//------------------------------// // Chapter 1: Crude Awakening // Story: The swordsman in white, and the red mage // by Joseph_Tanner //------------------------------// “And now, males and females, let’s hear some cheer for our champion of the arena!” Yelled the announcer above the arena. The crowd cheered, and the heavy iron gates opened, allowing said veteran to enter. “And now, let’s hear some noise for his challenger!” He continued, and soon a Griffon entered the arena. The champion unsheathed his blade, while the contestant took a spear from the wall. “You know the rules! No dirty tricks, a clean fight to the death!” Both participants nodded in response, and the announcer left the arena. “Let the fight begin!” He yelled, and the gates dropped shut with a loud thud, causing the ground to shake. The challenger hurled his spear at his opponent, but in his panic, he missed. Crap! Quick! Something else! He hurried back to the wall full of weapons, while the champion walked ever so slowly toward him, no emotion apparent on his face. The Griffon managed to get himself a new weapon, a fine steel blade. “Let’s settle this once and for all!” He yelled in his fear, backing away slowly from his opponent. “Then don’t run…” His foe replied. The Griffon backed up until there was nowhere to go. “Stop right there!” He yelled, shaking in fear. As he kept walking toward him, he remembered the times he saw him fight from the other side of the gates, in the end he shook so bad he dropped his blade. “Big mistake.” He was so scared, he was filled to the brim with fear, which soon enough became fury, and lunged at his foe with his bare claws. When he felt his foe’s cold blade spill his blood he realized he had made a mistake, which soon became his last one, as he lay incapacitated on the bloody sand floor of the arena, barely able to hold the wound together. The champion looked at the Emperor’s decision, who smiled as he slowly turned his claw to a thumbs down. He stepped one foot on his defeated foe’s chest and prepared his blade for a swing, while his foe held a claw toward him. “P-Please…” It was in vain, and he knew it too, as he saw no sign of mercy on that hooded face, and everything slowed down for his as the blade approached his head. *Splat* “And so, our champion has proven the might of Humanity once more!” The announcer yelled, as the champion presented his foe’s head to the Emperor, who gave him a thumbs up with a smile. He then halfway bowed down at the audience, as if he was thanking them for their attention. The crowd cheered, then he turned for the gate he came through as he let go of the head. As he walked through the gate it slammed shut behind him, and saw the next entertainer preparing for their performance… They briefly greeted one another with a handshake, then continued on their separate ways. “Well fought, now, about your weapons…” Said one of the guards while reaching for them. “Touch me and you’re dead.” He replied. “Oooh, real tough. Okay, we saw you out there, you can relax now.” The guard replied and reached further, only to soon cease feeling one of his limbs. In his anger the guard swung his other claw at him, but lost that as well. In the end, he was rolling on the dirt floor of the corridor in pain, while our hero moved on to where they were given shelter with the others, and sat down in his bed. “Another good soul wasted…” Exclaimed one of his friends. “As good I am at it, the more blood that stains my hands, the more I grow tired of it…” He replied. “No argument there, I just want to go home as well…” “At least you have one to return to…” “Hey, don’t be so down! You’re the champion! If you continue like this, you’ll probably be given your freedom back!” His friend tried to cheer him up. “You’d better be right about that, or else the next I’m going to kill is the Emperor himself…” With that, they laid their heads to rest, until another day shined upon them. “Up! Up, you worthless sacks of crap!” Yelled a guard at them all as they swarmed the room, beating and kicking them until they stood up. “Listen up! Which one of you took off the limbs of that guard yesterday?” If they find out it was him, he’ll never be free again… Our hero’s friend though to himself, and looked at him. As his hand was slowly starting to rise, he lifted his claw high. “Me! It was me!” They all looked at him in surprise, as he was not known for fighting more than necessary. “Very well then, you’re scheduled for execution… You know the Emperor has no use for a limbless guard… Or a disobedient slave…” Exclaimed one of the soldiers, then dragged him away. “Wait! He’s lying! It was me!” Our hero yelled. “Nice try, but you won’t save him.” The soldier replied, and left them all. That day there were no fights scheduled at all, instead what