Zjjan Master

And

The Second Princess

In the ruined stage, Jaino notices a cloaked person approaching. The pain on his wounded lower arm, upper arm, his leg, and his feet stirs his consciousness. His eyes barely lift. He listens to the person"s revealing feminine voice while she halts in the distance, "I am your next opponent. Please never expect I would be gentle. This is for your own good. Don"t ask who I am. I"m not part of this inst.i.tution. I""m just a mere servant.

"Let"s begin."

Behind of Jaino the cloaked woman has appeared and she dual-handedly thrusts her short sword. Metals give off the hoa.r.s.e cries as her attack has deflected and her sword slides onto the sword wielded by the aware Jaino — posing in defense. The size of her sword allows her to quickly follow up her attacks, restraining Jaino to fight back due to a very abrupt distance. Arms grabbing, elbow and feet blocking, both persons maintain their stances" perseverance. Her offensive strikes furiously seek for opening while Jaino"s defenses demand for distance.

Another arms grabbing, elbow and feet blocking; and while consolidating her strength, she requests, "Please surrender. You won"t last another round; you"ll faint." Not hearing even a reply, she has disappeared and stood in a distance. Posing her stance, in the air she thrusts forward her sword.—from the tip of its blade is disappearing. Her intent, using her ability to attack Jaino from behind, has failed to see him parried the blade. She draws her sword, retrieving its blade. She has stood erect and she asks, "Please reply; what are you?" I never expect he could fight like this.

The students of Ritzel, in the bench, are in ruckus. "What an amazing awareness. So this is what an actual fight looks like for a Swords" Basic user."

"Maybe not. History says only a pure norim could master such a thing. Our instructor is probably a fange. He has managed to prevent the last attack. Look at his opponent, she"s probably a medou. She uses forbidden skill."

"But he doesn"t have vulture"s corneas when we have met him earlier. How does made him a fange?"

"Ah! Don"t mind it guys! What I know, that was outstanding!"

Again not receiving even a reply, the cloaked female appears behind Jaino and with her lower stance she swings her sword without its blade to Jaino"s waist. And Jaino with his defensive stance parries that blade nearby the other side of his waist. The cloaked female has stood while she sheathes her sword. "I lose my mode."

"Forgive me," has finally replied by Jaino. "I thought you are my Kilie."

"How rude of you." And she walks off the ruined stage, leaving Jaino caressing his hair. She speaks to the Chairman, "It"s fruitless if you fight him with the sword. He can"t be defeated. All of my worries are garbage. I be off now. And remember, you are to be interrogated. We"ll inform you officially later on." And she disappears.

What a funny woman, has thought by the chairman. The chairman has approached Jaino and he asks, "What are you and what is your real intention? I remember you were working in a mercenary a.s.sociation before. And I heard the members" defiance was strong to bear years of task. Are you a spy? I don"t remember this campus has done wrong."

This is what I"ve feared about, has thought by Jaino. His strong will to end this proving is bearing to his mind. Despite his thoughts incert.i.tude to return in his rank"s duty, he holds his composure. I need aid, I can"t last long. I"m falling. "Can we finish this quick—" His words halt as their attentions have diverted to the ruckus in the other entrance of the field.

A decent attired bearded man, years older than Jaino— accompanied by a woman, an instructor —is approaching.

"Lord Maakin, why are you here?" has greeted by the chairman, receiving a smile as reply.

Arriving to where Jaino and the chairman, the man honored by the chairman, speaks to Jaino, "Your eyes glare sharply. Don"t not worry. I"ve watched the fight, the more I hate you."

Hated to be look down, Jaino replies, "It"s better that way, we aren"t friends in the first place. I advise you mustn"t appear in public too often. You"re a good prey for ransom."

"I take that advice as an insult. Has the chairman told you about?"

"Not yet my lord," has replied by the chairman. "We"re currently in the process."

"Then Jaino, I"ve declared you as pa.s.ser on this proving. "

Being amused, Jaino shakes head from the surprise. "A change of heart? It"s improper for you to treat me well."

"You"ll never be a guest to me. I despise you. You will be partic.i.p.ating on this incoming wide tournament. This is a royal decree and a compulsory to our campus. Everyone has already seen your revealed ident.i.ty. I"ve wanted to see you humiliated."

