No Hero (Graded)
Posted: Thu Jan 03, 2019 4:21 am
86th Zi'da
Bumps covered the road as the cart rode along them, five men tasked with bringing the Ithecal back to the safety of Rharne. Varlum's injuries had healed massively compared to when it had happened but the pain was still prominent. It didn't phase Varlum all that much, not really. Not when his mind was fixated elsewhere. Somewhere out there was a Lightning Knight that was ready to slaughter every Aukari he saw, so powerful and strong that a small army couldn't stop him. Nobody was safe when he was around, yet Varlum knew there was nothing he could do to stop him. Not now. His own Hone had only been given to him recently before he had to leave. Even his Defiance was far too weak to deal with a man of that power.
As they walked the men were all silent, each trial bringing the same painful silence until they decided to stop to eat or rest. Most didn't want to bring up what had happened to Varlum, all of them having lost friends. But none of them blamed the Ithecal, hence why the elder had chosen them for the mission. All Varlum needed was a safe passage without any blame on shoulders that were already carrying the world and then some. Every life that had been lost was because he was too weak. It was him that had signed up to become a soldier, not anyone else. Just him. Which meant it was his job to protect the others - a job he had failed to do.
It wasn't sadness that the Ithecal felt more than anger. Moping never got anyone to where they wanted to be, not in his experience. But the burning anger he felt inside was a drive to do more. Every day he felt anger was a day he could train just that much harder, as he had been. Even though he had to take it easy the Ithecal was pushing himself to his limits. Nothing would stop him from his work now, sitting and stewing in this kind of hatred would be bad for everyone involved. Besides, Varlum never much liked sitting idly by. Whenever he had free time he found himself training in some way, be it exercising or practising with his axe.
"Stop here, we can rest at this tavern for the night" the Aukari had said. After Varlum had saved his life the man was persistent that he had to be a part of escorting Varlum home safely, it was the least he figured he could do. Varlum's current state was for the sake of the Aukari after all, anyone else would have just handed over the man. He was just a barkeep after all, nobody really cared much for him aside from his friends. Even they would debate selling him out for their own sake. But Varlum hadn't. His resolve had never been broken, his willpower never once faltering even when a building had collapsed on him. Nothing mattered but that to the Aukari, not until his debt had been paid.
As they approached the tavern Varlum glanced up, new axe at his side as he leaned back on the cart. Sitting up straight was painful. It didn't matter much with his height anyway, even slouched he would appear towering to most people. It was a fact that he had grown used to over the Arcs, he would near to always be taller than the world around him. For most that meant he was intimidating, someone to fear or avoid at all costs. Others saw the potential and flare inside of him. Very few saw much more than that. Varlum had never really understood why a man like him got that kind of attention, size or not. He was a powerful man, sure, but that didn't define him to anyone that knew him. Not really. Maybe it was the teeth.
Slowly, Varlum brought himself to his feet once the cart had stopped. Immediately he placed the axe on his back, nodding to the Aukari that gave the same concerned look as before. It wasn't that Varlum didn't appreciate the care in anyway, he did massively. But after everything that had happened with Kane it was hard to feel much inside but a burning anger and a deep regret. One of the few places he had felt safe was the only place he had been attacked. No Aukari had come for them, none of the big battles he expected. Only the companion he had travelled and trained with, a man he began to call a friend. Betrayal wasn't a feeling Varlum was used to, nor was it one that he wanted to become familiar with.
Once the axe was on his back the Ithecal made his way in to the tavern, a small limp in his step as he walked through the big doors. While it still required the man to duck the ceiling was at least high enough. Perhaps Varlum hadn't been the only Ithecal in this place. Some shady, quiet patrons sat at the different stalls and talked while two louder men waited at the bar for another round of drinks. Judging from the spell of piss and alcohol they were getting closer to Rharne, at least it felt that way. Varlum had begun to lose track of time as they rode. It felt like a slow journey when there was so little to do for a man of his talents, especially with the pain in his body. But at least he was closer to recovery now. That meant some level of movement was possible.
"W-welcome" the man behind the bar said, almost hesitant as Varlum walked through with the Aukari at his side. Of course, whether the man had seen Ithecal or not didn't much prepare him for Varlum. Scars coated thick scales, smouldering axe rested on his back and large teeth were ready to bite at any moment. At least that was what the human in front of him saw. If only he knew. It wasn't like Varlum to be bothered by it normally, being seen as a threat to people. But with everything that happened recently it was hard not to. Saving villages from Aukari, being thrown through a building and risking his life didn't matter when just the sight of you made people fearful.
