Fathers Footsteps

[StaffSgtSkunk]

Day 1 – The Beginning

For many years all that Zeo has ever wanted to do is to follow within his father footsteps to become the greatest soldier there is. To step foot upon the battlefield and make a difference within the war against Canas. That was his dream that he wanted to come true and he will stop at nothing to get there.

He was told by Celestia that he wasn't ready to step foot upon the battlefield at lest not until he had become better with a weapon. Upset and slightly angered by her decision not allowing him to to follow in his father foot steps he turned slightly and said before leaving,

“I will show you what a true soldier I can be”

Night came as he finished the last of the shields and placed them within another chest next to the others. He made himself some heavy armor to train in, he also writ a not for Celestia as well about the chests and where they where. He prepared himself to travel to a place where he could train to become the soldier he dreamed off.

He made his way back to the Inn and gave the note to Fat Angus, the note read,

'The chests are at the forge I have been working at, everything is there as you requested. I will show you'

“Give this to the captain Angus” his voice was quiet and calm again as he turned to make his way out. He didn't even look back to see a reply from Angus as he hoped that he would just give it to her.

He really wasn't carrying much for his journey, he wore the heavy armor as he planned not to take it off, his reserve blade next to him and only enough food to get him to a place where he could train. He sighed slightly as he looked back over his shoulder towards the Inn, he knew that by the time he would return he would be ready only hoping that captain would see that. He started to make his way out of Lendose, not knowing where the road would take him.

He must have been traveling for what seams to be hours and by this point he found what looked like over grown plants and ivy covering a path. His eyes moved off the road and towards the overgrowth as he felt like this was the place. Wiping his fore head free of sweat he headed towards the overgrowth, moving it out of the way as he entered the area.

This place was surrounded by trees and overgrowth making it extremely hard for anyone to look inside, the center had a lake with a white tree hanging over but the water was crystal clear as you could see the bottom. Not one of the trees covered the center above allowing a lot of the sky to be seen. It was almost like that he had been here before but it also felt new to him. He shook his head and looked around seeing that there was plenty of food and water around here.

Within seconds he started to train with his blade as he made swing after swing. He hasn't slept since he started to work upon the task the Sargent gave him and he aimed not to. Swing his blade in all kinds of directions varying from above the head to a diagonal upper swing, he aimed to push himself to the very limit.

Each swing he could feel 'him' inside his mind this gave him an idea.

This is where he would become the soldier he wanted to be, this is where it begins.

[StaffSgtSkunk]

Day 2 – Hard at training

It was the second day of him training to become the soldier he wanted to be like his father. Still swinging his blade in all directions from the first day he got there, panting after each swing. He kept on going as he imaged his enemies coming at him. He readied himself as he imaged three of them charging towards him.

The first one went to swing a blade from above but Zeo quickly countered it with a blow to the stomach, slicing him in two as he ran towards the second one. Zeo aimed his blade towards his chest but it was dodged and countered with a swing towards Zeo's head. Again he dodged it and pushed the second one back. By this time the third one was behind him and now it was two against one. Still panting he kept his eyes on both of the imaged enemies, keeping his guard up.

Both of them charged towards him and both aiming at different spots on Zeo, one was aiming for his head as the other was aiming for a hip. Zeo could feel 'him' again within his mind and tried to use this to his advantage, his eyes changed from a bright white to a deep red as he chuckled. His voice had a mixture of demonic and natural voice as he yet didn't have full control over the power. As the two imaginative enemies got close he readied himself to deflect one of the attacks so he could strike at the other one.

The one in front of him went for the swing towards him but Zeo deflected it by matching his blade with his own, pushing him back and turning towards the one behind him. By this point the enemy was already going for the swing already quite close. Zeo struggled to move out of the way but does so barely and countering it by decapitating the head of his enemy. However this was a slip up for Zeo as all he saw was the blade of the other one he pushed away come to his face and passes by.

