Canceled Version 2 Chapter 2

As four months went by, Lovell started enjoying his life with Morris and his gang. Feeling he no longer needed to escape. Over each hurdle seemed in his training to make them closer as a family with each day that past. Making new friends and a few enemies. Lovell was finding happiness between the chaos from raid and bounty hunting happening around. His thoughts eluded him back to Luna. The idea of her just being Lunatica's reincarnation was unsettling. He found comfort in staying with the group. As the sun started to set, Lovell found it pleasant to watch the twilight hours go bye. From a distance, Lovell could hear Boss Morris calling him over and looking over at Morris. He noticing Ark was at his side. Lovell and Ark glared at each other. The moment Ark met Lovell on the day they took him back to their camp. It was instant hate towards him. Lovell found he did not like the att.i.tude of Ark as he tried initially to be on his right side although it turned from tolerability to hate towards Ark.

Morris looked at them both; he could only sigh at the relationship amongst them. "So, umm," clearing his throat. Morris, trying to break the death stares between Ark and Lovell. "How is your weapons training so far with Kana?" Morris started to become worried that they might attack each other at any moment. He clapped his hand in front of their faces. Then bring them back for his safety. "Hopefully she's not giving you such a hard time?"

Unfazed by Morris clap. Lovell turning his attention to Morris, "Fine, I do find her method a little to...um...harsh." As Lovell folded his arms in thought, she was eccentric with her methods of training being 'are you ready to kill or not' when training. Ark ridiculed him with a small laugh, scowling back at Ark. Lovell decided to ignore him for there was no effort in it. Looking back at the camp, Lovell started running off. Turning around to Morris before he got too far. "Well, I'm going to hit the hay." Waving goodnight to Morris. "See you in the morning Boss!"

"Don't forget that we're packing camp tomorrow!" Morris called out. Lovell waved a gestured back at that caught what he said. Ark turned his head, with a glowered look towards Morris. Feeling it directed to him, Morris stiffened as he prepared himself. "You really hate the kid, don't you Ark. Why is that?"

Ark shifted his weight. "He's a Theyan hybrid, and I'm a Dracoman. Natural enemies." Ark blatantly answered.

Morris, unimpressed by Ark's answer, frowned. "He seems to get along with the other Dracoman, no problem." Ark only huffed at Morris's comment. Morris could see that Ark started to become a little stiff. Had a small plot to lighten the mood. Even if it's a small amount, stretching himself out. "Well, I think I'll hit the old sack as well. I'm only human after all and need, "childishly clasping his hands, "my beauty sleep." He grinned.

Ark swung his fist towards him. Dodged it with ease, then scampering off and leaving Ark to question his leader's very actions at that moment. Letting out a sigh Ark, he wandered off to his bed and hoping that nothing else could go wrong.

With the sun rising, Lovell was packed and raring to go. He took a glance northwestward, back towards Marewood, wondering if he would ever see Luna again. After all, Lovell was kidnapped when he interrupted Morris and Ark's heist four months ago. At the time Lovell didn't know where he was or if he would survive the trek back if he escaped. Although as the time went by he had beck accustom to their way of thinking with the group. Bring his attention back to the task ahead, roll-call was being called, and his thoughts moved on as he got going with the others. Kana ran up to him in hopes of strike a conversation him, but Lovell was else ware in his thoughts. The thought that he could ever live up to Morris's expectations of him. Kana huffed off as Lovell noticed she was mad about something.

After setting his sleeping area, Lovell could hear someone calling him. "Lovell!" Looking up he noticed a young elvish child with green hair called out to him.

Noticing who it was, he smirked, "What's up Grailla?" Looking over she had a burlap bag with something in it.

With a cheeky grin, "Do you want to play a prank on Ark?" Grailla shoved the bag in front of Lovell. She then opened the bag showing off its contents to him. Looking up at her, an evil grin dragged across his face. Grailla took one glancing look at his face. The two ran off to find Arks location.

The group had decided to settle within the boundaries of the Grand Dale Kingdom, a human base kingdom with the minority of Animalian citizens. The trade was good, and the people lined in their pockets. Although Lovell and Grailla had no interest in the gang's activities, they started to look around to find out where Ark was setting his sleeping area at. With a little luck, they found it, and with Ark leaving to see the rest of the preparations for a big heist on one other local. They've become too greedy, so Morris and the others tack care to lighten his load with the kings' blessing. All the gang's order comes from the leaders of kingdoms. Since Lovell is still too young and in training amongst the rest of the mercenaries, he found ways to have fun with the other children. Like Grailla, she may look like a teenager but is only eight years old. The two seemed to have struck gold when Ark had left. With their evil grins, they went to set the prank. Ark may hate Lovell, but the thing he hates more are snakes. They seem to make him cower in fear, most of the time. Lovell went to keep an eye out for Ark, while Grailla planted the red horn snake in his bag. Being that reds horns aren't poisonous, it was a safe option to use, even on Ark.

