The Mad King of Adventure

Perspective of View: Third Person

Life certainly was refreshing whenever it involved the two together. For moments such as these however, Yreol would slightly disagree. Currently the two of them were being reprimanded for being so late instead of coming in early which was a mistake made on Sukari’s behalf. Inevitably they’d gotten off by a simple slap on the wrist and brought to the waiting room for further instructions.

“I cannot believe it. Here I am, about to compete against several of the strongest guilds in all of Gaia.” Yreol mentally reiterated to himself as he took a gander at his very last place before he’d be brought into the maw of competition.

Surrounded by the beautiful orange decor that melded so greatly amongst the gold, the two contestants patiently waited inside their personal waiting area. From what Yreol could remember there shall be four groups, his own included, all in pairs of twos which added up to eight contestants each. Meaning that potentially he’d be going against six people along with Sukari, however unlikely the possibility were to be.

On his right was Sukari, his friend and Illusionist who he noticed practicing a few spells in quick succession on a smaller scale than what could have possibly brought damage to the building they were temporarily brought to.

Then a series of knocks echo from the door, making the Sigil Knight’s head perk up and placing his Sigil Helmet on in preparation for what’s to come. “In a moment!” He said from inside his Sigil Helmet. A piece of armor standardly given to most who prove that they are true Sigil Knight material and have potential for becoming Sigil Knight Commanders. Three metallic wings decorate both sides of the silver helmet as a declaration of this.

The Vind got up from sharpening his blade and opened the door. In front of him was a Rigan the very same who escorted them to the room they currently resided in, a race with ash colored skin and this one had golden eyes, his hair being of a dark brown variety. His most defining trait was the suit and tie he wore. Normally Rigan’s high affinity for mana could easily get them professional jobs such as the one he had right now, or at least that’s what Yreol assumed.

“I’m correct in thinking that the two of you are ready to receive instructions and proceed further with this year’s annual Guild War?” He rhetorically asked. Sukari was already in the midst of closing her spell book and readying the small bag on her waist.

Yreol nodded, he had some familiarity with the man from their brief previous interaction. “That’s right Sullivan, please, explain this year’s Guild War rules to us so that we may proceed.” The man said his practiced question in the utmost assuredness.

Sullivan straightened his time and looked at the two. “Hm… This is the fiftieth annual Guild War and with each year there are newer or revised rules. This year is simple, as soon as you enter the war’s groundings then all weaponry is instantly dulled, lethality is not allowed unless it is in the face of self defense because lethality was brought to you first. The last team standing wins and at any time you can verbally mention that you conceded and will be picked up by a team, any questions?”

“None sir.” Sukari replied before Yreol could.

The man pulled out a pair of black blindfolds from his dress pant’s pocket. “Good, wear these blindfolds and allow yourself to be directed by me, common procedure.” Yreol couldn’t remember hearing anything about this part. His unsure gaze peered over at his partner who was already taking a blindfold to wrap around her eyes, blinding herself.

Yreol shrugs and puts them on as well, instantly feeling a hand wrapping around his own, guiding him through a place he can no longer see. Noticeably the air gets damper and more humid until he cannot feel a hand guiding him any longer, the man’s footsteps were now silent.

“Sullivan?” Yreol called for the man but no reply came and so he took off his blindfold in thought that this might help him, he was very wrong.

Somehow he was displaced inside of a desert along with Sukari. There was little to no indication of this happening to either one of them at the time, this was definitely new.

It was at this moment where Yreol started panicking, examining all the details around the area to see if there were any clues to be dropped even while Sukari was only brushing off her robes and pulling her hood up. “Was it spacial magic, some sort of newly developed technology that’s been kept secret, or maybe some high speed movement my brain couldn’t have possibly kept up-”

Sukari was unusually calmed, as if she knew what was going to occur at the very beginning. “Knock it off Yreol and take a peek up there.” She pointed her index finger upwards, the one direction the rookie did not look at.

And wow the only word Yreol could describe this in was pure ‘fiction.’ Up above them was some sort of vibrant purple projection in the sunny yet harsh sky that revealed him. The current King of Sentinel, one of the largest countries of Gaia to have ever existed.

