Wyatt
Hero
The Volcano
How can someone win if winning means that someone loses?
Posts: 463
Etruria Fame: 2
Sacae Fame: -1
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Post by Wyatt on Mar 14, 2012 9:16:55 GMT -6
Wyatt had been cursing his map recently. The mountain range had ended a day ago, they should have been right at Bulgar. But the city was nowhere in sight, just the endless plains of Sacae before them. If only they could see something to hint at the right direction. Maybe a worn path, or other people, or smoke on the horizon, hells anything at all would help!
Mana was right though, traveling with a companion was far more enjoyable then going at it alone. She was pretty sharp, and a really skilled sword fighter. The training had been hard to keep up with, their fighting styles were completely different from each other. She used a sword as it was meant to be used. Speed, grace and skill. Wyatt used it like an axe, power and crushing blows, but with a bit more grace then his axe provided him. It was difficult to unlearn all of those old habits he'd grown into. Wielding a sword like that, Mana had beaten him soundly every time they sparred, which made sense. But he'd get better, h was sure of it. Every time they sparred he had less bruises from her wooden training sword, so he was learning something.
Who would have guessed that such a small girl could pack such a punch? She knew where to strike, how to slip past his guard, she really was something else. Were all Sacaen's this good?
Wyatt looked out towards the horizon, to see if there was anything to clue in to where they were, when he spied something. It was barely a spec on the horizon, but it was some kind of...structure? Ok, buildings were good. He pointed it out.
[red]"Something over there...a building or something like it. It might be Bulgar, but I don't think so. At the least it is a place to get our bearings."[/red]
Come to think of it, Wyatt had never asked a very important question about this journey.
[red]"Hey Mana. While I think of it, why did you want to go to Bern?"[/red] It did seem an odd choice. Wonder what kind of business she had there?
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Post by Mana on Mar 18, 2012 15:36:44 GMT -6
Finally, the plain. She never knew that seeing her home again would be very pleasant feeling. Mana couldn't stop smiling and laughing on their way going down the mountain path, where the vast plain was seen. At first, she thought the negative emotion and her bad memories would haunt her, but what had happened was the otherwise.
Since they left Etruria, Mana had trained with Wyatt numerous times. He was really spirited person, he didn't give up to learn about sword even with those bruises. She was the one who have him the bruise, though. Mana had found that she couldn't hold back in their training. Wyatt might be an amateur with sword, but he was already strong as a warrior, his strength, instinct, and speed were really good. Actually, Mana planned not to fight seriously when they sparred for the first time, but then she gave up about it. One, the Sacaen girl didn't know how to hold back. Two, Wyatt's skill and quick development made it even more difficult. The training was always more like a duel than a sparring should be.
"Bulgar? Hmm...Maybe?" Mana had lived in the plain for 15 years so she wasn't as confused as Wyatt when they only found endless plain. Well, she was used to get lost here, actually. Yes, a girl who didn't have a sense of direction, who had gotten lost many times in her travel around Lycia, she couldn't survive in the vast plain alone. Her mother never allowed her to travel alone, in fact, her brother or a friend always accompanied her everytime she left the encampment.
"Oh, that's right, I haven't tell you," she said. "When I was in Lycia, I heard that a big tournament was going to be held in Bern. That's why I want to go there, to participate and test my skill," she said with confidence. Mana always wanted to know how strong she was, she liked to go against strong opponent. Many strong warriors would probably come to participate in the tournament, she wouldn't let this chance to slip. "Hey, maybe you should participate too. You are a strong one, Wyatt. Maybe you can even win it." She wasn't just saying it, Wyatt was really strong with his axe. Manahe would like to test her skill against him sometimes but maybe the myrmidon had to wait until she got a little stronger.
"Well, actually I didn't plan to participate before. I just didn't have anything to do after I got separated from my companions," she said, giggling. The reason why she got separated from them was because she wandered aimlessly in drunk condition, but she couldn't tell Wyatt because it was a quite embarrassing. "Haha, maybe Aaron and Wein is worried now," she added.
