Hello everyone and welcome back to HellFall!
In case you didn`t notice, this is a Grey chapter. And not only that, it`s the first Grey chapter ever! It`s pretty exciting to me because I haven`t really gone into his character all that much, considering he wasn`t really around for part one. He`s an interesting character though, and I hope you guys like him as much as I do. Fun Fact: his weapon, ShoGun, is my favorite of all the weapons I`ve created (I`ve created over fifty probably).
Also, I saw the new episode and I was quite surprised. One of the characters actually had a fancier version of a weapon that I`ve created. It`s not one that has actually been in HellFall yet, but I was surprised to see that Rooster Teeth and I were thinking somewhat similarly. The weapon was the gold staff that could create tornadoes. It was used during the fight with SSSN. The design and powers it had were very similar to that of the one I created, with a few small differences.
Anyways, on with the chapter!
I swung my blade backwards, so that it lined up vertically with my back, and deflected an incoming attack from Wintanweorth's silver blade. I twisted around, pulling my blade away abruptly and sending him staggering backwards. Catching myself on one foot, I shoved myself forward, throwing an uppercut attack towards him. I caught my blade before his chin, drawing only a small amount of blood.
He stared at me evenly, then smiled. "You are amazing, Roy." He laughed, "I have no idea how you do it"
Drawing my blade back, I simply said, "Thank you."
"Aw come on," Wintanweorth said, taking a step towards me, "what's your secret?"
"I was well trained" I replied.
"That's boring." He said, "Come on, what academy did you attend?"
I paused to think. I hadn't attended any academy, nor did I know they existed. "I didn't attend any academy" I replied.
"What?" He asked, "No way! Who trained you?"
Again, I didn't know. "I don't remember his name"
"Surely you couldn't forget the man who trained you to do that?" He asked.
I shook my head, "I've no idea who could have" I replied, knowing full-well that there was no trainer.
"It's a shame." He said, "I'd have liked to meet a man of his stature"
Wintanweorth turned as the door creaked open.
"Hey, your back" He said.
I turned, seeing Grizzly and Ember returning from their trip to 'A Simple Wok' to retrieve a takeout meal for everyone.
"Hey!" Grizzly called back.
We all sat down in the center of the large metal shed. It was abandoned, so we didn't think anyone would mind if we used it for training.
The food was handed out to each of us, except for me.
"You sure you don't want anything?" Grizzly asked me, "We brought you something, just in case"
"No thanks." I replied, "I ate a big breakfast"
"What's your deal?" Ember asked, "Do you fast all day or something? You some hardcore religious dude or something?"
I shook my head, "No," I replied, "I don't have a religion. I'm just not hungry"
"Some big breakfast." Wintanweorth said, stirring his bowl of noodles, "You fight like crazy. You'd need to eat a heck of a lot every morning not to need more energy. Seriously, have you seen this guy fight?" He turned to our other two team members.
"Yes." Ember replied, "We've trained for more than just today, remember?"
"It's still crazy." He said, "Especially considering he didn't attend an academy"
"Wait what?" Grizzly asked, noodles hanging from his mouth and turning to me, "How does a huntsman become a huntsman without attending an academy?"
"It's hardly an official job, Grizzly." Ember pointed out, "Hunters take jobs from 'Help Wanted' ads. Usually there's a central hub to receive them in every city"
"Really?" He asked, slurping his noodles and staring intently at Ember.
"That's a little disturbing." She replied, watching him as his lips stretched out to reach further along the noodles. "But yes, that's how it works. There are official positions where an academy certificate is required or you can be hired by someone, but generally most people find the ads"
"Or you can be like me and work in an office or somewhere less hostile" Wintanweorth put in.
"Or you can be a loser like Wintanweorth" Ember corrected him.
He smiled, slurping some more of his noodles. He understood and accepted it.
"When're we going to fighting again by the way?" I asked.
"Round two is coming to a close, most likely today." Wintanweorth replied, "So chances are we'll be fighting tomorrow"
"Really?" Grizzly asked for the second time since we sat down, "Wow, so soon"
"We got a few training days in." Wintanweorth replied, "I'd say we did good"
"Maybe we should rest for a bit today." Grizzly suggested, "Just so that we're not exhausted for tomorrow"
"As much as I like that idea," Wintanweorth started, "We'll still be getting around ten hours of sleep tonight, which is enough to get rid of any exhaustion"
"What if we can't sleep because we're so excited?" Grizzly suggested.
"Then take some Zed-Quill." He replied, "That's what I do every night"
"But that's cheating"
"Cheating at sleeping?"
