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.
171Please respect copyright.PENANAqH8gYfNbqL
171Please respect copyright.PENANAxTqh06ItD1
171Please respect copyright.PENANAmrUPWBqxFc
"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.
171Please respect copyright.PENANA3yuRAJKMnt
171Please respect copyright.PENANAUK7Pds7dpi
171Please respect copyright.PENANAq6ZAiOUmIl
"Uh- sir! May I ask..."
171Please respect copyright.PENANApVbERp1mx2
171Please respect copyright.PENANAFrTQzrkOJN
171Please respect copyright.PENANAFJ17rvG1ab
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.
171Please respect copyright.PENANAsJVSSdZn2c
171Please respect copyright.PENANAn8Ntgd5sDE
171Please respect copyright.PENANArttXCee2mF
"Bah, I ain't no sir. Just Thorin is fine."
171Please respect copyright.PENANATqALEVPgPa
171Please respect copyright.PENANAArUiDkSrHE
171Please respect copyright.PENANAmRjV99Orzp
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.
171Please respect copyright.PENANAJZxURj9lRz
171Please respect copyright.PENANAdSh4yJ1RdN
171Please respect copyright.PENANArPOwBnFjgc
"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.
171Please respect copyright.PENANAQ6S6fTIMeA
171Please respect copyright.PENANADjVvTnk5wh
171Please respect copyright.PENANAuvM553BjgW
171Please respect copyright.PENANAYLHJSzFhbI
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.
171Please respect copyright.PENANAzO4uhzMnco
171Please respect copyright.PENANAjXNNUcwtxj
171Please respect copyright.PENANAY8VMoJCaPN
"...but why brass, and bronze for armor? Wouldn't steel be more effective? And... what's this mana crystal?", Tobias asked in curiosity.
171Please respect copyright.PENANAlPpEhndLVr
171Please respect copyright.PENANAFM3AHkVWuM
171Please respect copyright.PENANApNdG9MHh22
"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.
171Please respect copyright.PENANAbv1ZWopNg2
171Please respect copyright.PENANAsI5cQPIYH7
171Please respect copyright.PENANAiAKEgLMV4l
"...What's mana?", Maxwell asked, with Tobias glancing at him and then to Thorin, clearly interested in the topic.
171Please respect copyright.PENANAcVbhm1Mj7C
171Please respect copyright.PENANAU5szjSwiot
171Please respect copyright.PENANA4ZsuiMp0Pg
"Ah, you too didn't read those childhood books? Well, guess we gotta start from the beginnin'."
171Please respect copyright.PENANA7On5VKX4kF
171Please respect copyright.PENANA9Slv1IJGgs
171Please respect copyright.PENANALtB1TJATb7
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.
171Please respect copyright.PENANAvGOTjAq0TV
171Please respect copyright.PENANABrCwQfoBoj
171Please respect copyright.PENANAgPaxhjpVtB
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.
171Please respect copyright.PENANAoiBRtIeXqa
171Please respect copyright.PENANAx7xrDzBx0c
171Please respect copyright.PENANAjVUmn1RDXT
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.
171Please respect copyright.PENANApSLPTVC04M
171Please respect copyright.PENANAqFwVRzJ1xR
171Please respect copyright.PENANAyvCFpm5o0s
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.
171Please respect copyright.PENANATcCPhoVdWu
171Please respect copyright.PENANAju3NJ9D77X
171Please respect copyright.PENANAntR1hU2iAO
It was now almost evening when Thorin had stopped, with the two boys visibly tired, yawning as they felt the train halt.
171Please respect copyright.PENANAfsYbIcxWAs
171Please respect copyright.PENANAoWiagQVS4Q
171Please respect copyright.PENANAyrcV3bvbQz
"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.
171Please respect copyright.PENANAgwXM8SVlI5
171Please respect copyright.PENANAoEh17zyzS3
171Please respect copyright.PENANAhmZp3HVpWp
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.
171Please respect copyright.PENANABnqugvX9IE
171Please respect copyright.PENANA87ddN6X2OX
171Please respect copyright.PENANAygxOF18BGE
...
171Please respect copyright.PENANAFftbi8j1R6
171Please respect copyright.PENANAmxzvkcOyCt
171Please respect copyright.PENANA16iBNlYoKl
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.
171Please respect copyright.PENANAnvAwjlQuBl
171Please respect copyright.PENANAAAXPYa3DsE
171Please respect copyright.PENANAShnBHRkSG6
"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.
