DD mini-origin: A charming minstrel

DD mini-origin: A charming minstrel

The forest was quiet, the only sounds being made by three figures traversing it. Two elves, one male, the other female, and a human. And all of them white-skinned.
The human wore armour from the finest steel and had a massive claymore on his back, with no helmet, so his blue eyes and short brown hair were clearly visible. The male elf wore what looked like a green robe, here and there reinforced with leather and had two scimitars ready to cut any foe in a lightning fast flurry of slashes. His long golden hair was tied into a long braid and the two brown eyes of his watched the surroundings, expecting danger to come at any moment. And last, there was her. Dressed in an azure robe, she walked slightly behind them, sub consciously reciting the ancient words with which to cast one of her spells. Her short silver hair was beautiful and her green eyes could enchant many a man.

A peculiar group, one could say. Of course, adventurers always gathered in such strange groups, always seeking riches in distant lands. This particular trio was looking for the Mirthanar dungeon, which was located deep within the forest of the same name.
And luck didn't seem to be on their sider, for, after five long hours, no clue about the dungeon's whereabouts had surfaced. And the human was getting irritated.
“Are you two sure the tales about the dungeon weren't just, well, tales?”
“Yes, Martellus, I am certain they are not.”
“You better be, Dalius. It was your idea to come here, after all.”
Those two always got into petty fights when there was nothing better to do. And Lindara was always there to make them stop.
“Knock it off, you two. You'll attract every creature in a two mile radius...”
They both said, in a mocking tone, as always:
“Sooooorryyyyyy.”
In a few minutes, they reached a small clearing and decided to take a little break. The two melee fighters sat close to each other, playing cards, while she rested at the base of a tall tree, her eyes closed. Walking in such terrain can be so tiring. Suddenly, somewhere from above her, a beautiful melody came. It was so calming. And a voice came soon after:
“Who has entered my stage? Could it be a mage?”
Her eyes shot open to see her two companions already clutching their blades. A look upwards revealed the source of the voice.
There, upon an especially thick branch, sat a humanoid figure. He wore green clothes, which wouldn't look out of place on a jester, with small 'horns' on his hat. He also wore green gloves, but the most interesting thing was his mask. It looked like a simple tragedy face, split in half by blue and purple. The blue half showed a sad face, while the purple a happy one. His green eyes were only barely visible through the differently-shaped eye holes. And the harp he carried! Golden, with images of angels on the sides and shining strings. Truly wondrous.

While the other two still had battle stances, Lindara was calm.
“Who are you?”
With a swift and graceful movement, he landed on the ground next to her. His finger never seemed to leave his harp.
“Darken's my name, here to spread fame! Fame of long-dead heroes, who were certainly no zeros!”
Martellus was not amused.
“Oh, great. A bard.”
“Oh, yes, a bard I am, your ears I shall ram! Ram with godly tunes, over many afternoons! Now, put away your blades, stop building the palisades!”
“Palisades? This is why I hate bards. You make no sense.”
“I meant palisades between me and you, which I could not shout through! Perhaps you should give food to your brain, it is currently too plain!”
The warrior turned red, while Dalius grinned and she giggled.
“Did you come here just to mock me?! If so, I would leave if I was you.”
“I have come to help with your quest, the one that made you quite stressed!”
Her interest rose quickly.
“You can help us?”
“Oh, I can indeed and do so with speed! You see, I know the path you must tread. Normally, you would need some thread! But with me as a guide, you can make quite a stride! Please, let me join, my services are cheap!”

Martellus grinned, thinking the bard had missed a rhyme. But then, Dalius spoke:
“How much would 'cheap' be in your book?”
“I only wish a single coin! The rest, you can reap!”
The grin disappeared, replaced by a whisper:
“Damn, he's good.”
“What do you say? Shall I show you the way?”
Not letting the other two respond, she answered.
“We'd be delighted!”
“An enchanting lady who is smart, too? Let's see how many pebbles get in my shoe! Off we go, definitely not with woe!”
And he started walking and playing at the same time, Lindara right next to him, with a very slight blush, and two confused warriors right behind.

******

He led through forgotten paths in the forest, never doubting the direction in which he turned. This seemed a bit curious to her.
“How do you know the path so precisely?”
“I have traveled it many times, thinking of my rhymes.”
“Why would you travel here often?”
“You are not the first band seeking. And so far, you are not shrieking.”
“Shrieking?”
“Creatures of dark sometimes lurk along these paths. They are terrible and don't take baths. And a guardian is at its gates, everything living he hates.”
Martellus spoke:
“I knew there'd be a catch.”
“A catch is always present, otherwise, it would be too pleasant. Now, we must hurry! Before I get more furry!”