With it all set. The two scurried away. They are finding a spot to watch as they wait for Ark's return. Upon his arrival, he went straight for his bag to grab something. The two snickered in antic.i.p.ation, shortly after a bellowing roar of fear erupted from Ark. The two partners in crime giggled into laughter as Ark approached. Grabbing them firmly by the ears they both stopped dead in their tracks. Ark grinning at them the could old sheepishly smile back. He was dragging them to Morris's tent.

Ark brought them to Morris. With an angered expression covering his face. Ark barked at Morris of what had transpired. Lovell and Grailla were looking at each other. A grim expression formed on their faces while Ark continues. Morris, with a composed-out look, listened to Ark's complaint. He was nodding along as Ark ranted Then shooing him off. Morris was sending someone to get Grailla's mother. Ran off shortly after. Lovell knew she was about to get an even bigger earful from her mother.

When she arrived, Grailla went pale as she walked away with her mother — looking over to Morris — becoming cold in antic.i.p.ation of what to expect out of the boss. Lovell noticed that Morris was shaking, as fear starting to settle. He became nervous that he was going to be yelled at even more. Without warning, Morris Started to burst out into laughter. Confuse in what just transpired. Lovell did not dare say a word.

As Morris settled down a bit, he opened his mouth. "Sorry to worry you there Lovell," as he wiped a tear from his eye, "but Ark is in the right, here." Bursting out laughing once again before finishing his talk. Lovell to terrified to talk within the moment. Morris then became serious. "As I know now you are going to be walking a dangerous path if you take the road you say you are."

Lovell's gaze pierced through Morris. "it's the only path I can take if I'm going to find any closure for my village. Kill the dark lord is the only way I will be satisfied." Clenching his hands as blood dripped off them. His jaw clenched tight at the thought.

Morris laced his hands together. "You need to realize that the road to killing that man is a tough road to do." Placing his hands on the table. "its one filled with only death and sorrow."

"I know," Turning his head, "but its also the path that's more fruitful out of all of them. Not just for me but all." Morris could hear what he was saying. Lovell was tilting his gaze to over to him. "I know that death awaits but so does happiness. If I were to take the easy path its just like suicide." Lovell's voice became agitated. "But killing yourself to end the suffering instead of fighting it to find true peace and happiness finally. Is just unthinkable for me." With a slight smile, Lovell walked off. His anger for the dark lord stronger than his hate for Ark seemed eminent at best. He walked back to his tent. Tucking himself to sleeping as the flames of anger raged in his heart and giving way to a new day.

"Lovell wake up!" Hearing a growly voice. "Get up" Lovell felt a sharp pain in his side, gasping as he looked up. Ark was standing above him, Lovell went pale looking at Ark's face. He seemed different than he usually was. "Now that you are up. Follow."

Lovell got up, throwing some clothes on as he followed Ark. The moons were still out. Questioning what Ark's actions as he noticed an obstacle course meant for heist practice. Lovell stopped to ask Ark what was going on. Ark turned to Lovell; he froze at Ark's calm eyes.

"Um, what am I doing here Ark?" Lovell was shuddering if he was going to end up dead.

Ark folded his arms at him. "You are going to do the course at night for the next ten years with me. Boss says that you are fast and taking in everything like a sponge." He walked over to Lovell. Looking down at him. "I want to see where you are at, and this is part of your punishment from me as well." Sneering at Lovell.

Lovell looked at the course, feeling taunted to prove Ark that he could do it in one go. "No problem." Lovell was feeling confident at the challenge and falling flat six, seven, eight-time through the course. Lovell was growling each time. His stubborn attuite towards Ark as an obstacle of acceptance. Ark surprised that Lovell could make it over halfway through be for failing, smiling at each attempt. Lovell looked over at him, seeing his smile. "What are you so satisfied at?"

Ark closed his eyes. "The fact that you fail at that one part, it's the part that Morris fails as well." Opening his eyes to see Lovell get back up to do it one more time before the sun rose. Ark did not expect him to get past the part.

Lovell closed his eyes, taking a deep breath to calm himself before taking off. Opening his eyes, Lovell took off at incredible speeds, getting past the obstacles that he had eased at — then coming up to the part he had trouble at, pa.s.sing it with ease and reaching the end with no other problems. Ark stood up shocked at what he just witnessed. Lovell had closed his eyes at the end, taking another deep breath before opening his eyes. Stunned that he was at the end, looked at Ark, seeing his face just as shocked. Lovell fell over as he could feel his energy drop from everything.

