Alpha Instinct-Chapter 68: "Tears in the Morning"

Leonard spent a long time in the clearing with Saito, training and specializing in his new battle class. He focused on his leg movements, establishing his own style of attack and defense, and honing his muscles to fit the Blade Dancer style.

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"What I thought I knew about swordsmanship… was so shallow," he thought as he caressed the blade of one of his swords, feeling the cold, smooth steel.

He looked up, taking in the view of Lake Zafir. The morning sun, already high, created a long, shimmering path of golden light on the calm water. The imposing cliffs around the lake rose up, covered in lush greenery. Every now and then, an animal or Leirion approached the edge, only to quickly retreat, startled by a potential fall.

Leonard stood up, determined. It was time to put into practice what he had learned, to face the missions Saito would give him. He returned to the cabin area, knowing that this place would be his new starting point, a fresh start.

When he arrived, he found Saito in the yard, but Mikaela and Kaleb were currently absent.

"Master Saito, I’m ready for the missions," Leonard announced, his voice firm, conveying his resolve.

"Oh, hoo! I see you woke up with a drive to make progress today," the old man, Saito, replied, stroking his beard, his customary habit. A slight, satisfied smile adorned his lips.

"Yes, master. I want to move forward. I can’t stay still," Leonard stated, bowing his head and clasping his hands in front of his body, in a gesture of respect and determination.

"Then, let’s wait for your friends to return. I want you to leave together," Saito pondered for a moment, while stroking nearby flowers of a plum tree. "But only you can complete the missions. They can help you only under certain conditions," he proposed, with an enigmatic tone.

"Alright, master. I accept the restrictions," Leonard agreed. A cool breeze blew through the yard, creating a calm atmosphere, which contrasted with the tension of the moment.

"Take notes. You’ll need this," Saito ordered.

"Yes, master!" Leonard rushed to his backpack, grabbed a crumpled parchment and a piece of charcoal, and returned to Saito.

"Pay close attention," Saito began. "Your first Elite Leirion to be faced will be the Ursulus Rex. It lives in the Skull Volcanoes, to the north. Use the Blade Dancer’s ’phantom steps,’ and you’ll have a slim chance of defeating it." He paused, the distant sound of the water of Zafir filling the silence.

"What does this monster look like, Master?" Leonard asked, curious and apprehensive.

"You’ll know it when you see it. But a word of warning: don’t be scared by its size," Saito replied, with a sly smile.

"Yes, master!" Leonard jotted everything down on the parchment, the charcoal scratching lightly against the paper.

"I repeat: You must defeat it alone. If your friends help, you will die," Saito emphasized, his voice deep and serious.

"Are you… going to… kill me?" Leonard asked hesitantly.

"No, the Ursulus will. It goes into a frenzy when attacked by multiple people, increasing its strength to levels close to those of an Alpha," Saito explained.

"I understand..." Leonard agreed, a chill running down his spine.

"Your second mission..." Saito looked up at the blue sky of that calm day, the sunlight forcing his eyes to squint "…will be the Mino Tesseract. Cunning and cruel. It inhabits the Glass Forests, to the northwest." Saito drew some symbols on the dry, red earth of the yard with the tip of his sword. "You’ll need the precision of the wind to defeat it…" He sighed.

"You seem worried, Master," Leonard observed.

"If you come back in one piece, even if you’re dead, it will already be a great feat," Saito admitted, with a somber tone.

A chill ran down Leonard’s spine. He knew these missions wouldn’t be easy. He had faced an Elite Leirion before—Fleshripper, a feared killing machine. Now, he was about to face creatures of the same level, or worse.

"When you return, we’ll talk about the third and final mission," Saito said, beginning to walk towards the cabin. "It’s more about your inner self than about fighting technique. Anyway, as soon as your friends arrive, leave." The cabin door creaked slightly as Saito opened it.

Leonard felt a hollowness in Saito’s voice, as if the old man knew something that, for Leonard, was still a mystery.

Leonard spent the following minutes arranging his equipment and checking his supplies. His fingers ran hesitantly over the paper of Mia’s letter, which he had rescued in Besen, but he put it back, still not having the courage to open it.

Just then, Kaleb and Mikaela arrived, carrying supplies. Saito had asked them earlier to stock up.

"Everything alright, Leonard? Good morning!" Mikaela said, with a broad smile, as she hung a large piece of dried meat on the clothesline.

"I’m fine… I see you brought a lot of stuff," Leonard observed.

"Gramps told us to buy it for our trip. And he shelled out the cash! We even have horses available up ahead," Kaleb said sarcastically.

Horses…, Leonard thought, remembering the exorbitant prices he had seen at the Guild House. "Master Saito seems rich..." he murmured.

"He’s 300 years old. If he were poor, he’d be a useless old man who didn’t do anything with his life," Kaleb scoffed.

"What? He’s 300 years old?" Mikaela asked, surprised. The information was new to her. "I knew it! He’s a Primordial!" she exclaimed, beaming at the idea.

"Come on, leave the old man alone. Later you can do whatever it is you want," Kaleb growled, impatient.

Leonard burst out laughing. The memory of a time when smiling and laughing were new to him flooded in, bringing a twinge of nostalgia. "Will I ever be able to live without thinking about survival?" he wondered before sighing and resigning.

They finished organizing everything, grabbed their bags, backpacks, and supplies, and headed to where the horses were. Saito didn’t show up to say goodbye—he dreaded goodbyes, claiming they brought bad luck and were "for softies."

The sound of approaching horse hooves at a hurried trot broke the silence. Tension gripped the group, and their hands flew to their weapons, ready for combat.

Could it be the King’s spies? Mikaela thought. She was preparing to fight.

A beautiful woman with black hair, pulled back in a tight bun, with strands falling like silk cascades framing her face, appeared. She wore an imposing black battle suit with crimson tribal details.

Leonard recognized her instantly. "Evelyn..." he whispered, and, without him being able to control it, a single tear rolled down his cheek.