OnAHiatus

CHAPTER EIGHTEEN

Tatsuya spun his staff to create swirling vortexes of air to disorient the creature, making it difficult for it to land accurate strikes, even as he danced around the fists and through the tempest he created. It was a difficult feat, but he pressed on, using the currents to create shields to deflect any wayward strike or flying debris and ensure he was always one step ahead, judiciously exploiting the creature’s weight and lack of agility.

On a sturdy branch, he paus...

CHAPTER SEVENTEEN

A frenzied horde of writhing vines sprouted from the ground to lash out at Tatsuya, attempting to hinder his progress toward Zoel, and it was only his passive ability kicking in immediately that prevented him from becoming entangled; his initial cautiousness was replaced by a fierce concentration once he sensed the disturbances in the air, and a swift mental command was all it took for the whirling currents of wind to follow his every motion, creating a protective barrier around him.

&...

CHAPTER SIXTEEN

After cleaning themselves up sufficiently, the two emerged from the stream. Farah sat on a moss-covered rock beside her neatly folded clothes and lids shut while, a few feet away, Tatsuya— damp hair hung loosely over his forehead—sat on the grass with his legs stretched out. Although he mirrored her tranquil expression, he kept his eyes open and fixed on her, watching how the sun’s rays danced upon her skin, lending a warm glow to her face.

Captivated as he was by t...

CHAPTER FIFTEEN

The suddenness of the attack caught everyone off guard, especially Leia, as she was knocked back with a cry and a spray of blood. The lightning elemental landed hard but wasn't down for long and smoothly rolled to her feet, futilely wiping at her lips with the back of her hand while glaring at the perpetrator.

“How can you say you were about to win when you are easily blindsided like that?” The question went unanswered as Jao quickly continued. “This is why you should...

CHAPTER FOURTEEN

Despite what most would think, considering all he had done, Tatsuya took no special pleasure in murder. Yes, it was (in some way) a form of control, having power over someone, and a part of him liked feeling powerful. On some days, he would even go as far as saying he enjoyed it, enjoyed being the one to inflict the suffering and pain that he bore throughout hs years. But the act itself, seeing life leave a man's eyes, stirred no passion in him, nor did it give him glee to hear his actions h...

CHAPTER THIRTEEN

Tatsuya was sure they didn't know he was an air elemental as his eyes had been hidden from view—not to mention the hood of his cloak and bandages prevented much of his features from being seen—and so, as the stocky guard’s hands wrapped around one bag of cowries (amidst the many he carried), he took action—quickly inhaling a deep breath and, jerking his shoulders forward, releasing it as a powerful gust of wind towards those at his front. They went sprawling on the ground in a mess of...

CHAPTER TWELVE

The vault door was made of solid iron, with intricate patterns etched into the metal, and it loomed like a great beast ready to devour. Hands shaking with nerves, Tatsuya took a deep breath as he stepped forward, mindful of his dwindling window of opportunity, and studied the door carefully. Although he had not seen many vaults in his life, nor had any reason to break into any, lock picking was a common skill to have in this day and age—and the vault seemed to be an easily accessible one ra...

CHAPTER ELEVEN

Tatsuya had always been a hard worker but had never considered himself lucky. He was the type of person who believed in putting in the effort to achieve his goals, and though things never (easily) went his way, he felt it was better than relying on chance or fate. However, there were times when things worked out in his favour, and he was reminded that maybe luck wasn't as elusive as he thought.

One such instance occurred at that moment as he was swept off his feet, just as ...

CHAPTER TEN

In an ideal world, for this type of quest, Tatsuya would have all the time in the world to prepare as he would need it; he would study the place the target was stored and figure out the routine of the guards, if any, and their weaknesses, and strengths. He would wait until he was comfortable with the quest, until he figured out how to get close, how he would do the deed, and how he would escape afterward.

He would work out another plan, a third one, then a fourth, and the...

