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emo-floof-child-writes · 4 years

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The Sword of the Solstice

Chapter 5: The League of Dendar...

Eijiro takes the third watch, and Shoto, who took the second watch, said nothing eventful happened. Eijiro sees Katsuki and Ochaco curled up by the tree. “What’s with them?” He whispers to Shoto. Shoto shrugs. “When I asked him he said that it was taken care of, and wouldn’t give me any details.” Eijiro shrugs. “Well, as long it’s been dealt with, I’m not gonna worry about it.”

Shoto nods. “That was my philosophy.” He says, and kneels. “I need to return to my trance.” Eijiro grins. “Okay, night, Shoto.” Shoto bows his head. “Goodnight, indeed.” Eijiro walks a ways away from the group, and changes into his dragon-form. No one’ll will try to sneak up on me now. Eijiro curls up, blocking off Ochaco and Katsuki with his tail, and hiding Shoto and Izuku with his body.

Eijiro’s assumption seemed to be correct, or at least nothing happened while he was guarding. He shifted back to human form. He got everyone up, although Ochaco seemed to be rather drowsy, despite being in her trance for almost 10 hours. Izuku and Shoto made arrangements to get ready to head back to Camio and see Tsuyu at The Lost Horse Inn and Tavern. Eijiro walks up to Katsuki, because as much as Eijiro would hate to admit it, what happened between Katsuki and Ochaco ate away at his curiosity.

“Hey, care to explain why you and Ochaco were curled up together?” Katsuki sighs, and glances back at the others. “Scales, there were some problems, that we took care of. Let’s leave it at that.” Eijiro groans. “Why the secrecy?” Eijiro asks. Katsuki bites his lip. “Fine, you want to know?” He says, sounding irritated. He whispers to Eijiro what happened, and Eijiro gasps.

“Will that happen every night?” Eijiro asks. Katsuki grunts. “This is why I didn't tell anyone, but...” He says. “I don’t think she’s gonna let that happen every night, I trust her.” Eijiro grins. “Oooh! Do you like her?” Eijiro says, and Katsuki hisses at him. “Tch, no! Of course not!” He says, in a raised voice. Everyone frowns, and looks at him. He grabs Eijiro’s arm, and drags Eijiro behind a tree. “She calls me ‘nitwit’, why would I like her?”

He shrugs. “You two are awfully close, but I don’t know, I may be reading too far into things.” Katsuki glances back at Ochaco. She smiles, and waves. Katsuki sighs, and waves back. Eijiro raises his eyebrows repeatedly at him, with a smug grin. Katsuki growls, and walks over to the others, and Eijiro laughs.

They get ready to leave, to head down the Path of Cleo back to Camio. Eijiro takes Ochaco and Katsuki on his back, while Shoto takes Izuku on his horse. They ride for 5 hours, until they reach a crossroads. One way, to the right is the Path of Cleo, and to the left is Tytham Trail. Izuku sighs, and adjusts the Solstice Sword. “We have 8 hours left until we reach Camio. It’ll be dark by the time we get there, but I think at this point, it’d be wiser to go through the night.” Izuku says.

Everyone nods, seeing the logic in that. So they head down Tythum Trail. About 4 hours down the road Eijiro got tired of flying, so Ochaco, Katsuki, and him were walking. Out from the trees nearby, a carriage careens towards the party, with a group of five elvish paladins riding horses after it. “Sako Atsuhiro; stop in the name of the kingdom of Reneumel!” Says the leader, a young women in a suit of armor. Shoto gasps, and pulls out his rope from his pack. He fastens it into a lasso, and throws it at the carriage’s wheel. It gets caught, slowing the carriage. The man driving, presumably Sako Atsuhiro, flies off the cart.

Shoto climbs off of his horse, and walks over to the paladins. “Oi, Light Bringer! What are you doing?” Katsuki asks. Shoto holds his hand up, as if to tell him to wait. The paladins, minus the female paladins, go to apprehend that man. She gets off her horse, and gasps. He walks up to her, and bows his head. “Lady Yaoyorozu, is that you?” Shoto asks. She removes her helmet, and a long black ponytail flows down her back.

