Chapter Three:

The Sword Demon

Guy had finally managed to get some peace and quiet in the tent. Matthew had been called out for the night watch, so Guy was left all alone in the tent. It was quite boring but it was better than hearing Matthew's mocking laughter.

'I wonder if I she knows,' he mused. 'Nah, I bet she doesn't even have a clue,' he thought dismissing the notion. His thoughts went back to when he first met the flame haired beauty…

3 months ago…

"Hyah!!" Guy yelled as he swung his sword at the enemy. The axe fighter dodged the stroke and countered with a kick. Guy leapt back to avoid the blow…

But ran right into a tree.

He grunted in pain as his back collided with the bark. His guard slipped.

The brutal axe fighter grinned as he advanced on Guy. He swung his axe in a wide arc. Guy barely had enough time to duck down. The axe cut the air and got imbedded in the tree. The axe fighter tried to wrench out the axe but it was too late. In one fast blur Guy was up in the fighter's face and in the next second the axe wielder was out cold, his head meeting Guy's hilt.

He leaned wearily on the tree. 'Stupid Matthew,' he thought. 'Why did he have to pop up as soon as I found a job?! Now I'm fighting against my employer' he thought bitterly.

Then, something tapped him on the shoulder.

He yelped and jumped up pulling up his sword, thinking it was another enemy.

The person behind him also jumped in surprise and backed away.

Guy realized the person behind was no fighter. In fact it was a girl, and a rather pretty one at that. She was wearing a white robe, signifying her as a healer. Her staff was drawn and she had a worried look on her face.

Guy then realized that he still had his sword drawn and he was in a battle position. He must've looked like an idiot he thought.

He quickly sheathed his sword and mumbled an apology. "S-sorry for scaring you like that," he muttered.

She smiled then and her warm smile made Guy's stomach do a small flip-flop. "That's okay," she said. Guy couldn't quite place her accent but he definitely knew it wasn't Sacaen.

"Erm, what are you doing out here so far out in the battlefield?" he asked. Usually the healers stayed back and let the fighters do their work.

"I saw you fighting alone against that person," she said indicating to the sleeping warrior. "So I rushed over thinking you would need help," she finished.

"Well, I'm alright," Guy concluded lamely. Why couldn't he think of something smart to say?

"But you have a cut on your arm," she said pointing to his right arm.

He looked down. She was right; he did have a cut. It was small and not very deep. He must have got it while fighting the axe man.

"That's just a flesh wound," he said.

She smiled again. "Well let me at least heal it for you."

And before Guy could protest she was right next to him and a slender white hand was put tenderly on his gash.

She closed her eyes and muttered a few words under her breath. A brilliant white light surrounded the gash. The gash slowly sealed up.

"There, all done," she declared opening her eyes.

Guy looked in amazement at his right arm. This was the first time a healing had been done on him and he was amazed. Who knew that these healers had powers like these? Then, he remembered his manners.

"O-oh yeah, thank you!" he said sincerely.

"Not a problem…um…" she stumbled on his name.

"Guy, my names Guy," he quickly put in.

She smiled at him again. "Priscilla," she said in reply.

"Catch you later then, Priscilla," Guy said, a shy smile forming on his face.

"Don't be afraid to tell me when you're hurt, Guy," she said as she walked away.

Guy nodded, and she turned around, a smile still on her face.

Guy watched her retreating figure. Then, when he could no longer see her, he turned around and sighed happily

Joining this army was the smartest decision he had ever made!

Guy happily recalled the good old days when he heard a noise. At first he dismissed the noise as the wind and continued his daydream. But it gradually got louder and louder until it got too difficult to ignore. The sound was like a whooshing sound like when you wave around a thin object quickly.

Guy's annoyance grew as the sound got louder and louder, finally after he could take it no longer he jumped out of his tent to stop the noise.

The noise was coming from a small forest near his tent. He quickly went by the trees and was about to yell at the person making the noise.

Until he saw the flash of a blade.

Somehow he managed to keep from yelling out. He watched in amazement at the scene before him.

Karel was in a small clearing in the forest. His blade was drawn and he was mock sparring. His movements were extremely graceful, like a dancer. He shifted from one stance to the next like fluid. His sword was a silvery blur.

All of this would have been fascinating if Guy hadn't seen the emotion on Karel's face.

His face was a stark contrast to when Guy first met him. Back there it had been a cruel and harsh mask. Here it seemed even worse. Karel's eyes were tightly closed and his mouth was in a pained grimace. He looked like he was in a great deal of hurt.

