User blog:Gnomehunter/Day 23: Soldier's Resurrection

Write a story about a human woman being monsterized

Soldier's Resurrection

'''“Alder, I beg you to reconsider! I’ve been an asset to the Order! Faithful in my duties. And loyal! Surely you can convince our superiors to forgive me! Ciara Knelt on the stone floor of the cell, clutching the bars that separated her from Alder, a man who until yesterday had been a companion and ally. But now he stared down at her scornfully. '''

'''“How disappointing, Ciara. First, you disobey a direct command. Now you’re begging for your life. Focus now on repenting for your transgressions. The only one who can forgive you now is the Chief God”. He turned and walked out the door, leaving her alone and shaking on the cell floor. '''

'''The sun rose on a somber day, as Ciara was led out of the cell and out into the center of the town. The residents watched her many in silence but many muttering about her treachery. Escorted to kneel on the wooden platform, she was forced to her knees, head fastened into the guillotine. '''

“Any last words, former Order soldier?” The executioner asked.

'''“I have none”, she replied as stoically as possible. Without another word, the blade dropped, ending her life in an instant. Ciara was buried in an unmarked plot of land far from town. There she would have laid until her body decayed into the earth, but fate had another plan. A year later, Ciara rose from the grave. Her spirit twisted into a more solid body, and she was set on the ground. Hey eyes opened. “Where?” She asked aloud. She tried to make her way to through the trees, but soon she approached the edge of the town and froze. They won’t let me back, she thought, and turned away. She traveled aimlessly, finding herself unhindered by hunger, thirst or weariness. She sat to rest on occasion, or puzzle over which direction to go, but nothing seemed to matter. Until she encountered a lone man on the trail. '''

'''“Excuse me sir!” She called, hoping to ask him for directions. but as the man glanced at her, he cried out in terror.'''

'''“Monster! Stay away from me!” He bolted past her, and she stood there, wondering what could have caused such a reaction. But she continued onward. As she finally reached the next human settlement, she paused. She was worried the citizens would panic for the same reason the other man had. As she tried to decide what to do, she heard a voice. '''

'''“Oh? Another monster come to join our party?” She turned around to see a succubus. She gripped her sword. '''

“Begone, foul demon”.

'''“Oh my, but aren’t you a monster as well?” Ciara was confused. “Perhaps you’ve just recently taken this form? If you come with me I can introduce you to some more monsters who might be able to help you”. '''

“And why would I trust a monster like you?”

'''“Well, I suppose you can do whatever you’d like. But no humans are going to spare you the same courtesy”. Ciara hesitated, then slowly followed the succubus, still holding her sword ready to strike. The monster led her deep into the forest, where there was a small stone castle, guarded by more muscular monsters. The succubus greeted them as she approached the door. “Got us a new recruit”, she told them. '''

'''“Did I ever say I would assist you with anything?” The succubus wouldn’t answer her, and led her through the halls of the castle until they came to a door. Inside was a decorated chamber, lit by candles placed around the walls and brightened by a colorful carpet. There was another monster that looked much like the succubus, but with blue skin, and much stronger looking. '''

'''“General! I’ve brought someone to bolster our forces!” '''

'''“Lily, haven’t I asked you to knock before-” She paused as she saw Ciara. “How did you meet a dullahan?”'''

'''“I think you’re all terribly mistaken. I’m no monster, I’m a proud servant of the Order, and I have no intention of serving assisting monsters in their wicked deeds”. She brandished her sword. This Lily has brought me of her own accord. If you only seek to use me, then I will teach you a lesson for taking advantage of me!” She lunged forward, slashing at the demon, but her attack was countered when the demon produced her own silver blade. Ciara tried to slash again, but the demon deflected it, her blade glowing with light as she stepped forward and delivered a devastating blow that knocked the sword right out of Ciara’s hand. Ah! She fell hard on her behind, staring at the demon who held a sword to her throat. “Take my life, but you cannot take my soul”. She said defiantly. The demon put her blade down and offered her hand.'''

