Chapter 227: The Shield & Snake


    Stryg walked through the empty streets of the Schr District in the early hours of morning. He made his way to the private training courtyard Elzri had arranged for him. Gian and Gale would usually arrive at dawn for sword training, which meant he still had about an hour.


    Stryg unlocked the courtyards gate, stepped onto the polished te tiles, and took a deep breath of fresh air. It had been a difficult night, sleep kept alluding him, and nightmares seemed to gue him every time heid down to rest.


    He unsheathed Nameless and readied himself for his morning sword routine. The courtyards gate creaked open. Stryg spun around and pointed his de at the gate.


    A look of surprise crossed his face. He lowered Nameless, Lysa?


    Themia stood in the gateway. A long ck cloak hid her features well, but it did nothing to hide the long azure tail that slithered underneath.


    What are you doing here? Stryg asked.


    Lysa looked around, at the ck tiled floor, the dark sky, the brick walls, everywhere but at Stryg. ...I was making sure you werent dead, she mumbled.


    What? What is that supposed to mean? Stryg frowned.


    Id rather be in bed than here, she hissed. ...But you were screaming, a lot more than usual. You sounded in pain


    <em> The nightmares? </em>Stryg thought. He suddenly felt incredibly self-conscious.


    Then you told Feli you were going to get some water, but you didnt. You left with your sword. Lysa groaned, I thought you might be in danger, so I followed you.


    Sometimes I forget Im not the only one at home with sensitive hearing, he muttered.


    Believe me, if it was up to me I would have ignored all this shit and gone back to sleep, she crossed her arms. But the Prime Edict wouldnt let me fall asleep without making sure your dumbass was okay.


    Stryg narrowed his eyes, You fu-


    So are you okay or not?


    He blinked, ...What?


    She sighed loudly, Are you okay?


    ...No onesing to kill me if thats what you mean.


    Obviously, Im here. But are you okay? She pointed at her ears, Youre not the first person Ive heard scream like that when they sleep. In the Amber Realm, there are many dragons in the jungle my people live in The dragons are cruel, they hunt us for sport. It doesnt matter what we look like, beast-kin or not, everyone dies just the same. We know what it is like to lose the ones we love. You are not alone in this pain.


    Why are you telling me this? he asked carefully.


    For a brief moment, there waspassion in her eyes, then it was smothered away. Because I want to go to sleep! So next time you have a stupid nightmare, how about you dont go off in the middle of the night with your sword!


    Lysa looked out at the streaks of lighting over the horizon, If you need to talk and you''re afraid of opening up to the purple-haired one, you can vent to me. I wont coddle you or try to help, but at least I wont judge you for your weaknesses and insecurities. Plus, its not like I can tell anyone about your embarrassing secrets. She pointed at her heart, The Prime Edict and all. Or you know, you can just stop screaming and let the rest of us get some sleep for once.


    I see Stryg nodded slowly.


    Themia seemed nicer than usual, which was strange because she was never nice. At least not to him. He grimly wondered if the Prime Edicts effects were growing.


    So are you okay then? Lysa asked, annoyance clear in her voice.


    Yeah, Im fine. He pointed at Nameless, Im just here for some morning sword practice.


    Okay. Im going back to bed then she yawned and turned to the gate. Lysa suddenly stiffened.


    What is it? Stryg asked.


    ...Its been a while since Ive left the apartments. I dont know the way back she said sheepishly.


    ...I understand, he said sympathetically. When I first arrived in Hollow Shade I had a difficult time finding anything, even just in the academy grounds. When I became Lohs apprentice she used to send me on errands all the time, I got lost often.


    Yeah, this city really sucks, she groaned.


    ...Do you miss the jungles of your Realm?


    She shook her head, No, not at all. I miss the people.


    Is that so? he muttered. He wondered if the Blood Fang Tribe missed him. After practice, I can show you the way back.


    Goodbye sleep, she mumbled and hung her head.


    Stryg chuckled under his breath and fell into a basic sword stance. He spread his legs apart and swung his de in quick thrust and followed up with short swings.


