A Stroke Of Originality

“Commander, we’ve found the location of the enchanted creature. She’s held up in a cave towards Mount Killmore.” The soldier reported.

The commander gave the soldier a stern look. “Why are we still standing around?” He asked. “Get Bahati, and tell her to rally up the troops. It’s about time we make use of her! We leave immediately.” He continued.

Bahati sat on the ledge of the mountain outside of the camp, playing her Kalimba when a soldier arrived barring news of the creature.

“Bahati!” He shouted.

“What is it, soldier?”

“We’ve found the location of the beast, and the commander has instructed you to rally the troops and head out immediately.”

“Of course, he did.” Bahati sighed as she sat down her Kalimba.

Bahati waved the soldier off as laced her gear around her waist and headed back towards the camp. Looking around at all the soldiers relaxing, she felt kind of sad that she was about to force them to their feet. The sooner it happened, the quicker they could come back and relax, she thought.

“On your feet, you sorry excuse for soldiers!” She commanded.

They jumped at the sound of Bahati’s voice, but no one moved. The sound of groans began surrounding the troops.

” If anyone is still sitting by the time I remove my sword from its stealth, they will meet its edge,” Bahati stressed.

Although Bahati was the quiet type, she wasn’t known for idle threats. As she gripped the hilt of her sword, everyone began to move with haste. Taking a breath, Bahati released her grip on the handle of the sword.

“We march onward to Mount Killmore!” Bahati avowed.

No one opposed her this time as they began moving out. Arriving at the cave, Bahati noticed the ground was laced with familiar traps. She signaled for the troops to step back while she threw blades to disabled the pitfalls. Marching onward, they could see a fire in the distance, but Bahati was weary of it. Some troops got careless and ran towards the flame, hoping to be the first to slay the creature. Poison-tipped blades protruded the walls piercing their lunges, causing them to scream in agony as they let their carelessness get the best of them, costing them their lives. Again, Bahati couldn’t shake the feeling that she knew that was going to happen. She shook the thoughts from her mind and proceeded to move forward. Finally reaching the back of the cave, A creature stood there drenched in sweat, shaking of fear.

“Please, I don’t want any trouble. Please just leave, I haven’t done anything wrong.” She pleaded with the troops.

“You were tainted, and bewitched by the evils of this land, foul beast!” The commander yelled.

“It’s not evil, its the next stage in evolution, and it can’t be stopped.”

“You can grow horns, levitate, and place people under your control, and you call that evolution? It’s sorcery!”

“I didn’t ask for this.” She fretted.

Bahati stared at the creature for a long time, she knew her from somewhere. She walked towards the front of the troops and tried to make sense of the woman without the horns.

“Bahati… is that you?” The creature asked.

Everyone stared at Bahati bewildered.

“How do you know my name?”

The creature smiled. “It is I, Queen Awiti. I never thought I would see you again.”

“Impossible… I saw the fire consume the castle with my own eyes.”

“I don’t care if you were Queen Nafari! You’re a beast now, and must die! Kill her!” The commander commanded.

The troops began rushing forward, and Bahati didn’t know what to do. Deep down, Bahati knew this creature really was Queen Awiti, and she swore an oath to protect her no matter the cost. Instinct willed Bahati’s body to move on its own as she jumped in front of Awiti, fending off the troops.

“You would dare cross me, Bahati?”

“I don’t want to kill anyone else, but I’ve a duty to protect Queen Awiti, and I won’t fail again.”

“Please Bahati, I don’t want you to die. Let them do what they will if it means you will live.” Awiti begged.

“My queen, you know better than anyone. I’m not moving.”

Awiti knew Bahati was right and gave up trying to persuade her.

“That doesn’t change anything! Not even Bahati could take us on. A thousand Gil to anyone who brings me both their heads!” The commander encouraged.

“Prepare yourself, my queen.”

Awiti tapped Bahati’s sword causing it to glow with enchantments. Bahati was amazed at how light her sword had become, and the heat it began emitting.

“With this, I’ll kill them all, I swear it.”