Ashe and the Glass Sword

by KuroKoneko Kamen

  Ashe charged forward towards Hydie with his sword raised before him. “I have you now, demoness!”

  From her prone position on the ground Juleka started to struggle to free herself from her cage of branches. “No! Ashe, don’t…!”

  Ashe swung his sword at Hydie, and the witch blocked the blow with her metal fan. Ashe blinked. He could have sworn her fan had been made out of lace a few seconds ago, and now it appeared to be made out of steel. Had she transfigured it with a spell?

  Hydie reached into her skirt pocket, whipped out another metal battle fan, opened it, and swung it at Ashe’s neck. Ashe was forced to leap backwards to avoid getting his head loped off.

  Hydie moved into a fighting stance with one fan raised above her head, and the other lowered below her waist. The sharp, metal blades of the fans glinted in the sunlight. Abruptly, Hydie attacked Ashe, spinning like a deadly top. Ashe blocked her vicious, consecutive attacks with his sword while Hydie started to cackle maniacally. “Die! Die! Die!”

  Ashe was trying to look for an opening in Hydie’s defenses, but she had the perfect defense. It was like she had a swirling metal shield around her.

  A shield. Ashe recalled how he’d broken past Snow’s shield using his Reflect Moonbeam Attack. Ashe leapt backwards to put sufficient space between him and Hydie. “This ends now, demoness! Reflectunt Lunae Lumen!”

  “No!” Suddenly, Juleka appeared in front of Hydie and spread her arms wide at her sides in a protective pose.

  Ashe was unable to stop the beam of energy that shot out of his sword towards Juleka. “Shit! Julie!”

  The beam of magical energy hit Juleka’s chest, blasting a small hole through her torso. Juleka fell over onto her back where she lay on the ground unmoving.

  With a shocked and confused expression on her face, Hydie crouched at Juleka’s side. “Why? Why did you do that?”

  Juleka looked up at Hydie, and gave the woman a tremulous smile. “Because you’re my friend, Dr. Henrietta.” Hydie hung her head so that her bangs hid the conflicted expression on her face.

  Ashe rushed over to the fallen Juleka, and sank to his knees at her side. “Julie, why did you do that?”

  Juleka turned to give Ashe a beseeching look. “Please, don’t hurt her, Ashe. Dr. Henrietta Jekyll is my friend.”

  Ashe’s brow furrowed in confusion. “But she just tried to kill you…”

  “Please,” Julie pleaded before she passed out.

  When Hydie looked up at Ashe her appearance had changed. Her eyes were no longer violet but a soft, lavender color. Her expression was also completely different. It was now open, kind, and worried.

  Henrietta quickly put on her round glasses, and twisted her hair up into a conservative bun before she addressed Ashe. “Ashe, you must take Julie to Rapunzel. He can heal her. But you must hurry…she’s lost a lot of blood. This is beyond even my medical expertise.”

  Ashe blinked. Even Hydie’s voice sounded different - sweeter, kinder. “Who are you?”

  Henrietta offered Ashe a sad smile. “My name is Dr. Henrietta Jekyll, but please don’t tell Rapunzel about me. He only knows of Hydie - the witch that keeps him trapped in that tower. He is unaware of my existence, and I wish to keep it that way for the time being.”

  Ashe scratched his cheek in a confused gesture. Henrietta? Hydie? What the fuck? Ashe scooped Juleka up into his arms. “So…you’re Julie’s friend?”

  “Yes. I am,” Henrietta confirmed.

  “Don’t worry. I won’t tell Punzie,” Ashe assured.

  Henrietta’s shoulders sagged with relief. “Thank you, hero. Now, hurry.”

  Ashe nodded and took off running through the forest, heading back towards Rapunzel’s Tower. He looked down at Julie’s limp body in his arms. “Hang in there, Julie.” Ashe was surprised that she was as light as a feather. It made her seem that much more fragile. Ashe’s heart felt constricted in his chest. I can’t lose her. Ashe thought passionately, and was surprised by his own thoughts. When had he come to care for this strange girl so much?

  Rapunzel was obviously watching what was going on from the top of the tower because he lowered his hair so that Ashe could use it and tie it around Juleka’s waist. Ashe watched as Rapunzel hauled Juleka up the tower and pulled her into the top room.

