacted on Lachnet because he was just a mere ignition for the entire bomb which has built up over the years. Despite not holding that itself against him…

"Are you sure? I hope the injury still isn't sore after all this time, hmm?" I mused. The boy's face turned white in silent anger before he quickly excused himself from the table. I watched him strut through the hallway leading out the dining room before the doors slammed shut.

Yeah, there would be no befriending him.

At the head of the table rested two leather chairs which were currently unoccupied, the Lord and Lady Corchet currently away to meet with the King of Alkaline. What they were meeting about was very hush-hush and had intrigued my interest slightly. Maybe a few whispers from the servants would find its way to my ears. Empty plates rested before the two empty seats and left an eerie feeling to my senses. How would they react to Garrosh taking on some mere commoner? I would think they would suck it up, seeing as they allowed Master Garrosh into their household with open arms.

"So… Tusk," Delilah suddenly called, earning her an eyebrow raise from Master Garrosh. She was likely more formal when her parents were around. Now that they weren't, she was practically free from the standards they set up for her. I wouldn't say I wasn't proud for her slight rebellious attitude. "Are you sure you are healthy?"

"You saw me yourself, not a scratch on me! I'm fine, honestly. I just over exerted myself on my way here and passed out for a bit," I chuckled nervously. My hand unconsciously scratched the back of my scalp. I gulped when I saw the girl's eyes narrow. She leaned forwards slightly while placing her silver fork back onto a piece of cloth resting to the left of her fine plate.

"So then what happened to your attire?" She grilled me, eyeing the new clothing that had been provided for me in substitution for my torn and ragged tunic and leggings. I donned what was similar to a minor version of what Garrosh wore, a nice blue uniform similar to that of maybe an officer. The only thing different was that my own was not nearly as decorated as his was. Likely it was to show his superior stance in the social status despite being a commoner.

"What do you mean…?"

"The blood, Tusk. All the jagged blood soaked cuts that made me think you were injured in the first place?" she grilled me. I cringed on the inside and prayed for her to stop. She was a smart girl, and she liked to question things. She was like me, honestly. She was curious to explore and wander. I had gone further then I should've and was in too deep now with my life was on the line. If she keeps digging, she could get drawn into the hole Garrosh and I have been trapped into. It was better I stop her at the roots before it grew like a wildfire.

It was better to lie straight to her face. She might hate me later and it may hurt her, but whatever happened would always be better then what I would likely go through alongside Garrosh. She could not learn of who I am, what we are, and what was going to happen.

"First of all, that wasn't blood. That was Verun Juice," I pointed out before glancing to Master Garrosh. The older man knew as well what we had to keep hidden. Obviously, he'd been hiding things all his life.

"A very potent potion ingredient commonly grown around Alkaline native tree groves. It's used mainly in potions meant to put very wild animals to sleep," he nodded my way. "It seems Tusk was working with the herbs and accidently fell on top of a barrel of juiced Verun. I do suppose the barrel did not survive the predicament and the splinters did a number on his tunic."

Delilah bit her lower lip before nodded silently. She'd accepted it for now or at least she pretended to. That was fine for now. On the other hand…

I glanced behind Delilah where a few guards stood silently with their spears pointed upwards towards the ceiling and the ends planted firmly into the ground. The armor was expertly polished and bragged style and luxury. While most of the knight guards lined along the wall were equipped with armored helmets which shielded their faces, one man did not don this uniformed attire. Captain of the Guard, Knight Horace had his helmet by his side and watched me with a withering gaze. It wasn't that he disliked me, it was more he distrusted me. They were very different things.

He knew I was lying, that much was obvious. Though smart, Delilah was not as familiar with detecting deception as others who had lived much longer years then her. Master Garrosh had told me not to worry about him though. He had yet to tell my exactly why I should extract him from my list of concerns but I felt that I could trust Master Garrosh

Ten years, it had been ten years since I had actually had a chat with someone who might barely understand what I was on the inside and out. Not only was he like me in terms of this power we seemed to hold, he was also a person born of the modern world. I had yet to ask him about his modern life. What really bothered me was that he had not spoken of any way to return home.

I had assumed, mostly due to my lack of will to believe otherwise, that we were currently located on an island on the far reaches of the Earth. Now, I was beginning to doubt that theory. What I had been told was that there were many before me, just like Garrosh who had been brought into existence here after being ripped from their normal everyday lives. He also explained how, besides him, they had all been killed off. Dark horrifying past's aside, that also brings to light one thing. Not one of them returned home.