they got was a newcomer. The door opened and much to their surprise, their newest sibling was another Human… She wore red robes with a hood, and bore a strange banner on her chest. It was not easy for them to capture, anyone could’ve easily guess from the beating the guards got who brought her in, and the condition she was in. “Get used to this place, this is where you’re going to rot away…” One of the soldiers exclaimed, then hit her with the shaft of his halberd. When he was about to hit her, a sword blocked it. When he checked what it was, the blood froze in his veins, as our hero stared right through his soul. “Fine, be that way…” The soldier replied and left. Looking back at her, he knew she’s barely alive. “Don’t give up, this is nothing compared to what awaits you here…” He exclaimed, and put her to rest in his friend’s bed. Hours passed, breakfast came and went, so did lunch, then came dinner, none of the meals were rich, needless to say, not to mention the rationing was off balance as well. There were 12 mouths to feed, but the food was just enough to keep 6 fed. Fortunately for them, they all had some sort of bond, so they shared the food, knowing they had enough time to fight in the arena. Eventually she woke up however. “Wh- Where am I?” “Griffonstone, arena.” Our friend replied. “Great… How do I get out?” She wondered. “The only way out is to die… Or we could try make ourselves one…” He replied louder than he meant to. Those behind him began to whisper. “Fuck my life…” She muttered. “Are you any better?” “Yeah, thanks… But we need to get out of here.” She replied. “Oh, I have a plan on that.” Our friend replied, and looked outside their door, no guards to be found. They all gathered around him, and explained the plan. “Brothers, sisters… Are you not tired of the life this place offers?” They agreed in unison. “Have you got the desire for your freedom? Would you fight or die for it?” They all agreed again. “Our friend, Galdir’s execution will be held tomorrow at noon. At the time, all the guards will be there, nowhere else… That is our perfect opportunity to save him and end the Emperor for once and for all!” The plan was finished, they all agreed, and the next day the slaves all snuck out of their so called home, and headed for the gate to the gallows, waiting for the signal while our friends took a different route which was not as quiet, and had a few guards in them. “Now what?” She whispered. Or friend simply leaned over the corner, and landed a throwing knife in the guard’s head from behind. “Better than nothing.” They moved on, down the corridor, up the stairs, and into the tower, from which they climbed out onto the rooftop, and took position above the Emperor with clear vision of the executioner. “What’s your name?” He asked. “Itrix, why?” “We might not make it out alive…” He replied, and with another knife took out the executioner, jumped at the guards, then whistled loudly, it was the signal. Soon the gallows were emptied, and the raging slaves flooded the streets, attacking everyone who stood in their way… “What’s going on?!” Itrix asked. “A revolution…” He replied, and the crowd grew larger and denser as it got closer to the castle, but stopped at the gates they stopped to regroup. “Thanks for getting me out of there, I think this is the best time you two slip away… We’ll handle these shits.” Galdir exclaimed. “Best of luck my friend, stay safe and have a sharp blade.” Our friends said farewells, and the two Humans slipped away from the entire Kingdom… Well, they got to a seaside harbor town, where they spent another night. The next day they approached one of the merchants, who was seemingly preparing to leave. “Safety and peace, merchant. Is there room for us too?” He asked. “Oye, what’s in it for me?” “You get to keep your life.” He replied, and pulled his blade. “Fine, be what you want… Get in.” The merchant replied, and they took off. “Where are we going?” Itrix inquired. “To Equestria, my friend…” The merchant replied, and they looked back to see the capital be consumed by flames. "Are you sure it was the right thing to do?" Asked Itrix from our friend. "I'm not sure, but there's no way back." He replied. "No surprise you were in that much of a hurry..." The merchant replied from behind the wheel. "Some people just want to see the world burn..." He added. "None the less, it's not easy to do such to a city, let alone the capital..." He continued. "Is that supposed to be a compliment?" Our hero inquired. "Depends on what you consider such." He replied, and took a huge turn to the left. "Could one of you climb up and cut that rope up there?" He asked. "Can't you do it?" "I have to stay at the wheel, we don't want to go off track around these parts..." "I'll get it..." Our friend replied, and