Disclaimer: I do not own Dragon Quest: Swords just the words below.

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'When I first saw the mask, I remember only that I found it so frightening. But from where did this memory come?

Already five years had passed since the defeat of Xiphos, the Bringer of Death. The world was at peace. But for me, it had little meaning'

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Dragon Quest Swords:

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Silent Swordsman

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Avalonia, a small island kingdom situated around an ivory tower that stretched through the heavens themselves, was celebrating its fifth year of liberty from the tyranny of the Bringer of Death. As the sun emblazoned the sky in the hues of golden orange, the people began moving en masse towards the castle theatre where the commemoration tournament was currently taking place.

It was not much of a tournament, rather a friendly survival contest against the greatest swordsman in the kingdom. Yet, even the best of the castleguard could barely last more than ten seconds before being bested by the swordsman's prowess.

"They fink it's all over. It is now!" The commentator declared to the crowds after witnessing the guard being brought to his knees by a flurry of strikes too quick for any of them to see. "And the winner is…Swordmaster Dao!"

The small hunchbacked form of the Swordmaster lowered his ever trusty cane sword. He had not unsheathed it yet it still held quite the wallop as many an opponent would attest to.

"The passage of time has not dulled my blade, or my skills" He chortled bringing his free hand up to stroke his white beard as he began searching the crowds. "Are there no others? No more young heroes willing to challenge an old man?"

He had asked this in a light, jovial manner yet everyone knew this 'old man' was still a young tiger at heart making many a young warrior doubt their own skills thinking they could beat him. Despite the lack of a challenger stepping up, Dao looked over at the crowds to his left and immediately took an interest in one of them when he recognised the lad in the red tunic with untamed brown hair.

"You there!" He indicated with just a look. "The son of my most accomplished pupil, Claymore, I believe"

The townsfolk surrounding the lad parted allowing him to walk up to the edge of the stage. All could see the sword strapped to his back as well as the small shield in his left hand. Perhaps the lad was actually hoping for this and had come prepared despite hardly reacting in any way to Swordmaster Dao's words.

"So? Are you ready to try your hand against your father's master?" Dao challenged.

"Cor blimey! An invite from Swordmaster Dao 'imself!" The commentator exclaimed over the cheers as the lad accepted the invite and walked over until he was standing across from the Swordmaster. "'E's only gone an' challenged Claymore's son. Claymore bein' one o' the famous warriors wot defeated Xiphos the deafbringa! An' wot's more, 'e was a pupil of Swordmaster Dao too!"

He need not have said any of that last part as everyone in Avalonia knew Claymore who bravely fought the Deathbringer himself wielding his namesake for King and country. His son was also known, not just for who his father was but for his silent, stoic yet caring nature.

"Goddess only knows wot kinda match we're in for 'ere!"

Swordmaster Dao mentally agreed at the Commentator's statement. There was something about this young cub's aura that told him that here was a boy who would one day become a legend. And this was exactly why he called him out: to test him and see if his assumptions were true. Especially since tomorrow was an important day for him.

"I have been speaking with your father. Tomorrow will be your sixteenth birthday, I hear" He said to the lad. "When a young man of our land comes of age, he must undertake the Walk of the Worthy. It is tradition"

The Walk of the Worthy: a custom held in Avalonia to test the mettle of all males once they had come of age. Not only would it literally sort the men from the boys, but allow them to see just what kind of man they would become and how their future may take shape depending on the outcome.

"You must focus your mind and spirit on the ways of the sword now. Come, I will instruct you" Swordmaster Dao ordered.

The son of Claymore needed no second telling, nor signal. Grabbing the handle of his blade, the lad pulled it out slightly before swinging down in a chopping motion bringing the sword out of its unique sheath in one fluid movement and almost catching Swordmaster Dao off guard. Almost.

Taking a step to the left, the sword sailed onwards to the stone floor before stopping mid path and moving towards him again. The move was a feint, the lad stopped swinging it to his right and immediately spun left pirouetting full circle and striking his blade against the swordmaster's cane.

Seeing his chance, Swordmaster Dao pushed the lad's sword away before moving in with a jab that brushed harmlessly off the lad's shield. The lad immediately countered with a flurry of rapid strikes that moved so effortlessly and swift, they were nought more than arcs of light to the naked eye. There was definitely more to this lad than what first glance would tell.

The crowd cheered as the two combatants danced around the stage trading blow for blow in an elegant dance of death. No one had ever seen the Swordmaster move about so much against an opponent, not even against servants of the Deathbringer. This was truly a spectacle no one wished to miss.

