Hello one and all. This is the first fanfic I've made in quite a while, but I hope I can still come out with a good story.
This will be following the Manga mainly. A few show bits might be thrown in for added story, but other than that, this will be almost entirely based off the Manga.
This character I am adding is of my own creation. I took some inspiration for his design from a game called For Honor, as I greatly enjoy the Gladiator character. However, he will not be entirely like him as well. He is his own character, I merely got inspired by the design of the Gladiator, and thought it would be a perfect fit for this character.
Thank you lot for tuning in. I already have great portions of this story written, but I have lots of wiggle room for change and improvement.
I do not own Shield Hero or it's characters/world, however, I do in fact own my OC.
Enjoy.
It was cold. Somehow it was cold. He envied the Demi-Humans and monsters with thick fur and hair. At least they could keep warm in this cold hell.
He sat in the middle of his cell, as the bars would no doubt be freezing to the touch. The metal box was small, but it gave him enough room to move. He couldn't even track the amount of time had passed since he got here, being cut off from sunlight. The only light that illuminated the bleak room were a few torches. Even then, the light wasn't enough to light up the place, as the light cast a dim orange.
Rats came to nibble at his toes. He slammed his hand on the floor, causing them to scatter. He raised his hand to his face, looking at the dry skin that caused so much irritation. No moisture had been brought to his body besides two cups of water a day. But he had none to spare for his skin, for he would down it before long.
A door opened on the far end of the room. The voice of an all too familiar business man echoed through the room. However, it started to get drowned out from the groans and snarls of Demi-Humans and Monsters alike. He, however, remained silent. The footsteps drew closer, as did the voices. He remained still, until he heard a slam nearby. His body shot up into a standing position. He leaned forward to try and get a good look at who caused the noise, but all he saw were silhouettes.
"I didn't do it."
The voice came low and out of frustration. Anger. It was a man, a young man. Maybe just out of his teens. What could they be talking about? Surely something important, if one of the two had gotten all excited over it. He wanted to know; to pry. However, he would have nothing to gain, and shoved the temptation away.
"Okay." Came the voice of the other man. "I suppose the rumors were incorrect."
Rumors. When was the last time he had heard a rumor about anything outside of this cesspit of dying degenerates? The footsteps then approached his cell. He finally got a look at the two. He dismissed the short fat man almost immediately. His attention was drawn to the new one. The young man was almost as tall as he was. He studied the other man, and the other man studied him. Black hair that reached his eyes, white skin that hasn't seen much sun. Painful green eyes.
He has looked into the eyes of men who had been wronged before. They were all sad. Pathetic. However, this young man wasn't sad. No. He looked cynical. Spiteful. A look of a man who was betrayed and didn't take it sitting down. His helmeted forehead pressed against the bars that held him in. He looked down and saw the Shield the young man carried. It was bigger than any he would use, but smaller than those knights would carry. It was unique. But no weapons besides the shield. Interesting.
The two simply looked at each other. A stare between two men who understood pain. Not physical. But emotional. Mental. Something that could change a man forever. And it sure as hell changed them both, even if the causes were different.
"Ah, him. He's a bit of an enigma. Rarely speaks. Aggressive. The only bit his previous owner gave me was that he used to be a gladiator in another country. And a successful one at that, if he's still alive. He's been through his paces, many battles and such. A hardened warrior. I remember the fellow who sold him to me saying that he was so good at winning, it got boring."
"Why is he stored back here then?" The young man asked, putting a hand on his hip with a suspicious eye. "This guy looks like he could be worth a lot more than some of the other one's up front."
"Ah, the thing about this one is that he is human. While the enslavement of humans isn't exactly illegal here in this country, it is looked down upon. Not many would consider purchasing a human slave here. He's powerful, but Human, so that makes him much less valuable. 130 Silver Pieces is what I would give him. He's gotten rusty in his fighting no doubt, he got sick once, and he is much weaker than he was before. All that and the fact that he is Human, and he's 130 Silver."
The young man turned back to the gladiator. They continued to study each other before the young man turned back towards the slave trader.
