In the pub….(Same night)
Chairs in the room were broken to pieces, tables split in two and flipped over everywhere you looked. One man's body hanging on the wall with what appeared to be the leg of a chair impaled through his chest. The other man with the broken arm knelt before Apollyon. He whimpered as tears rolled down his red face.
"I am sorry Apollyon we didn't mean t- agh!" the man choked on his words before he could say anything else as his throat was now being crushed by Apollyon's hand.
"Save your breath, pig! You should be glad I haven't decided to rip out your tongue and feed it to the crows along with your body! You saw what happened to your friend and that was me being merciful! If you had got me angry- we would not be talking- I would be using my own hands to gut you slowly and make you watch as I rip out your innards in agonizing pain! Unmeasurable but everlasting until you stop breathing. And if you had touched that boy, oh you'd be praying that you stay dead cause I can and will bring your sorry ass back from hell itself and make you go through the pain again, and again, and again, and AGAIN! Do not think for a moment ever that you are safe from me or anyone. A wise man once told me, 'Death comes for all.' Now death comes for you, swiftly." Apollyon exclaimed angrily.
"Agh wait!" the man cried out.
Before he could say anything else with his last breath, Apollyon crushed his neck with one hand. She drew blood from it as her claws dug into his bare skin. Once his body stopped shaking she threw him back at the few turned over tables in front of her.
Now her hand was covered in blood but that was her littlest concern. She looked over to the barkeeper, who was still terrified of her, now even more. She stared him down as if expecting him to know what to say or not to say at all.
He steadied his nervous breathing and said, "I'll clean up this mess, my lord. Is there anything you would like before I get started?"
"There was but do not worry over that now," Apollyon said softly.
The barkeep nodded his head and began to clean up the mess that was made. While the cleaning was being done, Apollyon slowly took one step up the stairs for each singular step. Her face could only express disatisfaction. Why was that? Because she knew that Dielle and Agusto must've seen what she did before they decided to take off running to the bedroom. As she reached the top of the steps she looked down the short hall to see the door to the bedroom slightly open. She wasn't sure what to do or say but one way or another this will not be left alone in silence, especially when she needs to retrieve her helmet from Agusto. She walks down the hall over to the door. Putting her blood covered hand on it, she gently pushed it open. It slowly creaked as it turned, making her presence known already to Dielle and Agusto. Apollyon kept her eyes on the floor as she walked in. In the corner of her eye, she noticed, Dielle holding Agusto in her arms tightly. She looked at Apollyon with terror all over her face. Apollyon knew this mustn't have been good when she was staring at the ground she saw her helmet on the floor, tipped over.
As Apollyon reached down for it, Dielle flinched and covered her brother Agusto more in her arms. She examined her helmet all over, checking to see if any damage came on to it.
"I'm sorry you had to," Apollyon paused.
"Don't speak to me or my brother! Get out! Leave us alone! Monster! Murderer!" Dielle cried out tears pouring out of her eyes.
"you had to see that," Apollyon finished after Dielle screamed. She turns around and takes one step out the door but stops to say gently, "If you ever need something. Anything, really. You know where to find me."
"We don't need your help, now get out!" Dielle cried out again.
Apollyon felt nothing from this. The hate she was given. Most times the person who says or does something wrong they usually end up dead. This was different now, she was being hated by someone who she believed to have a nice relationship with but now it was all just a lie. She could not come to her reasoning to kill Dielle and her brother. The way Dielle spoke to Apollyon made her feel blank, even when still offering to help her in this hard time of her life, she was still being hated on. Apollyon walked out of the room and down the stairs. The barkeep was barely getting half-way with cleaning the place up. Just as he was about to continue with the bodies he saw Apollyon appear again, this time walking out the front door. He went back to cleaning the mess in his bar.
