Iron Goddess
Original Fiction
Chapter 2

 Along one of the open roads, which is covered with a variety of trees and bushes, a lone figue hides. He's clothes are very rugged and torn, like a scavenger. The figure has his wooden club gripped calmly in his right hand. He's managed to survive by robbing people of food, and if there was a possible chance, probably his victims' money. However, deep in his mind, he would never intend to kill another person that would be victims of his robberies. But if there were signs of resistance from his victim, then a severe beating would be the most he would ever do.
The figure crouches further into the bushes, as he sees a lone hooded figure passing by. It looks like it could be his lucky day. He grips his club tighter now, and slowly sneaks through the bushes and trees.
Nada, with her hood and cloak on and walking along the open road, momentarily stops walking, and listens to the noise that is going on around her. She knows that someone is watching her, maybe even waiting for the chance to kill her. However, the girl continues walking, but this time with extreme caution.
The scavenger was suprised for that moment the figure stopped, fearing that he may have been spotted. But knowing that the stranger continued walking, it was time to strike. Watching the figure continue walking, he starts to think about where he should strike from. He could strike from behind, or the side. A direct confrontation wouldn't be the best bet. The rugged man moves closer towards the open road, and just as the figure passes by him, he leaps out of the bushes towards the figure, club held high above his head.
Nada, notices this immediately, and without looking at her attacker, she leaps forward just as the the stranger's club strikes the earth. When she turns around she's confronted by a simple scavenger. The man's shirt was rugged and torn, exposing his bare arms which was covered with dry blood, his trousers were covered with slashes, and his bare feet were covered with dirt. The man had a thick beard, and thick hair, both of which were tangled with small twigs.
"Hand over your food and money, and I'll let you pass through," The scavenger said in a low toned but rather calm voice.
"I've got none," Nada said. "So what will you do?"
The scavenger is suprised that it's a girl that he's attacking, the moment he heard the voice. She doesn't have any money or food? The scavenger's anger begins to swell up quickly. He hasn't eaten in days, and he wasn't going to let someone get away.
"Liar!" He screamed in a mad man's voice, as he lunges toward the girl and horizontally swinging his club.
Nada crouches low under the man's swinging range, and she then she quickly extends her fist upwards and uppercuts the man's jaw. The scavenger's head arches backwards as blood spews forth from his mouth. The girl shifts into a deeper stance, and elbows the man in the stomach to finish him off. The man clutches his winded stomach, dropping to his knees and dropping his club in the process. Nada on the other continues continues her journey. While that quick fight is still fresh in her mind, she begins to remember back to her past, when she was first learning the fighting style of the Silent Dragon.

* * * *

A small hut is located just outside from the forest, and far from any villages. Mishito, who is now without his hood, is standing opposite away from the small girl, who's now wearing a grey long sleeved shirt, black trousers, and small brown boots. It's clear that these choice of clothes were not meant to be for a child, as it looked loose and baggy. Nada didn't really mind, as she still found it easy to move in.
"I must warn you Nada," Mishito said. "The path to achieve this power, will not be an easy one."
Nada nodded her head, her innocent eyes still ever present.
"Now hit me, if you can." Mishito said, as he removed his hood and cape, and shifting into his defensive stance. He slid his left leg forward along the dirt, and shifted part of his weight to his back leg. He shifted his body side-onwards and his arms were raised up so that his left arm was protecting the left side of his ribs, while his right arm, was raised close to the side of his face, for protection.
Nada shifted into the same stance also. However, her weight was shifted more to the front leg, as if she was ready to attack any second.
Suddenly, she runs forward towards her master, and at the last second, leaps to the right side of Mishito's body, before she pounces forward with a punch. But Mishito saw this, and he quickly skipped backwards, re-adjusting his stance, and met Nada's punch, with a long range kick, sending the girl flying backwards, and skidding along the dirt. The small girl doesn't move for a few seconds, but Mishito still remains in his defensive stance. Slowly, Nada rises up, and what used to be a pair of innocent eyes, the man was now looking into a pair of eyes that showed anger, and determination. The girl, now covered in dirt, shifts into her stance again.
"Good!" Mishito shouted. "Again! but faster!"
During their training, Mishito once again was thinking about the girl's promising skill.
'For a child this age, I'm suprised that she has the will power to handle such hardships. Her eyes.. they're no longer innocent and sensitive anymore. That girl wants to gain the power to defend herself, and defeat me... such determination.. such a will power..'

