Thump. The sound of her body hitting the ground rings out in my ears. Her beautiful figure lay on the ground, no blemishes on her body, as if her heart had stopped beating entirely. Yet despite all of her perfections, there was nothing beautiful about her. The ugly grin she had as she played with my internal organs was replaying in my head. My stomach churns at the phantom pain, I was dead, I died such a horrible death.
Did I originally die like this?
How did I die?
Why can't I remember?
Was it so horrible that my mind forced me to forget?
Was I kept alive, as they broke every bone in my body?
Making me experience pain worse than this?
Did they kill my fa-
Ren! Please calm down!
"Huh? 2B?"
Oh, Thank Goodness You're Alright!
"Yeah kid, you went all quiet on us, and then you started breathing erratically. What was up with you?"
"Nothing…I'm fine, just had some thoughts, is all." Why was I thinking like that? What's wrong with me?
"I've done my part, good luck out there kid. Oh, and you found yourself a keeper, she was worried sick about you."
I-I'm merely worried for my Player, I don't see how that's any of your business.
"Your Player?"
I don't bother putting any sort of comment in, my mind is too preoccupied with other thoughts. "You're leaving?"
"Yeah, I'll come by every once in a while, but I've got things to do. Oh, one last thing.
Arise."
I feel a shiver go up my spine as the lying corpse of Elsa rises from the ground. What used to be her dress now replaced with a purple fire, not too different from Shadow Monarch's. Other than her dress the only difference being her purple eyes shining brightly like her dress.
"I've done about enough for it to be considered a favor. Bye, for now."
I know that he was trying to help, but I can't help but feel fear in front of my reanimated murderer.
Ren, If you'd like, I could cancel the Shadow Extraction.
I'd love to say yes, but I physically can't. If what Lide said is true, then I'm going to need her. "No…don't." Staring at the woman who killed me, she doesn't react to my words. Her eyes are focusing on me more than ever. "E-Elsa, can you speak?" No answer, that's not giving me much.
Input Name for Elite Knight Shadow
_
'A name? That's obvious right? Elsa.' Now having a name, Elsa's eyes turn cold and calculating as she looks at me. Her eyes soften after a while of looking me over, she then bows her entire body towards me. Despite that, she doesn't utter a word. "Stand up." I say coldly. She follows my orders, the same soft look in her eye. "I-Into my Shadow." Another order followed, she was gone? No, I feel heavier, so she is still here. "Haa…" I feel like crying for the first time in a long time.
Stumbling towards the counter, my eyes land on the many weapons and valuables on this side of the room. Looking at the previous owner, I wish him a peaceful afterlife as I loot his home. All the weapons and valuables now in my inventory, I find a small bag on the ground next to the dead man. Picking it up, I cautiously open it, only for it to reveal a bag full of loot. 'This is the Thief's loot from today…I should probably return it to her…What's that?"
Right before I leave, a shiny object appears in my peripherals. A tobacco pipe and a gold plated lighter. Grabbing the lighter, opening the top switches it on. 'If I wasn't already going to hell, then I am now.' I can only give an amused sigh at my shitty attempt at trying to make a morbid joke. Setting the place ablaze, I exit quickly before I get trapped inside.
My eyes slowly adapt to the lack of light, looking for the duo that got out. I try to find any sign of Emilia and the thief…I need to ask her for her name. 'Hm?' In front of me is the spirit I contracted, dancing to get my attention. "What is it?" It stops for a moment, I then realize my blunder. "Yes or No questions only, sorry I forgot…Is there something you want to show me?" I receive a nod in confirmation. "Lead the way."
Chapter 2
Sweet Revenge
3rd Person Pov
Felt's day had been going well, she had gotten a new client offering 10 Holy Dragon Coins just for some easy grabs. She nabbed it off the unsuspecting elf, and even got extras from some idiot flaunting his coin bag. Everything had been going great, until it wasn't.
Meeting up with the client at Rom's place, the trade would have been successful, but then she showed up. Then everything went wrong, her client nearly killed her, then her client killed Rom, and now she got away because she got lucky. She sure as shit didn't feel lucky.
