Chapter Text
A warrior is built of suffering, and Malenia, Blade of Miquella chose to forge herself into a warrior to ease her suffering. With her body weakened and severed from rot infection that was slowly eating away her body from inside out, she endured the agonizing pain many would succumb to yet it molded her into a fighter. She strived to become a hero who would fight for those who cannot fight for themselves. Hence, she took it upon herself to protect her brother, born into childlike, fragile form, and serve his cause, thus she protected Haligtree and all who came there in search for salvation and refuge from unfair alienation of the Greater Will. She was a sword of her brother that was going to slay anything which in any way hindered his cause.
The swordsmanship was her call and enforcing Miquella’s will her duty. There never was place for anything else… Or so she believed until the fates crossed her path with a knight that would later become one of her commanders.
With the curse haunting her every step, she had no right to harbor any feelings towards another. However, as the time passed she foolishly grew attached to the faithful and skillful commander whose company she genuinely enjoyed. Finlay was so easy to talk to and when she smiled so naturally, it stirred Malenia’s insides with inexplicable melting feeling.
At first she refused to acknowledge the rising attraction, believing it would eventually fade away if she ignored it. However, that proved to be impossible as she saw Finlay almost every day, being her usual self, charming and appealing.
It was silly – a centuries old demigoddess having her face heat up as if she was a maiden whenever she smelled the almond in Finlay’s hair as the knightess passed by.
Worried these bizarre feelings would distract her, somehow weakening her resolve, she travelled to the mountains to visit her old mentor, the blind swordsman, and seek for advice.
The only answer she received was not to squander the chance if she had any.
The chance… As if. Who would ever be interested in the demigoddess cursed with the scarlet rot, the plague which would infect anyone close to her aside from Miquella for his strong Empyrean blood. No, there was no point yearning for something she could never have. The burn of rejection would hurt a lot more than never trying.
Malenia’s chest squeezed painfully, the absentminded gaze of her golden eyes resting on the chess board. The black and white figures were scattered around, each playing the important role in felling the rival king. It was an exciting battle of wits where strategy was everything.
Finlay didn’t make her attack yet, calculating on her next moves. She had proven to be a good tactician and a keen competitor in chess game, often putting Malenia in though position with well-thought strategy. As wise as he was, not even Miquella could compete as well as she could against Malenia, lacking the tactic skills of a battlemaster.
Then, Finlay moved the white knight forward, leaving it open to the attack of Malenia’s black rook. Malenia’s eyes narrowed with suspicion. How convenient. She analyzed the board, trying to figure out Finlay’s elaborate scheme she was planning to lure Malenia into.
And then she noticed it – the white queen that could take a path the knight just freed towards the other side where she and the white bishop would lock on Malenia’s king, who was guarded only by the pawn. Finlay’s queen would eat the pawn and face the black king who then would have nowhere to escape, cornered by the white queen and bishop.
Malenia moved her pawn two steps forward where it could attack Finlay’s queen if she moved it to the planned position. She looked up at Finlay, whose brows now were furrowing at the board in dissatisfaction. The ponytail was holding the upper part of her straight, chestnut hair at the back of her head, while the lower part of her hair poured down her shoulders and back. The armor of unalloyed gold fit her perfectly, the intricate ornaments adorning the chestplate and gauntlets.
Malenia’s lips curled into foxish smile while she eyed Finlay’s troubled face. Did she think she would outsmart Malenia so easily?
Sensing her gaze on her, Finlay raised eyes and Malenia’s breath hitched, stuck in her throat. The smile froze on her face as met those deep brown eyes, warm and entrancing. Finlay’s lips pulled into amused smile as a reflection of her own but lovelier, as if to say you saw right through me, didn’t you and Malenia’s face started to heat.
Thankfully Finlay lowered her eyes and focused on the board, the curve of her smile still lingering in Malenia’s mind. Her expression turned pensive as she studied the board, planning next moves. Only then Malenia released the breath she realized she was holding. She swallowed heavily, suddenly very glad Finlay’s focus wasn’t on her anymore.
Good Lord, this was ridiculous. What was happening to her? These unreasonable reactions of her body were growing to be too much. How could she be so attracted to her own knight? Who thankfully was oblivious to it but for how much longer?
Malenia had to get her act together. Focus and relax. Just like in the rush of the battle. In order for attacks to flow, one had to remain calm and assured in oneself. She could use that approach here.
Tranquility swept over her as she recalled the memories of past battles and she was back in the full control of her emotions. The next time Finlay looked up at her and congratulated her on winning this match, she didn’t let the gentleness with which Finlay looked at her fluster her so egregiously although warm her chest it did.
“You played well,” Malenia said lightly. “I thought it would turn out to be a draw.”
“Next time victory will be mine, my Lady,” Finlay said with a grin, not as arrogant flashing of teeth but playful grin that crinkled her eyes.
It made Malenia’s chest flutter. Her lips quirked with wry little smile. “Confidence. I like that,” she said, unaware of unintentional seductive undertone in her voice. There was nothing about Finlay she didn’t like.
For some reason, a confusion flashed in Finlay’s eyes. Malenia wondered if she said something wrong… No, she said nothing unusual.
Then what caused such reaction?
Finlay’s eyelashes fluttered, blinking away the stunned look. She bowed to Malenia with fist on her breast, the traditional gesture of respect to the general of Cleanrots. “I should go back to my garrison, with your permission.” It seemed as if there was subtle heightened color to her cheeks.
Why was that?
“You… may go,” Malenia dismissed her, uncertain.
A seagull flew over the rippling waves of jewel blue sea, zooming above Malenia’s head covered with white veil which protected her against the warm sun. Not even Empyrean blood could prevent her pale cheeks burning quickly under its merciless sunrays. She didn’t know why anyone liked when it was sunny out – it was too bright, too hot and annoying insects were buzzing everywhere.
