A New Life

I can't feel anything. I can't see anything. I can't hear anything. All I have are my thoughts. Oh, right... I witnessed Soren using a Maximum Output. In the game, they're like the ultimate move of a weapon. It expels an Angelic Blade's energy, far beyond its normal capacity, but then weakens afterward. It takes a few days for the weapon to recover its natural energy. Thats just the in-game explanation of why you can't spam it. Now, how exactly did I fall into this state? I know for certain that it's not the toxins of the Sludge King. Soren's weapon, like all Angelic Weapons, has a passive ability that nullifies status conditions like poison, paralysis, mind control, and curses. I'll only see when I-

Light suddenly comes rushing in, blinding Brak's subconscious mind. 

"Agh... My legs- My arm- What happened?!"

Brak regains consciousness, and he frantically looks around. He sees Soren, Sullivan, and Elizabeth, all with worried expressions. 

Sullivan then speaks up and explains what happened.

"You passed out from the strain of the fight, young master Brak."

Young master?

Sullivan continues his explanation.

"You were only hired for support, not meant to directly get into the fight. Although you have a strong body, it is not trained for combat. Swinging around such a heavy axe, being swept into the harsh waters, and being launched into the sky... You pushed your body far beyond its limits. I must apologize for dragging you into such a dangerous mission and for sending you directly into danger. However, if it wasn't for you telling us about its core, we would have lost. For that, you have my gratitude."

Soren cuts Sullivan off.

"I knew you were strong, but not the reckless type of strong!"

Soren's situation isnt any better. The usage of his maximum output has him in a bed right on the side of Brak. 

Elizabeth sighs, her green eyes looking over both Brak and Soren with a caring glare.

"You're both so foolish. Brakky, for running straight in and ignoring your own limits, and Soren, for releasing that dangerous explosive move in a confined area. What if you or Brak ended up getting caught by its flames?

Soren releases a mighty sigh, his red eyes confronting Elizabeth's gaze with a burning passion.

"I did it because it was the only way to hit that core Brak talked about! Try running with a giant sword and landing a precise strike. It was either that or get impaled by slimy tendrils! But I will apologize for being reckless. I should have planned it better instead of charging headfirst..."

Didn't think he was ever capable of muttering an apology. Is this character development?

Brak then looks at Elizabeth and offers her a meek smile.

"Yeah... I'm sorry as well. I got a little too into it and didn't realize my own limits. I do have a question, though. How long will I be out?"

Elizabeth steps back and sighs. They're in one of the guild's back rooms.

"You've been out for about two days. Soren has been out for only about a day, but he's already mostly recovered."

The benefits of being a noble and having access to actual training. I won't get much if I remain here in the city because the Sludge King is defeated... So much for wanting to go exploring.

Brak sighs and rests his head on the pillow, looking up at the ceiling. There's nothing he can do at the current moment. However, he decides to ask a question.

"Sullivan... I have a question. How can I get stronger? You blew apart one of its tendrils and even sent me flying with your strength."

Sullivan smiles a little.

"Well, young master Brak, my strength is merely the effort of decades' worth of training. Because I am a commoner, I do not have the power to wield a great Angelic Blade. I wanted to make myself useful to the Helios family after the master saved my village when I was still a child. By master, I mean young master Soren's grandfather. His heroic act inspired me to try to become as strong as I can to protect and serve the family."

A few decades of training? Thats practically his whole life! 

"A few decades? I wonder if I can become as strong as you..."

Sullivan has a somber expression. 

"As strong as I am, I fall in comparison to young master Soren. This is the limit of us commoners. What might appear strong to us will be average to a noble. However, there is one exception to the rule."

One exception?  Wait, I know who he's talking about. The headmaster of the game's main setting. Angelic Blades Academy. Like Renata, he is a commoner who awakened his own Angelic Blade after completing a trial. He's also the current Hero of the North, making him exceptionally powerful. He's the bar the hero candidates must pass to be recognized as the next generation of heroes.

Brak then thinks for a moment. 

This is a far-fetched idea, but worth a shot.

Brak looks up at Sullivan, his orange eyes flaming with determination.

"I want to become stronger. Would it be possible for me to adventure with you and Soren? I don't need a combat role, but I want to be able to fend for myself when the time is right."

Sullivan looks at Soren. Soren then smirks and proudly declares.

