Mistakes Were Made

The light approached him hesitantly. As it grew closer it began to resemble a fist. The fist was covered in strange runic markings that pulsed along with the flaming cascade that engulfed its entirety.

Suddenly the fist began blossoming like a lotus flower. Within the palm, a small pebble sized stone was contained. The stone emitted an intense pressure that seemed to both disturb and calm the environment around it. The profundity of it surpassed the limits of the world.

Upon closer inspection the stone was engraved with the rune "ansuz". A gravelly voice spoke out from the darkness.

My child, awaken, and take with you my gift. I have missed you, return to me after you have unlocked its secrets.

The mysterious voice seemed to smile, "Hahaha, now many will speak ill of me, but just know that I will forever love my children, no matter what they think of me. You are my pride and joy Jianyu."

Wu Jianyu woke with a start, hitting his head on a wooden beam, "You have got to be kidding me", Jianyu said whilst rubbing the already swelling goose egg on his forehead, "I have to stop waking up like this."

Looking around in confusion Wu Jianyu started gathering his possessions. It didn't take very long, as he was quite lacking in the monetary department.

His possessions consisted of a small rusted dagger, a few coins that he had managed to nab from a nobleman's purse the previous day, and a flask containing a liquid that emitted a foul smell even rats would run from.

Finally, Jianyu remembered where he was. He had just managed to find a small inn to rest in after a harrowing day of travel. He was in the Dust City, a small city on the outskirts of the Thunder Fire Kingdom.

Originally Jianyu from a small town in the Blinding Light Kingdom, but was forced to flee after the Everlasting God Sect, on one of its many crusades, overtook the small Kingdom and began purging it of unbelievers. His father, as one of the captains in the Blinding Light Kingdom's military, was one of the first to be targeted, as well as his family.

At that time Wu Jianyu was a mere boy of only 12. Fighting his way to escape persecution he had to hide away in the blazing embers of his previous town. Luckily he was not caught by the Everlasting God Sect's army, but he did emerge with a nasty burn traveling down his left arm.

After that, he set off traveling to the Thunder Fire Kingdom in search of work. At first he managed to get an apprenticeship to a small mercenary captain, as he had been trained by his father since he was young in swordsmanship and the upkeep of military equipment. However on one of his first assignments with the group they were attacked by a large beast, wiping out most of the group, and leaving the rest to flee with their lives.

Through the passing years, Jianyu lived off the land as well as doing odd jobs for people in many different cities. In the back of his mind, he always missed his family. His proud and noble father, his sweet younger sister, and of course his mom, who was always doting over him. Within him burned a raging fire. The will to destroy the Everlasting God Sect burned like a corrosive inferno engulfing all other feelings as fuel.

Each day proved tough, with new challenges, for the past 5 years he had been struggling to survive.

Today was no exception.

O O O

After Wu Jianyu had packed up all his belongings he set off from the inn into the bustling streets of Dust City. Although the name sounded quite boring, Dust City was actually a major trading hub for the East side of the Kingdom. Although only at the Third Class, the monetary generation for the city was almost equivalent to that of a First Class city!

Glancing around the street Wu Jianyu set off for the day. He began by going to the local market to "buy" some breakfast. Contrary to popular belief Wu Jianyu was not what one might call a noble individual. He had done his fair share of petty theft. Although he may have been a thief, and a pickpocket, the man still had some morals. He had never resorted to violence in his simple criminal acts of what one might call "civil disobedience". Instead, he thought of his thieving as a way to save money and hone his hand movements.

Regardless, after his breakfast, Wu Jianyu decided to head towards the mercenary guild, once again, in search of work. Although he was only around the Beginning Foundation rank, he was still able to apply for some menial labor jobs such as hauling goods or helping out on construction.

The Mercenary Guild Hall was located towards the center of the city near the public square. Walking through the square Wu Jianyu was slightly surprised to notice that there seemed to be an absence of people around the square.

Shaking his head he headed towards the giant wooden hall off to the side. The sheer grandeur of the hall pointed towards the importance that many people had towards the Mercenary Guild and its compatriots. It sported a large wooden door with thick iron studs to secure it. The large overarching roof seemed to dominate all who crossed through its threshold.

Walking up to the front desk he calmly waited in line until one of the attendants noticed him.

"Welcome back sir Wu Jianyu! It's so great to see you again; How may I help you today?" the female attendant gave him a wide smile and waved him over to the desk.

"I'd like to apply for some construction jobs of some sort or anything else you might find fitting for me", he said presenting his mercenary card.

"Of course!" the attendant walked to the back of the staff counter to search for the appropriate papers of hire.

"Hey, Jianyu! Is that you?" a large burly man bellowed from the middle of the crowd.

Like the Red Sea, the crowd seemed to part as the man and his comrades walked forward.

This behemoth of a man was the one and only 'Kang The Cruel'. He had a nasty habit of tormenting the newbie's in town, and it just so happened that Jianyu had offended him the first day they had met. Not only had he not allowed himself to be bullied, but he had actually dared to give the man the finger, before promptly scurrying away through the city. How could a measly Beginning Foundation rank cultivator face up against the mountain of a man that was a Middle Foundation Rank cultivator?

Spitting in his face and running had seemed like the appropriate choice at the time, but now, here in public, he had cornered the slippery little rat.

Jianyu attempted to bury himself by the desk so as to avoid attention, even though he realized it was futile; They had already spotted him. "Well f*ck I'm in trouble now", thought Wu Jianyu.

"I think that's him boss!" squealed a half pint man with squinty eyes by Kang's side.

Going up to Jianyu, Kang grabbed his shoulder and twisted him around.

"Not so tough now you little cockroach. Nowhere to run and nowhere to hide! Hahah--"

"NOW HOLD ON A MOMENT!", a voice bellowed from behind the front desk.

A roly-poly man wobbled out from the back office dressed in a simple suit with a monocle under one eye. His handlebar mustache glistened in the morning sun and seemed to wobble and flop with a life of its own as he walked past the anxious attendants, "As you know VERY well Mr. Kang, I will tolerate no public strife or conflict to be carried out within my hall. Now I want you and your gang to leave now and settle this affair outside before I have to get rough with you, and the same goes for you Mr. Wu!"

Kang began to stutter infuriated, "You can't just let this rat sh*t off wi--"

"I SAID OUT NOW! Or you know the consequences", the rolly polly boomed before turning a full 180 and receding towards the darkness of his office.

Defeated, Kang and his gang stormed out of the hall, but not before "escorting" Wu Jianyu out the front door. Once outside they threw Jianyu almost 3 meters away onto the ground.

"This has been a long time coming my friend", Kang said through gritted teeth, "You have had the arrogance to embarrass me in front of my fellows here, as well as the whole town. Now how could a man of my esteemed stature take such an insult from an ingrate such as yourself? Today is the day you will be taught your lesson."

The gang began to surround Jianyu. He knew that there was no way he could get out of this situation, so naturally, he began talking.

"Guys, guys, guys. I'm sure we can come to an understanding. I mean, it was only just a little bit of spit, and most of it landed on that handsome beard of yours!" Jianyu said as he deftly began rummaging in his sack, "There is no need to get so rough with a poor man such as me"

"You make me laugh. GET HIM NOW!"

Just as the gang was about to pounce on Wu Jianyu, a blood-curdling screech sounded from within their midsts. As they turned to focus on the sound Jianyu swiftly made his exit. Using the opening he had created, he jumped over the recently de-throated man and sped off into a nearby alleyway.

"AFTER HIM YOU IMBECILES!"