Fandom Dragon's Dogma: Shadow Seneschal

[GojiBean]

The Great Wyrm.

T'was the name bestowed upon the flying beast which ravaged not one, not two, but three lands at once before disappearing into the skies.

The cycle long thought broken had begun once more.

And so did the ravaged regions call upon the Arisen. What's more? As there were three Great Wyrms, there were now three Arisen. Never before had more than one been summoned. However, never before had three Great Wyrms descended upon this world either. The knowledge of the ancient crises the lands had faced throughout history now needs to be rewritten as each Great Wyrm seems to possess differing traits to the one most known as the Red Dragon. Grigori. Time and again this fell beast descended upon the world to choose the Arisen and challenge them to the death. For the right to live.

Grigori did rise again. In the land of Gransys, the Red Dragon had descended and chosen his Arisen. Who were the other two Great Wyrms?

None could yet say. History never spoke of them before.

The second Great Wyrm, invisible in the night with raven black scales had descended upon Hearthstone wielding the power of a frosty breath cold enough to freeze even the most tempered of steel before shattering it into oblivion. Its speech was broken. Disorganized. Like a begin from another world learning our tongue for the first time. Developing though its speech may be it made clear the task of the Arisen. "Slay me. Recover your heart. Learn the truth."

The third Great Wyrm, hiding in the skies until the time was right descended upon the land of Voldoa on gilded white scales with a lightning breath wild and raw. Dozens of targets were struck down in an instant. Entire garrisons dispatched to halt its progress were wiped off the face of the Earth in but the blink of an eye. Like Grigori, this Great Wyrm spoke in a tongue most eloquent. But with a cold, deadened sense of detachment from the fate it had brought to its victim. "The efforts and will of man have worn thin. Seek me, Arisen. And return the trinket I have stolen to its rightful resting place within your breast. But heed the failings of your peers, and learn well this lesson: He who seeks death shall find it. And he who seeks life will earn it."

The comings of these three Great Wyrms had passed more than one month previous. Today, on the border of Gransys, Duke Craymon Edgesworth II stood beside the Arisen of his land. A stalwart woman named Mae Crestfall. Hair of platinum blonde standing tall, proud, and confident. Newly adorned with light armor and fine dress beneath, courtesy of the Duke himself, she looked every bit the part of her role as Arisen. She who would seek and slay the Great Wyrm.

"Are you nervous?" He asked.

"No, milord." She replied.

"Very well. Our guests shall arrive any moment. Mind your tongue. And pray, allow me to make for the proper introductions."

"As you wish, milord."

The time drew nearer. And if her eyes did not betray her the silhouettes of others were fast approaching through the morning haze. Her heart quickened a beat as she anticipated the arrival of others like her. They whose hearts were stolen from them and consumed by the Dragons of their lands. They who were Arisen.

Zufaix Gaius Danius Griinia

 

[Zufaix]

The sound of that dreaded wing-beat still lay fresh in her mind. Primal. Powerful. Overwhelming. It was hard to even find the words to describe them properly. It had all but engulfed her thoughts as the regiment made their way to the Summit.

The Wyrm had to pay. No... all of them needed to.

The sound of a familar voice woke her from her stupor.

"Eveything alright, Miss Astalart? You've remained silent for quite some time now."

Duke Oberic Hearthstone. She'd learned his tone and inflection by now. He had a strangely comforting voice, like gravel on a well worn path. Despite his status as the Lord of Hearthstone, he had treated her with kindness since becoming Arisen. It was still unclear to her whether it was simply a ruse or genuine, though she responded in turn nonetheless.

"Yes Your Grace, my apologies. Seems I was taken by my own thoughts for a while."

She glanced across the horizon, searching for some semblance of the aforementioned meeting place. Layered in a thin fog, the strongholds walls faded in like a specter through the mist. The wooden gate, reinforced with stone and clay, groaned as the iron chains holding it let up, forcing it above their heads. The dirt road before them became a mix of cobble and grit. Soldiers of Gransys scattered the area about. Seems they had made it.

The click of steps on stone reverberated through the chamber above as Corrina and Oberic made their way through stairwell of the stronghold. The monotonous steps only served to further Corrina's heart rate as the two eventually arrived. There stood the leader and Arisen of Gransys. Corrina offered a deep bow as Oberic spoke.