Sure, maybe it was just that maybe not many of them dared tried sailing the seas in hopes of finding their way back home, but taking into the account of the sheer impossibility of this landmass existing on earth in the first place without being spotted brought to light only one simple fact. Not one of them got home because there was no home here. We did not travel to the past; no, there would've been mentions of such cultures and civilizations. At this point in terms of technology, the land masses should've already taken shape as to what we know them in the modern age. What I stood on now did not match any of those maps.

This was not Earth and there was no going home.

I looked at the slightly pink meat still lying on my plate and quietly sighed. There was no panic of fear welling up. That itself was… still something that would catch me off guard. At some point, my lack of basic fear and anger may become an issue. When my powers itself are negated during combat with the demon, I could feel the emotions of great fear and a momentary fit of rage at the idea that I had been surpassed in strength. Well I have been utterly surpassed. It had been a great long time since I had felt such things and I was unused to it. It'd been nearly a decade since I'd tested my self control.

"Tusk, are you alright? You've barely touched your supper," Williston questioned me out of friendly concern. I glanced up quickly in surprise before returning a reassuring smile.

"Lost in thought, I assure you. I think the Verun might still be running its course as of now," I shrugged. "It might be best if I return now, though I am terribly sorry I am unable to finish such a splendid meal you have provided for me."

"Tell me Tusk, where do you think you're going?" Delilah suddenly hummed, innocently twirling a lock of brown hair around her fingers. Williston visibly shivered and Bachten finally glanced up from the book resting in his hands. Like me, he had not touched his supper either and had decided he would rather read than eat.

"To… Korcha?" I replied. Delilah slowly stood up, grabbing her gown so that the silk would not catch on anything. I felt a certain sense of dread wedging into the back of my head but I ignored it. Delilah smiled at me and I silently wondered where the mind calming effect had gone.

"Where you have no home…?" her smile grew wider, but her face darkened even more. "You never did answer me when I asked where you've been living…"

"The streets aren't that bad," I mumbled, just loud enough for her to hear. Her palms slammed into the table as she leaned forwards. Her smile visibly strained as she let out several abused sentences. To be fair, the streets weren't as bad as you would think. What I normally did was set up a tarp between a few posts and wrapped myself up tight in the blankets during the nights. I could wash in the river and food was obviously no issue because they were abundant in large amounts in the forest. It was a risk, because I was relying on tags of the named items to point out whether or not something was safe to consume.

"The streets!" The ten year old shrieked. She oddly reminded me suddenly of a mother. I had no time to think of anything else before her smaller hands flew across the table, wrapped around the collars of my shirt, and wrung me closer to her face. "Did you honestly think I would let you go and sleep on the dirt?!"

"I use a hammock, thank you very much!" I scoffed before she pulled us so close that I was basically flattening my food under my stomach. Delilah glared into my eyes and I could feel her breath on my face. All this happened while the servants and guards all stopped what they were doing to stare at the blatant unladylike display the girl was putting on. I would be lying if I said I wasn't even half proud at the moment.

"You are going to lodge here, you will spend the night in the guest room, and you will agree to it," she growled. I nodded quickly, my eyes swapping targets with both Master Garrosh and the she-demon in front of me. The older man merely shrugged before continuing to cut away a slice of meat. The bastard!

While the safety of the manor was much more preferred than out there were Herobrine would have a much easier time approaching me, I still had a stash of supplies stored away out underneath a pile of foliage behind the blacksmith's workshop. I would much prefer it if I had all of those items in my possession before I began my training.

"There are things I need to do, Delilah!"

"What could you possibly need to do that requires you to travel the roads at night!" she hissed in my face. The hands around my bunched up shirt tightened even further. I clicked my tongue when a sudden sarcastic response came to mind.

"Well you see, I promised a pretty looking lass back in Korcha I would visit her household and meet her pare-"

Thwap!

"Your basic training," Master Garrosh said while staring up at the sun momentarily. "will consist of the art of sword fighting, political standards, and of course, the basic history of our people."

We trudged through the dirt and gravel paths, away from the bright and luscious Corchet Manor and back towards Korcha. Morning had risen earlier since it was summer and so did Garrosh and I it seemed. We had gathered large rucksacks, switched out our fancy uniforms for more travel worthy attires which consisted of [Hard Strewn Leather] equipment. We had inventories but that did not mean we possessed infinite storage.

