Chapter Text
Patrolling the city streets, Enkrid dutifully watches the passing crowd. The name that he made for himself has made an impact as when he walks. He receives stares. Some mixed with admiration, some with suspicion. He bears no mind to it.
These mundane assignments he’s tasked to do makes him step with impatience. Although he held his duty above all – ensuring the safety of others — his hands twitched with the desire to train – another wall.
Entering a more strife-ridden area, his eyes and ears sharpen. The usual company he patrols with was pulled for other tasks today, so he continued ahead — in hopes he could encounter another challenge undisturbed.
Then, at the corner of the street, ran out a roughish man. He rushes with intensity that made Enkrid habitually readied his hand on his sword’s hilt. Tripping and falling to Enkrid’s knees, he gripped his armor with a tight desperation that made Enkrid believe he was no threat, instead, he’s probably running away from one.
A pungent scent filled his nostril. A sweet overwhelming scent that becomes nauseating due to the potency and volume. Enkrid crinkles his nose as he notes the man.
An exasperated cry comes from the man, “W-Witch!” Enkrid’s eyes light up, “I believe I have been cursed by a witch!”
Enkrid swiftly grabs hold of the man, pulling him up to stabilize himself. Despite his stoic, neutral face he displays for most events in his life, excitement leaks through his expression that shocked the supposed cursed man.
“Where?” Enkrid said deeply. It has been awhile since he had met the man on the boat.
The man pointed at the brothel district, to which Enkrid narrowed his eyes. The man whose voice became raspy by the second, “Have faith! I was just going to do my usual business but she came out of nowhere and attacked me.”
“Lead the way,” It is a knight’s role to protect the weak, and he will not doubt this endangered man’s sincerity.
Running together, they ran through the brothel and tavern, going down an alleyway, the man stopped.
He turns back, his lips warping into a nasty smile. A disgusting crackle came out his crusted mouth. His body seemed to grow more limp, as a figure morphed from his spine — a woman, a witch. The deep, stomach laugh transitioned to a sultry chuckle. The body was no more than a husk of a former victim.
Not letting a second pass, the moment he saw the appearing figure, he pulled his sword, and lunged towards the witch. To that his body was suddenly chained down by some invisible force. A magic circle lights below him.
Her wry smile twisted even more as her trap successfully locked him down, “Oh so called Cursebreaker. Even a measly witch like me was able to capture you.”
Enkrid growled with frustration, he was too hasty. No, how could he have ever predicted this outcome, magic was so foreign to him. He needed a day.
She walks aside him, inches away so as to not ruin her placed circle, “Fret not, I will not kill you. I only wanted to see the extent of this renowned title you own.”
Enkrid's face dropped, how would his day reset if he is not to be killed? What is this wall? — Just what is her wicked plan?
“Let’s see if you can break this curse,” she said as a hand placed over Encird’s eyes. His body jerks, attempts at sheer force to break away from her oppressive power.
He loses subconsciousness.
-
His eyes shot open, immediately shooting up. The wooden roof of the military barracks, followed with the smell of sweat and metal; Enkrid’s eyes come in contact with his squadrons’ curious stares. He somehow survived.
“And so he rises,” Rem walks over, donning his usual snarky attitude. Noticing Enkrid’s alarmed stare, “You good Corporal?”
A razor-sharp, piercing pain shot right through his head making him grip his forehead, “Yeah.” Trying to mask the headache, “How did I get here?”
“Sachsen found you just outside the military encampment.” Rem continues, “You were dead asleep for a good couple of hours.”
Enkrid’s eyes wavered in disbelief, was the wall not her? Another day has already passed, and nothing has reset. As Enkrid murmurs to himself on what this whole ordeal meant. Rem and the others began putting their lanterns out, unbeknownst to Enkrid, that they were staying up to ensure he is fine.
Krias breaks Enkrid’s thoughts, as he announces, “It’s pretty late, so let’s discuss what happened to you tomorrow morning Corporal.”
As goodnights rang through the barracks, Enkrid tried to fall back asleep.
Yet, the intense pain in his head began to spread through his body. Discomfort, sweat, and agitation swept the night as he continuously rummaged in his sleep to find some better position to lay. He moved so much that Esther disappeared from his side. Somehow, he was able to sleep for some moments.
-
The morning light barely leaks through the tent entrance as Audin wakes for his morning training, he and Enkrid were always the few that wake up before the break of dawn.
Finishing his morning prayers, he notices the small distressing mumbles from Enkrid sides of the room.
Brother is usually awake by now, Audin approaches his bedside, concerned if his pained noises were due to previous day’s happenings.
