The Neko Style
OoC: Despite the name of this thread, it is wholly based on Zorlo's training, the reason the title makes sense is because Zorlo's master is a Neko. Bah, here goes. This story takes place in the six years Zorlo spent training with his Master Kurenkento.
Chapter 1: Becoming an Apprentice
BiC: It had only been three days ago that Zorlo's home had been destroyed by the by a group of soldiers from the Martiland army, and only two days ago was he saved by a masterful warrior called Kurenkento. The boy followed the man to his home and pestered him for two days about wanting to be strong like he was. Finally, on the second day, the man decided to challenge the boy.
"Boy," Kurenkento said as he looked at the boy, "if you truly want to become my apprentice, I'll have to test you."
"Test, why?" The young boy asked.
"Because, I cannot just have anyone becoming my apprentice, first I shall ask you some questions, and after that, I shall decide if I want you to take the test. First, what is your name boy?"
"Zorlo."
"Zorlo, nice name. Next, why is it you want to be strong."
"Because I never want to see people killed like my mother was."
"Good, now then, I shall begin the test," the Neko said as he peered at the boy.
Zorlo examined the Neko, who stood at over seven feet, without the ears. He wore a shirt of green dragon scales and wore basic white pants. His hair was white and he wore a white hat that looked like an American Civil war hat with an eagle feather sticking out of it. He had a belt that had a rapier and many short swords and bucklers attached to the belt, Zorlo was impressed by these. He looked like a cat person, and Zorlo could not help but ask, "Sir, why do you look like a cat?"
The Neko laughed at the question and answered. "I look this way because I am a Neko, a cat demon. I, unlike most demons, have taken a liking to humans, and hate to see them used for horrible things like slavery. I will take you as my apprentice and teach you my style of combat if, and only if, you can complete a test I have for you. I will give you a short sword, and you have to survive in this forest for two months. Do you understand."
"Yes, and I will, anything to help others from ever feeling how I felt when you saved me."
"Good," the Neko said as he thrust a short sword into Zorlo's hand. "When the two months is up, I shall find you, and if you are alive, I we shall get to work."
"Yes sir," the boy said as he left the house and walked deeper into the woods. The boy examined the surrounding, over a two week period of time, he slowly learned basic skills in living. Zorlo learned where the foods he can eat were, what animals were dangerous and what paths took him into dangerous areas.
After the first month of Zorlo's training, the fencer saw the boy training himself in survival fighting style and watched him use it as the boy was attacked by a small lizard creature. The creature was small and green, it looked like a small dinosaur almost, and had many roes of razor sharp teeth. Zorlo used a trap he had laid and when the creature stepped behind him, a cage fell on it and trapped it.
"Thats the third time this month you've tried that," Zorlo said to the creature as he looked at it. "Didn't you learn your lesson last time I caught you? I'll let you go again later when you aren't awake." Zorlo walked away from the caged creature and moved away.
Impressive, he knew it was following him and set up a trap for it. Also, his compassion shows he is a good person and loves life, very good. Just one more month, survive that long kid the Neko fencer thought as he watched the boy walk away.
The next month passed amazingly quickly for both people, as Zorlo began to hope it was over and Kurenkento was hoping that Zorlo would survive. On the last day, near midnight, something attacked Zorlo beyond what Zorlo could handle. The creature was a monster from the shadows, and waited for the boy as he took shape. this creature took the shape of a human except he was purely shadow. He struck at the boy and knocked him out before Zorlo even realized what happened.
"You will pay for hurting my apprentice," Kurenkento said as he appeared. "Now return to the shadows from whence you came." After the Neko said this, he drew his sword and launched an enormous blade of air that split the demon into eight pieces and scattered them into the four winds. "This boy has succeeded, and now I will make him powerful. I have been ever so lonely since my last wife died. Please don't make me regret taking you as a trainee."
Edit: OoC: Eh... oh yeah, comments are welcome at any time.
Last edited by Zorolo; 06-24-2006 at 06:40 PM.