Private - Sacred Blight 2 | Page 2

Savannah could detect a hint of bitterness in Lucia’s words and she didn’t judge the Necromancer for her slightly harsher turn. Nothing in life was easy; Savannah had figured that out a long time ago. She had to work and claw and fight for everything she had; only a few times did luck weigh in her favor and allow her to scoot past one obstacle or another without much bother. But those situations were few and very far between.

I’m no stranger to hard work, Lady Lucia, Savannah said about a moment, her features looking harsh in the low light but no less determined than she first arrived. Once I set my mind to something, I see it through come hell or high water. And if I cannot complete my task for whatever reason, I still give it my best shot and get as close as possible. The female gave a stout nod, her pigtails bouncing with the sudden movement of her head.

At the mention of becoming a Death Knight, Savannah couldn’t help the wide grin that covered her mouth and showed off her tiny canines. A Death Knight sounded like the most badass thing to become. Why wouldn’t she want to do that?! And maybe get some undead horse and some death magic and be a total badass on the battlefield. People would be crazy to try and raid Lady Lucia’s lands! All because of her!

Though she was enjoying the daydream of being Lady Lucia’s Death Knight, when the conversation took a turn toward heroes and champions, Savannah’s slender ears did arch forward. She hadn’t ever thought of her position in those terms before. Glancing out over the masses, it made sense to the girl, even if a lot of the Citizen’s customs seemed very…foreign to her. They still needed a champion, a hero, someone that would shield them from every horrible thing on the horizon that wanted them back beneath the ground.

I can do that, Savannah found herself whispering, the words catching her by surprise. What was more shocking was the surge of adrenaline she felt coursing through her system. While she was enjoying her time in this game, it was very much not a game that hand-held at all. She had felt a little lost in the shuffle, to begin with, but now, with this having happened, she felt like she, at last, had a direction to go in and something to aim for.

I…I’d love to train with Miss Sylvanas and learn more about the game from you. If it will help me in my role as your protector, I’ll take whatever lessons you are willing and able to give me.​

 

Lucia only chuckled a little trying to put more thought, this girl was certainly determined enough, but perhaps Lucia used the wrong words to describe what was truly required. Was it Zeal? Despair? Hopelessness? Lucia had persevered with those feelings in her heart back then, the determination was no doubt important but perhaps she'd put emphasis on the wrong side of things. "Well, if you're determined I won't try to deter you, but Necromancy will block off a lot of your potential. You shouldn't endeavor to be a mage-- A Knight, a champion that puts themselves in danger for the people should be your goal. There's a different way to achieve that-- A better way then magic at least." Lucia tried to explain patiently.

As if to illustrate the concept she was trying to describe, as if words themselves would be inadequate to paint the picture properly she gestured towards Sylvanas for a demonstration. The elven woman seemed hesitant initially, for a moment there was concern in her face before she slowly slid off the table. The Elven knight lifted a hand grasping at the air, the ethereal energy that surrounded them began to coalesce into a black fog, growing thicker until it became liquid in her hand, then further until it became a solid. It only took a brief flash, as if appearing from a puff of smoke, Sylvanas retrieved a sleek black spear, simple in design, the ornaments were few save for a simple crest carved where the blade met the shaft.

While Sylvanas warmed herself up rolling her shoulder and giving the spear a few test swings and twirls, Lucia spoke, her gaze on the knight rather then Savannah as she spoke. "First, I'll explain a bit about martial skills. Knights like Sylvanas, warriors, berserkers, you name it, they all have martial talents rather then magical ones, while they aren't quite as flashy in the early stages-- As I'm sure you know..." She commented flashing Savannah a playful smile. It was the reason so many warriors wanted some kind of magic or buff skill, because their basic attacks didn't feel special enough or weren't diverse enough. "That's not always the case. Martial skills are ones with slow starts and high returns-- They need a very firm foundation in technique and physique that Magic doesn't quite require. You can't just read about a martial skill and then produce it after all like you could with a magical formula. Mages might lack the necessary skill level to conceive it, but warriors need to go beyond the realm of masters to produce their powerful skills." Lucia tried to explain.