'''“My dear, it seems like there are many things that you need to understand. Do not intend to take your life, both because you have indeed become a monster like we have, and additionally, because your life has already passed. May I know your name?”'''

'''“Two of you have made this outrageous claim, now. What would lead you to believe that I was one of your kind?” The demon summoned a mirror in front of Ciara. She stared into it. Her red hair tied in a ponytail, her fit, muscled body, it all seemed to be there. But now she noticed a faint blue glow surrounding her body. A cape hung from her back, which seemed to be made of half cloth and half wispy light and fire. '''

'''“Do you see now?” The demon asked. '''

'''“What has happened to me? What’s that light? And what about the other thing you said? You told me my...my life had passed?”'''

'''“You are unmistakably a dullahan, an undead knight. It appears you passed away as a human, and came back to life as a monster. There is one sign that would most easily prove your change. Dullahan’s heads are capable of being detached from their body, allowing them to continue moving and thinking. If you were to lift your head up, you could take it right off your shoulders. But of course, it would cause a great deal of changes in your body, so perhaps it’s better to let you discover those on your own”. As Ciara listened to the demon, a memory flashed through her head, and there were tears in her eyes. '''

'''“I remember”, she said with a shaky breath. “I served faithfully. But I wouldn’t carry through with the order of executing a child affected by monster mana. And they executed me as punishment”. She sobbed, and the demon put a hand on her shoulder. '''

'''“I’m sorry to hear what you had to go through. But you did the right thing, refusing to take a child’s life. And you can stay here, there are many other monsters who would appreciate your help. May I ask again for your name, brave soldier?”'''

“I’m Ciara”.

'''“Ciara, it is my greatest pleasure to welcome you into our ranks. I am the general Galia, leader of this small force. We’re here to take this region in the name of the Demon Lord, so our plan has been to infiltrate the human settlements and eventually take the Order stronghold. Will you be able to help us in those goals?”'''

'''“In life, I served the Order. If I am to become the thing I most hated, I suppose I will aid them now”. --- Ciara found many of the monsters trying to talk with her and be friendly, but she couldn’t manage to do the same. So she spent her days practicing and training, discovering that she was one of the most skilled fighters of them all. It was only on one particular day, that her opponent managed to outsmart her in battle, that she discovered what Galia meant about her head. As the girl swug her weapon, Ciara ducked, and her head was knocked clean off her shoulders. She dropped her weapon in shock, her cheeks flushing, heart pounding, her vision was that of the ground as her head lay there, her body stumbling around to try to pick it up. The girl rushed over and gingerly picked it up, handing it to the body which put it back in place. Ciara’s reactions subsided, her emotions settling back down to their normal even level. '''

“Ciara I’m so sorry, I didn’t mean to do that!”

'''“I forgive you. But I think I’m going to put an end to training for today”. She retreated to her room, where she sat down to think about what had happened. Later there was a knock. “Come in.” General Galia stepped inside.'''

'''“General!” She stood up. '''

'''“Do not worry, Ciara. I was told about your incident today, and I wanted to ask you how it made you feel”. '''

'''“I, General that was the most I’ve ever felt since I took this form. It made me feel hot, and nervous, and so many other things I couldn’t even describe!”'''

'''“Ciara, what you felt was all your emotions being let out at once. Your head keeps them inside you, and it allows you to be far more in control of yourself than many monsters. But it makes your feelings much more volatile if your head is removed. Our hope after this series of invasions is to find men to serve as our partners, as any monster desires. I’m sure you could find someone for yourself”. '''

'''“I will aid you as best I can. But I can’t see why I would need a male partner”. --- The human town infiltrations went off without a hitch. Soon, more monsters were joining them as they prepared for the final assault on the Order stronghold. '''

'''“Ciara, will you lead us today? We’re certain we can win if you’re at the head of the charge”, one of the girls asked. '''

