Royal Pain Chapter 1

Chapter 1
A Rough Start

    The imperial city of Audruna was a huge and beautiful one. Its size was only amplified by its appearance at night. From the rooftops, it all looked like a massive sea of lights, topped by the massive royal manor.
    Under most any circumstances, the grounds were well lit. There was always a group of guards patrolling the grounds as well. No matter what the conditions, the Royal Guard was always on call and they were always vigilant, waiting for their time to shine! And the crown jewel of the Royal Guard was its captain, Lyserg Riche.
    Lyserg walked the grounds, looking for anything wrong. No matter what, he kept his men on their toes and made sure to keep the grounds well guarded. Most of the time, he was the main driving force of the guardsman. That was why he was the one handling the appearance of this wagon.
    At midnight, a delivery just wasn’t normal. No guild in Audruna—or in most any place in Fragaria—operated beyond dusk. A man in a dark blue jumpsuit walked up with the wagon drawn by a large horse. His thin lips curled in a sly smile and his squinty eyes shifted nervously as he looked Lyserg up and down. “Hello, sir,” he chimed with an odd lisp, “I have a delivery for Princess Eden Aaliyah.”
    Lyserg’s expression didn’t change. “I’m sorry, but we don’t allow deliveries this late.” He let out a heavy sigh, rubbing his eyes. It was too late for this.
    “Yes, I understand, Captain Lyserg,” he said, “But this delivery is… Special…” His tone changed and he opened one of his eyes, showing the pure black of his eyes. …The pupils, irises and sclera were onyx black.
    That was too hard to miss. Lyserg tensed. He didn’t say a word before he began circling the wagon.
    The darkness inside it was impenetrable. It was almost silent inside, but a sound still cut through the quiet. It was a voice.
    “Gate, courtyard,” the voice said, “First floor, second floor, stop… Third floor, fourth floor, target…”
    Lyserg grabbed his sword and slammed a fist against the wood panel. “Whoever’s in there, come out now.” He didn’t think that people got delivered very often.
    “Now, why would I do that?” the man inside asked loudly, “I have something to do, anyway.”
    Lyserg let out a short sigh, signaling his men. “This package is going to be cut open if you don’t come out.”
    “I was hoping that golem out there would be enough to hold your attention until I finished in here.”
    The back of the wagon opened. …And someone stepped out.
    A man in black clothing walked out. He was wearing a black jacket with a tall collar, gloves on his hands, pants and boots concealing his skin, a pair of swords on the back of his belt situated in an X shape and a black and white mask on his face. He stepped out of the wagon, letting moonlight shimmer off of his white hair. “Lyserg Riche, correct?” he began, “The famous wielder of the God Slayer from the Ishtar legends?”
    The man in white took a step back, keeping a constant distance from the man in black. “And if I am?”
    There was no doubt that there was a smirk behind that mask. The man grabbed his swords. “Well, Lyserg Riche, I have a job to do. I don’t have, nor do I want to kill you,” he unsheathed both blades at once, “But, I know you’re going to stand in my way.” He spun the two swords into normal grips.
    One of the two blades had a shimmering white blade. Its identical twin looked like the complete opposite with an onyx black blade.
    Lyserg swallowed dryly. He recognized those blades. He knew them about as well as he did his own sword! “Ebony and Ivory,” he hissed, unsheathing his own sword, “The forbidden Blastia… I never would have guessed that a person like you would have legends in your possession.”
    “You’re one to talk,” he said with a chuckle. It was an inviting sound, but it was incredibly dark in this situation. He crossed his blades. “I never would have thought I’d see it. What was that sword’s name again? Excalibur, correct?”
    The broad sword shimmered with a warm light. Its metal wasn’t the same silver as other swords. It shimmered with an odd red hue and arcane markings glowed along its length. This was the crown piece to the God Slayer Lyserg wielded: Excalibur.
    “The very one,” he said with a grin. He lifted a hand. “Blastia or not—you are not welcome here. Stand down and leave now, or I’ll have my men put you down.”
