Tortoise

We are now in front of the turtle.

"So, let me get this straight you are taking the guardian's trial?"

[Exactly.]

"So suddenly without thinking about it?"

[Exactly.]

"You will brave danger just because it sounds interesting?"

[Almost.]

"You do know the death rate of such an endeavor, right?"

[Nope.]

"You will be careful at least?]

[Yes.]

"Now then, why are we discussing this again?"

I start humming a jingle.

[Da-da-da-da! You have won the grand prize! I will be realizing your wish first! Da-da-da-da!]

"That's nice and all, but there isn't anything I especially want. I am content just enjoying my life here and working on my dancing."

"You heard him, how about you pick me instead?!"

[Think about it there must be something. Could be something small. Could be something from your past too.]

"There is really nothing that…"

Then he stops. I can see his eyes show immense sadness. He seems to be reminiscing.

"*Sigh* actually…there is one thing."

[I'm listening.]

Then he slowly starts telling us a story of his past. Back when he used to have a sibling. A big brother tortoise that would take care of him. They were inseparable.

They would go everywhere together. Strong enough not to have any predators. Strong enough to wander the world at their own pace. Extremely slowly, but meaningfully. For as long as they were together life was great.

All until something happened. They were just minding their own business at first. It should have stayed this way. However one day they saw some human habitations. Curiosity got the better of the little one. He went and explored the place. Only to be found out.

It was a small village. That was the first time he came into contact with humans. Yet instead of being driven out, he was welcomed. Even worshipped as an omen of good luck.

Furthermore, he would deal with any surrounding predator. Against his sturdy shell, none could do anything.

Then came his brother. He tried to convince him to leave them. To go back to the wild with him. But he didn't head the advice. He wanted to remain with them.

They were different from him but that didn't matter. They were loving. They were warm. They were fun to hang around. They would celebrate that silent protector of theirs.

Thus life resumed its course. One was close to getting domesticated. The elder couldn't accept such a life. That was the end of it. There was no fight or anything. They just went their separate ways.

Eventually, the brothers lost contact with one another. The little one growing older and stronger. Until he really couldn't be called little anymore. Magical beasts tend to become stronger the longer they live after all.

Life was supposed to keep going in such a fashion. Sadly, tragedy struck. One day a wounded soldier appeared in the village. One that was in the service of a local lord. They welcomed him as they usually did.

They were not worried in the least. They had their silent protector after all. A guardian that would make sure of their wellbeing.

The soldier managed to recuperate. Slowly but surely. Then he left. He was extremely grateful and promised to come back with gifts.

Come back he did. With a ton of his companions. With enough soldiers to make the land tremble. Many times enough to obliterate a small village like that one. All armed to the teeth and exuding fighting spirit.

They proclaimed that they were there to annihilate the demons. They proclaimed that they would free the village from the evil beast. They proclaimed a lot. All in order to hide their evil designs. Trying to keep a veil of morality, all illusions of course.

They charged frantically. They couldn't wait to plunge their metal weapons into the tortoise. It was the first time he was confronted by an army. Still, he had protected the villages for many years already. He kept fighting and fighting. Until finally he managed to drive them away.

That night the village cheered. That night the village celebrated. That night the village almost came to an end. In the dead of the night, they came. Elite troops. Unlike the pawns from before, they could use magic.

They sprung on the tortoise in a sneak attack. Instantly delivering a heavy blow. He almost died instantly. Heavily wounded the fight was already over. They simply needed to keep driving the creature into a corner. They almost did too.

That is when he appeared. Out of nowhere. The elder brother that had left previously. He appeared to save his old companion. Started a fight of apocalyptic proportions. All the elite troops started dying one after the other. Until finally they had to retreat in defeat.

The brothers were joyful. Still, the older one insisted they leave as soon as possible. That they escape as fast as they could carry their shell. Still, the little brother refused.

He had grown attached to the villagers. He had grown attached to this life. He was warned that he would die should he remain there, yet he didn't falter. Thus the big brother left disappointed. Leaving only that one guardian behind.

The next weeks were peaceful. Also the best time of his life. The entire village was relieved to have survived. He wished for this happiness to never end. Except life is never that easy.

A month later came a single swordsman. A small human that didn't seem that much of a threat. Appearances can be deceiving. He swaggered into the happy villagers.

Then he started killing. Without a warning. Without any mercy. The tortoise tried his best to stop the demon, but he couldn't.

He wasn't fast enough. He wasn't strong enough either. They all died while he watched. Every single one of them.

He kept asking why. Only to be told it was his fault. Because they worshipped him. Because they didn't submit to the lord. Because they were evil.

The tortoise rampaged and tried his best. Yet in the end, he got defeated. That is when appeared the elder brother once again. Heroically. He looked straight at the opponent and said…