171Please respect copyright.PENANAM1l44z1IKh
171Please respect copyright.PENANAP23lo9PS5x
171Please respect copyright.PENANA5AsZsQcg9O
"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.
171Please respect copyright.PENANATLXDNq6tJt
171Please respect copyright.PENANAOeBv2GBA6z
171Please respect copyright.PENANAz8NlgdsX6L
"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.
171Please respect copyright.PENANAmwxrw6vD6T
171Please respect copyright.PENANAyswQIieoVl
171Please respect copyright.PENANAp1LQIU8CVS
"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.
171Please respect copyright.PENANAXdDFvtpv6N
"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.
171Please respect copyright.PENANAwAhGn7IoeW
171Please respect copyright.PENANAsiuGtkjPQo
171Please respect copyright.PENANAHaCH1hnVRV
"Yes it is. Have you seen one before? It works like this..."
171Please respect copyright.PENANAmkv5QDkEl0
171Please respect copyright.PENANAtxOdkAJnoY
171Please respect copyright.PENANAdnHIEK7P7r
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.
171Please respect copyright.PENANAXEKlTpB5Jc
171Please respect copyright.PENANAOD8bZHtXHe
171Please respect copyright.PENANAd1xmVOkWAG
"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.
171Please respect copyright.PENANAPVDnaJ2vCD
171Please respect copyright.PENANA0zVliV2HKB
171Please respect copyright.PENANAjaxNbLjvMY
"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.
171Please respect copyright.PENANANLPUhO2d1D
171Please respect copyright.PENANAmKdt84cKsY
171Please respect copyright.PENANAnu55urj0qZ
"Anyways, why did father even bring the two of you here? Are you two my illegitimate brothers?", the dwarf girl asked.
171Please respect copyright.PENANAyWULIOM534
171Please respect copyright.PENANAbFJj2FrcKN
171Please respect copyright.PENANAQYuYeaWiyR
"...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.
171Please respect copyright.PENANAcGiCKJK2mj
171Please respect copyright.PENANAanEkCATQKT
171Please respect copyright.PENANAvo9viojbNN
"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.
171Please respect copyright.PENANAEIwYibPPJs
171Please respect copyright.PENANAgyTeslgv8J
171Please respect copyright.PENANAlYXMU8hhUO
"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.
171Please respect copyright.PENANAToB6pB60SU
171Please respect copyright.PENANAEsPbNreuE3
171Please respect copyright.PENANAx0hjO3dmtE
"Yeah. What 'bout you, kid? Riskin' your life to compromise for your height?", the dwarf girl teased, continuing to tinker with the prototype.
171Please respect copyright.PENANAAWznmLL8sX
171Please respect copyright.PENANA9Ta45FQoup
171Please respect copyright.PENANA0a0UILgRVV
"Hell no. In fact- I... don't want to be a Steam Hunter, but..."
171Please respect copyright.PENANAMAcW08oaEz
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.
171Please respect copyright.PENANApxwhsRzKGw
171Please respect copyright.PENANAVD5mwIyWhf
171Please respect copyright.PENANA2WbOrrP6ZI
"...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.
171Please respect copyright.PENANA0qJAhz7anI
171Please respect copyright.PENANA0Xar6tF5bZ
171Please respect copyright.PENANAjSz93RDBhu
"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.
171Please respect copyright.PENANAstzfMiqcV9
171Please respect copyright.PENANAlMbviU8kWJ
171Please respect copyright.PENANABB7VCKyTkS
"I'm Elgrudeth- but just call me Ellie.", Ellie said with a smile.
171Please respect copyright.PENANAidSZF1z5GF
171Please respect copyright.PENANA38s173fHxK
171Please respect copyright.PENANA9FxMma19yK
"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.
171Please respect copyright.PENANARhtwHlliv3
171Please respect copyright.PENANAHEyG3JmoMO
171Please respect copyright.PENANAOI57HNosgx
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?
171Please respect copyright.PENANAWNAoyLyViK
171Please respect copyright.PENANAsmr3QHiVzf
171Please respect copyright.PENANAadMKaoXwWW
"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.
171Please respect copyright.PENANAAPrPjy4XQh
171Please respect copyright.PENANAwwOG9IXsrT
171Please respect copyright.PENANACrmgVQDVLU
"Maxwell, was it? Tell me..."
171Please respect copyright.PENANAM7xjvnu1Ww
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.
171Please respect copyright.PENANAEPQaY0Yj7S
171Please respect copyright.PENANAWYtwJrtoSm
171Please respect copyright.PENANA9JE2BZC8qt
"Why did you stand before me, even though every instinct of your body told you to run?", a deep voice asked once more.
