//------------------------------// // A Squire's Tale // Story: A Squire's Tale // by DVAN56 //------------------------------// A Squire's Tale Lambit was running for his life. He knew of the potential danger of this world before landing but to see it first hand was something else and he now understood why the Sages or the Galactic Order labeled it as magic. Trying to just comprehend how these creatures harness such power boggled his mind making it impossible to try and counter it. Running was the only thing he could do. His dream had always been to become a Knight of the Galactic Order. To help protect the citizens of the galaxy and welcome new races once deemed capable by the Sages. To become a beacon of power that was respected by the whole galaxy. So he trained his entire life, living as a Squire until he was strong enough for the test. The test was straightforward, find and slay one of the many Star Dragon that roams the galaxy, and return with its heart as proof. Star Dragons, though plentiful throughout the Galaxy, were not easy to combat let alone kill, making them the perfect test for the combat capability of a Squire. Most Squires that attempted to slay a Star Dragon are killed themselves as the only known weapon to pierce their hide is the Order’s Energy Blades. That and they are also social creatures that would aid one another if threatened. Lambit was no fool. Though rare, it was not unheard of to find a Star Dragon by itself. He had been searching the galaxy for a Star Dragon that was by itself, and he found one. However the world it was on was labeled hazardous by the Sages as the inhabitants of that world could control an unknown force, powers that could only be labeled as magic. Conflicted, Lambit weighed his options. One hand he could continue his search for a safer target, on the other was a potentially survivable encounter. After much debate he decided to go to the planet and get a better scan before making a final judgement. As he got closer to the planet his scanners were able to pick up more details on the Star Dragon he was tracking. He could not believe his luck, the Star Dragon was not only the only Star Dragon on the planet, but also a baby. A quick easy kill now outweighed the risk the inhabitants of the world could present and he began to prep himself. He put on his armor which was made up of ceramic plates mounted on a steel frame that covered his entire body. On his back was a shield generator unit, adding extra protection making small arms almost impossible to penetrate. Lastly was his weapon, all Squires and Knights were given this unique weapon, the M45 Energy Rifle. What made the M45 unique over other weapons was that it wasn’t just a rifle. In fact the gun function of the weapon was secondary. The barrel of the weapon was a long oval shape that acted as the source of which an Order Energy Blade came from. He arrived on the planet, landing in a forest to help hide his presence from the planets inhabitants as his task was to kill and retrieve the heart of the Star Dragon, not to make first contact. His scanner was locked on his target and he followed it to the dragon. Lambit found it in a field just a few clicks away from what looked like a small town. There he saw it, a small green and purple reptile creature that was a Star Dragon, even if it was only a baby. To say Lambit was excited was an understatement as his lifelong dream was about to become a reality. He activated his sword and charged the dragon, so focused on his target that he didn’t notice anything else. It was quick and painless. In a swift motion Lambit brought his sword down on the dragon neck, decapitating it. The body fell as the head rolled off to the side. He quickly brought his sword across the dragon’s body, opening the chest, and ripping out the heart. It was then that he noticed he was not alone. In the field with him was a creature that looked like that of an ancient Earth myth, the unicorn. This one was different however, as it was way too small to be any horse from earth, maybe a pony but even they were bigger then this creature. Its coat was a ridiculous shade of purple, and it had wings like another creature of myth on Earth, the pegasus. The unicorn was staring at the head of the dragon that had rolled right in front of her. A look of horror and confusion filled her eyes as she stared at it. Then she slowly looked up and saw Lambit, in his hand was the dragon’s heart. “Why?” She asked. Lambit blinked, wondering why his translator picked up what she said. Then realization hit him. This was one of the planets inhabitants. “WHY?!” She asked again with a voice full of anger. The winged unicorn started to change in her anger. Her coat changed from its purple coloring to a creamy white, her wings, mane, and tail burst into flames so hot that they burned white. But it was her eyes that scared Lambit as they became blood red, as if they belonged to a demon. “YOU KILLED HIM!” she roared, “WHY?!?!” Lambit watched as the unicorn’s horn started to glow. Before he could react a beam of energy was released from the horn hitting him in the shoulder. The beam tore through his energy shield and armor with such force that it left a fist sized, cauterized hole in him. The wound caused him to drop his M45 as it made his arm useless. All Lambit could do now was run. And run he did. Lambit ran as fast as he could away from the flaming winged unicorn while she fired more bolts of energy at him. He remembered his training and zig zagged across the field making it harder for the bolts to hit him as he headed to the wood line for cover. However a few still grazed him. He ran into the forest, making sure to weave between the trees as he ran. His only hope now was to make it to his ship and get off the planet. However the enraged unicorn was still chasing him. “YOU KILLED HIM! HE WAS MY FRIEND!” The unicorn roared. The unicorn then did something unexpected, she teleported right in front of Lambit. He came to a skidding halt as he tried to find a new way to run to. “HE WAS MY LITTLE BROTHER!!! I HATCHED AND RAISED HIM!” Lambit turned and ran to the right trying to escape but was stopped as something grabbed his leg causing him to fall. He looked down to see his leg was engulfed in a lavender light. Terror started to fill him now knowing escape was impossible. With a hard yank Lambit was pulled into the air hanging upside down from the light around his leg and was brought face to face with the unicorn. “WHY!? WHY DID YOU KILL SPIKE!” Lambit didn’t answer and the unicorns fury rose. With her telekinetic grip she swung Lambit out like a club and slammed him into the ground and trees a few times as quickly as she could. The sound of Lambit’s armor breaking and flying off echoed through the woods. His bones snapped and a few even pierced his skin sticking out leaving his body a broken mess. “WHY? WHY DID YOU DO IT!” Lambit’s strength was gone as the unicorn brought him back in front of her face. The heart of the Star Dragon that he sought out fell from his hand. The unicorn watched it as it fell to the ground. “His heart… you.. wanted… his heart? For what!” Lambit didn’t answer but coughed instead, spaying the unicorns head in his blood. “FOR WHAT!!!” Lambit remained silent. The winged unicorn only became more enraged by Lambit’s reaction and in a final moment of fury wrapped each of his limb and his head in the lavender glow and in a quick swift jerk ripped Lambit apart, throwing his limbs to the ground. The unicorn then lifted up the tiny heart of the dragon in the glow and brought it up to her. In that moment her rage, her fury had left her. leaving only sorrow. Her coat returned to its normal purple coloring and the flames disappeared. Tears flowed from her eyes as she wept, alone in the forest.