The Girl Beneath The Sword

Terrence could hardly believe it…This whole time, Bjartbrandr had been a girl. After a couple of moments of processing this, he recalled something from the stories he read in his childhood.

"Throughout the centuries, it was said that the Heroes of Arum had wise spirits watching over them." He said aloud. "So…the spirits are the Sacred Treasures themselves?"

Bjartbrandr smiled softly. "That is correct. We were spirits who the Five Deities chose to become the Sacred Treasures you mortals know."

"Then…if you were watching over my father, why didn't you stop him from abandoning his royal duties?"

The spirit now looked uncertain. "...I'm sorry, but I cannot remember my time with your father, whoever he was."

Terrence frowned at that. "You're…serious? How can you not remember?"

"That's just how it is for us Sacred Treasures. Whatever memories we make with one wielder, will be erased when ownership is passed on."

While that did sound sad…Terrence felt more frustrated. No matter who he asked, he couldn't get the answers he wanted.

"He left, and I want to know why." He voiced with bitterness. "Why did he have to leave every…ugh…"

He held the side of his head, which ached quite a bit. His vision blurred, and he nearly collapsed. Thankfully, Mai had hurried over in time to catch him.

"Hush, you're pushing yourself too hard." She said with a stern worry.

Bjartbrandr nodded in agreement. "Yes, just rest for now. Your body is not yet fit to bear the weight of my sacred power."

"Then I suppose we'll cut this short." Lucius cut in, looking a bit disappointed. "We'll meet here again in the evening, after dinner."

King Randolph smiled proudly. "You did well, Grandson. Just rest for the rest of the day."

Terrence sighed tiredly. "Alright…"

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Back in the bedroom, Mai and Terrence were on the bed, with him resting his head on her lap. Bjartbrandr was with them, looking rather amused as she pet Terrence's head, which had him a bit flustered.

"Enjoying yourself, huh?" He muttered.

The sword girl laughed softly. "I wonder if my previous master was this cute."

"Well…I was told my father rested like this with my mother. Do you remember anything like that?"

She hummed with a bit of sadness. "...I do not."

"Sacred Treasures really can't remember their past owners." Mai said in concern. "Is that really okay?"

"The Gods and Goddesses made us this way, so we could be spared the pain and sorrow of losing our previous wielders. Though there is sorrow in not knowing what you've forgotten…it may be preferable, in the end."

Terrence looked thoughtful. "Even so…I would not want to forget all the people I bonded with over the years. Maybe there is the pain of losing them, but what about the happiness from the good times you had?"

Bjartbrandr sighed. "Maybe you're right. But what if we're unable to move on? If we come to negatively change because of the pain? It could have a drastic impact on our future wielders, so it's better to remain safe."

A small smile formed across her lips, and she pet Terrence's head some more while turning her head to Mai.

"However, I thank you both for worrying about me. For as long as I remain the Sacred Treasure of Prince Terrence, I shall make good memories with you both. Even when I forget, I know you'll remember them."

Mai smiled back and nodded. "Mhm, we will never forget. I guess you're a part of our family now, Bjartbrandr."

Terrence smiled wryly. "I may not be the best owner you've ever had…but I promise to take care of you, however I can. Like Mai said, you're family, and family takes care of each other."

Bjartbrandr giggled. "Thank you, that means a lot to me. I'll take care of you both as well."

She blushed slightly, and Terrence froze as she gave him a flirty kind of smile. Her voice also had a certain undertone to it.

"That said, I'm looking forward to deepening our bond, my dear Master."

"W-what are you saying?" Mai sputtered, her ears folding back.

"I'm saying I'm quite taken with him. I've been watching you both since I was first held by him. He's such a kind young man, and he takes care of you so well."

Bjartbrandr caressed Terrence's cheek, which made his face heat up. Her voice then dropped to a sweet whisper.

"You'll take care of me like that, won't you Master?"

This was a dangerous situation…and Terrence wasn't sure what to do. He loved Mai, but he knew it was duty to care for his Sacred Treasure however she wished. But as his mother once said, "Never underestimate the scorn of somebody in love."

He looked pleadingly at Mai, whose face was pink as she looked aside with a slightly jealous pout. Her tail waved restlessly while she pondered over a potential answer to this. Finally, she sighed and gave Bjartbrandr a softer look.

"Oh, alright." She relented. "I suppose I can share him. But only with you, nobody else. You're lucky you're his Sacred Treasure."

Bjartbrandr and put a hand on her cheek. "Heh heh, thank you! I'll be in your care then, Master Terrence."

Terrence gulped, feeling the weight of this extra responsibility pressing down on him. But strangely, this felt rather bearable, as if he had been ready to take it. Right…he was ready. He had one more person to care for, and he would do his best for her.

"It may be tough, but I promise to take care of you both." He said more firmly.

The girls' faces reddened a little more, and they gave each other a glance. Terrence could practically sense them coming to some kind of agreement, and he suddenly felt like he was in danger.

