"Alright, that's as far as the king said to take you. You're on your own from here."
"Alright, thanks, Almond."
"Y-Yeah! Th-Thanks!"
"You're very welcome. But may I ask what you'll be doing there?" Christopher and Azure had reached their destination. Looking at Almond, Christopher chuckled at him.
"Well...it's shall I say...complicated. We'll be off now."
"I see. Take care." After one last farewell, Almond left the two individuals. Babalonia wasn't far from where they stood. Though the thought at what they'd be doing when they arrive sent shivers down Christopher's spine. Never in his wildest dreams had Christopher ever imagined he'd be rescuing a stolen princess. And here he was, with his familiar, standing just under a mile from the kingdom he was tasked with infiltrating.
His gaze fell onto Azure, who in turn, sent a smile.
"Don't worry, master. We'll be in and out of the kingdom in no time." She spoke. Her words comforted the boy, as he took a hand, and gave her a pat on her head.
"Thanks, Azure. And you're right, I shouldn't be worried about this." He said. Now, with a more focused expression, he looked straight ahead. "Let's go."
The invisibility spell hadn't been cast as yet, the two neared the entrance to the kingdom. When they got there, the guards stared at them.
"Halt! Who goes there?" One of them yelled.
"My name is Christopher, and this is my familiar, Azure. We have come to uhh...t-to establish trade between your kingdom and the kingdom of...Babaperioda." Babaperioda..? That was the best thing Christopher could come up with. He knew they weren't going to let him in otherwise. Upon hearing this, Azure stared at him with a half-amused, half-fearful expression.
"Trade, huh? Never heard of that kingdom, Babaperioda." The same guard replied. The second one aimed a spear at his chest.
"Get lost, kid. Our king said no visitors."
"H-Hey, I'm not a kid!" Christopher exclaimed. Maybe his tactic wasn't the best one to go with after all. "I'm fourteen, almost fifteen, you know!"
"Do we look like we care about that?" The one to the right responded. "Now, get lost, or we'll make you."
"Make me?" That sounded like a threat, and it was. As soon as Azure heard this, she fell silent, and locked gazes with them. Noticing this, the guards pointed their spears at her.
"What are you looking at, runt?" One of them said.
"That was a threat, right?" Azure said. She let go of Christopher, and stepped forward. "It surely sounded like one. Now, would you kindly let us in, so we can have an audience with your king, please?" Azure fearlessly stated. The guards refused her, then swung both their spears at her. Before they landed, she caught both of them, and snapped them clean in two in just a single movement.
"H-Huh?! W-What the-"
"Fire spell. Incendio." Her fire spell was chanted, and the guard to the left's right arm was engulfed in flames.
"Haah...haaah....HAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHH-OH GOD-M-MAKE IT STOP!!!! HAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHH-!"
"W-Whoa..." It was at this moment, Christopher knew, he was to never get on Azure's bad side. The remaining guard just stood there, speechless as his partner's entire right arm was being burned to a crisp.
"Speech spell. Langlock." Then, the victim guard fell silent. His tongue seemed to be glued to the top of his mouth.
"Eh..?" The guard had no idea what went on. Why was his tongue stuck there?
"Mmmm!Mmmph!!! MMMMPPHHH-MMMMPPPHHHHHHHHHHHHH!!!" He tried to get his tongue down, but the pain from his entire right arm being on fire, mixed with forcing his own tongue down was too much for him. The other one-who hadn't received any injuries from the familiar collapsed from fear of her. She stared at him next.
"Now, what should I do to you...hmm..." Azure peered over to her master, who was both terrified, and relieved-relieved that he has such a protective and powerful familiar by his side, terrified at her power.
"Erm...how about you...let this one go...A-Azure..?" Christoper quietly said to her. Putting a hand onto her head, he gently stroked her. "You've done enough."
"Alright, master." She acknowledged, then went back behind him. She hovered, then clenched onto the back of his shirt.
"N-Now, y-you're going to let us through, right?" Christopher spoke. The one who wasn't injured at all swiftly nodded. "Y-Yes, j-just...please...please don't kill me..."
"Thank you. You've made the right choice." Without stopping, the two entered the Babalonian kingdom.
"Erm...hey, you do know how to reverse those spells, do you, Azure?" Upon entering, before anything, Christopher asked this. The guard looked like he was in pain, he wanted to know whether or not Azure knew how to reverse it.
"Yep. But master...those guards are meanies! They swung at me for no reason! Wouldn't it be better for them to die? Before they attack other people like that." Azure suggested to him. Christopher somewhat agreed with her. It made sense, by how they acted, it was a clear sign that Babalonia was corrupted. Christopher gave her permission to, and before he knew it, two blood-curling screams were heard from just outside the kingdom. Without a doubt, both of the outside guards had been killed by Azure. W-whoa...Never get on Azure's bad side, me! Azure is terrifying...!
Inside the kingdom, the duo couldn't believe their eyes.
"This...this is the kingdom of Babalonia?"
"M-master...I...I don't like this..." Azure hid behind Christopher's back, tightly clinging to him. The ground of the kingdom was made of dirt, all of it was dug up. Grass and weeds grew wildly. The houses were wooden, and the windows on the houses' walls were broken, the people living here were skinny, dirty, and wore tattered, torn clothing. Christopher and Azure stuck out like a sore thumb among them. There was a castle in the distance over looking the town, and the kingdom. It's presence was majestic, it was clear that Babalonia's rulers were corrupt, leaving their population to starve and suffer as they prospered. The castle was made of well-made, polished stone, silver in colour. There were four watchtowers, all with soldiers or knights watching over for any intruders. The mere sight of everything brought a sour taste into Christopher's mouth.
