"Clang! Clang! Clang!"
The relentless clash of metal echoed through the stillness of the desert night, shattering its silence like glass.
"Bang!"
Igaris staggered back, his arms trembling from exhaustion. The iron blade slipped from his grip and hit the ground with a dull thud, while Dred's longsword hovered just inches from his chest, ready to pierce through his heart.
"Damn it! I can't lose to a skeleton... Again!"
Gritting his teeth, he forced himself up, fingers closing around the short blade once more.
He was clearly at a disadvantage. His blade was shorter, lighter just meant for survival, not war. Dred's sword, by complete disparity, was a weapon of death, forged for a warrior of elite caliber.
But Igaris didn't yield.
His body was soaked in sweat again, dusts and sand clinging to him like a second skin. The clean wash he had moments ago was already undone, but he didn't care. Not when he stood on the edge of power.
Again, he charged in. Swinging, parrying, dodging.
And with each exchange, with every clang of steel, his body remembered. His instincts sharpened. His movements grew faster, more deliberate.
Somhow, he was learning many times faster than a normal human ever could.
Swing after swing. Strike after strike.
He began to read Dred's attacks. Anticipate them. Counter them.
Though far from Dred's level, now he had already grown remarkably proficient in wielding the blade.
His attacks now carried rhythm and purpose, his footwork steadier with each clash.
But he was under no illusions.
If Dred weren't holding back, he would've been cut in half from the very first blow.
He still had a long way to go.
And that was exactly why he would keep fighting.
After nearly 20 minutes, Roxanne's patience was running thin, so she came out to see what her son was doing, delaying her call over and over again.
And what she saw made her speechless.
Under the dim moonlight, her son was swinging a metal weapon again and again in empty air as if he was fighting an invisible enemy.
That's right, Dred had already vanished with Igaris's order when he sensed Roxanne's arrival.
Her mother was proud seeing her son working so hard, but at the same time, she was worried about her son's health.
"Son, what are you doing? Is it the right time for practice? And didn't you come to clean your body?" She said, looking exasperated.
"Coming..." Igaris said simply, letting down his blade.
"Wait... You have found a weapon?" Roxanne said with mild surprise upon noticing the iron blade.
"Yeah, I found it during the hunt," he replied unenthusiastically.
"Oh, that's good. A weapon is really good," Roxanne said with approval.
"But please clean your body once again before you sleep in. Otherwise, your little sister will complain," she added.
Igaris looked slightly annoyed at this. "Well, if she has that much of a problem, she could sleep in your room, can't she?"
Roxanne frowned, "Igor, what are you saying? She is your little sister. And she likes to sleep beside you. Why are you acting like a stranger?"
"Are you really fine?" she asked with concern.
"Ahh, Yes, I am fine. There's nothing to be worried about... I just don't like interruptions in my training time."
He said, softening his tone as he went for another cleaning.
"But... You weren't like this in the past," she murmured in a low voice.
---
Afterwards, the family of three began to eat the burnt meat raw, without any ingredients or seasonings.
The taste should have been bland without them, but somehow Igaris found it to his liking, thanks to the natural oil of the meat that mixed in during cooking over fire.
Of course, the taste couldn't be compared to properly cooked meat with seasonings. But it wasn't that bad to his tastebuds.
However, you wouldn't be able to see the excitement or satisfaction on his face like his little sister, Isadora.
He was calm as he ate.
While she was chewing on the meat with great relish, her eyes sparkling with joy.
Roxanne just watched with a gentle smile, feeling content just by seeing their expressions.
Igaris noticed this amd something clawed his conscious.
Igaris cut a piece of meat and handed it to her.
"Mother, you should eat too. There's plenty," he said flatly.
Though there wasn't too much emotion in his voice, there was careful consideration and respect in it.
He realized maybe he was treating this family too coldly.
They don't deserve this.
He wasn't completely emotionless, he was just less empathetic.
The consideration for Roxanne came straight from himself, not his predecessor lingering traces.
He could see the woman was genuinely loved her children.
She didn't deserve this cold treatment from him.
She was a kind, gentle, caring mother.
Unfortunately, she was not his mother.
Roxanne ate the piece directly from his hand, her eyes looking gratified.
There had always been a lingering fear in her heart that her son had changed too much after losing his memories. But now, seeing this small gesture, she felt hope bloom again. Maybe, just maybe, a shadow of the boy she once knew still remained within him.
Isadora, watching the moment unfold, puffed her cheeks in playful jealousy.
"Aww… Brother is feeding Mommy. I want to do it too! Mommy, say 'ahh'!" she declared, holding out a piece of meat with her small fingers, her face beaming with excitement.
Roxanne chuckled, leaning forward. "Ahh~"
"Gulp!"
She accepted the bite with a warm smile, then mischievously pulled Isadora's cheeks. "Such a sweet little girl," she said, laughing gently at her daughter's adorable effort.
Igaris watched the scene unfold in silence.
He didn't smile. But somewhere deep inside, something warmed.
--
Later, night fell.
The stars stretched across the sky, and the gentle wind rustled through the shabby walls of their makeshift cottage.
As usual, Isadora lay beside him, eyes bright with anticipation.
"Tell me a story, big brother! A fun one, with monsters and heroes!" she said, tugging at his sleeve like a kitten seeking attention.
Igaris turned slightly, his eyes meeting hers. Her gaze was so full of wonder. So full of trust.
He let out a defeated sigh.
"Alright... But just one story."