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.
224Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡA5l1kFMA7R
224Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡlpAww3QguS
224Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡu1YELNkE64
"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.
224Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡsU3SOfB4RW
224Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡEk48OezzjK
224Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡTWtBaWYkPE
"Uh- sir! May I ask..."
224Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡIJ3yoU0yjG
224Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡBclVN7Oe4T
224Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡpf9u4TJQyd
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.
224Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡXYV9AcUjYY
224Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡli7ATI5h1S
224Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡqLGKEP1afN
"Bah, I ain't no sir. Just Thorin is fine."
224Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJDbdIqbXiT
224Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡPdsO2GRsku
224Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡSnDKczbf2J
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.
224Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡtU9iO7w5YA
224Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ2nfNyjfb4R
224Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡSYUYvn7mGg
"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.
224Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡxihgNGyCQu
224Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡCcB0MKemX2
224Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡx8273tp6nY
224Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡRRCaHGieFQ
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.
224Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡTuZCYUrAlj
224Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡpsCFbdoNWk
224Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡwoNbnhUGYt
"...but why brass, and bronze for armor? Wouldn't steel be more effective? And... what's this mana crystal?", Tobias asked in curiosity.
224Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡoLrdleOLb9
224Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ8eU5z7OyHn
224Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ2BmTP9ceHu
"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.
224Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡDFIlppmUXS
224Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZZkx8lwWaj
224Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡFtfoEQt7d0
"...What's mana?", Maxwell asked, with Tobias glancing at him and then to Thorin, clearly interested in the topic.
224Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡBwUuhIy2pC
224Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡYdisBwNUCa
224Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ2FWgMtLEx7
"Ah, you too didn't read those childhood books? Well, guess we gotta start from the beginnin'."
224Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡaWuvPhGxk7
224Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡgALMJCEtxm
224Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡLMhm4DuqYw
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.
224Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡKzulVTGIPT
224Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ1x2OOMg6aR
224Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡlzYbtDzJnC
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.
224Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡerHt0OKFc6
224Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJyV8IN9a9i
224Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡDRtUHHq2V0
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.
224Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡqpmoFH27ek
224Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡupKlIxjz6Q
224Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ9C1WyChXoU
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.
224Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡBca98RwArg
224Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ2wwEhkcNn2
224Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ5gFfHnP6Wk
It was now almost evening when Thorin had stopped, with the two boys visibly tired, yawning as they felt the train halt.
224Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡcTvnIWzQAK
224Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡrFlTR7ZoEA
224Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡzE2WrvcAbh
"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.
224Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡbwhbbY5DUQ
224Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡG9iAidatn5
224Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJXHUZFfcih
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.
224Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡf6yKdssGhB
224Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡj5Q0yQzASa
224Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ0eETmvArFo
...
224Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ3LfzgQUJLW
224Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡbINym3TrAf
224Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡp2ktAAhua4
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.
224Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ79ws6vLDTJ
224Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡC9TAYDrlPO
224Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡXJO6GNjhfB
"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.
224Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡzQV7Z1pZ7F
224Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ5cS6Uu0nlt
224Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ2uZn4uNATY
"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.
224Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡdSVpcv4I5k
224Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡyDfeWWIbno
224Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡbwRi5Wavog
"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.
224Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡivNqW6TzfT
224Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJitp2UF05n
224Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡnv6YxwksNX
"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.
224Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡOVTiSWxBhw
"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.
224Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡsvjxI7UxkY
224Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡUyOT4okaL9
224Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡlDzZsfriQX
"Yes it is. Have you seen one before? It works like this..."
224Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQqMXse8grU
224Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡHggTkcc5tn
224Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ1tphL2H5El
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.
224Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡbGJbretIof
224Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ1XD1K38LII
224Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡWFQcmNhQrS
"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.
224Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡbzZoa5aD4q
224Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡrtEOSMqFdZ
224Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ0C6k4J7Chd
"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.
224Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡWTUrd4pJDE
224Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡgIWYbFrb9I
224Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡD5XkBGReLl
"Anyways, why did father even bring the two of you here? Are you two my illegitimate brothers?", the dwarf girl asked.
224Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ9Rz5p3ho8X
224Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQBKwQChBlh
224Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡLGyEalby6Y
"...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.
224Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡGFsQ2tXOGu
224Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡL1RZ23Lbkt
224Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡf1OKAVIOIg
"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.
224Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡplwk3w2lRb
224Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡpycKUDaD94
224Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ9i0imkrwZ0
"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.
224Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJE3AZnXBW6
224Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡOsbeO1PdRM
224Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡvhOZsfF5VK
"Yeah. What 'bout you, kid? Riskin' your life to compromise for your height?", the dwarf girl teased, continuing to tinker with the prototype.
224Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡW3cTt8unyS
224Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡK88t4PEv6M
224Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ8yZOyY8mFA
"Hell no. In fact- I... don't want to be a Steam Hunter, but..."
224Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡfRe11lyaqK
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.
224Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡPqc0jrcDHQ
224Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡaNZMkowAVP
224Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡsMLb6GdTdI
"...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.
224Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡDpNTFQzv13
224Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡB28hX3miU3
224Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡrm3PdTkExW
"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.
224Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡoHVGmpracC
224Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡeA9RBn0sVT
224Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡlegfjDtyKf
"I'm Elgrudeth- but just call me Ellie.", Ellie said with a smile.
224Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡzvptyZIqiv
224Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ5yPinO8wTp
224Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ8thZ2QyFb7
"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.
224Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡwCUvRGXWoc
224Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡy0oPtidKJA
224Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡOWfOhOHuEA
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?
224Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡLzY2qQM6um
224Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡHUcgn8jzO6
224Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡL4Sdicwocg
"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.
224Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ0XlnoXUAaw
224Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡxQlzxWmB2Q
224Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ3mOqUFn9jT
"Maxwell, was it? Tell me..."
224Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡtBQUBscr9F
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.
224Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡITx2E1KaS9
224Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡjE3LvOAzCk
224Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡXOYAEG2JwJ
"Why did you stand before me, even though every instinct of your body told you to run?", a deep voice asked once more.
224Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡNsYdjEk3FZ
224Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ9EKoQ8tIgK
224Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡEwlMTUzsNG
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.
224Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡLcILIWWsz6
224Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡgoDHU6TMNm
224Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡUw6zFICBE6
"To protect my family... to protect my brother.", Maxwell uttered. A deep, chilling laugh can then be heard.
224Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡuKtvg9E6nR
224Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡUqet9UAvSe
224Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡjpZ8zh5jdR
"I am capable of making that dream come true..."
224Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡO2NshhnAw0
224Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡoquHzDnAcz
224Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡIpGda0lyiz
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.
224Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡtugutrCkTk
224Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ9S62uBUu2Y
224Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡK3Yy8yCxPa
"You may call upon my rage... but be careful not to hurt who means to you the most.", a whisper said in his head.
224Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ8LiNrXhS9d
224Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡVYiogG7d5t
224Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡfumjn95ths
"...was it you?", Maxwell asked as he glanced at the pup in the corner of the room.
224Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ1shutEVwmA
224Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡITP0AqUB5t
224Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡKJ4RWxiYMO
"Who knows, maybe not hehe.", a more gentler whisper said in his mind.
224Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ6dHFZPVFYK
"...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.
224Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡPrpX1XkEq3
224Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJy34I4IxGs
224Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡHMwEgguKu2
"You're not going crazy, it's me speaking, ya know?", the pup whispered in his head.
224Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡilDvwwClRD
224Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡDb5kebRtyW
224Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ04jNPws7iq
"...how does that even work?", Maxwell asked himself, taking another glance at the pup who followed him.
224Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡARyKErnEMX
224Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ54AGPN72wb
224Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ9sNb4H6PLW
"Beats me. Maybe you can ask that old dork who smashed me with his hammer."
224Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡYxz8gm13FH
224Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡTz0VW2l68W
224Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡaM2zI6cnfu
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.
224Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZJVzocMzXI
224Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡyaEUxfOTez
224Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡYTGH59I6ki
"Bit too early to be movin' 'round, eh?", Thorin asked, with him wearing a tank top which revealed his muscular arms and chest.
224Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡygAAmAJ77G
224Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡKTkxxOA1MM
224Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡoYXWg4kBTK
"I couldn't stay still-"
224Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡUjsRYxcSK5
224Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡI7G09bkMea
224Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡVbmYrYMSvX
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.
224Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ5JcgjSiPKc
224Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ5pcbH8fRZm
224Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡpjalINwM55
"I- I'm sorry, Mister Thorin... the dog made me do it.", Maxwell uttered, still gritting his teeth.
224Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡMpb1xidBCD
224Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡd36Va4lsUQ
224Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡMWjkNNudxK
Thorin then descended the porch stairs to look at Maxwell.
224Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡOmTBpMrAQf
224Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡyLEn6zfFuu
224Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡibLhIe6ZwH
"The dog made ye do it? Why- how'd that work, son?", Thorin asked.
224Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ9segpaM2jQ
224Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ8vJm3Q9Ex6
224Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ7qkedLPEXD
"...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.
224Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡv12IgCHeBb
224Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ1JZHjBFdzc
224Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ3kAhQnSyj8
Thorin then walked up to him, pushing him with his arm, sending him sitting onto the ground.
224Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡTaylp6EJ5d
224Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡxvyiAc8WfK
224Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡpmj7SIvylx
"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.
224Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡxgwSRf1bDq
224Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡdvcQC9Z5G9
224Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡMluI7L18aA
"I... I shouldn't, Mister Thorin.", Maxwell said, using all of his mental strength to resist the urge to hurt.
224Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡWtyEnQtg94
224Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡpbeO76AUTE
224Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJlusAa4Mk4
"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.
224Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡpqRXKPZowz
224Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ1YAe46B9SW
224Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡM0l31TCTcp
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.
224Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡC2OAy99Gzw
224Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡe7SSz0aXnL
224Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ4FQP8CtUKc
"Tch, so the kid can fight, huh?"
224Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ8HNbQLj81O
224Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡL5T8um3HrH
224Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡIqx8J1EZlU
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.
224Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡphMCha26cp
224Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡnSRY98ub2r
224Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡXd5h9ApL89
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.
224Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡy6vz3UG8Kt
224Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ9bdVpQXGpr
224Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡwhpVSSMzX9
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.
224Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡOzPHmsKEYZ
224Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡhiwRDAT6I4
224Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ35xI4UFuqI
"Father!", Ellie shouted. Maxwell heard the shout, with his leg kick slowing down as he got distracted.
224Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡK93RH9gYFN
"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.
224Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡuuix6KZv2v
224Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡRuJDrFfh5Y
224Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡF93O5pi1sf
"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.
224Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ1gjtVRLNke
224Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡYf4elk8OjH
224Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡCr5k5od3sb
"How could you!?", Ellie asked, glaring at Maxwell. Tobias supported Maxwell standing up, remaining quiet himself.
224Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ0lVUJAbpkF
224Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡCX7Kj5e8J9
224Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡOc2zdjwyLu
"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.
224Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡKylOdSLrqM
224Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡo3fExEPPTV
224Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡdtGdEpTdTJ
"Training!? Look at you-"
224Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ4XGGG24vTW
224Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡFvZIaR4cKy
224Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡisCgoMw9hE
"Enough, child. We are Steam Hunters, 'tis but a scratch compared to what we do..."
224Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡsXRDSFsWWn
224Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡHqa8FCxUXM
224Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡBA6i2pjrH0
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.
224Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡsylVqoyMjE
224Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡuBrxNFgm6h
224Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡNER9d0WaIZ
"I see. I apologize, father... looks like I'll have to get used to it."
224Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡTmUhoSo8Md
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.
224Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡAagAYg14SA
224Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡxQzEkcbrhl
224Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡttufIZ25WY
"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.
224Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡaw5XGNxiCR
224Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡstAYaRFmel
224Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ3tgZMuIQvV
"...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.
224Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡaqeOoq4Ub4
224Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ4db2PEsjhh
224Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡGejAswcEVQ
"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.
224Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡvoKkvBHLwt
224Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡmz0ONrR3lU
224Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡavhCkM52Rp
"I see. Well, your real training starts now."
224Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡyef53gF5KO
