-YOU DON'T HAVE TO SAY THAT TWICE!!!As a wide-bodied Orc Lady chased them down, Ryan and Hayden ran for their lives and innocence without even looking back.
-It's almost catching up, I'm not sure I can run for much longer... - Hayden said, panting from the run.
-There's some sort of entrance to that building over there, let's go inside! - Ryan answered, pointing to their right.
The two seized a moment of distraction from the Orc Lady and sneaked into the building. A strong smell of Orc breath and putrefaction invaded their noses right as they entered.
-What is this smell? Gross! - Hayden groaned.
-This is the entrance to the Orc Village Dungeon. Don't worry, you'll forget about the smell when you take a good look at those zombies.
-That's not quite... erm, reassuring. Still, any stinky Zombie will be more welcome now than that thing that was chasing us down earlier...
-That's a point you got there, my friend. Now, get ready! We're gonna hit those Orc Zombies full power!!
Hayden nodded and the two quickly crossed the entrance towards the first area of the dungeon. A brownish, rotting Orc figure spotted them and started dragging itself in that direction.
-Now, Hayden! Unsheathe your sword and hit it before if attacks you!
-What, weren't you going to help me? I can't do it on my own!
-Stop being a crybaby, it's drawing closer! Once in your life, do something for yourself!
On the verge of being hit by the monster's heavy Axe, Hayden drew his sword and hit the ground with the tip of the blade, releasing a circle of flames around his feet.
-I'm going to kill you once we get out of this place! MAGNUM BREAK!!
-Sure, but don't expect to do that if you can't kill a mere Orc Zombie! Hit it harder!
-I'm trying, I'm trying!
Seeing that the fire attack had dealt a good damage to the monster before pushing it back, the Swordsman felt reassured. He got some grip on his right feet and fiercely ran towards the Orc Zombie, hitting it with three precise strikes from his blade while blocking the Axe with his wooden shield. As he dealt the last blow, the Zombie fell on its knees and vanished in the air.
-Did... did I really kill it? - Hayden whispered, out of breath and still astonished.
-As you can see, it's not that hard to train around these parts. Let's go a little deeper inside, shall we? Maybe we'll find some more Orc Zombies to hit.
-I think I'm getting pumped up about this... Let's go! - Answered Hayden with a smile, walking a few meters ahead.
The whole place seemed strangely quiet, as not even the flames from the torches on the walls were cracking.
-What's up with this? Shouldn't the whole place be crawling with Zombies and the likes? - Asked Hayden, playing around with his sword and pretending to cut a flame from a torch with it as he walked further ahead. - Something feels wrong...
Suddenly, as the light from the torch trembled, the two heard the sound of a very heavy breathing getting closer on them. The air was quickly filled with similar sounds from all directions, and pairs of shiny threatening eyes started glowing in the dark around them, one at a time, at an alarming pace.
-This doesn't smell too good to me... - Ryan whispered.
-Does it ever?
A massive army of Orc Zombies gathered right in front of their eyes, coming from all corners of the dungeon, and started running after the red-haired Swordsman.
-WHERE DID ALL OF THESE COME FROM? - Hayden screamed.
-They must have felt the heat from your body closing in too fast! - Ryan answered, staring at the numbers of their enemy.
-We're done for! - The other said, running back to his friend. - There's no way we can reach the exit in time!
-Get your potions ready, Hayden! This is going to be a tough fight! - Said the Knight, holding onto his two-handed sword and staring at the Zombies with a sparkle of excitement in his eyes.
-I must be getting mad, but we don't have much of a choice... I'll cover your back!
The blonde young man nodded with a grin and the two stood back-to-back in the middle of the dungeon as the monsters drew closer.
-You know what to do when they're close enough!
When the first Orc Zombie stepped within range, the two gathered all of their focus and unleashed a spinning flame attack from their blades.
-MAGNUM BREAK, DOUBLE!!A circle of flames hit the Zombies closer to them, setting them on fire and pushing them towards the ones lying behind, which made about half of the monsters fall on the ground.
-Two-hand Quicken!! - Ryan shouted. He became surrounded by a yellow aura and dashed towards a group of Orc Zombies, taking them on all by himself and swinging his blade at a faster pace than normal.
-Ryan... Allright, I won't fall behind! - Hayden said, holding to the hilt of his sword with renewed strength. He picked a bunch of Zombies and dashed at them as well, hitting them with a second Magnum Break and then finishing them off with a Bash attack, one by one.