'''“If that is what you wish”, she replied. They marched through the forest, and out to the edge of town where they had planned. General Galia stood with Ciara at her side, and with one signal they charged. Order soldiers rushed out to meet them, shields and swords raised as the monster force split up and began to devolve into smaller battles. Ciara stepped forward, blocking attacks and knocking soldiers aside. Galia was beside her, using her own blade to strike down anyone who tried to approach her. As they made their way to the main headquarters, Galia pointed. '''

'''“Ciara, take on that man, he’s proving to be quite a challenge for our weaker fighters. '''

'''“But General, I have to stay by your side to aid you inside”. '''

'''“It will give our forces courage to see you fighting, and I’m more than confident that I and the rest of the team can make it inside. '''

'''“Understood!” Ciara rushed towards the man, who was raising his sword to strike down one of his attackers, as the group of monsters cowered on the ground. She intercepted the attack, forcing him to step back and regain balance. '''

“So, coming to your brethren’s aid?”

'''“Girls, follow the General inside, I’ll take care of this one”. They scrambled to their feet and ran. The man tried to catch them but Ciara took another heavy swing, forcing him to block. They traded blows, but the man found he was closely matched in strength. '''

'''“So the monsters have a few who are capable of fighting?” He raised his sword high above his head. “It makes no difference. We’ll finish you off for sure!” He brought the blade down, but a memory flickered in Ciara’s head. A feint. He shifted the blade so it was coming from her right, but she parried it, sending his sword flying into the air and clattering on the ground behind him. He stepped back, shocked at how his move could have been blocked. Ciara stepped forward, putting her hand on his shoulder. He flinched, but wouldn’t move as she still held her sword. '''

'''“I’ve seen that move more than enough times to block it, Alder”. '''

'''“What? How do you know my name? Are you…” '''

'''“Don’t get caught. I have a bit more work to do”. She said, running past him and into the building. In the main hall she attacked the remaining soldiers, striking them down and cutting a path of fallen men, allowing more monsters to follow behind. They cheered for her success, and soon the remaining soldiers were taken. Galia held the commander in her arms, as he lay there unconscious. '''

'''“Ciara that was an excellent job. Have you seen anyone who might interest you?”'''

'''“Thank you General, but I’ve already met someone who’s very important to me”. She left the building, walking out into the court where Alder was standing. “Alder”, she called. “Do you remember how we spent our days training together to join the Order? How we fought side by side? Do you recall the last words you spoke to me?” He stared, then his expression became solemn. '''

'''“Ciara. How? How are you standing here before me?”'''

“I cannot explain it for certain myself”.

'''“Do you hate me? Have you come to strike me down for how I left you to die?”'''

'''“There was nothing you could have done. I am here with the rest of the monsters, to take men as partners. You will soon see how important these partners are, and I am here to ask you to become mine”. He smiled a little.'''

'''“If a monster is to claim my spirit, then I could hope for no better choice than you”. She took his hand, and led him back to the base. Other monsters followed behind, desiring for a more private place, while some took their partners on the ground and inside the stronghold. In her room, Ciara began to remove her armor, indicating that Alder should do the same. He cautiously followed her example. Stepping close to him, Ciara kissed him on the lips. Alder tried to back away, but she hugged him tightly, continuing to kiss. She guided them onto the bed, laying down on top of him. He looked into her eyes. “Ciara, I don’t. I’ve never done anything like this”.'''

'''“Neither have I, Alder. But I can tell, I feel a longing for you, and I must take care of it. ---'''

'''Alder awoke the next morning, the memories of what he had done with Ciara filling him with pleasure he’d never felt. Her body was tightly wrapped around his, embracing him, as her head sat on his chest. She was sleeping peacefully, but her eyes opened, giving him a small smile. '''

'''“Husband. You made me very happy last night. I hope to have many more nights like that”.'''

'''“As do I. He cradled her head gently, and kissed her again. Her body began to move. “You seem quite eager”, he said. '''

'''“Luckily, I can focus on multiple things”, she said, as her body began to grapple with Alder, and she tried to kiss Alder. He brought her to his mouth once more, but this time he whispered in her ear. '''

'''“I love you, Ciara”. '''