When Juleka aimed for Ashe’s right shoulder he predicted this, and was ready for her. This time, he managed to block the arrow, and the arrowhead collided against the flat of his sword’s blade.
Right after that Juleka aimed at Ashe’s left thigh. Ashe swung his sword low and blocked the arrow. Juleka reached over her shoulder for another arrow, but her quiver was empty. By the time Juleka looked up Ashe was standing right in front of her, and his sword was at her throat.
“You sure didn’t hold back, even against the man you love,” Ashe said breathlessly.
“It’s because I love you that I didn’t hold back,” Juleka explained, lowering her bow. “The archers in the arena will be aiming to kill. I was only aiming to maim or seriously injure you.”
“That was brilliant, Ashe!” Snow crowed with obvious excitement. “You actually blocked flying arrows with a sword!”
“I failed twice though,” Ashe groused. “The other times I knew where the arrows would be headed so…” He shrugged.
“How did you know where they would be headed?” Aurelion asked.
“A gut feeling,” Ashe explained.
“If you carefully observe your opponent’s eyes they will reveal where they will attack next,” Aurelion put in.
“Er, Julie is wearing a mask though.” Ashe pointed out.
“Yes, well, you should also closely observe your opponent’s arm and leg muscles for when they begin to flex,” Aurelion said. “This will help you to predict their next move. I’ll have you practice shooting, so you’ll have an idea of what your opponent’s stance would be during different instances. Let’s have Julie continue to shoot at you until you don’t fail to block any of her shots.”
“Sounds like fun,” Ashe said sarcastically.
A seventy-foot-long cascade of golden hair was tossed out of the tower window in an expectant manner, drawing Aurelion’s attention. “Punzie’s right. You need to be healed first.”
“Fine,” Ashe agreed reluctantly before pulling the arrow out of his shoulder and tossing it aside. Next, he pulled the arrow out of his thigh in a similar manner, and tossed it to the ground. As Ashe’s friends watched what he was doing and saw blood gushing out of his wounds they all cringed.
“His pain tolerance is insane,” Snow murmured to himself.
It only took a couple of minutes for Ashe to climb the tower using Rapunzel’s hair, and then he was leaping onto the windowsill and hopping down into the room. As always the room was unbearably hot due to the large forge.
Rapunzel was standing in the center of the room waiting for him with his arms folded over his chest and a grim expression on his face. “Your reflexes are shit. At this rate you’re going to wind up dead before you even get to fight in the coliseum.” He walked over and placed a hand on Ashe’s shoulder wound first.
“Tell me something I don’t know,” Ashe grumbled. “And I’m going to need to be even faster if I want to survive facing off against magical beings.”
“And monsters,” Rapunzel reminded as he concentrated on healing Ashe’s wound.
A bewildered expression settled over Ashe’s face as he watched Rapunzel’s hand and hair start to glow with a golden light. “What are you talking about? There are no monsters in the arena.”
Rapunzel raised an eyebrow at Ashe before placing his hand over Ashe’s thigh wound next. “All forms of magical attacks are allowed in the arena, including beast summoning.”
Ashe paled at this revelation. “You mean…I may have to fight a monster like the chimera Aurelion faced in Rose Kingdom?”
“Probably nothing so big,” Rapunzel said. “But you should be mentally prepared to face off against all kinds of magical beasts in the arena.” The blacksmith’s hand and hair started to glow again as he healed Ashe’s thigh wound.
“How does one even begin to prepare for something like that?” Ashe complained with a huff.
“Pray?” Rapunzel joked darkly, but then his expression turned serious. “Learn the monsters’ weaknesses, of course.” The blacksmith walked over to a small bookshelf that had twenty books on it. He removed one of the books, returned to Ashe’s side, and handed it to him. “Here. I want you to read this.”
Ashe looked down at the book’s front cover, and read the title: Monster Hunting for Country Bumpkins. The book had to be at least five hundred pages, and Ashe felt overwhelmed by the prospect of having to read the entire thing. “You want me to read this big-ass book?”
Rapunzel lifted his shoulders in a careless shrug. “Do what you want. You can remain ignorant about the monsters, and die a slow, painful death in the arena for all I care.”
