Chapter 10: New Rivals Appear?!
"Now, before we begin the chapter, I want to apologize to everyone who has been waiting eagerly for the return of my late absence from the world of writing. I won't lie to you guys, distractions have been a bitch to overcome over the weeks, and me having ADD and college doesn't help in the slightest when I am constantly thinking of multiple things at once, not to mention Duel Links, revisiting good old GameCube games, and other things that will continue this list." I explained.
"But hey, in the end, I pulled through! Am I right guys?" I spoke in a hopeful smile.
RedTokyo raised his hands to the small crowd before him, before getting tapped on his shoulders, causing him to look back in confusion to see a towering figure glaring at him.
"Oh… hello Isaiah, it's been a while… He-he…" I tried to play off.
"You forgot about us… didn't you?" Isaiah spoke, still glaring at me with annoyance.
"No I haven't! But I have been getting a bit bored of writing a story that has no solid way of path, can you blame me? I have been writing this story since the beginning of 2020, barely started posting this since 2 months ago, how can someone NOT get a bit tired of writing and rewriting the same story on nothing, but pure imagination based off of Zelda? Hell, I had a few more story ideas for Pete's sake! I recently also had my Birthday-Mph!?" RedTokyo started spewing out before a hand glopped over his mouth by the Dreadnut.
"Nobody fucking cares! Get back to writing the damn story!" Isaiah grabbed my face and spun around while comedically launching me back to my work area.
"(Clears throat) Sorry about that blockhead everyone, now without further a due, lets get this show back on the road!" Isaiah spoke while raising his arms up before exiting the scene.
3rd Person (POV)
Isaiah was running after Silvis after forgetting about him, but for a guy in heavy silver armor, you would think that a person would be hindered by armor, while Isaiah, who is not wearing anything, but a white shirt given to him by General Gald after his previous shirt was in ruins, and pants.
When Silvis had turned around a corner, Isaiah soon followed to continue to chase him, but to his surprise, Silvis was gone…
Isaiah's (POV)
"I know I was just right behind him! Where is he!?" I looked around the apparently empty hall. Just a long corridor with nowhere to hide. Nowhere to run down but straight down the hall… something wasn't adding up.
I stood where was, looking around again to see if there was anything that looked wrong. Listening, for any heavy boot movements in the distance…
Silvis's (POV)
Ok, so I am pretty sure that this should be enough to throw him off, I already been through this hundreds of times, I evade capture, turn the corner, cast a spell to turn invisible, and you lose interest in trying to find me, next scene please, so I can have some dinner.
"Something doesn't seem right…" The suspicious Dreadnut suddenly spoke as he was looking around.
"If he came this way, then how did he just vanish from sight like he disappeared?" Isaiah had spoken aloud.
I was a few meters, about 14 meters to be precise, away from him against the wall. He started some deep thinking. Everyone who had chased me had never been able to figure it out, but in addition to being a warrior, I am also a spell caster who is adept in quite the variety of spells, like invisibility, and many basic elemental spells, and some advance. Invisibility being one of my favorite spells to escape from the palace back in the days to cause some mischief for the servants, but that is a story for another day. Though, I don't show them to anyone, I want to keep these things a secret. Mainly because I have heard of those who know magic are immediately transferred to Fort Magnus, who is currently ran by one of the Elders, Genesis. Rumors are that he is one of the strictest leaders, who doesn't tolerate slacking off, or has little to no patience with joking around. Which is why I REALLY don't want to leave this paradise.
But I should have little to no reason to be tense for such a reason. There is no way that he could-
"Judging by the way that he had turned around the corner, there is no plausible way that he could have just vanished… or unless… he did vanish."
This immediately tensed me up.
"The time that I arrived at this point around 5.5 seconds before Silvis left my sight, there is also a sudden absence in running when I had turned around the corner to realize that Silvis was gone. The angle of positioning that Silvis took which I would assume is 40-45 degrees, assuming 43 averaging out, taking at least prep time to activate some sort of camouflage item, device, or spell in order to cloak his body from sight. And estimating the distance of travel of 2.5 meters per second…" He began to walk towards me.
I was beginning to sweat in fear as Isaiah approached me.
"And if I were to choose to be somewhere in this hall, it would be somewhere along the wall to avoid any other collisions with bystanders or chasing occupants of the fort…" He was getting closer to my position… NO!
If I make a move now, the sounds of my footsteps would immediately notify him exposing me! If I let him continue, then I will be exposed! Either way, I am getting found out!
"He should be…" He reached his right arm out.
My heart rate was getting faster and faster, I had to hold my breath.
"Here!" He slapped the wall that was inches to where I was.
For an instant, my heart nearly stopped.
…
He had paused and I could see a look of frustration, realization, or… a red face of embarrassment?
"…What the hell am I talking about!? What kind of detective cringe bullshit was that about?! Fuck my brain hurts." Isaiah spoke out then stormed off back towards the mess hall, not before stopping to look one last time down the hall, but what sets my nerves off, is that he was looking directly at me. His silver eyes for a moment seemed to have gotten brighter to a white color before returning to their silver state, before scanning the rest of the hallway then leaving, putting my worries a little at ease.
I let out the breath I was holding and breathe to calm my rampaging heart. What the hell was that?! Isaiah has always seemed like a weird and secretive person with his knowledge about certain subjects, but this tops it all off!
But the one question remains… Did he actually see me or was it just a coincidence?
[~Growl~]
I'll think about it later or forget, my belly needs filling!
Isaiah's (POV)
I really hope that nobody saw that skit I just did…
While I am pissed that Silvis had escaped, I just can't get over how I lost him so quickly. But what was that presence I saw earlier? Before I knew it, everything went dark as I felt some of my senses like sight and hearing heightened to extreme levels. Then a spectral like figure was standing where I once was… But that couldn't be possible. I just checked there!