    He let out a cold chortle. “What’s wrong? Afraid to fight me yourself?” He raised his blades threateningly. There was no way his menacing grey eyes had any heartfelt intentions behind them.
    Lyserg sighed tiredly. It was too late for this. “I refuse to indulge your childish insults. Men!” He gave the signal. “Put him to rest.”
    The guards immediately charged! A swarm of men in plate mail swarmed to take the man in black down!
    He didn’t hesitate. The man in black lashed out at the charging soldiers. His blades slammed against theirs, showering the earth in the sparks of battle. Parrying one blade, he dragged sparks off of one man’s breastplate as his black blade made contact.
    The man stumbled back with the hard, unexpected blow. He wasn’t sure what to think about that. The blade had just barely cut through, leaving a gorge in the armor, but it had another, much more terrifying effect.
    The metal cracked! It cracked and decayed!! The metal deteriorated, falling apart with the power of the black Blastia. After a single, solitary second, the metal fell apart, shattering with decay, and age.
    Before the soldier could look up, he received a well placed cut across his chest! It didn’t hit any organs, but the cut was more than enough to sap his strength.
    After the first fell, another soldier was put down as his armor fell apart.
    Then, another man was put down!
    And another!
    Soon, the only man standing was the masked man. He stepped over his fallen opponents, checking them all for fatal wounds. He didn’t want to kill them, after all. “Now that I have your attention,” he began, looking Lyserg in the eye, “I guess we should have our little showdown.”
    Lyserg glared. His blue eyes searched for a way to defeat the man, but he couldn’t think of anything! His only other option was his God Slayer. “Fine,” he hissed, “I’ll just have to put you in your place!” Lifting his blade, he was engulfed in a sphere of light.
    “Ah, that’s what I was hoping for…” The masked man was obviously smiling behind his veil. He’d wanted to see this for as long as he could remember! He just hoped his collection of Blastia could give him the edge over the man’s powerful God Slayer.
    The knight’s sphere evaporated, leaving him exposed. …And in something better than his black and white uniform. The guardsman was clad in shining gold plate mail. The gold was marred only by scrolling cerulean markings. Attached to the back was a dazzling cerulean cape with gold markings running up and down its length. Lastly, the helm covered the knight’s face perfectly and had a pair of large blue horns attached to it. In contrast to the red sword, the armor’s blue made a stunning contrast between the two. “You have one last chance to stand down and surrender,” the knight stated.
    The masked man let out another cold laugh, getting into battle stance once more.”Make me,” he ordered.
    Lyserg lifted his blade. The blade’s markings glowed white and red before suddenly popping alight! The markings grew until the entire blade had red and white flames dancing along its length! “Before I end you,” he said, “I almost forgot. What is your name?”
    “Wow, I didn’t think you’d ask,” the man chuckled, “But, If you must know, I have no true name. I’ve only ever responded to what others have called me, and I have been called the Phantom of Blue Lotus.” He dug his boots into the dirt. “And I need to get past you to get to my target on the fourth floor.”
    There was a smirk behind that golden helm. “I suppose, it’s good that you won’t get past me, then.” He brought his blade down, sending a wave of crimson flames toward the masked man! They coiled and danced, forming a massive serpent of red flames!!
    The masked man cocked his head, but didn’t let the attack make contact. He lifted his white blade, turning it so that the flat faced the knight clad in gold. He braced himself and let the flames slam into a barrier! As they pushed against him like a tangible force, he turned the sword the proper direction and lashed out!
    The red flames dispersed, leaving only red embers behind.
    Lyserg didn’t have time to question what had happened. He flinched, blocking the dual wielder’s blades before they could make contact. He had to weave with every blow, adhering to the impressive and unexpected strength the twin rapiers slammed him with. He blocked the white blade before it could cut into his shoulder, but failed to catch the black blade as it was dragged across his chest plate! He jumped back, catching his breath.
