A loud whistle can be heard as a Steam Locomotive chugged through the rails, with steam erupting out of it. Inside the locomotive was a cozy interior, with the three relaxing onto the comfortable leather seats. Maxwell and Tobias sat together, while the dwarf warrior occupied both seats in front of them. The two can't help but look around the interior, admiring the higher quality of life they rarely experienced.
235Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ3ddhcRCoBd
235Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡtXF7pp6nY2
235Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ1rtf2yyCdi
"Never been in a train before, you two? It'll be a long ride.", the dwarf warrior said. Various railways surrounded the continent's capitals, fetching Steam Hunters from all over after their missions.
235Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡOUNF4YkOto
235Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡuuYYxWzrX3
235Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ5aA18YX4fF
"Uh- sir! May I ask..."
235Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡsBFmpoO6Pv
235Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡOMLyo3EiRx
235Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡiJE0Lriya9
As expected, Tobias' eyes were fixated on the dwarf warrior's armanents while Maxwell stared out the windows, getting lost in his thoughts as he stared at other towns while stroking the pup's head with his hand.
235Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡWP0wfO2fe2
235Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡcxMrEkQOBU
235Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡBSPNyLqDEm
"Bah, I ain't no sir. Just Thorin is fine."
235Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡSiV4ZbDV5A
235Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡBzZjwMRDUn
235Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ9dnqSw3vye
Thorin, the dwarf warrior was 4'5" ft in height, body broad and muscular, clad in bronze plate armor as he spoke. Thorin then followed Tobias' eyes, smiling a bit as he lifted his warhammer sideways which rested beside him. Tobias then cautiously poked at it, before running his fingers at the brass weapon. Its hammer head was shaped like a falcon, and was broad like the wielder's stature.
235Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡhv2ucqILKN
235Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡROm1HYsxzu
235Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ3Gvk56hHQp
"Earlier... it blew steam. How does that work, sir- Thorin.", Tobias asked as his finger traced the patterns of the falcon head. Thorin grinned, before explaining the mechanisms of the weapon. The weapon had two buttons in the handle. The first one opens a ball of copper inside, activating the mana crystal to conjure steam, which then powers a propeller through a built-in steam engine on the other head to increase swing speed and power. The second button blocks the steam to stop the propeller and preserve the steam. It also reopens the pathway to the propeller. The whole weapon was also reinforced with steel to increase durability.
235Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡPFWVRmSdaE
235Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡWT7b5pQGEc
235Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡn2h1Q3UKHR
235Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ9f5LLZkvSy
While the two talked about the weapon, Maxwell then glanced at the pup, continuing to pet it. As he was about to look away, it's as if he heard a faint whisper, but no one was nearby other than Tobias and Thorin. Another faint whisper called onto him, which said "now scratch my belly!" as the wolf pup rolled onto its back. The other two were too busy talking to notice, and Maxwell figured it would be too bizzare to inquire about this, so he did as what the voice told him, scratching the pup's stomach. He then heard a faint, relieved laugh as the pup kicked around with its feet while being scratched, enjoying the sensation.
235Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡXBfdNkDO96
235Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡIBhRQQl7Fv
235Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ87hpatDDhq
"...but why brass, and bronze for armor? Wouldn't steel be more effective? And... what's this mana crystal?", Tobias asked in curiosity.
235Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡvqeRGARFMg
235Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡqXgsqLJmsc
235Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡyOT6zT6QkZ
"Well, lad. Both metals are alloys, and both have distinctive properties. Brass repels mana, and Bronze contains mana. My weapon hammers the mana off o' 'em beasts to weaken 'em, while this ball right 'ere siphons the mana wit' a gemstone while the bronze contains 'em.", Thorin explained, showing the bronze ball he used from earlier to siphon the Mana Demon's mana.
235Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡwF3BPcwNTn
235Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡcJq2UBhceI
235Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJXrLJaD26o
"...What's mana?", Maxwell asked, with Tobias glancing at him and then to Thorin, clearly interested in the topic.
235Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡoya1bAOuQU
235Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡhRAexGcqno
235Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡTwHesG4eSG
"Ah, you too didn't read those childhood books? Well, guess we gotta start from the beginnin'."
235Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡo7TOnc5bkO
235Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡzU4lvYeY0O
235Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡOA6zgzMPaI
Maxwell and Tobias then leaned back onto the soft seats, preparing for a story to be told. Thorin then began to tell the story of the supercontinent, Lumidia. Lumidia was divided into four regions. To the west were a hot desert, a tropical jungle, and a gloomy marsh which hosted Beastfolk, a race who evolved to be physically stronger to adapt to the harsh living conditions. To the north were tall mountains with harsh winters, freezing even the widest of winters. Dwarven people reside in the mountains, harnessing metals for technological gain. To the east are lush forests with many creeks and rivers hosting a wide variety of plants, fruits, and wildlife. Elven people resides there, practicing elegance in everything they do. To the south are vast plains with plenty of mountains, rivers, and biomes, essentially a mix of everything.
There lies the humans, a jack of all trades of the races. At the very middle however, lies a giant three with white bark shimmering with purple colors, its leaves giving off an astral, light blue hue.
235Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ1EBAId4dCS
235Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡXL0vKvkO1O
235Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ2FlpyZCViW
As the civilizations flourished, they all sought to expand, and the closer they got to the middle, they discovered a hidden awareness of power, the consciousness to wield "mana", a force used to power unexplainable feats, to conjure power out of nothingness. Of course, all races wanted to survive, and figured that the more influence of "mana" they have, the more they will flourish as a race. With greed whispering in their subconscious, a war then emerged at the very middle, tainting the bright green grass with crimson blood, the once peaceful sight now radiating with malice. As more lives were lost during the great war, the once white bark slowly turned crimson, with streaks of black flowing throughout its body. The once ethereal leaves fell off, revealing a now dead tree. In the middle of the war, the four races then felt their mana slowly get siphoned, with their fallen comrades now rising up, engulfed in a flame of shadows.
235Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ49fblIH76a
235Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡA43SFcxYAz
235Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡEiwbCGB8bi
Chaos arised, as both races didn't know who to attack, the other race, or people of their own, resurrected by a burning hatred? Facing a common enemy, "Mana Demons" they called it, the four races then formed a peace treaty, fighting back against the enemy... but they made a grave mistake, as they fought back with "mana", the very thing that these "mana demons" were feeding off of. The Beastfolk were very successful in defending their region, as they were already physically capable of dealing with the threats, while the other three races were forced down south, fighting alongside each other. It took them being driven to the edges of the continent to discover that mana was the very thing that is against them.
235Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡTkyTURxp5U
235Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡkmWNKDqVY0
235Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡGz5HhPgz6C
The humans and dwarves then researched and experimented, finding out that molten metals mixed together into alloys were effective, as they were "man made" or "dwarven made", having no mana inside them. Brass, made of copper and zinc repelled mana; Bronze, made of copper and tin helped contain or resist mana; and Sterling silver, made of silver and copper helped purify the mana, returning them to their once neutral state. The races also found out that mana can be stored into gemstones, contained in bronze and be purified with sterling silver dust, allowing the elves to harness "pure mana" to fight back against the corrupted mana demons. Together, the three races fought back against the mana demons, recovering the southern region. They were also aware that a full-on war in the other regions would most likely trigger the events of the past, so they took their time expanding slowly, reducing the casualties and slowly building back their civilizations. "Steam Hunters" are warriors who put their lives at risk to defend the nation and to progress civilization.
235Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡvhyp3AKVYV
235Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡvYIW4Fa22d
235Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ1gfiMOUPnC
It was now almost evening when Thorin had stopped, with the two boys visibly tired, yawning as they felt the train halt.
235Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ4nvgWBGAfI
235Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQoUCPqTDmk
235Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡHdjdBrjqqg
"Get yer arses movin', we're near.", Torin said as he stood up, and the boys followed. Unlike the town the two resided in, the capital, Astrada, were much more developed. The roads they walked on were smooth stone bricks, the city had towering establishments and huge Victorian houses having painted bricks and wood, and slate roofing, reinforced with brass metals for the exterior. Each building had brass pipes pointing toward the sky and coming from out of the roof, ejecting excess steam from their steam engines. All buildings are colorful and elegant, even when partially lit by a lamp during the steamy evening. Above where floating ships are lifted by hot air balloons, lighting the skies with their oil lamps and filling the air with steam. The two were rejuvenated with the sights, not noticing the time it took to get to Thorin's home.
235Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡlBixtkqrsP
235Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ3ErSKtSo7N
235Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡlxf6NNYbWp
Thorin's house was a 15 minute walk from the center, and into a less steamy neighborhood. His house wasn't as big as the previous ones yet retained the same Victorian aesthetics, but the two young men were too tired to care. Thorin then opened his door to be greeted by a young dwarf woman, who took suspicious glances at the two kids with him. Thorin then gave a brief introduction and guided the two youngins to a spare bed, where they fell down and passed out within a minute.
235Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡGa4to4ezOe
235Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡdoHtSHVIww
235Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡaVJQmolca8
...
235Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡXOtSjLjFbA
235Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡHXRrQFBGPI
235Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ3p78wkVsCG
The next day, Tobias shuffled around, waking up early as usual. Tobias then sat up and rubbed his eyes, looking around to see that the room was still barely lit, and that his brother was still sleeping with the pup resting on his chest.
235Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡTgm9lin0qN
235Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡr4gZ05NF6l
235Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡHbW7s65TGl
"Huh, when did those two get so close?", Tobias asked himself. He then shuffled around, getting his beatbox and quietly exiting the room. Tobias looked around the second floor, where there was a hallway leading to two other rooms just outside. He then descended the stairs, washing his face by the kitchen sink, before drinking some of the tap water.
235Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡWV7U82VVZM
235Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡXNdBBT0qTt
235Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡihR9FjTNEA
"Do they have human-sized mirrors? I'd hate it if I'll have to practice with just muscle memory...", Tobias thought to himself again. In his acrobatic endeavors, Tobias preferred practicing correct form. As he looked around for a place to practice, he then heard metal clinking and getting hammered somewhere. He figured it was Thorin, so he followed it, finding himself descending down the basement to see a short girl with wavy auburn hair flowing down to her back, sitting on a high stool to reach the heavy workbench. She was too busy hammering on some metal to notice Tobias walking in. Somehow, this sight reminded him of his dwarven mentor, with him raising his brows in panic, as he had just remembered that he was supposed to be back in the workshop.
235Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQm6lRUIrm7
235Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡl07Snabdos
235Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡAJEEnmDeJA
"Woops, sorry dwarf pops. I forgot, hehe- but I guess I'll make it up to you somehow.", Tobias thought, before climbing up the basement stairs. Usually when his mentor was busy, Tobias tended to his other needs. Making his way to the kitchen, Tobias then browsed the drawer for coffee beans and a coffee grinder, putting in the beans and manually grinding them. He also boiled some water in a kettle in a nearby stove, before pouring both to make a hot mug of coffee. He cleaned up before making his way back down to see that the dwarf girl had paused. There aren't many things that could distract a dwarf when working, but the aroma of brewed coffee seemed to be one of them.
235Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡCfXjb7EWGr
235Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡR6Ukh0eKSu
235Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡAZZRqvcflq
"Coffee?", Tobias asked. The dwarf girl just... stared at him in a stoic manner before uttering a "thanks". Tobias then placed the hot coffee on her workbench, taking a closer look at what had her occupied.
235Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡgNZPHmUj15
"Oo, a crossbow?'' Tobias asked with curiosity in his tone. Tobias had always been amazed by dwarven work, so he pulled up a high seat next to her, awaiting the explanation.
235Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡuXh3YeghzF
235Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡrAtjhVwUO6
235Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ4PeHVwVSaE
"Yes it is. Have you seen one before? It works like this..."
235Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡz7JbsgTZeR
235Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡTDKCwsbaVc
235Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡadg2sWIe0w
The stoic facade of the dwarf girl then melted as the two discussed her prototype, in typical dwarf fashion. It was a crossbow, but with the stirrup and the bowstave replaced with brass metal. The rope can then be pulled into a hook, where there was a hole fit perfectly for bolts. The handle was made with wood, with the trigger underneath it, made with brass as well. The dwarf girl then demonstrated without a bolt, pulling back the rope into the hook, before pulling the trigger, with the rope whipping back strongly to send a bolt.
235Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡCnpMdKK9zB
235Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ9mvykkHOF1
235Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡcNXt2Prm4A
"That's insane! You made this- at your age!?", Tobias asked enthusiastically. Tobias figured she was around the same age as him, as she looked like 14 years old.
235Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡr6SRyhPehN
235Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡzecwrKxp13
235Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ8PNolZAzJx
"I'm 29 years old, so it isn't a big deal. In fact I think I may be too old to accomplish this.", the dwarf girl said, before taking a sip of the coffee.
235Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡln3muHXIOi
235Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡOTlFAqTWIv
235Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡFklNGIoEXq
"Anyways, why did father even bring the two of you here? Are you two my illegitimate brothers?", the dwarf girl asked.
235Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡiAvBvcfJIJ
235Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡkJlutXdrB1
235Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡqH868BCIFu
"...Last I checked, my father ain't small... nor have hair like yours... and we're here to be Steam Hunters, yeah!", Tobias said, clearly taken aback by the question in his tone.
235Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ67NqMaRm3S
235Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ7SU5mAcgGt
235Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡwJYZiJsRmw
"I see. I figured you for a dwarf, with that height of yous.", the dwarf girl asked with a smirk, before going back to her prototype, placing a mug of coffee onto the bench. Tobias' eyebrow twitched, but ultimately sighed while shaking his head.
235Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ1Bwdwdngtz
235Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡxECT7V1zmY
235Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ4cpPI4xYZb
"Why're you makin' a crossbow anyway? Lookin' to be a Steam Hunter like your pops?", Tobias asked as he placed his Beatbox, cranking it by the side, before letting it go, producing a slow beat. The dwarf girl then stared a short while at the Beatbox, then back up at Tobias' brown eyes.
235Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ7QrEXceEBH
235Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡKYC5a9gxxZ
235Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡgwFRgV2VH8
"Yeah. What 'bout you, kid? Riskin' your life to compromise for your height?", the dwarf girl teased, continuing to tinker with the prototype.
235Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ6CRXh3X7qd
235Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡTav5PzA5mD
235Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡb54dJWeHg6
"Hell no. In fact- I... don't want to be a Steam Hunter, but..."
235Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ8k3S0tJHMM
Tobias took a short pause, flashbacks appearing in his head. He recalled vague memories of him sitting down in an alley while Maxwell was in front of him, who had just knocked three guys down in a street fight. His flashback then cut to where Maxwell stood up for him when faced with a mana demon, roaring back at what seemed to be impending doom.
235Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡA7WAF2PXtm
235Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡsntDBRx9cU
235Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJRg9xFL9o6
"...how can I stay uncool, after seeing my brother like that?", he said softly, just as the beat ended. The dwarf girl then looked at him, internalizing what he had just said.
235Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡMNPT8Tfiqd
235Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡURByWPt4KL
235Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡmXi3kcSZWz
"Guess that makes the both of us. I want to become like my father." The dwarf girl then dropped the crossbow, before turning to Tobias, offering a handshake with her smaller human-sized hand.
235Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡe0JntSp2cP
235Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡCmr97aqe0K
235Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZKLnEgcPQt
"I'm Elgrudeth- but just call me Ellie.", Ellie said with a smile.
235Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡBLUcVE7oOq
235Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡDfQktcmnfA
235Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ5BOaMnG0UU
"Name's Tobias, nice to meet you." Tobias said with a smile as well, shaking her hand. Her grip seemed to be tighter than he expected, but he didn't seem to mind all that much. The two then spent their time weaponry, talking about dwarven weapons and Tobias' beatbox.
235Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡso75EiAIoj
235Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡL4Nvpjd93n
235Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡnIDSiKPyQt
Meanwhile, Maxwell was still on the bed, caught in a deep sleep. In his dreams, he was back there again from what happened yesterday. He was standing in front of the mana demon again, whose size towered over him, with red eyes filled with bloodlust beaming as it bent down, as if it were gonna explode into a lunge. A deep chuckle can then be heard from around them, before the wolf... sat?
235Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡLIEClgA0yt
235Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡUrSWZ1PxEb
235Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡDA3Ry7nlah
"Look at you. Both your arms and knees are shaking in cowardice, yet you dare stand before me, how cute.", a deep voice said around them.
235Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡEMx5RB0jBo
235Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡiCKAYuJZyC
235Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡvYo7bDrWXn
"Maxwell, was it? Tell me..."
235Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡk1NMxLmfsH
The wolf then slowly walked toward Maxwell, who seemed to be frozen in his stance. The wolf maintained penetrating eye contact, black pupils dilating in its crimson eyes.
235Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡkQh4G8QOmf
235Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡpCnqCmoABd
235Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ95Rl8WN8cN
"Why did you stand before me, even though every instinct of your body told you to run?", a deep voice asked once more.
235Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡgEAGrWOn1e
235Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡklqYuvGQNB
235Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡyiifdjxRk0
Maxwell can't help but shake in its mere presence- let alone stare at it up close. He then tried to calm himself by taking a deep breath, before glaring at it, repeating the same words he spoke in his heart.
235Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡfv4SEUjH1D
235Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ9LD09QuZj7
235Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡbCrafBHmI0
"To protect my family... to protect my brother.", Maxwell uttered. A deep, chilling laugh can then be heard.
235Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡrNwBOpjA1H
235Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡHcTXXkLoz5
235Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ3Io7nofoLQ
"I am capable of making that dream come true..."
235Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡxP096hC5H9
235Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡCL9D1KNugD
235Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡm41Ko6WknP
The wolf suddenly leapt at him in his dreams, with Maxwell sitting up and gasping for air, sweat dripping down from his forehead. He then flailed around, feeling a sudden urge to inflict pain, a deep-seated rage awakening within him. With bloodshot eyes, he looked around the room to see that no one was there, and he clawed at his neck, as he felt hot- too hot to stay still. In his rage, he tore his shirt off, and just realized that he wanted to hurt... his brother? The same person he vowed to protect... but why? Maxwell, still feeling the surging heat within his body, touched his face, eyes peering through the gaps of his fingers.
235Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡtGxeUaWMds
235Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡbU7IB7GM4C
235Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ15nYyKa0pv
"You may call upon my rage... but be careful not to hurt who means to you the most.", a whisper said in his head.
235Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡfGOmfsYPcB
235Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡHn3bqbnkIX
235Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡaOYZ0xIVAm
"...was it you?", Maxwell asked as he glanced at the pup in the corner of the room.
235Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡCqPxyneqKo
235Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡbiPRWfa6xZ
235Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ2xC7kq3QMj
"Who knows, maybe not hehe.", a more gentler whisper said in his mind.
235Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡYuURHd8QAI
"...You can talk to me?", Maxwell asked in his mind, to which the dog responded by nodding. Maxwell thought he was going crazy, so he walked downstairs and outside to clear his head. He was met by the chilly morning breeze and dark metal fences which surrounded the huge grass filled garden.
235Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡN6Lm6B4qdo
235Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ5cwxly7lAr
235Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡDoraRU1Oy7
"You're not going crazy, it's me speaking, ya know?", the pup whispered in his head.
235Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡp3QJyBDxfE
235Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJum5B0xTnI
235Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡMJJhp5o5hD
"...how does that even work?", Maxwell asked himself, taking another glance at the pup who followed him.
235Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡg8gwsJbFGg
235Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ7NoX4U6Jg1
235Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ66XvbbInWr
"Beats me. Maybe you can ask that old dork who smashed me with his hammer."
235Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡNNlpG37at4
235Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡRblWanW3mV
235Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ4Be21Dvk1Q
Maxwell then shook his head. He then began to jump on his toes, still feeling bits of anger he received in his dream. Perhaps if he worked up a sweat, he'll be less cranky. After jumping on his toes, Maxwell began to shadowbox, fists flying out like sharp whips into the air as he stepped cleanly, with his head moving side to side and weaving under. After a few minutes, someone else had opened the door.
235Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡBtK3bbUgYe
235Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ0Cfg456NZL
235Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡRLisl9twsZ
"Bit too early to be movin' 'round, eh?", Thorin asked, with him wearing a tank top which revealed his muscular arms and chest.
235Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡS38PPqEDrB
235Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡzQsluPl8EV
235Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡb7Uv0XdpUJ
"I couldn't stay still-"
235Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡKppH6ecOWk
235Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡHcehpr60Kt
235Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡwoD67Jyu7M
Just as Maxwell turned to Thorin, rage flushed all over him, the heat returning. He can't help but glare, as if fighting was his scab to itch. Upon realizing this, Maxwell's brows raised, before glancing to the ground.
235Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡVmBvfl2g3b
235Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡGmNl09ysuS
235Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ9qO4ilNYKf
"I- I'm sorry, Mister Thorin... the dog made me do it.", Maxwell uttered, still gritting his teeth.
235Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡIFSoTtkPA7
235Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡXRouwBDMxl
235Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡF0KAMqRx02
Thorin then descended the porch stairs to look at Maxwell.
235Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQMJYiakatw
235Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡe2NSO3EXRA
235Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡHKMJNcQZR6
"The dog made ye do it? Why- how'd that work, son?", Thorin asked.
235Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡdmrGXPkEab
235Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡLvVrZoM6i1
235Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡsASdUF1mMu
"...suddenly, I can hear the pup from before speak in my thoughts- and the mana demon appear in my dreams. Now... I'm so angry that I'm afraid... I might do something if I look at you.", Maxwell said in between grits of his teeth. Thorin then thought about it, stroking his beard downward. Well, he's nearly an adult for a human and he was just about to train him, so provoking him isn't that bad.
235Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡKicx6QGdgg
235Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡyAGklNKAbJ
235Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡDwu4Hhu3sp
Thorin then walked up to him, pushing him with his arm, sending him sitting onto the ground.
235Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡfOgIMaVD7L
235Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡWeXNBOMvLL
235Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡybiafmnvUA
"Then what're you gon' do 'bout it, punk? This is MY house, MY rules. How 'bout you show this old man?", Thorin asked in a provocative tone. Maxwell's blood boiled, rubbing his neck due to the immense heat he felt.
235Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡir6XxKjgbg
235Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡq5Dq1JNtxt
235Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQXkDFHH8II
"I... I shouldn't, Mister Thorin.", Maxwell said, using all of his mental strength to resist the urge to hurt.
235Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡDRcOpcgCVp
235Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡbmvHhaCsOS
235Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡV3XkW8p05g
"Don't you think I can't take it, boy!? You sure are fuckin' cocky. This is your trainin' so don't get so full o' yourself.", Thorin taunted even more, raising his fists up. Maxwell tried to rationalize it as "training", and that Thorin already challenged him by raising his fists up, so with a nod, he then looked back at him with his bloodshot eyes from before, getting into his orthodox stance. A fight had begun.
235Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ7FEX8NLILY
235Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡp7c1Z7eJR0
235Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡF2WGC8x5wO
Thorin was confident about his durability, so he charged forth like a bull. However, Maxwell's wrath isn't wild, no. It's rage tempered with technique, like a blade of anger hammered by discipline. As Thorin charged, Maxwell interrupted him by stepping forward, left arm shooting like a sharp piston straight at Thorin's cheek. Thorin wasn't pushed back, so he kept pressing forth- only to eat more jabs from Maxwell.
235Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡXU3CQmYWm1
235Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ5sCxsEPaqp
235Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡP0vNtbIDG0
"Tch, so the kid can fight, huh?"
235Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ9HoSNZuIUa
235Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡy5zFb46Y4B
235Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡa542CE8YjA
After realizing that he was taking more hits than he intended to, Thorin then raised his knuckles to his cheeks, taking a slower approach. He knew that he'd get hit trying to reach him, as Maxwell had longer arms, so he planned to take a more careful approach. With each step forward, Maxwell's left arm shot forward into a jab, but Thorin parried and blocked with his hands, slowly inching closer.
235Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡjXixKI7d8r
235Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡO0BACu16zz
235Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ16dTcy0p3z
After thinking that Thorin had no choice but to curl up and take it slow, Maxwell then began to get more... comfortable. With Thorin in front of him, Maxwell then began to throw a jab, but with each jab he stepped he pivoted to the left slightly, throwing three jabs as he got out of Thorin's vision. Thorin tried to turn to the right, but Maxwell stepped and pivoted slightly to the left, interrupting Thorin with a short left hook that landed on his right cheekbone. Feeling the hit connect, Maxwell then followed with a combination from the side- a right uppercut up his chin, a left downward hook at his cheek, and a right roundhouse kick aimed at his head, sending Thorin staggering backward. With this wrath, Maxwell was more confident and fluid with his combinations than usual.
235Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡNXIImz2612
235Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡVyu1znIxog
235Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡx6DCM4dSb8
But Thorin was as durable as they come, continuing to press forth despite eating hits. Maxwell however, was like a doctor at work, piecing up Thorin with hits like a precise scalpel, with him throwing a jab, backing up before suddenly throwing a jab-cross combo off tempo, making it hard to catch his timing. Maxwell then danced around with his footwork, landing leg kicks from outside. However, he winced slightly every time he landed one, as Thorin's thighs seemed like a bag of bricks. As Maxwell put up a striking performance, no pun intended, both Ellie and Maxwell stepped outside, with Ellie wielding the crossbow. Their happy expressions then slowly melted into shock as they saw Thorin curling up like a ball- but remained standing, as Maxwell threw a flurry of punches in smooth combinations.
235Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡb8XJTxauJm
235Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡTMcpLxCcT2
235Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡF8JD0c2LdZ
"Father!", Ellie shouted. Maxwell heard the shout, with his leg kick slowing down as he got distracted.
235Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡOjixcCf6af
"Got ye.", Thorin whispered as he caught Maxwell's ankle just as the leg landed on his thigh. Maxwell was shocked, so he tried to turn his back to Thorin as he hopped on one leg, trying to pull his leg out- but Thorin had a vice-like grip, easily yanking Maxwell to the ground, causing him to fall onto his back. After falling, Maxwell tried to scramble away, but his right wrist was pinned down to the ground swiftly by Thorin. Thorin then sat on Maxwell's chest into a full mount, keeping the grip on Maxwell's hand. Maxwell could only just raise his left forearm across his face, and helplessly watched as Thorin's other hand raised up- before smashing down like a hammer, landing onto the dirt with a harsh thud just inches away from Maxwell's face.
235Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡcXBnrdfBjc
235Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡxo9heCFfpJ
235Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡkSQqcd2jco
"Do you surrender?", Thorin asked in an authoritative tone. Maxwell grit his teeth, but resisted his ego, so he nodded. Afterward, both Ellie and Tobias ran up to the two, with Ellie rushing up to check his father.
235Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡGgiv67hKgW
235Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡDAyIyJAR5h
235Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡtoTIb5LgSM
"How could you!?", Ellie asked, glaring at Maxwell. Tobias supported Maxwell standing up, remaining quiet himself.
235Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡXwZHMGvb7k
235Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡSUljiQzgll
235Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡHczpy1mAv0
"Knock it off, child. I asked fer' it, 'twas part o' trainin'.", Thorin said, waving it off despite swelling forming on the side of his face.
235Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡFNpUb6jWCv
235Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡX8BmDximUl
235Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡnNVkgbm1vs
"Training!? Look at you-"
235Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡRbpgKYMBWY
235Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡYiCThr3AIM
235Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡEzLHj4pmIv
"Enough, child. We are Steam Hunters, 'tis but a scratch compared to what we do..."
235Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡBJydsWq4Y9
235Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡxXeiHMKw6U
235Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡuYwvoYgnT9
Thorin then raised an eyebrow, seeing Ellie wield her crossbow. Ellie then followed his suspicious gaze and tried to hide her weapon, but she glanced at Tobias, and back at her father.
235Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡvUTKpnX9T7
235Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡtKzGtJAKic
235Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡTbIhqwaTOb
"I see. I apologize, father... looks like I'll have to get used to it."
235Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ9ZLKO3wZrG
Thorin then sighed. After all, it's only a matter of time before a dwarf makes their own weapon and goes into combat with it. He then turned to Maxwell, who was internalizing what he had just done as his bloodlust slowly faded away.
235Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡcEr0ejkexg
235Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡcX9qKAyUb5
235Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡI8OG4bdOz7
"Don' feel 'bad 'bout it, kid. Ye sure are ferocious. What yer pro'lly experiencin' is a "Spirit Bond". Happens when a spirit takes a likin' to ye.", Thorin explained. He then went on to explain further as to how it happens. All living things have "mana" inside them. However, within the races, Humans, Dwarves, and Beastfolk have lower quantities than their elven counterparts, but the lack of mana makes them a vessel. Spirits, creatures who came from the sacred tree, are beings of pure mana, often appearing as large, majestic beasts. Though highly unlikely these days, a spirit may appear to take interest in a vessel. The spirit tests the vessel, creating a bond where the vessel takes in both the emotion and the abilities of a spirit. That rage Maxwell felt could have been the years of pent up agony and wrath of the spirit as a Mana Demon, along with its hunting instincts and ferocity.
235Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡHARDUlXtpI
235Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ47ZD73wzP6
235Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡVcuPrjazHq
"...I see. I won't make excuses... I apologize that I lost control.", Maxwell said, unable to maintain eye contact due to shame, but Thorin just laughed it off and tapped his shoulder.
235Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ9tbAUduL6r
235Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡehiiZ4dcGC
235Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡK7yrdONsoI
"I take it that ye three want to become Steam Hunters?", Thorin asked as he stroked his beard. Maxwell nodded, eager to temper his newfound instincts. Tobias glanced at his brother, before nodding as well with a smile. Ellie glanced at Tobias too, giving a stoic nod.
235Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡvtob2c9fJ7
235Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡDWSvrNNMql
235Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡhoV3iSZvPF
"I see. Well, your real training starts now."
235Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ0kNMyq1pI6
