Gifts: Body

  William's perspective

  After the news of the blight outbreak, my father called it a day and found us a place to stay.

  The bed I fell asleep on was surprisingly soft, like a cloud. The air was oddly refreshing, and the light beaming through the window gently touched my face. The room I slept in was far better than any room I had ever slept in.

  In my defense, I lived in a run-down house.

  Once lived.

  Memories of my home in Hearthglen appeared. The hole in the ceiling made sleeping in the winter somewhat rough. I or my father could hear the creaking floors throughout the house. Regardless, it had been a home to me. My gut wrenched, churning slightly, my heart aching, knowing I can never go back. Back to the way things were.

  I tried not to dwell on it.

  That's a lot easier thanks to Aurum's purring. It was so loud, it vibrated the whole bed. Her head rested on my chest. It's been less than a month since we met, and she was big enough to ride; her entire body would take up the whole bed. Despite our short time together, a strong bond had formed between us.

  Running my hand across her smooth scales, Aurum purred even louder, pressing into me. Her head took up my whole chest as she continued to snuggle up to me. Her emotions flooded into me, feelings of affection and companionship.

  I groan in pain as she keeps pressing into me. “Aurum, I’m up.” I pleaded while she continued to nuzzle into me. She was breathing heavily on me.

  She's been like this ever since I started petting her yesterday. Lord Dimmal. I mean Dimmal. It may be due to a lack of attention. She spent her first moments of life in danger and never got to meet me. Her emotions flooded into me, spreading warmth and approval through my mind, confirming Dimmals' words.

  She wanted affection.

  Pain shot up my chest when Aurum climbed up on top of me. She got very heavy. I wasn't too uncomfortable. Her act reminded me of a large dog that I always wanted. But her weight did weigh me down.

  "Aurum. I got to get up," I pleaded, feeling her hot breath on my neck. The response I got was a loud whine from her. Dragging my hands across her neck, her frill-like spine slipping across my fingers, making her purr. The vibrations of her purrs made her spines rattle. "I got training to go to."

  Aurum's feeling flowed into me. She didn't like that. But I couldn't have told her when she slammed her head down onto my chest. Then a soft voice echoed into my head.

  "William, stay."

  I gave Aurum a bright smile. "But I can't stay. Markus is going to train me today himself." Pushing her massive head off of me, a wave of sadness flowed into me. "Don't be like that, Aurum." I could sense her disappointment and loneliness as she wobbled out of the room, knocking things over in the process, out of spite and a desire for more attention.

  I shook my head, remembering that Aurum is still a child, while I got out of bed. Reaching for a nearby dresser, I pulled out a black long-sleeve shirt with red dash marks down the center, a shirt that reminded me of my past and the adventures I had with my father. Along with it, I found black pants and a second pair of boots, in addition to the ones I originally had—just simple leather boots. He got me these clothes after he found this apartment.

  The apartment was a temporary stay for Adventurers. The more expensive ones are much larger and designed explicitly for Adventurers to live in if they so desire. My father got this place for me, him, Dimmal, and Aurum.

  Aurum was written down as a family pet, which she took as an insult and almost attacked my father.

  It was odd, knowing Dimmal would be staying with us. Him being a lord. Or ex-lord. It left me both bewildered and excited. He could help me become a Dragon Knight. It still felt wrong with him not being a Dragon Lord.

  Barren could help Dimmal out since they were close.

  Aurum's thoughts and feelings flooded my head, conveying words for me to understand. Each time she does it, her feelings and voice become clearer, like trying to see through mist or fog that has faded over time. Now I can fully understand what she is trying to say.

  "Father and friend… Gwyn and Dimmal.... Gone… Went to see God Man…."

  Aurum's voice was soft and gentle, yet unclear. Father and friend gone was most definitely about my father and Dimmal. I focused on Aurum and tried to reach out to her.

  "God Man?"

  The moment my thoughts, I would assume, were sent, images flowed into my head from Aurum. Visions flooded into me, sending pain in waves into my head like a knife was being stabbed into me. Gritting my teeth, I held back the pain while images played in my head. Images that weren't my own. Images of a person.