Zeo falls to his knee's quite hard as his breathing gets heavy and droplets of sweat fell from his face. His armor and blade feeling very heavy to him but he wouldn't give up, he wanted to be exactly like his father as he slowly raised back to his feet. Struggling to keep his balance grinned to himself making a noise as well as he trained through out the day. Doing the exact same thing over and over again, imaging enemies and making them change there actions each time as well as numbers.

It hit night time as he dropped his blade due to being exhausted and falls to his hands and knees. For once in his entire life he has never felt so tired and worn out as his breathing was loud and heavy trying to catch his breath again yet he still wouldn't give up. He couldn't get up off his hands, over the past days with out having to sleep had taken its toll on him and yet he still tried to train.

Crawling towards the lake on his hands and knees so he could get a drink out from the lake's water. He knew that the imagined enemies were going to be nothing compared to Canties, he got the lake and started to drink the water out from his hands. This would have been the first time over the past days he had tasted fresh water again as he finished drinking he stood back up.

This time he was going train to used and control 'him' to his advantage in battles. This would help Zeo a lot as once it's controlled to be only used on the battlefield he wouldn't have to worry about harming anyone else but Canties. He walked towards his blade and picked it back up, readying himself for a long night.

He let 'him' take control over his mind but at the same time tried to still be him. He knew that this wasn't going to be easy as he imaged one enemy charging towards him. Zeo tried to control it for the first time as he wanted to swing the blade towards his enemy when he has controlled it. He failed the first time not moving at all as the imagined enemy swung towards him. The swung would have left a deep gaping wound within Zeo's chest if he was real, frustrated he tries again and again through out the rest of the night.

[StaffSgtSkunk]

Day 3 – A Small Jackpot

It was now day as the sun rises up over the trees that were hiding where Zeo was training. Zeo was still trying to control 'him' and use it against his enemies. Each time he tried he got closer and closer to achieving full control as it must have been his 30th attempt. Zeo was too focused on trying to be the soldier his father was as he constantly kept on trying.

His breathing was load and heavy as his armor creaked with every breath, anyone walking by this place would surely hear him but yet he didn't care. He wanted to prove to the Captain that he is a soldier by heart and blood, nothing more could thrill him unless he was on the battlefield. He tried again raising his blade as he readies himself again.

“I . . can . . do this”

His words slipped out from his mouth after every catch of air. His determination to become a soldier was overwhelming him, clouding him from anything around him. As he imagined again another enemy charging towards him he closed his eyes and started to think about the past. Everything that he has done to help among his travels to the things he has done over the past few days. As he opened his eyes everything felt like it was in slow motion.

The imagined enemy was close to Zeo and was in the progress on taking a swing towards his chest again. Something clicked in Zeo's mind and within seconds he counted the move and followed up with a killing blow to the head. Zeo's eyes where as red as hell but his voice no longer sounded demonic as his looked at his hands smiling.

He had done it, no longer struggling to control 'him' within his mind and now has full control over it. He chuckled with the pleasure of not having the pain in his head and tilted his head towards the sky, the training paid off at last but he wasn't finished yet in fact no way near at all. He relaxed himself as hie eyes changed back to being bright white and collapsing onto the ground.

He passes out due to being too exhausted and not sleeping to regain his energy, his armor crashes as he lands and his blade clangs as it hits the ground.

(((OOC = feel free to add your posts now )))

[StaffSgtSkunk]

Day 4 – A Nightmare?

Zeo eventually woke up and slowly raised to his feet noticing something different as his hands no longer had the metal gloves. His armor seemed to have vanished and he was now wearing clothing, he swore that he was still in his heavy armor when he past out. He looked around to find some sort of an answer but this was all strange to him.

He stood in the middle of a room that looked like it was in a Inn, it had everything that a Inn room would have, a bed, few cupboards the standard stuff. As he looked around and walking towards the door one question went through his mind 'How did I get here?'. He placed his hand upon the door handle and slowly opened the door and stepped out to see if he could recognize where he was.

