Arno stood before the councilors of Basilagia. Together, the grumpy bunch decided the fate of the country, but today, they sat before him in the dark room, quiet and still. They had called him in and then dismissed all others. Whatever news they had for him was of the utmost importance, and so he waited patiently for them to silently make up their minds.
“It has been two years since we bestowed upon you the holy blade, has it not?” Councilman Hikaru finally asked, breaking the silence.
“It has, sir.” Arno replied. He absentmindedly felt the sword on his waist, a sense of pride welling up in his chest. Basilagia boasted a long line of heroes, each wielding this legendary blade, blessed by the gods, only to be drawn in desperate measures against great evils. He still vividly remembered that day, the best one of his life so far.
“And yet, you have not drawn it against anyone.” Councilman Magnus stated, twirling the mug of liquid in front of him, probably filled with some sort of alcohol.
“No,” Arno replied. “I thank the gods that no evil has arisen yet that would warrant the blade.” For lesser evils, he wielded a separate blade, the one granted to him by his father and master.
The room fell silent again. The councilors looked between each other, unspoken words exchanged in worried glances. Arno felt the stinging wound of shame. In the two years of his anointment, he hadn’t had a single opportunity to fell a great foe. His predecessor had felled a treacherous mage bent on dominating the minds of the council and a peasant turned warlord who threatened the nation within the first six months of being granted the blade. Before her, the legendary hero embarked on a year long quest, dismantling a growing evil in the heart of another country and ultimately defeating a king who turned themself into a lich. Though he knew that the peace the nation enjoyed ought to be protected, he felt as though he was merely a figurehead. Some part of his heart craved for the adventure and fame that such a quest would bring.
Another councilor, Councilwoman Kosteniuk, spoke up, snapping Arno from his thoughts. “You are aware of our current strife with the land of Cilantronis, correct?”
Arno nodded. “The border disputes between nobles have turned into border skirmishes.” Thankfully, things hadn’t turned into all out war yet, but even if they had, he had no place there. Though he was a Basilagian by birth and heart and the blade of the hero was a relic of Basilagia, it was not to be used carelessly against fellow humans. He wondered if the strife had grown worse since he last heard, or if it was caused by some shadow actor with hidden plots.
“Your blade would be of use on the lines,” Councilman Magnus said, taking a long deep swig from the mug.
“Sir?” Arno asked.
“Councilman Magnus,” another spoke. Councilman Fischer, the oldest and wisest of the councilors. Though they had no formal leader, Fischer was the de facto head of the group. Instead of falling in line however, Magnus simply glared at Fischer. “It’s true. Why should we hide it any longer from this fool?”
Fool? Magnus had a tendency for harshness, but this was uncalled for.
Councilman Fischer sighed, then spoke up. “Indeed, these border skirmishes you mentioned have blossomed. Nobles are rallying troops and calling for war on both sides. It won’t be long until the battle breaks out in full. Your skills have not rusted in the time since your anointment, have they?”
“I am well versed in using all blades,” Arno said. “I understand if I am called to action, but I will not draw the hero’s blade against my fellow man.” Though it stood in defiance of the council, Arno would not allow the holy blade nor the reputation of hero to be stained by petty wars.
“Using it against your fellow man is exactly how it’s supposed to be used,” Councilman Magnus said, draining whatever was left in the mug in one go.
“Magnus!” Hikaru shouted, rising to his feet and snatching the mug. “You’ve had too much to drink!”
Councilman Fischer pressed a palm to his face, while the other councilors glanced between themselves and Arno. Arno simply stood and stared, unsure of what he meant.
“Perhaps Magnus is right, drunk as he is,” Councilwoman Kosteniuk said. “Perhaps this one ought to know. The others found out fairly quickly, but Arno is particularly stubborn.”
They grumbled among each other, while Arno pondered their words. At the end, though, he didn’t understand enough, and in his confusion, decided to break the impasse and ask. “Sires of the council, I feel I have to ask: what did councilor Magnus mean?”
“I’ll tell you what I meant,” Magnus began, before being silenced by Councilor Fischer.
“Stop it, Magnus,” Fischer had said. “Enough, or Arno will learn the truth on your neck.”
Magnus immediately quieted, though he still glared at Fischer.
