Chapter 8 – Trials – part 1
2003 Words
After some months, Seya and the Denar’an family were on a carriage to the RabbitKind Kingdom, for the Denar’an Trials.
Null was looking at the scenery while Seya was doing what he always did inside a carriage, practising Magic Control.
Sully was smiling at them, remembering their entire course to reach there. “Well, after so much time, so much training and bloodshed, it makes me proud going with both of you to the Denar’an Trials. But since it will take six days for us to reach the RabbitKind Kingdom, you must use this time to practice. And Seya, if we get hurt during training, I am counting on you.”
“You can leave the healing to me, father Sully. But how do you want for us to train while riding this carriage?”
“While here inside or on top of the carriage, you can train attack and defend only with your hands, arms and fists. Sometimes, you can practice Earth and Dark Magic, Meditation and Magic Flow Control. When we stop for resting the horses, you can go full unarmed combat, and also combat with weapons. And don’t forget full combat with weapons and Magic. Seya, Earth and Dark Magic only, okay?
“Can’t I use other types of Magic during the Trials?”
“Of course you can, but if you wish to be acknowledged as a Denar’an Bloodline Warrior Style, it’s better to use a lot of Earth and Dark Magic. I don’t know if it’s better if you don’t use those Magic Light ears.”
“What? My RabbitKind ears? But they are a part of me already when I am fighting seriously!”
“Well, it depends how good it goes for you. But if you use them since the beginning, some people there may find it insulting.”
“I understand... Father Sully, you still didn’t tell me what happens there.”
“Right, I only went with Null the last time, for him to see what he should expect. Well, basically, there’s a group of Denar’an Elders, the RabbitKind King, my Grandparents, and my uncles, and the Trials consists of three fights. You must fight with three Examiners. You choose the order of your fights and your weapons. You can choose one fight unarmed, one fight with weapons and one fight with weapons and Magic. Seya, in combats using Magic, since you don’t waste time on chanting, you have a huge advantage. Null, because your time spent on meditation and learning my short chants and because Seya is teaching you about Magic Control and Magic Flow, the speed of your attack spells is extremely fast. Seya, what weapons you intend to use?”
“Well, I brought my bow, sword, and the Naginata. I guess I will go with the sword and the Naginata.”
“You’re sure? I brought a lot of different weapons if you want.”
“No, I like these ones. They are my favourites.”
Sully laughed with Seya’s strong convictions. “A ten-year-old male competing in a Trial with a Naginata! That will be something! Ahahahah!”
Cemil Denar’an poked Sully’s nose with her finger. “What’s wrong with fighting with a Naginata?”
“Nothing, really, but nowadays it’s very unusual for a male to use it. And going to the most important test of our kind being a ten-year-old boy with a Naginata as his weapon of choice, that will be amazing!”
…
When they arrived at the entrance of the place designated for the Denar’an Trials, Seya took a deep breath, preparing for the next step of his training, where he was supposed to prove that he was worthy of receiving all the teachings and training of Sully and Cemil Denar’an. He also knew that his achievements or his losses in there could also honour or embarrass his Masters.
When the RabbitKind Guards at the entrance opened those huge doors, Sully and Cemil were the first to enter, followed by Null and Seya. They walked through a long corridor with torches on the walls, giving a faint light and a strong feeling of importance to just a simple walk. At the end of the corridor, they saw an Arena. When they were in the middle of it, Seya couldn’t stop thinking about the Roman Colosseum, back on Earth, but on a shorter scale.
There were 6 big RabbitKind near the wall, right in front, just looking at them. All-around and above a 3mt tall wall surrounding that circular Arena, there were already more than 100 RabbitKind seated on the chairs, looking at them, in complete silence. Right in front and in an elevated balcony, there were some Elders and a RabbitKind with a crown on his head.
One of the Elders got up, went to the edge of the balcony, looked at them, and addressed Seya’s group. “Step forward the Master and the Candidates! Say your names!”
“I am Sully Denar’an. These are my students.”
“I am Cemil Denar’an. These are my students.”
“I am Null Denar’an. I am thirteen years old. I have been learning from my Masters since I was three years old. I ask for the honour to take the Denar’an Trials.”
“I am Seya Hinamoto. I am ten years old. I have been learning from my Masters since I was three years old. I ask for the honour to take the Denar’an Trials.”
A lot of voices could be heard, coming from all around, after Seya’s introduction. “...Him? What?... Strange...”
The Elder Denar’an pointed at Seya. “Sully Denar’an and Cemil Denar’an, what's the meaning of this? Why is there a Human child applying for the Denar’an Trials?”
Sully shrugged his shoulders. “It is as you Elders see, there is a Human child here. Don't underestimate him, or you are all in for a big surprise.”
The Elder Denar’an grabbed the edge of the balcony, infuriated. “Preposterous! Such an insult to this ancient gathering!”
The RabbitKind King got up and approached the edge of the balcony. “Elders, may I ask a question?”