Although the colors were tinted to be purple, deep down Yreol knew his description by heart. Red skin, orange eyes, and brown hair. A true Dzin, a race famed for being able to peer into the future, one of the oldest and wisest to be.

“Welcome and congratulations to you all newest contestants of Sentinel’s annual fiftieth Guild War. I am the host Orpheus Zarof and I wish you all a wonderful time, truly we have desired to have a more diversified cast this year and this has brought us to you all. We purposely did not allow you to meet each other so as to not give an edge over one another. Though I will say this could be anyone’s game as far as I’m concerned.”

A brief chuckle is heard, almost as if he did not even believe that and said it for pure musement. “This year’s event obviously takes place in a desert-like setting, but worry not for there will be excitement to be brought to you all. Now then, as per stated of the rules, killing is allowed unless your enemies verbally or nonverbally admit defeat which they will then be teleported out as per our mages. And with that being said let's have a great Guild War this year, fight your very hardest and become the very best you know you can be.” And just like that, the hologram cut out, leaving them stranded.

(Perspective of view: Ryan Steele)

“Why are Guild Wars done in the first place?” I’m jolsutled out of my narration only to see Fluttershy being the one to interrupt me.

I open up my mouth to speak but close it as I notice the look William passes me and give him a nod of affirmation.

“Thank you Ryan Steele.” He says with no short amount of gratitude and teeters his gaze over to the mare in question.

“You see Fluttershy, the process of a Guild War is very important as stated in the story. The entire point of it is to allow some guilds to take the spotlight and shine brighter than the big names.” William’s face cracks a wryly smile, he appears to be day dreaming. “Fame and recognition like that is an excellent way to get funding for better gear or to allow those who have had students in the past to come out of retirement and have those who have claimed victory a way to learn new skills.”

Twilight points up a finger to interject. “There’s also the cultural segment. It’s said that the gods and goddesses would pick champions from what used to be called “Houses” in the earliest days which would just be established by making a bond with the world itself, Gaia,” I flinched upon hearing the name of a deity that’s been helping me spoken aloud but Twilight continues as if I never did. “And then being bestowed a ring to indoctrinate others into the house if their conviction is held true.”

“That sounds a lot like… No, I need to ask first to verify.” I clear my throat to smoothly enter the conversation.

“Hey Twi, was there ever a name for what the ‘ye olden days’ version was called? Or was that supposedly ‘lost in time… time… time…’” I goofily add a fake echoed noise from my mouth as I repeat the last word, if only to brighten my own mood.

My sister did not actually mind, which was a rare occurrence for me. “Actually yes, there is. I think it went by something along the lines of “Conquest” which was a name that fit what it implies. What did Princess Celestia not make you study on that too or did you skip that section like you did for, oh I don’t know, magic usage, Arts, and basic survival skills.” And to that I did a noncommittal shrug, I admit to no incriminating evidence of any kind.

My sister only sighed as she placed a hand underneath her chin. “It was a usual six on six battle royale that took place in a pocket dimension layered on top of Gaia herself and it would be spanned nearly across that entire world in several parts that was meant to take up to a week to finish due to how much smaller it was compared to an actual Equus. But the reasoning for why is very vague.”

I feel myself mentally gripping at the end of my hair. “That confirms my suspicions, Conquest did exist at some point but was taken away, yet another thing to ask Gaia.”

“Was it to make sure she could be protected whenever threats would come her way?” All of us, myself included, looked at Fluttershy who was where the voice came from, anxiously twirling a bit of her mane under the sudden increase of eyes on her. “B-Because if she did not want her gifts to be wasted then it would only make sense to put her inhabitants to the test for mock-natural selection.” She finished.

Rarity was in the midst of refilling her Apple Cider, yuck, when she held a non-shocked look of utter understanding. In fact, Rainbow Dash was the only one who was openly shocked by this information and even that was morphing into a different emotion. “I see your Drudic understanding is coming to bare fruition my dear.”

