Parentless

. . .the news reached Mythopian borders within a week. The Dark Point Clan had been decimated completely to the lands.

With both his parents gone, Blade was left to the keeping of Zaede, who moved Blade into his own home, a small orphanage for the young. There, Zaede raised Blade and taught him the Dark Point Clan fighting techniques. For Blade’s safety, Zaede never again mentioned the Dark Point Clan. As a result, Blade forgot about the clan and eventually about his whole past. Blade had been a bit young for everything to be absorbed, and not being reminded of it furthered the memories that he did remember.

Life at the orphanage was simple. Blade never truly got along with the other children although they became fast friends. The red head was a sucker for getting pranked, and the other children never gave up an opportunity to pull something on him.

Of the other children, there was only one that Zaede bothered teaching fighting techniques to. The girl was the only one fit enough and level headed enough to wield the art well without spouting off at any intrusion. When Zaede was away, the girl and Blade were sparring partners. Being the oldest of the children, the girl also acted as the guardian, another reason why Zaede trained her.

However, one day, when the girl answered the door, she was struck down, barely able to fight back with just her fists. Blade was fourteen years old then and was upstairs sparring with Zaede. The other children had screamed and hollered, trying to rescue the girl but had been beaten back and eventually killed or left for the dead. Zaede and Blade, hearing the ruckus, had charged downstairs and engaged in battle. Unfortunately, by that time, it was too late to save anyone.

The moment Zaede saw the black clad perpetrators, he began to edge himself and Blade upstairs. A fire had been started as they were fighting. Blocked by the assailants, they could not escape through the front door. The second floor windows were the only option. Blade understood this, but not Zaede’s act to fiercely defend him and make him leave.

As they reached the top of the stairs, Zaede shouted, “Run, Blade, run!”

“No, I can help you!”

“NO!” Zaede roared. His tone frightened the teen. “YOU MUST GET AWAY!”

“What’s happening?” Blade shouted.

“JUST GO!” With a push, Zaede knocked Blade out a window.

“Uh, I don’t understand…” Blade managed to land on the ground on two feet. He scratched his head. “Why would anyone want to kill Zaede? Oh, wait. They killed all my buddies too!”

Alone

Zaede’s death brought grief to Blade, who had seen Zaede as a father and a mentor. The hunt for survivors of the genocide remained, and Blade would be in danger if any connection was made between his lineage and him. He, of course, had no knowledge of the Clan and its history or his lineage and was distraught about what to do now that he had nothing left. To make a living, he decided to do what he did best; fight.

“What can you do?”

“Uh, fight.”

“You could go into the army.”

Blade shook his head. “No. Uh, I’d rather be free on my own.”

“Very well then. Gerard’s group is looking for some new members. His lot is of mercenaries, those who work on missions for pay.”

“Thanks,” Blade nodded to the informant and sought out Gerard. His first mission was to protect a village from Kaneberon attacks since it was so close to the border. The group of mercenaries were able to hold off the attacks and help the village.

Eventually, the teen became a well known battle hardened mercenary. After more successful missions with the memory of Zaede, the red head promised, “I’ll avenge you, mentor. One day, I will. I swear by the blade of my sword.”