"Um…What are you thinking?" He said nervously.

"You really are a noble prince, Master Terrence." Bjartbrandr murmured, giving him a fond look. "Much more than you give yourself credit for."

Mai's ears twitched. "Mmm…You're so kind…I'm not surprised other girls would like you. But don't let it get to your head. You only belong to the two of us, okay?"

Terrence turned red and nodded. "Y-yes, always."

The next thing he knew, he was removed from Mai's lap and brought to the pillows. She and Bjartbrandr loomed over him for a moment, their gazes loving and soft. They came down to kiss him, and his mind went blank.

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Terrence groaned as he woke up some hours later, feeling different warmths against his shirtless body. He looked right and saw Mai, then to his left was Bjartbrandr. Both had content smiles as they dozed away, cuddled close against him while holding each other's hands.

He looked toward the window to see the orange sky, then focused on the girls again. He smiled wryly, not certain of how this will work out…but happy all the same. This was his family, and he would do whatever he could to protect them.

His couldn't help but note just how different they felt. While Mai's body felt as flesh and blood as any other person…Bjartbrandr's was something that could only be described as divine. Her skin felt like flesh, but her warmth was more like the kind Terrence felt when he awakened her. This was her energy as a Sacred Treasure, a living weapon granted by the Five Deities.

Terrence continued to bask in this three-way embrace for a little longer, but he knew he had to get up. Not just because of hunger, but also for the training with Lucius. So he gently shook the girls, and they woke with soft moans.

"Hmm…How long…has it been?" Mai murmured, eyes half-open.

Bjartbrandr looked a bit more alert. "It appears to be evening. Mmm…I suppose we must prepare for training, Master Terrence."

The Prince nodded and gently extricated himself from the girls, then got off the bed and gathered his clothes. After getting dressed, he finally noticed a tray of biscuits and apples on the nightstand. He blushed as he realized that Patricia probably saw them all in bed, but shook the thought away and focused on passing the tray around.

By now, Bjartbrandr was wide awake, and in a flash her dress appeared on her. Mai, meanwhile, was still a bit sleepy. They accepted the food, and then shuffled to either side of Terrence and leaned against him. He smiled in an awkward manner, but ate quietly along with them.

Bjartbrandr was the first to finish, and so the first to speak up. Her tone was quite serene, reflected by her smile.

"I thank you both, for treating me so well."

Mai's ears tilted as she became bashful. "Well…you are Terrence's Sacred Treasure, and I suppose it feels nice to be like this."

Terrence chuckled sheepishly. "I won't argue there. I mean, this was a big surprise but…it's nice. We mean it, you're a part of our family, Bjartbrandr."

The sword girl blushed slightly, and clasped her hands. "And I am overjoyed to hear those words. May our bonds forever be strong."

"But uh…is this alright? Do the other Sacred Treasures get into these kinds of relationships with their wielders?"

"Hm, not that I know of. I don't even know if…I have done this before…"

For a second, Bjartbrandr looked confused, and a little in pain. Then the next, she smiled again and floated off the bed.

"That aside, we must hurry to meet Mister Lucius." She urged. "Are you ready, my Master?"

Terrence was concerned about her, but he got the sense that she didn't want to be questioned right now, and they did need to meet the Captain. So he got on his feet and reached out to her, and she returned the gesture. She then transformed into her sword form, right into his hand. The glow of her blade was more prominent now, and he could feel the amount of energy within her.

"Let's do this." Terrence said with more confidence.

He turned to Mai, who was now off the bed and getting her dress on. After stretching, she went to hold Terrence's free hand and gave him a bright smile. He returned it, and they went out the door together.

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Captain Lucius was already in the training hall, and he greeted everyone in a polite manner.

"Good evening, milord. Shall we take positions?"

Terrence nodded, then gave Mai an assuring look before going to the other side of the sparring circle. The fighters took their stances and stared each other down. For some reason, even though he was facing a Royal Knight…Terrence didn't feel nervous. All he felt was a certain comforting warmth in his heart.

"I can feel you, Bjartbrandr." He said quietly.

"Yes, and I feel you." She said softly. "Now, show him the strength of our bond."

"Right, let's do this together!"

With that brave declaration, Terrence made the first move. He ran up to the Royal Knight, then planted his foot down as he swung Bjartbrandr in a glowing vertical arc. Lucius's eyes were wide as he hopped back, a gust of wind blowing his hair. Then a cool smirk crossed his lips.

"You're already getting a handle of her power." He appraised. "I admit, you've surprised me. But that will not be enough!"

He darted back in, and Terrence narrowly sidestepped a jab at his chest. Lucius swiftly pivoted and followed with a horizontal, and the Prince barely blocked it. Their blades grinded together, causing little holy sparks to come from the Sacred Treasure. Then the older man pushed hard, breaking the lock and making the younger one stumble back.