"Relax, we're just here for a room, or a stable if you don't have any big enough. Either works" the Aukari said with a small roll of his eyes, walking to the bar. Varlum slowly limped up against a pillar, leaning on it for support as the others found out what they could buy with the gold they had and keep sustained. It was usually better to try and get some food but sleep in the barn, yet the constant strain on Varlum of being in a cart was taking a toll on the man. It was hard to sleep and recover when the surface under you was solid wood with little comfort.
As the Aukari spoke with the man behind the bar one of the two drunkards stood up confidently, chest puffing out a little as he approached the Ithecal. It took everything he had not to snarl at the sight of it. Seeing men like this in bars had become a regular occurrence for a man of his size. It was like the men felt the need to prove their worth by seeing if they could hurt an Ithecal that towered over them. As soon as he saw it Varlum felt a tension building up inside of him, the drunkard standing strong. "Oi. You. Snake boy. Tell me, whatchu doin with a leg jacked all up like tha' then? Got in a fight with dem other gators?" he asked, a mix of amused at his own wit and impressed by his ability to form complete sentences. Varlum wasn't amused by either.
Slowly, Varlum stood himself up a little straighter, a snarl leaving his mouth as most of the bar glanced over. "Fuck. Off." he growled through bared fangs, sharp and prominent teeth threatening the stranger. Now was in no way a good time. Yet the man just laughed and stumbled back a small step, eyes sharpening at the sight of Varlum. It wasn't hard to see that he was ready to swing, but Varlum was in no way good with a fist fight. Not enough to catch a punch. But the Ithecal didn't need to catch this punch, not if the man's swing as impacted by how drunk he was.
Before anyone could react the man swung his fist forward, aiming for Varlum's stomach. Varlum gave a small snarl as the weak man hit and planted itself against his stomach. Even with his injury Varlum felt near to nothing, the man doing little damage against him. Mostly, the Ithecal imagined, due to the alcohol. Varlum's giant hand suddenly wrapped around the smaller mans wrist, gripping tight and causing a small cry of pain as his mouth snarled angrily. "You lay another finger on me, touch me again, and I will crush your head with my bare hands."
Glancing up, Varlum saw the looks of fear and dread around the room, some from his own team. Immediately the Ithecal let go of the man, pushing him back against the floor. "We'll go to the next tavern" Varlum growled and limped towards the door, keeping his head low. With a nod from the Aukari the team that brought Varlum here immediately left, leaving a gold nel for the bar staff.
As they readied to move back on the road Varlum gave a small sigh, feeling the darkness come over him. He couldn't let Kane ruin him. Not like this.
Bumps covered the road as the cart rode along them, five men tasked with bringing the Ithecal back to the safety of Rharne. Varlum's injuries had healed massively compared to when it had happened but the pain was still prominent. It didn't phase Varlum all that much, not really. Not when his mind was fixated elsewhere. Somewhere out there was a Lightning Knight that was ready to slaughter every Aukari he saw, so powerful and strong that a small army couldn't stop him. Nobody was safe when he was around, yet Varlum knew there was nothing he could do to stop him. Not now. His own Hone had only been given to him recently before he had to leave. Even his Defiance was far too weak to deal with a man of that power.
As they walked the men were all silent, each trial bringing the same painful silence until they decided to stop to eat or rest. Most didn't want to bring up what had happened to Varlum, all of them having lost friends. But none of them blamed the Ithecal, hence why the elder had chosen them for the mission. All Varlum needed was a safe passage without any blame on shoulders that were already carrying the world and then some. Every life that had been lost was because he was too weak. It was him that had signed up to become a soldier, not anyone else. Just him. Which meant it was his job to protect the others - a job he had failed to do.
It wasn't sadness that the Ithecal felt more than anger. Moping never got anyone to where they wanted to be, not in his experience. But the burning anger he felt inside was a drive to do more. Every day he felt anger was a day he could train just that much harder, as he had been. Even though he had to take it easy the Ithecal was pushing himself to his limits. Nothing would stop him from his work now, sitting and stewing in this kind of hatred would be bad for everyone involved. Besides, Varlum never much liked sitting idly by. Whenever he had free time he found himself training in some way, be it exercising or practising with his axe.
"Stop here, we can rest at this tavern for the night" the Aukari had said. After Varlum had saved his life the man was persistent that he had to be a part of escorting Varlum home safely, it was the least he figured he could do. Varlum's current state was for the sake of the Aukari after all, anyone else would have just handed over the man. He was just a barkeep after all, nobody really cared much for him aside from his friends. Even they would debate selling him out for their own sake. But Varlum hadn't. His resolve had never been broken, his willpower never once faltering even when a building had collapsed on him. Nothing mattered but that to the Aukari, not until his debt had been paid.
