Heroes of Dreamland Rewritten, Book 1: Stars Amidst Lightning

Chapter 14

Meta Knight|メタナイト

Grimacing to myself, I walk faster, as if that will somehow carry me away from the events that are quickly approaching. Unfortunately, that is faulty logic, as walking faster actually carries me closer to the events I am dreading. Then again, in a sense, the sooner we get there, the sooner we can get this over with. For Kirby Dee's sake, I hope it takes very little time at all.

This is a test that has been coming for quite awhile now, and I've known that it would have to come ever since I began teaching the young one the ways of the sword. Whether I like it or not, Kirby Dee is at the point in her training where she will have to learn how to kill. It is always one of the worst parts of training to be a warrior, and I am not at all looking forward to watching her struggle with it. Believe it or not, even I still grow sorrowful at the memory of the first time I had to end a monster's life. Even with the knowledge that the monster was evil, and would hurt someone I loved if I did not get rid of it, it was still very hard. Knowing Kirby Dee's gentle disposition, it is going to be even harder for her.

That thought makes me grimace even more. Kirby Dee, whether she admits it or not, is still very much a child, an innocent, pure, naïve, soft-hearted child. Today, I'm going to have to force her to put that part of herself aside, as much as it pains me. Part of the reason I genuinely do often enjoy her company is because of her simplicity and kind fondness for others. The thought that I will have to play a part in teaching her to be otherwise, in perhaps causing her to change her personality even outside of battle, nearly makes me loathe myself. It has to be done. If it were not today, she would have to learn someday, and today, I know she is ready, at least when it comes to technique and tactics.

As much as I hate having to do this, it would be crueler not to. What if she reached the day she had to fight the coming monster, and had never killed before and could not bring herself to do so then? What would become of Dreamland? Shuddering the tiniest bit at that thought, I sigh heavily and continue plowing forward. She has to learn how to kill, and it has to be today.

For probably the hundredth time, I wonder if I should explain what we are here to do now, or continue to put it off until the time is closer. Kirby Dee is already stressful and nervous; I can sense her anxiety rolling off of her in shaking waves. Telling her what her 'test' today is to be would only increase that misery. Yet, at the same time, it would be unkind to wait and tell her at the last minute, and then expect her to somehow process it all at once and leap into action for the first time with little warning. So, with another sigh, I continue to walk on, but inform her, "This test you are about to take is going to be very, very difficult."

Even without turning around to see, I can sense her resulting shudder. "Wh-what sort of a test is it, Sir?"

Again, I am silent for a moment, trying to think of the best way to word this. I helped train new recruits many times during my days as a soldier in the Star Warrior Army, but I never once was present during this test except for the time I took it myself. No matter how battle-hardened my heart became, I never wanted to have to watch as a young warrior learned the cruelty of bringing death upon another creature. There are some things in life that are best left unexperienced. Today, however, I will do my pupil the dignity of remaining close by as she struggles with this task. No matter what, I will not leave her alone.

Finally, I murmur, "As you guessed a few minutes ago, we are looking for something."

She immediately starts giving off a happier aura, making me feel even worse somehow. With a nervous laugh, she tells me, "Oh. Okay, good! That's not so bad. You've been so gloomy that I thought it was going to be something scary or something. So... what're we looking for, Sir Knight?"

I have to smile a little bit to myself at her innocence, but it is a sad sort of smile that quickly fades. "There is a rather large group of Poppy Bros., both Juniors and Seniors, hiding out somewhere in this area. That would be fine, except for the fact that they keep coming out into Cappy Town and causing damage with their bomb-throwing. The King has requested that we... take care of the problem."

I pause, unable to think of any delicate way to word this, and she jumps to an incorrect conclusion. "So we're taking away their bombs? That won't be so hard, will it?"

After shaking my head once, I tell her, "The two of us will be getting rid of them."

Her footsteps stop behind me for a moment, then start again. "As in... driving them out?"

Again, I shake my head. "Unfortunately, that never works. Like most monstrous pests, they just come back, usually in greater numbers. We will be permanently getting rid of them."

She freezes, her presence suddenly turning icy cold in horror. "You... you don't mean..."

Forcing my voice to be firm and unshaking, I state heavily, done with trying to sugarcoat it, "We will be killing them, Kirby Dee, and you will be helping."

"B-but," she starts, voice trembling, but there's a rustle in the bushes. Instantly, I hold a hand out to shush her, and she complies without question, but keeps shaking behind me.

"I believe we have found them," I tell her quietly, in a way that almost sounds like a question. "I will take care of the Seniors and leave you in charge of the Juniors. We will return to the castle when they are all taken care of. If you do well, that will be before sunup. Once this task is finished, you will have the rest of the day off." Thankfully, forcing my emotions to settle somewhere out of the way and allowing my cold, uncaring warrior's demeanor to take over in preparation for battle has helped me to stop feeling so conflicted. Now, all I care about is finishing this task and making sure she does her part. Whether she likes it or not, today she is going to learn how to spill blood.

Quietly, Kirby Dee argues, "B-but... I don't... I've never killed anyone before. I don't... I don't think I can do this, Sir Knight. Please don't make me do this. Please."

With a sigh, I turn to her and give her glove a reassuring squeeze, the only sign of encouragement or sympathy I will offer her today. "As I said, it will be very difficult. You have passed every test before; you will pass this one as well. I am sure of it." Without saying anything, she nods once in reply. However, I am unsure if either of us actually fully believes my final words.

"Let us go," I command her gently, then turn towards the trees that were making noise. "Do not get too far from me; we do not want you getting lost."

She replies with a whimper that I assume is meant to be a 'yes, Sir,' and then I draw my sword. Slowly, she does the same, and hesitantly, falteringly, the Kirby Dee follows me out onto her first battlefield.