"Stop running and accept your fate!"
WOOSH!
King Green dived out of the way just in time to dodge the arc of sword energy flying towards him. He pushed himself to his feet and scurried down the corridors of his palace.
"Please, leave me. I don't even own a Butler!" He shouted as he took a turn and ran as fast as his old legs could carry him.
WOOSH!
Another arc of sword energy came. This time, the aim was off and took out the ground beneath him. The palace rumbled, and he fell to the floor below with a sickening crunch in his ankle.
"Agh!"
As the dust settled, he found himself unable to move. All he could do was sit there and await his fate.
A soft thud landed on the ground opposite him. There stood a slender man in a black butler's suit. His hair was long and black, and one of his eyes was covered by a burn scar. In his hand was an obsidian black short sword, which he twirled stylishly.
The Butler began to approach, and King Green wanted to retreat, but he couldn't.
"This bloody ankle!" He cursed through the pain.
The Butler glared at him through his singular black eye and raised his sword. Then, his voice came elegantly. "Why have you not summoned a Butler? Do you not own a summoning stone?"
King Green chuckled to himself despite the circumstances. "A summoning stone... of course I have a summoning stone. We all were given one!"
He then muttered to himself under his breath as he reached into his pockets and felt the cold stone. "Mine just refuses to listen to me."
The Butler shrugged his shoulders uncaring. "If you want to die like a man, then so be it."
He raised his sword into the air, and the black blade began to gleam with a dark energy. From up close, he was sure to land his attack. It would slice through King Green like butter.
King Green closed his eyes and clutched the stone tightly, bracing himself for his imminent death.
"Oh, sacred Butler... whoever you are. If you want to come to my service, then now would be a good time." He whispered to himself.
---
In another world...
Cassius lay in his hospital bed, unable to move. It was his last moments.
Cancer had taken hold of him and refused to let go. The doctors had done all that they could with the money he and his sister had been able to provide.
She held onto his withered hand even now, tears streaming down her face.
He reached his other hand over and placed it atop hers. It used all of the energy his body allowed him to muster.
"Don't cry, sister. This is the best decision."
His words only made her tears fall faster. She wanted anything but for him to pull the plug on his life and leave her alone, but it was their only option.
She had starved for years, using all of the money earned from her part-time job to pay for his treatment. If things continued this way, she could fall ill herself.
As the older brother, Cassius had to do this.
"Sir, are you ready?" The nurse interrupted, as she stood by his lifeline.
With a final gentle hug from his sister, Cassius nodded his head.
"Yes... and thank you for everything."
...
On July 15th, 1989, Cassius died. However, his journey had not yet ended.
The gods smiled on a young man with such selflessness. If anyone deserved a second chance, it was him.
---
King Green suddenly felt a warmth spreading throughout his body.
He wondered if he had died at the hands of the Butler before him. But when he opened his eyes, he saw it.
A bright pink light began to shine from his pocket, casting its glow upon the entire corridor. That light was the source of the warmth.
The Butler in front of him froze for a moment. Then, his eyes went wide as King Green pulled the summoning stone from his pocket.
"It can't be..." he muttered, clearly familiar with the presence emerging from the stone.
A smile spread across King Green's face. Finally, his prayers had been answered.
He had summoned a Butler!
A pink and black blur swirled in the space in front of them, forcing the one-eyed Butler to take a step backwards.
Then, as the blur slowly began to fade away, all that was left was a figure. A figure more marvellous than any King Green had ever seen.
Like all butlers, the man wore a black suit, followed by sharp shoes and a white undershirt. He stood taller than average, and his body was slim but muscular.
His hair cascaded behind him, long and unnaturally pink. His skin was only slightly tanned, and his hand rested upon the hilt of a giant golden greatsword stuck into the ground.
The sword itself hummed with great energy. It felt suffocating to even be within its presence.
Cassius looked down at himself, confused. Then...
[Memories Activated]
[Welcome, Azaleth.]
—Azaleth Godknight—
「1st Butler」
「Butler Type: The Origin」
「Current class: Holy Knight」
「Class Rank: F」
—Attributes—
Strikes are more effective against opponents that the holy knight believes to be evil.
—Ultimate Skill—
Martyr's Sacrifice — Heal others by sacrificing your own health.
—Artefacts—
Radvakar's Blade ~ A greatsword imbued with holy magic, crafted by one of the Three Heavenly Blacksmiths.
—Awakening—
N/A
---
"A-Azaleth..." The one-eyed Butler stammered, staring with wide eyes.
Cassius, now with the body and memories of Azaleth Godknight, looked up. His golden eyes pierced into the man's soul.
"Kratos," Azaleth spoke, voice deep, but elegant. He pulled the greatsword from the ground and felt the palace rumble. "Are you my enemy?"
Kratos withdrew his obsidian blade in a mere instant and raised his hands in surrender.
"Of course not. I cannot speak for the others... but I would never make an enemy of the first butler." He spoke in confidence.
Azaleth nodded his head, pleased.
"That is good. I did not feel like having to spill blood today."