Chapter 19

  Titan was dressed in black jeans, shirt and boots as he walked out of his house with his sword and a rifle sack.

  A big black truck with silver grill on the front was parked in front.

  Hank was in the driver’s seat grinning at him with brown cap on his head.

  “What’s up Hank? Where we headed to?” Titan asked, putting his rifle in the back and walking around to the passenger side of the truck.

  Titan got in and closed the door. Hank petted his shoulder.

  “Nice too you in regular clothes bro. We headed out to the hunting grounds.” Hank said.

  Hank started up the truck and drove. He reached over to the dash board and turned on the radio.

  A male singer song a song about Riding out to bar for bar and shorty.

  The music was folksy with violin and guitar instruments playing.

  “Hey Titan.” Hank said.

  “What’s up bro?” Titan said as he stared out the window watching the city.

  They were quickly moving toward the highway entrance.

  “What made you choose to be a Rogue class on your government crawler license?”

  Titan and raised a single brow in thought as he scratched his chin.

  “I like to play chess and I’m not much of a good fighter.”

  Hank whistled. “You could have fooled me. I saw you take on that speed demon.”

  Titan snorted loudly and he shook his head.

  “Ah. Yeah. I did a good job getting myself cut up and almost having my head taken off.”

  Hank shook his head. “Don’t sell yourself short. That right hock at the end was amazing bro.”

  Titan smiled at the memory. “Thanks. My Dad taught me that one.”

  “Oh for real? Deacon taught you how to fight?”

  Titan nodded. “He made the attempt. I’m not gifted in fighting like my Dad.”

  “Hmm. Did you ever beat him in a fight?” Hank asked.

  “Once. It was our last fight.” Titan said.

  “We got a bit of time before we reach the rang. Tell me the story.”

  Titan rubbed his cheek. “Okay. But. I don’t know if it will be that interesting of a tale.”

  Hank chuckled. “Oh. Now I am really interested now. Go on. Tell me how you finally beat you old man in a duel.”

  ……

  Five years ago….

  Titan arrived late to the gym. Deacon Young a short stocky man with dark hair. He was naked but for a hair of dark shorts on. His chest and back was mapped with scars all over his muscled upper body. He sat on his knees in the middle of a blue fighting matt.

  Deacon opened his eyes and frowned at Titan who was dressed in black sweats and T-shirt. A frown was on his face.

  “Are you alright son?” Deacon asked in concerned voice.

  Titan looked at his father’s concerned face and worried eyes.

  “I’m thinking about not going to college. I might just get a part time job.” Titan said and looked away.

  Deacon sighed. “What happened?” He asked.

  Titan grimaced. “Mom is worried about the cost of me going to college. I also saw the some bill statements in the living room.”

  A case of content theft: this narrative is not rightfully on Amazon; if you spot it, report the violation.

  Deacon stared at him. “We talked about this. You want to go to college to be an accountant. You love math.”

  Titan sighed. “I can still be a book keeper.”

  Deacon sighed and he shook his head. “You just told yesterday that you were happy about your classes.”

  Titan shrugged. “I’m worried about us losing the house. School is a lot of debt.”

  Deacon shook his head. “You’re first year of college is already paid for. The house is my business. Not yours. You ready to train?”

  Titan shrugged. “I lost my training sword.”

  Deacon smiled and reached behind himself to reveal a black wooden sword. “I found it for you in a basement behind the washing machine.”

  “How the hell did you find it?” Titan asked.

  Deacon laughed. “Nice try. Your sob story isn’t going to get you out of this beat down.”

  Titan sighed and held out his hand. “Alright then. Give it to me.”

  Deacon carelessly threw the wooden sword toward Titan.

  Titan caught the sword as he rushed at his father and brought down his sword for a vertical attack.

  Deacon dodged the attack as he rolled up to his feet as he summoned a glowing purple short sword to his hand.

  Deacon parried Titan’s attack and counter attacked with lunged forward.

  Titan side stepped the attack but he was kicked in the chest.

  “Wowee. You're getting fast son.” Deacon said.

  Titan sprang up to his feet and he advanced forward.

  Deacon was laughing as Titan attacked with striking attacks aimed at weak points in attacks.

  Titan was quiet. His eyes focused and intent.

