Chapter 2: The Strongest Man and the Strongest Teacher

Foreword: This one ended up being much longer than the last chapter just too note.

Quick thank you to, Guest for reviewing, I hope more people try a sort of after story like mine or just any type of story to give this series some more love that we have no idea if the auther is giving it and I hope you enjoy this chapter!

Story Start: At the end of their path stood the man who had trained Adlet into who he had become today. Atro Spiker was a tall man standing a head taller than Adlet with a long white beard and long, spiky, messy, white hair. He Wore a strange red and brown hat and a long grey cloak around him. Atro spoke to Adlet from a distance with a calm stern voice.. "Adlet Mayer, one of the braves of this generation, let me ask you this boy, is the rumor true that the brave who calls himself the strongest in the world also wonders the world with a half-fiend." At the same time as he said this, his cloak fluttered for only a moment as his hand flashed out of it and two objects flew at insane speeds at Fremy and Adlet.

Adlet was frozen for a moment, the smile on his lips having faded. This was the place and the man he had sought, hoping that he was still alive despite the last time he had seen him, which was with a sword planted in his chest by Adlet himself. As his final test to complete his training he was tasked to kill his Master Atro Spiker, and succeeded. Yet here the impossible man stood as Adlet hoped he somehow would, yet now he had to worry about something he hadn't expected. The seven hundred year old man spent most of his time hunting fiends and finding new ways to hunt fiends. Adlet realised his mistake.

The first object, a small needle, perfectly hit and pinched the corner of Fremy's eye covering sending it flying off of Fremy's head and floating to the ground. Fremy's right eye which was a pure shape of pink. Also revealed was Fremy's forehead which had a small nub where a small horn was growing back on her head.

The second object landed silently out of sight.

Atro Spiker now with rage in his voice "Adlet Mayer, you leave here having killed me and now you bring with you Fremy Speeddraw, the half-fiend also known as the brave killer. You may have became a brave, you may have saved the world, you may have even become the strongest man in the world, yet you're still just a foolish boy!"

Adlet tries to hurriedly persuade his master, "Wait Fremy is…" His sentence is cut short as he has to fall back dropping Fremy off his back as a dozen tiny needles flew a breath away from and over his face. Fremy uttered a small cry of pain as she landed on the path.

At that same time six small bombs hit the ground causing a grey and black smoke to fill the air between Adlet and Atro.

Adlet responded quickly by throwing three of his own bombs which caused a pink explosion as he ran, scooped up Fremy and covered her mouth and nose to protect her from the various gasses. Adlet quickly moved Fremy out of the range of the various smokes and sat her down on the path pulling out his short sword.

Just then Atro breaks out of the smoke wearing a black mask over his face. Two blades coming off his arms connected to gauntlets at his wrists stab at Adlet who just manages to defend with his now drawn sword. Atro's cloak now separated reveals that like Adlet did during his time as a brave, Atro wears dozens of pouches and bags filled with a menagerie of weapons, poisons and bombs. The failed swings at Adlet created a bit of distance which Atro used to spin around throwing his cloak at Adlet face while grabbing and throwing a handful of needles at Fremy and using the momentum to empower his next swing at the temporarily blinded Adlet.

Fremy, having not been idle, had already created several small bombs with her power as the saint of gunpowder and threw them at Atro and his needles. The explosives not only saving Fremy from Atros needles also managed to force Atro back giving Adlet time to cut up the cloak and throw several needles at Atro himself, forcing Atro to give more ground and creating a decent amount of space between each other.

Atro took this time to taunt Adlet, "You haven't been keeping up with your training, have you? You seem to be getting soft, your reflexes are too slow! How can the strongest man in the world struggle to keep up with an old man?"

Adlet, desperate to avoid this fight said "Master we don't have to do this, Fremy is one of the braves she helped us complete our mission and saved our lives several times!"

Fremy, nowhere near as emotionally connected to the man that just tried to kill her, aimed her gun at Atro's head and with no hesitation pulled the trigger.

