A/N: Hope you enjoy the second chapter. Nice to see this story has 48 followers, 55 Favors and 12 reviews.
Story Artist: Don't worry man. The lemons and Vault being taken down will come.
TheLastNanaya: Yeah, I realized that and changed it to Maya and no, I think I'll keep with the girls of this series.
Ragna: Don't really know yet as I've got other stories on my mind and plate for the moment.
I own nothing except my OC's
Chapter 2: Magical-Knight's First Mission
The walk back wasn't too special. Some of the mercenaries were giddy to get back and drink or party to their hearts content. It only took about an hour or so to see the large gates of Rad with their bells ringing for all inside the city to heard.
It was located at the top of a mountain and was like a fortress town with many of the civilians staying near the center and the guards and warriors protecting the outer side in case of any sudden attacks.
Damion smirked a little when they arrived in the city to meet the applause, cheers, and music from the people to see them in one peace and defeating the enemy. He sometimes wished he were like them, not having to deal with all the blood and fighting, but he was content with the life he lived.
"Hey." Vault's voice made itself known and the three non-mercenaries turned to see the man walk a little bit away. "My men and I are gonna' hit our regular place for a party, you want in?" He asked mainly the two ladies but also Damion as he now held some respect for the young mage.
"Thank you but Damion and I must return to write the report while Jessica must be getting back to her family to tell them the news." Claudia respectfully declined but, on the inside, was too eager to get away from the man and keep him away from the two kids.
Damion decided to speak. "Hey. You'll find your money at the inn, Vault!" He yelled out, not using any respectful things in front of his name as he didn't seem like the type to have that.
"Thanks kid. I'll see you around." Waving back to the three, nearby girls cheered for the man walking to the inn/bar.
"Yeah." He too waved back to some of the people he saw cheering for him as they walked to the church. 'The church…' He mused to himself while looking at the giant building with a statue of the ruler, Lady Celestine, an incarnation of a goddess, in the center of it all. It always amazed him that it was because only one woman with unmatched kindness and beauty but with equal power could unit so many people.
His mother, father, and master had told him that she was so powerful that she had only left her fortress, Feoh, if it was dangerous enough or for a special occasion. It was said that whenever she took to the field of battle, she went their alone as she didn't want her own warriors to die when she purified the demons with her holy goddess power.
Despite being the son of one of the seven shields and her personal tactician, Damion had never met the woman in person so he could only go with the tales and what they told him of her.
"Damion. Damion? Are you alright?" Jess' voice suddenly broke him out of his thoughts. Shaking his head the boy looked to see his friend and mother looking at the unusually quiet teen.
"Yeah. I'm good. Just glad to be home." Damion reassured his mother and friend with a small smile.
"That's good." Claudia said. "I was wondering if you were well after your first full-scale battle." While he had fought and spared with Merlin and the other magicians, he had never really fought to kill before.
"Hey. It's me we're talking about. Bunch of brutes like that ain't gonna' keep me in the dumps." He boasted. "Besides, it's for the good of the country to fight off evil and keep this place safe." Damion said, keeping his smirk.
"Like a true knight." Claudia praised his son for his ability to shrug off battling and keep up his normal attitude.
"Well, guess I'll catch you later, Damion." Jess said, seeing as she was about to head off. "You bet. I'll come by later for our usual spar." Damion promised the girl. "I'll hold you too it." Giving him a smirk, she bowed to Claudia before making her way home.
The mother could see her son watching the lovely girl walk away and decided to tease. "So, Damion, when are you two going to be married?" She chuckled a little when her son blushed a little before turning away.
"I-I-It's nothing like that! She's just my best friend!" He denied with his blush still in place. That was a lie. Being honest, he cared deeply for Jess ever since they met when he first got into the arts of magic. The two met at magical academy and instantly hit it off as Jess didn't kiss the ground he walked on for who he was born from like the rest of the people. It was a breath of fresh air for him and he enjoyed her friendship for the past eleven years. Hell, they even gave each other their first kiss when they were beginning to get curious of the opposite sex.
