My New Life in TBATE

Rewards for the Struggles

While I was knocked out I could see my core, and watched it in real time strip away the solid silver and take on its new shining bright Silver color. The man from the sword appeared again and congratulated me on a hard fought win over the Wyvern. He seemed especially happy at the killing of the Drake and the Wyvern compared to the rest of those beasts.

We sat together in silence meditating, focusing on the sword and I could motes of energy flow from the man and into me where it then traveled to the sword. More understanding of the sword entered my mind and I saw flashes of battles with the red haired man and other individuals. Sometimes even groups of people, wielding only a sword while they used different forms of magic alongside it. I felt inherent sword fighting experience pass through me as if I had been there myself.

The man's slashes became mine, and I could sharpness of his swings. While I needed wind mana or vibration to cut through materials, he was cutting through even stronger metals with just the sword. The only mana being sent to his body to reinforce it, and the sword left to be swung by his, now my hands. Right when I was about to kill the final enemy, I heard a cry from behind. As I turned I was stabbed by my opponent through the chest.

My eyes landed on a woman with deep black hair and bright blue eyes, I could feel tears stinging my eyes but I couldn't tell if it was mine or the man's body.

"Xaxses!! (zacksis)" came the strangled cry of the woman on the ground holding a baby in her arms. A heavy kick met my chest and sent me flying off the sword in my chest, hitting the ground i rolled with my sword in hand prepared to keep fighting. However everything went black and I was brought to where I was sitting with the man.

"That's enough for now." He said as he stood and started to fade back into particles floating towards the sword.

"Wait! Was that my mother? Are you my father? And your name is Xaxses?! I have too many questions!" The man didn't respond as he floated into the sword.

"All will be revealed when you are ready." Was the only response I got as I was brought out of my unconsciousness. Opening my eyes to see the domed. stalactite filled roof of the cavern. Tears of frustration flowed out of my eyes, as I replayed the images over and over. The questions that I asked the man, or rather Xaxses, continued to roll in my head. But the main think was the image of my mother, or I could only assume it was my mother.

She had the same bright blue eyes, and sleek black hair. Her face was just a more mature and feminine version of my own. A strange feeling welled in my chest and I didn't know whether to laugh, cry, or yell. I hadn't realized it but at some point someone had lifted me into a sitting position and was hugging me with great force. They were rubbing my back soothingly, and were whispering into my ear over and over.

"It's okay, you're safe now." It was a soft voice that I only could recognize to be Jasmine's. Of all people I was being comforted by Jasmine right now. Then I noticed my hair flowing down my back and not tied up inside the hood of my cloak. I immediately pulled away and brought my hands to my face ignoring the shock of Jasmine from my sudden movement. A huge sigh of relief came from me when I could feel the smooth texture of the mask beneath my fingers.

A hand landed on my shoulder and I met Jasmine's eyes.

"Thank you." Was all she said, but the emotion behind the words were more than I had ever seen her express. I gave a nod and began inspecting my body, seeing my bare arms and legs with bandages around them. Just to the side I could see my bloodied outfit with cuts along the pants, torso and arms. I hadn't realized I had sustained those wounds during the fight. Footsteps approach and it was Clara along with Krenshaw.

"Clara here removed your outer cloak to bandage your wounds since she didn't have enough mana to heal you. She couldn't remove your mask, but based off your reaction I think you're glad about that." Krenshaw was the one to speak while he had Clara firmly tucked into his shoulder, she meanwhile had a fierce blush as one hand rested on Krenshaw's chest and the other around his back.