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Wyatt
Hero
The Volcano
How can someone win if winning means that someone loses?
Posts: 463
Etruria Fame: 2
Sacae Fame: -1
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Post by Wyatt on Mar 18, 2012 20:24:00 GMT -6
Wyatt happily continued their conversation, she seemed in a good mood. [red]"A tournament, eh? Well I suppose if nothing else it'll be a good way to see how I've grown. I don't think I'd win it though, cause I'd need to beat you first!"[/red] He said with a short laugh. [red]"I still have a hard time keeping up with your speed. I mean, I put all that strength into a hit, and then I wind up eating dirt when it misses!"[/red] He laughed, running a hand through his red hair as he looked back up at the structured he had spotted earlier. His eyes snapped open, he recognized this place now!
[red]"Ah! This is amazing!"[/red] He exclaimed. [red]"We're a few days north of Bulgar. That building over there is a shrine someone built at the end of the Bandit War. There is some kind of special sword in there, but it's weird."[/red] He tried to explain. [red]"I found out when I came here last, there is some sort of magic that is keeping it in place. I couldn't even touch it, like an invisible wall around it. It's really something to see though, I've never seen a sword like it."[/red] He exclaimed excitedly.
They grew nearer to the shrine when Wyatt noticed several small tents set up around it. It would seem that the shrine had gained a bit more attention of late. Maybe more followers? Well, there didn't seem any hostility in the air, so he supposed it was all right.
[red]"You want to go see it, right?"[/red] He asked, more then a bit of child-like excitement in his voice.
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Post by Mana on Mar 19, 2012 4:38:48 GMT -6
"Well, do you know why I always dodged your attacks? Because you would have easily overpowered me if I tried to block them with my sword." That was true, Mana would have tried to look for a chance to counter after blocking his attack if he didn't possess such great strength. She felt a great vibe running through her arms everytime their wooden swords clashed , almost making her hands numb. At least she was faster than him so she could choose to dodge his attacks instead of parrying them. "And you shouldn't use all your strength at once, it had left you vulnerable many times. I mean...Ah, I am not good with explaining something. I am going to train you again later." Mana was really shy and doing her role as a teacher very awkwardly in their first training, but she had gotten used to it now. She just mimicked her teacher, scolding Wyatt when he made a mistake and sometimes helping him fix his grip.
"Hmm..." Mana looked like she was remembering something. In fact, she felt something familiar in his story. There might be a few shrines who also built to protect a sword in Sacae, but she only knew one which located near Bulgar. Once, when Mana was 9 years old, the chief of Hawkeye tribe ever lead the tribe to camp near the shrine. He forbid Mana and the other children from entering the shrine, the elder himself then went into the shrine accompanied only by his son. What he did inside was never known. "I've come her once. I think I was when I was little," she remarked, rubbing the back of her head.
"You want to go see it, right?"
Mana turned at the blacksmith and grinned. "Of course," she shouted. She didn't waste time, the girl dashed immediately just after she said her agreement to his offer. "Come on, if the sword is as special as you have claimed then I have to see it." She ran while waving her hand to the blacksmith, slowing her pace a little so he would be able to catch up.
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Wyatt
Hero
The Volcano
How can someone win if winning means that someone loses?
Posts: 463
Etruria Fame: 2
Sacae Fame: -1
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Post by Wyatt on Mar 19, 2012 9:34:52 GMT -6
Wyatt nodded at Mana's assessment of his style. [red]"Yeah, that is the weakness of the axe. Strong, but slow and obvious. You speedy swordsmen can really be a pain, which is why we're doing this."[/red] He said, as Mana recounted her own memory of the shrine. So she'd been here too?
And then she took off, and Wyatt was caught slightly by surprise. [red]"Ah! H-Hey, wait up!"[/red] He called, running after her. She slowed her pace, as they ran past the small tents set up. A few people were out cooking some food, and gave the pair of them an odd look, but they said nothing and did nothing to stop them. Within a few moments they had reached the entrance to the small stone shrine, and Wyatt peered inside of it. There was someone in there, by the sword, but the way the light was cascading around the shrine through the cracks in the walls made it difficult to tell who it was. It didn't look like the caretaker anyway, too tall.
