Yuuya sheathed Gluttony, the sting of the curse affecting him a lot more. He painfully smiled at the guard captain as he apologized to him. “Yes, I’m sorry. An important friend gave this to me, and I would hate to let this go.” The guard captain, who was apparently named Farkas, waved his hand dismissively. “It is of no matter. Only, please refrain from showing it in public. A cursed object warrants much attention, but after the disaster Ugras has been through..” He turned to look at the smoldering wreckage of his city, pain broiling in his eyes. “It would… Ahem, cause unrest to see such a strong cursed weapon wandering the streets.”

“Of course, Captain Farkas.” Yuuya smiled politely as he left the man and left for inn. As soon as he rounded a corner and Farkas disappeared from view, Yuuya’s smile vanished, replaced by a grim look that made his face look gaunt. Deadened by the weights of his crimes and what he was becoming, Yuuya trudged along the road.

The dark atmosphere that pervaded Ugras seemed to reflect Yuuya’s self depreciation. Women wailed and men assumed rugged expressions as they watched their loved ones. Many had died. Some by the poison of the snakes invading their body and painlessly killing them. Others burned to death by the heat of the flames. And even some who were strangled to death by the beasts.

And it’s my fault. Yuuya admonished himself as the despair all around him darkened his mood further. He wanted someone to blame, something to blame. And to blame the snake was just an excuse. It was a monster, and to attack and wreak havoc was only natural for it. To blame the members of the Margistra was useless. They were dead, anyway. And it was obvious who stood to blame in Yuuya’s perspective.

Himself. If only… If only I had stopped them, stopped the Margistra family members from cutting their hands. If I could’ve stopped their sacrifice… A part of his mind argued against this. The man he had killed was too strong. He couldn’t have helped either way. Aggravated, he struck out with his leg, kicking a building ferociously. “That just proves the point!” He yelled, sadness welling out from him. If only… If only I had been strong enough. Strong enough to beat him… So many people… because of me…

Their deaths weighed down on him like lead as they seemed to drag him deeper, deeper into darkness. His eye and sword tingled with anticipation. They wished for such a thing.

As he walked, absorbed in his thoughts, Yuuya suddenly walked into someone. Stumbling, he mumbled an apology and continued on his way. “Ah! Yuuya! Why are you ignoring me like this?” Maria’s voice said as she sharply pulled him back. Yuuya looked blankly at her for a second before looking up at the building he was in front of. [Insert name of the inn]. I’m already here huh.

He looked back at Maria to see a concerned expression on her face. “Yuuya? Are you alright? You look… well, sick.” Yuuya glumly nods and passes her by as he enters the inn. Maria, looking even more concerned than ever, hurried after him. Everything around him seemed muted as Yuuya trudged on. With barely a nod to acknowledge Saki and Mili, who seemed to have sustained a few scratches, Yuuya collapsed onto the bed, trying to get rid of his gloominess with sleep.

He heard Maria enter the room, and then unsurely pace around him. After a while, she gave up and sat down next to his bed. The comfortable embrace of sleep enveloped him as Yuuya quickly drifted in to the world of dreams.

It was like reliving the forest’s test for the first time again. Giant turtles stomp everything before me, crushing cities and mountains. I could distinctly see one of them about to stamp Baras. I try to run, to stop it. But then the man whom I had killed materializes before me, and hits me away with his powerful sword. Once more I crash through the door and fall into the space of white. There are snakes all around me, but they seem to ignore me as they quickly advance towards Maria and the rest, tied helplessly to a pole. I try to rush towards them, to help them, but I couldn’t move. The scene changes again. Now I stand in the cavern once more, with the terrifying snake glaring down at me. I try to access my energy, but all fails. Despair creeps in me as I look around to see bodies rising around me like a tide, full of the Margistra cultists who bled to death. They all look at me with anger. Wails of despair and cries of agony make a cacophony around me, wreathing me in its dark embrace. ‘No! No! Leave me alone!’ I cry, shutting my ears, trying to expel the noise. But it all seems futile. The face of the man I had killed floats before my eyes, laughing at me. The man’s face turns angry as it speaks, ‘Everything’s your fault.’

“NO!” Yuuya yelled as he whirled out of his bed, Gluttony out of its sheath within seconds. A crash echoed around him, and yells of surprise he heard. Without a thought, he sent Chaos energy flooding through his veins. As his vision sharpened, he swung his sword at the attacker, intent on cutting them down. “YUUYA! STOP!” Mili’s voice cut through to his surprise, and at an invisible command, his sword swung to a halt.

Mere inches from Saki’s throat.

She looked terrified, a small container with a smelly white cream inside it in her hands. Panting, Yuuya looked around, only to see Maria and Mili staring at him with alarm in their eyes. His eyes narrowed as he saw Maria’s fingers coiled around her bow. Sweat beaded his forehead, and he realized that the paste was on his face as well. Startled that he had almost decapitated Saki, Yuuya jumped off the bed and back. Some instinct prompted him not to sheath his sword as his grip only tightened around it.

