Dueling Siblings

I was a Tough Lady Killer Mobster, But Now I am a Klutzy Maid Girl, That Will Take Down a

Demon Lord!

Chapter 8 - Dueling Siblings

Azulle woke to find herself in her mother’s bed Francois laying on her chest she looked about the room and her mother was there asleep in her chair. “I thought I told you to not sleep like that.” Azulle raspingly spoke waking her mother.

“Well, you are getting too big to share a bed with your mother. And besides, I may have used magic to heal your wounds but bones still take time to properly heal. But it looks like I am not the only one you like to have in a bed.” Azulle looks at Francois and is puzzled a bit. The white slime slept like this the day before in the cell. While Noir was suited to sleep elsewhere Francois acted differently.

“So, what has my world-shifting daughter done to collect two new pets Hmm.” Eris started to move above in her chair rolling it across the room where she has a water basin and pitcher.

“And slimes to boot.”

Azulle forgot her mother found out about her past and the goddess Ori the last time she stayed with her. But she decided she couldn’t keep secrets from her so she began to tell her mother the whole story of who she once was, to how she got here, the story of her agreement with the slimes and her asking to be trained by the mercenary prisoner Vindall. And lastly of how she got badly hurt in her confrontation with the god Isea.

“Perhaps he was right to ask you to quit.”

“Mom!”

“Look no matter what you say or who you claim to be you are still my little Azulle. And when the Captain of the guard and some weird muscle man in a duck tutu shows up carrying you all beaten and broken you had me seriously worried. I can only heal someone so much.... and I can’t even be there at your side to heal you if you are hurt again. You aren’t an adventure Azulle, even your tablet says so. It’s better you stay in the castle where it’s safe. Let others go out and fight.”

Azulle didn’t reply. She knew her mother meant all well and good. But she also knew that her destiny was already in play. When her mother left the room to tend to her needs to make medicine. Azulle plotted her next move but again stared at the white slime still sleeping on her. “Fran is really like a cat I guess.”

“Listen Eito, about what you did back there against that guy. Why?” The grumbles of Noir come from a dark corner of the room. Azulle thought perhaps Noir preferred dark areas as he was always hiding out in them.

“Why?”

“Why did you save me. Not just with that Isea guy but back on earth. You were a heartless yakuza. A stone-cold lady killer. But you still took pity on me why?”

“I guess I owed you for the pain I caused you. Don’t get me wrong I have killed many guys before. But I never liked doing it without a good reason. Pointless death was no use when you could often get more out of people with fear and intimidation.”

“So then why save me yesterday.”

“Because I can’t stand some powerful jerk bullying the weak. Guess ... I guess I saw too much of myself in Isea. And besides, you are the closest connection I have to that life.”

“Well, that is not really true but I understand, I guess. Still, I am not going to stand around and be some burdened pet only good to look cute and follow you around got it, Eito.”

“Hey, you’re not calling me a slut anymore?”

The black slime blushes a bit. “Well, perhaps I just didn’t feel like it you stupid jerk!”

“Keep it the fuck down your ass wipes! I wanna sleep more.”

“Seriously you should also strive to get stronger Francois! After all, you are ...”

“You shut that fucking hole of yours Noir lest I find enough things to shove into it till you choke!” Francois's body mimicked a cat trying to take on an appearance of being larger than Noir. Which in turn successfully got Noir to be quiet. All be it too late before Azulle said...

“Wait, now that I think about it you knew about the real me too but I never figured out why.”

“Oh, you were famous around Tokyo how could I not have fucking heard of you, you god damn piece of shit!” Francois laughs it off but Azulle’s stare made the slime sweat. “Fine you stupid idiot. Guess it’s only fitting you find out considering how often I would see you like this. You know you really are a real fucking piece of work Hideo! I even told you not to get yourself killed you stupid fucking jerk. But did you listen to me, fuck no! I have dealt with your shit ever since elementary school but still you never once even listened to a fucking word, I told you.”

“Ryoko!”

“Yeah, big fucking surprise Huh! You die and two days later this stupid fuck took me, hostage, to get revenge on you but in our escape, the moron had a seizer behind the wheel and killed us both. And now I am some fucking slime ball, literally. But am I free of your shit and watching you go out and get hurt? Fuck no! You really know how to treat a lady you fucking bitch Hideo!”

“If you haven’t looked Ryoko I think I am getting that punishment now.” Francois begins to jiggle and chuckle at the serious face of Azulle.

