In a forest, three young men marched. "You know most people, would thank the person who created the money to feed them, and got their ticket," grumbled out Zachary.
"I never said you were useless," came the tired voice of Mason. As he dragged his feet through the forest
"I never said you thought I was useless," Zachary said in a defensive voice as his shoulder tightened.
"Yeah well, if it's any constellation I did think it," mocked Mason.
"Well, I proved you wrong." Retorted Zachary as sarcasm hid his pride.
"Oh yeah, you sure did Zachary the ability to transform any object into grit you truly have no equal," mocked Mason as he slanted his eyes over to the younger boy.
"You asked me to transform it into grit," barked Zachary.
"Oh, then allow me to correct myself your ability to make money to buy Chevalier an airplane seat is unparalleled." Stopped Mason now turning to look at Zachary stopping the not so merry group.
"I got you a ticket," mumbled Zachary.
"I could ensure you I'm more than capable of getting myself a plane ticket scouts honor." Said Mason with his hand raised over his heart.
"That not how you do it," complained Zachary. Reaching out to correct Mason hand to a proper salute.
"I know."
"Then you doing it to just be a jack—"
"Language," tsked Mason. Slamming his hand onto the smaller boy head. Now turning his attention to d'Eon. "You've been a rather quiet Chevalier."
"Just admiring Georgia great forest." Said d'Eon well he performed an exaggerated spin on his heels to face the two.
"Man, you live to ruin the mood or would this be setting it." wondered Mason in mock fashion looking to the sky
"I thought it was a cool spin nothing wrong with a spin." Zachary confident that the act of spinning was not deserving of Mason scorn.
"Well, I guess you did set it in Zachary case," Mason said shaking his head smiling at his wit. "Now let's see that means Chevalier lead the pack with seventeen followed closely by Zachary with nine and a smooth zero for me."
"Congratulation you are winning a game only your playing," mocked Zachary fed up with Mason mocking.
"Yeah, people do tend to be sore loser." Noded out, Mason.
"You are the embodiment of all thing wrong with Alabama."
"Zachary Zachary Zachary. tsk tsk tsk. How many times must I tell you stereotypes exist for a reason." Mason said slinging his arm over his shoulder.
"Mason please I—"
"It alright the truth hurts we just need to learn to accept it." Spoke the stereotype known as Mason.
"Mason,"—
"It's alright it's tough to acce—"
"Mason,"—
" Listen Zachary." Which he did primarily do the lose of his voice. Which Mason showed was in his possession by exaggerating the task at hand by pitching his index and thumb as if he was holding Zachary's voice. "there this joke." Started Mason. Causing Zachary to put his face into his hand in an attempt to prepare for the long ramble that was destined to follow. "It goes" God went to the French and said "I have Commandments." and the French asked for an example so the Lord said. "Thou shalt not commit adultery." "Sacré bleu! Not commit adultery we are not interested." So he then went to the Italian and said: "I have Commandment for you." To which they also asked for an example. So the Lord said, "thou shalt not steal." To which they respond "Not steal we're not interested." so then God went to the Jews and said "I have Commandment for you." which garnered the question "how much" "they free." so with a sly grin they said "well take ten" Mason finished with a giggle.
"First off, it wasn't funny, chastise Zachary. With his regained voice with disdain for the actual failure of the joke. He was a performer after all.
"I thought it was funny sir. Spoke d'Eon."
"Shut it kiss ass," Zachary spat with venom. "Also your from the 18th century, of course, you would agree with the Jewish joke." Promoting a shrug from d'Eon as he turned his attention back to Mason. "Second off you didn't even tell it right. Third, off I don't steal and that one, two three strikes your out," Shouted Zachary flailing his arms
"So you're not just a thief you're a liar too."
"You're a terrible man Mason," Groveled Zachary realizing once again that Mason can't fathom the concept of being wrong.
Promoting Mason to snicker at the young man's sensitivity. Before he slammed Zachary. "WOOSH THUNK CRACK." was the sound heard after an arrow collided with Mason shield. The smell that leaked through caused a variety of thought as to who the attacker may be. Intimidation, misdirection where? CRACK was the sound heard. As a behemoth two meters to tall. that should have been far too big and moving far too fast to sneak up on him. Forced it way through Mason and d'Eon defense forcing them into the air. Mason was able to grab Zachary and d'Eon and put them behind him as his newly formed shield was yet again destroyed by the volley of arrows as he was pierced with thirteen arrows. Prompt Zachary to throw up a white cloth that expanded over them allowing for Mason to create their escape. Made obvious by the hard floor they land on as opposed to soft dirt they were destined for.
"Oh, this is not good!" said Zachary staring on as Mason body begin to melt in the cottage to which they teleported.
"What the number master." Said d'Eon looking for a direction to go.
"No answer that's number one." Said Zachary retrieving Mason phone causing flesh to fall and him to gag from the grotesque sight and smell.
"Yo Mason," came a relaxed voice after a few rings.
"Mason dying!"
"Oh, that's not good from what?"
"Poison arrows!"
"What's it smell like?"
"I don't know."
