Ashe and the Glass Sword

by KuroKoneko Kamen

  “Did Ashe take lessons too?” Juleka asked with a curious tilt of her head.

  “Er, no, just Picasso and I,” Knuckles stammered out.

  “Is that so?” Juleka sighed. “I wonder if Ashe knows how to dance then.” She started to nibble on her lower lip. “I hope he’s not nervous about that, and still decides to come to the ball tonight.”

  Knuckles could feel a nervous sweat beading on his brow. He tried to banish the mental image of Ashe lying at the foot of the stairs with a pool of blood forming around him. “How did you even meet Ashe? You know him, right? Not just from the coliseum.”

  “You’re right. I met him one night at a casino in Glass City,” Juleka began with a wistful expression on her face. “I foolishly played a game of poker in one of the back rooms and lost. I had no money with me and almost got myself sold off as a slave! Can you imagine? The princess of Glass Kingdom…sold off as a slave? But then Ashe appeared out of nowhere and saved me. I fell in love with him in that moment.”

  The tender look on Juleka’s face was making Knuckles feel guilty. “You love him?” he choked out.

  “Yes,” Juleka confided in a fervent voice. “That’s why I had my mother make that royal proclamation that even eligible male slaves were allowed to attend the ball if they wished. It was really my way of inviting Ashe.”

  “You know…Ashe’s body is covered in ugly scars,” Knuckles said, trying to think of a way to get Juleka to fall out of love with Ashe.

  Juleka arched an eyebrow at Knuckles. “I know, and I don’t mind. I still find him to be very handsome. Those scars just make him more…manly.”

  A scowl formed on Knuckles’s face as he tried to come up with something else to make Juleka change her mind about Ashe. “Ashe seduced old hags for money,” Knuckles blurted out.

  Juleka’s eyes widened like saucers, and a pink tinge rose to her cheeks. “I…didn’t know that. But I did hear rumors about a mysterious and handsome man with silver hair and golden eyes who seduced women at casinos and I thought those rumors might be about Ashe. I suppose I was right, and I wasn’t letting my imagination run away with me. I know Ashe needs money to buy his freedom from Lord Tremaine. Having to sell his body…that must have been hard. I offered to pay his mother’s debt, but Ashe wouldn’t let me.”

  Knuckles could hardly believe the sympathetic look on Juleka’s face. How could she forgive Ashe for selling his body like a filthy whore? Didn’t Juleka think that made Ashe dirty? Just how kind and forgiving was this princess? “Whoa, wait, you offered to buy back his freedom, and he refused? That idiot…” Knuckles scrubbed a hand down his face.

  “Ashe wants to earn the money to buy back his freedom on his own by fighting in the coliseum,” Juleka explained. “I think he wants to prove to Lord Tremaine that he isn’t just some worthless slave…but a fierce swordsman. He wants to get revenge all on his own. I can’t help but admire Ashe’s strength of will in the face of such adversity. And though I want to respect his wishes…I still may end up helping him in my own way.”

  “Revenge?” Knuckles said uneasily, rubbing the back of his neck in an uncomfortable manner. “You know about how we punished Ashe, don’t you?”

  Juleka nodded. “Yes. I’m aware.”

  Fuck. Knuckles mentally swore. If that were true…then Juleka probably held a grudge against him and his brother Picasso for everything they’d done to Ashe. “And you’re still dancing with me?” Knuckles asked, giving her a bewildered look.

  “Ashe told me that you just follow your father and brother’s demands,” Juleka informed Knuckles, giving him a pitying look. “He told me that you’re a victim too.”

  “Victim?” Knuckles growled. “I’m no victim.”

  “Ashe would like to be friends with you,” Juleka revealed, hope shining in her gray-blue eyes. “Maybe even brothers if you would let him, but it’s up to you, Knuckles.”

  Knuckles blinked for a few seconds. “Friends…with someone like me?” The thought that Ashe wanted to be his friend made Knuckles happy, but that only lasted a second before Knuckles remembered that Ashe was probably dead.

  “Ashe longs for a family,” Juleka said, a shadow falling over her face. “His was taken from him.” She shook her head to clear it of such dismal thoughts. “Oh! I just remembered. Ashe told me all about how you like sweets. I had my patissiers prepare quite the selection of desserts for you to try.”

  Knuckles felt faint and swayed on his feet. “For me?”

  Juleka gave Knuckles a warm smile and nodded. “Mmhm. There’s a whole buffet table of desserts. Let’s go have a look at what they came up with. Shall we?”

