User blog:Gremoria/WWYD Re: Dash of Lightning

A response to user Flamebiplane's WWYD scenario: Dash of Lightning

Author's Note: ''This one was a bit of a challenge to write for I admit, but I do love a good challenge. Was still fun to write regardless and I tried to create something believable. Enjoy!''

Since I was but a young lad, I had dreamed of being a squire to a champion of the Order and one day becoming a champion myself under their diligent tutelage. Not being of noble blood nor raised in one of the main cities, however, it did not seem that I would be granted such a chance. That is, until he came to town, Gerbaut the Harbinger, hero of many great battles, slayer of the most fearsome foes to humanity, a true hero. It was on this day that he proclaimed:

“On this day, I shall appoint a squire, who was once a commoner like yourselves.”

My eyes lit up upon hearing this, truly, this would be the chance to change my life and bring fortune to my small village. It was with great joy that I would be selected, finally, was on my way, my days of working the fields for the local sovereign were over and soon I would begin making history… at least that’s what I thought.

The work was hard, the effect, sour, I took care of everything for Sir Gerbaut, his gear, the maintenance, the horses, cooking everything and though I was given the proper respect from knight to squire, the man was full of himself. We went to taverns often, where he would indulge in wine, women and song, boasting and blustering about his accomplishments, while I merely watched, often having to drag him out of there, passed out.

It was a test of endurance to be sure, until one day, we were assigned to seek a strange mamono, reputed to be unbeatable, as well as having devastated several our own forces. We set out immediately to an abandoned lab where this mamono was last sighted, with the door unlocked, I felt this could only mean trouble, but Sir Gerbaut assured me that everything would be alright.

Soon enough we would meet the culprit, a succubus and a raiju, but we would soon learn that this was no ordinary raiju. The floor beneath our feet quaked and the room would become enveloped in a bright, golden light, I had to shield my eyes to avoid being blinded. Soon, the quaking ceased and as I removed my hands from my face, I noticed that the raiju had changed to a form I had never seen before.

Gerbaut, with his usual confidence engaged, only to be met with a a single blow to the torso. I could only stand and watch as my master was being overwhelmed, try as he might, he could not land a single blow upon the creature, it was like some kind of sick joke, no mamono has ever shown this level of power in any recorded battle between our Order and mamono. The battle would be over before I knew it as Sir Gerbaut lie on the floor not far from where I stood, armor shattered, body broken, bruised and left unconscious.

I felt absolutely powerless, more than I already was. I had no blessings from the Chief God to aid me, no special power to speak of, limited combat prowess. Against such a foe, I had not even a prayer. The succubus then looked toward myself, as I stood, frozen.

“Well now, do you defy us too squire?” I would hear her ask.

I couldn’t even bring myself to speak, I was destroyed, merely at the sight of my master’s sound defeat at the hands of the raiju, who now was standing before me, lifting me by my collar, staring me in the eyes with that same smirk she gave before engaging with Sir Gerbaut.

“What do you suggest we do with this one Mistress Bristora?” the raiju asked.

Despite my fear, I stared the raiju into her green eyes before I finally finding the words to speak.

“You are mighty indeed, as a squire, I am no match for you.” I would begin, “Do with me as you will, I am in no position to stop you.”

The eyes of both the succubus Bristora and the raiju widen at my statement, it is then I hear the former speak once again.

“You speak so boldly, young squire, tell me, does the overwhelming power of my servant frighten you? Or is it that we allow to continue to remain conscious that is so unnerving?”

“I would be lying if I said I was not afraid, but the fact that you do not simply kill me is telling, I cannot defeat you, that much is clear, but I cannot allow you to kill my master either.” I retorted.

“But you’re powerless to do anything boy!” the raiju grinned, her grip on my collar tightened, now crackling with electricity, which I endured through sheer will.

“Of that there is no doubt, nevertheless, as I have endured the harsh training that the man you so soundly defeated, I can endure anything you are able to muster. But I promise you, if you let spare the lives of myself and my master, then I shall return to you as a greater challenge than you could ever know.”

“What a crock…” the raiju spat.

The raiju’s expression was one of doubt and immediately pulled her fist back, I closed my eyes, resigning myself to the worst to come, until Bristora spoke.

“Chinane, release him.” She said.

“But mistress!”

“That’s an order, Chinane!”

I felt myself being lowered to the ground, my collar being released, with a pouting raiju standing before me, joined by her succubus mistress, who looked upon me, intrigued.

“And in the event we should defeat you?” Bristora asked.

“Then I submit myself to whatever you see fit.” I replied, staring into the eyes of Bristora now, who seemed to be licking her lips at such a prospect.

“Go then, I anxiously await my prize.” The succubus said in a most sultry tone.

Without hesitation, I immediately wander over to my master, took him over my shoulder with some effort and carefully dragged him out of the laboratory. As I made my exit I overheard the two conversing.

“I don’t understand, why didn’t we just destroy the boy?” asked Chinane.

“His potential…” replied Bristora, with a small smirk on her face.

“I… don’t understand…” Chinane said, looking up at her mistress in confusion.

“That boy doesn’t know it yet, but he has power largely untapped, unlike his master, he could provide a fun challenge for you and an ideal husband for us.” Bristora nodded, “Who knows, he may finally bridge the gap between the Order and Mamono, with that power he has.”

Chinane’s expression had not changed, still wearing that confusion for a moment before finally, her lips curled into a smile.

“Perhaps, I do tire of this senseless conflict.” She replied.

“Do you see now? It pays to show mercy now any again and I assure you… this will pay off in dividens.” Was the last I heard before arriving outside.

I would eventually drag my master back to town with the help of a passing merchant caravan, who kindly took us to one of the Order’s headquarters. When Gerbaut finally awakened, he wondered how the two of us were still alive. Naturally, I lied, telling him that the Chief God had intervened, causing our foes to flee and that when he was recovered, I wished to return to my training in earnest.

Months after that incident, I restarted my training in earnest, devoting myself wholly to it and while the work was still hard, I wished to be ready to challenge that raiju again.