  It was a Markus.

  Shit! Markus was supposed to train me behind the Guild at the Training Square.

  Without grabbing hold of the rest of my stuff, I took off running towards the door. Aurum, however, moved in front of me, making me fall over her. I let out a loud grunt when I made contact with the wooden floor. "Really, Aurum?" She responded with the equivalent of a giggle. It was just another obstacle in my path, a reminder of the challenges I had to overcome.

  Standing back up on my feet, I managed myself to the door and left—Aurum behind me.

  Dashing out into the hallway, I made my way towards the stairs. Aurum's feet shook the ground while chasing after me. Soon she pushed past me, knocking over things in the process, as we sped down the stairs. Before we knew, we were downstairs in the lobby, then out the door, paying no heed to what was around.

  I was concerned about the people treating me harshly, but ever since yesterday, people at the Guild have spread my name around. Now no one looked at me harshly, much to my relief.

  The first person I saw as I headed out of the apartment building was a female lamia —a half-snake, half-human. Stopping for the moment, I took a moment to look at her.

  She had long black hair, pointy ears, and massive, long red tails for legs. On her tail was a bunch of bags she was carrying around. She was surprisingly beautiful —a unique sight and a reminder of the diversity that surrounded me.

  She was different from what I'm used to. Exotic, my father would say.

  It was only after she looked at me with her green, jaded eyes and gave me a soft smile that I realized I was staring. My cheeks went hot as I turned away.

  A part of me realized my mark. Putting my hand to the mark on my face, recalling the scorn I got immediately after. But I shoved those memories down. Everyone in Asgard has one.

  I shook my head and focused ahead, running towards the Guild. Aurum yelped along the way, leaving claw marks on the cobblestone ground. I can sense her emotions rushing into me. Soon, her voice flowed into my head, filled with energy from our running.

  "Blushing..."

  "Shut up," I yelled out, my face burning more now. I can't believe Aurum even noticed that. Aurum responded with a chuckle. Or what I would assume to be one from a dragon.

  I noticed Guards stood guard everywhere alongside a few adventurers, each with unique armor that matched the species they represented. Ever since news of the Blight spreading, Adventurers and Guards are now assigned to take watch and double security in every town and city to contain its spread.

  I even ran into one of the guards. Standing in their full metal-plated armor with two horns peaking out over their helmet. Took me by surprise.

  "Slow down their friend," the guard said.

  Without meeting a beat, I moved around him. "Sorry," I yelled as I ran off. I could already hear the guard sighing, calling me a kid.

  Soon, the Guild came into view. I ran behind the Guild towards the training yard. I saw a wooden fence surrounding a field filled with training dummies and wooden swords for archery target practice, a fighting arena, and a sitting area where people can watch and recover.

  Making my way over, I saw my father and Dimmal sitting close to the fighting arena. Next to them lay a familiar dark grey jacket, with a few items on top. If I recall, it looked like Markus's jacket.

  My father wore a simple black button-up tunic, a plain white shirt underneath, and surprisingly blue slacks, with his pointed leather shoes. He held onto his bow-staff, leaning on it as he chatted with Dimmal.

  Dimmal had a blue tunic on, but kept his dark navy leather armor padding. His silver shoulder plates still shine brightly, unlike the armor down his arm, which has lost some of its luster from combat. His leather belts dwindled to one, only keeping his scabbard and sword hooked on. His pants lost their armor, but he kept his armored boots, which had lost their luster from our constant days of running and battle.

  Aurum ran immediately to the group as my father called out. He ecstatically yells out." There you two are. Oh my goodness, Aurum, you got so big in a few days."

  Swinging his arms wide open, my father welcomed the squealing dragon. Aurum's mouth hung open with what could be a smile as she ran into his arms. Waves of excitement, joy, and happiness washed over me, making me break into a bright smile.

  "Took you all long enough," a voice rang over. My face falters, looking over to see Markus. He didn't have his chest plate like he used to, and he wore only a long-sleeve red shirt, bunched up on top of his utility belt, which held his black pants. He wore new coal black boots. But this time he wore a chain that went down into his shirt. "Nice tattoo. Looks good on you."