  Knuckles nodded dumbly, and let Juleka lead him across the dance floor in the direction of the buffet tables. They came to a halt in front of a table covered by a white tablecloth, and that had a display of different delicious looking desserts.

  An impish smile curled Juleka’s lips, and she waved her hand at the table in an ostentatious manner as she presented the desserts to Knuckles. “Ta-dah! Traditional Glass Kingdom sweets. My favorite is the crème brûlée.”

  Knuckles was already starting to salivate as he gazed at all of the decadent desserts, and had to wipe some drool off his chin with the back of his hand. “Wow. They all look scrumptious.”

  “Do help yourself,” Juleka said. “Don’t be shy.”

  “Alright.” A wide grin formed on Knuckles’s face as he started to pile different desserts onto a plate. He took a large bite out of a tart. “So good,” he moaned in bliss.

  Juleka giggled, looking pleased. “Ashe was right. You do have a sweet tooth.”

  When Knuckles looked up and met Juleka’s gaze he couldn’t help but smile dopily at her. Juleka returned the smile, and Knuckles’s smile widened. His heart fluttered inside of his broad chest. This was the first time a girl had ever been kind to him, and hadn’t acted afraid of him either.

  “It appears my brother can’t stop himself from being a pig even while in the presence of a princess,” Picasso sneered, his lip curling in disgust as he watched Knuckles stuffing his face with tarts.

  Knuckles jumped at the unexpected appearance of Picasso by their side. He hadn’t noticed Picasso’s approach at all. He immediately set the tart he’d been eating back down on his plate, and hung his head in shame. Knuckles could feel his cheeks heating up out of embarrassment, and morosely thought that he probably looked like a tomato.

  Picasso offered Juleka an apologetic look. “I do apologize for my brother’s uncouth behavior, Princess.”

  A flash of anger crossed Juleka’s expression, but it was gone so fast that Knuckles was sure he must have imagined it. “Oh dear, you misunderstand, Picasso. I heard from Ashe that Knuckles liked sweets and had all these desserts specially prepared for him in advance. Knuckles was being quite the gentleman by humoring me in trying my head patissier’s creations.”

  Picasso’s brow furrowed in confusion. “You…what? Oh, I see. Well, now that my brother is apparently occupied with his dessert would you do me the honor of a dance?” He offered Juleka his hand with a hopeful look on his face.

  “Alright,” Juleka agreed, taking Picasso’s hand. “I bid thee adieu, Knuckles.”

  “Adieu, Princess.” Knuckles smiled goofily at the princess, and gave her a silly little wave as Picasso escorted her out onto the dance floor. As soon as Juleka and Picasso had disappeared into the dancing crowd the smile slid off his face, and he placed his face in his hands as a wave of guilt washed over him. What the fuck are we doing? That poor girl…

  “I’m surprised Ashe told you about Knuckles having a sweet tooth,” Picasso began conversationally as he spun Juleka across the dance floor with obvious skill and unexpected grace.

  “Well, Ashe mentioned how he was always having to bake things for Knuckles, and how he needed some new recipes,” Juleka remarked casually.

  “Did Ashe say anything about me?” Picasso asked, trying to keep his tone nonchalant.

  “Nothing good.” Jul
eka gave the macabre artist an innocent smile.

  Picasso flinched. “Princess Juleka, I…”

  Juleka held up a hand to stop Picasso with continuing what was probably going to be an insincere apology for what he’d done to Ashe. “Don’t worry, Picasso. I believe in second chances. And Ashe confided in me that his vendetta is only against Lord Tremaine. He hopes that one day you two can be friends or even become as close as brothers.”

  Picasso let out a breath of relief that Juleka was still giving him a chance despite knowing the truth. “I would like that,” he said silkily. “I really have nothing against Ashe. It’s my father who seems to hate him. And sometimes I have no choice but to carry out my father’s wishes. Father is not someone I can oppose. And I deeply regret those times I was forced to hurt Ashe.”

  Juleka looked into Picasso’s gray eyes searchingly. She had her doubts that the things he was saying were true, but the young man’s words did appear to be sincere. If Picasso was telling the truth then Ashe may have a family again when all of this was over, and that thought made Juleka feel relieved. She decided against her better judgment to give Picasso the benefit of the doubt. “Ashe would be happy to hear that. It appears you’re a victim of Lord Tremaine too, just like Knuckles.”

