![[personal profile]](https://www.dreamwidth.org/img/silk/identity/user.png){kind=small}
The hero's path
Sep. 13th, 2020 04:29 pmThis story was written for the Explorers of the Multiverse, Chapter 1 challenge by Landedifandom
Week 3
Prompts: destiny, exodus, numbers
NSFW
Warnings: angstWords: 1940
Othello was walking though the market when an unusual stand caught his eye.
It was surrounded by food stands but the vendor didn’t sell anything edible.
There were books, strange colored rocks and something that was probably a musical instrument he had never seen before.
The vendor was very short, so much so he had thought he was just a boy at first, but then he had heard him talk with a client and the deep, rich voice was undoubtedly one of a man.
He was a foreigner, just like him.
His brown skin wasn’t as dark as his but it still stood out against the pale pink of the majority of the native people of the mountains.
Though his short, spiky hair he could see his pointy ears adorned with multiple golden earrings.
He must have been staring a little too much because the elf looked at him in the eye.
“Good evening! Have you seen anything interesting?”
He spoke like he was on the verge of laughing,his accent wasn’t thick or difficult to understand, but Othello couldn’t really place it.
“Uh, yeah-” you “what's- this?”
Othello didn’t want to admit that, it would be embarrassing and inappropriate, so he pointed at the nearest book, tapping at the wooden cover.
Only after he had asked he realized he probably looked like an idiot because he didn't know what a book was.
The elf's smile grew wider and his black eyes shined with interest.
With a finger he traced the image in the cover, a monster.
“Oh, this is a wyvern! It looks like a dragon at first, but dragons have four legs and wings, while wyvern's wings are also their arms,you know? Just like bats!”
“Oh, cool!”
“They're also dangerous, and quite moody. But they're also shy, so if you don't piss them off they'll just leave you alone. They don't find humans to be tasty... nor elves”
Othello opened the book. It was filled with images of creatures. Thankfully it was written in common tongue, so he could understand. It was filled with information about the various beasts and the best way to avoid them.
“Woah, this looks really interesting! I didn't know half of this creatures... how much is it?”
“12 golden coins”
Othello's shoulders sunk. He couldn't afford it, but he didn't think it was overpriced. It looked quite old but well kept, and the images were painted by hand in exquisite detail.
“Or I could lend it to you.” The elf continued.
“What? But you don't know me, I”
“Just a feeling. I think you'll bring back the book.
I'm Ed. You can meet me every Wednesday and Friday, right here. What's your name?”
“'m Othello Alba. Thank you?”
After that first encounter, Othello kept searching for Ed, meeting him during his work hours and then they would eat in some tavern to talk some more.
Othello would guide him around the city, and the hours seemed to rush wherever they where together.
And Othello had a problem.
He may have a crush on Ed.
And he should probably say something if he wanted this to get anywhere but he couldn't find the courage for that.
Ed had invited him in his house a couple of times but this one was the first when he was going to have dinner and stay the night. This was his chance.
Ed house was rather unique.
He lived in the forest, and he had built a tree house with rooms connecting with each other though rope bridges.
It was really different from the temple, but rather cute.
“How about a game of dice after dinner?”
“Doesn't sound so bad but let's make it interesting...”
“What do you mean?”
“Every time you lose, you have to take off a piece of clothing”
“But that would mean-”
“Yeah... you're on?”
“...sure”
“What's your lucky number from 1 to 6?”
“...uhm 4.”
“I'll go with 6”
“6”
“3”
“1!”
“4”
“Ah! You got me...”
Ed took off his shirt, and he was already half naked since he wore light clothes. His abs were delicately defined, and a couple of scars marked the otherwise smooth skin.
Othello wanted to see him naked.
He didn't know what else he wanted, or what he would do after that, but he put his thoughts aside.
“Let's roll another 4!”
Othello rolled the dice and there was a 4. And another. And another.
Ed took off his arm leather guards and his loose pants.
There was only the soft linen of his loincloth left.
“I think you found your lucky number, Othello”
Ed didn't seem worried about being almost naked in front of him, but his stare felt intense.
And then it was Othello's turn to undress.
Othello wasn't as nonchalant as Ed though. He was glad his darker complexion didn't made the blush obvious on his face but he did felt the heat and he couldn't really look Ed in the eyes anymore.
“Your 6 didn't disappoint you either, uh?”
