I Am Blessed

“I think he’s still too young.” Astrid said.

“Come on, the boy’s seven and a quick learner. I’m telling you, he was speaking full sentences by three. Now that his bodies grown a little, I think he could start picking up the sword.”

“The sword! Torsten. I know you want to train him, but I hope you aren’t pushing for this because of the recent failures. I can help in his place if you’ll let me.”

“No, of course not. I want you safe. But honey, Eiric’s gifted. I know he’ll take to it. Right Eiric? Don’t you want to learn the sword and be a cool warrior like dad?”

“But you don’t use a sword dad.”

“Not often, but I can begin teaching you. We’re not sure what your affinity is yet, but having some knowledge of many fighting styles keeps you alive. Astrid, please?”

“Eiric, what do you want to do?”

“Mmmm, I'll give it a chance.”

“Yes! I mean, see honey? How can we say no to this cute face?” Torsten said as he pinches Eiric’s cheeks.

“Fine. But a single scratch on him and you’ll be sleeping on the floating islands of Mithold.”

“You’ve seen those mom?”

“Why do you ask like you’ve seen them?”

“Alright Eiric! The sooner we get started the better.”

Torsten rushes Eiric outside. Anytime they leave the camp Torsten takes Eiric to see some dangerous part of the world. They never travel far enough to see another settlement; they’re not allowed to without special permission.

Torsten’s push to teach Eiric stems from the young boys quick learning. His past life experience helped learn to speak with ease, but other topics are much easier to learn as well.

Although he keeps it secret, the reason for his quick learning is the strange flashes of memories that come to him. Beams of light coursing through his mind bring with them memories of this world, but he is unsure of who they belong to.

It is also memories from more than one person. Whoever they may be, they help Eiric learn of the images he is able to digest. Still, at times it can be painful to do so. An overload of memories leaves him with a great headache and can even leave him unconscious.

“Alright son, don’t think I’ll take it easy on you.” Torsten hands Eiric a wooden sword, “Hey, never forget this. When you battle, it is life or death. Your opponent doesn’t want to die. They have family, friends, passion. When someone is desperate to live, they become the most dangerous person on the planet, you never lower your guard until the battle is over.”

“Dad, can I ask you something?”

“Of course.”

“Why are you strong?”

“I’m sorry?”

“Well. The only time you need to be strong is when we leave home. But it’s always safe and peaceful here, do we even need to leave? Can’t we just stay here where it’s safe.”

Torsten sits in front of Eiric. “My kid sure is something. You know, there’s nothing wrong with wanting to stay here and live a peaceful life. But there are people who don’t want to do that. The way you can choose that, they aren’t allowed to choose the other option. Do you think that is fair?”

“I don’t.”

“Good. Eiric, I’m strong because I want to give people that option. I can’t just yet, but one day I will. I promise. Then again, I won’t force you to fight with dad, but I’ll teach you to protect yourself and your mother. Would you like that?”

“If I can, I want to protect you as well.”

“Me?”

“You’re family too. I want to protect my family.”

“Then I’ll make you strong enough to do so. Ready?”

“Yes!”

Training begins with physical conditioning before Torsten teaches Eiric the basics of swordsmanship.

Eiric swings his sword about, parroting his father’s movement before being left to practice on his own as a tall man visits Torsten.

The tall man often visits the family. He’s a tan man with bright red eyes though he often wears a hood whenever the group leaves the immediate area of their houses into town or outside.

As Eiric swings his sword, various memories swirl in his mind. They all swing a blade, but their foot positioning is different, the way they hold their sword is different. Eiric parrots them, finding each difference until he has become one with the stranger in his mind.

More come. New techniques, swings, and attacks displayed as Eiric attempts to digest each. He stumbles forward, his body shaking from the overload of information.

It’s painful, but Eiric has confirmed it. The reason he can learn with such quickness. The memories help him; they are a guide that gives him options. Eiric has his limits however, any more and he would have collapsed.

