Journal of the Fallen Swordmaster, Sigmund
Jan 17, 2013 14:07:24 GMT -6
Post by Deleted on Jan 17, 2013 14:07:24 GMT -6
This is just something quick I've done to explain a little more about the Magnus family and mostly show how Veigue's father, Sigmund lived his life from when he was at least a year older than Veigue up to his death from his view in a journal-like format. I've decided to keep it cleanly into events of interest and importance, as if I were to write an entire life journal for him, I'd be updating this forever (Which there will be no need for updates, as it's all in one post). Since there isn't a specified year, you'd have to keep track of time by me posting his age next to each entry. Either way, I hope you enjoy it!
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Entry 1: Age 24
It had been a long day and the sun was setting. Today, it was just sight seeing. I didn't encounter any bandits while traveling with my wife, Cecille. It still amazes me that even with her health, she still has the drive to keep walking beside me. We of the Magnus family have no real home, as we rely on our fellow Kutolah brethren if we want to have a roof over our heads. But my family has led this kind of life for generations; living in the world itself. That is until we become attached to anyone we may encounter on our travels. We are loyal to those people, as they find some way into our hearts...whether they become our closest friends or our lover. In my case, I found the most wonderful person I've known. We met five years ago, me being nineteen at the time and she being fourteen.
At first, all I saw was an annoying child that didn't know how to stop crying...but then the days dragged on and she didn't stop following me. I didn't know why...I tried my best to shake her off and even yelled at her to go away, which is what I didn't want to do. That worked...for a day and I took the chance to leave that town. But then the next day I was sleeping outside beside a tree and she found me. I wondered why she went through the trouble if her parents were going to be worried about her later. Then she told me they died. While I felt sorry for her, I still didn't want her exposed to danger while around me...but she was saying how cool I looked when I took out that whole brigade of bandits that tried to destroy her village. It wasn't really all that impressive to me...they were just peons in enormous numbers. Any person who fought as much as I did and gained experience from the hell we go through could do that. She constantly tried to persuade me keep her around...however, told me she had an illness that was eating away at her since birth. Familiar with that kind of sickness, I was wondering how in the world was she standing like a normal girl. Then she told me “I cry to expel hurtful feelings that can harm me more”.
I was speechless. I saw crying as a weakness...but she came in and turned that fact around on it's behind and proved it false. I asked why she didn't cry when I kept pushing her away, but she said that was because she felt the gentle light in my heart and she adored the warmth. I had a feeling that I had to take care of her when much time passed as we traveled together until I realized I was in love and I proposed. We both made each other happy...and she helped placed a smile on my face everyday...something I couldn't do at all ever since my parents disappeared. But I made the right decision to spend my life with her no matter where we ended up...it's always was the Magnus way to follow the instincts of our hearts.
But today, she told me that I was going to be a father...I didn't really know how to react to it. I just stood there trying to collect my thoughts. But after I gathered myself, we were stumped on names. She just picked a letter and started from there. However, we came to the conclusion that if it was a girl, it would be Lena...and Lance if a boy.
Entry 2: Age 24
We came back to Sacae after months of travel to get here...however, I received some terrible news. My older brother, Lyle found us and told me many of our relatives had reunited from around the world to try and help our Sacaean brethren fight a shadowy organization of rogues who sought to conquer our beloved plains. He said they already started fighting...and it was looking terrible with casualties everywhere. If the day couldn't get any worse, Cecille fell into labor at the worse time possible. Lyle insisted that I stayed with her while he went to assist our people, which I had no objections. While I was worried about my relatives, I had to make sure my own child made it safely into the world.
Which she did. At least the name was already decided. I really felt like a different man when Lena was born and when I held her for the first time. Like how I have to work even harder now and protect my new family. How I have bigger responsibilities and finally realizing how much my own parents had to go through with Lyle and I. It was still a warm feeling to embrace.
Hours passed and Lyle came back...covered in blood. He explained everything...how our enemies launched a surprise attack...and our relatives were slain in the process. Then he said it was a trap...as our enemies apparently knew that the Magnus existed and our prowess with the blade was their main concern. I have my doubts if this group is some outside force...as only a Sacaean would have such info on us...
