Battletale

They all knew the stories..

Every summoner did..

The humans defeated the monsters sealing them up under the ground. Some said they were still there. Others thought they were extinct. One summoner did not. When the elder of the village he was staying at offered a job to find out why people were disappearing at Mt. Ebot he jumped at it.

He believed the monsters were innocent. He believed they were just as human as humans. The other mages all were into the games. Summoning and fighting one another.. He had no guardian. A summoner without a guardian was a sitting duck in the games. He didn't lack power or skill he had plenty of that. It was control..He needed a guardian to stop him from overloading himself. He would sigh walking towards the mountain top. A strange place but he could see where others had fallen in. Children mostly. Probably playing around and fell in. That explained a bit, but he could sense magic strong magic. He thought about it a moment looking down. If he went down that hole where would it lead? Would he just be another skeleton at the bottom of a large hole? Was there something more? One hand went to his chest as he felt it. His magic pulled.. it wanted him to go down it. For him this was unusual. Normally his magic didn't act up like that. He eyed the hole before taking a breath just leaping. He quickly found it to be stranger then he thought it was. He found it longer then he thought. Longer and Darker..Darker still then he'd imagined. For a moment it was overwhelming. He seemed to fall and fall till suddenly he seemed to float his fall slowing his feet touching not stone ground but yellow flowers. He had to blink for a moment and admire them. So pretty growing in darkness rather then light. He smiled slightly before turning seeing a path he stared a moment. Something seemed to be moving just a little bit in the darkness. Maybe it was another flower but he sensed a powerful spark of magic. His eyes narrowing as he walked forwards. The flower he saw suddenly moved eyes opening as it looked at him.

"...Plant monster.. S rank.." He identified it easily enough he was however unprepared for the creepy smile it gave him. "Oh look a human has fallen..One more for the king to take.."

The voice alone made him stand at attention a frown coming before he spoke. "So..That's what's going on here.. You're all still alive and trying to break the barrier aren't you?"

The plant wiggled slightly speaking up in a mock cheerful voice. "That's right little human We are still alive.. Most of us anyways.. The last one killed the old lady.. I've been bored just sitting around doing nothing.."

He raised one brow looking to the plant."Somehow I think you're full of it.. Sitting around doing nothing? Hardly.. I bet you know the underground better then anyone.."

Flattery.. It lowered most people's defenses. The flower seemed to preen a bit looking amused. "You're new.. I'll give you some Love.."

He would leap back one hand glowing before his staff appeared. "No you will not.." He was a summoner he knew what Love was.. Or rather the Love the other spoke of.. Levels Of Violence..It was a stupid thing and he always hated calling it that.

The flower drew back at the sight of the staff before wiggling. "Oh? A mage? Uncommon.. Most humans who fall don't know magic.. Why do you?"

He sighed looking down at it his eyes narrowed. "Because I was born with it.. It's in my blood.." His tail flicked side to side unwrapping from his waist as he eyed the other warily. It was an opportunity so see if he was right. Slowly he would allow the staff to vanish looking at the plant. "I'm not gonna fight you.. So I'll be on my way.."

The plant looked bored waving one leaf. "Fine go..He'll kill you anyways just like the rest.. Maybe I'll make a nice meal out of all that magic you have! Won't that be nice?"

He shuddered before quietly stepping around the other moving away. "..Better then worms I suppose.." He looked away quietly before continuing to walk. His tail would wrap back around his waist as he walked forwards. The small run down house the blood stains. He saw it all looking sad. "..That poor monster never even stood a chance.." He would simply shake his head. Luckily monsters didn't seem to leave souls but he none the less felt a strong echo of a goat lady motherly loving. He frowned softly before looking away from the bloodstains. He hoped that she was resting in peace but he had a feeling she was already gone. Resurrection wouldn't bring her back.. Too much time had passed.

Walking away from the stains he followed the feeling of magic. It was oddly strong for a place that was supposed to be empty. Snow..It had to be snow.. He sighed walking, it wasn't bad just odd to find snow underground. Maybe it was magic snow or something.. The flower's last comment echoed in his head. "He'll kill you like all the rest.. What did that mean? " Talking to himself.. He couldn't help it, sometimes he even answered himself.

The fur on his jacket rustled in the wind as he stood behind the tree lurking watching the path. Humans came he saw them he killed them. It was nothing personal, it was a job nothing more. But this brightly colored little thing in front of him made him raise one hand. So bright.. So fragile.. He'd never seen a human look fragile like that. And bright they would be dead in seconds..But he wondered..Why were they here..What did they come for?

