I stared at Andrew in shock "Of course I'm human, Andrew, what's going on?" I asked concerned about his sanity "Bullshit, the first day you came to my home, I unlocked your magic your first spell was silent. That ain't human kid, today, you fired spells without using magic." He said venomously, my eyes widened I honestly thought he didn't notice it that day, and I never even once notice him follow me today, a foolish thought, to be honest Andrew was a hardened veteran with many years under his belt, time might have dulled his edge a bit but he wasn't an idiot. He held his blade in a stance and lunged towards me, unarmed no armor and against a man who's called the nightmare… this is gonna hurt.
Andrew lunged towards me and I ducked left the sword sliced my jacket but left me unharmed he tried again this time with a barrage of strikes which I dodged by luck and pure instinct, the attack left holes in my jacket and a shallow cut on my shoulder but I was more or less fine. "Andrew let's talk about this." I reasoned hopelessly, he ignored me and tried to sweep out my legs I jumped over his attack but failed to see his fist aiming for my ribs, the attack landed with a definite crack, I felt a rib snap under the force of the attack. I abandoned reasoning with him and activated my flames, I jumped back and felt my hands ignite, I shot a weak fireball at him not wanting to really hurt him. He dodged the attack narrowly so I sent a barrage of fireballs at him which he skillfully dodged.
I now decided to overwhelm him with a barrage of fireballs this time more similar to a wall he dropped his sword to the ground and bent backwards in an inhumanly manner, he contorted to this form with a resounding crack that echoed through the forest. "This guy dislocated his legs to avoid an attack like it's nothing and he's calling me not human" I said in shock and anger. Andrew closed the distance in a blink and slashed at me I ducked with the physical enhancement that came from activating my flames. He refused to give me any room to breathe and even with the boost from my flames I still couldn't find an opening in his defenses, I released a small explosion forcing him back, I jumped and released a burst of fire from my hands. Which he evaded rushing forward at me and slashing towards my head.
I moved my head back luckily missing the attack, I flipped back twice and stared at him, "Is that why you never taught me any real spells, always giving me laps and extra training?" I asked mainly to buy time to catch my breath. Andrew stopped "The first time, I thought you had no idea so I gave you a hard time to flush out what I THOUGHT possessed you so I'd follow you around waiting for it to come out" he said solemnly "But today, you proved that you knew what you are and kept it from everyone why?" he asked angrily "Well maybe, I was afraid that they were going to attack me in the middle of the woods trying to kill me" I said aggravated. He dashed at me again swinging wildly aiming at various vital areas. I jumped back to get some distance using fire to make sure he didn't close the distance.
I clutched my chest in pain, his attacks were fast, numerous and hard to counter, my chest was littered with cuts and some were deeper than others, my chest flared up in pain at every breath, my lungs felt like they were on fire, and burned as violently as the flames in my palms. Andrew seemingly had enough and brought out his blade again but this time he chanted "Grant me, the power you hold the power to obliterate, violent gale that destroys" I heard his chant and turned, I could barely keep up when he used swords alone, I don't know what spell he's using but if it's this long, then I don't want to be on the receiving end of it. I turned and took a few enhanced steps but "Seven Gale pressure slashes" he said ending his chant "Too late" I said in despair. I felt seven slashes on my back each unbearably painful, they felt as if each slash concealed hundreds of needles stabbed precisely into my back.
The attack was so violent it looked as if my back exploded with blood, I landed harshly with blood pouring out of my back. "That hit was fatal so don't even bother you have a few hours they will be your last" he said coldly with a hint of regret and left. I laid there silently bleeding out, it was unbearable both the pain, and the realization that it has barely been a year and it's over for me I never became the Grand-knight or even just a knight for that matter, my knighting exams were so close just twelve days away and it's over, because of a stupid arrogant mistake, I laid there as tears threatened to fall from my eyes. I took in a proper breath forgetting about keeping my breathing shallow and extending how long I had to live I believed it when Andrew said I had only a few hours left to live.
"NO WAY IN HELL" those words echoed through my mind cutting through my thoughts like a hot knife through butter, the thought spurred me into action I started by putting one hand in front of the other, 'Even if I had to crawl my way back I'll do it, I just need to reach the major path leading to the main gate and pray someone finds me and takes me to a healer" I said dragging my bloodied form with me every movement gave unbearable torture, but I kept on I didn't fear death, I feared dying here, when I still haven't achieved any of my goals. I was going to be the Grand-knight, wage and win wars, conquer realms and spread my influence through this world. I don't care if Andrew was right, if I'm not really human, but I sure ain't dying here.
I dragged myself a bit more until I saw the trees clear in front of me, I crawled faster as my legs were still too battered to use. I dragged myself to the middle of the road. Praying for at least one carriage or person to find me, I waited for thirty minutes, which turned to an hour, which turned to two. I long since had lost feeling in my limbs and all form of motor control, I expected to wait a bit but now I started to doubt whether anyone was even coming my vision started getting blurry and dark. I struggled to stay awake; but I couldn't keep my eyes from closing the sounds around me faded too, leaving me laying there lone with my pain, the pain surprisingly soothed me, it as unbearable agony yes, but it meant I was still alive.
Eventually, the pain I grew accustomed to left me as well leaving behind an overwhelming feeling of numbness, I couldn't tell if I was standing, sitting or dismembered. It was like that for a while until the pain returned but this time it was dull and sore rather than sharp and agonizing I felt myself on something rather soft, I forced my eyes open to see, nothing I raised my hands to my eyes to see they were covered in bandages… bandages that means someone "Uh wait, stop." a feminine voice addressed me I felt two soft hands hold mine "Let me help" she said bringing down my hands and raised the bandages a bit over my eyes so I could see carefully so they wouldn't come undone.
At first all I saw was a blurry mix of shapes and colors and eventually came into focus, I blinked to get rid of the blurriness and saw a blonde-haired girl… mere centimeters away from my face. I blushed and looked away embarrassed she seemed to get the situation and backed up quickly "Sorry" she said blushing. I looked around taking in my surroundings I seemed to be in a camp of sorts, there was a single tent, a cart and a horse which seemed to be resting towards the side as it munched on grasses lazily. "Where am I?" I said in a monotone voice, "We're a little bit near Aragon, I'm heading to the capital for the knighting exams" she said proudly. "You want to become a knight?" I asked in skepticism.
I took a good look at her, she had golden blond hair tied in a short ponytail, she wore a dark green sleeveless top, which was paired with a dark blue skirt which reached a few inches above her knees, she had a lean figure yes, but not really what one would call athletic. Sensing my tone, she pouted "No, I want to become a military healer." She said puffing her chest out in pride, "My name is Artemis and I will become a world class healer" She said excitedly. "And you are?" she asked expectantly, I chuckled at her enthusiasm "I am Cassius, and I am going to become the Grand-knight of Draconea" I said trying to mimic her excitement the best I could, which made her smile brightly.