Motherly Paladin: Change
Chapter 9: A Monk's Gift and The Dragon's resolve
At Alicia’s gentle insistence, Aldra made her way with her wife to Radz–at–Han after receiving an unexpected summons from their friend, Gek. The city’s golden spires shimmered under the midday sun as they arrived in the plaza, where Gek awaited them with a confident grin and something gleaming in her hand.Gek stepped forward, her tone warm yet serious. “Aldra, I wanted to give you this, and test how far your paladin training has come. You’ve earned both.”In her palm rested a golden heart–shaped tag inscribed with elegant letters: “Dragon Wife.” The tag hung from a sleek black collar, its metal polished to a mirror shine. Alicia smiled knowingly, pride flickering in her eyes as Aldra accepted the gift.Aldra fastened the collar around her neck, her lips curling into a teasing smirk as she brushed her fingers over the engraved heart. “So, Alicia put a ring on me… and now you’re putting a collar on me, Gek?”Gek chuckled, her blue eyes glinting as she nodded in approval. “Guess that makes you twice as loved, doesn’t it?”
The moment of levity gave way to tension as both women took their stances. Aldra drew her blade and raised her ornate shield, its silver wings catching the sunlight. Gek rolled her shoulders, her muscles coiled like a predator ready to strike. Then—steel met strength.The clash echoed through the courtyard. Gek’s punch slammed into Aldra’s shield, the impact bursting with a sharp clang that sent vibrations through Aldra’s arm. Yet this time, Aldra stood firm. Her body absorbed the shock, her balance steady—a testament to months of training under Alicia, Blue, Kané, and others who had guided her growth as both a warrior and a protector.As the sparks faded and dust settled, Aldra exhaled, smiling through the heat of the duel. Her journey as a paladin would soon pause for the sake of her unborn child, but this moment—this test of strength and friendship—would be a reminder of how far she’d come before stepping into motherhood.
The clash between Aldra and Gek intensified beneath the blazing Radz–at–Han sun. Each strike from Gek landed like a hammer, her movements fluid and fierce—every punch, kick, and knee driving against Aldra’s gleaming shield in a storm of precision. Sparks of aetheric light burst from every impact, the echo of their blows ringing across the courtyard.Aldra remained on the defensive, her breath measured, eyes sharp behind her glasses as she met each attack with disciplined focus. Gek’s relentless assault tested every ounce of her strength and resolve. When Gek feinted low and slammed her shoulder against Aldra’s arm, the jolt nearly tore the sword from her grip, but Aldra held firm.Her training under Blue and Kané surged to the forefront, lessons in stability, leverage, and calm amidst chaos. She twisted her stance, redirecting the force and countering with a swift strike of her own, the edge of her blade grazing past Gek’s guard.
For the first time, Aldra understood the ferocity of a monk’s rhythm, the unpredictable flow between grace and devastation. Gek fought like a thunderstorm: agile, unyielding, and full of energy that refused to wane.But Aldra’s movements began to slow. Her body, already burdened by her pregnancy, demanded restraint. She could not push beyond her limits, not now. Yet even so, she refused to yield. Her shield trembled under the flurry of Gek’s thunderous kicks, the ornate wings etched upon it beginning to crack under the strain.Each impact sent a shockwave through Aldra’s arm and into her chest, but still she stood, defiant and resolute, a paladin not fighting to win, but to prove her growth, to show her friend that strength comes not only from might, but from heart and purpose.
As the sparring match pushed into its fiercest stretch, Gek’s assault became a blur of motion—whipping kicks, driving knees, and sharp bursts of aether-charged strikes that hammered against Aldra’s shield. Each impact rang through the courtyard like thunder. Aldra held her ground with stubborn resolve, her stance low and braced, but even she could feel it: the shield was beginning to give. Hairline cracks spidered across its surface, each one spreading a little wider with every blow.Gek was testing her—pushing her to the very edge without ever crossing into danger. Every strike was measured, every step controlled. Her intent was clear in her eyes: show me how far you’ve come, Aldra. And though she was relentless, not once did she allow her power to drift into a place that could harm Aldra or the unborn child she carried.
