//------------------------------// // 18: The King's Decree // Story: Dark Body, Light Soul (Or the Tale of the Stalfos) // by Garino //------------------------------// Author's Notes: By order of Shiira's owner, Dashydra, I kindly ask you to listen to this song once you get to Shiira's introduction and play until the end of the chapter. Or the end of the song, whichever comes first. For now, here's chapter 18. Chapter 18: The King's Decree "Fillies, colts, ladies, gentlemen, and all other assorted beings in the arena today. We are gathered for the final round in a legendary 3-day tournament. After this fight, you may begin signing up for tomorrow's tournament as is normal. But I now ask for your attention in welcoming our king. Please welcome King Griffon Highwind I!" The crowd outside roared in approval as the king walked into the stands. He sat in a stylish throne, flanked on either side by two of his honor guard. His fifth stayed in the shadows, protecting his back for what was to be an eventful...well, event. "And now, it is time. For today's matchup, we now let the king give the introductions." With that, the announcer for all of my previous matches had gone silent. I heard a throat clear before the voice of the king rumbled. "It gives me great pleasure in being present for such a groundbreaking moment in history," King Griffon shouted. "Two fine warriors have climbed to the top: one a knight, backed by me, and worthy of joining the esteemed Honor Guard should she be victorious." WHAT?!? She's being sponsored by him?!? "The other," he continued, "an...unknown entity. Fighting under what everyone else called a cursed banner, he has defied all expectations by making it here. But, when their blades cross, and one is unable to fight, we can all rest knowing that we were there to witness it! The clash of two titans!" The crowd cried out in glory, giving praise to Shiira, the Red Death, King Griffon Highwind I, and Daniel Fortesque, the Skeleton Knight. "Introducing first," Finally! Now we get to the good part, yeah? "the Champion of the Overworld. The Black Mage Duelist. The Skeleton Knight, Daniel Fortesque!" The crowd roared as I walked into the arena. The Black Mage Duelist? Man, I haven't heard that title since my Yu-Gi-Oh! TCG days. And why'd they give me that nickname, anyway? I waved my hand as the crowd grew louder, and...oh, God, there she was. Marcy Corsione, in the front row, with a wooden sign that said, "Future Mrs. Fortesque." Only in your dreams, Marcy. Only in your dreams. "And his opponent," Beat still, my heart. Oh, right, I'm heartless. "the Queen of Catastrophe. The Sharp Haired Beauty. The Red Death, Shiira!" Another roar shook the arena as Shiira sauntered in. Her eyes were closed, as if not wanting to acknowledge the situation. Her eyes shot open, revealing the red serpentine-like eyes, granting another roar from the crowd. I pulled out my sword, putting myself into the battle stance. "Don't be too embarrassed when I win this," I said. "You are deluding yourself by being cocky," she responded with a sharp-toothed smile. We kept a steely gaze on each other, slowly circling the arena, looking for an opening. I made the first move, running in with my shield up. She didn't move an inch. I went for a shield bash when, at the very last second, she vaulted over my body and delivered a kick to my spine. I was sent sprawling to the ground as the crowd cheered. I regained my footing as we relocked gazes. She seems to be defensive, I thought. We circled each other once more before she made her move. Quick as a wink, she flew right into my chest, slamming into my shield. I felt my feet slide against the floor, her strength against my weight. I managed to stop her completely before I swung my shield at her, clipping her nose. It was a hit, but it might as well not have been, as she took no note of it. I charged again, shield up and right at her. Again, at the last second before I went for the shield bash, she vaulted over me. This time, however, I dropped my sword and turned to intercept her kick. I...totally missed as she connected with my ribs, shattering six on my right side. What is wrong with me? I thought. I feel like I've just ran a mile nonstop. My charged sword was now at her hooves, though she didn't pay it any mind. She was after its wielder, not the blade itself. She flew towards me, head down. She was in for a rude awakening. I vaulted over her, but I didn't capitalize on a counterattack as I felt more of my energy leave me. I jogged for my sword, but felt something hit my spine again, leaving me laid out on the field once more. Thankfully, my sword was within arm's reach. I grabbed it and used it as a cane more than a blade. Hey, why do I feel a gust of wind? Oh, no. She didn't. I reached to my back. She did. She put a hole in my robes. Oh, there was no forgiving her now. There was no excuses for me to lose, no sitting in the dressing room, moping around, saying "I gave it my best." No. This time, she'd better be ready for a storm. A hail of fire, I believe would be nice. Looking at my blade wearily, its white glow changed to icy blue mingling with fire red. I looked up to see Shiira smile, as if to say, "It's time to end this. Honor Guard, here I come!" Not if I have anything to say about it, bitch. I jumped into the air and swung my blade to the ground in front of me. Nothing happened, other than the aura from the sword disappearing. Shiira laughed. I heard the king laugh. Everyone was laughing. My grandest, flashiest, most dangerous attack I could think of...was not to be. When she finally gathered herself, Shiira flew at me, wings flared, head down, and I could swear nostrils emitting smoke. I didn't bother raising my shield. I was far too tired to keep going. That's when she took a hit. It was light enough to not hurt her, but annoying enough for her to stop charging and look around. Behind her, melting into the ground already, was a piece of ice the shape of a golf ball. She yelped as a fireball went right over her, nearly hitting her wing. Then it hit me: my spell! It didn’t fail, it was just delayed! Another ice ball hit her flank, causing her to turn around. Right in time to be greeted by a fireball to the face. She winced in pain as the fireballs and ice balls kept falling, some clipping her, others hitting the mark, while the majority kept her pinned in place. I sheathed my sword and held my shield in both hands. Somehow, it gave me some energy back. Enough to care about winning again. I smiled. Time for a blast back to my match with Wisp. I ran towards her as the last of the hailfire spell died down. "FOR FREEDOM!" I yelled once more. She turned just in time to meet the business end of the Crusader's Shield. "STARS! AND! STRIPES!" As we both went into the air (me by way of jumping, her by way of uppercut), I even went a step further, grabbing her leg, pulling her body to mine, and holding on for dear life, spinning down to the ground head first. When the two of us landed...oh, man, the crater we left. The arena could've been renamed into the pit. I got up first, walking away to the side of the arena I entered. The crowd roared once more. It didn't take a genius to know that this, indeed, was the match not to miss. I was a mess: my hat was okay, but the robes were damaged beyond all repair. Again. My whole right side of my rib cage was broken, I could feel cracks in my skull, and my spine was not doing me any favors by being stacked like Jenga pieces. I could only hope Shiira wasn't getting up anytime soon. I turned to find, to my horror, that Shiira was slowly getting up. I unsheathed my sword, attempting to charge it for another spell. I stopped when I felt pain throughout my bones. I think...I put...too much into...the hailfire spell. Shiira finally stood up, albeit on shaky legs. Her tail was now hanging down, pitch black (apparently, the gold in it was to keep it styled), while her mane was showing signs of breaking. Her serpentine eyes, though weary, were full of determination, not ready to just throw in the towel. This was it: next hit wins it all. "Why...don't you...go DOWN?!?" she bellowed, flying as fast as she could. Her head was down, ready to try and cut me in half. I held my sword in both hands, blade pointing downwards with the hands close to my face. I then bellowed the single greatest one-liner in history. "I will...when you...go aWAY!" I slashed at her as she flew by me. Time seemed to stop for the two of us. She stood on the ground, a gash in her left side from where I had sliced her. I, however, didn't notice until later. I was facedown, in the ground.