  Picasso nodded eagerly in agreement, and lowered his voice to speak in a conspiratorial tone. “Yes. I’m ashamed to admit it, but I’m afraid of my father. He’s a very dangerous man, Princess Juleka.”

  Juleka gave Picasso’s shoulder a reassuring squeeze. “Worry not. Soon Ashe will buy back his freedom from Lord Tremaine. Things will be different. Perhaps, Ashe will be able to help you too.”

  “Help me?” Picasso couldn’t help but scoff. The idea was just so ludicrous he couldn’t stop himself from blurting out those two words. He mentally kicked himself for his momentary slipup.

  “Have you ever seen Ashe fight in the coliseum?” Juleka asked pointedly.

  A dark scowl formed on Picasso’s face. “Well, no. But…” He trailed off, picturing Ashe lying on the floor with a pool of blood surrounding him.

  “Ashe is strong,” Juleka said fiercely. “He’s a true hero. He can save you. You’ll see. You no longer need fear Lord Tremaine.”

  Ashe is already dead. This foolish, naïve little princess has no idea what she’s talking about. Picasso thought cruelly in his mind. “How…wonderful,” Picasso said through gritted teeth as he forced himself to smile at Juleka. He hated the fond look Juleka currently had on her face as she lauded Ashe. Her blue-gray eyes were wide and shimmering with admiration for the man she was obviously in love with. Fucking pathetic. Picasso sneered in his mind. She’s in love with a ghost.

  That’s when Picasso noticed that Juleka appeared to be flushed and short of breath from all the dancing they’d been doing. A sly smile curled his lips. “Princess, you look tired. How about we take a break and go get some refreshments?”

  “That’s a wonderful idea, Picasso,” Juleka readily agreed. “I’m positively parched!”

  Picasso had to dip his head to hide the wide, psychotic smile that was spreading across his face at Juleka’s words. Gotcha. Picasso led Juleka across the dance floor until they came to a halt in front of a table covered in glasses of red wine. He grabbed two glasses, and stealthily added a few drops of love potion to one of the glasses before handing it to Juleka.

  “Thank you, Picasso,” Juleka said, taking the glass and brining it to her lips.

  Picasso held his breath as he watched Juleka take a sip of wine, and then quickly took a sip from his own wine glass. I have you now, Princess! Picasso crowed mentally.

  Juleka let out a wistful sigh as she watched the couples dancing across the gold marble floor. “When do you think Ashe will get here, Picasso?”

  Picasso choked on the sip of wine he’d just taken. “Don’t fret, my dear. I’m sure he’ll be here very soon. I know that if I had a lady as beautiful as you waiting for me…wild horses couldn’t keep me away.”

  Juleka blushed at the compliment, and suddenly her face felt hot. She looked down at her glass of wine and upon realizing that it was empty set the glass down on the nearby table unsteadily as a wave of dizziness washed over her. “Ugh, I don’t feel so good.”

  Picasso smoothly reached out to steady the glass before it could topple over and shatter, which would have drawn too much attention their way. He took Juleka’s arm to steady her. “I think what you need is a breath of fresh air, Princess. Why don’t we take a stroll together through the gardens?”

  Juleka nodded, and quickly stopped nodding when she suddenly felt faint. “Yes. A stroll through the gardens sounds lovely. Take me there, Picasso.” Fresh air sounded nice. Her skin felt overly hot.

  “As you wish, Princess.” Picasso guided Juleka across the dance floor, and over to the latticed glass door that opened upon the terrace, which overlooked the gardens. He opened the door, and led Juleka outside.

  Knuckles, who’d been watching his brother Picasso like a hawk, waited for a few seconds before following Picasso and Juleka outside.

  “Is there some place we could be alone?” Picasso questioned as they walked through an area of the garden that appeared to be filled with couples kissing in the shadows. A muscle ticked in his jaw out of irritation at the sight of all those lovey-dovey couples. “I have something important to talk to you about. It concerns Ashe.”

  Juleka nodded dazedly. “Ah, yes. There’s a secret garden. Come. This way.” She led Picasso over to a wall that was entirely covered with ivy. Juleka smiled cheekily at Picasso before pushing the ivy aside to reveal a hidden door. “It’s right here.” She reached into the pocket of her bell skirt, and fished out a key. Juleka was about to use the key to unlock the door when Picasso snatched the key from her.

