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Chapter 5: Geipnir
Esdeath's Manor: Dining room
Esdeath had gathered her three beasts for a dinner conference. Nyau and Daidara sat on opposite sides of the table, as Liver sat on Esdeath's left, and Bard, who looked slightly sleep deprived was on her right where she could pat his head whenever she wanted. She was still adamant in getting her love a Teigu.
Not that her training him for ten years hasn't done anything, it has. Bard was able to survive in the wilderness for a good period of time, long enough to get to civilization. Bard missed camping outside the capital. There was a lot of things to do in the wilderness that the brick jungles of civilization didn't provide.
But there was one thing the Capital had that Bard loved since his arrival, books. Lots of them, on history, on cooking, culture, military strategy. Whilst his strength only improved in the past ten years to be only fifteen percent of Esdeath's total strength due to her making it increasingly more complicated at each sign of progress, Bard's mind sharpened under the written words of authors, philosophers, and poets. Esdeath knew that too.
Which is why she sought to get him a Teigu to bridge the gap.
But moving past his improvements, Esdeath was currently talking to the Three Beasts on how to properly handle Night Raid. "We'll need to make the public fear Night Raid, so Daidara, Nyau, Liver, Honest feels like it's the perfect opportunity to deal with some of his rivals." She explained.
"Consider it done Milady." Liver stated. Daidara nodded enthusiastically whilst Nyau simply smiled.
"I could get a new souvenir out of all that too." Nyau stated as Bard simply tried hard not to gag.
"Guys please, no murder talk or speaking of taking off faces at the table." He said. "Also, wouldn't it be a risk to do that and blame Night Raid, if that is what you're implying Esdeath?"
"Of course Bard." Esdeath stated. "We're counting on drawing them out in the open. They will then surrender to us."
"Guys you're painting a target on your back, what if it-" Bard was quickly silenced by Esdeath poking the side of his head.
"Then whether they fall or not is based on their strength or weakness Bard. Stop over-analyzing this like a paranoid tactician." Esdeath stated. "It's my tactics and it will be effective. If you don't like that idea.~" She flashed a wicked glare at Bard which made him quiver a bit.
"I apologize. I spoke out of turn." Bard stated with his gaze on his empty plate. Esdeath rewarded the display by feeding him from her plate.
Nyau chuckled a bit at the scene. "What a submissive display." He thought as he failed to realize the ice cold stare given to him by Esdeath. The smallest member of the three beasts swallowed nervously and chose Bard's strategy of remaining silent.
"Also, in other announcements, I'm taking Bard to the Vault so he can get an Imperial Arm of his own. It's high time his strength caught up with his wonderful, yet pesky, brain." Esdeath continued, "Then he can join my upcoming new team with no gripe from him, or The Prime Minister."
"Is that a wise decision? He may possess strength of mind but if his physical strength doesn't hold, it could kill him." Liver said, knowing the risks one takes in first trying a Teigu for compatibility.
"I'm aware of the risks as the vast majority of you are of getting a Teigu." Bard stated. "But I'm tired of being ten steps behind Esdeath. Even ten years ago Esdeath and I have a gap between us. Her Demon's Extract only widened the gap two years ago. I know some of you think, 'I should be a bit more stronger, Liver. Or, 'I don't have enough experience points', Daidara." Bard eyed each one carefully.
"But, haven't I proven that I was smart?" Bard concluded his small rebuttal. Nyau could only roll his eyes.
"Yes, smart enough to somehow put one foot on the Prime Minister's foot, and then run away when he feels the stomp." Nyau joked. Bard only sighed and sat in silence as dark deeds were planned by four of the five in the dining room.
The Next Morning: Teigu Vault
Bard walked with Esdeath into the Teigu Vault in the Imperial Palace. They were silent as they entered, neither speaking to the other. Not because of how they disagreed on how Esdeath deployed the Three Beasts last night in the strategy, they always had disagreements over strategy. Bard would try to demonstrate a more rational strategy to conduct on certain campaigns and Esdeath would take his advice now and then. However the alterations Bard made to her plans however, she was still ruthless in battle.