Claudia could tell that her son liked Jess and she also liked the young beauty. She thought the girl was the one for her Damion. The light brunette had asked her son before what he thought about love and he said that if he fell for another woman while already in a relationship, he'd talk to both and try to make it work for them. And, if he couldn't, he would break it off with both of them, as he didn't want to hurt them with his indecision. While it was not practiced a lot, polygamy is still seen and she couldn't deny that she wanted to be a grandmother and was sure whoever married her baby boy would be the luckiest girl/girls in the world.
"Excuse me." Both were knocked from their thoughts when they heard a male's voice. It was a man who they were both very familiar with. He was in his thirties, wearing a brown hat, red vest like hoody, and yellow pants with black shoes. "But may I have a lift home? My wife has just returned from a trip and I would love to see her." A sly smile appeared on his face.
The same smile appeared on Claudia's lips. "It would be my honor to help a family man like yourself." She said. "Your kindness knows no bounds." He said.
"Flattery will get you nowhere. I'm also happily married to the most wonderful man in the world." She said with soft eyes.
"And it's my pleasure to be that man and have a child with the most beautiful woman in the world." The man grabbed the woman's extended hand and was pulled to the horse and wrapped his arms around his wife's waist.
His name was Claus Levantain, the husband of Claudia and father of Damion. The two had met when they were in school and it was love at first sight.
Smiling at his parents, he walked a little closer. "Hey dad." He greeted his father.
"Hello to you too Damion. I've heard that you did a very good job coming up with a plan with Claudia and managed to fight off many of the Orcs." Claus said, remembering what he was told about the battle.
"That he did." The mother was the one to answer. "He was the one who slayed the Orc leader and stopped many more lives from being forfeited." She was truly proud of her son.
"Come on mom. It wasn't just me. Everyone else had a hand in the succession and Volt was the one to kill the beast." Damion said humbly. He was never the one to take the spot-light, even though he was the apprentice to a powerful magician and son to one of the Shield Princesses.
"Before we go home, I was sent to tell you to meet at the castle." Clause told his wife and son about why he was on the streets.
Damion and Claudia raised their eyebrow at that, wondering why they would be summoned, but Claudia didn't question it for long and nodded. "Very well." She pulled the reigns on the horse and guided it to the castle.
'Wonder what's going on?' Damion thought to himself but soon shrugged it off. He'll find out soon enough.
The moment he stepped into the castle, he was amazed. It was even bigger than his home, which was also a mansion filled with servants.
"Ah. It's good to see you all again." An elderly voice called out to the three. The Levantine family of three looked to see an elderly man with a long snow white beard that reached the floor with traditional wizard robes on. In his wrinkly hand was a wooden cane with a magical orb resting on top. The man looked to be in his eighties but you could tell he would still put up a fight and win if the situation arose.
"Master Merlin." Damion greeted his master with a small bow before going up to him with a smile.
"Hello, my young pupil." Merlin greeted his student with a grandfatherly smile. "I have heard of your achievements in the battle. You have mad this old man rather proud." The older spellcaster said with pride in his voice.
Damion scratched his head before laughing. "Hehe. Thanks master and it was not just me. Everyone did their part in the battle and I had help from Vault defeating the leader." He them smirked. "Besides, can't let my ancient teacher think I'm soft. Hell, I think I can take you and mother on now." He boasted.
Merlin, Claudia and Claus laughed at the boy's bravado. "Please, young Damion, you are many decades away from even thinking about challenging me and your mother." Merlin said with a smile still in place.
"He's got that right." Claudia agreed with the powerful sorcerer. "Keep training and maybe you can get a hit on us if you're lucky." She said as the boy had never landed a successful hit on his mother or master when they trained. The woman then turned to Merlin. "Do you also know why we were called here?" She questioned.
"Yes. Follow me." Merlin, with Claus now at his side, ushered them to follow, which they did. They walked up the stairs and soon entered a throne room with a beauty on the large chair.
Staring at her, Damion couldn't stop the light blush that formed. She was an unearthly beautiful woman with long almost pale blonde hair that stretched down to her legs. The woman and kind light green eyes. Also, she wore a rather revealing white robe and a brown strap hung from a circlet just below her large chest to cover her lady parts.