Atro seeing this said "Hehe I am starting to like this one, however..."

Fremy realised something was wrong as she pulled the trigger and threw her gun which only seconds later exploded, leaving a half intact barrel-less gun in the explosion's wake.

Atro used this surprise to restart the melee between him and Adlet. Each was a skilled combatant with a wealth of combat experience but equally using fighting styles not meant to specifically fight other humans thus meaning their swordplay was only that of experienced soldiers. Since neither were masters of human on human combat, thus the fight dragged on, Adlet managed to push Atro down the mountain and out of sight of Fremy. With Adlet following to keep the fighting from Fremy.

Fremy could no longer assist due to being weaponless and only able to crawl, she just sat there on the side of the mountain unable to do anything, crushed by her own helplessness she sat there, watching, waiting, listening to the distant sounds of clashing blades and thinking. Was this the rest of her life, only being able to watch, always being a burden to Adlet, he promised to protect her and so she believed he would return to her. Fremy wondered why Adlet continued to care for her when she was like this, she wasn't sure to ask, did it matter anymore why? Adlet had spent so much time carrying her and caring for her despite Fremy doubting him and expecting him to leave her at any time. She no longer wished to die, but she couldn't comprehend why Adlet would exhaust so much effort for her. She believed Adlet loved her and didn't doubt that, she also didn't doubt her feelings for him. What she doubted, was that she was worth it. She doubted that Fremy deserved so much time, effort, love and care from Adlet. And thus Fremy's self-depressing thought process would continue.

Fremy's true problem that she would not fix for a long time, was not trusting Adlet, it was trusting in herself and believing she had value and was not better off dead.

Meanwhile… Atro and Adlet clashed further down the mountain path, the sounds of clashing blades rang out loudly. The two combatants moved and danced around each other, neither fully relying on the blades they wielded, each throwing out waves of needles and bombs at each other to try and throw the other off guard.

Adlet was able to keep pace with his old man now that he didn't have to worry about Fremy being attacked. Adlet admired the gauntlets his Master was wearing, while Atro lost flexibility with his sword attacks, he always had two hands free, allowing him to employ double the number of tools and tricks than Adlet could at any given time. Adlet knew he was in trouble however as he was nowhere near as prepared for this engagement and his number of tools was drastically dwindling.

Atro shouted in Adlet's face as they were frozen in place, locked by each others' blades. "Adlet, why can't you beat me, why am I not dead yet? I fight for vengeance, for all those I loved that were killed by fiends so long ago. Yet you fight to protect something as I taught you." Atro howled at Adlet "So why am I not dead?"

Adlet couldn't say anything, he was right, despite his Master's earlier taunts Adlet wasn't getting slow it was his Master that was getting slow. Adlet was also fighting for something worthwhile so he should be winning. Adlet knew why he wasn't, in his heart he didn't want to do it again, to slay his Master once again. Part of him wanted to save him so he could help with what he wanted to do next but another part just didn't want to deal with the fact that he probably wouldn't come back if he killed him again.

Pain jolted Adlet back to reality as he was cut in his left side and his right shoulder, shallow cuts but it was a sign that he was losing.

Atro's anger only seemed to grow as Adlet was cut again and again. Atro kicked Adlet in the chest knocking him to the ground and took the opportunity to speak in a loud, harsh voice. "It seems you need to be taught another lesson! " Atro kicked Adlet in the side and said "You are going to die, I am going to kill you and that will be it, but more importantly once you die, your fiend friend, Fremy, will die. She is helpless, stuck in place, your life may not have value but does hers have none as well?" Atro kicked Adlet again, "The strongest man in the world, so much for that, you can't even kill a dead man!"

Adlet knew he was right and faced with the grim choice, he made the choice he should have made since the beginning.

Atro stabbed his left arm down towards Adlet's neck to finish him off. At that same time Adlet sprung forward at the over extended Atro and cut into his left arm and cut the strap that held his gauntlet to his hand. Atro jumped back giving Adlet a chance to stand. Both men gave a smile to the other and the sound of blades rang out once more as the sun began to set behind them.