Apollyon walks out of the pub, walking over to her hitched horse. She gently rubbed its side back to front. It made sounds like its way of happily saying, welcome back. She unhitched the horse and began to lead it out of the village, the same way they came in. At the edge of the village barrier, she looked back to the pub's front door. Waiting to see if Dielle would even come out. She did not and Apollyon came to her own resolution. She put on her helmet and got back on track with her journey to the far East of Ashfeld. She hopped onto the saddle on her horse and galloped down the trail. She did not look back for anything and continued forth through the night.
Somewhere in the forest of Valkenheim….(Next day)
Eir had successfully led the group of survivors down the mountain and into the greener forest of Valkenheim. The wind was still a bit nippy but it was sufferable. Eir came across a dirt trail that she knew led straight up to the Warborn fortress. Taking the group onto the trail she told one of the survivors to keep going along with it. They listened to her as her word has not yet betrayed them yet. Eir slowed down to head back to her Samurai companion who was still in pain.
"How are you feeling?" Eir asks in her sweet voice.
"The pain remains but I can walk fine." the Orochi answers.
"We are approaching the fortress now. I'm going to have to hide you while I get my people inside." Eir said nicely.
"Go. Your people must come first. I will be fine." the Orochi answered.
The Orochi slowly came to a stop with the group and let himself fall behind. Some of the other survivors watched him fall behind noticing his face bruised along with his chest. He looked like he was defeated and had given up on life in general. He stumbled over to the side of the trail and leaned against a thick tree to hide behind. He quietly watched as Eir continued leading the group up to the trail and disappeared around the brush that covered the corner of the trail. He now must wait for her to come back for him and hope that this will end sooner than later.
Eir finally reached the gate of the Warborn fortress. She was pleased that she did because they were on their last bit of strength. She looked up and thought it was strange as she saw no one visible on the wall of their fortress. No one to speak to and ask for entry. She decided to wait a few moments to see if anyone would appear on the wall. Still, no one as time went by.
"Warborn!" Eir called out. "Warborn come forth! Eir, Valkyrie of Svengard, seeks aid! I have families that are sick, injured ,and hungry! Children who can not feel warmth anymore!" she shouted again. "Anyone, please! I ha-" she paused as soon as she heard the gates opening.
They slowly opened apart of each other and to her surprise, she saw the leader of the Warborn come out. Behind him was the army of the Warborn. A raider wielding his axe while he wore no shirt, only his cloth pants. He approaches Eir while his army stayed back watching closely.
"Eir." the Raider greeted nicely sticking out his hand.
"Thornfinn?" Eir said confused in an elated fashion and took his hand.
"Yes." Thornfinn answers.
"When did you become responsible for this miserable bunch?" Eir asked jokingly.
"When we were visited by Ragnar and his gang of the Bear Clan," Thornfinn answered in a depressing manner.
"What? What happened?!" Eir asked shocked.
"He came here saying that Svengard, our storehouse of seeds and food, was destroyed. Little food remained and hardly any seeds left to use for the Harvest. I know you lived at Svengard for some time. So I'll take your word over his. Is it true that Svengard has fallen?" Thornfinn asked.
"I am afraid so. It was the knights that did this to us, our people. So many lives lost that day. Slaughtered everyone in their path. I watched those I could not save suffer." Eir answered sadly.
"Then Ragnar is not so much of a liar than I thought BUT he is a thieving bastard. Stealing from the clans only to save those who follow him," said Thornfinn.
"He raided you?! Even after seeing the damage done by the Knights?!" Eir asked angrily.
"He did. Slaughtered a good bunch of my men while we talked right. Then rushed out of here with stacks of food on carriages." Thornfinn explained.
"Well do you know where he is going?!" Eir asked.
"Where else would that cowardly bastard go? Back to his hole with the other rats that follow the food. Probably stuffing their faces away with whatever their stomachs could take." Thornfinn answered sourly.
"By the gods!" Eir exclaimed angrily. "You plan to take back what he stole from your clan yes?" Eir asked.
"It is not that simple Eir. If we retaliate-" Thornfinn paused suddenly as his eyes noticed something and got his attention.