"Very well! You shall be my very own student! However, the most I can offer you is one year. Because I'm 14, I only have one year left before I'm forced to attend that boring academy. I already know how to fight! I don't need some fancy teachers to reteach me everything Father already told me!"

Soren's red eyes clearly reflect his anger and frustration. He really does not like the idea of attending the academy. 

I already know this. Every Angelic Blade user from a noble family is required to attend the academy, even if they've awakened one and have already mastered it. Commoners who awaken theirs typically aren't required to attend. Though such a thing is rare, as only three did in the game. Renata, the headmaster, and the main antagonist for the civil war part of the game. 

Brak sighs and looks out of one of the guild's windows. 

"Sounds rough... Consider me lucky, then. One of the few benefits of being born poor-"

Soren cuts Brak off. 

"There is one exception. Certain nobles are allowed to enroll their servants in the academy as well! If you agree to become my servant, then I'll permit Sullivan to train you for the year I have left! And once you're 15, you enroll and serve as my personal attendant. Sound like a deal?"

Well, it's not like I can refuse... Though, I'll impose a condition of my own. 

"You have a deal, but only under one circumstance. I get to get a good punch in on you if I somehow do awaken my own Angelic Blade!"

Soren's eyes widen as he begins to laugh.

"You?! Awaken a Blade?! Thats the funniest thing I've ever heard! Ha... Well, if you do somehow, someway, awaken one... I'll let you. Hell, I'll even waive you needing to join the academy as my servant!"

Brak smirks.

"Deal."

His domain is near the City of Aurora. Once I get my hands on the shield, I can kiss this commoner life goodbye. This might be wrong of me, but I don't want to end up involved in the game's plot or its characters more than I have to. So, when I get it, I'm giving him that punch, and I'm ditching this life behind. As for where I'll go... I'll hide out in the Eastern Providence's mountainous regions until the game finishes its story.

As the others talk amongst themselves, Brak mumbles something to himself.

"Bring it on."

* * *

One Year Later

It's been about a year since I left Axai and traveled with Soren. We've adventured around various locations in the south, and I got to watch him defeat several side-quest Lethe. He lives up to his title as a hero candidate, and he's officially been recognized as one. 

Brak and Soren both stand outside of the Helios' domains mansion main gate. A carriage is behind Soren.

He's grown quite fast in the year I've been training and serving under him. He's taller, looks more noble, and his red eyes are sharper. If I were a woman, I'd be falling head over heels. 

Brak grew himself. He's taller, his hair is now longer, and the few white streaks have condensed into a solid white line that runs across the left side of his head. His orange eyes are sharper, and he has a few new, smaller scars due to the training. 

Brak raises his fist to bump Soren's fist.

"From this day onward, we set out on our own. You're going to the academy, and I'm going to make a name for myself in Aurora."

Soren rolls his eyes in a dramatic sigh.

"Father flat-out refused to let me register a commoner as my official retainer for the Academy. The stingy bastards on the board are too strict on tradition! Unless you suddenly manifest a blade right now, they won't let you through the front gate."

Brak rolls his eyes and gives a dramatic sigh, same as Soren.

"Sure, sure. Run along now to the swordly tea party."

As Soren steps into the carriage, he turns back and strikes back at Brak.

"Have fun cleaning the stench of goblin ass off you!"

Damn. He really had to remind me of that traumatic memory? Well, game on! 

Brak waves as the carriage leaves. He then turns to Sullivan, who has been helping Brak train for the past year. 

"I've improved massively since my first battle. How well do you think I'll fare against that Sludge King?"

Sullivan smiles.

"You'll die."

Brutally honest...

Brak then laughs a little before holstering a bag over his shoulder.

"Well, I'll be off. I'll be sure to visit once in a while. Thank you for everything... Grandpa Sully."

I'll miss these guys. Over the year I've been here, I've actually grown attached to them. Sullivan in particular. I've actually grown to know him better than... my mom? Great, I thought I got past this. I guess her death is still weighing me down. 

There is a pause where time seems to have been frozen. However, the silence is broken by the sound of metal moving and clashing together. The gates to the Helios mansion close.

"Grandpa Sully... I'll return soon."

Brak then sighs and looks straight ahead.

"Nothing left but to move forward. Aurora and the Capital Labyrinth... here I come!"