Gently grabbing Enkrid’s shoulder, he instantly yanked back, alarmed. The muscles that he had witnessed and trained were now soft and small.
This person was not Enkrid, Audin concluded. But who would possibly take his bed? He thought hard about what to do next, this could be Corporal’s friend, which is why Audin had not thrown them out yet, but when did Corporal have friends outside of the squad?
Audin needed another person in this particular situation. He knew two people were totally out of the choice — Ragna would simply not awake, and Rem would be too brash. The most sensible would be Krias.
Audin, waking up Krias, pulled him to Enkrid's bedside. He whispers, “Brother Krias, I believe we have a stranger sleeping in Enkrid’s bed.”
The only clue of identification was the head of hair that peaked above the blanket — black as Enkrid’s. But the color was common.
Krias whispers back, “Did Enkrid tell you anything about someone sleeping here?”
“I didn’t hear him leave his bed.” Sachsen appeared behind the two, nearly making Krias jump.
“—Jesus!” Krias roughly whispered, straightened himself, and asked, “If that’s the case why do you think this isn’t Enkrid?” he said, dubiously.
“His muscles. I’ve known the effort he has put into training his body, and that body is not him.”
“Okay, how about we shake them awake, and apologize if this person happened to be acquainted with Enkrid.” Krias compromised.
Gently and cautiously, Krias gave the mysterious person a shake on the shoulder.
Hearing a soft groan, he freezes. Krias turned to the other two, with panicked looks exchanged.
A woman?! The three all thought in synchrony.
She, laying up, the blanket that covered her face and body slipped down to her waist. She groggily yawned, fluttering her eyes open.
The three agape men in front of her stared in awe. Her messied short hair along with her blue eyes were undoubtedly recognizable.
But confused and dense, she stretches causally, “What?”
They were still in shock, as she habitually slid off her bed to get ready for her morning routine. Ignoring their blatant stares, the woman continued on.
“Big Eyes,” hearing his nickname out of her mouth nearly made him flinch, “-it’s rare to see you awake.” She hummed as leaned down to put on her shoes.
The three looked at each other again, she knew his nickname, she’s wearing Enkrid’s clothes, her behavior is no different to their corporal.
Asking what the other two hesitated on. Sachsen opened his mouth, “Corporal?”
“If you guys have something to say—” As Enkrid tried to tie his laces, he realized two big masses blocked his view, “—spit it out already…” And as he touched it, he looked up at the three.
They screamed.
“WHa-What?! Assassins?!” Rem shot out of bed grabbing the axes hidden underneath his pillow — he scanned the room, half-awake.
Ragna, awoken by the screams, laid back down when sensing no danger.
Rem was bedside neighbors with Enkrid, so he quickly spotted the female figure in place of his Corporal. His eyes widened.
“Is this… Corporal’s woman?!” He asked the other three who stood there quietly.
“What a babe!” He begins nodding, “Of course, our Corporal has the best of taste around. But I didn’t know he would be secretly hiding—“
“Dumbass,” Sachsen cuts him off, “This is Corporal.”
“Hah?!” Rem, finding both word and attitude offensive, grabbed his axe and fluidly slicing upwards right to Sachsen’s neck— immediately countered by Sachsen’s dagger.
“Don’t fucking play with me. That’s a woman.” Rem growls.
Krias tried to intervene with no effect, as Audin was about to grab the two apart, a figure boldly step between the two. Sachsen, about to jab Rem’s vitals with his free hand, stopped at her voice.
“Knock it off.”
The so-called woman stood between the two, now towering men, with a conviction and tired-annoyance that only Corporal, only Enkrid exudes.
Rem stepped back from Sachsen, holding back his spit to the rat’s face. He turned to the woman, giving a heinous expression paired with an obnoxious grin, “So you’ve gotten shorter Corporal.”
“So I have,” Enkrid pathetically sighed as she sat down on the edge of her bed.
“Tell us what happened Corporal.”
Now that the early commotion died down, the squadron, minusing Ragna, convened to figure out what in the world was this situation.
Enkrid explained all that happened the previous day. Krias stepped out saying that he’ll find someone.
“Brother, erm—Sister,” Audin paused to see Enkrid reply.
Enkrid’s face shone with the stoic irritation that made Rem snickered.
“Brother,” Audin corrected, with a tint of jest, “How do you plan to conduct your day now?”
“Until Krias returns, I will continue with my usual affairs.” Basically training they implied. Enkrid’s face lit with a serious passion, holding the hilt of her sword. Enkrid needs to figure out what kind of wall this is.
