Story dungeon scenes, Canto VII

…….

So what happened to them, you ask?

Let us watch how this tale plays out.

She's... really strong... Don - I mean, Sancho, I guess.

Bloodfiends of La Manchaland have all been significantly weakened due to two-hundred years of imprisonment and the lack of blood.

But she...

Looks like... a Second Kindred isn't a foe we can reasonably contend with.

Well... when have we ever fought anything we can reasonably contend with, eh?

We'll die, revive, try again, and eventually wear 'er down.

D.R.D.R. strategy against this one is meaningless.

... Even her regeneration is incomparably faster than the one we met aboard the train. We will not win this battle by attrition.

<Are you... going to keep standing in our way?>

Yes.

I will stand in your way.

S-so what? What are you even going to do, huh?

What... do you want to do to La Manchaland...?

I will do my Father's bidding and transform it into an image of his design.

I'll kill you. Then I'll find more humans to kill. Feed their blood to my Father. Like a good Bloodfiend I am.

<Don... Quixote...>

I'll tell you again. That is not who I am.

That fool who used to twinkle her eyes at you, shoving some ridiculous idea of a dream before you is dead.

What if the dream still... continues?

<Sinclair…?>

My dream...

It ripened and ripened until the rot set in. Thus it fell to the earth and burst.

It is broken. All that remains is the decaying carcass of the dream.

La Manchaland manifests to devour humans, yeah... but it eventually disappears again.

Look, on one hand, it's trying to hurt us humans. But on the other hand... it keeps trying to hide away, too.

Even as he lies there, his body torn apart by thousands of stakes... he's been trying.

Perhaps your 'Father'... even he - Maybe he -

…….

This... is what I think we must do.

... We have to go back.

To the birthplace of that dream.

<…!>

<The Knight of the White Moon.>

... Bari.

Ba...ri...

I haven't... uttered that name... in such a long time.

…….

A human. At my mansion.

A-apologies, your worship. We should never have let her through, but she... she wields all kinds of fantastical weapons. She demanded to be granted audience with you, Father.

A Bloodfiend Hunter, are you? And you've managed to break through my Children's vigilance?

... I commend your skill, human. It cannot have been easy.

So, what is it that you seek from this audience?

Is your wish... to be obliterated without a trace? Or is it to join my Family?

... Neither.

I am here to challenge you to a duel.

... A duel.

I am not like the other Bloodfiends; I have no interest in killing humans for sport.

However, I am also not so generous a Bloodfiend to let a human who dared to walk into her own doom simply saunter away without consequences.

Humans and Bloodfiends are at war out there. Did you know that?

Just a pit fight between unquenchable Bloodfiends and humans who learned to transmute their hatred into delight.

I care not for such degeneracy.

Why do you refuse to take a side?

Should a Family of your might take a side... it would mean the decisive end of the war.

Haven't I already told you? Or does your fleeting human life require a simpler explanation?

I would prefer not to dirty my clothes in a pit fight. I refuse to bring myself down to that level.

... Is that so.

I... am here to do one of two things. One, convince you. Or two, should my first option prove unfeasible, slay you.

Because you are more dangerous than both of them when you're sitting here and doing nothing.

So, duel me.

You won't get a chance like this again.

Because I know exactly what you seek.

Aha...

Not even I am privy to that knowledge...

... yet a human, who knows me not, who has only met me for the first time today, claims to know that?

I know you Bloodfiends.

Those blessed with longer lives than humans, yet cursed to live in greater miseries for every second of that longer life.

…….

I just changed the carpets of this hall. I do not wish to dirty it with lowly human blood.

Leave, and my Children outside this mansion will deal with you.

Should you employ your Children to kill me...

You will never learn the source of your suffering. You will remain unchanging, stagnant, steeped in your misery...

... until one day, the memory of this moment returns to you as regret.

... Father.

If you would allow me, I will quietly take care of this interloper.

Grab your weapon.

Answer my duel...

... and I promise you upon my honor as a Fixer, that I will grant you what you truly seek.

I can... give you...

…….

No human, let alone a Bloodfiend, has ever matched me evenly in strength.

Then I suppose I shall have the honor of being the first human to do so.

... How intriguing.

…….

The duel continued for three days.

Three days without a victor.

…….

... Why not take a brief respite?

It has been three days.

... Three days?

Yes, there's been three sunrises and sunsets. I'm quite certain that makes it three days.

But we are yet to decide a victor.

... Too bad.