  A few seconds later, Rapunzel lowered his hair again, and Ashe used it to climb the tower. By the time Ashe entered the room he saw that Rapunzel was already healing Julie. The blacksmith was crouched by her side, and had both his hands over the gaping wound in the center of her torso. “She’s going to be okay,” Rapunzel said without looking up at Ashe. “I’m almost done healing her.”

  Ashe watched as Rapunzel’s hands and hair glowed with a golden-tinged light. The wound on Juleka’s chest was closing right before his eyes, and Ashe let out a relieved breath. He clenched his trembling hands into fists at his sides. “I was the one who hurt her. I was trying to save her, and then I did this…”

  Rapunzel frowned. “What happened out there?”

  “Julie was attacked by a witch named Hydie,” Ashe explained while watching Rapunzel’s face closely to see what the blacksmith’s reaction would be.

  Rapunzel let out a heavy sigh. “So you met Hydie and lived to tell the tale. Hydie is a witch that makes sure I never leave this tower…”

  Ashe sucked in a surprised breath. He was surprised Rapunzel was being so honest with him about what was going on. But that probably had to do with what had just happened to Julie. “Hydie is following King Gothel’s orders, right?”

  Rapunzel flinched guiltily, and shot Ashe a beseeching look. “Promise me you won’t tell Aurelion about this shit.”

  Ashe’s brow furrowed in confusion. “Why not?”

  “Because if Aurelion discovers Demon King Gothel is keeping me prisoner here…he will want to face Gothel, and he will be killed.” A dark cloud fell over Rapunzel’s face. “Gothel is an immortal demon wizard. Many heroes have come to Bones Kingdom and tried to make a name for themselves by killing Gothel. All have perished in the foolish attempt. Gothel can’t be killed.”

  “Immortal demon wizard…” Ashe murmured, the blood draining out of his face. “I’ve served that guy coffee and dessert, which he liked.” Ashe shook his head. He thought about how the hero Aurelion was such a busybody and nodded. “You’re right. If Aurelion knew about this he would definitely challenge Gothel. And if Gothel is as powerful as you say he is, he’d probably get himself killed. The first time I came here with Snow I saw Gothel from afar, and was terrified. Don’t worry. I won’t tell Aurelion your secret.”

  Rapunzel’s shoulders sagged in relief. “Thank you.”

  “But if there’s some way I can help…let me know,” Ashe offered. “There must be a way to defeat him.”

  Rapunzel put a hand on Ashe’s arm. “Thanks. I appreciate the offer, but you should concentrate on your own enemies for now. Defeating Gothel…that’s my fight.”

  Ashe nodded. “I understand. Apparently, we both have something in common. We’re both fighting for our freedom.”

  Rapunzel’s green eyes flared. “You’re…!”

  “I’m a slave,” Ashe confirmed Rapunzel’s suspicions. “That’s why I want to fight in the Glass Coliseum and earn enough money to buy my freedom from Lord Tremaine.”

  “Ashe, a lot of the participants in the Glass Coliseum are slaves,” Rapunzel informed Ashe with a bleak expression on his face. “They’re forced to fight and die for their Masters. For sport. But you can’t go easy on them because you feel sorry for them, or empathize with them. If you do…you’ll die.”

  “Don’t worry,” Ashe said, giving the blacksmith a crooked smile. “I don’t plan on being merciful or losing. I plan on winning.” A fierce, determined expression settled over Ashe’s face.

  To be continued in…Chapter 11:

  Chapter 11:

  Ashe peered through the black wrought-iron bars of the gate into the oval-shaped arena. Today was Ashe’s début as a fighter i
n the Glass Coliseum. Standing next to Ashe and also watching the current match were a group of magical beings: elves, fairies, witches, wizards, vampires, demons, succubi, incubi, and dwarves. Ashe was more concerned about the Ice Elf and Fire Demon that were facing off in the arena because he would be fighting the winner.

  The tiered stone seats of the open-air coliseum were filled with thousands of spectators, some of which were cheering while others were booing as the she-elf and demon fought. The outer walls of the coliseum were an impressive two-hundred-feet high. Spectators were placing last minute bets as the match appeared to be drawing to a close, and money could be seen changing hands.

  Ashe would have bet on the Fire Demon to win this fight. The demon was eight-feet-tall, and his skin looked like molten lava. A pair of large, black horns curled out of the top of the male’s head, and a long tail with a heart-shaped barbed end was swishing behind him. The demon’s red eyes glowed in a sinister fashion as he threw fireballs at the she-elf.