One thing to recognize about items that could be picked up in game was that only certain items had the ability to be "stacked" as we called it. Say I was to harvest ten blocks of stone. There are only [37 Inventory Slots] for items, not including your off-hand which was where you hold your second item. It would quite terrible if you then dedicated each slot to one stone block. When mining, I would on average at least get over three maxed stacks, each stack being [64]. Each separate stack would take up a single inventory space, but then there were items that were unstackable.

Back in the early stages of Minecraft, food was not stackable. Equipment and tools as well as other certain items are also unable to be stacked. That meant each one you had occupied an entire inventory slot. The rucksacks were so we could put such items into our packs to make room for stackable items.

"After you get a basic understanding of those three, we will then begin to delve into the art of INV-Combat as we used to call it and the basics of Code Breaker and what the power itself is. Along the way I will continue to hammer ideas and actions I want you to follow no matter what. Should you begin to advance in Code Breaker, I will then teach you the more advanced acts of world bending…"

"You say that as if there's a chance I might not be able to use it," I questioned the older man from behind. The man glanced back at me without hindering his pace. The sweat beads on his forehead were a testament to the heat that was bearing down on us so early in the morning.

"Some of us were never able to use Code Breaker, though there were many who never tried either. It was strictly forbidden," the man called back. "If you fail to show aptitude for Code Breaker, we will be forced to resort to my own Code Breaker."

"I'm assuming you aren't generally considered very powerful in terms of using it, even before you aged as far as you have now," I guessed. Garrosh only let out a grunt of confirmation.

The main reason we were heading towards Korcha was not to visit the village. The Loch Forest, much to my surprise when Master Garrosh had informed me of our destination, was the actual reason for out early departure. We were to only make a short stop at Korcha so I could retrieve a small stash of items and maybe grab any other supplies we may need before venturing deep into the forest.

"How long do you suppose we have before he will come after us again?" I asked quietly, for it felt more like I was asking when I would die rather than when I would fight the demon.

"With Herzchvrine? You never really know."

"So you're saying he could come back tomorrow and we could totally be unprepared? Why the hell aren't we skipping everything and rushing right into Code Breaker?!" I exclaimed in alarm.

"If he were to come back that early, we would all be dead within seconds of his arrival. He's purposefully giving you time to train," the man retorted, this time without even looking at me. "Something he has that will be his downfall, hopefully within the next decade if that's how much time he will grant us, is hubris. He is immortal to age and so he believes himself a god. He does not think you have what it takes to beat him."

"So he will give us time to train… because he believes it is futile?"

"In simple words, yes," Garrosh replied. Up ahead, I could see the small specks of the houses and building s that made up Korcha and some smoke which spewed out of the chimneys of the blacksmiths and those who had an active fireplace. "Will you visit your parents?"

"No." the answer was instantaneous, and did not require the least bit of thinking. This of course caused a bit of scrutiny to be sent my way.

"No? I have exactly what you have to understand that you are physically incapable of feeling anger in great force. Maybe a twinge of annoyance and irritation but that should not be enough to warrant total isolation from them." I watched him intently, as if waiting for him to continue. "Unless, you actually are petty enough to give your parents the silent treatment just for some minor irritation."

"It wasn't some minor irritation might I remind you," I sighed. A hand went to my eyebrows to wipe the sweat out. "Maybe I didn't feel great anger but if it had been anyone else, I would've probably held an explicit rage against them for many years. They practically trashed who I am and my way of life. They have no right."

"Yet they are your parents," Garrosh mused, not to argue but more in curiosity.

"No, they are not my parents," I said bluntly. It wasn't that I was denying the physical facts as they did indeed give birth to my body. They did not however birth who I am. My parents in America shaped who I am and set the pathway in what led me to be who I was now. "Besides, it would be better if they never saw me again. I'll be heading off one day, and if they want me gone then it will be a great deal easier for them."

"If that is how you see it, then so be it." I glanced up in surprise. My teacher had stopped and was now facing towards me with a smug expression. "Why so shocked? Thought I would disagree?"

"You did bring up the topic of my parents in the first place. I just thought you would want me to." I returned my statement. "I just thought you would want me to go talk to them."

"And I do," Garrosh said before planting a hand on my shoulder and motioning his arm outwards towards the large expanse of grasslands which were further surrounded by forests even further out just to décor the horizon. Off in the distance I could make out the tip of a large mountain and the sun which was just barely rising brought a peaceful orange glow. "You see this?"

I nodded, unsure where the older man was going.

"Yes."

