Skip Navigation
After a successful mission... [Sepulchure]
Kiem
Rookie
Posts: 20
|
Post by Kiem on Aug 1, 2021 19:45:39 GMT
What’s in a name?
It was not by coincidence that Kiem was his name. After all, his creators had a propensity to name their creations aptly based on traits instilled. Kiem… kind of knew this. He did not know who his creators were, or even really thought about it, but he knew why his name was Kiem.
‘Kiem’, or more accurately, ‘Kiếm’, is the Vietnamese name for ‘sword’. They have a famous lake called ‘Hồ Hoàn Kiếm’, or ‘Lake of the Returned Sword’. Legend says that while boating on the lake, Emperor Lê Lợi was approached by a turtle god living in the lake and conferred a legendary sword, one that he used to fight off invaders, before returning the sword to the lake. Hence, the aptly named lake.
The imagery here is not coincidental. Turtles are revered in Vietnam, as with dragons, phoenixes, and kirins - the same legendary beasts revered in other cultures like that of Japan - and, of course, the Digital World. Ebonwumon, Zhuqiaomon, Azulongmon, and Baihumon respectively, these four sovereign Digimon guards the four directions of the Digital World. It was also not coincidental then, that in his Champion form that has already been dictated, Kiem has a particular affinity for water and against fire.
But more importantly, this speaks to the power of the sword. A sword and shield is often used to represent the offense and defense respectively, but swords can also be used in defense - it all depends on the wielder’s intentions. And is that not the whole schtick behind the Zubamon digivolution line?
"If held by an angel, it will save the world, and if held by a demon, it will destroy the world."
Or something like that.
Kiem sighed, staring across the verdant rolling hills of green ahead of him.
No, he failed to be the shield he needed to be.
And now, here he was, sat atop the tallest hill, staring out into the distance. His vaguely humanoid figure folded down in depression, knowing he had failed himself. Well, he succeeded in helping that village defend against the bandits, destroying them and preventing their assault forever, but they did lose their best warrior because of him.
Sigh.
|
|
Deleted
Deleted Member
Posts: 0
|
Post by Deleted on Aug 1, 2021 19:54:13 GMT
Sep didn’t really know why he was out here; he had lost a considerable level of his power and there wasn’t much that he could do to grow rapidly without some kind of great amount of effort on his part. While he wasn’t against it he cursed his desire to help silence which ultimately led to him losing his contract and his power.
Growling to himself the wispmon threaded through some trees with his trot; he wasn’t moving all too quickly due to the smaller mon still somewhat unused to his smaller form. He liked his quadrupedal ones a bit better even if this one had a better hand for grasping… even if it was on his bloody tail.
The mon was grumbling to himself still when he finally came to what amounted to the mainframe hills again. His glowing orange eyes rolling throughout and eventually settled on a mon sitting on a hill all by themselves. It was a type that he recognized; not because he had spent a lot of time around them but because he knew about them from the various mons he did deal with.
They were powerful companions and often had wielders of higher level or of at least equal level. But this one was all on it’s own. Was it waiting for someone? Or perhaps maybe they were on their own trying to find their way in the world much like sep was.
Gritting his teeth the wispmon trotted forward; stopping at the base of the hill that the Zubamon sat on for a few long moments before clearing his throat. He had done this earlier with a renamon hadn’t he? But they weren't made to fight like he or this golden one in front of him.
”Can’t help but see you’re alone out here. You doing all right? Your kind usually have someone with em.”
|
|
Kiem
Rookie
Posts: 20
|
Post by Kiem on Aug 1, 2021 20:25:07 GMT
One way that Kiem could be described, was that he was a soldier, both by training and through the way his personality was rendered. Thus, the throat-clearing did definitely catch Kiem's attention, but Kiem did not shudder or flinch in response. Instead, he simply snapped back to reality immediately, his regimented character kicking in.
Kiem stood up and turned around to face Sep at the bottom of the hill as the Wispmon's conversation starter rang out to him.
This Digimon species... Kiem has not seen anything like it before. Although he was not preparing for a battle, Kiem's analysis of the Wispmon immediately kicked in behind the scenes, even as Kiem started making his way down to the foot of the hill.
"Greetings. Yes, you are right. My kind often have companions, though I have yet to find a permanent one. In the interim, we do often offer our temporary services to those who we deem worthy, though even then, my last companion..." Kiem drifted off, just for a moment. "Concluded our contract a few days back."