Ashe gulped. Rapunzel was always so cryptic and negative. “I want to live…if only to have my continued existence piss off my stepfather.”
Rapunzel’s stoic expression turned sympathetic. “Adoptive fathers really are the worst, aren’t they?”
“Hell, yeah.” Ashe held up the book. “Thanks for the book, Punzie.”
“You’re welcome,” Rapunzel said gruffly.
***
Ashe arrived at Lord Tremaine’s château at sunset. He was putting his horse inside one of the stalls when Picasso strolled inside the barn leading his own horse. Ashe realized that he was alone with Picasso and had the perfect opportunity to confront the man about his suspicions concerning Prince Snow.
Ashe stalked over to Picasso with angry, purposeful steps. “Picasso!” As soon as Ashe was close enough he punched Picasso hard across the face. “Who did you tell?”
Picasso’s eyes widened in shock and he rubbed his sore jaw. “How dare you hit me! I have no idea what you’re talking about. Have you finally gone mad?” he sneered, his lip curling in disgust.
“You told someone Snow’s weakness,” Ashe accused hotly. “About how his charm ability doesn’t work on girls who are already in love with someone else!”
A look of realization settled over Picasso’s face, and his gray eyes glittered with malice. “Oh, dear, did something horrible happen to Prince Snow Flurris?”
“You bastard!” Ashe tried to punch Picasso again, but this time Picasso caught his fist in his right hand and then headbutt Ashe. Ashe staggered backwards, dazed by the unexpected blow.
“Ooo something did happen,” Picasso said, looking pleased. “Is he finally dead?”
“Fuck you,” Ashe said through gritted teeth. “Prince Snow is alive.”
The twisted smile slipped off of Picasso’s face. “Pity. And you only have yourself to blame for the attack. You’re the one who opened his big mouth and spilled his friend’s secrets.”
“Who is the old man who gave Blossom the poisoned apple?” Ashe demanded. “Who is the Leader of the League of Villains?”
“Old man?” Picasso arched an eyebrow at Ashe. “He’s up to his tricks, I see. Did you really think I’d tell you? You’re going to have to figure that out on your own.” Ashe ground his back molars in frustration while Picasso rubbed his sore jaw. “You know, you’ll have to be punished for this, right? A slave cannot strike his Master.”
“You’re not my Master though,” Ashe huffed, folding his arms over his chest. “Lord Tremaine is.”
“A moot point,” Picasso argued. “When I tell Father what you did to me he’ll allow me to punish you for it.”
A muscle in Ashe’s jaw ticked out of irritation, and he spotted a riding crop hanging on one of the stall doors out of the corner of his eye. He grabbed the crop and threw it at Picasso. “Here.” Picasso caught the riding crop one handed. Ashe took his shirt off and tossed it to the ground. “Go ahead and punish me. Live it up, asshole. But hurry it up because I have some reading to do.”
Picasso stared at Ashe coldly for a moment before dropping the riding crop. “I no longer have an interest in torturing you physically. There’s hardly any unmarred flesh left for me to work with. I don’t want to ruin the work of art I’ve already created. Besides, it’s only fun if you scream, and you don’t scream anymore. That’s why I’ll make
you scream another way…” Picasso stroked his chin thoughtfully. “By harming those you care about, for instance. Like your new friend Prince Snow Flurris.”
“Don’t you dare harm him! If you do, I’ll…!” Ashe threatened.
“A slave making threats now too?” A sinister smile spread across Picasso’s face. “You really have gotten quite ballsy lately. I wonder how long that will last when those dear to you start dying mysteriously one by one. Even that strange woman that likes to follow you around.”
Picasso knew about Julie? Ashe paled. “How do you even know about her?”
“According to Leader’s spies you gave her a stuffed unicorn toy you made by hand. How sweet,” Picasso said mockingly.
“Leader’s?” Ashe gave his stepbrother a scrutinizing look. “You’re talking about the Leader of the League of Villains like you know him. But you can’t be a villain. You’re too…fucked up in the head.”
Picasso’s shoulders started to shake with rage. “I am a villain! The League happens to have big plans for me. Soon I will be the King of Glass Kingdom!”
Ashe gave Picasso a skeptical look. “You? King of Glass Kingdom? In your dreams maybe.”
