When I woke up I noticed that FINALLY my body has fully recovered. I touched my very own fingers, jaws, teeth, shoulder…on my right side is the girl leaning on me with her head upon my shoulder…drooling. Disgusting, yet my eyes remain unmoved onto her. She has quite the wonderful features.
Her hair had a very soft silk feeling. Her face remains unwithered. She has…quite the seductive body. She seems to have been elegantly born, but as I look closer at her current condition. Her hair was in shambles, she was wearing rags, and it seems she has not bathe in a while, which detracts from her beauty. ‘What exactly is your story, ungrateful one? This is the question I will soon ask you.’ Disregarding that I grabbed my scepter and disengaged the tree back to its original form. I carefully lifted the head of the girl as not to disturb her and lain her against the tree.
I turn around to see the black sky. Judging from the moon’s position we have a while before the sun arises. ‘Well I suppose I should wash myself after all I have been collecting dust for centuries.’ I slowly closed my eyes and listened…specifically for any rapid water movement but also any possible predators. Sensing a river due west, I quickly head there in hopes of returning back in haste. Once at the stream I strip off my Toga. I slowly walk into the river. ‘Coldness? HAHA I truly do feel alive.’ As I washed myself I notice a scar on my neck.- ‘Hmmm haha brother, it seems after death-you still live up to your name as the Golden Prankster.’
*Rustle-rustle*
I quickly dive under the surface and sidle to the shore. Without making a noise, I slip out and slowly reach the suspicious bush. The darkness of night was on my side against this predator. Waiting for a signal…
*Rustle-rustle*
I POUNCED. My hand was flat ready to pierce through an animal. As I throw my hand down…
“AAHHHHHH” A scream echoed through the forest.
I was struck speechless. It was the girl. I slowly put away my dagger like hands and I slowly pull her up. I regain my composure “I apologize for my actions, I did not expect you to be behind a bush.” I bowed my head remembering my machismo pride. It is a bad omen to not apologize whether it is friend or foe. As I look up I noticed she wasn’t saying anything and instead had her faced covered by both hands.
Curious I asked her “Has my body not been fully recovered yet?” I look at my body looking for any deformities that may have remained
“Y-you’re naked” Her voice was soft and subtle but her hands unmoved from her face.
I do not understand. I look at my nude body.’Is there something that does not look appealing? Is it my scar?’ Surely there must be something unappealing if she refuses to look at me. Soon enough the area around us starts to enlighten signaling a new day. I quickly grabbed my Toga and called out to the girl who still had her face covered “Ungrateful Peasant, we must reach your village before the sun returns to its slumber” as I gently pulled on her leash. “So tell me ungrateful one, how many pes(Roman measurement) do we need to travel?”
“Pes? We are only couple minutes from here” She replies with a very quick manner.
For the next couple ‘minutes’ we walked silently. Until…
“AHHHH” A yelp from deep within the forest could be heard. Letting go of the leash I rush towards the source until I saw a boy facing two
The ungrateful peasant finally reached me. Once she did she saw the events unfold in front of her with widened eyes.
I was curious. This boy seems to be big enough to become a man and the
“JAKEY” She holds the boy in her arms with tears.
I did not waver. ‘This shall be interesting. Now that she is in danger, will the boy finally reach manhood and protect the women?’ This is an initiation for the boy and for me to observe what the standard of becoming a man really is. ‘Do not disappoint me young one’
“BRRRRGRRRRRR-BRRRGRRRR” One of the
It soon became clear that the boy will not be doing anything to even protect himself let alone a female who stands behind him. ‘Where has his machismo pride gone to?’ They both had their eyes closed ready to accept death. This juvenile boy shall not even be considered a boy at this point. First off, he was on the ground during a fight, a sign of surrender and loss. Second, He has the audacity to call for help when he does not attempt to fend for his own life. Third, this-this child closed his eyes in a battle that will decide whether or not he lives. ‘Are you willing to give up your life?’ I will not feel remorse, after all-the strong lives and the weak perish. That is the law of nature. I turn around to leave…
“WAIT SAVE US!!!” she looks at me with eyes full of tears like a beggar. I did not stutter I continue walking “Pl-please.”
As she begs for my help, both
I stopped walking. From inside my pride of machismo awakened. I reluctantly decided to help her, after all she is my key to catching up to the current knowledge of this nation. I dashed forward in front of them and as both creatures dashed I grabbed both of them by the horns, lifted them up and smashed them both back down to the ground. In an instant they both died. After all they weigh less than a dog combined. I was furious. I turn around and looked at the boy “I am disappointed in you, you aren’t worth anything in this world.”
The boy who just while ago was shocked by my revelation started to cry. The ungrateful girl gaped open her mouth, but as I stared down at her and she quickly closes her mouth.
