kenegi - Thank you! As for the typo, thanks for mentioning it; writing a story without a beta reader sucks sometimes. And yes, this will follow canon strictly, with small changes here and there. And the person who beat Morgiana up was Zurmudd, the Masrur-wanna-be.

Masrur's age: 8 years old

May's age: 7 years old

Morgianas age: 2 years old

Pride of the Fanalis Clan

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By Angelbloodlover

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~ "I'm going to teach you the art of swordsmanship-or in other words, how to totally kill someone with a sharp, pointy thing."

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Michael Buckley, The Council of Mirrors

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Chapter 5: Swordsmanship

Between training under father, mother and Marus, I had absolutely no free time left. Something that Morgiana seemed to get annoyed about, "May-onee-chan!"

I cursed under my breath, hiding behind a tree. Lately, she kept following me everywhere, while it seemed cute at first, it had started to annoy me. Jumping on the tree, I held in my breath when Morgiana walked towards it, placing her hand palm on it. Then, she lifted her head up, a creepy-looking smile on her face, "May-onee-chan is here."

I almost shrieked at that and with a sigh, I dropped on the ground, "Mor-chan, you're starting to creep me out, you know that?"

A pleasing look was plastered on her face, "I found onee-chan, will onee-chan play?" The cruel little monster looked at me with wide eyes, excitement and adoration swirling inside her orbs.

I couldn't refuse her offer since that would make me feel like a douchebag. "Fine, but one hour, no more. Got it?"

She bobbed her head, her ear-length hair flying everywhere. "Sure onee-chan!"

"Good," I crouched down on one knee, "Now, get up, we're going to find Masrur-kun."

"Yay! Masrur-onii-chan!"

Chuckling, I ran, smiling as Morgianas loud squealing of happiness resonated throughout the camp. How could I possibly hate her bright, carefree persona?

Simple, I couldn't.

"Why do I have the feeling that you would ditch your little sister on my back?" Masrur deadpanned, his eyes set on mine.

I laughed sheepishly, scratching my cheek, "Masrur-kun, thinking like that won't get you anywhere, you know." I ignored my sister's loud, indignant cry of wanting to play now. She could be very demanding, which was all mother's fault, spoiling her constantly.

He sighed, "Fine, what do you want to do?"

Brightly smiling, I answered, "We can train while Mor-chan can watch." Turning my attention on her, "Doesn't it seems fun?"

Like I had expected, she nodded vigorously, "I want! I want!"

Masrur and I chuckled- for some weird reason Morgiana liked to watch people fight against each other. No idea where her obsession came from, probably from me, but I wasn't sure about it. I crouched down and grunted when she scrambled on my back, pulling on my braid.

...and then there were times where I wanted to throw her against the ground.

"Masrur-kun!"

He chuckled, "Coming!" And finally, we left towards an open plain where we could have a friendly spar and test our fighting ability.

I smirked when Masrur blocked my kick with his feet, the sound echoing loudly. From the side was Morgiana cheering for the both of us, a make-shift flag created from the skin of a tiger. 'Go onee-chan!" And then seconds later, she would scream, "Go onii-chan!"

"Not bad for a girl."

I scoffed at him, somersaulting over him and pushing him away with my feet. "Too bad I can't say the same about you, Masrur-chan."

He coughed, spitting the sand out of his mouth and glared at me, "Pfft. Not everyone can be a training obsessed freak like you."

Instead of taking it the wrong way, I grinned happily, "Thank you, it's really hard to be me, you know." I was only being dramatic, and he had noticed it too, taking the Fanalis stance again.

Rolling his eyes, he spoke again, "Your ego is growing too much. Don't worry I'll make sure it becomes a non-existent little dot."

"Try me."