“You shouldn’t underestimate me, Ashe,” Picasso snarled. “If I were you I’d be trying to make myself useful to the next King of Glass Kingdom. If you bring me Snow’s head on a silver platter, for instance, I could make you a lord again, or even a Duke. What do you say? Join me, and reap the benefits of having a stepbrother who is King!” He offered Ashe his hand.
“You’re even more insane than I thought if you think I’d agree to joining you,” Ashe sneered, glaring down at Picasso’s offered hand. “You can take that offer of yours and shove it up your skinny ass.”
“Why you!” Picasso dropped his hand. “You’ll regret this, Ashe. Here.” He threw his horse’s reins in Ashe’s direction. “You can put him away.” Picasso spun on his heel and stomped out of the barn.
Ashe let out a heavy sigh. He’d always known Picasso was evil and dangerous, and yet his stepbrother may be even more dangerous than he originally thought. Picasso…a member of the League of Villains? Shit. Ashe scrubbed a hand down his face. As if my life couldn’t get any more fucked up.
***
The following day at Rapunzel’s Tower Ashe and Snow’s sword training continued. Ashe and Aurelion were currently facing off. Ashe unsheathed his sword, pointed it at Aurelion, and moved into a fighting stance.
Aurelion reached over his shoulder, grabbed the hilt of his great sword, and brought it down before him. But then Aurelion tossed the enormous sword to the ground where it landed with a heavy thud. “Today we won’t be practicing swordsmanship, but hand-to-hand combat.”
Ashe gawked at the Monster Hunter in disbelief. “Learning hand-to-hand combat is utterly pointless. I’m a swordsman-” Ashe was saying when Aurelion was suddenly in front of him and sending a chop to Ashe’s wrist, causing him to drop the Glass Sword.
“It’s not pointless if your opponent disarms you!” Aurelion exclaimed before sending a right hook into the side of Ashe’s face.
Ashe had been completely caught off guard by the attack, and was so startled he wasn’t able to react in time. He got punched hard across the face, staggered backwards a few steps, and tasted blood in his mouth. Aurelion never pulled his punches. Apparently, these new friends of his didn’t know how to hold back.
Aurelion approached Ashe with prowling steps, and sent a left hook towards Ashe’s head next. This time Ashe was ready for him though, and raised his forearm to block the attack. He winced as Aurelion’s fist connected with his forearm. Blocking the Monster Hunter’s punches actually hurt, and this surprised Ashe due to his high pain tolerance. This just showed how powerful Aurelion really was.
Now, the wiser course of action would be for Ashe to dodge Aurelion’s next attacks. But Ashe stubbornly decided to retaliate by launching a straight right punch at Aurelion’s head. Only cowards run away or avoid attacks. Ashe stubbornly thought to himself.
Aurelion blocked Ashe’s punch with his forearm. The two young men started to exchange blocks and blows. The Monster Hunter frowned and shook his head. “Ashe, I thought you were smarter than this. I’m obviously bigger and stronger than you. You should be trying to dodge as many of my attacks as possible for as long as possible in order to wear me out.”
Ashe gave Aurelion an incredulous look. “You want me to run away?”
“It’s not running away. It’s called battle strategy. You can’t win every battle with brute force alone,” Aurelion argued.
“That’s a funny thing for a meathead swordsman like you to say,” Ashe commented dryly.
“If you end up fighting someone like me in the arena,” Aurelion began as he circled around Ashe. “I want you to use your opponent’s strength against them.”
“How?” Ashe asked.
Aurelion beckoned Ashe with his hand. “Attack me.”
Ashe shrugged before running forward and charging Aurelion fearlessly. In the blink of an eye, Aurelion’s hands were on Ashe and he was being thrown until he landed on his back with a thud. Ashe blinked up at the blue-gray sky with a dazed expression on his face. “Ugh…how did you do that?”
“I used your speed and weight against you.” Aurelion grinned. “When we’re done with your training you’ll be able to throw me like it’s nothing.”
Ashe raised a skeptical eyebrow at the hero. Him? Throw Aurelion? The Monster Hunter weighed more than two hundred pounds and his body was made up of solid muscle. “That’s impossible.”
“This is why fighting techniques exist in the first place - to make the impossible possible,” Aurelion explained. “To allow a smaller opponent to defeat a larger one. Get up. Let us continue.”