[red]"Hello?"[/red] Wyatt asked to the figure. [red]"You came to see the sword...um...what was that name? Right, Falcatta! You came to see it too?"[/red] He inquired of the figure. It was probably just another traveler, nothing to be concerned about.
Right?
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Post by Kenshin on Mar 19, 2012 11:41:49 GMT -6
Kenshin had been on his way home when he had felt a gentle breeze. Along with the breeze there was something he knew very well, granted it has been over 7 years since he heard it. " The time has come" " The time has come? What are you talking about?" Kenshin spoke aloud. " The wielder of the blade is ready." He had clinched his fist in anger, he knew what blade the spirits had spoken of. His voice had began to raise " Damn it! That blade holds it's own purpose. I'm not" " Destiny.........cannot.......it's.....destiny......." The spirits cut him off, this time their message was more difficult to hear. They had left as suddenly as they appeared. It had seemed like the spirits of the plains had it's own agenda whether if Kenshin had agreed or not. He pulled upon the reins halting the horse to a stop. Reaching in his bag he pulled out a map and compass " I'm half a day away from Bulgar, if I ride fast enough hopefully I can get there before the chosen one. The bow it guards cannot fall into the wrong hands.[/color]" Yanking on the reins once again the horse sped off towards Bulgar. "The spirit of the blades chose their wielder at times. Most of the time it doesn't matter how you grasp the sword it just doesn't feel right in your hand, some blades will even refuse you to draw it if you're not the true owner." A younger Kenshin seemed excited to find such a sword. "Master, how would I know if I found such a sword?" "It no longer feels like a sword but just an extension of your arm." The memories of some of his sword training with his late mentor flooded his mind. They had fallen true when it was about the Falcatta. (OoC:I think this song would be fitting) He had finally made it to Bulgar, tying his horse up he made haste towards the shrine. He's only been in there twice, just to check up on the blade, and it rested in the same spot he planted it years ago. " Falcatta..." He stretched out his right arm, wrapping his fingers around the hilt grasping it his hand. It felt different, he gave it a slight tug and nothing. " Not worthy anymore..." He had took a step back when he heard a male's voice speak to him. " You might say that." Turning back he saw two people, a man and a woman. The spirits had been vague with their message, he only knew there was a new wielder of the Falcatta but not who. He felt a connection to the girl, he stepped closer to her. " My name is Kenshin, I am the leader of the Wind Tiger tribe. May I have your name young lady?"
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Post by Mana on Mar 19, 2012 12:30:42 GMT -6
"Hmm...Is this place popular?" Mana didn't expect to see many people around a shrine, did they all come to pray? The myrmidon was pretty impatient to see the great sword, she even half-wished that the sword wouldn't have many visitors gathering around it.
When they entered the shrine, there was only a person here. Mana clenched her fists in joy, she was happy for not having to wait. She began to imagine how the sword would look like, it should be beautiful, right? "I am going." She was about to run to where the sword was kept when Wyatt addressed the man. He said...Falcatta. "Huh? the name sounds familiar." It indeed sounded familiar, but her bad memory stopped her from remembering further.
Mana could feel the aura surrounding the red man, the way he walked, the way he spoke, everything told her that this man was someone with great skill and fame. He approached her, who was staring at Kenshin. She didn't realize it before, but the hair...His hair had unique color of crimson, Mana knew only one Sacaen who owned such beautiful hair.
"My name is Kenshin, I am the leader of the Wind Tiger tribe. May I have your name young lady?"
"Ah...My name is Mana from the Hawkeye tribe." She gave him a reply, looking a bit surprised by his question. Wait, Kenshin. The man who had become a legend after the end of Bandit War, the great warrior every young Sacaens admired? Mana almost convinced herself if it was a dream. As a warrior of sword, the girl always admired Kenshin and Matis, the two great swordmen who helped ending the evil Hargus. And now, she was meeting Kenshin in person, the real Kenshin.
