Me: Hey all I'm back and I finally got chapter 12 down, after losing video image on my monitor yet again, and a severe case of writer's block.
Link: Hey sorry I'm late.
Me: It's alright actually you're just in time, hey where's Malon?
Link: She didn't feel so good so she's in bed at home.
Me: Oh okay well just remind her to drink plenty of fluids and she'll be fine. any way here it is Chapter 12 in all it's glory.
Chapter 12
"What the hell are you doing here I thought you weren't coming with us?" Ranulf asked trying to find some exposed flesh. "I'm not I came here to get some supplies then leave but after I saw this man attacking these three I couldn't help but intervene." Shadow said continuing to hold the large sword up. "Whatever, Lyre, Romeria, Mia get on that ship now we'll hold him off." Ranulf instructed. "And leave you two to die not a chance." Mia protested. "Just do it, look don't worry about us, worry about yourselves at the moment and get on that ship." Shadow demanded. "they're not going anywhere, now prepare to die!" the black knight exclaimed raising his sword before bringing it back down. Shadow attempted to block the attack again; however, when the blade made contact it caused Shadow to go flying into Lyre and Romeria. "You alright?" Romeria asked. "Never better." Shadow said getting up. "He's too strong just save yourself." Lyre said. "No you need to get on that ship and for that to happen me and Ranulf need to fight him so go." Shadow commanded. Mia was about to protest when Shadow looked straight at her. She knew that there was no other choice so she grabbed Romeria and carried her to the ship avoiding the enemy weaponry. "Lyre come on they can take care of themselves let's go." Mia shouted.
Lyre sat there looking on as Shadow and Ranulf continued to hold the black knight at bay. 'this is nuts if they continue this those two will die.' She thought. "Lyre come on they can take care of themselves let's go." she heard Mia shout. Shaking her head to clear her thoughts Lyre responded by running towards the ship while looking back saying "Don't die on us Shadow, Ranulf." Shadow sighed thinking that they'll be fine for a while before turning back around to face the black knight with Ranulf. The blue haired cat had been fighting the longest thinking he could take the knight himself. "Need a little help?" Shadow asked. "Nah! I got him just get out of here." Ranulf said. "And leave you here to deal with him? I think not, let me help." Shadow protested. Ranulf gave in thinking that with Shadow's help he'll get out with less injuries than estimated and took his fighting stance as he transformed into his beast form. "So do you think we can win or should we not bother and run for our lives?" Shadow asked wholeheartedly. Ranulf just stared at Shadow, here they were facing the man who killed Ike's father and Shadow is taking the situation lightly. 'This can't be a good sign.' Ranulf thought. "Hey Ranulf I got a question." Shadow said. "Alright shoot." Ranulf stated snapping out of his train of thought. "Well why is it that whenever this guy gets hit there isn't a single scratch or cut mark on his armor?" Shadow asked curiously. "I don't know honestly." Ranulf said.
"Shadow, are you sure you want to do this?" Ranulf asked again. "Yeah, I'm sure Ranulf, there's no way in hell I'm letting you take this guy on yourself." Shadow said looking at his partner and friend. "If you two are done talking, then I would like to get things underway." the black knight stated coldly. "Yeesh, someone's a little impatient." Shadow said sarcastically. "Well then let's get started." Ranulf said leaping at the his opponent. Shadow waited until he could see an opening in the black kinght's attack pattern before joining the fray directly. Seconds turned to minutes, minutes turned to a couple of hours and still an opening had yet to reveal itself. "Oh to hell with it Ranulf needs help, damn the consequences!" Shadow exclaimed as he rushed to his friends aid. A battered and bruised Ranulf lay on the ground awaiting the final blow in which the black knight would deliver. The large sword was raised and the blue cat closed his eyes as his life started to flash. Then it came, the knight brought his sword down. Ranulf wondered where the final blow was until he opened his eyes to see Shadow's back holding the two-handed sword with his own single-edged blade. "About time you came to help!" Ranulf shouted. "Give me a break I was waiting for an opening, and when I couldn't see one I decided to finally jump in, so be grateful." Shadow growled. "Whatever, since you're still fresh meat in his eyes, I'm going to leave, see ya." Ranulf said before running off. "Hey! get back here do you really think I can fight him myself or is that your way of getting back at me for taking my sweet time!" Shadow shouted.
