The Story of Hondo Willcrusher - The Beginning (Part II)

Five years had passed and Hondo and Thorgon were now more than pupil and teacher; they were like father and son. Hondo was indeed very gifted at battle, however no matter how much he was taught, he could not stop from charging into battle in a fury when he felt threatened. Thorgon told him that one day that would be his undoing and that he will need to learn to control his emotions, not let them control him.

One night as they were sitting around the fire and deciding to go east or west Hondo heard a noise in the background. He moved to tell Thorgon but the gruff looking man already had his axe ready. Quietly they listened and sure enough they could hear the scrapes and shuffles of feet and claws. As they readied to move a bright flash of green light consumed them and Hondo lost all of his strength and speed. His sword fell out of his hands and he fell to the ground. Thorgon was in the same position and he was muttering some strange words Hondo had never heard before. Then he was free! All of his strength returned and he grabbed his blade and charged into the darkness without thinking of danger, just blood. No more than ten feet away he ran into a giant stone creature. This was a Flash Gargoyle, and it was readying another chant. He buried his blade to the hilt in the creatures forehead and pulled the sword straight out of the beasts head. Looking around he could see no more creatures and he went back to see Thorgon.

Hondo approached the fire only to hear voices and sinister laughing. He crouched low, ready and crept up to the fire only to see a a group of Charr. There was two blade warriors, three mind sparks, an overseer and a flame watcher. Behind them was a Charr Shaman, but not any shaman, it was the beast that had slain his family! He stood to charge and and was stopped in his tracks by what he saw: Thorgon was being held in place by a giant spike through his chest. The shaman, seeing Hondo, told him that he had been looking for him. The shaman heard there was a boy looking for revenge and he wanted to see this boy for himself. Looking at the shaman, Hondo was trying to figure out how to get by the rest and just kill him. It was not possible, he was going to have to kill them all. At that moment the shaman realized the human was going to try and he started to cast an enchantment on his warriors. At the same time Thorgon saw that Hondo was going to do this no matter what and he looked at him and shouted" WATCH YOURSELF." As Thorgon finished yelling Hondo felt a new sense of protection, as if his armor had become stronger and he charged.

As he ran toward the blade warriors he realized that he will not be able to kill them with the mind sparks casting healing spells so he altered his course at the last moment and swung his sword towards the first spark he came close to. Just as his blade met its mark he felt a heavy thud on his shoulder as the shaman hit him with some kind of spell. At the same time Thorgon casted his own spells and healing Hondo as fast as he could. Even in the middle of battle Hondo is thinking about how remarkable it is that he did not know how strong the old man was. He killed the other spark without a moments thought and turned on the blade warriors. As he approached he felt his adrenaline rise and rush through his veins. Hondo swung at the head of the first Charr and as he did he feels a surge of strength rush through him and he is able to split the beast in half. Seeing this the shaman feels nervous and decided to retreat, but as he runs he tells Hondo they will meet again. Hondo knows he can catch him but he cannot leave the other creature with Thorgon so he allows the shaman to escape and turns to kill the blade warrior.

With the warrior dead Hondo returned to Thorgon for he has many questions but he knows they will never be answered: Thorgons life is leaving and there is no way to stop it. Thorgon tells him all will be well and not to blame himself: it was all a trap. Thorgon tells Hondo he had more to teach him but there is no time, he must go to Ascalon City and find War master Grast. That man will help him to complete his training. Thorgon looks to the night sky and says he looks forward to the next world. His last request is that Hondo take Thorgons Furious Axe of Charrslaying and get revenge, and with that Thorgon leaves this realm and also leaves Hondo alone again, angry and vengeful. Hondo buries his friend and leaves a small marker, and then jogs out of camp to find the shaman that had once again destroyed everything Hondo had loved.