“What’s going on?” Arno asked plainly.
“In the two years since being given the blade, you have not drawn it once, not even in self defense. Not a single person has been slain by it since you were given it.” Fischer stated.
“That’s correct-”
“I know it’s correct,” Fischer interrupted. “You don’t know the truth behind the blade. Perhaps we made a mistake choosing you.”
That insinuation stung at Arno. “I swear to you, councilors, that I have been vigilantly watching for any hint of evil. I promise you have not made a mistake, and I will vanquish any that arise.”
“The blade isn’t used in response to evil arising,” Hikaru said, giving up and leaning back in his chair with a hand covering his face. “It’s to be used proactively.”
Arno thought he understood. “I am to use the blade to find where evil lies before it arising its ugly head? I was not aware of this-”
“Fischer,” Magnus spoke up. “If you won’t tell him, I will, your threats be damned. This fool is too pure-hearted to wield the blade, and I said as much when we anointed him.”
“This is a decision for the council,” Kosteniuk said. “We ought to vote on whether Arno should be told the truth or not.”
All Arno could think was: what truth?
“I am against it. There are ways around it; let him learn the truth on his own, if he ever does,” Hikaru said.
What was going on?
“Enough!” Magnus shouted, his face red. “The blade doesn’t slay evils, it makes those its slain into evils!”
“Magnus!” Hikaru shouted.
Arno stayed silent, digesting what he had said. It makes those its slain into evils? Did he hear that right? No, it can’t be. This was a blade of heroes.
(1/2)
Great response!
“Arno,” Fischer said, “kill Magnus with the blade.”
“He won’t do it,” Magnus said at the same time that Arno said “I will not.”
“He defies the council now. See what you’ve caused?” Hikaru said.
Magnus had burst out laughing, clutching his belly. The others had mixed reactions. Some stared at the ground in shame, others rolled their eyes in embarrassment, a few had wickedness spilled on their faces. Hikaru stared daggers at Magnus chuckling beside him, but only Fischer watched Arno. Arno met his eyes, searching them for meaning, but could not divine anything from the stoic. His hand pressed the blade’s sheath. Something was wrong here. Magnus had to be lying about the blade, he had to. To accept his words would mean his whole life has been a lie, the legacy he inherited had been false. His vision spun. No, Magnus had to be lying. Otherwise, these very councilors were their own true evil.
“You decide,” Fischer had said quietly. No one else heard him but Arno; the others bickered amongst themselves. Arno suspected he used magic. “Is Magnus an evil deceiver? Slay him, and find out. Or slay me, or us all, if you’d like, and find out what great evil we are.”
Arno’s hand crept to the hilt of the blade. He turned his focus to Magnus. Magnus had to be evil, had to be some sort of deceiver bent on ruining the legacy of the holy sword. Was such an act an evil worthy of the blade? His heart tore. He had no other weapons, but if he let Magnus spread this lie, the people would lose faith in his position and in the government. Basilagia would collapse as the gentry scrambled. There was no telling the consequences.
Conflict roared in Arno, but in the end, his desire to protect the legacy won. He stepped forward, and with one swift motion, plunged the blade into Magnus’s chest.
Blood sprayed his face. Hikaru shouted and stumbled away, falling over his chair, while Magnus stared at Arno with widened eyes. Fischer simply watched, and the others each had their own varied reactions. Of course they would, because Magnus was a great deceiver. He had been guided by demons; Arno wasn’t sure how he had divined it, but his suspicions were affirmed by the demonic book that fell from his robes. He pulled the blade, shocked to have used it for the first time, but it was put to good use; he had rooted out his own great evil. He was certain now; Magnus had been lying about the sword. It all added up. Of all the councilors, Magnus had been the oddest, with strange habits and mysterious meetings with strangers Arno didn’t recognize. He was here to bring the downfall of the nation from such a lofty position. Perhaps Fischer knew this too, and so had this meeting arranged so that Arno could root it out? He glanced at Fischer, pride swelling once again in his chest when he saw the sly smile on his face.
“Are we all in agreement that Magnus was lead by demons? That he was an agent of evil forces that had snuck into the highest ranks of Basilagia?” Fischer had said.