Seeing Enkrid’s readiness, the others were surprised to think Enkrid would react another way in his predicament.
“Say, Corporal, aren’t you weaker now you are a woman?” Sachsen said causally, not knowing that would be groundbreaking news to Enkrid.
Seeing Enkrid’s distraught, Rem smirked, “Heheh, also who knows sir, with your looks you might get jumped by these barbarians around camp — be careful .” Rem teased, laughing obnoxiously after.
Enkrid observed his appearance off of Rem’s well-kept axe, his changes facially wasn’t too drastic, beside his masculine features softening to a woman, his short hair still remain making him identifiable. However, the drastic change is in his body, being smaller, slimmer, the clothes that formerly fit him perfectly draped over him like a sack. Most surprising to himself was how busty he would be, he knew it would be an inconvenience in a hand to hand battle.
“Brothers silence, he seems to be having a hard time conceptualizing this.” Audin said sympathetically, clasping his hand to pray for his unfortunate Corporal.
“Curse this,” Enkrid growled. His lowly, hung head turned up with a reawakened fervor, “Audin,” leaning towards the giant, “Train with me later today, I need to test this new body.”
Audin’s eyes opened, a rare sight, was taken aback. Was he in awe of his corporal’s relentless pursuits? Or was it the sweet voice and softer appearance that now makes of his corporal?
“Of course,” Audin replied, not knowing why he felt much more motivated this time around.
Rem scoffed as he prepared himself for his day, “Look at Clumpy getting all happy being first.” Picking up his supplies, “…I’m usually first.”
“You jealous?” Sachsen pointed, he was always so accurate with his comments. Rem glared back at him, but then he smirked upon seeing his face, “I think you’re the one jealous.” Snickering at Sachsen’s twisted expression from being caught.
As the two were about to walk off, Enkrid made a trip back to his bedside. He was grabbing his equipment he’d usually train with, but since Rem and Sachsen were already there he asked.
“You two,” they both looked up attentively, “—is it obvious?”
“What is, sir?” Sachsen asked.
“That I look… womanly .” Enkrid said, holding a straight face but there was a tinge of shyness in his ears.
Rem cackled immediately as he heard that left Enkrid’s mouth, “Obviously! Look at your chest, your jugs are some of the biggest I’ve seen.” Rem’s hand gestured two exaggerated roundnesses on his chest.
“Ridiculous,” Sachsen said glaring at Rem’s perverted comment. He looked to Enkrid and expected a pissed reaction but instead he just nodded in agreement.
“Yes I noticed that too.” Enkrid sighed heavily, “This will be troubling if this becomes a big deal.”
“How so?” Sashen curiously inquired.
“The commotion will interrupt my training.”
“With all respect, you’re so abnormal, sir.” Rem said, with an entertained look on his face.
“Says the madmen.”
“Hey, on the bright side, isn’t it great you’ve got such a hot mug?”
“Do I?” Enkrid’s eyes narrow at his reflection on his sword. His face looked the same to him, nothing worthy to comment on.
“I look the same.”
Rem playfully scoffs, acknowledging Enkrid’s unchanging dense character as Sachsen sighs.
Clanging pots and pans rang outside, indicating breakfast was ready. Enkrid stood for a moment, wondering whether the best course of action was to head to the dining area, a crowded area, but his stomach grumbled. He couldn’t get stronger without food.
Ragna, now actually getting up, lazily stretched awake. Making eye contact with the now female Corporal, he squinted. Rubbing his eyes to double check his vision. The womanly figure remains. Although curious, he didn’t care enough to ask.
Walking past Enkrid, he loudly yawned, “Mornin’ Corporal.”
Enkrid was surprised, but also unsurprised by his nonchalant reaction. It gave him hope that maybe the others would also react the same way.
But it turns out Ragna’s indifference was a rarity among the many.
Enkrid walked towards the dining area, where morning soup was being distributed. He felt a couple of stares bore into the back of his head. Hearing odd comments like: “Who’s the new chick?” “Did she just walk out of Platoon 444’s tent?” And “When did we have cutie in this area?”
He couldn’t hide his grimace, his trained senses made all the comments much more apparent, and the fact that he was receiving compliments from former soldiers that looked down upon him made him even more annoyed.
Making it to the front of the line, the stares didn’t lessen. But the man serving gave him an exceptionally longer stare, and smiled, “I’ll add another serving for you m’lady,” giving Enkrid a wink, “-don’t tell the others.”
Enkrid's face remained unfazed, with not a single hint of additional gratitude beside a small ‘thanks,’ the man’s spirit weakened. He sighed sadly as Enkrid indifferently walked away.
