▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬
12. A Test in Another World
▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬
It has been two days since we've been brought into the elven kingdom and to the castle. We've been allowed to stay per Lyra's wishes, but the king has issued a challenge for me! Apparently, I have to beat one of his top warriors or accept death.
Yeah, right! Like I'm going to accept death!
But also, I've felt weirdly energetic lately. My body feels different over all. After a good night's rest, despite thinking of my eminent death, from the day of the battle with Khandre, I've felt stronger than ever. The only problem is, if this is somehow a new power thanks to black slime's emergence, I fear losing control again.
After all this time, this thing inside me awakes?! Where were you when I was fighting for my life in the dungeon you stupid slime!
At least that was my first thought…
While it might seem normal for a duck to eat a fish or two, turns out, what's not so normal is for a duck to eat monster meat and basically anything else that I could find while in the dungeon. I've always been able to eat anything and everything, but never really got bigger. I think the slime's always been a part of me!
The realization only hit me when some of the castle staff brough by food supposedly for a duck, which was just oats, grains, and berries. That being said, I wonder if it means I was just hangry in my fight with Khandre…
No. That's stupid. It was definitely more than that! I just wish I had the time to figure it out more and learn how to properly utilize it without losing control. Time's just not on my side.
In the couple days we've been here, Lyra has been showing Bea all around as I trotted after them, along with armed guards. The castle was huge and offered a lot of history of the elven kingdom. Quaelin was the name of the first elven king. He was Lyra's great great great great grandfather from thousands, yes thousands, of years back. The elven territory was know as Eritas and it used to be veiled from the other races in those ancient times through it's border wall, but now has open trade thanks to Alastaire a few hundred years ago.
On one such tour, we were interrupted by the king, "Lyra, it is time."
"Fine father. But after spending these couple of days with Bea, and the whole journey beforehand… I've decided something," Lyra said in rebuttal.
"What's that my dear?"
"I'm going to be an adventurer. I'm going to join the guild. I'm going to travel. I'm not going to be cooped up here or be an errand girl anymore!" she shouted.
The king had tears in his eyes, "But. But darling I-" he was interrupted.
"I am an adult. I will do these things with or without your blessing," Lyra said, putting her foot down.
"Well, there's no way you're going anywhere without a competent Queensgard," sniped Alastaire with a sinister look in my direction.
"Quack?"
"You will face a champion of my choosing in a battle. Win or die. Those are your options little duck- thing," he said pointing the way.
"Don't worry Duc, you can do it," said Lyra backing me up and Bea giving me a thumbs up.
A champion though? Some crazy strong soldier I'm sure. I hope I can do this!
We all made our way to the courtyard of the castle. It was a wide enough concrete area for a battle, surrounded by well tended flowers of all colors and purple bushes. The king faced away from me towards the castle and dropped his cape, revealing a golden hilted rapier and drawing it.
"The champion I choose, is me."
What?!
"Quack?!"
"Father?!" shouted a stunned Lyra.
"Sweet!" chimed in Bea.
"You plan on leaving and making a mark on your own, and I can respect that. But I'll be damned if anything happens to you! You will have a proper Queensgard!"
"But father-"
"Quack!" I chimed in, stepping forward to accept his challenge.
"Duc…" said Lyra backing down.
The battle was imminent. I can't keep failing to protect Lyra! If I can't prove myself here and now, I don't deserve to be her companion. Not that I would prefer death, obviously, but the king was right to be so adamant.
"Let's go duck thing," Alastaire commanded.
"Quack!"
I darted forward hoping my speed would be my edge, but it was like my brain was mush over these past couple days and I forgot…
In a flash of yellow light, the king disappeared before me and instantly beside me, giving me a swift kick in the side. I rolled sideways across the concrete.
Right… teleportation master. I've got to be smart about this. I need a real plan.
"Poor duckling, you're not meant to be more than a pet, or something's food. You should have never gotten that mark."
The king disappeared in a flash again, trying to close the distance by appearing behind me and catch me off guard. But this time I wasn't going to focus on him. If I'm dangerous enough, he won't be able to get close. So, I huffed out a jet of fire magic from my bill into an orb around me and then expanded it towards the king.
The heat didn't seem to phase Alastaire as I turned to face him, he was driving his rapier through my fire with ease. I was able to dodge the blade and back off, breaking the fire orb around me.
"No amount of fire can melt or destroy our elven made weapons, but at least you're trying," smirked the king.
Ugh! This guy. Think… think! What can I do?
The king began to glow golden again, about to use his teleportation magic method.
He's being so aggressive. Trying to end it fast. Lyra! Lyra said there were limits to it! Maybe he can only do it so many times and I just have to hold out.
Alastaire appeared at my side once again, with his rapier intent on a piercing blow. I did what I could and pushed off upwards at a fast speed. Fast enough to avoid his blade!
I can't believe I didn't think to just fly! I'm a duck. I'd face palm myself if I could.
I looked back down to check the king's position, but already lost him. That's when a massive force came down upon my back. Alastaire had teleported above me and is just using his body weight to send me into the ground!
Under his weight, I might explode on impact! There has to be a way out of this! Something I haven't thought of, but what?
▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬
End Part 12
▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬
⋆༺𓆩The.Fellow𓆪༻⋆