  I gasped quietly, moving my hand to caress my fingers, feeling a bit self-conscious about my mark.

  I don't look good with this on me.

  Soon, I realized Markus himself was approaching me, making me anxious. As much as I hated being formal to royalty, Markus was a god. A God of War. He is beyond the ideas of nobility. “Yes…. sorry…” I stuttered, not wanting to speak that way but not wanting to be rude. But here I am talking to God. I bowed towards Markus, "Please… Forgive me, my Lord. Liege. Highness." My mind raced, unsure how I should address him.

  "Oh yes.. Please.. Bow before me, my most loyal subject. Bask in my greatness." Markus gloated, exaggerating his speech and expression, extending his arms out into an over-the-top pose. Before I could respond, his gesture changed, looking more relaxed while waving me off. "Nah, don't worry about that high and mighty crap. I'm not a noble or a god. Talk to me how you like."

  I sighed in relief, giving a quick, small smile. "Right…. Markus….” His name felt odd on my tongue.

  Without question, Markus took my hand and shook it. "Nice to properly meet you without having politics or any other nonsense happening. I'm Markus. Many people know me as The Immortal God of War and one of Ryu's Disciples."

  "Disciples?" I asked.

  "Ya Ryu has a few disciples. There's me, the Demon Hunter Argus and Samuel the King of Sacrifice," Markus said, dragging me into the fighting arena. "So, Dimmal and your father got me up to speed on you. Magic Enhanced Body. Natural one at that." Markus spoke, sounding impressed. "Along with close mastery of Night Guard Form Three."

  Scoffs softly, feeling a bit uneasy, yet pleased to be praised by Markus. "I wouldn't say mastery."

  "Even so, how much do you know about that form?" Markus asked.

  The story has been taken without consent; if you see it on Amazon, report the incident.

  I was puzzled. I tilted my head slightly as I answered. "If I recall, it takes advantage of my body's unique condition."

  Markus laughed, tossing me a wooden sword. "Yes and no." His answer left me confused.

  I caught the sword as my father shouted. "Form Three is meant for constant skill use."

  "Wrong," Markus answered.

  My father looked baffled. He responded in his usual sarcastic fashion. "Then enlighten me good sir."

  Markus gave a massive smirk, throwing the wooden sword blade onto his shoulders. "Nightguard style is a basic fighting style for adventurers meant to set up for skill uses. Form-Three allows individuals to overcome opponents who would try to overpower them. The downside is that it requires constant skill used back to back. So much so that no one uses it unless they have a magical body. Or else they get backlash from overuse." Markus' words left me somewhat confused while he turned to my father. "But you knew that already."

  My father didn't look delighted. I have never seen a reaction like that before. Usually, when I would correct him, he would complain for a bit. Even Dimmal chuckled at him.

  Markus walked around me, kicking his feet out. "Skills unlike magic, require a lot more mana control and channeling combined, while magic is simply channeling and mana shaping. For skills, the better control one has, the more unique abilities one can do. I can show you…. Hit me."

  "What?" I asked, trying to process all Markus was saying, standing before me. "You want me to hit you?"

  "Humor me," Markus answered with a big grin. "No magic though."

  Looking over to my father and Dimmal, they gave me a look that told me to do as Markus said. Even Aurum's emotions flooded into me, saying to hit him.

  Grimacing slightly, I ready myself. Launching myself at Markus, I swung my sword directly at his head. With the sound of the wind from my swing, my sword connected and broke across his face with a loud snap.

  Markus stumbled back, sneering with a loud cry of pain while holding his head. "Fuck not that hard, punk."

  Guilt hit me, running over to Markus. "Shit, I didn't mean to hurt you." I didn't even hit him that hard. And I thought he could heal. Reaching out to him, my hand grabs his shoulder.

  Markus then miraculously turned to me, giving me this massive grin that annoyed the hell out of me. "Gotcha. Not a scratch." Markus explained, gesturing to his face.

  Is this guy for real?

  "Didn't think you would care so much?" Markus spurred on, making me scoff. My face flared red in embarrassment and annoyance. He took a step back. "Try again…." Markus ordered while fetching me another wooden sword.

