BEN 10: RISING OF THE SHIELD HERO
CHAPTER 18: AND THEN THERE WAS A GOD OF ROMANTIC COMEDY!
Random person: "A celestialsapien has been defeated before."
Yes, by another celestialsapien. More reasons for celestialsapiens to restrict each other.
"Man, you totally nailed it!" (Rex)
Greetings, we are not going to Shieldfreeden, first.
It is literally a coup d'état committed by the Church of Three Heroes and right now, the country is under the management of the knights. Even the King, Aultcray Melromarc, was detained in the process. I couldn't care less about him.
So we need a temporary solution to the current situation. But rather, unfortunately, I am not a politician although I can rely on my big brains at times. A nonillion IQ of Brainstorm is no joke.
And so we retreat to Lurolona and meet the duke Rex, who also is the head of the liberation army (sarcasm), and Eclair, who was nominated a right-hand general by the Queen herself.
"Yeah, I know, I know, that aside, we got a lot of problems on our plate," I say with a deadpan voice.
Lurolona isn't a place big enough for refugees to shelter, and demi-human escapees are a different story. Rex should understand it. So…
"Where did you take the rest of the prisoners?"
He asks, looking at the Biscas T. Balmus whom I arrested, and brought back to Lurolona. Of course, he's cuffed, but in an age of magic and all, we all have to keep our guards up.
"At the Siltvelt border. I just left them in a homemade prison."
After all, they are just blind believers. And punishing them isn't mine to decide.
Eclair glares at me with an unsatisfied look but I shrug it off.
"But…" I continue. "We got the one who led the whole coup and cult, so probably… It's a matter of time. I don't wanna mess with politics anyway. You can milk the information from that Pope. But don't bother about the country."
Rex laughs dryly. "I know, you entrusted me with the whole Demi-human protection thing, not Melromarc. I am no different. By the way, you are going to Shieldfreeden right?"
"Yeah, probably tomorrow. Sorry but I must take a day off, haha. I am exhausted."
It's not a lie. I transformed several times today and it was a tough fight so I am exhausted by now.
"But man, that Queen is really bossing you around, you know? Don't show off often, dude," he advises.
"Noted," I reply.
"What are you gonna do with those four brats?"
Eclair speaks up, pointing her index finger at a group of four people sitting at the corner of the room.
Malty, Motoyasu, Ren and Itsuki.
"Eh…" I forgot they were there. "Yes. Hey, why did you tag along with us?"
I honestly don't know. Maybe they want to thank me (?).
"So, this is Lurolona, huh. Duke Rex is handsome," Itsuki comments. Too late, bro. Too late.
"Basically, this is where you usually hide? Tennyson?" I glare at Motoyasu who asks that question.
"No, but yes, this is where I relax after traveling."
"Where is your girlfriend now!?" Malty asks.
I blink, thinking if she… just mocked me, but I realize she is referring to Aria.
Hold up…
"Nope, she's not my girlfriend," I answer without any hesitance.
Itsuki is just staring at Rex and Eclair suspiciously and silently.
I shoot a glance at the Pope who is looking down at his shoes (?).
"So this is the base where you shelter the demi-humans you rescued…"
I turn around to see the owner of the voice, Itsuki, who cups his chin, eyeing the duke, seemingly interested.
Or pretentious.
"I am sorry," he apologizes. "I didn't know you were a good person."
I raise my eyebrows and begin to doubt his words. But I play along with his act first.
"I don't mind, no, I don't even bother to mind you guys."
Motoyasu clicks his tongue.
"He is so damn overpowered–"
"We are sorry," Ren interrupts, his eyes looking away from me and his hand covering Motoyasu's mouth almost rudely.
Malty glares daggers at him but he ignores her.
These three heroes… how should I make use of them…
"Hey Eclair?"
"Yes, what do you want?"
She stands up from the seat, folding her arms.
"You should lecture them about the duties of a hero while they are here," I suggest.
Her expression dramatically changed.
"I am not a hero, I am a knight. And you are a hero. If anyone in this room is capable of teaching them, it is you. If I were you, they would have been 6 feet underground about now."
I sigh and turn towards the guys.
"What kinda hero do you want to be?"
"Spear Hero?" Motoyasu raises his weapon with a grumpy face.
"No, don't mean it."
"Ally of Justice?" Itsuki holds up his bow for no reason.
I tilt my head to look at Rex to call back up.
"Er… Right, something like that. But see, I will highlight what sorta heroes you guys are. You all might probably have a genuine wish to help people or some hypocritical and pretentious reasons to act like a hero. But as long as people are OK… I mean, COMPLETELY OKAY with it, I don't care about whatever reason you help people for."
Ren closes his eyes to concentrate or so I think.
"But look," I continue my lecture. "In the past, you have done things in the wrong ways. Like, Motoyasu… giving away the dangerous seed, Ren, you, killing a dragon and leaving the corpse… The rotten dragon gave too much trouble for a nearby village. And many people suffered and died. Because of you two."
"Huh?"
Motoyasu attempts to bark back but Ren restrains him.
"And Itsuki, your vigilante act gave rise to a plague, too. What I want to tell you guys is that if you help someone, see to the end. Don't drop the task midway or rush your way out. When you help people, keep in mind that they, too, have faith in heroes. So, it's your responsibility to meet their expectations. My grandpa once said this: "Being a hero is its own reward." Sure it might not give you anything, but if you consider yourself a hero, then act like one."
