Killing Monsters Read online

  Hiroki became frustrated, beads of sweat were visible on his forehead, and he responded, “There are things I’ve learned on my own. Try and stop these strikes!”

  Hiroki charged towards Yoshihiro, this time with his katana firmly gripped in his right hand much to the surprise of Yoshihiro. This combination will land, he’s never seen me use this before.

  Hiroki reached Yoshihiro and threw his sword in the air slightly to his left hand, unsettling the balance of Yoshihiro, who did not expect such a movement. The katana was caught by Hiroki’s left hand then thrown back to his right hand, which was caught again by the right then left as the young swordsman juggled the grip of the sword to keep Yoshihiro guessing. Hiroki then struck diagonally across the chest of Yoshihiro, who just managed to block this unorthodox attack.

  Yoshihiro couldn’t hide the look of shock on his face. “Hiroki! You have been training hard!”

  Hiroki continued another relentless assault of multidirectional attacks that seemingly got faster and stronger. Hiroki used a lot of energy using these attacks, and could sense the blades getting closer and closer to the bare skin of Yoshihiro.

  The katanas clashed and continued their melody, the warrior’s song, and both of the swordsmen seemed to be smiling as if the thrill of battle took them to a point of ecstasy. I can sense him weakening, he can’t defend forever, Hiroki told himself.

  Hiroki was leading the attacks and pushing Yoshihiro back into a state of defence, much to the surprise of the commanders.

  “He’s winning! He’s actually fucking winning. YES!” boasted Angelika.

  Crow couldn’t contain his shock. “Well, this isn’t what I expected. Little bro is doing good!” Everyone seemed surprised, and even Tatsuya was in awe of the kid he that he felt didn’t stand a chance.

  One man maintained his composure, one man remained silent, and that man was the old knight Archie, who interrupted the conversations of false hope and brought everyone back down to the cold reality—a reality that reinforced that Yoshihiro was unbeatable and a true master swordsman. “Wake up, you fools! You don’t get it, do you? Look, feel and sense Yoshihiro’s aura. He’s playing with Hiroki!” Archie looked glum. “Yoshihiro trained the boy, he merely wants to see how skilled Hiroki is, he wants to feel Hiroki’s potential and skills. He will end this when he chooses. Hiroki can’t win!”

  Bellethiel was angered by this, and turned to Davorin. “That’s not right is it?”

  “I’m afraid so! Hiroki has improved and is formidable, but he’s not on Yoshihiro’s level yet. Yoshihiro will end this soon,” declared Davorin.

  Thunder’s eyes began to fill with water, and a tear ran down the golden scales of the baby dragon. It was a tear of rage. Thunder knew how many years Hiroki had trained for this defining moment; to see it end in defeat enraged the dragon whose scales began to glow, as did his inner rage, which was felt by Davorin.

  “Come now Thunder, all is not lost! Hiroki may have something special left to unleash if he chooses to use what scares him,” said Davorin.

  Thunder knew what Davorin meant. He also knew Hiroki held back the darkness within him, as he was scared of being consumed by it. Thunder addressed his elder dragon surprisingly wisely for such a young dragon. “But he won’t unleash his rage and anger! Hiroki isn’t a monster like most swordsmen, he’s kind-hearted and pure. The darkness in him makes him uneasy.”

  “So then tell me, my fellow dragon, do you think he can defeat a monster without becoming one himself?”

  Thunder paused and pondered. “I . . . I don’t know. What I’ve been told is rage and evil makes people blood-drunk, and once in that state, the soul is consumed and the being descends into a dark demise.”

  Davorin knew this to be true, he’d seen it in many swordsman. “Wise words, young dragon. You are right, Yoshihiro of all people has experienced that first-hand.”

  The two dragons continued to watch. “Humans . . . their balance between good and evil is most peculiar.”

  Small mists of dust emitted from patches of dead brown grass that had been baked by the sun. Warming to a crisp under the fierce rays of the season of summer, Hiroki and Yoshihiro continued their duel.

  Hiroki was the aggressor; he instigated every attack and each attack struck true, forcing Yoshihiro’s defensive movements to perfection. Yoshihiro knew he’d never been pushed like this before in one-on-one combat, but he also knew he could not allow his apprentice to continue to attack unmatched.