Entry 3: Age 26
I can't believe two years passed and those 'rogues' never showed themselves again after slaughtering the rest of the Magnus. I wanted to grab hold of them all and cut them all down for taking my clan away from this world...but I couldn't go on a bloodthirsty rampage and risking my life so foolishly. My dear Cecille would never forgive me if I did something like that...AND I couldn't possibly leave behind my little girl either, who was a walking catastrophe...yet adorable. I can't wait to see Lena grow up and live a healthy life in this broken world which we call home...
Cecille and I are still pending in our decision to settle down in the Kutolah village Lyle and I grew up in. I'm not sure if she would be comfortable there, but we shall see.
Entry 4: Age 26
Lyle came around today and told me some of those rogues attacked a village. There weren't as many like last time, but they were a skilled bunch. As such, I left my family behind and made haste to the nearby village with my brother at my side. We followed the trail they left behind and we tracked them down to an old deserted village. We were ambushed, but we managed to keep our heads. It wasn't a surprise that my suspicions were correct...those rogues were Sacaean. I keep wondering...why are our own people rebelling against us? It makes no sense.
Lyle and I were separated for a time...but I was in a stare down with one of the rebels. There was something off about him at first. He was so calm...and extremely silent. It was almost eerie. When I made my move, he zipped passed me like lightning and pinned me to the ground with no weapon. Then he whispered in my ear in a sinister bearing. I can't forget those words...he said:
“...I can feel AND see the darkness deep within your heart. Embrace it...if you want to protect anything. It's the nature of a man like you to need power to protect your loved ones. Kindness, good deeds, justice...? Throw that trash away. Such...weak emotions will hinder you. Trust me, my Sacaean brother. I would not lie to you, as I would not to any other living soul...”
My brother rescued me in time, killing the rebel the moment they clashed. He said the rest fled, so we returned home. I keep thinking about those words. Embrace darkness...? I wouldn't dare. But...in the state we're in and Sacaeans fighting against each other for a current unknown cause, my family was at risk. But even though I need to protect, I'm strong enough at heart not to give into this darkness in my heart he was babbling about. I can protect my family and friends with my own power. Then I have Lyle along my side. We're an unbeatable team!
Entry 5: Age 28
The years passed and the fights with the rebels were finally under control. We managed to make some surrender, but they killed themselves to not break their honor to never tell a lie, as they knew we'd interrogate them on why they are doing this. Granted, there weren't many of them...but I fear at least a few groups are still out there. But in the tranquility of my home, I was enjoying the company of my still-growing girl and my wive. I feel so much peace when I'm with them. However, Cecille started to become way more ill about a year ago...enough to actually settle down here. I had no reason to travel Elibe aimlessly anymore anyway. All I wanted to do is be with my family.
But Cecille pulled that same surprise on me as she did before; she was expecting another child. We did the same method of name calling and chose V this time. After much thinking and goofing around, we decided on Vanessa if another girl and Veigue if a boy. I'm still worried about her worsening condition, but I'm sure everything will be fine.
Entry 6: Age 29
It was raining all day. Lyle stopped by for his daily visit, but we were interrupted when hearing a smashing noise outside. We looked out and it was in another village a mile away, as smoke was rising thickly. Lyle was acting funny all day...and I had a feeling why. But I ignored it and jumped into action. We got there before the situation became terrible. It was the work of rebels again, however the remains of their little force. A small group, but our fellow allies of the village was able to handle them in the end. Before Lyle insisted on us leaving, I had drawn my sword and demanded that he should hand over Kenji, our treasured family sword. He questioned, but I told him I suspected him of being the rebel leader from the beginning...and the one who gathered our relatives to slay them. Most Sacaeans didn't even respect us, so why call any Magnus to help for that matter? It just had to be Lyle's doing. I just lacked proof...until today. The small conversation we had at my home was enough to finally give him away. His tone in talking about our father, Vandalf and the people of Sacae was more aggressive than ever.
