Age of Strife Book 0: The Path of War

Chapter 4: Think on this Moment and Repent

 Walking through the outpost passing through crowds of people Hiryu is brought to what seems to be a tavern. Kazuma ushers him inside as he finds a table for them to sit, while Kazuma searches Hiryu looks around to see all sorts' conversations, merriment, and even games being played. "Hiryu, over there is a seat." Kazuma ushers once more as he brings Hiryu over. Settling down at a table Kazuma gets comfortable while Hiryu sits more upright, a barmaid walks over to their table and enthusiastically welcomes with "Kazuma! Welcome, who's this handsome fellow with you?" "Oh, Tanya this is my newest disciple to my school. Meet Hiryu!" Kazuma answers with pride. Tanya gives a light giggle in response before asking Hiryu "I see, well then to the new disciple what would you like?" Hiryu looks at Tanya and notes that her attire is fairly revealing as her dress consists of a knee-high skirt, a shirt with a few buttons loose, and of course an apron that covers her waist down. Hiryu uncertain is as to what to say given he is both taken aback by the woman's attitude and not knowing what to order. "The boy will have something soft whilst I will have the usual please." Kazuma answers in place. "Alrighty then, comin right up." Tanya marked down on a notepad, before leaving. Hiryu lets out a small sigh as Kazuma taking note of this jokes "Not a fan of meeting new people?" "A tad bit, yes. When you're stuck with the people you know for as long as I, you become somewhat wary of new people. Ah... no offense." Hiryu answers. Kazuma lets out a light laugh before saying "Hah, none taken. But you should prepare to meet new people as there will plenty at the school." Hiryu looks at Kazuma curiously. "I heard from earlier, a school?" "Yes school, I run a little business that teaches martial practices. You said you already know the basics, so it's a matter of building atop of it." Kazuma answers while Hiryu nods at the response before turns to look around tavern. He hadn't seen this many variety of people before, true he noted that the tavern could possibly hold more patrons but the people here are more than he's used to seeing. Adventurers, Mercenaries, Guards, and Traders all rubbing elbows in the same place, and each of them of different upbringings or stories. Hiryu was simply fascinated with amount of people that are different here than there was a difference with his kin. Soon this thought was interrupted by Tanya coming by with two mugs and placing them on the table. "Thank you Tanya, I believe this should cover it?" Kazuma says while giving three silver pieces. "Aww... not gonna stay for more drinks?" said Tanya. "No, no, no... I need to get this one to the school to begin his training." Kazuma says with feign sadness. "Aw well, thank you very much. Be sure to come back soon." Tanya says before turning to help other patrons. "But of course!" Kazuma yells out "Lovely girl she is, drink up Hiryu. The road will be long but this very well may be your first and last drink of that'll taste of something decent." Hiryu looks at his mug, and sees a brownish liquid with foam inside. Though wary of this drink he downed contents in one fell gulp, much to his surprise the taste belied appearance as it tasted it sweet. "Hmm... what is this?" Hiryu asks Kazuma. "I believe that was a cream brew, typically called a soft drink so there's no alcohol in there if that's what you're asking." Kazuma says before downing his drink. With a pleased howl Kazuma finishes his drink and slams the mug down on the table. "Hooo... That's the spot. Alright Hiryu, let's go we've bit of walk before we reach the school." As the two walk out the tavern they are greet by three large muscle-bound men, beside them are the vagabonds that Kazuma dispatched earlier. "This the guy, this old man?" one of the large men ask. "He seems to be harmless, how in hells did you get your ass kicked by this guy?" another asked. "Who's the younger guy?" the last asked. "Geh- Don't underestimate this guy! He's quick and tricky; the old bastard is a wolf in sheep's clothing!" One of the vagabonds yells. "Dear me, brought along some your friends youngster?" Kazuma jokes. "Listen old man, we heard telltale that you roughed our boys. Is that true?" the first large man asked. "Hmmmm... perhaps, your boys are rather unruly you know that?" Kazuma lightly chides. "Huh, so you did rough them up. I don't suppose you have payment for this transgression?" asked the large man. Kazuma shakes his head and the large man clicks his tongue disappointment before saying "Then we'll have take out of you by force then old man." Soon a right hook was coming to Kazuma but flawlessly he dodges it. "Hiryu, why don't you take the enforcer closest to you? I'll take their leader." Before he could even agree, a fist was coming to Hiryu forcing him to evade. With a handspring evasion Hiryu managed to put some distance between him and the enforcer. "You choose the wrong company to keep man. I'll give you this opportunity to turn tail and run." the Enforcer offers. Hiryu merely readying his sword and enters into a stance before answering "And let you beat down on the old man? That's pretty low, I'll pass." The enforcer cracks his neck before charging at Hiryu, evading the charge Hiryu takes advantage of the enforcer's back being exposed to him and lands a few slashes. These did nothing outwardly but have the large man swing his arms in response, causing Hiryu stagger from the force of the gorilla like arms. Riposting Hiryu's vulnerability the Enforcer throws a straight at him, and forces to drop his sword and throw him to the ground. Pressing his head into the ground the Enforcer taunts "Should've taken the offer to leave now cause now you're gonna pay the piper with that old man!" Hiryu desperately searches the ground for his sword begins to have his vision blur again, by instinct he grabs something and swings it at the Enforcer's head. The Enforcer let go of Hiryu to grab his head, allowing for Hiryu to kick him off and beat him down with his improvised weapon. With Kazuma he is easily dodging the leading Enforcer's attacks and redirecting the assisting Enforcer attacks. "Gah, stop dodging old man and pay for what you've done!" Wildly swinging at Kazuma the enforcers allowed for him to force the two to strike each other. With the enforcers staggered, Kazuma sweeps the leading enforcer to the ground and in quick succession knock out the assisting enforcer with his cane. Turning the cane to the leader, Kazuma says "Now... think on this moment and repent." before knocking him out. Looking to find Hiryu he sees that he is beating down on the enforcer before he is forced back. Anger being clear on the last enforcer's face he yells "Your dead, you dirty little-!" be he is able to finish he is interrupted by Hiryu punching in the face and sweeping to the ground, then Hiryu grabs him by his collar and begins pommeling him ruthlessly. Kazuma seeing this runs to Hiryu to stop him as he now beating the enforcer within an inch of his life, he grabs his right arm with great struggle as to stop the momentum. Hiryu looks at Kazuma with a frenzied look before seemingly calming down and then asking "Kazuma? Wai- what?" The Enforcer let's out a groan causing Hiryu to turn and see the face is bloodied and nearly mangled, Hiryu let's go of him shocked to the sight. Turning to look at Kazuma all Hiryu can utter is "I-... I don't-, I couldn't-... I..." Kazuma looks at Hiryu with a discerning eye as he has full attention on him, the only thing he could say was "Come with me, we'll discuss this at the school." With a quick stride Kazuma leaded Hiryu beyond the outpost, whereas at the outpost the people surrounded the vagabonds as they try and scramble to get their enforcers up.