"Well met, Duke Edgesworth. I trust you're doing well? Well, as much as one can when such tragedy has befallen."

Corrina discerned a slight jest in his voice as he spoke. She wasn't sure of the Dukes relations with each other, but from what she's seen of Oberic, he tends to forego formalities behind closed doors. She lifted her head as her Duke finished speaking, observing those nearby, though the only one she had any true interest in was the woman standing behind Duke Edgesworth. Platinum blonde hair and eyes of lavender, she seemed sure of herself. Almost the epitome of the image of an Arisen, a far cry from how Corrina pictured herself. Her eyes meet with the woman, giving a solemn nod towards her before fixing her gaze elsewhere. It seemed the representatives from Voldoa had yet to show, which only furthered Corrinas anxiety.

Hopefully everything goes smoothly.

 

[Gaius Danius Griinia]

Kress remembered staring at his sword the entire trip to the summit. He hadn't any experience with such matters since he'd always left those to Leader. Now he was an Arisen, a Champion of Voldoa. Marquis Dorian had practically tossed the title at Kress like it was a sack of gold. Only he didn't see the glitter of coin. All he got was a fancy name they would carve on his gravestone when his charred husk was dragged back to the capital. Funnily enough Kress wasn't even Voldoan by birth. Leader said they had found him drifting atop a bit of driftwood in Gransys. A foundling child from Gransys was now considered a champion for the Voldoan people. Although he'd been invited to banquets and formal parties. Kress had grown up as a mercenary. Suddenly becoming a noble didn't suit or interest him. He chose instead to spend that time training with the Knights. His skill with a blade had won him a fair few friends among the common soldiers. Kress felt more comfortable pouring his efforts into becoming stronger. Not that he was entirely sure what a SWORD was going to do against a colossal beast whose scales were stronger than iron.

"You've been staring at that weapon the entire time, my escorts are losing their nerve"

Marquis Dorian was not the first choice to become ruler of a nation. He had been the cousin of the former Marquis. Unfortunately both the former Duke and his younger brother had been wiped out in a Cockatrice attack. Formerly a scholar dedicated to the pursuit of magick. Marquis Dorian brought a great deal of wisdom but also bluntness to his role as Voldoas ruler, something that had made him unpopular with some of the more unscrupulous nobles. Kress had been more or less experimented on by the man once his wounds had healed. Apparently he and the Wyrm were connected via the scar left upon his breast. The beast had torn his heart out and claimed it as a trophy are wiping out many who were on the battlefield that day. Kress had complicated feelings on the matter. As mercenaries, the Sabertooth Band all had long accepted the likelihood they would die on the battlefield. However losing them to the Dragon was something that could barely qualify as a battle. While part of him felt he should try to claim vengeance. A greater part of him was more worried about actually FIGHTING the Dragon.

"We're here, Arisen. Do try not to alarm your compatriots with such an intense glare. I heard women aren't very interested in brooding vagabonds"

"An apt assessment, Yer Grace. Perhaps we can change places and YOU can take on the flying calamity"

The Voldoan Knights were downright aghast that Kress was addressing their Marquis in such a way. Marquis Dorian simply waved them off before departing their carriage. Kress also exited to the sight of foreign banners. He'd encountered a few of these on the odd occasion where he WASN'T fighting some random mercenary group but knights and soldiers. Strapping his sword to his back. Kress felt some comfort in the familiar weight of the weapon. Marquis Dorian led him to a chamber where a few old men were gathered. Two young women caught his attention. These must have been the other Arisen. Kress kept his silence since he wasn't much for discussion. Marquis Dorian made his presence known with a sigh.

"Apologies for our lateness, Dukes and Arisen of Liogran. Duke Hearthstone, Duke Edgeworth. Both of you look well. Arisen of Gransys and Hearthstone, I am the acting Marquis of Voldoa. My name is Adrien Guillaume Dorian. I am here on account of the three Wyrm"

 

[GojiBean]

It was almost like a fairytale. Through the hazy morning air at the gates emerged another nation ruler followed by his Arisen. Based on the colors and banners following, it was Hearthstone. She'd only heard one or two things of the place. Not enough to draw any conclusions or even make informed opinions. But their emergence from the mist reminded her of the stories her mother used to read to her as a child. Tales of darkness engulfing the land only for heroic knights to burst through the fog of war and heroically win the day. She'd always loved those stories as a child. But as she'd grown older she came to despise them for their arrogance and borderline narcissistic undertones.

