Chapter 17: The Legendary Wizard, Marlon
Seven months have passed since Tiafell and his friends began their training in the Amazonian Village of Steelweld. They were forced to endure the most extreme physical training of their lives; strenuous aerobics, lifting incredible weights, and intense sparring matches using only their fists some days and weapons during others. Mirya, who had been deemed too frail to endure the training, honed her magical skills instead. After manifesting her staff, her mother, the witch Samora, taught her how to use her new weapon and also taught her new spells that were previously out of her reach. Mirya's twin brother, Cirris, would also practice his magic on his days off from physical training, but he never manifested his staff. Nadia trained during the day with the others, when her vampiric powers were dormant and became much stronger, which also greatly boosted her strength at night. The one who gained the most, however, was Tiafell. The half demon elf grew much more powerful than everyone else in just a few short months, gaining tremendous speed, endurance, and strength beyond human limitations. In all, everyone gained much during their time with the amazons.
One morning, in Samora's room, mother and daughter were sound asleep. They slept peacefully while naked in each other's arms, having spent a "loving night" together. While blissfully unaware in deep slumber, a rolled-up paper appeared on the witch's desk. The letter was addressed to Samora.
Out in the forest, just after sunrise, Cirris was jogging with Brion, the son of the Chieftess of Steelweld, Cleyene. They had gained the liberty of training on their own without Varpol, Cleyene's second in command, screaming orders at them every day. Cirris' body had become very well-toned but he maintained his slender frame.
"You and your friends have come so far since you arrived. I dare say that all of you would make fine additions to our ranks!" Brion praised him, having become friends with the mage and the others.
"Thanks. I may have gotten stronger, but Nadia has gotten even stronger than I have, and that's during the day when she is mostly human. As for Tiafell.. that's a whole other story."
"Don't sell yourself short, my friend! Nadia is a dhampir and Tiafell is an elf/demon hybrid, they are going to enjoy benefits that ordinary humans like us would have to train for years to achieve. Only Mom can best him in sparring now, not even Varpol, Kanah, or I can beat him anymore. But just between us, Mom feels that Tiafell will defeat her in their next match."
"That worries me. I want him to be as strong as he possibly can, but he is scary when his demon side kicks in. We're all worried that this could backfire and get him or us killed."
"Yes, while we do encourage aggressiveness in battle, we stress what we call 'calculated aggression'. It means being aggressive but also being smart about it. Tiafell is smart and studies his opponent. But when his demonic nature takes effect, all that goes out the window and he charges blindly toward his opponent."
"I hope Grandfather can help with that.." Cirris sighed. Above them, a figure darted through the trees at incredible speed.
"Heh, he must have heard us talking about him." Cirris smirked.
"He really is incredible," Brion began, "There is that issue with his aggression in battle. But outside of that, his newly acquired strength has not gone to his head at all. He is more confident, sure, but he remains humble and views everyone as his equals. It's almost as if he thinks we're all as strong as he is!" Brion laughed.
The figure from above jumped and landed in front of them, it was Tiafell. Wearing only a loincloth, he still possessed a lithe body with an hourglass figure but had developed muscle tone in his arms. Despite this, he had not bulked up at all, in fact he had gotten slimmer.
"Hi there!" the bubbly femboy greeted his friends. "Let's go wash up in the river before lunch. Catch me if you caaaan!!" Tiafell chirped as he ran off at a speed that Brion and Cirris couldn't hope to match, his girly giggles were heard as he disappeared into the bushes. The two of them looked at each other and shook their heads.
"Honestly, he is like a child with a new toy." Brion commented.
"It's good to see. He was so unsure of himself before, it gives me hope that we will defeat our enemies." Cirris smiled.
"Indeed. Well, we'd best not keep him waiting." The duo followed Tiafell, hoping to catch up to him.
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Meanwhile, Cleyene was in her quarters preparing for her day when there was a knock on her door.
"Yes? State your business!" She shouted.
"It's me, Samora!" the witch answered.
"Come in!" The Chieftess beckoned. Samora entered and closed the door behind her, she was holding a letter.
"It's unusual to see you here this time of the morning without you having spent the previous night with me. Has something come up?"
Samora nodded. "Yes, it has" She presented the letter to Cleyene, who skimmed over it. "It's from Father, the time has come for me to take them to his tower for their training in the art of magic. We are to leave immediately."
"I see... it looks as though I will be spared an embarrassing defeat at Tiafell's hands after all." She chuckled a bit.
"Has he gotten that powerful? And what of his demonic side?"
"He has. I have gotten stronger myself having to hold my own against him, but he is still likely to beat me the next time we battle. We have made him and his friends much better fighters, but we lack the knowledge to help him control his demonic nature. I fear that if he does not learn how to control it, he could become so blinded by it that he will no longer recognize friend from foe and attack anyone he sees." Cleyene admitted.
"Father will be able to help him reign it in. He has learned much about demons during his many years of research. I have no doubt that he will help Tiafell." Samora confidently stated. "He cannot be blamed or it though. He has spent his entire life not knowing he is half-demon, and until he left the Endless Forest, he has had no exposure to it. I believe that once he learns how to use it properly, Dred himself will fear him!"
"Speaking of your father, I know you have been in regular contact with him this entire time. Does he talk about his health? I know he isn't doing well."
