Chapter X: The Test
Chapter X
The Test
After addressing his minor wounds, Saber cleaned himself up and made himself look presentable before he rejoined the Princesses and the three guards. As he entered the meeting hall he immediately felt eyes on him. He ignored them and noticed there was no table or any sign of the Prince or his guards.
“Negotiations over already?” He asked as he looked at the room. It was late in the afternoon and the sun was just starting to peek behind the horizon so torches were lit up on the sides of the wall to illuminate the hall’s interior.
“Yes,” Luna stated. “Prince Ramil will be staying with Princess Sparkle in Ponyville.” Saber couldn’t help but grin at the words.
“You are not to attack him in anyway.” Celestia stated firmly.
“It was just sparring practice and besides, it felt good to fight someone on somewhat equal footing for once.” Ebony grit her teeth at the words.
“It has come to out attention that we do not know the extent of your abilities.” Luna stated. “We need to make sure you are physically capable of protecting Princess Sparkle.”
“It is time we give you a test.” As the words left Celestia’s lips, Saber heard the sound of charging armored boots against the fine marble floor. Four armored guards surrounded him each having a different weapon clutched in their hands. Saber noticed that Solaris had erected a barrier between them and the rest of the room. The guard with the large double edged sword charged at him and swung the large blade. Saber quickly backed away from the guard as another charged at him with a shorter sword and shield.
The guard tried to jab him with the sharp blade while keeping his shield up. Saber ducked left and right staying just out of reach of the guard’s blade. He noticed the third with a long spear was charging at him from the other direction. The guard tried to use his spear to swipe his feet but Saber quickly jumped out of the way and landed in front of a pillar. As he looked back at the guards he saw something large and silver being thrown at him. He quickly moved his head out the way as a spiked ball on a chain slammed into the marble pillar behind him.
The ball made a large dent in the pillar before it was yanked out by it’s owner. Saber eyed the four guards who stood ready for him. “Okay,” Saber took in a deep breath and exhaled as he brought out his two knives strapped to his lower back. “my turn.” With a sudden burst of speed, he charged at the four guards.
The sword and shield guard went in first and tried to knock him off balance with his shield. The assassin dodged the blow easily and got in close to the guard. Sparks flew as the guard’s parried Saber’s knife away from his chest. With one perfect step, Saber backed away as the guard holding the large sword swung at him. Saber spun out of the way and slammed his fist into the guard’s jaw, stunning him. Saber brought his dagger down, but the knife was launched from his hand as the flying spiked ball caught the blade’s edge.
To save his hand, Saber let the blade fall and took a few steps back just as the blunt end of the spear collided with his ankles. Saber swore as he toppled down, but before his head hit the hard floor, his hands sprang out and connected with the smooth stone. He pushed himself back and his feet were once again firmly planted on the floor. Saber charged in again and engaged the great sword. As he dodged, he pulled one of the clay canisters from his coat pocket and threw it on the ground.
The canister shattered and a large cloud of smoke enveloped the group. The guards went into a coughing fit as the smoke burned their throats and eyes. One of the guards ducked as a throwing knife shot through the smoke. More knives pierced the smokey veil and each time they just barely managed to dodge the knives. There was the sound of shattering glass and the guard holding the sword felt a cool breeze as the smoke started to thin.
As the smoke vanished, they had realized that all but one of the torches were extinguished. Next to the still lit torch, there was a throwing knife embedded in the wall beside it. The shielded guard made motion and the group formed up back to back with their weapons drawn.
“Coward!” One of the guards yelled as he peered out into the darkness. Footsteps echoed in the darkness and the group tensed. “Easy lads, he’s just trying to spook us.” The steps kept echoing and the guards all felt beads of sweat on their foreheads. The steps suddenly stopped and all sound had left the room safe for the guards’ breathing. Minutes ticked by and the guards were only getting more on edged.
“Where are you?” The guard with the spear yelled out in the darkness.
“Right here.” The guard with the longsword whirled around just as Saber slammed Caelena’s handle into his jaw, stunning him before he kicked his head with the heel of his boot. The guard crumpled to the floor like a mass of boneless skin. The one with the spear charged at the assassin. Saber side stepped as he did before, but this time he caught the staff with both hands and broke it in half as he brought his knee up against the wooden weapon.
