2 - Ragged Guardian

Rumors about a ragged guardian residing in the forest had been a common theme for nearby villages. Hunters who had ventured to that area can all testify. First, this story sounded absurd, maybe stupid, but over time, all who dared, came back with the same story; "The Ragged Guardian is real!"

Today, five experienced hunters who are like no other wanted to test their luck, have a good look at the so-called ragged Guardian, and maybe, take it down.

*KaBOOM!!* 

A huge explosion incinerated a large expanse, indiscriminately burning through everything. 

"No one is here," spoke one of them who had entered the burning house without getting burnt.

It took days for them to get to this point. The forest isn't that big, so it is unclear why the journey was that long. Nevertheless, they arrived, they reached a point no other hunter had achieve. 

How did they know the Ragged Guardian lives here? Does it even have a home? Why has no one ever discovered this place before?

"Spread out, our target is close by. I just know it," spoke the leading hunter.

This group of intruders took Heath by surprise. No one has reached this far into the forest. He had made that no one ever does.

"This is bad," Heath mumbled.

'If they can break through my illusion, then we are not safe,' he looked at Murdoc who is right beside him; 'He is not safe here,' he said inwardly. 

"Go hide," Heath casually walked towards the flame, activating an article of different clothing and a mask that covered every part of his face to help keep his identity a secret.

The infamous Ragged Guardian is no other than Heath himself. The forest is his home and he doesn't like visitors, especially hunters. The activated attire he is putting on does look like a rag, hence the name.

Two hunters caught sight of him confidently walking towards them. They can sense hostility emitting from him; this man is no Joke!

"I supposed it must be you?... I didn't see that coming" One of them said.

Heath moved so fast, that he blurred for a second. With the dagger he had pulled from under his cloth, he slit the throat of the first one, killing him in that instant.

"Don't expect to leave here alive," he said, his voice cold as ice.

This action took the other one by surprise, who then retreated two feet away while enchanting a spell. Fireballs materialized around him and without a moment's hesitation, he shot each of them at the masked enemy.

Anywhere the firewall hits lead to an explosion. Yes, this hunter is the one who had destroyed Heath's home, even nearby animals received a fatal blow… they are all dead. 

Heath nonchalantly deflected and dodged the flames shot at him, doing so while closing the distance between himself and his foe.

"Shit!" The hunter cursed loudly. He realized that his predicament is a lot worse than he expected.

*Ffffttt!!*

In a blink, Heath gave the hunter quick cuts and stabs in several parts of his body, especially the joints to immobilize him. 

"Please, don't kill me_"

Heath finished the job. The hunter felt no pain before he died. 

They say that very few who venture into the Ragged Guardian's territory never made it back alive. Well, that's because Heath killed them. Anyone who had ventured too close must not be allowed to spread the news of their findings. If his identity gets found out, he will kill to make sure that it doesn't spread out.

Unbeknownst to him, Murdoc did not flee. The young boy, for the first time, witnessed his grandpa's other side, a dark side he thought never existed.

After killing these men, Heath set out once again, to hunt down those who are still alive. They will surely regret ever stepping foot in the home of the Ragged Guardian.

*rattle!*

"Someone is here," 

"I can tell," 

One of the remaining two released spirit energy from his feet, gradually spreading it in different directions. This will help him detect the presence of any life form in a limited area.

His heart jumped as he finally sensed it. A person is hiding among the trees, no, there are two of them, and one has gotten too close for comfort.

Heath slashed the face of the first foe he caught up to, immediately charging to the second one. 

The last man reacted quicker than the rest. He had enough time to unsheath his blade from its scabbard and successfully threw a powerful swing that would have beheaded the Ragged Guardian.

*Swooosh!*

Heath was able to evade at the last minute, using one of the woods as a stepping stone. The hunter panicked a bit, but that did not hinder him from attacking a second time. However, he missed again, by an inch. Heath moved backward and then pushed forward again, he is bent on killing every last one of them.

"You persistent fool. You didn't think taking me down would be that easy, did you?" The Hunter sneered. But then, Heath's murderous intent intensified tenfold. Heath is finally revealing a bit of his true power.

The Hunter froze in fear. This must be hell, and Heath is the devil himself. They had messed with the wrong person, now he's going to pay for that.

All four Hunters were killed, no one received mercy… none.

"I told you to run, didn't I?" 

"..."

Murdoch came out of his hiding right after the last foe fell. He could not believe his eyes. The gruesome scene was unexpected.

"Are these bad people?" 

"Yes, very bad people," replied Heath. Initially, he had expected the intruders to be the old enemies who might, more or less, still be searching for him. That would explain what he meant by; 'Have we been found already?!'

It seems they are no longer safe here, not anymore, and will have to move to a different location. They cannot keep hiding forever, maybe this is the sign he needed, the wake-up call that's telling him it is time for Murdoc to grow by himself, without him around.

It's been almost a week since the slaughter of those Hunters had taken place. Heath tried to rebuild their home, he tried at least, but this building will never look the same again. He knows that for a fact.

A circular halo with strange figures appeared and out of it, Heath pulled out a staff. 

"Here," he said, handing the weapon to Murdoc.

Murdoc happily collected it, only for the weight of the object to be way more than what he expected. He had to kneel just trying to hold on to the wooden staff. 

How can a mere wooden object be so heavy? It is unnatural, makes no sense.

"As you can tell, this is no ordinary staff like the others you've used. I forged this one myself. It was created for you alone, my son,"

"I… can't… use… it,"

"Yes, you can. You just have to get used to its weight. If there is anyone who can do that, it is you," says Heath. He seems to be that confident in his son.

Murdoc added a few power outputs and lifted the object, but it remained unfit for battle.

"This will be your last exercise with me, and then, it will be time for you to venture out, and see the world for yourself."

Those words came as a surprise to Murdoc. Is grandpa being serious? Will I finally be able to leave?

"Your first goal is to adapt to that staff. Give it simple swings every day until you've gotten used to its weight and then we'll move on to the next stage,"

Yes, just as Heath had instructed, he used every minute of the day to adapt to the heavy weapon. He swung it up and down like a sword, motivated by the prospect of leaving the forest for the first time in forever.

***Download NovelToon to enjoy a better reading experience!***