"This is peace. This is what lack of war and slaughter looks like. Here, there are barely any wars that rage between massive kingdoms ruled by drunken kings. There are no spiraling cities littered with the poor in the lower areas that prop up the rich in the castles." He breathed loudly. His hand left his shoulder so he could stretch both arms outwards as if he were Jesus on the cross. "There are no giant highways where cars are constantly slamming on their breaks or honking their horns. No bustling New York, Las Vegas or Houston! There isn't some damn IRS come to take audit you or a door to door salesman waking you up early in the morning to attempt to sell you something."

His hands dropped to his side and the cheery attitude slowly dropped.

"All that we have here is peace… but it won't last forever, you know that right?"

"Because Herzchvrine?"

"No, because of who we are, lad. You see, we are not meant to settle down in one area to live a quiet peaceful life where we can sip some tea and watch the sunset every afternoon. It's not our way, it's not who we are. We are adventurers by blood and passion. Ambition is our middle name, and quite honestly I sometimes wish it wasn't. Our kind has been drawn into too many conflicts to remember and I tire of it after so many years. I feel that maybe I can pass on not only my teachings but my warnings of what could happen."

I was surprised when I realized that we had not only started walking without really noticing but had also reached the outskirts of Korcha where a building here or there littered the area. There weren't really anyone out this early to overhear our conversation which was likely why Master Garrosh hadn't seemed too bothered.

"We're drawn into danger like a bug is to light. One day, you may run into something that not even your very core can pull you through. Could you live with yourself knowing that any day you could die and you will never have the chance to end your relationship with them on good terms? They have been all you've had these long years of your life, lad." We finally reached the main area where the villagers of Korcha were all congregating at. I sucked in a breath when I picked out the figure of my father among the crowd has he gave out the work order for the labor that was needing to be done for today.

"W-what do I say?" I stuttered slightly. I was nervous, yes. It was one of the few negative emotions I still had left alongside concern and worry.

"Just tell him what he needs to know, and what's going on if anything. If he doesn't take your situation well, just take solace in knowing you tried to make him understand. It helps you sleep at night, I promise you," the aged man muttered to me. I felt his hand push me forwards softly and I nearly stumbled.

Waiting was one of the worst moments in my life as the crowd slowly dissipated one by one with each person having received their tasks for the day. I followed closely to the edge of the crowd, taking a small step when there was room to slip in further. My father, the burly mad he was, did not seemed to have changed much in the several days that had passed. I did not expect him to either. He had to appear strong for he was what everyone in the village looked up to when in need of help. You might thing he either did not remember about his estranged son or he just did not care.

He noticed me mid-sentence when he got to the last man, I think the woodcutter. He did his best to not let it show but I could tell his mind was beginning to distract from his job to me. I took their waiting with the thrumming of my heart as he finished with the last person before turning to me. We stood there silently staring each other down and I was not sure whether we were sizing each other up or just unsure of what to say. The pregnant silence was lifted when Jerry, my father finally spoke.

"How have you been?"

"Fine, really. The Corchet family was nice enough to let me stay with them," I replied casually while remembering the face of the demon who had almost taken my life last night. One of his eyebrows perked up in slight curiosity.

"I always knew you and their daughter got along well," Jerry said. "That's good you found yourself a place to stay."

…

There was a long uncomfortable silence and a few people passed by us while giving a few weird looks. We stood like this until I finally sucked in a large breath, more for relaxation rather than the fact I had been holding in my breath out of habit. My right hand went behind my neck where I scratched the stubbles of hair growing further towards the lower area of my scalp of my short haired head.

"You can come home anytime you want, Tusk. Ain't nobody stopping you," father stated. "You've shown that you can hold your own without us already and your mother misses you greatly. You've got nothing to prove to us, son."

I was instantly reminded of how the world viewed me, how I must appear to everyone around me. I was nothing but a spoiled brat who had run from home. How could I possibly be anything else? It was unheard of for someone to be born with memories of someone else. Reincarnation wasn't generally thought to transfer memories, if it was even a known concept here.

"I can't," I stated with more bluntness then I probably should've. I saw a frown crease his lips. "Your right, I don't have anything to prove. I'm not doing this to show that I'm different from the everyday child in this world, I know I am. Call it hubris or label it pride, it's what I believe in. You can hate me for it, but you cannot change my beliefs"

"No, I could never hate my son," he quickly rectified. I felt a slight twinge of relief in my chest. "but that doesn't mean I still can't have my own opinion. I've seen boys like you when I was younger. They grow up quick and die off just as fast. I know how dangerous this world is, do you?"