"Hydra," entered feminine voice. As a woman seemingly appeared from thin air
"Don't come closer." Said d'Eon putting his body between the intruder and the liar and phob.
The new entry put her hand up with a gentle smile. "Now, now let's all take a deep breath in and breathe out." She said after performing her own command which no one followed.
"Thanks, it helped a lot now leave." came the voice previously from the phone now behind the intruder
"You're welcome." Said the intruder as she ducked her backtracking out of the lodge.
"You cost me a big favor Mason." Called the new guest as he walked over to Mason with a smile and stuck him harshly with a needle whispering in his ear. After which he turned his attention to Zachary and d'Eon. "It actually more like venom than poison. At least property wise well at least what little properties it does have what with it being mostly magic." He finished his ramble with a grin. A far too common occurrence with people like Mason seemed to have Zachary notice. "But it not like anybody lives long enough to be cured lucky you, huh. Having such a good friend." He said taping Mason leg. Causing it to become more disfigured. "Anyway, I must be on my merry way." He said as he walked over to Mason satchel. Looking through it eventually bringing out a large container. "Inject him every minute. It has amazing heal property." He said putting the satchel over his shoulder. "This should cover a percent of what you owe me," Mason friend spoke with zeal. As he smiled skipping out.
"That was interesting said d'Eon." Over the course of Mason treatment, he would eventually stop his deterioration. Which allowed for Zachary to finally rest in peace.
"Tap tap tap."
"Stop that." Said Zachary before getting kicked. "Ow," cried Zachary after his rather harsh awakening. As he stared up into shades.
"He wants us to move," came the monotone voice of d'Eon.
Which prompted Zachary to spring to dress. "Haven't regained your vision or voice huh Mason."
"He has his eyes and his voice is just irritated," informed d'Eon as he rose from his chair to follow Mason out.
"Did Mason order you to sit there so this could look cool?"
…
"Yea, I assumed as much," chirped Zachary. As he began to make his way to Mason and d'Eon who had began their stroll to exit the cottage and subsequently the forest.
"I'm going to miss it," said Mason sounding like glass and gravel had a gang war over throat.
"The cottage?" Zachary questioned with his head tilted.
"Yeah."
"We were there like for a day."
"But it was a good day," Mason said kicking a piece of wood. "Oh, come it snowing it ain't supposed to snow."
"Mason were in Georgia the country , not the state it's going to snow hell in state it would be snowing"
"Yea but the weather report said it would not snow," cried Mason.
"Sir shouldn't we address the Herculean problem know as Hercules?" said d'Eon stopping.
"What there to talk about?"
"How we deal with Hercules." He stated as he rejoined the group after nobody stopped.
"I have a plan."…
"Sir, would you care to elaborate?"
"I will stall Hercules, we—"
"Whoa, are you serious you nearly died," came the shocked voice of Zachary.
"I was caught off guard."
"I don't think that was the problem."
"Well, it was and since were attacking"—
"Wait what is d'Eon doing during this?"
"Don't worry he's doing what I was going to do going to force the master to kill their servant."
"You nearly died sir I must object to this plan," came the stern voice of d'Eon.
"We, unfortunately, do not have many options," Retorted Mason
"Listen, I got us into this race and I made a mistake along the way. I made free trade and am now getting bullied by it I'm a Republican I should no better free trade kills the weak and unfortunately we appear to be the weak."
"You think there are other servants as strong as Hercules," Inquired d'Eon?
"As strong doubtful strong enough to cause us trouble for sure. It's the free market." shrugged Mason.
"What about my cousin?".
"Don't worry will deal with Hercules immediately," Mason said stopping now turning to Zachary. "A week or two top remember. Either way, let's finish this conversation, for now, somebody is eavesdropping. Care to introduce yourself."
"Forgive me I had no intention on eavesdropping however I didn't want to interrupt your conversation with bad news," Came a voice which demands respect dressed in ornate battle attire and a beautiful silver mask
"Hahaha," laughed Mason that caused everyone to cringe at dryness. Okay okay, I got a good one a twink a bear a closet a buddha and leopard enter a bar—
"There no way you're serious," came the pained voice of Zachary.
"That would be the opposite point of jokes, so correct," crackled Mason as tears rolled down his eyes primarily from the pain.
Their new guest was confused he didn't know what a twink, bear, closet, or Buddha had to do with anything but he did understand who the leopard was.
"Wait, you don't mean the Leper king," came the surprised voice of d'Eon understanding the character of the odd joke.
"Leopard king?"
"No Leper," spoke d'Eon in disdain of Zachary.
"You joking Zachary even if you don't know him from history. You have to recognize him from the kingdom of Jerusalem."
"Oh I, didn't see that I heard it was terrible."
"Well, it is. But the director cut makes it a completely different movie."
"Okay, I'll see it. But why he's wearing that mask?"
"Yep, that's from the movies. I imagine it's because it's primarily associated with him so it summoned him with it. Looks cool though."
"Yeah, yeah I guess it does."
"Excuse me, gentleman but as I was saying. I am Baldwin IV king of Jerusalem and ruler of this war."—
"A bit narcissistic there don't"—
"You don't understand I'm not participating for the Holy Grail. Rather, I'm representing it as a judge and with the understanding, I have of this war. I have deemed this whole war invalid and as such require you to unsummon your servant immediately."
