(Princess) Blaze the Cat (
pyro_princess) wrote in
happilyeverbeginning2017-03-17 08:51 pm
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Guardian Angel - Revealing Yourself - Percival & Galahad
It was very late in the kingdom. Most of its citizens were deep in slumber, and it wouldn't have been terribly surprising if Galahad was among them. Percival felt slightly guilty about doing this to him if that was true, but that was minuscule compared to the guilt about her biggest secret. But he had a right to know - he had protected her time and time again, even when she was more than capable of fending for herself.
Tonight would change things forever. There would be consequences from above - although what they were, Percival didn't know. Someone in her position revealing themselves had rarely been done, if ever. Yet she felt ready to face whatever punishment would lay ahead. Besides, she was much more worried about Galahad's reaction.
At his home, she began to knock loudly, urgently, quickly. Hopefully this wouldn't wake the neighbors - a woman entering a man's house in the dead of night would definitely cause rumors.
Tonight would change things forever. There would be consequences from above - although what they were, Percival didn't know. Someone in her position revealing themselves had rarely been done, if ever. Yet she felt ready to face whatever punishment would lay ahead. Besides, she was much more worried about Galahad's reaction.
At his home, she began to knock loudly, urgently, quickly. Hopefully this wouldn't wake the neighbors - a woman entering a man's house in the dead of night would definitely cause rumors.

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Galahad thought that things would change a little once he'd been Knighted. Perhaps he would be sent on quests or sent to foreign lands to do business in the name of the King. But.. he wasn't aware that things would change so little. It seemed like once he had taken the oath he'd done nothing but guard duty, and longer shifts at that. Apparently, the Kingdom still didn't trust its newest and youngest addition to the Knighthood.
At the Knighting ceremony, the seer that had attended the festivities had told him of a great and perilous destiny... One that he needed to survive if the Kingdom was going to flourish. He had a difficult time believing that to be true if it was his fate to serve as the cities ever-vigilant watch. He imagined the letter they'd sent him earlier in the day which he had yet to open--closed with the royal wax seal--promised more of the same guard duty.
The horse he walked with nudged him and broke him out of the thoughts. "Ah. Sorry." He apologized, giving the horse a pat on its soft nose. "I didn't mean to ignore you." As he straightened and looked onwards towards his home, it seemed he had managed to ignore someone else as well. Percival, his comrade; The horse had always been fidgety around her. "Good evening...?" He managed to Percival.
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Clearing her throat and hoping her cheeks weren't as red as they felt, she turned around, her face stoic as she could make it. "Galahad. I need to speak with you about a very important matter...alone." She eyed the horse but only for a moment. Animals tended to be nervous around her, as if they knew she didn't belong there. Which in turn made her nervous too.
"...Once your horse is in the stable."
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He felt a sudden pit of dread in his stomach.
"Of course." It would take him some time to get his horse settled, so he hurried to the door and unlocked it with a small iron key before heading back to the horse. "Please make yourself at home. I'll only be a moment around back."
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With a curt nod, she allowed herself inside. It wasn't the first time she'd been in his home, but she'd never been in there when it was so late. As Percival waited for Galahad to join her, she couldn't help but glance around. His home was truly humble, and it said a lot about himself.
As the wooden floor creaked underneath her, she found herself standing in the entrance of his bedroom, looking at where he usually slept. Would he ever know a night's peace again? She sighed heavily.
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Galahad hurried to the small stable behind his house and practically tossed the saddle onto the ground as he ushered the horse in. He turned to leave, though a snort from the horse summoned him back long enough to realize that the mare hadn't been fed. A messy pile of oats was shoveled into the pen with an apology (and an apologetic bow...) before he hurried off.
After rushing through the front, He found himself making a line towards the letter on the table. Perhaps he could read it while Percival talked to make sure he wasn't completely caught off guard if it was a mission. He kept his back to her, quickly breaking the seal and setting the paper down so he could read and take off his things at the same time. "Is... something the matter?" He managed, setting his sword on the table with a clink.
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"I have not been completely honest with you about why I am here. In fact, I haven't been truly honest with anyone in the kingdom about who I am. What I am to tell you must remain a secret that you carry with you to your grave...I can't guarantee your safety, or even my own, if it gets out."
Her eyes fell upon the letter. "But I must do this, exactly because of what it says within that letter."
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Instead, he turned his attention back to the letter. After a moment, he spoke. "It's... a mission." Galahad continued to read the letter, turning to her since he'd clearly been terrible about trying to hide that he was reading. As his eyes scanned the page he could feel the blood in his veins turn cold our of the sheer fear that came over him.
Was.. this serious? Of course it had to be serious, it had the royal seal on the letter but...