I didn't really care all that much, it was probably just another one of my episodes of seeing shit that is not really there. But personal problems aside, I am getting hungry, and chasing Silvis made me even more so.
As I arrived back to the mess hall to find that everyone is pretty much here. To my surprise, all Darknuts had gray skin like Eris and Gald with mix hair colors varying from brown, black, blond. The usual colors, with some exceptions that Almost reminds me of high school. There are around nearing 100 Darknuts in this room, and the long tables to be able to seat around 8 people per table. Soon after I entered, everyone stopped eating and talking and looked at me. Wow… talk about me being in the spotlight.
"Umm… hey?" I awkwardly tried to raise my hand to greet the others, but to get an increased pressure of unease as their stares continued to eye me down. I tried to gulp down the unease.
I had always been a socially awkward person at heart, especially in large crowds since I didn't get out to the mall or other social gathering activities. As much of a joker that I was, I couldn't ever get over my fears of giant groups. Even more so when everyone is literally staring at you. I scanned the area to find anyone who looked remotely familiar, mainly Eris and Gald, but to even find them is a task when everyone literally looks the same in the black armor with the variety of the heavy and lighter version of the armor like the one Eris had on with male to female ratio being around 50/50, and Gald is nowhere to be seen and even if Eris was here, I would doubt that she would be willing to gesture me to her table with her background of bullying. But to my luck, I found a food cart with dinner on it… on the opposite side of the room… I took my first steps towards the cart.
The glares continued as I tried to walk to the food cart as I got closer and closer, and the atmosphere getting more and more intense. It is really suffocating when you are at the center of attention, and you are not able to think of a way to ignore the stares.
I quicken my pace to the cart and saw that there were about 5 plates left with a bowl of steaming soup, and bread slices on the side. the other plates were the same, and I just decided to pick one up, and I turned around to find one of the Darknuts right behind me, almost bumping into him.
"So, you are the one who Elder Xivius almost beat to death." This guy was slightly taller than me by 2 inches or 3, so he was in a sense, looking down at me.
With the stares continuing, I really wasn't in the correct mindset of knowing what to say. They were literally right there, and I feel choked up with pressure.
"I-I guess?" I stuttered out.
SOMEONE, JUST FUCKING STAB ME ALREADY! I CAN'T HANDLE THIS KIND OF ANXIETY PRESSURE!
"You don't look that impressive, honestly I am disappointed. How did a wimp like you manage to push back an Elder?" The Darknut looked up and down my body. He must be referring to my physique. Give me a break, I have been working out and gained some muscle! …Though it is kinda lacking…
"Um… skill?" I tried to answer the question.
"Then how about a sparring match?" The Darknut suggested.
"Uh… I really don't want to do a match after I had an 8-hour match with General Gald, I am pretty much worn out." I meekly said.
"Even more so to have a spar, after you eat and regain your strength, you will meet up with me in the training yard. Don't be late." The random Darknut said before heading out to the mess hall along with a few others who I assume are his friends. The glaring eyes had decreased by half and a table opened up…
Well… that is a bit convenient… I guess…
The moment I sat down at the recently opened table, Darknuts from a different table Immediately got up, which startled me, and headed to my table and sat down around me… oddly their helmets were still on, so I assumed they finished eating. But seriously, WHAT THE FUCK IS HAPPENING?!
"So from what I hear and seen, you faced General Gald in battle, survived a death beating from Elder Xivius, and gained the attention of the entire fort, how does that make you feel? Invigorated? Prideful?" A woman's voice had spoken out.
"Does the sight of many soldiers who want to make battle with you make your blood flow?" Another man's voice spoke out.
"Why is your skin like that? Are you really a Dreadnut or an albino Darknut?" Another female's voice spoke up addressing my skin.
"Hey! I questioned him first! You two want to get a beating that badly!?" The female Darknut had got up from her seat and threatened the others.
"You ain't going to do anything in the mess hall Sophie, sit your ass down! Anyhow, how are you going to deal with Steve?" Another voice had raised up.
Questions and arguments upon questions began to stack up on me, as I began to get more and more annoyed with the others. With the rising tension, I looked at my tray to redirect the feelings of awkwardness.
"…" I just sat there and ate the soup… sadly, due to the tension and glares from the others around the room. I am unable to actually answer, enjoy the food, or even taste it for that matter.
I got really annoyed and really uncomfortable.
In the middle of their argument, I stood up to their shock, and took my tray to eat somewhere in the hall.
As I left, I heard one last thing before I left the mess halls.
"Great, you pissed him off! You happy now Dave?!" One of the Darknuts had shouted at the others.
"I pissed him off?! YOU WANT TO DIE?! WE'LL TAKE THIS OUTSIDE!" A man's voice yelled out.
I had walked out of the mess hall and tried to navigate my way a few meters away from the area. For some reason, I can breathe easier.
When I sat down, the 2 Darknuts that were arguing had made their way past me who gave me a momentary glance, before going to the training hall, I assume.
All the social awkwardness I had was gone and replaced with calmness.
Soon after, I heard silence. Who knew that I would love silence in a short amount of time? But enough about that, I've been waiting in anticipation to get the better taste of the soup, which had chopped potatoes, carrots, and bits of meat with a well colored brown beef broth by the wonderful smell of it, as I took my spoon and scooped up the beef, potatoes, and carrots combo, I then-
"Hey."
-stopped because I am now annoyed with one of the previous Darknuts who can't take a hint that I want to be left alone!
I glanced at the Darknut who appears to be the one female Darknut from before. Sophie, if I recall…
"…" I just glanced at her with no facial expression.
"You know, it is rude to leave without offering your name first. Names Sophie, it is a pleasure to finally meet the rumored Dreadnut." Sophie held her hand out.
"…" I didn't respond.