Mason new based on what his friends previously told him no doubt that this war should be invalid or it could be because he eliminated most people before the war even began."I will not appeal this claim but I would not follow your ruling either." Said, Mason, as he fixed the anomaly happening to d'Eon.
"I'm impressed you blocked my command spell without having to use your own it's commendable." Great, he has command spell over my servant thought Mason as he ran through ways to counter this."Unfortunately this could only lead to more pain for your servant I, therefore, ask Chevalier d'Eon to lay down your weapons and accept my ruling."
"Note that I do have respect for you o king of Jerusalem. However, I will not betray my master no matter the circumstance."
"Very well then I shall kill you now." As the last word hit the group of three. The Leper king sword cut through Mason shield and Zachary cloth. and force d'Eon back.
"d'Eon we ain't going to be much help he cuts through magic like butter," shouted Mason. As he backpedaled out of the fight. d'Eon, however, was not terribly happy at the moment being humiliated a 2nd time in front of his master. As his opponent put him on the defensive with just one hand wielding his sword. Add to that his short clashes with Leper king it has become apparent he is far stronger, faster, and skilled than himself and there wasn't going to be a chance to turn the tide.
"TUBTHUMPING." d'Eon cried. Clashing as he sprung back creating room between the two as his small sword was switched with a far heavier sword courtesy of Zachary. With his pride wounded saying the codeword for Zachary to assist him. their secret weapon Durendal the legendary sword of Roland. How pathetic he thought to himself as he went to clash with the Leper once more with a sword not his own. But it didn't connect the Leper was able to avoid it and now had positioned himself to strike d'Eon unopposed. However, the Leper king was forced to turn to deflect a spear that did not deflect instead curving with the Leper forcing him back as Zachary manipulated the ground attempted to hinder his footing till the spear relented relented.
An indescribable sound was heard. That shock d'Eon, Zachry, and Mason to their core. As a rather young looking man on fire charged towards the Leper king grabbing his spear before the Leper was able to reach it clashing. Which unlike d'Eon battle was more akin to a stalemate neither the new entry nor the Leper able to gain the advantage over the other." But seemingly out of nowhere the Leper disappeared. To the shock of the trio
"Don't worry we scared him away." entered a new feminine voice.
"Thank you," was the quick response from Mason. As he prepared for a second fight.
With a smile the new intruder begins "Were all friends here." said the new intruder with her hand up. "I'm Fiona. I believe you met are associates beforehand although he was disguised as a fine young lady then." Fiona said as a woman appeared who then morphed into a small boy.
"Jesus is everybody a crossdressers," cried out Mason.
"I'm a chick what your excuse." smiled out Fiona in a mocking fashion.
"I'm a… who's that lady," sung Mason's froggy voice. Promoting a look from both d'Eon and Zachary. Fearing Mason might have just made a friend
Fiona laughed "Your funny. But let's cut to the chase this war been made invalid and we have a person who can order us to do anything he has more potent command seals than us and overall more. We were able to eliminate a few seals but we believe it's in all our best interest if we stick together to eliminate ruler and then finish the war afterward."
"Thanks but no thanks." Said, Mason, as he turned and walked away.
"Wait—
"Diomedes, and Francesca Prelati." Replied Mason before Fiona can make her offer to bargain their servant name.
"You would have lost if we didn't intervene", shouted Fiona as the gap grew. "He's a bad mismatch for all of us." Pointed out Fiona as Mason continued his march. "You need us. Your join eventually and you won't have bargaining power than you'll be bottom bitch," shouted Fiona. As Mason continued his walk throwing up a peace sign. Agreeing with her logic but disagreeing this decision was in his best interest.
"How did you know who they were?" Questioned Zachary with a perplex look
"Because Diomedes matches his description and I can smell Beelzebub from Prelati."
"Who Diomedes?" This earned a groan from d'Eon at the liar lack of knowledge.
"Diomedes was a young warrior king from the Trojan war. Second only to Achilles infighting. He's also the only person to injure two gods on the same day. As far as Greek mythology he goes he's easily top 10 arguably top 3. Needless to say, he will bounce d'Eon in a fight. So we're going to put as much distance as we can between us. This, unfortunately, puts us in a tough position the smart thing would be to wait for them to kill the Leper king but we risk them growing their group and bonding. Therefore, we will kill the Leper king as soon as possible. Then turn our attention to Diomedes after eliminating him well go after Hercules. The time frames changed we need to do it within the next three days."
"That not possible," d'Eon said as he fought not to sag his shoulder as it continues to become apparent how weak of a servant he was in this war.
"You're correct. It will take a week minimum with everything going our way and a lot of luck. But we don't dictate time"
"So what the plan." Asked Zachary as he began to squirm.
"We're going to fail. No matter what we do we will fail but we must eliminate the leper king as soon as possible and then Hercules that hasn't changed." Finished Mason as the three young men marched. Through the forest in search of the king of Jerusalem.
2010
November 15
6 days to full moon