“Thank you Rarity.” The butter colored mare gratuitously accepted. “But it’s a work in progress so far. I’m not even sure if what I said was accurate.”

The blue Pegasus- no no, Rainbow Dash for the first time I’ve ever seen her she seemed at a loss for words. It truly is funny what you can notice when other people are busy talking amongst themselves, what you can take advantage of.

“Actually that is close enough to my own theory though minus the protecting planet tidbit.” My guild leader not-so shyly interrupted. “To my understanding gods and goddesses are always expecting of their followers to come into three roles, pawns, priests, and those they dictate as champions or their ‘chosen ones’ to garner benefit.”

William appeared to be impressed, mainly directed to Fluttershy but there was something underlining meant for someone else. “Where did you come up with the circumstances for a theory such as that? Rarity mentioned something about Drudic studying just now and judging by your friend’s reaction this comes as a surprise to them as well does it not?”

Before Fluttershy could get a word out, my genius of a sister began talking before she could. “Fluttershy mentioned that she was studying Druidcraft in her spare time. And from what she’s told me she’s quite proficient in it. Better than a few ponies I know back in Canterlot, we merely shared a common interest that I dabble in every now and again.”

“F-Fluttershy, you never told me this!” Rainbow Dash’s muzzle was scrunched up in a near hurt expressiveness. “How come I’m only hearing this now?” Fluttershy on the other hand was confused by this.

“Miscommunication, the bane of all friendships male and female alike. How delicious it is to hear-” I raise my eyebrow in confusion, a weird pressure builds up inside my mind as if it were making itself a home. It’s cold, nearly freezing in fact but that couldn’t compare to how it’s making me feel. “Warmth? No no, this is pleasurable.”

Rapidly and purposely I shake my head of those thoughts, it must be Alter building something inside my mindscape. And if not then they are to take care of it the next time I sleep as per say the contract. Therefore I have absolutely nothing to concern myself about.

Rarity gave her longtime friend a well deserved stare of dejectedness but placed her attention on me once she saw Fluttershy staring at me with a look of worry, in fact everyone was for, what the third time? I should stop accumulating so many stares at once and gain some leadership skills from Alter, after all if she was living off of this supposed Princess for some time then she’d-

“Are you okay Ryan? You’ve been in and out of the conversation since we started.” Fluttershy meekly told me. “This conversation hasn’t been the most engaging to somepony like you, I hope we haven’t been boring you.”

Immediately my hands shot out defensively, dropping the book I was holding as a consequence of my recklessness. “I would never be that disrespectful as to not pay attention, double so to those who have my respect.” I quickly covered, and honestly meant it as well.

“Then it is as I thought, that night still plagues you does it not?” Said William with a somber attitude, leaving it more as an answer rather than a question. “I spoke to your sister when you were still in a comatose state. You are not a fighter Ryan Steele, you have not been trained to take a life before. You were only taught to protect your sister as any eldest sibling would.”

The previously chided mare appears commiserative. “Dude I’ve been trying to forget about what happened too.” Rainbow Dash sympathetically added. “That’s the thing though, it hasn’t been working. When we all saw you die that was it, we thought you were gone for good but even when you weren’t it still got to me. So if you need to talk about it then we’re all open ears.”

I can’t help but heave aloud, what a fucking joke. “It wouldn’t be a lie to say that it is but dammit I hate feeling so weak because of that. What that accursed witch disguising herself as a solar princess did to me was unforgivable, what her sister did to me though. No matter how much I try to stop thinking about it.”

My fingers curl into fists, clenching my already pale skin even whiter than it was before. Almost as if I was blinded in a storm of vengeful wights, everything is darker than it was before. “If my captor is the one who manipulates the mind then I can only imagine the darker one manipulates the flesh. I can still taste that iron in my mouth, choking on my own blood after being gutted like a fish or scared vermin.”

Everything is swirling in a rage- no, that same FRENZY I was in with Nightmare Moon. My legs are weak, they’re quivering in some sort of fear that I wouldn’t know how to put my finger on. “Absolutely pitiful, I don’t know how I could ever be desirable for any task if I’m broken.” I’m trying to navigate what’s inside my head and yet it’s pounding all around me like walls being undone, and then there’s that second feeling.