But the fact he had her ear at all was most surprising. Honest didn't like that fact at first, however Esdeath made it clear she took both her lover and the Minister's in consideration and weighs them accordingly.
But they were silent because Bard was still half asleep. He never said much when he was at this stage of waking up. But he could swear as he got closer to the Teigu Vault, the more he started to hear something calling out to him. But it was so faint, as that of a wasp's footsteps, that Bard could hardly make it out as Esdeath spoke.
"Remember Bard, you have to observe them, and if you have a certain feeling about one, act on it." Esdeath stated. "Don't show any signs of weakness."
Bard could only nod as the pair entered the Vault. "Look around Bard. But be careful."
"You be careful, Ice Queen." Bard tiredly replied as he looked around the Vault. Yet the faint call was now slightly louder. He turned to where the voice was coming from, and discovered a slender chest, about five feet long as he walked and opened it blowing any dust that may have collected from it. Inside the chest was a greatsword.
The metal of the blade and pommel looked to be of Orichalum metal, as was most of the Armor and Weapon type of Teigu present. The handle was wrapped in a teal colored leather. The Cross guard was simple, able to protect the hands of the wielder. The only known markings on it was words upon the hilt, which seemed to mark the name of the blade.
Gleipnir. Bard seemed fascinated by the blade and grasped it by the handle, only for it growl slightly and wrap his arm with a chain no thinner then a ribbon. He felt something invading his mind as he nearly fainted. He felt two cold hands catching him, a voice calling out his name. His eyes strained to see who it was, and saw Esdeath's concerned face before blacking out.
Bard's Mind
He could smell the flowers used to make honey mead. His eyes opened sharply the moment he breathed the familiar air, and looked around and saw the mountains, and a large tree. Bard's Eyes widened as he looked at the various flowers around him.
"My home?"
"It was your home." Said a voice. Bard looked around and then looked up and his eyes widened even bigger then before, amber human eyes staring at brown canine eyes. A wolf, almost as large as a wagon stood before him. The most intriguing feature was it's fur was a tricolor, mainly of black, yellow, and gray.
"Where am I? How am I back to a place I buried with my past to have a better future?" Bard asked.
"Better Future? Human, your future is a bleak one. A threat is coming."
"The Revolutionary army, of course. The Empire will get-" Bard jumped back as the wolf snapped at him.
"Wrong Human! Your petty squabbles of large scale tribes is nothing! But enough of that." The wolf growled. "I am called Akela. My blood and my soul was used to make The Chained Wolf Sword: Gleipnir many years ago. But when my first wielder died, I could not accept no other host, so the Empire locked me away in a box, that would only be open by the determination of another. One who had the one thing My First Wielder had long ago; the will to live. "
"Fascinating intro, but what does this have to do with me?" Bard asked, "You haven't told me what powers you as a Teigu would give me Akela. So enlighten me!"
"Human, do not test me. I could devour your soul and return to the box. But not many hopefuls get this far. Now tell me, Bardulf, this place was your home, yes?" The Wolf asked, laying down with a groan.
"Yeah. It was, until I was thrown out of my clan. The more I look back on it the more I question why." Bard replied to the question.
"Is it because it is such a painful memory, you choose to ignore it? Because if you ignore it, it will only haunt you if your soul enters Hell."
"Get Him!" Bard heard the shouting as he turned and saw himself, once more as nine years old, running from a mob of people. He knew why he was being chased, and what would happen.
"Why show me this?" Bard asked, his bangs covering his eyes.
"To see if you truly have the will to live, even in the darkest of times." Akela stated. "Your own Clansmen despised you. Why?"
"You'll find out in a second." Bard replied as he watched his younger self climb onto a ledge overlooking a tunnel entrance.
"Get that illegitimate spawn! The chieftain's son should have never spawned him! He is a curse! A stigma! Our crops have waned!" Shouted one of the men in the mob as Bard desperately tried to find a way to climb down. Then the rock he was holding onto snapped as he fell onto the tunnel ledge and realized real quick it was more of a rocky cave slide.
"Let him go! Let the wilds destroy the curse!" The younger Bard heard as he slid. Bard could only watch with sad eyes as the boy went into the unknown.
"I was deposited into the wilderness to die. I should've let the tiger kill me when it found me." Bard stated.