Lord Maakin, I am confused, has thought by the chairman.

Gripping tightly the sword"s hilt, and without words, Jaino thrusts his sword to Maakin. The female instructor, an accompany of Maakin, screams likewise the chairman has unable to react. The tip blade of the sword reaches Maakin chest as Jaino halts the attack.

"What"s wrong? Why didn"t you continue?" has asked by Maakin. "Yes, I"m the son of your master, the third general you had working before. But remember that this is me.

"As long as you stand in my realm, you, obey me."

Unable to bear the anger, Jaino swings his sword for a kill. His body flies back and rolls in the shattered concrete. He groans in pain. A little move gives him a shock to his whole body. His eyes grown tired. But his hand won"t let go his sword. He hears Maakin"s loud voice,

"Even without your wounds, you can"t harm me. I request you prepare yourself; you will be contending to the most omnipotent from each tribe. And there will be no room to not kill. The queen is looking for the strongest."

Looking for the strongest? Had I received a false info? I thought we don"t have a queen. Taila, you are a lair. His arms shake. He crawls while he tries to stand up.

Use me if you wanna beat him that badly, has said by Jaino"s spirit, a spirit of dark. Come on! Come on! Jeez, you"re prideful enough.

Forgive me. This is my fight. I know. He favors my old colleague. I can feel his hatred. But this is must be done.

What if he"ll kill you, what about we of your spirits? — will wait for another centuries to be found by a host?

I"ll be fine; for as long as I know, he has the blood of his father.

Do what you want! Jeez... Just remember we are here. Idiot... Idiot!

He sticks the sword in the ground to help him rise. His tired glare annoys Maakin.

"So, you"re inviting me for a fight?" has asked by Maakin. He shows to Jaino the glowing fireball above his finger. "Try to endure this. Show me your chances."

Jaino leaps and rolls. He lies for a moment and he stares at the ceiling of stadium. He listens to Maakin again,

"You"re hopeless. It"s better if you avoid me before I lost patience. Oh, and I"ve received some message for you. Your mother is targeted for abduction—"

Those words, involving his mother, ring a bell; he becomes more worried.

"—I don"t know their intention. I have the letter. An address is written there for the meeting place."

Struggling to rise, Jaino sticks the sword to the ground for aiding him to stand. He replies, "Aren"t you involve?"

"Are you insulting me!"

"I tell you, what? You may be the son of my master, and a gifted. But there is something that you don"t have,

"to be one with the sword.

"And there"s something that you don"t know about me." I had already killed countless of your kind. They are cursing my hands. If only I hadn"t meet Judith, I wouldn"t stop. "You can"t beat me."

Taunted by provocation— "Ah, try eating these b.a.l.l.s, will you?" —Maakin casts straight the five fireb.a.l.l.s to Jaino. He watches Jaino managed to evade one and parried the other two. He is amused to see Jaino has taken burn from the rest of fireb.a.l.l.s—to the leg and upper arm. Maakin throws another set of fireb.a.l.l.s. "So being one with the sword is to not letting it go? I"m now wondering what my father found with you?" He throws another one.

Silent as the rest of the people around watches but don"t have the will to stop the cruel display. Jaino has challenged Maakin in the first place. They see him willing to fight back. Ritzel thinks, Why I can"t help him. Why I can"t act. Mother please help me know what to do. Have I changed that much?

"What"s happening woman," has asked by Krispen to Doressa. "Why is it suddenly quiet?"

In his quarter, the prince, watching the dimensional window, is just silent.

Jaino"s hands are shaken. His skin burnt by the attacks is requesting for tending. He struggles to stand again. Without the sword, his knees could surrender. d.a.m.n, my vision is swirling and my head is heavy. Not, yet. I need to fight. I need to kill... He vomits blood. His glare is an annoyance to Maakin.

"Very well Jaino," has said by Maakin. Showing his another fireball, he throws it to Jaino. And before it could land to Jaino, that fireball has vanished. He suddenly notices Doressa, approaching to Jaino. "What are you interfering for, albino-eyes lady?"

"Don"t forget that my ancestor cultured cannibalism. Want to become my food?" She pokes her fist to Jaino"s teres and Jaino falls down without conscious. "Oh my. He pa.s.ses out. Ritzel, come."

Ritzel obeys and has followed by Krispen, gazing at Maakin.