"If you are done with that staring contest, the cheapest ones I have to offer are behind this drape." The stubby man raised the fabric into the back side of the room. Upon its raising, both the young man and the gladiator could smell the death and decay coming from the slaves beyond. Both entered the other room, and as they did, the gladiator sat back down. He examined his own body, like the other man did. Scars riddled his arms and torso. He had a story for each one, and each was rewarded with the cheers from a crowd and praise from his owner. Better times.
The gladiator was about to drift to sleep when he heard footsteps coming back from the back room. He looked back up and saw the young man from before, as well as the trader. However, there was a third. A young girl. She was Demi-Human. She looked ill. The girl was forced along with them. The young man took a glance back at the gladiator before continuing on his way. The young girl looked to him as well. She had fear in her eyes. He's seen this fear before. Felt it. He looked away from her, knowing that there was nothing he could do. The girl was dragged to the front room, leaving them all alone yet again.
The gladiator stood and made his way to the front of the cell again.
"Barstone." His voice was raspy. Coarse. Like sandpaper. But it was also deep, and calm for a voice such as his. A form in the cell across from him began to move until he could see it. A Demi-Human that took the appearance of a lion made its way into the light. The older man's whole body was that of a lion, but he stood like a man.
"What is it, Aldwyn? I'm trying to sleep." Barstone's voice was smooth, and much deeper than Aldwyn's. "Well, as much sleep as one can get in this place..."
"Did you see that guy who just came in here?" Aldwyn asked, pointing to the front room. "Or were you too busy snoozing?"
"Yeah, what about 'em?" The drowsy lion Demi-Human groaned as he sat in an upright position. There were circles under his eyes. Clearly the man had seen better days, much like Aldwyn.
"He had a Shield. And someone came in yesterday, talking about how those hero's were summoned." Aldwyn remembered the day before, a Noble had come by. He spoke of the four Hero's being summoned. While he didn't talk too much about the Shield, he did mention him a few times.
"Are you trying to say that guy was the Shield Hero? THE Shield Hero?" Barstone scoffed. "The chances of that happening are slim to none. You know that. Why would a Hero come here? To this dump? They got better places to be. Besides, they gotta save the world."
"I know, but-"
"But nothin'. Go to sleep, Ald." Barstone yawned and rolled back to the far side of his cell, leaving Aldwyn. The gladiator sighed and leaned his head against the back of his cell. He got into a somewhat comfortable position before finally letting sleep overcome him.
It was still cold.
A few weeks went by. Nothing changed. Buyers came and went, as did numerous other slaves. So far, only one body was hauled out from the back room. Usually there are a few more. Maybe the conditions back there have gotten better? Probably not. Might just be luck that others haven't died.
Aldwyn tapped lightly against the cold metal bars that caged him. There was nothing else to do but wait for the next meal. There was nothing to talk about to the other slaves. Truly, this was a fate worse than death. Forced into containment, left with nothing to do. Nothing but eat, drink, complain and hope for change. Hope hadn't brought Aldwyn much in the past, and it wouldn't now.
Aldwyn reminisced about his earlier years spent in the Gladiatorial ring in his home country. The way the crowd cheered for him as he stepped out of the holding cells. The sounds they made as he fought his opponent. The way they chanted his name as he finished off his enemy. It's been a full year and a half since he last fought someone, and he ached for the chance to fight again. He never asked himself why he was so hungry for a fight, and why he enjoyed the thrill of it so much fun. He remembers his childhood. It wasn't bad, but it was soft and cushy. It wasn't for him. Not anymore.
The doors at the far end of the bleak room opened. It was too early for supper. It must have been a buyer. The groans and growls of the other slaves began to muster and grow loud again, leaving the conversation between the trader and buyer nothing but murmurs until they began their approach towards his cage. Aldwyn stood, but remained in his spot. Shadows approached. But there wasn't just two. There were three. Aldwyn waited until the three people approached. There they were. All familiar faces.
The trader, of course, was there to make the sale. What perplexed him the most was the return of the young man from before. And with him, the young Demi-Human girl he bought weeks ago. She looked slightly different. A tad bit taller, with more groomed hair. And she looked much healthier. Most of the time, the slaves either come back, or they're never seen again. This left Aldwyn surprised for the most part. The young man cleared his throat and stepped up to the bars of his cell.
"You. What's your name?" The young man asked with authority. Stronger than most Aldwyn ever encountered. He could tell the man was strong. Not because he wanted to be. But because he needed to be.
