Capítulo 4: Goals to Define Part 1

The group was known as "Rats" or "The rats". The name sprung up as a result of their sneaky tactics and movements around the village. As Artirian built the group it slowly became one of the leading and most well known delinquent groups in the village. The sudden expansion did not only bring benefits though, some consequences befall the group too.

Because of their size, frequent brawls ensued between them and the other leading groups. Luckily since Artirian had great leadership and analytical skills, he managed to turn the brawls into training practice for the group. Soon enough, his group managed to top it off and fight all of their competitors and set the streets as their small kingdom to rule.

After a few months, past and Artirian would still be waiting for Garen. Artirian then has thoughts that Garen would be dead or even imprisoned by the Knights that were chasing them. But Artirian didn't succumb himself with pain and sadness, but rather he would focus on himself in doing delinquent stuff to other citizens. Examples of this are pickpockets, smuggling of food and the most frequent are gang fights.

Artirian tried to make up for part-time jobs and do some manpower type of work such as gathering sacks of harvested vegetables or taking care of the horses, sometimes he also did shepherd guarding for shepherds in case wild animals may attack the flock of sheep.

While Artirian was travelling at the forest towards the depot of vegetables. He saw a strange old man in the woods half-naked. His first impression was the old man was lost in the middle of the forest as the old man was cautious of his surroundings. Artirian observes the old man first; he just stays far from the old man to get a better look. As Artirian looked at the old with his eyes wide open.

Artirian glanced at the old man with his eyes. His mouth was shut not even trying to make a sound. After a few moments, Artirian felt something strange, a different kind of force appeared on the old man fist. It was a strange aura that is indescribable for Artirian, As the old man continued to perform the ritualistic technique the old man fist would be engulfed with a different kind of energy. The surge of power that Artirian felt inside his boy as he looked at the old man was a different feeling it was a power that could knock himself out.

Then the old man continued using his hands and feet as a kind of ritualistic movement as Artirian watched. Then the old man suddenly stopped his movements into a position where his left foot was 1 step ahead while his right foot was 2 steps back. The old man's left hand was raised high up while the right hand was in a straight jab position. As the old man went into that position a surge of power was compressed at the old man's right hand.

And when the old man jabs in mid-air the wave of power bursts into a force that cannot be reckoned with. Artirian eyes were shocked and amazed at the same time. "Amazing, incredible I wanna learn that kind of technique...I can get stronger enough to beat the other stupid gangs" Artirian whispered.

As the burst of power creates a wave of an aura of blue and hits the large tree. The tree's trunk would make a hole. It would look like a cannonball was fired directly straight at the tree trunk. The old man continued with executing that kind of force. Artirian would only see an Aura and what Artirian sees is the gallant force. As Artirian observed the techniques he was amazed at what he saw.

The thrilling feeling was surging Artirian whole body, the excitement would make him imagine many things. He also imagined that if he could learn that kind of technique, he would be able to help the group that he built so that it would gain renown.

Then suddenly he felt something, with a frightened feeling he looked up at the sky and it was going to get dark and he forgot that he was going to deliver a sack of vegetables at the market. Artirian would quickly run towards the vegetable depot luckily there was a sack left. Artirian quickly grabs the sack and put it on his shoulder and run towards the market.

When Artirian arrived at the market, It was already closing time for the market and the owner of the vegetable stand was not pleased and very disappointed at him. But still, the owner pays Artirian with 2 copper coins. Artirian left the market and started walking towards a local inn in the village. As he was walking he remembered the motion of the old man at the forest and especially the force that the old man used.

With the money he had the only thing he could afford was a loaf of bread and free water from the inn. "I guess I can survive with this money again." Artirian let out a soft sigh. He entered the inn and as he entered the inn it was pretty noisy and it was very lively. Sometimes it was chaotic but when Aritiran entered it was very peaceful, there was also some music that was being played by a man. Artirian then walks towards the innkeepers counter.

With a soft voice and a dirtied face Artirian put his 2 copper coins on the counter and then plead "Humble sir may I buy a loaf of bread and a glass of water." The innkeeper looks at Artirian and is disgusted, nonetheless, he takes the two copper coins and heads back. And when the innkeepers came back he put the plate on the counter.

And on the plate was a half loaf of bread and a glass of water. Then Artirian would ask "Humble sir why is the bread only half?" then the Innkeeper replied "Because the prices are high kid and start eating the food will ya. Some of my customers hate your foul smell!" followed with "You are a very disgusting child! Go at the back tables kid!"

