by Billy Wong
Keith fell silent for a while, probably contemplating the implications of what she said like she had many a time. "By the way, what was it like being dead?" When she didn't answer right away, he added, "If you don't mind me asking, that is."
"No, it's okay. It was... frightening, is the best way to put it. I couldn't see or hear or feel anything, I was just... alone amid nothingness as if trapped in my own mind. I suppose that's why other spirits who linger often lose much of themselves, becoming the singleminded shadows of their past selves ghosts tend to be described as. But I managed to learn how to reach out with fragments of my being, and build a new body for myself using magical energy. So here I am."
He leaned over and hugged her close, rubbing his face against hers. "Because you're the best and most formidable magic user ever, right?"
"Hey, cut that out. What will people think if they see a High Knight acting so lewdly towards a woman young enough to be his daughter?"
He raised an eyebrow. "It's your fault for deciding to look so young."
"I explained that already! I wonder how Julian would feel about abdicating the throne. If he's gotten too used to it, I might just settle for being his advisor."
"Generous of you 'Mom,' but the rulers of the four nations haven't been giving him the most respect. So maybe you should take back-"
They heard screams, and looked to see two men dressed like merchants running down the path towards them. "What's wrong?" she asked as they passed.
The older and plumper of the pair briefly turned his head back to regard her. "It's a monster, run!"
"Wait, don't you need your wares?" They weren't carrying much, so she figured whatever goods they sold must have been left behind as they fled for their lives. A loud hiss sounded from beyond the ridge ahead. Julianna and Keith dashed up it to check it out, saw an overturned wagon with its boxes of cloth spilled across the road. Two horses were tethered to the vehicle, both down. One lay on its side whinnying in fright while it tried to look up, alive but possibly broken legged and doomed—the other dead, its neck ripped and bloody in the jaws of a gigantic purple serpent over twice its length and about as thick. After a moment, she registered that the creature didn't have a snakelike head, but one with the shape of a man's only full of long razor-sharp fangs. "What on earth is that?"
Keith drew his sword as she did her spear. "They call it a naga, a beast feared in the ancient past but not seen in modern times until recently."
"You didn't tell me about the reemergence of such beings..."
"It slipped my mind since our conversation didn't touch on it. Plus I figure you might have known about it already."
"I was dead."
He shrugged. "You could have heard about or seen them on the way here." The naga noticed them and raised its head, a cobra-like hood flaring out around its face which resembled that of a gaunt wrinkled man. "Anyway, I'll fill you in after we take care of this." It slithered forward and he charged, holding Galen's giant blade over his shoulder.
"Keith, wait-" The serpent lunged, shooting through the air arrow-quick. He sidestepped, brought the sword down. Blood sprayed from the naga's neck as its severed head flew, rolling to a stop at her feet. "I was going to say to be more careful," she finished lamely.
"What happened to you?" he asked teasingly while he walked back to her side. "Are you no longer the fearless warrior you were in life?"
"I probably could've killed it easily." She hadn't really fought in this body yet, but would have to have lost a lot to be troubled by something he beat with little effort. "I was anxious for you since you seemed so weary and out of shape. But I guess you're not that past your prime."
He looked down. "Endurance might be a problem in an extended fight. Good thing that was quickly over with."
"Should we call the merchants back to assess their cargo?" Louder, she yelled, "Merchants come back, the monster is dead! I hope you aren't too far away to hear me..."
"By the way," Keith while they waited for the wagon's owners, "the living horse has a broken foreleg. "I'll have to put it out of its misery."
"Go ahead."
He used the heavy blade to decapitate it in one stroke, making her think maybe he enjoyed the novelty of that clunky thing a tad too much. Galen had been able to swing it with intimidating speed, but Galen was a good bit bulkier than him. Still, he could probably get away with wielding a somewhat impractical weapon being a lofty High Knight. The merchants topped the ridge to see their goods scattered on the ground and their horses slain. "Oh no!" said the slimmer bearded man. "So many of our fine fabrics ruined..."
"I'm sure you can still find somebody to buy them if you wash the dirt and blood off," Julianna replied. "Since your steeds are dead, you might have to go to town for help, unless you think you can drag the wagon there by yourselves."
"Can you help us? We're grateful to you for killing the beast, but would be even moreso if you could aid us with this."
She hesitated. "We've already come a fair way from town. We'll help you put your wares back in their boxes, but can't be taking the time to deliver them for you."
After they finished packing dirty cloth into crates, one of the merchants headed to town for help while Julianna and Keith parted ways with them. "Ever the spoiled princess who can't do manly work, eh?" Keith said.
"You know that isn't true. I just don't want to delay seeing our son, and getting an update on the broader situation. It would've been embarrassing for you if those endurance issues became evident while pulling the wagon, too."
"That's true."
"So, about those newly appearing monsters?"
"Right. After you killed the Father of Monsters, creatures which hadn't been seen since about the time when he was sealed began popping up here and there. It's thought that since you scattered his pieces all around the continent, these other beings might have grown out of them."
She bowed her head. "Then it's almost like I didn't destroy him after all, but just changed him to a different form..."
