《The Thalisean legacy》


 Chapter 1: Land of beginnings

    "Alright, I think this is enough," I said as I picked up the piles of wood I''ve finished chopping, placing my rusty axe down near the stump, wiping the sweat from my brow as I exhaled a breath of relief, taking in the fresh air coming from all around me. My muscles felt a strong ache everywhere as I seemed to have had used up most of my energy without taking note of the time.


    "Zach! Come back! It''s almost time to eat!" a voice in the far distance sounds, calling my attention as I hear my name.


    Though, I don''t think anyone else here''s named or called Zach, seeing as were the only ones living here, deep in the wilderness. I ease up my muscles and lift as many as I can, running back to the way I came from, following a paved road that leads up to a small slope, then to a lush, clear, green field where a simple lodge stood, smoke coming from its chimney.


    I''ve grown up seeing this view my entire life, but I never grew tired of it. In fact, I always admired it, wanting to sometimes go beyond my boundaries, traveling to places I only read about in books.


    In the far horizon, beyond our lodge stood a breathtaking display of mountains covered in snow. The view of the sun during sunrise and sunset were the times I enjoyed the most, often finding myself outside for most of the time.


    As I closed in on the lodge, I could smell a captivating aroma which further aroused my nose, making me quicken my pace, still being careful not to drop anything I''m carrying with me.


    "Mom, Dad, I''m back!" I yelled out upon entering the room, seeing the sight of my old man, sitting on one of the dining chairs, reading a book with his glasses, his trimmed white beard and muscular looking body made him look younger despite the passage of time and age.


    "Ah, Zach, you''re finally back. How did it go?" he spoke, closing his book and placing it down on the table along with his glasses, standing up to help me with my load.


    "Ah, ah. You sit down, Dad. I wouldn''t want you to break your back again. You know how expensive the medicine is for back pain. And the merchant barely even passes by anymore. I''ll handle this," I said, smiling at him as I placed the pile of firewood down the pile along with the others, replenishing our supply.


    "Take a seat, my dear. Zach, I''m just about done, so please sit down as well. Have you planted the saplings yet? The forest needs to grow after all," a soft-spoken, gentle, youthful looking woman said, wearing a long, white blouse and a beige, long skirt. She had a chestnut colored, long, brown hair that went all the way to her hips.


    "I think I''ve planted enough to cover a pretty good expanse of the forest. I might just be able to grow a small forest of my own if I keep this up."


    "Oh my. Then you must be really tired if you did all that. Would you want to rest first?" she asked, looking genuinely concerned, ignoring her cooking, putting me ahead as usual.


    I never did mind that, but she often goes to great lengths when there''s something wrong with me. It''s her who I can never match since whenever I think I''ve repaid all her deeds to me, she cares for me and Dad even more. It''s as if age never weighed her down in the first place.


    "And miss your cooking? Not for anything in the world! You know how much I look forward to that. I''d do any task for it, honestly," I laugh jokingly at her.


    "Oh you. Don''t overwork yourself," she resumed.


    This has become the usual routine. Mom is cooking and cleaning around the house, Dad is reading something to keep him entertained... Well that wasn''t the usual case for Dad.


    He used to be a warrior believe it or not. He often told me about his many adventures and accomplishments during his time, and by the end of every story I''d find myself imagining that I was him, and that I was as strong as he was in his stories.


    He trained me himself during my early days of childhood, back when he was still in active duty somewhere. Though I learned a lot, I was never really able to beat him as he would never hold back in any of our sparring lessons, becoming strict to a great degree whenever he wields his sword...


    That was until his back began aching, and other parts of his body started feeling the weakness that came with age. So, I ended up teaching myself as he lectured from a distance.


    "After we''ve taken our fill and rested, let''s start practice once more. I think you''re getting there, but it''s still far. I don''t want you getting too complacent, thinking that you''re getting close to my level, ha ha ha!" he laughed jovially, looking as happy as ever when we talk about training.


    "Of course. I''ll be looking forward to it. It''s just a shame that you''re not able to spar with me anymore. I might just be able to beat you with ease," I grinned a bit, wanting to bait his feelings of pride, which surface more than often when I boast about my growth.


    "Ha! Don''t be too overconfident, boy! Just remember that a broken back''s the only thing keeping you from being embarrassed in front of your mother!"


    "Hush, both of you. it''s time to eat. The table is no place for fighting, or even talking about it. Here, we give our undivided attention to the food," Mom intervened, setting down the plates, then the food, making me gulp at the sight, making my sense of smell tingle as the aroma wafts to my nose.


    "I''ll second that! Alright, let''s give praise and eat, shall we?" I said, pulling Mom''s chair for her to sit down on.


    "Thank you, Zach" she smiled with her youthful and beautiful face. "Well then, let''s eat."


    "Your mother always has a way with words. That''s how she stops me. Isn''t that right, Elaine? Ha ha ha!" Dad joined in, feasting on the heaven brought meal that I''ve always fathomed and envied as I have been unable to replicate it perfectly whenever I would cook for them instead for Mom.


    "Don''t worry about packing things up. We''ll just be nearby at the clearing, close to where you planted the saplings," Dad said, taking his cane and walking impatiently towards the door.


    I wasted no time after resting and letting my meal fully digest, taking my sheathed sword, one that was given to me by my father, and used by him.


    "Dear, Zach and I will be training for a bit outside. We will return shortly, so don''t fret. We''ll be back right away to keep you safe."


    "Don''t you worry about me, dear. I''ll be fine on my own. Both of you take care now. And don''t overexert yourselves, that goes to you most importantly, Zach. I won''t have to worry about your father since he can barely run around at all," she teased, still acting strict, but with good intentions as always.


    "Sorry, Mom, but I''ll have to overexert myself a bit if I want to be as strong as Dad, otherwise he''ll keep holding it over my head," I said as I ran through the door, catching up to Dad, who hadn''t gotten that far considering how he walks at a slow and steady pace with his cane.This book was originally published on Royal Road. Check it out there for the real experience.


    As we distanced away from the house, I saw Mom standing by the doorway, waving with a smile as she saw us off.


    "What are we doing today?" I asked, breaking the silence as we entered the forest full of rustling leaves.


    "The usual. If you want to be better or at least be good at something, you''ll need to focus on one thing and improve with that. Only after that can you hope to learn and master another. There''s no easy way to being strong, after all."


    "Is that how you got strong?"


    "Indeed. I trained constantly until I passed out once due to exhaustion. I guess reckless devotion truly pays off."


    Walking even farther away as we spoke to each other, we entered a clearing where I dug the holes for the saplings, leaving enough space for them to grow individually as the trees in this forest grow wider and taller than your average tree.


    "Here should be a nice spot. And there''s even a stump reserved for me. How convenient," he said, sitting down and setting his cane to the side.


    "You''re welcome by the way. So, what do I do now?"


    "First, I want you to practice the same thing we did last time. Cut the air with your sword, or in other words, practice slashing downwards from an overhead stance."


    I did as he told me, taking the sword out from the sheath on my waist and taking a firm stance, facing nothing in general.


    I tightly gripped the hilt of the sword with my two hands, feeling my muscles tense up as I raised the sword up over my head. And at the same time, I brought it down with a sharp exhale of my breath, moving a step forward, then taking a step back, repeating the process, just like I''ve done many times.


    "Make sure to put some force into your arms. Or if what you hit is durable or strong, move farther with your legs and move your entire body with you. Allow the weight of your body to be distributed. An overhead with be best utilized with a good coordination in your body. But be sure to not tense up too much, otherwise your joints will ache fast," he began spewing orders, those if which I adjusted to, immediately feeling the slight effect of its change.


    "So, does it feel a bit less taxing?"


    "Yes, amazingly. I guess I''ve been doing it wrong the entire time. It feels as if I could strike stronger with this."


    "There''s nothing wrong with improvising, remember that. Fighting with a sword means to adjust to any opponent. If you stick to one form, you''ll be great in that aspect. But if you add your ownforms and use each of them effectively, then you will be a terrifying foe."


    This was how things went for the most part. Though the odd thing is that I never really questioned why I had to train in the first place. It strung from a few events, then to this. Maybe I simply accepted it since I realized that I could protect my parents when I got older, or if something ever bad happens, I can be sure to protect them from anything.


    Leaving only a few hours after noon, the sun seemed to set as a faint orange light pierced the leaves and onto the ground around us. It seems that the day''s curtain was beginning to set, and that our time for training was nearly drawing to an end.


    As I was continuing my training, the bush behind me began rustling, and we turned our attentions there without delay.


    "Stay silent and calm. Prepare your sword, Zach. I don''t know what hides behind those bushes, but do not let your guard waver," he whispered, inching his hand to his cane, which he held as a defensive weapon, still sitting down as he narrowed his eyes in that direction.


    I placed my sword before me, looking intensely at the bush where the sound came from. It gave off this slight feeling of dread, something I''ve been conscious about.


    I thought about one essential thing that a person who wielded something that could take other''s lives. A blade. But before that, could they even move themselves to kill someone, or something? I''ve never done anything like that, save for hunting animals for food. Maybe this is fear bubbling up from inside of me, or anticipation.


    It lunged from where it hid at breakneck speed, catching me off guard as I fell to the ground, disoriented, feeling a slight tinge of pain on my back.


    "Zach, get up! It''s too dangerous to sit down!" I hear my Dad yell out desperately, an advice which I took without delay, doing as he said.


    Before I could realize it, the being, which I haven''t even gotten a decent look at, lunged at me, making a beam of light shine as his sword came deathly close to me. At this time my instincts seemed to kick in as I placed my sword before me, holding it with shaking arms. Relenting, the being followed through with another strike, slashing at my arm, causing it to bleed, sending an intense lash of pain to me.


    I screamed, feeling the cold touch of a blade for the first time, destroying my morale completely as it backed away, growling menacingly as its cold, blue eyes seemed to pierce into my soul.


    I checked my surroundings, seeing a heavily wounded man with armor that seemed beyond saving. His face was pale, as if he were dead. His shoulders were slumped forward as he held his chipped-off longsword with one arm, breathing heavy with a cloud of smoke.


    "What is this?!" I said, unable to comprehend the being in front of me due to my lack of knowledge on anything beyond the borders of our home. Though Father had told me of many things that was in his book, he mentions those of monsters. But this one looks far from being a monster. It''s human, but not.


    "Raise your sword. This is no time to hesitate! We can''t let it escape or roam about. Otherwise it''ll bring harm to us sooner or later. Or even worse, it might bring even more," Dad struggled to get up, taking his position behind me with haste, shouting commands which exited through my other ear.


    As far as I was concerned, I was petrified. I couldn''t move at all despite being in reality. This... thing, it gave off an aura that I could only call deathly terrifying. It looked like a simple shove could break his entire body, but the thought of getting closer to it made chills run down my spine.


    It growled, waking me from my daze. Then it began rushing, its sword arm lagging behind. The thing possessed an impeccable amount of speed, making me panic as we ran out of distance between each other.


    "Zach, be ready to parry the thing''s attack! Don''t be afraid, otherwise it''ll be fatal!" he said. Though his words were convincing and encouraging, my arms felt heavy despite holding the sword in front. It felt like if I attacked, it would mean little to it.


    But nevertheless, I chose to steel myself; the words of my father became overwhelmingly stronger in the face of fear it seems.


    As it got closer, it swung directly at me, not taking a stance, moving his body to the left in order to create a strong momentum to as it attacked from my left side.


    Acting on what I''ve been taught, I step sideways to my left, my body now facing the oncoming sword.


    I motioned briefly, inching the sword up and bringing it down to meet the fiend''s weapon, clashing with a high-pitch, deafening clank of metal, sending a harsh ripple of vibrations through my arms, a sensation which I''ve never felt before.


    "Excellent! Now attack him! Don''t hesitate!"


    I followed through miraculously, swinging my sword to the right, attacking the disarmed thing as I sliced diagonally through it storso, then another, swinging upwards, then finally down on its left shoulder, bringing it down with disgust.


    The thing fell to his knees due to the force I exerted with my attack, unmoving, looking to be dead as the blue glow in itseyes disappeared.


    I fell to my knees, letting go of my blood-stained sword, unable to believe what I had just done. It didn''t feel natural at all. The food I consumed started making its way back up to my gullet, but I suppressed it in time, turning away instead at the sight of the dead man.


    "Zach! Are you alright?! Come, let me see what''s wrong with you," Father came rushing despite the pain he felt on his back. The expression of pain in his face showed that he disregarded that, coming close to kneel in front of me, placing both hands on my shoulder.


    My entire body shuddered relentlessly, ceasing only after I felt my Father''s warm embrace as he spoke saying, "It''s alright, my son. Calm down. I know this was sudden. But breathe in and out. Once we return, your mother and I will do something about your wound."


    "Who knew using a sword like this made you weaker. I thought That it gave you strength?" I said jokingly instead of succumbing to the uneasiness I was feeling. How pathetic. I was unprepared for something I''ve trained for.


    "Holding a sword doesn''t necessarily make you a stronger and better person. It''s why you wield a sword and whom you wield it for that makes all the difference. Remember that. A sword is meant to protect someone, never to take," he parted from me, standing up as I aided him onto his cane.


    "But I can''t really calm down after I know what that thing is. I don''t think it''s a person, or anything. It''s out of the ordinary, something I''ve never seen before."


    "That was a Revenant. A being whose soul has been taken over by a demon''s, and is being used as its new host body. But what I want to know myself is why it was so heavily injured. A demon took over the body of someone wearing such high class looking armor. This does not mean well for us. Come, let us go back to your mother. I worry about her. I''ll explain what I can on the way," he said with urgency and a serious expression, frantically walking at a faster pace as I followed him.

 Chapter 2: Sorrowful contempt

    "Monsters aren''t supposed to be anywhere close here. But why is there a Revenant here of all places? As far as I know, they can only be created by powerful demons that are capable of turning the deceased into living beings without a soul, replacing it with the soul of another demon instead," Father said, immersed in wonder about what justhappened.


    Though it wasn''t that serious, the wound that I received from the Revenant still stung a great deal. But I currently am mustering up the strength to remain strong. It was nothing that I ever dreamt of in the first place, but looking back at it, it seems like a miracle that I''m here, walking home with a fresh wound on my shoulder to tell of that tale.


    It quickly began getting dark, and the road was starting to become obscured for anyone to see it clearly. But with the frantic rush that we went on, we returned from the forest, seeing our house up on that small slope; light coming from the windows, and smoke coming from the chimney, indicating of her presence, and that she is safe.


    I took one glance at the new night sky, immediately captivated as it took the pain away for a brief moment, then returning me to reality as I had to face it now. Whatever reason that being came to the forest near us, I must stay vigilant. I''ll be the only one who can protect my parents when the time comes. And when it does, I''ll be sure to succeed no matter what... Or that''s what I''ve resolved to do. Clearly I''m still not in my right mind after what I''ve just been through.


    "Elaine! Elaine, are you here? Answer me, please!" father called out, still not convinced of her safety, nor was I. Instead, I quickly came in and locked the door behind me, searching the lower floor of the house for any sign of her, seeing a lit-up room with an empty presence, only emerging fruitless in my endeavors.


    But it was then that we heard a voice come from the floor above us, a voice that made us feel a wave of relief, as if a heavy weight had been lifted from our shoulders.


    "Frederick? What''s wrong? Did something happen?" she came rushing down the stairs with a surprised expression, but relieved to see that we arrived.


    "Elaine, I thought something terrible had happened here. Thank goodness that it wasn''t the case," Dad came up to her, embracing her. He was much taller than her despite having a very robust body, while mother has a slim body, averagely tall.


    "What is this about all of a sudden?" she looked red as her husband embraced her in relief, not realizing the dilemma we went through.


    Oh my! What happened to you, Zach? Where did you get that wound?!" she pushed him away gently, approaching me with an overly concerned expression, as if it was a trauma or a nightmare that she had seen again.


    "Sit! I''ll get some bandages and medicine. My, just what did happen during your training?" she said, frantically searching the shelves and drawers from within the various rooms of the house, worked up to a great degree. Who knew that it would make her like this, seeing me in a bit of a bad shape. It did hurt after all. It stung and was the worst sensation I had ever felt in my entire life, but seeing her like that made me feel at ease.


    "There, I''ve applied the medicine and wrapped the bandage. It should heal with a few days of rest," she heaved a sigh, sitting down on one of the chairs in the living room with a slump, exhausted because of her own worries. "Would you mind telling me what exactly happened, Frederick? I need an explanation, otherwise I don''t think I''ll feel comfortable about sleeping soundly."


    Father explained what exactly happened in the forest, and about what he thought of it, giving a few insights here and there. And as I thought, it clearly surprised her, the thought of monsters roaming about our area.


    "If only this back pain didn''t hinder me, then I would''ve surely done something about it. If worse comes to worse, then we''ll both have to depend on Zach to protect us-"


    "Is there no other way?" she cut him off with a pleading expression, quite downcast from the looks of it. "I know I''ve allowed you to train him, but I just can''t help but feel terrified if anything might happen to him. I can''t allow that, not yet. I''ll do something about it myself, so there''s no need for any of you to be put at harm."


    "But, Elaine, it''s starting to get dangerous around here. Who knows what might follow. If we can''t train the child to protect himself, then he''ll be the one in danger. And I absolutely refuse to put you in harm''s way at any matter! What do you even plan on doing?"


    "I''ll go to the nearby town and pay for a guard, or post a request to clear the forest of any monsters. I know that we don''t have enough, but I''ll sell some of my jewelry. There''s no problem in that, is there?" she looked at him with a straight gaze, one that told of her conviction, clearly making Father''s shudder.


    "Like I''ve said, I won''t let you. Going in there by yourself is like a sentence to me. I won''t even let you step in that forest without someone guarding you. There may be another way. We can move to the town, where it''s safe."


    "No... But, we''ve built this house, our hopes and dreams are here. We won''t have enough to pay for another home to live in. Leaving this would be like abandoning something we''ve worked hard for."


    "... Well then, why don''t we leave this for tomorrow. I don''t think we''ll reach a conclusion soon, and I wouldn''t want to get angry because of some disagreements. Are you alright with settling this tomorrow, Elaine?" he gave up voluntarily, drawing another surprised look from Mom as she faintly smiled at him.


    "Yes, yes I would like that," she stood up. "I''ll prepare dinner, so why don''t you both take a rest for a while. I''ll call you when it''s ready," she said, disappearing into the kitchen with a content and relieved face.


    "I''m sorry that you had to see that, Zach. It seems that we weren''t able to agree on something. I guess our bonds as a family just ties us together too tightly. And I don''t mind that at all. Your mother and I care for you deeply, so we will go through leaps and bound just to assure that you''re safe and sound."


    "I understand, Dad. I never doubted both of you for a second. But don''t think I''ll give up trying to be stronger. My reason just keeps urging me with the way I saw both of you arguing. If I''m strong, then none of you will ever have to worry about anything. So, please, keep teaching me," I pleaded sternly with him, curling my hands into a tight fist, hoping that he''d agree.


    "I don''t see why not. Your mother wasn''t really opposed to you training. She was simply scared of seeing you harmed. She''s always been like that, to me as well. And I''m grateful for it. Without her, I''d probably be less of a man than I am now. I understand your reason. I was once like that. And looking back at it now, I see myself when I look at you. So be strong, for us. We''ll be there for you every step of the way," he gave off a genuine smile, combing his short beard. "And by the way, I''m proud of you for having taken down that Revenant. You saved me," his smile turned even brighter, making me feel a bit flushed at the praise, but instead I laughed it off.


    We had finished eating dinner, enjoying it normally as a family without the heated argument earlier. It seemed that it bothered them both, but they now looked as normal as they could be.


    The two of them had already resigned themselves to sleep, clearly exhausted as I heard Dad snoring as I passed by to get to my room on the second floor. It wasn''t all that big, but it was enough to keep a roof above my head.


    So here I am now, looking at the ceiling as I lay on my bed, unable to sleep due something bugging me. It was silent, owls hooting and crickets singing, the usual. I''m just trying to figure out what that nagging feeling is.


    "Man, I can''t help but feel useless after all. I ended up worrying them both because I wasn''t able to beat that thing... I guess it was really strong despite being wounded. Might as well go outside," I said, getting up from my bed eagerly, taking my sword as well.


    Whenever I''m unable to sleep, or if something''s brought me down, I seemed to have always gone ot to look at the sky. The starry sky without a cloud in sight. It was enough to lift my spirits. But this time, I might as well add something else into the mix.


    "It''s as beautiful as ever," I said to myself, looking at the sky after closing the door behind me, securing it just in case.


    I felt the strong flow of the wind brush on my skin as I went farther away from our house, standing completely still on a clear plane, breathing in as I unsheathed my sword.


    What happened simply couldn''t leave my mind, so maybe that was what bothered me after all. I vented my frustrations at the wind, slashing and cutting at it with a certain tenacity that depleted my energy at a record time, like a child throwing a tantrum.


    But after a while, I focused, having vented as much as I could to take things a bit more seriously. And that was when I imagined the image of that revenant in front of me, breathing raggedly while holding his longsword with one arm, dragging it along.


    It lunged at me, attacking with the same ferocity like that in reality. I reacted the same way, feeling its presence as if it were here all along. Though the thought of that discomforted me greatly, it aided my resolve, helping me visualize the same thing that happened back then.


    I dodged to the side, striking it horizontally with my sword as I spun for a momentous attack.


    He retaliated without much difficulty, not fazed at all as it slashed upwards, using his body to produce a great amount of speed which he used to counter my attack.


    I stopped in my tracks, sighing in disappointment. "How anticlimactic. Even in my mind that thing beats me hands down."


    Thought I thought in your mind, you favored yourself, and that everything that happened there was according to you, I was defeated by the revenant in my own consciousness. When it parried my attack, sending my blade flying away, I was left defenseless, and that was where it killed me without hesitation. U shuddered but remembered that it was just my imagination,


    I tried a bit more until I had my thoughts straight, emerging narrowly victorious after a few more tries, which seemed longer than what I wanted.


    Completely drained after practicing swordplay as my father had always taught me, I fell on the grass, breathing hard as I stared at the sky, even more beautiful and vast through the night, always as breathtaking as usual.


    My hands were strained, and pain coursed through my body, something that made me happy seeing as progress came with pain, like what I''ve been told. "I''ll get better, I swear. Hopefully it''ll be enough to at least make both of them safe." I said to myself.


    I wanted them to be truly happy. They always had to worry about me, though I''ve been taught be them a lot. Mom was always doing something to keep herself busy, and father did his best to train me, worrying over the security of the family while he''s at it, still lacking in a bit of faith in me.


    After regaining some of my lost strength, I returned back home, sleeping soundly as I fell on my bed, satisfied with how the rest of the day went.


    The next day I woke up to the sound of a conversation happening outside from my open window. It seems that I had woken up rather late since I went to bed later than my usual time.


    I groggily got up, trying my best to lift and separate myself from my bed, which seemed to have a magnetic pull that prevented me from parting with it. But with enough playing around, I finally got up and fixed myself, descending the stairs.


    The first thing I saw was father speaking with a couple of people wearing the same sturdy looking white and red striped armor, fashioned with a white cape and flat top helmet that they carried on their sides. A sort of armor that I had seen in the past.


    "Finally, you''re awake. I thought you always woke up earlier than us, so this is surprising. But we can save that for later. Why don''t you get something to eat first?" Mom greeted me with a smile, wearing an apron above her usual clothing


    "What''s with the company?" I asked, looking at the men without s clue of their reasons for being here this time. This wasn''t unusual, but the men that came by often never did return, until now that is. Last time I saw them seemed to be a few years ago.


    As far as I know, father was a knight of the kingdom, or used to be one. He was a commander too, having served his time in wars which he didn''t talk about much.


    "Well, you stay safe alright, Sir Frederick? It''s been an honor meeting you, and you too, Miss Erinn. You know, I''ve always told my wife and daughter about you. I''ve read about your great battles too! If only age weren''t something holding us down, then you''d be a great hero amongst us soldiers. Everyone knows that we need someone to inspire us."


    "Is that so? Ha ha, it sems that my accomplishments still live on. But forget about me. Right now, it''s all up to you and the people living today. People like me who are relics of the past can''t do that much anymore. But from those relics and I, we know that you all will still make a difference. Now go along and finish whatever it is you came here for. You''re needed everywhere these days," he beamed them with his smile and energy, having been flattered near his ego''s limit.


    I understand. We''ll be around the area to patrol some more," the men said, leaving with a curt bow, mounting their horses, looking magnificent just be standing there with a full decoration of an armored horse and a fully armed soldier mounting it. They galloped away with speed.


    "What''d they come for this time? I haven''t seen them in a while," I asked, heading to my seat for breakfast.


    "It seems that they were searching for the stray revenant that you fought. It seems that they knew of what happened, and I managed to get it out of them."


    "And what is it about? Did something big happen?"


    "There was a battle with some demons near the town of Lavis. The casualties were as immense as ever, even with the town having been defended by a knightly order. The one in charge of the fief couldn''t make it in time because of another battle happening with the demons somewhere else. But it seems that they were searching for one more, a stronger revenant than compared to the other ones."Love this story? Find the genuine version on the author''s preferred platform and support their work!


    "How terrifying. Are there any more news? I fear for our safety here, but I still stand firm in what I said. Forgive me, Frederick, Zachary. For my selfishness and stubbornness," she looked at him apologetically. As a result, he was unable to deny her of anything. But she repaid him with her kindness, those of which could melt the coldest of hearts.


    Dad gave a sigh, placing a hand on her shoulder saying, "It can''t be helped. If that''s what you want, then what''s stopping you. Zach, and I will be here to protect you if anything happens, isn''t that right, son?" he looked to me, waiting for me to agree, which I did, needless to say.


    "But honestly, it''s getting terrible as the days pass. Soon we''ll be forced to relocate somewhere safe since places like here in the forest will most likely be overrun by monsters," said father


    "But isn''t there anyone that can stop them? I don''t know much of what''s out there, but there should be someone capable, right?" I asked, curious.


    The moment I asked, my father''s and mother''s stares seemed glued to me, not until I took back their attentions.


    "Ah, well, there are saviors, I guess there ''was'' in this case. They were called the Thalise, a race of people chosen by the gods to defeat the threat of the demons in times of great crisis just like what''s happening out there. And they would succeed without fail."


    "Amazing. Are they that strong?" I said in amazement, having heard of something new from my father, other than his stories as a knight and commander.


    "I''ll tell you more once we''re done with finishing the tasks for today. I''m sure there are no more threats of monsters nearby. There should still be soldiers roaming the forests at this time, so our safety is assured."


    We did just that, fulfilling much of everything that was needed; planting a few seeds of vegetables Mom had chosen, fixing things in the house, and many other stuff that required hard, manual labor.


    Hours passed and we both stood near the house, training with swordplay, improving my skills as best I could.


    "I guess we can use this time to rest. And while you''re at it, I might as well tell you of about the Thalise." he went and sat down on the front porch of the house, resting his cane to the side, motioning for me to follow.


    "So, where did we leave off... ah, yes, I know just where to start," he began telling of the many feats that a Thalisean had done, showing just how immense their powers were, and how they accomplished many things deemed impossible. But what piqued me the most was the part about them and the demons, a topic which I''ve heard very little about.


    "They were the fated ones that would defeat the demon king. But they disappeared when their time of need was at its greatest. No one knew how or why, but they couldn''t bring themselves to worry about that since the demons threatened them, pushing humanity back from their lands. There were many wars fought across the land, both suffering immense casualties, but the humans, greater with each battle. I once read how the battle went."


    He cleared his throat, preparing to say something that needed to be emphasized. "It was like a magnificent light that shone brightly amidst the fog of pure blackness. All that had descended into despair found themselves reaching out to this ray of hope that was so high up in the air that many envied it. The way he fought against the greatest odd one could ever hope to fight wrapped the entire continent in anxiety and anticipation. But they never lost hope ever against when he rose. They all believed in him, and that gave him the strength to vanquish the vile cur. But with victory came with a cost, a great one that is. His life," he made a bow after that.


    "So in the end, the last of the Thalise disappeared after that battle many years ago. That part I read out was from a book I had fancied. It''s taking in dust on my shelf, but it''s a good read."


    "But now that the Thalise are all gone, who''s going to defeat the demons?"


    "No one knows. They''ve been praying to their creator, but a miracle like that isn''t simply going to happen... Or fate might just be cruel. But for now, humanity is holding its ground. Still, the demon''s movements have been agressive as of late, and it''s rather concerning."


    "Tell me more about the Thalise, and how strong they were," I urged, interested at learning their ways now that I''ve known about the demons and the Thalise.


    "Hmm, how should I put this. The most experienced ones that I read about were able to defeat numerous numbers of demons by themselves. I haven''t seen a Thalise in battle since they''ve disappeared, but I know for a fact that they exist," he stared at the distance absent-mindedly. I couldn''t think about what was in his head at this time. Though I wonder what it was about. It looked like he had something to say, but it could just be my imagination.


    "They are fated to battle the demon king, the most feared being in the continent, to the death, a harsh punishment bestowed to any living being in the world. Everyone fears the demons, but until now they hope for someone to save them, even after all these years of waiting they wished... Tell me, Zach. If I told you that there was a living Thalisean in this land, living his life in peace, away from the fears of the demons, would you urge him to fulfill his destiny despite the tragedy?" he looked at me seriously, catching me off guard with the question.


    "Wait, is there one living here after all?!" I asked him loudly in surprise.


    "No. It''s merely a question of mine. A ''what if''. What would you choose?"


    "I think, that he should do the right thing, not because of his destiny, but because there are people out there suffering who need help," though it''s a spur of the moment, question, I thought hard of it. If there was someone out there who can make the people feel safe again, then I guess it''s only right to fix that. But I can''t say anything to someone so powerful considering how much room I still have to grow.


    "I see..." he didn''t continue, keeping his silence for some reason.


    "What''s is it for anyway?"


    "Nothing in particular, son. Don''t worry," he stood up with his cane, struggling at bit on the way. "Come, it''s starting to get dark. I think it''s time I gave you something that you should have had long ago," he made a stern face, walking towards the house as the sun began descending.


    As I got in the house, Mom was fixing up the dining table, noticing me saying, "Zach, dear, why don''t you fetch the soldiers who came by earlier. Ask them if they''d like to have dinner with us, or urge them if you will. They should be near where you planted the saplings."


    "Got it," I said, taking my sword and running out, not feeling much from the exhaustion of training from a while ago.


    I made my way through the woods, which was rather hard to navigate through since it was getting dark, and the fact that I didn''t bring any source of light with me made it a bit worse. But on the bright side I seemed to remember some of the paths as I marked the trees that I passed back then.


    It was deathly silent, as if there was no sign of wildlife anywhere in the vicinity, which was unusual seeing as it teemed with life whenever I came by.


    There felt a bit dry as well, and a certain thick, musky liquid scent filled the air close by, something that I swear I know of, but can''t tell what.


    I decided to go up further, curious to know just where that was coming from, keeping a hand near the hilt of my sword as I moved cautiously, feeling my way through the trees. At this point, I can only assume that a predator had come and preyed on some game that it found, and is feasting on it.


    I came to a small clearing, seeing the stump where I used to rest after a hard day''s work in the forest. But that wasn''t all. I seemed to have traced back the source of the gut wrenching stench.


    "What the hell is this?" I told myself, clearly disgusted at the sight of a mutilated corpse wearing white armor. His and a few other''s body parts were strewn all over the place, all inhumanely killed from the looks of it. I could barely hold in the terror I felt upon seeing such a horror for the first time.


    I couldn''t say anything else, yet my eyes stayed glued to their remains. I could feel myself hurling on the ground, which I did, feeling lightheaded afterwards. But I tried to regain my composure, preparing to get back so that I could tell them what happened here. This was no normal predator. Whatever caused this is something else entirely. An unbound beast that could take out numerous soldiers on its own, spilling blood all along the small clearing.


    But before I could leave I heard a grunt of pain from someone nearby. I turned my head to see one of the soldiers whose back was up against a tree, his chest was bleeding, and it seemed fresh as the smell gave me that impression. He seemed to raise his hand towards me from what I could make out in the dark. So, I did just that, rushing to his side.


    Upon closer examination, I recognized the armor and the people. It was the soldiers that came by earlier about the revenant problem. He looked close to death''s door, barely hanging in there as his face said that there was something that he wanted to say.


    "Hey, pull yourself together! What happened here? Who did this?" I said, letting my emotions take over as I babbled on, incoherently trying to get an answer from a young man who didn''t have that much left in him. I didn''t know what to do, so I simply stayed close enough to listen as he whispered something.


    "I-It''s the Reven- ant... It killed everyone... G-get back to Sir Frederick, they''ll be in danger... That thing, it''s different from *cough* anything we''ve fought in Lavis. S-Save them while you can," he struggled with his words, slowly speaking as to not strain himself, accomplishing his task of telling me what he needed to. He would grit his teeth every time he moved an inch, causing ore blood to gush out.


    "What can I do?! I-I can help you, just tell me what you need! I can carry you back to our place!" I said, trying to figure out what else I should do with time running out. Who knew inexperience could be this terrible.


    "Don''t... worry yourself about me, Sir F-Frederick''s son. I won''t last that much longer. My only regret is not being able to harm the thing that did this to us. But- please, I have only one selfish request... Tell my wife and daughter that I love them... Please, find Fiona Claste, in Lavis," he gripped my hand with his, trembling. He panted, breathing hard as his eyes seemed to start closing.


    "Wait! Stay with me!" I couldn''t do anything, and the last of him was a faint smile. His arm and body went limp, falling to the ground. All I could do was hold my emotions for a bit longer. Lastly, I closed his eyes, leaving him as he was as I started making my way back to our house.


    Without realizing it, my pace increased drastically, and before I knew it I was sprinting at full speed, not caring about anything else, only filling my thoughts about them and if they are safe. "C''mon, Zach, you can''t panic. They''re safe. They should be. When you get back, they''ll be there, and everything''ll be alright," I tried consoling myself, speaking as to not lose my remaining sanity.


