Wow, an actual chapter. I guess it's about time.
Haven't posted in a while, gomen.
Well, hope you like it. R&R
The night was dark and chill as wispy clouds shifted across the sky, devouring any light or warmth offered by the moon and stars that rained across the velvet darkness. It was unnaturally cool for a spring evening and never before had the sky been so engulfed by shadow that not even the twinkling lights of stars could be seen. It was as if nature was giving warning to something ominous that was to come.
Attack!
A long, slender blade caught the moon's faint glow as it cut through the night. The figure wielding the weapon was a shadow, barely visible through the gloom. A fierce cry erupted from his lips before the silence was broken further by the echo of steel against stone. Seconds later, the soundless jaw of a great stone beast, a statue surveying the Fanelian Palace garden, cracked from its massive head and shattered on the garden path inches from its aggressor's feet.
No, you must be more aggressive.
Frowning, and leaving no time to admire his work, the shadowed form launched another attack on the helpless stone guardian. Thrusting forwards, with more force than previously, the blade swung swiftly towards the beast's head but failed to cause more than a scratch as it slid off the smooth surface.
Once again frustration escaped in a furious cry. The figure's hands met each other in a tight grip around the weapon's hilt. He burst forward, raising his sword high above his head and brought it crashing down. Dust rose, small chunks of marble fell, but the creature remained for the most part unscathed.
Not good enough.
Exhausted and panting heavily the future king of Fanelia sank to his knees, his weapon falling to the stone walkway beside him with a series of clinks. His hands dropped to his sides as the tension left his body. His oxygen starved muscles finally giving in to over exertion.
Van could feel the icy wind lick at his pallid flesh. He shuddered as a breeze flit across his face, stirring his ebony locks in a gentle dance. Artic fingers pricked up his spine and the hairs on the back of his neck stood on end as his seasonal clothing fluttered in the unnatural cold. Gripping his scarlet shirt tight about his waist, Van lifted his head to what little stars still managed to twinkle in the night sky. He breathed in heavily, feeling his lungs ache from the sudden frosty intrusion, and watched as the cold drifted from his insides to disappear in the darkness.
You're not trying.
"I-I am try-ing." Van's voice came out as a shaky whisper. He slumped to all fours as the force of the elements was intensified by the freezing perspiration that blanketed his pale skin. His tearing scarlet eyes shut tight as he willed a sudden wave of dizziness to pass.
Mind once again clear the raven haired boy turned his attention to the rubble strewn in front of him. Grabbing a handful of stones, a grimace formed on his trembling lips. His mentor's words echoed in his head, memories of the day's events returning.
~~~Flashback~~~
"Attack!" Balgus' words rang out across the tartan training mat and were picked up by the ears of a lithe young man gripping his sword in the defense position. The cry unleashed a fury of attacks against the strong elderly man, which he blocked with ease at every turn. "No, you must be more aggressive."
Van scowled, jumping back to recompose before leaping at the tall samurai once more. He brought down his long blade, aiming to catch his opponent between the neck and shoulder, but cried out in sudden shock and pain as the hilt of the opposing weapon cracked him square in the ribs.
The raven haired boy fell to the mat, clutching his bruising side while forcing his breath to remain steady. He winced as he gathered himself up off the floor and traversed painfully to the other side of the room to retrieve his weapon, which had swung out of his grasp as he was injured.
"You are far too angry." Balgus shook his head. "You are strong...but your anger makes you weak." He spoke earnestly and without fear of showing his pupil his disappointment. He glanced across the training room with his good eye to the young prince, still brandishing his sword, but gingerly holding his side. Upon reading the look of disdain in Van's eyes, the old sword master continued with his lecture. "You must not attack in anger Lord Van. Rage clouds the mind, impairs your thinking. You must always execute proper judgment if you are too become a good king."
Though feigning interest, Van's attention had drifted to regions beyond the clouds. He allowed his mind to wander, knowing full well that he had experienced Balgus' words many times in the past and would most likely look forward to them in the future. The young prince deeply admired and respected his teacher and in the furthest recesses of his mind, knew he spoke truthfully; yet lately, Van was growing restless and was finding it harder to keep his temper in check. He was also growing weary of the constant reminder that he was weak.
"Will you be a good king?"
Van was startled out of his reverie by the sudden question. This was not part of the usual sermon and he had to pause a moment before giving a reply. "I-I'll try." It took a moment for the words to leave his lips.
Balgus stared tiredly at his pupil. "You'll try," he raised his hand to massage the bridge of his nose, a sign of an oncoming headache, "I'm afraid that's not good enough Lord Van. You either will be a good king or you won't. It's your decision."
Glaring back at his teachers' scarred and battle weary face, Van could feel his cheeks begin to burn. Balgus' words weren't meant to hurt, but the future king was becoming increasingly fed up with all his preaching. "Well I am trying," Van lashed out, "I'm sorry if that's not good enough for you, but right now that's all I'm capable of!"
Balgus lowered his gaze as he registered his pupil's words. He scowled behind unruly, gray facial hair. "You're not trying." The sword master spoke flatly and did not offer any further explanation. He wanted the young prince to muse over his statement, to come to an answer without any coaxing.
"But I-"
Balgus silenced Van by raising a gloved hand. "Stop," he sighed, "We are finished for today." He sheathed his sword and strode toward the door, stopping in the doorway to call back to the boy, "We will try again tomorrow." With that he left Van to his thoughts.
~~~End of Flashback~~~
The rest of the afternoon Van had avoided Balgus at all cost. He did not want to face him after what had happened in their daily training session. Van was furious at his sensei for what he had said. How the fuck does he get off telling me I'm not trying? The only reason I can't beat him is because he's one of the three great sword masters of Gaea. How am I supposed to compete with that? It's not me, not my anger...it's not.
Scattering the fistful of stones, and ignoring his body's pleas for rest, Van lifted himself off the ground, a sudden determination overriding all his grievances. "I'll show him. I'm not weak...and I'll prove it!"
Hope you guys liked it. And oh yeah, the beginning happens before Van is King.
I'm basically taking the show, keeping some events but making them happen in different ways, and the outcome will be far different what happened in the show. So give the fic a chance and REVIEW.
Also later on, I'll be taking requests for the fic. So if you guys want something to happen, just tell be in a review and I'll see if I can fit your idea in.
Arigato and remember to review!