CHAPTER NINE

Tatsuya was snapped from his thoughts by a knock on his room door, and wondering if it was either of the twins seeking forgiveness for Finn’s reaction or Sif with his breakfast, he took a moment to regain his composure, clearing his throat and smoothing down his clothes. If it was the former, or even the latter for that matter, there was no need to appear unsettled.

Like the morning breeze, he was crisp.

Then, he stood up from the bed and made for the d...

CHAPTER THREE

Seated on a bedroll under the open sky, in nothing but tattered shorts and bandages, Tatsuya stared unblinkingly at the dry woods and leaves crackling away in the fire, his mind slowly coming to terms with the previous night's events. Even the smell of cooking meat and spices—mingling with the sounds of nickering horses and low chatters of conversations—wasn't enough to draw his attention away from his thoughts.

The memory of the experience plagued him—the sensation ...

CHAPTER TWO

Instincts born from years spent living in danger made Tatsuya’s sudden awareness, as he woke up nude and lying twisted like a cut marionette on an incline, an unpleasant experience—that, and he found himself enveloped on all sides by things that, with each bodily twitch, squished, cushioned, and prickled. Yet, he didn't open his eyes, but instead, being careful not to change the rhythm of his breathing, listened and tried to take stock of the unfamiliar surroundings through his other sens...

CHAPTER ONE

Countless hours had been spent studying his movements, analysing his patterns, and trying to predict where he might go next—and that frustration showed now in the way hurried footsteps dogged his, hardened leather soles tapping their frenzied dance against the stone-laid streets of the village, Ravenwood. Elusive Tatsuya might be, his luck had finally caught up to him as—though the bastard of a lord, Kuro, sent his attack dogs here to investigate sightings of the Wind Blades—some had n...

CHAPTER EIGHT

Everything was too warm. Tatsuya clawed at the barrier surrounding him, but his hands stuck to it, suddenly tangled and trapped. He couldn’t breathe. No matter where he shifted or kicked, something was tightening around his legs, pulling taut against his face. A tearing sound and the whisper of cool air jumbled together until his eyes finally snapped open, realising the quick gasps of panic was his.

Both hands were embedded in his cloak like claws, rigid out of fea...

CHAPTER SEVEN

Elmwood, a motley assortment of buildings (loosely fenced in and patrolled by a militia), waved out a late-night welcome to the exhausted Wind Blades from behind some rushes lining a bank to their left—and, under the cover of darkness, the moon hidden by thick clouds, not a whisper of their dragging feet could be heard. In the distance, they could see the outline of the inn, and Tatsuya allowed himself the minute relaxation of his shoulders.

He dared not believe it was ov...

CHAPTER SIX

Tatsuya had always been fascinated by storms: the way the sky turned dark and ominous, the sounds of thunder, flashes of lightning, and the rush of turbulent winds. Now, pulled off his feet as he was and tossed into the air (before he could even think of a way to escape), that fascination was replaced with a healthy dose of fear.

Choking.

With every strangled breath, the emotion mounted, becoming a tangible, living force that crept over him like a hungry...

CHAPTER FIVE

The Wind Blades had decided, somewhen in the night and without Tatsuya’s input, to depart before the first rays of the morning sun made an appearance—and so, after a short breakfast (a day-old bread and cheese), all signs of the camp was erased; the tents were dismantled and packed away, the last night’s ashes were spread into the trees, and dirt and leaves covered where the campfire had been.

Tatsuya could tell Jao was anxious to have everyone moving, in case Kuro�...

CHAPTER FOUR

The silence was long and deafening, a heavy stillness hanging in the air—as if the normal breeze had taken a leave of absence. Despite his assumptions, Jao ended up remaining quiet, and though Tatsuya quickly found his patience wearing thin, he dared not open his mouth and break the silence yet. He had decided on a course of action. He couldn't risk damning himself, so he swallowed back his words and kept his eyes on the man, whose stare was intense, eyes hard with an unidentifiable emotio...