Topping off her looks, she wore two types of crowns. One looked to be made of a whereat while the second one, which was gold, was wore around her forehead. The most eye-caching feature, other than her revealing cloths and large F-cupped chest, was her elf-pointed ears.
Even if Damion was stupid, he would know that the woman before him was his mother's, masters, and father's superior. Damion quickly kneeled to the ground, dodging his mother from making him bow. He noticed his mother and father was bowing as well, with Merlin bowing lightly before standing straight.
Though…if he hadn't noticed the aura around her, he would have assumed she was a street walker with how she dressed. It wasn't something one would think a goddess would ever wear as it revealed so much skin and barely hid her lady parts. Then again, his mother and some of the other women he knew dressed rather revealing.
"Lady Celestine. Do what do we have the honor of being in your presence today?" Claudia asked, mentally praising her son for kneeling to her greater.
"Please, stand. You do not need to bow to me." Celestine said. Her voice was so kind and smooth it would make the even most engaged person calm. Now that they stood, Celestine did as well. Damion noted that she stood at 5'6, and walked to them.
"For why I am here, I had wanted to talk about something important and see the young mage who Merlin had been teaching and had defeated the Orc army leader." She then walked to Damion who looked right at her at attention.
Even if he was sarcastic and a little rebellious, he knew that this woman demanded the upmost respect.
Celestine stared into Damion's eyes, like she was trying to pierce his soul and find out what made him tick. It was unnerving to the boy but he wouldn't back down. Minutes of silence passed before the woman smiled at him, making him blush a little more noticeable, before she stepped back. "I see." She mused to herself with a nod. "You have a very kind and strong-willed soul." The beauty complemented the apprentice of Merlin.
"Th-Thank you for your kind words, Lady Celestine." Damion bowed to the powerful woman. It was humbling to be complemented by her; a goddess.
"Now," She began once more, her face serious. "May I borrow your sword, Claudia?" Celestine requested her friend who quickly gave her queen the sword. "Damion. Will you please kneel for me?" Damion followed her request and bowed to the woman.
"Your loyalty to your country and people is shown by the battle and enemies you have just faced. It is my great pleasure to see such a strong young soul going to such lengths to protect his people from harm." She gave him a small smile before continuing. "And I would like to reward you for such qualities. It has never been done, but I believe you would be the perfect candidate to hold this position."
Damion was somewhat confused but glanced over to see him mother looking at him with happy tears and his father giving him a proud smile that Merlin was sharing. At that moment, he realized what was happening and it shocked him.
"Do you, Damion Levantain, sweat to fight for your fellow man, regardless of where they come from and who they are?" She asked.
"I am." Damion said seriously.
"Are you willing to fight to the bitter end against any evil that is thrown your way, all the while protecting the peace?"
"I am."
"Then, it is my pleasure to name you, Damion Levantain, the first of this honor. I dub you as Sir Damion, the first Magical Knight." Celestine tapped both shoulders.
With it all done, Damion stood up with a grateful smile directed at his queen before he was pulled into a hug by his mother and father. Celestine and Merlin watched the small family rejoice in this event with small smiles.
Merlin would like to share the hug, but he would save that for later as he knew what was about to be asked of him was much more important than his praise. 'I still can't believe she would do this.' The mage mused to himself but had faith in his student.
After minutes of smiles and praises by his family, the queen decided to speak once more. "I am truly sorry to interrupt, but I must speak of the other thing I have called you here." Claus knew what she was talking about and nodded to her and ended the hug with his son to stand at her side with Merlin doing the same.
"As you already know, The Black Fort is protected by a powerful magical barrier that generates large amounts of demonic miasma that kills anyone that comes close enough. We have failed numerous times to break the seal that is casted to create the miasma, but have come up with nothing fruitful." She spoke with Merlin nodding in agreement.
"It is true." Merlin now taking over after Celestine nodded for him to continue and give his own thoughts. "But, we have managed to pin-point that such a giant barrier needs at least three seals to maintain the energy. With even one destroyed, we might be able to weaken the barrier enough to gain access." He continued before his lady took over once more.