  Yoshihiro pushed back once more, showing a slight sign of fatigue, and Hiroki made his move and attempted to land a winning strike, roaring, “Yoshihiro, you bastard!” and with one mighty strike, Hiroki landed what seemed to be a decisive blow.

  The fight stopped. Yoshihiro had just managed to block Hiroki’s most powerful strike, sending Hiroki into a state of panic. That was everything I had! He’s taking it, all of it, and now he’s smiling at me! I can’t win this.

  The two katanas were locked together, and Yoshihiro smiled. He stared into Hiroki's eyes like a demon. His eyes were on fire, and burned with the rage of a fierce swordsman and killer. Yoshihiro used his strength to outpower Hiroki while they were close, sending his student crashing to the ground. Hiroki was light and tired, and rolled along the floor beaten and bruised. When he opened his eyes, he found himself at the feet of Jadar.

  “You tried, Hiroki. There’s no shame in losing to him,” Jadar stated mournfully.

  Beaten and bruised, Hiroki looked up to expressions of sadness amongst the commanders, who all seemed to know too well that Yoshihiro was undefeatable.

  Astaroth added in a glum tone, “Hiroki, anyone else and you would have won, you can’t beat him. I’m sorry, boy.”

  Angelika was furious and clenched her fists with rage. Seemingly acknowledging her friend was to lose this duel, the young mage knew how much Hiroki wanted to win this and his reasons why.

  It wasn’t just for a black headband, or to finally stand as an equal next to his sensei and father figure, Yoshihiro Hiroto—it was something more. If he could beat the greatest swordsman that ever lived, then maybe his dead parents could look down from above with pride for their son. That’s what Hiroki wanted.

  Hiroki struggled to get back up. He was exhausted and bruised, and to make matters worse, Yoshihiro had disarmed him. Hiroki was swordless, and began to feel the worst fear a man can feel on the battlefield—fatigue. His arms could move no more, his breathing was heavy, his lungs were on fire, and he couldn’t lift or move his body anymore. Hiroki’s body was in a state of cramps and the taste of salty sweat dripped from his lips as his ribs ached due to bruising. He then turned to see the demon swordsman glaring at him, a merciless glare that he had seen on many battlefields.

  Yoshihiro threw Hiroki’s sword back to him and spoke for what would be the last time of this duel. “I will not have you swordless when I defeat you, boy. You disappoint me! You are fast and strong, but predictable and weak. Your weakness is perhaps my failure as your teacher. I should have been tougher; you’re no swordsman.” Yoshihiro approached Hiroki. To the beaten and hurt young swordsman, he looked more like a mountain than a man. “Your parents were killed because they were weak. At least they won’t have to witness their son fail in life too.”

  No more words were said, and everyone appeared to be in shock; even Tatsuya couldn’t believe such harsh words from Yoshihiro.

  Davorin interjected, seemingly feeling sorry for Hiroki. “Finish this Yoshihiro, do not punish the boy anymore.”

  Yoshihiro began walking forward to cut Hiroki. “Get up boy,” mumbled Ragrim. Hiroki seemed defeated and could not move.

  Thunder pleaded, “Please, Hiroki get up, you said we can make this world better together.”

  Yoshihiro approached and stretched out his blade, readying the final cut.

  Out of nowhere Angelika erupted, “Get the fuck up Hiroki! Is this really how you want it to end? Think about the promises you fucking made. You said you’d be the greatest swordsman in
the lands! You said you’d use your skills to help children who were just like you, orphaned by war, beaten and abused. Remember your dreams, standing side by side with Yoshihiro with the War Hogs behind you and your fucking dragon! Think about the innocence that suffers, make that your power.”

  Yoshihiro paused; he was stunned by this speech and revelation. Was that Hiroki’s desire? If so, then maybe Yoshihiro had succeeded and created something that Dragons Continent needed, a fearsome warrior, unequalled in combat but harbouring purity and love.

  Hiroki rose up again and seemed revitalised by Angelika’s speech.

  Yoshihiro could sense a new power building from within Hiroki, and he smiled. “You surprise me, I thought you were finished! I can sense a burning aura within you, your power is surging. Now is the time. Tap into the rage and let it guide gracefully.”

  Hiroki responded, transformed and revitalised, “This ends now!”

