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An Incubus Life - 158 - Honor Challenge
🕑 Added 2023-11-20 18:57:42 +0000 UTC- Edits Coming: Notes
- He will create his orc body from a piece of a long-dead Champion Orc in his mind space. This will be given to him from Vida, who got it at the Bazaar. This will fill in some of the out-of-character actions for the MC as I have him acting like an orc.
- All members traveling to Mercanious will have both a translation and speaking and reading charm. The MC was relying on Vida, but then I had Iris and Bedelia have charms to read the orc language? Did not make sense, and I was stumbling with why he didn’t.
- It was not explained well why they did not travel immediately to a higher layer to search for Andromeda. In an edit, it will be made clear that they are looking for clues about Iris’ parents on Mercanious, which is why they are trying to get into the Pyramid. Also due to Iris’ low aether core, 0.43, she can not go past the 20th layer and on the 20th layer she will be sick from aether stauration
Chapter 158 Honor Combat
I looked at Gundella with some hostility. She had planned this and was actually looking forward to me fighting and admitted it, “You have stirred the old blood in me. You do not have to fight for Whispering Rock Clan, but I would owe you another debt if you did. They will not let you inside until you prove yourself a warrior.”
The stupid hair beads had caused this. Then again, I could see them finding another excuse for this confrontation. I turned and brought my team together. Vida had been useless in her knowledge of the upper class. “Talk to me while I get some advice on this in my mind space.” My companions understood I would be unresponsive, and Bedelia started talking to me as I slipped into my mind space.
I shifted to the library and summoned my constructs to me. Lilith was already here with Casper, but Calypso, Pandora, and Nashima came quickly. “I need to know what is happening,” I pointed at shelves of books I had just added. “I need to understand ice orc culture, why I am fighting, and what it means.”
Everyone started taking books off the shelves and reading, even Calypso. Well, Casper was moral support. I joined them as we began deciphering ice orc law, politics, religion, and honor. Every hour in here was a minute outside. I created a screen in the library so we could view what was happening in the real world while we worked.
“I found it!” Pandora said. She was holding one of the books from Gundella’s library. “The Challenge of a Right to Breed. If he loses, all his concubines are forfeit.”
I took the book but couldn’t read it, so I passed it to Lilith. I was not sure how she could, and I could not. Why didn’t my mind space translate it for me. She was sort of my subconscious, but over time, mind constructs did develop some independence. Not something to dwell on. Lilith was scanning the book, nodding, shaking her head, biting her lip, and creasing her brow. “Well, I asked impatiently.”
“Since you have no beads, you do not have permission to have children with anyone in another clan without the clan leader’s permission. So his argument there is false since none of your companions have clan affiliation, but maybe he does not know that. But he can claim them for himself since you have no clan. It is all very confusing as there are a lot of contradictions here. There is a law that if you call yourself a Champion, then you must defend that title whenever it is challenged.”
“Can I kill him in the duel?” I asked. I wanted clarification that if I did kill him, there would be no repercussions.
Lilith paged through quickly, “Depends on the nature of the challenge. But no, I do not think you can kill him based on his intent. Maiming him should be acceptable.” She looked up, smiling.
“What should I say to him when I return?” I asked, getting ready to leave but still not feeling prepared. I had gone into my fight with the archangel overconfident and did not want the same result.
Lilith bit her lower lip, thinking, “Raise the stakes, Caleb. The higher the stakes, the more likely he will back off. You can request just about anything since he issued the challenge,” Lilith said cautiously.
Nashima chimed in, “Just ask for his most prized bead, his first bead.” She held up the book she was reading. “It means he gives his honor to you, and you can command him.”
“So he will become a follower?” I questioned the couatl.
“Not really. You can call on him for a favor in the future. If he agrees, you return the bead when the favor is completed,” Nashima summarized the text. Then again, these texts could be out of date.
“Okay, thank you all. I hope this works out,” I nodded and returned. Behind me, the orcs were questioning my combat prowess in unflattering terms. I guess my two minutes of silence had opened me up to it. I ignored their questions and did not respond to repeated questions. Bedelia had tried to cover for me by pretending to converse privately with me.
“....I will even fight you with fists if you do not know which end of a sword to hold!” Vakgar bellowed, getting chuckles from the Haunted Waters and Fiery Snow clan members.
I turned and studied him. He was imposing. “Vakgar of Haunted Waters Clan,” I stepped toward him. “I challenge you for your first bead.”
Everyone went silent, and Vakgar’s eyes narrowed at me. “You, who look like you were shit out of your mother yesterday, want to challenge me for my first!” His pale muscles flexed over and over in anger. How much of an insult had I just issued? Thanks Nasima. Should I be angry that he was bringing my mother into this?
Gundella interrupted our stare down, “If you wish to keep the bead, you can withdraw your challenge, Vakgar.” I could tell Gundella was goading him, though. Her tone was too condescending.