"Our scouts have spotted that one of Olga's army has been seen on the north side of the castle from a secret passage, replacing what appeared to be a magical seal. With said report, it seemed that every replacement occurs every week." Celestine reported.
"That is splendid news, my Lady." Claudia said with relief that the war might come to an end at what she was about to propose. "If you would allow me, I can send myself and my troops to the castle. Give the word, and I shall call my men and end this war." She told the woman, ready to end this once and for all.
Celestine shook her head. "That would be unwise, Lady Claudia. If word of one of the Shield Princesses were marching to her castle, they would strengthen their defense." She took a breath before continuing. "And, even if you do, she could respond with a counter attack on Rad while you are away. Yes, with Merlin here we would be fine, but I want to be sure." The queen rose her hand to stop the woman from speaking, knowing what she would say. "For this specific quest, I need another Knight, someone who I can trust to go."
Now it all made sense to Damion. It was kind of a blow to his pride and skills as a warrior that this was the reason to be knighted, he still spoke. "That's why you are sending me, correct, Lady Celestine?" He asked with a raised eyebrow.
Claudia was about to reprimand her son but Celestine stopped her by the raise of her hand. "Be at ease, Claudia. Your son is correct. The mission, if you accept, is to enter the Black Fortress with a special force and enter the fort and capture the Dark Elf Queen Olga Discordia and bring her back alive and safe." She then looked down a little. "I know this is much to ask of someone so young, but, I ask you thins because I have complete faith in you being the one to accomplish the task." The beauty said with honesty.
He didn't even need to think for a single second. "It will be done, Lady Celestine. I will not let your faith is not mistrusted in me." Damion promised with a confident grin.
Celestine was a little shocked at how confident the boy was. Merlin just chuckled at his student's antics. "I thought you'd say that, Damion." The mage told his apprentice.
Smiling so brightly at him, he almost had to shield his eyes, she spoke. "Thank you, Sir Damion. Your company will be Vault and his men, the Black Dogs." Damion frowned inwardly at the thought of being around the man once more, but held his protests. "I have already sent them word. They shall meet you on the morrow at the gates." Celestine informed the first magic-knight. Shen then took something from her robes and gave it to him. "This is a communication crystal. It will help us keep in contact from long distances." She then took a few steps away.
"Thank you, Lady Celestine. I will not let you down." He promised. "And, if I may, could I rest? As I have a long journey and I need to tell Jess about this." Damion requested of his queen.
Smiling at him, she nodded. "You may. I hope to hear the good news in the coming week." She waved him off, signaling him that he could leave. The son of Claudia and Clause rushed out of the palace at high speeds.
Claudia sighed while shaking her head. "That boy…" She said with a small smile. It dropped as she looked at the three in seriousness. "But, are you truly sure you wish Damion to take this task with such men?" The powerful female knight wondered.
Clause walked down to his wife and placed a comforting hand on her shoulder. "Claudia. I know you are worried, so am I. But, I think Damion had proven he is more than worthy and strong enough to complete this. He is our son, after all." The husband reassured his wife with a small smile.
Staring at her husband for some time, she sighed in acceptance. "…While I don't like it, I have to accept it." Claudia said. She now looked at her queen. "By your leave." She requested as she had wanted to return home and rest from the battle.
"You may. And thank you for your service to your kingdom. As well as your son. He will be fine. He is your son." Celestine said with a reassuring smile. Nodding in thanks, the couple left the two powerful magical beings in the throne room.
Merlin was silent as he was thinking about something that made him somewhat weary of the future. He didn't trust the man Vault and his band of merchants. Something about them just stood out at him, saying they would cause trouble in the future. That was the reason he had stepped up on making his people were ready for something to come without the aid of hero's and swords for hire. He could only hope his student would be fine when away and come back with good news.
END
A/N: Damn! I even impress myself sometimes! Four chapter updates in a few hours' time. I hope you all enjoyed the chapter and will wait for the next chapter that will include talking with Miya and setting out with the villainous mercenaries. If you don't like, don't read.
Strom Out!