"...Aldwyn." He responded in his low, raspy voice. He thought back on how he got that name. It wasn't his real one, but he never used his real one to begin with.
The young man eyed him for a moment. "I've been told you used to be a gladiator."
"I was. What of it?"
"Do you still know how to fight?"
Aldwyn chuckled. He was almost offended. "Of course I still know how to fight. Just a bit rusty."
"Hmm…" The young man rubbed his chin for a moment. He looked at the Demi-Human, then to the Slave Trader, before turning back to Aldwyn.
"I've been told he used to be a ferocious fighter in the ring. When allowed to, he's killed men mercilessly, and did so with pride." The trader mentioned.
"It's been over a year since I last fought. Like I said, I may be a bit rusty, but I still know how to fight. And kill." Aldwyn approached the bars before wrapping his right hand around one. He looked the young man in the eyes. His helmet blocked any kind of sight from his own.
"...I'll buy him."
The trader smirked. "I knew you'd like him." The chubby man opened the door to the cell. "Come on out. We need to put a curse on you."
Aldwyn hissed. The seal burned into his chest, right at the base of his neck. It wasn't the worst pain he's ever endured, but it still hurt. His teeth grit just as it finished. He was now property of that young man.
"All done. Congratulations on your new slave. He's all yours." The trader patted the gladiators leather padded shoulder. Aldwyn stood, making his way to the young man.
"You cost me a lot, but I need all the help I can afford to level up. Let's go." Without another word, the young man turned around and walked out the front door quickly. The Demi-Human girl with him wanted to say something, but she shut her mouth and followed him out. Aldwyn stretched his shoulders and followed them both out, leaving the cesspit of slaves behind for good.
Aldwyn was quick to catch up to the two, and stood next to the young man. It was dusk, and the streets were nearly empty. Aldwyn squinted. It was the first bit of sunlight he's seen in a long time. He was used to the dim light of lanterns, but even with the orange tinted sky and setting sun, it was the brightest thing he's seen in ages. He felt the slight breeze brush against his skin; heard the chirping of birds and the deafened muttering of the people who were now walking home. As they walked, Aldwyn could see passerby's shooting glares at his new master, most of them of either slight fear or disgust. This made him curious, however, it wasn't his business to know the past of his new master.
"So, if I'm so bold to ask, what's your name?" Aldwyn asked, his head turning towards the young man. The young man looked back to him before turning left. Both slaves followed in suit.
"My name is Naofumi Iwatani." Naofumi stopped at the entrance of a building. "This here is Raphtalia."
Aldwyn turned his head down to Raphtalia. She gave him a smile. "Nice to meet you, Mr. Aldwyn. It'll be nice to work with you."
Aldwyn was surprised at the girls attitude before nodding to her.
"Now, you've fought before, and you need a weapon if you want to be with me, so I'll be buying you what you need." Naofumi announced before opening the door to the building. Inside was a multitude of weapons and armor. A blacksmith shop.
The trio stepped into the shop. A man peaked his head up from behind the counter with an eyebrow raised. "Oh, it's you again. I'm about to close." The man behind the counter was larger than all of them, both in muscle mass and in height.
"I know, but if you could help us out, I'd appreciate it, Erhard." Naofumi reasoned with who Aldwyn assumed was the owner of the shop.
Said owner sighed. "Fine. But first, who's that?" Erhard pointed to Aldwyn.
"He's my slave. I need Weapons for him. He already has the armor, but still." Naofumi explained. Erhard nodded before leaning down to examine Aldwyn. He had his hand on his chin, looking him over.
"You look like you've fought before." Erhard commented. Aldwyn crossed his arms and nodded.
"Yes. I have." Before Erhard could ask another question, Aldwyn interrupted. "I used to fight in Gladiatorial rings. I did best with a buckler and short sword."
Erhard raised his brow again before smirking. "Then I have just the thing." The blacksmith walked to the back of his shop before coming out with a small round shield wrapped in leather with a steel cap, and a gladius style short sword, coated in copper and leather wraps. Aldwyn grabbed them both, strapping the buckler to his left hand, and holding the sword in his right.