Lyle then told me everything...how he killed father and mother while they were off guard and cursed the fact that he was even born. I always thought they disappeared, but Lyle lied to me and everyone...breaking his honor. I can't believe it...why, brother? That's all I kept asking him as I grew more aggressive. He claimed that he found his darkness early on and welcomed it. He didn't have a single thing he cared about...deep down, he despised me too. He admitted it. He felt as though he lacked strength due to how he was treated by people other than our parents...he didn't respect Sacaeans because of how the Magnus were mostly treated like outcasts. Of course, the Kutolah are still our long-time friends...but he felt as though that didn't count. So he let his hate build in secrecy so he could be way stronger than he was before. I'll admit...when I clashed blades with him, he defeated me easily knowing he didn't have to act anymore or hold back. He threw away everything that made him pure...and turned it to mindless power. But then he spared me...telling me he found something to devote himself to. He wanted to be the leader of all the tribes of Sacae. He felt as though he needed to wipe out the current tribe leaders to please his hatred and rule in their places. I stood in his way...but he wanted to have a challenge with it. He felt as though it would be too easy to kill the leaders. I was his challenge...or rather...My family and I, the way he phrased it. He felt as though he was too powerful for me to handle alone, so he wanted those of Magnus blood to face him to meet his challenge. I didn't want Lena or my unborn child to fight. This was my battle...but before I could stop him, Lyle left with the departing words after throwing away Kenji, “I'll be back...someday in the future. I'll keep growing stronger too. If you don't meet my challenge as I want it, I'll kill your worthless children and your wife...then you. You'd better throw away that kindness...if you want to live. You know you can't beat me alone and with pure light still in your heart.”
That hurt my pride a ton...Lyle was right. I couldn't beat him. No matter how good I'd become, he's one of the best swordsman I've seen in Sacae...probably nearing father's level at this point. I may be a master of the sword myself, but even a master can be surpassed...but I returned home with a large headache of confusion. Before I could even explain anything to Cecille, a couple of villagers where there with her. I went over and saw that my newborn son was in my wife's arms. I felt bad missing his birth, but I was still indeed joyed to see him in the world just as I did for my little girl. Speaking of which, it was an adorable sight watching Lena playing with and hugging Veigue as she was by Cecille's side. It was helping me with the terrible mood I had. When I held him myself, it was like he was feeling the pain of my heart as he fell silent and kept his head on my chest. I held him slightly tighter...like I didn't want to let my dear son go. Lyle's desire...he wanted my children and I face him in the far future. I don't want to involve my children in this. But my brother...he knows the tradition. If either of my children (or both) decide to fight and train under our style, they'd become strong enough to wield Kenji. I didn't want to endanger them...but Lyle's too strong for me. I want to protect my family so badly and I lack the power. I can't depend on my children or put their lives in jeopardy...but...I think I made my decision as I smiled at my son and gave him back to Cecille. I hated it, but...I was going to do what he did to get his power, so I can rival it. I...had to lose part of myself so Lena and Veigue won't have to battle their own uncle at all.
Entry 7: Age 31
Lyle still hasn't shown himself. Of course, I have to stop being paranoid...as he knows my children are still small. I could never get him off my mind for these past two years. I told Cecille about it, but it made her worry so much...and she didn't need that kind of stress with her illness making her bedridden now. I told her not to worry though...that I had a method in beating Lyle alone so our children wouldn't have to bear that pain. But lately, I've been having terrible nightmares...showing me that my method would not work. It keeps replaying itself until it becomes every dream I have. But what can I do? Even if I trained my children, they're too pure to take on someone like Lyle. He'd rip us all to shreds when he'd come back. But since I'm starting to accept my dark nature as the power I need to kill him...then maybe Veigue and Lena will develop a darker side of their character when they age...or maybe it's already there, but very weak right now. Maybe theirs will be stronger than mine...
Entry 8: Age 32
Lena's starting to get big, as my little girl finally turned eight today. She then took an interest in my sword...she wanted to be like me. It was very adorable...but she was serious about it. I kept avoiding the thought of training her, but she kept begging. However...I'm certain that no matter how much of my kindness I throw away as the years of peace go by, I won't defeat Lyle. Today on her birthday, I began training her. As much as I hate it, I'm afraid that I really have to follow Lyle's full desire. I have to make my children ready for when he returns...but the difficult part is changing who they are to battle him.
