RANKED 1st BY VOTERS IN CHARACTER CREATION CONTEST #124
Date | The Beheading Game, Part 2: | View | Read the... |
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11/02/22 | The Origin of Ulrich The Unnatural | (Blog) (Forum) | Disclaimer |
Rating | Rating Explanation | Last Issue: |
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T | Well... beheading, y'know? | .Why Is The Green Knight Still Dead?. |
"It was the second time that I got the scar."
Cú Chulainn shook his head. "Young man, once again you show that you did not 'study' as much as you claim."
"First of all," said Gawain, "you have it backwards. It was my first time challenging the Green Knight that I took his cloak. It was the second time that I got the scar."
Again, Ulrich was shaken. "Then... then by all rights, you should be dead. Why would the Green Knight have spared you? Especially after the first challenge?"
"For the same reason he spared me," said Cú Chulainn, now calm. "He showed his true honor."
Ulrich scowled at this with confusion. He looked at the floor as if searching it for answers. "But... he deceived his opponent, concealing the sash that would keep him from harm... that he accepted from the Knight's wife when she tried to seduce him. Where's the honor in that?"
Cú Chulainn smiled which somehow made his jowls a little more pronounced. "The scar was for the deception, which Gawain showed appropriate contrition for, and the Knight even forgave him for, calling him blameless. That's not why he spared him though. It was because of why he took up the quest to begin with."
"To impress his uncle, King Arthur?"
Clearly guessing, and clearly lost, Ulrich said, "To impress his uncle, King Arthur? To volunteer, despite being the youngest knight?"
"No," said Cú Chulain gently, leaning forward. "He didn't volunteer to impress Arthur. He volunteered to go in Arthur's place- the highest honor anyone can ever show. As I told you: this is a test of honor- of one's character. In this, you have failed."
"I didn't understand the test!" Ulrich protested. "I thought it was a test of battle prowess! I fought the knight with that in mind! I feared for my life, and I defended myself! Doesn't that count for anything here?"
"Master Ulrich," said Bradamante. "This is a school. It's called the Beheading Game. Did you really think we would allow you to die? Have you learned so little during your time at the Phrontistery?" she asked with distress.
At last, Ulrich looked ashamed, hanging his head. He said nothing.
"What did you do with the Green Knight's body, Ulrich?"
"What did you do with the Green Knight's body, Ulrich?" Gawain asked.
Head still hanging, Ulrich held his hands palms up, as if considering all he'd done. He remained quiet for several seconds, then answered, "I put it somewhere safe while I considered what to do next."
"Next?" asked Cú Chulain.
"All this happened because I was afraid," confessed Ulrich. "I've been thinking about how I could conquer that fear. How I could keep this terrible test from happening to anyone else. How I could pay for what I've done."
"Ulrich," Bradamante said with concern, "what did you do with the Green Knight?"
Still looking at his palms, Ulrich clenched them into fists as he drew them in close, then unclenched them, and spread them apart as if he was dropping handfuls of sand into the wind. Then he gave a sharp clap, and spread his hands out palms up again. A straight line of emerald flame burned between his hands and across his palms, revealing a glowing, pale green blade as the flames died down. "I bound his vitality to this brand. I call it Chartreuse... I think the reason for that is obvious," he said as he admired it.
"I call it Chartreuse... I think the reason for that is obvious."
Bradamante blanched at the sight of the blade. "You made a soul sword?"
"That is forbidden! Even here at Lakagígar with our dark arts!" Cú Chulain cried out.
"Why, Ulrich?" pleaded Gawain.
"Because I was afraid!" screamed Ulrich. "Don't you understand?! But I saw a way to not be afraid any longer! Even as the Green Knight has had many challengers, he's also had many names! The Green Knight. Cú Roi. Bertilak de Hautedesert. Al-Khidr. That's just a few." He pointed the blade toward the Council, and continued, "It was Al-Khidr that gave me the idea of how not to be afraid. You see, he drank the Water of Life."
"No," Bradamante said weakly.
"Yes!" Ulrich seethed triumphantly. "Al-Khidr became immortal. That's how the Green Knight could pick up his own head and put it back on again. My fear is of death? Then perhaps I should do as Al-Khidr, and defeat death once and for all!" With that, Ulrich gripped the sword's hilt with both hands, and prepared to plunge it into his own belly.
"No!" shouted Gawain.
"Do not do this!" warned Cú Chulain.
"It's unnatural!" Bradamante said in shuddering horror.
Ulrich plunged Chartreuse into his belly...
It was too late. Ulrich plunged Chartreuse into his belly all the way up to the hilt. Although he clearly felt the pain of it going in, it did not protrude through his back. Instead, it was absorbed, merging with his own soul. As it did so, emerald fire spread from the wound across his body, turning his skin and hair green as it went. "Yes!" he shouted. "But I am immortal all the same! 'Unnatural' it may be, but from this day forth, you may call me by that name: Ulrich the Unnatural!" With that, a green fog billowed out in all directions, and he was gone.
Please let me know what you think, and thanks! -cb | Originally Presented In: CCC #124. |
Story and characters owned by Chris Bishop, copyright 2022.
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