“Alter… Alter, help me you backstabbing son of a bitch, I know you can hear me! I won’t beg for help you reverent leech of a-” Two arms wrap around my body, then another pair, and another and another until there’s five bodies all piled around me in a near crushing me in pressure.

Every single cell inside me screams to put a hand into my inventory and take out whatever is threatening me and another tells me to sit and wait for just a little while longer. “What are they doing- oh, a hug. I can’t remember the last time I got such a large one from people I cared about, not since Shining Armor left for his journey to become a guard.” A humorless chuckle slips from my lips. “Something all but guaranteed being another protector for the crown and her protege, two birds one stone.”

Wet droplets trickled down on my shirt; warmth but sadness as well. The pressure inside my head starts cracking. “Sobering thoughts that aren’t unwelcomed? That’s a rarity in a half.” A fragile mind. “I wish more people became realists, but why can’t I move my hands?” Nearing its end. “And why is someone shaking me back and forth?” I turn my head and see that it’s Twilight. “Oh that makes sense, I see her mouth moving but she isn’t saying anything.” Another false person of knowledge. “In fact my sister isn’t even looking at me, is there something behind me? It’s getting so hard to see now, everything has become so foggy.”

Why?

“Why am I thinking all of this in the first place? Ever since I came to this town my ability to mask my emotions has disappeared. I've started slipping, instantly making friends, accomplishments one could only describe as a miracle, and backing from god-like beings… Why? Could I have misunderstood what my (Charisma) stat accomplishes? No, that's not how that works, it shouldn't be how it works. Why? Is it my friends getting in the way? Foolish of me to consider that, if friends are the problem then I would have known sooner. Why? Because there’s something holding me back…?”

And then it all goes dark.

Falling and falling deeper into my psyche as if it were dragging me in an estranged oasis.

“I’m back here.” I look around and see nothing but the foggy streets of London, or at least how my mind perceives it again. Just as when Alter and I met.

Try as I might I don’t avoid pulling my gaze up, my action being rewarded with a heavily darkened moon, near blood red. “A lunar eclipse, how sanctioned that is.”

“It is meant to represent us after all.” A voice calls out, one that’s sickeningly familiar.

I see Nightmare Moon and Princess Celestia right in front of me, both of them holding condescending grins of their own nature. I’m not sure what to make of it, two beings, two things of what I fear the most. There’s so much weighted burden inside of my heart, is this what it’s like for the heroes of their own story to be crushed by dread?

“This all cannot be probability, am I right? Two figments inside my mind, representing terror.” My mouth goes dry as Nightmare Moon crosses her arm with an approving glare whilst her devilish sister leaves her hands idle, sizing me up as always. “My behaviors have been off ever since I stepped foot in this anathematized town! I’ve been far too expressive, caring more than I should, and it’s all because of you two isn’t it?”

Princess Celestia flares her wings, albeit slightly but the message of ‘I’m the one who will be in control’ is radiating off of that single action. “It has had nothing to do with us my dear Ryan. You know I for one care greatly about you like nopony ever has.” The witch tries to use a comforting tone, and the worst part? It always works.

“We assume what our dearest sister meant is that thoust's internal problems stem from thyself. We are merely present to aid in thee’s progression.” The malevolent Alicorn clarifies. And this is all too funny for me. I can't help except burst out with laughter.

“M-My internal problems?! Oh hehehehe HAAHAHAHAHAAHAHAA! Phew, that was the best laugh I’ve had all year.” I hold my hair and briefly slick it backwards, the combination of moon and sunlight bathing my body in its nauseating radiance. “The way that was presented you nearly had me for a second, thinking that this was all my fault somehow.”

As if it were some twisted pull of fate; the duality of what I repress and loathe are looking down on me. And all I can notice is their piercing gazes, Princess Celestia’s motherly aura to it only serving to-

“That, that right there.” Princess Celestia halts my notions in a caringly manner, all fake. “My dear Ryan, why do you insist on my full title when I have told you oh-so many times to call me Celestia. It’s something a more ponies could learn from and you would set that example for them. Would you not?”

