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A chance to give up the role of hero to someone more willing?
It was just so tempting to say, “Aight then, I’mma head out.”
I might have tested the waters with that response if I thought she knew what she was getting herself into. However, it was her easily-offered insistence that she would be forever remembered as a hero by all that gave away her ignorance. Doesn’t she know that heroes eventually become villains? I don’t mean an intentional U-turn of their motivations leading to their downfall, although there’s that sometimes, too. I’m referring to the differing and sometimes blurred perspectives between hero and villain and the consequence of eternal legacy. If she couldn’t comprehend that there would always be differing viewpoints assigned to the actions she would take on her journey and that they would inevitably shift over time, then she couldn’t possibly have given the position of hero a lot of thought. She wasn’t just naive; she was dangerous, primarily to herself, yet others would suffer.
Also, my companions would never let me get away with it.
And lastly, I shamefully confess that it got under my skin the way she was more attractive than I was. Just a bit taller, with thicker, fluffier hair, fuller lips, and curvier curves. It was like the universe was making fun of me!
“Look, Miss Emmy, I think we need to have a candid conversation about—”
“Don’t you dare speak to me unless spoken to, understudy!” she shouted, her golden aura flaring up. “This project only has one hero!”
…Understudy?!
Tetora, who had been on edge all morning, choked back a chuckle, his entire frame suddenly quivering.
“We need a different approach... She’s too far into the role,” Prince Mito muttered before turning his gaze to Emmy. “Captain Lightbringer, I, Prince Mito, would respectfully request a private audience with you at your convenience so that we may discuss this… project of which you speak?”
“You were cast as Prince Mito?” she laughed coarsely. “Why would you be given such a paltry role? Though I did hear you flubbed your last performance.”
“Due to unforeseen circumstances!” he shouted shrilly. It was refreshing to note that I wasn’t the only one feeling insulted by the whole encounter.
She took a few long moments to sweep her gaze over the three of us, her lips curling disdainfully. “The tiger would add authenticity… but I need no understudy.” She waved her hands dismissively. “Have Councilman Procul compensate her for her time until now and then dismiss her.”
“I’m not your understudy! I’m—”
“A replacement???” she screeched angrily. “No! This is a role of a lifetime, and I won’t let anyone take it away from me!”
“No, I’m... I'm the real Captain Lightbringer, and it seems you’re not up to date on current events!”
Emmy’s eyes narrowed as she glared. “If you think you can take this role from me, prove it. Let’s have a duel in the courtyard, then!”
I closed my eyes, trying to get my blood pressure under control. “You’re kidding, right?”
Her aura… I can’t see it when my eyes are shut! She’s not officially part of any Order, let alone the Golds.
“I am most certainly not!” With a steel hiss, she drew her long sword from its scabbard, and I opened my eyes to see it pointed directly at me.
I gave Prince Mito a long, sidelong glance, but he just shrugged somewhat apologetically and mouthed, ‘Just play along.’
“You think you would win a duel against her?” Tetora asked, his tail practically wagging with excitement. “I must witness such an event!”
Even you’re getting into the act!
Emmy nodded in self-satisfaction as if the battle had already been decided. “Then you shall have your heart’s desire, great tiger!” She gestured at me with her sword. “Unless you wish to forfeit like a coward?”
With an angry scowl, I motioned for her to take the lead back out the way we came. “Fine! If you’re so set on it, a duel it shall be.”
She let out a condescending snort and stormed forward, pushing her way past us. Tetora stared hard as she headed down the passageway, still quivering with suppressed laughter. “This may be a different lesson than I intended, but I think you’ll learn from this, too.”
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Should I be concerned?
We found a large group of guards arguing in the courtyard. Some tried to move toward our unearthed opening while others blocked their way. However, they all fell silent when they became aware of our presence. I caught a few looks of confusion and more expressions of dismay as they all pulled back to let us pass.
There’s more than one faction here in the temple, that’s for sure…
Emmy gave no pause as she strutted forward toward the center of the courtyard, aura ablaze. “All gathered,” she boomed as she turned toward me. “You have the privilege of witnessing the triumphant return of Captain Raelynn Lightbringer! As for my first act, I will dispatch an imposter claiming my namesake so that all may know of my prowess!”
With her confidence so apparent, I couldn’t help but worry that she may have been a swordmaster in her own right. Actors tend to work hard both physically and mentally to deliver their performances, and she was truly immersed in whatever project she had been roped into. She was also at least somewhat skilled in amity, appearing to be a Lightwielder since I couldn’t mentally see her glow in the dark. If she could talk the talk… she might walk the walk.