The only face that the Innkeeper showed was that he was disgusted at Artirian. And when Artirian grabs the plate and walks away the Innkeeper would immediately swipe the places that Artirian touched. At the corner table Artirian sat on the chair, he grabbed the half loaf of bread and broke it in half and then started eating.

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Artirian POV

``I hate this feeling. Why am I in this place anyway`` as I ate the loaf of bread slowly and munched It. only give me insecurities that made me nothing like a small ant in a gigantic world ``I really don't get it why did they kill my family… It was not fair and it will never be" I frowned my eyebrows and munched on the food aggressively.

``I will avenge my family, I will make them pay. They will know my name as one of the most trained officers they can face on the battlefield``

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Artirian tilted his head left and right. And soon enough his tears slid through his cheek. His eyes were holding the tears he didn't want to let go. Artirian would hide the feeling of pain and sadness in him and rather continue to eat the food in front of him. As he slowly ate the loaf his tears slowly dropped on the ground.

10 minutes have passed and Artirian already finished eating. And as Artirian was thinking of something once again he crossed his mind at the old man in the forest. He was still intrigued by how he can use that kind of technique and help his group rise at the top. Artirian would then come back from his senses.

Artirian would stand up and head towards the stables. He would then get water from a well to wash his face before sleeping. And as he looked at the bucket he would see the shining moon in the sky. "It is always pretty like that. I hope it can stay like that." Then Artirian would walk towards one of the hay and then lay on it like a bed.

The sun has risen from the horizon and the rooster has started making irritable noises. It was a new beginning a day to start over and failure was not an option. Artirian then walks towards the well and then grabs the bucket near the well and then he tied the rope then throws the bucket then as it goes down it would sound a bit a water splash. And after that, he felt the bucket was already full so he pulls the rope and he then starts washing his face.

The clouds were calmer these past few days. "Another day at work and another day to sacrifice my life with" Artirian whispered to himself. As he finished washing his face he would then walk towards the market where he can see different merchants, sellswords and some group of teenage boys.

The market was always bustling with people every time Artirian worked it was lively as ever. Artirian continued to walk towards the vegetable and meat merchants to ask for a part-time job but the merchants who were in charge there turned him down. "Blasted how come there are no open part-time jobs.. How can I erm". Then Artirian would think of a new idea, and that is to visit the old man from last time.

Artirian then heads down to the gate of the village and walk towards the forest heading towards the vegetable depot. While he was walking Artirian stopped at the place where he last saw the old man doing some tricks from last time. But with bad luck Aritiran did not see the old man there but Artirian would still see the trunk that was destroyed. Artirian was still amazed when he saw that kind of technique.

And as he reminded him that, Artirian got a plan on his sleeve. "Mhm Ill try to wait for the old man. I rather sit here under the tree to get some cover from the burning sunlight." Artirian whispered to himself. Artirian walked towards one of the trees and sat on the ground leaning his upper body on the tree's trunk.

Artirian would patiently wait for the old man, he waited until he slowly closed his eyes. Then he would hear a voice, "Hey kid wakeup" the old man said. The Artirian would murmur before the old man would shake Artirian and then Artirian would slowly be awake. His vision was still blurry and as he looked at the man that was standing in front of him.

Then the old man said with a rough voice "Why are you here boy, aren't you going to pick up some vegetable sack at the farm depot?" Artirian then slowly stands up but still, his posture was still like a drunk person.

Then Artirian would look at the old man and then he said with a proud tone of voice. "I saw you last time! and it was so strange for me to see a type of force so strange, especially that kind of power… Will I be able to learn that kind of power? Can I learn a few techniques about it? " The old man replied with only a smirk.

Then the old man said "You need to do a lot more than that to prove yourself worthy to learn from me young boy" Then Artirian would reply, "Then how can I prove it to you sir?" Artirian said those words with a gentle tone of voice.

The old man would smirk at him and turn around walking a little far from Artirian then face him again and cross his arms "It is very simple to do a lot of exercises" Then Artirian slowly get energized, "Woo I can feel power near me!" The old man would chuckle a bit. Inside the old man thoughts, ``This kid will give up soon if I showed him the thing he needs to learn. But from his motivation, I guess it will be a long run before this kid leaves and forgot the things I taught."

Then the old man added to what he said earlier "You need a lot of things to do to reach that kind of power boy. You need to improve your body especially your endurance and strength"