    But as soon as I exited the forest, I felt everything in me sink to the bottom of an imaginary pit. I moved on reflex, not speaking nor saying anything. My eyes widened, and that panic I felt along the way overtook every other emotion I had currently.


    A thick cloud of smoke billowed through the sky, and a massive fire illuminated the darkened night. The flames crackled and burned greatly as I could feel its scalding heat on my skin upon closing the distance with it. Most of the support beams had fallen and continued to turn everything to ash right in front of my eyes.


    But I hadn''t lost hope. I heard a loud crashing sound, like furniture falling to the floor, filling me with hope that they were still inside. But how, just how did this all start? Why is this happening now, and why me of all people? Is there something I did?


    I kicked the beams blocking the entrance, making my way inside without delay. The moments I stepped in I saw a sight that petrified me.


    A deathly looking man wearing worn, broken plate armor held my father in place as his blade entered and exited through his left shoulder. The thing had a face of pure satisfaction while father, who was standing on shaking legs, held a firm expression, gritting his teeth as he held the thing''s blade with his two hands, preventing him from impaling it further into his shoulder.


    "D-DAD!!!" I screamed for him, my eyes widening in shock, unable to move as I tried to make myself think that everything happening in front of me was a mere illusion, nothing more, nothing less. But time seemed to slow down, and what seemed like milliseconds felt like an eternity.


    Without delay nor hesitation, I rushed the thing, filled with pure hatred and adrenaline. I unsheathed my sword, impaling my sword into its body, forcing it away from my father. He took the sword out from my father''s shoulder, refusing to part with it. The thing carried an aura that made me tremble, but I worked up enough determination to fight it through.


    I withdrew my sword from its body, kicking it into one of the support pillars, resulting in the thing to be crushed by the weight that came from the upper floor.


    "Z...zach, is... that you?" I heard a faint voice call out to me amidst the cracking of the fire and the burning of the house.


    "Dad! Don''t worry, I''ll get you out of this! Just don''t move" I tried placing my hands somewhere on his body so that I could try and carry him out of the house, but the sword wound on his shoulder made it hard to move him without the chance of him bleeding out more.


    "No, listen, Zach. Go to Lavis and find someone named Theodore Hark and tell him that you''re my son. He will help you," he reached for something in his neck, taking out a necklace that had a small diamond shaped shield dangling on it. "Show him this and he will know what it means. Tell him of what happened here," he looked at me seriously, handing over the necklace, and a sealed letter stained with his own blood.


    "What are you trying to say? Enough jokes already, I''ll get you out of here. Where''s Mom?!" I desperately tried to look around the room till I found a figure lying on the floor, motionless. Her supposed to be beautiful dress was stained by her own blood. It felt my heart sink, my arm lose strength, and at this point, I had half a mind to just give up. She was gone.


    I held back my tears, carrying my father away from the fire and onto the grass, setting him down gently as to not disturb the wound. "Don''t you dare move from there. I won''t lose you, you hear me, Dad?" I said, trying to pull myself together, reassuring myself that he''d be fine.


    It was then that he spoke. I listened to him in earnest, finding myself looking back at the house as he said that. I stood up and ran once more for the house, and at this point, most of my what composed of my clothing kept burning, forcing me to leave my trousers, feeling the intense heat.


    Once inside again, I saw her body in the same place. I ran up to her and carried her body, feeling a bit of warmth emanating from her. I then hurried back outside, placing her gently down next to my father, who was lying down, looking at the sky.


    "Mom, wake up. I know you''re still there. Hang on, you can''t give up on us, please!" I looked over her, finally unable to hold my tears as they dripped down on her face. My entire body trembled and shuddered at the sight of her, worn and beaten, her torso had a diagonal streak of blood, and that part of her dress was cut.


    But by some form of a miracle, my tears seemed to awaken her from her sleep as her eyes twitched, opening slowly to the sight of me looking over her.


    "Z-Zach?" she could barely even speak. And the first thing she said was my name. And it was with a smile, which only made me even weaker.


    "Mom! You''re alright! Thank goodness!" I took her hand, unable to hold myself back. I knew it, I knew that she wouldn''t have much left. I gave it much thought. There was no time for me to get help, nor did I have to means to help them. I was powerless.


    "Son," father called out to me with the last of his energy. "Go and live. There''s still much that you need to do. This couldn''t be helped. You might not realize it, but you are much more important to the rest of the world than to us. But our love for you will always be greater than what anyone can hope to match. Remember us, son. We will always look over you," he pulled me close to his embrace, feeling his body becoming colder despite the fire. She wasn''t able to tell you, but she''s always been proud of you. Our only regret is that we couldn''t spend more time with you. But that would just be selfish of us. Now go, and live your destiny, Zach," he pushed me away.


    I heard a low pitch grumbling noise come from behind me, forcing me back to my feet. It was then that my anger boiled to its peak, seething as I only thought one thing, voicing it loudly at the thing in front of me, engulfed in flames, but not looking troubled by it in the least.


    "Why are you still alive you bastard?!" I held me sword with a firm grip. I could feel every ounce of energy in my body being channeled into anger. "How dare you do this to them?!"


    He seemed to emit a strange white glow, his eyes were white, and a mark appeared on the back of his hand. A white, small image of a crown with two swords crossing it shone, seemingly appearing from nowhere. His rage started to simmer, and only a serious, stern face remained. He was calm and composed, almost as if the sorrow disappeared completely.


    He appeared to become a different person when the mark appeared on his right hand. He stood straight, holding his sword with one hand, looking directly into the revenant''s dead, glowing blue eyes. Zach said nothing nor made any type of sound, except for breathing steadily.


    The two gravely injured people on the side watched in wonder with their eyes, which they could barely keep open, but could not dare to for some reason. As if seeing the mark made them more resolute, giving them the strength to bear witness.


    The revenant rushed him at a breakneck speed, glowing loudly into the sky, running full speed with his sword arm lagging.


    He didn''t move, waiting for the opportune time to strike, keeping his white glowing eyes on his opponent with ease.


    The revenant closed the distance between them, swinging his blade upwards, pulling his body back as to maximize the strength of the swing.


    He took a single step forward, raising his sword in unison, bringing it down hard as a loud high-pitch clank echoed, signaling two blades locking.


    With one arm, he pushed the revenant to its knees as he pressured his sword further down, reducing its worth to nearly nothing, looking down on it as well.


    "You demons have no right to live. You defiled the innocent, brought harm to those that I cared for, and took their lives. You deserve nothing. But let this mark serve as your guide to the afterlife. Be reborn fearing it for the rest of your life," he spoke with a loud, overpowering voice, one that resonated inside the hearts of those that listened to him. It was as if he were a different person entirely.


    He forced the revenant to stand, striking his blade into its chest, lifting it up with the momentum of an upward slash, which he continued with. And in one fluid motion he drew the sword back to his left side, slashing the revenant precisely and cleanly. Its body fell to the ground with a loud thud, and so did he.


    However, the man, who acted as his father, still had enough energy to move once more. He reached out to his wife''s hand, clutching it tightly as he looked at her face with a glance to his side. He smiled, losing his grip on her hand as his eyes closed, not opening any longer.


    "Zach... Forgive us for not telling you."

 Chapter 3: Revelation in the town of Lavis

    The bright morning sky was blinding as I looked up at it, unable to figure out what time it is after having walked tirelessly through the forest, nor for how long I''ve gone on. Maybe I''ve even been walking in circles all these times. I don''t know anymore. I just can''t seem to sleep.


    I''m hungry, but I''m too tired to hunt. All I can do is keep moving forward. That''s what I''ve decided to do. I''m angry and lost because of their deaths, but if I let that drag me down, they''ll be looking down on me. But what happens to me now?


    "No, I still have... these," I said, looking at the sword that I''ve been given by my father, his necklace, and this letter which I haven''t had the time to read yet. Maybe later.


    After lamenting for a while more, the forest ended, revealing a vast space of land where a town stood in the far distance, far larger in terms of its size from where I stood.


    I heaved in a breath air and ran forward. Everything in my mind was all about my father''s message, about how I should meet someone by the name of Theodore. I''ll do just that. So, for now, I won''t let myself get swept by my emotions. This isn''t the time for that.


    Coming in closer to the town, I became more and more awe-struck by it. It was the first time in my life that I had seen the town of Lavis, which I knew existed.


    A tall stone wall, that looked a few years old as cracks could be seen, and moss covered parts of it, stood a few meters away, armed guards positioned on and in front of it. People were coming in and out from the open metal gate.


    As I finally came close to it, they took notice of me, but their expressions told me that they suspected me of something which I was not aware of.


    "Halt! Identify yourself. What business do you have here?" one of them came forward, placing his hand in front of me, calling the attentions of a few guards, alerting them of my presence, one of them retreated back inside after a nod.


    "Zachary... my name''s Zachary. This is Lavis, right?" I asked, panting, my eyes close to shutting.


    "Yes. But what have you come here for? You''re awfully suspicious. No clothes, wounded, holding a sword and barely even standing up. If you''re a revenant, then it''s best to come clean rather than draw this out. So, what''s your answer?" he said, pointing his spear at me, forming up with a few guards that came out from the gate.


    Some of those that were entering and exiting the town began evacuating inside hurriedly, giving me terrified looks as they ran away, as if they''ve just seen a ghost.


    Unable to hold on, I fell to my knees, then collapsed on the ground, face first. Everything began getting dark, and soon, I couldn''t even hear their voices clearly, but sure enough I could tell that they were distressed. Maybe this is it.


    "P...P-Please, help me."


    ... Soon, it shall all begin, and you are on the very precipice of it. What are you capable of exactly? Can you live up to everyone''s expectations? You must, after all, it is your life''s mission. We have no other goal in life except to strive for that one success.


    ...What? Who am I? Oh, you don''t need to know that. Who I am isn''t really important. Who you are isn''t important too. after everything, we''ll simply be forgotten and replaced. We are merely here to help you through this arduous task. There are many others, not just I. We have done many things, but we cannot do those things any longer. You are a special case. So, don''t fail us. We''ll be there for you. Never think that you''re the only one.


    ...You may think that it''s only beginning, but no. It has already begun, and you are late. No rush, there''s still time. Will you make it, is the question...? I guess we should leave this like this for now. You still have much to do and learn. Now, awaken and go forth!


    I awoke abruptly, springing up, exhausted and covered in sweat. My eyes started adjusting to my sights and surroundings.


    "Where, am I? And who was that?" I asked no one but myself. I was in bed, covered by a blanket, my body cleaned and wrapped in bandages. I oddly feel refreshed for some reason, but a small ache in various parts of my body still seem to be present.


    I came to the sight of a small wooden built room, furnished with a bed, cabinets, chairs and tables, nothing too out of the ordinary. But how did I exactly get here?


    I tried recalling everything that happened before I blacked out, remembering the sight of the town and the guards that came to stop me. But after that, nothing comes to mind.


    At a glance, I notice the letter, the necklace, and the sword placed on the drawer beside me, taking them as I felt relieved knowing that I didn''t lose any of them.


    The sound of a door opening behind me cut off my thoughts, bringing my attention to it. A gentle looking woman with faint, gold, long hair, wearing a white blouse and a long brown skirt entered the room, clearly surprised as she is taken aback, cautiously having retreated a step when she came in. But she now entered the room, focused on me.


    "Have your wounds healed? I recommend that you remain in bed for a bit longer. From what I''ve gathered, you seem to have a lack of sleep. You were snoring very loudly, so I thought that you would still be asleep," she placed a clean white shirt on the foot of the bed I slept on.


    "I''ve brought you a change of clothes. Would you like something to eat?" she asked, not too cautious like she was earlier.


    "Thank you, but where am I exactly? I don''t know what''s going on."


    "Oh, please let me introduce myself first. My name is Fiona Claste, but you can simply call me Fiona. I''m a nurse here. You are in the town of Lavis, and this is the town hospital. The guards brought you here after you collapsed in front of the gates. Don''t you remember? But what is your name?"


    "Zachary. But Zach is fine."


    Was it a coincidence or a fateful turn of events? Is she truly that person? that very person whom I was to tell of the passing of his husband? Her gentle smile and demeanor made it even harder for me to tell her after just meeting her now.


    "Is something the matter?" she asked with a quizzical face.


    "Ah, no, it''s nothing. I was just thinking about something," I have to tell her, otherwise it''ll just be harder for me and her.


    "Very well. I have already prepared food downstairs. Please join us. There are many others here," she left the room, bowing her head, without a worry in the world.


    I wore the clothes she gave me and took my belongings, save for my father''s sword, and went downstairs.


    Entering a large room, a handful of people sat, ate, and mingled amongst themselves. Light entered the room from the windows.


    I sat on one of the empty chairs, looking around me as I thought about what to do with her and the message I''ve promised to pass on.


    "But man, the town of Caspia has it hard. I feel sorry for the people, but I wouldn''t want to be stationed there. Demons have been rampant lately that you start doubting your safety wherever you are," one of the men behind me, wearing a cast said, talking with some of his companions whom listened in earnest.


    "We can''t do anything about that. It''s starting to get worse for everybody, not just them. We did get attacked by some demons two days ago. They were few, but we''re still reeling from the casualties. To think that we would take that much considering that we''re part of an elite force. I''m a bit disappointed in myself, to be honest," a large, stoic man said with a low voice.


    "You''re right. Do you think Caspia''s still standing? The report did say that the demons came from that direction, so that might mean... you know, that the town''s gone," the cast wearing man asked hesitantly.


    "We''ll find out soon enough. Once the captain and the others are finished with hunting down the fleeing revenants, and once we''ve finished recovering, we''ll be heading there to scout and support. I just hope everything goes well for us. God knows that we''ll need every bit of help we can get."


    "Now that you remind me, what''s taking them so long. His wife''s getting worried sick waiting for him. I don''t know how things will be if word comes out that something bad happened to him. I mean, that can''t be the case, can''t it? He''s pretty strong."


    "We''ll just have to wait. If not, then we''ll go look for him and the others."


    "But man can we use the help of a Thalisean more than ever. If they were still around, then they could have kept the demons in check, then they wouldn''t have grown this bad."


    "I know how you feel. It''s how everyone here feels. But we can''t keep clinging to something that''s not there. It''s up to us... But I agree with you. I still continue to hope that there still exists a Thalisean that can save us from this terror."


    I kept listening to their conversation, feeling my responsibility build up more and more. How can I tell them that their so-called captain is gone? But before I could further think, I felt the stare of someone on me.


    Turning around I found a little girl with dark brown hair, wearing casual clothing, staring at me in wonder. She was close enough to me that she started poking at my arm for some reason.


    "I-Is there anything I can help you with?" I asked, only receiving a blank, dumbfounded expression from her.


    "Ah, Erica! I''ve been looking everywhere for you," Fiona came up and brought the child close to her. "Sorry about this. I hope she wasn''t disturbing you too much. She can be a bit too rowdy with some people," she said to me.


    "Don''t worry, she wasn''t like that at all. She was very quiet. Is she your daughter?"


    "Yes. I was afraid of bringing her to work since I thought she might cause trouble, but I''ve been requested by the head nurse to take care of some patients for today. But she really wanted to come since she overheard my husband saying that he''ll come by here to visit his companions after he''s done. She always would love the company of her father. She looks more like him than me," she laughed.


    "Mama, where''s papa?" she said, looking up at Fiona.


    "Don''t worry, Erica. He''ll be back soon, then you''ll be able to play with him," she gave her a look of comfort, one that only seemed to hurt me even more.


    Damn. How hard and complicated can this get? It''s like it''s getting harder on purpose. I have to build my resolve soon. I can''t let this go on forever.


    After eating, I sat around for a while, gathering my thoughts. Dusk has come, and the sun began to set. I had resolved to do it and had begun looking for her.


    I came back down to the large room where I had eaten previously, finding her sitting on a table with another nurse presumably, carrying her daughter in her arms as she slept peacefully.


    "Oh, Zach. Is something the matter? You look a bit worried," she took notice of me the moment I stepped down. She had that gentle and warm atmosphere to her, something that soothed her daughter.


    "Can I talk to you for a bit? I need to tell you something important."


    She followed me outside the hospital after handing her daughter to her companion, her face turned serious, but calm. Maybe she knows about what I have to tell her, or maybe she''s adjusting to me since I have the same expression.


    "Um, what is this about, if I may ask. Is there something bothering you, Zachary? what do you mean by important?"


    "Your husband, he''s a soldier, right?"


    "Yes. Do you know of him? I haven''t seen him all today, yet he said that he''d return last night. I know he''s boasted about him and his companions, but I can''t help but worry about him."


    "Not that well, but I guess you can say that... I don''t know how else to say this, but... he''s gone. I''m sorry. I couldn''t help him at all. I was too late when I found him there, but his last words were about you and your daughter," I had said it, but the weight that supported it still remained. I have to wait it out till she had either finished venting her anger on me, or after she''s alright with how this all ended up.This book is hosted on another platform. Read the official version and support the author''s work.


    But what I initially expected to happen was different. She fell to her knees with eyes that said ''she couldn''t believe such a thing to be true'', but the tears that fell from her eyes said otherwise. She was silent through and through.


    "Is he really gone? Is Henry really gone?" she asked, looking up at the sky, trying to find comfort there as she did her best in concealing her voice of agony and lament.


    "Why does this have to happen to me? First the demons take my parents, then they take me husband away. Has God truly abandoned the world and the rest of us?" he sobbed, covering her face with her hands, venting her anger on the demons after hearing the details of when and where I found him. But I kept the part about what happened to me and my parents secret. I harbored the same feelings and reasons that she had, but what could I do. With where I am now, I''m nowhere near close to making a difference.


    "I''m truly sorry that I couldn''t have done a thing. If only I had arrived faster, then I could''ve done something."


    "Please don''t scold yourself for that. There can''t be anything done anymore. He''s passed, and my resentment for those that took his life still remains, but for you to take your anger out on yourself on the death of my husband, it relieves me. But there is no need for you to worry. It''s not your fault," she smiled bravely, yet still tearing up. I could feel my heart sinking as I further felt the guilt of being unable to save him.


    But as I cast my eyes down and curled my hands into fists, I felt a warm embrace from the same person whom told me not to feel guilty. I could feel her emotions shrouding me, reminding me of the same comfort of which my mother would give me whenever I made a fault.


    "Thank you... Thank you for being angry for me, for feeling sadness for me. But this is just how things are. We cannot do anything anymore, so all that''s left after losing the fight is to simply give in and wait. With the Thalise gone, and the people filled with corruption and greed, we are also being destroyed from the inside. But for his sake, and Erica''s, I shall continue to believe that in the end, it will all be fine," she parted from me, she wiped the tears from her eyes and bowed her head, heading back inside the hospital, leaving me by myself outside to think about what she had told me.


    "Damn it... No matter what she says, I just can''t sit back and take that. I know there''s something I can do, there must be something," but without anything to move forward with at the moment, I went back to my room and laid down, still restlessly wracking my brains.


    Looking at the wooden ceiling, it occurred to me. I held father''s letter and stared at it, thinking about both of them, then finally opening it to read its contents, steeling myself for whatever may lie inside.


    Dear Zach.


    If you are reading this, then I must be gone, or I have decided to simply give this to you since I think it''s the right time to do so, and I cannot express my feelings directly. You are special, you have always been for the longest time. The truth is, you are not born from your mother. You were given to us by someone in the past, and were tasked with raising you for a reason. In this current time as I write this letter, I cannot help but feel grateful for that person who gave you to us. I could not simply put into words the happiness your mother and I felt when we raised you like our own. But we were naive, and I especially, selfishly kept you for ourselves, restraining you from your true purpose, one that is filled with unspeakable terror. I agonized over the fact that I kept you hidden from the world, but I just couldn''t face the fact that an innocent child like you could do such a thing, nor endure it. I didn''t want you to grow up like that, so I chose to keep your purpose a secret from you. But it seems that I cannot keep it any longer. Train yourself and become strong enough to protect those around you, and those you care about. I know you''ll become someone great soon. Your mother and I know from the beginning that you were meant for great things. I don''t know If I ever told you that I was proud of you, but I am. Now, to end this. You, my son, are a Thalisean. Your fate is to defeat the demons and their king and restore the peace back to the land. To live through it or die trying, that is your one fate that you can never abandon no matter what. I believe that you can do it. I only ask that you keep your power a secret until you grow strong enough. People as well have been corrupted. Them knowing that there''s a savior out there won''t motivate them to unite. Some will try and use you for their own agendas. Find a man named Theodore Hark, he will know what to do. He is a close friend of mine, so you can trust him.


    Sincerely yours, your father, and mother, Frederick Erinn, and Elaine Erinn.


    We will always be thinking about you, Zach.


    I stared at the letter for a while, taking in everything I''ve just read. It feels like I''ve been petrified, but at the same time it feels like a joke''s been played on me. Am I truly a being which can decide the very fate of every single living being here? No, that can''t be. Me? Someone who doesn''t even know that much about the outside world since he lived in isolation? That can''t be right. But my father, I''ve never heard him tell a lie. But that may just mean that he''s a terrific liar to be able to keep his ruse for so long, or the other.


    I closed my eyes, tears falling from my eyes as I took in the message, remembering when I last saw them, smiling happily till the end. "Until now you''re like this? I can''t believe you two. Even if you say that you''re not really my parents, it''s going to be hard to convince me the way you raised me. You two are the only ones that raised me, and I''m grateful to that too," I noticed that I was smiling as I cried. Maybe even when they''re gone they give me strength.


    Tomorrow, tomorrow I''ll start. I don''t know if I should believe this or not, but I have to make sure. If I truly am the one, then that means there''s no hesitation that I must defeat all of them... but why am I getting cold feet? I''ve seen some of them, the demons, but one of them is already something that I can''t defeat alone.


    "Ahh! Enough debating already, Zach!" right, I have to get a hold of myself. There''s no use in being decisive. Coe tomorrow, I''ll find that man and then see what he has in store for me.


    I folded up the letter and tucked it away somewhere safe for now, preparing to sleep for the night. I had nothing with me when I came here except for my father''s necklace and his sword. But I''ll make it through. I have to, for everyone''s sake.


    The next morning, I woke up with her absence. It seems that she had asked her superiors to be allowed to go home for a while. I know the reason, but I didn''t want to pry further. I think I''ve said my fair share of things, and the rest is out of my control.


    After saying my farewell to the nurses in the hospital I went around town, exploring it with a brimming curiosity as everything was unlike anything I could have ever imagined. Structures built up high with rocks and wood, people walking here and there, talking and filling the atmosphere with their energy.


    Merchants were manning their own stalls on the side, calling out to people to buy their wares, the markets were crowded with your everyday person.


    It was an amazing sight. "So this is a town, huh? pretty grand if you ask me," I said while walking around. Even the people were enthusiastic after the attack here. I only heard small details about it from some passersby, but it''s as they say. They were attacked by demons that came from another town named Caspia.


    "I''ve got trinkets here! Get some if you want to impress that special someone, or buy one that can immensely raise your luck!"


    "Fresh wares from the oven! I''ve got tons of equipment that can fell any demon! Sharp as a daemon''s tooth, maybe even sharper!"


    I walked through a district where merchants were the liveliest. There''s no reason, but my feet walked me through here. Though it was a bit crowded, I managed to keep going through.


    But before I could continue further, I heard a shout that seemed to call out to me, and with a glance to the side I saw on old woman under the shade of her own tent, wearing a mystifying cloak and some ornaments on her. In front of the old woman was a table, and on top of the table was an odd and shiny ball that reflected my face.


    She silently beckoned to me, both her eyes closed, and her expression deadpan. I walked towards her, looking at the ball as I did.


    "Were you calling for me?" I asked her.


    "Yes... You. I can feel something strange from you. Tell me, child. Do you believe in things such as fortunes, fate, and destiny?" she said slowly and calmly, still casting her gaze on the ball, hovering her hands around it.


    "I-I don''t know. I don''t know what I should even believe right now. What are you anyway, and who are you?" I asked, curious about her words.


    "I see. Your heart and soul, they are full of doubts. Who I am matters little. I am what you might call a fortune teller. Have you never seen one before?"


    "I''m afraid not. This is my first time being in any town. What does a fortune teller do?"


    "Is that so? Hmm... What I can do? I can see into a person''s fate and destiny. I can see what will become of them, and what they are. however, it all depends on my strength alone. And as you can see, I am old. I can only tell you as much as I can see. But how it works I cannot explain. Instead, I will show you, free of charge. I am a bit curious about you. I sense the fates swirling around you like a torrent. Now, bring your palm closer to me so that I may read it," she explained slowly with a weary voice, reaching out to my right hand with her trembling finger. I looked at everything happening in anticipation. Maybe she will be the one who can tell me what I should do.


    She breathed slowly as she held my right hand with two of hers, concentrating as she made no sound despite the immense crowd around us. Their sounds seemed to be separated once she made contact with me, as if there were a barrier blocking us from the rest of the world.


    As moments passed, the ball that reflected the light began emitting an even brighter light, not reflecting, but creating. The old woman then started trembling even more, but I could not tell why. Looking at her wouldn''t tell me anything, but my body itself was petrified, and I was unable to move.


    Her eyes abruptly opened, revealing a shocked face which was originally a soft spoke, mysterious old woman. Beads of sweat formed in her forehead, and her breathing was hoarse, as if she had a terrible fever.


    She looked at me for a long time, not saying anything, trying to regain her composure.


    "What did you see?" I asked her, concerned, but anxious to find out.


    "You... What are you? I can''t believe what I''ve just seen. Your future... Just who are you, child?" she said, shuddering in fear, but maintaining her silence as she took her time breathing and regaining her composure. Her eyes were focused solely on me.


    "Me? What do you mean by that? What did you see?"


    "I saw you surrounded by demons as far as the eye can see, wounded and hanging on death''s door. The land was barren, and the skies were painted dark red. It was dreadful and terrifying. It felt like I was there myself, feeling the intense bloodlust of the demons, and the cold gazes that their stares made. This is unlike anything I''ve ever felt before. Child, what are you? It seems that your destiny is grim and dark. But there must be a reason for that. Tell me, what are you?" she came close, pulling my hand as to draw me closer to her.


    "Ah, let go of me! What''s gotten into you?!" I felt my heart pump intensely, and I pulled back, taking my hand away from her, then retreating further into the crowded district, leaving her as I never bothered glancing back.


    I heaved a sigh of relief after having distanced myself from the district. It gave me time to think about what she told me about my fortune. I didn''t understand it at all, but she said that she read my future. Does that mean it''ll really happen?


    I continued wondering, then dismissed it for a while, remembering my important mission. Finding the man named Theodore Hark. But that said, I wandered aimlessly through the town, seeing various buildings that made no sense. I entered each one of them, expecting to find someone named Theodore, but no luck.


    Finally, my search brought me to a large two-story mansion made of wood. It looked just like every other building close to it, but it carried a distinct look. Banners hung from its beams, and soldiers patrolled its perimeter. It gave off an authoritative feel.


    It was then that I was noticed by one of the guard making his rounds. He approached me, making sure to stay on guard as he kept his spear close by, walking distinguishably with an intimidating face.


    "You there! What is your business around here? These grounds have been declared off limits to those without a writ of passage, or a reason. Do you not know that?"


    "Is that so? Sorry, I didn''t know. I just got here yesterday. But, I''m searching for someone named Theodore Hark, maybe you''ve heard of him," I sensed a clear hostility, but I chose to respond with less aggressiveness to it. There must be a reason as to why they''re acting like this. I can only link it to what I''ve heard so far, that being the attacks by the demons on the town.


    "What do you need from the lord of the town?" he asked, narrowing his eyes further.


    "I was asked to find him by someone named Frederick Erinn. It''s important."


    "What in the world are you talking about? Frederick Erinn? That respectable man has been long retired. If you''re using his name for something suspicious, then you''ll be in a lot of trouble. And no matter how important it is, I can''t tell you without proof. What do you have to show for?" he asked.


    I stood silent, thinking hard about something that I can show for. Then I remembered the necklace that my father gave me. Maybe it''s something of significance to them.


    "Here, I have this," I took the necklace and showed it to the man.


    "Eh? What''s this now? What''s a necklace to do with meeting Sir Hark? I''l give you this chance, kid. Everyone here''s tense and on edge, so we''ve got little time to be worrying about mischief makers like you. So, run along before I sent you behind bars," he stood unimpressed, calling for a few of his fellow soldiers to come to him.


    "Fine, I''ll go," I said, giving up after sensing the atmosphere. If I don''t back away from this one, it''ll only turn out badly. Might as well just find another way.


    I turned to leave, dejected, but still resilient in finding this man before anything else. If father says that he''s someone that I can trust, then he''ll know how to help me make sense of all this.


    "Can I help you with something?" a mature looking woman with mature and well-endowed proportions, possessing long, curly, brown hair all the way to her shoulders, wearing reading glasses and a clean, white, button up uniform and a long brown skirt came into view. She carried books and a bag containing something.


    "I was searching for someone named Theodore Hark. My father told me I''d find him here in this town, but no luck."


    "Hmm... What''s that in your hand?" she asked, pointing at the necklace I was holding on to.


    "This? It was given to me by my father. He told me to show it to him and he''ll know what to do."


    "Very well. Follow me. Sir Hark of Lavis still isn''t here since he''s been requested by the king to join the defense somewhere up north, so you will need to wait for him," she passed me, walking briskly but orderly into the mansion, gesturing for me to follow, which I did, running up, ignoring the guard who prevented me from passing earlier.


    She gave off a strict nature, but one that was refined and elegant in her own way. Her charm truly captivated me what I first saw her, and it made it hard for me to respond back then.


    Following her in, she led me to a room where a bed with other furnishings were present. "Here is where you can wait for him if you''d like. I may arrive by tomorrow or two days from now. My name is Louise, Sir Hark''s aide and secretary of for Lavis''s affairs. Who might you be and where do you come from?" she asked, standing in front of me as I sat on the corner of the bed.


    "Zachary, Zachary Erinn. I lived out somewhere in the forests with my parents."


    "There''s something bothering you from the looks of it, so I won''t probe and leave it to Sir Hark when he arrives. I will be here handling the workload. Please make yourself at home, but only to a certain extent. Call for me when you need something," she left the room, but not before giving a curt bow. Her face truly was charming as I felt something inside me fluttering. Though she seemed strict, she carried a hidden kindness from within her.


    I laid down and closed my eyes, choosing to think about everything that happened today so far. The most important thing being that I''m a Thalisean, a being from a chosen-born race that is supposed to defeat the demons. How do i prove that anyway?


    It was then that I realized something now that I''m thinking about it. That time when I fought the revenant that... killed mom and dad, I was able to kill it with ease. I also remember a strange sensation that wrapped itself around me, making every movement I made almost as light as a feather, and swinging my sword near effortlessly. It was as if my soul was being cleansed in a way. And that mark, that strange mark that appeared on the back of my right hand... just what was that exactly?


    I looked at it, but just as I expected, it''s blank, nothing at all, no trace of anything. Was it just my imagination? No, what I did back there, I''m sure I felt something overcome me.


    *sigh* "No use overthinking it right now. I just hope he''ll be able to help me," I said to myself, relaxing my tense body, drifting into a comfortable slumber as my eyes closed, and the darkness became apparent.

 Chapter 4: Hark the coming of the end

    The Thalise, a relic of the past, and a name that stood as a beacon of hope. How they disappeared no one knows. But because of this, humanity is on the brink of annihilation. A brave few stood against the demons, not accepting their demise without a fight.


    The sound of a fierce battle echoed through the land. The screams of agony and rage were deafening. Countless of bodies, both of demons and humans, were strewn out on the ground, littering the once peaceful and tranquil lands that the humans occupied.


    "Don''t let up! Charge through them and break their chain of command! Form up on me and be ready to take on a large number of them!" a man wearing a battered war armor yelled out to his allies, breathing raggedly, his blade stained with blood.


    "But sir, we don''t have enough to charge through them. We''ll be overwhelmed once we do. We can''t risk losing more men than we already have! It''s just suicide," soldier to his side said, looking at the ensuing battle with horror, but maintaining his composure for the sake of his allies.


    "Well, where is the vice-commander?!"


    "H-He''s dead! even second platoon''s been overrun! At this rate, it''s only a matter of time now! We need to do something, Commander! I don''t want to die. I have family I still need to see!"


    "Then do as I ask and we''ll get out of this! Now form up and charge on my command!"


    "We can''t! We don''t have enough troops to form a strong enough vanguard!"


    "Listen to me. It''s either we stay here fighting them till we¡¯re completely annihilated, or we try to do something that''ll possibly have the chance of changing the tide of this battle. We''re completely separated from the others, and there''s no easy way to reach them, so it''s useless to regroup. We''re going to have to do something ourselves," he explained, keeping in mind the gravity of their current situation.


    They were being surrounded by demons, monsters and demi humans that had been corrupted, and a large number of them were still fast approaching. They were vicious, but their leader''s resilience helped them keep calm in the midst of this.


    The skies were blacked out with smoke, and the air was stagnant. It was as if the land itself had been corrupted.


    "Alright, prepare yourselves, lads! We¡¯re pushing through and making a break for it. Whether someone will help us is up to the Creatornow. So, I ask you all to give your all and we might just get out of this alive! Now, CHARGE!" his voice bellowed loudly, and was followed by the shouting of his own allies, those of which rallied with him as they made the decisive charge towards the demons that seemed to lead them, a single horned demi-human that wielded a large ax.


    They tore through ranks of demons, but the humans were not spared either. They were close to being reduced to nothing, but still they remained on the offensive, close to the demon commander.


    But though they got close, they did not have enough to pull through. They were forced to a sudden stop, instead fighting the demons back despite being meters away from it.