"This...This really is...another world." Christopher stated. He was shocked. He looked at Azure, who to, was uncomfortable. She peered at him with a disturbed expression.
"M-Master, if...if the princess really is here, she is in danger!!"
"I know. Let's hurry, Azure!"
"Yes master!" The two knew they had to go quickly. Before they knew it, they were already swiftly making they're way to the castle.
"My God...poor people..."
"Mm..." Azure and Christopher were looking around. No one there seemed to be in good health, the only ones who were, were the knights. Some of the knights gazed over to the duo's direction with strange looks, it surprised the two how they didn't even notice the screams from the co-workers. Or maybe they noticed, but didn't care to come to their aid. That seemed to be the more likely case, given how they acted toward the citizens.
"Hey, hey, hey, look what we've got here. Visitors, right?" One of them approached, and gave Christopher a funny, yet annoyed expression.
"Hello, sir. My familiar and I have come for an audience with your king." Christopher gave him the brightest grin he could muster-which wasn't really much. "Now, if you'll just let me through..."
"Oi, oi, who said we'd let you see him, you little runt." He pushed his shoulder, which made Christopher nearly fall over.
"Ow-h-hey!" He yelled. "W-What was that for?!"
"Heh...if you'd like an audience with our king, you'll need to pay up." The knight said. Soon, five others approached him. They surrounded the innocent boy and familiar. This is bad... he thought. Instinctively, Azure went into her battle stance, Christopher did as well, and put his guard up.
"I'll protect you if a-anything gets bad, master." Azure sternly stated.
"I know...thanks, Azure..." He peered back at the knight, "...What's the price?" He questioned.
"Hrmph..." The knight didn't seem convinced as yet. Though when he viewed Christopher's familiar, Azure, he obtained a naughty smirk, "...That's a cute little girl you've got there...you said that she's your familiar, right?"
"..." Christopher didn't respond. What does this guy want with my familiar..?
"Lend us your familiar, and then we'll let you go." Another one of the knights stated. A second agreed, then the third, and so on.
"And if you refuse, we'll just take her by force." The same knight stated.
"Force, huh?" Azure and Christopher both knew they wouldn't get out of that with a fight, so instinctively, Christopher drew his knife. "Grr...if you want my familiar, you'll have to get through me! Haaahhh!" There, without warning, he lunged at the knight. His speed and agility were much more than a normal human-almost superhuman. In a single movement, his knife went straight through the knight's face, piercing through his skill, killing him instantly.
"C-Captain!"
"Huh..?" It was Christopher's first kill, his very first time seeing blood. The knowledge that he had just killed someone dawned onto him instantly. "..." His heart pounded as the individual's blood spewed onto Christopher's own face, and as he took his knife away, the body collapsed onto the ground, completely lifeless.
"..." Though the sight of this strangely didn't bother him as much as he thought it would. Was it because it was to protect, or supposedly protect Azure? Suddenly, he heard a cry.
"HAAAAHHH! OOF-!"
"M-Master! This is no time to relax!" It was another knight, he threw himself at Azure with hopes to capture her, but it was futile, and Azure burned him to a crisp.
"R-Right!" Snapping back to his senses, he shot daggers at the incoming knights. "All of you!" He exclaimed, "If you want Azure, you'll have to get through me!" Confidently, but with his heart still pounding at his chest, ready to burst, he held his stolen, large dagger-like knife in front of him.
"Nnrng..." The knights around him looked hesitant. It was clear the two weren't ordinary people.
"W-WE need backup! Intruder!" One of them shouted. At that moment, Christopher knew they were in for some trouble.
About seven more knights arrived-which made it exactly eleven in total. All of them were armed with swords, shields and spears. The duo was completely surrounded, and if they tried to flee, they would immediately be defeated-which was something Christopher would rather not to happen.
"Hmph, Azure, looks like we won't be able to get out of this without a fight. You ready?"
"Y-Yes master! I will do my best to guard you!" Azure was ready for this. Christopher wasn't sure if he was, but he knew he had to survive this. With his eyes fixed onto the knights around him, Christopher shouted out,
"Once we kill you all, we'll go for your king next, bastards!"
"Hahahahaha! Boy, dream on. Look how many of us there are, compared to you puny little children." The one in front of them said.
"Now...you will pay for spilling the blood of my dear comrade..." The knight's voice was menacing, his tone sending shivers down Christopher's spine.
"CHARGE!!!" Was the final cry from the knights before they all made their move.
"W-Whoa!!" Christopher was the one they attacked first, if it wasn't for his enhanced physical capacity, he would've been dead meat. Hopping up above the knights, dodging about three strikes, he came down upon the man in front of him, and swiftly plunged his weapon's blade through the man's skull. He perished instantly.
"N-No! AARRRGHHHHHH!"
"Hmph! You puny humans...challenging an S class familiar like me was a mistake."
"W-Whoa, Azure??" About three out of eleven were now dead. The knights, seeing this, backed away. Azure had set two of them ablaze in an instant.
Christopher regrouped with his familiar, and stood at her back. The fear and adrenaline inside him was like no other.
"Haah....haah...ya see that?! We're not...your ordinary little punks!" Christopher shouted. The enemies took note of that. They weren't moving, neither were the duo. Two deceased bodies littered the ground, and civilians began to take note of the disturbance. Many of them gathered around to view the situation.
"What are you waiting for, you snakes! Attack! Don't you want my familiar?!" Christopher yelled out. Azure laughed nervously at that remark.
"Ahaha...masterrrr!"
"Oh, sorry Azure."