  Yoshihiro and Hiroki charged towards each other for one final attack, Yoshihiro screamed, “Feel the cuts from the greatest swordsman that ever lived!”

  Yoshihiro began slashing at an incredible speed, a speed not humanly possible, though years of fighting and training had blessed Hiroki with quick reflexes and defensive abilities.

  Hiroki evaded the speedy slashes from the butterfly’s razor with ease; he had emptied his mind, and now his movements were instinctive rather than overthought.

  Again and again, Yoshihiro’s slashes were parried away by Hiroki, though the vibrations from the katana clashes travelled through Hiroki’s arms, building up tension and unbearable shooting pains.

  Yoshihiro was pushing forward, and each strike felt as though he was swinging a hammer rather than a sword. “You seem shocked by my power and speed!” boasted Yoshihiro. “The ability to mix speed and power is the ultimate goal of a swordsman. Here, feel some more power!”

  Hiroki began to realise, I can’t keep this up, my arms feel heavy, I need to strike him down now. Another pending slash was aimed towards Hiroki’s chest, but he spun around and slashed back, which just missed Yoshihiro's chest! “Now I’ve got you! My strength comes from the heart, it’s not bloodlust like yours!”

  Hiroki pushed Yoshihiro back, spinning and slashing in different angles much to Yoshihiro’s shock. Hiroki noticed a gap in Yoshihiro’s technique—his right leg! He can’t guard between low and high attacks quickly, as he’s tall and muscular.

  Hiroki swiped at the left leg, which was blocked. It didn’t matter, he was luring Yoshihiro into a trap, he then spun round to strike the right leg of the tired Yoshihiro, and slashed towards the right leg, which was met again—but it was too late. Hiroki spun for the last time and struck upwards across Yoshihiro’s chest. He shrieked in pain then jumped back, and both fighters stopped.

  There was a burning sensation across Yoshihiro’s chest, as though he’d been hit by a wave of molten lava. He knew what this feeling was, and as he looked down, he saw his own blood gushing from his stomach and chest. As it began to pond on the green grass beneath him, he laughed and bellowed for all to hear, “I haven’t seen my own blood in many years. Well fought, Hiroki!”

  Yoshihiro dropped to his knees, having lost his grip on his sword.

  “Impossible!” roared Tatsuya.

  Yoshihiro looked up at his victorious student. “Boy, you’ve done well. Still not perfect, but very fucking good!”

  Yoshihiro fell to the floor, having passed out from pain and blood loss.

  “Davorin! Now!” shouted Jadar at the mighty dragon.

  “Not to worry, I will heal him.”

  Davorin’s response was delayed, the shock of Hiroki’s victory seeming to stun the mighty dragon.

  The horn on Davorin’s head was shaped like a katana and began to glow a blinding pearly white, like a lightning blast. He hovered over the wounded Yoshihiro and aimed the white glow over the slashed torso, and Yoshihiro’s wounds began to heal.

  Thunder, Hiroki, and all the commanders stood over their leader whilst he was healed by Davorin.

  “I knew you could do it, Hiroki!” beamed a relieved Angelika.

  Archie continued the praise. “Well fought, man! Your skill was incredible, you’d make a mighty knight Hiroki!”

  A yawn was heard from Tatsuya. “Whatever, I’m going back to camp.” He disrespectfully walked off into the day without so much as a single compliment nor condolences to his leader.

  “I fucking hate that man!” raged Jadar.

  “Tatsuya is a ninja and assassin, he cannot be expected to respect the swordsman code,” Crow reminded everyone.

  Yoshihiro regained consciousness after his wounds had healed thanks to Davorin’s magic. He covered his freshly-healed torso in his kimono and turned to his commanders and the young Hiroki.

  Yoshihiro began to smile, something the fearsome warrior rarely did, then addressed them all. “Hiroki, my boy! Well done, you struck me down!”

  Yoshihiro revealed a black headband from his kimono. “Step forward and claim your prize and new status as a master swordsman!”

  Hiroki graciously accepted the headband, which was then tied firmly around his head with pride. Yoshihiro continued, “When I rescued you that fateful night you were clinging to your dead parents with innocence and rage. I knew you could take that rage and use it one day to ascend and take swordsmanship to new heights. The bond you share with your dragon Thunder is testament to that, I commend you, but this is just the beginning. Go forth and conquer!”