    "Don''t falter! Victory is at hand! Charge!" another voice echoed through the field, this time taking the attention of both the demons and the humans. He wore a full set of plate armor, wielding an ornate sword that seemed to shine despite the blood bathed on it. He had a long, tied back silver hair and a trimmed, short beard. His mature aura gave off a powerful intimidation as he rode through on his armored steed, accompanied by many more of his fellow knights, all filled with an intense vigor as they hacked and slashed through the ranks of demons like nothing.


    The sounds of their horses galloping through made small tremors on the ground, giving those soldiers, currently surrounded by the demons, a boost in morale as they saw the banner that fluttered in the air.


    "It''s Sir Hark! Finally!" they yelled in relief. They then fought back the disgruntled enemy, using their momentum to push through and thin down the enemy.


    "Sir Hark? Is it truly him? We can turn this battle around!"


    The man named Hark charged, using his steel plated shield, with the image of a fierce lion, to protect himself from the projectiles being thrown at him. And within seconds he came face to face with the enemy commander.


    Dismounting, he fought it back and forth, not giving an in as the giant, yellow eyed demi-human fought with everything that it had, often forcing Hark back with its overwhelming strength.


    But with an unfaltering will, the old man used his experience in battle to maneuver and work his way into forcing the enemy back, using every extent of his agility to move about, feeling the intense weight of his equipment. And at last, he felled the enemy, lunging forward and forcing it to retreat a step, then avoiding its heavy attack with with a calculated side-step. He then charged with his blade, striking through its heart, then slicing its throat, letting it bleed to death.


    "Victory!" one of the knights yelled out, raising the dead demon commander''s head into the air, allowing the demons to see it.


    They then all fled after having their chain broken, not having anyone command them. But the humans pursued, chasing them unforgivingly, using their pent-up rage as a source of their power. Some chased them out of fear so that tey could not attack them again. But they knew it was unlikey that they would cease any time soon.


    "Sir Hark! Thank you for coming to our rescue. I thought that it was the end for us when we were surrounded, but you came through in the end. I owe you my life," the middle-aged commander that led the failed attack bowed respectfully at Hark as he dismounted from his horse.


    "I would have done the same for everyone else. Each one of us have important roles to play in protecting this land. Though it was foolish of you to have done that, you paved the way for our success in this battle. You owe me nothing. So, raise your head up high and stand tall. Now if you''ll excuse me, I need to tend to my wounded," he left, heading into their camp where many worn out tents stood on the barren wasteland, occupied mostly by wounded soldiers and people in command.


    As he walked by, he was met plenty of salutes. He saw those soldiers being carried off to various places, some having injuries ranging from minimal ones to near mortal ones. Almost all of the injured combined could make up a sizable number people in itself.


    Some soldiers whom were safe despite the battle, sat near their tents, eating and calming their nerves. Some spoke with their fellow soldiers, while other lamented the loss of their friends.


    He kept walking in silence until he came to his own area where a part of his own men rested in. Tents were set up with his banner fluttering in the air, showing that this was where he could be found.


    "Ah, Sir Hark, you''ve returned. Some have been tended to while a few others are still being treated. What are your next orders?" a spry young man reported to him with a salute, having removed his armor as to not be encumbered by it.


    "Rest. You are ordered to rest until any other order from the generals come. But I recommend that you stay close to our area just in case. That is all. I will be meeting with some of the other commanders, so tell my aide de camp that. And please tell him to stand by. I don''t want him dying because he couldn''t stay put in one place and bled to death, understand?"


    "Yes Sir!" he gave another formal bow and left.


    Hark made his way through the tents and moving soldiers, seeing the banner of the royal kingdom in the distance, reminding him that he is going the right way.


    He arrived facing a large tent that was guarded tightly by soldiers with high-class arms, yet they showed no hostility to him when he arrived. Instead they saluted him, knowing full well who the man is.


    Upon entering he came to the sight of wise, distinguished men, all wearing their battle armors still, gathered in front of a table where a map sat, and on it were markers and strategic points of importance.This story has been stolen from Royal Road. If you read it on Amazon, please report it


    "Ah, Sir Hark, excellent! Now that you''re here just in time we can start this meeting," a tall, youthful, and energetic looking man who seems to be in his early-forties said, smiling at Hark as he called the entire audience of the tent to order, standing in the very middle of it, wearing a beautiful ornate armor with a shiny gold design, whose metal has been tested.


    "Alright, now that everyone''s present, I''d like to start things off by congratulating every single one of you in this battle. But though we won, we suffered a great defeat after losing many brave men. We will carry their bravery and strength with us continuing from this, and I hope that you all will not forget them," he looked at them, each one carrying strong, stern looks. He thought to himself how he could read their expressions if they all looked the same, but he chose not to press further.


    "Now, continuing this, I want to end the campaign for now," the tent was filled with murmurs after his announcement, drawing estranged looks from his peers and followers.


    "Now, now. Calm down, everyone. I know that this is sudden, and that a majority of you would even want to press the attack further so that we can regain our former territories, but hear this. We cannot force our men. They too have limits that we cannot exploit. They have families which they fight for. Continuing the campaign will only men that we will lose, though the exchange is that we would regain a small bit of our territory. But as a result, we will be weak after that. To the demons, their numbers are expendable. They can launch an assault at any time of the day while we will need ample time and preparations for a campaign or an attack. I would like to retreat for now. We have won over them in this battle, so we can keep this land as a foothold for our further conquest in retaking lands. But let us retreat and deal with what''s happening in our own territory before anything else. Let us replenish our strength and prepare. As long as we stand, we have a chance, and as long as we keep clinging to that notion that we can accomplish anything together, then there''s nothing that can hold us back, not even demons... Now, tell me what everyone thinks. Though I am your king, what matters is what everyone else thinks. A king cannot exist without his trusted allies and friends," he looked at them with a bright, confident smile, scratching his dark, scruffy beard.


    Those that murmured amongst themselves became silent, thinking hard at what the man said to them. Some already looked to be convinced by his speech, some even enlightened by it as they never considered the effects of the opinion that they supported.


    "I wholeheartedly support this claim. Not because you''re our king, but because it''s common sense. It doesn''t take a lot to realize that everything we do matters in this struggle. The demons aren''t the only enemy we have. Other kingdoms seek to destroy us. In the end, it won''t matter," Theodore spoke up, drawing attention towards him.


    "I am with you, no matter what happens, King Gareth! I agree with you too, Sir Hark. If we are to stand a chance against this powerful enemy, we must be united. If we want to outlast this foe, we must take it one sure step at a time. Rushing will mean fatal for us," one man, who seems to be fairly young, said.


    Soon the rest followed, influenced by their train of thought, and convinced that what they say truly makes sense. The discussion ended up unanimously in favor of Gareth, and the rest of the lords and commanders were quickly dismissed with orders of preparing for departure once they are well rested.


    After the meeting, Hark was told to remain by Gareth, whom of which sighed in relief after handling more matters relating to kingdom politics and the like.


    "It can be troublesome most of the time. I wonder why people like making trouble for each other. Nothing can ever be settled peacefully, don''t you think?" he asked, sitting down, having removed his armor.


    "Not entirely true, but you are correct. There are rare times where words are the most powerful weapons there are. But there are times when the sword speaks louder than the pen, or should I say mightier. You just have to know how to manage and use both ideals for a certain problem," he drank from the silver cup that was filled with wine.


    "You always know what to say, don''t you, Hark? I guess with age comes wisdom, as they say. Sums it up pretty well don''t you think?" he laughed, drinking as well, finishing its contents in one go, then refilling it once more.


    "Practice moderation, Gareth. I know that we won this, but you can never tell when a problem arises."


    "Well, you got to have a bit of priorities, right? This is one of them. Can''t calm down not unless I take a bit of time off."


    "Hmm, speaking of priorities, I''m guessing that your argument about canceling the campaign was only half true, is it not?"


    Gareth choked on his drink, coughing and clearing his throat, then giving out another sigh, facing Hark with a sober, and stern face.


    "It seems that you found me out, ha ha ha. Well, I''ll tell you this. It''s was at least ninety percent true. I wanted everyone to go back to their families and at least ease their worries. Everyone knows just how terrifying and taxing it is fighting in the front lines, only seeing demons everywhere they go. We even suffered greater casualties than we first expected. This is good enough of a milestone for us. We rush, we stumble. And there''s a chance that we''ll never stand back up when that happens... And the rest is about my family, especially my little girl... and my wife of course."


    "I see. I have guessed that they are the case. I cannot blame you. But others hearing this would wonder why there is a sudden pause before the queen, but I will not ask. The princess, on the other hand, isn''t that much of a little girl anymore. She''s at that age where she can mingle with those of her age... and possibly find someone that she likes."


    "W-What! Ridiculous! I won''t ever give her away to anyone! No impure boy will ever taint her, not while I''m around," he said valiantly, standing up, fully sober, not succumbing to the strong wine.


    "Your overprotectiveness as a father still remains. At this rate, she''ll never be able to truly mature. I don''t have a daughter, so I don''t know how you should feel, but I can say for certain that she needs to be able to walk that path. This has gone on for long enough, don''t you think?"


    "Aren''t you the same with Louise? You''re her father figure after all. I remember when you first told me about her."


    "Not at all. In fact, it feels like she can govern Lavis by herself. She''s too strict and commanding towards me so I rarely get to do something in my leisure. It feels as if I''ve lost control even of myself when she''s around," he laughed wryly, taking another sip of wine. "I''m a bit amazed that she would turn into that. She was quiet when I found her neglected in the streets, malnourished and dirtied. I don''t regret taking her in, but maybe she got the strict influence from me."


    "Isn''t that the same with what I do? You care for her a lot, maybe even more to a certain degree, right?"


    "Please don''t lump me in with you, my king. I am sorry to say that I''m not that obsessive over my adopted daughter-"


    "Ah! Let''s just talk about something else! I can''t decide about that yet. For now, let''s choose another agenda... That''s it! I just got a report that the demons assaulted the town of Caspia, and now they move towards Lavis. I''ve been agonizing over the fact that I couldn''t send in anyone to quell the demons there since almost everyone is present here, and that sending a single unit is dangerous. So I''ve made up my mind," he once again turned serious, sitting down and composing himself.


    "And that is?"


    "I need you to take only those that can fight and travel and go back to Lavis with haste. I know I''ve declared the campaign over, but I need you over there faster. Your mission is to drive away the demons from there, not defeat entirely, and rescue Caspia. I know that this is a tall order, but you''re my best bet right now. Though I can send some other lord or knight, but they''re too far, plus that''ll mean leaving their own territories. So, that''s why it''s you. Can you do that?"


    "Of Couse I can. Are there no further orders after I finish that task?"


    "None. I''ll send for you and the others lords when there are pressing matters that come up. So go with haste!"


    And he sent him on his way.


    Hark gathered all his men that still had the energy to fight and equipped them with good arms, saddling them up on horses.


    But before he could saddle up on his horse a, short, dark haired man with a toned body came walking out from the tent, wearing only his leggings as his top was covered in bandages, stained by blood, his from the looks of it.


    "Sir Hark! I heard the orders. You can''t leave with only forty men. I can still fight, so take me with you," he said, gritting his teeth, barely hanging on to the shoulder of the one supporting him.


    "Are you foolish, boy?! Know when you are at your limits!" he scolded the young man, and his eyes widened in surprise as a result. "Listen to me, boy. Recover your wounds, then head back to Lavis. Twenty men including me would be more than enough to take on a few demons. The rest are those that are healthy enough to volunteer. You are not one of them," he turned to leave, mounting his steed and taking the reins.


    The young man looked disappointed, looking at the ground, downcast.


    "I will be expecting you in Lavis, so recover without delay, understand?" he glanced a little from the side, finally leaving with his companions, kicking up dust as they galloped away.


    The young man seemed to recover, now possessing an enthusiastic and hyperactive demeanor. He curled his left hand into a fist, swearing unto it saying, "I won''t fail you, Sir Hark! I''ll be back before you know it! - Ah," he almost dropped to the ground, but not because of his companion.


    "You have to rest, Hugo. Your wound might open up. Come on, let''s get you back in bed," his companion said, assisting him back into the tent.


    Soon they exited the territory of the battlefield and entered back into the protected lands of the humans in the kingdom which he served. The skies were clear, and nature was everywhere. Trees and grass as far as the eye can see. Mountains that glistened in the far horizon, clouds floating listlessly in the sky, birds flying in the air, and many other things, those of which could not be seen from where he was just recently. Those he was with also admired this sight, as if it was their first time seeing it.


    "Hmph, looking at this you''d think that the demons are beyond that barren wasteland, but I can''t believe that they live with us," he said, looking behind him and saw the clear boundary between what could be seen as human and demon territory.


    "If only you were here, Frederick. If I know someone who can resolve this problem, even by a bit, It''s you. Your wife as well. She was not called an oracle for nothing," he sighed and continued on, stoically staying silent for the entire duration of their travels.

 Chapter 5: A Slow Ascension to Greatness

    He arrived at the very town he had been given the privilege of being a lord to at the first light of dawn. The town of Lavis, a place of peace and commerce, that he had called his home for a long time now, stood strong under the bright sunrise, as clear as he had left it.


    The guards easily recognized him and his banner, opening the gates to him and ushering him in like an esteemed guest. It was not just the soldiers, but the townspeople too. They showered him with praise and smiles, all relieved to see him, shouting his name over and over.


    Though people were only starting to get up at this time, many already filled the quiet streets as they heard about the arrival of their lord.


    He waved at them, again realizing his responsibility of protecting the people. The very reason they shout his name and celebrate him is because he is someone that they can give their lives too. A reliable and forthright man who has the strength to protect them. He knew very little of this, yet without that knowledge he has given his all to protect them. And under the protection of Sir Theodore Hark did the town of Lavis flourish. Trade grew, and many migrated due to its safety and order.


    After walking through the districts and streets that weren''t that full and crowded this early in the morning, he came towards the lord''s mansion, a place where he handles all the affairs concerning his territory.


    But in front of the mansion were his guards and a mature, serious-looking girl who wore glasses and a slightly formal dress, who seems to have been waiting for his arrival.


    "Welcome, Sir Hark, you''ve returned. I believe the campaign was a success, no?" she greeted him without a change in expression.


    "Ah, Louise, up early as usual, are you? Well, you could say that. It was cancelled mid-part, but we achieved victory nonetheless," he dismounted, handing the reins to one of the guards, dismissing the unit he traveled with to rest in the barracks a few ways to the right of the mansion.


    He entered along with her, and she told him of all that transpired within the time of his absence, filling him in of all the duties that he had missed as well.


    "Oh, and you have a visitor as well," she spoke, breaking the silence. "I allowed him to rest in one of the guest rooms. I saw something about him that interested me, and possibly will interest you, so I allowed him to stay here until you arrived. I believe that this was the first time he came to a town, or that was what he said."


    "Hmm, who was it? A child or something?"


    "No. He seems to be at the age of sixteen to seventeen. A young man, to be precise. His name is Zachary. I have not asked for his last name, but I think you can handle it from here since he is your guest. And while you''re at it, please handle all of the paperwork that you left behind on purpose for me to do. I had already finished my share, so I assure you that I had not touched yours at all so that you would remember your responsibilities and not forget to do them. It might risk you becoming complacent," she said with a monotone voice and a passive face.


    Hark seemed to jerk from what she had said, laughing wryly. "You''re as ruthless as ever, I see? Have I ever told you that you are too uptight? You''re a young woman, so I don''t think It''ll be good for you to be this strict. Maybe find something that a woman your age does."


    "I believe that you''ve told me that I am too uptight a hundred and seventy-two times now, no, make it a hundred and seventy-three times since I first started working here. And please do not worry too much about me. If I leave most of the work to you, then nothing will ever get done. Paperwork would pile up, and you''d forget your responsibilities. I assure you that I am not neglecting who I am, so rest easy."


    "Alright, alright, I get it. Calm down now. Fine, I''ll get to it after I''ve finished with this guest of ours. How uptight of you," he grumbled, leaving her as he went down another corridor, one leading to the guest rooms that Louise had told him to go to.


    "Hmm, who''s there?" I asked, hearing a strange knock early in the morning. It seemed that I was that much exhausted that I would sleep in. Usually I''d get up earlier than the regular person, but I guess stress did this to me, huh?


    I stood up and opened the door, seeing a strange, tall, burly man with hair and beard standing in front of me, looking at me with a certain intimidation, as if he was assessing me right away with his narrow eyes. There''s a strange aura from him, nothing that I can explain, but he exudes a powerful authority.


    "So, who are you?" he asked with a low, smooth voice. His voice alone shook me awake, and I could now clearly see him, and as a result, I took a step back.


    "Zachary! I-I come from beyond the forests in search for someone named Theodore Hark," his eyes seemed to narrow even more from what I said. It was like he stared right into my soul.


    "So? I''m here, what do you want?"


    "Well, I was told to find you by my father. You see, they passed away. I don''t know why, but he just told me to show this to you and you''d know what it means," I took the necklace my father gave me and showed it to him, keeping in mind what Dad told in the letter about keeping my said identity as a Thalisean a secret.


    Before I could realize it, he snatched the necklace from my hand, staring at it intensely saying, "U-Unbelievable! No, it can''t be, that''s just not possible. Hey, you! Where did you steal this from?!" he took my arm and took an aggressive step forward, questioning me with pressure.


    "No, you don''t understand! It was given to me, argh!" I tried overpowering him so that he would let go of my arm, but it was simply impossible. The strength that he had on his grip was inescapable.


    "What is your father''s name?" he calmed down, letting go of my arm, leaving a red mark on it. I kept my calm despite the situation, breathing in and continuing.


    "Frederick, Frederick Erinn! We lived beyond the forests, on a wide clearing where a wooden house is perched on top of a small slope. Or I guess, we used to live there," I said, remembering what had happened to them, and their faces during that time.


    He stood there, silent and distraught for a time, clutching the necklace tightly in his hand as he seemed to have shed a tear.


    The man moved forward and embraced me tightly, speaking with a trembling voice, "Then that must mean that you''re little Zach. Look at you, all grown up. After all these years, I get to see you know. I know you don''t remember me, but I used to visit you when you were still a baby. You could even call me your uncle. But now that my duty has been requested here and there, I had no time to see you grow," he parted, looking at me once more, but with tears in his eyes.


    "I know this is insensitive, but please, tell me, how did they die?" he looked and asked me sternly.


    "We were attacked by a revenant. I barely got out with my life. But Mom and Dad weren''t that lucky. Though he didn''t have that much in him, Dad fought the thing. I-I couldn''t save them!" I fell to my knees, finally letting my pent-up feelings go. I thought that I had lamented enough before leaving our home, but it turns out that I just hadn''t accepted them being gone yet.


    "Don''t worry, Zach. You''re here now, and you''re safe. I''ll make sure of that. I am your father''s closest friend, and someone that you can rely on. You can trust me. But first, let''s get something to eat. I know that it''s all too hard for you to bear, but in time, you will find the resolve to continue," he left first, leading the way.


    After eating, he led me to what seemed to be his office, a place filled with books and papers stacked on papers. The room itself was cluttered and had gathered weeks¡¯ worth of dust from what I see.


    "Take a seat somewhere. It seems that Louise wasn''t lying about leaving me with some paperwork to do. But before all that, I want to tell you something important. I know why your father told you to be here. I will tell you since it is a matter of grave importance."


    "Your father had told me everything when you were still a baby. Only him, your mother, and I knew of the truth that is your lineage. The necklace being brought here was a sign that we agreed on. But it was under better circumstances than this. Nevertheless, I shall tell you since I feel that this is the right time for it. I remember it one night when I came to visit your father and mother. A peaceful night that was disturbed by the arrival of a fully cloaked figure that introduced himself as your real father. He gave a ''gift'' as he said. A baby wrapped in a cloth on a basket, sleeping soundly. The only thing that he told us was that you were the last boon of the Creator. The last of the Thalise."


    "So you knew of my true parents?"


    "Yes. Though we never got to ask them anything else. Their disappearance is the biggest mystery of all. Now the burden falls to you."


    "With the way you place it, I don''t think I have much of an apetite anymore. I still can''t seem to absorb it, the fact that I am what I truly am. To have lived my life not knowing of this predicament, and to have it suddenly spring on me. Haa, it''s the worst feeling, and I can''t even begin to explain it." I exhaled with a bated breath, looking at the ceiling with deep thoughts.


    "But, your fate will be determined by what path you choose. You can choose not to become the savior of the human race and instead live your life as you please. That is what your father and mother wanted for you in the first place, to live a peaceful life, away from demons. But that night was the last we saw of the cloaked man. He was a Thalisean, no doubt, but he said that they were dying. The last of the race finally vanished then. But then you remained. The final hope for everyone."


    "So everything''s true then? What should I do now? What am I supposed to be?"


    "That is up to you. Like your parents, I will not force you to become just that. I know that it''s your race''s obligation to defeat the demons when they are at their strongest, but I cannot force a child to do something like that. I will let you choose, rather, choose how things turn out yourself. I will keep this a secret, and you should as well."


    "Why? I thought that the knowledge of an existing Thalisean would give hope to the people?"


    "Without a doubt that is true. But in this age, even humans are somewhat similar to demons. Some are corrupt, and would even use their powers and status to use you. There are dangerous people out there, more than you could think of. And with the way you are now, there''s nothing you will be able to do if they sought you out. And maybe even I will stand powerless against them. Though everyone is praying for a free world without demons, there are those that prey on war and strife. This world is not without them. Then that brings me to the demons. You see, once they find out that there is a Thalisean still living in this world, they will not stop until you are dead. They have the means to do so easily, even at night when you''re most vulnerable. So, keep your silence until you are prepared to face them all. For now, you need to become stronger."


    I began thinking hard. I have just been given two choices, those of which I can choose freely. The first time I met a demon was in the forest, and sure enough I could have died if I had not heard my father''s voice during that time. I was completely terrified, unable to do anything. I would shudder even at the thought of meeting one again...


    But what they did to them was unforgivable. They took their lives. That''s more than enough motivation to fight them. People have been suffering because of their disappearance, but now I''m here, and I can do something to change all that. The same thing with Fiona and her husband. The sorrow that they felt from losing someone dear to them, it can all be changed by me.


    I faced him with a bit of determination on my part, forcing myself to say my choice.


    "I... I want to defeat the demons. I want to protect and save those people so that they won''t lose someone dear to them, or even worse, themselves. I don''t want to repeat what happened to my parents. I know the pain, and I''ve felt it, even going as far as lamenting it until now. I don''t want anyone else to feel that pain anymore... It hurts so bad that I can''t explain it to myself. So please, help me! I want to help people, but I don''t know how. I don''t even know how to believe my existence as a Thalisean."


    "Is that what you''ve decided for yourself? Do you need more time to think, Zachary? It''s your life to live. Thalisean or not, you have a choice to make for yourself. Allowing yourself to be swept by others will make your existence meaningless. So, I shall ask once more. Is that your final decision?" He raised his voice a bit, making me tremble at the power behind it.You might be reading a pirated copy. Look for the official release to support the author.


    "Yes! I''m sure of it. Though I''ll doubt myself down the road, I''ve made my mind up. There''s no debate about it, even. Thalisean or not, I''ll do it. I''ll be sure to keep my word. So, will you help me?"


    "Of course. How can I deny you that when you''ve got a strong conviction? I will train you. Your journey towards the top will be perilous and filled with thorns. So, I hope that you''ll be ready for I shall be especially strict with you, now that you''ve taken the task up. Taking your word back will only be a disgrace for me. I have pride in you, so show me how far you''ll get! You have to call me Sir Hark, as per regulations."


    "I understand. I''ll do my best then. But, what exactly do I do first?"


    "Hmm, I have just the thing. Follow me," he stood up, making a face that I am unable to read.


    "What has your father taught you? I assume that he taught the basics of self-defense, correct?"


    "I guess you could say he taught me a more fundamental type of self-defense. He taught me how to fight using a wooden sword at first. Then we moved on to using the real deal, and that''s when he handed me his sword, the one I left in the guest room back at the mansion."


    "I see. We shall test that out as well, so there is no need for worry. I have a mission that is due in a few days, so we will use that time to train you. I will have you join me that day, so your first trial will be there. Train hard, you''ll need it."


    He led me to a barracks near the mansion where dozens of well-armed soldiers stood with their mounts. Some were training and some were resting. Each one of them looked experienced and skilled when they held their own weapons and used them against each other.


    They all turned to him once he entered their sights, giving him an orderly salute, stopping at whatever they were doing at the time.


    "Ease up and continue your training!" he said in a loud, commanding voice, one which the soldiers followed without question.


    "Have you ever ridden a horse before?" he asked me.


    "No. I''ve only ever heard of horses. I''ve only seen one yesterday, and that one was pulling a carriage."


    "I see. Well then, that''s where we''ll start. Like I have said, I have something planned in three days, so within those three days I want you to learn the basics of nearly everything a knight, or a soldier has to know in that span. Day one is riding a horse. Think about nothing else other than that, otherwise it''ll get in the way of your training. And don''t worry about progress and all that. Just take in as much information as you can and learn from it. There will be no resting within these three days except for sleeping and meals," he came to a stop and called to a man who was scrubbing a horse with a brush.


    "What can I do for you today, Sir Hark?" the man came over running, not sparing any second.


    "Ah, Neville. Punctual as always, very good. I want you to give me two horses. It doesn''t matter which one since I''m training him. This is Zachary, Zachary, meet Neville. He''s the stable master for my barracks here."


    "Nice to meet you," he held his hand out to me, and I shook it. He was a rather short young man with dark hair and a tanned complexion, wearing casual white and brown clothes. He then left for the stables without delay, emerging from there with two horses, both identical in height and size, but one is brown, and the other white.


    "Here they are, Noel and Ezra, twins from the same horse. They''re bred pretty well, so they can get very energetic and restless if not occupied, so be careful with them," he left, giving us the reigns, handing me the brown horse named Noel.


    "Well then, let''s start training. Don''t overthink and say that learning a mountain worth of tasks are difficult and almost impossible. The first step is always the most important one. Second is the willingness and conviction. Now, let''s see how you can do these," Sir Hark said, easily mounting his horse, running circles around me as the horse followed obediently.


    Meanwhile mine sneezed on me and would gallop a few paces away from me whenever I would try to mount it...


    Even when half a day passed I had a great difficulty in controlling my mount. It took hours until I was able to take the reins properly, but steering him somewhere was another thing entirely.


    There would be an occasional laughter coming from the soldiers watching us from the side, but I paid it no mind, trying my best to stay focused and continue the task. though it was taxing, even an inch of concentration lost would derail me completely.


    "Don''t strain your body too much. Keep it loose and relaxed, then flow with the horse. Hold the reins tightly, but don''t tug on it too much since it''ll bring him to a complete stop," he gave off many commands, those of which I struggled to keep up with. Though he told me to take in as much information as I could, getting used to something like this was another world entirely.


    Then came the second day, a melee practice with weapons.


    "I will gauge your skill for today, then I will determine how things go from here. Ready?" he asked, raring to go. He wore a casual top and a brown, loose legging, wielding a wooden longsword, the same with mine. His stature was intimidating as he was a bit taller than I was, but his build was burly enough that it made me think he would just shrug off my attacks without batting an eyelash.


    "Well, then I shall go first!" he said, not waiting for my reply. He came in directly for an overhead slash, bringing it down quickly at a speed that I hadn''t anticipated.


    I tried to block with my sword on impulse, bringing it above my head without much strength. His hit was almost enough to knock my weapon from my hand, but I gripped it tightly just in time, backing away as I came to.


    "It looked like you didn''t anticipate my attack. That''s very reckless. A demon would tear you to shred in seconds if you space out like that. Again!" he announced, taking another stance then rushing at the same speed.


    We repeated this time after time, and with each time I was unable to match his speed, nor was I able to exchange blow with him. His skill was topnotch, not something that I would be able to obtain with such few days of training. Even at my best I could not best him, and the best I could do was lock blades for seconds, but that was because he was resting.


    As half of the day passed, my hand was blistered, and my stamina was completely depleted. My entire body was sore, nothing I''ve ever felt while I trained with Dad. My heart raced fast, and every inch of my body throbbed in exhaustion.


    "Rest for a few minutes, then be prepared to start again. I''ve selected a few soldiers that you may be able to land a few hits on, but don''t be convinced that they''re easy. I''ve trained these men myself, so underestimating them would get you a harsh beating. Unlike me, they don''t know when to hold back. Some of them are still young," he walked in front of a few soldiers who wielded wooden longswords, looking as old as I was, only a hand few looking more adult-like.


    Those few minutes passed like seconds, then came the time of reckoning once more. I had forced my trembling legs to stand, and my blistered and throbbing hand to hold my weapon.


    "The name''s Ruziel. I don''t know who you are, but let''s do our best, alright?" my opponent, a short, blonde-haired young man smiled, full of enthusiasm, something that I lacked as of now.


    "Zachary. The same to you as well," I said.


    We began at the behest of Sir Hark. Ruziel made a stance, holding his weapon a bit overhead with two hands, waiting for me with his sharp looking eyes.


    I took a breath in, then exhaled, moving along with it, mustering up as much energy as I could to rush him, knowing that he has something in store for me.


    But before I could close in on him further, he rushed as well, taking less time to close the distance between us, cutting my momentum in half as I prepared to slash downwards at him.


    He blocked my attack, leaving me open as he used the chance to spin and strike my chest with his elbow, knowing the air out of me as a strong force was placed behind it. And with that I was knocked to the ground, his weapon pointed at my throat.


    "Sorry about that. I can''t really hold back since it wasn''t taught to us. For as long as we¡¯ve been here as soldiers, all we''ve ever fought were demons," he said, reaching out to me with the same bright smile.


    I reached out and took it, dusting myself off. "It''s alright. It was a mistake on my part," I said begrudgingly cursing myself for my failure.


    "Don''t waste time! Next!" Sir Hark announced, resuming the training without a need for rest, already placing another soldier before me.


    This continued on until the moon was up above the cloudless sky. I was already past my limits, and it was a surprise in itself that I still stood. Completely out of breath and on the brink, I had managed to get through the day without giving in.


    "Good work, everyone! You can all rest now. Remember, the day after tomorrow is when we begin, so don''t slack off now!" Sir Hark yelled out at them, dispersing the soldiers with haste. I remained there, unable to move my legs. My mind was hazy, and breathing was the only thing I could do now.


    "You''ve done your best. Though the results were not that much, I hope that you were able to keep, or at least try. Now rest, I''ll carry you back to your room. Tomorrow will be even more strenuous, so don''t think you''re out of the woods yet," he said as I my legs gave up, and I collapsed on the cold ground, falling asleep immediately.


    ... Hello once again. It is I... Oh, I don''t I remember my name. Do you? Hmm, sorry, my friend here is always so silent and stalwart. Remember me from that one other dream? Yes, that''s me. Listen closely. Now that you know who you are, this''ll be a bit easier to explain. I''m no delusion that you have. More like I''m someone from somewhere far away that talks to you in your sleep. Creepy, isn''t it?


    ... Oh, can''t get sidetracked now. So, where was I. Now you know your task, and you''ve chosen what you are to become. I''m proud of you for making that step. No, the next thing you''ll have to worry about is being a little wussy and backing away from it. You''ll forget all about me when you wake up, sadly, so I guess saying a few things won''t hurt.


    ... You''re the last of our race, and we''re just disembodied voices of those that are already dead. Kind of like souls still wandering here and there, nothing too special. Our grip here in this world to you is getting weaker and weaker. Soon I won''t even be able to keep tabs on you anymore, sad, right? I know. But for now, while you''re still growing, we''ll be here, continuing to look over you. Shame that you won''t remember this. But, till next time.


    And so, the final day of training came. Though I collapsed after that night of training, I''ve motivated myself enough for the cause of all this. I felt ready, both mind and body. It''s wishful thinking, but I can make this work, somehow. I''ll just have to put a bit more into it.


    "For now it''s just you and me. I want to test something. You know now what you are, and so do I, so I want you to try and use your mark against me. It is said that a Thalisean''s mark manifests itself by the will of its user, and in many different ways, depending on where it is, and what the mark looks like. If you''re going to go against demons, then you will need to have your primary arsenal with you. Why not making it manifest?"


    I looked at the back of my right hand, remembering that one time when I used it without me knowing. Yes, I could remember what it looked like clearly. That bright light was etched into my mind. A crown where two swords crossed behind it. But how exactly do I manifest it?


    It was a calm sunrise, and birds chirped as they flew by. It was silent. The entirety of the barracks was closed off, and the soldiers that was here yesterday have been given orders to the scout around the area with their full manpower to ensure that everything goes well for tomorrow. That left Sir Hark and I here to train by ourselves.


    I clenched my hand, thinking hard of the mark and what it looked like. The feeling that came over me when it surfaced, the sensation of its aura the way my body felt light as a feather... "Haa, Haa," I caught up my on breathing. "I can''t. I don''t think I can do it," I said, panting, having used my concentration for nothing.


    "That''s odd. I remember reading in a book that it manifests depending on the user''s will, and sometimes due to other unexplained circumstances. Well, I will try and make it resurface through danger. Listen closely, Zachary. Take this seriously from now on. I will do the same as well," he stood tall, speaking defiantly, his demeanor shifting to something that unnerved me.


    "What do you mean?" I asked.


    "If you want to progress, then I shall have to take drastic means to accomplish a task. Therefore, I shall try to kill you, but not with everything I have. I will hold back to a degree, but if you don''t take it seriously, you might just die even if I hold back," he said without batting an eyelash, as if it was the most common announcement he had ever made.


    I only shuddered at it. His face said that he was not joking around. He had the intent to kill around him, and that made it harder to swallow the fact that my life was in danger now. But instead of being terrified, there''s no way I''m turning back now, especially since I''ve gotten this far. If I let my resolve waver, then everything I said is meaningless!


    "I understand. I''ll accept," and with those few words I have sealed my fate. The only way out of this now is through my own determination and skill. Two days of training is indeed short, but only making reasons won''t help.