  Taking the sword in hand, I was determined to wipe that look off his face.

  I'm going to hit him.

  Hard.

  Readying myself, I charged right back at him, channeling magic into the sword. I swung it across Markus's head. The ground cracked beneath us, rupturing the exact moment my attack collided with Markus's head. Pain shot up my arm while Markus didn't even flinch, but my wooden sword did. It broke

  Markus, for the moment, then blurred, moving out of my way. Looking around, I saw Markus behind me. I turn around to swing my broken blade, only for him to turn into a blur and vanish. Guessing he was behind me, I swung back around. Markus was ready for me, grabbing the broken part of the wood and breaking it.

  Before I could fight back, Markus flipped the sword around at me. My eyes widened when a sudden dark orange and black blade reformed on the handle and grew towards my throat, only stopping when it was about to touch.

  "This is what Form Three is," Markus said, his face furrowing at me. He was getting serious. "To allow one to keep up against those with overwhelming might. Through constant evading or boosts in personal strength and ability."

  Letting out a sigh, Markus's [Magic Blade] deformed, vanishing while he dropped the wooden handle to the ground. Markus, however, wasn't done lecturing me.

  "I only used three skills back to back: [Fortress], [Trickster], and [Magic Blade]. [Fortress] turns the body solid and transfers all the force of the attack into the ground. If the ground can hold the attack, [Fortress] will not waver. [Trickster] is the highest level of [Dash Skill] one can develop. It allows one to use [Dash] in any position at any angle in any direction."

  "It's also known as [Step Dance]," my father added.

  "[Trickster] and [Step Dance] are one of two different styles that are the same," Markus elaborated. "I like calling it [Trickster] because it's fun to trick your opponents."

  Dimmal chimed in, drawing my attention. "But in Drakelene, we call it [Step Dance]." His voice was clear-cut, even as he pets Aurum.

  "The last skill I used, [Magic Blade], is a simple blade formed out of mana." Markus's last words caught me.

  His [Magic Blade] wasn't normal. Or that's what I thought. I saw Dimmal use it once inside the Blight Nest, but the color and feeling were different. It sent a shiver down my back.

  I can still remember it. It's dark orange hue and how it took the form of a blade. It couldn't be normal.

  Markus' voice startled me. "All of these skills I used back-to-back. Most of the time, people would need a second or two, even a whole minute, to constantly use such skills."

  I scoffed loudly, glaring at Markus while he gave me this smug look, lecturing me like a child. "Ok, ok, ok, I get it," I shouted over Markus.

  My father raised his voice over Markus. "No, you don't. You should be able to use those skills. If not, skills similar to those, but you don't."

  I gritted my teeth, frustrated and annoyed that my father was joining in. I understood I could do them. But doing it constantly took a lot of concentration that I couldn't do, since I spent most of my time channeling magic more than anything else.

  Markus gave a loud laugh, unbothered by my father. "Easy now killa. Let's dial back to the source of the problem. That being your body. You know you have a "pure" magic body, yes?" Markus asked, using his fingers to quote the word pure.

  "Yes I guess," I answered.

  Then Markus leaned in, an even larger grin on his face. "Did you also know that you don't need to channel magic to use skills?"

  "What?" I stuttered.

  "What?" Dimmal blurted.

  "No… I can't use skills without having to focus my magic," I uttered at Markus in disbelief.

  Markus smiled brightly, stepping forward towards me. "No, your body is passively channeling mana for you without you having to do a thing. It's permanently ingrained into your body, allowing you to grow stronger, faster and more durable at a faster rate unlike other enhanced bodies. And unless you had a sense of mana control, channeling your mana to parts of your body to use a skill wouldn't help you." He explained.

  I didn't believe him. Why would I? I spent my whole life channeling my magic, my mana, throughout my body. The only times I stopped were when I slept or was trying to use a skill. Sure, at some point, I stopped having to channel at will. But I still had to channel mana elsewhere to use skills.

  "Ok, here," Markus gave up explaining with a light-hearted laugh. "I want you to punch my hand as hard as you can."

  "Really?" I asked.

