System Awakening: Rise Of Thomas Walker

CHAPTER SIX

"I can't let you burn down this place! You will have to go through me first!" Thomas voiced, clenching his right fist and punched Duke across the face.

Thomas pulled his fist backwards once more and attempted to hit Duke, but Saul boy from the defenders of the city grabbed him from behind and held his two arms.

"You damn human! You dare lay your filthy hands on me! After all what you have done for you guys and this city, you dare challenge me? You are dead meat!" Duke roared as he picked himself off the floor and walked towards Thomas who was held down by Saul.

"Let me go!" Thomas struggled to break free, but Saul's strength was greater than Thomas's.

"Saul! Hold him still!" Duke roared, and Saul did as he was told. Duke, then clenched his right fist tightly and flames formed around it before punching Thomas hard on his belly.

The punch connected neatly, causing Thomas' jacket to burn slightly and he coughed up blood. The lady amongst the group closed her eyes as she knew what type of pain Thomas would be feeling right now.

Duke pulled his fist backwards again and sent out a punch to Thomas's chest. This time, Thomas's chest area burnt and he coughed up blood.

"You die here today!" Duke roared, retrieving his fist and attempted to strike Thomas once more.

"Duke, that's enough!" The lady known as Kate voiced as she rushed forward. She couldn't take it anymore.

"Stay out of this Kate!" Duke spoke in anger before shifting his gaze back to Thomas who was barely conscious.

"Let him be, if you hit him one more time he might die!" Kate cautioned with a worrisome look.

"My aim here is to kill him!" Duke responded nonchalantly.

"No, your aim here is to burn down this place so as to teach him a lesson and not kill him because if you do kill him, master Iverson will begin to ask questions. And I suggest you get on with it." Kate interjected.

Duke glanced at her for several seconds before shrugging his shoulder and instructed Saul to let go of Thomas. Thomas fell down to the floor and was at the verge of passing out.

"Well for the record, I don't care what they think about me," Duke said in a calm and dark tone.

"Watch how I burn down this place!" Duke gloated as he took a deep breath in before breathing out a mighty ball of fire that went forth and began to burn down the trees and vegetables, and all Thomas could do was lay there and watch.

With a dark face, Duke turned to the farmland and exhaled b for roaring and blazing the place, reducing the crops and trees to ash.

"Everyone will blame you for your carelessness." He said to Thomas.

"You think, I'll let you frame? Thomas said angrily.

Duke smirked. "You have no proof. Master Iverson sent you, not me." He said.

Duke turned and struck Thomas one last time with a dark blow and then walked off as the fire swallowed the fields.

The sun was already disappearing from the sky when Duke decided to move beyond the boundaries of the academy.

For generations, elders have warned the young ones about the dangers that lurked in the forest but Duke was bold and curious.

As he made his way through the forest, Duke could feel the presence of something unfamiliar. It was as if he was watching.

Duke paused to listen, his senses were high. He could hear the leaves moving and the sound of something moving under the bush. It was then he saw something that made her terrified.

A creature he has never seen before came out from the shadows. It stood on two legs, its face had sharp teeth. Duke was afraid but he stood there silently.

Duke was trembling in fear as he struggled to keep his composure. He knew that if he showed any sign of weakness, the creature might destroy him.

He slowly reached for his hunting knife at his belt as he held it with a trembling grip.                     

"Stay back," He said, his voice shaking with fear.

"I will not be your prey," Duke said as he summoned courage.

The creature took a step forward as its claws were scratching the forest floor.

"I am not here to harm you," it growled, its voice deep.

"What the hell?" Duke said.

Duke stared in disbelief at the creature before her. He had never heard of a monster that could speak.

"What are you?" He asked with fear in his voice.

The creature cocked its head, its yellow eyes fixed on her. "I am a celestial Quantum shadow s," it said. "I am the guardian of the forest. The creature said in a dark tone.

"I have been watching you, young hunter," it continued, its voice low and menacing. "You are brave, but foolish to come into my domain.” The creature said in a dark tone which sent shivers down Duke's spine.

The creature, its eyes fixed on the young boy, cocked its head in curiosity. "Duke," it said, its voice rumbling like thunder. "You are the first human to venture into my realm in many years."

Duke, his heart racing with fear and excitement, took a step backward, his eyes never leaving the creature's gaze. "I...I was just hunting," he stammered. "I didn't know this forest was yours" Duke said as he was trembling but he tried to act brave and calm.

Quantum shadow's eyes narrowed, its expression darkening.

"It is not your fault," Quantum shadow s growled, his voice deep and gravelly. "Looks like your kind have forgotten the ways of the forest, you've forgotten the danger that lurks in the shadows" It said.