Board Thread:What Would You Do?/@comment-27036092-20161212224239/@comment-44464716-20191120231335

I reach for my side, only to realize with dread that I left my sword at home. Panicked, my mind races through my options: I'm definitely not saying yes, but if I say no, they might give me to another Mamono… or worse. I could claim that I already have a girlfriend, but I doubt that they'd buy it. Unable to think of anything, I just stand there and gulp.

"Well?" One of them asks; I'm not sure which as my mind is still thinking of options. "Another Mamono could get here any minute now..."

All I can do is stammer. "I- I-" I can't think of anything. Worse still, I can hear someone behind me heading this way; almost certainly another Mamono. Unable to decide, I just close my eyes and hope for something, anything, that could get me out of this. Then, those footsteps stop somewhere between me and the Mamono, and I hear a voice; definitely female, but not one of the two Mamono:

"Extorting a man during a monster raid? That's low, even for the two of you." I open my eyes; I can only see her from behind, but standing before me is, without a doubt, the most beautiful woman I have ever seen. She stood there valiantly; armed with a sword, and wearing a simple dress and a big hat. Her long, radiant red hair hung behind her in a braid. She was as beautiful as she was mysterious; I had never seen her before, but she didn't look like a Mamono; she looked human, and she was protecting me. Yet, there was something about her...

"This doesn't concern you," One of the two sneered. The other followed, "We're just going to take our prize and go."

The mysterious woman just retorts, I don't like Mamomo that treat humans as nothing more than something beneath them... pun not intended." Hoping they're distracted, I try to sidle away, but they wink at me as if to remind me that they're not going to just let me walk away.

"Save it, for someone that cares." In response, I just meekly raise my pointer finger and stutter, "I'm someone who cares."

The lady, tired of this nonsense, just tells them, "Look, if either of you think you can defeat me, then go ahead and try. Otherwise, I suggest you walk away now." The two Mamono just glare at her, before slowly backing away. "We will remember this, half-breed. We'll be back for our man." After they leave, the lady turns to me and says, "We need to get you out of here. Can you fight?"

Unable to think straight, I just stutter, "I- I-" before clearing my throat. "I can sword-fight, but I left my sword at home."

"Then take this" she says as she hands me her second sword she had. Together, we dash to the nearest town exit; dodging and fighting Mamono while looking for people we could still save, but finding none. Soon, we're able to leave the town; eventually stopping at a safe spot overlooking the town. As we stand there, after taking a much-needed moment to catch our breath, I look to her.

"Thank you for saving me." She turns to me, tears in her eyes. "Thank you. Every time these horrific raids happen, I try to save as many as I can. But it always feels like I could've saved more." It is now that I can see her red eyes. She's a Mamono. But... she saved me, she seems to have human values, and she certainly looks human. At first, my mind races; trying to figure out what she was. But, seeing her so distraught; all I can think to do is try to reassure her.

"You saved all you could. I would still be stuck in that town if it weren't or you." She smiles, and I blush. She then tells me, "Thank you", and this time, I notice her fangs. She's a Dhampir. That explains a lot. But I don't care; she saved my life. I then remember:

"We should probably head to the next town; they need to be warned of the raids. If you don't mind, could you come with me? I think I would be safer with you." She smiles; this time almost as if supressing a laugh. "I think I would like that, actually." As we head back to the main path, she notes, "I'm a little surprised, though. You were pretty good with a sword back there." I blush again. "Thanks. So were you. I could teach you a few techniques I know, if you'd like." She blushes. "I would like that very much."

A few months later, she and I are married, and those two Mamono from before decide to attempt to get their revenge during our honeymoon of all times. They quickly regret it.