Ignoring the guards’ expectant gazes, I replied, “I’m only doing this because I can’t seem to get your undivided attention any other way!”
“I’m under no obligation to talk to you, imposter!” Emmy’s aura flared as she moved into the Iron Gate guard position, holding her sword in front of her body with the hilt near her waist and the blade angled upward and outward.
Well, there it is. She’s trained on how to use that sword.
I stepped forward, drawing Holy Celestia and doubling down on the brightest gold aura I could summon. The sword seemed eager to help, adding a shining brilliance that couldn’t be ignored even in the high noon sun. There was a bit of noisy commotion at the opposite end of the courtyard, but I wasn’t about to lose focus on the antagonist in front of me.
We squared off, the act seeming to silence those in attendance. The first clash of our blades rang out like a bell, sharp and resonant, but it also taught me everything I needed to know.
She was playfighting!
Emmy moved with an exaggerated flourish, brandishing her blade in broad, sweeping arcs more suited to a theatrical performance than a real fight. At one point, she pirouetted, her movements graceful but impractical, leaving her so wide open I could have run her through thrice.
I drew back, startled by her lack of realism as the crowd cheered for her.
“Way to go, Captain Lightbringer!” one of the guards shouted. “Show us your signature move!”
Signature move?
Emmy lunged at me, her sparkling sword slicing through the air with dramatic flair as she shouted, “Golden Sunburst Slash!”
The crowd booed as I quickly sidestepped her announced attack. I watched as she twirled again, presenting her back to me.
“Is this all a joke to you?” I muttered, blocking another flamboyant strike. Her swings were wild, lacking any precision and control. “Because I don’t find it funny!”
“Who do you think’s winning, imposter? None of the audience sides with you!” She continued to dance around the courtyard, her aura flaring stronger with each exaggerated movement. “You’ll never get the role if you can’t capture their hearts!”
The next blow I caught of hers on my blade was much faster and stronger than the last, startling me into a momentary stun.
The audience! Even though her swordsmanship is focused on visuals, her amity allows her to draw speed and strength from the crowd.
“Go on,” Tetora commanded with a shout. “Captivate them in your own right and shine brighter than the sun!”
This was no longer a sword lesson; it was an amity lesson!
“Being Captain Lightbringer isn’t just about wielding a sword and putting on a show,” I shouted. “It’s about embracing the immense responsibility of the title and striving to make the right choices for those you serve!”
I heard murmurs of agreement from the crowd, mingled with scoffs and boos from others. In response, Emmy’s aura faded somewhat, her movements slowing again.
It’s too bad I can’t identify the trolls here… They might be working for one of our adversaries.
Realizing she was starting to lose some of the attention she had garnered, she rushed in again, her blade dancing as sweat poured down her face. I sidestepped again and gave up ground. I seized the opportunity as she pirouetted again to lock on to me again. Before she could finish her exaggerated twirl, I kicked her squarely in the back, sending her sprawling to the flagstones, her sword tumbling out of her grip.
The courtyard erupted in gasps and murmurs as Emmy lay there, motionless, her aura gone.
“Are you… alright?” I asked hesitantly, worried I kicked much harder than I meant to.
After a moment, she took a deep breath, making me realize I had just knocked the wind out of her. “You cheated!” she finally gasped, glaring up at me. “You can’t do that!”
“Can’t do what, win?”
“You can’t just kick me! It’s… so anticlimactic! If you’re going to take away my role, do it right! Level your sword at me. Force me to admit defeat! But just kicking me to the ground in a swordfight… and asking if I’m okay… It’s just too humiliating!”
Would you believe some of the guards were nodding their heads in commiseration?
I drew myself up to deliver a blistering ultimatum. However, at the last moment, I caught sight of Tetora and his contagious laughter. As my loud and obnoxious guffaws filled the air, I offered her my hand. “An amazing performance, Emmy. I learned a lot from you.”
Surprisingly, she took my hand and yanked herself up. “You even smeared my makeup!”
Through tear-filled eyes, I glanced at her. “Sorry. I didn’t realize you were wearing any.”
With those automatic but apparently magical words, her stern expression melted away. “You’ll need an acting instructor…” she muttered speculatively, looking at Tetora and Prince Mito. “Those two simply won’t do. Very well, then. I shall teach you how to be the perfect Captain Lightbringer. I’ll be the legend that trained the legend!”
I froze. “What?”
“For Project Hero! I’ve invested my entire life savings into it, and I won’t have it fail. Let’s go, hero! We have a lot of work to do.”
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