"Over here!" Being saved by the girl she stole from. It's almost funny how the world works.
It made Felt feel sick, it was so humiliating that it made her want to curl up in a ball and give up. "What's the point? That bitch is going to kill that guy, and then she'll come after us!"
Shocked at the sudden outburst from the previously unresponsive girl, Emilia refutes her claim. "Don't say that! I'm sure he'll be alright! He promised!"
"You don't get it do you? That bitch is the Bowel Hunter! Once she's done cutting up that guy, we'll be next! She's said to have never let anyone go alive, we're basically already dead!" Emilia couldn't help but feel guilty, Felt's grandfather had just died and the poor girl wasn't even given enough time to mourn. "If we had stayed then we might even have taken her down!"
"But now we're both dead…"
"You both seem alive and well to me. You're not planning on committing suicide are you? I'm going to have to stop you then." The voice of the young man reaches the two girls, turning to his direction they find his shirt shredded at the midsection but no apparent wounds. "You're just going to throw away the second chance I gave you? And didn't I say to run away? …But there's nothing to worry about, the crazy lady is down and dead…"
Both girls give a sigh of relief at the news, Ren takes this chance to get comfortable, sitting himself down on the cleanest spot of the unsanitary ground. "By the way, my name is not that guy, it's Ren. Nice to meet you, Emilia and the Thief girl."
"Well my names not Thief Girl, it's Felt! Got it?" Her sudden outburst gets a chuckle out of Ren. "What? What's so funny?"
"Nothing…It's nice to meet you, Felt…Oh, and here you go." He tosses the coin bag to the thief. "Found it when I was escaping the fire."
"Eh? Fire?" Asks Emilia, concerned for her insignia.
"Yeah, fire…It's kind of my fault. I mean, I had to make sure she stayed dead, but fire travels, so here we are." He replies as if it were a normal occurrence. "I did find this on Elsa, though." Pulling the insignia out of his inventory, he makes it seem like it was in his pocket. It shines a bright crimson color under his touch, unfazed by the glow, he passes it to the now grateful elf.
"Thank you, but I'll have to apologize. I don't have anything I can give you for your help." Bowing her head slightly to the sitting young man, she apologizes.
"That's fine…" 'I'm doing just fine with what I've gotten.' Having completed 2 of the 3 tutorial quests, the rewards were more than enough for the new Shadow Monarch.
Quest Completed!
Quest Completed!
Rewards Claimed! - New Skill x3, Relationships Unlocked, Kukri Knives x2, 10 AP, 1100 Exp
You "killed" Elsa "Bowel Hunter" Granhiert
10000 Exp
Level Up! x45
New Skill has been created due to reaching certain conditions - Ruler's Authority
New Skills - Sprint, Bloodlust, Stealth
Ren Fujimura's day had just been made increasingly better. It didn't fix everything, but it was nice.
"I know! You can stay with me at Roswaal's Mansion!"
"My apologies, Lady Emilia, but If I could interject?" The Sword Saint, Reinhard, has appeared! The red-haired knight approaches the now standing Ren. Pulling out an Insignia of his own, Reinhard brass and places it on Ren's palm. The bright crimson glow confirms the knight's suspicions. "So I was not mistaken. Ren Fujimura. What is your date of birth? How old are you? Is that your actual name?"
"Huh? Is this an interview? I was born…I'm…I don't know." Shock and confusion, Ren had gaps in his memory, as if he had simply forgotten.
"...I see. It matters not, I'm going to need you to come with me." He doesn't really give much of a choice, as pulls on the confused boy's arm.
"Hey! Let go of him!" Felt pulls Ren out of Reinhard's grasp, which also results in the insignia falling to the ground. Only to be picked up by Felt. "I don't understand what's so special about him! It glows when I hold it too." And just like she said, it glowed a crimson glow, slightly dimmer than Ren's, but still shining brightly. "See?"
Stunned at the revelation of an extra candidate, Reinhard has no other choice but to detain them both. "Hey! Let me go!" Felt's resistance would end up to be futile, having been drained of her Mana, rendering her unconscious. Putting her in a fireman's carry, he would pull along the unresponsive Ren along with his other arm.