    Lysa rolled her shoulders, threw off her cloak, and pulled out her curved single-edged longsword.


    You brought your sword? Stryg asked.


    I thought you were in danger. What? Did you want me to protect you with a stick? she rolled her eyes.


    Hm. Fair enough, he shrugged.


    Lysa narrowed her eyes and swung her sword in the air in a rapid pattern. Stryg stopped mid-way in his sword-forms and simply stared. Her de was a shimmer in the morning light. Her entire body moved with each attack, the azure tail lunging back and forth, extending her reach in swift fluid motions.


    Lysa caught Stryg staring and paused, What? Arent you going to practice too?


    Stryg shook his head and cleared his throat, Um, its just I never really noticed your sword-forms before. Its different from what Im used to. The Gale style is about a strong, precise defense and sometimes offense. But yours felt almost alive, I guess?


    Lysa ran her finger across the dull-edge of her de. The sword style was originally created formia-kind by the Mortem Order. After all, we were conceived to be warriors; soldiers for the Mortems army. Thats all we ever were to you people, <em>weapons</em>


    The courtyards gate swung open with a loud creak. Stryg and Lysa turned simultaneously. Gale and Gian stood at the gate, staring at Lysa.


    Gale drew her longsword, Stryg! Why the hell is there amia holding a sword in front of me?


    Whats the matter, little vampire? Afraid? Lysa licked her lips.


    Ill show you afraid! Gale gripped her hilt.


    Stryg raised his hands and stepped in between them, Wait! I can exin.


    Im sure you can, Gian smiled softly. This must be themia youve mentioned?


    Stryg nodded, Yes. This is Lysa, my roommate.


    Magicallypelled servant, Lysa corrected angrily.


    <em>Prisoner</em>, Stryg said. She is a prisoner of Hollow Shade. And Lord Elzri made me her warden, until further notice.


    I am Gian of House Gale. A pleasure to make your acquaintance, young one.


    I am Gale IIIV of House Gale. She sheathed her de, So youre the one we captured from the Cairn Tribe? Ive never seen amia in person before.


    And Ive never seen a girl who has two names but really only one, Lysa said.


    It is an honor to be named after my Houses founder, Gale red.


    Oh? Is someone angry? Lysa batted her eyshes.


    What is she doing here, Stryg? Gale asked, peeved.


    Um, she came to check up on me, he said.


    Is that why you have your sword out? Gale asked. I thought your kind was more of a fang and venom type?


    Jealous? Lysa bared her fangs, a drop of ck venom dripping from each.


    Lamia venom is very potent and very rare. Best to be careful, Gale, Gian said serenely.


    You should listen to the old man, Lysa smirked.


    Dont you dare call him old, Gale drew her de once more.


    What are you going to do? Attack me? Lysa said eagerly.


    Gale is a grand swordmaster, Stryg warned.


    So am I, Lysa said.


    Gale chuckled, Somehow I doubt that very much, Cairn savage.


    Savage, is it? Lysa clicked her tongue.


    Gian pped his hands, Lets make a spar of it then.


    Are you sure about this? Stryg asked.


    Positive. This will be an excellent chance for Gale to demonstrate our styles Nature Stances, Gian said. Oh, and Gale, no magic allowed.


    Fair enough, Gale shrugged.


    Stryg nced at the bluemia, No venom. And dont use your illusion artifact.


    No need, Lysa smiled. Its been a while since Ive had fun.


    Trust me, youre not having any today. Gale dashed forward and channeled her lifeforce into a single thrust, the <em>steel stance</em>.


    Lysas eyes widened, her instincts screamed to dodge, not block. Her tail sprang like a coil, she dashed to the side, avoiding the thrust. Gales sword pierced the ground, the te tile shattered in a perfect circle, 3 inches wide and twice as deep.


    Gale pulled her sword out from the ground, but Lysa was already behind her. Themia swung her de at Gales shoulder without hesitation.