Vakgar clenched his fists, “My first bead it is. We will fight in the Holy Square so all can see your shame when you kneel before me in defeat!” His anger was subsiding as his warrior’s mind went into preparation. I could tell he wanted to embarrass me. “And you old woman with the tightest and driest purse in the city,” he addressed Gundella with spite, “Everyone will see a Champion in your clan colors kneeling to Haunted Waters in the Holy Square!” He got more chuckles from the two clans in his side, and everyone knew he was not talking about a coin purse.
Vida was at my shoulder, “I have seen these duels before. The ice orc clans had them regularly in public. The winner is celebrated, and the loser leaves the city in shame.”
“Don’t lose,” Aurora noted her advice from my other side. She seemed indifferent to my plight or just thought the orc would not be a challenge for me.
We were swept up in a procession toward the Holy Square. As word spread, orcs were stopping their daily tasks that two Champions would be fighting. Not that either of us was a true Champion. Vakgar was definitely taller and wider than other orcs I had seen, but he was still shorter than me.
The Holy Square was surrounded by high-rise buildings, easily ten stories in height. Balconies faced the square, and they were quickly becoming occupied for the spectacle. Twenty-three, twenty-foot tall white statues of orcs standing proudly circled the square. A few had action poses with a weapon but most just stood gazing into tne distance. People were already climbing the bases of these statues to get a view over the crowd forming. I noticed there was a large circle of white stone in the center, maybe fifty feet across. No one from the forming crowd stepped onto this white stone.
Vakgar stepped onto the stone proudly and removed his heavy robes and then his shirt, exposing his chest. His pale upper orc body was covered in dozens of scars from decades of fighting. Even though his face showed age, his body was youthful and muscled in appearance.
He calmly prepared by flexing his physique to the thickening crowd. Gundella was in my ear at the edge of the circle, “Vakgar is the most important orc in the city. His clan sent him up here to rule the city, but he has had some turbulent times. His is more brawn than brain. He hopes to defeat you and make you a subordinate. Do not be fooled by his age. He was an incredible fighter when he was younger.”
That was all Gundella’s advice before handing me a long two-handed sword. Where had she gotten this? No, this was all planned by her, as I knew she had failed to get me access to the Pyramid. I copied Vakgar’s actions, removed my black jacket and top, and handed them to Vida, who was waiting to take my clothes. Vida had excitement in her eyes at my predicament. She also had complete faith in me that I would win. “Caleb, defeating the Champion of a clan will greatly enhance your standing among the other clans.”
“Vida, I think you forget why we are here. We will explore the Pyramid for clues about Iris’ parents and then move into the transit,” I tried to get her focused on the task at hand.
I tested the sword I received from Gundella and would have preferred a club. Vakgar had a similar sword, so I guessed this was the ceremonial challenge weapon. It was shiny silver and straight. It was a long sword but heavy and thicker. I did not have time to go to my mind space to check. It was clear the old orc was proficient with the blade. Much more so than me. But I doubted he could make my strength or speed.
A shaman from the Fiery Snow clan went to the center of the white circle to announce the combat. He was one of the orcs in robes that had been barring my entrance to the Pyramid with Vakgar. Everything was feeling like a setup, from Gundella to Vakgar. This was orc politics at its best. The three clans of the city vying for power on the public stage. I had been drawn in and would do my part if it got me access to the Pyramid.
I felt a pressure building on my limbs. Someone was using some type of invisible restraints similar to Aurora’s chains. Moving was only slightly more difficult, but this would affect my speed. I scanned the orc bodies crowded around the circle, but hundreds of white, gray, and olive-skinned orcs were now pressed together for the spectacle.
The shaman started to speak, his black and red robes whipping around as he spun to address the crowd. His voice was amplified when he spoke, “The Champion and Head of the Haunted Waters Clan in your city, Vakgar, has graced this Holy Place today to show you the skill and prowess of a true warrior. He has been insulted by a newcomer to our city. A young orc calling himself a Champion with no beads to tell of his victories.” Vakgar shook his head, dozens of beads bouncing together in his hair braids. It was clear that neither Haunted Waters nor Fiery Snow Clan were not on my side.
The crowd started cheering before the shaman continued. “The victories of Vakgar are many. At the battle of Shimmel in the year 1322, he fought the Champion of the Red Wool clan on the battlefield and prevailed. At the battle of....” The shaman went on for twenty minutes detailing what each bead signified. Mostly, battles he fought in and specific foes he defeated.
My orc body was actually feeling anxious to fight, like the battle was calling to me. The invisible restraints tightened slightly, and I tried to locate the source again. Still no luck, but it looked like Aurora and Bedelia were scanning the crowd, so maybe they were aware someone was using magic on me. It was like moving in the water. I did not think it would put me at too much of a disadvantage. Aurora’s chains were much stronger than this.
The orc shaman had finished reading his laundry list of deeds and now pointed at me, “Apollyon here, calls himself a Champion. It is time he proved it or leaves your city!”
My blood was pumping hard in excitement, and the crowd’s murmurs grew louder as the shaman left the circle. Vakgar faced me with confidence written on his face. He had seen hundreds of battles and fights, and the orc body that I inhabited looked young and inexperienced. My chest was void of any scars that would indicate life lessons from combat training.
