Chapter 3- To Serve an Emperor
Chise began to back up, until her fingers touched a trunk of a tree. "J-just what are you?"
She stammered. His gaze didn't let up; the man seemed very interested in her.
"I am a Shade, my dear."
"A Shade?"
She did not know that a shade existed, and what it even was. He still stared at her intently, as he approached her. The monsters started to come forth, surrounding Chise. Her only ways to escape fly away or stand and fight. Responding her body began to glow again as her arm changed into a huge Gatling gun. The shade smirked with interest calling for the monsters to attack. Holding the gun up, she fired taking three monsters down with ease.
"Stop," he stated, as one did not listen as around of bullets pierced his chest. "You Urgals don't know when to stop. I see that you pose a real threat, just what do you want?"
Chise stopped looking up at him, "What I want is to go home, and to find something very precious to me."
"That can be arranged."
"What? How?"
"Work under me," He snarled. "I can help you find your way home."
"I think I'll pass." She stated as he reappeared right in front of her face.
"Then at least work for our king. I'm sure he can get you home, but he'd want payment."
Chise thought for a second, "This could be my only chance to get back home, but what should I do? I really don't want to work for this thing." She nodded at his statement, "I'll work for the king, but not for you."
"If that's what you want, it's fine by me." He looked at her, "but I'm afraid I can't take you in without a fight."
"What!?" She shouted. The Shade was fast on his feet only giving Chise enough time to raise her gun. A metallic noise filled the air when his sword hit the metal. When she tried to fire at him, he disappeared. From behind her, he barked, "Garjzla!"
A bolt of red came from his hand thrusting towards her. Flying upward, she dodged the blast, watching the trees go up in red flames. The Shade howled in pain grasping his side, when bullets grazed his side.
Dropping a small bomb on him, a mass explosion covered the land. Smoke towered over the mountains. Landing, Chise scanned the area. When the dust cleared a figure was standing feet from her, the Shade had survived the blast. She cursed under her breath, "How is he still alive? What if he's immortal?"
"I see that you've wiped out all of the Urgals I had with me." The Shade glanced around seeing the blood that splattered everywhere. "You prove to be of great value. Perhaps the king will be interested in your skills. Accompany me to the capital, we'll await what happens there."
Chise gave him a blank expression, "Now I wonder if I'm doing the right thing." She watched him start to leave, but with a quick jolt he came from behind knocking her out. He lifted her up carrying Chise in his arms.
"You're a being from another world, perhaps an Angel, but you-no doubt- stop the Varden." The Shade walked through the woods as a bunch of Urgals awaited him, with a saddled horse.
-Later-
Waking up, Chise was in a room of some sort. There were no windows, but light emanated from a few candles. She sat up rubbing her neck in pain. The room was bare except for the bed and a fine oak dresser in the corner. The door started to open as a guard came in. He was dressed in fine silver clad armor. He held a spear in on hand and a spear in the other.
"Captain Durza would like to see you." He said sternly, signaling for her to follow him. Standing up she walked to the door, right behind the man. The hallways were wide and not to mention long. It was decorated in a royal fashion, lanterns were on each side leveled out to light the way.
"Where am I?" Chise asked as a few servants passed by. The guard hesitated, and didn't answer. "Excuse me?"
"You're in the King's castle,"
"The king's castle?" She thought for a second. "How long was I asleep?"
The man kept quiet, he seemed to be in thought. Chise was amazed of how big the place was, it was full of guards whom stood either in random places or near doors. They came to an abrupt stop at two gigantic oak doors that carvings of dragons were imprinted on them. He went inside first briefly and then came back out. "Stay here," was all he said
He left her near the doors; suddenly they were beginning to open. Far inside the room, a throne was placed. It was the throne room, and the king was inside with the Shade. She was told to come in, doing so Chise walked nobly. Durza was standing to the side, watching her. Sitting on his throne, a man was shaded by the darkness. A soft growl was heard behind him making her jump a bit.
"My servant here says that you wish to go home?" He asked in a deep, rich voice.
"Y-Yes sir." Chise bowed in respect.
"Durza also says that you have a strange power, that he has never seen before."
She transformed before him, now with metal wings and the Gatling gun, "that is strange, what are you?"
"A machine-like-god."
"So you are a God?"
"Yes. But I don't know how I came here."
"Then maybe we can help each other." He said in a dark tone. "Miss?"
"Chise."
"Well young Miss Chise, I am King Galbatorix." He stated, "If you work under me, I'll see if I can get you back home."
"I will serve," Chise went to one knee, "I have to, if I want to go home."
Galbatorix nodded, "Great, you'll start your mission to tomorrow."
"Tomorrow?" She thought, "That's real soon."
"You're dismissed."
Chise nodded leaving the room with the King in thought. "I don't think it'll be wise to have her swear in the ancient language. The girl proves to be powerful."
Back in the hall Chise was behind Durza, "What is my mission?" She asked.
"Well, you are to stop the uprising of the Varden near the Beor Mountains. Many of them have been spotted in the woods. With your speed, Chise you can stop them before we get there." Durza replied not looking back.