"Nnrng...YOU!" One of the knights pointed at Christopher. "Just who are you? Your physical strength and speed are not that of a normal fox-demi-human. Are you a demon? An elf? Or are you a magic caster, who enhanced their strength and speed, and used an illusion spell?" This took Christopher by surprise. He didn't know what fox-demi-humans like himself were like. But what he did know, is that he was one.
"No, I'm just a normal demi-human." He responded, "And what the hell is a magic caster?!"
"Lies!! No ordinary fox-demi-human could go at such a speed! Let alone command a familiar of that strength!"
"How would you know?! You'd have to fight a bunch of fox-demi-humans to know how their speed is!" He yelled out. To his completely astonishment, the knight nodded to him.
"We have."
"What..?"
"Huh?" Azure looked as well. He went on to explain that the Babalonian army has captured, enslaved, and killed dozens of demi-humans in the kingdom's history-that was the way the king would earn money and give his knights, as well as himself, a prosperous lifestyle. The demi-humans consisted of elf-humans, demon-humans, cat-humans, bird-humans, fox-humans, and finally, lizard-humans, all of them sold off to different parts of the world as slaves to their masters. The kingdom had been doing that for hundreds of years, and due to it, each and every ruler of the kingdom lived prosperously.
Hearing all that made Azure and Christopher's blood boil. The first thing the boy thought about was his poor little sister who was incarnated to the world with him.
"Roselina...don't tell me..." Was she sold off as a slave as well? He thought to himself.
"Master..." Azure took pity to him, and leaned onto his back. When Christopher felt her touch, he instantly felt protective of Azure. "...Don't worry. Roselina would never be captured that easily." She said. The knight contradicted her remark,
"Hahahahaha! Fools! Whoever this Roselina is...I bet she already has been sold as one." The remark made Christopher's blood boil.
"Shut up..." He whispered. His gaze was faced downward, and anger was welling up inside him like a cannon ready to explode.
"Eh? I didn't hear you." The knight said.
"Shut your damn mouth up...or else..."
"Ohohohoo, I hear you. As I was saying, I bet whoever that Roselina is, she's already been sold as a slave! Heheheh...and you can't do anything about it...just imagining....you know, creatures from your species make excellent slaves. Especially as sex slaves...ahhh! Those moans, those purrs...those cries...it turns me on just thinking about-Wha-?!"
"I said...shut...your damn...MOUTH!!!" Instinctively, Christopher lunged at him as fast as lightening, and his blade went straight through the man's neck. He heard as his windpipe was cut in two, and saw as blood spew out of the wound, onto Christopher's own face. This time, he wasn't frightened, he was satisfied to have finally shut the bastard up. Taking his blade out, he didn't look at his familiar.
"Azure." He said.
"Yes master?" She replied.
"We're tearing down this kingdom...kill every single knight you see that's from this kingdom. I'll take care of the king. When we're in the castle, find the princess, and take her out of here immediately." Christopher stated. His voice was hoarse. It was clear to her, he was serious, so she did not ask anything more.
"Yes master. I shall follow your command." Azure replied. And immediately, pinpointed all the surrounding knights.
"Not if we can help it. Haaahh!" One more swooped in for Christopher, but it was futile. Without even flinching, Christopher dodged the attack, and impaled him through the neck. He fell to the ground, lifeless.
"Fire spell. Confringo."
"B-BWWAAAAAHHHHHHHHHH-!" All of the knights around them suddenly burst into flames, and not a single trace was remaining of them. The civilians who witnessed the battle cowered in fear when they saw the duo. But no mind was given to them.
Arriving in the castle, the first thing they witnessed were guards.
"Halt! You will go nowh-ARRRGHHH-!"
"Shut up." Christopher swooped in, and instantly struck one down. Another came, Azure burned him to a crisp. More arrived, and they soon once again found themselves surrounded.
"Nnrng...this isn't going to be easy!" Christopher knew. It didn't look bad, with the enhanced physical capacity Christopher found out he possessed, he wasn't even tired. He was in need of a bath, though.
"Master, there are too many of them for me to take down all at once, we need to break through!"
"No shit, Sherlock." In total, the soldiers there numbered around twenty five. It was no wonder Azure couldn't take that many down in one go. Five of them struck at the same time at the duo, they both dodged, and Azure with her blade, along with magic, and Christopher with his speed and agility, took them down.
"ARRGH-!"
"AHHH-!" Then, only twenty remained. They stood in the middle of it, as the knights seemed to be thinking.
"W-What are they? Th-Those were five knights, yet they took them down so quickly..!"
"Men, do not falter! They're just one fox-demi-human, and one magic caster! Surely we can defeat them, can't we?!" The one who seemed to be leading them spoke in a loud, clear voice. Then in unison, the knights all cheered.
"Now, go! And do not let them escape!"
"Sir, yes, sir!" All together now, they went to them. Azure and Christopher continued striking them down one by one, until only the captain remained.
"Surrender. We've beaten you." Azure spoke to the captain. Christopher was sweating, but not yet tired.
"W-What are you?! Y-You can't possibly be demi-humans! W-What the hell are you people?!"
"Your karma." Christoper replied. "We originally came to rescue princess Eloise from your filthy clutches! But after hearing what this kingdom has been up to, we're here to tear it down, and eliminate the heads." He stated, grinning triumphantly.
"N-No! Th-That can't be! N-NOOOO! HAAAAHHHHHH!" The captain, not willing to give up, took out his sword, and lunged at him. Their blades met, but Christopher was the quicker one. Sliding his blade out of the clash, he plunged it into the captain's chest.
"GAH-!" There, he took it out, then sliced his neck, which put an end to his life.
"Great, master!" Azure was happy. She originally never even thought he was capable of killing, but after all that went on up to this point, she stood corrected. They went back to the main task, rescuing the princess.