At times like these, we must each take enough rest to recover...

... and duel again at a later date. I will return.

You would stop the battle before it ends, allow your enemy to rest... and even promise to reconvene at a later date?

Who decided that these odd rules would become laws?

Fixers.

It's a law of the Fixers.

... Father allowed that human to leave. He did not even sic us Children on her, and that was that.

Will you truly let her leave, just like that? A human who so insolently warned you, of all Bloodfiends, that she would return?

…….

It is their 'law' she says.

Here she is again, Sancho. Go tell her that your Father is indisposed today and has no time to spare for a duel.

Go tell her yourself.

I am growing tired of this.

What joy does that woman get out of this altercation? She could have at least had the courtesy to arrive at our gates with hands full of refreshments...

How should I know?

What I am certain of, is that this intruder will never leave us alone until we open our gates.

By the... why did I ever agree to something so vexatious?

It is about time we put an end to this, Father.

I find no joy in telling you this, but...

... It does not befit your reputation to be locked in a duel with a mere human for so long.

The other Children are... saying things.

... You will understand the pain of dealing with Children when you make Kindreds of your own.

How many times have I told you? I refuse to do such a thing.

How harsh you are.

Worry not. I intend to put an end to this today. I have been planning to do so for a while.

Are you certain that you do not require my assistance?

I should be enough to tip the scales in your favor.

It is all right.

This is a duel, is it not? A duel must be fair and just.

…….

Is that not what she said last time, verbatim?

Something about the... laws of Fixers.

... So, what exactly are Fixers?

... I do not know.

That absurd duel continued with no end in sight.

And I found myself measuring the time, like some... referee.

It is time.

Phew~ That was close. I thought we'd finally have a victor in this duel.

... I would like to ask you something.

Yeah?

What, pray... is a Fixer?

What is this 'Fixer', that has made you so pertinacious and... stubborn?

You have mentioned their laws on our first bout as well... Is the honor of Fixers so significant that you would wager your life on it?

... I can tell you if you want.

And they both simultaneously lowered their weapons.

You're looking forward to her arrival now, aren't you? You are waiting for her.

The fault lies with the human. How dare she cut off her story short right at the climax?

Ah, she's here. She's here! Let her in, will you?

…….

So what happened to that fool whose rope snapped at that exact moment?

No, I must know what happened to the siblings first.

The fool who hung onto a rotten strand of rope fell to the earth, and the siblings lived happily ever after.

What an exciting tale that was. My hands had grown so sodden from the sheer suspense.

... Sancho.

When did you sidle up so close to our conversation?

Bari, do you recall the place you told me of upon our last meeting?

This 'amusement park'.

Mhm.

Will you speak to me of it again?

Haah... Father, this is the seventh time -

Yet no books on heroic tales ever mention such a thing as an 'amusement park'.

Well, then? Tell me, describe the sight.

Children enter there, holding tightly onto their parents' hands.

What of their expressions?

Practically radiant with the happiest, brightest smiles in the world.

All wear pretty headbands or elaborate masks.

And they play such catchy, exciting music all year-round.

People dance to the music, too.

Its guests are free to do whatever they want.

Enter a game of marksmanship at the shooting range. Explore a spooky haunted mansion.

I... I can't say I get the point of all this.

What of this... 'ride'?

This is called a carousel. The visitors each ride upon a steed that goes in circles.

They ride on horses only to go in circles? How utterly devoid of meaning.

And this here is called an 'observation wheel'. Humans use it to view the sights from a higher elevation.

Not only did they craft a giant, its size thousandfold of humans, but also dare to enter its body? What a splendid method by which one may overcome their fears.

You are seriously misunderstanding what this is.

... I have conceived an idea most ingenious.

... And this is where you stop listening to him.

So she says. Should I?

The pair of you are becoming alike in the worst possible ways.

... I wish to build one myself.

An 'amusement park', where humans and Bloodfiends can happily coexist.

I shall call it...

La Manchaland.

Step by step.

One.

Two.

Three. I found myself slowly becoming engrossed in her tales.

That is how his dream... became mine...

But it wasn't long...

... before it was broken and cast aside.

Like my Father.

Yet, there exists an understanding beyond sight.

Why, why does La Manchaland not exist in perpetuity, but seek to vanish only within hours of its manifestation?

It can only be your Father's final, lingering conveyance of his will.

…….

Father gave me Rocinante so that I may embark on an adventure of my own.

But none of my tales were real. They were all... fake.