  The Ice Elf appeared fragile in comparison. She was six-feet-tall, and had sky-blue skin. The she-elf had long white hair and blue eyes. She was wearing a white leather vest, matching pants and black boots. Ashe’s eyes narrowed on the metal collar around her neck that had a heart-shaped padlock.

  She’s a slave. Ashe realized, and unconsciously rubbed his own neck. He was grateful Lord Tremaine had never seen it necessary to put a collar on him like a dog at least!

  Ashe noticed that the she-elf had a quiver of arrows slung over her shoulder, but she wasn’t using them to fight with. Instead, the she-elf was using her magic to conjure ice arrows, which she nocked to her bow, and loosed the demon’s way. Ashe was impressed by her expert precision when he watched the Ice Elf’s arrows hit the fireballs in midair, and cause them to dissipate.

  When none of his fireballs hit their intended target the Fire Demon let out a roar of frustration, and beat his chest with his fists in a manner that reminded Ashe of an angry gorilla. Abruptly, the demon charged towards the she-elf, obviously desiring a close quarters fight.

  The Ice Elf pulled back on her bowstring and an ice arrow flickered into existence. She pulled back on the arrow and loosed it upon the demon. The arrow pierced the demon’s thigh, but he kept running towards the she-elf anyways.

  The Ice Elf frowned, conjured another ice arrow, and aimed at the male’s other thigh next. Her arrow met its mark too, but the Fire Demon still didn’t stop his menacing charge.

  She’s dead. Ashe thought grimly. Guess I’ll be fighting that Fire Demon. Oh, joy.

  The Ice Elf pulled back on her bowstring and an ice arrow started to materialize out of thin air, but instead of loosing the arrow she poured more of her magic into it so that the arrow started to increase in size. The arrow grew larger by the second, and only once the demon was almost upon her did she loose the enormous arrow.

  The ice arrow hit the demon’s chest, and ice immediately started to spread out from the wound to cover his entire body until the demon was completely incased in ice. The entire process had only taken seconds.

  Ashe watched with baited breath as the Ice Elf finally reached for an arrow in her quiver, grabbed one, nocked it to her bow, aimed at the trapped demon, and fired. The arrow flew through the air, hit the incased demon, and the demon along with the ice shattered into hundreds of pieces.

  The spectators were both pleased and shocked by this unexpected turn of events. Loud cheers filled the arena, drowning out the few that were booing.

  She…killed him. Ashe gulped as he eyed a piece of ice that used to be the demon’s head. So much for showing mercy. And I’m going to have to fight her next. Splendid.

  “Ashe, you’re up!” a male overseer exclaimed with a whack to Ashe’s back. “Get your ass out there and fight!”

  Once the gate was fully raised, Ashe stepped through the open gateway, and into the arena. Ashe took a deep breath to steel his nerves. This was it. He was finally living his dream. I’m finally here…fighting in the Glass Coliseum. Ashe could hardly believe it. There was an odd mixture of fear and excitement coursing through his veins.

  Ashe looked around the coliseum and his eyes widened at the intimidating number of spectators. There had to be at least 50,000 people watching…and waiting to see him fight. Ashe swallowed a lump of nervousness, and reminded himself firmly that he wasn’t there for them.

  Ashe turned his attention to the she-elf, who was standing in the middle of the arena. He continued to approach her, and came to a halt a few yards away from her. Ashe could tell the Ice Elf was sizing him up as she gave him a scrutinizing gaze.

  A booming voice had everyone’s attention focusing on a male gorgon, who was standing in the outskirts of the arena. He was holding a wand to his throat and using a simple spell to amplify the sound of his voice. “Ladies and gentlemen, we have a special treat! Today is the debut of a new fighter. Give it up for - Ashe Smoldris, wielder of the Glass Sword!” The emcee waved his hand in Ashe’s direction in a flashy manner as he presented Ashe to the spectators. The wild cheers that filled the coliseum were deafening.

  Ashe raised an eyebrow at the Master of Ceremonies. He’d never seen a gorgon in person before, but knew that their stare could turn a person to stone when their power was activated. This gorgon appeared to be around the same age as Ashe, and somewhere in his mid-twenties. He had a head of live green snakes for hair, and yellow eyes with slit pupils. The gorgon was wearing ostentatious shoulder armor decorated with gold and green scales, an armored skirt, gauntlets, and armored boots. The gorgon wasn’t wearing a shirt, and so his oiled, muscular bronze chest was on full display.