"Haaaaaah!
"BWAAAGH-!" Neither of them knew where the princess was being held, so they searched. Previously they tried forcing a knight to reveal it, but he refused, so did many others. But soon, Christopher heard a voice from in the distance.
"Hm? Did you hear that, Azure?"
"Hm? Oh, yes master. It sounded female. The voice seems to be coming from our right."
"Our right, huh?" Christopher looked. Bodies of the fallen knights they fought littered the floors. Looking past that, he saw a door, it was one they hadn't been through, by the looks of it. "Ah, I see now. Let's go."
"Yes master." The two entered. Suddenly, everything went dark. There wasn't any light around them. Christopher asked Azure to utilize her fire element as a light source, and she did. The room they entered was a dungeon, the walls made from dark, grey stone. The ceiling was constructed from the same material. No torches, neither candles were placed on the walls.
"Wow...so this is a dungeon..." Christopher said out loud.
"Yes. The female voice from earlier came from further down." Azure peered at him with a concerned face.
"What's the matter, Azure?" He questioned her.
"Master...you're not afraid of the dark, are you?" She questioned. His face suddenly turned a bit red, as he denied it.
"N-No! N-No way I'm scared of the dark, silly!"
"Good. Let's go then."
"R-Right..."
Further down, they came across what seemed to be prison cells. Large ones, about three meters in length, two in height, cubical shaped. No one was inside them, until they found the very last one...
"Hey, it's her! There's the princess!" Christopher whispered. The sound of his voice caught the girl's attention.
"Who...who's there...?" The girl's voice was soft, and high pitched, it was clear to him that she was even younger than he was. By the tone, she was around the age of twelve.
"Azure, over here."
"Yes master." Azure and Christopher stood in front of the cell. Shining the light closer to the bars, they were stunned when they saw her state.
"Nnrng...w-who are you two..? N-No! P-Please! D-Don't touch me! I-I don't wanna go! No! No way! I don't wanna!!!"
"C-Calm down! We're not going to hurt you!"
"Lies! You're a liar! Waaaaaahhhh!!! I want my mom and dad!!! WAAAAAHHHHHH!! MOM DAD WHERE ARE YOU?!?!"
"Ahaha..." The princess, princess Eloise's appearance was not what Christopher was expecting. Her skin was light, but her arms, legs and face were stained with dirt, gravel and muck. Her once flawless long, light blue hair was now filled with tangles, tattered, and messy. Her face was petite, oval shaped. She possessed medium sized, round, baby blue eyes, which matched her hair. Her small lips quivered in fear of the two, until Azure conjured up some water with her free hand, and gently sent it over to her as a small, round ball.
"Princess Eloise." Azure stated, "Here, drink this. My master and I were sent by your parents to rescue you from the Babalonian kingdom."
"My...m-mom and dad...sent you..?" Despite how she looked, she was a child at heart. She looked at the sphere of water, and held it. Surprisingly, it didn't pop. She took it, and sipped from it. The coldness startled her, but she gulped it all down.
"Om..."
"Aww..." Christopher found himself captivated by her cute demeanour. "...Heh, cute..." He stated.
"Ahh...better..." Eloise looked at them. "...S-So, you...you're really not here to hurt me again?"
"Hurt you?" Christoper suddenly noticed the marks on her skin. There wasn't much, but it was there. She really was beaten by the royalties or knights there. "..." He felt rage boil up inside him even more.
"Those...bastards...she's so little though..." He murmured. He slammed a fist into the wall, which startled the princess.
"A...Ahh! N-No!" She shrieked. "Don't hurt me, please!"
"M-Master!" Azure saw this, and knew exactly what he was thinking.
"Azure, take the princess out of here, and go. I'll meet you at the entrance to the kingdom. I'm going to go put an end to this kingdom's rulers."
"Huh? But master, I know there aren't many knights anymore, but isn't that a little too risky?" She looked at the boy with great concern in her eyes. Seeing how she looked at him, Christopher gave Azure a tight embrace, which she returned.
"Mmm...master..." That alone was enough for her to blush.
"Azure..." Christopher said, squeezing her within his embrace, "...Don't worry about me. I promise, I'll be alright. Please, use your magic to break the bars, and use your invisibility to sneak out of the kingdom with the princess. Wait for me to come back by the entrance. If you don't see me, then go on without me."
"With...without you..?" Azure suddenly lost her composure, "B-But, it's my job as your familiar to protect you. I will never leave without you, master!"
"Aww..." He looked at her face, "...Thanks, Azure." They retracted. "But please, do as I say and guard the princess. Wait for me by the entrance, I promise you, you'll see me there."
"M-Master..." Azure wasn't sure whether or not to do as he says. There was a chance Christopher wouldn't make it back alive from fighting against the king, but it was a chance he was willing to take, if it was for the greater good-which it was. But ultimately, Azure trusted his word. With a smile, she nodded to him. "...Alright. I'll do as you say, and wait for you at the entrance with the princess. Farewell, and good luck, Master Christopher Hallowswift."
Here he was, standing in the throne room. In front of him was the very king of Babalonia, Arold Asria Babalonia. Standing beside him was his personal royal guardian, Arthur Babalonia. He had his sword drawn, completely set for battle against the young boy who had come for his king's head.
"So we finally meet." Arold stated, his eyes glaring at Christopher. "You've caused quite the ruckus, child."
"Shut up, I'm not a child, your majesty." Christopher said. Aiming his knife at Arold's head, he yelled out, "Arold Asria, the king of Babalonia, I have come to put an end to this corrupted kingdom. No more shall demi-humans suffer by the hands of you and your army! No more shall they be enslaved, killed, beaten, and sold of as if they were toys! Toys to be thrown away!" Getting into his battle stance, Christopher readied himself for battle, "Now, surrender and be killed!"