A short distance away, Alicia watched with growing worry. Something in Aldra’s aura… shifted. It wasn’t just the strain of holding against Gek’s pressure. There was a pulse—familiar, powerful, draconic. The faint signature of Bahamut’s essence within Aldra flickered like a spark catching flame.With each of Gek’s thunderous kicks, Aldra’s aether surged in response… higher… brighter… until—CRACK.The shield split down the middle and shattered behind her.A burst of raw energy erupted from Aldra’s core, exploding outward in a shockwave and sending a tremor across the tiles. Aldra staggered forward with a roar—deep, resonant, unmistakably draconian.That was when the changes began.New horns pushed through her hair, shaped in the same elegant sweep as her full dragon form. Her tail shimmered before transforming entirely—its scales turning a clear, radiant turquoise, wrapped in glowing roses and delicate green vines that pulsed with the warmth of her love for Alicia. Her hair, once silver-pink, gleamed now in pure silver shot through with vibrant turquoise streaks. And when she lifted her head, her eyes glowed with impossible intensity—blue with a violet glow, giving off a playful nature akin to a fox spirit, in the left eye and a crimson red glow blazing like a living ember of a dragon in the right.
Gek stepped back in awe, but Aldra looked ready to continue the fight.Alicia moved instantly.“Aldra—stop.” Her voice cut cleanly through the lingering hum of aether. “Enough. For the baby.”The words reached Aldra even through her transformed haze. She froze, breath trembling, then slowly let the power fade to a steady glow.Gek exhaled, relieved. She closed her eyes for a moment, sensing carefully.
“The child is unharmed,” she said at last. “Still safe. Strong, even.”Only then did Alicia fully relax.Gek approached, placing one warm, steadying hand on Aldra’s shoulder while the other brushed gently against her cheek. “You’ve grown more than I imagined. Your defense, your control… and now this. Truly remarkable.”But something else tugged at Gek’s attention—a distant echo of similar energy far to the east.
“From Jeuno,” she murmured. “There’s another draconic signature… one that reminds me of you, Aldra. I need to see for myself.”Before parting, she pulled both Alicia and Aldra into a firm, affectionate hug—careful but full of pride. Then she guided them toward the airship docks, insisting on paying for their passage home. Gek joined them for the ride, watching over Aldra until the ship reached its destination.Only once they were safe did she step off, tighten the straps of her gauntlets, and turn toward the path that would lead her to Jeuno and to the mysterious draconian presence calling for her attention.
Chapter 10: A Friend's Test and A Paladin's Resolve
In the bustling heart of Jeuno, the city thrummed with life, merchants calling from their stalls, the scent of roasted spices drifting through the air, and the rhythm of boots striking cobblestone echoing beneath the golden towers. Aldra was asked to come visit by her friend Tea as she had a gift for the Paladin, while Alicia had work in the city she asked that Aldra be safe while traveling to the markets. Amidst the noise, Tea stood waiting, her presence calm yet fierce, the quiet energy of a seasoned Monk radiating from her every motion. Her stance alone spoke of discipline and readiness, but the glint in her eyes carried something more, anticipation.She had heard of Aldra’s newfound strength, of the dragon spirit, Bahamut, now intertwined with her elven soul. It was a transformation that filled the air around her with raw, untamed power — and Tea, both friend and mentor, sought not to challenge her out of pride, but to ensure Aldra understood what that strength truly meant.When Aldra arrived, the air between them shifted. The paladin’s aura pulsed with draconic intensity, faint embers of light curling at the edge of her presence. Tea’s smile was gentle, but her tone was steady as she motioned for Aldra to follow her into the tavern — a place of warmth and quiet familiarity, lit by soft lanternlight and the distant murmur of song.From beneath her cloak, Tea produced a parcel wrapped in cloth and set it upon the table between them. When Aldra unfurled it, her breath caught — inside rested a newly forged sword and shield, each gleaming with intricate runes that pulsed faintly with azure light.“These were made for you,” Tea said softly. “To temper what’s awakening within. Your strength must serve your will — not consume it.”Aldra’s fingers traced the edge of the blade, feeling its hum resonate with the beat of her heart. The weapon was perfectly balanced — not just in weight, but in spirit. When she raised her gaze, Tea was already stepping into the open space at the tavern’s rear courtyard, her boots settling into the familiar rhythm of a Monk’s stance.“Show me, Aldra,” she said, her smile widening, “Show me what your dragon heart has learned.”
Their clash began like the spark before a storm. Aldra’s shield met Tea’s palm strikes with the crash of thunder, each movement a symphony of precision and will. Flame trailed in Aldra’s wake — a dragon’s fury contained within mortal form — while Tea’s strikes carried the grace of tempered light, each one honed by years of discipline.Steel sang, air trembled, and for a heartbeat, the two moved as one — equals in strength and spirit, each testing the other not to defeat, but to understand.