  "Yes really," Markus answered, wiggling his eyebrows.

  Markus stood in front of me, one arm behind his back, while the other was in front of me with an open palm. He stood ready to receive my punch. I figured he meant with no mana.

  I readied myself, reeled my arm back, and threw it with all I had. I felt my muscles tense as I threw my fist forward. The moment my hand came into contact, a loud slap sound boomed over my ears. But nothing happened. Markus didn't even flinch. His hand was perfectly still, not even moving.

  Looking up at Markus, he gave me a chuckle. "Now try hitting me with magic."

  Furrowing at him, I got back into position again and started channeling magic to my fist as I reeled it back. I felt the warmth of my magic flowing into my fist. Embracing the feeling, I held it there, letting it build pressure in my fist, tightening.

  When I was ready, I launched my fist at his palm. A loud slap boomed over my ears once more. But Markus looked unfazed. He didn't even budge. Disbelief swept over me as I tried to process what had just happened. From all the strength and feats I did back in Hearthglen, there was no difference.. I didn't understand...

  My father thumped my arm. "There is no difference when you punch him before or after. Your body is already channeling it for you."

  But when? When did this start?

  Wait? If my father knew? Why didn't he tell me?

  "You knew?" I asked, irritated and confused.

  My father gave me his somewhat childish smile. "Somewhat."

  Anger began to rise in me. "Why didn't you tell me?" I demanded.

  All I got was a simple shrug from my father. "Didn't feel that you needed to know."

  Now I was mad. I pushed my father back, my brows furrowed, grimacing over his answer. He always does this.

  Always hiding things.

  Like how he didn't tell me about magic bodies during our trip here. Or about the Blight. Or like how he was an S-rank adventurer.

  That's when it hit me. Why did my father settle down in Drakelene of all places? He still worked with the Guild there, but they paid poorly. Why live somewhere where we would be poor despite his reputation? This infuriates me more.

  Before I could do anything, Markus immediately grabbed me and pulled me out of the arena and towards a practice dummy. "Ok, ok, ok, enough of family time. Over here. You see that. I want you to [Dash] at it. No magic, just focus on dashing towards it."

  I looked at Markus with a raised brow, my anger fading. "Seriously."

  "Yes," Markus responded.

  Scoffing at Markus, I felt Aurum's emotions flowing into words of encouragement to listen. Sighing loudly, I turned back to the practice dummy. Bending my legs slightly, I ready myself to "[Dash]" at the dummy.

  Pressing down on the ground, I leaped forward. But barely made it far.

  Markus immediately spoke. "Nope, that's not…"

  "Stop." My father interrupted. He made his way over to me, looking annoyed and pissed. Standing next to me, he pointed at the dummy. "Picture that dummy as one of the Blight Fiends. That Fiend is about to kill your friend Bide. Stop it."

  Eyeing my father in disbelief, I remain silent but annoyed. I hate how bossy he can be.

  Readying my stance, I focused on the dummy. I imagined it as the Fiend. Remember the dislodged limbs, the grotesque face, how it deforms the body, and twisted bone-like appendages erupt out of areas where those bones don't belong. How the stomach would be ripped open, and a newly formed mouth would be there on a few of them. The blackish veins that protrude both inside and out of the body.

  The pain, the horror, the disgust. Then I saw it. Bide is lying on the ground beneath it. His navy blue hair, now covered in blood and grime, while his clothes, just like his father's in design, were tattered. Anger filled me with such thoughts.

  The idea of Bide dying in front of me. Then I remember everyone else. How the elderly woman died in front of me. Her last words were about her granddaughter. The kid I saved from falling debris. The kids at the schoolhouse. All the people that I couldn't help or save.

  I couldn't allow that. I must not allow it.

  My calves tightened, my thighs flexed painfully, as I felt a warmth flow through me. Through my legs as they flexed, tightened, pulled, and released. I leapt towards the dummy once more, but everything started to blur. Vision sank inward, similar to tunnel vision. Pain struck through my chest while I slammed into the dummy, crashing immediately. Wood flew everywhere. My body crashed onto the floor with the dummy pieces all disarrayed on the floor. Pain radiated around my chest.

