7

"someone's got it out for me," he didn't know if it was a living or a legend but someone's got him into this situation. getting closer to the ground he swung out his leg, the beast cried out as he struck true to its face. leaping away while it was a daze, aero rapidly swung his staff around in practiced movements that brought a melody to life.

the weapon seemed to hummed from the melody power, which Aero used to stick the recover beast and cave in its skull. the feline-like beast dropped to the ground the same moment another of its kind jumped from the treetops, its agility prevented aero from getting a clean hit but it did tumble onto the earth. grunting with the effort he attempted to finish it off but another one got in the way, which allowed them both to return to the trees.

"moondust, I hate these creatures!" panting Aero kept his guard up knowing the moment it went down they would stick and he wasn't sure they would fall for his fake letting his hard down again. 'need a plan need a plan," he could see one of them between the leaves. but he might be hearing more, it was hard to tell because these creatures were fast a the wind.

"can't burn down the tree," even though he really wanted to. "I can get rid of the leaves!" the idea came to him as he ducked under a claw swipe from one of the moats. swing the staff above his head, a wind melody was played. shifting his hold he spun the staff faster and faster, a small twister was formed around the male ripping the leaves from the tree.

before the twister died down aero struck, rushing through the wall of wind he attacked the first Monat, the blow was able to stun it long enough for aero to play a melody that allowing him to cave in the creature's skull. Its power kept up as he charged the second, which was charging at him. falling back he slid under the Monat where he used his staff like a spear. driving into through the creatures' gut.

ignoring the blood on his face aero swung the soon-to-be carcass into the last of the Monats, it growled when the body hit it. when it recovered Aero was on his feet and had wiped the blood from his face, "let's finish this!" the monat roared in agreement changing at Aero and charged right back, when he swung the creature it leaped over his and swiped at his head. but he dropped low and avoided the stick by a hair, spring to his feet aero aimed for the legs with another swing.

he felt something give under his blow but it didn't seem to impede the creature as it weaved between the trees but without the leaves, the Grinine had a much easier time keeping track of it.' it not gonna come close to me with thinking it has a chance for the kill and as fast as I am I can't keep up with that kind of speed.'

watching it race around he tried to think, "I need it to stop moving that's a fact. at least so down," so that meant attacking it limb or binding it. he knew a melody that would make the second happen, but he knew how to use it by humming or playing the flute. he couldn't swing his staff to make it happen so he brought the staff to his lips and started playing it.

before the melody was complete an effect could already be seen in the vegetation on the ground around aero. it grew rapidly forming launching its self at Monat, seeing the attacking vegetation the creature ran faster but aero knew that was futile. as fast as they were Monats weren't know for their stamina, before long it would tire then the vegetation would catch up and smother it to death.

'took longer than I estimated it would,' he thought rubbing his soar throat. losing his clothes Aero pulled out so medicine for his throat, sighing feeling it go to work he took a fang from each of the creatures as proof of his hunting. 'right the final things,' from the food of his clothing he pulled out a small bag.

'how strange?' the helper commented as Aero sprinkled the decomposing powder over the corpses. aero asked what was strange,' this ritual. making sure the bodies return to the earth before leaving, for creatures that wish nothing more than to kill you don't you think it's strange to give them respect in this way?' aero put the bag away and stood back watching the corpses rot before his eyes thinking over the question.

'I haven't really questioned it, it how things have been done for a long while but thinking about it don't see a problem." making everything sure everything even the bones had rotted away aero headed to the edge of the forest where a cart was supposed to pick him up in about a flower or two.

seeing the cart wasn't here yet aero sat down checked himself over, "just scratches which is good." he felt out one of the scratches on his leg's exoskeleton, the Monat's didn't have poison so he wasn't worried about that. infection of the other hand, digging the bag he placed in the tree he sat down in front of Aero started treating the scratches.

the cart arrived and the girl driving it looked him over with pitying eyes, she asked several times if he was alright saying that he didn't have to act tough. if it wasn't for the fact she was his ride he would have smacked her for thinking he could handle his injuries, they weren't even that bad. 'it may have something to do with the number of bandages you used," he looked at the bandages on his arm maybe it was abit much but he wasn't risking infection.

when they arrived at the village aero headed for the person to give the fangs to, so he could get the mission's paper signed. he was quite pleased how shocked she was seeing the fangs and how little injured he was, "I told you it would be done by me and I would need no help." taking the signed papers he left the house, a cart would be able to take him back to the academy for a few flowers. so time to kill.

he chooses to kill time by looking at peoples' pride, it was strange how different yet so similar each person's pride was. several petals fell before he was interrupted by a child toy hitting him, he tossed the toy back without looking only for it to hit him again. turning to the child he was a bit maybe in his 7th year. tossing the toy back he started down the boy, after a moment the boy threw the toy and smiled when Aero caught it. "you wanna play?" aero tossed the toy.

"yeah got nothing else to do!" he tossed the toy back not catching the rage that crossed aero's face. he remembered when he had nothing better to do with his life than play because no one would let him do anything. they all thought it was the cutest thing that he wanted to work, that he wanted to do something worthwhile. but he was a guy, he was young, man it got on his nerves. it looked like it annoyed this kid as well, it was nice to meet a kindred spirit.

