LupineKing

HoGW BK I, CH 30: The Daemonic Inclination

Chapter Thirty: The Daemonic Inclination

Daemons really are remarkable creatures. Humans had studied them for millennia and were still making new discoveries. Their abilities and skills were varied and infinite and they were constantly developing more as they adapted to their ways of life and environments. It was they and their emulation that formed the basis of all humankind had developed.

Humans alone had innumerable languages and yet all daemons could communicate with eac...

HoGW BK I, CH 29: Into The Lair

Even with Valerian's assurance that there were no daemons within four kilometres of them the sergeant still insisted that they take their time and exercise caution when it came to exploring the cave that lay behind the giant boulder. He got his men together. Besides two who they left to guard the prisoners, the rest were marshalled into a simple raid team.

First, they confirmed that the beast had been out for a while by checking the boulder. From the dust and track in ...

HoGW BK I, CH 28: The Valley

Being the focus of his master's anger nearly made Avery recant his statement. He knew better than anyone present the danger they were in. Valerian was in one of his dark moods. Avery had noticed it not long after he'd finished eating. Right now, the best thing would be to stay out of his way, but he couldn't well do that at the moment.

“Not that Young master! I just happen to think that there might be some wisdom in his words. The hunt's already ruined. There's nothing wrong with coming back...

HoGW BK I, CH 27: A Rescue?

Oblivious to the events taking place behind him, Valerian ran like his life depended on it. His figure blurred as it rushed through the landscape. Already tired, he forced himself to keep going. Despite his incredible speed and endurance, he was tapped out. He was panting and stumbling as he made his way across the mountainside and over the rocks. However, he did not stop to take a rest.

He knew instinctively that he had to keep going. The moment he stopped would be the moment that would bring...

HoGW BK I, CH 26: Widespread Destruction

Lait was angry, frustrated and tired. He stood in front of his men, fire essence stone in hand. His sword had been put away a long time ago. Right now he just stared at the massive golden array between himself and his enemies and muttered curses under his breath.

Outwardly, he could do nothing. Not till they brought down the ward. Consequently, Lait just stood there and drew on the essence trapped in the crystal he held, frantically replenishing his reserves to have another go at the stupid th...

HoGW BK I, CH 25: Blocked In

Valerian was cornered. He was now being attacked by three opponents at the same time and his shields could barely handle the damage. Arrows, sword strikes and exploding light orbs from the end of the arcanist's wand all crashed against him. It made it even harder for him to attack since his concentration was focused on buttressing his shields to prevent the bandits from breaking through.

He could be likened to a tortoise, stuck in a shell, afraid to stick his head out for fear of being eaten y...

HoGW BK I, CH 24: Where Negotiation Fails

At first Valerian had thought of inviting the men to join in their meal as was the custom of hunters but he quickly tossed that option out when he saw the design of the tattoo they bore. He saw the bearded man at the forefront's eyes focus on the StormHawk insignia on his own left breast and curse. Valerian strongly felt the urge to do the same.

‘They're Vults!'

‘They're Steelborns!'

This was a very bad scenario. Valerian was the grandson of a sitting magistrate. He had recogni...

HoGW BK I, CH 23: Hunting Solo?

It is said that in the beginning all there was, was a timeless void. A plane devoid of all but itself until the wheels of fate and time were set in motion and Verre was born. A mass of heaven and earth that swirled around each other. The earth becoming the core, the provider, the base, the domain of mortals, the stern father of all. The heavens wrapped around the new earth becoming the ordering force, the apex, the domain of the ascended, the capricious mother of all.

This was Verre, the world...

HoGW BK I, CH 22: Array Master of the First Circle

It has been five years since that fateful day that Valerian had his prospects tested. Five years filled with blood and toil, soaked in sweat and tears and all at a cost of incredible funds and extensive training, but he had done it. Now even those who looked down at him before, those who originally had nothing but disdain for himself and his family, came around with smiles pasted on their faces and entreaties on their tongues.

Valerian Steelborn, the second coming of the wastrel, unholy g...

HoGW BK I, CH 21: Innocence Lost

Victims either eaten or stored away, the contracted daemons lazily loafed around in a small glade. Valerian sat in front of his grandmother, who was the only one standing.

"Besides some basic hunting lore, I've shown to you four basic hunting methods. Outmanoeuvring, ambushing, confronting and cornering. Can you tell me what you've learnt?”

Knowing something like that was coming from the start, Valerian was already prepared. It wasn't hard to predict. His grandmother liked to teach by...

