Dragon Nest Family
Xxxxx
Bone Rattling Experience
Xxxxx
For the first time in his life, Hilal started to fear something that was not related to his family.
Wielding a shield for the first time.
True, it is common for a Cleric to wield a shield during battle however, Hilal up to this point was only experienced with wielding a wand and this was the first time he is fighting with the secondary weapon. He wouldn't have been frightened if it wasn't for the fact that it was Brother Jacob that was handling his training. Though Jacob had been kind to him ever since Hilal had first entered the monastary, he had heard when it comes to the shield, Jacob was no 'Saint'. As such, the young Cleric literately trembled as he placed his shield in front of him, his wand to his side as he completely ducked behind the second weapon. He heard someone chuckle in response.
"Brother Hilal, it is true that shields are used for blocking but using it completely hide your face will block your view of your enemy and as such, is more of a hinderance than an aid in battle."
Absorbing the new information given, Hilal blinked several times before he lowered his shield and shifted his gaze, "Brother Aoshiro?"
"Brother Shiro is alright if you like it shorten," Aoshiro responded as he stood on the sidelines, holding up a hand as the younger cleric tried to approach him, "Do not mind me Hilal, all I am here to do is to observe and give encouragment." He then nodded his head towards Jacob whom was in standing front of the younger, "You should pay attention to the teacher in front of you instead."
The look on Hilal's face became crestfallen after hearing the words of the older cleric, the joy of seeing Aoshiro completely replaced with disappointment and hurt as his arms lowered to his side, his gaze towards the ground. Seeing this action, Aoshiro heaved out a sigh before he exclaimed "Hilal!" and when the boy's eyes were upon him again, Aoshiro gave him a thumbs up and a smile. Expecting the younger cleric to smile at least, the older was slightly surprised to see Hilal's eyes brighten and nod several times before turning his attention back towards Jacob, assuming the stance that he was taught moments before. Seeing this, Jacob smiled as he unsheathed his mace from his side, readying his shield as well.
"Remember Hilal," He warned as he steadied himself, "you maybe years younger than me but I will not go easy."
When the older cleric made no movement, the younger slowly realized what Jacob wanted and Hilal performed the signal that he was ready. He nodded.
In that instant, Jacob closed the distance between them, catching Hilal completely offguard as the younger suddenly found a shield bashed into his chest. The wind being knocked out of him, Hilal wheezed as he felt himself fly several feet backwards, landing painfully onto his back seconds later. Before he could even regain his breath, Hilal's eyes went wide as he recognized the blurry form of Jacob towering over him and the young cleric swore that a sadistic smile was placed upon the older's features. Panicked and by experience, Hilal rolled to his left, barely hearing the whistle of a weapon being swung in the air before a loud 'CRACK!' could be heard.
"Jacob! Training you maybe but do not harm our brother!"
Hearing the words of the older clerc and the adrenaline pumping throughout his body, Hilal leaped back onto his feet, blinking once as he found Jacob's back turned, seemingly arguing with Aoshiro. Hesitant but curious, Hilal readied himself before dashing forward, his wand releasing electricity as he closed in the distance before swinging his weapon at Jacob's exposed back. The elation of a hit quickly dwindled as Jacob easily turned and blocked the attack with his shield, a mischevious smlie upon his face.
"Gotcha," He chuckled before pushing the younger cleric back, once again running towards the younger with his mace raised. Slowly realizing that there wasn't going to be enough time to dodge, Hilal's left arm reflexivly lifted, the shield totally blocking his view as he heard the whistle of a weapon against the wind.
It was Hilal's first block ever and as such, the young cleric had expected the impact to hurt but not as bad as he was experiencing now. The cleric felt a shockwave of pain erupt throughout his body and he felt his bones rattle from the impact, strong enough that he felt his legs collapse underneath him causing him to crumble to the ground.
"Hilal!"
Dazed and confused, Hilal wasn't sure what was occuring until his vision straightened, causing him to blink as he realized that he was in the arms of his older brother whose pale blue eyes were filled with concern as several clerics surrounded the two.
"F-forgive me" The young cleric turned his eyes to the right, blinking once as he recognized the gray hairs of Jacob, "I-I had used too much force. I didn't meant to harm him."
"How are you feeling Hilal?"
Turning his attention back towards Aoshiro, Hilal blinked several times, causing the former to become even more concerned. The older cleric remembers his first time with a shield and for certain, it was almost as unpleasant as Hilal's, worse even. After that experience, Aoshiro had to stay off the field thanks to a broken arm and for a certain amount of time, he was scared to use his shield as a defensive weapon. As such, he fears that Hilal might develop such a fear as well. But to his surprise, the younger cleric responded with a shaky smile.
"Did I look silly or did I do a great job?"
Surprised by the younger's response, Aoshiro stared wide eyed at Hilal for several seconds before releasing several short laughs, causing the younger to look up at him confused, "What's so funny?"
"Nothing" Aoshiro chuckled as he helped the younger cleric to sit up, "and for your first time Hilal, you did a pretty good job." He then turned his pale blue eyes towards Jacob whom flashed him a nervous look, "don't you think?"
If Jacob wanted to be honest, the gray haired cleric would have responded with a 'no' and claim that most novices were able to stand against Jacob for at least several minutes more than Hilal. However, as he opened his mouth to respond, the look in Aoshiro's eyes changed from the usually gentle and respectful look to one that Jacob would describe as 'looking into the depths of the Abyss.' As such, the gray haired cleric responded, "Yes, Hilal had performed brilliantly today."
No sooner had the words left his lips when the look in Hilal's eyes brighten, a small and shy smile forming onto his features.
"Really?" Hilal turned his eyes towards the rest of the clerics present, "do you guys really think so?"
Like Jacob, the group wanted to express their honest opinion but one glance at Aoshiro's eyes caused them to rethink their decision. As such, many of them nodded and even responded with 'You performed brilliantly., causing Hilal's eyes to brighten even further.
"See, you did great," Aoshiro complimented as he ruffled the younger's head before turning his eyes back towards the Jacob and the rest of the clerics.
His eyes clearly read, 'Tell him the truth and surely you'll meet the Goddess sooner than anticipated.' Ensuring that the group responded with a quick and fearful nod, Aoshiro's calm persona returned, his attention now back to Hilal.
"Come, you must be feeling a little sore after that kind of experience," he said as he stood up, helping the younger onto his feet, "the infirmary might have a remedy for that."
Hilal glanced up at him worriedly, "You sure that'll be alright? I don't want to be a burden."
"Of course it's alright," Aoshiro smiled, "the ifirmary is there for a reason."
He then started to lead the younger cleric towards the monastary, the rest of the clerics clearing a path as they eyed him warily, "So how'd it feel? Blocking your first attack?"
Turning his gaze upwards, Hilal's face scrunched together in thought as his blue eyes wondered around before he nodded once and looked upwards towards the older Cleric.
"It was a 'Bone rattling experience'." He replied, causing Aoshiro to laugh in response.
Woah, been a long time since I've last updated this XD
I was on a slight block however I was inspired to write this chapter after realizing that a loud 'Clang!' could be heard after a cleric blocks an attack from an enemy. The thought then occured to me that the cleric must had some kind of training in order to block like that and not like collapse from the pain so here is the chapter XD
Not sure if it's done well :p
OH and thanks to 'someone again' for the reviews.
Makes me happy to know that someone is enjoying my stories and I must apologize for not replying. Fanfiction won't let me reply to guest reviewers :p
Enjoy :D
~123arcalas