Before he could recover, Lucius stepped in to deliver a right hook into his cheek. Terrence coughed as he fell on his side, then spat out a bit of blood.

"It's still not enough." The Captain said sternly, taking a stance. "Do you see how she's held back by you?"

Terrence breathed heavily as he wobbled upright and backed away. He knew it now, there was still far more to go before he could match a Royal Knight like Lucius. Bjartbrandr's power had yet to reach its full potential, and that was because her wielder was weak.

"Then together, we'll grow strong." She said in encouragement. "But for now, use me to your limits!"

At that moment, Mai called out, and Terrence looked to see her smiling confidently and waving at him.

"You two can do it, so don't give up!"

With both her and Bjartbrandr giving him strength, Terrence found his own drive renewed. He nodded at his Sacred Treasure, then readied her as he faced the Royal Knight. With a calm breath, he moved forward and slashed at him, from shoulder to hip. Lucius parried the attack, then retaliated with a jab at the Prince's chest. He barely sidestepped it, wincing as he was still grazed.

He went low and tried to strike at his opponent's legs, only to be met by a boot to the face. He fell back, but managed to get back up and continue his assault. A downward slice, followed by an uppercut, then a diagonal, and a spin. Lucius met him at every strike and repelled them with little effort, making their different levels of strength and experience clear. It continued like this, with Terrence's attacks being too slow and weak to match the Royal Knight.

It wasn't long before exhaustion began to take over, slowing the Prince down even more. He made one last thrust, only to stumble as the Captain dodged it. Lucius quickly used the pommel of his sword to pound Terrence in the back, causing him to cough and fall to his knees.

"This match is over." Lucius said with finality, sheathing his blade.

Mai ran to Terrence, while Bjartbrandr took human form beside him. They helped him back onto his feet, he took a few breaths before glowering at the Royal Knight.

"I'll reach you one day, I swear it." He muttered.

Lucius chuckled. "I look forward to it. But for now, you must keep training. Have a good night, Prince Terrence, and I'll see you tomorrow."

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When the hero and his lovers returned to the bedroom, they laid on the bed together. Terrence was about ready to go out cold, with how tired he was. It wasn't just the fighting that had him like this, it was the pressure from Bjartbrandr's power as well. 

"I still have more to do before I'm fit to wield you." He told her quietly.

She stroked his hair gently. "Just take it one step at a time. Don't push yourself too hard."

Mai kissed his cheek. "Mhm, getting stronger is fine, but don't hurt yourself too much in the process."

He sighed and softened up. "Alright…but I'm not going to give up. I'm fighting…for you both…hmm…"

His vision went dark as he fell asleep in the arms of Mai and Bjartbrandr, still feeling their different warmths.

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Suddenly, Terrence found himself in an unfamiliar place.

It was a town, though the style of buildings looked…older? Their wood and stone certainly looked rougher in design. Strangely, there were signs of battle all around, including some destroyed homes and shops.

Beyond the town, there was a field of bluebonnets, which swayed in the gentle breeze. Standing amidst them was what appeared to be a young couple.

The girl, who wore a simple white dress and had long honey-colored hair, was looking at the boy with great worry in her hazel eyes.

"Must you go?" She said softly. "I know it's selfish of me, but in the short time that I've known you…I've become unable to bear the thought of losing you."

The boy, who had brown hair with side-swept bangs, looked at his lover with warmth in his smile and brown eyes. His attire was rather noble, with a fur-lined scarlet cape over a white suit. His hands, which were fit in white gloves, gently cupped the girl's face as he spoke to her.

"I understand, Hart. I admit, I have become fond of you in these few days. I am also fearful of the battles to come. But I have a duty to fulfill, and I cannot abandon it."

The girl, Hart, looked down sadly, and for a few moments she appeared deep in thought. Then she frowned and looked up, speaking with determination.

"Then how about I go with you, and fight at your side?"

The boy was surprised. "Are…are you sure? You don't have any experience in fighting. There are more dangerous monsters and Demons out there. I don't want you in danger like that."

"Then I'll work hard, I promise! I'll become a knight worthy of being beside you! Then when the war is over, you can take me as your Queen! There's nothing that I want more, and I'll do my best to earn it!"

The boy looked aside, clearly conflicted at this choice to make. Then after a long moment, he sighed and gave his lover a wry smile.

"Okay, come with me." He relented. "I'll do my best to help you, every step of the way. If all goes well…then I'll wed you when the war ends."

Hart's eyes became watery, and she threw herself onto her lover. The suddenness of it made him yelp and fall back, and they landed together on the bed of bonnets. She laughed with great joy, and her voice held so much love and passion.

"Thank you, so much! I promise, I won't ever give up! My whole life will be devoted to you, Prince Henry!"

And with that, the dream ended, leaving Terrence with feelings of shock and confusion. Prince Henry…Prince Henry III? The first Hero of Light, and Terrence was dreaming of him? But…why? Why was this happening?