"Yes, you are strong! You are well centred" Dao marvelled after the two separated after their latest clash indeed impressed with the lad. Not even Claymore had been this adept at his age. "You may even possess the inner tranquillity required to execute the Master-Stroke technique I taught your father long ago"

The Master-Stroke technique was a repertoire of unique moves, many with complex forms requiring wide and or fast motions, which only the best of swordsmen could accomplish. Attaining even one of them however a challenge as the wielder was needed to find their inner tranquillity, as Swordmaster Dao had noted, as well as a strong will and centred mind. Naturally, due to its requirements, practitioners of the technique were few and far between.

The son of Claymore, however, surprised even the Swordmaster when he clasped his sword in both hands and thrust it into the sky. The blade seemed to extend fivefold its normal length before the lad brought it down atop Swordmaster Dao's head. The old swordsman, indeed caught off guard by the surprise, barely had time to unsheathe his cane sword to deflect the blow managing to come out unscathed despite being forced back to the edge of the ring.

"Tiger father begets tiger son. You have inherited your father's command of the blade" Dao commended with a beaming smile as he sheathed his own blade whilst the lad did the same. "The Kingdom of Avalonia will be most fortunate indeed to count you amongst its warriors"

"'Ere ends the royal festival of swordsmanship commemmoratin' the fifth anniversary of the defeat of Xiphos the deafbringa" The commentator announced to the crowd before sighing with relief. He was in definite need of a drink after that last display.

"You looked good out there, lad. Aye that you did" A bearded man stated as he walked over to where the lad was standing as the crowds dispersed from the courtyard to their homes. "Course, old Dao was just playing with you, but still…"

It was true that the old swordsman had been toying with the lad which was obvious to all who had a firm grasp of swordsmanship, the lad included. Had he wanted to, Swordmaster Dao could have easily swatted him off the stage with a single move. That the lad knew of this and remained quiet about it signified that he was either humouring the old swordsman or just wanted to see how he fared against him.

"If only I hadn't messed up my arm so badly, eh?" The bearded man asked looking at his right arm which was a steel replica of the original he lost during his clash with Xiphos five years ago. A small price his mind for the peace they had attained, or at least would be had they not lost their King during the attack as well. "I could've trained you up good and sharp, and maybe it would've been you playing with Dao!"

The confidence in the voice of Claymore, father of the young lad who had just fought against his master, held pride in the fact that he was positive had fate dealt him a different hand.

"Ah, there you are! That last bout was quite the spectacle. I'm rather impressed"

Both father and son turned towards the originator of the claim to see a boy several years older the Claymore's son dressed in finery fit for a member of royalty.

"Prince Anlace! It's been a long time" Claymore greeted, bowing as the Prince made his way over to the two. "You're a good deal tougher now than when you used to train under me, by the looks of it"

"Quite right" The Prince agreed. "You'll find that I never miss a day's training!"

The Prince then turned to look pointedly at the lad. "So don't imagine you can outdo me, just because you come from heroic stock. We should spar together sometime"

Prince Anlace's suggest was only added after seeing the young lad not even flinch at his earlier proclamation. He had to admit, the young lad's silent nature unsettled him slightly.

"Forgive me for asking, Your Highness" Claymore interrupted. "But where's Queen Curtana? I haven't seen Her Majesty all day"

He had a good point. In years past, the Queen had always been seen during the fetes and would always spend at least one day among her people. To be missing from such a special occasion was bound to stir a ripple of worry over them about her health.

"Mother is…I am told she has been feeling unwell in recent days" Prince Anlace explained evidently worried about his only remaining family member. "She confines herself to her chamber and refuses to see anyone. Including myself"

"I was thinking about dropping in and saying how do, but maybe I'll save it for another time" Claymore admitted softly.

It was worrisome, but it was possible that the Queen was just feeling under the weather due to the reminder that her husband had left her this day as well as the Deathbringer. The wounds of the heart were never the easiest to heal no matter how much time applied.

"Well, it'll be getting dark soon, son. Time to head home" Claymore suggested to his boy.

"Good to see you looking so well, Your Highness" The veteran swordsman said bowing to the young prince. "You take care now"

Prince Anlace watched the two leave the court a mixture of worry and sadness boiling within him over his mother's health and that she could not witness the spectacle he had just seen. Once she was better, the Prince would present her with an exhibition match portrayed by himself and the son of Claymore. It would give her a chance to see the skill of one of Avalonia's future protectors and his own impressive skill with a blade.

Outside in the castle foyer, the aforementioned father and son had separated, one to his bed for some much needed sleep before his big day tomorrow the other to run an errand concerning the lad's big day tomorrow.

Far to the east, on the beaches of Secace Seacove, a strange humanoid creature slowly made its way into the frothing waves until well passed where the water level went above its head.

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As you may have noticed, I have yet to name the hero of the tale. Suggestions with your reviews are appreciated, although I must insist that they are sword names to keep with the theme.

If you wish this fic to continue after I complete one of my on-going fics, there is a poll now up. Please vote for this one & two others to ensure it is not much of a one sided thing.

Until next time

Watch this space & peace out!