"Hmph. To get to me, you will have to win a battle against the kingdom's finest swordsman, my personal guard, Arthur!" Arthur stepped in front of Arold, and gave the young boy a sneer. Arthur was a tall man, who looked to be in his forties. By how he looked, Christopher knew he had much more physical strength than he did. His body was large-not fat, but muscles could be seen everywhere. His skin was a dark brown, and he was completely bald, not a spec of hair was seen. Arthur raised his sword, then peered back at the king with a baffled look.
"Oi, he doesn't look like much. You really sure he's the one who killed all those men?" Arthur was clearly underestimating Christopher greatly, most like due to the fact that he was still young-fourteen years of age, to be exact.
"Yes, there is no doubt about it. Do not underestimate your adversaries, Arthur, for that is the greatest mistake any warrior could make." The king was surprisingly wise to be a corrupted ruler. But it is not strength, but wisdom that makes a person dangerous.
"Hmph, alright your majesty." Eyes back on Christopher, Arthur chuckled to himself. "Hehheheheh...don't make this battle disappointing, you sick, twisted child..."
"Twisted?" This amused Christopher, "You're the twisted one if you're working for HIM! Don't you know what he's been up to?"
"Ha! Like that has anything to do with me! Enough talking! Let us settle this with our swords! HAAHH!
"W-Whoa!" Arthur swung at Christopher, and the boy just able to parry that attack. The strength at which their swords clashed was enough to nearly send Christopher staggering backwards. M-My God...so this was what the king of Aznos warned me about when he said Babalonia's army was strong...
"What's the matter, kid?! You scared?! Go back crawling to your mommy! Bwaawaawaaa!"
"Grr..I SAID I'M NOT A KID!!" Christopher starting putting in all his strength into his attacks, which was just enough to push Arthur back. Both of them jumped back, then clashed once more, this time, Christopher had more ground.
"Nnrng...HAAAAAHHH!"
"Gah-!" Christopher swung his blade, and knocked Arthur's sword away for just a second, that gave him more than enough time to land a strike on his adversary's chest, which left him with a slightly deep, bleeding wound.
"Aha! Got you!"
"Grr...you're better than I thought you were..." Arthur, holding onto his chest, was surprised. He wasn't expecting himself to be injured in the battle. "...But your luck's run out."
"What? I couldn't hear you over the 'I went to easy on him' talk." Christopher mocked him. But that confidence was shattered when Arthur muttered his next few words.
"You're going to regret you ever challenged me and this kingdom."
"...?" Arthur stood up straight, and shot daggers at the boy, wearing a dark grin on his face.
"Now!" He yelled, "Sword skill-Enhance strength!"
"S-Sword skill?! N-No body told me this world had those?! The hell?!" Christopher watched in astonishment as a glowing, silver light appeared around Arthur, and he immediately knew he was in for some trouble.
"Try to defeat me now, runt!"
"B-Bwaaaaaahhh!" Arthur swung at Christopher, the force of his weapon sent Christopher crashing to the ground. Another swing, Christopher rolled away exactly on time.
"M-My God...!" He knew he had to do something about him. But what? He hadn't been practising with the sword before then. So what could he do?
"Nnrng..." No openings were seen for him to strike, he just had to create one then.
"Haaaah!" He blocked another attack, just barely, he stood his ground. Their weapons were locked together, so with that, Christopher tried something he tried before.
"Not gonna happen this time!"
"AARRGHH!" However, Arthur already knew what he was going to do, and he took his sword, and sliced Christopher's cheek. Blood poured out of the wound instantly.
"Nnrng...you'd even attack a kid?" He asked.
"Don't try to guilt trip me, boy. I know what you've done." The man replied. He went for another attack. This time, he barely had any strength left to block it, and the sword pierced his chest, leaving an open, bloodied wound.
"Arrgh!" Christopher had not felt pain like that before, and he clenched onto the injury. "Gah...Oh...God..." This was a bad idea...N-No...but I promised Azure I'd come back alive...And I still haven't found my sister yet...I...I can't....die.... At that point, he couldn't see how he'd survive the next attack.
"Heh...bwhhahahaha! So this is the guy who killed off all our knights? Ha! He barely even laid a scratch on me!" Arthur looked at Christopher with a pitiful gaze. "Hmph, and I thought I finally found a worthy opponent."
"N-No....I...I dont' want...to die...!" Christopher murmured to him. But the knight didn't listen, that statement only got him angry.
"You're saying YOU don't want to die?" Arthur exclaimed, he took his right foot, and kicked Christopher hard on the stomach. Christopher gasped, and rolled up into a ball. But after that, the enemy only kicked even harder.
"Think about all the knights you've killed!! Did THEY want to die? DID THEY?!" He shouted, "You've got some nerve saying that...after you killed off so many people here. The entire goddamn floor at the entrance is littered with corpses! All those used to be living, breathing people! Yet you took their lives, all of them, killed by your hands!" Arthur yelled out at the top of his lungs, he kicked Christopher head as hard as he could, which sent him flying into the nearest wall. He gagged at the impact as blood spew out of his mouth.
"OOF-ARRGH-!" His body collapsed, and he lay face down on the ground.
"Heh...now, I'm going to put an end to your miserable, puny life."
"N-No..." Christopher tried to move, but all the muscles in his body seemed to fail him. He heard as Arthur drew closer to him, with his weapon raised. Now, looking at the boy, he laughed.
"See you in hell, boy!"
CLAIRVOYANT EYE: ACTIVATED.