“I guess the now the only skirts you chase are your own.” The two laugh about their situation but Azulle suddenly stops as she comes to the realization of something.

“Oh, crap my clothes, Gil!” Azulle winces as she gets herself out of bed.

“Hey Hideo where are you going! You need to be resting!” Francois panics in saying.

“This can’t wait!” Azulle moves about down the tower slipping out without her mother noticing and with her slime friend’s tow. Moving quickly to the room of the prince. Just before she reaches the door, she sees Kawa waiting outside.

“Hey, Zel I thought lady Marril said you wouldn’t be up and about for a few days.”

“Out of my way Kawa I need to get in there.”

“Woah sorry but you can’t go in there!”

Azulle ignores her friend and throws open the doors only to be stopped by something blocking the door. “What the.”

“I told you. You can’t go in there. I don’t know what the prince is up to but he has been like that since yesterday.”

Azulle presses her hands against the blockage and realizes it moves forward but is bulky and returns in place only a small opening that is difficult to even put her hand through can fit in. “This feels like paper! Hey Noir, Francois do you two think you can get in there.”

The two slimes squeeze under the opening taking a thinner shape and make their way into the room. Not much longer there are sounds of crashing and Gil screaming.

“What how did these things get in here! Stay away.”

“That settles it Kawa do you have a knife on you!”

“Yeah, sure but...” Kawa holds out their knife and Azulle grabs it quickly and jabs the paper tearing open a hole.

“Gah! First, these horrible creatures, and now something is destroying my work!” Azulle pops her head into the room which has been covered on all sides in paper. On the paper is charts and scribblings about how best to fight things. “I should have known the one destroying my plans would be you Azulle! Now get over here and deal with these monsters. It appears they followed us out of the bathhouse.”

“Fine guys leave Gil alone. Looks like she still has a sore spot after fighting you all.” She looks over to her small corner of the room and notices her chest is open and clothing is all thrown about. “I knew you were going to destroy my things you jerk.”

“I did no such thing! I merely was looking for something I thought you might have. Besides, what would I possibly want with some flat-chested servant girl’s clothing.”

“That is, it! Gil, I am through being your damn plaything! Fight me right now!”

“Uh, Zel are you sure that’s a good idea?” Kawa says sticking his head in. “I mean he does regularly get training in fighting and you well. You’re lucky not to get hurt going upstairs.”

“I fucking agree with the wonderful smelling weird shit bag Hideo! You need to be resting shit head!” Francois clearly states in her most unique way.

“I have no interest in fighting my party members.”

“Your what?” Azulle stands puzzled.

“My party members!” Gil repeats. “I have been studying that book for a few days now and I think I see where I went wrong. Clearly entering any dungeon fight it’s best to be fully equipped and to have a diverse party. You of course are duty-bound to be at my side Azulle, and I figure that weirdo Kawa would be good as well.”

“Wait I am in your party as well?” Kawa states surprised.

“Yes, but still, we need a skilled magician, a decent healer, and maybe a few other choices since Azulle is nothing more than a weak little maid and all.”

“Weak fight me you jerk I will show you who is weak!” The slimes and Kawa each are holding Azulle back from attacking Gil.

“Of course, my plans are a bit torn but we will go out into town tomorrow and seek to properly equip our team and maybe find some new members. No one can say no to me after all I am the future great hero and the crown prince.”

The day passed and despite her mother’s objections, a heavily bandaged Azulle joined Gil in a town shop to gather proper gear. But...

“I said no kid. I don’t care who you say you are. The damn royals ain’t done me no favors and I am not about to drop the price on my gear for you, no how!” The shopkeeper unhappily berated Gil. While Azulle is trying to hide a smile at Gil getting a taste of the real world for a bit. “This kingdom is run by the guilds boy. All the damn king is these days is a figurehead. Given he is far better than that insane wife of his. But here you come saying I owe you my best stuff because of your royalty.” The old shopkeeper spits after his words are done to extenuate his point.

“But I brought you money see!” Gil proudly displays a pink and purple small bag and Azulle’s smile turns to fury as the shopkeeper takes it and looks through it.

“Hey, Gil that’s mine! So that is what you went looking for!” Azulle rages at her half-brother.

“Of course, you thought I had my own money. My servants are always the ones who hold my money. Well, sir what can I get with all of that!” Gil proudly demands an answer from the old man while Azulle is looking for the best way to murder her sibling and make it look like an accident.

The old man reaches behind the counter and places a small sword down on top. “Here this will do best for you.”