Fremy sat in silence and waited, watching the sunset and the storm clouds that had begun to roll into sight, until finally a figure trudged up the path towards her. "Adlet!"

A red haired man bleeding in several places and wearing a massive smile. Adlet walked over to Fremy and sat down, looking victorious and tired, lacking his sword and pack of tools. Adlet while still smiling said "Sorry I took so long."

Fremy had prepared for this and already had bandages ready and began treating Adlet's wounds to the best of her ability. While treating him Fremy asked, "did you kill your Master, again?"

Adlet replied "Yep, it was hard, I nearly couldn't do it, but he was trying to teach me. The strongest man in the world is the strongest because he has something to protect, and no matter what he must protect that thing to be the strongest. If he wavers or hesitates in doing so no matter the circumstance then he cannot be the strongest and he will fail and lose everything." Adlet also added on a less serious note, "Sorry about your gun by the way, with your help and the tools in my Master's forge we can probably repair it or remake it!"

Fremy asked Adlet other questions, "What is your plan now? I doubt this was a part of it. And how did your Master survive the first time?"

At this point they both became aware of the sound of footsteps coming from further down the trail and looked to see who the cause of the noise was. In response to the person who approached them Adlet shouted, "Impossible!"

Fremy remarked to Adlet, "You are bad at killing people aren't you?"

The approaching man who shocked the pair with his mere presence said to Fremy with a smile. "To answer your earlier question, I didn't survive Adlet's first attempt on my life, I most certainly died. After all he is the strongest man in the world, I trained him to be so, no one else could kill me twice after all. Now Ms. Speeddraw, it seems as if a storm is coming in, the mountain is cold enough on a normal night, we should be getting inside. Also I don't need this." Atro tossed Adlet's bloodstained short sword to him, Adlet could only stare at the blood stained spot in Atro's clothes where he had left the sword for what he thought was good.

Fremy was now at a loss for words and her mouth was agape for the man who just tried to kill her and flew into a rage at the sight of her was now addressing her formally.

Adlet who for the most part was patched up, began to pick up Fremy as he gave voice to the question in Fremy's mind, "Master, why did you try and kill Fremy before but not now, what changed? Also how did you die twice and still live? Are you like a cat with nine lives?" A certain blue haired assassin flashed a smile in his head as Adlet asked the question.

Atro who had already started walking and was gaining distance up the trail called back to them. "First off Ms. Speeddraw is only half-fiend so I half heartedly tried to kill her, if she was fully a fiend, she wouldn't be alive, I attacked her to test and teach you Adlet. Ms. Speeddraw is one of the braves who helped save the world, even if she was the brave-killer, someone working for the fiends would not have been chosen as a brave and most certainly would not have completed their mission as a brave if they had been. Also I am not a cat, I have three lives, not nine, as for why, well that is a story for another day. Now come, it is beginning to rain."

As he said that rain began to fall, slowly but with every second it was picking up pace and would only be moments before it turned into a downpour so Adlet carrying Fremy rushed inside after Atro.

Adlet felt a wave of nostalgia, the place was a concrete compound which contained several different areas, studies, a forge, a courtyard and housing area to name a few. This place had been Adlet's home for eight years.

Atro having walked in further past sight called out to Adlet, "get a fire going in the fireplace I shall prepare dinner."

Adlet sat down next to the fireplace in the living room-like area which had 3 couches, a fireplace and a circular table in the center. Adlet always wondered why he had a room like this considering how few guests he always had over and his usual relationship with those guests would not normally require such a, comfortable, place to relax. Adlet placed some wood in the fireplace but didn't move to light it only gesturing to Fremy to work her literal magic, he had long ago learned this was a much faster method.