She nods, and then kneels before Shoto. “My lord!” She looks up at him. “All of Neumel thought you were dead!” Shoto swallows. “I am not Prince Shoto anymore. That title left when I abandoned my people...” Yaoyorozu stands up. “Permission to speak my mind, my lord?” Shoto nods, and motions for her to continue. “No one blamed you, I didn’t... I prayed to Lathander that you were safe.” Shoto grips the hilt of his greatsword.

“LADY YAOYOROZU!” Yells one of the paladins. Yaoyorozu and Shoto run over to the paladins and see them in shock. Yaoyorozu sighs. “He used his dark magic!” A paladin says. Yaoyorozu turns to Shoto. “He’s a servant of the Night Serpent. Known as Sir Compress.” She explains. Ochaco gasps, and rushes to the spot where Sako was. She inspects the markings on the ground.

Yaoyorozu gasps. “Get back men!” She says, as she pulls out her sword. She looks back at Shoto. “My lord, stay back!” She swings her sword at Ochaco, sensing her connection to Dendar. Katsuki growls, and tackles Yaoyorozu. “Back off, you paladin loser!” He yells. The paladins hold up their swords. “Release the lady!” Izuku hops off the horse, pulling his shortsword, and Eijiro breathes out fire from his nostrils.

Shoto, realizing that there was potential for bloodshed, pulls out his greatsword. “ENOUGH!” He yells as he lifts his sword above his head. Everyone turns to look at him. “Paladins; the Mage is a companion of mine, and Katsuki; Lady Yaoyorozu is a friend, get off of her.” The paladins gasps. “M-my lord!” They say, as they kneel before him. Katsuki snarls, as he helps Ochaco to her feet.

Shoto motions to Izuku and Eijiro to stand down. He holds his hand out for Yaoyorozu. “I apologize for the confusion. We are on a quest to save the world from Dendar’s Cult.” He explains. Yaoyorozu sighs. “Then you and I have the same quest.” She turns to her paladins. “Go on and search for Sako.” They salute, and get on their horses to leave. She sighs. “My lord, while we as a kingdom are just rebuilding, we need a strong leader.”

Shoto looks back at the others. “If you mean me, I cannot rule. I’ve devoted my services to those who can’t protect themselves, as an atonement for my house’s sins.” Katsuki groans. “Hey, Light Bringer; news flash, you don’t have to blame yourself for your father’s sins.”

Izuku nods. “Yeah, Shoto. You can't put that guilt on yourself. We're going to a tavern, and we don’t even know if Tsuyu even knows anything about the sword!” Eijiro picks at one of his scales on his arm, not knowing how to help. Yaoyorozu frowns. “How do you know this paladin?” Ochaco asks Shoto, trying to change the subject. He clears his throat. “I was a prince, before Neumel’s demise. Yaoyorozu was my personal guard when we were young.” She laughs. “My lord was always getting himself in trouble, gave Queen Rei one too many panic attacks.”

Shoto shrugs. “Mother was always worried about me, being the youngest. But about my siblings, how are Touya, Natsuo, and Fuyumi?” Yaoyorozu cries out as if someone stabbed her, and bows her head. “Alas, you are the only Todoroki that survived the attack...we found Natsuo’s body holding Fuyumi’s body...they were in the square, cut down by a swordsman.” Shoto covers his mouth, and stumbles backwards. Izuku steadies him. “And Touya?” Shoto asks.

Yaoyorozu shakes her head. “He was badly burned, and not even our paladin healing magic could save him.” Shoto clutches his chest, as he kneels. “My brothers, my sister... why? What could Father have against them?” He mutters. Izuku sits down next to Shoto, and wraps his arms around him. “I’m sorry, my lord.” Yaoyorozu says. “I have failed you, and Neumel.” Shoto growls.