"My apologies Lady Emilia, but it would be a great crime if I were to look the other way in this situation. I hope we meet again under better circumstances." Reinhard leaves, taking the two royal candidates back to his home and leaving a very confused Emilia.
"Eh?"
Ren's Pov
'What do you mean you can't? They're my memories!'
It is for the best. I simply cannot give you access to them.
'How can you dictate what's best for me?!'
…
'…It was Lide right? I mean it would make sense, that's why I can't remember how I originally died. But why bother erasing nearly all of my memories?'
Your name is Ren Fujimura, you're 17 years old, and you are my-zzt!
'2B?! What was that? What happened?' Silence, so she's not going to answer me. Paying more attention to my surroundings, I find myself in a Victorian styled building.
A giant portrait of a woman sitting down with a man standing behind her, catches my eye. The beautiful red-headed woman sitting down with a radiant smile, and the stone cold man with only a few small hints of a smile on his face.
Feeling the soreness on my wrist, I pull my arm away in a knee-jerk reaction. Caressing my wrist in an attempt to alleviate the soreness. "Oh, so you are finally back awake? Can you remember anything now?"
"...I'm 17, and Ren Fujimura is my real name, that's all I know. But where have you taken me?"
"I see…We are currently in my family home."
"Why bring me here? Is this because of the insignia?"
"Indeed, however I cannot explain any further until she is awake as well." He motions towards the girl on his shoulder. I continue following him, as he shows me to an empty room.
Well, not empty since it has a bed and a desk, with a clear view of the city and the night sky. "This will be your room, if there is anything you need, don't hesitate to ask me." He pauses for a moment, before he bows his head to me, apologizing. "Ah, My apologies, If I had known it had gotten so late, I wouldn't have bothered taking so long."
"It's fine…" I reply mutedly, looking out at the Castle in the distance. Turning back to Reinhard, I ask him for food to satiate my non-existent hunger.
"Something to eat? Yes, of course, I will have one of the maids deliver it soon. Would you like anything in particular?"
"No, anythings fine. Oh, some clothes too, mine aren't really in the greatest condition." I show him the shredded parts of my sweatshirt.
Once he notices, he bows again. "I must apologize once again. I will have them delivered quickly, I only ask that you be patient with me."
"I can wait." With that he's gone, and I'm left alone. Except, I'm not alone, and I'll probably never be. 'Status.'
Status
Name: Ren Fujimura
Level: 46 [475/650]
Job: Shadow Monarch - Lvl 0/10
Shadow Extraction
Shadow Preservation - Capacity 1/10
Title: N/A
HP: 2350/2350
MP: 1275/1275
STR: 49
AGI: 46
END: 46
INT: 46
WIS: 46
AP: 10
"45 levels in one day…I should buy a lottery ticket…Oh, right, Nevermind." Despite the leap in levels, I didn't feel any different. 'I don't feel stronger, faster, smarter or wiser. How disappointing.' Sitting down on the desk table, I pick up one of the books that lay atop the desk.
"The Legend of Reid Astrea", on the cover is a red head that doesn't look all that different from Reinhard. Other than their very contrasting outfits. Opening the book, I read through the first few pages with relative ease, adjusting quickly to the new language uploaded to my mind.
As I continue reading, I find myself having a hard time believing the feats the first sword saint accomplished. Now immersed in the almost fictional tale, I don't notice the knocking at my door. I only realize after the sound of a platter being set down rings out from beside me.
A maid, her maroon hair shining beautifully in the moonlight. Her outfit is what is commonly known as a maid dress, our eyes meet as I continue observing her. Closing the book, I address the maid that was sent. "And the clothes?"
Her eyes widened in surprise at me finally speaking up, her hands shaking, no, her entire body shakes as I stand up from the desk. I merely raise my eyebrow at her strange reaction. "It's fine if you didn't bring it, I can sleep naked." At my words, she looks like she's about to cry. Surprising me as a tear drops down on the hardwood floor, but she finally says something.
"I-I under…understand." Her crying continues as she speaks, which only confuses me even further. She reaches for something behind her, which results in the apron dropping to the ground, alongside some tears.