After a few moments he could hear the clanging of mugs and laughter of people behind another door, he smiled slightly as he made his way towards the door. He stopped in front of the door feeling like something has changed within him as he looked towards his hand, he shook his head as he smiled widely knowing that he is now a soldier like his father. It all seemed to be too real as he couldn't make out if this was a dream or reality.

He opened the door and made his way down towards where he could hear the laughter of voices. Everyone was there all his friends and even Angelica with a raised drink in the air, his face lit up as he smiled towards them. This had to be real as it seemed to be real, every touch he could feel but something wasn't right.

He took one step towards them before the entrance of the door swung open with a soldier standing there with a pale face. Zeo turned to see the soldier just before he collapsed after having a blade to the back of him. Zeo quickly ran out side of the Inn and was shocked to see what is happening, everything around him was on fire with body’s of soldiers and commoners alike laying dead.

“What's . . . going on?”

Zeo was confused as he looked around still trying to recognize the place, it wasn't until he saw what looked like to be a fort. This place was Lendose but what could be strong enough to do this amount of damage. Suddenly, something struck Zeo at the back of the head and within seconds he fell to the floor out cold. All that he could hear was the sound of fighting and screaming before fading away into silence.

He slowly awoke from the blow but is very dazed as he steadied himself to his hands and knees. He looked back to where the Inn was hoping that it was intact but it wasn't, burned to the ground. He feared the worse for his friends as he raised to his feet trying to keep his balance. He raised his voice and shouted out there names hoping that there still out there somewhere however, nothing came back not even a sound.

He looked around hoping to find one of them and as he turned his head towards the fort he saw Angelica laying in blood. Frozen slightly due to seeing her body upon the floor he ran towards her, stumbling slightly along the way. As he got to her he place a hand behind her head raising it slightly and his other hand in hers, looking around he could see all of his friends dead before looking back at Angelica crying.

She smiled weekly at him as she placed a hand on Zeo's cheek before saying after her final breath “love . . you”. Her hand dropped from his face as her eyes closed.

Zeo looked at her crying before letting out a load cry and from that he awoke. He started to breath heavily as he made himself get onto his hands and knees, his armor was back and so was his blade, also he was back inside the area he was training in. Was all of that just a dream or was it a vision as he shook his head and prepared for training.

“I wont let that happen” His voice sounded determined and for the rest of the day he trained to his very best to become the soldier he wanted to be.

[StaffSgtSkunk]

Day 5 – Looking at the past

His training was simple but yet affective as it increased his strength as well as making him learn to handle a blade. The heavy armor now affecting him as he took it off for the first time in over 5 days, he was stinky and dirty as he needed a bath. Getting unchanged out of his heavy armor he then walked up towards the lake wearing nothing at all.

He stepped into the water before relaxing as all of his mussels were tense, placing his arms out but resting them on the edge. Zeo looked up towards the sky as he looked over the past as so much has changed. The water was warm upon touch as he tried to relax his mussels, he had met so many different faces.

So many good things have happened as well like talking to one of his little sisters and being able to help the soldiers, he can not forget about the bad things as well. Braking the deal with Irellia and having the blade take control and kill two people. Zeo sighed to himself as he couldn't help but think about Celestia and all the things they have been through. He spent a few moments thinking as he closed his eyes with a slight smile, after all, he did like her.

He shook his head slightly as he opened his eyes to look at the clear blue sky thinking, no it wouldn't work between him and her as she probably has eyes on someone anyway. He closes his eyes as he says something quietly to himself.

“Well, I hope she reads the letter I gave her”

For some unknown reason he couldn't get her out of his head as there was just something about her that seemed to stick within his mind. Zeo shook his head again and splashed some water in his face, he had came so far from what he was. He looked down towards the water as he could see his own reflection on the waters surface. Zeo sighed again as he said quietly again to himself

“Suppose a chance is a chance, you only get one”

He relaxed back again as he could feel his mussels feeling less tense. For some reason he knew he was getting close to what he wanted however, it started to feel like a endless path to what he wants. Memory's of the past came again but this time it was when he met his little sister, Angelica, yet it felt like it was only yesterday when they met.