climbed the ropes, and cut one of the sails free with a knife, then dropped back down. "I'll let ya know when we get there, in the cabin you should find some food too." The merchant replied. Hours passed at sea, nothing else but water to be seen... Until... "Good news lads! Land in sight!" Yelled the merchant, and the two rushed to the deck. "That's good old Fillydelphia right there, we'll be there soon." Only 15 minutes ago the anchor was dropped. "Here we are, best of luck from here on..." Exclaimed the merchant. "Thank you for your help." Our friend replied, though he threatened him to begin with. "This might make up for the trouble..." Itrix whispered, and spawned a few gems into the merchant's claws, and they moved on. "So... Now we're in a safe distance and free again... What will you do?" Itrix pondered. "I will try to find a way back home... How about you?" "I'll head back to Canterlot, they expect me to be there... Hell, probably haven't noticed my absence either." "Well, I guess it's best we go together..." Our friend replied, and they set off on their way... Just an hour of walking and talking later, something began making noise in Itrix's pockets. Yes, she received a phone call… “Yes?” She inquired. “Decent enough, it’s been a while since I got here…” “What’s that? You’re worried, aren’t you, Snowball?” “And, how is your story progressing?” The caller replied. Itrix looked around, and saw the top of our friend’s hood peek out from behind the bushes. “Right… How many chapters are done?” “And do you have plans what could happen?” “Just asking…” She replied. With that, the call ended. “What was that?” Our friend asked. “It’s a device which allows long distance conversations. Just like pigeons.” She replied, and they walked on, until it grew dark above them. Is it that time again?  “Should we stop for the night, or go on?” Our friend. “Oh, we can go.” “Are you sure?” “What could possibly go wrong?” She replied. Now that I said it, watch some fuck shit happen…  Time passed, steps were taken, until they heard the faint sound of a camp fire’s crackling, which they approached out of curiosity, our friend held his shorter sword in hand. “Someone should be nearby, we should go before they assume us as bandits…” He exclaimed. They gained some warmth, then promptly left, leaving to sign they ever been there. Just a minute later Itrix’s phone rang again. “Yes?” “With the story?” “Up to you… I wonder if they will read that story though.” “So… What is your story about by the way?” At that moment the caller cleared his throat. “Wait! Snowball!” At that point the caller hung up. “Fuck.” “Is something wrong?” Our hero asked. “No… No… Not that bad, let’s just go.” She replied. “Look! That’s Canterlot right there!” She exclaimed with relief. They quickened their pace, until the night shift welcomed them. “Who comes there!?” Asked one of the guards, head to hoof in armor, holding a halberd. Itrix simply formed a small ball of flames in her hands, providing enough light. “Oh, it’s just you, Itrix… Welcome back.” The other guard replied. “Go on.” As the walked past the gates the guards stopped ‘Somebody’. “He’s with me, without him I wouldn’t be here.” She informed them, they agreed to let him in too. “It seems you have some influence here… Is there something I need know?” “Let’s just say we’re in the capital for a reason… I’m the royal advisor.” “How so?” “Been years since I found myself here… They gave me shelter and trusted me, in return I offered them my wisdom.” “Let’s hope they won’t do me any different.” “We’ll see, hopefully your blade will be of use.” She replied. The guards saw them talk, and allowed them pass into the corridors, where they went straight to the throne room, where they met with the monarchs. (King Cosmos) (Queen Galaxia) “Ah, we were waiting for your return Itrix… Who’s your friend?” Asked the King. “Greetings, King Cosmos… “ Itrix replied, then looked at the other royal one. “And Queen Galaxia.” She replied, they both nodded. “He’s a reliable man, same species as I… If it wasn’t for him, I would be dead.” She exclaimed. “Is that so?” Inquired the Queen. “No lies told.” He replied and bowed. “What’s your name, friend?” Asked the King. “Altamir De Marz, your highness.” He replied, Itrix however didn’t expect it. “What means brought you here?” “Itrix told me she’s coming your way, I decided to accompany her… Now that I’m here, perhaps I can add my blade to those which serve you.” Altair exclaimed. “We shall see if you deserve that level of trust… Until then, we can grant you shelter…” Galaxia replied. “If I may… He can have the spare bed in my quarters…” Itrix threw in. “It is settled then, you should go and rest now.” The Queen replied. They did as suggested, and laid their heads to rest. End of Chapter 1