The human walked a bit further before he felt the flare of magic. The bones rushed past him as he looked startled. Something had managed to sneak up on him. Bones.. A Skeleton monster this time and from the feel of it strong but something seemed off. They were holding back. He heard the crunch of snow underneath boots as he stood turning to look behind himself. He saw them.. Cold yellow eyes black and white theme to their clothes and the oddest thing a bottle of whiskey. He looked confused for a moment.

"Hiya kid..Sup?" The voice was rich dark and low. It spoke of carnal things hitting the human's ears he did the thing the Skeleton wasn't expecting. He dodged the next bones so casually thrown at him.

The human would huff looking annoyed before folding his arms speaking. "So..Monsters are still alive..Did you have to pounce on me as soon as I got here?"

The Skeleton walked forwards towards the human chuckling softly. The human had to admit it was an oddly nice laugh. He looked curiously at the Skeleton before the hand caught his chin making him blink in surprise.

"What are you?" The question came from the human before the Skeleton spoke looking amused. "What's a cute little thing like you doing here? Shouldn't you be in a library little mage?"

The Skeleton was aware he had magic? Curious..

"You have a name cutie?" The Skeleton didn't even bat an eye at the other's confusion.

The mage stared going red before he spoke looking annoyed. "Stop flirting with me.." It was bad enough the other mages all labled him a monster lover.. Now this happened this was not his day but he would answer the other's question. "Ryven..My name is Ryven.."

"That wasn't so hard now was it Ryven? Why are you here?" The Skeleton lit a cigarette with the tip of his finger before looking back to the human..No..Ryven.. Could he be the one? The one to break the spell? The one that would end the imprisonment they faced? He was curious though What the other was doing here.

Ryven raised one brow before looking to the other. "..Well if you must know I'm under orders from the village elder to investigate the humans who went missing at the top of the mountain.."

So that's what it was..He wasn't looking for their truth he was looking for the humans who'd fallen..How boring.. Was the thought the Skeleton had before he looked to the human. "Well...Now you know..We kill them and take their souls.."

The human didn't look too concerned despite the fact he'd just attacked him. It made him amused. He let the human's chin go before waving one hand."Follow don't follow your choice.."

Legend said a guide would appear.. Ryven eyed the Skeleton before speaking following the other. "Wait I don't even know your name!"

The Skeleton fixed him with those yellow glowing eyes looking amused. "Gaster Sans… But most people call me death..Or executioner.."

Ryven raised one brow before speaking "I'd call you a himbo but your a Skeleton..."

Sans chuckled softly before simply taking a drag from his cigarette looking amused. "I'd call you an uptight virgin boy but I have more manners.."

Without missing a beat Ryven piped up. "Mmhmm I bet you would..."

Sans had to chuckle, this human was so easy going so laid back. And yet he was easily flustered. He could be fun to play around with a bit.

Ryven followed Sans..Why you might ask? Because his magic told him to..

Sans would open the door to his house looking amused giving a mocking bow. "Come in your highness.." Ryven eyed him walking in but his tail caught Sans under the chin silky fur brushing bone. "Cute..But I'm not a prince.."

Sans didn't miss a beat. "No..Your a princess.."

Ryven rolled his eyes before turning folding his arms watching the other shut and lock the door. "I am not a girl.."

Sans shrugged before hanging his keys on the hook by the door. "I'm not a knight yet you followed me willingly so here we are Princess.."

Ryven sighed softly he supposed there were far worse things the other could be calling him..

Sans would walk over to his couch sitting down facing Ryven looking curiously at him. "You..Why are you really here? What are you really looking for?"

Ryven turned curiously looking to Sans before folding his arms. "...A guardian..."

Sans had to stop for a moment staring at the other with an intense glare. "A Guardian?"

Ryven raised one brow speaking in a mock cheerful voice. "If I didn't know any better I would think you half parrot.."

Sans lost all pretense of playfullness he had and was serious suddenly. "A mage seeking a Guardian coming here.. The city of monsters.. Why? And don't give me that crap line about the elder asked you to do shit.. We both know you're here for your own gain.."

Ryven stared for a moment before speaking quietly. "I want to find a guardian..A true Guardian not some run of the mill puppet.. A guardian who can pull me back if I'm getting too hot headed.."

Sans looked curious raising his hands folding them amusedly under his chin."Mmhmm.. And why would you need a guardian for that.."

Ryven eyed the other speaking softly."Because in the games a Mage without a guardian is a sitting duck.." His problem not his thought Sans before raising one shoulder in a shrug. "Mmm And what Games are these?"

Ryven looked a bit nervous before shaking his head. "Just..Summoner things.."

Sans looked amused again. "Mmm..Summoner things then hmm? And what about you? Why can't you do it by yourself hmm?"