  “Let’s see if Ashe survives in his match against the beautiful and deadly Ice Elf Elora Rane!” The gorgon waggled his eyebrows at the she-elf in a lascivious manner. “She rarely shows mercy to her defeated opponents! Will this be the end of Ashe’s career as a fighter? Place your bets, everyone! Who will win? Who will die?” A wide, sinister smile spread across the gorgon’s face revealing his pointed fangs. The spectators were given a moment to place their bets before the emcee started speaking again. “Fighters…begin!”

  Elora didn’t waste any time in making her move. She pulled back on her bowstring, conjured an ice arrow, and loosed it Ashe’s way. Ashe had already unsheathed his sword, and was holding it before him in a two-handed grip. He turned the sword so that the arrow hit the flat of its blade. The magical arrow was absorbed into the sword instantly, and then reflected.

  Elora’s blue eyes widened as she watched her ice arrow heading back towards her. She was forced to dodge out of the way. Magic reflection? Elora wondered. In order to make sure her theory was correct Elora sent three ice arrows flying towards Ashe in quick succession.

  Ashe used the Glass Sword to block the arrows, and all three were absorbed into his sword and reflected back towards Elora seconds later. Elora gracefully dodged the arrows this time since she’d been expecting them. “Impressive. Magic Reflection. That’s a very rare ability. Are you a dullard?” Elora questioned, her blue eyes sparkling with curiosity.

  Ashe bristled at her condescending tone. “What of it?”

  “So you thought that sword was powerful enough to let you play with the big boys?” Elora mocked, raising her chin, and staring down at Ashe in a haughty pose. “Your naiveté and overconfidence is going to send you to an early grave!” The Ice Elf reached over her shoulder, grabbed a normal arrow from her quiver, nocked it to her bow, aimed, and loosed the arrow at Ashe.

  Ashe, who was holding his sword before him in a two-handed grip, moved his sword to one side, and easily blocked the arrow. Elora blinked. Impossible. His reflexes can’t be that good. It must have been a fluke. Elora fired a few more normal arrows Ashe’s way at an even faster speed, and was surprised when he managed to block these as well. Elora’s mouth dropped open slightly out of shock. Incredible.

  Thank you, Julie. Ashe thought to himself as he managed to block the arrows with his sword.

  With reflexes like
those…my only chance of defeating him is to outsmart him. Elora thought before releasing a normal arrow Ashe’s way that was quickly followed by an ice arrow. Ashe blocked the first arrow, and the second missed him entirely.

  Elora continued with her battle strategy, and released normal arrows and ice arrows at Ashe, until-

  Ashe suddenly slipped on a patch of ice, and fell onto his back with an ‘Oof’. What the fuck? Ashe glanced around him and realized that the sandy floor of the arena had been completely covered by a sheet of white ice.

  “I have you now!” Elora leapt high up into the air, and aimed a normal arrow at Ashe’s heart.

  Oh, shit. Ashe inwardly swore. “Reflectunt Lunae Lumen!” he cried. A burst of silvery white light flared up in front of Ashe.

  Elora cried out as the light painfully hit her eyes and temporarily blinded her. Even though she was no longer able to see Ashe that didn’t stop her from loosing her arrow in Ashe’s general direction. Ashe rolled out of the way and Elora’s arrow hit the ground where Ashe had been lying mere seconds before.

  Elora lithely landed on her feet, and blinked her teary eyes rapidly as she tried to regain her vision. When her vision finally returned to her Ashe was standing directly in front of her. There you are! Die! Elora released a normal arrow Ashe’s way. It flew through the air and hit Ashe’s chest. Elora was elated with her victory until Ashe’s image started to fade away like a mirage.

  “What the…?” Elora was muttering to herself when she felt a sword being pressed to her throat. An illusion! She realized her folly, and glanced over her shoulder with wide eyes to see the real Ashe. How had this novice swordsman beaten her - a veteran archer?

  “Do you yield, Elora Rane?” Ashe asked with a cocky grin on his face.

  Elora gulped and nodded. “Yes…I yield. Please, spare my life. I don’t want to die.”