Table of Contents - Introduction - Ch. 1 - Ch. 2 - Ch. 3 - Ch. 4

Introduction

An old man sits on the floor facing a young man with wavy, medium-length brown hair. The old man has a short staff resting against his right thigh as he peers down into the youth's very soul.
So; you wish to be tough?
The preteen pursed his lips and shot a nasty glare at the old man's eyes. Yes. That is what I said.
The old man lurched his wizened body forward and thrust all of his body weight from his shaky, knotted legs and onto his staff. After a few seconds, he managed to reach a state similar to standing.
The toughest metals, he began, Those that will not bend, are both tough and brittle. With enough pressure, even precious Adamantine will shatter like glass.
The old man let out a hoarse cough, then continued.
Soft, malleable metals; such as aluminum, will never shatter. They will bend, but not shatter.
The boy replied, That's not true. What if you freeze the aluminum-- then it will be hard and inflexible.
Ah, yes. But cold aluminum is easier to shatter than Adamantine at room temperature. It boils down to this: If you are hard and brittle, you can stand inflexible against insurmountable forces. But once you have reached your limit, you will fall to pieces.
The old man let out another hoarse cough.
And, to get to my point: If soft metals made cool fall apart so readily, it is better that a soft metal stays soft.
But, Elder! What if-
No buts, my boy. Indeed, being cold will make you tough. No matter what desires for being tough you may have, any attempt to follow such ambitions will result in your own destruction. Not another word of this nonsense.
Tears formed in the preteen's eyes as the old man walked away.
But, Elder. With your magic, I could--
Not another word, my boy!

My Lord, our preparations are complete.
A blackguard kneeled before the Lich, adorned in black armor. On the knight's side rest a black bastard sword with a black crystal hilt. His pale skin shone through in high contrast; and his lips-- red as blood.
Ah, very well.
The Lich produced a wand from his robes and tapped himself on the forehead and instantly changed into an aged priest. The blackguard did the same and was immediately replaced by a shining white paladin.
Shall be begin the declaration? the blackguard asked.
Of course-- we will crush the Arcane heretics.

Contact me: kobrasrealm@gmail.com

Want more? Check out Kobra's Corner.