Ryven stared before looking away. "I don't wanna talk about it.."

Sans stood before looming over the other his hand gripping the other's chin. "Shh I think you should tell me..I think you should tell me everything.."

Ryven felt it, the charm oozed from Sans. It hit his magic and made his heart flutter as he swallowed. He didn't want to fight it. His magic said to trust. So he would look to the side before looking back at those yellow eyes. "..Because I am not a fighter..I'm a healer..I preform sendings I preform healing magic.. I'm not a fighter.."

Sans looked amused before leaning back."Mmm little bit of a glass Cannon aren't you?"

Ryven raised one brow. "Hmph...Shut up.." He went red before looking away. He hated that term. Always made him annoyed..But it was true.. He was a glass Cannon..

Sans chuckled before moving back. "Eh who am I to judge.. And how does one become a guardian anyways?"

"Why are you curious?" Ryven didn't miss a beat in the conversation making Sans grin. A quick thinker this could be fun. Sans simply shrugged. "Maybe I am..You'd have to be awfully desperate to come here cuteness.."

Ryven rolled his eyes a sigh coming. "I am not desperate.. My magic told me to come so I did..Why? You act like I'm not supposed to listen to it.."

Sans drew back before speaking."Yes you are.. What's the matter couldn't find a human who'd take you?"

Ryven rolled his eyes looking to the side. "No..They were all a bunch of arrogant boring pigs who only wanted one thing and had no class or charm."

Sans looked amused his eyes narrowing."Oh? Charm and class hmm? Why would a Guardian need that?"

Ryven sighed before tilting his head." If I tell you will you take me seriously?"

Sans stared before nodding slightly his head tilting. Ryven would bite his lower lip before looking to the side. "I want a guardian who is like me..Laid back calm..Maybe a little Cocky.. Not afraid to pull me back if I'm getting a bit sassy..A guardian with meaning not some disgusting puppet who needs their strings pulled to make one simple decision!" There he'd answered now Sans could mock him if he wanted..

Sans blinked listening before tilting his head back a deep rich laugh coming. "Well looks like I meet those..Anything else?"

Ryven stared for a moment. He couldn't believe it..But then again leave it to a monster to understand better then a human. He folded his arms looking amused."You took that awfully easy.."

Sans smirked before tapping his fingers together leaning his head back slightly. "Tell me something..How does one become a guardian?"

Ryven eyed the other he didn't like how that look was aimed at him. "...A Contract.. You have to form a contract with a summoner.."

Sans stared before taking a step forwards towards the human his eyes glowing. Ryven stared before backing up looking confused. What was the other doing? What was this feeling? Ryven would hit the door staring up at the other his eyes wide. Sans raised one hand planting it to the side of Ryven's head before speaking finally. "And you wanna tell me how a contract is formed?"

Ryven looked everywhere but at Sans.. Damn cocky dominant jerk. His eyes met Sans's for a split second and he felt curiousity coming from the other." Ah..An act of intimacy.."

Now it was Sans's turn to be curious. "What like Sex?"

Ryven went red before pushing against the other's chest making Sans catch that hand. Ryven huffed speaking softly. "No you absolute Himbo.. True Intimacy not Sex.."

Sans raised one brow before speaking. "Let me guess then.. A form of Bonding with one another isn't it?"

Ryven looked surprised, Sans was smart..Maybe he shouldn't take him so lightly. He would nod though confirming the other's words. "Yes..Summoners and their guardians are connected..I guess you could call it that.."

Sans looked amused his head tilting forwards. "And what about you Ryven? Do you want to make a Contract?"

Ryven stared before his eyes widened. Why.. Of all the monsters did he have to get the flirty one.. A sigh coming as he spoke. "My magic will pull me to them.. The one who is meant to be my guardian."

Sans grinned before speaking in a sly manner. "Oh? And how do you know that? Maybe it already has pulled you to them.."

Ryven huffed looking up in exasperation before staring at the other. His magic wanted him to trust the other. He was naturally fascinated by him. Sans smirked slightly before leaning back. "Thought so..Tell ya what.. I'll make a deal with you...You break something for me and I'll think about forming a contract with you.."

The devil..That Skeleton was the Devil.. Ryven thought as he walked behind Sans. He was unprepared for the hand over his eyes and the tug he felt. He didn't fight that hand or the tug however before Sans lowered his hand. "Sorry sweetheart I don't need you getting injured from my shortcut thought.."