Alright, what did we have here. Judging from what seems like a fiery core and the coloring gradient, the Digimon in front of him could be a fire type. Kiem could easily handle fire in his programmed Champion form, but he did not have access to that yet. He could not make out any obvious arms, though the tail did end in a hand. The way the claws faced implied it was a 'left-handed'... hand, which would likely mean attacks from the claw-tail would come from the left. Kiem would need to be ready to defend on his right then, and also meant if he struck from his left side, that might be a good way to make use of an opening.
Of course, this was all hypothetical combat analyses. Kiem was not exactly being defensive and ready to fight per se - after all, he had yet to judge what kind of being he was interacting with. But if anything bad was to happen, he was ready.
|
|
Deleted
Deleted Member
Posts: 0
|
Post by Deleted on Aug 1, 2021 20:46:58 GMT
Seeing that the other was quick to react to Sep’s throat clearing brought the wispmon’s curiosity back in full force. He’d eye the zubamon in front of him; wondering what their story was and what sort of person they were. Not many held themselves in this way even though soldiers, mercs and their ilk were very common.
Sepulchure’s posture was relaxed; he wasn’t a threat to friendly digimon. Only ferals, bandits and other individuals of hostile nature would find any sort of threat from him. He’d raise a brow at hearing the other’s explanation. This zubamon hadn’t found a permanent partner to wield them?
Then that must have meant that either they were very young or had just recently… Hearing that the other’s contract had concluded sepulchure studied the individual in front of him. He didn’t think that they were the sort to lie. Not with the way they spoke or the way they held themselves.
”It can be rough to find a permanent companion even if you aren’t a weapon type now days. The name’s Sepulchure. What’s yours?”
Noting that pause however the Wispmon had to wonder what way did this companion’s contract end? Was it death? Or did they have differences and go their separate ways. His brow furrowed a bit and he’d shift to rub at his chin with his tail hand.
”Well I know bandits are plentiful in this area so you might want to be careful. I haven’t run into any yet but that’s probably because they’re wary of patrols now days.”
|
|
Kiem
Rookie
Posts: 20
|
Post by Kiem on Aug 1, 2021 20:58:06 GMT
Kiem nodded in response. His programming did not quite include up to date information on the status of the Digital World, but what little he had saw was enough to affirm Sepulchure's statements.
"My name is Kiem." He introduced, noting that Sepulchure's hand-tail moved in the direction he thought it would go. Great analytical programming he definitely received. Kiem thanked his creators, whoever or whatever they may be. Kiem's expression turned into a smile. "That is absolutely true. I was actually part of one of those patrols recently, assigned on a mission just before my most recent one. I aided some knight-type Digimon to help clear out some bandit hideouts, especially surrounding Rosewood City. What about you? What brings you to this area?" |
|
Deleted
Deleted Member
Posts: 0
|
Post by Deleted on Aug 1, 2021 21:12:52 GMT
The wispmon could feel Kiem’s eyes on him, or at least in a nature that wasn’t simply looking. Sep didn’t have an issue with it; the other could look at him all he liked. Not like the wispmon felt any hostility from the mon here. The hand would go back to behind him; his thinking done for immediacy the smaller mon didn’t really need to rub at his chin anyways!
”Seems pretty straightforward. I am a squire or at least I was a squire under Silence from the knights of the rose. She’s my liege. Or was. Now I’m simply doing patrols since i have nothing better to do.”
Sep gave a shrug of his shoulders; there wasn’t much to be said about where he came from. Ironically the both of them seemed to be aiding the knights in some way or another. Or rather this one had aided a group of knight type digimon. He knew of a few guards that fit that description.
”They’re the team that are based out of that flying island outside of rosewood if you’re wondering.”
Sep gave a small wave of his hand; noting that the other was smiling for some odd reason. Sep didn’t necessarily feel friendly towards this mon just yet but he certainly wasn’t going to just outright attack someone that was being cordial.
”So I’ll be finishing up my patrol and maybe going on from there. Not sure yet. Freedom is a strange thing.”
|
|
Kiem
Rookie
Posts: 20
|
Post by Kiem on Aug 1, 2021 22:00:07 GMT
A squire... sounded great. To be able to help serve somebody that was deemed honorable enough for knighthood. To clarify, Kiem aided some knight-type Digimon, though he was sure they were not exactly knights per se, at least not yet. They did speak highly of their organization, though... Kiem thought it was not the Knights of the Rose? Why could he not remember this well? Something was odd about this particular memory...
Either way.
He knew what Sepulchure meant with freedom. For many a Digimon, freedom may be the ultimate prize. But for soldiers like Kiem, freedom just meant the inability to feel needed, the inability to see his future, the inability to feel belonging.