I have my guard up for a reason. Gald did say that there are only a few Darknuts who are like him, Silvis and Eris included, but there are little to no others who are like them who have sympathy and kindness, they will probably give me a hard time. I know I slipped up a bit before, and I really don't care that I make friends with the others, but when people challenge or question me left and right, I don't know how to respond, or what their reactions would be, so I adopted a more disinterested personality. I just looked at the hand which then retracted to her side.
"…Um… everything alright?" Sophie asked me.
"…" I didn't respond.
"…Did… my companions and I offend you in some way?" She asked unsure of herself.
"…No." I finally spoke getting back to my soup.
"Well that is good, so, why did you leave." She was really persistent.
"…Annoying." I spoke again in a mumbled voice.
"Oh… well I hope that I am not doing that right now." She asked with a monotone voice to what I assume not to sound weak.
I'm getting tired of beating around the bush…
"What do you want?" I bluntly asked.
"Well…would you like to join our group to spar with us?" She finally asked.
"No." I immediately answered her back.
"W-Why?" she seems like she was losing her composure a bit.
"I already have people to help me train effectively and vice versa." I replied.
"Like whom?" she inquired.
Oh my fucking god, WHY IS SHE PERSISTENT?!
"Eris and Silvis." I answered hoping to end this conversation.
"ERK!? Those losers?! Why would you waste your time with a worthless slacker and a pathetic weakling!?" She spoke In disgust.
I immediately slammed down my bowl and got up to my feet, got up to her face, and looked at her dead in the eyes. I stopped myself just before I did anything rash or something that I would regret. I took in a breath and let one out before I carefully chose my next words to say.
"We are done talking. Leave." I threatened.
I have low tolerance for what people say about who I deem close to me. That includes Eris and reluctantly Silvis I guess. Either I walk away from the conversation, or a time bomb starts ticking down. And when that timer strikes zero, I lash out at the people who are in the vicinity.
Sophie backed down by taking a step back before walking away.
I was honestly expecting a fight to go out the way that Gald depicted the Darknuts. Speaking of which, that fight I was supposed to go to in the training yard. I guess I should go to that…
…Ha!
Yeah right, like I am obligated to doing something that I didn't agree to. I am just going to sleep in my cell after I eat the rest of my soup.
As I took in a bite, it was already lukewarm and for some apparent reason, had a bitter aftertaste…
"(sigh)…Damn it…" I cursed.
After I ate the soup, I reentered the mess hall again to find the hall half empty, and the others still staring at me, but it wasn't as bad as before, so I didn't care. I placed my dish in the next cart over, which had a number of dishes and left to my cell to go to sleep. I didn't mind the cell since I was already used to it, and I am no longer being held prisoner and it is actually quite comfortable to my realization. I went to bed and fell asleep.
[Isaiah's Cell]
(BANG! BANG! BANG!)
"Who the fuck-?![THUD!]" I said before falling to the floor off of my bed.
"Where were you?" A Darknut was banging on my cell bars and asking me questions.
"Huh? What!?" I stumbled.
As I got a grip of my blurry vision, I saw a Darknut standing there demanding where I was. I looked to the small upper window to see the 'time', but it looked to be dark, so I assume after dark, or somewhere in the early morning.
"In bed?" I rhetorically answered.
"Why did you not show up?" He sounded a bit pissed.
So obviously I didn't want deal with this so early in the morning. And I know that this was going to probably affect my reputation, but I really couldn't care less.
"Because I was scared, you are too powerful for me. There was no way that I was going to win. Now let me go back to sleep." I tried to crawl back into my bed.
"Unacceptable." He muttered.
The cage of my cell opened up and walked in the Darknut who then proceeded to pick me up over his shoulders and carry me out. I tried to get out of his grip, but he held strong. I was too tired to deal with this, so I just let him carry me to wherever I was apparently 'supposed' to be.
As soon as we left the dungeon, I was already wide awake, and it looks to be around 6 AM. Damn, the sun isn't even up, and this guy is already ready for combat? Though I guess it should be expected of a soldier.
"…Hey, I'm already fully awake, put me down. I can walk by myself." I spoke out tapping his back.
The Darknut stopped momentarily and let me down.
All in all, from the way that Gald described the Darknuts he was way off in them being 'brutal, cruel, and sadistic.' It is more like narrowminded, self-centered, and annoying, but that is just my first impression that didn't include the bastard Xivius.
But then again, this could be the way that Gald has been teaching them.
I followed the Darknut to a big open field where many of the other Darknuts were. They were practicing fighting with swords and shields, polearms, and flails. When we had walked in, I felt the same stares at me as they stopped and looked at me, though I was more annoyed then shy.
"What weapon do you prefer? Armor?" the Darknut asked.
"I prefer a halberd I guess… and no armor, I'll be fine" I lazily said.
What can I say? After playing Law bringer from For Honor for a bit, I have grown an attachment to the weapon, especially after the fight with Eris. Though, I don't think I will need it for long.
The Darknut looked to nearby Darknut, who had a halberd, he immediately gave it to me without question and everyone around us gave me and the one who challenged me space to view the duel.
"(sigh)…Do they really have to watch?" I sighed out.
"General Gald had told us to learn as much as possible from others, since you have an odd assortment of tactics, we would learn a lot from you. So yes, they will be watching you." He answered.
"I guess I can't argue with logic… What is your name?" I asked.
"Steve." He spoke before getting into position.
"Ok mob number one, let's see what you got." I casually said before going into my position.
"I'll start the duel." Another Darknut chipped in.
We looked at each other, one with excitement, and the other with a lax mood.
"START!"
The first thing I did was throw up my weapon high up in the air, to which Steve dumbly followed. I ran up to him with a tackling force while also removing his helmet revealing a short brown-haired, generic face and a surprised look as I continued to push him down with my forearm at his throat, making him fall down.
As Steve was struggling to get up, I kept a firm grip on his torso with my legs, and a firm pressure on his throat by slowly pressing more and more against it, with him struggling to get out of my hold and him trying to push me off to no avail. As soon as his eyes were about to roll back I let him go and got off of him.
