*Dorian Whitehall*
Dorian swung through the last dummy, clad in armor. "Right, that's the five hundred dummy you've cut through" Tiria tapped her chin, "So, I'll transport you back to the Realm of Man now", she smiled.
Dorian panting and out of breath for a minute, took a moment to reflect on what he just did. I just sliced through five hundred dummies like nothing, is it enough though, can I really kill a dragon with this power. Can I save Quinton?, or is he already dead. It felt a bit different too, like my ability changed based on the scenario. Did I work so hard for nothing, who's kidding, I didn't work hard. I simply, or my ability simply adapted to the environment. Dorian stepped back, slowly still exhausted and raised his blade, pointing it forward he gripped the hilt with two hands, his mana circulated the tip of it and he sliced up, imagining himself cutting the dragon's head clean off. The power, it courses through my veins like poison, corrupting me, sweet so sweet, hmmm, like honey. He stood there savouring the taste of mana mixed with blood, until he felt satisfied and then remembered. If I can learn, and continue to grow at this pace. I'll be unbeatable. "Tiria, I think my ability can switch between reality piercing and finding or forcibly making weak points in my opponents or anything for that matter."
"'Even the strongest of metals?'. That sounds a lot like the power of... no never mind, I shouldn't tell you", she mumbled in a quiet voice.
"Am I going back to face the dragon now, time moves differently here right, so how long has passed outside"?He was wiping sweat of his face with the back of his hand and smiling, trying to hide his growing annoyance. What does she need to keep me here for?, I already use my ability. It's not like I'm struggling, my friends need me, I must go.
"I hear you Dorian, and I understand your helplessness, so I'll allow your return. But you must promise me when the time is right, you will go and train under a primordial, tell them who sent you and they'll help you awaken further." She put her hand on his shoulder and squeezed it gently. "Dorian, you need to be careful though always prioritise yourself over others, you have an important role to play in the future".
She looked at the ground and closed her eyes. Dorian thought he saw a slight shake in her hand, for a moment, but then it was gone. "Go now and claim victory over your foe". The space began to dissipate and so did she, "I leave you this gift, a blade made of white essence of a dieing star, from my constellation when I was a child, it was moulded into this blade of steel, with the golden outline hilt and two elven heads". She paused for a moment and chuckled. "hmmmm, I guess it does look very weird now, but don't worry it will serve you well. Goodbye Dorian". She smiled before leaving entirely, and Dorian stood alone in the forest.
He gripped the blade tightly, he was now back in the 'dragon's den'. Blades have a name right, what should I call you? He turned it over a few times and felt how light and agile the blade was. White Knife, Bright Roar, Defiance, Dragons Bane, No, hmmm how about, Defiler, Ya that has a nice ring to it, 'Defiler'. He then stepped towards the nearest tree and proceeded to swing the blade through the bark of the trunk and then again and again, until the tree toppled over. Hmmmm, let's go, he smiled.
He gripped the blade and started running and dipping between trees, in hopes of dodging any branches. He hadn't gotten any physical stronger or faster which started to piss him off. He had worked for ages swinging back and forth but got no results.
He halted immediately then, and whipped round to see the dragon, standing no more than ten meters behind. It had snuck up on Dorian, as he had focused too much on what was racing through his head. I'm scared just so, he stumbled for the right words, I can't begin to know what I thought this was going to be like, as I believed it wasn't, this. Dangerous, the word spat from his mind like venom. I was a fool to think I could have won this previously, without mana. But now is my chance, to be a King, a Dragon Slayer, a.... he paused for a second. A Hero. The person I want to be. He fell into a defensive stance.
This is it, I can win. "Raaaaahhhhh" he screamed, mana began to flow from him causing leaves and dirt to fly up around him, he grabbed the sword with both hands and smiled, if I aim for the eyes, where the best opening is, I might be able to kill it. He lunged forward with all his might and, began to say the words. "Axial Resonance, Y axis!" He could see the point being formed on the dragon, the slot in his eye, that would weaken it enough for him to capitalise.
But why, why, why, why, am I crying, is it fear, am I scared of dying?, his voice was hesitant. Am I really, this pathetic? Tears streamed down his cheeks. But I trained hard, didn't I. I can win, I will save everyone because. Gone was his naive facade and born was the 'Goddesses Chosen Child'. I have to show them, I'm not some worthless lazy bastard of a King, I'm a man of unrelenting, determination and sacrifice. His anger was starting to build, "I can, I will, destroy this beast." His steps became heavy and each moment felt like an eternity. "I won't let Quinton or anyone else down". The dragon opened it's mouth and stared through his very soul. Just a few more steps and I can do it. His tears were gone and now all that was left was for the cold steel of 'Defiler' to slice through the dragon scales.
And so it did. In one fell swoop, Dorian with all his might carved through the dragon's eye and severed it's wretched head from it's body. Dorian Landed down beside it on his two feet. His head drooped low and the blood and guts that leaked from the severed head covered his body, but 'Defiler' still glistened through it all. Iam the thorn in fate's side. I am the man, who shall lead men to a new dawn.
"Dorian?", "Quinton?" Dorian spun round. To see Quinton not too far away, where he was left, "Your alive", "Barely", Dorian chuckled, it was good to know Quinton was safe and still humorous as ever. "You seem different" Quinton tilted his head sideways. "I...." Dorian trailed off.
Dorian, Tiria's voice was weak and timid, much quieter than before, barely even audible. Tiria, what's wrong. "Dorian?" Quinton questioned. "Not now" Dorian was in no mood to talk to Quinton, he wanted to figure out what was wrong with Tiria. I'm sorry but, this a true goodbye, forever, Tiria's voice had a hint of melancholy in it. But, you're immortal, you can't die?, he was surprised and nervous, how could she die? Your the reason I won, I might barely know you, but your my mentor, you changed me for the better, made me a man. You can't die? His voice was unsure. It's impossible. Nothing is impossible, not even me dieing, I used my mana, to awaken yours, but it was too little and too much, you can't sustain your mana and I used too much. I'm fading from reality. And I'm hopeless to stop it. She paused for a moment.
Do you have anything to tell me? Please don't, the naive sixteen year old boy, not a man. Was frightened. I need you, to train me, who will help me, mana or no mana. My dear, it's okay to be frightened, but please remember, what I told you. Travel east, far east, and train with a primordial. That way, you can change the imbalance in the world. Dorian looked at the ground, his tears, were never more present. I.... I..... I don't know. You do know, Dorian, you will do that for me. She waited for a response but none came. I'm sorry I couldn't give you the response you wanted. She paused, Goodbye, Dorian. No, wait, he reached out, even though he couldn't see her. She was gone.