Even if his fur were already a bright shade of white, somehow he'd become more pale and his fur more fluffed after reading what was on the page. "It.. says that they want me to travel outside of the city to a Dragon's nest that they've found nearby." Dragons were notoriously feared...everywhere. No one had dispatched a Dragon by themselves in decades, and he'd earned a Knighting just by deflecting their flame from the castle. "They want us to get rid of the dragons and the nest by 'any means we deem necessary'. They apologize for the abruptness, but the troops they've sent over the last month haven't come back." He gripped the side of the counter, suddenly feeling very sick.
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"I can understand their desperation...but if you go, you will die." There was coldness in her voice - this was a hard fact, no getting around it. "A dragon alone is an extremely difficult monster to slay...but a whole nest of them guarantees death. But they're willing to sacrifice you if it means a chance at slaying them."
A few steps forward. "And I will not allow that to happen. It is my duty to protect you."
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If he were thinking clearly, perhaps he could put together that she knew things she shouldn't and said things that wouldn't normally seem correct. Though, honestly, he was just..scared.
"If it is a death sentence ..I can't ask you to come with me." His hand clenched. And for a moment, his eyes shined. He quickly blinked back what might've been there. "I don't have the luxury of considering my own life now. My life is no longer my own."
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There were a thousand ways to go about this. If he didn't believe her words, there was another way to prove who - what - she was. For now, she'd have to try words.
"I knew this day would come, though I have tried to prevent it. Now I have little choice. It is my sacred duty to protect you and you alone, Galahad. It is why I am in the kingdom. I was sent here to keep you alive, for you have a far greater destiny waiting for you."
"Galahad... I am your Guardian Angel."
She paused - knowing the pure, innocent boy, there was a chance he'd just take as a metaphor.
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Galahad sunk to his knees with the letter still in his hands. He didn't want to think that their friendship, too, was just a part of her mission. No, he wouldn't accept that as some farce.
'Who gave you that mission?' He didn't say the question out loud, but rather mentally. Talking to other people like that was almost never on purpose.. but it happened if he was upset. And he didn't even realize he was doing it half the time.
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Lift your head, Galahad. It is time you saw what few mortals know exist.
Percival closed her eyes, summoning her power. Her armor began to glow white hot, and then changed form. Six wings began to grow out of her back, three on each side, with feathers the same shade as her fur. Now instead of being coated in armor, she wore flowing garments of enchanted silk, colors of red and orange, of blazing fires. She even lifted herself a half inch from the floor - not that she needed to, but as an extra boost to the "yes, this is happening" factor.
"You are a chosen one, Sir Galahad, and I was chosen for you."
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He said nothing and his mind went completely blank but--almost comically--Galahad slowly ducked himself behind the edge of the table and peeked over its surface at her, almost like he was trying to hide from what stood before him.
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"Be at ease, Galahad. I am here to help you. I am not your enemy. I was chosen from on high to guide you towards a greater purpose, though I was only supposed to do so in the guise of a mortal. But I have chosen to reveal this truth to you so I can better protect you."
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It was a moment before he dared to ask, "Are..." Galahad looked off. "Are you still my friend, then? Are you still the Percival that I know? Or.." He took a breath. "Are you a guardian."
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She began to walk towards him, stopping only when they were close.
"I was assigned to watch over you and protect you. But it was not required for me to become your companion...your friend." She clenched her hand, holding it over her chest. "In fact...it is frowned upon for most angels to become close to their charges as you and I have. I didn't even intend to be so close to you...at first."
Percival sighed, and met his eyes. "...But your kindness and compassion, your loyalty and bravery...The very nature of you won me over. That is why I was compelled to break the sacred laws and reveal myself to you, because of how deeply you mean to me. I was uncomfortable holding things back from you any longer. You deserved the truth."
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"You did that for me...? I.." He slowly stood, still seeming hesitant in spite of the news. His hands hung at his side. "Perhaps you were sent here for a mission but ...you have my back just as I have yours. That will not change."
And with that, he leaned forward and hugged his friend.
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"I shan't betray your trust. I will do everything in my power to see you safe. You are my dearest friend. But I must ask you swear you won't tell another soul about me." She touched his cheek fondly. "Though this kingdom is full of good souls, yours is the only one I can trust."
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He leaned back. "Though.. i-if I may. I have some questions."
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"Go ahead. I will no longer hold anything back."
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"Do you still have a mortal life with our limitations?" In other words, would she be in peril if she accompanied him on the task he was given. "How did you know I was the person you were supposed to be guarding? I was a child when you came to the city." A millisecond of a pause. "Do you have a family back where you come from? What of the letter. How did you know that it was important before I'd even opened it? It was sealed." He stopped long enough to take a breath this time. "Where had your wings gone all this time?" He peered around her. "How are they here now? Is this how you were able to fly just now?"