"Duel is over." I spoke out before the halberd landed on the ground.
Murmurs were going around the area as Steve got up coughing.
"That, (cough) was unfair." Steve said wheezing.
"You wanted a duel; I gave you one. Stop complaining." I said before I was about to exit the area, but to my annoyance, I was blocked off by the other Darknuts.
"We are all battling until breakfast, which is at 7. That also includes you. Since Steve had his turn, it is time for the next round. And you won't be able to do the same trick twice." Another Darknut's voice came up.
"Ugh, so tedious… fine. You guys are lucky I have nothing better to do. But once you go down, next person is up. So start a line, if you guys are anything like little Steve here, then this will be quick." I mocked.
This apparently angered the Darknuts and riled them up. You could smell the adrenaline and excitement through the air as they did just so.
So a line formed as they had waited in anticipation for their turn.
Minutes flew by for the duels afterwards, I didn't even need to use my weapon as I wanted to do a small challenge for myself. One by one they had been defeated by me putting them into a chokings hold. Be it frontal as they try to stab or bash my body or head to no effect or reaction, or me snaking around behind them and wrapping my legs around their torso and putting them into a choke lock. They even tried to keep me at distance which would have worked for normal people, but with me being more aggressive, and having no fear of getting stabbed or cut, all I got was little resistances as they fell to the same fate of defeat.
So within 45 minutes, I took down 53 of the Darknuts by using the same strategy, even Steve had got a rematch. Honestly, I was disappointed with them not being able to at least counter me or throw me off. Especially with them being Darknuts… DARKNUTS! They were supposed to be a mini boss type of enemy, a force to be reckoned with! And here I am chokings them out without much trouble, one by one with little to no change in strategy! I would have thought I would at least had trouble with them with close combat, BUT THIS IS RIDICULOUS! But as I went through each Darknut, I soon realized that it was their inexperience and their reliance on heavy armor that gave me the upper hand. Moving slow and reacting poorly to my attacks were the key to my victories.
I was getting bored of this repetitive routine.
"… I'm just going to leave; the outcomes are clear. And you guys are wasting my time." I turned to walk away.
"Not so fast." A familiar voice popped up.
"(Dear fucking goddesses, please help me not to slap this one.) (Inhale)What do you want?" I whispered the first part as I reluctantly answered to the Darknut whom I was familiar with, Sophie.
"Fight me, then you go." Sophie practically demanded.
Sophie was wielding a sword and shield combo.
Almost made me want to make a joke.
"Let me tell you something miss ignorance. I took down more than half the entire forces here without struggle, pray-do-tell me how you are any different than the others." I rhetorically asked.
"Let's just say, I'm different then- (Oh hell no)-Wait come back!" She began to panic as I was walking away.
Of course, I ignored her, I didn't have any time to waste with any of them, they are boring, and I want to go to Eris to help her train after breakfast, she does have that brutish strength that none of the Darknuts have.
(Humph!?)
I felt like something just hit me, like a realization or something of the sort.
Why is Eris called weak when she is almost as strong as them? A bit more so with her rage boost.
The second thing I just noticed that a sword has been impaled through my chest, with my blood dripping from the length of the blade.
I stopped at the impalement. Is… is she fucking serious?! Out of all things that she had to do… is trying to stab me through the fucking torso?! Sure it hurts a bit, but the audacity that she must have for going for the kill if things don't go her way…
"…Really? You think this is… enough to get you a damn battle? You think this is enough to get me wild up to give you a 'Glorious battle'? Is that the strength of your resolve to wield a sword to kill? Especially against me?!" I started out with a mustered-up voice, then going into a yelling anger.
Before she is able to withdraw her blade, I quickly turned to her, making her loose grip of her sword from the sudden movement. I looked directly at her eyes, with a rising urge to go into a fight. Where this urge was coming from, I did not know. But one thing for certain. She needs to be taught her place when screwing with the wrong person.
I took out the blade from my back and shoving the flat end of the blade to her chest plate, making her fall back to the ground.
"You know what? I'll humor you and go all out. But the moment I put you into a killing position, I will leave without being bothered. Do I make myself clear?" I glared all of the Darknuts, who in response had crossed their arms, so I guess that they agree.
"The moment you are ready, I will attack you, just so you have a fair warning." I spoke while grabbing the halberd which was on the floor. And walked a few paces away from Sophie, who was just getting up off of the ground.
As I turned to her to get ready, I was already greeted by a rush with her sprinting towards me. I was surprised by this and had little time to react to block her sword, so I had to parry it, only to be met with an unexpected bash with her shield, which made me stumble back while getting me disoriented.
'The hell?!' I thought to myself
I jumped back and tried to get a grip of my vision while she was charging at me. That was by no means a normal shield bash. To get me that disoriented was pretty good, but not enough to get too crazy about, though it did spark my interest…
"I see…" I spoke while getting a bit excited.
As I got a grip of my vision, I saw that Sophie was not only just using a sword and shield, but a sword and a larger buckler. That explains why she is aggressive with her movements with the shield.
Lets see what she has in store.
As she was rushing to me, I pointed the halberd to do a jab to the center chest plate. Sophie had used the sword to deflect my halberd and tried to do another bash with her shield. But as she deflected my halberd, I had used the momentum of the parry, and swung hard at the helmet.
Sophie's helmet was knocked off to reveal a redheaded person, gray skin color, and fiery red eyes. Her facial feature is more like a warrior, with a small scar on her upper cheek just below her left eye and had a surprised look as her helmet came off. I then went for a kick to her torso, to which she also fell back to the ground. I finally went for the 'kill' by jumping on top of her body with the Halberd pointing downwards towards her head. Sophie flinched and closed her eyes tightly.
[Shink!]
Only to embed the tip of the weapon into the ground next to her head as I looked into her opening eyes with ferocity, before letting out a breath.