Zeo turned his head slightly towards his armor and blade which was laying on the ground no farther than a few steps away. Something about looking at his reserve blade made him think, if he has taken control over 'him' in his mind does this mean that he could control his blade and use that within battle?. Gazing upon his blade he turned his head away and relaxed within the water, another day might answer that question as of now he has to train his hardest to become a soldier.

[StaffSgtSkunk]

Day 6 – Unexpected Surprise

It was almost a week now since Zeo left Lendose to train to become a soldier as he trained his very hardest through out the day. As it was hitting night he slammed his blade into the floor and gazed upon it for a few moments. This training was helping but imagined enemies wasn't going to be enough to get him to where he wants to be.

He turned away from where the blade was and took a few steps forwards before stopping to what sounded like another blade, forced into the ground behind him. He looked over his shoulder slightly and turned slightly as well to see another blade crossing his. As he slowly raised his head to the top of that blade he saw Angelica in what could only be described as light armor with a few cloth parts.

She smiled as Zeo looked at her slightly confused to why she was here, she pulled out her blade as well as Zeo's and walked towards him. Her foot steps were quiet as she got closer Zeo could see something was different about her from the last time they met but he couldn't make out what.

“I've been watching you brother and I can tell that you require a challenge”

She chuckled after saying those words still with her childish smile as she gives Zeo back his blade. He took the blade and took a few steps back from Angelica and smiled as he readied himself.

“I accept your challenge sister”

Angelica readied her self as well but had a impish smile on her face, both of them standing there waiting for one to strike first. As Zeo took the first swing, aiming the blow to her lower legs. Angelica jumped over the swing effortlessly like child with a skipping rope, she was fast as well as strong as she shoulder bashed Zeo making him fall over.

“Oopsy, you need to be faster than that brother”

She chuckled at him as she was trying to wide him up and not only that her voice sounded like a small child. Zeo raised back to his feet but he was knocked back down the second he got up as Angelica kicked him.

“Come on brother, your boring me” Again she tried to get him angered.

Zeo got back to his feet but kept his head down as Angelica went for a swing that would cut him in half sideways. He looked up and the sound of clashing metal echoed around them, Zeo's eyes now red and he smiled at her with clashing blades. He pushed her back but she kept her balance and smiled back at him as Zeo readied himself.

“That's more like it brother”

There blades clashed through into the night but the sound of laughter and happiness could be heard between them. They seemed to enjoy training with each other like two kids playing a game together but yet Zeo still couldn't get his mind of that one thing that's different about her. It must have been hours as the trained together, swing constantly and matching each swing with a block.

Zeo finally won by deflecting one of Angelica's attacks that sent her blade out of her hand, he raised the tip of his blade to her but then moved it away. Both of them chuckling at each other for a few moments before Angelica moved towards him. Looking up at him she sighed slightly as she knew that he had something on his mind about her.

“Brother, I can tell something is on your mind and I wish to show you it but . . . “

She went quiet as she saw some blood slide down Zeo's face. Zeo looked at her still slightly confused but ignoring the blood, letting it run down his face. Her crystal blue eyes followed the trail of the blood but this gave her secret away, her eyes slightly changed quickly from the crystal blue to a more red cat like. Zeo quickly noticed this and looked at her.

“Hold still sister”

Zeo gently placed one of his hand under Angelica's chin and the other gently but slowly moved her upper lip, he could see her teeth but one was a fang like shape and he quickly checked the other side as well. A fang there too as he let go but keeping a hand under her chin.

“Your . . . not human are you sister?” His voice was full of concern as to being worried to what she might be. Angelica shook her head in sadness as she wanted to tell him when they first met but couldn't.

“I'm a vampire brother” She started to crying as she feared that the bond that they have made today might be broken. Zeo pulled her gently towards him and hugged her to give her some sort of comfort.