And finally, he gave a longer pause and seemed to realize the extent of what he'd asked. "Would you be punished for telling me any of this? If so... you don't have to answer anything. I will take you at your word. "
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"Let me see if I can get that all in the right order." She replied with a hint of amusement.
"I do not wound as easy as a mortal does, nor get exhausted as easily. Beings like myself tend to live ten times as long because of this. I am actually much older than I appear...and I have guarded many lives before yours. I was assigned to you when the one I guarded last passed on. As for family... I do not have one in the sense you are familiar with."
"There many divine beings, and I am merely one of their creations, made from their will and strength. And is they who give me insight to the future, which is how I know what your letter read. As for my wings, I can easily create illusions with my form. My wings were merely hidden from sight all this time. All I need to do is wish it, and I can change my appearance to whatever suits me, or you, most. And levitation is just a single one of my powers."
Then, with a sigh, "I do not know if I will be punished for what I'm saying. To be honest...I've never heard of an angel revealing themselves to their charges before. I may be punished. But I will take the risk."
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The question about her family was meant to ascertain if she had a family who would miss her if something were to happen; Insight into her abilities would be important to glean if she could tell what he intended to do and when; And the most important detail he was trying to glean from her words was how she could fair against so many dragons. If she had the abilities and endurance of a mortal then it would be near certain death to face a clutch of mythical beasts. There would be no point to both of them potentially losing their lives, so he would have had to have made plans to escape for the Dragon's Nest in the night without her.
Galahad didn't like to use words against her in that manner and think so deceptively.. but it could not be helped. He needed to know the extent of the risk for his friend. And even with the abilities she listed, it still seemed like a risk.
He cradled one arm with the opposite one. "I did not intend to cause trouble for you or anyone like you." He frowned, glancing to the floor. "My last question." And an important one in its own right. "I.. have been told I have a great destiny. I have you by my side to keep me safe throughout that journey, but as your friend, how do you know that you draw the line between pushing my abilities and protecting me?" In other words, did that friendship make her coddle him more than those other people she had guarded? Not that she could be called the epitome of soft. Oh, no. He couldn't count the amount of bruises he'd gotten in her training. But those bruises had been given under her watchful tutelage. Galahad had to wonder if this ..task was meant to test his abilities.
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"I...It has been difficult." She finally concluded, without meeting Galahad's eye just yet. "At first, I only intended to help you become a better man, so you would follow your destiny. But as I came to know you...I became more reluctant to draw you to that destiny. It's fraught with danger, and not just physically. Yours is a kind soul, and on this path people will try to betray you, deceive you, use you to your own ends. I... At times, I selfishly wondered if I could hold back on my training so you wouldn't go on that path for just a little while longer."
Yet now she raised her head, her voice serious. "...But every time that temptation came, I saw your eyes. You are strong, Galahad, stronger than you know. And I know you would never forgive me if I went easy on you for any reason."
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Suppose that they'd have to prepare to leave, then. With her help perhaps there was a chance he could accomplish the task that he was given. And live to see the end of it.
With a sigh, he turned and began to open cupboards and grab things they may need for their journey. He'd need to leave tomorrow morning. "But..I'm grateful. I need to be as strong as I can be to defend those who call me ally, as well as those who call themselves enemies." He looked down. "I have been told I was a fool for thinking any Knight could do that and never take a life." He didn't know what he would do if the King ever ordered him to kill someone. Hopefully that would never happen.
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She silently came up behind him, and hugged him from the back, arms going around his chest. She wished that her arms could protect him from all the evils of the world so he never had to face them, or even know that certain evils existed. In the great scheme of things... life wasn't fair.
"I give you my word." Her voice was soft, almost a whisper. "I will never leave your side, even if the those from above demand otherwise. I decided long ago that you were not only my charge... but the one I would obey above all, in order to keep you safe and alive."
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"Thank you..." But there was a silent question in his words as he slowly began to realize something. Percival had always had orders or someone to guard, hadn't she? And as soon as the last person had perished he was simply the next mission in line. And after he perished sometime in the far-flung future, she would move to the next mission or face punishment. His chest tightened just thinking about it, the thought that his friend was not free.
Galahad lifted a hand and tentatively placed it on the ones she'd folded over his chest. "You should be free to make your own decisions without a mission or master in mind."He shook his head, "It's cruel that you've lived in this world for so long and yet you haven't been free to live in it as you see fit." After a moment of tentative silence he added, "After this mission, I'll beg your Leaders to let you out of being my guardian. Out of being anyone's guardian. You shouldn't be forced to guard anyone for eternity."