"(Sigh…) How disappointing…" I spoke out in displeasure.
In all honesty, I expected her to roll out of the way and continue the fight. But I guess I was overestimating her when she landed an attack. I got off of her and offered a hand up.
"Huh?" She was stunned by my offered hand.
"While I may be annoyed by almost everyone in this fort, I'm not a complete dick to not help you up. You going to take it, or am I going to leave you there, you have 3 seconds." I gave her a choice.
While I do have a dislike of her for talking shit about Eris and Silvis, it doesn't feel right to just leave someone who just annoys me like that.
She hesitantly took my hand and I pulled Sophie onto her feet.
I began to walk away.
"W-Wait!" Sophie spoke up.
"Ugh, What?" I spoke in annoyance.
"…What… could I had done better in my fight against you?" She hesitantly said.
I thought about just leaving them without saying anything. Afterall, they are the evil forces of Ganondorf… but are they really all evil?
My thoughts went to Eris, Gald, and Silvis… they weren't evil, but wanted to survive, or just live by their own rules to enjoy life.
"(Sigh)…For starters, you could have rolled out of the way when I was about to get on top of you so you could reposition, and you are too green to be much of a fighter when you are about to be killed. In other words, you lack real fighting experience. While I would say for the others that they are too cocky and had too much faith in their heavy armor, I turned that to my advantage and made the armor into a liability against them. They moved and reacted slow to my attacks, and because they are constantly being hindered by the heavy weight and nobody had any hand-to-hand combat experience. And by the fact that they couldn't keep their distance and persisted in using the same tactics instead of trying to be more aggressive in keeping me at bay, then the others would have lasted way longer." I explained their shortcomings.
I saw that most were disappointed in their ability.
"…However…" Some of their heads perked up.
"Your stances were pretty good, and those who did attacked me would have normally pushed back their opponents or even killed them. But there is always room for improvements. With that out of the way, I'm out." I concluded as I walked out of the training area.
Nobody got in my way, and they gave me a nod, and even some clapping as if they approve of me…
Ha, as if I needed their approval in the first place.
I walked around exploring the place to get more familiar to my current place of residence. While I was walking, my thoughts wondered to the past events of what I have recently been through.
During the fight, got me thinking about the times when my life was on the brink of death. Times like these make me wish that I was still battling for my life with Tiny or Xivius with the addicting rush of adrenaline and excitement as I get more and more closer to the brink of death as I continue to survive against impossible odds…
…
…I am starting to think I have problems…
A ringing sound of a bell snapped me out of my mental realization to which I saw some of the Darknuts that I encountered make their way to where I assumed the mess hall was, and I followed.
[Mess hall]
I got to the main entrance just in time to see the food carts to be brought out by a different type of Darknut, if the apron means anything, which he had brought in what seems like hundreds of plates full of eggs and ham. He parked the carts in the same place on the opposite side of the entrance, which an organized line formed up while they all grabbed a plate each.
When I walked in, I still got eyed by the masses, but many of the glares were just glances before they went back to talk among themselves.
I went to the back of the line to get my food tray.
While I was progressing to the front of the line, I had overheard some rumors about me going around. Being 'immortal' because of the stab through the chest, me being an albino Darknut with my skin being different, and the most absurd one is having a sexual preference with choking from the way I took out the others Darknuts from a female group… some of them from that group began to look at me with hunger in their eyes that sent shivers down my spine. How did I know that they were looking at me? Well… they weren't exactly subtle about it as they gestured to me to come sit at their table with their open seat.
Now, I wasn't the one who likes this type of attention, nor was I the one to fall to lust at a moment's notice like some simple people were, so I tried to avoid their gazes. It also didn't help that they were somewhat attractive. Damn, if only I had a mask to hide my discomfort better…
The line grown short, and grabbed a breakfast plate full of scrambled eggs and ham from the cart, and looked around to find a spot for me to sit down in.
Full…
The tables were all full… again.
By full, I mean that there is no free empty tables that have nobody sitting at. I would like to have friends to sit by, but I don't exactly 'like' anybody here. So my options were limited.
All in all, I could just choose a table and quickly leave after I eat, however, I know that I will most likely get into another conversation that will lead to an uncomfortable amount of questions.
"Hey! Over here!" A familiar voice called out.
I looked to a group of Darknuts who looked to be the same group from last night, and one of them was waving. An idea popped up.
'Of course, why didn't I think of that?' I thought to myself.
I walked over to the group for them to greet me when I got there…
"Hey, I don't think we had gotten acquainted before, I am- wait, where are you going?"
…only for me to walk around them to get to the exit.
Yeah, there is no way in hell that I am going to socialize with those guys, I have no reason to, and I have better things to do and think about, like finally enjoying a meal for once. So, where else to enjoy a meal alone then the hallway?
As I sat down to eat the fluffy eggs, I looked around before I ate to make sure that I was alone to fully enjoy my breakfast.
Even though it was a simple breakfast, it tasted like there was some other herbs cooked with the ham to compliment the eggs. But overall, I was finally able to enjoy the meal with no complaints.
As I finished my plate, I saw 2 figures exit the mess hall talking, with one of them being in silver armor, the other being in black.
"So what kind of training are you going to do Eris? Or are you going to focus on that mortal slash technique?" The silver one spoke with a familiar voice.
"It's the mortal DRAW technique, Silvis. And I plan to continue the training outside the fort. And the 3 trees you chopped up didn't exactly fill up the storage, so I will ask for permission to go out again.." The black armored one spoke.
Yup, it was Eris and Silvis… wait, where were they in the mess hall?
"Hey guys!" I called out to them gaining their attention.
"Oh, Isaiah, what are you doing out here? Wouldn't you prefer to be with the other Darknuts?" Silvis asked.
