Chapter 16 — The forgotten scar

Morning came violently. Byukoten didn't bother with words and instead kicked Arin straight out of his sleep which sent him rolling across the ground.

​"Five more minutes—" Arin started before a boot met his ribs.

​"No," Byukoten said flatly.

​Hanase tried to quietly slip away while the chaos unfolded. A sharp smack landed on the back of her head before she took three steps.

​"Where do you think you're going?" Byukoten asked while smiling.

​Neblaheim remained unfazed as ever and began packing their supplies. He cooked what little meat they had left as the smell drifted through the camp. Arin was now wide awake and bolted back the moment it reached him. A fist met his face mid stride and Arin hit the ground.

​"Why did you do that?!"

​Byukoten shrugged. "I just felt like it." He laughed.

​Arin groaned and turned to Hanase. "Heal me."

​She looked away.

​Two hours later they stood overlooking a clearing. A goblin leader prowled below and it was larger than the rest while its presence pressed against the air. Byukoten crossed his arms.

​"Arin. Fight it."

​Arin nodded and then he froze.

​"Without weapons. Without magic."

​"What?" Arin snapped. "Why?"

​"To train what you actually own," Byukoten replied. "Your raw power."

​Arin hesitated then slowly placed his sword and focus stone on the ground. As he stepped forward doubt crept in. He wondered if he could really win like this.

​The goblin leader lunged. Arin ran. A wide sweep came for his legs and he jumped. A massive hand reached out to crush him but he slipped through its grip and drove his heel into the creature's stomach. The goblin roared and punched back. Arin blocked but the impact rattled his bones.

​The goblin grabbed him and slammed him into the earth. Arin screamed.

​Hanase stepped forward instinctively. "I—"

​"Believe in him," Byukoten said. She stopped.

​The goblin raised its foot to crush him. Arin rolled away while forcing himself up as his lungs were burning. He rushed in again. Another punch flew and this time Arin scooped dirt from the ground then used the goblin's arm as a foothold and leapt.

​He hurled the dirt straight into its eyes. Before it could recover Arin was already there with his fists raining down. He was raw and desperate until the goblin leader collapsed and remained unmoving.

​Silence followed. Byukoten stepped forward while nodding.

​"Splendid. That last move—good thinking."

​He knelt beside the corpse and whispered a prayer. Then he turned.

​"Hanase. Dagger only. Clear the settlement."

​She did so swiftly and cleanly.

​"Neblaheim. Shield only. The goblin king."

​It took time but Neblaheim prevailed without serious injury. When it was done he too knelt and prayed. Arin watched them while confusion was stirring but he pushed the thought aside.

​As they prepared to move on a strange emptiness settled in his chest.