Eir looked back and her eyes widened in shock when she saw the Orochi limping over to them. Worse, he was being forced over to Eir and Thornfinn by another Valkyrie. This Valkyrie wore thicker heavier leather armor that was covered in bone spikes like her helmet.
"Thornfinn! Look who I found just down the trail!" shouted the Valkyrie.
"A Samurai?! Here?! In Valkenheim?!" Thornfinn asked in surprise.
"Eir," greeted the Valkyrie.
"Kara," Eir greeted back politely.
"Where was he hiding Kara?! Was he alone?! I don't want to deal with another raid!" Thornfinn asked annoyed.
"He was indeed alone. Better yet, he is injured. See?" Kara said as she used her spear to roughly hit the Orochi's side.
Falling on his knees, coughing in pain, the Orochi was stuck in the middle of this now whether Eir liked it or not.
"Why is he alone if not trying to raid us?" Thornfinn asked, looking down at the Samurai assassin.
"Why don't you tell him, Eir," Kara said calmly.
"Me?!" Eir asked caught off guard.
"Eir? She came here with survivors from Svengard. There is no way she could know anything about this Samurai scum." Thornfinn said.
"Let's talk about this shall we Eir? You came from the mountains to make your way down here fast so you can help your people, even one that isn't your own?" Kara asked playfully.
Eir gave Kara a nasty look under her mask.
"You knew the way down here and lead everyone here who is still alive to get them help. Including the Samurai. He was with you the entire way. You helped him down all the way here so you can what, nurse him back to his full strength?" Kara asked.
"Eir," Thornfinn looked over to Eir with concern. "Do not tell me you really helped him," he added.
"I never have seen or met the Samurai before Thornfinn. If I did, Svengard would have killed him when the Jarl laid eyes on him. It would be wrong for us to assist our enemy." Eir answered lying defensively.
"So then we should kill him? Very violent of you Eir. I remember you being very quiet, gentle, and peaceful. This does not seem to fit you in any way even if they are an enemy." Kara said toyingly.
Eir looked down at the Orochi, who at that moment looked up to her. Eir knew where this was leading and didn't like it one bit. She wanted to do something but if she tried she had no clue of the consequences. The Orochi had a feeling too that this would not end well but he was ready. If it meant a chance at living for their own survival he would not question or fight it. He respects it to the fullest. As shown of him being ready for what is to come he fixed himself onto his knees and patiently waited for it to happen. His death.
Eir then remembered what he said a while ago, 'Your people come first.' She listened the first time when it was said but now she wasn't sure if she could listen again to let someone die in front of her who has helped her all the way up to this point. Even if they aren't a Viking. Thornfinn lifts his ax above the Samurais' head, for Eir this all happened slowly. Adrenaline kicking in for her to make a quick decision in such a short time. The pressure building up from the conflict within her from deciding either to hold back or save the Orochi.
Thornfinn swung his mighty ax down on his soon-to-be Samurai victim. Eir was out of time, her decision was true and final. She was a healer more than a warrior even though she fights like an unstoppable war machine. Throwing all her morals regarding Viking livelihood out, she slid over in front of Thornfinn's ax trajectory and put up her shield. Thornfinn's ax came down hard onto her shield but she was able to absorb the shock and throw him back.
No one but Thornfinn and his army that was watching was surprised by Eir's reaction. Kara was upset, rightfully so too as she now sees her Valkyrie sister protect the Samurai.
"Eir… what is the meaning of your defiance?!" Thornfinn asked angrily confused.
"I protect and heal the sick n' wounded. I won't let you kill him if he has no intentions to harm us especially when he is not capable of defending himself. So yes, I helped him." Eir answered sternly looking into Thornfinns eyes.
"He is not a Viking! He is a Samurai- an outsider!" Thornfinn barked at Eir.
"And so am I!" Eir barked back.