"Eh… not really, they tend to ask stupid questions, and gave me a bad first impression. They were talking shit about you guys too, so I didn't appreciate that either. That's why I am here." I responded.
They paused for a few seconds before speaking again.
"Oh, I see… Well, we are about to do some more training, or more like Eris, I on the other hand, have important business to attend to. With that, I am off-(Grab)-!?" Silvis tried to leave without acknowledging the wrong that he had done unto me with no repercussions.
As I grabbed him by the shoulders, I had quickly swept kicked the silver knight from his feet, making him fall onto his back with a satisfying thump to the ground.
"Ow man, what the hell?!" Silvis shouted at me.
"I hold onto my grudges Silvis, but for you, a onetime only, I will give you a reduce price of the 8 hours that you made me endure from yesterday… As for her…" I glanced at Eris, who instinctively stepped back.
"It will be for later. After all, my type of training will be more than enough punishment for what is in store for her." I darkly spoke.
Eris audibly gulped at the thought.
"But for now, we are going to need permission, as I don't want to make a big mess like I did when I fought Gald." I concluded.
"Permission for what exactly?" A voice had made me jump as I turned to see the golden general.
"…Speak of the devil, and he shall appear…" I nonchalantly spoke.
"Devil? What are you talking about?" Gald inquired.
"It's a metaphor from where I come from, don't worry about it. But Gald, I want permission to train Eris outside of the fort."
"Why exactly? What is wrong with the training rooms?" Gald asked in suspicion.
"My training is going to be with Eris, whom I believe is pretty much hated around the fort, and I know that the others will pester me with sparring and what not, so that will be a problem for me. Especially with training her." I clarified.
"…OK, Let's say that I allow you to go out, how will I know that you won't just run away, like you did the last time?"
"Gald… while you do have a point there, let me tell you something. I have been going into a loop of fighting and failures ever since I got summoned, and I am sick of it. Theoretically, if I were to escape, I would be hunted down, and be locked up… again. I would be getting nowhere at the rate I was going, and I need to get stronger by any means necessary." I explained.
"Stronger for what exactly?" Gald asked.
To fight off the entire forces of evil, which includes many giant bosses, the forces of the Twilight beasts and the Usurper king, Zant, and his master, and the main villain, Ganondorf. Not to mention the entire regimen of the Darknut forces that would include the now known Elders of the round table and their forces.
"That… I cannot tell you yet… but you have my word that I will not run away, after all, why break away what little friendship I just made, for one measly escape into an unknown land that I am unfamiliar with?"
"…" Gald looked at me intently, like he was trying to decide on what was the right course of action.
"Ugh, If it helps, you could add more people to the group, like Silvis, or some of the other Darknuts if you want, either way, I will not be leaving the area." I offered.
"Hmm…" Gald hummed, still thinking.
"I don't want to recreate the mess we had made in the dueling room. It was hell trying to clean up in the first place, so doing it outside is more suitable." I brought up my final point to my request.
"…"
After a moment of staring at me in silence, Gald looked over to the Silver Darknut, and finally spoke.
"…Silvis, you will accompany them outside just in case anything happens. I trust that you will know what to do when the time comes?" Gald finally spoke to the silver Darknut.
"…Wait-What? Why?!" Silvis exclaimed.
"Silvis, you are one of the more experienced Darknuts with fighting, and whom I trust more than anyone at this fort to take this task. Two of the few reasons that you earned your way to my right hand of the fort. Just in case things don't go quite as they seem, I want to have at least a failsafe when things go wrong, which will be you." Gald praised.
"…Fine… But you owe me a day off of training with you." Silvis spoke as he turned away.
"A small price to pay to earn another's trust in faith. With that, Isaiah and Eris, you have my permission to exit the Fort under the supervision of Silvis to do some training near the forest edge, when you are finished with training at the end of the day, report back to me." Gald finished.
"Speaking on training, what do the other Darknuts do… besides… the usual physical weapon combat?" I spoke up.
"Well, aside from the close quarters combat weapon training, I also make them do Archery, catapult calculations and practice simulations, basic algebra, equipment maintenance, forging lessons, tactical lessons. But they only like 2 of things that I listed, I'll give you a hint, it relates to close quarters combat." Gald responded.
Somehow, I am not surprised about many of the Darknuts having barbaric like thoughts with them having narrow mind of hitting what is in front of them, then learning more useful stuff to be more tactical in the long run.
We were about to turn away before Gald once again spoke up to grab our attention.
"Oh, before you take off to go outside, I want you three to go to Eligius to pick up Isaiah's armor and training weapons, while you are out there, be sure to get some more wood, we are going to need more arrows for what will be coming up. I want at least five trees worth. You got that Silvis?" Gald emphasized Silvis's name.
"Yeah, yeah…" Silvis spoke in annoyance.
"Good, dismissed!" Gald dismissed us, as Eris and Silvis saluted Gald as we turned away to the forge area.
Gald's (POV)
As the trio went out of sight, I sighed. As much as I would like to test my faith in Isaiah, there is so much that I don't understand about him. He could be telling the truth, but it is better to take precautions to ensure that everything goes as planned...
I walked into the mess hall to see that most of the Darknuts had finished their breakfast and were about to continue to do their training, but now, it is time for a change for their schedule.
"ATTENTION SOLDIERS!" I shouted, gaining everyone's attention as they saluted.
"It has recently come to my attention that you lot have been neglecting archery as a part of your training. After you are finished with breakfast, you all will set the training hall up with training dummies and targets to practice your bow skills until 5 in the afternoon." I ordered.
Lots of groaning in annoyance has sounded soon after I mention this.
"ENOUGH, I am disappointed to see what little skill with the bow I have seen from before at the recent new recruit. I expect the next time that an intruder or escaped prisoner attempts to escape from our fort, I want every arrow to hit their mark. Do I make myself clear soldiers?" I barked out at them.
''''Yes sir!'''' The whole mess hall occupants replied in unison.