"You cannot hope to win, just give up." the black knight said. "Thanks but I'll pass." Shadow stated. in the midst of their conversation the two swordsmen constantly clashed their blades against the one another with neither side giving in; it was a stalemate. 'Dammit what is with that armor of his?' Shadow thought as his sword struck at the left side of the ebon armor. "Ah! you're not familiar with this armor are you, then let me fill you in on it's secret," the black knight started. "Please do, I'm curious." Shadow stated coldly. "This armor I wear is blessed by the goddess Ashera, only weapons that are also blessed by a goddess can break it." The black knight said explaining the armor's abilities. "Great so that means that my loss is garunteed." Shadow said. He was a little frustrated since fight began but now Shadow was downright pissed since now he can't break through the black knights armor unless he carries around a god-blessed weapon which is highly unlikely in his case. three hours had passed since the fight started between Shadow and the ebon clad knight, and Shadow was exhausted (then again you would be too if you were hopelessly striking blessed armor without considering retreating). Unable to even lift his sword watched as his opponent drew ever closer before stopping at arms length with his sword in the air waiting to deliver the final blow. "Dammit it can't end like this!" Shadow exclaimed his life flashing before his eyes.
flashback
A five year old Shadow is seen in a field just outside the castle. He is holding his very first wooden sword trying to swing it without losing his grip. Behind the boy stand three other children all of which are around his age. The first child is a girl with light blond hair and red eyes. The clothing she wore are of the sheikah (a/n: there's no point in trying to describe the cloth itself especially since you people should know who I'm talking about.) and she carried a long bladed dagger and kunai knives. The next child was also a girl but this one had a long flowing white and pink dress along with a pink royal hat, at first glace she looks like a mature princess which is only half true, she is a princess but she's not as mature as she wants to be. The final kid was male garbed in a green tunic and green shorts wearing brown boots, strapped to his back is a short sword and a wooden shield. "Shadow are you sure you want to learn the ways of the sword it looks to be very dangerous." the princess stated out of concern. "Yeah, I'm going to be a great swordsmen just like father." the young Shadow said determination in his eyes. "Well, just remember that no matter what we'll always be there for you, just in case you need to be bailed out." the green clad boy stated. "Right like you're one to talk, if I recall you needed help fending off a single bandit two months ago." the shiekah said blandly. The four children laughed as they then turned to face the setting sun. 'That was the first time those three ever came to my home.' Shadow thought opening his eyes again slowly.
end flashback
As Shadow was bringing himself out of his memories, he remembered that his opponent was just about to finish him off. Tilting his head up slightly Shadow was able to catch a glimpse of two figures standing between him and the black knight. "Croix if you would be so kind as to take the boy I'll meet up with you in a little bit." the first figure spoke. "Yes lord Sephiran, as you wish." the seond figure, Croix, said bowing to the Begnion Prime Minister. "Sephiran, the monk we saved from that prison? Wait that means that Daein captured a political figure of the Begnion court." Shadow said his face was shocked from what he heard. "Step aside Prime Minister, this is between me and the boy." the black knight said. "Oh really? And if I were to refuse?" Sephiran asked challenging the black knight. 'He wouldn't dare attack a member of the Begnion empire, that would cause Begnion to side with Crimea instantly.' Shadow thought. "Lord Sephiran please don't do anything rash we can't afford to lose such an important person." Croix stated. "Do not worry Croix, this man won't harm me, isn't that right?" Sephiran asked. The black knight sheathed his sword and proceeded to walk away, "You escape death this time kid but rest assured, next time we meet your head will be mine." The black knight stated as he threw a starnge powder into the air causing him to disappear.
"Thank you for the assistance Lord Sephiran, had it not been for you and your guard I would not be of this world." Shadow said. "Please think nothing of it, I was merely repaying a debt." Sephiran said smiling. Croix took a long look at Shadow noticing various cuts, bruises, and other unnaturally formed anomolies. Croix, in Shadow's eyes was very mysterious, he wore a pair of black pant, brown boots, a black leather jacket, black belt, dark blue shirt covering a chainmail. But those weren't the things that caught Shadow's attention, no what did catch his attention were the two swords strapped to Croix's left and right sides. Shadow being a left-handed swordsmen kept his blade and sheath on the right side. as he pondered what sword style Croix practiced, said man began to speak. "Lord Sephiran, I would like to request that I take this boy on as my apprentice." Croix said. Shadow's head jerked up at the request, the thought of being this man's apprentice never crossed Shadow's mind but now that it did, it well caught the boy off guard. "Croix that is a very bold request, may I ask why?" Sephiran asked. "Even though we have just met him, I can already tell that the boy is very proficient in the ways of the sword, to even last as long as he has against one of Daein's greatest generals is a feat in on its own. And to honest I find that his skills could be even better, with the right training of course." Croix stated. Again Shadow was caught by surprise, he always thought that his skills were fairly good but to be recognized by a fellow swordsman in such a manner it became a little too much for the boy. "Sir if I may, you said that with proper training I could become better what exactly do you mean?" Shadow asked curiously. "Well during that fight I noticed that you left yourself open quite a number of times, if you became my apprentice that number would be reduced dramatically." Croix explained. "Well then Croix I trust you realize that he will be your responsibility and yours alone correct?" Sephiran asked. "Correct." Croix said bowing. "Then by all means teach him and let's be on our way." Sephiran said walking away from the two. Shadow and Croix followed closely behind the prime minister as they left the port town together.
Me: Well there you have it and I told you guys Croix would show, and you doubted me.
Link: Wow he didn't do much in terms of fighting huh?
Me: true but I'm saving that for next chapter, anyway review all.