-Phew, you're getting the hang of that pretty fast! - Ryan commented while cutting a zombie in half.
-Maybe, but this isn't good, I can't do any more...
The young Swordsman tried to strike at the remaining enemies, but only a few weak, regular attacks came out.
-Hayden? What's the matter with you? - The Knight asked, running to help him.
-I think I ran out of stamina to take all of them on... - Hayden answered, slowly finishing off the last of the Zombies surrouding him. - If this were to go on any longer, I'm not sure I could keep fighting...
Hayden took a deep breath and got off the ground, striking at the Skeleton while Ryan kept its attack parried and turning it to dust.
-Hey, since when can you...?
Hayden cleaned a little blood that was coming out of his lip with the back of his hand and smiled faintly.
-I think I got how it all works now. The right points to strike, the timing... - He took two potion bottles out of his backpack and handed one to his friend. - Here, take this. We'll have to recover fast in order to get to the other end of this cave, going back now would be useless.
-Gee, drinking these things all the time will give you cavities, you know. - Ryan answered, taking the potion from Hayden's hand and drinking it all at once. - But you're still right. - He said, as he threw the bottle away. - How's your stamina?
The two faced towards the end of the cave and set it as their next goal. Slowly, they started moving forward once more.
-Eeeep!! - Hayden screamed, as he tripped on a rock on the ground that his eyes had missed. Ryan caught his shoulder in time to avoid him falling, but an orc fang that he had saved for some purpose during the previous battles fell down from his backpack.
-Thank you. - The boy said, slowly bending down to catch the fang back. - WHA...?
Before his hand could reach it, another purple hand appeared out of nowhere and grabbed the dirty fang at an incredible speed.
-Look, it was that thing! - Ryan said, pointing towards a short, deformed, skinny purple creature with the face of an Orc that had sneaked on both. - I didn't know Zenorcs were looters...
The Zenorc placed the orc fang inside his mouth and started munching frenetically. He then swallowed and let out a deep, stinky burp.
-...And I thought the creatures in this place couldn't get any creepier. Think we can take one of these on?
Ryan thought about it for a few seconds.
-I'm not sure it's safe, I usually avoid these... But since there's two of us now, I don't think there will be a problem in trying. You can Bash it, I'll keep this thing distracted and attacking me while my Quicken effect still lasts!
Hayden nodded and the two started attacking the Zenorc, but it seemed to be able to dodge most of their attempts to damage it. Thinking as fast as he could, Ryan dropped his sword and grabbed the Zenorc by its arm. It turned towards him and started attacking powerfully with its remaining arm.
-Do it!! - He yelled, while using his free hand to take a potion bottle from his own pouch, taking off its bung with his teeth and drinking its content in order to endure the attacks.
-Bash!! - Hayden shouted while hitting the Zenorc with the hardest blow he could pull off. The creature stopped attacking and fell on the ground, vanishing right after.
The eyes of the two adventurers met with a smile of victory.
-We can do this!!
Exhausted from the fighting, the two friends finally reached the end of the dungeon. As they went through a heavy wooden door, they reached what looked like a building similar to the one they entered through from the inside.
-Finally, we made it through the whole dungeon... I had never made it this far before!
Hayden nodded, slipping down a wall and sitting on the ground.
-This was harsh, but I feel like I've learned a lot. I wonder when will I be ready to re-take the Knight test...
-If you want my opinion, I think you could re-take it as soon as we get back to Prontera. - Ryan said, sitting next to him. - You did well in there as soon as you got the hang of managing your stamina.
-Eh, are you serious?! I dont feel THAT much stronger... - Hayden said, staring at his own, trembling wounded hands. - Why can't I stop shaking...?
-It's the tension. If you managed to pull off something like shaking after a battle, that's when you can tell that you surpassed your previous limits.
The boy thought about these words for a short while, and let out a faint smile.
-Let's not waste more time here, then. We still have a long and dangerous way ahead before we go back to Prontera.
-Now you're talking! Don't forget there's a chance we'll be chased by Orcs again, so get ready to run at the first sight of one!
-Got it!
The two opened the door to the outside, and as they walked back to the field they were blinded by the sunlight for a few seconds. It was evening already, but their eyes had gotten used to the darkness inside during that time.
-No sight of Orcs so far... - Ryan said. - We must be extra cautious here, I think Dylan came to this place to train a couple days ago and there's still no report of him going back home...