  Dust ran up my nose and mouth while I inhaled, making me cough roughly. After a few rough coughs, I got hold of my bearings. Pressing my hand onto the ground, I pushed myself up as soon as Markus and my father ran over. I soon heard Markus yelling. "Not that much you idiot."

  My father's hand wrapped around my arm, holding me up. "There you go," he chuckled. "You overdid it." He let go of my arm, dusting me off.

  I scoffed loudly, pushing him away in annoyance for treating me like a child. Markus got close to me, gesturing to the dummy that lay on the ground. "See what I mean. Your body and mana are linked, working together in sync. You don't need to channel actively anymore."

  Shaking off the dust that was on me, I stared back up at Markus. I was bewildered. I've never tried using my magic this way. I'm curious why I never had it in the first place.

  My father left the arena to rejoin Aurum and Dimmal. Almost looking like he had nothing left to contribute.

  Markus gestured me back over to the arena. Following along, I stood in the center as he got another sword. "What we need to do is get you used to it."

  I nodded, but before I could answer, Markus swung at me. I didn't have time to think, barely able to move out of the way.

  "Too slow," Markus yelled.

  Markus launched another attack. I stepped back in time to avoid his sword. He followed up with another attack, swinging horizontally at my chest. Ducking down in time, Markus didn't stop. He had me moving around. I dodged constantly; each attack he sent was faster than the first.

  "Take steps, not leaps or dashes. As if you're dancing." Markus' voice was far more serious than before. The once-relaxed look was now replaced with a focused stare. His eyes weren't like Dimmal 's, which stared like daggers.

  Taking Markus's advice, I side-stepped just as his sword came down in front of me. He followed up with another swipe. My heart raced with each step I took, especially when each attack got closer. I side-stepped again, though this time, Markus grazed my shirt.

  Concerned about my well-being, I tried to leap back, but then realized this was training. I need to step. Forcing myself to stand my ground, and with pure luck, I ducked under one of Markus's attacks, stepping behind him.

  "Good," Markus shouted, swinging a wide arc back towards me.

  I stepped back from the attack, only for fear to creep into me all of a sudden.

  No. It wasn't fear. It was as if I was worried about something.

  About me?

  Aurum!

  Aurum's emotions were flowing into me. I didn't realize she was watching me. She was concerned and worried. Her sudden emotions startled me; losing focus, I leapt back without thinking, evading another attack. Markus immediately dashed towards me, charging his shoulder into me.

  I gasped hard for oxygen, losing the air in my lungs from his shoulder charge. Stumbling backwards, Markus yelled. "If you're going to evade me like that, I'll just come right to you." Markus had a smile on his face.

  Catching a small amount of air, Markus spun, swinging his sword with him. The attack was so sudden that I fell onto my back. Dirt kicked up, fogging up the ground.

  Looking back up, his sword was at my throat. "Every day till your month is up, we’ll go through this, until you learn how to use your body more correctly than before. So you can start using magic just by willing it instead of focusing on it."

  I let out a grunt while he pulled me off the ground. I dusted off my clothes, looking at Aurum. Her feelings were gushing out into my head, enjoying the pets and scratches Dimmal was giving her. Her emotions put me at ease. Like whatever was plaguing me vanished.

  Taking the moment to relax, I turned to Markus, ready to begin with training. "I'm ready to keep going."

  Markus, however, shook his head. "Nope, not yet. I still have gifts to give you. Let's head to the Guild and start doing a simple quest and get you more practical training than simply beating you up." Markus bellowed out in delight.

  "I wouldn't lose to you," I retorted. I didn't like Markus underestimating me.

  My father howled at me, Dimmal moving towards the Guild. "Will, he is a lot better with the sword than me. He will demolish you very easily."

  I remained silent. I wanted to argue or even talk back, but I kept quiet.

  Markus just gave me a smug look, then moved towards the table. Grabbing his jacket, I stared at his back and saw a red crown embedded there, the tips reaching up to Markus's neck and shoulders. Turning back around to me, Markus smiled. "Let's kill some goblins."

  "Goblins?"