Their eyes followed him as he stood near the door, panting. Yuuya looked at each of them in turn, and then cut off his Chaos energy. He sheathed his sword, and bowed to them. “I’m sorry.” They seemed to be too shocked to answer. Apparently realizing as such, Yuuya pulled the door open and stepped out. “I’m going… for a walk.” He said before he left the inn, still incredulous of the events that happened.

The cool night wind seemed relieving to Yuuya as he walked through the desolate streets of Ugras. There seemed to be a great deal less of a noise, and from what he could hear, because he had chosen to not use Detect, there seemed to be no living beings in the vicinity. Understandable. After such a catastrophe, only fools would still be living here.

Yuuya looked up to see the endless expanse of the night sky. Only last night he had thought it extraordinarily beautiful. Now it seemed cold and desolate, like a blanket that existed to smother all light. The moon was no longer a beautiful jewel to him. Rather, it seemed like a lonely light trying futilely to light up the world. The elegance of the silver light it cast seemed weak and ineffectual, the light of a dying moon. Yuuya sighed to himself as he walked along the street.

The echoes of boots tapping against the pavement reached Yuuya’s ears. When he rounded a corner, he found himself facing a guard patrol, headed by Captain Farkas. Farkas raised a hand in greeting towards Yuuya. He smiled back, albeit without much feeling. As if noticing this, Farkas told the others to continue their patrol before gesturing towards Yuuya. “Come, walk with me.” He said and stomped off. A bit bewildered, Yuuya complied.

“So. What happened?” Farkas questioned. Yuuya shrugged noncommittally. Farkas considered a while before asking again. “Today, during the attack of the snakes… You… you were about to attack my men. Remember?”

Yuuya’s steps faltered a bit before he nodded. He plainly remembered the incident. How he had been on the brink of swinging his sword and finishing off the soldiers who were attacking his prey. How he had been able to restrain himself when Farkas had shouted at him. “Do not worry yourself about it.” Farkas said reassuringly. “You are strong, but it’s obvious that you aren’t much experienced in the art of battle. It’s easy to lose yourself in the heat of battle, especially when you’re young.” Yuuya didn’t take it silently as he replied. “I… I almost lost control. I almost killed one of your soldiers.”

Yuuya looked up, and Farkas was alarmed to see that he was tearing up. “Am… Am I a monster?” He asked, as if wanting reassurance. Farkas grinned once before pushing Yuuya away.

Stunned, Yuuya stumbled away before balancing himself. Looking back, he saw that Farkas had removed the short spear on his back. Pointing it at Yuuya, he declared. “Kid, men don’t speak with words. We speak with our blades and fists! Come at me!”

“Wh-what?” Yuuya asked, bewildered. Farkas only flashed his teeth before he shot forwards.

Reflex took over Yuuya as he ducked beneath the blade whistling through the air at him. Farkas stopped, and stooped low to swing the spear at Yuuya’s legs. Alarmed by his speed, Yuuya jumped up, the blade nicking the sole of his foot.

He used Farkas’s back as a platform to kick himself away and put some distance between them. Yuuya’s heart rate rose as he sunk in to the mood of battle. His hand tensed as Farkas moved. His eyes narrowed, following his every movement with analyzing eyes. “Not bad! At least you have good reflexes.” Farkas commented as he stalked towards Yuuya.

Yuuya slowly drew his Dortoh Tusk sword from his sheath and carefully got up to his feet. Farkas and Yuuya judged each other as they slowly prowled in a circle. Yuuya told himself not to use even a hint of the slayer energy, and just use his base ability to fight.

KRRK! Yuuya went rigid as Farkas suddenly dragged his leg roughly against the ground. Taking advantage of the surprise, he shot forward, his spear spinning as it went for Yuuya’s head. Cursing himself for his folly, Yuuya twisted to parry the blade. But his response was a bit too slow as the spear nicked the side of hand, spilling blood.

Yuuya didn’t stop as he switched his sword to his other hand, and caught Farkas’s wrist. Using it as a pivot, he delivered a kick to Farkas’s side. Farkas was evidently experienced as he used his muscular arm to block the blow. Hanging in midair, Yuuya twisted as he coiled his legs around Farkas’s spear wielding arm. He arched backward as he sent his sword stabbing towards Farkas’s head.

Without a care for his spear, Farkas dropped and brought his fist down, down towards the ground. Alarmed that his legs might break from the impact, Yuuya broke contact from Farkas and jumped away.

BOOOM!!! Dust spewed out as Farkas slammed his fist against the ground. Cold sweat poured down Yuuya’s back as he regarded the damage. Taking a deep breath, he readied his sword again. Farkas leisurely picked up his spear and slowly walked towards him. “You didn’t think I was weak, did you? I was in the Royal force for ten years kid. I ain’t gonna go down easy.” Farkas said, smiling slightly.