Once I drank from the River of Oblivion... once I imprisoned myself in a cell of my own making... I spent day after day immersed in these books of 'Fixers'.

And that has tainted my story with vacuous lies and hyperbole.

What was it that you have always said to me?

That it was about time I woke up from my delusions.

Yes. I suppose now is the time I came to my senses.

Why do you persist?

You have all told me time and again to come to my senses, have you not?

Then why this hypocrisy? Why continue this hopeless, senseless fight?

Wake... up... I'm... not the person you once knew.

You were always a right troublemaker, lass... but I always liked your idea of justice, honor... and loyalty. Besides... you'd grown on me...

... And now, after all that grandstandin', you're just gonna up and leave us while givin' us that glum, sour-faced look? Think we'll just quietly sit on our arses and accept that?

What nonsense are you -

No more. I do not wish to leave behind any dearest fellow of mine again.

Y'know how depressing the bus'll be without you, chiquita? C'mon.

Don't you have so many more tales of adventures to share with us?

Come on, tell us more. So many of them got cut short during the bus ride, remember?

Khaaaa! Quite the thrill this is!!! Now this! Is true adventure!!!

There is no cause for hesitation! A true hero succumbs to no hardships!

Stop them this instant...! It appalls me greatly to think that one must suffer everlasting sights of despair in captivity for the many...

The forces of evil must be uprooted with haste in order to raise the banner of justice high!

Negotiate with a villain such as he...? How...

Hence, onward we travail!

Listening to your powerful cries, Don Quixote... they really made me feel like we had the wind at our backs.

Well, it usually took the wind right outta me, but... oi, I enjoyed a good few of 'em.

You messed up plenty of situations by charging on without looking both ways, but...

... at least it's better than being wishy-washy about it and constantly flip-flopping your stances.

I liked your A.C.T.S.

Yeah. You were always the first one to take Actions, Cutting Through the Shit... You'd never let ambiguities stop you.

So this time, shouldn't we...

... be the ones to take the initiative, to ensure that Don Quixote's adventures don't come to an end...

... that her tale continues?

The question seems to be 'how'.

What, are ya gonna beat the sense back into her like back when?

No.

I don't... want Don Quixote to 'come to her senses'.

<...... >

Executive Manager. We... have no way of knowing how many people she has killed in the past merely by existing.

Will you... embrace her still?

<I will. >

<I'll determine the time to bring her back to her senses.>

No matter what lurks in the pasts of us Sinners...?

Even... if they have killed hundreds, thousands - no, tens of thousands of innocent people? Will you still... embrace them?

<I will. >

<As long as they have the will to change, to move forward, I will be there for them.>

…….

I will remember what you have said here today.

Long have I not set foot upon the earth.

Even now, you remain ensnared to your responsibilities, unable to flee!

You, who was so free...

Where must I flee to, then? Enlighten me, Sancho.

I tipped the scales of that endless war, yet... there was no coexistence to be found at its end.

With blood, I have created this place, yet no family has found happiness within it.

I have dreamed, yet the dream only woke me to a heart impaled by stakes and this fetid stench of blood. Look at me, Sancho!

I am but Don Quixote... La Manchaland's Don Quixote.

You've never run from things. You've only had momentary lapses.

You, whose very fate is cursed with this sickness...

... were capable of love. Even as your mind ailed from this suffocating, parching thirst...

That is why you saved my life from the periphery of death... tried to share your love...

Tell me. Why did you seek death?

Because I wanted to get away from the pain.

How odd. Don't most humans inflict suffering unto others to be freed from their own?

How could hurting others help... when my pain comes from this... endless cold?

Where's your family? Your siblings?

I never had anyone, not even on the day I was born. I've only known... the cold... the loneliness...

... So I want to burn myself to ashes like I was never here.

Then...

... allow me to grant you the will to live.

The family I shall grant you will forever be by your side. Come with me.

You may know my name as Quixote.

Or Don Quixote; 'Don' as the signifier of my nobility.

... and...

... made my heart beat once again...

Sancho. Thus commences our adventure.

We shall receive no assistance, Bloodfiend or not! This shall be us two against the world.

I know.

I suppose we will encounter many knights on our journey; many of whom shall challenge me to a duel. You will watch my back when the time comes, won't you? You must strike our foes with a heart that knows no fear.

Ah, and how could I forget? From this moment onward, we must abandon our identities as Bloodfiends as well.

In other words, we must appear and behave as humans do.