171Please respect copyright.PENANAGfpulg6Gi1
171Please respect copyright.PENANAiRiHhCq4ko
171Please respect copyright.PENANANyfBx0nppV
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.
171Please respect copyright.PENANAaB7lSAy9j7
171Please respect copyright.PENANAUrPh4kIRox
171Please respect copyright.PENANAGRdYfLE5B8
"To protect my family... to protect my brother.", Maxwell uttered. A deep, chilling laugh can then be heard.
171Please respect copyright.PENANAhsuAMaR00x
171Please respect copyright.PENANAvRGPwLfIE6
171Please respect copyright.PENANAiUpiASFjb2
"I am capable of making that dream come true..."
171Please respect copyright.PENANAyuRsgpSXcR
171Please respect copyright.PENANAyY6cjQtWNY
171Please respect copyright.PENANANBDkOa8bjm
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.
171Please respect copyright.PENANAmTmiWXSxu9
171Please respect copyright.PENANAQW9FJtnLWo
171Please respect copyright.PENANAjMbWQ87DlA
"You may call upon my rage... but be careful not to hurt who means to you the most.", a whisper said in his head.
171Please respect copyright.PENANAALnToI3sHE
171Please respect copyright.PENANAw4eILFcEfP
171Please respect copyright.PENANADix7atxlDk
"...was it you?", Maxwell asked as he glanced at the pup in the corner of the room.
171Please respect copyright.PENANASAdjEQ3rlB
171Please respect copyright.PENANAxYkaC5yA96
171Please respect copyright.PENANAi0ixOO6Mld
"Who knows, maybe not hehe.", a more gentler whisper said in his mind.
171Please respect copyright.PENANASxWOjLdI7j
"...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.
171Please respect copyright.PENANAihPuKdBx7x
171Please respect copyright.PENANAV3Wp7vDaqY
171Please respect copyright.PENANAJug2qXiOd5
"You're not going crazy, it's me speaking, ya know?", the pup whispered in his head.
171Please respect copyright.PENANAZjHH3KgOFA
171Please respect copyright.PENANAfDwrFV2w3Q
171Please respect copyright.PENANANT9YalfpPH
"...how does that even work?", Maxwell asked himself, taking another glance at the pup who followed him.
171Please respect copyright.PENANAcMnBJpooaV
171Please respect copyright.PENANAxUqUyxsDLD
171Please respect copyright.PENANAZxSuMCF0uC
"Beats me. Maybe you can ask that old dork who smashed me with his hammer."
171Please respect copyright.PENANAhikMcOo6eb
171Please respect copyright.PENANAdT47g5up0p
171Please respect copyright.PENANANAbgTl7yRF
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.
171Please respect copyright.PENANAmEXAyRlWNR
171Please respect copyright.PENANAZpPkpE6P6M
171Please respect copyright.PENANAwqt4NXK0eH
"Bit too early to be movin' 'round, eh?", Thorin asked, with him wearing a tank top which revealed his muscular arms and chest.
171Please respect copyright.PENANAPBS5BmMaY2
171Please respect copyright.PENANA9nu086kyyK
171Please respect copyright.PENANARuwvMcHLN2
"I couldn't stay still-"
171Please respect copyright.PENANAjEsI10Ho4i
171Please respect copyright.PENANAk8PC1IhM5t
171Please respect copyright.PENANA1M9h8bNAca
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.
171Please respect copyright.PENANAAQgHGKk0TZ
171Please respect copyright.PENANAjHIyrLTVR2
171Please respect copyright.PENANAG8d8gaArhG
"I- I'm sorry, Mister Thorin... the dog made me do it.", Maxwell uttered, still gritting his teeth.
171Please respect copyright.PENANA5TVXlUISVS
171Please respect copyright.PENANAW8YCDkeZUT
171Please respect copyright.PENANAcQmW2Xg27l
Thorin then descended the porch stairs to look at Maxwell.
171Please respect copyright.PENANAeSxqx2G0Sd
171Please respect copyright.PENANA1TtIbPBD1F
171Please respect copyright.PENANAcZdkPHomxJ
"The dog made ye do it? Why- how'd that work, son?", Thorin asked.
171Please respect copyright.PENANAMCY6Rwl1aj
171Please respect copyright.PENANAdgmXEmUZ2S
171Please respect copyright.PENANAsbY0EAor6j
"...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.
171Please respect copyright.PENANAQXl1ahwusC
171Please respect copyright.PENANAk2jkjsyt58
171Please respect copyright.PENANASgiAP3TbWh
Thorin then walked up to him, pushing him with his arm, sending him sitting onto the ground.