* * * *

Deep inside another aging forest, far away, an armed soldier is moving as fast as he can. His breathing is very heavy, and his heart is beating very rapidly too. It was only a few moments ago that he was perfectly safe, and that he was doing his job well. However, now that he's been discovered, death is the only punishment that is awaiting the man.
The man is wearing a black vest, with two armoured shoulder pads, a pair of dull gray pants, and armoured boots. On one of the armoured pads it has the symbol of a person with its bat like wings extended wide from its body. Slung over his shoulder is his sword and sheath, and attatched to his belt is a small quiver with a small amount of arrows. The crossbow in his hand is trembling, and sweat is trickling down from the man's red hair, down his forehead and into his eye, causing it to sting. The man tries to ignore the pain, and he quickly treks onwards, as another bead of sweat trickles down his face, and begins run down his neck.
"Shit..." the man said to himself, "I have to inform the King of the enemy's planned movement. Just a little further, and I'll be safe.."
The nervous figure stops for a moment, as he pulls out an arrow from his quiver, and loads his crossbow. He ducks down behind an old fallen log, and waits, as he knows that someone.. or a group of people have been sent to find him... and kill him.

While just outside the forest, another figure stands, arms crossed. Long strands of clear white hair covers most of the figure's face, save for his right eye and a white scarf covers the rest of his face. As armour, he has a grey chest plate armour, with a pair of black shoulder pads and wears a pair of gauntlets on his forearms.. He wears a pair of loose, black trousers and black boots, with a long rectangular fabric material hanging down from the center of his belt. On the fabric is a picture of figure with a pair of wings spread, and a series of strange symbols written downside the fabric.
Still looking into the forest, he doesn't speak a word, as he already knows his task: To track down and apprehend the spy.
Uncrossing his arms, he drops both his arms to his sides, and a pair of black blades slide down from each gauntlet, making a distinct slicing sound as they slide out and another sound to indicate the swords are locked in place. Slowly and calmly, he enters the forest, knowing that the cowardly spy is hiding, waiting to suprise him...

* * * *

It's now afternoon, and the angry orange sun continues to shine on whatever life it can see. Nested among the hills, is an old fortress. Even though it's old, it stands rigidly with decade old stones. It's clear that this fortress is inhabited, as archers patrol along the walls of the fortress, preventing those that are foolish to come, to leave.
Further into the heart of the fortress, a black robed man looks out at the open scenery from the top of his small tower. The man has flat black hair, with small strands extending over his forhead, and a pair of red devil-like eyes. The room around him, has nothing spectacular to look at. Besides the torches that light up the room, there is a large wooden table in the middle, containing a large map of the land, and several small figurines to represent certain forces, camps and towns. This clearly shows that this particular room was not meant for the accomodations of sleeping and such.
The man's moments of silence are soon broken, when a knock on his wooden door is heard.
"Enter," the man said, with his voice echoing for a moment in the room.
The door opens, and the long white haired boy enters the room, and bows. "Master Nefario..."
"Tiruv," Nefario said, still facing the open scenery, "I trust you've apprehended the King's spy?"
"I was unable to apprehend him My Lord," Tiruv responded. "He's been eliminated."
Though Tiruv didn't see it, Nefario was smiling. He turned around and looked at Tiruv, who had no apparent scars on him from his task whatsoever. The man is glad that he selected Tiruv to be his loyal bodyguard, his assassin and combat skills were beyond good. For a boy of nineteen, his skills were nearly superior over everyone else's.

* * * * *

Tiruv slowly moved among the vegetation, his sight and senses being as sharp as possible. He hopes that the spy has seen him now, so that coward can now regret ever betraying the Heavenly Demons.

The spy saw Tiruv in an instant, and knows that he's going to be dead if he didn't think of something quick, especially when dealing with Nefario's skilled bodyguard. He readies his crossbow, aiming for the warrior's head, which is facing towards him. He smiles, knowing that he can tell the King and everyone else for that matter that he was able to kill the deadliest soldier in the land, with Tiruv's head to prove it. The spy relaxed and let out all the air that he was holding, and gently squeezed the trigger..

The white haired boy immediately sensed something, and brought up his right blade to his head, only to hear a loud clanking sound of an arrow hitting the black blade, before it harmessly dropped to the ground. The warrior knows where the spy is now, and he's going to die for that shot, and so much more.

