Author's Note:Please R&R, positive critiscm/flames/questions/suggestions are welcome.

After my amazing victory over the Nightmare creature, what I felt was complete exhaustion.

I made my way to Ascalon City at a slow saunter, and didn't even notice a figure approach me from behind.

“Hey! Xavier!” called a friendly voice. I turned my head over my shoulder, and saw my friend, Rohan coming from behind.

Rohan was a warrior, he passed his test the first year at the academy, where I suffered my first loss.

Rohan had a strong physique, a hardened thin face, short brown hair in a buzz cut, and never stopped smiling.

Rohan was one of those people who could turn the worst of situations into a enjoyable test of strength.

I was the total complete opposite of Rohan though. I was thin, lightly muscled, and had one long spike of hair, flowing sloppily over my forehead.

I wasn't exactly Mr. Optimist either; no I lost cheerfulness a few years ago after my third defeat in the academy.

“Hey Rohan, any news on the Charr front?” I asked. Rohan was an intel agent for Captain Osric on the border of the Charr territory.

“No Xavier, they seem to be biding time for some reason, but that just gives us more time to enjoy the lovely day!”

It was true, it was in the early evening, and the sun was lightly shining on the autumn trees.

Rohan and I walked in silence for some time, winding down the path to the Ascalon City gates, taking in the beautiful scenery.

“So...” said Rohan. “Here it comes,”I thought. “How did you do on the test in Nolani?"

He said this all nonchalantly, trying not to seem too inquisitive. I looked up from the path and turned my attention at Rohan.

“Well Rohan,” I started slowly to build suspense. “I suppose it was gonna happen sooner or later.”

Rohan's already happy face grew into a huge toothy smile. “I knew you could do it!” he nearly yelled.

Rohan went to embrace me, and lifted me straight off the ground. “Good job Xavier!” he would say every couple moments.

Eventually, I began to struggle from Rohan's grip, and he released me, still beaming with pride.

“It wasn't much,” I said in a modest voice. The truth was though, that this was the happiest I had felt in years.

“Xavier you gotta tell me everything that happened!” Rohan demanded. So I told him, about the Nightmare creature I was assigned, how I used bone horror's, parasites, and pure energy to defeat it.

Then how Devona had, out of resentment, assigned me to be tutored by Kasha Blackblood. About how she thought Kasha was too weak with her students.

I completed my tale just as we reached the long flowing river, signaling a short walk to Ascalon. “She assigned you Kasha Blackblood? Isn't she known for her corrupted students?” said Rohan.

I nodded, showing I had done enough talking, and Rohan fell silent. We approached the wall, which provided a barrier from the Lakeside county and Ascalon city.

The gate was open, so we hurried through, into the bustling city inside, as the gate wasn't usually unattendded.

The city was alive with activity, vendors on every street corner; they sold things from, animal furs, to long swords.

Each house had a similar feel to it, each had it's own intricate pattern, painted in the same rustic brown color.

To the northeast was the border of the city, and the cave in which creatures such as the Grawl, plus the occasional Charr, were kept captive for training purposes.

To the far east, rich nobleman lived in their wealth, buying property all over Ascalon. To the west, the majority of the stores sold goods such as food, and clothing.

To the immediate north, houses were most abundant there, and weapon traders, and armor merchants.

Rohan and I turned west toward the main alley of the city. After my victory Rohan promised me a lavish dinner to celebrate.

We passed the city's herb shop, where people were cured of ailments by nature ingredients. We finally reached the fancy diner, named Lysaa's Diner, where a wide array of exotic food were prepared.

I ordered a common dish, but my favorite dinner of all time, the Moa Bird special; Rohan ordered the Kappa salad, an exotic food from Cantha.

These types of stores were run by nobleman, and were extremely expensive, especially the foods such as kappa.

After a delicious meal, they left the diner and made way to their apartment, in which they were roommates.

“Thanks for dinner Rohan! You really didn't have to pay for it...” said Xavier regretfully.

“Nonsense Xavier,”replied Rohan was a smile. “I glad you finally passed that exam is all!”

They made their way past the weapons vendor, who kept insisting to sell them a Great Axe; (You need one of these to survive in the world out there!)

Past the local fur trader, who nodded politely as they passed, slightly frowning at me. Then past a dark alley way, where kids not even the age of 15 were smoking weed.

Finally they reached their apartment, where Mr. Osbourne, the evil watchmen, scowled as they entered the doors.

“Why hello you two, especially you Xavier, you'll never amount to anything!” I was too tired to say anything back, so I just groaned as we entered the apartment.

Without another word to Rohan I fled up the staircase, and entered our room. I removed my heavy, jet black armor, and replaced it with silky pajama's, jet black, matching the armor.

I made my way to bed, which had looked like nobody ever bothered to buy a new pair of sheets, and I never did.

It was filthy, and Rohan disproved of me sleeping in it, but I didn't care, I had my own little sty of a bed.

As soon as my head hit the pillow, I fell into a deep sleep, where I relived the Nightmare battle, but only I had failed.

Everyone in Ascalon City were pointing and laughing, and I was curled in a ball trying to avoid their gaze.

I woke up in the middle of the night, and said quietly, “Oh well...tomorrow will be better.” Then he fell back asleep, with not a Nightmare to disturb him.