171Please respect copyright.PENANAXr5hfdKq3B
171Please respect copyright.PENANAQyQtNH0Lee
171Please respect copyright.PENANAeNyi9aMMYJ
"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.
171Please respect copyright.PENANAzLptM45oZh
171Please respect copyright.PENANA0cj814w4CZ
171Please respect copyright.PENANAgXXG9lnMcV
"I... I shouldn't, Mister Thorin.", Maxwell said, using all of his mental strength to resist the urge to hurt.
171Please respect copyright.PENANAILwUBtA0az
171Please respect copyright.PENANADpn5yGkzuj
171Please respect copyright.PENANAsGlLtPD7hG
"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.
171Please respect copyright.PENANA4iw12xWBFt
171Please respect copyright.PENANAz24dvUXUQf
171Please respect copyright.PENANArnp5r6qhaQ
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.
171Please respect copyright.PENANAtP8ua5UaHI
171Please respect copyright.PENANAW50vtTGgAX
171Please respect copyright.PENANAvugOFTJP5M
"Tch, so the kid can fight, huh?"
171Please respect copyright.PENANA1Nb3ZOCSzs
171Please respect copyright.PENANAllU3A2fsCy
171Please respect copyright.PENANAH2ljgGhdr4
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.
171Please respect copyright.PENANAIxChyMfSmS
171Please respect copyright.PENANAtrmABflUzy
171Please respect copyright.PENANAS0MhrehpQz
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.
171Please respect copyright.PENANALC9Ooj03NH
171Please respect copyright.PENANAcSn1wIR4ID
171Please respect copyright.PENANAeVbu1uuzv8
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.
171Please respect copyright.PENANA3tVVhv8Z6d
171Please respect copyright.PENANAajGUtyJxFW
171Please respect copyright.PENANAATImdyHUtJ
"Father!", Ellie shouted. Maxwell heard the shout, with his leg kick slowing down as he got distracted.
171Please respect copyright.PENANAuynRw4GhoE
"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.
171Please respect copyright.PENANAa9r7dnLbxk
171Please respect copyright.PENANAV0eAgFyLLG
171Please respect copyright.PENANAZd3RbLgpps
"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.
171Please respect copyright.PENANAAlaRebElnH
171Please respect copyright.PENANA7V5QPSXAWj
171Please respect copyright.PENANAk20pYMJ5uY
"How could you!?", Ellie asked, glaring at Maxwell. Tobias supported Maxwell standing up, remaining quiet himself.
171Please respect copyright.PENANALLywSadyFg
171Please respect copyright.PENANABETLTD6Dih
171Please respect copyright.PENANAMpr4S3jTY9
"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.
171Please respect copyright.PENANA7JeVrmInCF
171Please respect copyright.PENANAPZ8Xdgk2Ir
171Please respect copyright.PENANADphJEhHfvf
"Training!? Look at you-"
171Please respect copyright.PENANAyF7YLZfPg1
171Please respect copyright.PENANAt5bDv33SAQ
171Please respect copyright.PENANA3c9HYeTw0x
"Enough, child. We are Steam Hunters, 'tis but a scratch compared to what we do..."
171Please respect copyright.PENANAXSWI7Qa5g5
171Please respect copyright.PENANAxpLj8xWeIb
171Please respect copyright.PENANAWQrzQyQmf3
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.
171Please respect copyright.PENANAK6JfcBX77F
171Please respect copyright.PENANAyJfQvW9Yb7
171Please respect copyright.PENANAGZI2tktyVV
"I see. I apologize, father... looks like I'll have to get used to it."
171Please respect copyright.PENANApROSqjPfqg
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.
171Please respect copyright.PENANAmH2p60JcH0
171Please respect copyright.PENANARbNOwo96BA
171Please respect copyright.PENANA2NgMHz4XKg
"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.
171Please respect copyright.PENANALJEMeTtklE
171Please respect copyright.PENANAU3cYpWzYh7
171Please respect copyright.PENANACMNLZmmMJ0
"...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.
171Please respect copyright.PENANAEOBRrVgicV
171Please respect copyright.PENANAzsAQJbDYgh
171Please respect copyright.PENANATM4BOAyG0V
"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.
171Please respect copyright.PENANAnLjPXR4yc0
171Please respect copyright.PENANAq2N2tg4mks
171Please respect copyright.PENANAlGPKrSRIyX
"I see. Well, your real training starts now."
171Please respect copyright.PENANADE4GlL7dxg