“Ah surely a grand weapon, tell me sir does this sword have a name maybe some grand back story of how noble a blade it is!”

“Uh sure it’s called ‘Oh shit it’s a sword’ hailed from the legendary pile of junk that hasn’t yet broken on me. Look kid you two hardly have any money and you both are still wet behind the ears. Why not go spend your money on some sap to train you. Or better yet get jobs and come back when you have real money... your highness!”

“We will take the sword then...”

“No, we will not. That money is mine, Gil. I saved every extra coin I got for all the extra chores I did, and while dad and the queen spoil you rotten all I ever got in gifts was uniforms and a few coins to spend on things I want or need. If you are so set on starting this quest then you should work and make money of your own.”

“Somebody came out of the slime dungeon with some nerve to talk to her superior.”

“You’re not better than me Gil.”

“I certainly am!”

“Really then I challenge you to a dual.”

“What?”

“I want to fight you! If I win you will leave me in charge of our party. If you win, I will submit to whatever embarrassing things you put me through!”

Sweat begins to form on Gil’s face. “Fine but I will have my instructors watch over the fight to make sure you don’t cheat.”

“That is fine by me, I will do the same!”

“Wait you have instructors since when?”

“That is for you to know and me to show.”

“Look this is very nice and all but if you aren’t buying the sword then I have one thing to say to you kids... Get out!” The shopkeeper proudly throws the two out and tosses Azulle’s money purse on the street which she quickly snatched up before Gil can act.

Two days passed by before the siblings would confront each other. Most of Azulle’s injuries were healed. But it still didn’t stop her from being scolded by her mother. Yet here she stood staring down her brother in the courtyard of the castle. A man adorned in flamboyant foppish clothing was giving pointers to Gil as the two stared down. While Lady Marril pulled up next to Azulle.

“You know your mother doesn’t approve of this. But the queen is watching. So perhaps it would be best you let master Gil win this.”

“I can’t do that Lady Marril!” Azulle states struggling to lift the sword she was handed.

“Put that down girl!” Marril demands. “You aren’t a warrior of weapons and armor. I told you this before your class is that of a maid. Use the tools at your disposal.”

Azulle thought of Marril’s words and remembered the training with Vindall where the practice sword broke but the fight with the slimes when she had a broom not only held together but worked better with her skills. Clearly, lady Marril was on to something. Azulle put down the sword to the cause of whispering from the onlookers and in turn, she took up a push broom Marril had brought with her.

The foppish man walked to the center to the courtyard as the collection of royalty, staff, and even the prisoners looked on. “Today will be a duel between our future hero the Prince Gilford Martque, vs the Maid girl Azulle Darkholt. This duel is till one is either knocked unconscious or gives up. To the winner goes the right to lead the prince’s party. May the best man win.” Azulle cringed a bit knowing that the last part was to dig at the fact that no one thought she could win. The two, move forward to face each other as people start to laugh at Azulle for taking a broom into a duel of swords. Noise is also carried on by Gil when she reaches near enough to hear Gil's words quietly towards her.

“Again, with a broom. How can you honestly think you have a chance at me and my sword?”

“It’s not the weapon that matters in a battle Gil. It’s how well the one who uses it can fight.” Azulle smiles and grabs her broom to hold the handle forth like a long-handled ax.

“Fighters ready!” The two, nod at the foppish man. “Fight!”

Before the foppish man even can move away Azulle is already bursting her speed to swing the broom wide towards Gils unguarded left side. But Gil quickly moves to block the swing and then pushes forward to swing his blade as he closes the distance.

But a quick flip of the broom and Azulle follows through launching the broom upwards knocking Gil's arms apart and causing him almost to lose the blade. He rushes back trying to regain his stance as Azulle flips about pushing herself up off the broom and coming crashing down nearby Gil. However, her curse comes into play and she slips on the landing losing her footing just for a moment long enough for Gil to land the first real blow.

“More of your tricks. Or are you just this unskilled Azulle!”

Azulle doesn’t respond in words instead she spins along the ground sweeping and tripping up Gil from below. Then she kicks Gil in the side while he is down. Shouts of dirty fighting are called out Azulle. Gil gets to his feet quickly but Azulle is already in a defensive stance holding the broom out much like a spearman would his trade weapon.

“You think you’re better than I don’t you Azulle! Me who was given divine fate to be a great hero of our time. Versus you a lowly bastard child of a cripple.”

