Master

Ashton and Isabella swiftly approached the large building.

"So this is where your master lives?"

"Yes, but it's also where I live, as well as the rest of my masters disciples."

"Just how large is this building and how many of you are there? Also why have a place of teaching in such a secluded place?"

"Why else would you build a secluded sect? Because we're hidden from others, technically we don't even exist."

"What's the point in having a secret sect?"

"..."

Isabella stood there for a moment and just looked at Ashton while her eyebrows creased.

"Are you mentally absent?"

"Huh? Are you? What power and influence do you really have if nobody knows you exist?

"Some bandit stops you on the road with a higher cultivation than you, and you respond with wait! I'm from the x sect and he stabs you without caring for the consequences."

"What? I never really thought of it like that, but it's not like that would realistically ever happen after all i'm already a third step mind and body cultivator"

Isabella spoke while taking up a haughty stance, throwing her hair over her shoulder, looking for a reaction out of Ashton.

However, to her dismay, Ashton continued to stare at her with those dumb puppy eyes of his.

"Is a third step cultivator powerful? And what do you mean mind and body? I mean you did move almost faster than I could perceive even with my senses"

"Oh right, you know next to nothing about cultivation and only just awakened as a first step cultivator in mind and body. By the way, that's pretty much cheating to get both just for turning seventeen. Although at seventeen I was already at the end of the second step."

"Huh, so who's cheating now?"

"Shut up. I got here from hard work and the strict guidance from the master."

Ashton looked at Isabella with a calculative gaze

"So did you reach this point with just your hard work, or did you rely on a good teacher and resources?"

"If you weren't so clueless I'd kick your ass for insinuating I had a lucky ride"

Isabella turned away at this point, frustrated, throwing her hands to her sides.

'Guess I struck a nerve,' with a smug look he thought. 'It's nice to be on this side for once.'

Ashton, now much closer, took an appraising look at the large seemingly U shaped building. He noticed the walls were not made of stone or wood but multiple rectangle blocks of what looked like stone, but different. He noticed he really couldn't smell anything inside of the compound and hadn't been able to this entire time.

'I'm kind of nervous about meeting this master, I mean what if he hates me for being originally from the Dark Crescent Clan? I'm sure he won't hate me. After all, the enemy of my enemy is my friend or something like that.

'Besides, if he really can teach me and help me get my revenge then all the better. And from what Isabella has been saying, beasts are not rare or hunted down in the cultivation world.

'So at least I don't have to really worry about that anymore.'

"Alright the entrance is just ahead. Stay close to me and don't cause any trouble or look at anybody the wrong way.

"Most of us are orphans who lost our parents from one thing or another. Regardless of talent the master has taken all of us and taught us how to protect ourselves. Some of us have proven to be either extremely talented or just obnoxiously hard workers."

"Sounds like I'll fit right in here," Ashton said with grief, his eyes cast downwards.

"C'mon don't get all down now."

Ashton followed Isabella through the entrance into a wide courtyard.

Ashton noticed he was correct about the building being U shaped with this large yard in the middle. Looking around, Ashton saw many faces each with their own story, many had scars not unlike his.

As if noticing his stare, several of the kids gazed back with a challenging glare. While others looked away in disinterest. While looking at the kids Ashton noticed several of them were wearing lite violet robes with a dark flame on the back.

Ashton, in direct conflict with what he was told, stared some of the kids directly in the eye with a challenge of his own. Unknown to himself his throat had started to emit a low growl until a hand touched his shoulder. Looking at Isabella he noticed his actions, shrugged his shoulders, and continued to walk.

The pair continued walking until they reached the end of the courtyard, and entered the building itself.

"You may have been wondering how one master occupies all of this space, but he has several older students who have stayed with him to assist with teaching. I'll warn you of this early."

With a slight frown, and a stern voice she said, "Do not get on the bad side of Cody. Cody is the oldest, and the most talented the master has ever seen.

"Cody stayed behind as a teacher to repay the debt he thinks he owes the master. Even though the master has told him several times that he could leave whenever he wants."

"Hm noted," Ashton remarked while continuing forward. He could feel the sweat building up on his palms as his nervousness reached a peak. If this master decided to kill him, then his life would be forfeit. 'No way out at that point.'

Arriving in front of a large stone door Isabella knocked loudly while shouting, "Master I found a new disciple! He's rough around the edges but you have a common goal!"

"Bring him in," the voice on the other side of the door stated plainly without raising his voice. The power that simple statement had held was new for Ashton. He could tell the man hadn't raised his voice at all.

Opening the door, Isabella walked through with Ashton shortly behind her. The master raised his head with a gentle smile and with a rich, and expressive voice he said, "Bella, I see your search was fruitful. Tell me pup, why are you all alone?"

Ashton could feel the concern in the man's voice as though the older man could feel his grief and guilt over his father's death.

"My Father was cut down by an excuse of a man who had nearly gone insane."

"A sad tale indeed, but not an uncommon one. Now tell me why are you not with the rest of your pack? I can sense your soul, don't look so shocked."

"I don't have a pack. My father was all I've had my whole life. Only yesterday did I learn about what I was, and who is to blame for my mother's absence."

"Pray do tell, Bella mentioned we have a common enemy so I have a feeling about who."

"The Bastards of the Dark Crescent Clan."

"Yes that confirms it. Seeing you're also a wolf why would they attack you?"

"My parents fell in love, in the wrong place, the wrong time. They ran away together, survived together long enough for me to be born. Then my mother was killed in front of my father's eyes, and my father killed in front of mine."

As Ashton spoke, tears began to fall from his eyes. His tone became more and more clouded with grief as his volume raised higher. He clutched his fists tightly. So much so blood began to drip down as he had torn his own hand open.

"I am sorry my child. No children should have to experience these things. I can relate to your story as many moons ago. I fell in love with a woman from the Dark Crescent Clan. I had a child with her who was later ripped from my arms by the Clan head and forced to become a warrior.

"Forced in their ranks, he later lost his life in a foolhardy mission he was sent on, along with the other mutts." As the master spoke, they could feel the grief, the sadness, and the regret in his voice.

"My father was also called a mutt, but he went by the name 'Mad Dog'. Apparently, he fought like a crazed animal."

The older man's face lit up with recognition at the name

"I've heard of this Mad Dog. If your father is the Mad Dog then that makes you the Cursed Prince."

At the mention of the word cursed Ashton's ears perked up as this is what his status had told him he was.

"What do you mean the Cursed Prince?"

The old man sighed, picked up his tea for a sip and set it down. All the while Bella had taken a seat and was listening with rapt attention at the conversation.

"The Cursed Prince is something of an old story to the world. Back when your mother's clan was first formed, a prophecy stated that if Royal blood and a mutt's blood mixed then the Cursed prince would be born. The one to bring ruin to the clan.

"This explains why the Clan had tried so hard to kill your father and your mother all those years ago, and why they had hunted your father for the past 17 years.

"Seemingly, by your fathers plans, and a little luck from Lady Fate, you were able to grow up and landed here"

Ashton scrunched his face at the thought that some higher power may be watching out for him.

"I don't believe in this prophecy, but if the Clan does then it'll only add to my legend once I've crushed them under my claws."