They did not exchange words for a while, Durza took her back to the room she was in. He opened the door, "I'll send a guard to retrieve you in the morning." He left into the hallway. Sitting on the bed, Chise as lost in thought. She watched the flame of the candle burn.
"What am I doing?" She thought, "It's like back home." Chise laid down, looking at the ceiling, resting her hands on her belly. She noticed that she had slightly gained weight. Turning sideways, Chise tried to go to sleep but could not. Tossing and turning, she thought about him.
"Where are you, Shuji? Are you even alive?" Tears formed in her eyes, "I hope you're okay."
Later that night Chise was able to doze off, but the seldom roar she heard kept her awake. Some guards passed the room; they talked while walking the hallway. She didn't want to get up, Chise also wanted to stay in the room not choosing to walk the halls. Even though she was, exhausted Chise was still unable to sleep. To her, the night seemed to keep going with no hope of dawn coming. Slowly closing her eyes, she managed to finally fall asleep.
When morning came, she was abruptly awoken by a knock on the door. Jumping up Chise opened the door to a guard. She shut the door and followed him, rubbing her yes. He mumbled that they were going to the armory. Walking up the hallway, the same roar from last night echoed. Her curiosity peaked about it, wondering what makes that loud sound.
"What is that, the creature that makes that noise?" Chise asked.
"That's the king's dragon, Shruikan." He replied.
"A dragon?"
"Yes."
"You mean they exist?"
"Yes, of course. It seems that our captain was right, you're not from around here." He turned down another hall, "I'm in your squad so I guess we'll be seeing each other often. My name is Kreis. You're supposed to takedown some of the Varden today; you need to get some supplies."
"Oh, I'm Chise," She asked, "Um; I don't even know how to handle a sword."
"Then I'll just give you one. Durza said that your skill is more cunning and dangerous than a blade," Kreis paused, "What is it that makes you deadly?"
"I can wipe out entire armies, and destroy a city in the matter of minutes." Chise replied sadly. "Since this world is different . . . This Varden you speak of, it won't take me long to kill them all."
"That's if you can find them. They hide in the mountains taking every moment they get to strike." He scorned, in a nasty tone.
"Why are they rebelling?"
"I'm not so sure myself. I think they want to rule the land."
Chise didn't reply, she thought to herself, "I guess they must be some nasty people . . . I am working for King Galbatorix, so I must be doing the right thing. Yet, I have doubts about this."
In the armory there were many guards, some had their swords being sharpened or cleaning armor. Most of them stayed quiet, talking when they discussed a battle plan. Some men glanced at her in confusion. "It's not often we see a woman in here." The guard in front of her pointed out. She nodded in reply, following him to the sword rack.
Kreis handed her a sword, that its length was a little bit shorter than her arm. The blade shined a leaden color, edges sharp. The sword's sheathe was made of hard, brown leather with a bronze tip on the bottom. Putting it on a belt, Chise tied it around her waist. "I don't think that I'll wear armor." She stated, many of the men stared, "It'll only slow me down."
"But what about arrows?" A man asked.
"I don't die that easily . . . besides I'll probably be going to fast for them to hit me." She smiled. "I have the advantage."
"If you insist, but they might by you as a wanderer. That also helps if . . ." Kreis cut off. "But your clothes would be exotic to them, like they are here."
"You have a point." Chise put her hand on her chin. "I'll just tell them that I'm from a far away island."
"Or attack them straight on."
"I agree."
Kreis nodded, walking out of the room with her behind him. He led her out to training field behind the castle. She looked back; the palace was magnificent standing above the other buildings below the makeshift hill. The outer walls were solid stone with black or red flags on the very top. On the back wall, a painted black dragon with red eyes pointed towards the north. Chise astonished by the castle's appearance, since the palace was bigger than some buildings she has seen. The town was not as brilliant but it suited the huge castle.
No grass grew on the training field, dirt and dust kicked up when the soldiers were sparring. Lined up neatly a few yards from them, were hay bales with targets on them. Four soldiers, lined up along them at a great distance. Each of them hit the target accurately hit the target, but barely hit the bull's-eye. Chise watched closely, as others clashed blades. Even some of the men sat drinking wine.
He stopped, "Okay, this is a good place."
"Huh?"
"You can fly right? So you can go this way, past the desert to the mountains." Kreis backed away. "Oh, you might come across some traveling traders."
Chise nodded as metal wings burst from her back. She flew up and made a sharp curve towards the south. When she got to the desert, near the mountains, Chise slowed down. Looking at the vast land below, she noticed that there was a group of five men below, they were heading towards the north. Landing the men drew swords, "The Varden!"
"State your business here, girl." The man in the middle stated. She didn't answer, instead her arm was the Gatling Gun.
"She works for Galbatorix!"
"Kill her!"
Aiming Chise fired, killing the man who said it, "You disobeyed your king, committing a treachery."
They backed off, "What are you?!"
"The Angel of Death." Her voice was cold and robotic.
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Thanks Vazra, you gave me an idea.
I wonder if Chise can cope with working for the dark king for long. Maybe a sick twisted fate will change her mind. Or rather, she becomes the green dragon egg's rider... Please review!
Little Bitty