Ryven sighed softly at the name yet another nickname was his name really that hard for the other to say? "Mmhmm..Where's this barrier you wanted me to.." Ryven trailed off..A soul barrier.. These were old and the absolute worse to break. He would approach it looking annoyed. "You should have told me this was it.." He felt them.. Human souls.. Aspects of humanity. A frown coming as he studied the barrier. Of course.. The monsters couldn't use human magic. They had their own which was dangerous as it was. He would eye the barrier before taking a step back. This was a bit easier then he thought it might be though. A slight raise of the brow coming before he tipped his head raising his hands. "..In the name of humanity..Open this barrier.." The souls glowed coming to life. Faith, Trust, perseverance, kindness, empathy, strength..Only one left.. His soul formed in front of himself as he closed his eyes. "..Hope.." The barrier rumbled a sound like broken glass coming six times. On the seventh time Ryven fell towards the ground. He was giving too much.. Sans suddenly realized why he needed a guardian. The kid honestly put everything he had into his magic. Sans would pull Ryven back whispering in his ear calmly. "Shh..You gonna give your soul to that thing? The only one who's claiming this sparkle is me princess.."

Ryven couldn't tell if it was annoyance or being flustered but his soul stopped giving magic slowly calming before it went back into his chest. He sagged against Sans who simply picked him up. A cough coming from Sans before he moved back from the barrier sitting long enough to get his breathing back to normal. Ryven looked curious..This was interesting Sans acted like he didn't care yet he'd pulled him back..Willingly chose to call out to him. His eyes looked to the other seeing the discomfort. His hands would rest on Sans's face. "..Your injured?" Had the other been impaled by a piece of the barrier? Sans would look down as if checking himself to see if he'd been impaled before Ryven's magic sparkled flowing around him. Sans's body was his weapon and so his body responded. Instead of taking it rejected classifying Ryven's magic as an unknown thing. It pushed his magic back making Ryven rather amused. "..I think that's the first time my magic has ever been rejected..Most just take.." Sans's eyes snapped to him as he spoke."My body doesn't allow for outside magic..Next time warn me.." It felt odd..He could feel tingles of magic against bone. Warm it felt warm.. He eyed Ryven before speaking. "Lets go back to my place Sweetheart..You want rest don't ya?" The mage looked tired even though he was concerned about Sans he was tired.

Ryven huffed looking away at the Sweetheart part but his eyes would look to Sans as he sighed."..Yes..It would be nice.." Sans looked away gathering a piece of the barrier putting it in his jacket pocket before simply scooping Ryven up.

Ryven squeaked loudly before his arms wrapped around San's neck. "Gah warn me next time!" Warm..It felt warm here.. In this moment he felt like he could tell the other anything..That Sans wouldn't judge him for it. Sans eyed Ryven before speaking. "The aspect of hope huh..Imagine that.."

Ryven looked away. It wasn't hope he'd given.. It was Love..Actual love not levels of Violence.. But love.. The embodiment of all the virtues including his own. A sigh coming as he spoke softly. "Just..Lets go home.."

Sans covered Ryven's eyes once more the mage didn't fight him. Why? Why was the human so trusting..He'd attacked him in the beginning but even then the human didn't fight back and he didn't run. He was sassy yes but not violent. He even tolerated his nicknames so why? He shouldn't get attached.. He was his target after all. But holding the other like this it just felt oddly right. Sans was silent when he got them home setting Ryven down on his bed letting the mage rest. Ryven just laid silent his eyes closed. That barrier took it out of him. He was tired but opened his eyes when he felt the other lay at the foot of the bed with a pillow. For a moment he looked amused before speaking. "This is your bed why on earth are you laying down there?"

Sans opened one eye a grin coming. "Because Sweetheart if I laid next to you I might be tempted to do bad things.."

Ryven went red he had no come back to that. His eyes widening as he spoke softly. "Bad things..What makes you think I'd protest?"

Sans would wink before resting his head on his pillow. "You're too tired..After all that magic you released..You're tired you earned your rest."

Ryven stared before moving shifting his head laying by the others his feet facing the headboard of the bed. "..Mmm...You're right.. I am tired.." He yawned starting to drift off.

Sans would chuckle softly before letting the other drift off his own eyes closing. It was amusing..

Above the surface mages vied for control of the field magic thrown this way and that. Each one trying to crush the other in a blaze of glory. But under the ground the echos were softer. He barely felt them.. He could breathe calmer and sleep for once unfeeling the games going on above them. Ryven actually slept all night..

When his eyes opened it was to a pair of golden eyes watching him with amusement. "Morning sweetheart you gonna let go or do you want me to beg?"

The Devil the Skeleton was the absolute Devil!

Chapter one of something I've been toying with for a while. A friend gave me a little inspiration through rp and I finally had my opening chapter.. I don't own anything other then Ryven he's my baby everything else is owned by their appropriate owners I'm just borrowing them.