Othello was only in his light tunic – he had cheated a bit and counted his belt as a piece of clothing, but Ed had let it pass – and his loincloth.
“You're right. I'm the opposite of disappointed.”
Othello couldn't see it, but he heard the smile on Ed's voice, he was sure it reached his dark eyes and he hoped there was something more than amusement in them.
So he glanced back and he found what he was hoping for. Ed's legs were spread wide and he had an obvious erection under his undergarment.
“So, you're ready for the last turn?”
“Yes!”
Othello threw the dice and there it was. A 4.
“Seems like I lost..” Ed said, but there wasn't sadness in his voice.
He stood up, and like that his crotch was right in front of Othello's eyes.
He caressed his short frizzy hair.
“Do you want to collect the prize, Othello?”
x
So that first time followed many others and Othello was head over wheels for Ed.
It wasn't just that sex was great, it was everything.
Ed was fun and he cared, he truly did.
He hadn't felt so close to anyone aside from his family members, and it had been years since he had left them for his path as a Paladin of the One.
He had told Ed something he hadn't ever said to anyone.
The best times where when they were in bed together, the soft sound of rain hitting the leaves outside.
When he hugged Ed's body, so small and yet strong, and let him stroke his hair with his delicate fingers, so different from his own rugged ones.
“You know... I miss my old home so much I cry sometimes.”
“Uhm... tell me”
“I'm from the Midam Islands. It's quite far from here, have you ever been there?”
“No, I visit a lot of places but I never went to that part of the ocean. Tell me more”
“There were two mayor tribes that lived there. One believed in the God of the Island, and the other in the God of the Sea. They fought and fought, until the tribe of the sea finally won.
The losers had two choices. Stay in the Island and become believers of the God of the Sea, or leave forever. My family chose to leave, and many with them.
I was a child at the time, I didn't really understand what was going on. It really hit me when we were on the boat, looking at the Island that was our ancestral home, and I saw grandpa cry like a baby for the first time in my life.
I resented my family. I resented our God of the Island. We were wrong. If they really existed, they would have never allowed them to abandon the Island. There were only lies. I felt betrayed.”
Ed didn't say anything, he kept stroking his hair. But he was listening.
“And then I found the Temple of the One. I learned about the way of his Paladins. The best heroes had all tragic stories behind them, but they fought for the weak to not them suffer a similar fate. There was hope, and honor.
I found a reason to live. I found my destiny. I want to be a hero, Ed.”
“I want you to come with me. We can make great things together, I'm sure. You're so smart, and agile, and you know so many things I don't! We'll make a great team. I'll never allow anyone to hurt you”
“I- Othello. This is-”
“Please, come with me.”
“I'm no hero, Othello. I love to travel, and meet new people and have fun and leave a peaceful life. I know how to avoid trouble. It's not like I've never been stuck in a bad situation but, actively looking for them... that's a totally different thing.”
"Can you think about it at least? You don't have to answer me right away."
It was the first he had seen Ed look so sad.
“I'll do.”
It was the first time Ed had lied to him.
The Master had welcomed the ten best nex recruits.
After years of practise, Othello was allowed to wear the armor of Paladin of the One.
He felt proud, and sad. He listened carefully at what the master was saying.
“The hero's path is lonely. Many would tempt you to stray away from it, but must be strong. This is your destiny. To protect the weak, to face danger, to sacrify your life for the sake of others. This is your holy mission”
He was at the entrance of the forest when he saw a shadow jump from a tree.
Ed landed of his feet like a cat, just in front of him.
“Don't go! Don't go, please!”
“It's too late. I chose”
“Why you didn't tell me it was today?! I couldn't even see the ceremony!”
“It wouldn't change anything. You don't want to follow me”
“I- I love you. I thought we would stay together and-”
“I'll die without accomplishing anything. You'll see me grow old and die or you'll grow tired of me and abandon me when I won't be good enough anymore.”
“No! No, I would never abandon you! It's because we have so little time to stay together that I want it to last as long as possible! Why you can't understand?!”
“I love you too. But you are a coward. And I have a path to follow. You choose to be an obstacle.”
Ed was crying in front of him. Without even trying to hid his tears.
Othello didn't feel anything. Maybe disgust for such display. He didn't esitate to point his sword against his ex lover.
Ed jumped at that.
“So stay away if you don't want to fight against me.”
“Othello, I-”
Ed bit his lip. He was trembling. He looked at him for a long moment, like he wanted to bury his image in his memory.
