“I’m out here to save my family,” Daniel finished as he admired Doku’s beauty from head to toe. “My mates. My future. The ones who I always needed, but never knew existed. The ones who give me strength to push forward in this world. The ones I couldn’t have come this far without. I really would be lost without them.”
“Is that a fact?”
Instantly Daniel froze upon hearing the familiar woman’s metallic voice in his head. A chilling sensation spread along his right hand as he felt an ominous presence resting on it, the very same he could sense was right behind him, almost whispering into his ear.
“You would be lost without me, you foolish human,” she spoke again. Slowly Daniel glanced over his shoulder, his eye matching the soulless gaze of his inner passenger’s.
“Ragnarok,” Daniel spoke, the word almost faltering with a catch in his throat.
“You piece of shit,” Ragnarok scorned, her spectral body floating around him before hovering over the bed and sleeping harpy. “Have you seriously forgotten that it was ME who allowed you to prevail in Green Haven? It was ME who allowed you to destroy the gemini? It was ME who kept your pitiful body in one piece?”
“No, I haven’t,” Daniel cautiously remarked, finding the harsh yet empty look in Ragnarok’s eyes to very unnerving.
“Oh, is that so?” Ragnarok questioned, crossing her legs and casually looking at her fingernails. “I could have sworn you did forget about me. You haven’t spoken to me in days. You haven’t unsheathed me once to rend anyone’s flesh or spill their blood. And, oh yes. You haven’t FED ME ANY MONSTER ENERGY AT ALL!”
The thunderous boom of her voice caused Daniel to flinch and back up, hands covering his ears on reflex yet doing nothing to stave off the piercing roar of the upset weapon that echoed in his head.
“I’m starving here!” Ragnarok yelled, thrashing her arms in a fit. “It’s bad enough you keep me sheathed away in that putrid vessel you call a body for so long, but it’s a whole different sort of bullshit when you forgo your responsibilities to feed me!”
“And just how am I supposed to feed a sword?” Daniel snapped.
“I’m sorry,” Ragnarok sneered, floating towards him with a look that Daniel swore could kill anyone just as easily as the weapon itself could. “Was I not being clear? I. Need. MONSTER ENERGY! As it stands now there’s nothing inside you to sustain myself in the physical realm with, which by the way is absolutely appalling and quite infuriating, but even while trapped in your weak little soul it’s still unbearable that I have nothing to feast on! Feed me already, you fucking bastard!”
“Again, how am I supposed to do that?” Daniel shot back. “I’m human, not a magically infused monster of Eden. What am I supposed to-”
“Shush shush shush,” Ragnarok hushed, putting a finger over his mouth that only silenced him because of her sudden lunge closer. “You’re supposed to be my handler, remember? You’re supposed to wield me to cut down hordes of adversaries, to paint countrysides red with blood, to send countless souls down to the underworld, so many that they won’t know what to do with them all. That’s my purpose you know, and as my handler that makes it your new purpose as well.”
“I know I’ve got a lot to take care of around here,” Daniel dryly remarked. “But I’m pretty sure mass genocide isn’t on my to-do list.”
“Well what about keeping your weapon in respectable condition then? What about that?” Ragnarok demanded with a huff. “And I’m not talking about that paltry little butter knife you’ve got there on your hip. I’m talking about ME! I’ve been waiting for days for you to feed me, and all I’ve gotten is the cold shoulder!”
Daniel glanced down to see Doku still asleep, the harpy only stirring slightly atop the bed before Ragnarok quickly moved down to catch his focus again.
“Hey, I’m talking to you!”
With a sharp hand signal to silence her Daniel then waved her to follow as he left the bedroom. Walking out into the main court he glanced around to make sure none of his mates had returned to find him having this unpleasant conversation. Coming to a stop in the middle of the court he turned around and watched the ghostly apparition of his bloodthirsty sword floating across the hall towards him with a furious look on her face.