Kara squinted her eyes at Eir, confused by the response given. Thornfinn panted in shock and confusion.
"What?" Thornfinn asks calmly.
"Before Svengard was attacked, there was an incident that happened, involving myself, him, and two others. Accused wrongfully we were tracked down and almost killed. Luckily I was brought back and spoke with our Jarl, Gudmundr. He said we were accused of murdering the child of our fortress's strongest warrior. The conversation was continuously getting heated and when the fight was about to begin- I along with the Samurai were cast out -me especially since I had befriended the Samurai." Eir explained calmly.
"That doesn't help your situation here," Kara said sternly.
"I never deemed it would. I'm just telling you what happened." Eir answered by shooting her glare to Kara.
"Eir this is madness. You've been befriending our enemy when he should've been killed on the spot! If Gudmundr is still alive he would-" Thornfinn was cut off by Eir.
"Gudmundr is dead!" Eir shouted. "Murdered by the knights that attacked us. And before you say anything about him cursing out my decisions, know that it was he who had him kept alive when he was brought back even after soon realizing he was a Samurai," she added angrily.
Now Kara and Thornfinn stood bewildered before Eir. A notorious jarl such as Gudmundr, allowing such vermin to live, is basically like a fairy tale.
"Eir," Kara called nicely.
"What?" Eir asked.
"Who were the knights' faction when Svengard fell?" Kara asked, sounding concerned deeply.
"The only one that could have been able to do this. The only army that would even dare cause this when under such a ruthless leader. Black Stone." Eir answered.
Hearing the title, Black Stone, sent shivers through the two standing before Eir. They knew this name and army all too well.
"Black Stone. Them attacking our storehouse is basically calling for a war with us. They're wanting to fight." Thornfinn said using his axe to hold himself up.
"Attacking us like this is unnatural, even for them. I know enough about the legion and their leader that commands it. They have never attacked our storehouses before. They have mostly attacked fortresses that meant to give them extra land. Something is stirring and I'm not liking it." Kara explained.
"I should've been here sooner. I knew this would happen and already I am too late. Black Stone means to starve us out and make us kill each other. That is why Ragnar attacked." Eir explained sadly.
Kara glanced over to the group Eir had been leading this entire time and saw weakness in their eyes. Looking back, she called over a few men to assist them inside. "As helpful as that would be Eir, there was nothing else that could have been done," Kara said.
Eir lowered her guard and stood straight up slowly, then slowly looking down to her feet. "I wish there was something I could have done," she said sadly.
"Eir," Kara called nicely.
Eir lifted her head to see Kara using her spear to point over to the people she brought with her walk inside the fortress.
"See that?" Kara asked. "That is you, helping us. Not us specifically but our people none the less. You have done something," Kara explained as they both look over to the group of people walking into the fortress. Kara spots a short small girl who looked terrified and confused as she continues, "even if that something didn't seem to do much."
Eir felt better after seeing and hearing what Kara said. "Thank you, Kara."
"Don't make me the teary-eyed one. Now about the Samurai." Kara said in her serious voice.
"Before you two say anything I should explain something," Eir said looking to Thornfinn and Kara. "今はすべて問題ありません。立ち上がる。" she said looking down behind her to the Orochi.
Kara was surprised along with Thornfinn after hearing Eir suddenly speaking Japanese to the Orochi.
The Orochi stood up on his feet, listening to Eir.
"All those times about not able to speak Japanese," Kara whispered under her helmet.
"What?" Eir asked thinking she heard Kara.
"Nothing." Kara immediately answered as she began to look around the area not wanting to make eye contact.
"Now I'm lost in all of this. You helped him, befriended him and now you can speak to him?!" Thornfinn asked, bewildered from it all.
"Long story short, yes. Just not in that order." Eir answered.
As the Orochi stood back on his feet again, Thornfinn hesitantly motioned his ax but Kara stopped him. Looking at her still confused by it all Kara gave him a look that said, 'Hold on.' He held himself back and watched.