"...!" Suddenly, a familiar voice whispered in his ear. The voice sounded identical to the voice of the Elder God Amaterasu's voice.
"Ama...ter...asu..?" Christopher whispered. Out of the blue, he felt an intense urge to get up. So he did, and moved himself as quickly as he could away from the strike. That was Amaterasu. So he IS watching me! He thought to himself.
"HUHHH? So you still have strength to move after all those attacks?" Arthur was shocked. Even with all those injuries he gave Christopher, he still had the will to finish him.
"Arthur. I'm not going to die here." Christopher spoke. A surge of energy befell him, and he knew, he was able to succeed against his foe. "I still need to find my sister, who is somewhere in this world, and I promised my familiar Azure that I'd make it back alive." He boldly exclaimed. Aiming his weapon at him, he yelled out, "Now, Arthur! Surrender, or I'll make sure your death is as painful as possible!"
"BWHAHAHAHAHAHA! Now that's a bold statement! Too bad you're the one whose gonna die!" His enemy shouted back. "Grr..." They locked gazes, and Arthur charged at him.
"Huh..?" But something was off. Very off. Christopher saw something around him. The attacks and moves that Arthur was about to make, Christopher saw, and knew how to parry them. "What the..?"
"Don't just stand there, fool! Haaahh!" Arthur swung at Christopher, but following what he saw, he was able to dodge, and parry it.
"What?!" Then continuing, he slid underneath his opponent, and plunged his blade into Arthur's stomach, slicing it open.
"I got ya!" Christopher yelled.
"AAAAAAAHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHH-!" Arthur couldn't believe what just happened. Moving out of the way, Christopher watched as Arthur's blood gushed out of his body, and the man fell onto the ground, in pain, and humiliation for having lost to a child.
"I told you, I'd win." Christopher spoke. With his knife in hand, and without hesitation, he approached, and plunged it into Arthur's neck, which killed him instantly.
"Hmph. Never underestimate a child." He said. The only ones remaining were the king, and the prince. Christopher peered over to the king. The young boy's face, as well as clothing, was dyed red with the blood of his fallen enemies, which made the gaze even more intimidating.
"You're next." Christopher stated.
"N-No! P-please! I-I DON'T WANT TO DIE!!!" The king tried to from the room, but being a child, Christopher was naturally faster. He sped up to him, and kicked his leg hard, that made the king fall over.
"I-I'll give you anything-money, food, land, anything! Just please, let me live!" The remarks of the old guy angered Christopher.
"Did you say that same thing to all those demi-humans you killed, oh dear king?"
"W-What..?" The king's face suddenly twisted up. He knew, his fate had caught up with him. But he pretended to be dumb, "I...I don't know what you're talking about."
"Yes you do, I heard it from your very own knights, this kingdom is involved in the killings, robbery, and slavery of my own species, demi-humans. And as I said before, I've come to put an end to it." Christopher raised his blade as the man below him screamed. Before killing him, he yelled at the very top of his lungs,
"I am Christopher Hallowswift! I've come here by the will of the Elder God Amaterasu to live out my life here after dying in the last! And I will not stand for any crimes, injustice, or wrong doings of anyone who passes my way! It's time to cast judgement on the kingdom of Babalonia..." Sneering at the king, Christopher drove his blade into his throat, "And you sir...your judgement...is death."
"Haah~Haah~Haah~"
"N-No! St-Stop! If you do it that hard, you're going to break me!"
"Shut up, woman...Haah...haah..haah....."
Creek
"Oh? N-No! YAAAAAAAHHHHH-!" After minutes of searching, Christopher had at last found the princes's room. He was in bed with a woman,both, completely void of clothing. Without any form of holding back, Christopher drove his knife into the prince's fling, which immediately killed her.
"Now for you." Christopher spoke. The prince cowered in fear of the child and tried to run. He escaped to the throne room, only to see the corpses of his own father, and his guard.
"Ah...Ah....AAAHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHH-!" Christopher chased him at his top speed, then the moment he caught up to him, he drove his blade into the prince's back, this caused the prince to collapse onto the floor, onto his stomach. Looking down on him, he kicked the man onto his back.
"W-W-Who are you?!" He shouted out.
"I am your punishment for what you and your king have been doing to the demi-humans, and the citizens of this kingdom." Christopher responded.
"N-No...NO! YAAAAAAAAAAHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHH-!"
"Shut up." There, the young boy impaled the prince through his neck, and killed him. With the prince's death, this meant the end of the line of heirs for the kingdom of Babalonia.
"Nnrng...haaaah....haaaaah....." Christopher and Azure's task to rescue the princess, as well as to put an end to the Babalonian kingdom was now finished. Though the moment Christopher walked out of the castle, all the strength in his body seemed to go away all at once. But he struggled on to reach the entrance. Around him, many of the citizens of Babalonia stared at him, all whispering about what they heard coming from the castle.
"Is the king really dead?" One spoke.
"A-And the prince? W-What about the royal guard?" Another one said.
"Gosh...there's so much blood...there must've been a massacre there." A third spoke. Christopher paid no heed to the statements as he slowly, and painfully made his way over.
"Gah-Gasp" Suddenly, he plunged to the ground, and dropped his blade. He was about five meters from the entrance. Thankfully, he made enough noise for Azure and Eloise to notice.
"M-Master!" When Azure noticed, she immediately ran over. So did the princess of Aznos.
"Master, master!!! Y-You're hurt!!"
"Heh....I told you...I'd make it back alive..." Christopher struggled to speak-each time he did, his entire face would hurt. Azure helped him up, and the met each other's gazes.
"Master..." Tears formed in Azure's eyes as she smiled with relief. "....Masterrrrr!!!!!!"