When the final exchange ended, the courtyard fell silent save for their ragged breaths. Neither had yielded. Their eyes met, and in that shared gaze lay the truth of it — Aldra had not only grown stronger, she had learned control. The fire that once raged within her now burned with purpose.Tea’s lips curved into a soft smile. “You’ve surpassed what I hoped to see,” she said quietly. “When the time comes to rest, remember — strength isn’t only found in battle.”
Aldra, still catching her breath, smiled in return and reached out to take Tea’s hand. With a gentle tug, she led her back inside, toward the quiet refuge of the tavern’s rear chamber. The lanterns there burned low, painting the space in amber warmth.They sat together, nursing tea and laughter, their exhaustion melting into calm. In that quiet afterglow, warrior and monk found peace — not in victory, but in shared understanding. A friendship forged in fire, tempered by respect, and strengthened by the knowledge that even as Aldra’s path slowed with her approaching motherhood, she would never walk it alone.
Chapter 11: Art of the Gunbreaker
The sun hung low over the coast, its amber light glinting off the sea as Kiryu arrived at Aldra and Alicia’s home. Though his steps were firm with purpose, there was an ease in his expression, a quiet fondness reserved for dear friends. He had come not merely as a mentor, but as a companion determined to share what he could before Aldra’s training would need to pause.Today’s lesson was on the Gunbreaker’s discipline, a style of balance, precision, and timing, an art that fused blade and gunpowder into one harmonious form. Kiryu’s own gunblade hung at his side, the metal gleaming with a craftsman’s care. He intended to teach Aldra how to channel her immense energy through focus rather than sheer force, to defend not only herself but the new life she carried within.When Aldra stepped out to meet him, however, his composure faltered for the briefest moment. The sundress she wore—light, flowing, and effortless—was an image of grace that contrasted sharply with the armor he was accustomed to seeing her in. There was nothing deliberate in her choice, yet it carried the quiet power of someone unafraid to show strength through gentleness. Kiryu, ever the disciplined warrior, cleared his throat and straightened his stance, silently reminding himself of the day’s purpose.
“Still determined to train, even now?” he asked with a half-smile, resting his hand on the hilt of his weapon.Aldra returned the smile, her eyes bright with resolve. “I can’t let everything I’ve built slip away—not when there’s still time to prepare. Besides,” she added, her tone playful, “I have a good teacher today.”Kiryu chuckled, shaking his head as Alicia appeared nearby, watching with fond amusement. The warmth between the three of them spoke of deep trust—Alicia’s confidence in Kiryu’s guidance, and Kiryu’s quiet promise to keep Aldra safe in his tutelage.
Together, they journeyed to the beach, where the sound of crashing waves became the rhythm of their training. Kiryu demonstrated the mechanics of the gunblade, each movement fluid and controlled. He showed her how to pivot her stance, how to harness her paladin’s discipline to stabilize the volatile energy of the weapon’s blasts.Aldra followed with fierce concentration, the sundress catching the sea breeze as she mirrored his motions—light on her feet, eyes sharp with determination. When their sparring began, it was not a contest but a dance: Kiryu’s strikes testing her reflexes, Aldra’s gunblade counters refined by intuition and growing skill. The sound of clashing steel rang out across the shore, a melody of friendship and trust.Each exchange revealed Aldra’s rapid progress—her movements confident yet measured, her draconic energy no longer wild, but guided. Kiryu could see it clearly: she was not only fighting to grow stronger, but to become a protector in every sense.As the sun dipped below the horizon, painting the water in hues of violet and gold, they ended their session. Breathless and content, Aldra smiled up at Kiryu, gratitude shimmering in her eyes.“You’ve done well,” he said quietly, resting the gunblade over his shoulder. “Your strength isn’t just in your blade or your fire—it’s in your heart. Remember that.”Later, they returned indoors where the air was cooler, the sound of waves replaced by the soft hum of the hearth. Kiryu continued the lesson more closely, guiding her through the gunblade’s mechanisms and how to synchronize them with her own energy.There, in the warm glow of the room, surrounded by friendship and shared respect, Aldra found what she had sought all along—balance. Not just between sword and shield, or light and fire, but between her duty as a paladin and the new life waiting ahead.