Perhaps it was time Kiem sought out something more permanent.
"This may be very sudden and straightforward, but I would like to ask if I could maybe accompany you back to your headquarters?"
It was perhaps not a request one would make of someone they just met, but Kiem was programmed to be direct where possible, and more importantly, honest in his intentions. To him, there was rarely a case where he needed or should lie. The truth holds its own inherent power, and was in itself a testament to the confidence one wields. After all, if one willingly and knowingly handicaps themselves, would that not speak to their capacity?
Anyways, that was a bit of a sidetrack. It was not as if Kiem was about to enter a fight or anything like that.
"I am ready to offer up my services to a worthy cause again, and I think your order is a suitable candidate."
|
|
Deleted
Deleted Member
Posts: 0
|
Post by Deleted on Aug 4, 2021 6:02:30 GMT
Sep couldn’t help but tilt his head to one side as the other in front of him seemed to be thinking something over. Though upon being asked if he could accompany Sepulchure back to his headquarters the wispmon hesitated for a few long moments.
”Truth be told we did just meet and while I doubt that you could seriously pose a threat to anyone there…”
There was a host of reasons that he could list and those orange orbs slowly drifted over the zubamon’s form. The silence stretched and stretched and stretched until it was practically deafening… and then Sepulchure spoke plainly and honestly.
”It wouldn’t be right of a squire to drag someone to a headquarters with the ideal of inducting a member in when he isn’t one properly himself.”
Sep wasn’t a knight. He was a squire; which in laymans terms was something that he felt was worthless. The wispmon leaned slightly and after a few moments he had a thought. Offering himself to a worthy cause and if the order was suitable… well sep had a suggestion.
”But my desire is to be one. And a knight is no good without a weapon. If you’re seeking a cause and someone to wield you? Look no further on the latter and we can try together to become knights of the rose. I can at least take you to rosewood where we’re based out of so we can talk but... ”
The wispmon extended his hand to shake the other’s; honest in his eyes. Sep knew that Zubamons made powerful weapons and he was loathe to let such an ally go given his temperament.
”We can grow together and try to be knights. Even if they don’t take us who’s to say we can’t do better on our own while keeping their ideals in our hearts? So how bout it Kiem? Be my sword?”
|
|
Kiem
Rookie
Posts: 20
|
Post by Kiem on Aug 9, 2021 3:38:06 GMT
Kiem noticed the hesitation and knew that he had said something that could have been phrased or iterated better. The realization would not cause Kiem to necessarily change the way he speaks in the future, for he did not believe he necessarily said something wrong. But it was something he was now taking into consideration as he would listen to Sep’s response.
Indeed, it took just a bit of time, but Sep finally responded.
Carefully considered words, then…
A first part of a response, before a longer wait, as no doubt Sep was considering what to say next. Though Kiem was glad what came next was to the point.
And then finally, the offer, with the hand-tail extended.
There was not too much to mull over for Kiem. He had gone through similar situations before.
Somewhere along the way, Kiem’s smile had slowly regressed. Not enough to turn it into a frown though. After all, there was no reason for Kiem to be discouraged or feel any semblance of anger in this situation. Kiem took most things by stride, so few situations could cause him to overreact. Smiling again, Kiem reached out as well with his hand, but stopped just short of actually shaking Sep’s hand.
Two reasons. First, Kiem has claws. He has learnt very early on that he generally should be careful when interacting with others, lest he accidentally damage them. So he tended to leave the choice to shake his hand to whoever he was interacting with instead. Second, was because he still had one last thing to say before they sealed the deal.
”Your offer is much appreciated and every bit reasonable. I agree to your terms, though with an added condition of myself. It will be good to get to know you better over this… alliance. However, if at any time you or I feel comfortable, we can part ways. Deal?”
Will Sep accept the offer and take his hand? Kiem hoped so.
A sword is only as powerful as its wielder. But a wielder’s strength now may only be a fraction of that of another’s in the future. That is to say, Kiem perhaps might find himself a more powerful wielder now than Sep - for at the end of it all, Kiem had barely known Sep. But, that did not influence even one bit of his decisions. The only thing he cared about was that Sep’s motives were good, that Sep wanted to do good, and that Kiem would be able to help Sep do so. Those are the only three factors, and also the only factors Kiem would consider to break the alliance in the future. For now, Kiem trusted Sep’s words, and thus there was no reason for Kiem not to enter into this alliance.
|
|
|
