User:Discoomastar/Sandbox5

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The Two-Faced Warrior

Eeeek! What was that?! We'd better go check it out, Elly! Yes, Your Highness! No... If I fight you, I'll... Don't come any closer... Grrrrrrrrrr! Watch out! It's— STAY THE HELL AWAY FROM ME! Graaaaaaaaah! Whoa. She made short work of that. Oh no! I...I did it again... Hey! You okay over there? Um... Y-y-you didn't see that, did you? We did, actually. We heard you scream, so we came running over and— I didn't intend for that to happen! I swear! I'm s-so sorry! I really didn't! Easy now. Honestly, I'm not even sure what you're apologizing for. My name's Euden, and this is Elisanne. Can you tell us exactly what happened? All right... My name is Aeleen. I used to wield a lance with a group of knights. Used to? What happened? Well, um... This is a pretty shameful story, so please don't laugh... We'd never do that. I...I got scared of fighting, so I ran away. You didn't look at all scared of it earlier. What you saw is the OTHER me. A terrible, violent me... Are you claiming to have multiple personalities? I don't know when or how it happened, but one day she was just taking control as I fought without me being aware of it. Once I realized that, I started to fear entering any battles where she might come to the surface... Hold. That sounded like... A fiend. It's going to get pretty hairy out here once the sun goes down. Aeleen, what do you say to spending the night in our castle? Really? I'd be delighted!

A Desire to Help

Thanks for the help, Aeleen. We had so much to buy today that we needed all the spare hands we could get. I'm just glad to make a contribution. I think your dream of making a country where everyone can be happy is a wonderful one. So I'll do whatever I can to help! I just wish I could fight. Then I'd be able to make myself even more useful. You're doing more than enough already. Don't worry about that. Indeed. Cleo was recently saying how much easier her work has become as a result of your continued presence. That's somewhat reassuring, I guess. Ha ha! Look, don't worry about i— Silence, everyone! Fiends draw near! They're close... Grrrrrrrr! Eeek! Th-there's so many of them! You protect the stuff, Aeleen! Elly and I will handle these guys! *sigh* I should be fighting... But if I do, she'll come to the surface again... Wh-what should I do...? Grrrrrrrrrrrr! Aeleen, watch out! ...Gah! Your Highness?! Your Highness! Haaah! Let me see that, Euden. Oh, I'm fine. It's nothi— A wound is a wound! Let me see it! I'm so sorry... This is all my fault... You should have ignored me. I'm nothing but a burden... You're not a burden—you're our friend. Don't say that about yourself again. I... All right, Your Highness. I'm taking that as a promise. ...Anyway, thanks. Should we head back? Yes, and with some haste—that may not be the last of the fiends. He called me a friend... I...I can't keep going on like this! Aeleen? Did you say something? N-no! It's nothing! Let's go!

More Frightening Than Battle

Hah! Yah! Hraah! Practicing with your lance, Aeleen? Oh! Hello, Elisanne. I was under the impression you were afraid of combat. So imagine my surprise to find you training late into the night. I...I can't keep going on like I have been. I can't keep running from battles like some kind of coward. Is this because of the time His Highness took an injury while protecting you? If I'd been able to fight, that would never have happened... But I couldn't. I was too scared. ...No. That's not strictly true. I was scared of becoming someone else as a RESULT of fighting, so I hesitated. He didn't think twice about putting himself in harm's way to save ME, and I repaid his kindness with inaction. So you train now in order to overcome that weakness and be of use on the battlefield? I find that to be quite respectable. Also, your skills are impressive. Yes, but I don't think it's helping at all. This is how it's always been for me. I perform just fine when training, but during actual battles... So, um...do you have any advice on how I can overcome this fear? I've always been impressed by how confidently you fight. You seem to be assuming that I feel no fear while in combat, which could not be further from the truth. R-really? Indeed. It's just that I have something that I fear more. And so long as that possibility exists, I will continue to fight without hesitation. What are you referring to? ...Not being able to protect that which is important to me. I know how it feels to lose someone I care deeply for. It is...terrifying. That's why I intend to rescue her—and to ensure I never make such a mistake again. I see... So then. You ask how I have the strength to stand in battle, and now you have your answer. Everyone has their own way of overcoming fear, however, so I know not if this will be of any use to you. ...Will you spar with me, Elisanne? Oh? I feel the same as you. I'm scared of fighting, but now I'm even more scared of the prince being hurt. He called me a friend, and I don't want him to be hurt ever again. ...Very well. Take up your lance. We begin at once.