Entry 9: Age 33
Lena was progressing marvelously to say she was only ten. I pit her against other Sacaean children in sparring matches and she defeated them with such ease...even the older kids fell at her might. But what puzzled me is that I still saw nothing but purity in her soul. Not a bit of dark. The moment I spot it, I'd try to see if she could expand and grab hold of it. But at this rate, she may not need it if she's this good with our style already. It made me wonder how Veigue will fare when he becomes her age...
Entry 10: Age 35
Lyle crossed my mind countless times today. The darkness I've been feeding on in the center of my heart...I believe it has changed me completely. And yet...I actually feel as though it's right. When that man was injured in the road today when bandits attacked me, my natural instinct was to help him...but the darkness in me was telling me to abandon those who aren't strong enough to help themselves. They only drag us down and become dead weight. While it still pained me to turn a blind eye...I no longer regret it. If I want to be like Lyle to kill him, then I'd sacrifice my kindness for the sake of my family.
I caught Veigue playing around with Kenji today and I scolded him for it. However, I had the idea to train him there and now. The boy was around Lena's age when she first started, so I think he can handle it.
Entry 11: Age 35
How disappointing and strange today was. Over the past few months, Veigue displayed such poor results. He didn't show even the slightest amount of skill. Lena showed more on when I first taught her the basics than his months' effort. It wasn't very promising...yet I still saw nothing but purity in him. There's literally nothing powerful there. Lyle would break him apart if I tried to train him. I'd leave him Cecille to keep close watch under...as all I needed was Lena. She possessed the power. Her and I can definitely handle Lyle when he comes back. She should be a big, strong woman by then. But the boy was too soft as well...letting those little bullies walk all over him. I even walked out on them beating him when I left him out there on the plains to make his way home without me. But I was finally beginning to see something as I saw him cowering in the dirt...it was neither purity or darkness...but a raging fire. I wanted to see more, so I simply turned my back on him and went inside as I observed out the window.
Then...it happened. His reaction was explosive and he soon became merciless. If he had a real weapon in his hand at that moment, he would have killed those boys. But I saw something else in his rage...behind that raging inferno lied something so dark that it actually started to make me tremble. If he harmonized with something so dark, not only would even Lyle fall...but so many that cross his path unwillingly will feel something worse than pain. I couldn't allow a beast to be unleashed off it's chains and reek havoc because it couldn't control it's feelings...even if there isn't much of the world I care for anymore. That, and a much darker Veigue would place a terrible wound on the Magnus name in the future. It seems as though I must forsake him knowing anything about the family.
Entry 12: Age 38
Lena and Veigue came home beaten and battered both mentally and physically. It worried us to death...but what nearly gave Cecille a heart attack was Veigue the only one covered in blood. Lena told me that thieves tried to attack. She sprained her ankle trying to protect her brother, but Veigue had suddenly went forth and killed the last thief in a quick motion. The way she said it...the only thing that popped to mind was him not hesitating to kill. The boy...the skill I didn't think he possessed came back to bite me. It made no sense. As I compared them both, even with Lena still being full of purity, Veigue has just as much or even more pure light in his heart than she does...but I can still see the ugliness of that fearsome darkness within him as well. Is my son...even human?
Entry 13: Age 42
It seems as though my beloved wife will not make it tomorrow. All my life, I tried searching for a cure, but to no avail. Her condition is so bad that she passed out several times today and was coughing up pints of blood, which is the worse case scenario. All of that worrying is really killing her...and the reckless actions of my son is actually causing it. Cecille's too afraid of what the outside world would do to him...but I wish I could tell her otherwise. With a darkness like his...I'd be more worried about the outside world over him.
But tonight, I have a strange feeling...like I can see what will unfold tomorrow. My wife will most certainly not make it tomorrow...and Veigue...I feel that those chains binding his inner darkness will start to crumble. Something I have to confront...and completely eradicate. When I look at him now sleeping...he just looks like my sweet, youthful little son that is nothing but an innocent victim to his darkness. But a strange wind blows...like my time will be cut short. Will I die tomorrow, possibly along my wife? I don't want her to die, but I have to face reality...and apparently I may die too. Veigue's been trained by Lena. While he's still a rookie...inner feelings like that could probably cut me down against his will. The boy himself couldn't possibly take my life.