"Good, I expect everyone out there setting up the dummies and targets shooting arrows within 7 minutes." I finished as I walked out of the mess hall.
With the Darknuts focusing on archery, I can now get to the most dreadful part of this plan set in motion…
Watchtower Duty.
Isaiah (POV)
We made our way to the forge, in complete silence. With our footsteps echoing through the halls, we heard the repeated sounds of metal being hammered in the distance of the halls, and a slight notable increase in heat as we progressed to the forge area.
I saw the door in the familiar hall where I almost had my skull crushed in the hands of the blacksmith called Eligius. A shiver went down my spine from the memory and all that followed.
As we approached the open door to the blacksmith, we looked inside to see the man in question at work within a huge room that looked a bit more advance then what I initially thought. There was more equipment than I would have thought with the room not only having 1, but 3 separate forges, each of them differing in sizes and types with their respective forge tools being set nearby, metal working benches for what I would assume for making metal plates and mending purposes, and 2 giant windows with bars of metal formed into a grate which I assume is to keep out any intruders if any decide to attempt to enter through the windows and let the intake of fresh air into the forge area. MANY barrels of weapons sticking out of the top with one showing mainly swords and spears, with bows being stacked up neatly in one side of the forge on top of a long table. And about 10 spare suits of Darknut armor being displayed for the next Darknut to come in for a repair order to take or trade.
To say that it was an impressive sight to see was an understatement. My inner 5-year-old was about to emerge, and I felt the increasing need to touch everything…
…Especially the weapons…
Before I was able to make a probably terrible choice that would have without a doubt gotten my arms ripped off without so much as a second thought, a deep voice called out from behind the largest forge.
"So, you arrived… wait, Silvis? Eris? What are you two doing here? Did you need some more repairs or replacement armor?" Eligius asked my companions.
"Not this time, we are here to pick up some swords and Isaiah's armor." Silvis answered the blacksmith who took out a red-hot looking sword from the forge and dipped it into the water next to him to cool it with a steaming sound.
"Ah, that's good to hear, I am almost finished with your armor set, just need to make the mask, but I need one more measurement for the eye holes." The blacksmith spoke while putting some finishing hammering on the sword before tossing the sword into the pool of water which steamed when the sword was sunk into the narrow pool of water.
Eligius put his tools away and approached the area with the finished weapons are to pick up 3 basic swords and… a pencil and metal plate? He handed the swords to Silvis and stood before me as he held up the plate to my face. I was about to back away at the sudden approach of the metal plate to my face, but I realized upon closer inspection that it was the unfinished mask for my armor, and I slightly pressed my face up against the face plate. Eligius did some markings around the upper area which I assumed were the eyes area.
"Ok, that should do it, I'll have it done before dinner, be sure to pick it up before then." Eligius said before placing the mask down on the long table and about to return to work.
A sudden thought just popped into mind. Is this what he is usually like when he isn't on a mad rage?! It is really astounding to see different sides of people. I walked up to the long table to see just two plain eye holes outlines on the mask. I wonder if I am able to make one additional request to the mask…
"Hey, uh, sir?" I spoke up.
"Hm?" Eligius grunted in response.
"Could I make some last-minute designs to my mask?" I sheepishly asked.
"Keep it simple, I don't make anything fancy, unless it is for the generals or Elders." He responded before grabbing a few ingots to smelt into the smaller forge.
I turned back to my future mask, and I wondered what to add or change to the mask… after a few seconds of thinking, I thought of what I had been through, the battles that I fought and loss against. Mainly the most impactful battle with Tiny. I was reminded of the name that he had called me, the Jester…
A design had instantly popped up.
I added a thin, but wide smile to where it looked like a sly grin, and I changed the eye holes to a more of a gleeful style making a happy mask of the sort. An unreadable expression. But most of all… Unnerving.
It was a perfect design for my personality, and I plan to play the part as the Jester to its fullest.
I felt a grin forming on my face that could rival the mask that I held in my hands…
"…Interesting design."
"Gah!" I was startled by the sudden voice interrupting my train of thoughts.
Seeing the blacksmith behind me looking at the mask.
"You have a weird taste for designs, but whatever, it's simple enough to remember." Eligius monotoned as he grabbed some cutting tools for the mask.
"Oh, thanks man." I casually replied.
"Don't mention it, this is the first time that I have done something this strange, so don't complain if it isn't perfect, now, I have other stuff to do, so I won't be able to work with your mask until later, you fine with just having your body armor?" Eligius asked.
"Sure!" I eagerly responded.
We both had gone to the suits of armor set up to see that the one in the back had shown to be different then the other sets of the usual heavy armor. It was a chest plate which covered all the front and back area, that almost made it look like a vest type of slide in armor. It was nothing too fancy, but it did have some carvings on the outer edges of the collar piece and even small pauldrons to give extra protection on the shoulders. The leg armor that reached the lower thighs and even looked to have a few buckle connections to connect the lower and upper parts of the armor set. The chainmail showed between the spaces of the armor. I looked in awe as I placed my hand on the shoulder piece of the set.
"Put it on, I want to know if I need to make any last adjustments to it before I send you off with it." Eligius stated while removing the suit from the stand and gave it to me to equip.
As I put it on, Eligius gave me a rundown on how to put it on and take it off when I was not using it.
It was almost a perfect fit for a try on, but I could only guess that it was due to his years of experience of practicing his smithing arts.
"Wow… I feel like I can take a sword to the chest and not get my chest pierced!" I stated in glee as I tested the chest plate with a few pounds of my fist against it.
"Hm! You should take a beating before it even cracks, if it ever does, come back to me, so I can get it repaired. With that being said, I can finally get back to work." Eligius excitedly said before he turned away from us.
"Hey Silvis, lets test out this armor! Try to stab me in the chest!" I gleefully said while bracing for the blow.
"OK!" Silvis quickly replied.