    I took a stance, unsheathing and holding my father''s sword tightly with two hands. Sir Hark had told me earlier that we would be using blades, so this is my best bet for that.


    I chose to wear a few leather arms to at least feel a bit safer, while Sir Hark on the other hand chose not to wear anything other than his casual clothes, only wielding a basic longsword which gleamed bright, sharpened nicely.


    "Then let''s begin, shall we? The luxury of time doesn''t exist anymore!" he said, rushing with a powerful burst of speed, and within seconds already slashing down at me.


    I was barely able to counter, jumping back as far as I could to separate us from each other.


    But his relentless attacks and slashes made that near impossible.


    I felt a powerful ringing noise in my ears and a painful vibration on my hands every time our blades clashed, but I could clearly see it. If I let up for even a once and allow him to break my defense, I''m dead. Each one of his attacks were lethal and the durability of my father''s sword was the only saving grace I had in the battle.


    He didn''t speak at all, and it seemed like killing me was the only thing in his mind. He may have even disregarded me as someone that he knows.


    Fine! If it''s going to be like this, then it wouldn''t hurt if I didn''t worry about him getting hurt. Don''t think I didn''t learn anything these past two days!


    His eyes turned serious and his stance was better than earlier, more a bit more refined.


    He backed away and stared at his opponent who was ready again for another assault, only taken aback as he saw the awakened resolve of the one he had been teaching.


    "Finally getting serious, are we?" he murmured to himself, smiling as he attacked once more.


    Zach met him in the middle, clashing with him more times than he could count. Sparks flashed and chunks of metal flew everywhere. Though he had less experience than the distinguished knight that he was fighting against, he moved using his fear as a weapon. His body moved with the fear of getting hit, and it benefitted him so.


    He was able to block most of the hits that were being brought to him, but as it went on, the exhaustion was apparent. He was not used to fighting like this, so he was starting to get worn out.


    Hark started pressing the attack even more, delivering almost lethal hits as Zach was able to dodge or parry his attack with his sword. The knight moved and weaved around him to try and find an opening, exploiting the novice''s inexperience, often finding himself in a bind because of this.


    Zach fell to the ground, unable to withstand the brunt force of one of Hark''s slashes, and with that he tried to end it, going in for a thrust of his sword pointed directly between his eyes.


    But before it could pierce Zach, Hark stopped his blade, inches away from him. "I guess that''s that," he said, sheathing his sword and extending his hand out to Zach, who willingly took it, fazed by his stunning defeat.


    "Well, you still have a lot to learn, but it wasn''t that bad. It''s not good either, but that''s just how things go around here. If you lack the strength, then go find it. The demons won''t say ''we''ll wait for you'' just like that. They won''t even consider it. This isn''t an easy path. It''s more than any of us normal humans can ever dream of walking. That''s why my hopes are pinned on you."


    "I know. And I haven''t given up yet. I don''t need any more convincing about what I should do. It''s frustrating that I can''t help people when I need to, but now I have the means to do it. So, I won''t give up. Not until I avenge my parent''s deaths. not just them, but everyone else too."


    "That''s the spirit. Now if you''re that riled up, that means you can go for another round?"


    "Bring it!"


    "Good. And I thought you''d be complaining by the third day. Glad to see that your father didn''t raise you spoiled."

 Chapter 6: Behold, the Heralds mark

    I yawned with the dawning of the morning light shining on my face from the window of my room. It dawned upon me as well that what I''ve been doing feels so unreal, yet what I''ve been through is here, etched within my body and soul. I stood still in bed, looking at the ceiling for no apparent reason, maybe just to let all this sink in.


    Those three days passed by in an instant. Every detail and every word I remember both clearly and vaguely. I''ve devoted myself to this choice I made. Surprisingly enough I haven''t had the urge to call it quits. There were times that it became painful, and I almost wanted to yell in pain... But I didn''t.


    "It feels like I can take on the world already. Just you wait, Mom, Dad. I''ll show you all what I can do," I said to myself out loud.


    "You can show them what you can do once you''ve finished eating," a familiar monotone voice sounded from the door. There stood Louise, wearing her casual, plain dress, looking as charming and mature as ever. She welcomed me with her usual barefaced look, saying good morning with the most monotone voice I''ve ever heard of in my life.


    "Ah, miss Louise. I didn''t notice you there. Good morning. Up early, aren''t you?" I asked, springing up from my bed.


    "It''s a routine. Otherwise you would all wake up by the afternoon, specifically speaking, my adoptive father. Now if you will. Breakfast has been prepared," she said, leaving without me.


    I caught up to her, pushing back tidying myself up on my agenda. "What do you mean by adoptive? Are you not his real daughter?"


    "It appears that you possess neither tact nor delicacy, but no matter. It does not bother me in the slightest. You are correct. He is not my real father. I was found in the streets and taken in by him when I was still a child. My real parents were gone by then, and I have taken care of myself at that age."


    "I''m sorry, I didn''t mean it like that. I didn''t know about it at all."


    "Like I''ve said, please don''t worry about it. Everything''s said and done. I''m grateful for him for taking me in, and I had not wasted this chance I was given. So, I made the best of it. Further worrying of the past will only hinder one¡¯s progress into the future. There is no need to forget, but one can do without them."


    "Is that fact? Well, you do handle yourself well. And to top it off, you''re really beautiful and mature too. I bet that sir Hark''s proud of you, needless to say your real parents would be as well if they saw you now."


    "Flattery will get you nowhere, Sir Zachary. But I do appreciate the compliment."


    "Eh, was that really flattering? I thought I was just telling the truth. Well, no matter then," I noticed a wide-open room where a dining table sat in the center, and on it were appetizing, freshly cooked food served on a plate.


    "What took you two so long? I''m withering away here," Sir Hark said, putting down the newspaper that he was reading. He looked awake enough to be up and about, but that''s because we have to do something after. It''s just me that unprepared.


    We sat and began eating. The taste was overwhelming and filled with warmth. Kind of like Mom''s homecooked meals. It feels like it''s slowly giving me energy.


    "Who made this?" I asked.


    "I for one can''t cook to save my life. So, there''s only one person left to pick up the slack for me," Sir Hark glanced at Louise who was silently eating, not taking notice of both of us.


    "This is amazing! It''s like I can eat it and never get tired of it. You''re really something else, aren''t you, miss Louise?"


    "Louise is fine. Thank you. It would be preferable if you offered your pity towards the matured adult who lets his daughter cook and do everything for him."


    He jerked from the remark, laughing wryly at it, but not minding it at all, as if he were used to it.


    "Alright, in ten minutes I''ll need you to be ready and waiting at the barracks, alright, Zach? We''re moving out to Caspia. I''ll brief everyone once I get there, so do whatever you want in these ten minutes," he said, thanking Louise for the meal and leaving with a satisfied grin on his face.


    "Thank you as well, Louise. Do you need any help with the dishes?"


    "No. It''ll be better use of your time if you prepared. I can handle everything by myself," she started stacking the dishes neatly.


    "That so? Alright then, I won''t force you. But still, thanks for the food. It feels like I''ll get by for days after having eaten what you''ve made. Can''t wait to eat it again," I said, quickly leaving for my room to take my sword, then head to the barracks to organize my equipment.


    The town was quiet, but it was a slightly different atmosphere upon arriving at the barracks. Dozens of armed soldiers were organizing their mounts on the dry training grounds of the barracks, some looked like they were ready to leave at any second. I picked up the pace and made sure to remember anything that I might have forgotten.


    "Leather armor, greaves, gloves, leggings, check. I guess this is good," I said to myself, having strapped all the laces tightly. I then took the bag filled with rations and other medicinal equipment, our basic tools that we''re required to depart with.


    I went to the stables, taking the reins of Noel, the horse that I had trained with the other day. It was almost miraculous how he obeyed me after I gave it a few carrots to eat. It acted like he and I were familiar and well acquainted with each other, but that''s more than fine with me.


    I headed to the main field where everyone else was getting ready, strapping their equipment on their horses, all looking well fed and energized.


    "Oh, well if it isn''t Zach. Remember me? It''s alright if you don''t. It''s Ruziel, the one you sparred with the other day. Nice to meet you again!" he gave off a radiating smile, his hand extended out to me, one which I shook.


    "Don''t worry, I wouldn''t forget someone who gave me a tough lesson during practice the other day."


    "Is that how you remember me? Ha ha, how vexing. But on to the main thing," he took a breath in before continuing. "You ready for this? No pressure, but I bet there''ll be a lot of them out there. Who knows what might happen, but disappointingly there are always casualties. It can never be avoided with these kinds of enemies. I have just one advice. Be careful out there. And I know this sounds harsh, but look out for yourself before you look out for others. It''s basic mistake number one that someone tries to act all heroically, giving their safety away all for the sake of another person. Don''t be like that, alright? Think of everyone here as an experienced soldier. So with that, I''ll be off to wait. Good luck!" he gave me a thumbs up and left even before I could say anything at all.


    Ten minutes passed and Sir hark arrived with a magnificent set of armor on him, carrying an ornate looking sword on the sheath hanging on his waist. He strode with a gallant and commanding aura befitting of someone in his image.


    "Listen up, all of you! We will be departing for Caspia, a town west from here. We''ll be taking Shale''s forest to get there. I''ve received reports that the demon''s activities there are getting more hectic. It might even mean that their numbers have doubled. But, we''re the only ones that can do it. We''ve been entrusted this task by the king, and that means a lot. We''re enough for the job, otherwise I wouldn¡¯t have willingly taken it. Now, I shall lead the group. All everyone needs to do is follow me," he said, speaking with someone beside him, holding what seems to be his banner.


    I felt my heart beat loudly, and it made me realize that everything was beginning. I mounted my horse and ran what I''ve been taught to do, moving with the group as they slowly galloped on the town''s stone streets, leaving the gates with a salute from the guards, some of which I remember seeing from when I first came here.


    I felt the wind strongly flowing on me as I rode quickly along with many others through the densely-covered forest. The smell of wet leaves was strong, but the ground felt dry and smooth enough for the horse to ride through it.


    The images passed by in an instant, and an overwhelming series of sights passed me by. Was this what riding a horse felt like? The feeling of speed, freedom, the sights, it puts me at ease somewhat. There was a child-like, giddy feeling inside me that was amused and excited at what was happening so far.


    We went on riding without resting, reaching our destination within a few hours, or the outskirts of it anyway. It was a clear, green field as far as the eye could see. There was nothing obstructing the eye except one thing. A flare of smoke in the distance, and below it was a ruined looking town.


    "Everyone prepare yourselves. We''re getting closer to the town. Follow the banner and prepare to rest for a while. Sir Hark required someone on reconnaissance, so volunteers come with me," someone from farther up the ranks said, steering the group to the side, forming a small formation there.


    "Zachary, right? Your presence is being requested by Sir Hark," one of the soldiers came up to me.


    "You said you needed me?" I asked, arriving at the front where Sir Hark looked gravely at the distance.


    "I did. What do you make of that?" he asked, pointing at the flare of smoke.


    "Good guess, but no. That''s miasma. It''s thick, but not that lethal from what I can see. It seems that we''re up against some pretty tough demons. One of them might even be a commander, or better yet a general."


    "Is that a good thing or a bad thing?"


    "Bad, no, that would be an understatement. It''s a nightmare. If we encounter a general, then we''re done for. They usually lead demons numbering up from hundreds to thousands, and they themselves are worth hundreds by themselves, boasting horrific amounts of power. It''ll require a few thousand, maybe even more, for us to be able to defeat that. But, a commander might be doable. If it gets bad, you turn back and head for Lavis. Tell Louise what happened here," he faced me and spoke sternly.


    "But I can help you. You of all people should know that, right? That''s why I''ve been training."


    "Don''t be stubborn. You can''t even make it manifest. Forcing it won''t do you any good either. Just do as I say if things ever come to that."


    Before I could reply, a soldier mounted on a horse came from the town''s direction. "I have the reports, Sir Hark!"


    "Good. Report."


    "I wasn''t able to get a few inches further in since it might risk my presence being detected, so I was only able to scout the perimeter. The town seemed quiet from the outside, almost like there''s no one left. But that''s just what I saw. And for the demons outside, they look like the usual low-class and medium-class pairings, a few revenants as well. I saw no signs of any commander, but their numbers are great, maybe a hundred or more."


    "What about terrain, the outside of the town?"


    "There were decayed bodies of soldiers, weapons scattered about. There seemed to be a battle, but the gates of the town were slightly open, enough for some of use to fit in, but it wasbattered beyond repair. That''s all I have."


    "Then that''s fine. Have everyone on the ready to charge in a few minutes," he dismissed the scout, then turned his attention back to me. "For now, show me what you''ve learned. I know this is your first time fighting demons other than the revenants, but remember and use what you''ve been taught and you''ll be fine. It''s all up to you in the end, got that?"


    "I do. Don''t expect me to lag behind. It feels like you have little confidence in what I can do."


    "I''ve seen it, and you can''t scold me for being worried afterwards. So, don''t get too confident. It''s asking to be killed. Now get into position, we''ll charge using a spear formation!" he rallied his troops, assuming the forefront, wearing his helmet and unsheathing his sword.


    "We will trample those that dare try and take away our right to live! These demons who have pushed us to the brink of extinction can be defied, and we shall be the forerunners of that thought! Use your anger, your fear, muster into power, into strength! Show them the might of us humans who will struggle till the end, even if it means our death! Now, Spearhead formation... Charge with the wind and make the earth tremble!" he yelled out viciously, leading the charge as his sword gleamed in the light, raised up high. His words, it filled me with vigor and a strange tenacity that I didn''t know I had. And without noticing it, I was following him into battle.


    We met the demons comprised of deformed looking beings and monsters, some were corrupted looking demi-humans, and some were revenants. They were all hacked and slashed in one charge, swords slicing from the left and right. The entire unit moved as one, and everything felt like it was in place. Demons were being felled by the tens, leaving nothing but their bodies to rot in the dust.


    Their blood stained my blade. The sensation that I felt upon slicing them with the momentum of our speed felt like knife was to butter. It was nauseating, but it felt like the right thing to do.


    "Faster! They''re starting to gain numbers!" a yell came from the front, then from the back, and the next thing you knew the formation was broken. The confidently formed formation collapsed as a sudden force emerged from nowhere, blocking our path.


    Chaos ensued. Their deafening yells could be heard everywhere. Demons from the back started gaining on us, and soon enough the back row was engulfed with battle, and so was the front.


    "Dismount and fight back! Form a solid line and fight from your direction! Don''t let your lines collapse, otherwise the demons will get your allies¡¯ back!" a command from somewhere sounded, and almost everyone followed suit. They dismounted and fought heavily with the demons.


    "Zach! What are you waiting for?! Get off your horse and fight them back!" Sir Hark said, having dismounted as well, currently fighting with numerous demons, slicing through them with ease, but is being overwhelmed by numbers.


    But as soon as I got off my horse, I was approached by a demon who lunged from one of the soldiers, trampling him.If you encounter this tale on Amazon, note that it''s taken without the author''s consent. Report it.


    I focused, convinced that it was not time for me to be spacing out at a time like this.


    I waited patiently, everything around me seemed to move slowly, including the demon currently closing in on me from midair.


    When it came close, I unsheathed my sword and took a step forward, using a large amount of force to pull the hilt, drawing strength from my leg as well, cutting the demon down, sending it tumbling down the ground with a thud.


    Next came from the side, a demon that had attacked one the soldier''s blind spots, wounding him mortally as the monster stabbed him with his arm, piercing almost through his body, making blood gush forth like a fall.


    I moved quickly, raising my blade up and slashing downwards with a loud roaring voice, cutting off the demon''s hand from the soldier that screamed with pain and agony, falling to the ground, writhing in pain.


    I had no time to look around. It was a second, but I saw that everyone was busy fighting for their own lives. No one could help this man. He was done for. I couldn''t do anything... "No, I can!"


    I ran back to my horse, taking the bag full of supplies, then returning to the bleeding man.


    "W-What are you doing?! Don''t turn your back on the demons! They''ll kill you. I''m done for anyway- argh!" he coughed up blood, sweating profusely. Though there were those that were close by to keep some of the demons at bay, some would slip by, and I would be forced to take care of them.


    As I finished cutting another one down, I returned to the man, only to notice that he was gone, his eyes still open. My heart raced, and it was that same adrenaline that I felt from before, resurfacing, like water overflowing from a cup.


    I fought them just like everyone else, but the situation didn''t chance at the very least. It only seemed like they were getting larger and larger in numbers. We were already being overwhelmed, but this was beyond explanation.


    Suddenly I was pulled from the collar of my shirt by someone from behind me.


    "Zach! Come with me, we''re going to find the commander! I don''t know where these fiends popped up, but it ruined our momentum, and my plan. We''ll have to make do with a compromise!" Sir Hark said, covered in blood and wounds, breathing heavily.


    "Troops, form a strong, cohesive formation and charge into the town!" Sir hark announced, leading the quickly dwindling numbers of soldiers into the town''s gates, only slightly open, jammed and would not budge despite our best efforts at lifting it open.


    "Just where are these fucking demons coming from?!"


    "ARGH! Get this thing off my back!"


    "Stay in formation! Don''t break the line! Keep it for- Ack!"


    They fell one by one, and soon we were as thin as an army could be. Though their courage was awe-inspiring and commendable, the demon''s numbers skyrocketed greatly, and we were overrun.


    "Hurry and get in!" Sir Hark said, squeezing through the gap. I followed shortly, out of breath.


    "Find the lever and close it!" he ordered one of the other soldiers that had gotten through, stabbing the demons that were trying to make their way through the gates along with the other soldiers.


    The gate started clanking, then it suddenly closed shut, impaling the demons under it with its metal spikes. But with the gate closed, the rest were cut off from us, and the others, that had gotten through, could do nothing but look at them barefaced, seeing them cry and reach out to them as demons hacked them from behind, not immediately killing them, making them suffer for a while.


    "H-HELP ME! Don''t leave me- Argh!"


    "Damn, let''s go and find the source of all this and put an end to their misery," Sir Hark said, turning around and heading further into the town in a brisk pace, leaving us behind.


    All we could do was ignore the voices of their screams, begrudgingly not even acknowledging their existence.


    "Hey, glad to see that you made it," said Ruziel as he patted my back. He had wounds all over his tattered armor, but he still had the energy to smile after all that.


    "Is it alright to leave them? I think we could''ve still done something for them."


    "That kind of thinking will kill you. They can fend for themselves. I know it''s a harsh way to say things, but in this world that we live in, death comes naturally if we''re not careful. All we can do is become stronger so that we could prolong our inevitable deaths. Now let''s go and kill whoever''s leading them and get back to town."


    Refusing to look back, I went off with them, seeing the ruined state of the town. Decayed bodies littering the streets, houses and other buildings charred and demolished. There were traces of dead demons as well.


    "Keep an eye out on your surroundings. Be ready for anything. For all we know we could already be surrounded by demons," Sir Hark said cautiously, slowly walking through the empty but ravaged streets.


    We arrived at the center of the town, the spacious town square, a horrid filled sight where mutilated and consumed bloody remains of humans were scattered all about. I could almost feel what I ate coming back up, but I managed to suppress it for now.


    "Man, they really did a number on this part of town. Maybe they even had a little feast," Ruziel remarked, taking everything around him as calmly as one could be.


    The square was a spacious flat-bed garden where grass and flowers grew, and in the middle, was once was a fountain, but now is just a mess of rubble. Wooden carts and stalls were destroyed as well, and the surrounding houses were reduced to ruins, just like the rest of the town.


    "Sir Hark, shouldn''t we try and find some survivors? I know it looks bed, but there has to be someone still out there, right?" I asked, trying to avoid looking at the gut-wrenching sight.


    "Looking at this, I doubt there''d be any survivors. What I''m worrying about now is who''s leading them. Probably a ruthless demon, but that doesn''t matter. If we eliminate the head of the demons, then our mission will be a success. We''ll give our lives if need be just to finish the task."


    "Isn''t that too brash of an announcement to make? It almost sounds like you''ve already given up after doing what you''ve been ordered," I argued, having enough of these people recklessly saying that they can throw their fragile lives away at the cost of defeating a demon. I know there''s no other way around it, and that I''m being selfish by saying it since fighting against a demon guarantees you losing your life, but it feels wrong.


    "I understand how you feel, and from the perspective of someone who has just seen demons and the atrocities they commit, I would expect this. But this is how things are. Though we fight, we are still humans. We can only fight, but never truly stand tall. It is not our weakness, but their tenacity. We do not recklessly throw our lives; we use it to fight for others. As long as we do that and fulfill our wishes of keeping each other safe, then we can depart this world with content knowing that we served them well," he said confidently, not having any traces of regret on his face. He meant every single word that he said.


    But as he spoke, the ground shook repeatedly, as if something or someone were walking, and every step it made produced fissures that drew everyone''s attention.


    Looking further, there appeared a colossal, decayed monster with a massive belly, corroding and exhuming a horrid stench that could not be explained with mere words.


    Its body shook with its massive and overbearing weight, almost as if it were dragging him forward. It had a large, open mouth with two sharp fangs at the base of it. A large blade replaced its right arm, and its left was a decayed, muscular one that was the size of a log.


    "Puny humans?! Here in front of me? Ha ha ha! Foolish! I can sense your fear. Small, powerless ants quaking in fear, just like every other pathetic human out there, Ha ha ha! Have you come here to offer your lives to me? You all look weak and pathetic, but you, the one with the white beard, you look like you can serve me well, or better yet, as a revenant!" he bellowed, laughing loudly that it almost blocked out any other sound in the area, forcing us to block our ears.


    "If that''s your first thought, then you are more foolish than a ''pathetic'' human. You''re not just that. But you''re an imbecile as well, demon! I will allow you to laugh yourself to death once our swords are jammed down your rotten throat!" Sir Hark said defiantly and confidently, not at all quivering in fear of the giant that stood staggeringly tall in front of us.


    But then the demon became silent, narrowing his eyes at us. He came forward, lifting his blade up high, slowly.


    "Scatter! Spread out and attack once he misses the attack! Bring him down!" Sir Hark said, moving to his left, around the demon, coming to his side with his weapon ready at hand.


    I went the opposite way, following the majority of the survivors along with Ruziel, staring and keeping track of the giant''s weapon before it would descend on us.


    The demon brought it down faster than he had raised it up, creating a massive crack on the ground, sending rubble flying everywhere, destroying the garden. The fissure made us jump and fall to the ground, disoriented for what seemed like precious, wasted seconds.


    "Now!" A Faint yell could be heard from Sir Hark on the opposite side. It seems that he was knocked down as well, getting up frantically and charging with some of the others with him.


    The rest followed suit, rushing at the demon''s legs, trying to force it to the ground.


    I rose, immediately rushing the demon with my sword leveled to my side. I tightened my grip on the hilt and rammed it through the demon''s leg. But by surprise, it''s skin was durable and hard, preventing us from piercing all the way through.


    it laughed after seeing our attempt, raising its blade again, this time swinging it to our side with a loud, dominant laugh.


    I retreated, forcing my legs to move faster than my limit, wanting to escape the sharp blade.


    I succeeded, barely, and just like some others. But there were those that were unlucky, cut in half without much effort. Made to bleed like a fountain, their other half on the ground, motionless but bleeding profusely.


    "CAINN!!!" one of the soldiers that escaped the demon''s blade yelled in terror and anger, tears falling from his eyes as he screamed to the sky, drawing strength from his anger. "Die, you monster!" he charged at an amazing, but unprecedented speed, his blade held up. He was able to strike the demon, but not wound it. But it looked down at him, as if humoring the man''s efforts.


    "Ha ha ha! That is what makes you puny insects so weak. Emotion! Come, I want to see what kind of face you''ll make when I crush you in my palm," he said, grabbing the man like a toy easily, lifting him up.


    the rest then began to fight their way so that the demon would bring the man down, immediately crushing him with the weight of his hand.


    The man desperately screamed in agony, writhing and thrashing about like a madman. I stood there dazed, terrified and unable to move from where I was. I wanted to do something, but I couldn''t. What exactly could I do? Dozens already stood dead in front of me, and many more are waiting for their turn, fighting for what they say is right.


    Soon the man in the demon''s hand passes out, but he does not stop until blood seems to come from his face, then a crack echoed everywhere. He was dead, unable to fight for his life as the demon heckled in amusement, his belly moving with his body.


    But then, from the corner of my eye, I saw Sir Hark make a charge towards the demon, slicing its Achilles tendon and continuing to run past it as the demon fell to its knee, clearly angered at the knight.


    "Zach! Come with me! You will escape from here! I will make a way for you while I defeat this demon," he said, pushing me away from the town''s square, away from everyone else who still continued the fight against the massive demon.


    "What are you talking about, Sir Hark? I''ll fight! I can''t abandon you all. Isn''t it my task to help you, to help everyone?" I argued.


    "Well you aren''t doing a great job at it. And I don''t expect you to. For someone to have known what his purpose was just days ago, you still need time to become accustomed to that. You were clearly petrified and couldn''t move. What more can you do if not die here? But I won''t allow that. I promised to your father, both in life and in death, that I would protect you if given the chance. And I am not about to disgrace him!" he shook my shoulders, emphasizing his words as it echoed in my mind.


    "Where do you think you''re going?!" the demon charged us from behind, knocking away the soldiers from him with a violent roar. He leapt midway, landing in front of us, smashing his blade on the ground, making the earth tremble once more. "Amuse me some more, humans. Show me how pathetic your entire race is," he made a wide grin upon missing us.


    Sir Hark had pushed me away while he fell back the other side, the only thing separating us was the demon''s blade, sharp but stained with blood.


    "Run away from here, Zach! I will hold him off. Tell Louise what happened here, she will know what to do!" he immediately rose up and rushed the demon, harming it as he attacked its legs once again, trying to force it to the ground.


    "Foolish! You think I would allow that to happen again?!" it said angrily, searching for Sir Hark, turning around.


    "The rest of you! Let us finish this!" the knight said, rallying the rest of the survivors with him, causing them to gain a powerful boost of morale.


    I readied my sword as well, attempting to stand, feeling my heart beat loudly in my ears, adrenaline pumping to my head.


    If worse could have not come to worse, the demons that were left outside began storming the town walls, scaling in in large numbers. And soon the demons that flooded the outside of the city came, slowly surrounding us with their numbers.


    "Now you all die! None of you will remain when I feast on your remains!" the large demon exclaimed, roaring louder and louder, rousing the small demons to attack all at once.


    Three goblin-like demons sped up to me at a great pace, brandishing their axes, shields, and other makeshift weapons.


    a small bit of my focus returned as they began to swarm me, not creating much fear for me, I could move my body with ease. The thought of my training was still fresh and had yet to be used at all.


    If I''m going to make a difference, then maybe I can start here.


    I parried one of the demon''s attack, staggering it despite my clumsy attempt. I then switched to the second demon as it neared me. I took a safe distance back as it attacked with a great tenacity. However, I was able to regain my footing, enabling me to rush it with an overhead slash, felling the demon with one sharp attack.


    The two remaining then coordinated their attacks, but more like they attacked in unison. Yelling in a vague language that I can''t make anything of.


    I took another step back, then ran to the side, flanking the other demon with a horizontal slash that it didn''t expect, leaving itself wide open for the attack. It''s life ended quickly as I ran my blade through its flesh, not that durable like with the giant demon, still present, but fighting Sir Hark for the meantime.


    The last one was caught off guard as well, shocked to see that his two other allies had gone and died. It met a swift end as I cut it down quickly.


    Then more came, forcing me to use up more energy than I would like. But it saved me the trouble of being surrounded more times than I could count.


    But it soon became useless. No matter how many of them we were able to kill, more seemed to pop up from nowhere, replacing them, two-fold.


    Soon Ruziel and the others were overrun, unable to fight back the massive horde, they were slowly being tormented and tortured, the small demons feasted on them. But looking closer, if seems that Ruziel was able to fend for himself a while longer. Though his body was riddled with arrows and small spears, he stood there, bleeding profusely, holding his blade in front of him, forcing the demons to stay back.


    He met my eyes, and there he smiled, panting.


    "Ruziel! I''ll save you, just wait!" I said, running through the hordes and hacking my way through, taking a few wounds here and there, but fighting them back to my surprise. Their numbers were overwhelming, but I was able to keep my composure until I was halfway through to Ruziel.


    It was then that I heard a loud scream of pain to my right. I simple glance and I could see Sir Hark being held up by the demon with its left hand, smiling brightly.


    "I''m going to enjoy feasting on you, human. Then I''ll save that puny wimp down there for last," it said as it crushed Sir Hark with its hand, slowly making him feel a torrent of pain as his bones and body were slowly being crushed.


    "R-Run, Zach! While you s- Ack! - while you still can!" he managed to say.


    But what can I do? I can''t let it end like this, no matter what, but how do I even manage to beat something that Sir Hark can''t... Maybe that one thing can save me and everyone else.


    I looked around, surrounded on all sides by hungry looking demons and a giant who can slice me in half without much of a problem.


    ... All that''s left is that. Let your mind sink into the sea of nothingness. For now, allow the sea to take control of your body, and let it flow through you. Sink deeper and deeper into the abyss and you will manifest further, ascend higher, and finally stand alone, above and beyond the clouds. That is who we are, and what we are meant to be. We who live for the purpose of purging whom our creator tells us to purge. Through life and death, we emerge without uncertainty, and succeed without fail. You are the last of our kind. Let them not forget our power, the fear we instill in them whenever our light touches their skins. Now, no more time for delays. Go forth!


    Suddenly, before I could notice it, my body and mind had calmed down. I wasn''t shuddering in fear as I was just seconds before. Looking at the large demon, I felt no fear at all. My body felt as light as a feather, and my sword weighed nothing.


    Looking up at the giant once more, its face contorted into fear, as if it had seen something in me to fear. The demon stood there petrified, just like the smaller demons around me. There was something that caught their eyes, something of much intrigue and fascination that they could not help but stare. That goes the same for Ruziel and Sir Hark, both eyeing me with shock and awe.


    A bright flicker of light drew my attention to the back of my right hand. Yes, I''ve seen this before. That powerful light that stood out in the darkness. The light that drew hope from the smallest of crevasses. Was this the same power from before? A crown and two swords crossing, etched to the back of my hand, glowing beautifully, radiantly, even more so than the sun, outshining it. It seems that even I was in awe of what I was seeing.


    "I-It can''t be! What the hell is this?! Some kind of joke?! You must be an imitation, yes, a fake! That has to be it. Whatever magic allowed you to cast that light is possible. You think you can deceive me?! that damned race is extinct, and you think bluffing your way out of it can save you? No! I''ll devour you, leaving nothing for eve the rats to consume!" but he stood there, pondering when he could have sliced me in half. it''s strange. I could not sense any movement from him, as if he was frozen in place.


    "Well will you *cough* will you look at that. I''m dying and seeing illiusions. *sigh* Better to die seeing false hope than nothing at all. I wouldn''t mind you saving me, Zach. You seem like a good kid," Ruziel said to himself, laughing and half-believing the sight before him.


    I spoke the words that came naturally to mind. They seemed to come from nowehere, but I was compelled to speak them loudly. "The time for an eternal banishment has come for you once more, demons. I, the last of the Thalise will act on their behalf, and of our creator. With this mark of the herald I shall purge all the demons that stand in my way, and finally, your king! Now, engrave this mark into your mind for eternity as you fade into nothingness!"

 Chapter 7: A land in awe

    The young man clad in light dashes faster than the eye could perceive, and within moments he has already run past the giant''s left leg, taking in another deep breath before he again dashed, this time a bit more faster than his last attempt, slashing at the giant''s other leg, forcing him to fall to his knees before he could find the time to react.


    The giant demon crashes to the ground, yet it does not falter, using its left hand to maintain a bit of balance. He attacks with his right blade, though massive, it is quick to meet the young man.


    Only inches away from his face, he tilts his entire body to the opposite side, narrowly avoiding the demon''s blade as it slams down next to him. Yet he was not fazed at all with the rubble flying everywhere.


    Strangely enough it was as if his mark was getting brighter every time he would come close to the demon, or at least wound it with his blade. And the stronger it seemed to glow, the stronger his attacks became, and so did every other aspect of his body.


    Before the demon could manage to fight back decently, it had been assaulted by an amazing array of slashes and cuts, forcing it to release its captive, the knight, winces in pain after being dropped abruptly to the ground. But he was relieved nevertheless, disregarding the other small demons around him.


    He strikes with another powerful attack, one the demon could not even hope to parry. It reels in pain, staggering back as its torso bled, searing with a scorching pain, yet no fire could be seen being wielded by the young man. But it noticed, with a trembling fear in its eyes, the sword he was wielding, burning immensely, as if clad in a curtain of clear light. But it could have only been the strength of the mark, the very mark that they feared, and were taught to fear.


    "Damn you!" it said, coughing up blood, staining his hand as it covered its mouth. "Your race was supposed to be dead years ago! But that mark, the very symbol of... fear, within us. The very thing we despised and sought to eradicate! It stands here before me. But, a great honor would be bestowed upon me when I slay you. There is nothing to fear from you, feeble weakling!" the demon screams, empowering itself as he recklessly chares at the young man, standing frightfully still, focusing immensely on the large being in front of him, holding his sword, tightly yet firmly in his hands.


    "Fine, come, let us end this! I may be a coward inside with nothing but fear to back me up, but that doesn''t mean I can''t stand up when I see those I care for suffering like this. I don''t even care if I have this power or not! I''ll show you what I''m capable of!" he roared to the demon with great confidence.


    He went past the giant who did not learn at all from his previous mistakes.


    Winding up, building up an intense well of power in his arms, letting it loose like a wild beast, air forming around him as the intensity and pressure rose. He seemed to cut the air the way he slashed horizontally, slowly cutting away at the giant''s tendons once more. Though it was reinforced and thick, the young man''s sword was able to tear through the demon''s flesh.