"I guess you could say he's almost as immortal as you." Keith slapped her back. "Don't worry about it, at least you saved Myrrhise and perhaps the rest of Aerilea from being annihilated, and these small monsters seem a lot less of a threat."
After a pause, she asked, "What are some of the known types of them out there?"
"Besides these nagas, there are also wurms that live and attack from underground, flying wyverns which hunt in packs, salamanders hot to the touch that breathe white-hot flame..." She listened intently as he went on, then when he had finished said, "I'm surprised what an extensive bestiary could be birthed from a single progenitor. Well, they did call him the Father of All Monsters after all..."
"Yeah, I gather those were his spawn that eventually died out after he was sealed, and arose again from his flesh. Speaking of bodily functions, do you even need to eat, sleep or breathe these days? Since you know..."
"I don't technically have to breathe, though I still do it out of habit. Resting helps me stabilize my form though, so you won't have to worry about me making a bunch of noise at night while you try to sleep. As for eating, I don't have to, but can enjoy some food if I put my mind to it."
He smiled. "Good, I would miss it if we couldn't drink together anymore."
"I don't think I can get drunk," she said in a flat tone.
"If you can simulate having taste buds to enjoy food, I'm sure you can figure out to simulate the effects of alcohol as if you had a liver. Just let your mind go, wherever your drunken fancies would take you."
"I'll try that." She exhaled. "I just hope that kind of lapse in my concentration won't cause my hard-earned body to go poof."
#
An uneventful week and a half later, rougher on Keith than Julianna had ever expected to see due to his uninspiring condition, they made it to Myrrhise, the shining capital of Aerilea. The massive dome of her palace topped by dual tapering spires was a sight for sore eyes, and to have finally arrived was relief for her partner's sore
legs. "You want my cloak?" he asked before they approached the city gates. "You don't have a hood, so you being a mirror image of the deceased princess might draw some unwanted attention."
"I look a dozen odd years younger from when anyone last saw me, remember? So it should be dismissed as nothing more than an uncanny resemblance."
"Bold. But all right, if you say so."
They entered Myrrhise and walked towards her home, folks they passed giving Julianna some long looks but not stopping them. Despite his extended absence Keith's position as High Knight gave them easy access to the palace, though the guards' scrutiny of her was greater still. She pictured them gossiping among themselves once she was out of earshot, sharing theories on whether she was yet another bastard child of the previous monarch or something else. Before entering the throne room to meet her son, she brushed her hair forward to obscure her features.
"Father," Julian said upon spotting Keith, "you're back! Have you finally found your strength, and decided to face this country's challenges with me again?"
She feared her love would be offended by their son so brazenly implying he had lost his strength at some point, but he seemed to acknowledge his prior shortcoming as he only smiled in response. "Yes, I've found it." He squeezed Julianna's hand, making her flush at the misgivings the guards and Julian himself might have.
Unsurprisingly, Julian furrowed his brow at them holding hands. "Is there something you wish to tell me?"
"There is. But first, would you mind sending the guards out? I swear as your father and High Knight that my companion means no harm to you."
"Of course, though your secrecy is slightly off-putting. Guards, you may leave us." They marched out of the chamber, leaving the three of them alone. Julianna pushed her hair back, and his eyes bulged. "Mom?"
"Mom?" Keith mumbled. "How did he recognize you right away when I couldn't?"
"It is you." Julian jumped off his seat and ran to her, snatching her up in a great big hug. "Mom, it really is you!" He twirled her around, almost hitting his father in the face with her feet.
"Easy now," she said. "I'm your mother, not your girlfriend."
He set her down with a bashful grin. "You look young enough to be now, though." At seventeen, she supposed the apparent age gap between them wasn't too much. "I always knew you would come back."
Keith gazed dubiously skyward. "How could you know that? She was dead. You saw what was left of her body."
"I never believed it could end this way for my mother, the legendary Saint Princess. So I've been waiting for you to return, and here you are."
"Delusional."
Julianna spread her arms in a gesture not to take it so seriously. "You could argue that, but I'm back aren't I? Anyway I think it was just a way for him to cope with what happened... and he coped better than you, wouldn't you say?" That quieted him down for now, and she placed her hands on her son's shoulders. "I'm glad you look well. Good to see taking on the duties of a ruler so young hasn't been too brutal on you."
He looked down. "It got easier after three of the other nations broke away, due to less work having to be done."
"That's fine," she said with a smile, "we're here to help now. Tell us the status of our relations with each of the four nations, and we'll decide who we should have a talk with first." He updated them on the situation, and she frowned. "Ostuh has been increasing research on magical constructs? That's troubling."
"According to our information, yes. I imagine you're worried about the depletion of magical energy from the land?"
"Indeed, if it keeps decreasing we don't really know what will happen. But in any case, we shouldn't use it all up so we'll have some available when needed. Sounds like Ostuh will be the first place we visit, then."
Keith frowned. "Will Premier Gilbert even accept you as being, well, you? You did die, and you're different now. Maybe you shouldn't have made yourself younger."
"Can't you just adjust your appearance, Mom," Julian asked, "since I assume you created this body yourself?"