He looked at the to his right and looked at himself for the first time in a long time. He stood around 6'1", with pale skin from being locked inside for a year. He was skinny, and not as muscular as he remembered, but still toned. His chest was covered with a single, scratched steel plate, with layers of leather and gambison wrapping around the rest of his torso. His right arm was covered in steel plate, while his left was covered in yet more leather. Both shoulders carried pauldrons. Around his waist was a subligaculum loin cloth, with cloth pants covering his legs. His lower legs were wrapped in gambison, and he wore leather sandals. He finally looked back at the helmet he wore. It was once decorated with a plume and feathers. Now, it was simply a bronze Thraex helmet with one gazelle horn on the right side, with a broken gazelle horn on the left, both pointing at an upward angle behind him.
"This is good." He announced as he placed the buckler at his hip and the sword in its sheath.
"How much will those be?" Naofumi asked Erhard.
Erhard scratched his chin. "Well, for the new guy? Let's call it 10 Silver."
Aldwyn turned around and approached both Erhard and Naofumi. "Thank you for these weapons."
Erhard shrugged. "No problem. But I wouldn't exactly call that buckler a weapon."
Aldwyn looked down at the small shield. "It will be in my hands."
"I see." Erhard responded simply before taking payment. "Anyways, have a good night you three. Good to meet you, Aldwyn." Erhard waved as they exited the building.
Naofumi took a left and made his way down the street, with both slaves following. They eventually reached an inn, and approached the receptionist.
"Welcome back. I see you have a new companion. How many rooms?" Naofumi looked back at Aldwyn.
"I can sleep on the floor. I don't need comfort." Aldwyn announced. Naofumi raised an eyebrow at Aldwyn before shrugging. He put down the money needed for one room before heading up the stairs and into the room they had bought for the night. It wasn't long before they had settled in.
Naofumi and Raphtalia shared the bed, while Aldwyn sat on the floor next to the window. He was surprised that neither of the two had gotten into a prolonged conversation with him, or even with each other. Not many words were exchanged tonight. But he didn't have a problem with that. So long as he can fight, he'd be happy. And who knows, tomorrow might be filled with the possibility to get to know those two better. But that would be for tomorrow. Now is for sleep. And sleep Aldwyn did.
It was warm.
There is chapter one! I hope you guys have had fun reading so far! I have work and such, so I may have to slow down in the future when I start school again, however, I still plan to go along with this story for as much as I can.
Reviews are welcomed, and I will gladly answer questions asked in them and respond to the reviews as well.
And as promised, I will provide a character sheet template for anyone willing to put their OC in the story. Remember what was said up above about making them. Have fun!
Character Sheet Guidelines
Name: (Self-Explanatory)
Gender: (Also Self-Explanatory)
Race/Species: (Must exist in the lore or at least make sense)
Age: (Self-Explanatory)
Sexuality: (You into Guys, Gals, Both?)
Physical Appearance: (Detailed explanation of the person's body, including Height, Weight, Facial Appearance, Body Type, Blemishes or Birthmarks, etc.)
Equipment: (Things on them, such as Armor, Clothing, Books, Trinkets, etc.)
Weapons: (Nothing to impractical or downright OP.)
Magical Abilities: (Again, nothing impractical or OP. They can learn more powerful spells over time. Must also follow lore mechanics.)
Occupation: (Slave, Blacksmith, Merchant, etc.)
Level: (Cannot be 30 or above before a certain point. This will change after the Queen appears.)
Likes: (Things they like, enjoy, find interesting or really love.)
Dislikes: (The opposite of Likes.)
Hobbies: (Things they do outside of fighting and training. Can, in fact, include training.)
Skills: (Things such as: Metal Crafting, Cooking, Hunting, Etc.)
Personality: (A detailed description of how this person acts and what they are like.)
Personality Traits: (Simple traits that can be listed off, like: Loving, Supportive, Spiteful, Wrathful.)
Fears: (Things the a person fears. Must make sense, and cannot be nothing. Everyone has a fear of something.)
Backstory: (A detailed description of this person's life between the moment of Birth to their current situation. Can skip over some parts of their life to get to better bits.)
Country of Origin: (What country they were born in.)
Economic Level: (Homeless, Poor, Adventurer, Wanderer, Middle Classed, Noble, Royalty)
Relation to Other Characters: (Must make sense and be relevant to their character.)
Other: (Anything you would like to add that I left out.)
PM me the sheets once you are finished. Good luck!