So Lena will be left behind...will I not face my destined battle with Lyle? I don't know, but if this is my end, then I'm bringing that beast inside my son down to hell with me...even if I have to kill Veigue himself. I have no regrets or hesitation. This is what I must achieve.
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Entry 1: Age 24
It had been a long day and the sun was setting. Today, it was just sight seeing. I didn't encounter any bandits while traveling with my wife, Cecille. It still amazes me that even with her health, she still has the drive to keep walking beside me. We of the Magnus family have no real home, as we rely on our fellow Kutolah brethren if we want to have a roof over our heads. But my family has led this kind of life for generations; living in the world itself. That is until we become attached to anyone we may encounter on our travels. We are loyal to those people, as they find some way into our hearts...whether they become our closest friends or our lover. In my case, I found the most wonderful person I've known. We met five years ago, me being nineteen at the time and she being fourteen.
At first, all I saw was an annoying child that didn't know how to stop crying...but then the days dragged on and she didn't stop following me. I didn't know why...I tried my best to shake her off and even yelled at her to go away, which is what I didn't want to do. That worked...for a day and I took the chance to leave that town. But then the next day I was sleeping outside beside a tree and she found me. I wondered why she went through the trouble if her parents were going to be worried about her later. Then she told me they died. While I felt sorry for her, I still didn't want her exposed to danger while around me...but she was saying how cool I looked when I took out that whole brigade of bandits that tried to destroy her village. It wasn't really all that impressive to me...they were just peons in enormous numbers. Any person who fought as much as I did and gained experience from the hell we go through could do that. She constantly tried to persuade me keep her around...however, told me she had an illness that was eating away at her since birth. Familiar with that kind of sickness, I was wondering how in the world was she standing like a normal girl. Then she told me “I cry to expel hurtful feelings that can harm me more”.
I was speechless. I saw crying as a weakness...but she came in and turned that fact around on it's behind and proved it false. I asked why she didn't cry when I kept pushing her away, but she said that was because she felt the gentle light in my heart and she adored the warmth. I had a feeling that I had to take care of her when much time passed as we traveled together until I realized I was in love and I proposed. We both made each other happy...and she helped placed a smile on my face everyday...something I couldn't do at all ever since my parents disappeared. But I made the right decision to spend my life with her no matter where we ended up...it's always was the Magnus way to follow the instincts of our hearts.
But today, she told me that I was going to be a father...I didn't really know how to react to it. I just stood there trying to collect my thoughts. But after I gathered myself, we were stumped on names. She just picked a letter and started from there. However, we came to the conclusion that if it was a girl, it would be Lena...and Lance if a boy.
Entry 2: Age 24
We came back to Sacae after months of travel to get here...however, I received some terrible news. My older brother, Lyle found us and told me many of our relatives had reunited from around the world to try and help our Sacaean brethren fight a shadowy organization of rogues who sought to conquer our beloved plains. He said they already started fighting...and it was looking terrible with casualties everywhere. If the day couldn't get any worse, Cecille fell into labor at the worse time possible. Lyle insisted that I stayed with her while he went to assist our people, which I had no objections. While I was worried about my relatives, I had to make sure my own child made it safely into the world.
Which she did. At least the name was already decided. I really felt like a different man when Lena was born and when I held her for the first time. Like how I have to work even harder now and protect my new family. How I have bigger responsibilities and finally realizing how much my own parents had to go through with Lyle and I. It was still a warm feeling to embrace.
Hours passed and Lyle came back...covered in blood. He explained everything...how our enemies launched a surprise attack...and our relatives were slain in the process. Then he said it was a trap...as our enemies apparently knew that the Magnus existed and our prowess with the blade was their main concern. I have my doubts if this group is some outside force...as only a Sacaean would have such info on us...
Entry 3: Age 26
I can't believe two years passed and those 'rogues' never showed themselves again after slaughtering the rest of the Magnus. I wanted to grab hold of them all and cut them all down for taking my clan away from this world...but I couldn't go on a bloodthirsty rampage and risking my life so foolishly. My dear Cecille would never forgive me if I did something like that...AND I couldn't possibly leave behind my little girl either, who was a walking catastrophe...yet adorable. I can't wait to see Lena grow up and live a healthy life in this broken world which we call home...