“It's ok sister, that doesn't change a thing”

His voice was calm yet relaxed as he spoke towards Angelica wiping the blood from his face. She moved her head back so she could see his face, Zeo smiled warmly towards her showing that there wasn't anything to be scared of.

“Just because your a vampire doesn't mean I wont protect you from when you need it” He smiled as he could see her eyes change into the red cat like form.

“You wont have to worry about feeding upon others as I will let you feed on me” He smiles slightly as he looks at Angelica.

“You would do that for me?” She replied in a quiet but happy voice as he stopped crying for a few moments.

Zeo nodded as he started to take of his armor from his left arm, showing his bare skin. He could tell that she was looking for something to feed upon as he turned his head away. Angelica looked at his left arm and gently took hold of it as her cat like eyes gazed upon it.

“It may hurt a little, brother”

Zeo nodded as Angelica slowly lifted his arm towards her mouth, slowly but surly she took a bite into Zeo's arm. He could feel her fangs puncher through his skin as he tried to hide the pain showing in his face, not only that he could feel her feed as it felt like a leach sucking the blood of its victim.

A few moments past before Angelica stopped feeding and wiping her mouth as she looks upon at Zeo. He looked back at her with a warm smile and started to but his armor back on his left arm, covering the bite marks with a bandage. For the rest of the night they trained together as Angelica told him a few tricks she had learned.

[StaffSgtSkunk]

Day 7 – A True Test

The past 6 days has taken it's toll over Zeo as it has changed him in body and mind, being able to swing his blade with no struggle and train with his heavy armor like as if it was light armor. Through out the day he trained his hardest to get the perfection he wanted with his blade. His training for today was non stop with no break in between, constantly training with his blade like as if it was a kids toy.

Zeo stopped slightly and stood still for a moment after hearing something behind him, when he went to turn his head towards them he could hear the sound of an arrow fly towards him. However thanks to the help of his sister Angelica he just moved his head out of the way as he turned to see who fired that arrow at him.

Upon looking there where what looked like three bandits, one was wearing light leather armor that only looked like it covered the parts that if a blade struck it would be fatal on his body and was carrying two short swords one in his hand. Another one was more covered up but looked like more of a brute than the others, wearing a iron breastplate and carried a two handed claymore on his back. The last one wore leather armor and was carrying a bow in his hands, he must have been the one who fired at him.

“Well, well, well, lookie what we got 'ere cap, looks like one of dem fancy boys”

The voice came from the one with the short swords and yet it didn't sound that old. All three of them chuckled at Zeo before the brute one spoke, his voice was deep and was quite easy to understand.

“I see that you daft fool” He smacked the one that spoke and he looked back at Zeo. “Now, give us your coins before I beat you to a pulp” He started to grin after he spoke but soon disappeared.

At this point Zeo had his head down and was chuckling at the brutes threaten before lifting his head laughing. As he stopped laughing he looked towards the brute and pointed his blade towards him turning slightly as well, he started to grin as he looked between the three bandits.

“I think it shall be your life’s that will be wasted if you do not leave now”

The brute seemed to be the Captain of the group as the two others stayed behind him, not moving an inch a head of him.

“Very well then” looks down at Eric who was the one with the short swords. “Take him down”

Zeo kept his blade pointing but moved it towards Eric before sheathing it, keeping one hand on the handle and the other on the sheath. Eric nodded as he ran towards Zeo with his blades ready in the air to strike at Zeo's head. Zeo didn't move at all as his eyes very slowly changed colour, keeping his eyes on Eric but it felt like time itself had slowed down.

As Eric got closer to Zeo he raised his blade ready for a strike but Zeo ran towards him, they met each other by the time they were side by side and both stopped and stayed still only a few steps apart. Eric had his short swords down the side of him as Zeo had his blade pointing to the side, chuckling as he slowly placed his blade back into the sheath it came it. As the sound of a click came from the blade Erics head dropped from his body before it fell to the floor.