"Eir." Kara called continuing, "What is it about him that you didn't kill him? Besides the Jarl ordering so, there must be another reason that you specifically didn't kill him."
"There was." Eir answers, "Just not something I'm willing to tell right now."
"Well you must tell us something," Kara said in a demanding tone as she looked back at the army of Viking still watching. "Because if not, some people here may get hostile," she added nicely.
"If you must tell them he is our prisoner then do so. But take my word when I say this. He will not harm us unless you force him to defend himself." Eir said nicely.
Kara and Thornfinn were silent to her, thinking of their own responses for it.
Eir became worried and said, "Please. I have been faithful to our people countless times. You have trusted me before and now I need the trust you have in me still now more than ever. He is a friend and will listen to reason before using actions."
Kara then spoke, "If allowed to, he must stay in the cell under constant watch. Is he okay with that?"
Eir turned to the Orochi and asked, "彼らがあなたがとどまることを許すならば、あなたは刑務所の独房の中にいなければなりません。"
The Orochi gave her a simple nod.
"He is fine with that," Eir said.
"Wait a moment!" Thornfinn shouted. "What if I don't like this? What if this is some plan of his?!" he asked.
Kara quickly turned her eyes to Thornfinn and said, "Really? A plan that gets himself hurt and become friends with someone he can't understand at all unless in his people's tongue? Then get himself caught by me to then reveal all this? Does that really sound like a plan worth much in the end?"
"Not when you think about it," Thornfinn said sadly.
"Yeah. Ok well, let's get him inside before the men get any ideas. No one here likes the Samurai." Kara said as she began to walk back inside the fortress.
Thornfinn was flustered. He grabbed the Orochi by the arm aggressively and pulled him along his side back into their fortress. Eir followed behind and kept her eye on the Orochi to make sure he wasn't in any more pain.
Harrowgate….
Bonifaas, unarmored, stood over his laid out armor on the bed. Balendin's and his current poleaxe leaning against the stone walls. Bonifaas poleaxe didn't settle with him anymore any time he looked at it. It may look fancy and cool for the looks, but remembering how easily it broke bothered him. It was repaired but the pieces revealed cracks and other marks on it that show the damage done to it.
Bonifaas was more focused on his armor. Flawless black iron design but, too many spikes maybe for his liking. He was no master blacksmith but he knew it was a bit much for the entire set. Maybe the design just isn't him. The metal, perfect. The flexibility gives him, smooth as cloth clothing. No bruising on his body anymore when wearing the new armor as the old one did. However, great as it may be it is not satisfying his sense of style.
He knew the only way to most likely change this was to bring it to a actual blacksmith. What blacksmith knows how to deal with armor or weapons that came from basically hell, heaven, or purgatory? Balendin had made Bonifaas weapon in quick succession back in the void. When crafting the weapon it must not be as powerful like Balendins. Simple materials summoned out of nothing but his bare hands and the use of his mind. A gilded weapon must not be as great as it seems if it breaks easily due to excessive amounts of force pounding it.
The armor, also made by Balendin, was not a choice or idea Bonifaas came up with either. Still Balendins design choice. It works but it doesn't feel like it's Bonifaas. Especially not when you are on a campaign for peace and your style is just like your enemy.
Bonifaas stopped looking at his armor and approached the two poleaxes leaning on the stone wall. He picks up the one made for him and left his room. Walking outside over to the edge of the wall, he had a beautiful view still over the green woods below the rocky mountainside. The wind was calm today, hitting the bushes and trees below, making the forest act as small beach waves. Bonifaas was not here to take in the sight again. He was here with his weapon in hand for one reason, to create a new legend that didn't start with his gilded poleaxe. Special it may be because it was made by Balendin but it was never useful. Bonifaas lifts his hands up, using one for aiming and the other to throw. Aiming high up into the clouds, he threw his ax as if it was a spear. It didn't go anywhere far as its weight quickly took over and its trajectory quickly angled down into the forest below.