Normally, she was pretty calm, if not angry or feeling challenged. But Mana couldn't help but felt nervous in this situation. The hero she heard from her mother's bedtime stories was in front of her. She still remembered how she and the other kids usually played, they chose to be Kenshin or Matis and someone had to be the Evil Hargus, by the way, she always chose to be Katara in this child game.
Mana suddenly bowed and said, "Please fight me!" That was spontaneous, no way she could have planned to say that to Kenshin. But other words couldn't come out and her nervousness took over. She always liked to challenge people stronger than her, but was it wise to challenge The Crimson Demon of Sacae?
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Wyatt
Hero
The Volcano
How can someone win if winning means that someone loses?
Posts: 463
Etruria Fame: 2
Sacae Fame: -1
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Post by Wyatt on Mar 19, 2012 13:46:31 GMT -6
The man introduced himself. Kenshin...Kenshin...where had he heard that name...? The way Mana tensed up, it indicated that she recognized the name too. Wait...wasn't there a legend about a red-haired Sacaen swordsman who was...like a demon?
No way.
And then Mana's next words came out. A fight, here?! Wyatt held up a hand for a moment. [red]"Whoa! Hold on a second Mana. This might not be the best place for that. It's a shrine, a place of prayer."[/red] He interjected, hoping he wouldn't be seen as an interloper in their discussion. Just in case he bowed to Kenshin quickly.
[red]"We just came to see the blade as we headed toward Bulgar, but what fortune to meet someone like yourself here. You were...one of the warriors involved with the Bandit War, is that correct? With Sir Rayl of Lycia and Alan of Bern?"[/red] He couldn't deny that his own eyes had taken on a bit of fire. He always got like this among people of this stature, but who could blame him?! It wasn't every day that you met a living legend!
And wait a minute. When he was last here, the priest had said this blade had belonged to the 'Crimson Demon of Sacae' does that mean that this was his sword?
[red]"So this was your sword then?"[/red] He asked, not sure if he should add 'sir' onto the end of that statement. How did Sacaen's like to be addressed anyway?
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Post by Kenshin on Mar 20, 2012 12:09:28 GMT -6
Kenshin raised his right hand to his chin as he thought. "The Hawkeye tribe... I don't think I've had the honor to meet them yet." He had lowered his hand to his side once again "I'm sorry but I will have to pass on your challenge, I was on my way home when I was... drawn to the blade. I'm pretty sure my wife and daughter miss me as much as I do them. But I promise you'll get your chance the next time we meet." Shifting to meet eyes with Wyatt Kenshin kept speaking. "Rayl and Alan... I knew Alan, he was my right hand man so to speak but I didn't get the chance to meet Rayl. There was quite a bit of people that fought along side me that I didn't know. After that fight other than my cousin and wife I only ran into one person that I knew from then, Yaen.
"To answer your other question, yes this was once my sword. It currently acts as a key for the barrier At-... An old friend had placed on this spot. This is the very spot Hanon rest, to this day I'm still unsure if the Scouring heroes Hargus used were the same or just clones. But enough of the past, what brings me here is a matter of the present and future." Kenshin had stepped aside creating a clear path to the sword. "Mana, I would be honored if you took the hilt in your hand and draw the blade from it's resting spot." He gave the girl a slight bow.
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Post by Mana on Mar 20, 2012 13:22:14 GMT -6
"Ah, that...That was stupid of me. I am sorry." She would lie if she said she didn't want to test her skill against Kenshin. But to say challenge him like that, in this place, was really unexpected even by Mana herself. Like Wyatt said, a shrine wasn't a good place for a duel. "I think I was...surprised." Mana had to admit that this meeting with Kenshin had been something unforgetable in her life.
Wyatt seemed to be excited too, he then asked Kenshin some questions about the other heroes who fought in Bandit War. The blacksmith seemed to know much about the history behind the legendary Bandit War. The names he just mentioned, Rayl and Alan, Mana didn't remember much about them, honestly. The girl could barely remember the names of the heroes besides Kenshin, Matis, and Katara.