As Lucia spoke, Sylvanas finally seemed prepared. With a solemn expression, the even girl gave her spear a sharp jerk taking a firm stance. The edge of the weapon had a volatile gleam to it, as it moved an ethereal light was left behind by the blade itself, a clear and gentle glow that seemed abnormal considering the dangerous nature of the spear. "Spear intent is something achieved past the mastery stage. I'm not certain what we would call it, but once someone reaches the apex of martial combat, Weapon Intent becomes possible. Sylvanas can achieve it because of my power, everything I touch is endowed with the frigid chills of the other side." As Lucia explained, Lucia gave her weapon a few sweeps causing arcs of pale blue light to sore off into the distance. One cleaving down a tree while the other turned up the dark soil of her territory cleaving into the earth a little. Both of them left crackling sounds behind rather then the hiss one might expect from heat. If touched Savannah would notice the marks left behind by the spear lights were cold to the touch, the carved tree trunk smooth and silky glazed with an icy coating.

"Rather then following in my footsteps as a spell caster, I wanted you to learn something like this; Martial skills, body refinement. If we both took the same path, it would compound our weaknesses, but if we both went in different directions it's different right?" Lucia explained, though the action seemed to tire Sylvanas out a bit, even as an undead she was breathing, a quickened breath that wasn't quite panting. While it might be a mystery why an undead would need to pant, it certainly wasn't for air, after exhausting energy she was trying to retrieve it from what was in the air around them. "Spear Intent comes from compounding all of one's experience with the weapon, the essence of the spear in motion is the best way to describe it. There was a saying; Sword like Viper, Saber like Tiger, Spear like Dragon-- Achieving 'Spear like Dragon' is merely the first step; Mastery, but beyond that is what I'm hoping you can achieve. The Dao of the Spear, the Grand Dao of 'Slaughter With Every Step' we can go over slowly but surely though." Lucia continued, a musing expression on her face as she rubbed her chin as if wondering if she'd forgotten anything.

 

But magic looked so freaking cool! After seeing the amazing things that Lady Lucia could do, it only made sense for any newbie to want to throw down their weapons and pick up a few scrolls to learn incantations. There seemed to be so much more power there and the more power you had, the less likely people were to fuck with you, even on your worse day. However, her Lady did make a valid point. If they were both spellcasters, they would be doubly weak to anyone who could wield a weapon.

Still, it took a while for the longing look to vacate Savannah’s eyes. Her magic – yes, even though it was Necromancy – was one of the coolest things she’d seen in the game so far.

…Well, second coolest. Seeing Sylvanas basically draw a weapon from the air around her into her hand had to be epic as well. Savannah had to consciously remember to close her mouth as her jaw had fallen slack when the demonstration had started. Part of her wanted to reach out and touch the weapon that Sylvanas so expertly wielded in her grasp, but there was a larger part of her brain that screamed how taboo it would be. She didn’t know for sure – and she didn’t have the balls to ask – so she remained standing beside Lady Lucia, listening to her speak and occasionally nodding her head.

Slow starts and high returns, Savannah whispered to herself. It would come to be her battle chant of sorts, a reminder to persevere and learn her weapon. The more efficient she became with it, the better she would be at taking damage and returning it, protecting not only herself, but her Lady as well.

Somehow, the Faerin was able to keep her eyes from popping out of her skull at the utter majesty and cool-factor that was the frigid energy wafting out of Sylvanas’ weapon when she maneuvered it. Her wide eyes turned to Lady Lucia with a familiar childlike glimmer within their depths: I can learn to do that too?!

Yet, there was a sudden damper that caused that glimmer to dim a bit. Spear like Dragon…but there’s no way I’ll be ready for that when the invasion starts. She paused for a moment, thinking on her next words when another look of determination came over her face. She instead gave a nod and stood a little straighter, her shoulders back, her attention solely on her Lady.