Guy was enraptured by the swordplay he saw. No wonder they all called him the Sword Demon. But then he started to get nervous. What if Karel saw him? He knew it wasn't a big deal; he was only looking at somebody training. No one was convicted if they saw somebody training.

Then again this was Karel, the Sword Demon.

He quietly turned around, in hope of getting back to the tent unnoticed.

"Where are you going, pup?" a voice called out behind him.

Guy froze, his nerves jangling with fear.

"Damn," he swore under his breath. No choice now, he was caught.

He slowly turned around and entered the clearing. Karel's face was back in its usual cold indifferent expression.

They faced each other for a few moments. After a few seconds Guy looked down. He felt like a rabbit that had been sighted by a hound. Trapped and doomed.

Finally Karel spoke up, "Why were you spying on me?"

Guy couldn't speak; his tongue was glued to the roof of his mouth. He certainly couldn't tell him he wanted Karel to stop making a racket; that would just infuriate him. But just about when he was going to give up, he was hit with an inspiration.

"Master," he said going down on one knee. "Master, I have come here to ask you again to teach me the way of the sword."

He looked up. Karel still looked uncaring.

"Find somebody else; I don't have time to teach a young fool the way of the sword."

"Pleases sir, I implore you," Guy begged. "Teach me the art of the sword. I'm a quick learner and I won't be a bother to you, I promise!"

Karel started to look annoyed. "Why do you want to know the art of the sword so badly?" he questioned.

Guy hesitated; he certainly couldn't tell him his real reason. He made up one on the spot.

"I want my name to be known far and wide in Sacae, no Elibe! I want to be as well known as the Sword Demon."

Guy looked up at Karel. His expression had changed to one of disgust.

"When my name spread out through the land," he spat out. "Many worthless dogs aspired to best my swordsmanship. Every last one was more arrogant and overconfident than the last one. Each time they all fell to my blade, their silly dreams crushed to pieces, and their pathetic lives wasted. Tell me fool, what makes you think you're silly aspirations aren't just like theirs?" he said vehemently.

He didn't bother waiting for an answer. "Leave pup. Get out of my sight."

"W-wait!" Guy yelled. He had to make Karel see his views. He couldn't let his chance go right now! He had to, he must avenge them!

"You're looking for a good opponent right?" he asked quickly. He plowed on before Karel could interrupt. "Then, make me your opponent!"

Karel didn't reply. Guy took this as a good sign and continued.

"I know I'm not good enough to fight you now. But I swear, if you teach me the way of the sword I will become one of the best. Give me a year's time and I will be good enough to beat you even! I swear on my honor, if you teach me I will master the sword!"

Karel heard something in Guy's voice. The passion and the truth. He looked into Guy's eyes. They weren't boastful or arrogant unlike so many others he had faced. They were clear and true. This boy meant every word he had said.

"You seem to mean it don't you?" he asked after several moments of silence.

Guy sensed his chance. "Y-yes!" he responded eagerly.

Karel looked into his eyes for a few more moments before he sighed. "Very well, against my better judgment, I will teach you the art of swordplay. Tomorrow we will begin your training."

Guy nearly leapt in joy. He could hardly believe it himself. "Thank you, master!" he said going down on both knees and bowing his head down to the grass.

"But be warned," Karel said. "If you lie to me and all that you said before was faulty, I will without hesitation kill you mercilessly."

Guy looked up at him. "I promise you, I will learn the sword." He said with pure determination in his eyes.

Karel nodded. "Go," he said.

Guy got up and bowed once more to him. Then, he turned around and started to walk out of the forest.

"Wait," Karel commanded.

Guy turned around, a questioning look on his face.

"What is your name?" Karel asked him.

He answered at once. "My name is Guy. Guy of the Kutolah tribe," he said with a faint hint of pride.

Karel nodded again.

Guy turned and walked out of the clearing.

Karel watched him go. When he was sure he was gone he said, "Come out now, I know you're there."

A person took a step away from the tree they were hiding behind.

"That was most uncharacteristic of you, Karel," said a feminine voice. "Taking that boy under your wing."

Karel didn't look at his sister. "I sense great potential in this boy, Karla. He said everything with so much determination. I hope he turns into a good opponent."

She sighed, "Karel must you look at everyone as food for your sword? Can't you start caring about something else other than your destiny?"

Karel snorted. "I have no destiny. I have no life. I have no soul. I was condemned from the day I was born. Don't you agree sister? In order to protect everyone I had to kill the ones closest to me." He gave a sadistic chuckle.

His sister didn't reply.

Karel turned around. "I'm going back," he said walking out of the clearing, his sister's sad eyes following him.