HoGW BK I, CH 20: Hunting with Grandma II

“Are we done?” Valerian asked.

He was a bit relieved. It hadn't been as bad as he thought. Journey and prep work aside, the whole hunt had barely taken a minute. His grandmother responded with a smile.

“Actually we are just starting. The whole point of today is to teach you how to hunt. That was just one approach. We still have three more to go”, she told him.

“Three more?” Valerian asked in astonishment.

“Yes, three!” his grandmother said in an amused tone. ...

HoGW BK I, CH 19: Hunting with Grandma

They stood in the glade; a young nervous boy, his grandmother and an overly large leopard. The last was crouched, somehow managing to lessen its presence in the tall grass. As for the old woman and her grandson they had no such innate gifts. She held his hand and pulled him even deeper into the wilderness.

“The hunt is a sacred thing. It is not just about finding some beast to kill. It is an enactment of one of the most basic of life's mysteries. It is the original work that is done ...

HoGW BK I, CH 18: Setting Out

As turned out, it took four days before Valerian had full control over the dagger, much to his displeasure. And that was even with his Uncle Jonas' help. In doing so he learnt some very important lessons about channelling, controlling and using arcane energy. He also found out why he could manipulate metal. The rationale was pretty simple.

He possessed the innate metal attribute. The average arcanist however would not have an innate attribute. Due to this they could only manipulate the world e...

HoGW BK I, CH 17: ... Of Guile and Force

Once Valan left the others did so as well. Valerian didn't care. At least, he tried not to. He just knelt there, head down. He was filled with so much anger at the unfairness of the situation, he could cry. Before that could happen, a long tongue licked his face. He tried to ignore the forked appendage and concentrate on his brooding but it kept licking him.

“Stop that Sela! I'm not in the mood!” he protested.

He was ignored. Pushing it away didn't help either. It tickled. Eventuall...

HoGW BK I, CH 16: Contradicting Views?

Whatever was going on outside was now too loud to ignore. Vorm could even make out screaming and the clashing of metal on metal. He quickly made his way outside, Valan following warily. The two were met with an interesting sight. All the soldiers were up in arms and standing in a defensive formation with terrified expressions on their faces. At their head were the armoured knights Vorm came with, only they looked like they had been mangled by a wild beast.

Following their scared eyes to the si...

HoGW BK I, CH 15: Let Loose

When Richard followed Commander Vorm into the manor, Valerian knew that the day's training session was officially over. He still kept at it though. Going through the stances whilst focusing on the mantra and principles so that they would entrench themselves more fully in his mind. He lacked the qi mastery to bring out the true might and profundities in the moves but the goal of training at this stage was to sculpt his body and ingrain the skills in his muscle memory.

So he busied himself ...

HoGW BK I, CH 14: Commander Vorm's Mission

Armour put away, Vorm allowed himself to be ushered in to meet his uncle. His own father had been the magistrate's elder brother. Sadly, he died young. Thus even though Vorm grew up with his mother he had an incomparably precious relationship with his uncle. Valan was not just his uncle, he was also his teacher and his father figure.

He counted himself as fortunate. His father may have died but having Valan as his uncle afforded him the things that made him who he was today. He was the le...

HoGW BK I, CH 13: Commander Vorm's Visit

If Valerian wasn't a prince before he was now. His current way of life would make many so green with envy they'd turn black. He only ate food made from spirit herbs and daemon meat. His drinks consisted of juice from special plants, fruits and daemon milk. He had two precious baths a day. One; a mineral bath filled with precious salts and essence crystals and the other; an evening bath containing herbal remedies. Then there were the elixirs and pills he took like sweets.

All of this was done w...

HoGW BK I, CH 12: The Hope Not Lost

Valerian was floored by this news. It was downright unbelievable, but he knew better than to doubt the man. If he said he had advanced then he had. But when? How? These were just some of the questions whirling through his head. Unfortunately he did not have time to ruminate on them though. His uncle was advancing towards him with a furious look on his face.
"What. Did. You. Do?" the man enunciated.

Fear rushing straight from his heart Valerian retreated even further whilst yelling out, "Not...

HoGW BK I, CH 11: Left With One

The next few weeks were unkind to the magistrate's household. It was as if someone draped a damp blanket over everything, smothering their happiness. Valan walked with his head down, Richard looked furious all the time, and as for the other members of the household they did their best to stay out their way. It was as if a curse of gloom had been cast over their home. Valerian could even swear that the daylight was duller and the food was increasingly bland ever since he got injured.