"Bard!" He heard someone call his name. He looked up and around as he saw the Vale he was standing with the Wolf give way to an icy snow. He realized who that voice was right away.
"Seems like your mate worries for you." Akela stated. "I shall not keep you long. However, I have judged you worthy. However, for now, my powers will not be granted. Consider this a trial run."
"A trial run? What does that-wait... did you say mate?" Bard said as he turned bright pink. "We're not even married yet!" Bard shouted.
"Esdeath hasn't even considered marriage yet!" Bard thought as Akela rose to a sitting position.
"Yes. If you impress me within three months, I shall lend you the powers of The Chained Wolf Sword. But if you fail, hmm...which hand do you favor more?" The large wolf asked
"I don't like the sound of that!" Bard shouted. "I don't want to lose a hand!"
"Then let's try and impress this Big Bad Wolf hm? Now, do me a favor now and wake up."
Teigu Vault
"Wake up! Bard speak to me!" Esdeath shouted as she shook the fainted Bard's shoulder. "Bard don't make me strap you to the Rack and leaving you there for an hour!"
At that statement she heard a gasp as his eyes opened and the chain on his arm loosened and allowed his hands free, but not before noticing one of the links left a mark that seemed similar to a Wolf's Head. "Well, I think that Wolf liked me." He said with a nervous laugh.
"Thank Goodness!" Esdeath said in relief. "We'll have to do some reading on this Teigu to see what it's about. Now come on, let's go. We have plans, for my team, and also for some snuggles with my second in command of said team."
"Yes Esdeath. Snuggl-Wait what?!"
Omake Antics!
No. 5: Bard's Barber
"Ah Welcome Guardsman Bard!" Shouted a barber plying his trade in the capital.
"Hey there Sweeny, I know I haven't been here I've been meaning to get my hair trimmed to my shoulder length cause now it looks like the peach fuzz is kind of getting out of control again."
"Alrighty! Let's just have a seat and we can fix it!" The barber stated as he had Bardulf sit as he examined the hair and began to work. "And how is the General's Boyfriend doing today? I heard you had a date a few days ago after Esdeath nearly killed a few deserters."
"Let's just say she was kind of peeved during the first half. She was angry about that whole fiasco." Bard stated. "I don't know why I put up with it. Plus with how long I've been with her, people have asked me why am I not as strong as her."
"How did you respond?" Sweeny asked as he cut his hair.
"I simply said 'My brains are stronger in learning advanced wilderness survival by way of the Partas clan, does that count?' Then of course they laugh it off. But seriously, it's Esdeath we're talking about here!"
"Of course." Sweeney respond. "You should come by sometime with her. My neighbor makes some of the best pies in the Capitol."
"I'll consider it." Bard Replied. "I'm not sure Esdeath liked them the last time we came her. She'll doubt it's any different."
Review Response time!
Animefan260: Here's Nyau! As for where he was... we probably don't wanna know given his habits. *Swallows nervously*
grither55: He'll fight for his home, no denying that. It's Honest he doesn't want to fight for. If it wasn't for the fact he writes paychecks to Esdeath and that he could harm him or her, Bard would've figured out a way to dispose of him.
Chance Green G King: If I placed Bard in a fight with Zank without a Teigu, at his strength level, he wouldn't last long (he'd make a strategic withdrawal like Kenichi before he trained with Ryozanpaku Dojo, or Essentially the Joseph Joestar Special Technique).
Imperial Warlord: Thanks! I do my best!
OWay chan: Wow, Quadruple catch up reviews. Glad you're enjoying it.
Abrams 1559: Bard is stronger in terms of intellectual prowess and survival skills. In short, Brains are stronger, just not his brawn. Hopefully Gleipnir helps balance that, if at all without eating his hand. Keep in mind as well no matter how much he tries to improve, Esdeath will always be two steps ahead of him. Cause it's Esdeath we're talking about.
Teth(Guest): Well it is her hair color.
It seems Now I've given the meaning of the titles and do a Norse Mythology reference (along with a subtle reference to one of my favorite musicals)! What a way to start the new year! Hope you enjoy and as always;
Remember to review!