Night time was the right time.
The beach was vast and empty considering it was the middle of the spring and the water was too cold for residents of Haligtree to swim, except for Malenia who never was bothered by the cold. Her prosthetic feet were digging into the wet sand while she strolled along the waves, carrying the bag of oysters she collected while freediving. The breeze was playing with the hem of her white tunic fluttering around her metallic knees, the steady and soothing musical sound of waves crashing against the shore filling her ears.
Then it brought a distant laughter as well and her ears perked up. While she moved across the beach, the laughter became more distinct, free and pure. She turned her head in the direction of the sound and noticed two commanders near the shore further ahead. Aileen and Finlay were sitting on dark blanket only in their wet underwear, laughing. There was a strangely shaped mountain of sand at their feet, though Malenia couldn’t make out from here what it was. While Malenia headed towards them, she could clearly hear their conversation with her sharp hearing of a demigod.
“…big tits! Like these!” someone said and Finlay hugged her knees. “Big or small, Finlay loves them all!” She laughed.
With her prosthetic legs crossed, Aileen leaned back on her elbows sunbathing, her halfway dry, coppery red hair falling down her back. “You are complete apes,” she admonished.
“Oh, please! And what were you just a moment ago, swooning over Ajax’s massive pecs and his ‘arms size of my head’,” Finlay countered. “You were practically salivating over him!”
“You’re no different than us! Ha ha ha!”
“You don’t- M’lady!” Aileen exclaimed in surprise when she saw Malenia approaching.
“Wha-?” Finlay began to ask, following the direction of Aileen’s widened eyes, however she cut herself short as she noticed Malenia as well.
“My Lady,” they greeted in unison, standing up as she slowed down before them.
“Ladies,” she greeted back and looked down to inspect the mountain of sand at their feet.
Irene, who was another Cleanrot commander, was burrowed into the sand with only her blonde head and arms out. Someone built her a mermaid body with impressively intricate tail and really generous breasts.
“M-my Lady!” she squeaked with surprise, immediately attempting to wriggle out of the sand, however Malenia raised hand to stop her.
“No need to stand up. It would be shame to destroy this… work of art,” she delivered those words deadpan.
“Yes Ma’am,” Irene said, slumping back dejectedly.
“Interesting way to enjoy your free time. You both made this together?”
“I did the tail and Finlay did chest,” Aileen answered carefully.
“You have creative eye. The tail is well done,” Malenia said, genuine in her praise. “While the breasts are unrealistic.” She scoffed.
“Irene wanted them like that,” Finlay said with sheepish smile.
“And you happily obliged,” Irene shot back.
“Are you here to catch fishes or just swimming?” Malenia inquired, curious.
“We were hunting crabs, and Aileen wanted to swim so we all went for swimming,” Irene answered.
“It’s a lot better than swimming in the pool. The salt, the air, the vastness of the sea…” Aileen trailed off with soft smile.
“The water is still cold,” Finlay said, unenthusiastic. “It chilled me to the bone.”
“Aw poor Finsie,” Irene jabbed.
Finlay’s eyes flashed with annoyance. “I told you to stop calling me that. Multiple times. I will wipe floor with you next time we wrestle and crush your stupid head like this.” She bent her arms into chokehold, the muscles from years of training straining for them to see and Irene’s hazel eyes flashed wide open, gawking at her with unabashed appreciation. Even Malenia eyed her, finding her alluring even when vengeful. “I’ve had enough of-”
Without thinking Malenia raised her hand and lightly squeezed Finlay’s upper arm, led by the urge to check if it really was firm and solid as it looked. Yes, the muscles there were definitely strong. With carved yet graceful body and long legs, she possessed sublime power of cheetah, a large, fast type of cat Malenia only ever saw on one of the pictures in the book as a child. She asked mother to get her one as a pet because if Godfrey could have a lion on his back, so could she, but Marika refused.
She knew no living being would be able to last in Malenia’s company for too long.
Malenia released Finlay’s arm, only then realizing all three knights were looking at her with a mixture of surprise and confusion. For a fleeting moment she stopped breathing, her heart dropping low. She tried to pull her neutral face on, praying it worked. “You’re well trained but if I am being objective, Irene has the advantage in skill and size,” Malenia said, feigning nonchalance. Indeed, Irene was taller than Finlay and one of the best, if not the best wrestler in the army.
A smug smile crossed Irene’s face while Finlay opened and closed her mouth, at loss of word.
“Well, Finny. It’s not too late to give up.”
A knight never yields. Malenia knew what Finlay was going to say before the commander turned her attention to Irene, meeting her smirk with glowering look.
“I never give up,” she deflected with hard determination in her voice. “Let’s do it tomorrow evening at Elphael Colosseum,” she suggested, raising her hands to her hips.
Malenia studied the treads of unalloyed gold sewn across Finlay’s stomach and chest, holding the rotting flesh, and her good mood dropped.
Irene simply shrugged. “Good by me.”
“If I win, no more stupid nicknames.”
“Hm… And if I win, I want a date,” she said, regarding Finlay with flirty smile.
Malenia’s blood boiled. “She doesn’t own you a date if she’s not interested in you,” she interjected sharply.
Irene put up her hands defensively. “It’s a dinner, my Lady. That’s all.” Then she glanced at Finlay. “In some expensive restaurant…” she trailed off thoughtfully for a brief moment before she added, “The one above promenade. You don’t get to be cheap, Finners.”
“Deal,” Finlay outreached her hand before Malenia could say anything.
She watched them shake hands with sickening bitterness pooling in her stomach.