    The giant fell to his knees, the last time he will ever fall. The young man then leapt on its back, scaling it using his sword as a means to ascend its back. And upon reaching its head, he plunged his sword downwards with a harsh prejudice, neglecting the blood spilling from it like a baptismal fountain.


    But for the finishing touches, his mouth moved, a word appeared within his mind, enticing him to say it out loud. Unable to resist, he yells forth like a thundering tyrant wielding an iron fist, "Consecration!" his eyes became a luminous white glimmer, his hand and mark was engulfed in a radiance unlike anything it had produced up until now, and his sword, bathed in a sacred splendor, seemingly burning at the demon''s impure flesh.


    Finally, the entire town and beyond it, a burst of the white majestic light filled the land, as if blessing it. Those demons that were weak of heart ceased to exist as they bore sight to it, and those that were able to handle the fledgling''s might escaped with what little strength they had in their legs as the light started cleansing the town and its surroundings of their presence.


    I took the sword out from the demon''s head, jumping down onto the stone floor with a dizzy and nauseous feeling wracking my head. My field of vision is blurry, but I managed to see the damage around me.


    The ruined town houses were shattered and demolished, some parts of the stone streets were destroyed as well. It was like it was before, but worse.


    On the brighter side, the demons have gone, leaving nothing but the dead carcasses of their allies whom were slain in battle. The threat was finished, or that was what I believed in. the giant stood there in front of me, blocking the sun''s rays, dripping with blood.


    I look around for someone and spot Ruziel, still standing with his backs to the walls, arms limp beside his waist. He breathed weakly, but his smile never faded.


    "Z-Zach. You did it *cough* *cough* you, did it," he took steady breaths, pausing for a few seconds after some words, then resuming to speak.


    "You''re fine now. Everything''s going to be alright. I managed to beat them, somehow. So just rest, and when you wake up, you''ll be back in Lavis before you know it," I said, panting, but wanting to say everything I could before my voice decides to give up on me.


    "Listen, I don''t have much left in me. As you can see, I''m in no position to move, and all that''s keeping me up is my optimism. But hear me out. I want to tell you something before I go."


    I refrain from speaking, knowing that from the way he is looking at me, an argument wouldn''t do any good, and that this was truly his last moments. I decided to listen intently, clenching my fists tightly, biting my lip, almost causing it to bleed.


    "I don''t understand anything that''s happening, but you know, I never though in my wildest dreams would I ever live to see a Thalisean''s light. The fabled white light of hope. It was amazing. It was like standing here despite being wounded was worth it. It''s just sad that I wouldn''t be able to help you, not that you would need my help, I think... Shit!" he cried, gritting his teeth, his legs nearly gave up on him. "Damn, I''ll have to make this short. You''re everyone''s hope now. I know it''s a big responsibility, but everyone needs you..." he turns silent for a while.


    "I didn''t know dying was this terrifying. You don''t know what''s waiting for you. Well, I guess this is it. And by the way, don''t you dare let me see you following me to the other side. I don''t care if you''re a Thalisean or not, but you''re all this place''s got," he smiled, his eyes slowly but surely closing for the last time, like a curtain falling for the final show. His body fell to the ground, his head tilts forward, indicating that he has left, but still his smile remained, everlasting.


    "Damn this! Why, why did I have to lose another one?!" I cried out to the sky, receiving no response other than a clear blue view of the sky.


    I gathered up my emotions and kept them in check, refusing to let loose my feelings right now. There still one more person here that I hope is safe.


    I ran for Sir Hark, his figure was lying down on the pavement, motionless, as if the worst has already happened.


    "Sir Hark! Sir Hark!" I called out, kneeling beside him, seeing his chest swell and deflate, relieving my heart greatly.


    He coughed, eyes twitching before opening. He had a pale and weak demeanor to him. But it was understandable as to why. He seemed pain when he tried to move his body as simple as a slight shift in position.


    "Sir Hark! Thank goodness you''re alright! I-I don''t know what I could''ve done if you were gone as well," I said, appearing grim to him as my shoulders slumping, and the rest of my body relaxing.


    "It looks like you''ve done it, Zachary. You saved my life, and maybe the rest of this place from that demon. I''m sorry, but will you give me a bit of time to rest, I don''t think I can move my body that well yet. It''s a miracle that I can still babble on like this, but without that I''d be screaming in pain," he said, lying flat on his back, looking at the sky.


    I sat beside him, resting my tired body for a while, but not putting it to rest as the smaller demons may come back and prey on us.


    "What did you say about me almost being gone as well?" he asked.


    "Ruziel... He, he''s gone. I couldn¡¯t save him in time. If only I had been faster, then he might still be here."


    "Don''t blame yourself. You did your best, and that was enough. But tell me one thing. Was he smiling till the end?"


    "Yes, he was," I said, in clear wonder and envy at how strong his optimism was until the end, choosing to smile rather than weep.


    "Then that means he passed away content and happy. He would bear you no grudge, that much I promise you. I knew them all well. It¡­ saddens me that they are all gone now, just like that. Is this how a father would feel if he lost his sons?" Sir Hark lamented, closing his eyes, shedding a tear for their abrupt passing. "I take full responsibility for not having led them through this."


    A pang in my heart formed. Though he took the responsibility of their lives in his hands, I could not help but feel my own responsibility hanging above my head. It''s clear after all this, it has to be. The path that was hidden from me, the one I chose to walk.


    I don''t want anything like this to happen. As long as it does, I don''t have the luxury of being safe. This mark proves that I can change something.


    I looked at the mark behind my hand, fading quickly into nothingness. I feel the energy that it gave me fleeting away, returning to whence it came from. It was like the energy from me was being siphoned as well by a powerful vacuum or a vortex.


    A heavy toll of pain assaults my head, my heart beats quickly, letting out a lash of thorns and heat, forcing me to clutch my chest tightly, unable to bear it as I fell to the ground, clearly alarming Sir Hark as I hear his voice calling out to me.If you find this story on Amazon, be aware that it has been stolen. Please report the infringement.


    The place where the mark appeared, there it was the most painful. The feeling of a sharp, searing sensation was being etched onto it. My throat felt dry, and finally, I was unable to hold on, feeling delirious from... everything.


    "Can, I lie down for a while, Sir Hark?" I asked, trying to hold on for just a bit more before I could collapse. "I don''t great at all. It feels like I''m going to pass out entirely if I don''t get any rest.


    "I don''t see why not. Go ahead. Rest a bit and regain your energy for a while. I''ll guard you. A broken shoulder won''t stop me from killing any demon that comes into sight. So rest assured," he says, standing up with a loud grunt of pain, managing to get up with his right arm, his left dangling to his side.


    I fell to the concrete stone street; my mind went blank, and my eyes became a blur, turning dark within seconds.


    "How are you feeling, Zach? want to go training for a bit?" a limber, spry, old man asked, walking with his cane towards a clear glassy plane, devoid of any obstruction, not a tree in sight, nor a cloud in the sky. It fairly decent morning.


    "You bet! I have so much energy to spare that I think I can go on training for the rest of the day without a break!" I say, exhilarated, freedom stretching boundlessly into the horizon, feeling the fresh breeze blow past me.


    "Good. I like that kind of spirit. It feels great when I see you inheriting one of my traits. Unfortunately, I don''t think you''ll be able to match me, but still, I am proud of how far you''ve gotten."


    "If only your back weren''t acting up I would''ve shown you a thing or two, old man. Things aren''t the same from when I was a kid. I''ve changed. I''ve become stronger! Look, I even have this mark now. With this, I''ll be able to save as many people as I can. I don''t want anything bad happening to those I care about."


    "Oh? Is that so? Then why couldn''t you save your mother, or me?" he asked, turning a stern expression, taking on a serious voice.


    "Wait, what do you mean?" I laughed wryly. "What are you talking about now, old man. Saving you or Mom, what does that mean? I thought we were training, not joking around. Come on, we can do that later!" I said, slightly unnerved by some reason. I know he would often make lighthearted jokes, but this came off as suspicious. Where am I exactly?


    "Who you are, what you are. It''s all useless. You failed to save us, and we desperately called your name. If only you could have felt the lash of pain the flames inflicted upon our bodies. Scorching us almost to death, if it weren''t for you. But by that time, it was already too late, you weakling," he says harshly and bluntly, making a wide, maniacal grin, a face I''d never seen Dad make in his entire life.


    "I don''t understand. Where is this all coming from. And where''s Mom anyway? Get a grip on yourself already, Dad. This is no time to be playing around!" I took a step forward, trying to ease him, but he swatted my hand away.


    "You are nothing, and you are meant to be nothing. Your mother''s gone, dead. You failed to save her after all. You''re useless. If only we hadn''t taken you in, then we would have not had to worry about taking care of you. After all, you amount to nothing."


    "No... that can''t be. Tell me you''re lying!" I shook his shoulders, seeing his wide grin up and personal.


    He then burst out into a laugh, forcing me back, feeling terrified as I ran as far away as I could be from that man, the sky turning red and dark, the green grass becoming a dead expanse of land, barren and lifeless as far as the eye can see. But nonetheless I never stopped running, feeling his gaze on my back.


    "You can''t run away from this! You know that, Zach. This memory will always haunt you since you are weak. And maybe forever if you are like this for eternity. Now come, join us," I heard his voice, sly and cunning. However, I never turned back.


    Wherever I ran to, it never ended. The sight continued on, and the scenery was the same as it was when I first saw it. Almost as if I was in a trance, one that felt too real for me to even think of believing.


    Feeling a pair of eyes on me, I turn around, seeing Mother and Father, both terrible bloodied, the same state I saw them in when I got into the house and took them out from the fire. They were heavily wounded and frowning at me. It looked like they carried a strong feeling of vengeance with them, but they inched closer, and I found myself unable to move and run away from them.


    "Accept your fate. You are weak, so you deserve nothing but the same as us. Death. Being a Thalisean means nothing to us if you failed at even trying to save us. How pathetic," she said, holding her hand out.


    "Yes. It is a feeble attempt at a dream that could never be achieved. Now come, join us forever and we shall forgive you," father extended his hands out to me as well.


    I stared at his hand, and then I felt a slight twitch on my right hand. It moved by itself, charmed by the offer, but terrified by what was happening, and what they were saying. I couldn''t yell for help, but my mouth was not blocked by anything. It was simply because my voice wouldn''t come out.


    ... Wake up!


    A voice made me spring up. Cold beads of sweat formed on my forehead, and my breathing was ragged and fast.


    "Nightmare?" Sir Hark asked, sitting close by.


    "I-I don''t know. It felt as if though it was real. I almost did something I might have to regret, but I''m not sure what to believe anymore," I said, clutching my head, hearing a faint ringing sound fading away.


    "So, do you think you can get up? There''s no way I can lift the level with one arm and another broken one. So you''re our only hope of escape, or do you think we can jump down the ramparts?"


    "No, I think I can do something about that. You need any help walking?" I said, standing up, feeling a bit more refreshed than before.


    "Don''t pity me yet, kid. I still have a bit of strength in me," he stood up, weaving slightly side to side, but regaining much of his composure.


    After that, I opened the gates with my remaining strength and found that some of our horses were still there despite being surrounded by the initial chaos.


    With the dusk setting in, we took two and decided to let the rest go and take what we can, leaving for Lavis after having said our prayers for those that passed.


    Earlier as the defeat of the giant demon came, the majestic blast of light spread across the land, appearing to be brighter than the sun as many found themselves captivated, but oblivious as to where and who this light came from. However, there were those that were aware, curious, and skeptical.


    The castle was in an uproar, people ran here and there, carrying papers or information. Many flocked to the king''s hall, requesting an audience, all wanting to say the same thing, the great phenomenon.


    The hall was brimming with energy and voices. People were talking to each other, discussing what happened outside. Though there were many who did not believe it, the rest filled the halls and showed their curiosity.


    A man wearing a semi regal and semi-formal coat came in, a golden-crested crown sitting on top of his head. An air of superiority but compassion could be felt from him, strongly emanating.


    Everyone became silent as he entered the room, standing in front of his throne, and his subjects.


    "I have a vague understanding of why everyone''s here. I saw it as well. That bright, luminous light of grandeur, unlike anything that we have ever seen before in our lifetime. The fortunate ones who have might know of something that we don''t. Now, tell me, what troubles your minds?" he asked them, pointing to one of the men in attendance.


    "My king, I remain positive and sure that it is indeed a Thalisean. As it was said in the scriptures, there is no light brighter than what the grand race of the Thalise could produce. It was even said to have been the envy of the sun. That light out there clearly defeated the sun!" he said, preaching about the wonder he saw.


    The king pointed to another one, a woman who worked in the castle as do many others.


    "This is an auspicious day, my king! That light only means that the Thalise have returned to eradicate the demons! I-I felt my hopes rise when I saw the light, it was as if our grief never existed. Only a light such as that can exude such feelings. I am sure that I am not alone in this," she looked around, seeing many nod in her question.


    "Well then, what does my council and advisors think of this?" he asked the upstart, noisy, and well-dressed men standing on the side of the throne. They carried an exuberant, and excessive amount of grandeur pointed to themselves.


    "We the council were enjoying the afternoon when this happened. We could not help but discuss what could happen and consult you, your majesty. Thus, I have come as the representative of a majority of the council. I, Lucius Kafra, propose that we find this source at once and arrange for the Thalisean to an exalted guest in this grand kingdom," said a plump man wearing regal clothing that might overshadow even the king''s attire with the amount of gold and jewelry on his person.


    "So you propose that we find this Thalisean and have him or her fight the battle?" he asked, raising an eyebrow at their proposal.


    "Well, isn''t it natural that the ones fit for the task should undertake it? Our people''s weariness seems to have been quelled shortly with this display of luminosity. It would do them even greater if the Thalisean would be presented here. They cannot neglect their duties after all!" he said pompously and confidently.


    "What do the advisors say about this?" he faced the right side of the hall, where esteemed and distinguished looking men stood in silence.


    "Forgive us, my king, but we are still in the middle of convening. If you''ll allow us an audience, then we could discuss this without the presence of the public. It is a matter of great importance, after all. We should not be swayed by anyone''s decisions but ourselves. Though the public means well, this decision rests heavily on how we make our next moves. Our thoughts need to be sincere and well thought out, otherwise we might make mistakes that we might regret. Will you allow us that, your majesty?" one of the old, stoic, and well-build men wearing a full set of armor and an eyepatch knelt on one leg, placing his right hand over his chest where his heart was.


    "Ridiculous!" said Lucius, outraged, siding with the people as he glanced back and forth from them and to the advisors. Convincing the public majority quite skillfully. "The people have a right to know about this. After all, our hope has returned. This is a chance that we absolutely cannot squander, and making it private would only divide us when we should be united in this opinion!"


    Many nodded in his remark. But the old man did not back down. He held a firm resolve and took a deep breath in, then again attacked with his claim.


    "Then what if that was a demon''s ploy. They are capable of casting magic, even the very smallest ones. What if they mean to lure us to wherever that is and eliminate us? Needless to say that the kingdoms surrounding us are very capable of that. Many can cast a light that bright with a sufficient amount of energy. I should know. I am half a mage, and the apprentice of a magus. Now, will you all let your emotions run freely, or will you allow us to discuss this in an orderly manner so that if we have expectations, they are not put that high up. Disappointment can destroy a man''s psyche," he retreated, stepping back with his arms crossed.


    All looked to the king for the final resolution, holding their breaths as he stood there, his eyes closed.


    "This is how we are going to handle this. We will convene, but afterwards, we shall announce our findings and plans to the public. But I shall advise you all now, just as Advisor Horatio said, don''t get your hopes up too much. We might be deceived, or it might be real. Leave it to us to find out the truth. Is that a good enough proposal for you all?" he asked, meeting to resistance as they all nodded in agreement, clearing the hall in an orderly and timely manner.


    After most of the public and the two political factions had cleared out, he sighed, slumping on his throne. "This is why I hate politics. I''m just glad it''s not that bad."


    "Needless to say that you were splendid, my dear," an elegant and gentle voice soothed his exhaustion. He glanced to his side, seeing his wife, the queen, walking towards him with a long, white dress, and a shoal to cover her white, slender shoulders.


    She had a long, straight, brown hair along her back, and her ocean blue eyes complemented her clear beauty. Exuding a motherly aura, she giggled upon seeing him tired and complaining, easing his worries just with her presence.


    "It was a resolution that everyone agreed to. Their faces looked content when they left the hall. No doubt that it was the right decision to make," she continued.


    "Ah, Roxanne. So, you saw everything, huh? I guess it was alright. But tell me, what could you have said to them?" he asked, standing to meet her eyes, a bit taller than her.


    "Now, now. No need to ask me. Otherwise you would doubt yourself again. Leave it at that and be confident in your decisions. Everyone here depends on you, so you should lift your head a bit more," she laughed as he did as she told.


    "Wha- what''s with the laughing?"


    "Lorelei and I are the only ones that can see you this distressed. It''s quite the sight when we look at you from the side while you are working."


    "sigh, well, isn''t that just natural? I have to unwind and be myself whenever I''m with my family. By the way, where is Lorelei? I haven''t seen her after we ate breakfast."


    "Right now she is in the garden with Sofiya and a few guards, resting after finishing with her studies. I will be heading there. Would you care to join me?" she asked, lending her arm to him.


    He intertwined his arms in hers, and they walked side by side, entering a long corridor with countless of doors on one side, and rows of tall windows on the other side. They were guided by a long, red carpet. "Naturally. I wouldn''t dare miss spending time with you two," he said, smiling warmly at her.

 Chapter 8: A long road to the capital

    A few days after the commotion, the two of them arrived back to Lavis, and much to everyone''s surprise, they were the bearers of grave news. The two of them returned home without the accompaniment of the great army that Sir Hark brought with him to Caspia.


    He did not make a reason like saying the battle was hard-fought and perilous, nor did he say that he himself was on the brink of dying in the same town as the rest. Instead, he told the families of the deceased that they fought bravely, and that without them, he and I would have returned. He was sincere in comforting the families, but looked as if it pained him more than the actual families themselves, ironically.


    I, after returning, fell to my bed without much delay, dozing off an entire day due to the immense exhaustion. Only after waking up the following day did I feel refreshed enough to walk about, yet still a bit dizzy.


    I still had countless of wounds on my body that needed treatment, something that slipped my mind. Louise volunteered to help me recover, which is what I am currently doing, sitting on my bed, topless with rolls of bandages around my body, and other parts.


    "Please don''t move, you''re making this very difficult for me. But if you don''t mind the more harsher and faster way of patching you up, then I can oblige to that as well. What say you, Sir Zachary?" she said in her monotone voice, looking at me, not that expectantly, but waiting for my answer as her hands stopped moving.


    "Alright, I won''t move as much. But it stings a great deal. And like I said already, you can drop the sir. It feels a bit uncomfortable," I stiffened my body as she continued.


    "Tell me, after all this so far, what do you think of the ''path'' you''ve chosen? Is it as you expected, or are you terrified?"


    "Honestly, I know, but I don''t have just one answer for it. Everything''s a mess in my head, and I can''t even think straight. But I''m convinced that what I''m doing is right, and I''ll keep at it. There''s no way I can back down t any circumstance. A lot of things made me realize the gravity of just what I''m embroiled in," the memories of those that passed flashed in my head once more, haunting and reminding me.


    "I won''t ask for the reason, but you don''t look convinced to me. It''s as if you''re just fulfilling something half-heartedly, like something that you want to do and get over with quickly. But that''s just me. You should know yourself better than anyone since in the end, only you can help yourself in times of need," she stood, curtly bowing, having finished my treatment, leaving for the door.


    "Wait!" she stopped at my sudden outburst. "Do, I really look like that?"


    "Yes. I might not be the only one who can tell. If you go around town, then someone might notice. But try to do something to keep your mind out of it for a while. I can understand why you''re so shaken up. Father told me. Try going around town around noon or dusk if you can."


    "What about Sir Hark. Is he doing alright?"


    "For now, he is resting," she said, avoiding my gaze. "But soon enough he will wake up. Then you can ask him yourself about the more detailed things. I have taken care of him to the best of my abilities, and I assure you that he will be fine. Now, if you''ll excuse me, I have to manage some things for a while," she finally left, leaving me to myself.


    Maybe I should get a bit of fresh air outside. It isn''t that late anyway. If anything, I''ll be doing myself a favor.


    Nothing was that different from when I first took a stroll outside. This time, the streets were a more silent, and the people had gloomy expressions on their faces.


    If I''ll take a guess, then it must be because of the news Sir Hark told them about. There should be nothing else other than that.


    I turn the street that surprisingly led me to the same street where I met the odd old lady that told my fortune. Though something in me says that I should go back and avoid this place, there''s another that''s full of curiosity. The latter takes over and I stroll through the quiet street, business no that bustling.


    To my astonishment, no one was there. Though it was vivid, I could remember that this was the same spot and the same place where I saw that old lady. I can''t be mistaken, can''t I? Her velvet tent, her table with the crystal ball, it''s not here, and it''s as if there was no trace of it ever being here in the first place.


    I went up and asked a merchant whose stall I recognize passing on my way through here. He was an adult in his mid-thirties, sporting a black mustache fit for a chevalier. He wore expensive looking garments and an expensive looking scarlet hat adorned with colorful feathers.


    "Excuse me, sir, but I wanted to ask about an old lady that ran a... ah, yes, a fortune telling stall, if I''m correct. She was over there if I remember correctly," I pointed at the empty space by a wall.


    "Oh, I thought you were going to buy my wares. Hmm, an old lady? what old lady? I''ve been doing business here for five years straight I have never in my life seen an old lady take that spot. It''s as if it''s cursed or something, but I don''t believe in superstitions."


    I thanked the man and left, wondering to myself just what I had gone through and seen during that time. I can''t possibly believe that I did not see an old lady there. She was real, I could feel it when she forcibly drew my arm.


    "I must be tired still," I said to myself, deciding to go back.


    But on the way through a familiar street leading me to the mansion, I encountered a familiar face. A woman with a faint gold hair and a gentle expression was walking hand in hand with her daughter while carrying a heavy bag full of food.


    She noticed me before I could realize it. Her face was a bit different. Though I could never dare forget that face she made when I told her of her husband''s passing, she had a small smile on her face, one tending and caring towards her daughter.


    "Zach? Is that really you?" she asked, walking up slowly towards me, her daughter stared at my face in wonder, a thumb still in her mouth.


    "It''s nice to see you here again, Fiona. How have you been?" I asked, not knowing what else I should say.


    Her face became a bit gloomy at my question, but she recovered. "Not the same, but managing. Times have been hard, but it''s all because of many things happening around us. It''s not just us, but everyone else. Erica was brave, but the child can''t control her emotions that well. And I understood that well enough. She was far stronger than I was."


    "Oh! it''s you," the little girl came forward and took my hand, tugging on it and forcing me on one knee.


    "Carry me!" she said happily, jumping up and down.


    I took her by her sides and placed her on my shoulders, making sure to take her hands so that she would have no chance of falling over.


    "Yay! You''re tall! Mama, Mama, I can see the park! Let''s go! Let''s go!" she said, kicking her legs like a rider on a horse.


    "Sorry about this. I don''t have the strength to carry her, so only her friends could actively play with her from time to time."


    "Don''t worry about it. She''s growing on me. And... she was the first kid I met, oddly enough. There are no kids nor any other people besides us in the woods where I lived until now."


    "That''s very surprising. I never would have guessed. But you don''t look bothered at all by your surroundings."


    "I''m trying to wrap my head as to why I never felt estranged from every new thing that I saw. But maybe I could adjust quickly to some things. Or maybe I just had to move on no matter what, otherwise I''ll be stuck and left behind. I didn''t want that."


    "Would you like to come with us to the park? There''s one close by, and it should be fairly quiet," she asked me with eyes that looked like they saw through me and what I''ve been through.


    "Sure, I guess as long as it gets my mind off things for a while, then I could settle for about anything."


    Then we set off, reaching a small park that I didn''t know existed in the town. There were trees growing splendidly, bushes and flowers lay on beds solely for them.


    There were people walking and mingling with each other. Though there weren''t as many, it was peaceful and tranquil. I was slowly being mended on the inside.Unlawfully taken from Royal Road, this story should be reported if seen on Amazon.


    Sitting on a park bench overseeing the other kid playing with one another, Fiona and I sat next to each other, staying silent until she broke it.


    "How are you doing? I mean, about what happened in Caspia. I don''t know whether it''s right to ask this, but there is something bothering you. When I saw you and Sir Hark returning as the only ones from the expedition, I saw that your face was different. A bit more composed, but more of perturbed than anything else."


    "Truth be told, I''m not doing as fine as you think. It''s all so overwhelming, but I have to go through it. There''s no other choice for me. I never thought in my wildest dreams that I would go through something like this. Even me being ..."


    "Being what?" she asked, curious.


    "Someone whose many lives would depend on someday."


    "I see. I know the responsibility, the worry. It''s the same when Henry was here. I had to worry about him every day that he was out working. But deep inside I knew that someday it would happen. And no matter what, my heart would be torn. But you have become a soldier that serves Sir Hark and the people. That means a lot to the them. If all of you had not been there, then the threat would have spread everywhere. The people may seem gloomy and depressed, but I''m sure that they are grateful for everyone''s contributions, that includes Erica and I."


    "Thank you, Fiona. Hearing that makes me feel a bit more at ease. But now that I''ve gotten some of my resolve back, I have to return to Sir Hark and see how he''s doing."


    "We should be heading back home as well. It''s starting to get dark now," she gathered her things and called out to Erica.


    "Why don''t I escort you two back home? It''s the least I can do for having helped me out."


    "Are you sure? I don''t think words are enough to help you with what happened. I think time is the best medicine."


    "Believe me. It helped a lot."


    "Then I think we''ll appreciate the company."


    With that, I went back with them to their place, saying goodbye to them.


    "Play with us again, mister!" Erica said with a bright smile.


    "You bet."


    "Pinky swear?" she extended her pinky finger, waiting for me to do the same.


    "There. I''ll be sure to come back when I can. So, wait for me, alright?"


    And I went our separate ways, running back to the mansion.


    He was still bedridden, reading papers full of reports and parchments relating to the governance of the town with one arm, the other in a cast. He had a solemn, focused look to his face, sifting through them, then setting down the ones he''s finished with.


    "Working hard I see. A giant not enough to stop you?" I said, leaning by the door, knocking a few times after.


    "Better than letting it pile up until I''m scolded. It''s gets my mind off things. How have you been doing?"


    "Fine, I guess. I''ve been better. I actually came to see how you were fairing."


    "Oh, don''t fret. It''s not time for you to worry about me yet. It''ll take a lot more than that to break this grizzled old man''s resolve. So, tell me. What do you think of everything? Enough to make you give in?" he grinned.


    "No, not at all. Though I thought it was the case, but it seems that I was shown the brighter side of things. I''m still convinced that what I''m doing is the right thing. It''ll take me a long time to prove and show that I''m worthy of the choice, but what does it matter? I think I''m still right," I said with confidence, having been strengthened after thinking it out.


    "That''s what I like to hear. Maybe I can continue to hope for just a bit more. Now leave me be for a while. I''m need to think about something," he turns his attention to another beige, weathered parchment.


    "Mind if I ask what it''s about?"


    "Why not. Your so-called resolve might be able to resolve this. Or better yet, you can do this yourself in my stead."


    "What did you have in mind?"


    "The thing is, I''m needed in court. But as you can see, I''m in no state to be moving. And even more, with the things happening around the town and the places near it, the paperwork''s just not letting up. Some important things need to be taken care of, so I''ve got Louise to help me. So, I want you to appear in court for me two weeks from now. Just give this to a man named Norman Neils, a friend of mine, and he will handle the rest. If they don''t let you in, show the guards your father''s necklace, and everything will be clear. Any questions?"


    "A lot. First, where am I supposed to go?"


    "Exaltier, the kingdom of Ylithia''s capital. You''ll get there by a week if you take a horse, a week and a half if something happens to you. It''s far since we''re located at the far side of the southern border. So, if you choose to go, then you have to leave early tomorrow. What do you say?"


    "I don''t have much of a reason to object. How exactly do I get there anyway?"


    "A map. You''re expected to have one, not unless you know the way. And be careful. The reason I can''t send any more of my men to hand over this letter is because more demons have been roaming the borders. God knows what the border patrol''s up to, but they''re doing a pretty sloppy job at it. I think you''d be more than enough to handle them. And if by any chance that fortune does not favor you, then I''ll take full responsibility for the entire human race," he says, both teasingly and sternly, as if a massive amount of pressure and confidence has been entrusted upon me.


    "Now, go get some sleep, or prepare your belongings. I''ll ask Louise to prepare a map and some other necessities for you, so go find her in the morning. I''m sure that you''ll do an outstanding job. Frederick didn''t raise you to be so weak, I imagine," he said, waving me away, just like a goodbye as he plunges himself into the depths of his work.


    I retired to my room, gathering my belonging and packing them in on a rucksack that Sir Hark gave to me.


    It had enough room some change of clothes, medical supplies, and a small dagger that''s been given to us for some reason.


    I prepared a fresh, leather armor to layer my clothes, and some other equipment.


    "I wonder what''s waiting for me out there?" I asked myself as the possibilities popped up. Beyond these walls and those forests, I can only imagine what I''ll see or encounter. Some things I''ve Read from books, but seeing and feeling them all are two very different things. It might even be that I feel restless, unable to close my eyes as I lay on my bed, feelings it''s comfort and warmth.


    The night is soothing, the moon is in full view up in the air, not a lot of clouds in sight. Finally, after what seemed like an eternity of freezing over it, I fell asleep.


    "Are you sure that you should let him go alone? It seems that you''re very reckless with taking care of him," said Louise, appearing by Sir Hark''s doorway, her arms folded.


    "It''s his decision. I gave him a choice if he wants to do it, but he reluctantly accepted. And, I can''t dawn on him like a child anymore, not that I had an intention to do so," he replied, looking at her sternly, like a father, and not a knight. "If he wants to grow, then he needs to learn how things work in the world by himself, not that I can''t help out, but he needs to do things by himself. I know the dangers out there. It''s all unpredictable."


    "You make a convincing argument from time to time, but why would you let him do that and not me? I''ve wondered that since I''ve always left town with you."


    "Because I have a good reason for it. It might sound harsh and selfish, but you''re my daughter, though not legitimate, and I don''t really act the part, you are my daughter now. And I ought to act like a father with you. But for Zachary, he has no family anymore. He has to learn how to walk on his two legs, and he chose that knowing how difficult it is out there."


    She stared at him, listening, with a barefaced expression. "Why can''t I argue with you when you become like this? You should be this responsible all the time."


    "If I were, it''d be boring for you and me. Besides, it''s a strain on me to do something like that. I act like that all the time around other lords, so might as well relax when they''re not here."


    "Is that so? Fine, then I won''t press the matter further. But, I am happy that you care for me to an extent," she said, monotonously.


    "Of course I''d care for you like that. I''m not that much of a deadbeat. And you don''t look that happy anyway. I can''t tell from your monotone and serious face. Why not try smiling, like this?" he made a bright smile appear on his face, making him seem like a different person entirely from the knight, ''Sir'' Hark, and the man named, Theodore Hark.


    "What do you mean? I am genuinely happy. And clearly I am smiling, see?" she said. But nothing about her face changed at all.


    "Hmm, well we can''t rush that. But you really need to work on it."


    "I will keep that in mind. Now, if you''ll excuse me, I must get back to work as well, and so should you," she turned around, walking as her curly hair bobbed.


    Suddenly, she stopped walking, staying silent for a while as a small smile appeared on her face for a split second, but disappearing behind her unbeatable poker face as she walks away.


    Finally, the day came where I was to leave for the kingdom''s capital. My nerves rise as I think of the possible problems along the way, but another adventuristic sense in me feels that I will be fine.


    My equipment consisted of a sturdy leather armor to cover my torso and layer my clothes of a white shirt and brown leggings. My father''s sword lay sheathed by my waist, and his neklace on my neck.


    "I wish you luck and safety on your travels," Louise said, greeting me as the sun rises from the horizon, indicating the coming of dawn.


    "I''ll need every bit of luck I can get. Thank you, Louise," I said warmly, feeling confident as to show off to her one last time before anything else. I might even get to see something from her, like a change in expression.


    But, as expected, I was replied to with a curt bow. That seemed to be my queue to leave before it gets awkward between us, so I took the horse''s reins and slowly galloped out of the town, following a paved path where a clear, and open plain lay for the admiration of many.


    ... Nonsense. They are gone forever. There is no possibility of one still being in existence.


    A smooth, charismatic, and enchanting voice echoes in the dark chambers where light was little to none.


    "But, my lord! That blinding light could have not been anything else! If one does exist or not, we must find out!" a figure quivered, standing alone in the middle of the darkness, speaking to no one.


    ... Then go. I don''t need to order you around, not unless you think I''d kill you for it. If you''re a demon, then prove it.


    "Ah! Yes, my Lord! Your words are always so gracious and divine. I shall act to show the humans why they fear us once more! If you beg my leave," he says, fanatically, leaving with a boost of energy and morale.


    ... So, what are you here for?


    "My lord, I-I have something terrible to report," a lowly figure shudders in fear, unable to hold in the terror of what might happen to him. No, he knows and realizes it. After being coaxed into being in front of the great king, he could may as well give his life up.


    "It seems that we have lost a narrow battle against the humans at the western border," he says, holding his breath and waiting for an answer.


    But suddenly, a cold breath of hair surrounds him, and it was as if the entire chamber was freezing from out of nowhere.


    ... Hmm, is that so? Thank you for your report, but your services are needed for something else. Yes, my frustrations.


    The figure is then assaulted by countless of floating weapons that are made of pure darkness. Different designs of weapons plunge and riddle him, leaving the figure a mess as his blood spread everywhere in the room.