“Alright, how about a duel? The more you have the better. Think you’re ready? Eiric?” Eiric only nods, his eyes hyper focused on his dad’s right hand, “Hm, a serious little one are we? Show me what you can do.”

Eiric runs forward, keeping his sword stable as he reaches his father and swipes at his leg.

Torsten blocks the attack. “Excellent swing, keep going.”

Torsten stays on the defensive, allowing Eiric to continue swiping away with all different swings and angles that keep even Torsten focused out of fear of a good hit. Wait… even Eiric shouldn’t be this good.

On Eiric’s next swing, Torsten parries and pushes Eiric back with his own flurry of attack. “You’re on the defensive now! Keep your grip tight, focus on your opponent’s movements and predict what he will do next as you defend. You’ll have to combine both defensive and offensive skills to win. Show me, Eiric, I know you can do it.”

Eiric is focused on his father’s flurry, his subconscious now dealing with the flooding of memories in search of an option to win. Unbeknownst to him, his father is part of those memories, the very same swings he uses now dealt with before.

Eiric parries, jabbing at his father’s stomach but he is picked up and rushed into their house.

With a snap of Torsten’s fingers, every window in the house is closed and covered with wood.

“What’s wrong?!” Astrid rushes out of her bedroom with a short blade in hand.

“Eiric is blessed.” Torsten said.

“Blessed. No, they checked him multiple times. It’s impossible.”

“No. He has to be. I ignored because I hoped his quick learning would just amount to him being gifted. But no one should learn swordsmanship as quick as he did just now. We only practiced for a few hours. That must be his blessing, an ability to learn quickly.”

“Master of Light Magic. That’s what the status screen calls it at least.” Eiric said.

“You know about it?” Torstens’s grabs Eiric’s shoulders, “Son, you must keep this a secret at all cost. If you really are blessed… how do you feel?”

“I’m ok. It does help me learn. I believe I get memories from someone to help sometimes. It only hurts if too many memories come.”

“Then you must stop it.” Astrid said, “Eiric. Blessings are powerful, but they come at great cost. Promise you’ll never use it again.”

“Why?”

“Dear…”

“We should tell him.”

“Not yet, Torsten… only of the consequences, nothing else.”

“Fine. Son, the blessed are powerful, but they often lose themselves to such power. They become evil, some go insane and kill even those close to them. I don’t want that to happen to you. Unless-”

“Torsten!”

“Astrid, we could train him. Teach him to control his blessing.”

“And risk losing him!”

“We’ll do everything we can to prevent that. Eiric is different.”

“Sten was different! And he killed-” Astrid covers her mouth, “I’m sorry. I’m so sorry.”

“Eiric, can you stop it?”

“I can’t.”

Before Torsten can continue, the tall man from earlier knocks on the door.

“Keldan? Is something wrong?” Torsten said as he opened the door.

“Guards from the kingdom are coming in six months. The envoy was just received.”

“What?!”

“They said they’re going to force another batch. Other settlements are already under their command.”

“Those bastards. On the day, keep your children in the northern trees. The cowards will never go near there.”

“Understood.”

“Oh, Keldan. My son, Eiric, may he meet your children?”

“Those two are still too shy. But I will speak to them about it. I hope to have them meet others soon as well.”

“Excellent. I’ll call for you soon.” Torsten returns to Eiric after Keldan leaves, “You are my child, I believe you will have the strength to keep yourself. You know, your mother will scorn you across the five realms if you don’t. Can you promise this?”

“I can, mom can be really scarry.”

Astrid embraces Eiric.

“I’m sorry, Astrid.”

“Eiric.” Astrid waits for her sobs to pass, “It doesn’t matter. Even if something goes wrong, your mother will help. I’ll find a way.”

The reveal of others who are blessed surprises Eiric, though it is not difficult to believe given the treatments towards humans in heavens waiting room.

“Mom, dad, even if I have a problem, thank you for not throwing me away.”

“What?”

Astrid and Torsten embrace Eiric. “We would never do that, we love you Eiric.”

“I love you too.”