    “Huh…” The masked man was almost surprised. He honestly expected the Blastia to have an effect, but, given the God Slayer’s power, he rethought his expectations. No God Slayer could be truly destroyed.
    The armored man looked at his pristine gold armor. Even with the many times he’d gotten hit or taken damage, it was always perfect when he used it again. “I suppose Ebony’s corrosive power won’t do a thing to the gold armor of the Ishtar legends, will it?”
    “The gold armor of Gilgamesh,” the masked man said quietly, “I expected no less from such a strong defense. It exudes a very…” He paused. “A very solid, powerful energy… I expected no less from you.”
    “So, do you plan to grovel at my feet, or do I have to put you there?” His red blade shimmered with an intense light.
    “And that sword,” he continued as if Lyserg hadn’t spoken at all, “It seems very angry when you swing it around like that. It must have respect for you. …But, its flames are redirected hate… Maybe that hate is really directed toward the one holding its hilt?”
    “A sword is a sword,” Lyserg growled, “A weapon—no less, and no more.” He dug in and charged the Phantom! His blade clashed against the dual Blastia. Even with his best efforts of both magic and swordplay, he couldn’t get his blade, or the coiling flames close enough to Phantom to do damage.
    The masked man read every move. He was skilled, but he was far from the best. In a moment of thought, he was forced to catch his black blade by its knuckle guard as it was nearly thrown from his grip!
    Lyserg saw his chance and took it! It lifted his blade again and brought it down to spill the masked man’s guts!
    The burning blade singed something, but not flesh. Instead of a man, it caught an ethereal, azure lotus petal that disappeared as soon as the flames touched it. Nothing but wisps of pale violet smoke and scattered lotus petals marked the masked man’s existence there.
    More smoke and lotus petals appeared on the roof of an over pass to the mansion. From the smoke and petals, the masked man, Phantom, appeared. This was possibly how he got his name: The Phantom of Blue Lotus. He straightened his posture, making sure his clothes weren’t burnt. “Well… I read about those red flames, but I didn’t think they were that hot…” He sheathed his two blades. “Impressive—just as the rumors stated.”
    “And, I take it you’ve sheathed your swords to surrender?” Lyserg asked, looking at his beautiful red blade.
    “Now, now,” the masked man sneered, “I said I had to deal with you. I never said I was going to kill you.” He gestured to Lyserg’s feet.
    The gold clad warrior dreaded the thought, but looked down and found four black kunai knives at his feet! All of them had powerful paper bombs connected to them!
    “Those bombs will go off if they’re beyond ten meters of me,” the masked man stated, “And you’re ten,” he leaned closer, “And a half meters away…” He waved as the bombs popped alight. “As our angelic ancestors would have said, sosido—goodbye.” He disappeared, teleporting again as the bombs went off. He reappeared on the first floor, slightly disoriented. He looked at a servant, grabbing the hilt of his black sword. “Stairs?”
    The man backed away, pointing to the staircase down the hall.
    The masked man never let go of his blade. “Thank you,” he said and took off, running up the stairs as the man collapsed. “First floor,” he made his way to the top of the stairs, “Second floor,” he charged up the second flight, but stopped as a guard ran past, failing to notice him. “Stop…” He ran up the stairs and flinched as a sword nearly split his mask in two.
    The ring of metal on metal rang out rang out twice before a cry of pain cut through the air.
    The guard fell to the ground as he started bleeding out. He struggled to remain conscious as he saw the nectar of life spilling out of him.
    “Blot that and it will heal just fine,” the masked man stated, sheathing his white sword. His black blade shattered the man’s armor and the other sealed the deal. “It should heal in a little more than three days, actually.” He didn’t wait any longer and took off again up the next flight of stairs. “Third, fourth—target…” He stopped in front of another room, but didn’t bother with the door. He lashed out, putting a neat cut across the door and wall. “Elemental Decay,” he breathed.