“Yes, your Majesty, by all means.”
“Sully, what's the name of the father of this child?”
Sully scratched his head. “Well brother, Oops... My King, his father his Rolland Hinamoto. But you may know him as Rolland Denar’an Hinamoto, our adoptive brother.”
Seya looked at Sully, surprised by that and thinking it was strange. “||… Adoptive brother?...||"
The RabbitKind King smiled, he seemed very happy, while looking at Seya. “I see... And how is our brother? I haven't seen him for years.”
Sully smiled and winked one eye to the King. “Very well indeed, still living a quiet life, as he wanted.”
The RabbitKind King nodded in agreement and he then looked at the Elders next to him. “Good for him. Elders, seems that everything is clear now?”
The same Elder Denar’an bowed and he addressed the Candidates that were down at the Arena. “Yes, my King, seems that there is nothing wrong with this Candidate. We shall proceed. Well, who will be the first?”
Null took one step further. “I request that honour.”
The Elder Denar’an pointed at the six big RabbitKind in front of Seya and his group. “Very well. You will fight against three Examiners for each Trial. The fight ends when one of you cannot fight, quits, or is thrown out of the Arena. What do you choose for the First Trial?”
“I choose unarmed combat, no magic.”
One of the Examiners took one step further. “I shall be your opponent then.”
Null started to use Body Strengthening Magic on all of his body, as soon as the Examiner took a stance, waiting for Null’s next move. “||...Body enhancement, speed, strength...come here, I have a nice surprise for you, Seya’s style...||”
Since Null wasn’t moving also, the Examiner jumped to reach him, and as soon as the Examiner threw a punch at Null’s face, it ended. “||... This guy is slow. Right arm here, I turn, twist, throw... Oops! ...||”
The Examiner flew over Null’s head, and he landed badly on his side on the floor, with his arm twisted in a strange position. “Aaaarrrggghhhhh...”
Seya shook his head, and he looked at Sully, that had a big smile. “Father Sully?”
“It’s your move, Seya! He executed it perfectly. An easy win.”
The Elder Denar’an raised his arm and announced, “Seems like the Examiner is unable to continue. Null Denar’an, choose your next Trial.”
“I choose armed combat. I will use my own sword.”
“I am your opponent then.”
…
Null and the Examiner were fighting for some time, and Seya was worried. If the Examiner attacked, Null evaded or defended. The Examiner increased the speed, Null did the same.
Seya watched in silence, thinking, “||...They are evenly matched... careful Null...||”
Suddenly, the Examiner did a thrust forward, only to change directions at the last second and striking Null from a blind spot directly at his stomach. But Null was used to that from all the fighting with Seya, considering that move was one of his favourites to catch Null off guard.
He was always trying to counter that, but since Seya was smaller than the Examiner, he always managed to avoid it. But against the Examiner, Null tried the same countermovement. He jumped up while curling his body in a ball, and he smacked downwards the Examiner wrist with the tilt of his sword.
Thump!
The Examiner was surprised, rubbing his wrist and looking at his sword. With a bitter smile, he assumed the defeat. “I forfeit, you disarmed me perfectly. Amazing swordsmanship skill.”
Null bowed at the Examiner. “Thank you. It was an honour.”
The Elder Denar’an raised his arm and announced, “The Examiner as forfeited. Null Denar’an, choose your next Trial.”
“I choose armed combat with Magic. I will use my own sword.”
Another Examiner took one step forward. “I am your opponent.”
They got ready, and the Examiner immediately started a chant. Null was already gathering his Magic since the moment the Examiner took the first step to face him. “Oh, Earth...”
Null threw a series of Earth Magics with a very short chant, as he had learned from Sully and Seya. “Rock Throw!” ... “Rock Throw!” ... “Rock Throw!” ... “Rock Throw!” ... “Rock Smash!”
The Examiner was able to avoid the first shot, only to be caught by the other three Rock Throws, and finally, a Rock Smash, that was a huge pile of rocks coming from above and burying him under it.
“Aaaaaaarrrrrggggghhhhh...”
The crowd in the Arena stood up, with that surprising and powerful demonstration of Earth Magic. “…What?...”
The Elder Denar’an raised his arm and announced, “The... the Examiner is unable to continue. Such speed with Earth Magic! Not even a sword strike, it all ended with just Magic! That was just... well...”
After providing help to the Examiner buried by Null and cleaning the Arena, it was Seya’s turn. The same Elder Denar’an raised his arm. “Next Candidate, Seya Denar’an Hinamoto, choose your Trial.”
“For honouring my brother Null Denar’an, I chose unarmed combat, no Magic.”
Null was surprised, looking at Seya and at his parents. Why did Seya say that? Even Sully and Cemil were wondering. “What did he...?”
One Examiner took one step forward, smiling. “I will be your opponent, Human child. Let's see if you can make me sweat a little!”
- Writer