And so, they continued. She could suddenly feel a faint presence in front of them. They reached the edge of the trees. They hid in some bushes and watched. A massive, humanoid boar-beast stood in front of what looked like a steel gate, which seemed to somehow avoid the vegetation around it. The creature had a massive axe in its hand and blood around its maw.
Darken whispered:
“The guardian is in sight, ready to show his might. Before you reach the treasure, your power he shall measure.”
“How many has that thing killed?”
“A hundred, at least, it is quite a beast!”
“Doesn't look so tough.”
“Definitely slow.”
“And magic can bring down anything.”
“Good luck, my friends. We shall see, if your road ends!”
With that, the minstrel swiftly made his way to the treetops and watched, while playing his harp, alerting the beast.
“Okay. Me and Darius distract it, you finish it off with some hocus pocus.”
“Got it.”

Martellus moved first, barely blocking in time to stop the monster's furious axe-swipe. The elvish bladedancer got behind the brute and slashed both its legs, making it fall to the ground, roaring in pain. Lindara's eyes then lit up with blue and a freezing ray shot from her fingers. The boar-beast was reduced to a mere statue and even that was soon smashed into small pieces by Martellus.

And in the blink of an eye, Darken was with them again.
“And so, the guardian is slain! I am sure he felt much pain!”
But the human felt something was amiss.
“That was too easy. How could that thing have killed so many people?”
“That had been long ago, perhaps age had made it slow? I know not, I avoid this spot. Now, come for the riches! I know your finger itches!”
And carelessly, he went ahead, the others behind.

The insides were dark, yet void of any hint of death. They really were the first here! Lindara suddenly found a question worth asking:
“Why do you live in this forest, anyway?”
“It is a charming place, I think. Filled with beauty, to the brink. Living here is in chore, I always want more!”
“Don't you get lonely, without anyone around?”
“It is true, that there are few groups like you. But I am content, with the time spent. Though, few I see are like yourself. You are indeed an enchanting elf!”
She blushed again, but more visibly.
“You're just trying to make me feel shy!
“Not at all! Those are no lies I would scrawl! You are a true beauty! Saying that, is not my duty!”
She looked at him with those emerald eyes... and tripped over a rock. But she did not fall, for the bard swiftly caught her and helped her stand again.
“Are you alright? You are also quite light!”
“Yes, I'm fine. Thank you.”
She could see the genuine smile through the mask's mouthhole.
“Good to hear! Now, let us collect some gear!”
After some more walking and Lindara not noticing the funny looks from the two melee fighters, they reached a large chamber. It was large and oval, supported by four large pillars. And in its middle, a vast pile of treasures rested. Silver, gold and gems, all just waiting to be plundered.
“Look at all this loot!”
“Impressive indeed.”
“Almost magical!”
“Enought with the puns, it's time for some runs! Runs for gold, to the touch cold!” and with that, he ran to the pile and grabbed a single gold coin. And then placed it in his pocket, “my pay is collected, but the rest will not be rejected!”
The three moved to the pile as well, Lindara first. She noticed a beautiful crimson jewel on top of the pile. It was large, oval and seemed to shine with a faint light.
“Beautiful!”
Unbeknowst to any of them, the bard watched her hands come closer to the treasure, fighting a battle within his body. In the end, it was his heart, not mind, which won.
“STOP, YOU MUST! Or you shall turn to dust!”
Her hands, as well as everyone else's were far from the riches.
“What are you talking about, bard?!” Martellus screamed.
“No time for words, you must leave with the speed of birds!”
“But...”
“Enchanting beauty, ask me not! Go now, if you wish not to rot!”
Before any of them could react, a metal block fell before the entrance and black barriers appeared around the three adventurers, trapping them.
“Nooooo!”
“You treacherous weakling!”
From the shadows, a large black hand appeared. It was covered by scales and some spikes. It moved at frightening speeds and grabbed the bard, then threw him into a nearby wall, seemingly knocking him out
“Darken!” she screamed
“That's better! I will dish out more punishment later.” a massive creature appeared before them. Along with scales and spikes, there also seemed to be small gems of every colour in its skin, pulsating with energy. Its torso was humanoid, but its lower half six legs, all of which were back-jointed. The head was hidden by shadow, save for two glowing purple eyes, “for now, it is time to feast!”
“I knew we shouldn't have listened to a bard! That treacherous...”
“Haahahahahah! He is a traitor to me. Which is a bad idea, since I have his soul.”
Martellus' expression changed from fury to confusion. The other two screamed with him:
“What?!”
“Heheheh. Yeees. You see, there is a curse upon every object in this pile. If any creature touches it, its soul is mine to devour. But I knew the bard would be a perfect tool, with which I could lure more adventurers like yourselves here. Of course, if he doesn't comply, I torture his very spiritual essence. Grand, is it not?”
“You're sick!”
“Hahahahahah! Yeeeeesssss! I am Metelios, demon from the depths! I exist to bring pain and corrupt. Now, I am simply starving. I'll start with you, mage. Souls of the magically gifted are a delicacy, you know. Heheheheh.”
The demon approached, intent on devouring her. And she screamed. That scream was all it took to wake him back up. Without hesitating, without fear of what could happen if his plan failed. The bard's only thoughts were about saving her.