  Deacon easily blocked evaded and then he quickly knocked Titan’s sword away easily.

  Titan started to say something but Deacon made a grab for him.

  Deacon blinked and found a black training dagger placed on his throat.

  “Check.” Titan said with a grin.

  “Nice one. I like it.” Deacon said before he quickly knocked the dagger away only to find another practice dagger placed to his throat.

  Titan stared at his father. “Checkmate.” He said.

  Deacon’s lips spread into a warm bright smile. He dropped his weapon. He held Titan’s shoulders.

  “Game and match. Congratulations son. You have graduated. You are a true rogue.” Deacon said.

  “A rogue class.” Titan asked.

  Deacon sat down on the mat waving Titan to sit down with him.

  “Sit down a bit. Let’s talk about it.” Deacon said.

  Titan sat down. “I thought you were training me to be a fighter.” He said.

  Deacon stared at him and laughed. “No. No. I was training you to take care of yourself and family. Your a Rogue type guy.”

  Titan snorted and started playing with his practice wooden dagger.

  “Okay. What’s a Rogue type of guy?”

  Deacon grinned. “You win using tactics and calculating the perfect strike. Above all though. Who told you to use a dagger?” He asked.

  Titan shrugged. “You didn’t say I couldn’t use a practice dagger and I knew you wouldn't expect my tactic.” He said.

  Deacon grinned and rubbed Titan’s head. “I love it. You were also sneaky with that sub story trying to distract me and weaken me emotionally.”

  Titan shrugged. “The emotional story didn’t work and I knew I couldn’t beat you in one on one.”

  Deacon waved away Titan’s words. “Don’t worry about that. That’s sneaky rogue shit. I fell for it. You got me. I’m proud of you.”

  Titan frowned and folded his arms across his chest. “You’re proud of me because you think I’m a sneaky bastard.”

  Deacon snorted loudly. “Yes. That’s it. Always remember. In a dungeon against monsters or some psycho trying to kill you. Focus and your mind are your gifts.”

  Titan frowned. “Focus is my gift?”

  Deacon nodded his head. He stared at Titan intently and he tapped his head.

  “Wait for the moment, son. Don’t rush it. Strike fast, Strike hard. Strike intently. Focus! Your gifts are your focus and mind.”

  Titan grimaced and scratched his chin. “That’s fine and all but I want to get some money.That’s why I would rather be an accountant.”

  Deacon laughed and slapped Titan’s knee. “I get you son. I’m only saying I know plenty of poor fighters. I don’t know any rogue without some money or luck on his side on a dungeon treasure drop.”

  Titan grinned. “I like that shit. How many rogues do you have in your dungeon crawler team?”

  Deacon sighed and he shook his head. “I haven’t had the pleasure in a while. Rogue’s tend to be loners and good with money.”

  Titan nodded. “I’m going to become an accountant and I want to be your guild’s accountant.” He said.

  “I hear you son but listen. I’m telling you this shit so you’ll know how to handle yourself. Whether I am here or not. You’re straight. That’s all I care about.”

  Titan stared at Deacon. “Yeah. I know you mean that but you still expect me to look out for Kristy.”

  “Of course. You got to look out for your baby sister and my baby girl.” Deacon said with a wink and grin.

  Titan smiled. “I got you Dad.” He said.

  Deacon rubbed a rough hand on Titan’s head. “No doubt in my mind, son. Let’s get some lunch.” He said, raising to his feet.

  Titan came to his feet alongside his father.

  Deacon looked around and pointed to the where Titan’s training knife and wooden sword lay on the floor.

  “Don’t for get your stuff son.” Deacon said as he turned and walked toward the entrance of the gym.

  Titan hurried over to where his sword and dagger lay.

  A rush of movement behind Titan made him side step but left his foot in place.

  Deacon tripped over Titan’s foot and went crashing into the wall.

  “Shit sorry about that Dad.” Titan said, quickly grabbing up his training knife and sword as he approached his father.

  Deacon laughed laying on the floor. He shook his head.

  “Sorry about what? You beat your old man three times.” Deacon said.

  Titan chuckled. “You’re got a funny sense of humor, Dad.” He said.

  Deacon shook his head, raising to his feet. “Not at all, son. I’m just proud of you.” He said.