    The blades disappear with the snap of a finger, and the figure falls to the ground, lifeless, and unable to realize what had just happened to him.


    ... I''m afraid I don''t tolerate weakness. Servant. Come forward. I have a task for you. You shall accomplish this without fail whether you value your life or not.


    And another figure comes forward, ignoring the mangled corpse as it begins to deteriorate into ashes, then to nothing.

 Chapter 9: New faces

    It was a lonely and silent morning as I continued traveling in a moderate pace, all the while trying not to get too captivated with how things are here, and how they look like. Some are marvels of which I have never even thought of existing, yet here they are. The landscape, simply took my breath away.


    "I wonder what other kinds of things are out there?" I asked myself, engrossed in the thought and the thrill of traveling alone despite the dangers Sir Hark had reminded me about.


    The path was clear and paved, empty without signs of life other than the wildlife teeming around the nearby forests.


    Having traveled further up the road, I came to the presence of two old couples wearing tattered brown cloaks, looking dreary and tired as their mule strode slowly through the road, heaving a wagon of hay and farming equipment that I am familiar of.


    Behind them were more people of varying ages, riding in wagons, making a trail of them in an amazingly organized fashion. Each one looked ragged and dirtied, keeping to themselves while they traveled, looking down depressingly at the ground.


    The old man looks up at me as I decrease my pace, coming up to greet them with a smile.


    He lifts his straw hat with his thumb and nods, showing his dirtied and weary face.


    "What happened? Is something wrong?" I asked, alarmed by the look on his face.


    "Oh, it''s nothing, young man. Just a bit roughed up by the local ruffians," he manages a wry smile, not convincing me in the least of its authenticity.


    "Where are you all headed? It seems like everyone''s going to the same place as you two."


    "You''re right. We''re all headed to Lavis in hopes of finding some residence. I don''t think we can live out there anymore, what with all the demons rampaging, and the bandits taking all of our hard-earned belongings."


    Bandits? I thought to myself.


    "Our son''s gone to fight them with the others. I can''t dare to think why we would let such young kids go, much less to defend us. Those fiends weren''t satisfied with taking our food, so they took the young women as well," the old woman beside him said, weeping.


    "I think I can help you out. I might not look like it, but I can use a sword. Please, let me help you!" I blurted out, unsure about the danger that might come with my brash decisions. But something inside me said to do it, otherwise, I''d lose one of the many things I''ve swore to fight for. I know it''s what''s right as well.


    The old man stared at me wide eyed and suspiciously. "Don''t be mad, young man. By now... I don''t think anyone''s still alive anymore. Those bandits were ruthless, led by a ruthless man that kills whenever he feels like it. We owe it to those who stayed to hold them back that we''re alive. It''s best to move along and don''t bother with us normal folk."


    "Please, let me. I feel that I can help you, no matter what it takes, no matter the danger. I''ve already pledged my life for it, so my safety is mine to worry about. Besides, I was trained by two of the strongest people I know. Though I only know about six people, I still think that they''re strong," I insisted, not because I wanted a reward, but because it felt like it was my first test into becoming what I should become. That comes with helping and protecting those in need. If I can''t help these people, then what use am I to the rest of the people I meet?


    "Fine, I''ve already tried to stop you, so I won''t anymore. It''s your life on the line. I say I wouldn''t waste it for the world. Would it be worth it in the end?" he dismisses his own question. "Up that hill to your east. You''ll past a small forest, but a paved path will guide you there. A village is up that mountain, boarded up by a small wooden fortification."


    "I won''t say that you have to do it, but please, save my grandson and granddaughter. I don''t know how much hope I should entrust to a young man like you, but I have nothing else to lose other than myself. You will earn my undying gratitude if you can save them," he pleaded, weeping as well.


    "Leave it to me. There''s no way I can fail. With the way I was trained, I should be more than confident," I said to myself, beaming him a smile. Tugging on the reins of my horse, I then left with a good speed, trying to beat the time in case that the worst might happen.


    I may not know what kind of people I''m against, but I''m confident that they''re not stronger than a demon. I''ll just have to keep Sir Hark, and Father''s advices to heart, and I''ll make it out unscathed.


    My surroundings passed me by like a blur as I picked up my pace, turning towards the path where a small forest stood in front of me, acting as a shade from the light.


    As I got closer, a wooden wall could be seen, but before that were bodies of unarmed people wielding farm equipment stained with blood on the road. So is the victim, his eyes wide open, as if caught by surprise, then killed without remorse from the looks of it.


    My stomach churned, but not as much after having seen something much more grueling before. What terrifies me the most is that I might get used to seeing this. Then I won''t be able to feel anything. I might even lose my humanity if worse comes to worse.


    More and more bodies appeared, and finally I came just a few feet away from the wooden wall, trying to use the cover of the nearby trees to hide my mount as well.


    A small battle could be seen, from inside the gates, raging as people armed with proper weapons and armor fought against people armed with plows, pitchforks, shovels and many other makeshift weapons. They were defended by nothing other than the clothes on their backs.


    The unarmored ones were being decimated quickly, while the other ones ruthlessly beat the others who had surrendered, plunging their weapons at the helpless ones down on the ground with a wide grin on their faces, some followed by a loud cackling laugh of superiority.


    "Why are they doing this?" I asked myself, unable to understand just where this is coming from. "No time to hesitate," I told myself as my legs froze at the atrocious acts. I made sure that my balance was alright, and that I could pull my sword from my sheath without any problems. Then I rushed from the cover of the tree, eyeing my first target; a large burly man with a darkish complexion and a bandana on his head.


    The man had just finished impaling his victim, and is unaware of my presence as his backs is turned to me. I disregard his spiked club and increase my pace, placing my hand on the hilt, ready to draw.


    Upon getting closer, I slash... but to my surprise, it didn''t cut as far enough as I wanted for it to kill the man. There was a bit of hesitation on my part, something that stopped me from even taking another step.


    But now, the man is writhing in pain down on the ground, trying to clutch the cut I had made on his back. This causes him to yell loudly, calling for help.


    A couple more emerge from the entrance, armed and roused as they charge almost immediately after seeing their ally down on the ground.


    I parry the attack from a man wielding a sword, making sparks in the air as the man reels from me pushing him back. Another follows through with trembling thrust with his wooden spear.


    It made it all the more harder to predict where I could dodge as the metal tip was flailing wildly towards me. So, with no time to think about an elaborate plan, I evade and try to run around him, only to be interrupted by another bandit, one wielding an imposing sharp axe in one hand.


    I breathed in deeply, not having time to wipe the sweat on my brow. Maybe from the fatigue, or maybe from the nervousness and pressure of being killed by any one of them if I manage a false move, but nevertheless, I push through, attacking the axe-wielder with a vertical swipe of my blade.


    He moved back, allowing the spearman to barrage me once more with a flurry of his unconcentrated attacks, almost like they were meant to be like that.


    To my surprise, I was able to narrowly dodge his attacks, but his spear grazed and wounded me around my arms and legs. Nothing too serious, but it is alarming the way I''m careless enough to be defenseless, allowing them to attack me like that.


    "Damn," I cursed, unable to break through as the three of them made it impossible to take one of them down, not unless I can overpower them somehow.


    Yes, that''s it! Maybe that can give me the edge for victory. The mark that helped me defeat the demon in Caspia... But just how do I make it appear? Not like it did when I wanted it to. It was as if it had a mind of its own, manifesting when it wants to.


    Despite that, I thought and focused on the mark, what it looked like, what the searing pain felt like as it appeared on the back of my hand, the power that coursed within me veins like a raging flood. I clenched my hand, trying hard to make the mark appear.


    I could feel all of them, and clearly remember them, but nothing happens. Instead, the three of them charge me altogether, yelling with anger.


    Fine, if it has to come to this, then I''ll handle it myself.


    I distanced myself from them, measuring the range between us as vaguely as I can in my head. Then I went for what I thought was the easiest target, the spearman.


    Though he didn''t allow me to penetrate his spear''s range for long, I slipped by as the sword wielder slashed from overhead.


    Chasing him as he retreated, I cut him across his torso with a quick slash, forcing his weapon to part from his hand as the man fell to the ground, writhing as the pain ravages his senses, blood oozing from his wound.


    I then turned my attention at the distraught axe wielder, attacking and avoiding his weapon as they were released with all of his might each time, costing him greatly as I managed to stay on my two feet; all the while dodging his attacks as much as I could.


    Finally, my opening came. He tripped on the dead body of the bandana wearing bandit that I had left to bleed out, causing him to fall flat on his back. And with that, I thrusted my sword at his chest, a feeling that it was hard, but quick as it pierced through his back, and onto the ground behind him.


    What a wretched and dreadful feeling, I thought to myself, making a disgusted face upon driving my sword through the man.


    He didn''t move, but his muffled voice became gargled noises, blocked by blood coming out from his mouth. Then his arms went limp, and finally his soul left his body.


    The last was unfazed, rather, even more angered. He rushed me with a reckless attitude, and that alone cost him his life. I didn''t like the feeling of taking another person''s life, but it was necessary, I consoled myself.


    I didn''t move, waiting until he was in the right position. Then I took a step sideways, cutting the man across his belly to his surprise. His overhead slash was much slower than what I had done, but he immediately fell to his knees, unable to realize what had just happened to him. Then his front flopped onto the ground, leaving no one alive in my vicinity.


    My head was beating, and my hands felt numb. I was nauseous, and a bit more, I feel like I could have lost my breakfast. A rush of emotions disrupted my mind, and I stood there, unmoving as another battle was taking place inside the walled gates.


    It was all necessary, but it didn¡¯t feel like it was.


    Bringing myself back to reality, I ignored my victims for now, and began to head towards the gates in a run, still hearing a faint yell, a sign that there was still a battle brewing on the inside.


    Upon entering, the sight was more gruesome that what I had seen on the outside. The people wearing no armor, mostly adult looking men, were massacred, some impaled to a wall with their weapons, and some were lying down on the ground in some inhumane way, made to spill their blood everywhere. The ground was painted with their blood.


    In comparison with the so-called bandits, the casualties on the side of the villagers were far more than I can think of. Maybe in the thirties, or a bit higher than that. But, numbers don''t matter. They hurt the innocent, there''s no way I can let that pass.


    I took in the sight and began to think of what to do. As I stood there, time was ticking with every second, and every second that passed led to another life being lost.


    "I guess there''s no need to think about things. Might as well just rush in and let my training do the work," I said to myself, charging at the nearest bandit I see, whose back is turned to me, occupied with fighting another villager whom he has in his mercy.


    I strike with great prejudice, cleaving at the man''s shoulder, forcing him to kneel. I follow through with my blade and end his life, saving the villager just in time. Yet he was wounded with the battle, forced to sit down, clutching the mortal wound on his left arm.


    "Whoever you are, thank you," he manages a bow, his face seething in pain. He might pull through, and he might not, judging from whether someone could help him or not. His mortal looking wound was a horrid sight.


    "I-I know what you''re thinking, and yes, it hurts. But please, help the others. It won''t matter if I live or die, just save them, the children, and the women, please!" he pleads desperately, showing it in his face and eyes.


    Without needing to reply, I then charged through, trying to find the said women and children, all the while trying to avoid fighting with the preoccupied bandits and villagers, prioritizing my goal.


    The villager''s houses were in ruins, and some were burning. farm equipment, weapons, and bodies littered the ground. What should have been a tranquil, green village, was a bloody massacre where villagers fought for their lives.


    It looks like in a few more moments of struggling, the villagers are all going to be reduced to nothing. They are at a clear disadvantage, and it is obvious that they don''t have any sort of formal training. They would flail and wave their weapons at their enemies, sometimes scoring a lucky hit, in which they lose focus. The situation might get out of hand quickly if I don''t do something.


    Suddenly, I encounter the sight of several men surrounding a young man wielding a sword amateurishly, shielding the crowds of children and women hiding themselves inside a wooden one-story house. He doesn''t look that older than me, but him standing there in front of a menacing group is something to behold.


    "Stay back, everyone! I-I''ll protect you," he says, stuttering, his sword arm shuddering in fear.If you spot this narrative on Amazon, know that it has been stolen. Report the violation.


    One of them makes a move, rushing with a threatening roar, "Don''t get cocky, kid!" he says, grinning with a strong bloodlust in his eyes. "You could''ve just sat there and died, but you had to act all heroic. Now I''ll make this as painful as possible, just like what I did with yer outher friends. Man, you should''ve seen the looks on their faces when I killed them," he laughed hysterically.


    The women shriek, and the children look like they''ll start crying at any second. But before their worst fears could happen, I intervene, thrusting my sword in front of the man charging at the villager, parrying his sword barely before it could harm anyone else.


    I knee his stomach and kick him away, creating a fair distance between us. The man fell down, humiliated.


    "Wha- who are you?! And what are you doing here?!" the young man now behind me asks, surprised at my arrival.


    "Worry about that later. First, get them to safety. I''m not sure how I''ll do against these people," I tell him. Though my resolve was shaken, It was plain as day that I had to finish this one way or the other. Failing only means that they succeed with whatever they aim to do. That I can''t allow.


    "But it''s dangerous! There''s five of them. You can''t hope to take on them on your own! I can help you!" he pressed, stumbling with his words.


    I tremble as well, but I am able to control myself for the time being.


    "It won''t matter. If it''s only me that they harm, then that''s fine by me. What matters the most is that everyone else is safe. I''m just sorry that I couldn''t save the rest on the way here," I told him asserting my position as firmly as I can, so that he would back off and allow me to protect them without the risk of anyone else coming into harm''s way.


    I breathe in deeply, standing firm with my hands tightly on my sword. I keep my eyes at them, making sure to keep track of their movements.


    Five at once hardly seems fair with the way I had to fight three at once, but with all the bragging, it¡¯d be a shame if I couldn''t back my words up.


    They rush together as an unorganized bunch, not planning a cunning attack that could immediately end me.


    I aim for one and meet them in the middle, making sure of my spacing so that I would be able to separate from them if it became bad enough of a situation for me.


    No second was spared, and my blade touched another without pause. Their behaviors were erratic, yet they had a savagery with their attacks that made it hard for me to maintain my composure and focus. Though I''d back off, they would give chase, and I would find myself at a disadvantage.


    I was forced into the defensive, wounded, but still not enough to make me back down.


    I rushed and taunted one of the bandits, pulling him with my free left hand, and allowing me to catch him off balanced. With that, I quickly ended his life, but not with the cost of being wounded; a cut on my left shoulder from one of the bandits.


    "Tch, damn. He got Jharl, that damn kid!" one of them fumes, looking at the body of their deceased ally.


    Just then, an explosion could be heard from the direction that I came from. A pillar of smoke rose from there, then followed by the emergence of a villager.


    "Captain! This is bad! There''s a mage, and a knight taking on our entire band! We can''t stop them, they''re just too strong. We have to pull back for now!" he urges desperately, then another explosion booms, convincing them of that decision.


    "What in the world is happening anyway?! And what do you mean a mage and a knight? There''s just two of them! Are you all that pathetic?!" he pauses, looking at the horizon.


    "Fine. Rally back the men and tell them to meet back at the hideout. Leon''s going to get really upset with our losses," a bearded man says, running away with his allies following him closely.


    I fell flat on my back as they start to clear out. "The sky is so clear and blue. The clouds are calming. What else can I ask for?"


    My mind and body was exhausted. I was wrong. Fighting demons and humans are two completely different things. It''s not the same at all. I barely have enough left to keep me awake.


    But before they could, they are blocked by two people, one wearing a beautiful dark and gold robe with its hood pulled back, revealing a face with the utmost charisma. His eyes were a determined green, and his slightly pale complexion stood out with his aura of confidence. He had a long, dark hair until his shoulders, neatly styled.


    The other, was a knight, looking to be just a few feet short from the tall man behind him, maybe the same height as I am. A fully clad knight wielding a sword and a shield, his armor and blade is stained with blood. A helmet covers his face.


    "Your time is at an end, unfortunately. It is by some unfortunate luck that you possess which I have come here to save the day once more!" he beckons to them with a wide grin, placing his hand in front of them. "What say you? Will you surrender and hand your fate to these poor villagers, or will you settle for a painful, but dramatic death?"


    "I don''t care who you are! Out of my way!" the leader of the bandits quickly charged towards the robe wearing mage, rageful and empowered.


    "I do not find people of your caliber of my taste. I would rather settle for a dashing hero who disregards his life for the sake of others. Clearly you are different. Now, fare thee well, and say hello to your brethren on the other side," he scoffs, creating a blinding bolt of lightning that hit him square on the chest, sending him back crashing towards a wooden wall.


    Two more charge, but are quickly apprehended by the skillful knight, whom uses his shield to bash it against their bodies, then slicing them using his blade, sharp as it can be. Seeing the spectacle, they surrender and kneel, dropping their weapons on the ground with haste.


    "How disappointing. I thought that we would have been challenged at least for a bit, but it seems that we have taken this quite seriously," the robe wearing mage frowns playfully, looking at the fruits of his labor.


    But before I could relax, a presence makes itself known from behind me.


    Another bandit appears to have taken a small girl hostage, holding her by his arm. "Let me go! One more step towards me, and she gets it!" he threatens them, holding his sword up and placing his hostage in front of him.


    "Micah! Let her go, you damned bandit!" the young man defending them earlier shouted in fury, only to be held back by some of the women of the house, not allowing him to charge the bandit. What are you all doing?! Let me go! I have to save my sister!" he argued.


    It appears that he doesn''t notice me that much lying a few feet beside him. A perfect time to save her while I have the chance. This is not something that I can squander on luck alone. I have to make sure that I save her. But, I can''t use my blade, otherwise it might risk hurting her.


    Then I shall go with my fists. I silently drop my sword and inch towards the man as silently as I can. And with a fluid motion, I grasp the man''s sword arm and try to wrestle him for control. "Let her go!"


    The girl is free as I distract the man, and she runs off to the other survivors in the house, leaving me to take care of the man.


    But his build is not something to be taken lightly. He easily wrests control, slowly overpowering me, putting my surprise to shame.


    I use my knee on his stomach repeatedly to make him yield, disarming him. But with a final grasp for power, he jabs at my cheek, sending me down. He takes back his blade and goes in for the kill, holding it over me.


    Taking a deep breath, I close my eyes, feeling nothing for what seemed like the longest time. Opening them slowly, I found him not to be there, but instead he was sent back as well, just like their leader. a white puff of smoke came from his body, as if he had been burnt badly.


    "How heroic. I have yet to know of your story, but I am very reluctant to know what it is. I assume that you are the said young, reckless man whom has come to save these poor villagers?" the robed man stood in by me, blocking the ray of the sun, but instead replacing it with a smile that resembled the same brightness.


    He extended his hand towards me, which I accepted, rising back on my feet.


    "You are safe, everyone. The bandits have been subdued, and no others will come for vengeance. Not unless a necromancer brings them all back to life. Unlikely, but who knows. In this world of uncertainty, we no longer know the bounds of human stupidity and recklessness," he announced.


    One of the young women hiding inside the house came out, thanking the robed man and the knight with her eternal gratitude. "Oh, thank you! I thought that it was our end. You came to our rescue in our darkest time of need. How can we ever repay you?" she asked, clutching his hand.


    "Calm yourself, young woman. There is no need to be frantic. Everything will be well soon enough," he knelt to her level, wiping her tears away with his free hand. "But I would very much like it if you could allow us to stay here for a few hours before we are on our way once more," he smiled seductively, possessing, dangerous sharp eyes.


    The young woman stood silent, her eyes fogged up due to the obvious infatuation that I didn''t have to read between the lines of. It was obvious that the man''s charms were strong enough to influence her upon sight.


    "Y-yes, certainly!" she said, returning to reality.


    The rest of the young women began crowding over the man, vying for his attention. He became trapped in the middle, but happily obliging to their wiles.


    The other children ran up to the knight, awestruck at his gallant figure and heroic display of courage. Almost all of them exited the house to see the two.


    Well, as long as they''re safe, I''ve done what I can. I don''t need their attention, or maybe I do. But it''s not that important now that I think about it clearly.


    I picked up my sword and sheathed it, walking away from the scene so that I could resume my travels to the capital. With the time I still have.


    But it was not before a tug halted me. Turning around, I found a small girl, a familiar face that I quickly recognize. It was the girl who was taken hostage.


    "T-thank you, mister," she said, curtly bowing before retreating behind a young man who looked like he was staring at me for a while.


    "I wanted to thank you as well. Though the others don''t really see it that way, I''m grateful. You saved my sister, and me," he said sternly. "I''m not even that strong. I had no right to stand before those bandits. I was bluffing. I thought it was my time to go, but then you came. You managed to hold on despite there being five of them. You''re courageous, unlike me."


    "No need to thank me. I would have done it anyway. If you train hard enough, then you''ll forget ever saying that you were weak. And it doesn''t matter if you''re strong or not. I''m not strong myself, just lucky. Now, if you''ll excuse me, I have to go," I said, waving goodbye to them before I walked back to where I left my horse.


    "But wait! Aren''t you bothered that no one else took notice of you? I mean, you came first here, and it looks like that you don''t know the other two. So, why?" he caught up to ask.


    "It doesn''t bother me at all. But, knowing people I tried to save are safe is enough for me. Plus, you and your sister thanked me. I''m really happy right now," I parted with them, waving.


    Along the way, there were wounded men everywhere. Some were sitting down, trying to calm their nerves, while the others tended to the wounded. The atmosphere was gloomy and decrepit. It''s what I expected after all that. They lost a lot of people after all. There''s no way they can act normally after seeing that.


    Maybe, if I was able to save a bit of them before, then would I have possibly seen a few smiles as I walk here? Who knows. This terrifying uncertainty is always there to haunt me.


    Exiting the gates, I went back to the forest, seeing Noel by the tree where I left him.


    "Sorry, Noel. You must have been pretty terrified because of what happened. Don''t worry, I''m here now," I said, caressing his nose gently, feeling his body shuddering and shaking. He''s not that wild anymore, but after that incident in Caspia, he became tamed, enough for me to ride him without worry.


    I noticed as well that there were two different horses along with Noel, but the owners are nowhere to be seen.


    "And where do you think you''re going?" I turned to see the robed mage behind me, and accompanying him, was the armored knight, silent and adamant as I first saw him.


    "What do you mean? I have a task to do still. I don''t know what else I can do to help the townspeople, so I think my job here is done, not unless they still need me to do something," I checked my items and equipment on the saddle bag.


    "In a hurry? Not the person to seek fame, are you? How irregular. Usually, people like you who come rescuing others only seek rewards afterwards. But you, you''re as different as one can be in this unforgivig world. Who knew there still existed people like you."


    "I don''t think being helpful without seeking a reward is a type a person has. Not everyone can stand up with confidence like you two. I merely thought I could do it, but I couldn''t in the end. You two were the ones who finished it."


    "You seem like the nonchalant brooding type. Be that as it may, you are still hero in this, whether you realize it or not. And, I am very fascinated with you. Why don''t you take it easy for a while? Traveling with a wound on your shoulders won''t help you, in fact, it''ll hinder you along the way. We can help you with that."


    "Who am I to deny help. I''ll need every bit that I can get, so thank you," I said, finally following them back into the village.


    We were ushered to a house where the wounded are being catered to. The insides were full of patients, so I settled on getting my wound treated on the outside of the building, along with many other wounded villagers.


    "So, young man. Why was it that you took on this perilous mission all by yourself? You could have passed the villagers by without a care in the world, so why?" he asked, sitting on a bench along with the still armored knight.


    "It was because..." I pondered for a bit, trying to think of a response that won''t give any hints about me being a Thalisean. Just like I promised with Sir Hark, I won''t reveal it, not yet anyway.


    "Wasn''t it the right thing to do? If I didn''t help, then more lives would''ve been lost. Even if I''m not qualified to stand up for that, knowing that I saved people is enough for me."


    "How valiant. I''m getting more and more interested in you by the second, don''t you agree, my friend?" he looks to his armored friend, who nods in agreement, still staying silent.


    "Now, why not introduce ourselves. My name is Gino Vurzt, a traveling mage, just like you have seen from my earlier exploits. You can call me Gino if you like. It''s nice to make your acquaintance," he bowed extravagantly, then gesturing to the knight.


    "Forgive my friend''s silence, but he prefers to be less of words. His name is Alexandre, a companion of mine. Might you grace us with your name, young lad?"


    "So that was what magic was. I have never seen anything like it, but I have read about it in books I borrowed from my father. Zachary Erinn... I don''t really know what I am supposed to be, but maybe a messenger for a knight will do. Nice to meet you both as well."


    "Well, it is not much of a surprise that magic isn''t that pursued these days. Only a handful have affinities with learning. Some are just lazy to even care anymore, so they wait and wither for their fated time to come to an end. Zachary. What a wonderful name that is. But the name Erinn, I seem to know of it, but can''t quite remember. I am curious, which knight do you serve?"


    "Sir Hark of Lavis. Do you know of him?"


    "My, Sir Hark? The great pillar of the south? Who would not know of him. He has stood strong against the demons and the neighboring kingdoms that sought to conquer the land. He has quite the reputation. I won''t pry any longer, but I''d like to know, where exactly are you headed? It seemed urgent for you."


    "The capital, Ylithia. I have a task there, but it would be best if I kept it to myself. It''s not that you both don''t look trustworthy, but it''s quite sensitive."


    "I understand. But coincidentally, Alenxandre and I are also traveling to Ylithia. Would you care for some company along the way? It would make traveling less boring for both of us, if you wouldn''t mind, of course."


    "I''d be more than happy to have you on board."


    "Then it''s settled. Let us enjoy each other''s company until we reach Ylithia!" he shook my hand, looking coolly as he had done before.


    It was then that they tended to my wound, bandaging it after applying some herbal medicine on it. A mint fragrance that stung a great deal. But after a while, it alleviated the pain, somewhat.


    After that, I took a rest for a while before we parted with the villagers, leaving to go back on the road with my two new companions. An eventful first day to start off with. But it seems that I still have a long way to go if I want to fulfill my deed.


    But why? When I need it the most, the mark doesn''t appear. Though I know that depending on it too much is bad, it''s unnerving that I don''t know how to use my own power. I don''t even know how it works.


    *sigh* "Might as well just cross that bridge when I get there," I told myself, looking at the vast blue and green horizon.


    "Gino, tell me. Why did those people attack the villagers? They posed no threat to them after all. And they forcibly took their food, not to mention their people. After what they did to the village, it''s clear that they have some sort of grudge against them, but what?"


    "Are you serious? Don''t you know anything about the outside world? You must be a sheltered noble then," he replied in clear surprise.


    "No, not at all. I lived with my parents in the plains beyond the southern forest. I only left recently, so everything so far is new and vague to me. I only have my book smarts to rely on with some things, but I don''t think it''ll help all the time."


    "Is that so? Fascinating. Who knew someone lived in the wilderness all their live without knowing of what''s happening out there. Must be a luxurious life by itself. But, I''ll tell you. The people here are corrupt and hungry for power. Everyone is, basically. No one wants to meet a demon, so they try to gain some control over some territories. People are fickle, capricious, and volatile beings. We know when we are doing the right thing, and so do we when we do something wrong. The only difference is that we turn a blind eye to the wrongdoings and convince ourselves that it is the right thing to do. Sometimes we don¡¯t even understand ourselves. Those men attacked the village to plunder them of all their belongings. They wanted to make themselves known and feared, but it ended badly for them. Bandits are sometimes the same as nobles, only much more louder. Do you get what I''m saying so far?" he asked, galloping in a slow pace with his horse so that he doesn''t bite his tongue.


    "I seem to understand. But I''m confused as to why they would seek that instead of getting together. Isn''t that the most important thing of all right now? I know of the conflict between the human race and the demons, so I thought that they would resolve their differences and come together to defeat their enemy."


    "We are naive, unpredictable, and most of all, full of surprises. We can control destiny as we see fit, but it comes with its great difficulty. There will be more that we might meet on the road with problems such as that. They''re all over the kingdoms. Like a plague, growing in unison with the demons," he said with an uplifting grin, not at all bothered with what he had said so far.


    "If there is still something that you do not know, then don''t hesitate to ask. I might be able to help you gain some knowledge that you''ll need out here to survive. There is also a high chance for demons to appear along the way, but worry not. You seem to be capable, but in dire need of training, so we will help you with that as well."


    "Thank you, Gino, Alexandre. I only met you two today, but you''re helping me like we''ve known each other for so long. It seems that not everyone out here is as corrupt as you say."


    "But of course, Zachary. Pay it no mind. You look like a genuine person who is pure at heart, untainted, but questionably corruptible... But, you might be wrong. Everyone is corrupt at some point."


    I couldn''t hear the last part of his sentence, but the former I heard clearly. "What was the last part, Gino? I didn''t quite hear it well over the horses making noise."


    "Oh, it''s nothing," he flashed me a bright smile with his charismatic and flawless face, turning towards the road once more to pay attention to it.

 Chapter 10: Strangers

    "According to the map, there''s a village here close by with an inn. We should take the time to rest here and buy some supplies. After this village, there won''t be another place to stop by until we reach the town of Evras, and that''s a day and a half of traveling," Gino said as we took a short breather for the horses, standing under a lush tree.


    After we saved the village from the bandits, we continued traveling until night, and with the moon up in full view. It was silent, no other person in sight for the rest of the way.


    "Ahh, the beauty of the land at night never ceases to captivate me. That''s why I love the countryside of Ylithia. I just reels me in from our home kingdom," he added, taking in the fresh air passing us by with his arms outstretched.


    He was not mistaken about that, though. It was a clear night, the countless stars shimmering up in the sky, and the vast expanse of the world beyond the skies. It''s just unbelievable that despite having seen this from where I lived beyond the forests many times over, I can''t help but feel amazed each time. Maybe it''s one of the many things that still bind me strongly to my parents.


    Yes, I remember it very clearly. There''s no way I can forget. When I was still small, Dad, Mom, and I would often look at this same sight by the slope, lying flat on our backs. I could still see them smiling and enjoying it with me. It''s hard to believe that they''re gone.


    "Oh, are you alright, Zachary? You seem absent-minded, and quite teary eyed. Is there something that you remember that''s bothering you?" Gino said, concerned, but comforting. Same with Alexandre. Despite not having taken off his helmet, he has his sight on me as well.


    "No, it''s nothing that bothers me at all. Rather, it''s a fond memory of mine that I would never dare forget. Everything''s just come by me so fast that it''s unbelievable what''s been happening to me. Though I went down this road, I can''t help but feel overwhelmed."


    "A fond memory, is it? They say that some of the greatest treasures are of memories, and not something materialistic like gold. But that''s just the philosopher in me talking. The vast majority would prefer gold. I say it''s how you treat something that you have that makes it special or not. You can treat something as similar to gold, or maybe something useless. But judging from the look on your handsome face, I can see that it''s a precious treasure indeed."


    "It definitely is. But by the way, you were saying something about this place not being your homeland. Where are you two from?"


    "A kingdom close to this one. We come from Kahluvia. Well, to be precise, we''re not exactly sure where we¡¯re from. Alexandre and I simply met up by chance during our travels, and we agreed to go somewhere far away from home for a change. It''s quite the story. And it would have been enjoyable as well if not for the demons and the various wars being fought across the land. But, there will be more time for that later. Come, let us not waste time. I feel a bit drowsy after today''s events," he mounted his horse and started heading back on the road slowly, waiting for me.


    It was then that we came to a small village in the middle of the road. There were plots of land used for farming for wheat grew there, and some other types of crops that I am familiar with. The village itself was quiet by the time we arrived, and not a lot of light could be seen from the open windows. The only people present were a few guards, which looked sleepy themselves, only awakened by our presence as we approached the entrance of the village.


    "Excuse me, men, but have you any idea where the inn is located? My companions and I would like to seek shelter for the night, and camping out would be less preferable," said Gino.


    "If you''re looking for the inn, head there," he said, pointing westwards, where a two-story wooden building stood in the distance. "Say, you haven''t seen any demons on your way here, have you?" asked the man, looking a bit unnerved.


    "Not at all. In fact, it was suspiciously silent. No other villager was in sight. Why? Is there something the matter?" Gino replied.


    "Well, you see, that''s the thing. There haven¡¯t been any sightings, especially for this village located in the middle of nothing! Heard of the town of Caspia being overrun by demons? That much was enough to spook the living hell out of everyone here. And what''s more, the lords and generals of the kingdom are all heading to Exaltier for another conference. That leaves us villages without much of an army to defend us. I may be from the army, but I sure am terrified of being killed by demons."


    "Don''t worry. I''ll be sure to do anything that I can to help you and everyone here. I may not look like much, but I will do my utmost to do something if it ever comes to that," I said, reassuring them. I wonder how I could still muster the courage to keep saying something like this despite being beaten up by bandits?


    "That''s plenty reassuring. Thanks. We''ll need every bit of help that we can get if something does happen. Are you three adventurers?" he added, smiling at what I said, making me reluctant for speaking up.


    "Travelers is a better way of saying it."


    "Well, I won''t keep you all here. Thanks for your time," he smiled, allowing us to pass.


    "Well, well. Look at you, the brave and ever so courageous young man who can''t seem to stray from trouble. Do you even know what a demon is? Seeing as you don''t know that much, I can''t tell whether it''s pure recklessness, or a pure desire to help," said Gino, grinning.


    "I''d say it''s the latter. I know about demons and what they are. I''ve already encountered them. But don''t you find it strange as well, Gino? That a great threat such as the demons haven''t been seen roaming around anywhere?"


    "I do find it peculiar. But who knows what''s going on in their minds. If I had to take a guess, then maybe I''d say it''s because of that dazzling burst of light that appeared a few days ago. It might have reminded them of the light of a Thalisean. It is etched unto their minds to fear that light and its wielder. They may be hiding somewhere, trying to avoid a possible Thalisean still living in this land. But that would be wishful thinking for us. A relic can''t possibly still exist here, not after how many years they''ve gone," he paused, taking a breath before continuing.


