Spark in Darkness: Unworldy encounter/Prototype

Spark 35: First assault

"I've finally found you." Panting slightly, Arthur said, peering into the entrance of a cave.

An aged man sat in the depths where the light did not reach, his legs crossed and his back upright. He remained silent, his eyes closed as Arthur walked towards him, and knelt on one knee.

"Please, teach me all the techniques of the Pendragon Noble Arts!"

The old man spoke slowly, without opening his eyes. "What if I say no, son of Uther Pendragon?"

"Please! I beg you! I need to know how to use them! I'll do anything!" Arthur pleaded.

"And why would you be so despearate? To fight the Nayshards? To be the greatest swordsman? To be the next king of Britonnia, after abadoning your title as the Prince of the nation, running away with your pathetic tail between your legs when the Nayshards attacked? What can a weakling like you possibly achieve?" The old man spat out his words, his peaceful face finally showing a strain of anger.

"True...I ran away when they attacked...but that was because I was weak then. I have been trying to train myself since then, getting strong enough to reclaim my land! But after the most recent war I realised my limits. I had not mastered all the Pendragon Noble Arts, so now I'm asking you to teach me, Lord Uncle Simon!"

"Hmm, to think you would address me as such after your father sent me into exile." The man got up slowly, picking up a broadsword from beside him. "Do you know why I was exiled?"

Arthur could feel an overwhelming pressure coming from the man who stood on his feet, a burly and tall man whose body had withstood the tides of time.

"It was because I was better than your father in terms of the Pendragon Noble Arts. The king of Britonnia had to be the best swordsman, to bring confidence to his men and have an unshakable hold on his position as leader of the people, and head of the knights." Arthur's uncle chuckled. "To think you would come all the way up the mountains to find me. You would have died, you know? The mountains here are unforgiving."

"But come here I must! If I'm scared of dying just because of some rocks, I won't stand a chance against the Nayshards!"

The old man stroke his beard. "I see you have seen how strong those evil beasts of the night can do. Your resolve is commendable, I will have to say. But this will not be easy."

"I am prepa---" Before Arthur could finish his sentence, he felt the rush of killing intent rushing his way, sharp a a blade. Instinctively, he drew Excalibur, and two swords clashed. Arthur pushed all his weight into the defense, and stood his ground. He had realised the techniques he had learnt relied solely on speed, and he understood through the bitter way it was not enough.

The old man grinned. "Let's see if you can keep up with the rest! But you're not allowed to use your Light! Just plain old sword skills, you and me!"

"You're on!" Arthur grinned.

***

The town of Nedmoor was supposed to be a trading town located at the outskirts of the Nedmoor Desert, a place for people to take a break before they enter or exit the desert. It was also a place for merchants to set up businesses to sell their goods, a link between the Capital which was just across the desert and the rest of the country over at this side.

It was renown for its simple yet practical architectural designs, with huge slabs of stones and cement to hold the buildings down on the barren ground of sand and rocks.

But what greeted the sight of Haruki and Rinya was not what Rinya had described the place to be. In front of them, after travelling for three days to reach the Town of Nedmoor, was a town with plants growing everywhere, from the sand to the crevices between stone slabs, from vine and bushes to thick trees. It was as though the whole place was like an abandoned town in the middle of a forest.