Laburak: "I'm ending this! Shulmanu!"
Before going for a strong blow on Shulmanu's head, but at the last moment, Shulmanu dodged and slashed his chest, making Laburak's eyes widen and making him fall to his knees
Laburak: "No.. this can't be! I AM NOT GOING TO LOSE!"
He said, standing back up, enraged, ready to continue the fight and go on the offensive, he charged his mace towards Shulmanu. A flashback would occur of him in the same movement, but instead, a 16-year-old Laburak fighting another Ugallu his age, His father Lamesu watching with a smile on his face.
Lamesu: "What a strong man I've raised."
He said in his head, seeing how his son was about to win, Laburak would beat his opponent, leaving him lying on the ground unconscious, but when he looked to see how his father reacted to his victory, Lamesu had a blank stare.
Laburak: "Are you proud of me? father?"
Lamesu: "He's a weakling, you should've beaten him more quickly. I am training you for a reason, Laburak."
He said, before starting to cough repeatedly, Laburak looked disappointed at the ground, saying.
Laburak: "Ugh, fine, father, you're right, I should've beaten him quicker than before, I'll train even harder today!"
He said, hoping to make his father happy with his determination, yet Lamesu kept his blank expression.
Lamesu: "Yeah, you better."
He said before walking back to their home, Laburak dropped his wooden sword in anger and frustration.n
Laburak: "Father doesn't think anything is good enough, does he?"
He said to himself, he was mad at his dad for not supporting him, but at the same time, this motivated him to train even harder. He grabbed his wooden sword and started using the nearby tree as a target for his sword.
Hours would pass, and a soldier walked towards Laburak, seeing him still training after hours.
Ugallu soldier: "What are you still training for? You have been here for 3 hours."
Laburak continued training, but still answered the soldier.
Laburak: "I am not strong enough..."
He said, tired and filled with sweat, hitting his wooden sword at the tree, which got some bumps from the number of times he hit it.
Ugallu soldier: "What makes you think that?"
Laburak: "Because my father isn't proud of me yet."
The soldier looked shocked after hearing Laburak's reply. To try and cheer him up, he replied
Ugallu Soldier: "Oh, I'm sure he is, he just isn't letting you know, he is trying to make you the strongest version of yourself"
Laburak: "Maybe he is, but maybe he isn't"
He said while he continued hitting the tree with his wooden sword, hitting harder and harder each time
It turned midnight, and he decided to stop the training for the day. He would head home, and he saw an old Ugallu woman taking a walk, then she was attacked by a bandit. to make himself feel better, he attacked the Bandit and beat him
Old Ugallu Woman: "Oh, thank you, young man!"
She said, more thankful than ever, Laburak forced a smile, saying
Laburak: "No problem"
After he walked away, the smile faded, realising he wasn't satisfied with himself yet, but he knew he needed rest, so he could get into the tournament, to hopefully make himself and his proud
When he arrived home, his mother appeared right as he opened the door. She looked worried
Laburak's mother: "Where were you? It's late, you know?"
Laburak: "I was just training for the tournament."
His mom sensed that he was lying about the reasoning for his training. With a worried tone, she asked
Laburak's mother: "You alright, honey? You seem down."
Laburak, who hoped his mother would worry less, replied:
Laburak: "Yeah mom, im alright, the upcoming tournament is just stressing me out."
Laburak's mother: "Don't worry, with all the work you have put into training for the tournament."
Laburak smiled, replying:
Laburak: "Thanks mom"
Before heading to his room to sleep, right as he got into the room, he instantly jumped onto his bed to sleep, hoping the tournament, which was the next day, would go well. When he woke up the next day, he could hear crying coming from his mom from their Parent's room. He quickly got up, worried about why his mother was crying. When he entered, he saw his mother on her knees, crying, the bed in front of her, and his father lying down, looking weaker than ever, with blood coming from his mouth. He quickly ran to his dad's bed and asked
Laburak: "Father?! What's happening?! You're gonna be alright, right?!"
Lamesu: "No need to worry, my son, you are better without me; I have treated you too harshly."
His father replied, his tone making it clear that he was disappointed in himself. Laburak, who was crying, replied:
Laburak: "No, you haven't! Don't worry, Father, I'll find a way to cure you, with the money I'll earn from the tournament, ill heal you in no time!"
Lamesu smiled at his son, wanting to make Laburak happy again and see what he truly thought, hoping to tell him not to let anyone treat him like that
Lamesu: "No need, my son, I want to tell you, you are strong enough, son, and don't l-"
He said not being able to finish his sentences, and dying on his deathbed, Laburak who thought his father told him to never lose again, vowed to himself he would never lose a battle again, winning them all to honor his father and his name, he got up from his knees, grabbed his mace, got out of the house and made his way to the tournament, filled with rage that could not be taken away, and enough motivation to do anything, he wiped his tears, not wanting to show his weak side to the people on the street, he had become a different person, one that would do anything to win, one that wouldnt let himself lose even 1 battle