Th...

HoGW BK I, CH 10: Complications II

Starting with arcane cultivation, Valerian circulated his energy according to the Manifold Elemental Incarnations hoping to complete his arcane baptism. Under his efforts, all the pores in his body began to open and close. His body began to expand and contract as well in accordance with their rhythm. It was like he was breathing with his entire body.

Anyone looking at his body in the essence spectrum would see world essence entering his pores whenever they opened. Moving in myriad ways un...

HoGW BK I, CH 9: Complications

Valerian opened his eyes slowly. It only took a second to determine that there was still at least an hour before dawn. He stood up, stiffly extricating himself from his cross-legged pose. Over the last two weeks he found it increasingly easier to slip into that special meditative state and maintain it for hours at a time. He even went without sleep sometimes, only to arise rested and refreshed. His body wasn't used to staying in the pose for long though.

Awake he went up to his armour rac...

HoGW BK I, CH 8: Harriers and Cluders

Valerian's first lesson with Richard was exactly how he expected it to be. A set of training clothes was given to him the night before and when the sun rose Richard came for him and dragged him, drowsy as he was to the courtyard. So Valerian stood there in his new leather outfit, trying to rub the sleep from his eyes in front of a frowning armoured giant.

"Sharpen up!" Richard commanded.

Valerian tried, he really did. He knew the kind of man his uncle was. Curt, strict and direct. He di...

HoGW BK I, CH 7: Arcane Baptism

Bathed in the light and heat of that ball of fire Valerian couldn't help but be reminded just what sort of power lay within his grasp. But that was only if he could reach for it and grab it firmly. No matter what, potential was only potential and not actual strength. He would have to work really hard if he hoped to gain the latter.

He could still make out Jonas' figure, nearly obscured by the half a meter wide ball of flame just in front of him. Unlike Valerian he did not seem to be under...

HoGW BK I, CH 6: The Manifold Elemental Incarnations

The series of introductory lectures with his grandfather left Valerian feeling enlightened and gave him much to look forward to when he actually started training. Eventually Elder Foreson and a few other elders dropped by the manor to hand over the manuals he would be training with. The manuals in question were just copies, but they contained the highest tier methods available to the clan, and had to be transported from the compound to the manor under heavy guard.


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HoGW BK I, CH 5: Essence Theory

Finally! Valerian's education was about to begin. Following the test, the household became very hectic and it took four whole days before it settled down. His grandfather was always away, either at work or at the clan compound dealing with the elders. His grandmother was mostly the same except she dealt instead with the well-wishers who came round the manor. The bottom line was, no one had anytime to train or teach Valerian anything. After they had promised him too.


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HoGW BK I, CH 4: Clan Matters

The next day was a very hectic one in the magistrate's household. In spite of their wishes to the contrary, the results of the test could not be kept hidden. Three elders of the Steelborn clan had come over. One of them was a third tier array master sent over to confirm the results of the test. After putting Valerian through the ceremony twice more he too came up with the same results. The three elders then locked themselves in the study with his grandparents and engaged themselves in discussion...

HoGW BK I, CH 3: Outstanding Talent?

Jonas scrutinised the boy before him and was forced to admit that his comportment was extraordinary. Perfectly dressed, well-mannered with a lofty bearing and purposeful grace he really was a little prince. Despite this he was completely unspoiled. At least from what he had heard and seen. Aside from a penchant to be overly self-assured he seemed to conduct himself quite well and even his Valan had nothing but good things to say about him.

He was curious because he knew little about this ...

HoGW BK I, CH 2: The Magistrate's Grandson II

Valerian Steelborn was no ordinary child. As a matter of fact he would be insulted to be considered one. He had met many ‘ordinary children' at Fangs' Grammar school though and the adjectives he would use when describing them would not be flattering at all. Messy, immature, petty, prone to running around and fidgeting, unable to understand the teacher's lessons even after several repetitions, hated simple correction, resorted to name calling...


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HoGW BK I, CH 1: The Magistrate's Grandson I

The city of DaleGuard was one of the major cities in the northern lands of Bathar Kingdom. It was the only great city within six thousand kilometres and it stood as both a symbol of the Kingdom's power and influence, as well as a bastion against the beast hordes of the great Wildlands. It sat stolidly at the mouth of a great valley effectively blocking the opening in the highlands before it and guarding the vast plains behind it. From afar anyone could make out its great flanking guard towers an...