Home, Sweat Home

[Lorraire POV]

After a belly full of food and a good night's rest, I would be lying if I said I didn't feel better. Getting up from bed, I scratch my head, feeling the tangled mess on my hair. Changing into my normal clothes, I go to the bathroom to wash my face and straighten out my hair.

Bang bang bang bang bang...

This whole time, I've been hearing something hitting a hammer against some metal. Going downstairs, I walk drowsily toward the sound. I see someone hammering a bright red sword before placing it into a long box and removing it. Coming out of the box, the sword was no longer red, just a normal gray.

"Big Brother?"

"Hmmm? Oh, Lorraine, you're awake. Not so gloomy anymore, right?"

"What are you doing?"

Hearing, Big Brother Jaque's question, I flinch and quickly threw a question back at him. I didn't know myself. I needed more time to think. Hearing my question, Big Brother props the sword on his shoulder before walking over.

"Me? I'm just crafting an item. I heard from Emma that you were in desperate need of a good sword. Look at this beauty. While I still need to do a few more things, it's probably my best piece yet. It's forged from the metal found in the bones of the stone golem from yesterday. With a few extra items added in, this will be the perfect blade for you."

Laying the sword in his hand, the only thing I could really comment on is how long the blade was and how I have never seen s sword like it.

"Why is it like this?"

"I heard you have an amazing talent for swords so I decided to make you a sword that required more skill to use effectively. This blade will only have one edge and the curve up will allow for better cutting. I'm pretty sure this style of sword comes from somewhere near a region of the demon race."

"Hmm, ok."

Just hearing all the things Big Brother Jaque said, I took a second look at the blade. I like it.

"Seems like it caught your eye. Well, You can go eat then call Arius. We'll be leaving right after breakfast."

"Ok."

Hearing my stomach grumble, I quickly rush off to the dining area.

...

After eating and waking up Arius with some water again, I start pulling a sleepy Arius outside where our ride home was waiting for us. A horse and wagon. The people that were going to send us off were Mr. Doherty, Stella, Emma, Maria and Alfred. Sir Earnest was even in the corner to send us off too. Seeing me coming out, Stella and Mr. Doherty walk over. Stella talking to me and Mr. DOherty trying to talk to Arius.

"Lorraine, I gonna miss you. I gotta come when you have time, alright?"

"Of course, Stella!! I'm going to miss you too."

Giving my friend a tight hug, I give her the energy she deserves. My problems can wait until later. After many more hugs and promises, I see Big Brother Jaque coming out with a large sword in a sheath.

"Alright, Lorraine, Arius! We gotta get going before the rest of the townsfolk wake up and a huge scene happens."

"Alright, Lorraine! Bye for now."

Giving a last hug to Stella, I hop on the wagon with Arius and Jaque. Soon enough, we were waving back to our friends as we left the main gate of the town, Erlabyn. As we travel down the dirt path, I observed the familiar meadows and animals grazing the fields. You couldn't help but smile at a sight like this.

"These last few days have been crazy! Right, Arius? Lorraine?"

"Yeah, they were crazy!! I got a master and new friends and family!!"

"Still the best thing is that we're all safe and sound..."

"Really? I think the best thing was..."

Listening to the exciting conversation between Big Brother Jaque and Arius, I begin thinking about everything that happened over the past couple of days. The goblin attack, Brother's arm, the workshop, the attack... Thinking back on it, I did a lot more than I thought.

"Stella, what do you think?"

"Uh, me? I... it was exciting."

"Yeah, we got stuck in the S.T.A. and you guys saved us!"

"I-I guess I did."

"Lorraine, Arius. Just remember, no matter what happens, if anyone one of us is in trouble, the others will try to save you!"

...

Having this conversation with Arius and Jaque brought an unknowing smile to my face, I honestly felt much better. Perhaps I never needed to carry this burden only by myself.