“Why me?” He asks, punching the dirt path. “Why me, Father?” He stands, his teeth clenched. “Yaoyorozu, I have given my service to these people, but after I will return to rebuild my kingdom. I vow this on my fallen subjects.” Katsuki clenches his fist. “Yeah, there you go, Light Bringer!” Ochaco frowns. “It’s getting almost too dark to see, we need to move.” Izuku nods. “Yes, let’s get back on the road.”

Yaoyorozu whistles and her horse walks up to her. “I can take one of you on my horse?” She suggests. Shoto folds his hands. “You’re coming with? What about that Mage?” He asks her. She climbs onto her horse. “My men will find him. It was my sworn duty to protect you, my lord, I can’t break my oath.” Shoto nods. “Are you comfortable riding with me?” Ochaco asks, being aware of the female paladin’s weariness of her.

“If my lord says that you are one of his companions, I am honored to carry you.” Ochaco grins, as she climbs onto the horse behind Yaoyorozu. Shoto climbs onto his horse, with Izuku sitting behind him. Yaoyorozu points to the horse on the carriage. “You two can use that horse...his owner sold him to the Paladin Guard. Therefore, I have ownership of him.”

“Does Halfwit even know how to ride a horse?” Ochaco asks. Katsuki scoffs. “I know how to ride a horse, Round Face.” Eijiro laughs, and unhinges the horse from the carriage. Katsuki groans, and mounts onto the horse. Eijiro hops on behind him, and Katsuki guides the horse over to the others, muttering under his breath. Ochaco laughs. “Huh, what do you know, the bonehead can actually ride.”

He grunts. “You really think I like THAT one?” He whispers to Eijiro, who nods. Katsuki rolls his eyes. On the ride back to the Lost Pony, the party introduces themselves, and Yaoyorozu explains her mission. She told them to address her by her first name, Momo. She says that this group known as the League of Dendar have been terrorizing the new kingdom of Neumel, known as Reneumel, due to “reneumel” meaning “renew” in Elvish.

This league has destroyed rebuilt buildings, attacked merchants, and kidnapped any young urchins they can find. Momo says she believes they are either sacrifices for Dendar and her Nightmares, or they were being turned into Dendar’s servants of Darkness. She fears that those who are left after the Dragon attack will disappear, making Neumel pass into history. She has done the best she can to lead the people, but she admitted that she can only do so much to rally the people and muster courage.

Shoto promised that he would help in any way he could. It was late when they arrived at the Lost Pony Inn and Tavern. The moon shining down on the small village of Camio. They bring the horses into the stable, and walk into the inn. They decided to just sleep for the rest of the night, and they’d talk to Tsuyu in the morning. They got three rooms, with 2 beds in each. Ochaco (although she didn’t say it out loud), wanted to be in the same room as Katsuki because she felt safer with him nearby.

Momo insisted on being in the same room as Shoto. Her logic being “I lost you for 10 years, I won’t let you out of my sight again”. Katsuki and Eijiro were amused by this. That left Izuku and Eijiro to share a room, and while neither of them were upset by that, they (privately) agreed that they would’ve preferred to have been able to choose.

They went to their separate rooms. Ochaco sighs. With the walls and roof surrounding her, she felt better. “Hey, I know elves don’t need as much sleep as humans do, but maybe you shouldn’t just stare at a wall.” Katsuki says, as he sets his pack down. She smiles. “Sorry, got lost in thought.” She says, walking up to the bed, and crawls under the covers. He chuckles. “Goodnight, stupid.” He says, and she giggles. “Hmm, you would know who is stupid, Nitwit.”

He groans. “Can you not call me stupid everytime I talk to you?” He asks. She smirks. “I’ll stop when you stop making a big deal out of it.” He turns, and lies on his side, facing away from her. She closes her eyes, and tries to relax her mind so that she can enter her trance. She turns back to face Katsuki, but all she could she see was the back of his head. She sighs, and forces her eyes shut. JUST SLEEP! She screams at herself.