The spy began to panic. How did he do that? How could he be that quick? Quickly, he began to step backwards, while to trying to unsheathe his sword at the same time. But it was too late. Tiruv lunged at the spy, and with a slash of his left blade, a large gash is created along the spy's stomach. The prey screams out in pain, as he finally unsheathes his sword. The pain is starting to hurt now, as large amounts of blood stain his clothes, and dripping to the ground, but he can't die yet. He needs to inform the king of his findings. The spy holds the sword in both hands, while Tiruv just continue to stand in a casual position.
"Just give up." Tiruv said, as he shifted into his own defensive stance. He slid his right leg forward, part of his weight shifted to his front leg. His right arm is left to protect his leg, while his left arm is brought up alongside his face, to protect himself.
"I'll kill you, before my King reduces the rest of your army to burning corpses!" The spy shouted, as he lunges at Tiruv. The spy swings an overhead strike, but the white haired boy brings up both his blades to stop the sword coming further to his head. While the spy stalled, Tiruv kicks the spy in the stomach, driving him back a few meters, before nearly falling over.
"I only intended to apprehend you," Tiruv began, "so my Master would deal with you... However, if this is how you want it, you'll be left here to die."
The wounded man was now getting weaker, but his will power was getting stronger.
"You don't scare me you little bastard," the spy retorts.
Thy spy couldn't see it, but Tiruv was smiling. This was the part of his job that he liked. Apprehending a person was one thing and it took skill to hurt the person, but leave enough strength in them to talk. But to kill another in a duel was something different altogether. Once this was over, his foe will never live to regret fighting him.
Tiruv hops backwards, with his dark blades ready.
The man brings up his sword once again, and screams as loud as he can, his voice echoing.
Both men race towards each other, and in a flash they pass each other.
Tiruv turns his head slightly to see his opponent, even though he knows the outcome.
The spy's shout is immediately silenced, as a several scars begin to appear, and his throat explodes in blood. His eyes are wide in suprise as his sword dropped and his body crashing into the ground.
The boy looks down at the corpse, the blood was slowly seeping into the ground. How was he going to explain this to his master? He was ordered to apprehend the spy, but he couldn't find a reason to do so. The man was a spy, and should therefore be silenced before he told found anyone of his findings. But Nefario worked in mysterious ways. So unpredictable, he thought. Tiruv will just tell the facts. The spy wouldn't co-operate, so he had to die for his treason.
"Good bye, traitor..." Tiruv said, as he walked away.
By the time the warrior left the forest, the man was just barely alive, though he was dying, he shifts his eyes to look at a small bird that lands in front of him.
"My.... King.." the man struggles to whisper, his throat hurting with each word, "forgive.....my.... failure--"
The man's eyes roll back on itself, and the small bird immediately flies away, leaving the corpse all alone in the forest.

* * * * *

Tiruv is still standing at the entrance to Nefario's strategic command room.
"So what are your orders?" Tiruv asked.
"We will continue with our plan. Prepare our troops for assault." The Clan leader responded
"Master." Tiruv bowed, and began to leave.
"Wait.." Nefario interrupted.
Tiruv turned around once again, with a bow.
"I want you to go out to the camp of the Crescent Blades Clan. Bring their Clan Learder to me immediately. We'll have them deal with the King's forward outpost."
"Yes my Master," Tiruv bowed once again, and walks away. Just he walks away, one of Nefario's Commander enters the room.
"Ah, yes Commander." Nefario said.
"My troops are being assembled. We'll be ready in 1 hour." the Commander said.
"That will not be necessary Commander," Nefario said. "I have designated another Clan to do the task."
"My Lord?"
"Their Clan leader will be arriving later this evening. I'll be assigning Tiruv into their Clan, so he can assist in the operation."
"But My Lord, he's your bodyguard" the Commander begins to object, "it would be unwise to give away a soldier of his skill.."
Nefario smiled once again. At least this particular Commander recognised Tiruv's skill, not like the many ignorant fools that had to learn the hard way, and never lived to regret it.
"Maybe so, but assigning the boy into another of the Clans will allow him to enhance his current skills, and awaken other skills sleeping in him. Trust me commander. That is all I ask of you."
The commander bows once again, "Forgive me, My Lord. It's not my place to make judgement."
Nefario didn't need to raise his voice, or express his anger. His commander recognises his error, and tries to correct it. Only his most loyal men, as well as those who saw their errors and quickly try to correct it, would reach such high ranks, like this particular character. "Have your troops standing by should the scenario of failure on their behalf, arise."
"As you wish My Lord." The commander bows and leaves the strategic room.