He didn't need to be told twice and charged towards me, his feet destroying the ground. We threw kicks, and nasty punches towards each other, but where his kicks dealt less damage, mines did not. I had trained ever since I was four years old, giving my entire attention to it. I didn't goof around, or played with the other girls my age, instead I kept training till late in the night. In comparison to Masrur, I was already seen as an adult, except by Marus, but our relationship was different, since in that case I was his pupil and he could say all that he wanted.

Grabbing a hold of his feet, I threw him towards a tree, wincing when the tree literally exploded, Morgiana shrieking in shock, "Onee-chan is mean!"

I didn't have the time to give her a reply and leaned backwards as Masrur threw a solid punch towards my face. What I didn't see coming was that he had feigned that punch and used that momentum to turn his body around, a nasty kick hitting me in the stomach. I was sent flying towards the ground, creating a crater underneath me. I ignored Morgianas scared scream and placed my hands next to my hand, pushing my body upwards and avoiding a gruesome-looking stomp kick from Masrur, "You said?" He teased me, his eyes glinting happily.

"Alright, you totally caught me off guard with that sneaky attack of yours, but I won't fall for it a second time."

He didn't respond and charged at me, his fist ready to lash out. I rolled underneath him, enjoying his slightly shocked look and stood up in a cat-like manner. While he was very large for his age, I was still small- I just hoped I would at least grow a bit more, not stay this small. If I had father's length then I would be very grateful.

But for now I could use it to my every advantage.

As quick as a tiger, I placed my hand near his throat, "Do you admit defeat?"

"I admit," he sighed in annoyance, "Man, you're really creepy when you fight."

I rose my eye brow, "What do you mean?"

"I mean that you looked at me as if I was your enemy."

I shrugged, "I'll try not to scare you too much."

"Hey! That isn't what I meant, and you know that!"

"Sure it isn't, Masrur-chan." I teased him, grinning widely when Morgiana came running towards us, arms flailing wildly. These were times where I could squeeze her to death.

He gave up convincing me and chuckled when Morgiana latched on my leg like a leech would. "Well, let's head back."

"Yeah...," And so, we returned back, listening to Morgianas indecipherable exclaims and animated talks.

Now to finish it off, three juniper berries.

Smiling widely, I watched as the color changed completely, "I did it, Marus-sensei!"

"Quit that shrill voice of yours, I'm not deaf, you know." He grumbled more under his breath and stopped next to me, his calculating eyes looking at the supposed medicine, "Hmm... you should have inserted more rat's tails."

I frowned, "Isn't three enough then?"

He shook his head, shaking the purple-colored vial. "No, the amount of rat's tails should always be five, but not lesser tha-" "Marus-sama! May-chan!" A loud, happy shout interrupted the shaman, who seemed very annoyed at that. To my surprise, it was Masrur and he looked absolutely sunny today, more so than usual.

"Masrur-kun?"

he panted, his eyes swirling with such happiness, it made me wonder what had happened, "It's father!"

This was all that I needed to hear, before I followed after him. "Marus-sensei, I'll go and check up on him!" I knew that he would be angry at me for leaving so sudden, but this was important, this was Masrur's father and it seemed that the medicine he had drunk up was curing him. When we reached Masrur's tent, we stormed inside to find Malik standing, energy thrumming loudly. I blinked my eyes, "Malik-san, how are you feeling?"

"As if I could defeat anything!" came his confident reply. His skin looked healthier than I had seen before and the goofy smile on his face made me question whether Masrur had received that happiness from him.

Pointing to his bed, "If you can sit on the bed, I'd like to do a thorough check-up, just in case."

He nodded, sitting down as I observed his eyes, ears, tongue, everything, just the way Marus had taught me. Really amazing-I wondered how these ingredients healed him, it was a, "...miracle." Because I sure as hell knew that Malik didn't have a high survival chance, but I didn't dare to voice out those pessimistic thoughts for fear of the consequences, but not telling it was the same. In the end I had chosen the cowardly way, but it seemed that I had chosen the right path because seeing Malik so energetic, and Masrur so joyful, made me ecstatic.