Cecille and I are still pending in our decision to settle down in the Kutolah village Lyle and I grew up in. I'm not sure if she would be comfortable there, but we shall see.
Entry 4: Age 26
Lyle came around today and told me some of those rogues attacked a village. There weren't as many like last time, but they were a skilled bunch. As such, I left my family behind and made haste to the nearby village with my brother at my side. We followed the trail they left behind and we tracked them down to an old deserted village. We were ambushed, but we managed to keep our heads. It wasn't a surprise that my suspicions were correct...those rogues were Sacaean. I keep wondering...why are our own people rebelling against us? It makes no sense.
Lyle and I were separated for a time...but I was in a stare down with one of the rebels. There was something off about him at first. He was so calm...and extremely silent. It was almost eerie. When I made my move, he zipped passed me like lightning and pinned me to the ground with no weapon. Then he whispered in my ear in a sinister bearing. I can't forget those words...he said:
“...I can feel AND see the darkness deep within your heart. Embrace it...if you want to protect anything. It's the nature of a man like you to need power to protect your loved ones. Kindness, good deeds, justice...? Throw that trash away. Such...weak emotions will hinder you. Trust me, my Sacaean brother. I would not lie to you, as I would not to any other living soul...”
My brother rescued me in time, killing the rebel the moment they clashed. He said the rest fled, so we returned home. I keep thinking about those words. Embrace darkness...? I wouldn't dare. But...in the state we're in and Sacaeans fighting against each other for a current unknown cause, my family was at risk. But even though I need to protect, I'm strong enough at heart not to give into this darkness in my heart he was babbling about. I can protect my family and friends with my own power. Then I have Lyle along my side. We're an unbeatable team!
Entry 5: Age 28
The years passed and the fights with the rebels were finally under control. We managed to make some surrender, but they killed themselves to not break their honor to never tell a lie, as they knew we'd interrogate them on why they are doing this. Granted, there weren't many of them...but I fear at least a few groups are still out there. But in the tranquility of my home, I was enjoying the company of my still-growing girl and my wive. I feel so much peace when I'm with them. However, Cecille started to become way more ill about a year ago...enough to actually settle down here. I had no reason to travel Elibe aimlessly anymore anyway. All I wanted to do is be with my family.
But Cecille pulled that same surprise on me as she did before; she was expecting another child. We did the same method of name calling and chose V this time. After much thinking and goofing around, we decided on Vanessa if another girl and Veigue if a boy. I'm still worried about her worsening condition, but I'm sure everything will be fine.
Entry 6: Age 29
It was raining all day. Lyle stopped by for his daily visit, but we were interrupted when hearing a smashing noise outside. We looked out and it was in another village a mile away, as smoke was rising thickly. Lyle was acting funny all day...and I had a feeling why. But I ignored it and jumped into action. We got there before the situation became terrible. It was the work of rebels again, however the remains of their little force. A small group, but our fellow allies of the village was able to handle them in the end. Before Lyle insisted on us leaving, I had drawn my sword and demanded that he should hand over Kenji, our treasured family sword. He questioned, but I told him I suspected him of being the rebel leader from the beginning...and the one who gathered our relatives to slay them. Most Sacaeans didn't even respect us, so why call any Magnus to help for that matter? It just had to be Lyle's doing. I just lacked proof...until today. The small conversation we had at my home was enough to finally give him away. His tone in talking about our father, Vandalf and the people of Sacae was more aggressive than ever.