    Gale channeled her lifeforce into her swords edge and fell into the <em>me stance</em>. She flipped her de up in a backswing and shed with themias sword. Sparks exploded from Gales sword in a re of heat, but there was no fire.


    Lysas tailshed out, Gale swung down, the azure scales reverberated, and did not crack. Gales sword slid right off the scales to her surprise. The tail cracked back and mmed into Gales ribs. The vampire flew up in the air andnded with a crash on the other side of the courtyard. Gale held her broken ribs with a groan.


    Gian grabbed Strygs shoulder. Look closely, he whispered. Gale made a mistake. The moment the fight started she went on the offense. Our sword style is primarily meant for defense, we wait for our enemies to attack us first.


    Lysas tail coiled and jumped like a spring. She flew through the air in a spin, her de spiraling out with death. Gale gritted her teeth and jumped to her feet and entered the <em>cascade stance</em>. Her de met themias sh for sh, blocking each of the beast-kins attacks and countering with her own. Lysas tail blocked each strike, her scales reverberating with each blow.


    It seems Gales finally falling into a defensive rhythm, good, Gian nodded.


    Stryg watched the fight with rising interest, Lysas stronger than I remembered. Her tail is like another sword.


    Yes, stronger even, Gian nodded. Shes strengthening her scales with lifeforce. Gale cant cut her tail, not even with an enchanted de and a lifeforce-enhanced edge.


    Stryg frowned and stared at his hands. Back at Castle Mora, I cracked her scales with my ws.


    Your ws arent as sharp as Gales enchanted de, Gian noted.


    Then how did I?


    It seems someone was holding back, Gian said. Although not anymore.


    Gale jumped back from Lysa and eyed her warily. Themia slithered around her opponent. Gale pulled her de back and closed her eyes, the air began to shimmer around her.


    Is that a Nature Stance? Stryg asked.


    No, thats something much more advanced, Gian said watchfully.


    You think that will stop me, little vampiress? Lysa hissed. A dark purple sheen swam down her de and pulled around the curled edge.


    Gian pped his hands loudly, Okay, thats enough sparring for now you two.


    Gale opened her eyes, a soft blue glow echoed around her entire being. She red at Lysa, I am the Shield of Veres. Be it monster or man, here I stand proud and I shall not falter.


    Lysa dashed in, her dark sword swinging down in a wide arc. Gale raised her de above her shoulders.


    Gian gripped the handle of his sword.


    ~~~


    Lysa opened her eyes blearily. She was on the ground, her sword a few paces from her. Her head throbbed in pain.


    What happened? she groaned.


    I told you two to stop, Gian said.


    Lysa pushed herself up and looked at the elder vampire, he sat on a bench at the edge of the courtyard. She nced around the courtyard and froze, Galey on the ground a dozen paces away, unconscious.


    Lysa stared at Gian suspiciously, You did this, old man?


    Gian shrugged, You might have a concussion for a few days, but youll be fine. It was a good fight. Its been a long time since my niece has had a challenge in the sparring ring. Youre quite skilled, Lysa. I think you could be better; with the right sparring partner and a bit of practice.


    What? Lysa furrowed her brow.


    Just think about it, Gian smiled.


    Stryg watched the elder vampire speak with newfound fear. He had barely seen Gian move. One moment the vampire was next to him, the next he was already between Gale and Lysa. The faint golden de of Primoria shed only once, yet Gale and Lysa had copsed. There was no blocking, no riposte, no evasion. It was instant defeat.


    Had the elder vampire used magic? Some secret lifeforce technique? Stryg didnt know. It had happened too fast.


    Thanks for the offer, but no thanks, Lysa shook her head.


    Are you sure? Gian asked. Gale could use the sparring partner. And while Stryg is already learning a swordsmanship style, he could definitely learn a few things from watching you fight?


    I get to fight Stryg? Lysas eyes widened.


    Gian nodded, Yes. For his training.


    I can beat him up? she asked.


    Not the main objective, but if he falters and fails to block, I suppose, Gian said.


    Im in, Lysa smiled wide.