“As if you don’t know in the first place. If you wish to play foolish then I can do the same.” I bitterly thought to myself.

I blatantly play the fool and tilt my head in confusion. “Was it not you who told me I should respect those in authority? This is my way of doing so.”

The mare narrowed her eyes, staring me down like some sort of experiment. “Horse apples! I know the titles you call me inside your head, ‘Solar tyrant, witch, unforgiving empress’ I am not a fool Ryan I know what you think of during those sparse moments of interaction.” Princess Celestia sighs and- was that a sniffle? “Do you truly hate me that much even through all I’ve done for you?”

How dare she even try to turn this on me. “This has to be some sort of insanity to even try to reason with you, it has to be.” I bury my hands into my face, unwilling to view either of them.

“And what of us? Are we to be a scapegoat for all of thy’s actions?” I hear the metallic stomps echo on the cobblestone road, inching towards me. “Thou pins blame to our sister, fine, but do not run away as if thou were a foa-”

My head snaps back upwards, my eyes seething with an unprecedented rage. “You dare act as if I am running away?!” My violet tired eyes pierce through the Nightmare’s own. She takes a single step back. Good. “Not all of us are born with the power of might, not all of us can snap our fingers and fix everything with brute strength you fucking asshole! So yeah maybe I am running away but wouldn’t you in the face of your executioner.” The gaze then travels to Princess Celestia. “Or your warden, the one that I fear…” I darkly muttered, then it finally hit me like a bullet train and it seems the conclusion hasn’t only registered to me.

“That’s the real answer isn’t it? Fear.” I start maniacally grinning. “I can’t believe it, something so simple and yet I didn’t get it. You’re both what I fear most in life.” I watch as both of them pause, in a quasi-stasis state. No more as if they were completely immobile, the sensation of just waking up from a dream would be far more accurate.

“Ugh finally I was getting bored of you reading that book while you had the keys to me this entire time but just refused to put it on. At least you passed the first test with ease” My voice echoes from all around? Why am I surprised at this point, I’m catered to by two different deities, well known deities at that.

“Well you enjoy hearing yourself speak as much as any other human does. That is with much certainty so I took up your own silky smoothness in that image.” A large sigh comes from the very critical double of my voice. “Hey this isn’t criticism, just pointing out the obvious. Anyways I do not enjoy the whole mysterious cloak and dagger routine like my creator does.”

The voice scoffs. “To lead someone around for seven entire years and say nothing? I could never. That being said, I can only give you some information now that you’ve put on that there ring.” Somehow it mentally injects the image of pointing in my mind’s eye towards my right hand, and somehow it was there.

“The Ring of Gaia. Is that why I never interacted with it? Part of Alter’s intuitive interaction.” I quietly think to myself. A simple wooden ring with authentic vines wrapped around itself to complete its pattern. Yet I never even put it on so how is this possible?

I cross my arms around each other and rapidly blink. To be simply given information for once is a miracle. “Rings, rings, hm you’re going to have to be more specific on which one you’re referring to, I picked up more than one over the course of these few days.”

The voice audibly gasped. “Ah so you can still act charismatic despite having your charisma being taken away from you? And your first question wasn’t “Who are you?!” What a terrible non-calculative surprise for me, I expect better of myself. Anyways yeah you didn't put it on the system did. Think of it as a sort of precaution to make sure you actually survive the coming days.”

"A precaution? Even though I can revive eight times and still have one life left over Gaia and Yaldabaoth still think I need precautions?"

I lazily wave my hand back and forth and nonchalantly play it off. “Oh I don’t even need to check all my skill points are probably rendered null and void against you or just in general in this place, I’d say the former since you have my exact same voice and presence.” I verbally get no answer but the silence is telling enough of what it is.

Was I really that predictable? “Before she befell onto us I most definitely would have asked that.”

