Bold Souls

Royal blood

Blake

How did I end up on the training grounds of the castle from the dining room in matter of minutes? I don't know. What I knew was that Blake's memories started to blend with mine and I knew where I was, I could recognize places and faces. Blake's stepmother was rightfully suspicious, in the original story many impostors tried to take advantage of the Emperor's desperation until they drove him crazy. It was Noah who found Blake's remains according to the original story line and that caused him so much trauma that he turned into the opposite of his old self. But Blake wasn't dead. Since I possessed the only character I knew nothing about, my knowledge of the original story seemed utterly useless. What does it matter that I know the future if the most crucial thing didn't happen? Therefore, I knew nothing, just like John Snow and it was frustrating. I stood on the training ground with a sword in my hand and a knight in front of me.

- To prove your identity, you must wind against your old teacher with the techniques his Highness taught you. - The Empress said.

- Darling! He was very young back then! Also, Blake said he lost part of his memories, how could you expect this from him? - Linett smiled with her arms crossed in front of her chest.

- Muscle memory is different from mental memory. He knew these movements, they were in his bones already for repeating them countless times with both you and Sir Joseph. If he really is Blake, this is a piece of cake. - I smiled at her reasoning. She was right, Blake's body should remember of these movements. A smile appeared on my face when I remembered what Denali said before all this started. " and they tell me that I'm a wild beast"

- Are you ready boy? - the knight Linett called Sir Joseph grabbed his sword and walked closer to me. He was scanning me from head to toe as if he was trying to memorize the last freckle on my face. I lofted the sword and greeted him with it.

- Now or never. - I said and Joseph attacked. At the moment he swung his sword towards my right shoulder, his movements slowed down and three possibilities appeared in front of me. I gasped as I recognized the features of my game. I had the option to dodge, to remain where I was or to slap his sword away with mine. I quickly dodged the attack as I noticed I've ran out of time. Joseph smiled and next time tried to attack my side, this time the little circles appeared offering me where to counterattack. I choose the snake movement and the metal of my sword rolled around his, almost knocking the sword out of his hand. After an appreciative smile, Sir Joseph began to circle around me. He was waiting for me to attack. This time, there were no circles no indications about what to do. I had to smile. We really did a great job but AI filled too many loopholes. I took a deep breath and tried to forget that I was in a world my mind dreamed of and created. I had to find Blake's muscle memories to survive this little adventure and to keep Denali safe. If they don't believe me and decide that I'm an impostor, she'll be in danger as well. I let my body move out of its freewill and I marched towards Joseph,I swung my sword pretending to attack his right side but the old man expected this and he started to defend his left. What he didn't know was that I kept attacking his right and managed to disarm him. He kneeled on the ground trying to catch his breath when the Empress said.

- What are you waiting for? Finish him. - My eyes widened and my knuckles got white from holding the sword too strongly. Is this woman crazy? Would Blake really kill his old teacher? I laughed and threw my sword, extended my arm to Sir Joseph to get up and Linett screamed.

- What are you doing? - she asked and I shrugged.

- I think that's a truce. - The Emperor laughed so hard he had to grab the fence of the training ground. He then jumped over and rushed to me as a proud father, leaving every ounce of Royal etiquette behind. He hugged me and whispered.

- My dear son, welcome back home! - I hugged him back and the sensation of love filled my chest. I became a bit emotional. As Alexander, I've lost my parents when I was very young. I grew up in several foster homes till I turned seventeen and got kicked out of the last of my homes. I've worked and studied hard to be where I was. This kind of love was something I've never experienced before and until this moment, didn't even knew I yearned for it. Edgar released me and pat my back.

- Let go back and drink something nice while you can tell us more about your adventures! - he said and I looked into Denali's red eyes. She was watching the dual from behind the fence with a judgmental eyes.

- What's wrong young lady? - Edgar asked and Denali just shrugged.

- It was interesting to watch the Empire's techniques. - she said and Sir Joseph's eyes twinkled.

- I might be old but this sounds like a challenge for me. - he said and I looked at the Emperor. He grinned and laughed.

- If the little lady wants and Sir Joseph also agrees, let's see a friendly match between them! - I leaned on the fence along with Blake's family and watched as the knight and snow ghost warmed up.

- Who do you think is going to win? - Noah asked in a soft voice and I couldn't hold myself back. I caressed his hair. He got a bit surprised but smiled happily at my sudden action. I guess Blake's muscle memory is really there. I thought and watched the pair for a while more before I've answered.

- I might be biased, but I'd bet on Denali. - Edgar turned to me and asked.

- Really? Why? - I pointed at Denali who's was getting ready for the fight.

- She is more agile, smaller and faster than Sir Joseph. Also, Denali is used to fight in restricting clothes due to the several layers against the cold of the north, being able to move this freely, will be an unfair fight. - Edgar laughed and said.

- Okay, let's bet. If your friend wins, I'll grant a wish of yours, if Sir Joseph wins, you'll grant mine. - he extended his hand and looking into his eyes I shook it.

- Deal. - some of the other knights gathered around the training grounds to watch the duel between their leader and a wild woman from the north. Edgar raised his voice and shouted.

- Let's the duel being, may the best win!