Harmony's Guardian

Choice Selected: B = run away

Tomas's smirk turned into a frown. What the hell am I doing? I can't waste time around here.

He leapt up into the air, dodging the first of the four heads as it snapped at him. A second one tried to bite him next, his midair form unable to truly dodge.

"Tri-Slash!" He yelled, swinging his weapon and sending three flying blade attacks at the attacker, causing it to roar in pain as it's tough skin was sliced open.

Dropping back down to earth, he took off running, his body a blur as he fled. At least I haven't gotten too rusty, he thought to himself as he ran. He could hear the beast roaring at him angrily as he fled. It wasn't until he was completely clear of the swamp, however, that he began to walk again.

He tried to check the sun's position in the sky, but was disappointed to see that he couldn't see through the canopy of the forest. With a shrug, he continued walking, still thinking to himself that he'd eventually come to the edge of the forest after a while. The swamp was just a fluke, it could have happened to anybody.

Some sort of carnivorous plant snapped at him as he walked, but it fell apart into pieces the moment it came within range of Sandankamae. That done, he continued walking, leaving the plant pieces behind.

Unfortunately, that didn't seem to be the end of it, because several more carnivorous plants began snapping at him. As he dodged and slashed, he couldn't help but remember the time he ended up on one of the 'islands' of the Boin Archipelago - in reality, just a giant Stomach Baron. At least he'd been able to leave in one piece...

He absentmindedly slashed the final plant to shreds before beginning to walk again.

This time, thankfully, he eventually found the edge of the dark forest. Walking out into the bright sunlight, he stopped and looked around for some sort of landmark. All he saw was just grass, flowers, the treeline for the forest... and what looked like a castle of sorts attached to the side of a mountain.

Not really seeing anything else, he began to walk.

Nineteen Years Ago

"Get back here, you little brat!" A voice yelled after a small child running away down the street, a small loaf of bread held in his arms as he fled.

Tomas ran out of the small town as the baker chased after him, wielding a rolling pin like a club as he tried to chase down the little thief. It didn't take long for said little thief to disappear into the woods with his prize.

Heading deeper into the woods as the sounds of pursuit faded, Tomas's run slowed to a walk. There were plenty of fruit trees in the forest, but they often didn't hold enough for him to satisfy his hunger, not to mention nutrition. It was for that reason he often stole a bit of food here and there from the town every few days.

As he walked, he picked a handful of berries - safe to eat, he knew - and a fallen apple and banana. Not much in the way of food, but it was all he had at the moment.

Returning to his little hideout - more of a small shack build with driftwood and some sheet metal he'd found - he sat down to enjoy his meal.

The berries were quickly squashed and turned into a sort of jelly before being spread on a slice of stolen bread. The apple was cut up into slices and quickly placed on a small dish he had carved out of a piece of driftwood.

It wasn't until he came to the banana he paused in confusion. He hadn't looked too closely when he picked it up, but now he could see that something was wrong with it.

It was still yellow in color, but much closer to lemon-yellow than the usual shade. Additionally, it was bumpy, the outside covered in odd-looking swirls.

Confused, he carefully peeled it, revealing the inside to be colored an odd shade of blue, swirls covering that as well. He had no idea what the hell had happened to this banana, but he couldn't help but wonder if it was edible.

Deciding to take a risk, he sunk his teeth into it and took a bite.

Nine Years Ago

Tomas slashed another Marine across the chest as another charged towards him. Bending down, the tall man touched his hand to the ground.

Moments later, the man's advance came to an abrupt halt as he began slowly sinking into the ground, now acting like quicksand. He struggled to escape as Tomas advanced, his saber dripping red with the blood of his latest victim.

"You saw the flag on the way into the harbor, did you not?" He asked the sinking recruit. "The black flag?"

"W-what the hell are you talking about?!"

"See that flag up there?" Tomas turned to point his crimson-coated steel at a tall flagpole beside the harbor, from which a black flag depicting what seemed to be a screaming skull flapped in the wind. "That black flag is my mark. All who willingly live under it, live under my protection. Those who trespass will be met with lethal force."

"W-who are you?!"

"The one who protects towns from marauders like you." Tomas said simply before grabbing the man and hoisting him out of the trap. "Now then... go back to your ship, and tell them what you saw here today. Let them know that anyone who tries to attack or take over a town bearing my flag will incur my wrath."

The terrified recruit fled down the street, back toward the harbor.

Two Years Ago

'Black Flag' Tomas stared down what had to be twenty Marine battleships' worth of soldiers, all of them staring back with swords and rifles.

"I will only say this once." He growled. "Leave the townsfolk alone. They do not need your 'protection'."

One of the soldiers - a new recruit, by the look of it - fired his rifle. Tomas's Haki easily saw it coming, however, and it was a simply matter to sway a little to the side to let the bullet pass.

"Well now..." His gaze zeroed in on the one who'd fired. "...guess I'm going to have to knock some sense into you all."

He leapt forward, Sandankamae's three points easily piercing the recruit's chest.

Moments later, the miniature war began.

Tomas looked up at the enormous gate separating him from the small city and castle; he could see two horse-like creatures in armor and carrying spears standing in front of the doors.

Choose wisely!
A: Walk up and say hello - Probably won't attack me on sight.
B: Jump the gate - The quicker way in, but also more dangerous.