One Small Step

Blast! They've caught us off guard! They must have been waiting to strike when we were few in number. Cravens! Your Highness! I'll... Wh-why? Why am I shaking? Even after all that training, am I still scared of losing control...? Aeleen! To your right! Wha—?! Your Highness! No...not again! Run back to the castle and get reinforcements! I'll hold them off! B-but... Please! Just go! ...Gaaaaah! Bwaaaa ha ha! Ain't gonna be no reinforcements, boy! We'll be finishin' ya off right 'ere, so we will! Ngh... Gaaaaaaaaah! Eeeeeeeek! Raaaaaaah! The next finger you lay on him will adorn my wall as a trophy! YAAAAAAAAH! M-mercy... Mercy! Aeleen! ...That's enough. *pant* *pant* It's over. The bandits have fled. My other self...came out again... And it's a good thing! We'd have been in real trouble otherwise. We owe everything to your courage and skill. Thank you. I was frozen at first, but then I realized you were going to be hurt again. The moment that happened, my body just...acted. My other self seized control. *sigh* I haven't changed at all. That is untrue. What makes you say that? You heard my voice, did you not? At the end of combat? You ceased fighting even though your other self was still in control. It may seem like minor progress to you, but I definitely felt YOU standing before me, and not some other. You will overcome your fears, Aeleen. I am confident in this. Both your fear of battle, and of your other self. That means so much to me... Thank you! I won't give up!

Be Yourself

Dinner is served. Apologies for the wait. Today I made the cuisine of my homeland. I hope you enjoy it. It looks delicious. There's plenty more where that came from! You all fought hard today, so you need to eat and regain your strength. Don't leave yerself outta that, Aeleen! You kicked more tail than all of us strapped together. He's right. We've really grown to depend on you out there. B-but my other self keeps coming out... True, but I wager you've gotten rather better at controlling that. You have changed a great deal. I couldn't have imagined you willingly engaging in combat when first we met, and yet look at you now. It's because of what you said to me. It's not that battle doesn't scare me anymore... I'm just more afraid of not being able to protect my friends. But now I know how to turn that fear into strength. And I don't run away anymore. That's good to hear. But the next step is for me to be able to fight as myself instead of...my other. It's embarrassing to have people see me when I'm so violent! I'm sure you'll gain that control in time. You're moving in the right direction. Just keep making slow, steady progress. Eh, it ain't no big deal if ya ask me. Yer FIGHTIN'. Yer SUPPOSED to be all crazy eyed and foamin' at the mouth. Hell, I'd kiss a fiend if it gave me the kinda strength you got out there! S-so you think I should stay as I am? Then in that case, I will! Ain't nothin' wrong with who ya are right now. In fact, why don't I take ya out on the town?! We'll find us some bandits, maybe get in a tavern brawl—it'll be great! Er, but it's still so embarrassing... Look, Aeleen, just be whoever you want to be. You're an asset to us either way. I quite agree. We'll accept you either way. Although come to think of it, you once said you were impressed by how confidently I fought, did you not? I could say the same to you right now. You must have more faith in yourself. Oh, thank you so much! As for you, Your Highness, I'm so grateful you called a coward like me your friend. I just told you the truth, Aeleen. There's no need to thank me. But that was what made me want to change in the first place. And now I can help you with your dream of making this a kingdom for everyone! Well, I'd love the help!