After Fremy lit the fire they sat there in silence for a while looking at the fire. Fremy then leaned her head to her left and onto Adlet's shoulder, Adlet in response put his arm around her shoulder and the tender moment of silence, calm, and warmth continued for several minutes. The only sounds were that of the storm picking up outside as thunder began to boom in the distance. After some time Fremy opened her eyes and realised something, she was seeing out of both eyes, her right eye wasn't covered. Fremy then spoke to Adlet with a tense, quivering voice that startled Adlet."Adlet I think my head covering got left outside. We need to retrieve it!"

At this time Atro returned with some bowls of soup and began to set them in front of the pair as he said, "with the storm outside it is either lost, ruined or both."

Adlet tightened his hold on the now slightly shaking Fremy and said, "It will be fine, I am the strongest man in the world, no matter what happens or who we encounter, I'll deal with it, that is a promise!"

Atro not a particular fan of the scene playing out before him but seeing no reason to spoil it waits a few moments then says "So boy, care to share with me your reasons for coming back here, im sure if you were just looking for a place the other braves could have easily provided you a much better place."

Adlet, slowly retracts his arm from around Fremy, stands up and walks over to Atro and begins to whisper in Fremy's ear.

All that could be heard was Atro's various mutterings, "hmm, yes, sounds useful, hmm, indeed, this should be a simple task." At this Adlet launched into a second wave of whispers that caused Atro's tone to change from unending seriousness to a surprised and slightly excited voice, "hrmm, that does not sound simple at all, never been done before, hmmm yes, it could be possible, hmm, of course I relish the challenge."

Fremy absentmindedly ate her soup and stared at the fire, lost in thought. At some point Adlet had sat beside her and began to eat while telling his master of the confusing and long journey that the braves undertook. After some time Fremy finished her soup and laid her head on Adult's lap who in turn just smiled gently stroked her hair and continued on with his story. Fremy laid there with her eyes closed, listening partly to Adlet's enthusiastic storytelling and the sounds of the storm in the background. After an hour of storytelling and Atro quietly listening, sometimes asking a question to stir Adlet on or clarify a confusing detail; Atro stood up and said, "We should get to bed. It grows late and we will want to get started early tomorrow on the first project."

Atro stood up and walked away from the pair but just before leaving the room he stopped and said, "Forgot to mention, I only have one spare bed available, I had to sell all of my others." This was of course a total lie, he was not in need of money so much he would do such a thing nor did he actually get rid of his beds. There was only one bed available but that was only because the others were currently stored in the basement under the guard of a dozen various traps. Atro smiled to himself as he walked to bed.

Fremy who had barely held to consciousness, half registered the words that Atro had said as he left. She thought to herself "Strange, why does a place like this only have one bed, weird." Her brain finally kicked her awake and her eyes shot open as she realised the implication. Fremy said in a loud voice startling Adlet, "Wait, what!"

To be continued in Chapter 3: The Half-Fiend and the Strongest Struggle Part 1

Afterword: Genre Shift: Sorry to put no warnings in for that, I felt that the idea of them fighting shouldn't have been obvious and saying there was going to be heavy action in the foreword would have given it away I feel. I don't plan a lot more action but it may show up again in a chapter or two, maybe not, not sure.

Frequency: I have decided to set myself a schedule of posting a new chapter every week on monday so please look forward to that and follow the story however does it if you care to keep up with this story.

Questions and Critics: I am new to this and also have not actually read the source material if you could not tell, so if I miss a key character trait or misrepresent a character please call me out. Likewise if there is any major or story issue I would greatly appreciate and am always open to criticism (Hopefully the constructive kind but I'll take what I get).

Homework: For those who have not watched the Rokka No Yuusha Drama CD's you can find them fansubbed on youtube with a quick search. I plan to probably bring in some stuff from those videos, they are short little stories based on some of the braves before they met up, watch them so you don't get confused if I reference any of them in the next chapter.

Rejected Line: Adlet began to tell Atro the tale of the braves but first he gave a disclaimer, "I will have to split the story into parts and I will probably get tired of telling it after the sixth so I hope you don't like complete stories."

Till next time.