Mana tilted her head with confused look when kenshin stepped aside and asked her to draw the blade. She was confused with his request which sounded too simple for her. But when she saw the blade, Mana couldn't help but felt admiration toward the great weapon which beautifully glimmering with the sunlight that pierced the shrine. She got a strong feeling that the sword held great power. "What a nice sword!" The girl stopped thinking and ran toward the sword.
"Just draw the sword, right?" The girl's hand reach out toward the hilt. She felt her heard throbbing faster as she tried to grab the hilt with her hand. "Wait? Isn't this sword sealed?" she thought. "Ah who care. He asked me to draw this so I will. Haha...I am so happy."
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Wyatt
Hero
The Volcano
How can someone win if winning means that someone loses?
Posts: 463
Etruria Fame: 2
Sacae Fame: -1
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Post by Wyatt on Mar 20, 2012 14:16:05 GMT -6
Yaen?! He'd been part of the group that had killed the Bandit King? Wyatt owed him a bit more respect, he'd have to ask him about it later.
And then Kenshin asked Mana to draw the sword...to draw the Falcatta. Wyatt couldn't even touch the weapon when he tried...and he thought Mana could draw it? As her hand went towards the blade he felt as if time had stopped. Her fingers inches from the pristine blade of legend, hovering there about to grasp it. She'd moved past the barrier...she could touch it...did that mean?
As her fingers slowly wrapped around the hilt of the blade, Wyatt instantly felt a strong pressure in the air. It seemed charged...almost alive. The northern wind ripped through the shrine with a howl, making his clothing ruffle and flutter in the gust that seemed to press outwards from where the sword lay. The sword itself seemed to glow, as the sunlight bounced off of it's perfect curves and shimmered around the room. And then, with barely a flex of her arm, the sword slipped from it's resting place, as if it was being drawn from it's sheath. A clean pull, requiring no more force then lifting a blade of grass.
As the weapon came free, the glowing of the blade diminished slowly, until at last it had faded all but completely. The blade still shimmered in the light, as the winds died down and the world around them became deathly quiet.
The sword was removed, and as if by design, there was now a very old looking bow where it once pierced the earth.
Wyatt had watched the entire scene with wonder, and now beholding the sword in Mana's hands he found himself without words. What could he possibly say about what he had just seen?
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Post by Kenshin on Mar 21, 2012 15:07:40 GMT -6
His intuition was correct, this girl was the next chosen wielder of the Falcatta. He may have not liked the idea of the blade being removed from it's resting place but he had no say in it. He walked over next to Mana, knelt down and picked up the bow. As he stood he looked upon the blade with a sparkle in his eye. Despite being out in the open for who knows how long it looked the same as the day he placed it there.
The gem on the bottom of the hilt had reminded him how important that blade use to be to him. "Please take great care of that blade Mana, it had once broke under my care... My father-in-law had repaired the blade and placed the gem on the bottom, the gem meant a lot to my wife."
Shifting his gaze towards the spot Hanon was buried Kenshin tilts his head downwards and shuts his eyes. "Rest well Hanon." He then turn to the two with a slight smile. "I hate to make a hasty exit but I must go. May you two have a safe journey." He gave a bow to them before walking out of the shrine.
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Post by Mana on Mar 22, 2012 3:20:18 GMT -6
"What's this wind?" Mana was surprised by the sudden change within the shrine, the wind got stronger than it was supposed to and the shrine was filled unusual phenomenon. Even the sword shot dazzling light that forced the girl to close her eyes.
Mana could feel the hilt with her fingers, she began to pull the sword like what Kenshin requested her to do. It felt weird, it felt like the sword never pierced its resting spot. Somehow, it just gladly allowed Mana to free itself. Mana almost stumbled because she used too much power to draw the sword.
Opening her eyes slowly, Mana could see the sword in her hand. It gave her some weird but pleasant feeling. The legendary sword Falcatta was in her hand, she never dreamed about this to happen. "What a nice sword..." Although she was startled with the strong wind and the dazzling light, she didn't look surprised to see that she could pull Falcatta from its resting spot. The girl didn't remember that this sword was supposed to have some kind of barrier although Wyatt had told her about that. It couldn't be helped, she was always single-minded.