"You seem as healthy as a horse." I concluded after the check-up, "But I'd like to come and see you weekly."

He nodded in understanding, "Thank you very much, May-chan, from the bottom of my heart." And before I could stop him, he bowed respectfully.

"Malik-san, no need for that, we're all in this together. It's my duty to keep my people safe."

He shook his head, Masrur bowing towards me as well, a cheeky grin on his face. "No, I want to repay your kindness." Suddenly, his face lit up, "I know! Didn't you say that you wanted to learn the art of swordplay?"

I blinked my eyes a couple of times and after I registered his words, my eyes widened, "You're a fencing master?"

"One of the few who have dedicated their life to the art of swordplay." He pointed towards his son, "Even my son trains with me daily, but because of my illness, I had stopped teaching him altogether. But thanks to Marus and you I am healed. So, what do you say about it?"

"Yes! Yes! Yes!"

I had thought that he would be nice...

...but instead I got another teacher who drilled everything into me, from the stance to the way I slashed down with my sword. Of course, Malik didn't immediately handed me a pointy sword, instead he gave me a wooden object. He showed me Fanalis secret swordplay, something that no outside would be able to learn. Combine that with our inhumane strength and you got yourself a powerhouse.

I grinned, facing Masrur with my wooden stick. It had been four month of gruesome training, and that with a stupid stick while Masrur defeated me to a pulp. He had more experience with a sword than I had, but then again, I had more experience with Fanalis special martial arts.

However, we were both training each other to strengthen our weaknesses. Thankfully Masrur had already been through the ritual where he would be accepted as a man in the clan.

"Don't think you'll beat me that fast this time, Masrur-kun!"

He chuckled, twirling his wooden sword expertly, "Say that after surviving longer than five minutes."

"Less flirting, more fencing!" Malik shouted, enjoying the way we bristled in anger, cheeks a fiery red.

Without another word I charged towards him, blocking an attack towards my head with my wooden stick. Pushing more strength behind it, I pushed him away, but he only danced behind my back. It was only through my enhanced senses that I blocked his attack, aimed towards my back. I chuckled, "This is very enjoyable."

He hummed, slashing down but I blocked it with my own attack.

"May, watch his feet and movements closely!" Malik advised loudly, a cheeky grin plastered on his face. I wonder what was up with that creepy-looking smile. Shrugging that off, I averted my attention on his feet and watched as he shifted his left feet towards the left. I evaded a stab that would have injured my shoulder and advanced upon him, flipping forwards, and using the moment to increase the speed of my sword.

I heard Masrur groaning in pain at the force behind it and continued my assault.

Until Malik screamed, "Come on Masrur! Show her what you're made of!"

I rolled my eyes at that stupid comment...only Malik would say something like that.

"Onee-chan! Majid is mean!" Morgiana whined, rubbing her eyes in a cute manner.

I sighed and stopped my fencing training-this would be the thirtieth time that Morgiana had come towards me, shouting nonsense about Majid who was supposedly teasing her.

"Mor-chan, how many times did I told you not to interrupt my training?"

She scrunched her nose in confusion, sticking her tongue out as she counted her fingers. With a bubbly grin, she chirped, sticking her hands out, "More than ten times!"

I sighed, "Yes...and why are you still interrupting me knowing that I have train?"

"Because Majid is mean!"

Rubbing my temples, I pushed her away, "I have no time for that. Why don't you go and play with the other girls?"

She pouted, crossing her arms, "You're mean too..."

Would I ever be left alone to train? Averting my attention on the little brat who was pouting, angry eyes locked with mine, I was sure that she would keep bugging me. I decided to solve this case once and for all, "Fine. I'll come with you." What the hell was I even supposed to say to a bully?

"Don't hurt my little sister or else..." Yes, that would be the perfect line...not.