“Let’s get something straight here,” Daniel firmly told her. “I am thankful that I found you in my hour of need. If it wasn’t for you I wouldn’t have been able to stop the gemini, I wouldn’t have been able to save my family and friends, I wouldn’t have been able to avenge Squeak. I’m sorry I’ve kept my distance from you lately. I just needed time to… get my affairs in order and recover from the battle. I didn’t mean to be so rude and ignore you.”
“I don’t care about any of that,” Ragnarok bitterly snapped. “Look, I’ll make this simpler for you since you’re still not getting it. You don’t have to talk to me if you don’t want to, in fact if all you’ve got to talk about is peace and love and shit like that then I’d thank you to keep that drivel to yourself. And if you’re really such a weak little coward that you won’t go out there and kill a couple hundred people with me then fine, that’s your choice and I can’t stop you. I mean you do have the most powerful weapon in the world literally bound to your soul, but sure, never unsheathe it and let that tremendous potential for greatness go wanting. Whatever makes you happy.”
“Thank you for taking my happiness into consideration,” Daniel flatly mentioned.
“But I need monster energy,” Ragnarok sternly demanded. “Even while stuck here inside you I still have to feed you know. Do you have any idea how drained I feel right now? I’m so goddamn hungry for that delicious energy, it’s been so long since I last tasted it, and it’s making me REALLY CRANKY IN CASE YOU HAVEN’T NOTICED YET!”
“I have started to suspect that,” Daniel replied, again covering his ears on reflex even though it didn’t help. “But that doesn’t change the fact that I don’t know how I can-”
“Sy-ner-gy,” Ragnarok snidely retorted, halting Daniel with a startle as the woman nodded slowly with an expectant look. “You know how to perform that sort of magic, don’t you?”
“How did you know about that?” Daniel asked. “Are you able to see my memories?”
“Don’t be absurd,” Ragnarok scoffed. “If I was forced to endure the nausea-inducing boredom that is your life’s story I wouldn’t have remained silent for nearly as long. I did however overhear that word being spoken of with you recently.”
She gently touched down on the ground and began circling Daniel, watching him with a piercing glare and menacing smile that made him feel as though a Darker One wouldn’t be nearly as bad to deal with at the moment instead of her.
“Those witches who forged that tiny little shield and dull looking sword you now have, they made a curious comment that got my attention,” Ragnarok slyly said. “You’re able to forge a shield and sword of your own already with, you guessed it, monster energy, aren’t you? You’ve done so before, haven’t you? You know the magical art of Synergy.”
“Great,” Daniel sighed. “Let me guess, you’ve been eavesdropping on me this whole time.”
“I hear everything you hear, I see everything you see. Or have you forgotten that my being is now bound to you?”
She stopped behind him and placed her hands atop his shoulders, her sharpened claws leisurely drumming along the armor he had while never actually touching them.
“You have the ability to draw monster energy from those you’ve stolen the hearts of, yes? How very interesting. My old handler was the only one I thought to be able to perform such a feat. I was certainly surprised to hear that you of all things could also use such magic.”
“Just who was your old handler anyway?” Daniel questioned. “I’m rather curious who taught you such horrible manners and interests.”
“That’s irrelevant,” Ragnarok cryptically replied, walking around to face him with a harsh scowl. “The only thing we’re discussing right now is the fact that you can perf
orm Synergy to accumulate monster energy, and yet you’re continuing to starve me to this day. I’m the one you need to be taking care of now, Daniel Sorres, you are my handler after all. So take responsibility for pulling me out from the ether and FEED ME!”
“Sorry, but I’m fresh out of monster energy to give you,” Daniel retorted.
“Then make more,” Ragnarok reasoned with a fanciful wave of the hand. “That shouldn’t be a problem for you, especially right now. You have a harpy sleeping in the bedroom next to us, one who has spoken words of adoration towards you quite openly. Draw from her love and feed me.”
“I’m not just going to use Synergy on Doku while she’s sleeping. And I’m certainly not going to do so for you after you’ve been so impolite.”
“You’re the one starving me here, you’re the one who’s being an asshole! Enough stalling, I’m famished and you’ve done nothing to remedy that. Ignite her monster energy and give it to me right now! I need to feed!”