Ashe pushed himself up off the ground, and dusted himself off. He was just about to attack Aurelion again, when-
“Eee! Someone, please, help me!” a feminine scream reached their ears.
Ashe recognized that voice and his eyes widened in concern. “Julie!” He ran off into the nearby forest without waiting to see if his friends would follow him.
“Should we go too?” Snow asked in Aurelion’s general direction. If the Monster Hunter decided to go after Ashe then he would too.
Aurelion placed a hand on Snow’s shoulder. “No. We will stay here. That scream was Julie’s. If Ashe saves her…well, maybe he’ll get a kiss as a reward if we’re not around watching like a couple of Peeping Toms!” The Monster Hunter let out an amused chuckle.
Snow shot Aurelion a surprised look, grinned, and nodded. “Good call, man. The sexual tension between those two is so thick you could cut it with a knife.”
Aurelion’s blue eyes twinkled with mirth. “Indeed. Besides, rescuing damsels in distress from monsters is good hero training!”
“Monsters…?” Snow trailed off as he looked into the dark forest and gulped.
***
“Ah! Someone! Help!” Ashe followed the sound of Julie’s cries for help, and seconds later spotted her running through the forest. He was momentarily impressed by how fast Julie could run while in a ball gown and glass slippers.
Julie was glancing over her shoulder with a frightened look on her face. Ashe followed Julie’s line of sight, and spotted a shadowy figure pursuing her. It’s fast! Ashe thought. The figure waved something in Julie’s direction and a fierce wind blew through the trees.
Ashe watched in shock as sickle-shaped blades of wind flew through the air towards Julie who hit the ground in order to avoid the attack. The wind blades sliced into the trees, cutting them in half, and causing them to topple over. An elemental wind attack! That being must be a witch, wizard, demon or demoness. Ashe speculated internally.
Julie cried out as a tree fell on top of her. Its branches formed a cage around Julie and kept her pinned to the ground.
“Julie!” Ashe yelled, and ran in her direction.
The figure was approaching Julie’s pinned form, and Ashe quickly plac
ed himself between Julie and the figure. He turned to face their mysterious enemy, and Ashe finally got to take a better look at its appearance. “Stay away from her you…demoness!” It was the woman’s glowing, violet eyes that made Ashe call her a demoness.
The woman had long, messy brown hair. She was wearing a Steampunk-style brown dress decorated with vertical, purple stripes, and that had a bustle in the back. The front of her dress was decorated with golden cogs that served as buttons. The woman was holding an enormous, Victorian-style lace fan.
At the word ‘demoness’ a wide, sinister smile formed on the woman’s face. Her crazed gaze went to the Glass Sword in Ashe’s hands. “Well, well, well, if it isn’t Ashe…the wielder of the Glass Sword.”
Ashe suddenly recognized the woman. “It’s you! You were there at Lord Tremaine’s dinner party. You were accompanying King Gothel…the Demon King! Your name is…Hydie!”
“I’m surprised you remember me. You were a little preoccupied with Lady Doriana Gray,” Hydie sneered, her lip curling.
“What are you doing here? What do you want? Why did you attack Julie?” Ashe demanded.
“My, aren’t we an inquisitive fellow?” Hydie said mockingly. “King Gothel told me that some pests were trying to befriend Blacksmith Rapunzel. Rapunzel isn’t allowed to have friends, you see. I’ve been instructed to eliminate all of you.”
Ashe got into a fighting stance. “You’ll have to get through me first, demoness.”
Hydie raised her fan high. “Very well. You’ll be the first to die, Ashe, wielder of the Glass Sword!” Hydie waved her fan in Ashe’s direction and unleashed a barrage of wind blades his way.
Ashe raised his sword and let the wind blades hit the blade of the Glass Sword. The attack was instantly absorbed into the Glass Sword, and then reflected, the wind blades shooting out and flying in Hydie’s direction.
Hydie’s violet eyes widened in astonishment, and she was forced to dodge her own attack. She executed a couple of back flips to put some distance between herself and Ashe. “So, it’s true then. Your sword does possess the ability of Magic Reflection. My, oh, my.” Hydie’s voice was laced with awe.
Ashe and the Glass Sword Page 24