Bonifaas didn't feel regret in his decision. This choice was to help him to stop mourning to give him the push he needs.
He walked back inside his room and started putting his armor back on. You may be wondering, why did he throw his weapon away? What good will that do for himself when he can now use his dead friend's weapon instead? This wasn't to throw away a piece of crap weapon. It wasn't out of hate. It was not to only stop himself from mourning. This was the birth of something new and heroic. A new legend you could say. Bonifaas treated Balendins story as his light in the dark when he felt hopeless. He heard the same story as everyone else about Balendin being a traitor and most did believe it but, there was a different story told through his mother. A story of one man betrayed by his own legion and his quest for vengeance. One man taking on an army, impossible and suicidal. But he learned he could not fight alone and realized he was doomed to fail if not for some assistance to come along and help him see differently.
He was shown that he isn't the only one affected by his traitorous leader. He traveled to other lands and met those also not fond of his leader. Two warriors of different homes, sharing the same vengeance on Balendins betrayer. Joining together the three created an impossible and unholy alliance. Their allegiance was seen by others as disgusting, sinful, and blasphemous. But with this they gathered followers with the same goal, to end the tyrannic rule over the knights.
When they had the strength and support there was only one thing left to do. That was to kill the leader who sat on his throne in Ashfeld. Balendins allegiance was outnumbered but they had one advantage over it all. Skill. A battlefield soon covered by the blood of their enemies, Balendins allegiance pushed through and breached the home of his once old leader that he trusted.
While the other two leaders took care of the remaining forces, Balendin fought his leader. The two fought to the limit. Balendin may have come back from the dead but sometimes you run into a warrior who is equally matched. Soon the fight was over, Balendin being the hero. He had won and his vengeance fulfilled.
That was the story he was told and only believes in. I told you this was the birth of something new and heroic. Bonifaas would right the wrongs in Balendins name and show the world that peace was always the end goal. Fully armored, he walked over to Balendins poleaxe. Reaching out to pick up the weapon, he hesitated. Asking himself if this was the right call. Then began to doubt himself but something in him gave him the courage. He picked up Balendins weapon with both hands. He felt powerful while wielding it. Like no one could stop him, not even Apollyon.
"I'll make things right I swear it. Even if it kills me," Bonifaas said to himself. Sheathing the weapon on his back, he walked out of his room, back outside.
Our used to be Black Stone knight walks with purpose again. He now fights only to bring peace amongst the three factions, bringing a new age of peace and unity. Righting the wrong of Balendins story and showing the world, peace is possible. It only takes a leap of faith.
Bonifaas walked around the top of the castle walls until he found stone steps leading down. He follows it down into a torch-lit room. Full of life of soldiers sitting down having conversations with each other. Voices bombing the room with talk of their pasts, presents, and dream filled futures. Other voices speaking of old tales they heard from people on their travels, some fairy tales that Bonfaas recognized and others not so much. One soldier spoke of a fight he witnessed of Apollyon taking on ten Vikings who got in her way and by the sound of it, not even ten men could keep her at bay from her goals. He has fought alongside Apollyon and that appears somewhat true as fact but he has never actually seen ten warriors fight her at once. It just sounds as menacing as she is.
He looked around the room and saw at a large round table, Daubeny, the Commander, and two others. The notorious assassin, Mercy sitting beside a warden. Bonifaas walked over slowly so as to not spook anyone. Once he was closing in on them he began to hear some of the conversations.
"He might be persistent but he cannot hope to actually bring two other factions into this fight and expects them all to listen to him!" Daubeny exclaimed angrily.
"Calm down Daubeny. It is indeed insane, yes, but we will need to divide and conquer. We can not do that with the current amount of soldiers we have." said the Commander.