Lyle then told me everything...how he killed father and mother while they were off guard and cursed the fact that he was even born. I always thought they disappeared, but Lyle lied to me and everyone...breaking his honor. I can't believe it...why, brother? That's all I kept asking him as I grew more aggressive. He claimed that he found his darkness early on and welcomed it. He didn't have a single thing he cared about...deep down, he despised me too. He admitted it. He felt as though he lacked strength due to how he was treated by people other than our parents...he didn't respect Sacaeans because of how the Magnus were mostly treated like outcasts. Of course, the Kutolah are still our long-time friends...but he felt as though that didn't count. So he let his hate build in secrecy so he could be way stronger than he was before. I'll admit...when I clashed blades with him, he defeated me easily knowing he didn't have to act anymore or hold back. He threw away everything that made him pure...and turned it to mindless power. But then he spared me...telling me he found something to devote himself to. He wanted to be the leader of all the tribes of Sacae. He felt as though he needed to wipe out the current tribe leaders to please his hatred and rule in their places. I stood in his way...but he wanted to have a challenge with it. He felt as though it would be too easy to kill the leaders. I was his challenge...or rather...My family and I, the way he phrased it. He felt as though he was too powerful for me to handle alone, so he wanted those of Magnus blood to face him to meet his challenge. I didn't want Lena or my unborn child to fight. This was my battle...but before I could stop him, Lyle left with the departing words after throwing away Kenji, “I'll be back...someday in the future. I'll keep growing stronger too. If you don't meet my challenge as I want it, I'll kill your worthless children and your wife...then you. You'd better throw away that kindness...if you want to live. You know you can't beat me alone and with pure light still in your heart.”
That hurt my pride a ton...Lyle was right. I couldn't beat him. No matter how good I'd become, he's one of the best swordsman I've seen in Sacae...probably nearing father's level at this point. I may be a master of the sword myself, but even a master can be surpassed...but I returned home with a large headache of confusion. Before I could even explain anything to Cecille, a couple of villagers where there with her. I went over and saw that my newborn son was in my wife's arms. I felt bad missing his birth, but I was still indeed joyed to see him in the world just as I did for my little girl. Speaking of which, it was an adorable sight watching Lena playing with and hugging Veigue as she was by Cecille's side. It was helping me with the terrible mood I had. When I held him myself, it was like he was feeling the pain of my heart as he fell silent and kept his head on my chest. I held him slightly tighter...like I didn't want to let my dear son go. Lyle's desire...he wanted my children and I face him in the far future. I don't want to involve my children in this. But my brother...he knows the tradition. If either of my children (or both) decide to fight and train under our style, they'd become strong enough to wield Kenji. I didn't want to endanger them...but Lyle's too strong for me. I want to protect my family so badly and I lack the power. I can't depend on my children or put their lives in jeopardy...but...I think I made my decision as I smiled at my son and gave him back to Cecille. I hated it, but...I was going to do what he did to get his power, so I can rival it. I...had to lose part of myself so Lena and Veigue won't have to battle their own uncle at all.
Entry 7: Age 31
Lyle still hasn't shown himself. Of course, I have to stop being paranoid...as he knows my children are still small. I could never get him off my mind for these past two years. I told Cecille about it, but it made her worry so much...and she didn't need that kind of stress with her illness making her bedridden now. I told her not to worry though...that I had a method in beating Lyle alone so our children wouldn't have to bear that pain. But lately, I've been having terrible nightmares...showing me that my method would not work. It keeps replaying itself until it becomes every dream I have. But what can I do? Even if I trained my children, they're too pure to take on someone like Lyle. He'd rip us all to shreds when he'd come back. But since I'm starting to accept my dark nature as the power I need to kill him...then maybe Veigue and Lena will develop a darker side of their character when they age...or maybe it's already there, but very weak right now. Maybe theirs will be stronger than mine...
Entry 8: Age 32
Lena's starting to get big, as my little girl finally turned eight today. She then took an interest in my sword...she wanted to be like me. It was very adorable...but she was serious about it. I kept avoiding the thought of training her, but she kept begging. However...I'm certain that no matter how much of my kindness I throw away as the years of peace go by, I won't defeat Lyle. Today on her birthday, I began training her. As much as I hate it, I'm afraid that I really have to follow Lyle's full desire. I have to make my children ready for when he returns...but the difficult part is changing who they are to battle him.
Entry 9: Age 33
Lena was progressing marvelously to say she was only ten. I pit her against other Sacaean children in sparring matches and she defeated them with such ease...even the older kids fell at her might. But what puzzled me is that I still saw nothing but purity in her soul. Not a bit of dark. The moment I spot it, I'd try to see if she could expand and grab hold of it. But at this rate, she may not need it if she's this good with our style already. It made me wonder how Veigue will fare when he becomes her age...
