The Light In the Darkness- A Torchbearer Fanfic

Chapter 2

Matthias could feel the heat from the forge as he walked into it, looking around at the various tools on the wall. He went to touch one of the tools, not hearing the footsteps behind him.

"Hey!" A deep voice made Matthias jump and turn to look at it. "I wouldn't touch that, it's still warm." He said.

"Sorry," Matthias replied sheepishly. "Are you the one in charge?" He asked, fiddling with his sleeves a bit as he stared at the tall, burly man.

"Maybe, what do you want?" The man asked, cleaning his hands with a rag. "The bishops send you?" He narrowed his eyes.

The bishops? Matthias furrowed his brow. "What? No, I want to be an apprentice." He said.

The man grunted. "Skinny guy like you?" He asked, a laugh rumbling out of his throat. "Get lost, kid." He turned around.

"Wait!" Matthias pulled out an emblem he had made. "I brought this with me."

The blacksmith studied the emblem, recognition sparking in his eyes as he slowly took it from Matthias. He ran a calloused thumb over its surface, muttering something under his breath. "You know, it's not just anyone I'd take on, and this..." He gestured to the emblem. "It means something, but it doesn't mean you're ready to take the heat of a forge."

Matthias nodded, his gaze unwavering. "I know, sir. But I have more to me than this symbol. I'm ready to work until my arms are numb, to learn until I get it right. I know what the fire demands."

The blacksmith eyed him for a long moment, then chuckled, a rough sound like a blade grinding against stone. "A stubborn one, eh? Alright, lad. Show me what you've got. Tomorrow morning, first light. Don't make me regret it."

Matthias grinned, turning around and heading towards the weaver district. He was going to be a blacksmith. As he made his way through the blacksmith district, he saw the heavy wooden doors of the Inner Wall open.

A tall vulture-like creature stepped out out of the walls, and Matthias stared at the creature with wide eyes. What was that thing? He sucked in a breath when the creature locked eyes with him, tilting his head. He remembered hearing stories of this creature, and he was absolutely terrified of this thing. He could see beads hanging off the creature's feathers, and there was... a pull towards it.

"Matt!" Alina's voice pulled him out of his trace, and he turned towards Alina as she walked over to him. "How did it go?" She asked, looking up at him.

"I'm a blacksmith apprentice," Matthias murmured, smiling happily at Alina. He hugged her tightly when she jumped into his arms, and he held her close.

"Matthias that's so wonderful!" Alina said as Matthias put her down. "I got into the Weaver's Guild! We're going to be artisans!" She did a little spin, and Matthias stared at her with adoring eyes.

"I'm so proud of you." Matthias told Alina. "Come on, let's get something from the Marketplace." He offered his hand to her, and she took it, and he began to lead her towards the Marketplace.

When the two of them had left the city, the sun was beginning to set. Matthias looked over at the sunset with a small smile. He wished he could stay out here forever, especially with Alina by his side. He heard his horse snort a bit, ears perked, and Matthias turned his head, sensing Smokefall's anxiousness. He began to pick up the pace, motioning for Alina to follow him.

"Matt, what is it?" Alina asked in a hushed tone, looking around nervously. She could sense his unease.

Matthias glanced over at Alina. "Smokefall is nervous." He replied in a hushed tone. It was then that Smokefall suddenly reared up, and Matthias fell flat on his back, the wind knocked out of him. Suddenly, he was met with two yellow eyes peering at him through the brush. "Alina, go get help." Matthias told her.

"I'm not leaving you!" Alina exclaimed, even though her horse was backing up and snorting in anxiety.

"Alina go!" Matthias yelled as the creature burst from the brush, forcing Matthias to roll away from it. He whipped out his dagger, watching as the creature stared at him with hungry eyes.

Alina forced her horse to sprint away, but she turned to look back at him one time before she forced herself to pull her attention away from him. Matthias got up, twirling his dagger as he and the creature circled each other. He began to mutter a prayer in Korean, praying whatever god who could hear him would listen. This creature was massive, and it looked starved.

The creature roared and lunged forward, and Matthias ducked under it, lodging his dagger in the creature's side. The creature ripped away from him, forcing Matthias to let go of his dagger. His eyes widened as a low rumbling laugh came out of the monster's throat. Dear God... The creature slammed him into a tree, and Matthias let out a yell of pain, his vision spinning. He tried to get up, but the spinning world wouldn't let him. The creature turned to Smokefall, who was rearing up and panicking.

Matthias forced himself up, grabbing onto the tree for support. "HEY!" He yelled at the monster, who turned to face him, baring his teeth at him. "Keep your paws off my horse." He staggered forward, picking up his dagger that the creature had ripped out of its pelt.

"You reek of ammonia and rust." The creature spoke, snorting as it shook out its pelt, slowly creeping towards him. "Yet, you are not one of us, Blacksmith."

Matthias swallowed thickly. This thing was a bishop. He took a few steps back as the bishop snapped his teeth at him. He clutched onto his dagger, his knuckles turning pale as the bishop eyed the dagger.

"Now, this was a good chat, but I am hungry." The bishop said, and before Matthias could act, the creature leapt onto him, clawing at his skin.

Matthias let out a yelled pain, jamming his dagger into the bishop's throat, causing the creature to flinch and back up away from him. Matthias began to haul himself backwards, leaving a blood trail as the bishop slowly turned to look at him, the dagger jutting out of the bishop's neck. The bishop grabbed Matthias' ankle, pulling him closer so Matthias was in the bishop's face. Matthias weak hit against the creature's face as the creature slapped his hand away. The creature was about to clamp his teeth down on Matthias' face when an arrow nailed it in the side.

Matthias' vision began to blacken, and he could hear muffled, distorted voices as Alina slid to her knees next to him. He gave her a weak, bloody smile before his eyes closed and he found himself falling into the void.