"How do you understand us, anyway?" Itsuki complains. "If the path of a hero consists of such hardships, you must as well be experienced to a level we can't imagine."
I smirk and hold up my Omnitrix.
"I have been a hero since I got this. It started when I was 10. I once decided to retire when I was–"
"Wait, you were 10? It's absurd!" Motoyasu growls.
"No wonder you looked fearless and familiar with battles," Ren comments.
"If you need help or lectures with heroics, I can help you guys," I finish with a wink and then turn towards Rex to continue the meeting.
"Rex, please."
"Oh," he stands up searching for something in the pile of paper before him. "Till last week, there have been an extra 10 demi-humans that have taken shelter in Lurolona."
"Rations? Good?"
"More than enough for next month. We saved up too much, hah!"
"Save it for the guests, too. Uh, Motoyasu, Itsuki, Ren, and Malty, you four have to remain here until the Queen came back."
Malty scowls and stands up from her seat, "Why should I follow your order!? I am the next Queen!"
"No, you are not. Whatever your decision is, the country is under the command of the Knights of Melromarc who joined forces with the Church. Right now. So, until the return of the Queen… the situation will remain grave."
"So what's your plan?" Ren asks.
"I have one, like using the Pope–" I look at the old man. " – And make the knights surrender. It is simple but I am not a politician, so I can't guarantee. I want you guys to stay here because it's a great chance there are people who want to assassinate you guys out there. Having you dead on me is the last thing I want in this world."
"Why not use your super-powerful devil form?" Motoyasu asks.
"Nope, it's not my problem, to begin with. I've had enough with the Queen's tasks on my tab. No more. Going to the Shieldfreeden will be my last quest."
"I can take them with me outside when I go hunting," Rex offers.
"Good Idea, Rex," I say before stepping out of the room. "Er, I'm gonna leave today. They are your guests from now on, the duke of Lurolona."
I hear the laugh of Rex before I leave the house.
Hope everything will be OK.
-(TRANSITION)-
The pieces of light that leak into my eyes wake me up, and the cool breath of the morning air suggests that the window is open. I can hear the waves in the sea and the leaves of the trees. I stretch my body and think to get out of the bed.
But I simply can't.
Something is holding my body back. To be precise, it's on my torso. With my half-open eyes, I can see an arm hugging me. I tilt my head and see the owner of the arm… it is Aria, sleeping soundly with her body down from the shoulders under the blanket.
Oh yeah, finally a rom-com scene!
The thought of her sleeping in my bed together with me strikes my mind hard enough to rouse my engine to start beating loudly. And the fear of vibrations going through her arm to wake her up enters the mind again. Damn… what should I do?
My free hand subconsciously rises and rubs her blond hair. Aw, I know she has me in her heart but I never give her an opportunity more than being a travel companion or a comrade. I might be a real pain in the ass for her. But the experience with Julie made me wary of girls.
I've always questioned if it's because of my Omnitrix that girls are interested in me.
Not a problem tho. Because Omnitrix and I are one. With the Omnitrix, I seek the peace of the world, no, universe. When someone says the name, Ben Tennyson, one will remember it is the wielder of the Omnitrix.
Why hate someone because she loves you for the fact that you are a hero?
Being a hero is a trait of me, and a part of me.
If she loves me for being a hero, then I can accept her happily nonetheless.
I look back at her and see her half-opened eyes staring at me who is playing the strands of hair on her forehead.
"Er… sorry."
"It's OK if you wanna..."
She says with a playful tone and forms her lips in a kissing pose.
Our eyes meet and result in me blushing. But… wait, I didn't sleep with her last night. Where is my daughter!?
"Where is Filo?"
She giggles. "I chase her away."
This woman…
I try to get up but she forces me to sleep with her.
"You are warm."
"No, it is hot to sleep with you. Let me out."
"*Knock knock knock*"
My eyes widen in horror as I hear the knocks on the door.
"Shit, Aria, get away," I whimper.
"No, why should I get away?" she embraces me even tighter.
"If someone enters, we are–"
"Ben… I have prepared breakfast for you!" it is Rifana.
"Er…" I swiftly wipe the sweat on my face. "Hey, Rifana, I will come. Just give me some minutes."
"Don't take too long!" she says with an aggressive tone.
"Ye–" Aria replies.
I hastily cover her mouth to stop speaking.
"Who is it? Aria?" Rifana wonders out loud.
"Er, no, you might just–" I try to refuse but…
Too late. "Oh, God, you are in Ben's Room! What the heck are you two doing!?"
I glare at Aria who is giggling under my hand.
"Relax, Rifana. We are just… sleeping–"
"Sleeping!? You are making babies together!?"
Whoever taught her that, I will have to say some words to them later.
I hear some sobs at my door. And she walks away from my room.
"Yeah, I win!" she congratulates herself with a fist holding up in the air.
I sigh as I push away the blanket and try to get out of the bed.
Her face becomes seriously red, blushing.
Her body is naked with the sheets covering it.
There is a good long moment of silence.
I gulp down her image as I swiftly pick up the blanket before exiting the room without another word.
She was pretty.
CHAPTER (18) IS CONCLUDED HERE.
I caught a cold and had to lie in bed for 3 days. So, I couldn't write anything. Sorry for late update.
Everyone, stay strong and stay safe.
Christopher Paradox Chronos