I’ll be ready. I’ll be as ready as I can and I’ll do my best. I’ll learn and research and…and…oh! I heard about this practice dungeon thing so maybe I’ll do that a few times before the actual fighting starts. Just to make sure I’m ready. I won’t let you down Lady Lucia. I will become your Dragon. ​

 

Lucia chuckled a little bit seeing Savannah so enthralled by the talk and demonstration. A sweet smile on her face as she lifted a hand to pat the girl's head softly and reassuringly. "It will definitely be hard to make it by then, I'm sure, but having a direction alone will make a big difference by itself." She explained with patience and understanding. After all, even she had been impatient to master Necromancy and make Sylvanas the person she was now. In the beginning, Sylvanas had been a decrepit corpse, with half of a face, one ear, dead eyes wielding a lazy spear from her own inadequacies as a puppeteer. "Sylvanas?" Lucia spoke since Savannah seemed too awed to pick up many details from the demo.

"Stop being stupid. Spear like Dragon isn't telling you to make flashy dragons appear with every swing of your weapon or breath fire. If you think it's that simple you might as well give up now." Sylvanas complained, her words harsh and criticizing, but even so she still continued on explaining. Slowing her warm up down so it could be seen, a few swings, a few stance changes, steps here and there. Each step alone wasn't exactly noteworthy or important, even up to completion one might think it was as simple as loosening up. "It's name comes from the nature of a spear; how it works and how it's used. It has fancy names; Spear like Dragon, Slaughter with every step. The spear is large and unwieldy because it has reach and weight, because of that every step, swing and thrust should have a purpose, wasting your energy and speed for a single blow would be a tragic waste." Sylvanas spoke, her gaze focused as she continued her movements.

Each step flowing into the other, every change carrying momentum and creating pressure as she swung. Strikes flowed into other strikes, thrusts into other swings, steps into strikes and turns into steps. There was always movement, the only stillness only ever came from the direction of her head or waist that acted as her center as she moved. "Live and active, like a long serpent at flight, if it misses with the teeth it can strike with the claws, if the claws miss then the tail, by then, the head circles back around. The weight and power accumulating as the flow builds and moves, ferocious, vicious, relentless." Sylvanas spoke, a hint of reverence in her gaze. As if thinking about the one who taught her the spear, she passed on the lessons in contentment rather then bitterness.

"As for 'Slaughter with every Step', it can be taken similarly to Spear like Dragon... Every step filled with purpose, every movement made for devastation. The spear doesn't need to plan, doesn't need strategy; As long as it has momentum and movement it becomes a wave, a storm-- Even if they survive the first blow, the second wave will follow pressing them down further, the next blast of wind, the next bolt of lightning and shake of thunder follow. Smashing rocks to sand, turning over houses and taring down walls--" The elven guard spoke before pulling her spear back. With the butt end on the ground, holding it up as she turned her eyes up with a small smile. The crisp smile against her frosty face was refreshing, she spoke with a hint of nostalgia in her voice for a moment as she thought back to her life among the living. "My teacher once told me there was nothing the Spear couldn't sweep away, enemies, kingdoms, but also fears, sadness and negativity. He believed with all his heart that it was possible-- See Devil slay devil, see god slay god, It became his heart and his Dao... I don't know if he ever got strong enough for such fantastical and silly things, but he was certainly passionate enough about the spear to try."

"These are the broad strokes though, we can certainly discuss the particulars-- Try not to get overwhelmed with the fancy descriptions. For now, we should sit comfortably and go over the basics." Lucia tried to cut in with a mellow chuckle. Her words making Sylvanas a little shy, having inherited some of the passion from her teacher clearly. It carried over into the awe inspiring undead she was now compiling into an undead technique.