Ark rushed over to Lovell, placing his hand on his shoulder. "Lovell do you know what you just did?"

Lovell nodded, "Yeah, I completed the course as the youngest, but I don't remember how I did it?"

Ark hung his head at him then looked him straight in the eyes. "Yes, but you can use speed step or flash step. Theyans normally can't do that. Nor half breeds have ever been able to learn it either!" Lovell stunned at Ark's words.

"so, how is it possible that I can do it?" Lovell was questioning his very being.

"Its one of the rare abilities that all Krisnik's can use ad the only true a.s.sa.s.sin clan of the theyan race." Morris was walking over from the shadows, his arms folded at Ark. "Now Ark, this is out of character for you to train anyone?"

Ark turned away from Morris, his face turned red, as he stood up. Ark walks past Morris as Lovell sat on the ground, not sure what was going on. Morris turned his attention, Lovell. He felt that Morris was going to say something at him, scrambling to his feet as Morris walked over.

Closing his eyes as Morris rubbed his head. "I am surprised you could do the course at your age Lovell." Lovell opened his eyes, and pride filled him. "I think Ark does like you in his own way. Now you are going to help me with fixing up breakfast." Lovell looked to the east; he saw the sun peer over the horizon. The frustration that he went most of the night trying to prove himself to have himself make breakfast for everyone.

"Hey, Morris?"

"Yes, Lovell?" Morris turned to him seeing; he was wondering something. "What's got you in a bind?"

Lovell looked at the food, "Well, back at the course I wanted to prove myself to Ark, but in the end, it took me more than ten tries before I completed it. Though…" Lovell started to contemplate what he had done to get past the one part he had trouble at. "Though I have no idea how I was able to finish it?"

Morris looked at him, seeing his confusion. "Well, it is possible that you knew how it was just you subconsciously did the action. Though," Looking out the corner of his eye, "to be able to do the course within fifty tries is impressive, to say the least." Lovell listened to him with a small grin of joy at his praise. Morris flipped a carrot in the air. "Yet you are still getting punished of yesterday's action by being on cooking duty for the month," Lovell grumbled at the idea as he began chopping some veggies. Morris grinned at Lovell, as he helped him with the prep and showing him how to cook without burning things down.

Later that day, Kana slinked over to Lovell. Rubbing her rear while Lovell peeled a carrot before nipping his finger. "Need help there?" Kana asked, Lovell, looking at the cut, shaking his head, "Are you sure?"

Lovell sucked on the cut for a moment. "No, Morris said that I'm on cooking duty for the month." Kana wince at the thought. "And Ark came around lunch and said if I get any help from those who are not sent by him or Morris. Will be doing night watch with him."

Kana froze at the thought. "I would rather have my rear spanked over that any day." Shuddering afterward.

Lovell continued his work as Kana said her goodbyes, pausing for a moment as his thought on Luna once more. The worry of not being there for her haunted him. Feeling he failed her, Lovell shook off his thoughts and continuing his duty for the day. As night fell, Ark came to him once more to train him further. Groggy from all the cooking it was like a breath of fresh air. Words were not exchanged between them as they reach the location Ark had to choose for the night. Looking up, Lovell noticed that Morris was standing in the distance. He was grinning at him as if there was more to what was going on. Lovell stared as Ark walked over to Morris, then muttered something in his ear. A joyous laugh slipped through Morris as he looked at Lovell. Now confused on what was going on, Lovell only watched as Morris walked over to him.

Placing his hand firmly on Lovell's small shoulders, "Now, let's get started." His voice cut through the night air. Handing Lovell a practice sword and what seemed to be a shirt of some sort. "get changed, then we start." Lovell looked at the shirt noticing it was small training garb. He remembered the day he joined them he was rash. Charging headfirst into Morris after bringing him in. He grabbed the outfit and changed into them before readying himself for many more long nights to come.

Huffing, Lovell wondered why Morris cared so much for him. "Hey, Morris?"

Looking over to him, Morris raised his brow, "What is it, you to exhausted to continue?"

"No, it's not that." Trying to stand from his exhausted body. Morris folded his arms waiting for Lovell's question. Lovell caught his breath for a moment, "Well, why did you take me, other than you looked the look in my eyes. Anyone could have trained me but as it seems now-,"

Morris raised his hand stopping Lovell, "I made a promise to someone. Though…," Morris paused. Lovell tilts his head to see more of his face. Morris gritted his teeth as he turned away, before letting out a saddened sigh, "…though if you were someone else, it would be the case that another then, well you, I would have had you trained by someone else. But because of the fact, you are you the person I promised asked me to train you if your mother pa.s.sed away." Morris hesitated as he spoke.