"No, you fools! Don't! - (THONK)-?!"
I heard Eligius speak before Silvis tried to stab my chest almost a bit too hard which sent me back first to a suit of armor, which caused it to tip over into another suit of armor, and another, and another, until the final one fell on top of 2 barrels of swords and polearm weapons, scattering the weapons and some of the armor toppled over spreading over the area and the barrels smashed…
"Get… Out…" Eligius quietly spoke.
To say that this is probably is my second biggest fuck up is an understatement.
"Wait, I will help clean this up." I tried to offer.
"Before I rip off your arms…" Eligius darkly threatened.
"Silvis, Eris, let's get out of here before I fuck up any more things!" I quickly spoke before grabbing both Darknuts and escaping the area.
I know when to stop pushing buttons of people who I should not piss off, so we had quickly got out of the blacksmith's area to leave him to cool off.
Once we got out, and the door shut, I heard a roar of anger that I could have EASILY mistaken for Tiny going on a rampage.
One good thing about this experience that this armor was really resilient, so I am happy with my order. On the down side, I REALLY fucked up with my childish actions. But hey, I can make it up later after he cools off and I repay for any wasted time that he lost.
With us running from a possibly raging blacksmith, we had hastily packed up a carriage and made our way out of the gates to the area we were supposed to be.
With a day of training, teaching, and hard work ahead of us, we braced ourselves for a long day of labor.
{Chapter End}
(Author's Notes)
FINALLY! This chapter is done, I have been procrastinating on this for a while now, and would have done this in a week, if not for multiple debating on weather I should do this, or watch shit on YouTube, play Duel Links, or just look at memes of any of the sort. All in all, its been a really "Busy" few weeks for me.
But that is enough about me, Lets get to the questions before I get thrown into another room!
: Question 1: Silvis said something about running from servants, what kind of backstory do you have planned for him?
-Answer- An interesting one that will for sure throw off a lot of people…
: Question 2: How was Isaiah able to sense Silvis in the first place?
-Answer- Ok, so there will be a few things that I will go ahead and clarify now before people will get turned off by the unexpected and random additions to the abilities of the silver eyes' powers like it is some generic red ninja-eye bullshit anime power that nobody likes, Isaiah has some abilities that I gave him, but that will be pretty much the end of what I will give him. But I will go ahead and list them off, so people are caught up to speed.
-Regeneration/Healing factor. Grade (A+) abuseable bullshit.
-Flurry Rushing. A… 'forgettable' (B-) Rank. XD
-Heighten senses. (B+) Rank, similar to Link's wolf senses.
-Pissing people off. (SSS) Rank, Illegal levels of OP.
-Bad-Bad Luck. (FFFF) Ranking. 'GET THIS SHIT OFF ME!'- Jester.
Overall ranking… (C-) GIT GUD!
Other than the abilities listed above, I don't plan to add any more abilities, aside from the item power ups like the Power Bracelets for a prime example in the future of this story… IF people are still around to see what has yet to be seen.
: Question 3: Why go for a happy mask (Reference from Black Bullet) instead of a helmet like the other Darknuts?
-Answer-… That is a good question…
Well, as you all must have figured out by now, I am a lover of comedy, I cannot go one day without not laughing or thinking about a joke or a funny meme. And what better way then a Jester? Not Joker, because there are too many of those, Batman has one, Persona 5, the deck of cards, the class clown, your dad with his dad-puns, the list goes on! But what about a Jester? They were the original entertainers for the King's Court, and when they had the color scheme of Red and Black, one of my favorite color combinations, and Who can really think of a Jester character on the spot? Harley Quin does not count because I said so.
: Question 4: when Isaiah had choaked out half of the Darknuts, did that also include some of the female Darknuts-(Bam)-!?"
Isaiah busted into my place of recording.
"Don't you DARE finish that fucking sentence!" Isaiah busted in threatening me.
"What? That you choked a few girls, and turned said few on by doing that? Or actually instead of that, ROLL THE CLIP!" I snapped my fingers to reveal Isaiah doing his choak hold a Darknut finishing a recent speed duel.
"Number 36 down, Next!" Past Isaiah called out.
"TOKYOOOO!" Current Isaiah screamed and tried to charge at me, to which I responded by snapping my fingers that tied him up into a chair, with duct tape over his mouth. To say that he was pissed off was a severe understatement because he was moving around in a raging fit.
As the 37th duel begun, Past Isaiah had used the same strategy to go behind the new Darknut, who happened to be a girl. He got behind her to get into another choak hold with the arm snaking around her neck. There was a momentary pause, then an X-ray for the helmet to reveal an average girl who looked to be around 18 with an odd look on her face before the video continued.
Current Isaiah began to muffle out slanders and curses at RedTokyo, who responded with a shit eating grin as the young Darknut had an 'ahegao' face with her tongue out. She almost looked like she was having the time of her life.
"~H-Harder daddy~" Was the last thing the young girl moaned.
"What the fuck!?" Past Isaiah shouted in a flustered surprised as he released the captive girl and kicked her away a few feet, who in return looked like she was disappointed in the short 'battle'.
"Next, NEXT!" Past Isaiah shouted with a notable blush at the referee before the video clip ended.
"PHT-HA-HA-HA-HA!" I was busting out laughing at the expense of my own OC who looked like he wanted to die… huh… I haven't seen that look in a while.
"Oh, don't be like that, you know that you enjoyed that joke as much as I did. Here, you can go now." I snapped my fingers.
Isaiah was released from his restraints, and he lifelessly fell to the ground like he was a dead husk inside. Eh, he will get better in due time.
Well folks, that will be all for today, hope that you enjoyed my recent chapter, happy 22nd birthday to me, and most of all, I hope you guys have a great day! …Or a better day then Isaiah is having here. But with that out of the way, My discord is RedTokyo95#4424. This is RedTokyo95, signing off.
{End of transmission}