He grabbed a golden dagger from the pile of treasures and ran straight for Metelios. The three watched in surprise, as he jumped onto the demon's back and rammed the dagger near one of the gemstones. It seemed to get a bit loose. He then grabbed it with his left hand, hoping it was the right one.
“Graaaaghhh! You really are a pest!” a wave of force sent Darken flying again, “you serve me for two hundred years and you start fighting back now? I stopped your aging, you should be thankful!”
In their barriers, each of the trio whispered the number.
“Thankful for slavery? I'd rather substitute it for bravery! Now, this is your final hour. Time to show you my power!”
In his hand, there was a red gemstone, which he crushed. A vortex of red light appered around him and then became one with Darken.
Metelios was genuinely amused.
“So, you have your soul back... but power? What power could a mere bard have? You are a weakling!”
“You should have opened your eyes and have been more wise! For under these clothes, an energy flows! I was afraid of failure before, but those times are no more! I fight not for me, but for them! To the depths you, I shall condemn.”
“Not likely!”
“We shall see, if any god favors thee!”
His fingers touched the strings of the harp, creating a soothing melody. But soothing the beast was not the plan.
“Fool!”
The demon approached, ready to tear his ex-servant in half. But the bard responded quickly:
“A chorus of angels shall bring light!”
The angelic images on his harp opened their mouths. Forth came beautiful voices, which filled the entire room. And from behind him, rays of light illuminated the chamber, burning the demon's flesh.
“Aaaaaaaghhhh! What is this?!”
The bard ignored his former slaver and continued:
“Wails of banshees shall freeze you with fright!”
A wave of cold swept over the room, while the songs turned into incredibly loud screeching, the angelic images now horrible beings. The demon's left arm turned into ice.
“Wha?! No!”
“Roars of Ifrits shall make you melt!” the terrible female images turned into ones of djin-like beings and the other arm burst into flames. The demon did not know what was worse... the flames or the cold. And then, came the finale, “and with one last arrow, your scales shall serve as a pelt!”

An avatar of light formed beside him, wielding a holy bow. And a blessed arrow pierced Metelios' corrupted heart.
“Graaaaaaaghhhhhhh!!! Cuuuurse youuuuu!!!”
The gemstones in his skin started cracking, the souls within them finally headed for paradise. The demon's body then started disappearing altogether, the gold and dark barriers did the same.

The minstrel looked at them, then away and started walking towards the exit. But a hand on his shoulder stopped him. A look back told him it was Lindara.
“Where do you think you're going?”
“I put you all in peril... and I...”
She suddenly lifted his mask, revealing tanned skin, and kissed him.

The other two watched.
“Dalius, your sister has a strange taste in men.”
“Better than your taste in women.”
“What was that supposed to mean?”
“Just that I still have nightmares.”

Their lips parted.
“That's for being a charming hero. It wasn't your fault, after all. Now, what were you saying?”
“I forgot my rhyme. It didn't take much time. So I can go with you?”
“If these two are not against.”
The two had grins on their faces.
“I suppose this is one bard I can stand.”
“I suppose you'd give me... that look, if I said no, sis. So, yes, it's okay.”

“Hahaaah! That came out of the blue!”
“One more thing, you minstrel. What were those powers?”
“My enchanting mage, those powers came with age. I do not know from where, maybe from thin air! Perhaps I am a mage, too. I just use them differently from you! Where you cast, I play! Where you speak, I portray!”
“You really are one of a kind.”
“And so are you, my dear! I believe our way is clear! Journeys with you shall be fun, I bet! Especially without age's threat!”

As they were walking outside, Martellus grunted:
“Great, I'm still the only one who gets old.”
“Do not fear, for a bard is here! Your greyish hair, from his writings he shall spare.”
“I'm starting to regret my decision already.”