The ashes were like snowflakes that were born from the flames, made of the flesh of the fallen.
This happened again. And again. After every battle, a funeral of fire was hosted for all soldiers who’s bodies could be recovered from the rubble.
Tonight was no different, except one of the soldiers was not killed by a monster.
“Our brave brother, the Star Warrior Jecra, Father of one, was the strongest among us. The enemy captured him, nearly killing him until he had no choice but to join their forces for the sake of surviving to see his son once more…”
Jecra’s ashes were like snowflakes, just like everyone else’s. No matter how strong, wise, good or evil, everyone is equal after death.
I thought that meme said "Send < + a SWORD and my muse will tell you a memory related to it" so the only logical conclusion is that I must send:
The golden blade gleamed in the light streaming through the cracks of the cave’s roof.
A young swordsman and swordswoman stood by the entrance of the room, studying their surroundings.
A hairy beast with large, scythe-like claws snoozed away in front of the pedestal in which the legendary sword was sheathed.
Garlude was first to approach
___
It was the sword that killed her, not the monster. She was not worthy. Meta Knight, however, was.
He took the blade and ran, knowing very well her sacrifice was necessary. The information, though, did absolutely no justice to the tears that flowed, smeared on his cheeks by the mask on his face.
Meta Knight had witnessed more than enough death. This sword would help to end the seemingly endless plight.
A piece of Meta's history; this time, during his mercenary phase. This one is about one of his employers, a charming nobleman by the name of Lord Sanguine. There will be a part 2 to this sometime soon.
It's long. It also hints at suggestive material, so be warned.
Inside the dimly lit halls of a castle dungeon, a knight-turned-mercenary stands in front of a safe, waiting, guarding.
Shadows of a round figure trot along the stone walls, the figure himself as red as the torch flames. He wore a white vest with an upright collar, lined with bright red, over a poofy crimson shirt. The outfit was topped off with a white jabot.
“You there, Sir Blue-One!” The lavish man called out, approaching the warrior he hired some moons ago.
Meta Knight whipped his head around at the sound of his employer’s smooth voice.
“Yes, My Lord?” He answered with his normal, stale tone, a stone-cold expression behind the mask as he faced the nobleman. On the outside, the knight showed nothing. However, on the inside, he very much enjoyed the company of the scarlet puff. Even if the man forgot his name once in awhile, He didn’t seem as bad or corrupt as his past employers.
“I want to ask you a few questions, Knight.” Lord Sanguine smirked, beckoning for Meta Knight to walk with him. Not waiting for another second, the lord began to step down the hall, never prying his gaze from the blue warrior, not even for a moment.
Glancing back to the safe he was supposed to be guarding, the mercenary hesitated before he followed Lord Sanguine.
“My Lord, I do not mean to question your orders, but are you sure I should be leaving my duties behind? The very task you pay me to do?”
The lord laughed. He shrugged, continuing on his way.
“Do not worry. the contents of that safe may be important, but I have bigger plans for you. I will send another one of the mercs to guard it.” Sanguine assured, placing his gloved hand on Meta’s pauldron. “I hope you know you are the best out of all these sellswords I hired.”
Meta almost flinched at the contact, even if it wasn't skin-on-skin. He hasn't let anyone become close to him, physically or emotionally since the war ended.
“Thank you for your compliment, My Lord.” Out of respect and duty, the star warrior had no choice but to let the other touch him. Meta could endure much worse, and the situation seemed far from turning sour.
Not giving the other a chance to say anything else, Sanguine spoke up once again. “Of course, your swordsmanship is an asset to me. But I need you for other things, too, which leads me to my questions.”
The two ascended a staircase, leading from the dungeon, up to the castle’s courtyard. The walkways were lined with beautiful stone arches, and the path itself was kept clear of any weeds or dirt.
Lord Sanguine was a very rich man, and only hired the best of the best. The best would always stay to work for him, too, because of how generous he is with his money. Meta was included- though he did not plan on staying. Sure, living in such a beautiful castle with a good-paying job was extremely tempting, but the warrior had other, more important goals for his life.
“So,” The nobleman began again, seating himself on a nearby bench, inviting the knight to sit with him. “Tell me, what is it you mercenaries do?”
Sitting as prompted, Meta opened his mouth to speak, despite being confused by the lord’s question. “We get paid to serve jobs that require fighting skills, My Lord.”
Sanguine nodded. “Correct. And, who pays you, Meta Knight?”
Well, he actually remembered his name this time.
“You do, My Lord.”
“Right. So, by contract, you must do what I ask of you in order to earn payment.”
“I suppose so…” Meta’s wings shifted under his cape. He worried about where this conversation with Lord Sanguine might lead to.
Sanguine turned his body, fully facing his ’servant,’ peering right into the visor of his mask. “That includes extra things aside from combat, Sir.” He smirked with devious intent. “As long as I pay, you follow my orders.”
He leaned in closer, hand reaching for the warrior’s arm, grasping the blue limb. “Come with me.”
______
“If you stay here with me, you can live the life many would kill for.” A smooth voice belonging to the rich one cooed into the knight’s ear.
“Why should I?” Asked the breathy voice, tired and worn.
The rich man chuckled, pulling the mercenary into an embrace. “Well, for the low low price of marrying me and bearing my children, I grant you the safety of my castle, the financial security of my bloodline, and the pleasure of having someone like me in your dull sell-sword life.”
The blue puff lay there for a while, soaking in the warmth of the other’s body. The phrase replayed in his head, over and over, as he replied with silence.
The life of luxury and safety, as tempting as it was, did not satisfy what Meta Knight needed to do in his life.
“I used to have a child of my own.” He began, regaining the strength of his voice.
“They died in battle. From then onward, I swore to myself that I would never have any more children, to never risk bringing another innocent soul into my torturous life.
I have yet to avenge my child and their other father. I will not settle until they have been avenged. So, I decline your offer.”
Meta Knight pulled away from Sanguine’s arms, leaving the warm safety of the bed, stepping onto the chilly tiled floor of reality.
Sanguine sat up now, emerging from under the covers. He did not look pleased one bit.
“You're throwing away the chance of a lifetime, knight. You choose vengeance over me?” His face was utterly enraged, his voice no longer as smooth as his actions. “You’ve made a grave mistake, knight. I will punish you.”
((From F to M, here is ya boi Meta Knight in human form, showing his transition’s phases. Look how far he’s come! The writing on Phase 2 is sortof a mistake, he had that appearance from when he first came out, throughout the entire war. He came out soon after he started the rebellion. sorry my handwriting sucks :^P
To clarify, he has always used he/him pronouns and this is NOT a g.enderbend.
(PLEASE DO NOT repost my art on tumblr or any other social media, thank you!) ))
((Headcanon: Meta Knight is kinda classist. He would be disgusted if a knight slept with someone of royalty, like a queen. He'd also believe in marrying within your social class. Now don't get me wrong, I'm not classist and I don't believe being classist is a good thing, this is just one of Meta's flaws.))
