The Dervish
Author: TUCfan.
Pairing: None.
Rating: T, because the game is likely meant for older teens.
Description: "I am Ares. I am a Dervish. You will not stand against me."
Disclaimer: I do not own Grim Dawn (I have bought the game and all available DLC, though) or Crate Entertainment. I am simply writitng this for my own sake, not for gain.
Author's Note: Hello all, welcome to my next story in the Grim Dawn fandom. I adore the medieval ages and knights of that time, and that ardor for that age has inspired me greatly for this fic. This is also going to be a change of pace for me because it's in first person.
Song: Written while listening to my playlist of soundtracks.
I am Ares. I am an oathkeeper. I cannot remember anything of my past save my name and chosen profession. This does not trouble me, at least, not yet. I have other matters to attend to.
Devil's Crossing is in danger. I do not know these people, but they are offering a home for me, provided that I protect them. I have taken this job of my own free will, unlike what the strange man outside seems to want for me. But that is not important. I need to fulfill my duty for the people of Devil's Crossing.
"I am Ares. I am an Oathkeeper. You will leave Devil's Crossing alone, or by the gods I swear I will strike you down," I say. There is little threat behind the words, but I still mean them with every fiber of my being. One of the few things I can remember from my past is something someone once said to me. "Loyalty is a man's greatest strength. By it, he can conquer the world."
The Aetherial before me, Kyzogg the Reanimator, laughs mockingly. He does not believe me. I will show him what it means to test the loyalty of a man like me.
I am Ares. I am now a Dervish. Alongside the ways of the Oathkeeper, I have chosen the path of the Nightblade. It matters not what I learn, so long as I use it for the good of those around me.
Devil's Crossing has prospered in short time. I overcame the Warden Krieg, so we no longer face persecution from the east. The Aetherials in that direction have all but crumbled, or so I hope. There may be more beyond Burrwitch, but that is a matter for another time.
Darius Cronley and his gang pose a threat to us from the west. He has done something to himself and his men with Aetherial magic, so I suppose my fight with those monsters is not yet done. I pray it will be soon.
"I am Ares. I am a Dervish. How can I help around here?" I ask. I have made it all the way to Homestead. The fight was perilous, but I have overcome the challenges and saved as many as I am able. The New Harbor village has been freed from Cronley's vileness. The Skinners have been saved. Isaiah Reddan and his daughter Josephine are here, safe. I am making good progress.
I am told there are things that need to be done before I can send food back to Devil's Crossing. So be it. If it means I may help these people and my own friends, it will be done with utmost haste.
I am also told I must ally with either the Order of Death's Vigil or the Kymon's Chosen. I am not sure how I feel about necromancy, but I prefer that over the fanatics that the Kymon's Chosen are. They seem to think they are the only ones who can make the world right again. I do not believe that, since I have worked so hard to save those around me. In any case, I must choose a side to continue the fight.
The Order of Death's Vigil seems to me the way to go. They seem to genuinely want to help others. Kymon's Chosen do not.
"I am Ares. I am a Dervish. By the might of the gods and all those who have helped me to get here, I will strike you down. You will not stand against me and threaten this world any longer," I say. The very first time I said those words, to Kyzogg the Reanimator, there was little bite behind them. I had just started out helping others and fighting for what is right.
Now, I stand tall and proud, a warrior for the good. Before me, in this hellish wasteland, lies the Loghorrean. I do not know if this beast can ever comprehend our language, but I give him the words anyway. It is not so much a threat, but a promise. We the people of Cairn will not stand by and be slaughtered any longer. We will rise against the threat the Aetherials and Ch'thonians pose.
I, Ares the Dervish, will rise. I will not watch any more of my allies be slain. I will win, for all that is good and just in this godforsaken world.
Finis. These were basically my thoughts as I went through the game. I love helping the NPC's and trying to keep them alive. If it possible, I try to always go with the route that allows me to save the most amount of people. I feel genuine distress when I make the wrong choice, like I did with the Skinner family on my first playthrough.
Any reviews are welcome. Happy reading!