Chương 60: Chapter 59 - A Friend in Need

Elias sported a wide grin as sweat ran down his brow, and a loud series of crashes rang out in the clearing, Astra swept in with a matching grin as he parried her mace to side with his own, ducking under her shield as she punched out the edge towards his throat, and breaking her stance with a quick kick to her outside hip.

As he spun around with the momentum pulling his shield in close while whipping his mace up from below, only to catch the flange on the edge of her swept it downwards while lunging forward and cracking him in the nose with a viscous headbutt. Eli hopped backwards to reset and wiped the blood from his face as the soothing warmth of his health pool left his chest and his nose crackled back into place, grinning at the speed of his healing after a few levels of [Ranger's Resiliency].

He had recently picked up a few more, that once maxed could be merged to create another master skill. Ding [Congratulations! You have unlocked the general skill [Basic Weapon Proficiency - Shields]] Ding [Congratulations! You have learned the general skill [Basic Weapon Proficiency - Shields] Lv 1] Ding [Congratulations! You have unlocked the general skill [Basic Weapon Proficiency - Sidearms]] Ding [Congratulations! You have learned the general skill [Basic Weapon Proficiency - Sidearms] Lv 1] Ding [Congratulations! You have unlocked the general skill [Basic Weapon Proficiency - Ranged Weapons]] Ding [Congratulations! You have learned the general skill [Basic Weapon Proficiency - Ranged Weapons] Lv 1] The general skills were never as good as the targeted ones, Eli's [Basic Weapon Proficiency - Ranged Weapons] would never be as good as Sasha's [Bow Mastery], but Mira had a good point."

A good weapon is a valuable companion, but they are still tools, and tools break. The deadliest warrior is not the one with the highest tier of sword mastery, but the one who is deadly no matter what is at hand. Your favorite sword may shatter and break, and your mana may gutter out and betray you, but a sturdy blow to the head from a strong arm with a stout club will never fail." Besides, another chance to spar with Astra? Sign me the fuck up.

Eli dashed back in at the clatter of their blows echoed across the meadow, the sound as comfortable to Eli as a hail on a tin roof on a stormy night. The syncopation of the alternating strikes as they ranged between the sharp crack of the wooden practice maces striking each other, the dull thump of a mace striking a shield, and deep boom of two shields striking each other, created an asymmetric beat as the pair stomped, lunged, twirled, and slid through a dance of their own making.

As much as they both enjoyed their spars they kept them to the lunch and evening breaks, not wanting to slow the patrol anymore than necessary, as while Eli could practice his archery just fine from the top of a moving wagon, the occupants might get a little upset at a storm of stomping feet from a sparring match on the same rooftop. The dance continued into the failing light, until the ringing of the dinner bell called a halt to their bout, as the pair plopped into the grass to catch their breath.

They sat back to back, the coolness of Astra's plate slowly seeping through Eli's leathers as their breaths misted the air in gouts of exhalations. Eli pulled up his menu to compare the results of the match to the progress of the last few days. Mira had shown him a small trick that would help track the most recent changes.

Name: Elias Mercer Age: 23 Race: Voidborn Human Class: [Child of Void] Lv 10 ============ Health: 200/200 Stamina: 210/210 -> 250/250 Mana: 250/250 ============ Vitality: 20 Strength: 21 -> 25 Endurance: 21 -> 25 Dexterity: 20 Intelligence: 25 Wisdom: 10 Willpower: 26 Charisma: 10 Free points: 45 -> 37 ============ Class 1: [Child of the Void] Class 2: Locked Class 3: Locked ============ Class Skills: [Child of the Void] Locked ============ General Skills Eagle's Eye: Lv 10 Studious Pupil: Lv 5 -> Lv 6 Basic Weapon Proficiency - Polearms: Lv 10 If you come across this story on Amazon, be aware that it has been stolen from Royal Road.

Please report it. Basic Weapon Proficiency - Small Blades: Lv 10 Stalwart: Lv 5 -> Lv 8 Companion Bond- Tiamat Mercer: Lv 7 -> Lv 8 Ranger's Resiliency: Lv 1 -> Lv 4 Basic Weapon Proficiency - Shields: Lv 1 - > Lv 9 Basic Weapon Proficiency - Sidearms: Lv 1 - > Lv 10 Basic Weapon Proficiency - Ranged Weapons: Lv 1 - > Lv 7 Free Skill Slots: 0 / 10 Eli shook his head, " Damn close, you called it though.

The maces tipped it over the edge, sidearm's maxed, I still need one more level on shields, but that should be easy, I just need to put some effort into my archery and I'm ready to merge." Astra gave a soft laugh, " Excellent, your progress is astounding, but don't forget that this leveling speed is only due to you still holding a child class. You'll have to work for it like the rest of us soon enough." Eli laughed, " I know, I'm just getting the trial run, I won't forget."

Astra huffed in amusement, " It is good that you do. Don't tell my Father though, or he'll have a platoon of children out drilling in the courtyard before the conversation is finished." Eli chuckled, " No problem, it'll be our secret." Eli tipped his head back to look up at the arch of the ring crossing the sky up above enjoying the companionable silence as he took in the beauty of the stars above.