* * * * *

Inside a hut that is far away from any form of civilization, Mishito, places his cloak over his shoulder and face, and slings his fighting staff over his right shoulder. Nada, who has just returned from her long journey notices this right away.
"Master, where are you going?" Nada asked.
"I must travel to the Tazketh, as we're short on supplies" Mishito responded
"But... wouldn't it have been better to have gone by day? It would be safer among the large crowds" Nada said.
"True, but anyone would be suspicious of a hooded man that's armed and walking in a village in broad daylight. If I go at night, that same person can very easily be mistaken for a traveller, looking for an overnight shelter." The man pointed out.
Nada remains silent for a few moments.
"Would it be ok, if I came along?"
Mishito smiled. "I don't see why not. I need someone to keep me company.
Nada places the hood over her head once again, and quickly chases after her master, who had already left.

* * * * *

Approaching the fortress, is Tiruv on horseback, along with another man, wh's riding a horse, partially covered in armour. The man has short black hair, with one long strand, hanging over his head and dark green eyes. He wears a simple red top, with short sleeves, and with a pair of armoured forearm protectors. His pair of dark rose coloured trousers are also covered with armouring protecting his knee caps, and his sharp boots too.
The two horsemen stop at the gate, as one soldier signals the man along the top wall to open the near-impenetrable gate. The gate slowly opens with a rather loud screech, before it smoothly ascends from the ground. The young bodyguard enters first, with the other man following behind. Upon entering, Tiruv immediately dismounts his horse and walks to the tower entrance, expecting the other man to follow along immediately. Once the stranger meets up with Tiruv, he waits, hoping for something else to happen.
"You can enter. My master will be waiting for you on the second floor of the tower." Tiruv said, with no distinct emotion in his voice.
The black haired man looks at the white haired boy. "Thank you for the escort."
Tiruv continues not to look at the man. "Just don't get lost. You could be mistaken for an intruder, and killed on site.."
The man knows in an instant that this particular character doesn't like him that much, but instead shows a weak smile. "I'll try not to."
And with that, he enters the dimly lit tower.
Tiruv begins to walk away, the moment that the man is out of his site, but not until the door opens once again. It was a soldier that Tiruv didn't know. The boy knows a few people in his clan, some of which, he is good friends with. But this soldier isn't one of those people.
"Lord Nefario summons you immediately." the soldier said.
The young soldier tries to keep his suprise hidden. What does his Master want exactly? He's talking to that Clan Leader, regarding the attack.. does it mean that Nefario wants Tiruv to assist in the operation? He'll find out, once he speaks to his master.

* * * * *

"Tiruv, I see you've met Ruug: Clan Leader of the Crescent Blades Clan." Nefario said with a smile.
Nefario's bodyguard continued to remain silent.
"I've been discussing with Ruug, about the upcomming attack upon one of the Royal Army's forward post."
"What do you wish for me to do, my Lord?" Tiruv asked, wanting to get to the point.
This is what Nefario likes about Tiruv. It's a shame that he'll have to tell him that he's going to be transferred into another Clan. Even though he is skilled, the boy is nowhere near Nefario's own power. The boy had the combat skills: While he has the dark forces of sorcery surging in his soul. But still, the Crescent Blades Clan is part of the Heavenly Demons' Clan. So in a way, Tiruv still stays. "Tiruv, you will be transferred into Ruug's clan."
Tiruv's eyes widen. Though the left can't be seen, the right eye is clearly projecting his initial reaction. Nefario knows that Tiruv doesn't like it, but he has no position to object.
"Your position will remain as a bodyguard, but to protect this Clan Leader."
"I assure you Tiruv," Ruug spoke for the first time in this meeting, "that you will have a chance to unleash your fighting potentional during the raid."
"I appreciate the offer," Tiruv said, "but I --"
"This is not a request, my loyal soldier." Nefario interrupted, with a disappointed tone
The boy bows. "Forgive me for my error in judgement."
"Forgiven. Now Ruug, failure is not an option here. Return to your camp, and assemble a small group of soldiers. My troops will deal with Tazketh Village. I expect results. And with Tiruv by your side, I know you will be successful."
Ruug stands up, and bows. "Thank you for your generosity in giving us your finest soldier. I shall not fail you."
"So you shall not." Nefario answered back, as he turned to Tiruv. "You are still part of the Heavenly Demons, my loyal bodyguard. No matter what."
The bodyguard bows. "Yes My Lord."
Tiruv follows soon after his new... employer left the room. Though he didn't like it, his master is still right. He is part of the Heavenly Demons' Clan one way or another, regardless of who he has to protect. This was the downside to being a bodyguard. You never had a say as to who you wanted or not to protect with your life.