Entry 10: Age 35
Lyle crossed my mind countless times today. The darkness I've been feeding on in the center of my heart...I believe it has changed me completely. And yet...I actually feel as though it's right. When that man was injured in the road today when bandits attacked me, my natural instinct was to help him...but the darkness in me was telling me to abandon those who aren't strong enough to help themselves. They only drag us down and become dead weight. While it still pained me to turn a blind eye...I no longer regret it. If I want to be like Lyle to kill him, then I'd sacrifice my kindness for the sake of my family.
I caught Veigue playing around with Kenji today and I scolded him for it. However, I had the idea to train him there and now. The boy was around Lena's age when she first started, so I think he can handle it.
Entry 11: Age 35
How disappointing and strange today was. Over the past few months, Veigue displayed such poor results. He didn't show even the slightest amount of skill. Lena showed more on when I first taught her the basics than his months' effort. It wasn't very promising...yet I still saw nothing but purity in him. There's literally nothing powerful there. Lyle would break him apart if I tried to train him. I'd leave him Cecille to keep close watch under...as all I needed was Lena. She possessed the power. Her and I can definitely handle Lyle when he comes back. She should be a big, strong woman by then. But the boy was too soft as well...letting those little bullies walk all over him. I even walked out on them beating him when I left him out there on the plains to make his way home without me. But I was finally beginning to see something as I saw him cowering in the dirt...it was neither purity or darkness...but a raging fire. I wanted to see more, so I simply turned my back on him and went inside as I observed out the window.
Then...it happened. His reaction was explosive and he soon became merciless. If he had a real weapon in his hand at that moment, he would have killed those boys. But I saw something else in his rage...behind that raging inferno lied something so dark that it actually started to make me tremble. If he harmonized with something so dark, not only would even Lyle fall...but so many that cross his path unwillingly will feel something worse than pain. I couldn't allow a beast to be unleashed off it's chains and reek havoc because it couldn't control it's feelings...even if there isn't much of the world I care for anymore. That, and a much darker Veigue would place a terrible wound on the Magnus name in the future. It seems as though I must forsake him knowing anything about the family.
Entry 12: Age 38
Lena and Veigue came home beaten and battered both mentally and physically. It worried us to death...but what nearly gave Cecille a heart attack was Veigue the only one covered in blood. Lena told me that thieves tried to attack. She sprained her ankle trying to protect her brother, but Veigue had suddenly went forth and killed the last thief in a quick motion. The way she said it...the only thing that popped to mind was him not hesitating to kill. The boy...the skill I didn't think he possessed came back to bite me. It made no sense. As I compared them both, even with Lena still being full of purity, Veigue has just as much or even more pure light in his heart than she does...but I can still see the ugliness of that fearsome darkness within him as well. Is my son...even human?
Entry 13: Age 42
It seems as though my beloved wife will not make it tomorrow. All my life, I tried searching for a cure, but to no avail. Her condition is so bad that she passed out several times today and was coughing up pints of blood, which is the worse case scenario. All of that worrying is really killing her...and the reckless actions of my son is actually causing it. Cecille's too afraid of what the outside world would do to him...but I wish I could tell her otherwise. With a darkness like his...I'd be more worried about the outside world over him.
But tonight, I have a strange feeling...like I can see what will unfold tomorrow. My wife will most certainly not make it tomorrow...and Veigue...I feel that those chains binding his inner darkness will start to crumble. Something I have to confront...and completely eradicate. When I look at him now sleeping...he just looks like my sweet, youthful little son that is nothing but an innocent victim to his darkness. But a strange wind blows...like my time will be cut short. Will I die tomorrow, possibly along my wife? I don't want her to die, but I have to face reality...and apparently I may die too. Veigue's been trained by Lena. While he's still a rookie...inner feelings like that could probably cut me down against his will. The boy himself couldn't possibly take my life.
So Lena will be left behind...will I not face my destined battle with Lyle? I don't know, but if this is my end, then I'm bringing that beast inside my son down to hell with me...even if I have to kill Veigue himself. I have no regrets or hesitation. This is what I must achieve.