-What, really? Damn, I wonder if he's still allright... - Hayden answered, aprehensive.
-I don't know, either...
-HEAD FORWARD, MY MINIONS!! LET US ALL SHOW THAT COCKY ORC LORD WHO'S THE NEW BOSS AROUND HERE!! HAHAAAAH!! - A voice echoed throughout the field. It sounded awkwardly familiar.
The two turned their heads to the source of that awfully loud scream. They saw a gang of Orcs carrying a throne on their shoulders, on which a young Wizard was sitting and laughing like a maniac. Some other Orcs were following the throne, though without showing any sign of discipline, worshipping the Wizard like a king. Once in a while, one would let out a deep, awful battle cry.
-Ryan, isn't that...
-That's... Dylan...
As this odd parade passed by, completely oblivious of their presence, the two stared speechlessly.
-Let's just tell everyone back at Izlude that we found no trace of him.
The following day, at Prontera, Bran Hayden got up from his bed at the Inn. As he turned towards Ryan's empty bed, he remembered that his friend had gotten up earlier so he could meet up with the other Knights at the Guild. Quickly getting dressed, he went downstairs to pay the daily room rental and took a packet of biscuits from his backpack. On his way to the Guild, he also bought a bottle of milk from a vendor to go with it.
"Today's gonna be it!", he thought to himself. "I just have to put more faith in what I do and I know I can pass that test!"
Reaching the street where he and Ryan had met the Rogue the previous day, he looked in every direction to check if it was safe to go ahead on his own. Slightly aprehensive, he went on and sighed from relief when he reached the Guild building entrance safely.
On the inside, he saw a group of lined-up Knights receiving their patrol orders. He noticed one of them was Ryan, who was discretely looking at him and smiling, and he felt reassured. He could be joining his best friend soon if everything went right.
-Regular Ryan Thorvald, - A deep, strict voice announced. - you will be on your first day of service today, so you are to stay at the Guild and observe how we work in here. Any questions?
"Dang, I wanted to be assigned real missions already!", Ryan thought to himself. "Still, they seem to be real strict on new Knights. I'd better stick with what I'm told for now..."
Hayden immediately recognized the expression of annoyance on his friend's face and couldn't help but let out a little smirk.
-Oh, you're that young Swordsman from yesterday, aren't you? - Said a voice from behind.
-Yes, Sir Andrew! - The red-haired boy answered, quickly turning around and becoming much more composed all of a sudden. - I have come here to re-take the test.
-You look more confident than you did last time. I hope that will also reflect on your results. - Sir Andrew answered with a kind smile.
The two moved outside, and Hayden re-took the first test. To great susprise both his and Sir Andrew's, his attacks were much different from before. The metal from the plate he had only managed to scratch just the previous time bent with the impact of his sword, just like Ryan's had before, which made him feel really satisfied.
He further knew that the tough training from the previous day had been totally worth it as he advanced through the remaining tests. When he next knew it, he had already been assigned the last practical test of the whole examination.
-So... all I have to do is enter that room and restrain myself from attacking the monsters inside until the time limit is reached? - He asked his tutor.
-Yes, that's pretty much it. Your friend Ryan seemed to find this one the hardest test out of them all.
This discouraged him a little at first. Hayden imagined the test would be some sort of endurance trial, in which he had to withstand attacks from monsters without being knocked out nor counterattacking, which seemed way too hard to withstand. He was surprised as the tutor guided him into a room where Porings, Drops and Lunatics were bouncing around peacefully.
-P-porings?! - He gasped, as Sir Edmund closed the room on him.
-Good luck. - The instructor said before vanishing behind the door.
-Porings, huh... - Hayden sighed, looking at the bouncy little creatures with a smile.
Minutes later, Sir Edmund went back to the room.
-The trial period is over, you can come out now. - He said, as he walked in.
-...Sir, can't I stay for just a little more?
The tutor wide opened his eyes to the image of his young applicant sitting on the ground peacefully, holding one of the Porings on his lap and patting it with one hand. His sword was dropped on the ground next to him, untouched.
-Y-you pass...! -The Knight announced, surprised. - Please try not to take too long before you move on to the interview, Sir Grey is awaiting you outside...
It didn't take long, though, until the boy finally decided to move to the last test before being invested. The first question caught him off guard.
-Why do you want to become a Knight?