Lovell now curious who knew him and Morris. "Who was this person you promised. I-if you don't mind telling me." Not expecting Morris to answer, Lovell turned away as his face reddened.

Morris placed his hand by his side. "Your father, Terrance, asked me to raise you if anything happened where you were orphaned. I never expected you to be in the right place, at the right moment of any of my actions." Lovell stared at Morris in dismay. Finding out he knew his father. Lovell went to open his mouth, but Morris raised his hand to stop him. She also told me never to tell you anything about him that's for another person's job. Not mine or anyone else. Mind you I'm the only one who knew your father in our family here."

Lovell felt a burning rage that information was held from him about his father. "Why?" Tears streamed down his face. "Why can you tell me?! Why this other person?! Why them!?" Busting out in frustration to it all. "How did you know him?! Is he alive?! If so where is he…please, Morris…" his rage turn to pleas for answers. "…please just give me something."

Morris turns away from Lovell, "Your father died shortly after you were born, but you need to focus on the future before you turn to the past." Picking up the gear from the ground. "You should go get some sleep. It will be a long day tomorrow. Beside something should never be said."

Lovell noticed tears down his face. HE felt guilty asking those questions. Realizing they were there to sow the seeds for him to find the answers too. Look up at the moons, Lovell figured that Morris wants to prepare him to keep his promise to Lune. Even if she never knew. 'It's the same. Morris made a promise, and I made a promise. If only I had known things would have been different. I would have taken her with me.' Lovell's thoughts boiled. 'I made a promise and already broke it. I never was going to be by her side.' Tears streamed down his face, as he let out a yell of pain from his heart and mind. Ark watched him form a distance, seeing his frustrations in his young mind.

The next morning, Ark had waited for him by the mess hall. Lovell dry-eyed walked past without notice. Ark's hand stopped him short as he gripped his shoulder. "Seek the elves when you are ready. Find the elder one amongst them. They are the ones who will tell you everything you need to know." Releasing Lovell's shoulder, Ark walked away. Lovell Looked back at him, Ark trying to shake off his good deed for him. Lovell smiled at him, before turning way grinning ear to ear raring to get stronger to leave. "Oh, and you haven't broken any promises to anyone so don't give up so easily mutt- "

Lovell threw a knife at him landing a post beside his head. "One thing Ark that word is taboo!"

His smug look irritated Ark. "I hate Theyan's." Ark left the knife as he smirked upon his exit from Lovell's sight.

Lovell Stood up straight, "I hate you to Ark, but thank you." Whispering to himself as he entered the cooking area. Pulling up his sleeves, he readied himself. "Well better get busy with the first meal if the day. Don't want anyone to go hungry." Arks words brought life back to him. Lovell started to prep when a thought occurred, how did Ark know what was bothering him. He never saw him after he was left with Morris. He was shaking it off to focus on the task at hand.

Morris peeked in on him as Ark stood by his side. "You eavesdropped, didn't you?"

"Not by choice, I just happened to be near to hear it all." Dodging Morris's accusations. "Anyway, you know when he finds out the truth it will either destroy him or corrupt him."

Morris smiled, "Yes I know, but he will not betray her. So, don't fret too much. I did notice you have a small liking to his son. Even if you crossed blades one too many times." Ark growled at him. Morris turned his gaze back at Lovell. "to think he lands right in our laps and to know that she is alive because of him is incredible, in itself, wouldn't you say?"

Ark turns to look at Lovell as he nicked his thumb. "True, but they won't know that she survived either, so she is safe for now." Ark stood up, "I'll send a message to him to help her when she's old enough to travel safely."

"You mean-,"

"Yes," Ark cut him off. "He will make sure she knows who she is and have her search for her six champions. The other five Ren-Ky Warriors. We both know he's the one of Light and Darkness, the Ren-Ky of Balance."

"True the others are the Winds of Freedom, the Earth of Kindness, the Flames of Courage, the Waters of Knowledge, and the Lightning of Strength, correct?" Ark nodded. "Well, now we really have to prepare him for as much as we can before releasing out into the unknown." Morris sneered. "Also, if anything happens to me, I want you to continue his training, especially in magic." Their gazes focused on Lovell. "Promise me this as a friend, not as an order."

"I will Morris; you don't have to worry just protect him for a long as you can before that thing comes." Arks face tensed at the thought. Morris gripped his shoulder gentle before returning to his duties as leader of the Goanna Mercenaries.