She grabbed my hand and led towards a group of shrieking children. I winced at one particular scream-seriously, we should use the children as a weapon of destruction. Their screams could be used as a diversion and then we would kill the enemy as they tried to keep the loud screaming out. Pfft, as if. Sometimes even I wondered if I was still mentally healthy.

Morgiana pointed to a small boy with red, spiky hair, "That's Majid!"

I sighed in annoyance, crouching down, "Majid, come here."

Said boy tilted his head to the side, "Why?"

"Because I said so."

"Why?" He repeated, annoyingly so.

"Because I'm bigger."

To aggravating irritation, he said, "Why?"

"Because if you don't then I'll throw you to the other side of the Dark Continent."

He yelped in fear and ran away, screaming about a red monster that would kill him. As if that wasn't worse, the other kids were inching away from me, their frightened eyes set on my petite figure. One of them screamed, "Don't hurt us, monster!"

I glared at that little girl, "I'm not a monster."

"Run!" Another one quipped up, scrambling away from us. Followed by the rest of them.

I sighed again, ignoring the situation I was put in and turned my back, wanting nothing more than to return to my training.

Until, once again, "May-onee-chan! I have no friends!"

Honestly, what did I do to deserve this? Besides, with that little monster stalking my every move, I wouldn't be able to train...again.

"How's your training going?" Mother asked me, "It's been ages where I could sit next to you and just talk."

She was right about that. I didn't even remember the last time I had sat down and talked without having to train. It was sad that I had become a trainaholic. "It's going smoothly."

For once, I had decided to take a day off and do something fun with my family since it was a very special day today, "Mother, how about we have a picnic and celebrate a certain person's birthday?"

Her rose shot upwards, "Really? You remembered it?"

I giggled, standing up, "Of course! How could I even forget it?! I'll go invite Marus-sensei, Malik-sensei and Masrur-kun! Be right back!" Waving her off, I ran towards Masrur's tent, knowing that he would be happy to hear about this. Ever since he had befriended me he had trained even more than before, for this I was proud of him. I wanted him to be capable of fighting and crushing everyone that dared to oppose us.

Fortunately for me, I saw Malik and Masrur talking, "Malik-sensei! Masrur-kun!" I caught their attention and stopping in front of them, I grinned, showing off my white teeth, "We are having a picnic. Want to join us?"

"Free food!" Malik chirped, to which Masrur laughed sheepishly, embarrassed by his father's behavior, "We'd love to."

"Great, I'll see you both in front of our tent within an hour or two." I left them to their own device and changed direction towards Marus, who was probably in his tent, creating another medicine.

Calling out softly, "Marus-sensei?"

I heard an annoyed grumble, followed by a loud ruckus, and finally Marus came out, "What is it?"

"Well, we're having a picnic and I was wondering if you wan-" "No." I frowned, "But sensei, it would be fun."

He rolled his eyes, glaring at me, "I said no, now leave me alone, I have better things to do than having a picnic."

I bit my under lip, "...and here I thought that you would want to join us."

"Fine, I'll come, now scram it!"

My face lit up immediately and I embraced the grumpy, old shaman tightly, ignoring the way he whacked my head with his crutch. Conversation done, I returned back to my mother's side to help her out with the food. When was it that we all had eaten as a family wholly? Somehow in my mad quest to become stronger I had forgotten about my family, which shouldn't have happened. At all.

I sighed tiredly, thinking that I have hurt my parents with my behavior. Things should change from today on-less training, more spending time with my family.

After two hours, I had helped mother out with placing a blanket on the hard ground, and on top of it the cooked food. Then I had run back to my parents' tent and led my remaining family and friends alike towards our destination.

I walked next to father, "Father, happy birthday."

His eyes widened when I hugged him. "So you knew...?"

I nodded, giggling when he glared playfully towards me, "You're just like your mother." I took that as a compliment, mother was beautiful and gentle, "Thank you." He added, tightening his hold around my shoulders.

"Anytime, father, anytime..."