"W-Whoa, A-Azure..?" Azure jumped at Christopher with her arms around his neck, and tightly hugged him. The force was nearly enough to knock him backwards. Christopher returned the embrace with as tight of a squeeze as he could muster.
"H-Heal!!" Azure exclaimed, most of the pain in his body went away instantly. "Masterrrrr!!! Sniffle I-I was so worried...d-don't you know how dangerous it is to fight without me?!" She yelled out. "D-Don't you ever do that again, o-okay?!"
"Hahaha, Azure, you worry too much..." Christopher giggled a little. He was glad to be back from that near-loss with the king's guard. "...Thanks." He whispered. They looked at each other, tears flowed down Azure's face as she smiled at him lovingly,
"You're welcome, master. And welcome back."
"H-Hey..." Interrupting them, Eloise called out. She looked much better than before, her light blue hair was straight, and neatly combed. Though her skin and clothing were still dirty.
"Mm? Can't you see we're busy?" Christopher said, looking at the princess with a plain look.
"Master, she's a princess!" Azure exclaimed. Next, Christopher laughed to himself.
"I know. What is it, princess Eloise?" Christopher asked her.
"Th...Thank you for saving me, Christopher and Azure." Eloise spoke, bowing to them. "I-I acted childishly back at the dungeon, and I am sorry. I assumed you were more of the guards."
"H-Hey, it's okay, you don't have to apologize about that." Christopher replied. "And it's no problem."
"O-Okay..." Eloise's face obtained a slightly red colour.
Retracting their arms, Azure peered at Eloise, "W-Well, shall we go, master? We still need to deliver Eloise back to her parents in Aznos."
"Oh, right. Let's go, Azure." Christopher and Azure stood up, and with sheathing his blade, they took one last look at the kingdom.
"That's one less threat for the demi-humans." Christopher said out loud.
"Yeah." Azure agreed. "We did well, master."
"Sure did. Erm, I'll probably be needing a bath though..." The young boy looked at himself. Nearly his entire front, as well as back, was covered with the blood of the people he and Azure killed. Which was probably why the citizens were hesitant to approach him.
"Mm. You look scary." Azure remarked.
"Definitely. I'll take a bath when we get back to Aznos...and buy some new clothes. Anyway, let's get back!"
"Okayy!" At last, they made their way back to Aznos.
"We're backkkk!" Christopher ignored the strange looks he received from the people in the kingdom as they made their way over to the castle's entrance. The castle guard stopped them at first, but after seeing the princess with them, he immediately apologized. Inside the castle, Christopher asked the nearest person for the royalties...which was a maid. The maid, half-afraid, took them to the throne room.
"My word, Christopher, what in the world happened to you?!"
"Y-Your clothes, th-they're all red!"
"Ahaha..." Hearing what both the king and queen respectively said, Christopher laughed a bit, "Well...we ran into...some trouble in Babalonia...b-but!" The boy stepped aside, revealing the captured princess. "Tadaaaa! We've brought back Eloise!"
"Mom..? D-Dad..?" Eloise looked at them, by how she looked, she was both shocked and relieved to see her parents again.
"E-Eloise..?" Her parents gaped at her, Bertrand, who stood beside the king, was captivated by the sight of his sister being alive and well.
"Eloise...my...my sister..."
"Bertrand..." Before Eloise could even approach, Bertrand ran to her, and embraced her. Eloise returned the hug, and pressed her face into her brother's neck. "B-Brother..."
"Oh Eloise I...I'm so sorry...it...it's all my fault you had to go through such a terrifying experience...if only I was more vigilant..."
"N-No, i-it's not your fault at all, Bertrand!!" Eloise exclaimed at him, her face was covered in tears, "It...it doesn't matter. What matters is that I'm safe and sound back at home."
"Eloise..."
Christopher and Azure triumphantly twinkled at the royalties, who each left their seats, and hugged their daughter.
"Ahem..." The hug went on for a good two minutes before Christopher spoke up, "...Hello? We're here to, you know."
"O-Oh, y-yes." The king was the first one to notice them, "Christopher, Azure, thank you from the bottom of my heart for rescuing our precious Eloise from the hands of Babalonia. Truly, you were a godsend for us."
"Y-You're very welcome, y-your majesties." Azure spoke, the queen looked at them.
"But...Christopher..." She approached him, and touched his clothes. "...Your clothes...and your face...what in the world happened to you?"
"I was thinking the same thing, Christopher." Bertrand peered at him, then let go of his sister. "Was it from a battle?"
"Well...yes..." Christopher suddenly felt a chill go down his spine. How would they even react if I told them that Azure and I massacred alll Babalonia's royalties, and all the knights we were able to find?
"U-Um..." Azure, hovering behind Christopher, spoke up, "...M-Master and I killed all the knights and the royalties in Babalonia c-cause they were enslaving the demi-humans and the-they tried to kill us and they were poorly treating the citizens!!!"
"Eh..?" Everyone there stared at them. Azure only continued,
"A-And my master killed the king and his personal guard and the prince!!! Mmmphmm!!" Immediately after speaking, the familiar hid her face into Christopher's back. "M-Master...did I say too much..?"
"Uhh...n-no you didn't..." Christopher gave her a half-smile.
"Y-You did...what..?" Bertrand gaped at Christopher. He couldn't believe what Azure said. "Christopher...you...did that..? A-And Azure...S-Surely you...couldn't have done that by yourself..?" Bertrand was more shocked. The king and queen didn't believe them either. But after seeing Christopher's state, and Azure's demeanour, they had no choice but to.
"M-Master barely came back alive after killing the guard, king and prince...b-but I healed him!" Azure shouted, "I...I don't even know what I would've done if he was killed...I-I would've failed my role as his familiar!"