Next thing gone is her skirt, then her shirt. Left with nothing but her undergarments and stockings, she looks like she's about to have an emotional breakdown. "What are you doing? Why are you taking your clothes off?" I finally ask, too confused to even admire the sight.
"Eh? But you ordered for me to undress?" I give her a skeptical look, before I sigh in exasperation. "Lord Fujimura?"
"I never said anything like that. Sorry if you misheard me, but I don't even know how you heard me order you to undress." Grabbing her clothes off the ground, I give them back to the half naked maid. "Put your clothes back on, I don't think Reinhard would like to see something like this."
Turning around from the stammering maid, I find myself staring out the window again. Towards the Castle, nothing in particular stood out about it, and yet…I wanted it. Perhaps it was from my childhood? Children want and want more, it wouldn't be a surprise if I wanted to be a king.
I notice the maid finally starting to change from her reflection, giving me a good view of her changing. My eyes linger on her form for a brief moment, before I turn back to the outside. My room being on the second floor gives me a great view of the road, carriages being dragged by giant lizards go by every now and then.
"Lord Fujimura?" Finally…
Looking back at the now dressed maid, I try to maintain eye contact with her, but she doesn't respond in kind. Her eyes looked anywhere but me. "I never caught your name."
"Ah. I-I am B-Bazett, a maid employed for the Astre Family." Her purple eyes finally meet mine. 'Like from Fate?' I keep the question to myself, but the similarities between the two are uncanny.
"It's very nice to meet you, Bazett. Thank you for your help, have a good night." With my dismissal, she heads for the door. "Oh, and Bazett? You certainly left quite the impression." I don't need to look at her to know that she's probably blushing up a storm from embarrassment.
The sound of the door closing fills me with relief. The mask I had on all day finally slips off entirely. "Hah…How fucking exhausting." Looking at the food, my stomach churns even more. "Out now." I order, my fingers tighten into a fist as the Shadow of the bitch that killed me comes out. "Don't you dare move a muscle."
And she doesn't. She takes every punch, kick, and stab I throw at her. My MP drained slowly, but I enjoyed every second of it. I reveled in the fact she was dying and coming back, only to die and repeat the cycle. Unfortunately, it ended too quickly.
"I'm still too weak…"
To Be Continued
Yahallo!
OK, First off Bazett, she is mostly an oc who just so happens to look like an actual character from Fate. Don't look too deep into it. I added her in cuz Flam and Grassis don't join the Felt camp until a few days into Arc 2
Next is…Why is Ren a candidate?! Answer? Who the fuck knows? Just kidding, everything is going according to keikaku.
Character Development? And they said it wasn't possible. Next up is…not status since nothing has changed, but Skills and Relationships weren't shown, so here.
Skills
Shamak(Spirit) - Lvl - 1/10 - Cost 25 MP
Magic Shield(Spirit) - Lvl 1/10 - Cost 5 MP per Second
Stealth - Lvl 1/10 - The Player is able to camouflage with their surroundings and hide all traces of presence, essentially turning them both physically and magically invisible by 10% - Costs 25 MP per Second
Sprint - Lvl 1/10 - The Player is able to increase their speed by 30% - Costs 20 MP per Second
BloodLust - Lvl 1/10 - Upon Activation, The Player has a chance to inflict Fear on an opponent. Fear reduces an opponent's stats by 50% - Costs 100 MP
Ruler's Authority - Lvl 1/10 - The Player is able to move and control objects via telekinesis - Costs Vary depending on the Object's weight.
Relationships
Emilia - 25/100 - She is very grateful for what you did for her
Felt - 15/100 - She feels very conflicted about you
Reinhard - 10/100 - He feels confused about what to do with you
Bazett - 5/100 - She can't look at your face without feeling embarrassed
??? - 100/100 - ???
What an interesting little thing at the end there. Oh, and before someone says Elsa died too easily, let me say this. Her heart was being crushed by Ruler's Authority, Ashborne never let go of it, so she stayed dead, which gave him enough time to resurrect her as a shadow.
That's all for now so…Buh-Bye!