Familiar pain shoots through my body, like it is simultaneously being burned at the stake and ripped in half.
It is only half the sensation, though, but how could Rider and Lady Stonewall handle this sensation? Let alone master Lythander; he didn't have the liberty of drugs and technique that he pioneered to curb the pain
The lycanis rebirth changed me, made use of my curse. I train and train to make it up to all those who have helped me.
Unintentionally, a low hum of a song escapes me
I can still practically feel the stitches that hold me together now. Though I can now feel the warmth of healing magic to aid in the recovery, it is still numb to what it could and probably is.
Each incision is an itchy numbness and pain that cannot be subsided without the natural healing of time.
But that will have to wait, for that is the third and final trial of my infancy
The ranger corp welcomed me when I fell on their doorstep, orphan made twice over
But no path calls to me, though there are many
I whisper to the runes of change, but their call never comes
The shadows of thievery painted on my flesh never open their eyes
I call to my new blood, to awaken the beast of mutation, but its flesh rejects my own
I call to the humming of magic, but the sorcerous arts are still but a mystery to me
Not even my brethren call to me in the night, singing joyous songs of fraternity
But I must do better, for those who have come before and those who will; that is my oath. Even now as I skulk through the trees
My next passage is one of a gallant hunt; a competition, to catch the eye of those deemed masters of their craft for those unworthy and unclaimed
But all I can do is hum the familiar hymns my mother taught me, though it's the one thing I remember about her
Oh bright lord above, grant me this one wish
—————————————————————————————————————
I look upon the numerous shifting tapestries and the images of the recruits, projected by the corp's mages
There are only but ten candidates this year; about nine went through the lycanis rebirth, seven with the sorcerous augmentation on top of that.
"Those other three will not have a chance in the face of the others," I mumble under my breath
"Aye, but Aerin has skills with the equestrian; he will be of use for us in the stables." Speaks up Lenith, master of archery
"And Reivan bears the attitude of a shifter, I'll claim him and take him under my care." Talkright, master of shifting responds, his gaze drifting to his side, "You should have your hands full again with this woah-Lin, have fun." He continues, a smile directed at the woman next to him
"Why of course, I can actually handle it, unlike some of us…" She responds, not even looking at the man as she does
They continue their friendly arguments as they watch, but I can but stare at the top right tapestry
He crouches in a tree top, an arrow drawn and staring at one of the sorcerous recruit. His whole body is almost still, despite holding a fully drawn recurve for what feels like minutes
"And what about this kid, what's his face…" Talkright snaps his fingers as he thinks. "Shi! Kienan Shi, that's it! What about him?" He says
"Well," Lenith speaks, "He be good with a bow, but not great at it."
"Same deal with the blade, good control, but not very strong." The gruff voice of Marlin, master of blades, speaks up. "It seems he is not the best at any of our trades."
"And he was born with the curse, so I may not have use for him among the sorcerers." Woah-Lin adds
"I guess we found the one that washes out!" Talkright says with a loud bellow, "And just what is that? Is that singing I hear? If you're going to try to be stealthy, might as well be quiet about it!"
Then the familiar chill runs down our backs as heavy stomps enter the room
A deep, gravely voice speaks out of the darkness
"I wouldn't be so sure about that." The large, shaggy form of a wolf-like man walks into the light
Chains around his arms clack against each other as they seem to ripple against the ragged grey cloth of his clothes
The room drops into a bow as he speaks
"Grand master Lythander, I was just thinking of the same thing." I say, getting looks from my cohorts
"He reminds me of someone, and you all should see it too." Master Lythander says with a grimace
"I was afraid of that," I mutter under my breath
"Just what in the hells do you mean Pyrin? All he's done is sit there, just what-"
But before he can finish, a loud Thwak! Sounds through the room
Through the cloth, Shi releases his arrow, it's head burrowing deep into the young sorcerer's shoulder, letting out a loud cry
Shi drops down from the tree, unsheathing his sword with a metallic Slisk!
He slices a gash on his palm, running it against his blade and coating it in a thin sheen of his blood, a dark mixture of purple, maroon, and black
The young sorcerer scrambles back up to his feet before muttering an incantation
A fireball forms in his palm, chucking it at Shi
Right before it lands, Shi slices it in two, the fire sputtering out. The blood painted on the blade glowing a faint blue as he does
He cuts it into the young sorcerer's side, stopping until it cuts deeper into his side. He readjusts his grip, twisting it with a grimace. The young sorcerer sprawls onto the ground
Before he is able to fall onto the ground, Shi drives his knee into the kid's face, sending his already weak body limp
The kid is still, but alive
Most of the audience just stares quietly, shocked
All his moves were smooth and deliberate, without seemingly an ounce of hesitation
"He could of done it less painfully, but nothing dibilitating," I mutter once again
After a little bit of silence, Master Lythander motions for a sorcerer on the side of the room to come to him
The sorcerer hands him a stone, that crackles a little as he grabs it
His voice echoes from the tapestry
But I don't stay to hear his words, for I already know what he will say. I have an idea for that boy and his voice
"Kienan Shi, you may leave the trial area; you have succeeded. Report to Pyrin Quinth, master of tactics in the morning."