The Young Sword

Flen went his way after taking Scarlet home. They both waved each other farewell. Scarlet was in her room; she was smiling to herself realizing she had made a new unexpected friend. She did feel bad for Kina, perhaps, she was misunderstood. Meanwhile, Flen was outside walking while lost in thought, wondering if having Scarlet stay in this world was the correct choice. His mind was so preoccupied that he did not notice Valerius was in front of him. The street was empty at the moment, with the wind’s howls easily heard.

"Theo wants to see you." Valerius spoke in a calm tone as he approached Flen.

Flen’s face expressed dissatisfaction and stepped back to distance himself from him.

He grew tense, "Sir...you of all people know I don't want to see him right now."

In response, Valerius crossed his arms unreceiving on Flen’s reply. He moved in closer and with a deep commanding voice, "It's still your duty to serve him until their reign is over."

Flen was frustrated, so he started to ignore Valerius and continued walking forward.

Maybe if I ignore him..no, he would still try to get his way...

"Where are you going young man? Said Valerius as Flen passed him.

Flen did not respond, he was dead silent.

Valerius drew out his long wooden katana. He swung the sword out to block Flen’s pathway.

The sword stopped Flen in his tracks, he was surprised that he would forcefully stop him.

"It's been a long time since we've sparred," said Valerius.

I guess he’s right.

Flen started to recall a memory.

There was a school for weaponry right next to the orphanage that Flen stayed in. He tended to sneak out of his room to watch the students practice. One day, he opened his little window and shushed the kids in his room to stay quiet. He ran over to the school and hid behind the plants that were growing. Since he was small at the time, it was the best hiding place. Valerius was teaching a small group of students on sword fighting. Some of them were not holding the sword properly, so they were scolded. His face lit up as he saw their sword swing in a quick fascinating motion. He was inspired and even though he did not have a sword, he found a firm wood branch fallen from the trees to be the replacement.

It became his routine to come over and watch Valerius and the students. Later in the day, when the students were taking a break, Valerius peered out his window. He then noticed outside a small young Flen was waving around a tree branch. It was as if he was practicing sword fighting.

Valerius walked over to the bushes.
"I see you out there, come out."

Flen gasped and covered his mouth, afraid Valerius could hear his breathing.

He was hunched over trying not to make a sound.

After not hearing any more noises, Flen felt it was safe to move out of his spot.

He was shocked to find that Valerius was still there; he fell backwards.

Valerius moved closer and saw a shivering young boy.

His face was smudged with dirt and carried himself with a fighter’s spirit.
There were leaves stuck in his hair.

He pulled out a small wooden sword for the boy.
"Here take this, show me what you have learned."

Flen’s moves were a bit rough and did not flow as smoothly.

With every strike, he let out a soft, “Ha.”

Ha bam Ha bam He was striking the air with some force.

"Bravo, bravo."

Amused by the boy’s performance, Valerius clapped his hands together in praise. He was genuinely impressed with what he saw. To be able to do that without any guidance was pure talent.

Valerius then took out a bigger wooden sword for himself. It was much larger than Flen’s body.

“Okay, now let’s practice fighting together.”

Flen was intimidated and scared, he dropped his little sword and ran.

Valerius gave him a playful light wack on the back. Flen tripped and fell after getting hit by a wooden stick. The impact caused him to fall all the way against the wall.

“I was trying to tone my powers down a little.” Valerius was concerned.

"Ouch." Flen glared at the person who was walking toward him. He was rubbing his back in the sore spot with his little fingers.

He rolled over in the grassy area where he dropped his small wooden sword.

He then swung the sword fast with his right-hand hitting Valerius in the knee after he just came back up.

Valerius laughed, "I like your spirit young man. It takes more than just watching you see, I will mentor you. Where are your parents?"

Flen shook his head and pointed to the orphanage.

“I have none, Sir.”

“What is your name?”

“Flen, sir.”

“I am Valerius, I will adopt you under my wing.”

Once taken in, Valerius branded his arm with a knife.

Back to the present, Flen was upset, the unbearable pain and screaming was something he had never forgotten. He had been living two lives. He was serving Theo, but he was also serving Valerius with his own agendas. His thoughts were going intense.

Did he adopt me to just use me? I don’t know where I really belong...

Flen moved his hand over to his own trusty sword that was in its sheath.
He then clashed Valerius’s sword with his.

Clink Clink

Valerius swiftly blocked it.

Flen shouted, “These aren't the wooden swords we used to use. You branded me when I was small without my say…forcing me to serve both you and him! If I had known all of this would happen, I would have been better off staying in the orphanage!”

Valerius then dashed forward, switching with his steel sword that had a little bit of lightning sparks. The sparks were concentrated and started to illuminate.

The lightning ball came flying right at Flen with top speed. Flen stood in front of it unafraid, with his palms behind his sword to block it. The intensity of the lightning pushed him back and gave him a small shock.

"Come see him. I won’t ask again" Valerius left.

Flen eventually arrived at Theo's house. On the way to the room, he could hear chilling laughter.

HA-HAAHAAA  HA-HAAHAAA

The door was open wide as if the owner of the room was already expecting someone. As Flen stepped inside, the whirlwind of books lay across the floor and the entire room was in a state of violent disorder.

Theo was in the corner of the room, sitting on his chair spinning around. He was not paying attention to Flen.

"Theo, I heard you wanted to see me?"

Theo turned over to face, Flen. His demeanor was dark and threatening.

"You should bow down before me."

Flen’s face was flushed with sudden anger, and he was extremely upset.
"I've endured a lot for you Theo..."

Flen then gripped his collar, "You...did this to me out of rage." 

He pointed to his Z-shaped scars. "I am not going to allow you to talk to me this way. I don't want to talk to you. I want to talk to the other Theo."

Theo was struggling to breath. "I...was just going to tell you; I'll make my move soon. Be ready for it."

The smirk remained on his lips right up until the moment he blacked out from the lack of air.

Theo's face then lit up again, turning him back to his gentle and kind self.

"Flen, long time no see. When did you get here?"

"I got here a bit early." Flen was frustrated how oblivious Theo was.

"Come have a seat, excuse the mess.” Theo started picking up the books off the floor.

"I don't have much time, if there is something please say it."

"I just want it to be like old times." Theo insisted.

"No, I won't do it. We can't go back to how it was."

Theo frowned in response.

Flen’s eyes were sharp and his face grew more serious.

"Please leave her alone with your schemes. I won’t forgive you for hurting Rose and I won’t let you hurt her again. I made the mistake of coming back for you...I wanted you to suffer in this world like we all have. I didn’t realize she would actually follow you over to this world once again.”

“You know I couldn’t have done anything about it back then.” Theo said concerned.

“You watched her suffer…your parents ratted her family out and they tried to control her.”

He hit the palm of his hand against the nearby window to let his frustration out.

He could hear Rose’s voice from his memory, “Flen, please do it…. it’s the only way!

AAaaaaaaaaah

Her piercing screams consumed his head.