"I know how much this means to you." my father said.
"So I want to give you a gift."
He pulls out a sword, but not just any sword, HIS sword.
"As you can tell she's not the best. She and I have been on many adventures together. But I have a feeling that you will have a stroke of luck with her by your side."
I don't know what father meant by that, "she's not the best". The sword, while old, shined bright. It was very impressive how much care my father put into that sword. The care into the shininess, sharpness, even the hilt was well taken care of. Its something too much for me to handle.
"I can't take this" I say with slight animosity in my voice.
"I was not asking for you to take it." He replied.
"I know how to defend myself with or without a sword. YOU taught me that."
"I know I did, but your going to take it, it's not easy out there y'know."
I sigh deeply. "I know father."
"Then show me you know."
"..."
"Okay" I replied.
He smiled slightly at my reply.
"Alright then. You have everything you need?"
"Yes father." I say annoyed.
A part of me feels bad for that response. This will be the last time I see my father and my home for a long while. I should at least be respectful.
"Fuck" I say quietly and my face goes down.
My father notices. he has a very keen eye for my reactions.
"Dear, why are you crying?"
I didn't even notice I was crying. Dammit.
"I know how tough this may be on you. I know you want to act all big and tough for me just to show how my little girl has grown up but, it's okay. You can cry. You can be scared."
He hugs me
I tear up even more.
He's right. I am scared. But why. I don't know why. Why am I scared. This was my idea. My decision.
"It's okay." I say to myself
Moments pass as I get ready.
I turn around and see my father. His grey beard. Wrinkles around his face and eyes. His shivering hands due to the cold. Everything I noticed and have been noticing for years as he trained me to be keen with my senses.
"I'm off father."
"Goodbye dear"
I turn around and head off.
***
My plan is to get to the Guyry Kingdom by the end of the month.
I have enough food and supplies to last me two weeks. But after that, I'm on my own.
Won't be much of a problem because of my training from father. He taught me how to survive on my own if needed.
Guyry is slightly left North of Volliya. If all goes well, and I don't have any disturbances, I could even get there within three weeks. But I'd rather not get my hopes up. Right as I think that I'm down the road and I hear a yell. A tiefling girl being attacked.
"Remember to protect others that don't have the power to defend themselves" my father always said.
"Fuck."
Alright then.
As I'm walking over the thugs attacking the tiefling notice me.
"Oi, why dont'cha fuck off" the thug said whilst pulling out a knife.
I don't even wanna waste time on this piece of shit.
Before he could even say his next words I kicked him as hard as I could in the gut. Spit flew out his mouth as he flew to the ground.
"YOU FUCKER!"
Once again I don't waste time as I slam his face into the ground with my right hand.
I heard teeth broke the second he went down. He's out for sure now.
The other two looked on in a scared state. The tiefling now having no more need to yell for help is now instead cheering for me.
I was to deep and thought though. And one of the two thugs punched me in the face with a right hook. He got a good hit in because my mouth started bleeding. Even the guy I kicked didn't cough blood or anything when I kicked him in the stomach. And I made sure I hit hard. I always make sure. I learned from the best.
Can't waste too much time now. After his swing I grab his arm and break it. I then move my foot around his and trip him. He's now on the ground. Now's my chance to take out the other one. But he already pulled out a sword. I guess it's my turn now.
I unsheath my newly adequate sword that my father gave me and got ready in stance.
"Your gonna regret this" the final thug said in a shaky tone.
He swung first. But I was ready. I go straight for his stomach with a pointy stab.
I pierced his stomached, but he slashed my right shoulder.
Great, not even an hour on the road and he messed up my shoulder.
***
"Are you okay?" Someone said behind me, that someone being the tiefling.
"Yes and no. If anything I should be the one asking you that question."
"It's okay, if anything, I'm in your debt for saving me from those muggers."
"I don't need your debt. I need to go back on the road."
"With that shoulder your not, here come back to my place and let me heal you. I do know magic y'know."
...
"Fine"
"It's a deal then. So what's your name?
...
"Velyra Emiya."