  “Excellent, my dear,” Picasso said as he unlocked the door and opened it. “After you.” He gave the princess what he hoped was a reassuring smile.

  Juleka offered Picasso a tremulous smile in return as she stumbled inside of the garden with Picasso following close behind her. Picasso watched as Juleka walked further into the garden before he closed and locked the door behind them. Just as he was closing the door he caught sight of Knuckles hiding behind a tree that was too thin to hide the man’s large form, and Picasso shot his brother a smugly devious smile.

  Knuckles frowned as he watched Picasso shut and lock the door to the secret garden. He was tempted to break the door down and stop Picasso from deflowering Juleka since she’d been kind to him, but he was afraid of what Picasso would do to him if he interfered.

  Picasso was one scary-ass motherfucker. A shudder traveled up Knuckles’s spine as he remembered how Picasso would cackle maniacally as he carved swirls into Ashe’s chest all in the name of ‘art’.

  Knuckles scrubbed a hand down his face and groaned. “Fuck it. I’m no hero. I need a drink.” The ex-mobster decided to return to the ballroom where he intended to get piss drunk. He wanted to get so drunk that he didn’t even remember his own name, let alone who Ashe and Juleka were.

  ***

  Meanwhile at Lord Tremaine’s château a mysterious figure was stalking towards the front door. He climbed the front steps, and once he’d reached the top he knocked on the door. When seconds ticked by with no response the male whipped out his wand, waved it over himself, and suddenly the fairy was only an inch tall.

  Blue was able to fly right through the tiny keyhole on the front door, and into the château. Once the fairy was on the other side of the door he waved his wand over himself again, and his height increased until he was five-feet-tall.

  Blue lit the bronze candelabra in the entrance hall with a wave of his wand, and looked around his illuminated surroundings. Blue’s eyes widened when they landed on the fallen figure at the base of the grand staircase that was surrounded by a pool of bright red blood.

  “Ashe!” Blue ran over to Ashe’s fallen form and crouched by his side. He turned Ashe over onto his back, and his gaze lowered to the scalpel that was protr
uding from Ashe’s stomach. “Good heavens!”

  Ashe was so pale and still that for a moment Blue doubted whether or not he was still alive. Swallowing a lump of nervousness Blue leaned over Ashe and pressed his ear to the man’s chest. He held his breath as he waited to hear a heartbeat, and let out a sigh of relief when he heard one. Ashe’s heartbeat was faint, but still there.

  Blue grabbed the scalpel, pulled it out of Ashe’s stomach, and tossed it aside angrily. Next the fairy waved his wand at the wound while summoning his magical power. Blue was able to breathe easier as he watched the wound close before his very eyes. He felt a little guilty though since Blue knew that this was only a temporary solution. Fairies weren’t known for their healing magic, but they were known for their ability to manipulate time.

  A few seconds later, Ashe’s eyes flew open, and he sat up with a gasp. Blue grabbed Ashe’s shoulders to steady the young man, and calm him down. “Shhh, it’s okay. Just breathe. You’re going to be okay now.”

  Ashe was panting slightly as he gave Blue a wild-eyed look. “Who the hell are you?” Ashe demanded, but as his eyes raked over the male’s form they widened with recognition. That sky-blue hair, and sparkly blue suit made the man unmistakable. “Wait a second, I know you. You’re Blue…you were at headquarters of the Heroes’ Guild, and you were also the same fairy who tried to deliver Snow’s note to me when I was being held captive at Lady Doriana’s house.” Ashe’s eyes narrowed suspiciously at the fairy. “Are you stalking me?”

  “Stalking?” Blue sputtered, a flush rising to his pale cheeks. “How rude! I happen to be your Fairy Godfather.” The fairy puffed up his chest with obvious pride.

  “My Fairy Godfather?” Ashe raised a skeptical eyebrow. “They don’t exist.”

  “And yet here I am,” Blue said, raising his crystal wand, and willing it to glow with his magic power. He also let off a few sparks for dramatic effect. “And I just saved your life.”

  “Why?” Ashe demanded.

  “Because the fate of Glass Kingdom rests in your hands,” Blue said ominously. “You must go to the ball, and win the heart of the princess. If you don’t, and Picasso succeeds in his nefarious plan…he’ll become King, and Glass Kingdom will be doomed. Picasso will be a Puppet King that is under the control of the League of Villains. With the Kingdom’s riches at their disposal The League would be able to hire a Mercenary Army that could be used to take over the other Kingdoms in Fantasia.”