He slammed his forehead against the guard’s before he wrenched the broken poles from the guard’s hands. Saber slammed his head between the dull wooden ends and the loud cracking of metal and bone filled the room. The guard fell back on the stone floor, bleeding from the sides of his head. Saber immediately ducked just as the spiked ball and chain came flying at his head. He gripped the flying chain and pulled hard. The guard fell forwards and his armor clattered against the floor.
Saber was on the guard in an instant and he got on the man’s back before wrapping the metal around the guard’s neck and pulling it taught. As the last guard charged, he held up the guard as a shield in front of him. The swords couldn’t get to him without hurting the meat shield. After the guard had stopped struggling, Saber threw the limp body at the one with the shield.
The guard cursed as he dodged the unconscious body and felt a hand grip his hair and yank his head forward into side of the shield. Once, twice, and on the third time he started to see stars. He felt a firm fist find it’s home in his cheek and the man toppled over. Saber leapt on him and pinned his arm that sill clutched the sword with a knee while the other rested on his chest. Saber gripped his hair once more and held the edge Caelena’s blade to his throat.
“Well, did I pass?” He could feel the burning sensation in his throat as Celestia snapped her fingers and the torches were ignited once more. Solaris quickly ran over to the guards and Saber got off the one. Solaris was fuming with rage and would have killed him were the Princesses not there.
“Look what you did!” He gestured to the bleeding guard. Saber looked surprised as he sheathed Caelena.
“Me? I didn’t do this.” He turned to Celestia and gave her a dark smile. “She did.” Celestia clenched her teeth and was balling her hands into fists. “She knew full well what she was doing when she called those sods in here and set them against me and now she hates herself for it.”
Ebony walked up and slapped him across the face with the back of her hand. Saber didn’t flinch or stagger back. He just looked at her with his cold empty teal eyes. “I could have killed them in more than a dozen different ways.” He said as he cracked his neck and relaxed his posture.
“Why didn’t you?” Artemis hissed. Saber shrugged and shook his head as Ebony went back over to Twilight's side.
“Please, it’d be like lambs to the slaughter. No challenge, no fun.” He said as Artemis glared at him.
“Besides, they’re not who I want to kill.” His tone grew darker.
“And who might that be?”
“No one you should be concerned about.” He said as he cracked his back. “Is this all for today, then I’ll just return to my room.” He yawned as he stretched.
“We’re not finished here.” The guard who once held the great sword yelled as he stood up.
“Oh I know, that’s why I’m leaving.” As he turned around he felt a familiar stinging sensation slam against his back. He stopped and his body went rigid as a bar of steel. Saber didn’t need to turn to know what had happened. He’d felt this feeling hundreds of times over the course of three long, agonizing years. The guard had just whipped him.
It wasn’t the fact that the guard had attacked him, it was that he’d used a whip. When that leather hit his back, every memory of him getting whipped in the pits of Purgatory came crashing back like waves against rock. They say when someone is angry they feel a white hot ball of flame in their chest. For most this is accurate and they act on pure instinct, thrashing about randomly like a madman, but for someone like Saber, it’s more of an ice cold feeling that seeps into every muscle, bone and every part of his body.
As he turned back around, Twilight’s stomach dropped and felt as if she was staring down twelve of Tirek. The man’s expression was dark and his teal eyes held nothing but murderous intent. She looked to the other’s in the room and saw that they were in a similar state. Ebony and the other two officers were clutching the handle of their blades so tightly they were shaking.
Saber took in a deep breath and exhaled. His body went from rigid to relaxed. Two of the three had woken up and were getting to their feet and picked up their weapons. When Saber opened his eyes the three guards felt as if they were staring into the eyes of death itself. Saber did not reach for his blade, instead he put the palms of his hands together as if he were praying. A loud cracking sound filled the room as he flexed his hands and cracked each finger against his thumbs.
“You should not have done that.” As the words left his lips his eyes sharpened. Twilight was captivated by his angry teal eyes that seemed to pierce everything they took in. She wasn't sure if it was her imagination, but she swore that there was a small ring of red encircling his right pupil. The guards blinked and the white haired man vanished from their sight. The others looked around but saw no trace of the assassin. A sudden scream of pain hit their ear drums as they saw the shielded guard fall with a spray of blood coming from his chest.