    The wall began to rot. It turned black and fragile, growing mushrooms and moss before finally collapsing all together. …And exposing the room’s only inhabitant.
    A young woman was sitting inside. She had long, straight hair that draped to her shoulders and her large hazel eyes were filled with fear when she saw his swords. She jumped up, struggling to keep her clothing on, and backed away from him. “W-who are you?! What do you want?! A-an assassination won’t work here!”
    He stepped closed, making her step back. “Hello, princess,” he hissed, “Princess, hello… I don’t know why you wear so much makeup. You’re face is beautiful, even without it.” He stepped closer. “And what a lovely dress… You should wear it in public sometime.”
    “Are you doing that just to make me more nervous or is there another reason behind it?” Princess Eden asked quickly.
    “Actually, I was hoping it would calm you down, but I’ll stop if it’s not…” He stepped closer. “I need you for a very wealthy client of mine. I’d appreciate it if you didn’t put up a fuss.” He darted forward before she could get away and grabbed her! In the same motion, he cut through the wall, letting the corrosion destroy it for him. Before she could squirm away, he put his blade to her throat. “You saw the wall,” he hissed, “Let’s not have that happen to your jugular veins and windpipe.” With one kick, he collapsed the wall and dropped it on the courtyard below. He pulled the princess back as more guards appeared at the door.
    One guard, though, was dressed in gold.
    Lyserg panted at the door. His armor was singed and covered in ash, but it was perfectly intact. “Apparently you didn’t know that the cape can be used as a type of shield…”
    “No, no, I know,” he crooned, “I just honestly do not want to kill you,” he stated. He stopped at the edge of the collapsed wall. “I had to get past you somehow.” He swiftly spun his sword and, with the hilt, hit the princess in the back of her head, knocking her out. He put an arm around her waist and picked her up as he sheathed his sword. “It’s been a fun ride,” he sneered, “But, I must be leaving.” He leaned back. “Sosido,” he said, falling out the new opening.
    Lyserg didn’t even wait long enough for the word to leave the Phantom’s hidden mouth. He charged forward and jumped out the window. He caught the definite worry in his grey eyes before he got to enjoy the Phantom’s teleportation.
    The three of them disappeared into thin air with a little bit of flair. There was only purple smoke and a few azure flower petals as a stigma of their presence.


    The clash of metal on metal was what greeted Princess Eden Aaliyah. She awoke groggily and looked up with blurry eyes. The first sight that greeted her when she awoke was the sight of her favorite knight, Lyserg, losing.
    Lyserg wasn’t used to the disorienting spinning or the fury of a dual wielder. It was too much for him to keep up with. He couldn’t get a moment to get his bearings before having to defend against the flurry of black and white blades.
    “Damn it, Lyserg!” The masked man slashed at the gold armored warrior. “I had every scenario planned, backup plans listed left and right, and even allies ready at a moment’s call!” He landed a swift upward slash to the man’s face, pulling his helm off with almost no resistance!! He landed a swift kick to his chest, putting the man on the ground. “But, you had to be a hero…” He approached the guardsman as he got back to his feet. “You had to do the one thing I didn’t have a backup plan to… You had to be that guy…” He lashed out as soon as Lyserg got to his feet. With one blow, he sent the legendary sword flying through the air. He had his opponent on the ground and his blades at his throat before it could touch down. “And now, it’s time for the old, kidnapper’s failsafe: kill off anything that gets in the way…!”
    Lyserg held perfectly still. If he moved eve a little, he could have that necrotic blade digging into his flesh. If he tried any magic, he could end up dead before he could get the incantations out. His armor didn’t protect his neck, so he couldn’t even rely on that! Somewhere in his mind, he couldn’t help but think that this was the end for him.
    “Stop right there!”
    Both swordsmen turned their eyes to the source of the voice and got a pleasant—or rather unpleasant for the dual wielder—surprise: the princess.
