Insignia Chapter 7: Abram

The sun was shining bright in the sky it had turned to summer now and it was blazing hot nearly every day. The only comfort we had was the spray of the sea and the gentle breeze. A month had passed since Port Zaran. I had begun training with the katana I come to find out from the old sword master's book that this particular katana, Chang'e as she was named was meant to be used alone, wielded In two hands, and was meant to make elegant slashing cuts. Not the normal just hacking of your average long sword. I tried to focus on bettering my self with the blade even coaxing some of the crew to spare with me, but no one would spar with me after Chang'e cut three cutlasses in half with a single slice. Not only that some of the crew said it hummed as it flew through the air waiting to tear into flesh, but I never heard it and they were overly superstitious. I did however feel something from the blade when I held it. As if it was happy when in my hands. At first it concerned me then I became used to it and come to enjoy the feeling it put out. I tried not to think about Delilah at all. After she walked off I didn't see her until we left Port. When I saw her I went up and asked her where she went. She didn't so much as glance at me and the crew said she's barely said a word since Port Zaran. So I mostly bide my time finding things to do. I also learned a little about controlling my magic. I try not to do so in front of the crew, so they don't freak out and call me a demon child or something of the sort but when I'm alone ive figured out how to move water and create fire from this air. One night I was upset over Delilah ignoring me yet again and my anger raged forth and I through my hand out. The water erupted in such a wave the men thought a whale was beneath us, but when that happened I felt something in my head a little source of energy. Something I had only felt before when I used magic to slay the goblins as I come to find out that's what they were since all the information in my head was unraveling itself. I also learned magic is an innate ability some posses and other don't. You can go your entire life not knowing you could use magic, or you could just not be able to. Luckily I was and the ring enabled you to access that magic source easier than others. It took years of practice to unlock it otherwise. I also found out that the rings were more than just rings. They were almost alive. The rings themselves were dormant until put on because they needed energy to sustain themselves so in return of the miniscule amount the take from you they enhance the natural energy that flows through you, and once bonded with a ring you can never became unbonded or it would result in both thing ring and the human dying. If the human dies of old age or simply from wound the rings goes dormant until it chooses it next host. The rings also transform to embody some part of your personality, and they do their best to take that embodiment and take the form of a creature they think it matches when they turn into armor. That is as far as I've gotten with the information so far. Hopefully as time continues I'll learn more about the fascinating little rings and what all they can do.
After being lost in my thoughts for so long I almost didn't notice Delilah yell down from the crows nest. " Land Ho!" Then the crew went up in cheers and started working even faster trying to get the boat to land as quick as possible on the unnamed green island. We were sailing full speed on calm waters not a wave in sight when the boat hit an abrupt stop throwing everyone down and even sending one man over board.
"MAN OVER BOARD!" Then looking over the starboard side a crew member said. " E' think we hit somthin Cap'n." Then the man looking over the side screamed and ran towards the helm. "IT GOT HIM!"
"Wh-" I started to say then I heard something slowly emerge from the water behind me. I turned slowly to see a Sea Dragon with blue and green scales and whiskers like a cat fish. It's head and neck set out of the water over 80 feet and there it stood staring at us. I heard men shaking and praying behind me as I stared up at this massive creature. It looked at me and cocked it a head. Then it craned it mighty head down toward me and looked at me with one massive blue eye. I could see something inside. I felt like the creature meant me no harm.
TWANG
A ballista shot a bolt that hot the sea dragon right in the neck. It reared back in pain. Then opened it's mouth to reveal bloody fangs and it let out a fearsome roar that brought the crew to there knees. Then the creature in haled and spewed steam at the ballista that shot at it. The steam was so hot the crew who manned it died instantly skin melting from the bone and the metal of the ballista melted as well.
TWANG TWANG TWANG
Three more bolts shot toward the dragon but it was ready and dodged them easily. It inhaled again and let another torrent of steam loose killing five more of the crew that occupied the ballistae. Then the creature dove down into the water.
"Is it gone!?" One of the crew yelled.
"Nay! She'll be back!" Yelled Captain Phillips.
Then men began to panic looking over the side of the boat. One of the crew members I had become aquainted with his name was Lorik. He had sailed with Captain Phillips for years was looking over the port side when a burst of steam shot up from the water where he was looking.