“Agh! I hate this feeling!” Hikaru shouted. “I know he was innocent, but yet I also know he was guilty. I hate this blade,” Hikaru said, staring at the sword.
“He was evil, no doubt,” Arno said. “I’m surprised I didn’t see it earlier. It all makes sense now.”
“No, you dumbass!” Hikaru shouted again, rising to his feet and jabbing a finger at the blade. “You only believe he’s evil because you struck him down with the sword! Hell, we all believe he was evil because of it. I’ve had enough of this farce, I don’t want any part of it anymore.”
“Hikaru, calm yourself. Sit down, please,” Fischer said.
“Councilman Hikaru, I know it’s hard to accept,” Arno said, agreeing with Fischer “but the evi-”
“Why the hell does the blade work on the one wielding it?” Hikaru said. “Slay me if you want, Arno. I’ve done nothing wrong but it won’t matter. Kill everyone in this room, and it won’t matter. Everyone will believe you’re a hero! Get it through your thick skull! Magnus was right. The blade turns anyone you slay with it into an evil.”
“Hikaru, were you… No, it can’t be. Please, Hikaru, I know you were close with Magnus, but you mustn’t fall for his deceits,” Councilwoman Kosteniuk said. At her words, Arno glanced at Hikaru.
“Shut it Kosteniuk, you and everyone else here know full well the power of that blade. And screw you Fischer!” Hikaru shouted, pointing his finger at Fischer. “If anyone is a ‘great evil’ here, it’s you! You and this damned scheme with Cilantronis.”
“Councilman Hikaru!” Arno said, wiping the blood off the blade with a rag and sheathing it. “Please, calm yourself. Fischer knew of the threat Magnus posed, it’s why he called me in here.” He met eyes with Kosteniuk, silently understanding what she meant. It was true that, for all their bickering, Magnus and Hikaru were somewhat close. If Hikaru was also working with the demons, he would need to be watched carefully, and it’s likely this outburst is part of that.
“I’m done!” Hikaru shouted again. “I quit! Screw the whole lot of you, I’m retiring to a cabin in the woods!” Hikaru stormed off, slamming the door to the chamber.
Arno didn’t say anything in reply, nor did anyone else for a while. He wondered if he should go after Hikaru for a moment; if his vague suspicions were correct, Hikaru might be off to meet with the demonic masters behind Magnus.
“I know what you’re thinking,” Fischer said. “Whether Hikaru is innocent or not is something you must decide for yourself, but there is a more present threat. Magnus’s masters, that is.”
He was right. Arno calmed himself and returned to his spot. “Of course. We have to purge the demons, find out who was ultimately behind all this and remove them.” Though he tried to hide it, Arno was excited. He was ready to finally embark on his own holy quest, to finally earn his title and claim his fame. His name would be written down and remembered alongside all the others in the book of heroes, heck, he might even be more famous than the first legendary hero.
“I have an idea of where they might be,” Fischer said, locking eyes with Kosteniuk. “These border disputes are too suspicious. They are a ploy for something more sinister.”
“Cilantronis,” Arno guessed, and exchanged smiles with Fischer.
“Exactly. I believe there you will find these demonic masters. Beware, though, because they might have other pawns in hiding.”
“I see now why you called this meeting,” Arno said. “You truly are the wisest in the land, Fischer.” He bowed, having received his mission, and excused himself from their session. Whatever other wisdom happened behind those doors was no longer his business. He had his quest, and with head held high, he made his way through the castle, all the while still unaware of the true evil. (2/2)
Bit long, but I had fun writing it. If you read up to here thanks for reading! Feel free to leave any critiques.
I like this prompt. I am considering using it for nanowrimo. Will keep you updated if I do.
Oooh please do!
Though hopefully you’re doing the unofficial NaNoWriMo, the “charity” that run the official one got in trouble for stealing text from submissions and using it to train an AI model 🤮
Wow wtf, that’s shitty.
Though, tbh I mainly keep my stuff on Google docs for convenience so all my works are probably already being used :`(
There’s some attempts to replace it, luckily, though no clear de-facto winner
In no particular order;
Hey just an update: I’d still like to write for this prompt but I ended up going with something else for Nanowrimo. I couldn’t figure how to make something long form out of this prompt sadly. Then again long form writing has been my bane since forever.