    "But, it might not be that bad if the light was fake. That alone was enough to rekindle our hope that a savior still exists. For it to be true or not, that is an entirely different story," he looked sad for a split second. It was as if the cheerful guise that he was hiding under had been taken off by mistake. "It was beautiful... Unlike any light I can make with my magic. It felt like my soul was purified after gazing at it. I can go on and on, but for now, we have reached our first destination."


    We entered the inn, welcomed by a rowdy crowd drinking merrily with a bunch of other burly men. A few female workers wearing aprons over their clothes rushed here and there to give trays of food and drinks to the men, looking a bit uncomposed when the men try to sneak in a few lucky passes at them.


    "Welcome to the Roost. What can I do for you tonight?" an energetic girl asked upon welcoming us, covering herself with a wooden tray. She had a bright smile to her face as she greeted us.


    "A room for two, please," said Gino, his eyes sharpening, and his lips curling into a smile. It was as if he was trying to charm the girl right after meeting her. "Alexandre likes his privacy a bit too much, so I hope you don''t mind sharing a room with me, Zachary," said Gino, following the girl to the counter.


    "Not at all," I said, shrugging my shoulders.


    It was a two-bed room, furnished with a two cabinets, but nothing else other than a curtain to serve as the sole decorum of the wooden room.


    Gino placed his belongings near his bed, taking off his boots with a relieved face. "Traveling here and there really tires one out. It''s almost rewarding to be lying down on a bed," he said, falling flat on the comfortable white blanket bed.


    "So, Zachary, why don''t you tell me about yourself. I think that this is a good time to get to know each other a bit more," he said, glancing to his side to face me.


    "Something about me... Where to start," I said to myself, staring at the ceiling. "Well, I guess you could say that I was taught how to fend for myself ever since I was little. Living in the forests wasn''t that bad, too. I was taught how to maintain the land and grow our food. Most of the things I know are based off from books that I borrowed from my father, and some that we bought from a travelling merchant that would pass us by every so often. I guess, that''s been it until now. I help out Sir Hark with some things, and he repays me with training."


    "How old are you now by the way? You don''t seem that old, nor that young."


    "If I remember correctly, I''m seventeen. My parents would make a great deal out of it and prepare something extravagant, but sometimes they don''t know that the things they make are presents enough," I gave out a wry laugh upon remembering those times.Unauthorized content usage: if you discover this narrative on Amazon, report the violation.


    "You know, you look like an earnest person, but there''s something about you that I can''t quite put my finger on. It''s like you''re hiding a secret, but at the same time, you''re not. I can''t quite understand it, but it fascinates me as well."


    I caught Gino''s stare, a bit astonished at what he said, but I managed to keep my composure. I''m sure that it''s not about my secret, but I''m not really that good at hiding things, huh?


    He smiled after, as if dismissing his suspicions. "I can''t read you at all, Zachary, but something tells me that I''m glad to have met you on the road."


    "Thank you. But what about you? You already told me a few things about you and Alexandre, but I''d like to know a bit more about you two."


    "Hmm, that''s quite difficult. I myself am hiding secrets that should remain secrets. Needless to say that I sound very untrustworthy right now, and I can understand if you don''t trust me as well, but rest assured that I am going to tell you everything in due time. Just when I''ve confirmed something. Is that alright with you?" he took on a slightly more serious tone, but changed into a joking one in the end.


    "I''m fine with that. I''m just happy to have some people with me. I guess you could say that that''s enough for me. We all have secrets to hide."


    "Thank you for understanding, Zachary. I''m certain that the day for that won''t be too long with what I''m seeing from you. It''s like you naturally draw trust from those around you, but maybe that''s just me," Gino yawned loudly, stretching his arms and legs as he removed his robe and lazily dropped it on the floor, leaving him with his casual clothing on. "Now, if you''ll excuse me I''d like to get some shut eye. using magic truly drains a simple man," he said, covering himself with the blankets.


    "Hmm, I guess it''d be a great time to take a bath. I''ve got nothing to do after all," I started for the door, seeing tenants walking to and fro from their rooms and the tavern downstairs. Most of them look more like soldiers than residents of the village, boasting muscular builds and intimidating faces.


    Descending the stairs, the tavern was still as lively as when we left it. The number of customers might have just doubled, or maybe I''m just overthinking it.


    "Uhm, excuse me, but are there any bath houses around here?" I asked the man behind the counter, a large man with a scruffy beard and a protruding belly. He had a brimming smile while looking at his customers.


    "I''m afraid that those closed down a couple hours ago. Well, if you''re looking for another place, then there''s one that no one goes to since they''re scared of being attacked by demons, but I say they''re too scared. If you follow the path to the west from here, and keep going until you enter the forest, you''ll come to a small river. That''s the best place to go to if you''re desperate."


    "Thank you. Then that''s where I''ll go."


    "Hold on, aren''t you the ones that came in earlier?" he asked.


    "Yes. Why, is there a problem?"


    "No, not at all. I think that fully armored friend of yours just went out. I don''t know if it''s to the river, but I thought you wanted to know."


    "Is that so? Thanks again. I''ll keep an eye out for him," I said, finally leaving.


    Stepping out, there was a tranquil atmosphere. Crickets singing, owls hooting, just like an ordinary night back at home, except it was different, both the circumstances and the place.


    The village houses had no light anymore. No one roamed the streets other than the guards. I expected as much, seeing as it''s already a quarter past midnight. The moon, up in full view.


    I followed the trail, stating my reasons to one of the guards that stopped me, then heading back on my way.


    The forest itself wasn''t that dense. The moon lit up my surroundings, making it easy to keep track of where I am going. I sensed no sign of wildlife as well, nor the signs of any demons. It might just be a hunch, but it seems that I can faintly sense the presence of demons whenever I am focused. But that might just be my intuition speaking.


    Having gone further into the forest, I could faintly hear the sound of water gushing gently. Following the sound, I arrived to the sight of a shallow looking wide river. It reflected the light that the moon beamed down, making a beautiful collage around the forest, ebbing and flowing calmly.


    But something else captured my attention. A figure standing in the middle of the river, a beautiful looking, slender woman with a fair complexion, almost like she was being bathed by the moon''s light, a mirage created by it.


    She had a short, smooth blonde, but neat hair until her shoulders. Small chested, but attractive enough that she didn''t need it. She moved fluidly and calmly, not noticing my presence as I gawked on, unable to tear my eyes away from her.


    It was the first time I had seen something like it, but I can''t shake the feeling that I was blessed by it. I felt my breathing getting tense, and my body getting heavier. But for some reason, I took a step forward, unconsciously, emerging from the cover of the first and into the open, where she could see me.


    She turned her head quickly, covering herself as she turned her body away from me. "Who are you? I know you''re there. Show yourself! she beckoned with a certain amount of authority. She had no once of fear on her body, and she did not so much as shudder.


    Her fierce eyes are on me, and it seems that the trees had shaded my face from her intimidating gaze. A sudden hostility rose from her aura, almost like it was a killing intent, or maybe it was.


    I slowly retreated, trying not to make a sound. Then I bolted into a run after shouting out a response to her. "Sorry! You were very beautiful! I didn''t mean to see anything!"


    I felt my body working unnecessarily hard just so no one could catch me. All my energy for the night, poured into my legs until I returned to the comfort of the inn, heading up the stairs without conversing with the tenants, the waitresses, or the owner.


    Opening the door to our room slowly, I creeped into my bed with an uneasy feeling in my stomach, and finally tired out. Her image couldn''t ever be erased in my mind for some reason. I tried my best so I could sleep peacefully, but it seems that it made me even more tired thinking about it.


    "Hmm? What''s this? You look like you didn''t have enough sleep. Did something happen in my absence?" Gino leaned forward, inquiring with a cunning gaze, one that would give the impression that he already knew about it.


    My eyelids felt heavy, and so did my body. I felt my body tilting from side to side, trying to stay upright, but it seems my lack of sleep deprived me of my energy.


    "Don''t worry. It''s nothing. I just didn''t get enough sleep," I yawned. Gulping down the cup of water on our table was the only way to keep me awake till the morning.


    Gino and I sat at one of the tables in the tavern, waiting a meal we had ordered. Most of the female staff from last night were not present, and it was the owner who tended to the request of his tenants, working enthusiastically and efficiently, alone.


    "Don''t think I''ll let you go on this one. Now, confess. To build a better friendship, we must learn to confide. For now, I am an exception," he persisted, leaving me no choice as he continued to smile deviously.


    I began telling him of what I saw, and what I thought about it. He gave a wry laugh and couldn''t seem to stop. But as I began to describe what she looked like, he stared and smiled at me narrowly and suspiciously before dismissing it, then laughing once more due to my inexperience.


    "I don''t even know what to say. I''ll let you work things out in case something happens. Who knows, you might even meet her again by chance," he said, avoiding my gaze.


    "Here you go! Two freshly cooked thin pig meat with some eggs on the side, and two bowls of our best vegetable soup with seasoned herbs and spices," he laid down the bowls and plates from his tray and left quickly back to the counter without delay.


    Steam wafted from the food, and so did a very scrumptious aroma that awakened my senses. "It looks plenty appetizing," I said, eating away at the still warm meat.


    "Good food and good service. Not bad for a village in the middle of nowhere. No wonder it''s always packed at night."


    "Where''s Alexandre? I thought he would''ve been up by now. I haven''t seen him since last night before we turned in," I looked around, not seeing our fully armored companion anywhere.


    "He must be sleeping in. No matter, I''ll simply bring him some food after we finish. But I''m curious once more, Zachary. Tell me, have you seen the bright light that blasted through the entire land a few days ago?"


    His question makes me stop as I almost choke. I recompose myself and answer him. "Yes, I have. Why do you ask?"


    "Well, since you say that you''ve been cooped up for a long time, I was wondering whether you know about a race called the Thalise? The fabled people of hope, or rather, the lost people of hope."


    "A few times. My father would tell me stories about them, but I know very little about who they really are, other than demon slayers. If I''m correct, almost everyone knows about it."


    "Hmm, then if you''ll allow me, I shall enlighten you about something. They are capable of so much more than defeating demons. Books will only tell you the bare minimum, but they have never told many about the great war of succession. A war so devastating and brutal that it almost wiped out the race. But ironically they were wiped out anyway, but by something else, something unknown to the rest of the world. You see, I and a few others have a belief that the Thaliseans were able to ascend themselves into higher beings, much more than simple sons and daughters of the creator, but something that far surpasses it. The war of succession is a fable that tells of a war between the ascended Thalisean and their creator. They sought power surpassing their ascended form, but to achieve it, they must as you might say, succeed their creator and become one themselves. These of course are pure speculation, since all everyone knows are the ones bathed in the light and hope. There are those bathed in the darkness as well, those who sacrificed their own lives for the attainment of something far greater. Who knows if they attained it, but with the race having gone missing, it is unlikely that my theory is wrong. But that does not conern much of our agenda. It has more to do with the people of hope rather than what happened to them."


    "Why are you telling me this all of a sudden?"


    "I was thinking of telling you a bit concerning our true motives. Trust me, they are not that devious or malicious, but something that will benefit many. All I can tell you for now is that we seek someone of great importance, that is if he or she could be found at all."


    With a grin, he returned his attention to his food. But with what he said about the white veil of light, the Thalise, and then their motives of seeking someone of great importance. I can''t understand anything from these three, but then again, the two of them are a vague mystery in itself. Maybe in due time I will come to understand who they truly are and what they stand for, but for now, I am content with having them as companions.


    After wolfing down our meals, we began preparing to go on the road once more. While I tended to the horses, Gino woke up Alexandre.


    "Let us be off again, shall we?" he said, gently pulling the reins of his horse as he started galloping away slowly, leaving Alexandre, who looked absentminded despite having hid his face in his helmet. He doesn''t move, simply staring at the horizon without making even a single sound.


    "Are you alright, Alexandre?" I asked him, having my horse inch up towards him. I nudged his shoulder eliciting a jerking reaction and a strange sound of surprise, almost not fitting for someone with his image. But looking at the glimmer of light being reflected near me, his sword was drawn, ready to cut me with a single stroke.


    But without saying anything, he sheathes the sword and ignores me, following Gino.


    I don''t think I remember having done anything to make him mad, but who knows for sure if he was daydreaming or not. It didn''t seem intentional as well, so I guess I''ll just have to work things out with him when I get the chance, otherwise It''ll strain our bonds, not that it''s strong between the two of us right now. But with enough wondering in my mind, I caught up to Gino and continued our journey.

 Chapter 11: The beacon of hope and war

    Steel clashed with steel, and his moves had a certain ferocity in it that made it impossible to overcome with my current abilities. Needless to say, I didn''t give up. Instead, I tried to overpower him with my own array of techniques, twisting and moving around to find a vulnerable spot to strike through, then break through continuously with that.


    He parried and deflected every attack I threw at him, his limbs and eyes coordinated almost perfectly from how I looked at it. He wasn''t that tall compared to me, but his speed was impeccable. He would deflect my attack, and leave me with a fatal opening, leading to my defeat for the tenth time.


    I stumbled and fell to the ground exhausted. My hands were numb and beating, and I don''t think I had enough strength to wield my sword for a while.


    "I never doubted you for a second. You''re really something else," I said, staying flat on the ground. "I think I can go for another one, just let me rest for a bit."


    "I think you''re trying too hard. Why not take a long break and try again later? We still, have a bit of ways to go until we reach our destination," Gino said, relaxing under the shade of a tree, feeling the fresh waft of the air around him, gently fluttering his long, dark hair.


    "I can''t waste this opportunity. You could say that I have a feeling, or rather, know for a fact that I''ll be needing it. If I want to save anyone, then I need to do anything that I can, no matter how hard it might be."


    "I admire your heroic spirit, but know that you''re human, and you have your limits. There''s no use forcing anything unless the situation calls for it. And in this day and age, I don''t think there a need to risk anything at all. It''s all about staying safe and alive."


    "It is for me. I may sound foolish to you, but it''s what I''ve decided," I said confidently, looking at the sky with a tense expression.


    "What is your story exactly? What drives you to think like that. I doubt it''s something frivolous, but I can''t jump to facts yet, so tell me, what is this all about?" he stared intently at me, and on the corner of my eyes, I saw Alexandre looking my way as well.


    "Well, you see. I lost my parents, both of them, a week or so from today. At that time, I knew a little to nothing about the world out here. Deep in isolation from the rest, I didn''t know what to feel with others. But that one fateful night, a revenant took their lives. I couldn''t get back in time to save them, but in the end, I took down the demon. That was when I had made up my mind to never allow anything like that to ever happen again. I''ll give up everything, including my life if necessary, to not allow the past to repeat no matter what. I know I''ll succeed if I work hard enough."


    "Empty words. No resolve whatsoever. I''ve seen your abilities. I can''t say I''m impressed. People who say that they will give up their lives to protect those they care about are the greatest cowards, and clearly they know nothing about the true dangers out there. They choose to abandon this world when it''s convenient for them. Instead of trying to survive, they choose death and glory. You have something to prove, and that''s what I see in you right now, but you can''t make that much of a difference if you don''t take it seriously. Words mean nothing when it comes from the mouth of a dog without a bite. All I''ve heard from you are your empty words of boasting, but nothing to back them up whatsoever. The people I most despise are the ones who speak arrogantly confident, but lose their lives in the end," Alexandre howled with contempt. His voice didn''t match at all with his outer image, but his message was clear. It shook me, but why? Is he telling the truth? I have no time to dwell on the fact that I heard his voice for the first time, but instead my thoughts are focused back on my own words.


    Gino looked intrigued at Alexandre, raising a brow as he stood silent.


    I have to prove him wrong. I know that it''s easier said than done, I''ve been there. But even though. "I don''t know why you don''t believe me, but no matter what you say, I''ll stick by what I say. And you''re right about me not being that strong, but I won''t let something like that stop me."


    "Is that an obligation, or something to make you feel better and superior?"


    "It''s something that I decided with the consequences in mind."


    "So you would gladly throw your life for a single person if the danger arises?" she stared at me intimidatingly, like sharp daggers pointed at my eyes and throat.


    "... I would, without a doubt. I''ll protect everyone that I can," I stared back at her intently, challenging her gaze to prove my conviction.


    "Now, now. There''s no need to quarrel. You both are still young and have your own views of the matter, so let''s just leave that aside for now and settle it later. For the time being, we have somewhere we need to be," Gino interrupted, standing in the middle.


    As we rode, Alexandre''s pace exceeded ours, leaving Gino and I a few ways back. "Gino, can I ask why he suddenly said that? I don''t think it''s a good time for me to ask him directly, so I was thinking if you knew. To tell you the truth, I don''t like how we got off the wrong foot there. The first time he spoke, it was about a dispute. I want to right that if possible," I paced with Gino.


    "Oh? Where di this suddenly come from? No matter. Your intentions are good, so it is possible to make things right. As for Alexandre, I don''t know if I should tell you, but I''ll give you the vague details. Just give him some time to cool down, and eventually you''ll get your chance," he patted me on the back, giving a reassuring smile.


    "He lost someone, kind of like you. He lost someone dear to him who promised that he will protect him will all his heart and soul, and to stay alive as his only parental figure. But in the end, he was slain by the very enemy of humanity, demons, and humans. He wasn''t able to keep him promise of returning to him with his life, so he took it to heart, and ever since, he developed a grudge to those would-be heroes who flaunt their abilities when they don''t have it, or can''t even fend for themselves. Or rather, he just doesn''t want seeing people die because of their recklessness. It reminds him of those events. That is as much as I can tell you... Please don''t hold it against him. I know what happened, and I sympathize with him. Your words might have just set off something inside him that he couldn''t control," his face turned slightly grim, but once I noticed, he shifted back to his normal demeanor.


    "... Then I''ll try to ask him. I can''t say that I fully understand him from what you''ve said, but the only way for me to feel his pain is to ask, and share it with him. Maybe it''s my fault to that I constantly motivate myself that I can do everything so long as I believe I can do it."


    "That''s just fine. It''s a charm of yours that I find quite amusing and lovely. And if you successfully charm Alexandre with your resolve, then who knows. You might even be treated to a small surprise," he had a sly smile that hid some kind of a secret, but one that could not be read so easily.


    "Wait- what do you mean by that?" but instead, he sped up, making me give chase so that I don''t lose them in the process.


    There spired a pillar of smoke on the horizon. It was midday, but the atmosphere felt dreaded.


    "I don''t like the looks of this. I can only guess what''s happening over there," Gino voiced his concerns, looking at the pillar with no such change in his expression, keeping calm and confident as always. "So, what do two think we should do?" he asked, eagerly waiting for a response.


    "There''s no need to argue about it," I said, heading towards the source with a sinking feeling in my gut. There''s nothing to prove here, but I have something to do, something I myself had decided.


    "Hey! There''s no need to rush! -" yelled out Gino, who pursued me along with Alexandre, who made no effort to speak nor change his demeanor.


    "Whatever''s wrong there, we have to stick together. Who knows what caused this. The safest way to deal with certain problems are to work through them together. And I thought that you might just do as you had done, rather I expected it after your little scene," he grinned deviously.


    We arrived to a scene of carnage and flames. Men, women, and children were running in scattered directions, shrieking and yelling for help as they were being pursued by demons varying from small, to giant ones.


    The town walls were cracked and broken on one side, while a part of it still stood barely. The giant-sized demons could be seen assaulting it with their massive arms or clubs made of tree trunks, battering stone to rubble. The small ones terrorized the others, chasing those that were feeble and scared.


    Bodies of both demons and humans littered the grounds and outskirts as a battle was still underway. The side of the humans wavered with clear despair and terror, they fell one by one.


    Unmounting, I charged towards one of the escaping townspeople being chased by a a few demons. A young man who limped with a desperate look on his face, fearing for his life and not daring to turn around.


    With my momentum built up, I unsheathed my sword and sliced at the demons, then following through with a series of slashes, fortunately killing them all in the confusion.


    "Are you alright?" I said, turning my attention to the young man who stumbled on the ground, blood smeared on his face.


    "Ah - Stay away from me, please!" he cried out, covering his eyes. I shook his shoulders waking him from his nightmare. His eyes widened in surprise, and he seemed to regain his composure, even by a little bit.


    "I-I don''t know. It all happened so suddenly! I tried to get out as fast as I could, but there''s so many of them! They''re all being massacred on the inside!" he stood up and continued running away from the burning town.


    "Well, what''s your plan?" Gino questioned as he came close by, casting bolts of light that blasted demons far away.


    "I''m going to try and break through. I need to get inside the town and help those still struggling. Please help out the soldiers still fighting here. I think there''s still a chance for them to defeat the enemy," I said, staring at the numerous hordes of demons trying to get inside the shattered gates of the town. They didn¡¯t seem to care as they continued marching in.


    "Ridiculous. You must know that there''s no way you can get in there unscathed. Have you even though about what you''re going to do if and when you get inside?" he argued, placing his attention on me and the approaching demons, incinerating them.


    "I have thought it through. There might still be a chance to drive them out from the inside."


    "And what makes you think that these men can still manage to compose themselves after this massacre?"


    "Because I know you''re capable of doing that," I said confidently.


    "Fine, if you don''t make it out, then don''t blame it on me," he said, preparing to cast a powerful spell, one which took up his time to cast. The demons them took notice of him amidst the light, charging him on his sides.


    I covered the right, but he was open the left. His face didn''t waver for some reason, but that was because Alexandre was there to stop their advance, cutting them down like they were nothing. I finished mine with a bit of difficulty, narrowly wounding me.


    He then released it towards the hordes of demons parading towards the gates, blasting a hole in their dense numbers. Many became disoriented at the sudden blast, giving me the chance I needed to pass them.


    "Go! We''ll try to whittle down their numbers here and make it to you. Try and hold out for as long as you can!"


    I nodded and started to run for the gates, ignoring the crowd nearly surrounding me with their yellow glowing eyes of terror.


    The carnage inside was worse than what was happening outside. Many tried outrunning their pursuers, but the demon''s agile legs allowed them to feast.


    Houses were either burnt or destroyed, leaving a mess on the streets, littered by bodies of both humans and demons. Many wearing armor could be seen engaging in a fight with dozens, outnumbering them two to one.


    Every turn of a street or district, more and more of them appeared, often forcing me to fight them all before I could continue. There were less and less soldiers the further into the town I got.


    As I ran, I encountered a fleeing woman clutching a crying infant dressed in a sheet in her arms. She tried to outrun the hungry looking demon with two horns on its head and sharp fangs and claws as its weapons, but her long skirt made it impossible for her to outrun it.


    I dashed, filled with a certain amount of adrenaline that gave me a boost in speed. My movements felt frantic and unfocused, but one thing was clear, I was going to defeat this demon.


    It pounced on her, but just in time, I was able to swat it away with my blade. The demon seemed to know how to back away as it started staring at me intently, as if waiting for its golden opportunity to pounce once more.


    The demon almost clawed at my eyes, but I managed to use my positioning to my advantage. I swung and missed several times, but finally I got the better of it as the demon retreated and didn''t notice a wall being there to stop him. I drove my sword into the beast, pulling it back with a slicing motion, making sure that it would stay down.


    Several men appeared from the shadows, carrying worn weapons and arms, covered in blood. "What are you doing here, kid?! It''s too dangerous! We have to get you out of here, come on!" he urged, pulling my arm.


    I yanked myself from his grip, trying to get their attention. "Don''t worry about me, worry about getting her out of here first! I''m used to this, so I can hold my own."


    "Stop playing around! This is no time to be playing hero. It''s too dangerous to be here since there''s a strong demon on the loose at the center of the town! Now come with me!" he tried once more, but once more did I resist.


    It was then that a few demons emerged from the corners of the streets, attracted to the sound of our voices. The men formed a shield around the woman carrying an infant, pointing their weapons at the demons who grinned hungrily at them.


    One found its way to me, but its confidence led to it having more than one opening which I exploited to my advantage.


    I dashed, raising my sword for an overhead slash, but it took a leap back just like I anticipated. And with another step forward, I drew my sword upwards at the horrid looking demon, cutting its torso vertically. With a last precaution, I drove my sword into its heart, sealing its fate permanently.


    I then went in and defeated the demons that were preoccupied with the soldiers, making it easy for me to cut them down without casualties.


    The soldiers then looked at me in amazement, but stood there silent. "I''ll try and find more survivors. Let her get out of here while the way is cleared. But tell me, just what took this town over?" I asked.


    The man shook his head sideways, answering me after he ordered the woman, who looked at me and said the words ''thank you'' with her lips, to be escorted by his men away from the burning ruins of the town. "I don''t know why you''re trying to save lives instead of saving yourself, but I commend you. We don''t know what exactly the demon is, but it''s strong enough to burn everything when it crashed right in the middle of town. It''s too dangerous to come close to it, but we were able to wound it even for a bit."


    "Then that means we have a chance to finish it and break the chain of command!"


    "No. We had a chance. Now everyone''s either burnt, dead, or trying to escape, so we don''t have anyone that can help us. There''s so many casualties that I''m amazed that we managed to escort some of the townspeople out of here. The best thing we can do now is retreat and wait for the army to arrive."


    "I''ll keep looking around. I''m sure that there might still be some left here, and I''m going to find them."


    "Whatever you say, kid. It''s your funeral. Don''t say I didn''t warn you... But good luck," he said, running in the same direction as the other soldiers.


    No matter where I searched, none could be found anymore. Instead I would find bodies bathed with fresh blood, and much to my disappointment I knew that I didn''t make it in time.


    But there was still something for me to do. A task of mine which has been etched into my mind. To purge every demon in existence for the sake of humanity. With that in mind, I made my way through to the so-called center of the town, trying to avoid as much confrontation as much as possible with any demon that I might come across.If you find this story on Amazon, be aware that it has been stolen. Please report the infringement.


    A thought lingered in me about the demon that I was recklessly trying to defeat. It was said to have the power to submerge this town into a chaos of flames. All around me flames cackled and seared into a pillar of smoke to the sky. It crashed into the center of town, creating terror among all around it. Just how strong would it be then?


    I would know myself as I arrived to the very center of it all, a place where a burning crater of rubble and stone was embedded on the ground. No life could be seen wandering the area, but in the middle was a tall, muscular being with long, curly silver hair, wearing what looked to be a loose, frilled blouse fit for a jester, and dark leggings where a minimal amount of armor could be seen protecting the lower part of his body.


    Its eyes opened abruptly, as if disturbed from its slumber, revealing a gold colored, greedy gaze, one that seemed to make fun of the ordeal happening around him. He produced a wide, malicious grin coupled with a sprightly laugh. He was spry in his movements, emphasizing his length and slim build.


    "Well, well, well. What do we have here?" he said, glancing at me from his side, his eyes glowing through the impending darkness that is the night. "I didn''t think anyone survived my initial arrival, or maybe... you came from the outside," his smile became wider.


    "I wonder what amount of courage brought you here. It truly is amazing that someone still had the audacity to come and challenge me. No, no. Don''t think of it as a bad thing. I actually wanted something to alleviate my boredom. I hope that''s what you came here to do. After all, now that you''re here, it''s either you win, or I win, or you entertain me enough that I spare you."


    "So you''re the demon that set fire to the town and commanded the demons to kill the innocents?"


    "Set fire to the town, yes. Kill the innocents? What innocents. As far as I can see, there are no innocents in this town. No are there in this world. Everyone is born with a sin that made them impure. They all eventually follow the same path into carnage, terror, then death. It''s nothing new to me. I''d say what I did was very lawful."


    "I can''t let you keep doing this. I will put a stop to you and this massacre!" I announced, holding my sword tightly with an iron grip.


    He began to smirk, then laugh uncontrollably. "I can''t believe what I''m seeing. Maybe it''s because I''m not use to it. I don''t mind of course, but it truly gets to me how pathetic you humans are thinking that you''re superior to us demons in the first place, even having the guts to challenge me alone! No matter! Let us play! I''ve longed for someone to satisfy me!" he said, narrowing his eyes at me, as if he could see and feel my muscles quivering with an ounce of fear. "Don''t worry, I''ll... try, and go easy on you."


    I was unsure whether this was right to do alone.


    "Reeady or not!" he said in a playful manner, disappearing from my sights with a snap of a finger.


    I looked around me, unable to find him until I could see the reflection of a purple flickering light from above me. A massive ball made of a purple fire was being channeled, and the jester in charge of it stood sideways, as if that was how gravity should be.


    I ran and started finding something for cover before his attack could land. It felt dangerous and ominous for some reason. Like if I were to stop, it would turn out to be a fatal end for me.


    But nothing, there was nothing to hide in. Before I could think of turning, I was blasted forward by the explosion from behind me, knocking me down to the ground, face down.


    I stood up without delay, and he already had another ready to be cast. This time he released a flurry of what seemed to be cards, cascading towards me, making it hard to discern where they would come from.


    I miserably tried slicing them with my blade, but its speed far outmatched mine. As a result, I felt a punishing lash of pain as the seemingly non-lethal cards wounded me on my legs and arms. the sensation felt similar to that of a blade.


    This time he reappeared suddenly in front of me, still smiling, but holding his finger out at me. Instantaneously with a flash, I was knocked back to a far away wall of a ruined house. The air left my lungs, and the impact left me immobilized for the longest time.


    "I expected nothing much from you, but it is exciting to play with you. Some don''t even try to escape and end up being fodder. Now then, struggle and show me more and more excitement!" he basked in his own egotistical glory by extending his hands outwards, launching a flare from his fingers that split into numerous similar looking flares, all heading towards me.


    Gripped by the fear of death, I scrambled to my legs, running as far away as I could from it, and towards the jester, holding my blade.


    Managing to close to the distance between us, I sliced down, only to meet the air. His presence once again disappeared.


    My neck was then strangled from behind, and I was taken up a few feet from the ground. The pressure was enough to break my neck with a bit more, but he held back, clearly amused, but not enough to stop him from yawning. "Is this really it? I admire that, you know? I never thought that you would plan to attack me again. This just keeps getting better and better! Too bad that you still have your bravery with you, otherwise I would''ve used your body as my own!"


    "I don''t think I got the chance to introduce myself. No matter how short our time may be here, I think it''s important to know the one that took your life. You may call me Ka-Jhinn, a commander of the demon army, a lower Quas commander. Now, what might be your name -"


    But just then, a silhouette emerged from the street and into the center where our battle was being held. I child appeared, weeping loudly with his fists covering his eyes. His clothes were in tatters, but it seems like he doesn''t know where he was going.


    "... Annoyance. You dare interrupt me, insect?" he said, having a drastic change in tone. He pointed his finger at the child with a deadpan face, firing a small flare.


    Struggling to free myself from his grip, he tightened his further, preventing me from doing anything other than to stare at the impending death of an innocent.


    However, before I could wallow in despair of my own failure, the child wasn''t there any longer, nor was there any trace of blood from him.


    A glint came from his armor. He kept the child safe behind him as his shield stood strong.


    "And who is this, I wonder?" he pointed at Alexandre.


    Without replying, he charged at him with an amazing speed, not at all encumbered by the weight of her armor.


    I took this chance to twist my body and kick him on his side, forcing him to let go of me as I dropped to the ground near where my sword was.


    As Alexandre came close for a cleave, the demon disappeared, reappearing behind him. But it seemed that Alexandre was one step ahead since he spun with his sword, forcing him to use his arm to defend himself.


    His face of ecstasy and malice disappeared completely as he faced Alexandre, whose sword managed to wound the demon''s arm.


    I followed through with Alexandre, thrusting at the demon to his side, wounding him. The two of us moved around Ka-Jhinn, avoiding the powerful spells that he would throw, all the while trying to force him down.


    The ordeal was tough as he had the high ground most of the time, but Alexandre compensated for that, catching the demon off guard every time he got the chance. Soon, the demon bled, his smirk wiped off his face. But the same could be said for us, but much worse. Alexandre''s armor seemed to crack, and his shield was as well. Wounds covered most of my body due to flying rubble and constantly being unable to repel his powerful spells.


    "This resilience is a thorn my side. You inferior being should simply lay down and die!"


    "And let you trample us? Never!" I said, rushing him. He disappeared once more, reappearing behind me where Alexandre anticipated it to appear. I spun my body to slash with a twist, but Ka-Jhinn roared out, creating a powerful blast of wind that knocked us away from him, slamming us to the walls of the nearby ruined houses.


    "Ah! annoying human! Silence!" he said, creating a sizable ball of fire from his hand, pointing it towards the still crying child, whom fell to the ground.


    As he released it, Alexandre rushed to the child, using his shield and body to defend against it. An explosion created a cloud of smoke, showing Alexandre with his back turned, armored cracked and broken, revealing his bare back.


    "Persistent, aren''t you? You''ll thank me for this. I will end your misery now so that you won''t have to cope with the pain," Ka-Jhinn prepared another ball of flame. This time, I moved myself towards him nd stood before Alexandre, who shuddered and quivered.


    "T-take the child and get out pf here while you still can. There''s no way that we can win this. I''ll try to hold him here for as long as I can," he said weakly, resisting the pain that came from the blast.


    "You know that I won''t do that. I''ll stay true to my words. You''ll live, I''ll make sure of that," I said. "Now, stay here. I''ll prove to you that my words aren''t hollow. There''s no way that I can say those things and end up losing. If I can''t protect a friend, then what use am I trying to protect someone else?" I said, taking a deep breath.


    I took Alexandre''s shield and prepared to meet the fire ball head on, which he released, instantly colliding with me. The shield was partly shattered, and I was again sent back, this time with an even stronger amount of force behind it, almost enough to make me unconscious.


    I shook my head as everything around me appeared to be blurry. looking around, is was unable to find him. There was no trace of his presence.


    "Are you alright, Alexandre?" I asked, turning around to see him still crouched, but still. The child crept away from his grasp and came towards me, hiding behind my leg for some reason. He looked terrified.