Shrugging my shoulders whilst simultaneously loosening them I send the moon a flat stare. “It gets old after the first few deities you know? If you want something or want to tell me something then I’m all ears, until then I’m learning to pick my questions better from those who are reticent.” I jab a thumb in the frozen pair’s direction. “Can you do anything about those two? Preferably erase them? To force the apparitions of what pains me on the inside is cruel.”

“Is your pain justified?”

That caught me off guard, my hand returned to my side in a sluggish move. “Excuse me?”

The unnamed echo of my voice acted as if I said the most insignificant thing I could. “Is it right to take a pain and transfigure it into something repressed? This is only right that I ask if we are to embark on an inquiry of pain, a question to your question if you will.”

I pause, what was the point of such an inquiry? “Why even think of such a random- oh who am I kidding?! This is all apart of some fucking test and I can no longer even control my emotions to any degree so I might as well be honest.”

A bubbling of liquid life travels through my veins. It’s as if lava was dumped on my insides and outsides, a purification that feels so real “Suppressed? Not in an infinite time’s passage! It’s not a luxury that us who are weaker can afford but with this stupid comfortability that's come my way maybe I thought that I could escape that mindset, even if it was subconsciously.” Adrenaline flows through my veins as I gaze back at the lifeless imposters that are Celestia and Nightmare Moon. “But why should I even try to escape it?”

“Because it’s comfortable, you have Princess Celestia to think for you, cover your every move in order to make sure your life is as comfortable as possible.” The mimicked voice argues. “It’s the correct thing to do, you’re guaranteed to protect those around you in a fortress of family and friends."

I walk towards them both, the yin and yang of my terror. Each step shakier than the last and laugh as if I set off the finishing blow. “Correct… CORRECT? That’s laughable if not hilarious, no you are correct in that sensation but even though that’s correct that could never mean it’s what’s right for a person.”

Before I could even process my actions I’m already in front of the Celestia doppelganger, I reach out and touch its mane.

“This sensation, this fear is what has kept humans alive for centuries. It’s what drives people, and for me I have to hold onto that. That’s nature’s law, and humans have always tried to reach out to become gods, celestial beings, or perfection.” I retract myself and reel my entire fist back.

“Celestia, the one who is immortal, my judge and warden, the one who prevented me from being carefree and infinitely more adventurous.” The heavied hand strikes through the mirror image, leaving a line of cracks centered around the opened abdomen of the clone. “I set you free from my sense of escapism, you are now one of my drivers of self. Please carry me to my charismatic battles to cajole others as you have unto yourself.”

The hand leaves the abdomen and strikes again at its chest, another crack, and another and another until she is nothing but a pile of iridescent shards floating in its space, fractured beauty as I see it in front of me.

I walk to the frozen simile of Nightmare Moon and shake my head. “It’s sad that everyone has such different visuals.”

“Whatever do you mean Ryan? Or should I call you Chimera now that you’re finally acknowledging yourself.” The voice calls out.

A lance of darkness appears in my hand, blue feline-esque eyes open all over it as they stare at the Nightmare. “It couldn’t matter any less than it does here. Call me whatever you’d like, you have my voice and perhaps even my face, you manipulated my ability to feel emotions. Most likely you know my views on things as well. I should have known this was a test about fears from the moment I stepped in here, maybe that is why my intelligence is so low.” I lightly joke.

I take the Calamity Cinnabar and twirl it in the air before snapping it back with both my hands, aiming at her chest. “Nightmare Moon.” I calmly breathe out. “The one who brutalized me with more force than what was necessary, haunter of my future and aspirations.”

The darkened lance thrusted outwards and pierced the chestpiece of Nightmare Moon. her form twisted and churned in a futile attempt at stability. “I release you from my ability to make excuses for my psyche, more importantly my fear of overwhelming strength in a world devoid of black or white.” The essence of the corrupted being finally snapped and was replaced with a darkened sludge that could no longer hold its form, collapsing in front of my eyes and dripping into my sullied weapon, and emanating from it could have been mistaken for a sentient glint in its eye.

I twist my wrists, plunging the artifact of a weapon in the hardened cobblestone with ease, shaking my head. “Nobody will be able to understand what was done here, not even I do. It’s much more spiritual than just destruction. I answered the world’s questions with my own answers even if it doesn’t make sense and yet…” A writhing sensation travels throughout my entire body.

