TBATE - The Second Son

Chapter 11: Sparring

Augustus Leywin

Endless darkness blocked my vision from ever seeing past through this black scenery. My body is numb, I heard footsteps walking towards me slow and steady. The smell of dried blood filled the air like rotting flesh. I could hear a voice talking right in front of me, exuding great pressure.

It seems that I must've damaged my ears a bit too much since I'm unable to properly listen to the voice talking. I tried to muster up mana into my eyes but I cannot gather mana into my eyes...no, I can't gather any mana at all. Even if I try to gather ambient mana from the air, nothing at all. My core is drained, and I feel...ARGHH, my left arm was violently ripped out.

Soon followed my right arm which was chopped cleanly with a sharp blade. Devoid of anything to manipulate, I lay there writhing in pain and agony. No amount of physical suffering can amount to what I'm currently experiencing right now.

The person then stepped on my legs, violently crushing them with pure strength. I cried out in agony as tears welled up in my eyes. Exactly after crushing my legs, the person removed my blindfold, bringing light to my eyes. Yet I was unprepared for the horror I was about to comprehend.

My eyes saw a light all over where I'm facing. It was a dim red glow. What was scary wasn't the lights, it merely amplified the personification of horror standing in front of me. A silhouette of a person, pitch black., horns protruding out of its skull, eyes glowed fully red. Add to that the tremendous amount of pressure it's directing at me. It could only compare to a sleep paralysis demon where I'm also unable to move, but here I can't move even if I wanted to. I'm trapped with this monster with no possible escape, only hoping for its mercy. It soon conjured a brilliant white flame and pierced my chest.

WAKES UP

*Huff* *Huff*, I woke up with beads of sweat rolling down my face while gasping for air. A nightmare that was similar to the one I had when I awakened huh. Is this a premonition of what's t come? I walked up to the window while it was still dark out. Overlooking the scenery out the window while I contemplate the nightmare I had before and this new one. They both share similarities where I both die.

Shifting my thoughts onto the spar I have, I made preparations and predicted how dad would fight based on our previous training sessions. With him now being able to use the fire attribute, while I'm still stuck finding ways on how to fight with pure mana, I thought about using cheap tricks to win or to last long enough 'till my core is drained. Whatever the case, I'm at a disadvantage. I lose strength, speed, mana, stamina, and experience. What to do, despite all my planning and preparation, I find myself lacking in executing them.

Focusing on my core, it seems that it is advancing to the mid-red stage is quite near. With some more experience and refining, I might break through.

Minutes later

I made my way downstairs and to the training grounds where I'll be sparring with dad. Needless to say, the Helsteas watched over, making time off their busy schedule to watch a formal spar between me and my dad. I saw mom cradling little Ellie, looking over me with a worried look. I nodded and she also nodded, probably asking me to be careful.

Alice Leywin

'Please back out August, my son. You know your father is clumsy, he may hurt you accidentally if you give him a good time even when he's holding back, please!'

It seems that August himself misunderstood my look and thought I was encouraging him to be careful as he strode confidently to the center of the training grounds.

My husband gave me a thumbs up with a sweet smile, seemingly understanding my gaze.

*SIGH* I know this isn't going to end well so I'm going to reprimand him if he were to hurt my dear August.