The dream memories have been weighing on his conscience lately, it was one thing when they were just traveling together only really spending time together when they ate dinner or had a chat by the fire for a little while before bed, but lately they had been spending a lot more time together. Mira had not only tapped Astra to take over lessons of the more modern history of the Empire, but they have also been sparring a couple hours a day.

He had heard all the martial artist cliches back on Earth that the best way to get to know someone was to fight them. He had fought tons of spars with other people and had always thought it was a ridiculous notion. I mean sure you learn who is full of it and who has real grit to dig in when the chips are down, but you can learn that in other ways. But man, when I fight with Astra it's a whole other level, it's like we are dancing, and I can swear I can almost hear an actual beat.

When I let go and just move on instinct? Eli shivers a bit at the thought of how intense the feeling of connection can get, I'm sure it's just in my head, but with the way she makes me feel, not telling her just feels like a lie, and I hate it. When he shivered, Astra shifted a bit, and after a moment he could feel her hair brush across the back of his neck as she tilted her head in his direction, " Is everything all right? I felt your shiver, is my armor too cold?"

Eli shook his head, " Yes I'm fine, I was just thinking." Just man up dude, he took a deep breath, " Actually no, there is something that has been bothering me. Any chance we could take a walk later just the two of us?" Eli shifted uncomfortably for a moment, " I could use someone to talk to, someone I know I can trust. Do you mind?" Astra's hair whipped across the back of his neck as she shook her head, " Of course not, I would be happy to, which do you need a guide or a friend?"

Eli snorted in amusement, " They are one and the same to me since they're all the same lovely person, but right now I just need Astra my friend." Astra stood up and offered him a hand with a smile, " You shall have her, let us be off."

Dinner was delicious, and the company of Astra, Mira, and Tia was pleasant as always, and Eli did his best to not dwell on the conversation he would be having later. Once Mira had headed off to rest, Astra gestured at Eli with a smile, " Is this a good time to take that walk you desire?" Eli smiled back and nodded at a lightly snoring Tia in the chair next to him, " Definitely, just let me put her highness to bed first so she doesn't catch a cold."

Eli ducked into his tent, and after tucking a softly grumbling Tiamat into her nest he emerged and gestured to the riverbank, " Shall we?" As the pair ambled south along the riverbank in silence for a while, soft glints of ringlight would catch on Astra's armor sending the occasional splash of light on the grass around them as they wandered some distance from the encampment. She seemed to always wear armor, and Eli suspected being caught unprepared by the bandits may have had something to do with it.

A warm breeze carried the scents of the campfire in the distance and the rushing of wind in the trees, and as it swirled around the pair caught a hint of the scent that Eli was beginning to associate with Astra, sunshine and wildflowers, and some of his anxiety eased. Catching the slight shift in his stance, Astra picked up on his discomfort and broke the silence." You should know Elias, I doubt there is anything you could tell me that would change my view of your character.

If my opinion on whatever you are hesitant to share is at the center of your distress, please let your mind be at ease." Eli looked over and caught a glance of her looking at him with a soft smile, she held eye contact with him for a few moments before she turned back forward with a slightly wider smile." All the same, if you have changed your mind and would like to keep the topic to yourself it is no bother.

A pleasant walk in the ring light has value all its own, and if that is all you would like to share tonight I would not mind." Eli thought for a moment, he wanted to tell her, but he didn't quite know where to start, and in his silence she continued.

"It is my hope that we have many such nights in our future, and I will be happy to share your confidence on one of those occasions as well." Eli could feel a coiling in his chest and butterflies in his stomach at her words, at the thought that she was looking forward to spending time together, and that she might just share some of the same feelings for him that he felt for her.

Eli looked over and stifled a sharp inhale as best he could, he had thought Astra was beautiful from the moment he met, a passionate and fierce woman staring down a bleak fate with a wild grin and a laugh, ready to fist fight the demon's on her way down to hell and spit in the devil's eye when she got there.

When he saw her looking up at the sky resplendent in her armor dappled in starlight with a smile on her face the ringlight softly illuminating her features as a soft wind stirred her hair, she had never looked more beautiful, and he found himself breathless. Elias suddenly understood what Mira had been talking about, about the small moments, and Eli knew that no matter what else happened in his life he would never forget this moment, that he would treasure this moment forever.

After a couple minutes of silence, Astra turned in his direction, and the spell that held him captivated broke as a small shiver ran down his spine. Astra's smile grew wider as he gave a slight shake to cast off last of the feeling and gather his thoughts, but she gave him a moment as she realized he was about to speak. Eli looked towards the river for a moment, watching the water drift past."

I don't know how to talk about this, or how to process it really, but it feels personal, and I wanted to talk about it with someone I trust." Eli glanced up at her face as she nodded, " Well I am glad you trust me Eli." Eli took a deep breath to steel himself, his gaze riveted to hers." I've been having dreams Astra."" Strange dreams that I am pretty damn sure are actually memories. I think I remember a bit of how I got here."

Her face grew troubled and concerned at his expression, " All right, but is that not a good thing Eli? Did you not want answers about what happened to you?" Eli shook his head and waved towards a fallen trunk by the riverbank, " Yes and no."" We better take a seat, I'm not so worried about the journey, although it was harrowing on its own." They sat down on the trunk side by side, and Astra turned to face him as he spoke, he turned to meet her gaze with a serious expression."

I'm more concerned with who, or rather what, I met along the way."