... I know that as well. That is why you have transformed your Rocinante into the shape of a horse, as awkward as it may appear.

It used to have such a beautiful, flowing mane of blood...

Whinny...

Alas. Even Rocinante finds this appearance unpleasant. Sighing and exhaling, so unlike itself...

Do you even know where this elusive 'tavern' is supposed to be?

Is that not your responsibility to learn of?

I've been holed up in that castle for about as long as you have in any meaningful metric. How should I know?

You are truly impossible. I have not once seen nor heard of a Child who speaks in such an insolent manner to a higher Kindred.

I thought we were to appear and behave as humans do? This is supposed to be an adventure, after all.

Speaking of which, dear Sancho. I have overheard the travelers from earlier, and they say that there is a cave in which a fearsome man-eating bear has made it its home.

Really, a bear?

I can obliterate that poor animal in less than three -

Oh, please. Where is the fun in that? We shall battle this fell beast like the battles in which the Fixers from the books have struggled so valiantly!

Our adventure then... was full of amateurish mistakes and foolhardy confidence, but...

We shall feast on bear meat as well!

You have but to imagine the look of shock on Dulcinea's face as we regale her with this tale.

A look of disgust would be more accurate.

Those were the days when my heart beat more vibrantly than ever before.

The night approacheth with great haste;

Yet thou shalt hew open a path, cleaving the shadows in twain.

With the blessings and approval of our family of which there is no equal,

Challenge and vanquish all things perilous.

And at last - reach true happiness.

Thus how indubitable.

The magnificence with which mine ingenious adventures of to-day shall shine.

Which is... our adventure, as well.

You remember the words, right? A Fixer must maintain a head clear of corruption, speech free of deceit, and conduct guided by clemency.

Show courage in adventure, and bear pain in suffering.

And pray, forget not the mercy for the downtrodden...

... and last but not least...

... Pursue your dream, even if it means wagering your life in the chase.

And we'll return here and talk all about it, no matter how many moons it takes.

About all the wonderful adventures we've undertaken.

Even if I were to lose my mind...

Even if all this is just a fake steed running in circles on a carousel… I don't want to stop...

Even if it means that you must struggle against this incurable disease? Even if you must stand against your own blood, your Father?

…….

What shame.

You used to make me lances that were much more graceful than this.

Yet... this holds more than enough power to destroy that feeble timepiece of yours.

<…!>

Didst thou not say...

... that thou shalt decide the time for me to come to my senses?

<Don... Quixote.>

It is unfortunate that you now protect them with your back that once shielded me.

... But I am proud that you stopped my lance.

Yet... what will you do now, Sancho?

Your strength must be spent after such a mighty feat.

I intend to fight still. This is not the end.

... Even if it is not by my hand, even if it is not this day when your adventure ends...

... this sickness will inevitably drag you off that steed.

I know that.

Even still.

... though to some, I may only appear to be playing a character...

... though I may never truly reach my destination...

... should I persevere to walk the journey of my own choosing...

... and continue this tale...

Then that shall be my... your dream.

<I will light your path.>

<So don't hesitate. Go - walk the journey of your own choosing.>

... I shan't be long.

…….

Sancho... I have conceived... an idea most ingenious...

What... is it this time...?

Alas, it appears that we are not availed the benevolent, mediating force of Bari to quell our quarrels. Then I suppose we are at an impasse, want of a better mediation...

… than one wrought by force.

Let us test our mights in a duel; in a singular bout of our lances.

Come, now. Let us give it our all...

…….

... Is there no other way?

This momentum, this responsibility of mine to perpetuate the festival, to provide my Family with what they yearn for... it cannot be stopped.

This carousel by the name of La Manchaland… whirls too swiftly for me to dismount, even as it remains anchored in place.

Yet, if you could shatter the burden of my nature, my responsibilities... would that not prove your dream mightier than the weight of my duty?

Show me. Demonstrate before me the strength of thy dream, the grandeur of it.

Still... so... ridiculously juvenile...

How many times must I tell you that it is that very ridiculous juvenility that gives color to life?

…….

Does this wheel not remind you of the old war, Sancho?

... The Bloodfiends of the Family with many arms, like windmills?

Yes, indeed. I remember how hotly my heart beat as I stood against the giantfolk in the field of battle.

... I remember running after you after one of them flung your body far away as a result of you underestimating their might.

Yet you no longer run after me. Now you stand against me.

…….

<…!>

<D-dodge! O-or raise your guards!>