#since he's not especially quick but terribly resistant and having a regeneration spell he often brings his foes to wound him

[hel-phoenyx]

Domhildr is from @soupedepates, Oli from @thal-ent, Meili from @azeler and Kaizarz from @corneille-but-not-the-author

"Holy shit, how did you get that many scars ???"

I sigh. We're changing after a day of training, and I got off my shirt because anyway, every single person here saw me half-naked at some point. For either training, silly games or simply going in my room when I was changing reasons.

Well actually this is the first time I don't try to hide myself. I've never been that much of a prude, for the Coast's standards, but I still don't like being laid bare for too long. I guess it's legit Oli looks surprised I am covered in traces of ancient battles.

I still smile, a bit sarcastic.

"Well, the usual way, I suppose."

"Yeah, but nah, you're like, one of the most resistant fighters I know. Some look really painful and probably took a long time to heal, but aside from the day you lost your hand I didn't even see you flinch !"

"It was that day, was it ?" interjected Domhildr, curiosity on her tiny face.

My eyes darken. Domi, you know enough about me to understand that if it was really that day, I wouldn't talk about it.

So, I guess this time you are very lucky.

"No, most of them are from before. Either accidents with my powers, or just classic raids back when I was fifteen. Also, it's normal I recover quickly, Oli. I also have the spell from the royal lineage, might I remind you."

Not like I enjoy boasting about that, but I prefer giving the real explanation rather than let them believe I was some kind of superhuman when I had both my hands.

I see Meili's eyes focus on me right when I say the words "royal lineage". He may look like he's uncaring, but I know he's interested. Kraken nobility always keep an eye on adversaries. I know, since I was born from kings and high nobility alike.

I don't blame him. Paranoïa is a common thing in my life, why wouldn't it inhabit his.

Meili and Oli nod silently, but Domhildr pouts a little.

"Still, those look painful as shit. Especially the big one next to your liver. How did you get it ?"

Oh, this one. In another time, I would have looked upon the memory fondly, but it was before all of this happened. Still, I guess it's nothing wrong to talk about it, at least, how I got it.

"This one ? That was my first raid with Kaizarz. I blame my fighting technique."

All of them look at me with interested eyes, encouraging me to carry on, but I do not utter a single other word.

I only remember.

There were several ships leaving for the gulf, in a zone where Inkan marine was spotted on our kingdom's waters. I was the one who brought the intel to the crown, but they gave me the alarm, so I was allowed to bring them with me. I was supposed to command the ship, since I was the highest nobleborn on it, but when we sailed, I let the commands to the real captain.

We quickly encountered the enemy, engaged the fight. They were surprised to find us here, especially with the king, that was at this time the prince but leading like a true commander. Soon we ended up fighting on the same boat.

We were searching for the Inkan admiral. I have to admit, I'm not the one who killed it. Kaizarz was. But I stopped the second in command from a sneak attack that wouldn't have done much damage anyway, and no other ship could come to assistance thanks to their manoeuver to cut their path.

He was fighting next to me and Kaizarz and at that point I thought maybe just maybe I could link my two worlds together. Future proved me wrong, and it was a feeble hope anyway. But it was one of the only times I was truly happy.

That man fought fierce, and hard. Soon I only saw one way to stop him. My favorite technique, letting the enemy believe they won.

He striked one of my vital points. I felt the blood flowing from the wound, I heard Kaizarz shout my name, I saw his smile. Then the smile of my foe, persuaded he just killed the stupid teen leaving him so big of an opening.

His smile was still big when his head fell on the ground, eyes wide open in absolute surprise.

He thought me unable to move quickly that wounded but here I was, catching his wrist to stop him from pulling his sword out, and using that opportunity to swing Dainsleif. He was properly decapitated in an instant, and his last vision was my victorious smile.

Afterwards, the fight was a formality.

I hadn't finished healing when Kaizarz took out the admiral. He ran towards me almost immediatly, face twitching with worry, but I just pulled out the sword and smiled at him. The wound was already closing for I was of royal lineage, after all.

I remember him laughing right behind me.

"That's Tyr for you, always being so reckless in battle. The day he stop bringing his foes to wound him so he can reach an opening is the day the Kraken Coast is finally free."

I shrugged, still looking at Kaizarz. Seemingly less worried than earlier, but I could still see a shadow in his eyes.

"That was a good fight. But by War I thought he was gonna kill you."

I heard a whisper, of which I guessed the nature, but my concentration was on Kaizarz, and Kaizarz only.

"Bah, the one that can kill me is not born yet. Or it's gonna be you, and I sure hope you wouldn't want me dead..."

... would you ?

He smiled.

"I would never. Ever."

"Good, then you don't have to worry about me dying anytime soon."

"Alright, stop boasting, you dumb fuck, he said with a hearty laugh. We got to bring the ships back to the castle. His Majesty certainly will have a generous reward for us, yes ?"

"With today's catch ? Absolutely !"

And that was it.

I blink, not realising I spent a long time silent. Oli, Meili and Domhildr are still looking at me, still waiting for more. They're all way too patient with me.

Well, except Domhildr, that just poked the scar.

"That's all ? No story ?"

"Heh, you can always ask Kaizarz. I'm sure he remembers."

Why wouldn't he ?

That day, both him and I thought it could only get better.