"A-Azure..." Christoper felt sympathy for her. "...Don't worry. There wasn't any way I'd let myself die so easily, Azure." He stated, giving her a soft pat on her head.
"Mmm..."
"N-No way..." Bertrand staggered backwards, "...B-But you're a kid! How could one kid..?"
"Christopher." The king approached him.
"Y-Yes, your majesty?"
"I am deeply grateful for what you did to rescue my daughter, and when I do not go against what you did to Babalonia...I do tell you this. You did the right thing."
"I did?"
"Yes. This will improve the lives of all beastmen and demi-humans around. I thank you from the bottom of my heart, Christopher." The king bowed to him, which surprised everyone there-including Christopher. "But to complete your work, we must ensure the safety of the citizens."
"O-Oh, I see." Christopher didn't think of that. The king was right, without a leader, the kingdom will fall. The next few minutes were spent discussing what would take place next in Babalonia.
"Ahh, at lastttt...a bed!!!"
"Hahahahaha, master, were you that tired?"
"Heck yes I was! God, my back's killing me..." Christopher and Azure, after the discussion, were given a room to stay in at the castle for as long as they stayed in the kingdom. Laying down on the bed with his familiar, Christopher gaped at the ceiling.
"...Haaahhhhh...What a day..."
"Yes, master." Azure sighed, "My mana needs to be recharged to..." Facing each other, "...Are you hungry?"
"Not really...and even if I was, I don't think I'd eat." He responded.
"I see." Azure sat up, "Well, tell me when you want to, and I'll get something for you."
"Thank you, Azure." Christopher was truly happy to have a familiar like Azure. Her power is immense, yet she's kind, caring, and timid. He sat up as well, and gave his familiar a tight embrace.
"M-Master?" She was caught by surprise, but returned it.
"Thanks your protecting me today, Azure." He said to her. "I couldn't have taken down Babalonia, or saved the princess all on my own." He went closer to her, Azure's face grew even redder.
"You're...you're very welcome, m-master. You...you don't have to thank me for something like that. I'm your familiar. Whatever you need help with, I'll help you." She said. Christopher understood it completely.
"But..." Continuing, her voice softened, "...Being thanked every now and then does make me feel good..."
"Haha." He gave her one more squeeze, before they retracted. "Anyway, I'm heading to sleep. Goodnight, Azure."
"Okay. Goodnight, master."
Christopher laid down, Azure joined him. He placed a single blanket over them. Looking at each other, Christopher couldn't help but be taken aback by Azure's cuteness.
"Master..." Out of the blue, Azure's tone drooped. Tears formed in her eyes as she called for her master.
"What is it, Azure?"
"Nnrng...mmph!" Suddenly, she moved herself to Christopher's chest, and pressed her face onto his bottom neck. "Master...masterrrrrrrr!!!"
"A-Azure..!" For the first time ever, Azure wept. Silently, she wept into her master's bottom neck, her body shook with each sob. The sight of this crushed Christopher. Azure... Christopher thought. ...She must've been really worried for me if she's weeping... Without saying a word, Christopher embraced the girl as closely as he could.
"*Sob* I...I was so worried, m-master! W-When you said you'd come back t-to me I-I believed you b-but a-a-after I got to the entrance with Eloise y-you weren't coming back and I thought I'd never see you again!!" She cried softly to him. "Please...don't...don't ever worry me like that again, please, master..." She raised her head, and gazed pleadingly at him.
"Alright. I won't. I promise you, Azure." Christopher said. "I won't ever worry you like that again." He gave her a reassuring smile. Putting a hand on her cheek, he wiped away Azure's tears. Though, quickly after he did, she once again teared up.
"M-Master...W...Waaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaa!!"
"Nnrng...whimper, m-master...whimer, whimper..." After a few moments, Azure finally calmed down.
"Feeling better?" Christopher questioned her.
"Y-Yes, master...I...A bit better..." Azure replied. "...Sorry you...had to see me like that..."
"That's alright. Everyone cries sometimes." Christopher replied, he still had the little familiar in his embrace.
"Mm..." She raised her head, and looked at him. Her petite, beady blue eyes glistened with tears, and her face was stained with them. "...Do you, master?"
"Sometimes." Christopher responded. "Heh...Usually when I do, Roselina's there to comfort me..." Thinking about his lost sister got him thinking. Roselina...she must be looking for me...is she alright, I wonder...
"She sounds like a really nice sister, master."
"She is..." Christopher wasn't sure whether or not he would ever find her, the world he was reincarnated to was much bigger than he thought.
"Master?" Azure tilted her head. Unknowingly, tears started flowing down Christopher's white face, and onto the fluffy white bedsheets. Taking note of this, Christopher giggled bitterly.
"O-oh, s-sorry..." He stated, as he wiped them away. "...That was an accident."
"That's okay." Azure smiled at him. She was happy that her master was finally showing her his vulnerable state-which meant to her, she truly gained his trust. "You comforted me, master, so I'll comfort you next."
"Aww..." The boy returned a smile. "...Azure..." Christopher sniffled. Even more tears came down from his cheeks. "...Thank you."
"You're welcome, master." She replied. The girl planted her lips onto her master's forehead, and kissed it. The realization that Azure kissed him made Christopher's eyes shoot open.
"A-Azure..." He whispered. Azure only grinned, then gave him a chuckle.
"Just this once." She said. Christopher said nothing in response. The only thing he did was twinkle. He truly was lucky to have such a familiar...The only hope he had was that Roselina to, had a familiar that would take care of her while they were separated...
Roselina...I'll find you...no matter what it takes, I'll find you. I promise you, as your elder brother...Just please, be safe...