"Away from the railing!" Captain yelled. Then Lorik turned around and I looked at him. His face was melted off to the bone. Skin still dropping off his face. The sight horrified me. Even his eyed has been melted out. Then he fell over dead. I threw up right there on the deck after seeing that. It was by far the most gruesome I'd ever seen. Then there was a great splash on the starboard side, and the sea dragon was looking over us. Then another splash from the portside and it's tail emerged. It's tail looked like a barbed yellow spike. Then it opened it's jaws to roar before smashing the boat, but the roar we heard wasn't from the sea Dragon. It came from else where then not even a second later a black blur smashed into the sea dragon creating a splash so big it seemed as if it were raining. We waited to see what had happened looking over board for any signs of what had happened. Not a moment later the Sea Dragon emerged but it's neck in the mouth of Eldran the enormous black dragon. Eldran dropped the sea Dragon from his mouth and sat growling at the ship. One of the crew screamed a high pitched scream, took off in a dead sprint, and knocked himself out on a rope pulley.
"You've made me kill my cousin! He meant you no harm he was just a pup! He was so enraged by you attacking him he wouldn't listen to reason and attacked me!" Eldran boomed his fury easily heard in his voice.
"It ate Elman!" A crew member called out.
"That man attempted to stab him and only after that did he eat him. Give me one reason I shouldn't destroy this entire boat and the crew along with it!" His fury heightening and he began to bare his teeth.
This time I called out.
"They knew no better, Eldran. They only sought to protect themselves. They had no idea the sea dragon meant no harm!"
A long moment passed before Eldran answered.
"Men, praise this boy for he just saved you all." Then Eldran took off from the water and floor towards the island that wasn't far off now. Then the deck erupted in cheers and I was hoisted up on to someone's shoulders. They began to sing sailor songs in my name.

We arrived at the island a short while after that and were met by Eldran who lay on the beach by the dock. The crew unloaded the cargo on to the dock then we bid our farewells and the three of us headed over to Eldran. Delilah still not even looking at me.
"So where is this Abram?" I asked Eldran. The dragon seemed to have smiled then as the ship sailed away and revealed the dock and there stood Captain Phillips.
"It can't be." I said to Eldran. I walked to the dock and Captain Phillips met me. Then he spoke.
"I had to make sure you were the real deal, not one of his followers." He had no accent now and even his voice sounded different. It was deeper and he spoke with dignity. "I am who you're looking for. I'm Abram." I was so shocked I just stood there staring at him. Then he pulled off his gloves and I knew it was true because on his left hand's ring finger there was a white ring with a white gem and engraved in that gem was the dragon over looking the kingdom. A smile crept over my face. "When do we begin?"
"Now!" He said drawing his sword and charging me. I drew Chang'e as fast as I could and assumed the stance I had learned. Then I lifted my hands above my head and turned them, turning my blade horizontal. Then right before Abram got to me I brought the blade down in it's diagonal slice, but it didn't touch Abram, he blocked it with his sword with out even trying. Then through my sword off his leaving my mid section open and he kicked me so hard in the chest I felt ribs break and I flew thirty feet through the air and smashed into a tree with a loud thud. I sat there head tilted down in agonizing pain. Every breath torture as my ribs were lifted up and down. Then I felt someone lift my head up and it was Delilah she was panicking and she was patting my body to see where I was hurt. She was saying something but I couldn't make it out. Then she patted my ribs and I couldn't help but release scream. It was like she stabbed me with each of the broken ribs. Then she turned and looked toward the dock and started flailing her arms and screaming about something. Then she moved aside and my vision went blurry. I could see Abram walking toward me sword in hand. Then behind him came Eldran. My vision went black.

Next thing I know the wind is rushing past me so fast and loud that I couldn't hear anything and my hair was whipping about wildly. It had grown quite a bit since our journey started. Now it was long enough to cover my ears but I mostly kept it slicked back, and I had started to grow a beard and it was coming in nicely I thought. I started to move and I realized two things. First I was tied down and second I was still in terrible pain. After a few minutes if struggling the pain made me pass out again.