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"To be honest... I don't know what I'd do with my life, if I had 'freedom'. But I have rarely been so happy as I have with you. I don't know what I will do when you pass on... but I will fight with my life to make sure that doesn't happen for as long as possible. Believe me, Galahad. I give myself willingly to you. And I would do it over and over."
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He let started to let himself lean into her, and when he realized that he'd started doing it he immediately tried to correct himself by hurriedly yanking his hand away and straightening. "I.." He stammered, "..need to pack for tomorrow. And get some rest."
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By the time he turned around - if he dared to face her after that - he'd find that she was in her armor once more, her wings vanished. She looked exactly the same as when she entered the house, save for the sad look in her eyes. "...I shall see you in the morning, then. Try to rest well, dear Galahad. I know I have given you much to think over... but tomorrow is another day. One we shall conquer together."
With that, she headed for the door, the only hint of her divinity being a single white feather on the floor.
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So he crouched on a precarious mountain ledge as he watched a dragon soar high into the sky. The few families that had settled in the alcove didn't seem intent on bothering anyone, which was the strange part. ' If I could understand why they attack, perhaps none of them would have to die.' He thought.
He stood and scanned the mountainside for his companion, unaware that the Dragon he had been watching above had been watching back the entire time.
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With a sack slung over her back and a jug of water, she was returning to Galahad's side. But her eyes went above, staring at the dragon overhead. Was it merely stretching its wings, or looking for a snack? She began to slow down to a halt, watching its movements.
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Step by step he descended to the safety of a flat tree-laden area where they had set up camp. Though as he was clinging to a particularly precarious rock, a huge crash sent a shower of stones down the mountainside. Galahad ducked down flat against the mountain until he was sure the sound cleared. When he dared to look up to see the source of the noise, rocks weren't what he saw. Galahad looked into the giant green eye of the Dragon he'd been watching fly overhead a few moments earlier.
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Some Guardian Angel she was - he was a hair's width from death! She tossed aside everything she was carrying, running as fast as her feet would take her - faster still, when she lost her armor and returned to her angelic form. But with robes and wings came a new change - before she hadn't shown Galahad her weapon.
In her hands, what was once an ordinary sword of steel was now lit aflame with hellfire. Not that the wings were merely for show - with them, she could leap greater bounds until she achieved flight, slamming down the blade into the dragon's neck. It wouldn't behead the beast, but it certainly wouldn't care about Galahad for the moment.
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Those wings... her wings.
He let go of the mountains face so he could hold out his hands towards Percival and shield her from the inevitable retaliation from the Dragon. He concentrated to try and keep himself aloft over the sheer drop and shield her at the same time, just as the Dragon reared its head back and spewed a stream of blue fire.
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Despite being a divine being, Percival didn't pray often, but now she did - that the fate Galahad was supposed to enter would happen now, that the mystic powers he held would now awaken. She clung to him tightly, her wings trying to cover him as best they could. Ordinary wounds wouldn't kill her - but dragonfire was far from an ordinary wound.
"Galahad...!"
If she did have to die now... there would be no better place than in his arms.
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Once the first blast of blue fire ceased, he glanced beyond the angel's feathers to see more winged shadows approaching. The other dragons had heard their comrades cry and had come to help. Galahad's heart sank. He'd have no choice but fight them now.
"Are you all right?" He rushed to say, taking her face in his hands.
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"You have to get out of here, now! That's an order!"
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Galahad turned to place both hands on the side of the cliff face and squeezed his eyes shut to concentrate. "Even if being by your side means moving mountains, I will not run away." He'd bring the very mountain they lived in down on them. It was the only way he could think to win against such a hoard of creatures.
The earth began to rumble, and rock began to crack.
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"Galahad...Can you do that?!"
That would take more strength and will than most mortals could ever possess - would it kill him?! Desperate and afraid, Percival clung onto Galahad from behind, trying to send some of her power into him. She didn't even know if it was possible, but she had to try.
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But he felt a strange sort of calming power when Percival wrapped her arms around him.
A green light filled the air as a giant crack etched its way across the mountain's face. As the crack deepened, rocks and boulders began to fall on the unsuspecting dragons. Wild screams filled the air, barely audible above the crashing noise.
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But all of a sudden, as Percival's grip tightened, he felt a crackling warmth around him. It ran through him like a soothing light. It felt.. unearthly, somehow, but absolutely peaceful. The pain and the noise slowly began to vanish as the next few minutes ticked past.
As Galahad opened his eyes, there was nothing in front of him but empty sky. He glanced sidelong where the dragons had once been. "We're okay." It sounded more like a question.