He walked to the Platoon’s usual eating area, one that’s isolated despite being right in the middle of the dining hall. And had a slight winning smirk.
“Maybe this body isn’t so bad at all.” Enkrid said with a cocky glint in his eyes.
Mostly all, beside Krias who was still away looking for more intel, was there at the table. The attention was on Enkrid’s double portion of soup with a totally biased amount of meat and vegetables in each bowl.
Rem leaned back giving a nasty laugh, “Yeah, you’d sure say that when I wreck you in our duel.”
The thought of Enkrid’s lost strength made him dispirited for a quick second, that garnered Rem a couple of kicks underneath the table.
But Enkrid’s resolve remained willful, “For the time I have this body, I’ll find ways to destroy you.” Then scarfing down the soup, wanting to swiftly access the situation and body he’s currently in.
Seeing their smaller Corporal say that with such a serious cuter face warranted some small endearing laughter that went undetected by him. And as he quickly finished the first bowl. Each one of the members began adding a portion of their soup to his second bowl.
Enkrid’s catching glimpse of their obvious gestures, stopped and looked puzzlingly. Sashen rarely shares his food, Rem and Ragna were always threatening each other necks because of food, and Audin made sure he always maximized his nutrition.
“Why?” Enkrid asked bluntly.
“You must grow Brother Corporal.” Audin said, with agreeing nods from the others.
Enkrid felt like he was a sort of pet to them, but shrugged it off. He’ll never decline a gesture of goodwill.
But, unknowingly, the whole camp was listening in, trying to figure out the mysterious female that sat amongst the monsters. So the moment that Audin indicated that the woman turns out to be Corporal Enkrid, the whole crowd went into an uproar.
Soldiers who had never approached the table before rushed over to Enkrid’s side.
“You’re Enkrid? The Enkrid?”
“What happened to you?!”
“The beauty turned out to be you?!”
Questions bombarded Enkrid, as he irritably put down his bowl, standing up from his seat. The other squadrons were able to scare them away before Encird’s coldly states, “Yeah, it’s me.”
The chilling cut of the supposed cute voice, made the curious soldiers shrink.
“You got a problem with that?”
Enkrid made sure to tilt his sword in an angle that glistened with threatening aura. It wasn’t too long ago he had proven his name, promotion, and title. So their forwardness cowered, as they scurried away from the table. Seeing them withdraw, Enkrid mentally prided himself.
Enkrid heard Rem’s whistle from his back. As Ragna dryly comments, with some wimpy claps, “So cool Corporal.”
“Shut it.”
“It’s rare to see you this agitated Corporal.” Sashen noted.
Enkrid paused, he also wondered why he was so affected by all the attention, “It’s a waste of breath to explain to everyone if I’m only going to recover my original body soon.” Was his best explanation to his annoyance.
Finishing his bowl, “Make sure you all do your necessary duty and training. Be cordial with each other." As he gets up to leave.
“Where are you heading off to?” Ragna asked. A questionable action Enkrid thought since he’d never cared.
“To report my situation with the higher ups.” — and to investigate his situation, whether it’s the or the current state he is in. Those were unspoken words that were known to the squad.
Enkrid needed to see what his current progress is now. At the realization, despite his responsibilities as squad leader being a priority, he turned back to the table with eagerness, “Seek me out when you guys are free. A spar with you all would be the perfect test to see where I’m at now.”
Ragna immediately stood up, “How about I go with you now? I never do my duties anyway.” Said in the most shameless manner.
“Hey” Rem yanks Ragna back down, “-if he’s skipping, so am I!”
“No. None of you are.” As much as Enkrid would rather gain experience from fighting with them all, he knows what is needed, “Finish your work first.” Now finally leaving them.
Watching the Corporal walk off, Rem slump over on the table. He cupped his hands in a serious, concerned manner, “My fellow squadmates, I think I am turning insane.”
“You’ve been.” Ragna remarked. Rem returned a quick glare.
“Why Brother?” Audin interjects between the animosity between the two.
Rem, continuing, “I can’t stop thinking about how cute our Corporal is.”
Despite never agreeing with Rem, Ragna nods, shocking the other three from his cold reaction earlier, “Hearing his request made me just want to drop everything for him.”
“This is dangerous…” Sachsen added with the similar frustrated expression to Rem.
“I will pray for Krias’ swift return then.” Audin lightly said, chuckling in the odd situation Platoon 444 is going through.
-
-
-
[If you want to check out some Enkrid swapped fanart!: https://x.com/lanna_bakal/status/1933621204734087635]