This time I woke up in a soft bed, not tied down thankfully. Wearing breeches and no tunic. Instead half my body was wrapped tightly in white bandages. I tried to move and my ribs still hurt but not near as bad. Then I noticed someone was sitting in a chair next to the bed with their head laying on the end of the bed asleep. It was Delilah. I pushed through the pain and sat up and pushed Delilah on the shoulder. She stirred and looked at me eyes wide. She jumped up out of her chair and hugged me around the neck. I groaned as I hugged her back and she backed away and said
"Oh yeah sorry." Then she walked off into another room. Well at least she was talking to me again. Not five minutes later she returned with Abram in tow. He looked different now. He looked more professional and wore the orders tunic and he held himself high.
"Can you walk?" Abram asked.
"Yes, I think so." I replied.
"Then come with me."
I went to stand and the pain got to me. I fell to me side erupting my ribs in pain. I let out a growl and started to stand back up. Then Delilah ran to try and help me.
"No!" I said putting up my hand. "I can do this." And I did. As hard as it was I still did it.
"Let's go then?" I said to Abram. We started walking and I realized we were in the old castle but I didn't seem old on the inside everything actually looked brand new and there were no damages to anything. The castle seemed to be in perfect working order. Red carpet lined every hall way and beautiful paintings lined every wall. Suits of armor stood at corners and to each side of every door. Looking as if they'd come to life if the castle were attacked. The bricks of each wall seemed to be in perfect condition. We walked for probably ten minutes and I was starting to grasp how big the castle really was when we arrived in a room with a long table. There was a giant map unfolded on the table. Then Abram said
"I'm assuming you know why you're here?"
"To receive training from you and stop Suntoex."
"Partly," he said pausing and studying the map." You're also here because you and you alone must lead an army against Suntoexe's followers."
"What army? We're the last of the order."
"That may be but there are others who will oppose Suntoex. Haven't you noticed ever since you put on that ring. You've run into more magical creatures than you even knew were real. That's because they know what's coming. They'll be here soon to help us and join our cause." He pointed to a spot of land on the map. "This is where the battle will happen."
"How do you know that?"
"Because," he said " this is where Suntoex will return. The same place he was taken from."
I nodded.
"I don't know exactly when but he will return and soon. I'm sorry but as soon as your ribs heal we will continue your training. And we will not sleep until it's complete. We need you Gael. You're our only hope. Are you willing to put others before yourself, because if you're not we will all perish."
"I'm willing." Was all I said.
"Good you'll be a Soul Fighter like no other. I swear it. Unfortunately I'll only be able to teach you things that don't include magic. I was not gifted with magic as you are. All I can do is create shields, but your magic teacher will be able to do it better than I."
"And who will that be?"
"I'm glad you asked. She came ahead of the others to ensure your training. Let me​ introduce you to Erin, Queen of the Elves." Then the door to the room flung open and I couldn't believe my eyes. It was the fortune teller lady but she wasn't in a hooded cloak she wore the most beautiful strapless blue silk dress that stopped at her knees and she had a type of flat shoes that revealed the top of her little feet, and she wore a silver tiara with with diamonds set into the metal and the tiara held her hair back and it flowed behind her ears. She looked even more beautiful now then she had before, and I felt my face get red hot.
"We've already had the pleasure of meeting. Thanks though Abram." She said and smiled at me at first then she began to frown. " Why is he bandaged like that?" She said turning toward Abram.
" I went a little to hard on him when he first arrived assuming he had adapted already. It was only later I found out he was a freshling." Erin gave Abram a terrible look then She strode up to the table next to me and put a hand on my back, rubbing gently and examining my broken ribs. Delilah who had been sitting quietly in the corner until the queen walked in. Now she looked steaming mad and was glaring at Erin attempting to set her ablaze with her fierce stare, although Erin didn't seem to notice. Then the Queen made a gesture with her other hand and her palm emanated a soft greenish yellow glow. She began rubbing my ribs with her glowing hand and they began tingling and little by little healing my broken ribs. When suddenly the door slammed after Delilah stormed out of the room. Erin still didn't seem to notice. She continued working until I was healed. Then after she finished she pulled my bandages off. I felt great. I started stretching and moving around with no pain at all.
"Thank you!" I told her stretching from side to side.
She gave me a quick smile and nodded at me. Then Abram threw me a tunic with the orders Insignia on it and I put it on.
"Alright then Gael, let's get started."