"Yeah"
Wintanweorth sighed, then returned to his noodles.
As everyone finished up their lunches we stood and got ready to go into another training exercise.
Just an hour before dinner we ended, Wintanweorth announcing that he'd take Grizzly up on his suggestion and end early.
Shutting the doors on the shed, we separated into two groups; Ember and Wintanweorth, Grizzly and I.
"Hey Roy," Grizzly started as we walked, "How does your sheath work? I've never understood it"
"My sheath?" I asked, "It's attached to my spine. It looks like I'm putting ShoGun into my back, doesn't it?"
He nodded, "Yeah, it kinda does." He replied, "So does it go under your skin or over?"
"Under" I replied.
"Why?" He asked.
I shrugged, "That way it's always there" I replied.
"Isn't it uncomfortable though?"
"How do you mean?"
"Well it's, like, perfectly vertical. Your head rests against the hilt"
"No," I replied, "I've gotten used to it"
"Oh" He replied. We reached the bus stop and waited. The bus soon arrived, and we hopped on.
We held onto the poles scattered about the bus that were meant to substitute for when there weren't any seats left. The bus drove smoothly, like every vehicle in Atlas. For some reason we didn't talk. Grizzly was usually the one to initiate conversation, but not today.
"You okay?" I asked him.
He looked up, "Hm?" He asked, "Oh, yeah, mostly"
"What's up?" I asked.
"I'm just a little worried about tomorrow," He replied, "you know?"
"I get it" I replied. I didn't.
"I'm still stoked, but you know," he continued, "excitement and anxiety go hand in hand"
"Right" I replied, not quite understanding.
The bus pulled up to his stop, and he hopped off.
"I'll see you tomorrow." He said, looking at me, "Let's kick those guys' butts!" He clenched his fist as the doors closed. I saw him run off down the street through the door's windows. My eyes followed him for a bit, before someone's voice caught my attention.
"Hey." A deep voiced man said. I turned. The man had deep blue hair that was slicked to the right side, with the other side being mostly shaven. His skin was white and his eyes were light brown. "You know that kid?"
"What's it to you?" I replied.
He shrugged, "Just wondering" He replied.
I paused for a second, then turned back around.
"Well?" He persisted.
"Are you deaf?" I asked, without turning.
I felt a hand grab my shoulder. My hand instinctively flew to his and tore it off. I spun my whole body around, finding myself staring up into his eyes. A few people gasped around us.
"It's just a question" He said, staring down at me, his eyes unblinking.
I stared up at him, not responding.
He stared for a while, then backed up.
"Foggy Cove up ahead" The bus driver's voice came over the intercom.
I kept my gaze fixed on him, and he returned the favor. The doors slid open, and I stepped out.
"People are looking for him." The man said. I didn't turn. "Aren't you worried?"
"He can take care of himself" I replied, stepping onto the pavement sidewalk.
He smirked.
I turned, "What was that?" I asked. The door started to close, but I caught it.
"Do you really think a kid like him could defend himself?" He asked, coming closer to me.
"Please let the doors close sir," The bus driver announced, "We're on a schedule"
"Let the door go" The blue-haired man said.
I stared at him, feeling my innards heating up a little, but quickly let go. The door slid closed, and the bus continued on its way. I watched it go, seeing the man go back and sit down in his seat. His eyes turned to watch me, and I saw him smile.
He's trouble, I thought, drawing my scroll to contact Grizzly. Whether he was lying or not, Grizzly needed to know.
So there you have it. More on Roy and his ability to fight, his past, his diet, his weapon, and his personality. What do you guys think of him? Yay? Nay? Eh?
Also, blue-haired man. What's his deal? I'm sure some of you could figure it out, but for you others you aren't supposed to really know who he is quite yet. Still, your allowed to make predictions so go right ahead. Tell me who you think he is in a review.
One quick question, for those of you who like to review, which color do you think I should write about next? So far I haven't done Violet II, White II, or Orange II. I'm having a bit of trouble deciding. Tell me which one you'd want in a review (I feel like I'm advertising reviews way more this time).
Since I hadn't written in a while when I went back to it I made Ember never say anything, and wanted to make her more like a the quiet character of the series. But this chapter clearly proves that she can be quite talkative, which I think I like more than the silent, mysterious Ember, so it looks like I've got to go back and change some things.
Anyways, as usual, favorite, follow, review, tell your friends, tell your enemies, or don't if you don't want to, and I'll see you all in the next chapter!