    The princess had a very boring life. It was either one meeting or an event or something else she really didn’t need to be at. Her spare time was normally spent studying to take over the country when she was ready. Her favorite subject of study? Magic. She had a spell ready and waiting for the masked man. There was an orange fireball in her hand ready for launch! “Stay where you are,” she ordered, “If you hurt him, I’ll blow you to kingdom come!”
    The masked man stared at her for a moment. He couldn’t get out of this unscathed. His white sword was in his left hand which was at a very inconvenient position at the moment. He couldn’t get that blade back around to defend himself with and he wasn’t good enough at magic to defend without it. “So, Lyserg,” he began, almost completely ignoring her, “Give me one reason—one, very damned good reason—for me not to kill you?”
    There was a short silence between the three of them. The only sounds around them were a sound of the trees and forest.
    Lyserg let out a short sigh. “…I’m charged with the safety and wellbeing of Princess Eden,” he began, but paused when Phantom interrupted.
    “Yes, good job with that… As of now you, me and Eddy are out in some godforsaken forest waiting for the wolves to come and eat our organs.”
    “It’s the Twilight Garden—a very beautiful place—and don’t call me Eddy ever again!” Eden leveled her fireball at his head now.
    “Oh-ho, touchy…” he grumbled, “Just remember, princess, even if you burn my face off, I need you alive. …My client said nothing about well or even intact…”
    “But!” Lyserg growled, getting their attention again, “If it helps to keep her alive and safe, then I’m not above making a bargain.” He sighed heavily as he made his decision. “So long as you have your blades to our throats, you have the gold armor of Gilgamesh on your side.”
    The Phantom of Blue Lotus hesitated. He looked at the princess, giving her a silent question with his stone grey eyes. Did she feel the same?
    The fireball in her palm disappeared. “That sounds like a reasonable argument,” she chimed happily.
    Phantom thought for a moment. Fighting them would give him a scar he couldn’t hide and would probably ruin his payday. With a sigh, he moved his blades. Before standing again, he stabbed them both into the dirt on both sides of Lyserg’s head. “This is a very temporary truce,” he stated, “As soon as this is over, we’re settling the score.”
    Lyserg returned the hard glare the swordsman gave him. “…Agreed…” He took a deep breath as Phantom stood. Letting the princess help him up, he gave her a warm grin.
    “Thank you for throwing off his plans,” she cooed, “I don’t think I could be around him alone…”
    The two of them flinched as the masked man suddenly appeared on the opposite side of them. “Was that necessary?” Lyserg asked.
    “I was just in a tree,” he stated, “I think the answer is an automatic yes.”
    “And where do you plan to take us, Phantom?” Lyserg couldn’t think of many people who wanted the princess alive. He could only think that Phantom was making up a story so he wouldn’t get into quite as much trouble.
    “Stop calling me that,” Phantom ordered. He passed a hand before his face and the mask disappeared! His hair turned dark and left his face exposed. “People who know me call me Ren. It’s a common name and my illusion Blastia could easily screw both of your brains.” He let out a short sigh and touched his stomach. “I can’t teleport… My Blastia is almost out of power…”
    “Well, isn’t that unfortunate,” Lyserg sneered, “I’m sorry to have to lie to you, but the princes and I aren’t obligated to work with you. We know the area, we have friends and allies, and you have no power over us.”
    “Huh… Good point…” He turned and darted toward the young woman! Before Lyserg could swat him away, he put something on the princess’s back and moved away. “Remember those paper bombs, Lyserg?” he asked with a devilish grin, “Anywhere beyond twenty meters and you’ll be putting her waist back on her legs. I told you, she has to be alive, not intact or in good health.”
    Lyserg was almost about to make another mistake when he grabbed the bomb. “It’ll go off if I take it off, won’t it?”
    “Of course,” the mercenary stated, retrieving the knight’s sword. “It reacts to my Aer, so if I were to die, it’ll go off. I’m the only one who can remove it, too.” He handed Lyserg his sword. “So, I strongly recommend that you two start learning to agree with me.”