Soon enough, we entered the forest. Seeing these familiar trees brought back terrible memories, Arius was a bit fidgety and I too was a little spooked. The forest was always a scary place, it was a dark place where anything could be hidden by the trees.

"Whoaaa."

Hearing Big Brother making a noise and the horse coming to a stop, I look at him with confusion. He then lets go of the reins and throws me the sword that he made this morning.

"We got company."

"GOBLINS!??"

"Nope, wolves."

Pointing to a certain direction, I look into the forest and the bodies of a dozen or so wolves emerging from it. Pulling out the sword that was more than twice my size, I jump down from the wagon with Big Brother.

"Wait, what do I use?"

"Arius, you'll find your weapon in the wagon."

Just as Big Brother finished speaking, one of the wolves lungs at me, its bloodied teeth exposed, ready to maw me. I grip the sword with both hands and with a step forward I slash down cutting the beast in two. Letting out a deep breath but quickly taking another, I run toward another wolf and give it a clean cut across the neck.

"AH! Here it is!"

Just as I hear Arius' voice behind me, I see a shadow above me and before me. I see Arius landing on the ground, impaling a wolf with... a pickaxe?

"Arius! That wasn't what I was talking about!"

"It's fine. I like it!"

Looking to my left, I see Big Brother slicing up wolves with a funny expression. I simply shake my head and smile before slashing as well.

As I got more and more comfortable with using my sword, I got more entranced and focused on combat. Slashing down at one more wolf, I hear the sound of something flying through the air. Pivitoing my foot, I turn around and wack an arrow of the air.

"There are Goblins!!"

In front of me, emerging from the forest, a bunch of goblins came running at us while we were occupied with the wolves.

"I got this."

I see Big Brother Jaque holding up his fiery sword and with a slash, roasting the first few goblins coming my way. Just as the fiery wave passes by I jump in and start slashing any goblins in my sight. I unleashed the rage and anger that built up in me. Hearing another sound, I wack another arrow out of the air.

I stare directly at the goblin archer with my hands grasping my sword. Seeing my angry face, the goblin archer starts to scramble and run away.

"Not a chance!"

Not letting it get away, I chase after it and before it could enter the forest, I slash my sword across its back. It lets out a cry before falling down.

After that, with a few more slashes and cuts. It was all over. Wiping down the blood off my sword, I put it back into the sheath and soon enough, we we had left the forest.

"Look, look, it's home!"

Looking across the horizon, I could see a small cluster of houses one of which is an old orphanage. Home, we were finally back home.

Laying down in the wagon, we slowly made our way down the dirt path. The peaceful last stretch of our journey was interrupted by a bright flash of light. Sitting atop the side of the wagon were the lightning squirrels looking at us with curiosity.

"It's the Lightning Squirrels! Big Brother, do have the fruits?"

"Of course, I do!"

Feeding the squirrels the food while petting them, we soon arrive back home. Getting out of the wagon, we go to knock on the door.

Tock Tock Tock

"Who is it?-"

"Sister Lisa!!!"

Arius and I jumped onto Sister Lisa while she screamed in surprise. Soon entire family was outside celebrating our return. Except for Big Brother Jaque, of course, who had to get an earful from both SIster Lisa and Arielle.

Looking at the scene in front of me with a great big smile, I pull up my info sheet and the message. This is what I want forever and ever. to protect it, I need to get stronger.

"Alright, everyone! We'll be having a big feast tonight!"

"YEAH!!!"

...

-----------------------

Bloopers

This is the product of what happens when my sister and I bounce ideas and have fun:

...

I stare directly at the goblin archer with my hands grasping my sword. Seeing my angry face, the goblin archer starts to scramble and run away.

"Not a chance!"

Not letting it get away, I chase after it and before it could enter the forest, I slash my sword across its back. It lets out a cry before falling down.

"WEEEEEE"

The goblin farted...

...

On a serious note, I pretty this will conclude the first arc of the story. Feel free to comment on what I should do for the story.

Cheers People!