The captian looked pissed seeing the death upon one of his followers sent out the one with the bow.

“Kill him or I shall kill you myself Iean” His voice sounded like a angered farmer at a bunch of kids.

Iean nodded as he took a step forward but vanished upon sight, Zeo chuckled as he knew that this one was going provide more of a challenge than the last one.

“I advice you do go back to where you came from now” His warning was sharp and direct towards the captain before looking around slightly.

This Iean was more tricky to find than a bird upon a summer tree. Zeo looked left and right trying to find a point where he knew exactly where he was. An arrow came flying towards Zeo's back and struck him as it went straight through his armor, yet Zeo didn't seem to flinch even in the slightest. The training really has effected him in many ways from body to mind and again another arrow came towards him but in front of him.

Zeo deflected it with his blade as he scanned the area waiting for him to make a slip on his moves. It took him a while before he slipped up on one of his moves, in fact he must have fired at lest 15 more arrows. Zeo still had that first arrow in his back as he threw one of the short swords from Eric's body towards Iean. The blade struck him right through the heart and within seconds he fell to the floor bleeding out.

Zeo looked towards the Captain and pointed his blade towards him indicating him to leave this place. Scared to the bone he slowly took a step back before leaving, Zeo followed him out towards the path where he discovered this place and stood there for a moment. It was night now and he was still standing outside with the arrow in the back of him still, he had yet even noticed it.

[StaffSgtSkunk]

Day 8 – The Travel Back?

It had been a week yet Zeo felt like his training was incomplete however he had to return back to Cear or Lendose sooner or later. The past few days he has not only learned a lot from the training he has taken but also from other things, his sister telling him that she was a vampire as well as having that conflict with the bandits yesterday. The wound he was inflicted was now bandaged up.

Wearing nothing more but his shorts he looked around the place for the final time as he could feel the difference of not taking the armor off at all, he felt stronger but agile as well and not only that his clothing that he left in no longer fitted him. The sound of birds filled the air as the wind was quiet and delicate on his body, the sound of wildlife gave him more hope.

Zeo closed his eyes and smiled as he let the wind move his hear gently. He slowly opened his eye's just to follow two birds playing with each other peacefully in the air, his eyes focused on the two birds as they flew around him. The seem to not care that he was there as they sat on his shoulders, both looking towards him.

Zeo smiled at the birds as if they some how seemed to make him feel happy inside. The flew off his shoulders and over the trees, no longer in sight but still could be heard. Zeo chuckled slightly to him self before turning towards his armor and blade, it took him a while to put the armor back on as he has had barely any reason to take it off. The armor was in pretty bad shape as it has not only been through training but also other events.

The armor on his left arm has been slightly damaged as it no longer covered most of his arm, the left hip was the same but was beyond repair as well as his right shoulder. However it would have to do until he gets back to a forge, the blade was still in good shape as it was still quite sharp. Zeo gathered his final things and started to make his way back to Lendose.

The stuff that was put back into the bag wasn't really worth keeping but it would help non the less, a few branches of berry’s and a whetstone. He made his way out of the area that he was hiding in and was now on the road, he looked back and smiled as he knew some day he would return back to this place. He made his was back to Lendose but still knowing that he hasn't done enough to become a soldier for the war.

He must have been half way now and he was thinking about the things that has happened over the past week, the bandits, controlling him and Angelica. He shook his head to try and clear his mind eventually he was going to have to explain about controlling him and about Angelica, his sister being a vampire and letting her feed on him.

Zeo sighed but he knew that allowing her to feed on him was far more better than having her feed on someone else. He carried on moving down the road and kept his speed as well. He could tell that the training has made him into a better person, it was worth finding somewhere to train for a week or so.

He was close to Cear now probably another 20 minutes would get him to the Misty Inn. He smiled as he started to recognize where he was, it wouldn't be long at all. The sun was out as it lit the road a head of him as he approached Cears gate. He made his way into the Misty Inn and placed his stuff in a room that he brought.