Chapter Six: The Dual Part One

I was up early today, but I didn’t train I just relaxed my body and mind. Not trying to strain either of them, I need to be in top form today, I need to be flawless for my match. I don’t need to win my match just do well enough to impress the judges, to show that I was ready to take on quests, but I didn’t want to just impress I want to win! Not just show that I could survive out there, I could already do that and I’ve been doing that for years. No I didn’t come here to just survive, and I want to show them I could thrive out there, and if the wall that I must climb to show them is Mars so be it.

Thinking about Mars, It made my stomach churn a little, that giant is the only man I found bigger than me after hitting puberty and he has the strength to match his height over me. I have fought him several times before my suspension, and I haven’t beat him in one of our spars yet, and worst I’m a hundred percent sure he has been holding back, but today things are going to be different for sure and I know he’s not going to hold back that just the type of person he is, and he’ll use his best gear for sure if he’s going all out.

But today things are different, I have my gear, made by a master no less, and I have grown on my own and I know I can take him down, not just survive him.

But this will be no cake walk, mmm cake-no stop that mind focus on the matter at hand. I have been meditating and focusing on Mar’s strengths, and habits since our first spar, and I’ve been doing that all morning since the sun rose. I haven’t even put on my gear yet, in fact did I even have clothes on?… And now that I thought about It’s pretty draft down there and I’m outside now that I think about it…. Eh let them enjoy the view.

I went outback soon after behind the tree when my stomach started churning violently with anxiety. A couple minutes later and much less tense, I crouched down a little, tensed my legs and released them jumping up to the top of my pine tree. I landed on one of the top branches with it creaking a little but still held my dense, heavy body, much respect to you tree. I searched around little before finding my gear sack held by rope from the top of the tree, I would never be too careful about someone going after my gear.

I walked off my tree after retrieving my gear. I mumbled on the way down

“ I really should give that tree a name, maybe herman...no that’s a stupid name,” I searched deep within myself to know what is true “Oh I have a good one Atlas Pine, ooh that’ll work yes! From this day forwar-” my monologue was cut short as I forgot I’m not supposed to land face first.

I got up after my fall, and continued “From this day forward this tree shall be known as Atlas Pine!” I shouted to no one in particular, and I went back into my tent to grab a knife and I carve the name into Atlas Pine lovingly, this tree had really been here for me since I got here. He gave me so much, shade, a place to hang stuff, firewood, and emergency wiping supplies.

A cough drew my attention, I turned reluctantly from my Atlas Pine to see Damon standing at the edge of my camp, he’s a loud cougher. At least he knew not to come into my home uninvited.

Damon spoke softly and distantly, but his eyes seemed to wander over me “Your match is in thirty minutes,and Trainer Mars is waiting and very excited.”

“Ok then, so were you sent to get me then?”

“No I came to see if you were still meditating nude, and I can see that you're still doing half that.” Oh yeah, I am aren’t I?

“Uhh, not that I mind but why do you care?” He paused for a moment, before saying

“Oh, Vanessa desperately wants to know because her lunch break is soon.” I read his blank face for any lies…

“You're just fucking with me right?” The bastard just smiled a little. I then decided to kick it into high gear in getting my gear on!

“Damon, stop standing around like an idiot and help me put on my gear!” I yelled at Damon, sending him running over. I’ve seen how Vanessa looks at me, I not taking any chances. I’ve seen starving wolves that looked less predatory than her!

Together we put on my gear in a matter of moments, and I felt much more secure for many reason’s. Damon looked over my armour looking for anything out of place.

“This is really well made, almost master quality from the look of it. Where did you get this?” Damon asked curiously, but with a glint in his eyes while he asked.

I doubt Mark would be very happy about me telling about his skills. So I choose to tell a half truth.

“A gift from my father.” I said reluctantly.

“Ah, is your father a skilled crafter then?”

I just snorted and said “Wouldn’t surprise me If he is.” Damon paused for a second, and said calmly “Hmm, but something doesn’t add up about you Atlas.”

“What would that be?” I said calmly and my face a mask, but internally panicking.

“When you introduced yourself you said your father is a vagabond, but he seems to be the one that raised your right?” Damon said with no expression.

“When he was around, but yeah.” I said with a hint of bitterness.

“So I suspect that he taught you most of your skills, and you are clear a monster for your age I mean you're about to take on a Trainer, you know the person you're supposed to be learning from, and not sparring with unless for evaluation, nor for fun, and certainly not for a duel.” Damon said with a little fervor at the end, but still expressionless.

I said nothing my face still a mask to give away nothing.

“So I suspect you’re father is no less of a monster than you are. But if he’s so powerful and skilled, why is he living as a vagabond?”

“Maybe that’s the way he like’s to live his life?” I said and I truly wondered to myself so many times…

“Maybe I think you’re lying Atlas, so can I ask you who your father is? If not why do mask him so much.” He asked with the barest hint of emotions on his face.

I laughed, he’s trying to figure out the mystery so hard, but if I told him or he figured it out I guarantee that he would shit his pants.

He looked me with a hint of anger, but said nothing.

I stopped laughing soon and said “Maybe I’ll tell you one day, once we’re both ready.” I know for sure I didn’t want people to know, It’d be the end.

As I walked out of the tent, I heard Damon whisper with worry “Try not to die.”

I barked out a laugh and walked off to the guild, though with my stomach churning with anxiety that I’d show on my grinning face.