The restraining weave was getting annoying, and I tried to push against it on instinct. I did not break their hold but gave the castor some backlash. I picked out an old woman in dark blue shaman robes who yelped in surprise. Bedelia noticed, too, and was headed toward the shaman with Aurora immediately. Getting through the press of orcs would take them time. Vakgar did not wait for me as he slid forward. At least, that is what it looked like to my eyes. I parried his strike with superior speed, but his blade was already coming at me again. I dove to the right and came up quickly to face him again. His sword had swung where my head had just been. I thought you could not kill your opponent in this contest? Was Lilith mistaken?
Still, my orc body heated in anticipation of our next clash. This time, I initiated the engagement. With my superior strength and speed, my blade flashed in a series of attacks. Our blades clashed loudly over and over again. I was not as skilled as Vakgar, but he was quickly on his heels back, pedaling in defense from the force of my blows. I pushed him to the crowd, paused, and stepped back to the center.
Vakgar followed me back to the center to cheers from the crowd. I could have pressed him further into the crowd but allowed him back to the center. He asked, a little winded, “What sword school are your attacks from?” There was a note of respect in his voice.
“I am not familiar with the sword. I usually battle with a mace,” I responded. I couldn’t say tetsubo because he would not know what that was. I made up something, “The mace attacks are from the School of Hard Knocks.” He nodded like I had said something sagely.
His opinion of me had changed, “You could be a remarkable swordsman one day. The mace is a weapon for a brute, and you are no brute. You are faster than anyone I have ever fought. I will teach you if you yield this match and join my clan. We can offer you so much more than Whispering Rock. Gundella will whisper nothing but falsehoods to you, her clan has no true warriors in it. ”
I was in some disbelief as he had tried to get a killing blow not two minutes ago and now was trying to recruit me. Bedelia finally reached the shaman, and I could see Aurora behind her. The restraints on me faded to nothing. I was now free. I let an orcish grin escape my lips. Instead of responding, I launched into a blurred attack pattern. Vakgar was, by my estimation, upper-tier one in speed and strength. He was no match for all my physical attributes, being lower tier two.
To Vakgar’s credit, he did block my first three strikes before my fourth took off his sword hand. My sudden increased speed had taken him off guard. My strike had been so hard his blade had been knocked aside, and he had exposed his forearm. I took the opportunity to end this duel. His sword hit the ground, his hand still gripping it. Blood dripped rapidly from the stump with each pump of his heart.
The crowd that had been cheering and getting raucous was suddenly went silent. Vakgar looked down at his hand on the ground and then up at me. “Victory is yours,” he reached back and located a strand of hair with beads in it. He pulled the entire clump out of his head, took a step forward, and handed it to me. He then bent over and picked up his hand, leaving the sword behind.
The crowd parted as he approached the edge of the white stone circle. He was leaving in shame. I did not feel sorry for him as he had tried to kill me. Well, I had some beads now. I put the clump of hair into my pocket and went to find Gundella and my companions.
As soon as Vakgar left the circle, the crowd began to disperse. Gundella approached me, “Vakgar is defeated in a most splendid fashion, Champion Maestro. I congratulate you on a magnificent victory.”
“Can I receive a tour of the pyramid now?” I asked, sounding impatient on purpose and like the whole ordeal had not been an inconvenience.
“Of course, the Fiery Snow Clan cannot refuse you. You just defeated the ruler of the city,” Gundella’s orc smile was not pleasant.
“And you planned all this?” I asked with some annoyance.
“I did not think Vakgar would make the honor duel public like this, but I needed to test your combat acumen. It would help if you addressed the crowd before everyone leaves,” Gundella advised. Of course, she wanted me to address the crowd with her currently standing next to me.
She was thinking I would also stay in the city for a time. Maybe she thought I would rule this city and raise her clan. “Not this time, Gundella. I want to see the Pyramid, and then we can address matters of your clan and your daughter, Tevega. I still owe Sharn a prize to her daughter as well.” That reminder that her daughter was part of my plan got a slow nod from her and placated her enough to not press me on addressing the crowd.
“I will gather Faust from Fiery Snow. He has no choice but to take you through the Pyramid. I will even make sure your companions accompany you. Note that he is about as trustworthy as a poisonous snake stuffed into your pants,” Gundella said bitterly.
Gundella left, and Vida approached with a happy face. Aurora and Bedelia were behind Iris. Bedelia answered my unasked question, “Aurora saw the air weaves binding you. We found the shaman sustaining them and knocked her out with a stun spell.”
Iris asked hopefully, “Did we get permission to enter the pyramid?”
“Gundella is arranging it now,” I said, and she was already returning with a sour-faced shaman.
“I found Faust reattaching Vakgar’s hand. He handed the duty off to another and can give you the tour of the Pyramid his clan controls,” Gundella said proudly. She acted like she was the one who had gotten me access. I had fought Vakgar and won, not her. It felt like I was doing her dirty work for her.
Faust relaxed his face. “We can go now if you wish?”
“I do so wish. Lead the way,” I motioned.
Gundella fell in with my group, but I did not tell her no. It would be minor justice when my companions and I disappeared into the transit.