Before the first guard fell to the floor, the second guard cried out in pain as Caelena cut across his back. Saber made a dash towards the guard who still had the whip in his hands. The guard was rooted to the floor as he looked into the man's eyes. As Saber closed the distance he saw a familiar silver blade come into view. Artemis’ sword pierced his chest and he glared into the guard's dark blue eyes that were now like that of a snake’s. “I hate it when interlopers cut in when I’m dancing!”
The assassin’s body started to shift and erupted into a swarm of ravens. Artemis covered his face as the black birds pecked at him. Suddenly, the bird’s vanished and Artemis whirled around to see Saber swinging his blade at the stunned guard’s neck.
“Stop!” As the words left Twilight’s lips saber’s whole body went stiff as iron. His blade stopped just as it made contact with the guard’s throat. Saber’s angry eyes glared at the lavender Princess. He struggled against the command seal, but his arm would not budge.
“Drop the sword.” His hand acted against his will and Caelena clattered against the stone. The guard stumbled back eager to get away from the man. He put a hand to his neck and saw there was blood on his palm, not a lot, but still his. Solaris pulled his blade out and pointed it at Saber’s throat while Artemis picked up Caelena.
“The next time you try something like this, I’ll kill you.” He said in a serious tone. Saber remained silent as the guards were taken away to the infirmary. After several minutes, Saber felt the seal’s influence leave him. Without a word, Saber turned to leave the Princesses and their guards. He stopped as he reached the door and whistled.
Artemis felt an invisible force rip the Caelena from his hands. The blade spun end over end towards the door until it flew into it’s owner’s hand. Saber swung Caelena with a flourish and a line of stained the floor where he swung. He twirled the blade in his hand before sheathing it.
“The next time one of your dogs takes a whip to me,” He turned and glared at the three princesses and the guards. Twilight gulped as she saw the bright red ring in his eyes, this time it seemed smaller and less vibrant. “I collect their head and put it them display in your bedroom.” They all stared at him. “This is not a threat, it’s a promise. If it’s one thing I pride myself on, it’s that I always keep my word.” The ring seemed to vanish before he turned back around and exited the room. A thought wormed it’s way into all of their heads.
They wanted an assassin and gods help, them they got one.
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I really want Saber to break that stupid spell Celestia taught Twilight. Find a way to make himself immune to it. Just thinking about that spell being used makes me actually want to stab them multiple times.
Those guards are idiots, provoking the man who easily handed them their asses and getting mad at him for defending himself. That along with them not understanding Saber and the prince were having a friendly spar proves my previous statement true, they all think you're either a good person who can do no wrong and is always in the right or a villain who is incapable of doing good things without being threatened into doing them.
Dude just pulled an Itachi on Artemis like a boss
Maybe now the arrogant Celestia, Twilight, and guards will learn that the when playing with fire you don't get burned, you'll get scorched.
7632432 Not just break it, I want him to use reverse the spell that binds Twi's life to his and use it on her and Celestia. So that if he dies they both die, but it wouldn't work vice versa, and they would also share his pain, meaning he can hurt himself just to make them suffer.
7632495 Oh no not just you, I REALLY want him to torment them both wether it be physically beating the shit out of them as pay back, or mentally playing mind games with them damaging them psychologically.
7632640 I agree with everything you said. Hope it does happen.
God i wish Saber kill these version of the princcesses but not before he torture them in the worst way he can
7632929 Yup. He my be an antihero, and thus not a "good" guy, but the princesses are colossal cunts.
7632945 yeah besides was it not "Celestia" who wanted to test his combat skills? If anyone is to blame it is her
Like I said in one of the comments
They will all regret for all the wrong they done to him, his target list is growing and it's only a matter of time before this so called "leash" ends up breaking and kills all that wronged him
Love this story so much I put on my top favs, awesome work can't wait to see what happens next.
wonderful :D
I would have done the same thing to those guards. But much worse than cutting off there heads and placed it my room.
I would have made it fun for me to hear them scream and they will ask to end their life but sadly I can't. I'll be doing it with a smile on my face just for celestia.
But don't blame me. You did it to yourself and I'm very sure that saber agrees with me.
P.S. Great story, keep up the good work.