 

Savannah’s slender ears couldn’t help but immediately arch backward, similar to a dog’s ears when they’ve been scolded. Sylvanas’ harsh words impacted her enough that she immediately dropped her gaze and took a tiny step back. Yes, her idea of being ‘Spear like Dragon’ was exactly as the elven woman had said: making a dragon come out of her spear with every sweep, swipe, parry, and slash.

However, the elven woman began to explain and it was the tone of voice and change of direction of her words that had the Faerin woman looking up and taking notice. She eyed the way Sylvanas held her weapon, the firm grip of her fingers around the haft of it and the steady distribution of weight and allowed her to stay balanced. Almost immediately, Savannah found herself trying to copy the grip, then the stance, then – after moving a few paces away from her Lady – she tried to copy the movements.

Since joining the game, Savannah hadn’t done any combat…well, truthfully, any real combat. She had chased rats around a farm and missed hitting them for one reason or another and some rats were just too stupid to run away from her, but handling her halberd had been a struggle. There were, after all, no tutorials in the game! So, she had stuck to fetch quests mostly, and ones where she wasn’t collecting animal teeth or fur or nails or eyeballs. Picking up packages and bringing them to other NPCs was her main form of grinding exp.

But now, she had a different direction to go in.

Her kept her ears perked as Sylvanas spoke, explaining the actual origin behind the name ‘Spear like Dragon’ and, upon hearing it, Savannah couldn’t help but grin. It made sense, it made total and complete sense and was much cooler than making a dragon appear out of her halberd with some fancy magic. She was to be an overwhelming force; blocking and parrying in one swift movement and then running forth with a counter attack, a flurry of blows, a quick stab and then death. She could almost taste the copper tang of blood in her mouth and feel the sweat on her brow from battle. Maybe she was more ready than she originally believed.

When Sylvanas stopped, so did the smaller Faerin, but her lilac eyes looked at her weapon with more appreciation than she had when she first arrived. She barely contained the smile that quickly danced across her lips. With Lady Lucia leading the way, she’d be a top-notch fighter in no time. Perhaps she could be ready for the invasion when it did arrive.

No, no, she murmured when Lady Lucia cut in. I understood that. It makes sense, more so than my original thoughts on the matter. Throw everything at me, please; give me a crash course. I need to learn – I want to learn! – and the faster, the better.​

 

Lucia couldn't refuse, seeing Savannah so excited, the poor girl was so eager and ready to try and learn more, she couldn't help chuckling. Shaking her head, she glanced towards Sylvanas with a coy smile. "She'd be disappointed if she ever met your teacher now after all of that hype. The poor girl's expectations would be annihilated if I summoned him." Lucia teased the elven knight with a warm grin knowing Sylvanas's teacher well, the man was among those who she called Tal'Darim knights. Unfortunately though, it was a little difficult for her to send that particular soldier to battle, like many others, they simply weren't fit for war for one reason or another.

Sylvanas though wasn't perturbed by the teasing, instead with a straightened back she only shook her head in answer to Lucia's playfulness taking it seriously. "My teacher was a very peculiar person, but there are none who knew how to manipulate momentum and pacing like he did. Everyone has their faults." She answered back before glancing towards Savannah, taking up her black spear once more, she gestured towards the air in the girl's direction. "Very well, we'll go around once more, the basic steps are most important to practice. Repetition and practice are most important in developing these skills." She once again began trying to take up her position with weapon in hand. Taking up the same posture, same pose, Sylvanas would keep trying to drill the actions and technique into the poor girl's head until she was doing the steps in her sleep.

Every once in a while, swinging the spear back down into Savannah's ankles or wrists when something had gone too wrong. Sylvanas would yell every once in a while when she felt Savannah was developing bad habits, but she wasn't overly harsh or cruel. Lucia smiled watching them from the table, taking bites of fish with a happy and contented smile. Someday Savannah would definitely be strong enough to support the territory like she did. As far as Lucia thought, as long as she was persistant, it would just be a matter of time.