The Fallen Fragments

Chapter 1: The beginnings of a Tale

Image above is the blacksmith.

Chapter One: The Beginnings of a Tale

Five years ago - May 8th
Year - 865
Location - IsleStream Square

An arrow whizzed by, followed by a narrow dodge as it buried itself into a nearby trunk of an oak. "Devdan! Such pity! That was SO close! But... You still didn't get me!", a young boy laughed. This is the beginning of his story, and his name is Leon.

As a young boy, he grew up in the village IsleStream, a humble town located in the Tribe land founded by the Divine goddess, Lady Aria. His parents had died when Leon was almost a month old, they died of an unknown cause, some refuse to tell him, and many are uncertain if they had even died or not. Ever since they passed away, the young infant was sent to be raised by his uncle and aunt. At the age of 12, he was trained and handpicked by the master of assassins who went by the name Thunderstreak. Or at least that was what he has referred to as. It was his title. Only those of the highest ranking knew what was behind that cold mask of his. Those were, Leon, King Alaban, and his other three graduated well-known apprentices. His real name is Devdan Mallor.

"Weren't you the one who told me to practice more? Protect your title, master of assassins," Leon taunted while narrowly dodging flying daggers, "Or I will steal it!", he teased.
"Leon you've gotten better when I was away." Devdan grunted, "Do you still do those exercises I told you to do?"

The boy froze, these tiny practice additions were something that slipped his mind often. "Oops... I forgot! I-I mean I t-totally did it!" Devdan turned his head sharply and stared at him. He had such a forgetful mind, but this was to be expected of such youth. The boy unfroze and ran off laughing from the annoyed man. Devdan shook his head but followed the fifteen-year-old anyways.
It was around his age that people acted so carefree. To Leon, it was normal to cause mischief and start exploring the world. He was quite unique. That was certain.

They made their way through the quiet streets and headed for the market just out of town. Villagers quickly got out of their way, acting as if they had forgotten something while barging into the nearest door and house they could find.

It was strange how the villagers acted around this boy. A mere child, just another face in the crowd of people. Yet they would treat him as if he was something else. As if they knew that something was wrong. Devdan noticed this. At first glance he could see this boy's future blossom into success, he was most certainly gifted. He just needed someone to aid him. It was as if Arwin himself had blessed him with such a fine apprentice.

So, being a high ranked position to the King, gave him the permission to train a group of his own. The assassins, an agency-like army loyal to their village, the agency was quite mysterious, they worked in the shadows and were rarely seen out in broad daylight. Nobody could trust them, not with the assassin's master still alive and breathing. Devdan had high respects from the king and the villagers.

"What do we need to get again?" Leon asked Devdan, he was quite forgetful. It was a trait Devdan was not fond of. If Leon were to ever fight on the battlefield, a forgetful mind like his would prove useless. "Some bandages. Especially if you want me to bring you along with me on missions, medical supplies are extremely important...", Devdan refreshed as he blabbed on and on nonstop about supplies.

Devdan was one with strict priorities. A second off schedule would send the man seething with disappointment and rage. Yet it seemed that he had a soft spot for Leon. Their relationship, a strong bond, a superior and his subordinate, was equivalent to that of a father and son. He was quite intimidating, it would be a rare sight to ever catch Devdan out of character. He would hardly ever get flustered or embarrassed, though Leon had yet to see his true colours.