Wings & Dreams

Shadowed

The training did not go well. In fact, I almost messed it up. When the Chrys sword pointed at me, I swung my sword without direction, aiming to attack it. In fact, I quite dodged and looked down.

"Again, Clara," Chrys said to me as I sat on the grassland. My body aches, and it feels like my bones have been crushed. "You're only training for about 10 minutes."

"I give up" I replied while trying to catch my breath. Chrys raised both of his eyebrows upon hearing my words. "I told you I'm not good."

"Then this is your chance." Chrys walked over to me. Every step he took, there was a crackle sound on the grass. He stretched out his hand and grinned. "It's also an opportunity for you to train with a guy like me."

I frowned in annoyance. "I'm not like you, Chrys. I'm not gonna be able to do this."

He was silent for a moment, then smiled cunningly. I don't know why I have such a bad feeling about him.

"alright. You can rest. I'll find food for us." After that, he just left me.

I breathed a sigh of relief and leaned my head against the tree trunk. My forehead was sweating from the hot sun. But my body is a bit relaxed. Perhaps it was because the atmosphere in the forest was very calm, and the sound of the faithful chirping of birds accompanied me.

I don't know what happens next. I could feel a black shadow suddenly approaching me. I slowly opened my eyes and screamed. It felt like my body was going to be swallowed by the dark tendrils that came out of nowhere.

As fast as lightning I rose from the ground and ran, past the shady trees. I looked back, and saw that the shadow was still chasing me.

"Chrys!" I shouted the name of the man. "Help me! Help me!"

However, there was no sign of his existence. I finally had to run alone.

I saw a very large tree, and without a shuffle, I jumped and grabbed the branch. Without fear of falling, I put all my strength into climbing it.

A very loud sound of friction rang out, and I realized that the sword given by Chrys was still hanging on my waist. The sword even hindered my movement.

Should I drop it? Thought. This sword will only add to the burden, but this is not an arbitrary object.

"You can protect yourself with this sword."

I remember the words Chrys had said to me. But the one who came to me right now was neither a beast nor Fae. But a shadow of darkness that I could not touch, and could only feel.

Only a little more until I reached the top of the tree, but my feet were pulled, and I almost fell down. I gasped and glanced down. Apparently what tugged at my body was nothing but darkness itself.

What the fuck?! My ankles suddenly felt stiff and cold. I groaned, I could feel my muscles working beyond my means. How not? I painstakingly clutched the branches of the tree so as not to fall into that terrible shadow.

Swords. I glanced at the sword again at the side of my waist. If a shadow can touch me, that means I can touch it too, right?

So I bit my lower lip, and hurriedly grabbed the sword on my waist after one of my clutches slipped off. But apparently my hand was no longer able to hold my weight.

Bruuk!! Fortunately when my body crashed onto the ground, my right hand was already holding the sword.

This shadow has no form. It may be said to be similar to the smoke plume that is commonly found during fires. The difference is, the color is pitch black and anyone who mingles with it will be completely blocked by the sight of his eyes.

And this shadow could have frozen my body to death, were it not for me to draw this sword and blow the smoke away.

The sound of hissing, similar to a fire being splashed by water, sounded in my eardrum. But I still drew my sword with all my might.

For a moment, the smoke split open and almost released me. But before long, he re-integrated, then tortured me by entering through the pores of my skin.

I screamed as the shadow got into me. It was like water being poured into a container that was already fully filled. The shadow grew bigger, forcing itself to continue entering my body.

But I will not stop playing my sword, for giving up is tantamount to giving myself completely to that strange shadow.

Shutt!! I subconsciously jumped up and stuck the sword on the ground. Instantly the shadow was absorbed into the ground, until it finally disappeared without a trace.

Plok! Plok! The sound of applause sounded. I turned my head, causing my hair to slap my face. But it feels like I got a more painful slap when I saw Chrys.

"good. Far from my expectations. Your dance is great." Chrys praises me many times, but I can't hear the rest.

I groaned and pulled the sword from the ground, then smoothed it straight into Chrys's neck.

The man nodded and looked down in time. I again swung my sword, but his hand immediately restrained the blade.

"Clar." Now his hands are bleeding from me. But I don't give a shit. I know that shadow was.

"Why did you do that?!" Shouting wrath. "You can kill me another way! There was no need to bother controlling that shadow!"

He was still holding onto the sword blade. The blood in his hand started to drip, but his gaze was centered on my face.

"I must do that, that you may use the sword."

I blinked, then removed the sword from my hand.

"You're crazy" I muttered as I hugged myself. My hair was still rising and my body was shivering. "You know what the consequences are?! I could die-"

"But it doesn't, actually" cut it. "And thanks to that, your abilities began to increase."

I opened my mouth, but I couldn't make a sound out of my throat.

His words are not wrong. Looks like the guy has a unique way of educating his students.

Now we walk home, back home. I don't feel like I've spent all day in the woods with Chrys. After the incident, Chrys again persuaded me to practice. The difference is I obey, and no longer refuse.

"I feel like I want to show off to everyone" Chrys said. "That I've successfully educated a human child practicing martial arts."

"Don't call me son" I protested.

"There's another name for you? You'd rather be called grandma?"

"Clara," reply. "Call me by my real name."

He's speechless. I take that as an agreement.

I glanced at his left hand that had held my sword blade. Even though it was wrapped in cloth, I could still see the blood of hers starting to seep and drip.

"Chrysch. Your hands"

"Nothing." He smiled weakly. Panic began to overtake me. Why does his face suddenly look pale? It must not be because of the wound on his palm.

"Claras..." Chrys suddenly staggered. I held her shoulder straight away.

"Chrys!" Now, I'm really freaking out. "Chrys! Be aware!"

The man fell to his knees. Before his body was completely blown to the ground, I had already wrapped his arm around my shoulder, then dragged his body with all my might.