“I love you, Othello. I wish you the best”
Ed said and then he turned his back and run away, deep in the forest.
Week 3
Prompts: destiny, exodus, numbers
NSFW
Warnings: angstWords: 1940
Othello was walking though the market when an unusual stand caught his eye.
It was surrounded by food stands but the vendor didn’t sell anything edible.
There were books, strange colored rocks and something that was probably a musical instrument he had never seen before.
The vendor was very short, so much so he had thought he was just a boy at first, but then he had heard him talk with a client and the deep, rich voice was undoubtedly one of a man.
He was a foreigner, just like him.
His brown skin wasn’t as dark as his but it still stood out against the pale pink of the majority of the native people of the mountains.
Though his short, spiky hair he could see his pointy ears adorned with multiple golden earrings.
He must have been staring a little too much because the elf looked at him in the eye.
“Good evening! Have you seen anything interesting?”
He spoke like he was on the verge of laughing,his accent wasn’t thick or difficult to understand, but Othello couldn’t really place it.
“Uh, yeah-” you “what's- this?”
Othello didn’t want to admit that, it would be embarrassing and inappropriate, so he pointed at the nearest book, tapping at the wooden cover.
Only after he had asked he realized he probably looked like an idiot because he didn't know what a book was.
The elf's smile grew wider and his black eyes shined with interest.
With a finger he traced the image in the cover, a monster.
“Oh, this is a wyvern! It looks like a dragon at first, but dragons have four legs and wings, while wyvern's wings are also their arms,you know? Just like bats!”
“Oh, cool!”
“They're also dangerous, and quite moody. But they're also shy, so if you don't piss them off they'll just leave you alone. They don't find humans to be tasty... nor elves”
Othello opened the book. It was filled with images of creatures. Thankfully it was written in common tongue, so he could understand. It was filled with information about the various beasts and the best way to avoid them.
“Woah, this looks really interesting! I didn't know half of this creatures... how much is it?”
“12 golden coins”
Othello's shoulders sunk. He couldn't afford it, but he didn't think it was overpriced. It looked quite old but well kept, and the images were painted by hand in exquisite detail.
“Or I could lend it to you.” The elf continued.
“What? But you don't know me, I”
“Just a feeling. I think you'll bring back the book.
I'm Ed. You can meet me every Wednesday and Friday, right here. What's your name?”
“'m Othello Alba. Thank you?”
After that first encounter, Othello kept searching for Ed, meeting him during his work hours and then they would eat in some tavern to talk some more.
Othello would guide him around the city, and the hours seemed to rush wherever they where together.
And Othello had a problem.
He may have a crush on Ed.
And he should probably say something if he wanted this to get anywhere but he couldn't find the courage for that.
Ed had invited him in his house a couple of times but this one was the first when he was going to have dinner and stay the night. This was his chance.
Ed house was rather unique.
He lived in the forest, and he had built a tree house with rooms connecting with each other though rope bridges.
It was really different from the temple, but rather cute.
“How about a game of dice after dinner?”
“Doesn't sound so bad but let's make it interesting...”
“What do you mean?”
“Every time you lose, you have to take off a piece of clothing”
“But that would mean-”
“Yeah... you're on?”
“...sure”
“What's your lucky number from 1 to 6?”
“...uhm 4.”
“I'll go with 6”
“6”
“3”
“1!”
“4”
“Ah! You got me...”
Ed took off his shirt, and he was already half naked since he wore light clothes. His abs were delicately defined, and a couple of scars marked the otherwise smooth skin.
Othello wanted to see him naked.
He didn't know what else he wanted, or what he would do after that, but he put his thoughts aside.
“Let's roll another 4!”
Othello rolled the dice and there was a 4. And another. And another.
Ed took off his arm leather guards and his loose pants.
There was only the soft linen of his loincloth left.
“I think you found your lucky number, Othello”
Ed didn't seem worried about being almost naked in front of him, but his stare felt intense.
And then it was Othello's turn to undress.
Othello wasn't as nonchalant as Ed though. He was glad his darker complexion didn't made the blush obvious on his face but he did felt the heat and he couldn't really look Ed in the eyes anymore.
“Your 6 didn't disappoint you either, uh?”
Othello was only in his light tunic – he had cheated a bit and counted his belt as a piece of clothing, but Ed had let it pass – and his loincloth.
“You're right. I'm the opposite of disappointed.”