"With proper training and a guide, I will," I stated.

"Guide?"

"The Master Swordsman took me in as his pupil. He wants to train me to take on his title before he passes on," I explained with a soft chuckle. "The Corchet family is going to house me until my training is completed."

I watched him nod in silence and I was unable to really read what he was feeling. Disappointment or contempt? Shame or pride? I could not tell. He showed no surprise that one of the most skilled fighters in the realm had taken me under his wing. Instead he crossed his arms and just nodded for me to continue, which was not what I really wanted. I did not desire to be the only one talking. It made me feel like I was having a one sided conversation. "After that… I think I'm going to go explore the world."

"If that is what you want," I listened to his reply and quietly bit my lower lip. There it was the disappointment. Parents might not hate you when you royally screw up, they may not even be mad. If there's one thing kids hate, it's disappointing those who raise them.

"I'm sorry… that I couldn't be the son you wanted. I never wanted to disappoint you like I did, but it's not who I am. What you wanted from me isn't possible," I told him earnestly. While my father had not used to word disappointment, I could easily tell he felt it. "With the way things are, I don't think I'm going to be coming home and quite honestly things might be better that way. You've both been there for me since day one and I know there's not really much I can do to pay you back for that. All I can really say is thanks for being there for me and getting me to where I am now…"

The burly man looked momentarily taken aback by my short speech.

"You are one of the most peculiar ten year olds I have ever seen," he sniggered. I broke a weak smile and nodded. "Have you thought about talking to your mother? She worries about you every day, even prays three times a day for your safety. It will break her heart to see what you're getting into, but she'll respect it."

"Respect it maybe, but she won't like me apprenticing under the Master Swordsman," I replied. "Though neither do you."

"I will respect your wishes, there's not really much I could do to persuade you otherwise," he grumbled. "I was right about one thing, kids like you grow up fast. I just hope you don't die off as fast as most."

If only he knew how grown up I really was…

"I promise to visit mother at some point. Master Garrosh is taking me into Loch forest for training. He hasn't told me what for specifically."

"That him? The older fellow waiting back there near the baker's house?" I glanced back and saw Master Garrosh waiting silently for me with his hands behind his back in intimidating discipline.

"Yes, that is him."

"Do you trust him?"

"Do you trust me to make that decision?" I shot back. Jerry snorted and crossed his arms.

"I'm going to have to, because saying otherwise won't do me any good."

"I trust him yes," I said, to calm my father's nerves. I wasn't sure if that did any good. My father would likely hold Master Garrosh in a bad light. It would be easy to blame the older man for enabling me to turn away from what my parents wanted me to become. "I think it is time for me to rejoin my master. I bid you farewell, father."

"Tusk, promise me and your mother you will do your best to keep out of harm's way? When I say I've seen young boys like you rush off to their deaths, I mean it. I've met a lot of good men in my time, all eager for adventure and not many of them returned to tell the tale of their endeavors." I felt my father desperately beg me. I came to a sudden realization why he would be so against me going into my line of work. If he had experienced and dealt with the death of people whom he knew well enough in a similar fashion, it would warrant a reasonable dislike for anything with a sword and satchel.

"I promise, I'll be safe," I lied. I was not safe and I knew it. At any given time Herzchvrine would return to kill me and Master Garrosh. There was no way to tell if I would be ready for when he returned and I doubted I could truly ever be ready for such foe. This thing had spent years practically festering in Code Breaker and I would be barely scraping the surfaces of it.

"Good. Remember that you're my son and no matter what you do, I will always love you as any parent should," he stated in contempt. We both nodded to each other in silent understanding; maybe a thing us males had that let us understand each other. I was sure that mother would most definitely not.

I turned and made my way back to Master Garrosh who still watched us both. My father turned heel as well and quickly disappeared amongst the other villagers. When I turned, he was nowhere in sight. He had important business to attend to anyways.

"Are you ready?"

"Yes… or I think I am."

"There is no thinking in our line of work. That will get you killed so simply yes or no, are you ready or are you not?"

"Yes, I am ready."

"Then let us begin you training."

AN: Next chapter will revolve around the actual training and will begin to delve into Code Breaker. It will also look into the stronghold in a unusual way. This chapter was supposed to give a temporary closure to the issue with Tusk's family, but being temporary, they will come back in a later chapter. I do hope you enjoyed this chapter and sorry if it was shorter then the previous chapters!