"you know what did when people told me to play," the boy paused in his ball throwing," I learned something they disproved of."

"you learned to fight?" the boy perked up before catching the ball aero laughed. "that one of the things they learned, they told me to play a lot!" he nodded in understanding before starting to think about what he should learn, fighting wasn't all that interesting.

"what do you know about acrobatic," aero knew very little but he liked the way this boy thought. he also knew how to help the boy learn, "ever been to the dancing tent?" it was a traveling show with lots of acrobats more than a few of them were mothers and they would totally show the boy a thing or two if he asked, just because he was cute!

"that sounds manipulative?" the boy commented tossing the toy.

"it is!" aero told him flatly," but do you think they'll teach you if you don't pull a few puppet strings." the boy's expression didn't change. catching the toy aero squatted to the boy's height so he could look him in the eye, "look it's unpleasant I'm not gonna disagree with you. but everyone you know is likely gonna try and make you stop, your gonna need every advantage your gonna get, and not all of them are gonna be pleasant ones." the boy was quiet looking towards the people walking by, Aero stayed quiet letting the boy think.

they didn't come back to the topic and continued tossing the toy back and forth in silence until it was time for aero to leave," by the way what's your name? I wanna recognize it when you're in the new scrolls!"

"Demsky Zavad!" he said beaming wide.

"Zavad take pride in your abilities and may it be stronger than those who wish to stop you!" Aero didn't know what made him say that or what was lacing his voice but he felt it would be good for Zavad. on the cart the helper congratulated him,' you have given your first blessing my lord!'

'blessing?' the helper started explaining, all lords have the ability to grant blessing after their level rises to 1. as the lord of your pride, your blessing with always center around a being pride. when you raise your level you may gain other abilities it depends on yourself and nothing more.'

aero looked back towards the village,' I hope the blessing does him well. so why didn't you tell me about the new ability?' the helper told him they weren't aware he had gained it until this moment, they weren't any solid logic to the granting of lord abilities. just as the lords themself.' okay that fair,' aero stretched out in the cart looking at the others riding with him. they didn't seem like fighters so he didn't pay them much mind.

"your Abiathar aero aren't you," the mentioned male looked over to the voice of a woman carrying an instrument. one meant to play music with not fight with like Aero's staff." who want to know?"

"Roth Shira!" Aero almost squeaked. being word famous he paid attention to the news and if there was one person who was in the news more than him it was this woman tight here. looking closer at the rest of the passengers he realized they were the members of her crew,' sweet Zalts and Zaltess!' he inched away panicking slightly as he "what do you want?" he shifted to a defensive stance.

"I've been looking for a new inspiration and I'm thinking I just found it!" Aero bristled," you think I'm your inspiration!" she didn't seem bothered by his hostile tone in fact it made her smile. "you do things out of spite, I've read the news! that means strong emotion and those the best inspiration!"

aero had to admit this was different she wanted him for his emotions, but if she wanted them she was gonna have to fight for them. "why should I help you!"

"I can help you tell people just what you think of them with them realizing they've been insulted," okay that was tempting but not enough to make him spill his guts. " plus I can pay you lots!"

"you think I need money? I'm very successful at my job, in a few years I'll make you look poor!" he smiled at her she returned a similar smile," you a bit too young to be so arrogant!"

his smile faded "it's pride, not arrogance! but you still haven't given me a reason to open up to you."

"well, we have an entire carriage ride," at that moment Aero wished for a Zalt to stick him down. there was a brief moment he considers assaulting her but this woman had a large number of rabid fans. and while it was unlikely they would attack him they would sure be as annoying. groaning he took measured breathes trying to stay calm.

"why can't you find some other kind of inspiration ?!" he was about to say fuck it.

"I like my song to have some kind of messages some kind of meaning, and I can just tell there is something you would like to tell the entire world?" aero sighed once more, "you right there's something I would like to tell the world but not through you!" she didn't stop trying to convince him like she didn't hear the word no. there was a very big chance this was because of his gender, but what else was new.

"What makes you think you can convince me?" he asked after a few petals and opening his eyes to the pride." it simple really because it will lighten your heart!" and that made the connection for aero.

"you think my heart is weighed down by how other people view me!"

"is it not?" it was a bit but aero wasn't telling her instead," by the zalts are you wrong!" standing he got close uncomfortably so, "listen it being me nothing but joy to prove people you what I'm caple of despite my gender!" he got even closer to whisper into her ear before returning to his seat.

'my lord that was a very good threat but do you think it will work,' aero nodded,' it will work to be disgraced before the Zalt or Zaltess you follow is a bad thing. I would be devised my self if a was disgraced before the Zaltess of combat or the Zalt of progression.'

'i know who the first one is but not the second?' aero shrugged before explaining that man's legend, it started pretty simple with him cooking. it had struck him one day how wasteful the way the food preparation was, so he invested away the made less waste. he found it but he saw a lot of waste everywhere now, waste that was from everyone growing stagnant not improving. progress was needed. so progress he would make.

his action made waves that changed the entire world and Evbus Zalt of progress would be how he was known for history.