Maakin laughs. "Be sure to treat him well. I"m done here. I be going." You"re lucky this time. Jaino, I will send you to your death. You won"t escape death next time.

Staring at Maakin, Doressa mumbles, "I really hate that person,"

Night comes, in the village of Crewtner, the mournful ceremony, including the feast, they dedicate for the dead and survivors, from the latest disaster that had struck the four villages.

The prince and the village"s councils officially declare the day as anniversary to be followed and in addition to their culture and history.

In the private lodging house of the Lightning Clan, located in central northeastern of Jelfyr: Kilie Lightning, second daughter of Zahamara, is a bit down. Knowing the great loss of her business is a frustration to her feelings. However, her urge to help others is motivation that can"t be perish. Her recklessness is what Miera has been worried. They will visit the unfortunate that is what Kilie decided. Miera has tasked Meda to find and meet Jaino and inform him of important message.

On the shrine of Mount Ma Eling, the mother of Jaino gives sermon to the Mother of Kilie for not eating in the proper mealtime.

Below from the shrine, going down to the slope of the mountain and westward from the huge jungle Deep Forest, the geographical state in the burnt village of Jaino"s birth place continuously regains its greenery, and its beauty can still be recognized by the eyes due to the light of the moon. Still, old rubles and ruined houses, sprouted by parasitic plants and now home of insects and animals, are everywhere.

One of Altra.s.s fine men, Dakul Boyin and with his men, accompanied by a guide man, are heading to the traveler"s tavern. Lively voices and chitchats can be heard from the outside. They head in and they find Lladamak having a conversation with other men around the table. Boyin approaches him and asks, "There you are, sire Lladamak. Why haven"t you come back? Sire Altra.s.s is looking for you."

"Oh, Boyin—" he"s stood, and they b.u.mp fist; forward thrust, smash up and smash down; and they salute. "Come let"s talk here, around here," has replied by Lladamak. He takes Boyin to another table and there they have conversation.

Meanwhile, somewhere in a dark alleyway of Jelfyr, four thugs are hitting a white paled lady with black curly hair. One thug holds the lady"s upper arms and settles her leaning to the wall. "I like this girl. She won"t resist," he has said to the other three thugs, kicking and stomping a fat man, an accompany of the lady.

"Make it fast bro, before someone could pa.s.s by. I can"t wait to ram her also."

"Please don"t harm the princess," has cried by the fatty. "I"m begging you." He receives heavy kicks again and again.

"Shut up, pig! We"ll not harming here. We"ll feel her heaven."

Another thug yells, "The queen is young to have a daughter this age! Bulls.h.i.t!"

The man holding the lady is drooling, "I wish to see the look of the queen." He feels delight. He smells her neck. "That"s good then. A bonus." He gropes and gropes her b.r.e.a.s.t.s. "Come on, moan with delight." The lady is angrily glaring back. "I like your looks, like that."

The fatty man with all of his might he stands up. He punches one of the thug and slams the head to the wall. With both hands, he suffocates the other. And the other thug stabs him on his back again and again. This fatty man falls to ground. He stares at the lady and hopes that he could save her.

"That"s good enough. We can f.u.c.k the girl in peace."

"Are you okay," has asked by the thug to a person trying to breathe.

Then, they suddenly notice the lady goes near and hunkers down.

She caresses the fat man"s hair. They glance to see their mate, dead. Dreadful feelings have shaken their will. And the fear is enveloping even more while they listen to her speaks, "If I tell you I am the second princess, will you not kill him right?" Blood from her wrist crawls out, enveloping the fat man"s body. "You have attempted to kill my only servant. Good thing, I can able to save him with my blood."

"What are you? —pretentious?"

The lady speaks moderately, "The fate that you"ve done, you shall suffer the same." Her quickness renders those thugs helpless. She grabs one of the thug to the neck, and she knocks him to a wall. She grabs his throat, and she removes his Adam"s apple. The other thug fights back and stabs to kill. She manages to grab his arm and steal the knife. She cuts his neck and kicks him down. The other thug runs. She throws the knife to his head — the knife pierces until the hilt. She glares to the fat man cloaked by blood. "My foolish servant. Don"t try much if you can"t provide."

Evil deeds may result evil

The righteousness may turn darkness

Believing alone will not work