Othello couldn't see it, but he heard the smile on Ed's voice, he was sure it reached his dark eyes and he hoped there was something more than amusement in them.
So he glanced back and he found what he was hoping for. Ed's legs were spread wide and he had an obvious erection under his undergarment.
“So, you're ready for the last turn?”
“Yes!”
Othello threw the dice and there it was. A 4.
“Seems like I lost..” Ed said, but there wasn't sadness in his voice.
He stood up, and like that his crotch was right in front of Othello's eyes.
He caressed his short frizzy hair.
“Do you want to collect the prize, Othello?”
x
So that first time followed many others and Othello was head over wheels for Ed.
It wasn't just that sex was great, it was everything.
Ed was fun and he cared, he truly did.
He hadn't felt so close to anyone aside from his family members, and it had been years since he had left them for his path as a Paladin of the One.
He had told Ed something he hadn't ever said to anyone.
The best times where when they were in bed together, the soft sound of rain hitting the leaves outside.
When he hugged Ed's body, so small and yet strong, and let him stroke his hair with his delicate fingers, so different from his own rugged ones.
“You know... I miss my old home so much I cry sometimes.”
“Uhm... tell me”
“I'm from the Midam Islands. It's quite far from here, have you ever been there?”
“No, I visit a lot of places but I never went to that part of the ocean. Tell me more”
“There were two mayor tribes that lived there. One believed in the God of the Island, and the other in the God of the Sea. They fought and fought, until the tribe of the sea finally won.
The losers had two choices. Stay in the Island and become believers of the God of the Sea, or leave forever. My family chose to leave, and many with them.
I was a child at the time, I didn't really understand what was going on. It really hit me when we were on the boat, looking at the Island that was our ancestral home, and I saw grandpa cry like a baby for the first time in my life.
I resented my family. I resented our God of the Island. We were wrong. If they really existed, they would have never allowed them to abandon the Island. There were only lies. I felt betrayed.”
Ed didn't say anything, he kept stroking his hair. But he was listening.
“And then I found the Temple of the One. I learned about the way of his Paladins. The best heroes had all tragic stories behind them, but they fought for the weak to not them suffer a similar fate. There was hope, and honor.
I found a reason to live. I found my destiny. I want to be a hero, Ed.”
“I want you to come with me. We can make great things together, I'm sure. You're so smart, and agile, and you know so many things I don't! We'll make a great team. I'll never allow anyone to hurt you”
“I- Othello. This is-”
“Please, come with me.”
“I'm no hero, Othello. I love to travel, and meet new people and have fun and leave a peaceful life. I know how to avoid trouble. It's not like I've never been stuck in a bad situation but, actively looking for them... that's a totally different thing.”
"Can you think about it at least? You don't have to answer me right away."
It was the first he had seen Ed look so sad.
“I'll do.”
It was the first time Ed had lied to him.
The Master had welcomed the ten best nex recruits.
After years of practise, Othello was allowed to wear the armor of Paladin of the One.
He felt proud, and sad. He listened carefully at what the master was saying.
“The hero's path is lonely. Many would tempt you to stray away from it, but must be strong. This is your destiny. To protect the weak, to face danger, to sacrify your life for the sake of others. This is your holy mission”
He was at the entrance of the forest when he saw a shadow jump from a tree.
Ed landed of his feet like a cat, just in front of him.
“Don't go! Don't go, please!”
“It's too late. I chose”
“Why you didn't tell me it was today?! I couldn't even see the ceremony!”
“It wouldn't change anything. You don't want to follow me”
“I- I love you. I thought we would stay together and-”
“I'll die without accomplishing anything. You'll see me grow old and die or you'll grow tired of me and abandon me when I won't be good enough anymore.”
“No! No, I would never abandon you! It's because we have so little time to stay together that I want it to last as long as possible! Why you can't understand?!”
“I love you too. But you are a coward. And I have a path to follow. You choose to be an obstacle.”
Ed was crying in front of him. Without even trying to hid his tears.
Othello didn't feel anything. Maybe disgust for such display. He didn't esitate to point his sword against his ex lover.
Ed jumped at that.
“So stay away if you don't want to fight against me.”
“Othello, I-”
Ed bit his lip. He was trembling. He looked at him for a long moment, like he wanted to bury his image in his memory.
“I love you, Othello. I wish you the best”
Ed said and then he turned his back and run away, deep in the forest.