"The Knights will always save the day." Nonsense. Knights were just men. Nothing more. Men in armor, perhaps. But men all the same. They were mortal. And they bled as any other beast would. Just as she would.

Mae was then brought from her thoughts by the sound of the Duke of Hearthstone's voice.

"Well met, Duke Edgesworth. I trust you're doing well? Well, as much as one can when such tragedy has befallen."

"Hail, Duke Hearthstone. Indeed, I have been keeping as well as could be expected."

He clasped hands with the man firmly, wearing a clam and honest smile the whole time.

"Pray, allow me to introduce you to the Arisen of my homeland." He said as he half-turned and gestured to her. "Mae Crestfall."

Mae stepped forward and gave a deep bow.

"Greetings, Duke Hearthstone. And greetings to you, Arisen of Hearthstone."

"Mae was recognized as Arisen a short time ago following the tragedy of which you speak. Our homeland was assaulted by the Red Great Wyrm, Grigori. We'd thought him dealt with permanently ages ago. But it seems our hopes were for naught."

Just then, another group emerged from the haze. It was Voldoa. But where the atmosphere of Hearthstone was formal and practiced, there was drastically different air about this group. Specifically their Arisen. And Mae recognized it almost immediately. This Arisen was much like her. The exact circumstances were likely very different to her own upbringing. But there was no mistaking the eyes of one who'd grown up of their own means devoid of the "assistance" of civilization.

"Apologies for our lateness, Dukes and Arisen of Liogran. Duke Hearthstone, Duke Edgeworth. Both of you look well. Arisen of Gransys and Hearthstone, I am the acting Marquis of Voldoa. My name is Adrien Guillaume Dorian. I am here on account of the three Wyrm."

Duke Edgesworth gave a light bow of his head and clasped hands with Marquis Dorian as he had with Duke Hearthstone.

"Well met, Marquis Dorian. I'm pleased you and your Arisen have made it here safely. Pray, your name?" He asked, looking at Kress.

Zufaix Gaius Danius Griinia

 

[Zufaix]

Following the introductions of the representatives of Gransys, Duke Hearthstone spoke once again.

"Ah, but of course. Where are my manners?" He shook his head lightly before continuing. "It is a pleasure to finally meet you Arisen of Gransys. Allow me to introduce our lands Arisen properly." He motioned for Corrina to step forward as he spoke. "Corrina Astalart."

"Grettings to you as well Duke Edgesworth, Lady Crestfall."

She spoke with a fake confidence though a slight smile on her face nontheless. After offering another bow, she shifted back into position behind Duke Hearthstone. The conversation continued.

"Mae was recognized as Arisen a short time ago following the tragedy of which you speak. Our homeland was assaulted by the Red Great Wyrm, Grigori. We'd thought him dealt with permanently ages ago. But it seems our hopes were for naught."

"That certainly appears to be the case, though we know naught of the Wyrm that descended upon our land save for its scales of black. We've yet to find any history on it thru our records."

The discussion quickly shifted though as another group broke through the haze. Representatives of Voldoa it seemed. Corrina glanced over them searching for which seemed to be the Arisen, though it was safe to assume the one standing beside the Marquis was it. It was easy to tell he was cut from a different cloth than Corrina. The way he presented himself was more than enough evidence of that despite him not having spoken yet. Regardless of her first impression though, they'd likely be working together for the foreseeable, no point in being needlessly distant.

"Apologies for our lateness, Dukes and Arisen of Liogran. Duke Hearthstone, Duke Edgeworth. Both of you look well. Arisen of Gransys and Hearthstone, I am the acting Marquis of Voldoa. My name is Adrien Guillaume Dorian. I am here on account of the three Wyrm."

After exchanging pleasantries with Duke Edgesworth, Oberic moved in to greet Marquis Dorian as well.

"As do you Marquis Dorian. " Clasping hands with him in the process.