As they approached the tavern Varlum glanced up, new axe at his side as he leaned back on the cart. Sitting up straight was painful. It didn't matter much with his height anyway, even slouched he would appear towering to most people. It was a fact that he had grown used to over the Arcs, he would near to always be taller than the world around him. For most that meant he was intimidating, someone to fear or avoid at all costs. Others saw the potential and flare inside of him. Very few saw much more than that. Varlum had never really understood why a man like him got that kind of attention, size or not. He was a powerful man, sure, but that didn't define him to anyone that knew him. Not really. Maybe it was the teeth.
Slowly, Varlum brought himself to his feet once the cart had stopped. Immediately he placed the axe on his back, nodding to the Aukari that gave the same concerned look as before. It wasn't that Varlum didn't appreciate the care in anyway, he did massively. But after everything that had happened with Kane it was hard to feel much inside but a burning anger and a deep regret. One of the few places he had felt safe was the only place he had been attacked. No Aukari had come for them, none of the big battles he expected. Only the companion he had travelled and trained with, a man he began to call a friend. Betrayal wasn't a feeling Varlum was used to, nor was it one that he wanted to become familiar with.
Once the axe was on his back the Ithecal made his way in to the tavern, a small limp in his step as he walked through the big doors. While it still required the man to duck the ceiling was at least high enough. Perhaps Varlum hadn't been the only Ithecal in this place. Some shady, quiet patrons sat at the different stalls and talked while two louder men waited at the bar for another round of drinks. Judging from the spell of piss and alcohol they were getting closer to Rharne, at least it felt that way. Varlum had begun to lose track of time as they rode. It felt like a slow journey when there was so little to do for a man of his talents, especially with the pain in his body. But at least he was closer to recovery now. That meant some level of movement was possible.
"W-welcome" the man behind the bar said, almost hesitant as Varlum walked through with the Aukari at his side. Of course, whether the man had seen Ithecal or not didn't much prepare him for Varlum. Scars coated thick scales, smouldering axe rested on his back and large teeth were ready to bite at any moment. At least that was what the human in front of him saw. If only he knew. It wasn't like Varlum to be bothered by it normally, being seen as a threat to people. But with everything that happened recently it was hard not to. Saving villages from Aukari, being thrown through a building and risking his life didn't matter when just the sight of you made people fearful.
"Relax, we're just here for a room, or a stable if you don't have any big enough. Either works" the Aukari said with a small roll of his eyes, walking to the bar. Varlum slowly limped up against a pillar, leaning on it for support as the others found out what they could buy with the gold they had and keep sustained. It was usually better to try and get some food but sleep in the barn, yet the constant strain on Varlum of being in a cart was taking a toll on the man. It was hard to sleep and recover when the surface under you was solid wood with little comfort.
As the Aukari spoke with the man behind the bar one of the two drunkards stood up confidently, chest puffing out a little as he approached the Ithecal. It took everything he had not to snarl at the sight of it. Seeing men like this in bars had become a regular occurrence for a man of his size. It was like the men felt the need to prove their worth by seeing if they could hurt an Ithecal that towered over them. As soon as he saw it Varlum felt a tension building up inside of him, the drunkard standing strong. "Oi. You. Snake boy. Tell me, whatchu doin with a leg jacked all up like tha' then? Got in a fight with dem other gators?" he asked, a mix of amused at his own wit and impressed by his ability to form complete sentences. Varlum wasn't amused by either.
Slowly, Varlum stood himself up a little straighter, a snarl leaving his mouth as most of the bar glanced over. "Fuck. Off." he growled through bared fangs, sharp and prominent teeth threatening the stranger. Now was in no way a good time. Yet the man just laughed and stumbled back a small step, eyes sharpening at the sight of Varlum. It wasn't hard to see that he was ready to swing, but Varlum was in no way good with a fist fight. Not enough to catch a punch. But the Ithecal didn't need to catch this punch, not if the man's swing as impacted by how drunk he was.
Before anyone could react the man swung his fist forward, aiming for Varlum's stomach. Varlum gave a small snarl as the weak man hit and planted itself against his stomach. Even with his injury Varlum felt near to nothing, the man doing little damage against him. Mostly, the Ithecal imagined, due to the alcohol. Varlum's giant hand suddenly wrapped around the smaller mans wrist, gripping tight and causing a small cry of pain as his mouth snarled angrily. "You lay another finger on me, touch me again, and I will crush your head with my bare hands."
Glancing up, Varlum saw the looks of fear and dread around the room, some from his own team. Immediately the Ithecal let go of the man, pushing him back against the floor. "We'll go to the next tavern" Varlum growled and limped towards the door, keeping his head low. With a nod from the Aukari the team that brought Varlum here immediately left, leaving a gold nel for the bar staff.
As they readied to move back on the road Varlum gave a small sigh, feeling the darkness come over him. He couldn't let Kane ruin him. Not like this.
Should've tried the stable first. Good thread, very fun to see a thread with so much detail and conflict despite there not being all that much externally going on. Enjoy your rewards!