She tosses and turns for what feels like hours, but she feels someone shakes her out of her trance and she opens her eyes to see Katsuki standing over her. He chuckles. “Hey, Timid.” He says, and she groans. “We’re going there, then?” He grins, nodding. She sits up, and stretches. “Very well, Berserker.” He gasps, and places his hand on his chest, dramatically. She stands up, and he rolls his eyes.

“You wound me, you coward.” He says, as he walks towards the door. “Anyway, we are downstairs.” He says. She sighs. “I’m not a coward...” She mutters, as she fixes her pink tunic and witch hat. He smirks, and leaves the room. She splashes some water onto her face, to rinse the sleep from her eyes. She dries her face, grabs her staff, and heads downstairs.

She sees Momo and Eijiro doing an arm wrestling contest. Shoto seems to a judge. Eijiro was applying all of his strength to pin her arm, but it isn’t budging. Katsuki’s and Izuku’s mouths are a gape. She walks over, and once Momo sees Ochaco, she yawns, and pushes Eijiro’s hand down. Eijiro frowns, and Shoto lips curve up in the smallest hint of a smile. “I told you she was good.” Shoto says, with a proud look on his face.

Momo releases his arm, and sits back in her chair. “Mister Izuku, do you wish to compete against me?” She asks, and Izuku scoffs. “I know how that’d end. No thank you.” Katsuki groans. “Coward!” He says, and Izuku shrugs. “I don’t see why--” Izuku’s voice fades out as Ochaco spies a man in the corner. He has blue hair, a dark hood, and burn scar across his face that is reminiscent of a hand print. Ochaco gasps. What is he doing here? Why now? Is it time to learn why Mother did that to me? She shudders as she recalls that scene. She doubted she would never forget it...

She was just 16, people in dark cloaks stood in a circle. She is shoved into the middle, there were sigils drawn in chalk on her house’s floor. Her mother wrapped a rope around Ochaco’s body. She remembers her mother whispered to her. “It’ll be over soon,” and “You won’t feel a thing”. Her mother walked to the edge of the circle. “Are we ready for the ceremony?” Asked a new-comer.

The others nodded, and he pulled down his hood. A burn like a handprint covered his face. His eyes shone blood red, and with a grin, he lifted his hands. “Let’s begin then.” The others lifted their hands, and started to chant in a weird tongue Ochaco had never heard before. The circle started to glow purple. Pain shot through Ochaco’s body, and she writhed in pain on the floor.

She screamed and tried to squirm out of the ropes. Behind her there was a hiss. She gasps, and when she turned around she saw a shadow darkening the room. All she could see was the glimmers of purple light where the people were. But the light started to disappear, and she heard screams, and thuds. The shadow seemed to get stronger, and darker. She heard her mother scream. “MOTHER!” She cried out.

She heard a laugh. She turned back to see the man with the scar holding his hands out, the purple light being transferred into his hands. He walked into the circle, and grabbed Ochaco’s shoulder. She watched helplessly while the purple light transferred into her. “You’ll be a great addition to her ranks.” He said, and Ochaco whimpered. “Who are you?” She croaked out. “Doesn’t matter. You’ll learn your purpose soon.” And he disappeared into the shadows.

The light returned to the room, and the man was nowhere to be found. She felt heat surround her body, and she gasped. When she looked down, purple flame engulfed her bonds, but she wasn’t burning. Her bonds were turned to ash, and she stood up. In a panic, she ran outside, and kept running until she couldn’t stand anymore.

Her knees shake as she pulls herself back into the present. She sees that everyone is looking at her. “Ochaco?” Izuku asks. She leans on her staff, to steady herself. “Are you okay?” Eijiro asks, frowning. She glances back at the man, only to see that he disappeared. HOW DOES HE KEEP DOING THAT?! She forces a smile. “I’m fine, I just remembered something.” She says, deciding that it was probably for the best to keep this to herself, especially since she may have just imagined it. No need to get everyone worked up over nothing, right?

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