so...

by azrieljohnson

The Grand Tournament by Azriel Johnson

Fate's Children

Lion Mane

No one knows very much about me. They know my name, Lion Mane; they know my occupation, Vanguard for Randonius, the Planeswalker. Beyond that is a mystery, I prefer that. If you have no history, no one can use it against you.

I do have a history, however. A long jaded history. I've almost been killed by my sometimes lover, the great, Dragon Tail. She insists it's never personal, but I have other ideas. She's the only being I've ever loved; I was once a slave in her army. She was a great immortal even all those years ago, I a mere lackey, a member of her killing band, the Wyverns. I was given the honor of taking one of her weaker opponent's souls and I was imbued with the immortal life force. I've been alive for 500 years and never had I seen her meet her equal in skill or power, I was in awe as much as I was in love.

She and I ruled side by side for 300 years, we took on all comers, till one day we were met by an immortal calling himself The Great Bear. I fought him first and was beaten back handily, but he did not take my heart, he was interested in Dragon Tail.

Wielding her Kriss Sword like a dagger she disarmed The Great Bear and held her sword at his heart in one move. Fear crossed The Great Bear's face as she growled for him to leave. She would not take this most powerful warrior? What was she thinking?

I approached her later that night. She smiled when I asked why she'd let him go.

"His time is not yet come my love."

"His power is great, he'll come back much stronger, you'll be taken." I pleaded.

"My love, you are foolish to think one such as I could be killed. In our three hundred years together, has anyone man or woman, mortal or immortal bested me?"

"No my love, but that doesn't mean it won't happen." I was concerned for her, but my pride would not let me back down.

"My love," she began. "It's quite simple; he will not defeat me because I will have taken all others before we combat one another. His power will be short. He will fall just as easily as now."

I shook my head.

"My Dear Lion Mane, do not worry, things will work out," She cupped my cheek; I tried to free myself, but was unsuccessful.

She kissed me passionately and led me to her bed chambers where we took a few hours of reverie. Once finished we laid back and fell asleep.

Deep in the night, I had the urge to wake up, and just above me Dragon Tail was holding a dagger poised above me. Just as the dagger came down I blocked it and wrestled free of her, not without an extraordinary amount of effort. I rolled free and she came at me again. I kicked her as hard as I could and ran out of the room. Naked, I made my way out and into the night. I was lucky enough to get attacked by vagabonds, as I needed clothes and they were no longer complaining when I relieved them of their garments.

I walked many miles, through woods and desert till I came to a giant castle, most unlike Dragon Tail's castle. I approached the Vanguard on duty and asked, "Whose castle is this?"

The Vanguard replied, "This is the castle of Randonius the Planeswalker, he's the most powerful wizard in Torxania."

"Might I see him?" I asked.

"Hahaha! You, a commoner, to see the Planeswalker?"

"Of course," an old voice from behind him said. "Of course you can see me Lion Mane."

The Vanguard bowed, "Randonius," Said he.

I bowed as well, but Randonius lifted my head. "Do not bow to me Lion Mane, I know who you are."

He lead me in the castle wordlessly and I was brought to a room filled with many orbs, too many to count. I saw orbs near orbs, with people fighting others inside them. I turned around and saw myself in one of these orbs. I was absolutely baffled. I ran my hand through this orb and felt a wind blow by me in that instant. I smiled and turned around to see Dragon Tail's orb. Hers was by far the largest. She was shouting orders to her slaves. I could not hear her, but I knew exactly what she was saying. She wanted me found and brought back to her so that she could slay me.

Randonius frowned, "You were in love with her, you worshipped her as your queen, and she does this. It is sad Lion Mane."

"It is her nature," I said softly. "She is a killer. She'll get a new lover, and then kill him. It's how she works."

Randonius is silent for a moment then says, "Lion Mane, would you like to become one of my Vanguards?"

I turn and smile, "Yes milord, I would like that very much."

Over the next one hundred years, I met only one other immortal, it was Dragon Tail's current consort. His name, I do not remember, his soul thought it almost doubled my strength. I trained everyday with my pole arm (the standard weapon of Randonius' Vanguards). I soon could defeat as many as 100 of my compatriots in a row. I never had to use the blade against them, my parry skills were the best of any Randonius had seen. And he'd seen a few immortals come and go.

Now as the Grand Tournament commences, I await an opportunity to engage Dragon Tail once and for all.

Dragon Tail

The Kriss sword that I wield was forged on the date of my birth, 700 years ago.  No one knew I was borne as I was, immortal, but they all knew that the Kriss sword would be mine.  I was named Dragon Tail for no other reason than my mother liked dragons.  She knew my father, but no one condemned her for not having a husband.

My mother's brothers trained me to use a sword at a young age.  This was almost unheard of in my city, as I was a girl, and girls were not supposed to use weapons.  On I was taught about attack, defense, strategy and even unarmed combat.  I was defeating my cousins (all boys) handily, my uncles were proud.

On my 18th birthday, I was given; well rather I had to earn my sword.  I'd long since proven myself against my cousins and thus was put to the test by my uncles.  One after another, I fought, one after another, I defeated them.

Finally my most skilled uncle approached me, he said, "Dragon Tail, if you can defeat me, you will earn this sword, crafted on the date of your birth."

This particular uncle was fearsome.  He gave me the creeps, almost never visiting or teaching me anything.  The only thing I remember him teaching me was how to run an opponent through the heart.

I was petrified.  He approached me and said, "There is a surprise waiting for you at the end either way."

I asked, "What do you mean?"

He smiled, "This is your 18th birthday, making you fair game."

"Fair game for what?"

"The immortals."

And I knew why I'd always gotten an uneasy vibe around him.  He was immortal, and so was I.

He attacked fast and hard, he did not relent, but I was just as fast as he.  Attack, counter attack, attack, counter attack.  He was surprised at my quickness and strength.

I parried an attack and cut off my uncle's sword hand.  He cried out, but since this was life or death, I ran him through cleanly.  He smiled slightly and said, "This is the kind of resolve you will need in your life; do not forget how easy it is to kill your kin."

The suddenly my uncle disintegrated into a blue light.  This blue light enveloped me and swept into me, knocking me flat on my back.  I was unconscious for about a half a minute, then shook it off and rose.  I felt so much stronger and more able to fight than ever.  My family however shunned me, since they knew my nature, and so I was forced out on my own.  I never saw my family again.

Over my life after killing my uncle, I fought and killed as many as I could.  I was a voracious combatant.  My fame spread like wild fire, bringing stronger and stronger opponents.

Back in those days, an immortal with over 10 kills was almost unheard of; I had 15 souls to my name.  Keep in mind that we number the souls we and our defeated opponents have taken.  I'd killed seven myself, but those seven made up the difference.  Needless to say, immortals get better at math the longer they live.

I stand and scoff, bringing myself back to the now.  Randonius has fulfilled my wish to end the fighting.  It will be wondrous winning the souls of the others: finally being free of the stigma of battle. 

And I know that I tried to kill him, but it'll be good seeing Lion Mane again.