//------------------------------// // 6: The Legend of Keeta // Story: Dark Body, Light Soul (Or the Tale of the Stalfos) // by Garino //------------------------------// Chapter 6: The Legend of Keeta "Keeta was one of the handful of Stalfos who didn't treat others like they were dirt," Melody explained. "He was kind, amicable, and always trying to improve li- er, death for everyone. Even though Igos hated Keeta's actions because they contradicted his thoughts, Keeta was never apprehended or labeled a traitor. And it was one of the few times a non-skeleton ever thanked Igos for it, because he was just a force to be reckoned with. "Many times, monsters had found their way into the city and terrorized us. Had it not been for Captain Keeta and the other noble Stalfos, Necro City would have been destroyed long ago. Over time, however, the other Stalfos became more and more corrupt, leaning towards helping themselves and the skeletons over the good of us all. Soon, Keeta was the only noble one left. Then, two years ago...everything changed." Jack picked up the story from here. "Around that time, Griffon enter city. Release huge force of gryphons and ponies to attack city. All Stalfos other than Keeta and Igos fall. Igos dethroned and executed, Keeta sealed in lake prison. Griffon claim throne next day, and Necro City thrive ever since." Let those words sink in for a moment, I know it's a lot to take in such a short amount of time. I had to deal with it, too. So that's why Stalfos were never seen as good: they were simply products of necromancers who wanted nothing more than to bone everyone else in the rear while they rose to power. And skeletons were looked down upon since it reminded them of Igos's tyrannical reign. Judging by their silence, I guess they had finished the story. Now it was time for some Q&A. "So if Stalfos are looked down upon, why do you trust me?" I asked. Melody put a hoof on my hand. "Because I can just feel it. If I believed you to be evil, I would have turned you in the moment you told me what you were." Jack was fiddling with my sword. His handiwork. "You break Jack's curse. You prove he good blacksmith. You earn his trust." Friends to the end. How could I expect any less? "What about my fans? Will they turn when they find out?" They both glanced at each other. Jack spoke first. "Highly likely. Most undead oppressed greatly by Stalfos. Especially zombies." "According to the Stalfos, zombies were nothing more than weakened versions of their living selves, and should be put back in their graves," Melody piped up. Jack shot her a dark glance. "What? It's what they said!" "And yet, Keeta was kind enough to help them," I reminded them, dusting off my hat. "So earlier, Melody, you said you wanted to help free him. Why?" Melody looked at me. "Because he was kind to us all. He didn't treat one group better than the other. Even under King Gryphon's rule, ghosts are still treated unfairly, and skeletons aren't even considered citizens anymore. We need Keeta here." I turned my attention to the Diamond Dog. He shrugged. "No look at me. I only been dead 18 months," he acknowledged. "But if Keeta noble as Melody say, go ahead." Now that I think about it, Melody's words and Keeta's don't line up. I had an idea why, and I was about to voice them until I heard a knock on the door. I quickly threw on my robe and hat as the dragon zombie opened it again. "There you are, Daniel. Your match is up next. It's against the ghost warrior, Wisp. Good luck." He noticed Melody and Jack were here with me. Looking left and right, he finally pointed to them. "Who are they?" he asked. I pointed to them each and said, "He's my sponsor, she's my personal cheerleader. Anything else?" The undead drake shook his head. "Nope. We'll see you in the arena." He closed the door and left. I put my shield back over my left arm as Jack handed me my blade. Its glow was gone, but I could have sworn it was there during my fight with the chupacabra. What did I do? Jack patted me on the back, saying, "Bring more business for Jack. Want earthworms for dinner one night." I was about to leave when something struck me. "I almost forgot: I just showed my face to a group of skeletons and one vampire. Won't they turn me in when given the chance?" Melody laughed. "No, silly! Skeletons would never turn in a Stalfos because one, that would mean taking the lone bone man out of the tournament, and two, Stalfos treated skeletons nicely, remember?" I nodded, but I still wasn't completely sure. "Okay, but what about the vampire?" Jack spoke up there. "Who, Vega? No. Always appreciated good swordsman. And appreciated better dancer." I readjusted my shield once more. Wisp wasn't one I wanted to underestimate. His fights against the ogre and Stubbs were...well, I heard that match was pretty amazing, making me a bit sad that I missed it. Not the ogre battle, his one-on-one match with Stubbs. The match was so close, you could cut the tension with a butter knife. Stubbs eventually surrendered after he lost his arm and Wisp tossed it out of the arena. (Again, how do ghosts DO that?!? Gotta ask Melody next chance I get) The gates to the arena opened once more. As I walked out this time, though, half of the crowd actually went crazy; cheering, clapping, and whistling at the sight of me walking. Of course, when I had their attention, I decided to blow their minds. I did a 180, and started walking back towards the door. The crowd gasped. Was their underdog finally turning tail? The moment I got to the door, I started moving back to the middle of the arena...by way of moonwalking. "Here comes Entrant 72, Daniel! Wait, he seems to be leaving. Did he forget something? Or is he finally...wait, what in Tartarus's name is he doing? He is walking to the door, yet moving back to the middle." Just insert those sentences in the correct spot, and it'll make sense. I could just hear the laughter of the crowd, along with a "WHOOOOOO!" Of course, all good things must come to an end. "Hey, bone head!" I stopped my impromptu dance to face my opponent. One advantage of being a ghost that I hated: sneaky little bastards could go anywhere without making so much as a meep. "And while Daniel was busy with...whatever he was doing, entrant number 44, Wisp, has just entered!" The crowd roared again. As I thought, he was well liked. The pegasus rose into the air and pointed to the left. The left-hand crowd cheered with enthusiasm. He then pointed to the right. Same reaction. I decided to get in on it, too. I pointed to the left. Amazingly, they cheered. I pointed to the right. They booed. Tough crowd.