"It's not insane. He isn't trying to rule over them at all by the way you speak of him. Your leader sounds like a man who just wants to end a nightmare we are all living in. If he wants to unite the three factions, THEN HELL LET HIM DO IT! You may not trust your leader, maybe because he was Black Stone, or he just seems like he is going to get you all killed but guess what. We just got here, I don't even know who he is, but he has my support no doubt. Not because we have the same goal, but because he wants to fight for one true purpose." the Warden explains shooting up from his chair.
Daubeny and the Commander then realized the room quickly got quiet. Everyone was attracted by the shouting the Warden did.
"And what's that?" Daubeny asked.
"Peace," the Warden put it nicely.
The room setting shortly turned awkward.
He then added, "I am not from around here, yes. You may all believe it is just impossible to get even an ounce of what is called peace. We fight because what else have we ever done besides just that?! Our homes, our world, its full of it. Everywhere you go, a fight is brewing to erupt. It can be in Valkenheim, the Myre, and it is damn well here, in Ashfeld. We fight for those who want to gain more until they can no longer stomach the amount. Soldiers who fight for just the glory in victory. Leaders and generals who only want more coin in their pouches! A fight in it all! A fight for something of value." He then saw the many eyes watching them around the room. He then continued, "Brothers and sisters of Ashfeld, I took an oath to be a Warden and so I am. I will not fight to threaten the existence of others even when they are the most deserving. I did not take an oath to bring death and destruction. I took one and one only true oath that should ever be taken, and that is to fight for peace. She took an oath, you Daubeny took an oath, he," He paused when he pointed to Bonifaas. The Warden would have continued his little speech if his eyes weren't attracted to the weapon on his back.
Daubeny, the Commander both turn to see Bonifaas standing right behind them.
"Oh, shit," the Commander whispers under his breath and quickly turned back towards the Warden.
"Finally decided to come out of your hole have you?" Daubeny asked sourly.
"What is your problem with me, Daubeny? I find you in your castle with barely a handful of men to fight with and you treat yourself like dogs shit. If Balendin wasn't the actual man he was he would have killed you on the spot. We helped you get an army. Now you question and doubt my methods of a plan to stop Apollyon. What is it you despise about me so much?" Bonifaas asked, confused.
"You- You are they very person who has been the closest to Apollyon's side in the last few years of serving her. We both served her and no one has gotten her favor as you or Holden have but I have seen her mostly favor you. Why don't you tell us that, Silent Judge of the Black Stone Legion?!" Daubeny asked loud and proudly.
Bonifaas knew this wasn't the time for pointless chit chat. An explanation Daubey wanted, he would have to wait.
"As the title stands… silent." Daubeny said disgustedly and sped past everyone to exit the room.
The warden sat down in the chair slowly when a loud slam of a door shut. Quickly everyone went back to minding their own business and continued their left off conversations. Bonifaas took Daubeny's chair and sat in it while placing his poleaxe beside him.
"Excuse that little drama. Ever since I helped him out he doesn't want to be on the same page and might have something against me now I think about it." Bonifaas said awkwardly as he then took off his helmet, placing it on the table.
"Bonifaas?!" Mercy asked in surprise.
Bonifaas looks to Mercy and just remembered no one knew it was him. "...Hey," he says slowly.
"Aren't you dead?! How many times now?!" Mercy asked.
Bonifaas rubs the back of his neck and says, "I wish I wasn't here to answer but yet, here I am, breathing and fighting again. So yeah I'm not dead again."
"I was there when you broke Holden and the other prisoners out then saw you get killed by Apollyon. Even before that, you were buried. How in the hell are you alive?! Is this some witchcraft?!" Mercy said feeling overwhelmed.
"It's… a long and certainly weird story to tell but, all I can say right now is that… no matter how many times you see me die, I'll come back stronger than ever." Bonifaas answered.
"Who is he?" the Warden asked, leaning into Mercy's ear.
"A ghost." Mercy said bitterly.
"Mercy," Bonifaas said sadly.