He hesitated to this question, never really having thought of a real reason.
-I... To be honest, I...
At that moment Ryan was passing nearby, unaware that his friend was already taking that part of the test.
-I want to stop being hopeless...
-HAYDEN, YOU IDIOT!!
Having recognised Hayden's voice from behind a wall, the blonde Knight bursted into the interview area in rage.
-Ryan...? You were listening?!
Ryan grabbed him by his collar and enclosed his face to his friend's with a quick move, too fast for Sir Grey to interfere.
-Listen well, Hayden!! THE ONLY THING THAT'S HOPELESS ABOUT YOU IS THAT ATTITUDE YOU ALWAYS HAVE!!
Sir Grey then looked at him in reproval, making him realize the situation they all were in.
-Ryan... - The red-haired boy said with a trembling voice.
-Regular Ryan Thorvald, I understand that you overheard our conversation by accident, but I must ask you to withdraw yourself from this room. This is a private interview.
He slowly let go of his friend, confused.
-It's allright, Sir Grey. - Hayden immediately excused him, rearranging his collar with slight embarrassment. - I don't mind it that much, it is me who should stop saying this kind of stuff to others and myself, but...
-Hayden, - Said the other boy, placing a hand on his shoulder - just remember this... you're NOT hopeless. No matter what you might come to think. Got that?
The red-haired boy looked at him in the eyes and smiled. His friend didn't always find the best way to make people see his point, but he surely could make them see it one way or the other.
Ryan turned his back on the two and buried his hands down the pockets of his tunic.
-Well, then... I'll go outside to get some fresh air. Being locked here all morning is killing me. Please join me when you're done with that, will you?
-Sure thing!
-Well, let's proceed with the interview now that this small irregularity was solved. - Announced the elder Knight, clearing his voice with a short cough.
-Oh, I forgot to say something about that first question. - Hayden said, interrupting him. - My reason to become a Knight... Is because I want to help protect people. I want to be able to defeat monsters who pose real threat to everyone and stop mindlessly killing peaceful, friendly ones. I want... to live in a world where we all can live at peace!
-So that is your true goal. I knew I wouldn't be dissapointed at it.
-Phew, I never expected to go through all of it so smoothly. Seeing how I was rejected the first time I tried taking this test...
Ryan turned around to see his best friend sit next to him under a tree near the entrance. Hayden was already wearing a tunic similar to his own, just made of light blue fabric and longer, almost down to his knees. Instead of long pants tucked into his metal-plated boots he had a pair of shorts that were mostly covered by the tunic, and he had also been given a more protective set of gauntlets to wear instead of his old fabric mittens.
-Oh, it's you. Do you still feel "hopeless" with the weight of that new armor on your body?
-I'm not quite sure how to feel, so I'll just be happy. Still, this is harder to believe than it was to achieve...
-And take it from me, it's even harder to endure one day around here without doing anything. Anyway, congratulations... Sir Bran Hayden.
-Heey! We can't go by the title of "Sir" just yet! - Hayden replied, embarrassed. - I like the sound of that, though...
-Hehe, if we keep working hard like we did yesterday it will be piece of cake to become worthy of that title, just you wait!
Suddenly, they heard some screaming and what seemed to be the sound of things falling to the ground coming from the building.
-Look there! What's with all the commotion at the front gate? - The blonde-haired boy asked, getting up and looking at the Guild entrance, from where seemed to be coming some unusual noise as a few of the Knights that stood closer to it joined in a small crowd that was blocking the gate.
-Don't let that thing escape! - One yelled, apparently furious at something.
-I'm sorry, captain! It's too tricky for us!! - Another voice replied.
All of a sudden, the crowd noise started moving from the inside to the outside of the building, as many of the Knights seemed to be investing bare-handed at something. In the blink of an eye a round, pink-shaped creature jumped from among the crowd.
-EEH, IT'S A PORING?! - Hayden shouted, surprised.
-And all of those Knights can't even catch one jello-ball...? - Asked Ryan, with a tone of sheer disappointment in his voice.
Looking around, the little monster started jumping towards Hayden as it spotted him, landing on his lap and bouncing up and down in expectation.
-H-hey, could you be that Poring from the last examination...? - He asked with a smile, patting it gently. - What are you doing here?
-Hayden, why are you patting that thing...?
-LOOK, IT'S OVER THERE! IT ATTACKED ONE OF US!! - One of the Knights shouted. - ATTACK!!