Daniel eyed her carefully as the woman showed a rather hungry leer at him. The cold, empty look behind her eyes and the ravenous nature she clearly had drawing an uncomfortable feeling from Daniel as her request seemed more sinister than anything.
“And just how am I supposed to give it to you anyway?” he asked raising an eyebrow. “Using Synergy to create a sword and shield is one thing, but how am I supposed to… feed you the energy that I collect?”
“It’s easier than you think,” Ragnarok said as she waved off his question. “Channel the energy with Synergy and focus on giving it to me. All you have to do is concentrate on funneling the power into me instead of you like you’ve done before. Don’t worry, the process is quite easy and safe, it’s not going to hurt you if that’s what you’re concerned about.”
“I distinctly remember the sensation of being on fire when I held you in your weapon form,” Daniel pointed out.
“That’s because you had hardly any monster energy in you to sustain me,” she scoffed. “It’s one thing to summon me into the physical realm, but for me to simply feed while I’m still inside you is another entirely. Relax, you’re not going to wither up like a dried husk or feel your blood boiling when I do so. I’ll just be taking the energy you’re calling upon and absorbing it into my being, that’s all. A simple transfer from you to me, that’s all this is and it’ll be over before you know it.”
“So it won’t hurt me at all?”
“Nope, not at all. I promise.”
“And what about Doku?” Daniel said with a harsh glare. To that Ragnarok showed a weak smile and averted her eyes from him, something he suspected would be the reaction. Stepping closer to Ragnarok he observed her holding her tongue, the woman slowly turning to face him with a small grimace while offering no reply.
“What happens to my mate when I channel her monster energy, only to have you gobble it up?” Daniel demanded again. “Answer me, Ragnarok. That’s an order.”
“What do you think happens?” she said, a bitter smirk appearing. “Her energy flows into me and satisfies my hunger.”
“And what happens to her then?”
“Nothing,” Ragnarok replied with a shrug. “Nothing at all will happen to her… unless I take a little too much from her of course.”
“What do you mean if you take too much from her?” Daniel sharply asked. “You’re not the one channeling her monster energy into my body, I’m the one who-”
He then stopped as the truth of what Ragnarok was implying hit him. Pausing for a moment he questioned if it was possible, and after careful consideration of what she meant he found no other explanation.
“You’re not taking the energy from me,” he said with anger and disgust coming over him. “It never reaches me to begin with. You’re taking it directly from her. You don’t need me to collect it, you just want the bond between us formed from Synergy so you can use it to take her monster energy yourself!”
“That is how it works, yes,” Ragnarok snidely remarked. “Once you relinquish the link between you and that harpy to me, I’m able to siphon her monster energy freely. It is more beneficial for me to have you get her suitably worked up beforehand so she’s able to offer more to me all at once, but that is of course at your discretion seeing as you’re my handler. I don’t mind how I get it, so long as I’m able to satisfy my hunger in the end.”
“You’re not a weapon, you’re a parasite,” Daniel realized. “You want to drain Doku’s life away like a leech.”
“Truth be told, my old handler used to offer me dozens of suitable… meals at once to keep me adequately fed and ready to fulfill my purpose. I must say I’m quite relieved to see that you are able to do the same as well. I look forward to tasting the energy from your very… diverse collection.”
“You want to kill them,” Daniel breathed out. “You’ll kill those I love just to feed yourself.”
“A small price to pay for quality upkeep of your perfect weapon,” Ragnarok humbly admitted. “What’s the big deal? You have plenty of women surrounding you, you obviously have a knack for attracting potential mates with… whatever it is you do. I wasn’t aware being a weak little human was what the ladies wanted these days, but if that’s what they desire then so be it.”
“No way. No way! I won’t do that to them!” Daniel shouted.
“Stop being so selfish and feed me!” Ragnarok demanded with a stomp of her foot. “I’m bound to your soul now, remember? I’m not going anywhere so you need to get used to that! If you’re not going to wield me to lay waste to this country then fine, that’s your loss. But whether you unsheathe me or not I still need to be fed, I’ve got needs you know! It’s really annoying being left hungry in my sheath, hardly a fitting destiny for a weapon as great as I. So quit bitching and link that harpy’s soul with Synergy so I can finally eat!”