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I'm so fucking giddy after reading this chapter it's not funny I always knew saber was holding back but i didn't know he was holding back that mach. I'm likening him to Itachi right now and not because he did the crow thing. The guy is fucking epic and he isn't even at full strength (like Itachi)
Their behaviour towards him irks me to no end, but while most of you are hoping for him to straight up kill or torture them, I have to agree wth qazse, i'm hoping for him to do something more psychological that doesn't leave deep wounds but furrows instead. Damn, it would be best if he did it while under their control but they couldn't do shit to retaliate, even tho they would know. Physical wounds heal, pain fades and death is release, but the psychological damage stay with you and never stops fucking you up.
Oh god i've got goose bumps. 
7633759 Pain is something. Our bodies will be broken, it'll be scarred, cute, damaged. But our soul can be torture but it can't be broken, not even death himself can Break it.
Truest me I know pain all to well.
My mind just keeps coming back to this:
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True, i guess i'm just more in favour of psychological torture. Hmm now that you mention it i don't remember ever hearing about a broken soul, split souls sure but never broken.
7634479 A soul can be tortured, scratch, beaten down into submission. But it can't be broken because it the strongest thing that can't be broken. Like, when a love one dies you feel like your heart been ripped apart, when you feel sad your chest feels heavier then usual, when you get hurt you feel pain but then you get back up and try again.
This is just physically. But spiritually is something different. It's something or someone made it the strongest thing. Like you either go to heaven, hell, or in between the 2 (but more as a spirit that didn't want to leave this earth because you refuse death to take you).
7634551 True, but one thing you must remember, people can break, but when they break they can be reforged into something stronger.
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True, the scars are always there from any traumatic experience. Some people recover to the point they can talk about it after a while without breaking down, some kill themselves to escape the pain, and there are a slue of reactions in between. The person involved always changes, sometimes the change is unnoticeable, while other times their personality does a 180. It varies from person to person, really its like 7634622 said, some brake and get stronger for it, but others don't recover. The fact Saber is still going says a lot about his resolve and strengths of character while his reaction to being whipped shows some of his changes.
7634717 Oh buddy, you have no idea the shit he's been through.
Is it strange that i just creamed my pants white?
7634717 Your right about the not recovering thing. But trust me on the pain,
The loneliness, the scares, the betting. And that person will become stronger then ever. But some can't handle the pain, the sadness, and the submission. They want to take the easy way out. Yes I would do that but, think twice before you make your decision, if you don't have family or friends to support you. Make a new life. Get away from the pain and move to a new place a new home (if your old enough to do it).
All this can happen to anyone. Like me, it happened to people I care and love.
If people have something to live for they won't give up.
That's why a soul can't be broken. Not even the devil can destroy it.
7634828 I'm going to pretend that I didn't hear that.
Did you by any chance have a naughty picture on the side. 
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I thought as much, and i'm not entirely sure i want to know.
The hell am i saying i live to read that kind of stuff. Well at least i haven't opted out of a story chapter due to such things yet. I'm not going to lie, I kinda feel reading this stuff gives me the barest level of insight and new perspectives, and getting a basic idea of the shit some people go through changes my perspective on a lot of things. I'm not stupid enough to say i understand and i hope i never do.
7635262 Well i cant argue with you there having support can make a monumental difference.
7635506 that is very true. Friends and family can help each other. No matter what you do (even if your kicking, punching or pushing at them they will help) but not all of us can recovered from our terrible past (like me at times).
Sick shit.. I love it!!
Ha! They were asking for it to be perfectly honest. Ok on to the darker side of things I kinda wanted him to assassinate them in the most brutal way possible. They were annoying! It's pretty awesome imagining Ebony as Blake, although Blake is better in my opinion lol. Lookin forward to reading more XD
Hopefully, this incident will teach them a lesson.
That's the second time she used the command seal on him while the situation is different from the first I don't think he will see it that way and you know what they say about the third time he might try to get back at her if she did it again, I'd love to see that him finding a way to get back at her .
Also that chapter made me love him as a character even more.
Hope you update soon.
7673574 Never watched Inuyasha, is that a thing in the series?
Yah, test the assassin with some of your Royal Guard. It won't end badly at all...
What!? Fell back on the what!? Did he fall back on the wagon? Is he both sober and unconscious with head wounds, at the same time?
(found a typo)
*finishes chapter*
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a batman reference a itachi uchiha reference a naruto ninjutsu reference and this scene goes well with haunted by disturbed and possibly a reference to the nights angels trilogy.
Nice D1 reference I miss cayde so much