-Wait, I'm allright! Please don't hurt it! - The red-haired boy cried, putting the Poring on the ground and standing in front of it.
Suddenly, a Swordsman a little older than him and Ryan ran out of the Guild building holding a sword with both hands.
-WHERE'S THAT THING? WHERE IS IT?! - He yelled, gazing around and breathing really hard. His face was all red and one of his eyes seemed to be twitching.
-Cut it off, all of you! - A female's voice shouted from the other end of the street. - What is this shameless commotion all about?
A beautiful woman quickly dashed towards the spot on her PecoPeco and then dismounted, trying to get a hold of what was going on.
-Lady Shayla! - One of the Knights exclaimed, with a hint of fear in his voice.
-She's that Knight who saved us before, isn't she? - Ryan whispered to his friend. - They seem to respect her around here...
Hayden nodded, astonished. Her bare presence and intimidatory gaze was enough to make everyone mute in the blink of an eye. He started feeling a hint of admiration for her.
-Please excuse us, Milady! - Another Knight said, standing in front and saluting to her. - It seems like one of our applicants couldn't hold it and started attacking all monsters inside the final training room, and this one was so afraid it escaped when the door was opened...
Ignoring him, the woman turned towards the young Swordsman, and quickly drew her sword and pointed it at his chest.
-YOU! Are you the one who lost it in the test room?
The Swordsman stared at the sharp tip of her blade, struck with fear, and his knees started to shake.
-Y-y-yes, Ma'am! I'm terribly sorry, it wo-wont happen ever again!! - He stuttered.
He started running without even looking back and leaving behind half of his belongings.
-THAT'S IT FOR ME, I'LL GO BACK TO MY DAD'S FARM!!
-Maaaan, she's scary... - Ryan whispered, as they saw him run as if he was being chased by a pack of hungry wolves.
-She's... she's so cool! - Hayden replied, his eyes sparkling as he held the Poring tighter in his arms.
-As for you... - Lady Shayla kept on, putting her sword back in the sheath and now turning towards an older Knight with slightly long, wine-colored hair in a dark suit of armor and shoving her hair back from her face with a hand. - Sir Logan, may I ask what are YOUR men doing out here, playing Tag with a pink beast?
-Don't poke your nose where it doesn't belong, Shayla! Aren't you always complaining about my soldiers getting too fat because they don't exercise enough? Well, I found them some nice exercise. - Sir Logan said, staring back at her with a hint of challenge in his eyes.
-Since when have I allowed you to address to me by my first name, you piggish lowlife? - She replied immediately, then turning her back on him and heading into the Guild. - You're the shame of the Prontera Knights!
-I'm still a "lowlife" that can defeat you anytime. - He said, calling his men off with a gesture of his hand.
-And you're also still as sharp-tongued as always, but I wouldn't bet my boots on that if I were you.
Obviously irritated, Sir Logan went back inside the Guild as well, followed by his men.
-So, there's also rivalry like that in here, huh... - Ryan mumbled. - This is more interesting than it seemed at a first glance.
-Maybe, but still... they seem to have forgotten about this little fellow... - Hayden replied, looking at the Poring in his arms. - There, you were pretty scared back then, weren't you? - He said to it, smiling.
-I won't even ask why are you talking to a Poring, but how come it came running for you out of all people? - The blonde one asked.
-I don't know, either... Anyway, I should probably let it go back to the fields since the Knights don't seem to interested in it, but still...
The boy put the Poring on the ground and nodded at it, expecting for the pink little monster to bounce away from them and back to its home.
-I'll see you around. - Hayden said to the Poring with a sad smile. - Now you should go back to where you belong.
-Come on, it'll be fine on its own. It seems to be a toughie one too, so don't worry... I'm sure no Novice will have an easy time hitting it.
-Yeah, you're right... - The boy answered, as both turned to the Guild building. - Let's head back, then.
-That's right, we still have to celebrate your investment!
-Eeh, do they have that use here?!
-Seems like it, there were a few of our new comrades trying to throw a small welcome party when I was invested, but it was postponed since I went chasing after you right when I was finished with the formalities. Maybe we can have our parties joined together now...?
-Yea, that would be great!! - Bran replied, excited. - I can't wait to meet more people from the Guild, either!
And so, the two Knights headed back inside without looking back, leaving the small Poring to return to its home.
To be continued...
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