Corinna stepped up once again, giving a bow to both the Arisen and Marquis of Voldoa.

"Greetings to you Marquis Dorian, and you as well Arisen of Voldoa."

 

[Gaius Danius Griinia]

Kress stood and watched as the Marquis greeted the leaders of the other nations attacked by the Wyrm. He himself had nothing to add considering that actively thinking about the Dragon caused him no small amount of distress. The Arisen from the other two nations seemed normal enough. He could tell the Hearthstone Arisen was a Mage of some kind. Having faced magick users on the battlefield gave him a knack for figuring something at least that basic out. As for the Gransys Arisen, he could sense a degree of defiance in her gaze. A kind of built in rebellion that one would only find in a vagrant or an urchin. He may have been wrong but he tended to trust his gut on matters like these. His wandering eyes seemed to catch the attention of the other Dukes. Duke Edgeworth asked for his name whereas Duke Hearthstone had his Arisen greet them both. If his ears had been picking things up correctly on the way inside. Their names were Mae and Corinna. The presence of a surname that one or both was of a higher social class. Not that such a thing mattered when he held a Knight rank in the Wyrm hunt.

"Kress, of the Sabertooth Mercenary Band"

"The Sabertooth were the band we hired to repel those encroaching from Meloire. It was there that the Great White Wyrm made its appearance. My experiments on Kress here were able to establish two things. The Dragon has a direct connection to its Arisen. Additionally the Arisen may hear the wyrms voice if they hold their hand over the spot where their heart once slept. Other than that, we were able to dig up the basics of an Arisen's abilities. Time nor Illness can claim their lives, only death in battle. Plus the Myrmidon or Pawn race seems to hold a great fondness for the Arisen"

True to his scholarly roots. Marquis Dorian informed the other Dukes of his findings. Kress felt a tad uncomfortable given that he had been the test subject in question for some of these experiments. The first time he had heard the Dragons voice after their fateful encounter that day had been downright terrifying. He had not clue whether the Dragon learned the words of man or Kress had learned the Wyrmspeak.

Take up arms, Newly Arisen... if you would brave the plunge, headlong into death

Kress still remembered those words as if they had been etched into his very mind. The Wyrm was a beast towering over men and monster alike. Its white scales remained unblemished by either the feeble attacks of mercenaries nor the viscera resulting from its own attacks. Now he would be joining alongside these two women in a hunt for not one but THREE of these creatures. Truly an undertaking that would only be heard from the musings of a third rate bard. Yet now here Kress stood with nothing to do but press forward on a quest he had no idea would succeed.

 

[GojiBean]

Duke Edgesworth and Mae both greeted the Arisen of Voldoa and listened intently to the information shared by Marquis Dorian. Mae had never tried placing her hand over her heart after the incident. She'd looked at her scar. But nothing further. And if the Marquis spoke true, then...

Her hand subtly found its way over her heart until a golden light emitted from it, and the voice of Grigori swam through her mind as if coming from all sides.

If you would face me... Newly Arisen... You, who would walk this path... Take up arms... For my kind do not heed the toothless...

Her hand flew to her side, and the light and voice ceased. When she looked up she found all eyes squarely on her.

"... Apologies..."

"T'would seem your words ring true, Marquis Dorian. Pray, you heard its voice?" Duke Edgesworth asked.

Mae nodded and took a deep breath. It was an exhilarating, yet frightening experience. That voice. That deep, guttural, cold voice ringing through her head from all angles. It gave her a sense of hopelessness and entrapment. Like she was caught in a tiny box of a room with no windows, doors, or other means of escape. And subject, nay, slave to the whims of Grigori's will.

"Duke Hearthstone and Marquis Dorian. I believe our own time has come to an end in this matter. T'is now the task of the Arisens to discuss and decide how best to proceed. If we've nothing more to add for discussion or information, I would bid you all farewell."

Mae glanced at the other two Arisen as she felt the familiar sensation of what would normally be said to be her pulse quickening. That subtle spike of adrenaline as fear and uncertainty crept in. But without her heart, she had no pulse. What magic kept her alive was the doing of Grigori. And it begged one question: If she could hear his voice, could he, who claimed her heart, now sense her fear?

Zufaix Gaius Danius Griinia