Fury hits Azulle’s heart and she turns her defensive stance into a wide offensive one that leaves her open enough to get hit again by Gil’s quicker movements of sword swings. This time the hit is hard and while she could swear others could hear it as well Azulle could tell that blow broke her already damaged ribs. She wouldn’t last long if she kept losing her focus on the battle before her.

Gil moved in to swing at a downward angle to try and land a second deviating blow but Azulle is quick enough to block it with the handle of the broom. She pushes back on Gil’s blow but finds a difference she didn’t plan on with Gil before she went in on this match. While she knew she definitely had speed and even experience with fighting over Gil. Her still child body was far weaker in strength than Gil’s. So, she couldn’t trust her blows that she could land wouldn’t be nearly as effective as his in turn to her.

No, she needed a strategy and more than that she needed to attack him at his weak spots. Azulle moved quickly dashing away from Gil to get distance and build speed. Gil followed her as best he could, holding the wooden blade in defense ready for an attack. When Azulle knew she had a good ten feet apart she flipped backsliding a bit wobbly as her curse moved in but she was able to maintain balance. And then she unleashed the Devil’s Rush skill.

In a massive burst of speed, she was already on Gil her bare hands pushing his face downward but her hands didn’t hold the broom. Gil tried to swing but found the force of Azulle pushing her whole body up off of his face distracting and he was not able to land a clear strike as he moved to turn Azulle who flipped up and crashed face-first in the ground Gil tripped over the broom that was shoved in under his legs. As he fell, the broom flips up and smacks him right in the face hard. This blow caused him to drop the sword carelessly.

Azulle got up from her face plant smiling hard knowing her quick plan caused Gil to lose a lot of ground on her. She quickly got up and tackled Gil placing her knees across the arms of Gil preventing him from even being able to pull his arms free granting her a free chance to land several blows with her fists on Gil’s royal mug. As she punches him she thinks back to the past years of torture Gil had put her through. All the clothes of hers he stole, all the outrageous orders, even the times he struck her for his own enjoyment, and then something happened to her that she never would have done before in ether lifetime. She began to weep for those painful memories with each punch she began and with it, the force of the punches slowed. Sure, she used to show sympathy before as the Smiling Devil, but never before has she turned into such a crybaby about it. Was it the hormones of this body getting to the great Hideo Eito. Was his killer instinct forever washed away from the force of his attacks? Or was it something else? The concept would have to wait for the now little framed girl to think over as she is suddenly grabbed by each arm by guards and pulled off the red beaten and bruised-faced form of her brother.

“Do not let her go!” An order was shout out by the queen. Azulle snaps out of her thoughts and stares at the damage she did to Gil to have the guards get involved, had she gone too far? But she sees the boy getting up his face dripping blood yes but as Hideo Eito, Azulle has not only seen people with worse heal it with no problem, but she too remembered such pain. Hell, the pain the god Isea did to her a few days ago was worse. She wondered what would cause the interruption as such but shock hit her when she saw something unusual from the prince.

There on his left side where his eye was greatly beaten and bruised his skin looked green and the eye blinked from the side it was almost reptilian in nature, was the future great hero even human? The thought stuns Azulle could Gil be the one that Isea talked about. The member of the Demon Lords' army!

But the time for her to be lost in thoughts ends with a sudden and sharp jab to her gut. The power of which would surely have sent her to the ground if she wasn’t being held up. But the blow isn’t from Gil. It’s instead of from the Queen.

“You horrible child. I should have done what I started out to do when you were still in the womb of that whore.” Clearly, the queen was protecting her son. Did she know? An issue Azulle couldn’t think long about as the queen strikes her face then pulls her hair to present Azulle to Gil who has returned to his feet. “Now my dear little hero. Finish this duel as it should teach this girl her lesson for standing up to those in power.”

Azulle cringed ahead of the ongoing blow. A thought hits her that there is still a way out. The same thing Isea wanted her to shout out as he beat her. The words ...” I resign from this battle.” The group gasps and the grip of the queen tightens as the words didn’t come from Azulle but from Gil.

“Surely you jest, Gilford.” The queen stands in shock but her grip only gets tighter and beings to hurt Azulle. “You are the hero. You should be in charge of your team, not some disgusting maid girl.”

This couldn’t be Gil, Azulle thought. The real Gil wouldn’t let her win. Clearly, he was swapped out by Isea, but why? Why would a minion of the Demon Lord put Azulle in charge of the hero’s party? Let alone a party he would lead? What strange reasons would this imposter Gil have in mind?

Chapter end