Chapter 1

The morning sun shown through the trees, as the sound of metal scraping on metal rang out through the forest. The sound came from a young man and an older man dueling in a small clearing. Both breathed heavily, covered in sweat, as the older man lunged forward. The younger one side stepped and blocked, pushing the man's sword away and brought his sword to the older man's neck. Realizing that he has lost, the older man drops his weapons and surrenders. The younger one lowered his and the older one pulled the younger one into a hug, and the younger one returned it.

Older man: I am so proud of you.

They seperate and the older man smiles. He didn't seem very old maybe around fifty. He wore some light leather armor. He had brown hair and green eyes. His face was chiseled like stone. The younger one smiled back. He looked to be eighteen in age, and had brown eyes and eyes. He also wore light leather armor but wore an overcoat over it.

Older man: Now let's head home, I bet moms got lunch ready.

After saying this, the older man ruffled the younger's hair as they walked through the forest towards home.

After what seemed like thirty minutes till they reached a small cottage. It appeared to be only big enough for three rooms. As they got close to the house, a woman, with brown-blonde hair, wearing a dress and apron walks out the front of the cottage. She waves as the two men walk up.

Woman: How did the training go? Looks like your ready for lunch.

Man: we are Joseline, and for our training, he's ready.

Upon saying this, Joseline looks to the younger one, and hugs him. After a couple of seconds, she steps away.

Joseline: Since the tournament is in a couple of days, and the time to travel to the capitol si around the same time. You will need to start traveling after you eat. I got your bag ready for your journey, and as you eat your father has something he wants to give you.

The young man nodded and enters the cottage. As he ate his lunch, his father walked around the cottage to the back where a forge stood. He went to a workbench that stood to the left inside the forge and on the bench was a box. He opened the box and inside was a sheathed sword. He took it out and held it in his hands, admiring the craftsmanship that he put in.

Young Man: Dad?

The man turned around and saw his son. He smiled and walked up to him.

Father: Son, since the day I started to train you, I promised myself that I would forge a gift, so to speak. Over these few months I forged my greatest work, which I give to you.

He then held out the sheathed sword to the young man. The sword itself was a bit shorter than a great sword, but longer than a shortsword. Sized to where it can be used one-handed or two-handed. The young man took the sword and held it. It felt relatively light, but had enough weight to make a powerful blow with. He then slowly unsheathed it, and noticed that its blade was a black-grey metal. Upon noticing this, he also noticed that the handle was wrapped in some kind've leather. Upon unsheathing this gift, he swung it a couple of times. It fit well in his hand and after a couple other swings, returned it to the sheathe.

Young Man: Father, what is it made of? I have seen you use different metals but nothing like this as well as the leather.

The father smiled and motioned for him to follow. The young man followed and they sat down at a bench.

Father: Do you remember that bright light a couple months ago that cut through the sky?

Young Man: yeah, what about it?

Father: Well I saw what created that light land in a field not too far from here, and when I approached it, I discovered it was a stone about the size of a small boulder. I brought it home and as I started to chisel away, my chisel broke which revealed a metal I have never seen before. I learned how to mold and forge that metal into the blade you now hold. It is probably the strongest metal I have ever seen. As for the handle, our monk friend, Chakar, hunted and tanned the leather on the handle and inside that leather is wood from a special tree. The tree is thought to have magical properties and the leather is the same.

When the young man heard this, who looked back at the sword. He knew that he must keep it close, and protect it.

Father: Now you better be heading out, you have a long journey.

They both stood and left the forge, walking around to the front of the cottage. They saw Joseline holding a traveling pack for the young man. He gave both of them a hug and said his goodbyes as he left to travel to the capitol.

Time skip six hours

The young man set up camp in a clearing on the side of the road as it was almost midnight. A fire glowed brightly as he stared into it. After what seemed like a couple of minutes he heard footsteps coming up the road. He turned towards the sound but due to how dark it was, he saw no one. He put his hand on his sword ready to defend if whoever it was attacked.