“You’re asking me to sacrifice my mates in order to satisfy you,” Daniel argued in revulsion. “There’s absolutely no way I’m going to offer Doku’s life in exchange for your pleasure.”
“Alright, keep your pet bird if she means that much to you,” Ragnarok scoffed. “I don’t care who’s energy you feed me, I’m not picky. Just go steal another monster’s heart and let me eat her instead.”
“I don’t think you’re hearing me right, I’m sorry. Let me try this a different way. I’m never going to do that to anyone!”
“Why not?”
“For one I’m not going to kill someone just to make you happy,” Daniel reasoned as he counted on his fingers. “Another is I’m not looking to woo any more girls, I’ve got more than enough mates as it is. And third, even if I did capture someone else’s heart I certainly wouldn’t use them as a sacrificial lamb to appease you with.”
“I don’t think you’re hearing me right, Daniel Sorres,” Ragnarok threatened as she floated over in front of his face. “I’m not going anywhere. I’m always going to be here, inside your body, in the back of your mind, caressing your soul. I’m never going to leave you alone, ever. You pulled me from the ether. You used me to slay the gemini before they could kill you. You wanted to become my handler. This is the path you’ve chosen for yourself.”
“I never chose to kill others simply for your pleasure,” Daniel argued. “I never agreed to harm innocent people just to make you happy. I’m not going to feed you anything, not if it means harming my beloved mates.”
“Fine,” Ragnarok slyly said with a bitter smile. “How about a compromise? What if I only feed off her until she’s just about to die, and then stop before she does? I promise I won’t get carried away and devour everything inside her. You have my word.”
“I don’t trust you,” Daniel scorned. “I don’t need Falla’s advice to know you’re lying right now. I can see it clearly in your eyes, your smile, your aura of malice. If I offer you the chance to take anything from my mates I know you’ll steal everything from them, you’ll kill them right in front of me without the slightest bit of remorse. I will never let that happen.”
“F
EED ME NOW!” Ragnarok roared, her voice booming like thunder in Daniel’s ears as he tried to keep his stern glare focused on her. “I don’t care who you take it from, just use Synergy to make me a fucking meal right now! I’m hungry!”
“The handler doesn’t take orders from the weapon,” Daniel sharply countered, earning a furious growl from Ragnarok as her clenched fists trembled at her sides. “I’m telling you right now, Ragnarok, I will never hurt my mates just to appease you. That is something I can never do. That being the case, cease your futile begging, I don’t care to hear another word of it.”
“You… miserable little…” Ragnarok snarled, her eyes almost seeming to be burning with rage. “How dare you do this to me. Trapping me inside your reeking body, ignoring me, starving me, treating me like… like…”
“Like an object?” Daniel quipped. “Like you’re nothing but a tool? What’s wrong, I thought that was what you wanted. Isn’t that what you strive to be in this world? Nothing more than a tool?”
“I hate you so much,” Ragnarok growled. “You are without question the most detestable handler I’ve ever had.”
“I’m not overly fond of you either. Do us both a favor and crawl back into your hole within my mind. I have other matters to focus on, I’ll deal with you later. For now, I’ve heard more than enough about you and what you want from me, and I will have no part of it.”
“You can’t do this to me!” Ragnarok yelled as Daniel walked through her image towards the bedroom. “I’m Ragnarok, Eden’s ultimate weapon! My purpose is to slay entire armies and provinces with my power, to strike fear into the hearts of all those who live on this accursed rock, not remain entombed in your pathetic soul like a forgotten relic! You goddamned fool, you could rule the world by holding me in your hands! Nobody could oppose you! Nobody could stop you! You could have everything!”
“I already have everything,” Daniel replied, glancing back to see the woman thrashing her arms in a tirade. “I have a loving family, beautiful mates, and the strength to protect them. I’m going to bring change to Eden, we all are, that’s been my goal all this time, but it’s not anything like you seem to want or envision. And it’s not something you’re going to be a part of if this is how you truly are.”
Chronicles of Eden - Season II - Act I Page 29