"No! I want to know what the hell is going on! You were said to be dead! Then you came back freeing the Samurai and Viking prisoners along with Holden! Killed again and then I'm guessing another time when you fought me and Amada, right?!" Mercy asked angrily.
Bonifaas said nothing, only nodding as an answer to Mercy.
"Who was the other Knight with you that day?" Mercy asked.
"An allie, I watched get murdered right in front of my eyes and there wasn't anything I could do to stop it," Bonifaas answered.
"Just an allie? You were dead! How could have come back to life and already have one?!" Mercy asked.
"It's not that easy to say why or how Mercy. You asking for answers out of me are a mystery even to me and I was the only one who managed to survive this far." Bonifaas said, putting his hands together on the table.
"You must know something!" Mercy insisted.
Bonifaas sighed annoyingly, "Listen, the day I Ieft Black Stone was the first time ever I got the chance to look for a new meaning to fight again. I was terrified when asking Apollyon of this but she actually listened through it all and granted me a safe release to explore life as it is now. During my time of freedom of a legion, I came across many fights for my survival until one particular night. I didn't realize it until it was too late that I had strayed too far out of Ashfeld territory and was now in Valkenheim. Cold as hell and silent night. I was snuck up on and then I was knocked out. Next thing I knew I was laying on the dirt ground inside, The Pit. The arena Vikings use for their amusement and to test the survival of anyone unlucky enough to get tossed in. I was, sure, unlucky but I wasn't the only one considered to be unlucky. There was another thrown in, a girl. I think one they call a Shaman. She seemed forced to fight inside the arena against me. Outmatched she appeared to me, later I realized that was far from the truth. Anyway, We fought but she was too easy to actually fight against. No form or proper guard at all just all wit and brawns. I didn't kill her since I knew that was what they probably wanted."
He put up his hand to say something but put it down and continued, "Anyway I fought off the angry leader there and scared them all to the point they abandoned the entire arena. Leaving me and the Viking girl with the fort to ourselves, I didn't just want to ditch her since she seemed helpless. So I help her instead of making any rash decision. Even then I was making a bad decision chaining her up. I was hoping maybe to help her see we were not enemies as I gave her food. She almost knew, I think, that I was indeed being helpful until something made her snap and attack me. I then planned on leaving her then but that is when I witnessed a true survivor that day. She ripped off the chain from the floor and dragged it all the way with her until she found me again. I gave her the keys that went with the chain. I guess that was my last hope, saying I was still being a friend. Nope. She freed herself and sought to kill me. Dangerously persistent she is. Before the fight started I was thinking about her that entire moment. Just, something about her had me worried. The kind of worrying you only get of someone close and special in your life. I was worried that if I let her live again and we both walk away she'll probably become a mockery or something worse to her own people. So when in the middle of the fight, seeing the fighting spirit she possessed, I left myself open secretly to her attacks. Costing my life in the end, I felt… happier. And… that was that."
The Warden and Mercy listened closely the entire time. The Warden is the only one touched by his story. Mercy is unsatisfied.
"And?!" Mercy asked aloud confused. "You die in combat and then somehow come back?!" she asked.
"No. There is more to this Mercy. I awoke in a void. An empty middle space of darkness but not of evil by the feeling of it. It was there I met my new friend who was at first hard to communicate with as he and myself had our own agendas. We came to one goal and I followed him. As wrong as it might feel now I needed someone's help not with fighting but a way out as he knew how being the only one I met. I come back to my heart beating once more. You and I met and now here we are. Is that to your satisfaction?" Bonifaas answered.
Mercy seemed in disbelief but had nothing more to add as she felt more left unknowing. "For now." she replied sourly.
"Ahem. Now may we engage in more up to more important topics like the Black Stone Legion?" Bonifaas asked.
Author's note: Hey guys. It has been awhile. More of a year or two. A lot has happened but I never forgot you all who reviewed and enjoyed my story this far. I just had things to focus on but now I'm slowly going to come back into this hard work of a story once more. So please leave a review on what you think.