“Come ungrateful peasant, we are losing daylight. Show me the way to your village.”
Just as I commanded she went in front of me and led the way. After a while of silence she stopped and turned around and bowed her head “Thank your, sir.”
I still did not know what this ‘sir’ meant however I was grateful that she has shown more gratitude to me. She has progressed much since I met her although she could improve. As for the boy, I would rather forget he ever existed.
Soon enough ungrateful one turned around “This is the village where we live.” Pointing at the the groups of home.
I look around to see that the majority of the children were in dirty rags and a few covered in mud. Most were skinny and are currently working in fields instead of playing. ‘If they do not play, how do they suppose they will learn strength?’ I continue walking towards it and when we finally entered the village.
“HALT, STATE YOUR BUSINESS YOU DIRTY FOREIGNER OR YOU SHALL BE PROSECUTED” A guard yells out and soon enough a guard was on my right side and the other my left.
‘Foreigner….me? prosecuted’ I laughed at the thought of how these inexperienced men, who aren’t even holding their spears correctly, could hope to prosecute me A FORMER KING. I grabbed the spear who rudely reviled me and instantly pierced through his skull. On impulse I dodged the other two spears coming from my side…by simply stepping back. In that moment I grabbed each speared and pushed the spear of one of the knights into the chest of the other and done the same thing with his spear. “If you are not capable of possessing a weapon, do not bother to bringing it or it will be another tool for your enemies.” With that both guards collapsed.
Soon enough screams could be heard from the whole village and all the kids and their respective parents hide in their homes. The boy who I saved a while ago ran into the house along with the others. ‘Not a single man is out here to even confront me, pathetic.’ However in the corner of my eye I see a figure in the center of the road. He looked thin and elderly with white long beard that would’ve been lush if it wasn’t due to his malnourishment. It took a while but when he finally reached me, he fell on to his knees and places his head upon the ground.
He pleaded “Please do not harm this village nor the people. I will be willing to sacrifice myself so please do not harm anyone” He does not budge. I turn around to see the peasant girl…praying and looking at me as if asking to not harm this elder. I turn back around looking at his back.
I was truly grateful. “Rise ol’ wise one. I shall not bring harm to your village. After all I am quite stunned that you are willing to sacrifice yourself for your people and even confront me. I shall thank you for giving me a reason to fulfil my purpose upon this world.” This is the first time I have found someone to respect.
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He stares at me and nods “My appreciation” Once he stood up, he looks at the frightened citizens. He stares back at me “Please lets speak in my home. You seem to have come for some important business and I shall give an open ear.”
As we walked I noticed many fields of wheat that should be more than enough to feed the children. ‘What is exactly in god’s name is happening?’ Ungrateful one and I continue to follow the elder into a shack split from the village. Compared to the other homes his was in much worse conditions.
“Uhh please excuse the mess and sit down around the table.” He looks at me and the girl strangely, but soon faces away. Following what he says we sat down around the table. “So allow me to introduce myself. I am Henrick Valor.” He also looks straight at the girl, curiously.
“I am Vance, and I do not have surname” Remembering I did not have a father or mother.
“Hmmm Vance huh? I see that your name relates to one of the old great king of this kingdom” He smiled but it quickly faded “the old great era” He seems to be reminiscent something, but he soon snapped back. “If I may ask Vance, why do you hold my granddaughter with a leash?” He looks at me intently.
I see so he is the grandfather of this ungrateful peasant. I calmly reply to his question “She was my guide when searching for this village; however, now that I found this community it seems she is no longer needed.” I quickly unfasten the leash. Once undone, she ran off. I was hoping to learn more about this world from her, but since there is an elder in front of me. I no longer need her as a source for knowledge. “So Henrick if I may ask, on our way here I noticed fields of wheat that stretched long and far and yet all I see in this village are starving people. May I ask why?”
He looks at me as if he was going to drop tears “*sigh* the king’s taxes are currently preposterous and he is evaporating our wealth are forced to sell off the wheat to pay off our tariffs. If we don’t well…” He points towards a field out the window. What he pointed too was a cemetery. “Furthermore there has been frequently more creatures around here forcing our hand to rent soldier from the king that continues to build up our debt” He looks at me with a face of a prey trapped in a corner with it’s hands tied.
“I understand now”I sympathetically replied with a calm voice. ‘THAT MISCREANT I SWEAR TO ALL THE GODS I WILL SEE TO IT YOU SUFFER EVEN AFTER DEATH!!!’ Soon enough the sun lays down to sleep.
“It must’ve been a long day, would you like a room? I can’t promise anything extravagant bu-“ rebuting his request.
“Do not worry wise one. I shall live in a bed Mother Nature will provide me. Farewell and let the light of the moon protect you in the darkness” I calmy replied
“Likewise” the old man seemed relieved. With that I exit the shack.