All his depression had vanished in the frenzy of battle. Yuuya smiled as he replied. “Old man, don’t flatter yourself too much.” Both of them grinned maniacally before shooting forwards again.

CLANG! CLANG! CLANG! The sound of metal striking metal echoed through the street, rousing whatever residents remained in Ugras. They came out to see the awe inspiring fight between Farkas and Yuuya.

Both of them were a whirl of silver, spinning and twisting as they sought an opening in the others defense. Yuuya laughed as he sent his blade clashing with Farkas’s spear. Farkas suddenly dropped down, swinging his leg at Yuuya. Yuuya mimicked the action, and both their legs clashed powerfully, sending a burst of wind outwards. Quickly withdrawing, Farkas swung his spear at Yuuya’s hand. Yuuya stepped backwards, dodging it with minimum movement.

SRRRRRRPPPP!!! The spear suddenly extended, and a metallic grating echoed as it clashed with Yuuya’s coat. Alarmed, Yuuya tried to block it, but he was so far within the attack range that the hit sent him flying. He crashed into the side of a house, and dust cascaded down on him. Coughing, he emerged, massaging his side. Broken rib. He thought, spitting blood. Farkas swung his blade around and pointed it mockingly at Yuuya.

“Already done?” Farkas queried. “Not on your life,” responded Yuuya. He shot forward, grimacing as his now broken rib pained him. Trying to ignore the pain, Yuuya ducked beneath Farkas’s overhead spin with surprising agility. Getting inside Farkas’s guard, he stabbed his sword initially towards Farkas’s heart. But realizing his mistake, he angled it downward, sending it stabbing at him.

An ear shaking sound echoed as Yuuya’s sword clashed against Farkas’s armor. Farkas was sent reeling backwards, and he coughed out some blood. A dent had formed on his armor, and Yuuya guessed that he got some broken ribs as well. An eye for an eye.

“Enough, enough.” Farkas panted, holding up a hand. Yuuya felt slightly irritated as he saw this. He wanted to fight more, enjoy it further. And he could tell that Farkas was far from tired. It was easy for Yuuya to guess that Farkas had let Yuuya hit him. He had purposely opened himself up to a blow. Although Yuuya wasn’t pleased, he didn’t complain.

Farkas swung his spear up and fixed it on his back. Yuuya got to his feet, sheathing his sword as he grudgingly smiled at Farkas, who smiled back good naturedly. He beckoned to Yuuya and once again set off at a brisk pace.

“You and I are similar, in some ways.” Farkas began as Yuuya caught up to him .Yuuya rose an eyebrow questioningly. He bumped Yuuya on the shoulder as he continued. “See kid, it’s simple. We both thirst for something simple. We thirst for the exhilaration of combat. It’s understandable of course, there’s that feeling in it, a feeling of delight in the heart pumping heat of battle. Am I right or am I right?” Farkas looked at Yuuya, who nodded.

He laughed once, a short bark of a laugh as he removed his plumed helmet, revealing to Yuuya the captain’s face. His sandy hair was cropped short to his skull, and his eyes were filled with a chivalry, yet it also carried a certain felicity. He seemed like a man whom anyone would consider honest and brave. And that he is. Yuuya thought. “See kid, the reason why you’re leaning towards killing is only because you lack the opponents that can really give you a sweat. It’s an ingrained instinct for you to want to fight. I’m not saying it’s bad, Hey, I’m pretty much the same, but you should learn to control it. Have some bouts like this one. Challenge yourself. Don’t let the monster take over.” Farkas smiled kindly as he winked at Yuuya.

Yuuya looked thoughtfully at the night sky as Farkas’s words echoed in his mind. Don’t let the monster take over. Farkas however, wasn’t done. “It’s not just you though. There’s a monster in all of us. The anger and all the other negative feelings in our head. But you see kid; it’s not about how much power you have, it’s how you use it. Use that monster within you. I saw you at the gates that day. If those girlies are important to you, use that monster within you to protect them. See kid, every part of us is essential. Be it the worst, or the best.” Farkas patted Yuuya on the shoulder before walking away. Yuuya watched him leave and then called out. “Captain Farkas!”

Farkas turned around, looking curiously at Yuuya. “I’m no kid. I’m Yuuya. And… thank you.” Farkas grinned widely before waving at Yuuya. “You need to prove to me that you’re not a kid, kid. Till then, you’re just a kid to me.” Yuuya smiled at Farkas as he left.

Yuuya was once again left alone in the street, but now, it didn’t seem as dark as before. On the contrary, the light of the rising sun from the north showed how Yuuya felt. Although a torrent of darkness raged within his heart, there was still a light of goodness in him. He smiled to himself once more before he walked back to the inn.