so we got the riddle solved for this chapter and we got a suggestion thanks to Arcguile_Renzig. I do enjoy doing these riddles and they will be commonplace but if you get to make a suggestion will be said before the riddle. For now I have a few legends prepared for the chapters so we will be doing them first before suggestions come again. Of course I don't mind you commenting of legends you'd like to see since it helps me too. Now I think we know who comes next but still here is the riddle for those who don't read the comments on chapters: Once a guardian now broken and twisted by revenge but maybe even he can be saved? Now enjoy!
The Throne welcomes you Sun…
[SEARCHING FOR SUITABLE LEGENDS…]
[CANDIDATE FOUND!!!]
[WARNING! CANDIDATE FULFILS CONDITIONS TO BECOME A COUNTER GUARDIAN!!!]
[INITIALISING RECRUITMENT…]
He knew that he would die in a fight, he even expected it. Of course it wasn't good that he died now and not later when the others where ready to fight to their potential. Maybe that was one of his regrets, but now it didn't matter any more. Now they had to be ready that much sooner. But even if he regretted dying a year or two too early, one thing brought him some closure. He did his duty and did not allow any one else to die there. Now he would join his mother in watching over the others.
But even in death, fate seemed to play one last trick on him. While he did indeed found himself inside the courtyard of a house not unlike the one where he grew up in, something was distinctly different. For one it wasn't the same house, for another a man sat on the steps to the house. A man his late twenties if he had to guess, dressed in a velvet blue kimono and beside him a tea set with two cups. But even now he hesitated only for a moment before approaching the man for he didn't look like a demon.
As he approached the man put aside his teacup and greeted him with a bow. "Welcome Rengoku-san and I'm sorry to stop you on your way. But after watching your deeds in your world I wanted to talk to you at least once and as part of my job I have a proposal for you. If you don't mind taking some time to sit with me and enjoy some tea before departing further down the road?" With these words he gestured towards the second cup.
While he should be more cautious probably… the man projected only a serene calm, so he took the man up on his offer and sat beside him. "Well it's kinda nice to be recognized even here, wherever we are. But what do you mean watching my deeds and what deal do you have in mind?"
"Let's start at the top. We are in one of the planes that combine to be the Velvet Throne. The Velvet Throne is a place to record legends across multiple worlds and the throne cares not if you're a hero, a monster or a villain. It only cares of you legend was grand enough to be remembered by the world itself. So as part of my job it is to monitor different worlds and look out for candidates that may qualify for the throne. That's where I know of you from. The contract in your particular case is two-fold. We want from you 1. for your legend to be recorded here in the throne. 2. ask if you'd be willing to become a Counter Guardian."
After taking a sip he asked: "With the first I don't have a problem, but what is a Counter Guardian?"
"A Counter Guardian is a legend given material form to fight if humanity is at stake. They are all legends recorded in their own right but have different requirements. Usually only legends which stood up for humanity as a whole are even looked at for the job. They are chosen by Alaya or the will of humanity to protect or save humanity from extinction level scenarios, which by the way those demons or yours kind of qualify as."
"Ok I get the gist of it but I'm sure there are not only demons in the different worlds right? So there may be a world where I would have to kill other humans to prevent the world ending?"
"Sadly, yes. On the other hand as compensation for entering the Counter Force you get certain privileges that others don't get. For example living in a world of your choosing as a vacation or even returning to your own for a limited amount of time. In your specific case, you will be able to return in the dreams of your comrades for the next five years to further their training."
These words brought a big smile to his face:"I guess after those five years in my world it will be hell of a working time." "Oh yes." "Fine then show me the contract, I hope my family seal will be enough."
With a snap of the man's fingers a contract appeared in front of him and he placed his seal on it. "But there is one thing I will never compromise on. I will fulfil my duty to protect those that can't protect themselves!"
The man once again bowed to him."of course that's fine by me. And let me welcome you once again to the Velvet Throne Sun of the Pillars, Rengoku Kyojuro!"