Deadly Decadence

Kronos

My sleep was dreamless by then. I woke up later, but that sleep didn't even seem to refresh me. Oh well...

I got up from my bed to take a bath.

It's a weekend, so my sister's not here. Probably hanging out with her friends or probably dating, I don't know, but I'm sure she'll tell me later when she gets home. I got out of my bedroom and spotted my dad drinking his coffee while reading the newspaper. I greeted him and went to the kitchen to prepare breakfast, but I just helped my mom since she was already there.

After eating breakfast, I finished my house chores quickly so I can freely go to my bedroom and surf the web.

I cleaned my corkboard and started my investigation on these recent events in my life. I wrote the name of the game on a sticky note and posted it there. I searched for 'How to prepare for a zombie apocalypse.' I diligently took down notes about it. I even searched on how to fight a zombie. I shortened them to certain keywords and posted them on the corkboard.

I paused for a while and looked at what I wrote and chuckled.

I know that if my sister is here, she'll probably tell me that I'm going bonkers, investigating something like these, but then again, she's not currently here, so I'll continue.  If she's going to interrogate me, I'll just tell her that I've been a fan of zombie fiction these days. Yeah, I guess she'll believe that. It's not rare for a sixteen-year-old like me to be a fan of fiction, right? Even though I really think, if I’m not mistaken, I'm already 18 years old. But what if I'm not? What if I really am still 16 years old and I just imagined growing up? Or just dreamed about it?

I groaned in frustration as thoughts swarmed on my head and plopped on my bed.

'I need fresh air.'

I said to myself and got out of the house. Just then, I saw Alisa walk by. I suddenly remember that Alisa is a member of a self-defense club. I walked to her as I call her name.

"Oh, hey, Albie!"

She smiled at me as she stopped and wait for me to come to her.

"You're a member of that self-defense club at school, right?"

"Um, yeah. Why? You interested?

She smiled sweetly at me as she asks.

"Umm.. by any chance, do you also teach how to use weapons?"

Her smile widens at the hint of interest I have in her club.

"At school, of course not. But my Uncle's a great teacher and owns a cool weapon and armor shop. Of course, you'll need to learn the basics first, or you'll not last a day with Uncle's training."

"What basics?" I asked.

"The proper fighting stance, breathing techniques, and enough stamina to start. Oh, and determination."

I was into sports back when I was in elementary, but now, not really, can I do this?

No, I should do this. I don't want to be helpless on that day.

"I'll do it."

I told Alisa.

"Woah, really? There's never really a lot of girls who wanted to learn self-defense at our school. I'm happy!"

She said as she jumped and hugged my arms.

"Should I still join the club at school?"

I asked her.

"It depends on you. You know, training consumes time and effort."

"Yeah. It sure is. Can you show me your Uncle's shop?"

"Hmm? Sure!"

I called mom and dad and told them quickly that I’m going somewhere with Alisa. They spared me some money and I went back to Alisa. She exclaimed happily as she basically dragged me to where her Uncle's shop is.

"We're here!"

I discovered that the shop is just a walking distance from our house, but somehow I seem to not notice this shop before; even the neighborhood is new to me.

Before we entered the shop, I looked at the shop's sign, which read "Hunters' Lair." Alisa greeted her Uncle, who was standing at the counter of the shop. I looked at Alisa's Uncle. I expected him to look older and more muscular since he trains people to use weapons. But he was actually lithe and younger than what I expected.

"Uncle! This is Albie, my new friend."

She said as she grinned at me.

"Albie, this is Uncle Vadim!"

I nodded at him and smiled.

"Hi, Albie."

He offered his hands, so I shook it.

"Hi... Umm... Uncle Vadim."

"Just… Uncle. Everyone calls me that here."

He chuckled before turning to Alisa and gave her a teasing smile.

"To what do I owe this visit, my sweet niece?"

"Albie wants to train. Specifically on using weapons."

"Oh?"

Uncle Vadim looked at me from head to toe, as if to assess me.

He then turned his back and went to the shelves of weapons, searching for something.

"What is he doing?"

I asked Alisa.

"He's searching for a weapon that suits you."

"He can identify that just by looking at me?"

"Trust me, he does. Although sooner or later, he'll recommend a better weapon for you to use once you improved."

"Oh."

He soon came back with a sheath that holds two ornate daggers. He unsheathed them and put the daggers down the counter table. The color of it looks so deadly, and I already fell in love just by looking at it. The blade and its handle are a shiny, beautiful shade of black, and they're intricately designed.

"Here. Feel it."

I moved near the counter and looked at the daggers and held it by its handle as I moved it around, letting the light reflect on it at different angles.

"They're beautiful."

I said in amazement.

"Do they feel heavy on your hands?'

"No, it's surprisingly light. I thought I'd find them heavy."

He smiled, quite proud that his calculations were right.

"They're named as Kronos."

"Beautiful."

To be honest, I might already be looking stupid to Alisa and Vadim's eyes as I continue to twirl the dagger around. But I'm just amazed.

Like really amazed. I imagine myself looking badass if I use these to slaughter zombies.

"Why do you want to train?"

I was drawn out of my daydream when Uncle Vadim asked me.

"Umm..."

What do I tell him? That I'm training for a zombie apocalypse?!

"I just want to learn something I can defend myself with, physically."

I mean, that's not completely a lie. It's just not the whole truth.

"I see. But let me tell you, those babies are not free."

"Umm...Of course."

I looked at him, slightly taken aback. I know that it's not free, of course. But I know, daggers this beautiful are not going to be cheap.

"How much are they?"

I still asked even though I'm starting to bid my goodbyes on Kronos, as what he said is their name.

"It depends. You'll have to pay me in every training session. If you prove to be worthy of wielding them, they're yours."

"What?"

I hear Alisa giggle by my side.

"That's just Uncle's pricing policy when you say you want to train. But if you say no, these weapons can be hella expensive, I tell you."

I hear Uncle Vadim chuckle as she said this.

"How much will be the cost of each training session?"

"A good amount of thirty dollars."

He stated.

"Thirty dollars?" I asked, a bit hesitant.

"Yes, per session, it doesn't matter how long we'll train in a day."

But then again, this will be helpful even if the apocalypse would not happen.

"Oh. Okay. Can we start the sessions now?"

"Can you pay me now?" He asked.

"Yes." I answered him.

"What's with the rush?" Alisa asked.

"Nothing. I'm just bored at home, and I think my time is better spent on training."

Lie! I hope I will not regret making up this lie. I mean, I'm sure I won't be regretting this in the future.

But, yeah, I'm looking forward to muscle pain and whatever kinds of pain after the training.

"Okay then! You can join us, Alisa."

Uncle Vadim said. To which made Alisa cheer happily.

'Good luck Albie!’ I said to myself.