I entered the forest and found a stream. ‘After just being awake from my eternal slumber I suddenly do not feel like sleeping’ I crouched next to the stream, crossed my leg, and meditate. However sometime after I started meditating I sense a presence as if someone was watching me. Sure enough I turn around to see…”If you wish to confront me, come and do not hide.”
“EEK” she seemed to be spooked as I greeted her. In a frantic she bows her head “Th-thank you for bring me home. Without you I would’ve never been able to escape the tomb, die of hunger, or even save someone in my village. I am forever in your debt. So please call me, Elize! ” With the same position as her grandfather her head was touching the ground.
I was a bit angry about that last selfish request but It seems that I may have been a bit harsh on her. So I granted her wish. “You no longer need to heed to me. So raise your head, Elize” She looked up with a pleased face. Worried, I added “Now go back home and sleep, it’s dangerous out here.” I turn back around to meditate again.
“U-um I-If I may ask, what exactly are you?”
‘*sigh* is she still here?’ “Hmm? And what exactly do you wish to learn?”
“I want to know…bec-because you were dead and y-you had this scepter that did godlike events an-and” She hid behind a nearby tree.’She was curious, I see’
Hiding behind something during a conversation? She is quite rude “Peasant, is this your way of having a conversation or were you not taught common social etiquette?!?”
She quickly kneels behind me. “Sorry!”
*sigh* ‘it seems I have struck a bit too much fear in the past two days upon her.’ “Now what is your first question, Elize? and say it clearly without no regret, stuttering in your words only displays your weakness.”
“Who are you…exactly?” She tries to ask me a question but I noticed a high pitch. Disregarding that,
“I am Vance as I have told your guardian. Will that be all, dear?”
Immediately she responded “But what were you in the tomb. You were a corpse, weren’t you? What are you-exactly-?” I heard a slight hesitation on that last word but I payed no heed. Again it was another series of questions.
“I am a human just like you, however I was resurrected with the purpose to bring back the old kingdom I once knew.” That’s strange she went silent all of the sudden. Maybe she left? Well I decided to close my eyes to meditate after some time passed… until I felt a blast of air on my face. I open my eyes to see the face of her. “Yes, do you require something of me?”
“EEK” Again she was startled. Quietly she murmers something I was not able to hear.
“SPEAK!!!”
“EEK, A-Are you King Vance?” Her eyes closed and she faced down.
This peasant is quite timid, is she not? I bring my hands to her chin and gently I aim her face towards me. Her cheeks becomes flushed, but I payed no attention. “Good do not move your face when speaking to anyone, Now to answer your question. Indeed I am”
“But they say that the king conquered lands and exceled at fighting. In fact it is said that his skills were on par to the gods, but you look so…young!!!”
“Young? I suppose you are correct, I was 10 when I started my conquest and nine-teen when I was slain in battle. I do not know what age this generation believe is old or young. But on the inside I am 220 years old. My body on the other hand is the same body which I have died in”
She gasped at the thought of my young age. “I can’t imagine… nine-teen…fighting….dying…” She continues to murmur to herself. Then she snapped back to reality. “Wait how are you alive now, then?!?!”
*Sigh* ‘One question after another with this one’ “I…was begged by the Goddess of the Dead to return to the world of the living and bring back the era of peace and tranquility. A mission that I successfully achieved before my passing, however, even since the current king took the thrown. There seems to have been an overflow of death coming through. Thus why I am here.”
“What happens if you bring back peace? What would you do then?” She intently stares at me.
“Then my purpose in life is over and I return to my eternal sleep where I belong.-“
Immediately she replies“-but don’t you want to live?!?”
“*sigh* No... I have already lived once and I have happily died along with my soldiers. I could not ask for anymore regarding my death. My chance at life is over; it’s time for others to change the world, after all this world needs more than one hero. I find it a curse to live forever-too see your accomplices die of old age. Thus immortality is not a life I want to live and certainly not something the gods would like either. So in general I want to die with the comrades who I have joyfully spent most of my life with and die alongside with them. That to me is certainly beautiful death” After my speech was over I look back at her who was shocked and wept at my statement. Silent sounded through the night. Not wanting to stay on this dark subject for long I casually asked her “Since I have told you my story, I believe it is rude for you to not tell me yours. Don’t you agree?” I give a smirk
“huh? Oh yes, My apologies. Well I guess I should start from the beginning” She adjusted herself “When I was younger I remember…”
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Author: So writing this last night i guess i passed out. When i woke to my FF...let's just say there was a couple hours worth of editing i had to to...so I apologize for not getting this chapter out sooner. For now i guess you could expect a chapter a couple days from now. The word count is a little over 3000 as many have requested, so enjoy. :P