  Davorin roared and blasted the sky in dragon fire to celebrate. “Well earned Hiroki! You have done well!”

  Yoshihiro turned his emotions towards his commanders, who had served with him for many years. “And to all of you, my Cursed Bastards. We are the most fearsome warrior clan in all the lands, and have slaughtered all in our paths over the years. No doubt more brutes await seeking to end our reign, but tonight, we celebrate the emergence of our newest commander, Hiroki Mitsue!”

  The commanders cheered in excitement and admiration for their leader and equally for Hiroki’s victory, and headed back to their camp to celebrate.

  Evening celebrations were due before their pending meeting in the coming days with the wicked warlord Darius Kazim.

  Chapter 4:

  Celebrations and Revelations

  The sun had begun to disappear from Centre Plate and make way for the moon. It was late in the afternoon, and the sky boasted wonderous colours of orange, pink, and red, signifying the night was fast approaching. This colour of the sky, many hundreds of years ago, was referred to as ‘Dragon Blessing,’ named after the mighty first dragons that ruled the lands.

  When the sky bloomed with these shades, it was said to be a sign that the dragons were happy with all beings throughout the lands, and usually the sky would turn this colour in times of peace.

  Dragons were the first beings to live on these lands, and soared through the sky overseeing the development of other lifeforms, keeping the peace, and protecting the lands.

  The mighty grand dragon Storm was the biggest known dragon, and was said to have a gigantic one hundred and twenty meter wingspan, gold scales, and green blasts of fire. The mighty dragon also had two huge silver horns at the top of his skull.

  Storm led a colony of dragons who served beneath him with some of the greatest and most impressive dragons ever known, aiding Storm in his dominance over the lands of Dragons Continent.

  Storm’s mate was called Umbra; she was a beautiful dragon with diamond-coloured scales that glistened and shone in the light, she had one horn on her skull much like a unicorn, and when she would breathe purple fire, the diamond-like horn would also glow a dark purple. Umbra’s wingspan was said to be around seventy meters long, and when her wings were open, the underside would reveal a majestic hint of gold. Umbra was said to be the quickest dragon in the sky, and would be seen practising her aerial movements and agility regularly.

  Storm's best friend and second in command was a dragon named Obsidian, who was ferocious
in combat and protected the dwarves of Dwarven Peaks. Obsidian’s body shone during the day and sparkled as if he was a giant walking gemstone. This dark dragon got his name due to the thick long scales all over his body that resembled the dark Volcanic obsidian stones themselves; his hide was solid, and his fire could melt boulders in seconds.

  Obsidian was said to be ferocious in combat, hence Storm’s request to make him guardian of Dwarven Peaks and the gemstones that resided there. As well as being a respectable size, Obsidian also boasted a spiked tail which was used to shatter gigantic rocks, freeing the gemstones from inside of the boulders much to the delight of the dwarves.

  Another well-known dragon was Valentina. This charming young dragon was said to be only 120 years old. She was full of positivity and enjoyed engaging in conversations with humans, dwarves, and elves, to help better understand the ways of the lands. Valentina was small with blue scales however the scales atop of her head and along her spine were of a light green colour with miniature green horns all over her skull, giving her a distinctive look.

  This dragon famously brought a young mage to Dragon’s Watch after witnessing the mage’s family murdered. Storm disapproved, and would normally have punished such a deed, but upon looking into Valentina’s eyes and seeing a genuine effort to preserve innocence, he found himself feeling more admiration for her due to this deed. As time passed, the young mage she rescued grew to be powerful and created the mage homeland, Aura Haven.

  Valentina would visit the mages regularly and the mage she rescued. Due to her green scales running along her spine and covering her head, she was nicknamed ‘The Green Arrow’ and was said to be a symbol of saviour.

  Another famous dragon that was still celebrated to this day by the woodlanders was Freya. Freya was the Guardian of forests and was of famed beauty. Freya was completely covered in green scales that shined so brightly, they appeared to look more like emeralds than scales. Her eyes, claws and teeth were ruby red and would glow when she breathed fire. The underside of Freya’s wings were dark orange; however, she did not fly often, preferring to live in peace within the seclusion of vast forests.