Young Man: Who's there?

He waited a couple minutes only to be answered with silence, until a man in a long over coat and hood covering his face stepped into the light. All of his clothing was black and the young man could tell he was wearing armor underneath the coat which was the same color. It appeared it blended in as if it weren't there with the rest of his clothes. He also wore boots the same color but wore leather gloves.

Seeing that the young man was prepared to fight, he kept his distance.

???: I mean you no harm, I am but a traveler.

The young man still kept his guard up.

Young Man: Where are you going?

??: To the capital to watch the great tournament taking place. Are you traveling there also?

Young man: I am. Will you be participating?

???: Sadly not but I ask if you will allow me to stay the night till morning. May I join you till then?

The young man nodded and motioned for him to sit with him next to the fire and the man then sat down across from him. He let his guard down a bit but kept himself ready for anything.

Young Man: So do you travel to the capital often?

??: Yes and I have been watching the tournament every year.

Young: Man: Impressive, especially since you are this far out.

???: On the contrary I am coming from much farther.

Young man: Really? Where are you coming from then?

??: Well, to say plainly, I do not have a home, but I have been traveling from the Jungles of Ikûl to the Northeast.

The young man was surprised especially since anyone who goes near or in the jungles are met by an untimely and brutal death.

Young man: What were you doing there? I have been told that all should stay away?

???: It is true that those jungles are very dangerous but I have was there for research. I had heard of tribes that lived within them but when I went to see if I could find them, I couldn't find anything. I believe they live much deeper but I dare not venture deeper.

The young man was amazed and intrigued.

Young Man: Have you traveled anywhere else?

???: I have, I believe I have gone all over the kingdom, from the northern mountains of Arkëm, to the southern shore, surrounded by the archipelago of the Norg. From the capital in the Eastern mountains to the western mountains. I have been everywhere and plan to go beyond.

The young man listened intently when he noticed the man look towards his sword.

???: Are you a warrior?

Young man: I am.

???: Who trained you?

Young Man: My father did, he even created this sword.

???: What is your father's name?

Young Man: Gerrick.

The man nods.

???: Your father is a well known warrior in the kingdom and the best weapon smith the kingdom has seen.

Young Man: I have heard the stories.

???: If you don't mind, may I see your sword?

The young man thought on this and after speaking with him saw no issue with this request. He nodded and held out his sword. The man took it carefully and with great respect. He studied it and pull it out his sheathe. The young man could tell that the man was amazed by the craftsmanship.

The man returned the sword to its sheathe and handed it back to the young man.

???: I have seen many weapons but nothing quite like what you have. I can also sense that it has magical properties but as for what they are, I don't know.

The young man nods and seeing it was lit stood.

Young man: It is getting late.

???: Agreed, I can stay up and keep the fire going and keep watch if you liked.

Young man: that will be much appreciated.

The man nods and the young man gets a blanket out and lays it out near the fire. He then lays down using his pack as a pillow and fell asleep.

The man watched him and then turned back to the fire.

Time skip morning

The young man woke up and stretched. He saw that the man was cooking breakfast. As he got up the man looked.

???: I see your awake, I thought since you allowed me to stay with you for the night, I thought that I would repay you with breakfast.

The young man walked over to see some sausage and eggs.

Young man: It looks good.

???: Agreed.

Once the food was done cooking and after they ate, the young man packed his things. As he started to leave he noticed the man wasn't following.

Young Man: Aren't you traveling to the capital?

??: I am but I am going to rest a bit and gather some supplies before I head out.

The young man nods and starts to leave.

??: Before you go, what is your name?

He stops and turns around.

Young Man: My names Zandor.

???: Zandor it is a pleasure to meet you and may luck be on your side.

Zandor nodded and left down the road. As he did so the man sighed then said under his breathe.

???: You will need it.