"It took me a long time to put together, I can't just change it on a whim. It'll be fine, if Gilbert doubts my identity I'll just confirm it with a demonstration."
"By using your magic?"
"No, to prove myself that way I would have to show how powerful I am, which would waste more magical energy than I care to." She touched the spear on her back. "Good thing a demonstration of my martial skills should suffice."
Keith took on a doubtful look. "Are you sure you can still live up to your name? You must be out of practice after so long."
"I bet I can fight on par with a High Knight even so. If you don't agree, feel free to test me."
He pulled out his sword, and Julian stared. "Mom, Dad! You aren't going to do this here and now, are you?"
Julianna readied her spear. "Why not? It's not as if we're dueling to the death, there are few wrong times for a little spar."
"But still..." He stopped and backed off to the edge of the room.
It seemed Keith's attempt to raise their son to be a good ruler had made his outlook somewhat soft when it came to fighting. Maybe not a bad thing, considering some thought her a little overeager to get physical. Still, this seemed an appropriate way to answer Keith questioning her. He chopped at her and she jumped back, retaliated with a high thrust he leaned aside from. They danced around the throne and one another as they battled, weapons ringing loudly when they clashed. "Prince Julian, Sir Keith, is everything all right?" a guard shouted from behind the door.
"It's fine," Keith replied, "I'm just testing the skills of my guest."
Julianna shifted to a more defensive approach, allowing him to chase her while she focused on dodging and countering. After several minutes he began to slow down. She blocked a telegraphed horizontal cut and tripped him with her shaft, hip bumped him in mid fall so he went rolling away as Julian chortled. "That's enough," he said, raising a palm. "I suppose you are still pretty tough."
She patted her butt with a grin. "To be fair, you probably forgot you're quite out of practice yourself. That slow massive sword making all your attacks child's play to dodge doesn't help either."
"That does seem like an odd choice," Julian said, "to wield such a cumbersome weapon when you're traditionally known for your finesse."
Keith stood and sheathed the blade. "I'm sure I can get used to it and do better in the future. Besides, it's not like I didn't have any finesse with it, I was just slower."
Julianna sighed, but said, "Your father will be fine. Even if it isn't optimal for now, we aren't likely to meet many foes who can challenge us." She glanced towards the empty suit of female-shaped armor standing off to the side of the chamber. "Can I take my armor? While it might not be strictly necessary, wearing it might help convince others of my identity."
"Of course, Mom. Aren't you going to officially announce your return before you leave again, though? It'll give a good boost to Aerilea's morale to know their beloved princess is back."
"I imagine it would, but... we don't know how people in other countries will react to news of my return. It'd be really bad if one of the nations that broke away gets paranoid and say starts to prepare magical measures to defend against us wasting more energy in the process. I think it would be better for now to lie low, and try to meet their leaders and come to an understanding with them first." Plus, she didn't want anybody's demands making it difficult for her to move around should they let her presence be known. At his anxious expression, she added, "Don't worry, I'm just being careful! I'll be back soon enough, and then we can have our public celebration."
She walked over to her armor and began to put it on. "How should I explain that being gone?" Julian asked.
"Say it was loaned out with your father's blessing. Wouldn't be a lie."
Keith chuckled. "But you should probably take my cloak for when you go out."
"Wearing this, I suppose you're right." After donning the armor, she accepted his cloak and threw it on. She gave her son
a parting hug and kiss on the cheek, then they procured horses from the stables and set out for Ostuh.
#
On the way to the country known for inventing exotic devices and machines, Julianna and Keith sparred regularly when they stopped for breaks. They were honestly both out of practice after all, though still more capable than the vast majority, and could use some training to shake off the rust. Especially Keith having adopted that unfamiliar weapon...
"By the way," he asked after a fun match where he showed improvement in anticipating her movements to help compensate for his sword's lack of speed, "is physical combat all that relevant to you these days? With you not being flesh and blood, can you even be hurt by normal weapons anymore?"
"You hit me a couple times just now, didn't you? My body may not exactly be human, but it's still a solid form held together by will. If it gets damaged, I imagine it might be compromised and thus harder to hold together."
"And if you're unable to hold it together, what happens then?"
She looked away. "I don't know, since it hasn't happened yet. Maybe my spirit won't be able to resist the pull of the next world this time, and I'll die for good. Or maybe I can stick around, and reform my body or form a new one again. I would guess I couldn't come back all that soon though, when it took three years the first time around."
"So it'd likely be more than a minor hassle. Seems you're closer to human than I thought you might be."
"Does that make you feel better, to know I'm not an invincible ghost who can go about without a care?"
He grinned meekly. "To be frank, it does make me less unnerved."
Julianna stroked his face, returning his smile. "It's understandable. To have a person you loved and thought was gone forever return from the dead must be a big shock, you and Julian both handled it well all in all."
"It was a shock, but a good one. Who wouldn't want to have you back?" He paused. "By the way, how's your magical ability? Is it the same as before?"
"I haven't tried any major magic use outside maintaining my body, so I'm not sure. But given I have to use some of my will to retain my form, my limits might be somewhat lower than before. I just don't know to what extent."