My mind is shaking, tearing itself apart at the seams, breaking itself apart. Yet all of it is becoming anew, in a futile attempt to dull the pain I grip my head hoping to make it stop yet the tremors in my body all but force me to drop down on the knees that have supported me for the better half of these seven years of torment on this planet.

“It hurts… It hurts… ITS HURTS… Why?” Every sensation inside me goes numb, but I don’t need to question it any longer.

‘Player (Ryan Steele) has completed part 1 & 2 of questline (guidelines to becoming a living legend) sufficient rewards shall be immediately dealt as compensation for your unknowing participation.’

‘New Talent unlocked: Warrior's Respite’

'Description, Due to taking such mental damage that was unaccounted for mental exhaustion you have gained this. If you stand still for fifteen seconds you will enter a moment of rest and become able to recover both HP and your mental sanity at a steady rate.'

“Already? Geez and here I was having my fun, alright kid I’m you if you couldn’t tell such from the get-go.” I slowly stand up and grunt, lifting up my right hand only to find it darkening at a rapid pace. “Ah right that, that’s part of Gaia’s gift, it’s supposed to help you assimilate and what not.”

The voice grows closer and closer to me as if it were visible. “Cliff notes version is that I’m a byproduct of your ability to fear and adapt I’d guess. Or at least that’s what I think, Gaia didn’t give me many instructions-” He wasn’t even able to finish before I cried out in pain once again, every single throb of my brain feels worse than what a thousand stabs could do, and it only grows worse as what could even be called my arm at this point begins to make small groves on itself like some sort of freakish flesh tree.

Over my incoherent screaming I hear the small ruffling of cloth. “I’m going to need you to stop fighting it, you’re becoming a fairy, more power is what you desire so this is what was given to you.” A gloved hand is placed on my head, gently rubbing it and in an instant I can feel my pains begin to wither away. “There we are, now aren’t you going to greet your newest partner?”

The hand uplifts me and before my eyes leave the ground I reach out for a name, anything to call the other self. “Azael…” The name escapes my lips before I can even view the man.

“That pain…” I look over to my right hand. “Not fully brown but it’s definitely not the pale white it was before. My arm and hand are rough but smooth all the same, that seems about the end of my afflictions. Was that all worth it just for this though?”

“A demon viewed as a scapegoat for human sins huh?” I finally get a good view of who it is that’s put me through these trials and well his description speaks for itself. If I’m supposed to be a knowing monster, then the creature in front of me is a monster disguising itself in deceit.

Purple curled horns stretching outwards that extended as if he were a demon, clawed wings that start as a pure snow white but end with a maroon red resembling a fallen angel, dress pants and an old-fashioned tuxedo not dissimilar to a false gentleman’s persona all fitted in a top hat placed on his head, but the most discerning one was the plague doctor-esque mask he wore that disguise what his face appeared as; in fact none of his skin showed through his outfit.

He leans forward, that beaked mask getting in the way of those glass lenses that reflected off the moonlight, not even allowing me to view his eyes. “You know as you’re analyzing I’m picking up more and more on you, and yeah I can already tell based on your decisions for recklessness and false intelligence are going to make my name fit, so Azael it is. A pleasure to meet a new fairy in the making, I’d suppose.”

I grit my teeth, does he really have the gall to be cocky when I’m so disoriented that I can’t tell up from down? “You keep on saying “fairy” but there are different iterations of them! Most are just evil pricks while others are nice as could be. So if I am one then why am I turning wooden, wouldn’t that just make me a dryad-”

The newly named Azael holds up a hand to stop me. “Okay okay! I get it you’re pissed and you deserve answers anyways. Considering after this, easy mode is getting turned off.”

“Are you saying this was easy mode?!”

He points a finger gun at me and chuckles. “Kid you’ve got no idea. Tell me, do you even know what a Legend truly is?” Underneath that mask, I could have sworn I felt a sinister grin form on whatever served as a mouth for himself.