Her eyes switched to Kenshin when the legendary swordman picked the bow. "Hmm, it wasn't here before. I didn't remember ever seeing it," she remarked. The bow seemed to hold great power. If only she knew that it was Hanon's....
"Eeeh?" Mana couldn't believe what she had just heard. "This sword is mine now? You must be kidding me," she thought. Looking at Kenshin's eyes, she could tell that his connection with this sword was really strong. Did he feel sad? Didn't he want this sword? The questions was left unanswered, Kenshin had made his way out the shrine without explaining why the sword now become hers. "Wait, Kenshin! I don't understand. What did you mean?" Mana tried to ask him but he already left her side. The swordwoman could do nothing but watching his back as the red-haired warrior left the shrine, all these events had left her dumfounded.
Mana turned to Wyatt and asked, "What just happened?" She was more than just happy and willing to wield Falcatta but she needed an explanation.
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Wyatt
Hero
The Volcano
How can someone win if winning means that someone loses?
Posts: 463
Etruria Fame: 2
Sacae Fame: -1
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Post by Wyatt on Mar 22, 2012 9:29:49 GMT -6
When everything had settled down, Kenshin just gave his blessings and left. Mana seemed just as lost as Wyatt felt, but he thought there were some questions he might be able to answer.
[red]"Well...the last time I came here I couldn't even touch the sword. There was like an invisible wall in front of it. Nobody could touch it, a priest who was here called it a 'ward'. Said it was protecting something really important."[/red] He paused, meeting eyes with Mana. [red]"But you could draw it, and you saw all of what happened when you did. This sword is something special I guess."[/red] Wyatt really didn't understand much of this, but thankfully he did not have to.
[blue]"The sword itself is alive. It has spirits inside of it that judged your worth."[/blue] Came an older voice from the side of the shrine, as the caretaker stepped out. [blue]"Mana of the Hawkeye tribe, the Falcatta has chosen you to wield it in these troubled times. Never forget that such a weapon has chosen you because of what you will accomplish. It truly is the mark of a heavy destiny, and I pray you have the strength to ride out and meet it."[/blue]
He looked behind him at the door, and scowled. [blue]"I believe your first test will come sooner then you think. Those outside, they are not pilgrims. I believe they were waiting for a way to steal the blade. Every day they would come in here and try to draw it, most not being able to touch it. They will likely try to attack you when you leave, so please use caution."[/blue] He sighed ruefully. [blue]"I am no warrior anymore, I cannot aide you more then offering you some healing salves if you are injured. But know my prayers go with you both."[/blue]
Wyatt turned to Mana, after having listened to the caretakers explanation. [red]"Well, looks like we get to break it in a little bit."[/red] He said with a smile, cracking his knuckles. [red]"You ready to go try out your new blade?"[/red]
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Post by Mana on Mar 23, 2012 0:54:57 GMT -6
"Falcatta chose me?" she asked as she glanced at her new sword. He said the sword was alive and inhabited by a spirit. It might be true, Mana could feel a unique feeling through her hand while holding the sword. His next word startled her a bit, that she had something to accomplish an this was the only beginning of her heavy destiny. She wondered why, why her? She was only a normal girl without outstanding abilities, Falcatta should have chose someone who stronger than her. But aside of that, she was filled with enormous happy feeling. Falcatta, Kenshin's weapon now belonged to her. She looked like a child who just got her new toy.
"Them?" Mana glanced at the caretaker when he mentioned those people. "So they came here to steal this blade?" This wasn't bad, actually. It would be a good chance to test Falcatta's power. "They can try. I will not hand this weapon to them. They have to kill me first," she stated proudly.
"Of course!" Mana responded Wyatt with a smile. She was about to head outside when she got a good idea. Maybe those people could be used to see the result of Wyatt's training. She drew her iron sword and approached Wyatt. "Maybe you want to"use" them as "targets"? It could be a good practice," she said jokingly, grinning and offering her sword to Wyatt.
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