    Then he started to move slowly, like a marionette. "Yes, I''m fine," he said, this time, his voice sounded different, much higher.


    He reached for his blade and quickly slashed at me.


    I was unable to completely stop it, but I was able to parry it enough for no one to get hurt.


    I took the child in my arm and retreated a safe distance away. "What are you doing? What''s gotten into you?" I asked.


    "Whatever do you mean by that?" he removed his helmet, revealing an oddly seductive but dangerous smile, short hair flowing down her shoulders. "It seemed that my hand slipped. But no matter. This body is enough to compensate for that. Her body is very agile and fit for fighting."


    He rushed me, forcing me to fully commit to defending. "Why are you doing this?" I said, focusing on defending and finding out the reason for this.


    "You don''t recognize me, huh? Maybe this will refresh your memory," he broke through my defense and placed his palm on my chest, blasting my away with a powerful burst of wind.


    Scrambling back to my feet, it started coming to me. But I didn''t want to believe it.


    "You seem to have the gist of it. Very well, I shall tell you. I have possessed her body when she became weak-hearted and foolish enough to defend this insect of a puny human. Soon she will become a revenant fit for my bidding. That is what she gets for succumbing to weakness," he smiled wide, lashing at me with a furious tenacity, making sparks with every clash.


    She pushed me back with every slash and strike, and it seems that his fighting ability had just been amplified. Every move I took had to be though out, otherwise I would be caught in a terrible position. Not only did he have the skill to kill me with little effort, but he also had the ability to cast spells.


    "What''s wrong? Can''t hurt your ally? Oh, how I pity the emotions of you humans. It has made you all weak. If you keep holding back, then you will die, and you inevitably will."


    He disappeared, then fired a ball of fire from behind me, forcing me down to the ground. He then reappeared in front of me, holding his sword near my throat. "I have no more time to play with you. I have more things to deal with. Soon this entire land will belong to us demons. Die knowing that you have been graced a swift death by me, Ka-Jhinn of the demons," he raised his weapon, then just before he could plunge it deep into me, he was sent flying far from me with a bolt of lightning, one filled with a terrifying boom.


    "I have heard everything. How disappointing to see you succumb to such a thing? I thought your resolve was stronger than this. Are you alright, Zachary?" said Gino, holding his hand out to Alexandre, prepared to fire another bolt without hesitation.


    "Forgive me for getting here late. It seems that something terrible has happened. Most of the demons have already been taken care of, now this one is the only threat it seems, but it looks like he has possessed our companion."


    I rose to my feet and stood beside Gino.


    "Companion? It doesn''t look like you have any regard for your friend''s health," the demon said, smiling, but irritated.


    But Gino ignored what the demon had said and spoke with Alexandre in mind.


    "I don''t want to hurt you, but I see no other way! If it all has to come to this, then I shall have no other choice. It is either you free yourself, or you succumb and allow me to finish you!" Gino beckoned, his hands crackling with a surge of lightning, ready to burst at his behest. Though he produced a staggering amount of power, there''s no doubt that he is at his limit. Wounds covered his body, and his beautiful robe was tattered. He had his fair share of defeating demons along the way.


    A blade is unsheathed with his reflection on it. An insane thirst for blood filled the air, suffocating all that were close enough to feel it.


    "Gino, don''t do it. I''ll try and stop him... or her however I can. I don''t understand what''s happening, but this doesn''t need to end like this. Once I do succeed, try and do something to get her back," I said, raising myself using my sword. My breathing was ragged, and my body felt a searing amount of pain all around, but it was not enough to make me give in.


    "And if you don''t?"


    "I promise, I won''t fail. I''ll manage somehow. I just can''t leave her like this."


    "Saving those that you barely know? Gallantry and irrational thinking goes both ways. You don''t need to do this for us. You can leave this to me and go. This isn''t your problem anymore, it''s mine, and our peoples¡¯. I shall take full responsibility for what happens afterwards. Death matters little when it comes to the lives of many. That is what we have sworn."


    "With me here, I''m afraid that it''s not up to you. Both of you matter to me. You''ve traveled with me, even if it hasn''t been that long. I will protect you with every fiber of my being. You probably don''t see a lot of worth in me, but that won''t stop me," I smiled wryly, laughing at the almost impossible challenge ahead of me. It seems that I''m already walking towards my death, but It doesn''t matter if I can''t save anyone.


    Before I could start, more demons started pouring from the streets towards us.


    "Well, I have another task then. I shall leave our companion''s safety to you," he turned and began to face the demons with his power, leaving me to myself.


    I walked towards her slowly, staring right back at her intimidating and menacing gaze, trying not to be unnerved by it. Her skill, it''s impeccable for sure. Different from Sir Hark''s, but definitely not to be overshadowed by his. But her strength seems to have been enhanced, far surpassing me.


    I need you, more than ever. I don''t care whether I''m found out or not. I need your power to save someone close and dear to me. By my pledge and words, I demand that you give me that power, even just a bit.


    I heaved a breath of the thick, damp air, feeling a faint burning sensation on the back of my hand It was a faint glow, but a glow nonetheless. I could feel its power flowing through me like a river.


    "So, are you prepared to finally lose your life? This has gone on long enough. Nothing you can do will defeat me," the demon boasted.


    "I will banish you from this body you have taken advantage of. I swear on this mark that you will be erased from this plane for all eternity! Fear it, etch it into your mind."


    I have some sort of control over it, but not enough that I would be content with. I will have to make do with this, then.


    "What is this feeling?" he murmured with a face full of suspicion and fear. "What mark are you talking about? You?! Defeating me?! Foolish! I will show you!" he fired an immense ball of fire towards me, scorching the ground as it closed in.


    With an agile step, I evaded it and continued to move around as the demon began barraging me with a series of arrows made of fire. My light body could no doubt evade it, but I have to finish this as fast as I can. There''s no telling how long this power of mine can hold.


    I leapt, descending right in front of him, close enough to deliver a swift strike at the sword he was holding to disarm him.


    I was successful, but he teleported before I could begin purging the demon from within.


    My senses were amplified, and I was able to spot him in the sky, not far from where I was.


    He fired a powerful barrage of spells, arrayed with different kinds of variations, all lethal as it came crashing down and shattering the ground like a wave.


    I was able to move back and jump high enough to catch him off guard. Unable to notice my presence from the smoke that had built up due to his own spells, I placed my hand on his chest and the mark began burning brighter.


    "I decree that you, demon, are to be banished from this world. I carry the authority of the creator, the highest being that no one can defy. Feel the strength and power of the last of the forgotten race! Heavenward Javelin!" I cried out strongly, and we were enveloped in a sphere of light.


    A pillar of light struck Alexandre''s body from above, a pillar tall enough that it pierced the heavens and went beyond. A dark could of smoke could be seen exiting from her mouth, and soon, they parted, and so did the pillar, which faded into the dark.


    "You! No! I know that mark! No demon is foolish enough to forget! But how?! Why is it here? You and your race should have been extinct!" the demon desperately yelled out for an answer. "The bane of the demon race, the mark of the herald! How terrifying it is. I could feel my life force being burned away merely by staring at it. You deserve to be the enemy of the demons; you slave of the creator!"


    "As long as you continue wreaking havoc and terror in this land, I will be there to cleanse you."


    "Hahahaha! You fool! You, the eternal enemy of the demon race have shown yourself to the world with your damned light! You are not safe any longer! The demon king will search for you, leaving no stone unturned. He will take all whom you deem precious away from you, and watch as you wallow in eternal suffering! My death will signal the beginning of a war, a war waged against you and you alone, and the demons of the world!" he laughed maniacally as his original body began to take form once again, fully fading into the light.


    "I won''t let that happen! I will defeat the demon king before that will happen, do you hear me?!"


    "Hahaha! There is no saving you or anyone around you! You will die at the hands of the demon king. I will be content watching you die from the afterlife!" he and his voice disappeared with a fading echo.


    I caught Alexandre before she could fall to the ground, feeling the weight of her armor and body once the power of the mark disappeared.


    It became calm all of a sudden. A much-appreciated tranquil silence filled the area around us. Her eyes seemed to twitch, then open, directly looking at me right away.


    "The light, did that come from you?" she asked weakly.


    "... It did."


    "It was... warm, and beautiful. I felt at ease for some reason. It was comforting, reminding me of something of my past. What are you exactly?"


    "I- No, rest. We''ll talk about that soon. But for now, you need to rest. I have a lot to ask as well, but It isn''t the best time right now. I''ll hand you over to Gino, but I have to go. It''s not safe with me anymore."


    "Wait, I don''t understand what you''re saying, but let me say this first before I fall asleep," she looked at me a bit sternly, but he was indeed a she. There''s no doubting that now that I have taken a better look at her face. However, her face seems oddly familiar, like I''ve seen her somewhere.


    "Go on."


    "I heard everything. I wasn''t angry or upset with you. I wanted you to think about what you said clearly. I have heard so many say those things only to for it to bit them in the end. However, you still showed me that resolve. I-I concede. I believe that you can do it if you set your eyes on it."


    "Thank you. I''m glad that you believe me. But now, it''s time for us to part ways. I made a promise to never reveal this, but now that I had, there''s no turning back. I''ll be hunted, and so will those close to me. I don''t want that. You''ve already been through so much today, seeing you and Gino being threatened like that pains me."


    "I just started to understand you, even if by a little."


    "And so have I"


    "But there is no need for you to go. Why is it that you have to shoulder the burden by yourself?"


    "So that no one else has to. I''m scared and terrified of being alone, but if it''s the path that I have to walk in order to keep everyone safe, then so be it. I only ask that you and Gino keep this a secret from everyone else that you might meet. I''ll reveal it all in time."


    "No, listen to me, Zachary. You are not going anywhere. There is no need for you to go. Whatever may come, we will handle. And... I-I ah, need you for something," she said, avoiding my gaze, looking unsure.


    "What for?"


    "I-I don''t know if you''re really, that, but if you are, then that means... I have to -"


    "Have to?"


    "I think it''s best if you rest, my dear. I wouldn''t want you to leave as well, Zachary. I don''t care either way whether you were the one that had done that, though you seem to be someone of great importance... no, that would be an understatement. But, you know that there''s no need to do that alone," Gino intervened. "We are your friends, aren''t we?"


    "But it''s dangerous -"


    "I think we''re more than capable of handling ourselves. With or without that power of yours, I''d say we are almost capable of defeating masses of those curs, maybe. So, sit and stay. We should move some place far before resting."


    "... Thank you, Gino, Alexandre. I''ll try my best in keeping you both safe."


    I wanted to leave now, but the way they looked at me, brimming with confidence, simply made me cave in. I hadn''t had the heart to reject them since what they said is the truth. They are more than capable of handling themselves, and they are my friends.


    "Don''t think too much about it. It''s natural after all. Your secret is safe with us, isn''t that right, Alexandria?" he gave a wink at Alexandre, whose eyes widened. It seems that there are more things that I have to learn about them than I thought.

 Chapter 12: A brief reprieve

    He stood on the balcony of his grand castle overlooking his authority over the realm. It was a magnificent sight. His subjects enamored him with praise and their devotion as they passed by to catch a glance. It was all perfect, not until he saw yet another light in the far distance that he loathed. A pillar, like a spear the came from the heavens, descending to the earth to punish those deemed damnable by the right hand of the creator.


    His adamant demeanor shifted as he felt the passing of his subjects. His own magnificence was being challenged, and he fully knew that a great threat was upon him, if he were to do nothing about it there would be an uproar.


    He proceeded into a room further in his castle, wide hall with a round table and eerie designs of a fancy, decrepit castle. Gold chandeliers hung fromthe ceilings, tattered banners decorated the walls, and stain glass windows gave off an aura of grandeur from the days of the past.


    There were two beings seated on the table, a few chairs apart from each other. One was a beautiful, slender and well-endowed woman who possessed what seemed to be eternal youth. She wore an elegant white dress that showed a bit of her long, smooth leg. Her long faded silver hair went along until her back; her seductiveness and elegance showed with her posture and sharp eyes. She licked her lips as the great being they served entered the hall.


    "My lord, I thank you for gracing me with your presence. I would have loved it even more if we were alone, but certain matters needed discretion," she glanced and smiled deviously at the person beside her." Elizabeth Kalice, upper Ivaas general. I have returned from my duties. The situation in the north has been stabilized. They are sure to be silenced until we come to conquer them."


    The other was a tall, pale man with his eyes closed. He wore a formal uniform that could be attributed to a distinguished general. He was silent, but handsome in his own right. Short, smooth dark hair that covered a part of his left eye. Wearing a clean, white glove, he clasped his hands together, setting them down as he noticed his presence in the room.


    "My lord," he stood up and bowed curtly. "Arthur Gauld, lower Razhuen general, here to heed your words."


    "I see no need for me to address the problem seeing as how you two are here. What do you make of that light?" he asked with his smooth, dark voice that echoed through the room, making the two of them shudder.


    "It could only mean one thing, and one thing alone. There is no mistaking it. That bright light could have only been created by the Thaliseans. It feels oddly similar to the one a few days from before. Many of our people have seen it and are clearly terrified by it. They choose not to speak, but it is apparent that they want to hear your thoughts on the matter," said Arthur with a formal tone.


    "I don''t like jumping into conclusions, but mister upper echelon here is the better of us when it comes to discerning auras and energies. I think that the Thaliseans are the cause of this as well, not unless the humans have made a spell to produce a bright light like that in hopes of luring us. What would you have us do, my lord?" Elizabeth asked.


    He proceeded and sat on his throne, thinking of his next move. This was no doubt something that he should not undermine.


    "Elizabeth. I want you to send someone to scour and scout the area of the first phenomena. Begin your search around it. If you do not find anything, then report to me, and I shall give you another task."


    "I shall not fail you, my lord. I shall send someone competent under my command," she bowed with a smile that hid something behind it.


    "I repeat. You will send someone, other than you, to scour and scout the area. You are not permitted to attacking it yet. We cannot be complacent with our people. Sending them to a needless fight will cost us dearly with our battles against the other human kingdoms... I shall decide what comes next for you when it is done."


    "Oh, my lord. You truly know me. I knew that you would see through me at once. I understand. I shall obey you with all my heart," she spoke contently.


    "Arthur. You are to prepare for an attack that will come at a later date. Muster a force fit for an invasion. We shall force the lords and king of Ylithia to their knees, and cripple them. I shall specify soon. But for now, you are to prepare. Our first and most important task is to locate the Thalisean and kill it. We know not of its location, or whether it does exist or not, but if it does, then it is a threat to us all. I will declare an open war against it."


    "By your will, my lord, I shall succeed no matter what may come."


    "Good. I will address this matter with the multitudes later."


    They cleared and emptied the hall, leaving him to himself.


    "The creator, is it?" he murmured to himself as he paced back and forth, unable to settle down. "Do you still dare oppose me, I who obtained the greatest power to dethrone you? I have sacrificed many for my own gain, deceived and killed many, but you still dare to defeat me. You are dying knowing the fact that there is nothing you can do to defeat me. I shall show you, by nailing the final nail in your coffin, I shall eradicate your own remaining sons and daughters that still roam this world, your own puppets hanging by a string. I shall inherit and reign over everything that you have created. After all, ... I am your son."


    He moved with grandeur, emphasizing every step with a certain aristocracy and a bit of finesse befitting someone of his great status.


    With a snap of a finger, one which echoed through the gloomy and languid halls, a servant wearing a dark suit came in silence, bowing his head. He had a clear aura of fear masked by humility as to not get reprimanded, or worse, eliminated.


    "Call the people to order. I shall address their woes this afternoon after the sun is a quarter full in the sky," he spoke without needing to make contact with his servant.


    Then he was alone, left to his own thoughts, those which complicated matters for him as well.


    "So, you''re telling me that you were a woman all along? I see. It didn''t really occur to me, but I did see some odd things about you. Like the way you walk sometimes, and the times that you made a sound different from what you looked like. But I never would have thought about it, I guess."


    "Indeed. There is a reason that I have kept this disguise. One I am able to reveal is that I am being pursued my cutthroats and mercenaries paid by a certain someone that wants me dead. So far Gino and I have been able to elude them."


    "But you seem so familiar. It''s on the tip of my tongue, but I can''t say just what it is. I''ve seen you before, I swear I have," I said, drawing my face closer to hers so that I could remember who I''ve seen that resembles her.


    She had a lovely face mixed in with her slightly aggressive and sharp blue eyes, and short blonde hair until her shoulders. It was a charm that I found rather unique, oddly enough. However much it betrayed the brave face she tried again and again to show, she always had with her that female charm that I seem to notice from her.If you discover this tale on Amazon, be aware that it has been stolen. Please report the violation.


    "You''re too close," she said, pushing my face away.


    "Your face... I think I recognize it now," I said, my face feeling hotter than usual. My heart began beating terribly fast since what I saw back there was something else. They both have the same face, and the sharp glare, and the aggressive voice.


    "So, do you have any idea as to who you might think resembles me?"


    "I do. I think it was back when we stopped at the village. I went to a clearing in the forest where I saw her bathing in the river..." damn, I ran my mouth.


    Just then, as I expected, her eyes became wide for some and she went beet red. She grit her teeth and clenched her fists, her glare was twice as stronger than before, and it was pointed right at me. She slipped her sword from her scabbard.


    "Uh, I don''t think I understand, but why do I feel a dangerous murderous intent from you?" I asked as I backed away.


    "That... was you?" she said silently.


    "Hmm, this''ll be interesting," said Gino, reclining from his spot under the shade, closing his eyes.


    "What do you mean?"


    "You were the one from the forest?!" she fumed, nearly stabbing me with her sword as I narrowly avoided it by shifting my head to the side. I was pinned down and under her mercy. "I-I can''t believe you! Unforgivable! To think that I was about to trust you! What have you to say before I make you pay for your transgressions?" she eyed me with a fierce dead expression, not playing around.


    "I, ah, uhm, you looked very beautiful! I mean it!" an advice that I was given by my father was that if I ever found myself in an unwanted situation concerning a woman, simply compliment her and everything might just turn out alright. That''s what I believed, but I could not know for sure since I had no one to use it on. "In truth, I was so captivated when I saw you that I couldn''t move. I really am sorry about that. I didn''t know it was you, but it wasn''t my intention to do that."


    She withdrew and sheathed her weapon, stood, and turned away from me. "Empty flattery once again," she murmured.


    "How skillful. To have disarmed her like that. It''s unlike anything I''ve ever seen. I too thought that you were finished," Gino said jokingly.


    So, will you explain to us clearly what you are? I already have an idea, but I want to hear the answer from you."


    "I guess there''s no use hiding it... I am a Thalisean, or that''s what I''ve been told anyway. I don''t really understand how being one works, and I don''t really have full control of what I can do. Sometimes it just happens suddenly."


    "Interesting," he said with a narrow, serious gaze. "How did a race, that went extinct years ago, exist now?"


    "I don''t know myself. I only knew vaguely about my origins, and it came from my father. I mean, I want to know, but in don''t think I can anymore."


    "Thinking about this rationally, I might just need to betray my promise to you and tell everyone in the world that you exist, just so humanity can stand a chance," he said bluntly.


    My eyes widened in surprise. Who knows what might happen if something like that were to happen. Just like with what Sir Hark had already told me, there are a lot of bad things that can happen.


    "But I won''t," he continued. "I don''t think the rest of the world will see this like I do, but a promise is a promise. You told me yourself that you will reveal it in due time. I will simply have to trust your judgement."


    "Thank you, Gino, Alexandre. I won''t run from my duty, I''ve decided that so many times, said that ov r and over till I was sick of it. But... I still have a long way to go. There''s just no other way to say it."


    "And that''s why we''re here," he followed. "Isn''t that right, Alexandre~?"


    "Now that you say that, I wonder, what is your real name?" I asked, sure in my thoughts that if she wanted to elude the sights of people, she would use another name, an alias. I thought that it was too good to be true for something like that to happen, but she surprised me with her next words.


    She sat silently then whispered, "Daphne Everic Luvierre. Daphne is fine," her serene voice trailed with a certain loneliness in its tone. It got me to thinking that I should have instead lied than told the truth. But the thought of lying to someone close to you only painsme mentally.


    "Nice to finally meet you. I think that we should do introductions again just to make this official," I said, trying to lighten the mood. It had an elegant ring to it, no doubt. And it almost sounds like she''s from an affluent, high-class families that Sir Hark had told me about. But from what I''ve read from the books, there hasn''t been one that has a tempered personality, or a slight lack of elegance. Oddly enough, she felt fine the way she was.


    "Don''t think I''ll forget your felony that easily. No compliment can make up for that," she said, pouting. "My purity has been defiled by you. How am I going to live with this?" she asked herself the same question I asked myself. How would we look each other in the eye knowing that I''ve seen her bare skin?


    "But you were the one bathing out in the open," Gino murmured to himself, only enough for him to hear, or me by accident. But it didn''t seem to reach her ears as her full attention was pointed at me. She didn''t seethe that much with rage, but more of a tantrum.


    "Ah--is that so? Well, I guess if it makes up for what I did then I will take responsibility however I can. I mean it."


    "Just owe me a favor, and that''ll be the end of it," she says. "I don''t want you to take responsibility. Just owe me something, and I''ll be fine with that."


    "Alright. Then I''ll owe you," and we worked on a compromise.


    "By the way, I wanted to ask something that caught my attention," said Gino.


    "I''ve read about the mark of the herald, the name given to the glowing symbol of a Thalisean. It has been studied and stated that the mark is at the mercy of its user, yet it seems that you didn''t use it till the end. May I ask why?" he demanded grimly.


    I took a glance at the mark, or where it''s supposed to show. This is just one of the biggest mysteries I have. This symbol that''s supposedly that very thing that can beat the demons.


    "Truthfully, I don''t know a lot about this mark. I only recently knew that It could help me a lot against demons, but I just can''t seem to use it when I want to. It''s like it has a mind of its own, appearing when everything''s stacked against me."


    "How odd. It shouldn''t be like that. Well, we humans only have a vague understanding of it, so I don''t think I can be of much help to you. Magic has nothing to do with it, rather it transcends magic. If you want to grow, you will need to know how to effectively use this power of yours. It''ll mean life or death when the time comes. Study it, when you have the chance."


    "I will. Thank you," but where do I start exactly? Maybe I''ll ask Sir Hark for information on who might know something about the mark.


    The day went by fairly quickly, and we chose to rest by ourselves out in the wilderness, setting up a camp after we decided that we didn''t have much of an energy to continue after what just happened.


    It was difficult, a bit, seeing as her presence and her consciousness of it all were obvious to the both of us, and that there were no secrets, of my knowledge, that have been kept from one another.


    I would get a cold look, and a much harsher treatment when I would ask her to help me practice with my swordsmanship, she would often choose to deliberately ignore me, but her stuttering and stumbling nature when flustered only pulled me in closer, unknowingly. It has a worth to it, despite all those drawbacks. After having seen her up close, I could feel a slight flutter welling up in my stomach that I can''t seem to understand whenever I see her. I might be conscious of the fact that I find her charming to look at some occasions, but I can''t seem to trust myself on this, not that I would mind.


    "You¡¯re overextending your foot. Don''t let it stray too far from you when you''re on offense," she demonstrated a brilliant array of techniques using only the movement and positioning of her body, and her pivot. At every twist and turn she seemed even more elegant, as if it were a dance that she could perform splendidly.


    "How long have you been doing this?" I asked, laying down on the ground with an exhausted and depleted body.


    She came up to me, hair glistening along the setting sun, raising an eyebrow of mild disappointment. But she had a smile that immediately disappeared after I saw her glance at me. Maybe my mind''s playing with me again.


    "Years. I was taught by my father whenever he had the time. But that was a long time ago," she looked ahead of me, at the passing, quest sight filled with tranquility. Her expression looked lonely to me, and it was obvious that there was something that she was talking about that bothered her. Whether I had to audacity to ask her or not, I could ask. For now, I wanted to leave her to herself.


    Another morning came by and we were well on our way towards our main destination. Everything that happened so far felt like a blur. Our lives always on the line.


    "In a few more we''ll be at Exaltier in no time. It''s just a straight path ahead, then we''ll be able to see the city from a slope," Gino cried out.


    There was clear expanse of green as far as the eye could see. Mountains decorated the far horizon, covered in a white coat that piqued my interest. The road was clearly paved, but empty except for us.


    And soon enough, there it was. Exaltier. The capital of the kingdom of Ylithia


    It covered a large round area, walled off with stone. There was a feeling of grandeur that way it glistened under the sun. A large castle with four tall spires exceeding the castles on each corner, could be seen in the middle of it, overshadowing the surrounding buildings because of its immense height from afar. Around it are fields of wheat and older houses scattered near the area.


    There was nothing around it but the vast expanse of freedom from the wilderness.


    "Amazing... so this is what it looked like. It''s nothing that I could have ever imagined," I said to myself, gawking in disbelief and surprise at the prosperity I''ve beholden.

 Chapter 13: Happiness elsewhere

    People littered the streets in droves in the day, coming and going from every direction imaginable. It became hard to move at every turn as busy people chattered and mingled with each other, Merchants sold their wares with loud pitched voices of enthusiasm, music played from the many plazas that we passed by. The air was filled with a joyous atmosphere of people wearing casual to extravagant clothing.


    We continued through a narrow street where the number of people didn''t decline in the least, but it was enough for us to pass by. Oddly enough Gino navigated the busy streets skillfully as we followed him without saying a single word to ask him about it. After much turning and walking through the maze of a city street we stopped in front of a wooden door where a sign hung on a metal beam inscribed the word ''Inn'' on it.


    "This is where we''ll take refuge for the time being. I''d like to find out what''s going on around here before anything else. I didn''t anticipate a festival happening in the middle of the season, but I guess it should be natural when people are uneasy about something," Gino said before entering and pulling us in.


    It as a quiet inn where not a lot of people were present. The loud noise from outside didn''t disappear, only replaced by a low pitched muffled noise. A gloomy atmosphere surrounded the area, almost as if there was a certain hostility being barred at each other''s throats. But none of that could be seen.


    There were tables and chairs lined up in a grouped, circular manner. People silently took to themselves with suspicious and overprotective expressions, clearly not wanting to do anything with anyone else. The inside was a dark, damp room where light entered only through the windows. The entire thing looked to be built with dark, solid, sturdy wood, giving it an old fashioned, quiet look.


    "Well, this is where we''ll be staying, Zachary. I think you ought to find the place where you need to be to deliver that letter. It won''t be good to be tardy for something as important as that, don''t you think?"


    "Does that mean that this is where we part ways?" I inquired, feeling a genuine sadness in my heart. Thought it had been short, the time we spent together was something I had experienced for the first time.


    "Not exactly. You see, we know who you truly are. Our coming here doesn''t serve that much of a significance. But, I think we have a duty to the world to help you better yourself so that you can accomplish your daunting task of saving us all. That being said, we''d like to continue being companions if you don''t mind," he suspiciously glanced and grinned at Daphne, who then turned away from him with her arms crossed.


    "I don''t mind at all!" I said reluctantly, not finding in inch of hesitation within me. In fact, I was filled with happiness.


    "Good. Then why don''t you get that letter passed while ''Alexandre'' and I go somewhere. We''ll be back here by night. Have fun. Just looking at what''s happening around us, I don''t doubt there''d be a thing to make you bored."


    Gino and Daphne settled into their separate rooms, immediately heading out after they waved their brief farewells.


    I found myself wandering the streets alone, often bumping into people who didn''t realize that they had bumped me more often than I could count now. The incessant cheering was backed by a parade happening in an even wider street, accompanied by what seems to be an armed soldier''s parade. Flowers came raining down gently from the balconies of the high-story houses, giving life to an already magnificent sight. Smiles were on people''s faces as they looked on. They cheered and danced, and even paraded along with the event without a worry in the world.


    I tried to cut through the crowd in order to see more of the parade, but their defenses were stronger than I anticipated. I decided to give up and find another vantage point, seeing as most of the shops were closed, and that the wide arrays of bright colors drew me in the parade like a moth to a candle.


    Food stalls were lined up neatly, exhuming a delectable aroma that tingled my sense of smell and made my mouth water. I would often be assaulted with merchants forcibly trying to sell what they have with a sheepish grin on their faces, no doubt trying to swindle not only me but many others that they wish to prey on.


    I went back into a street and started down another path were people''s loud voices were more audible. Two burly men walking side by side guffawed saying, "Man, I can''t believe this. This champion''s festival is something else, isn''t it? I wonder who''ll take the honor of winning it." I stood by long enough to hear their conversation, curious to hear more of this event.


    "No doubt someone of an excellent caliber, no less. It can''t be anyone less than that. After all, to the victor comes the spoils. A high status among the greatest generals in the history of the kingdom, wealth, being the one appointed to be the royal banner lord of the king, and possibly, even taking the hand of the beautiful princess in marriage," he looked ecstatic, but immediately disappointed as if coming to a realization.


    "What are you talking about?! Are you crazy? No way the king''s going to give up his precious daughter. Though she is undeniably beautiful, possibly one of the most beautiful princesses in the world, he won''t let any suitor court her, and he''s been extra aggressive as of late when it came to some of the young noblemen''s sons and heirs."


    "Hey, you can''t argue with that possibility- " I cut him off and asked before the two could leave.


    "Excuse me, but could you tell me more about what you were just talking about? You see, I just came here with a few of my companions, and this is my first time here."


    "Ah, a newcomer, are we? The king suddenly held an event and a festival celebrating the kingdom''s founding. And at the same time a tournament for everyone who can prove their worth. The king then chooses the victor and makes him or her into a person of high status, maybe even a knight. It''s a big thing that everyone in Exaltier''s talking about! Every lord and noble in Ylithia had been called," he emphasized his words, exaggerating them a great deal, unknowingly showing his obvious enthusiasm of what''s happening around him.


    "Is that so? Has it started? The tournament I mean."


    "No, it hasn''t. The first round will start in a few hours, so not until a bit later. It''s held consecutively, so the fights are cut up. Say, why don''t you compete? You seem to be experienced. Why not take a shot at it?" he encouraged, following up with a venue. "Go the arena while you still have time. You can sign up there. You might have a chance at a fortune," he then departed with his friend, waving with a smile.


    I decided to heed the man''s words and go to the arena where the tournament was to be held. In honest truth, I want to win. I think I have more than enough experience with having fought demons and having trained with Daphne with swordplay. I see no need for the wealth as I can''t find anything useful to do with it, but if I would ever chance upon winning it, then so be it. The sun gleamed down on it, a magnificent and large stone built tournament hall maybe a dozen feet tall or more. Crowds would enter and exit through the many cramped passages, but the excitement was even stronger as I heard it coming from the inside.


    Thus, with the modicum of confidence I had mustered in my mind, I passed through a wide tunnel where some loitered and mingled. There were soldiers lined up along the way. And on one end was a soldier announcing something that I took a listen to.


    "All who''d like to have a chance on entering the tournament please come here! There are still a few spots open, but you need to sign up first!"


    I approached him, a youthful, energetic man a few years older than me. Sweat poured from his forehead, and parts of his armor had been taken off, obviously from the heat emanating from the passage.


    "I''d like to join," I said, taking his attention.


    "Ah, another strapping young lad whose heard rumors of being betrothed to the princess! You''ve come to the right place. But you''ll need to go through some evaluations to enter. But it''s nothing too difficult for someone entering the tournament that the king arranged."


    "What are those evaluations?"


    "Simple. You''ll be asked a few questions so that you can be registered, then you''ll need to fight with one of our men here so see if you''re up to the test. Now, let''s not delay, shall we?" he urged me through another passage, leading me to a desk manned by another soldier with a writing utensil and a piece of paper.


    "Name, please," he spoke simply, making sure not to avoid eye contact. He may not realize it, but his gaze and stare was powerful and intimidating, as if he were sizing up his next prey. But looking past that, he seems quite normal.


    "Zachary Erinn."


    "Age."


    "Seventeen years old."


    "Where were you born."


    "I guess, Ylithia. But I didn''t know it was called that. We lived in the woods, so there''s not much I know about the outside."


    "That''s odd. Why wouldn''t your parents have told you anything about that?"


    "They did, but I don''t know myself."


    "Well, I won''t pry into it. Have you ever done any mercenary work?"


    "I don''t think I have, so no. But I do serve someone from Lavis as an apprentice."


    "And that would be?"


    "Sir Hark."


    "I see. I know that I''m a simple soldier and should not be embroiled in such talk about nobles, but shouldn''t he be present for the conference in a few days?"


    "Bedridden. We attacked some demons holed up in Caspia and he ended up getting badly wounded. He sent me in his stead to report."


    "Well, as long as he has a representative, I suppose. Well sorry for keeping you here. Please follow him and he''ll lead you somewhere you can do your physical evaluation," he pointed to the youthful man who had just taken a sip of water, and had poured the rest of his face.


    Oh, and know that this tournament will no doubt shed blood, so as long as you know that there''s a possibility of a mortal injury, then you may still back out, or continue, it''s up to you."


    "Don''t worry. I''ve dealt with worse."


    I was lead to a surprisingly wide space underground. It was well lit up with torches. There were others in here, soldiers with what seemed to be competitors for the tournament. There were those who had well-toned muscles and intimidating auras, some who quietly kept to themselves, waiting for the tournament to begin, and some who loudly flaunted them being here, and how they''ll win the very tournament itself without much difficulty.


    But we continued until we turned a corner and reached a wide room fitted to be a training area. Dirt covered the ground, serving as a small training ground hidden under, and dummy targets were set up on the far end of the walls. It was bright enough to see my surroundings due to the torches and the light peering through from the open, barred ceiling. There was an occasional breeze that wound pass through faintly.


    There were a few guards and people who moved from here to there, minding their own business. It was wide enough to house some other people being evaluated, fighting people with wooden makeshift weapons.


    "Alright. Uhm, Carter. Could you come here for a bit. We''re a bit out of personnel. You''re pretty good when it comes to fighting, so could you take charge of this one while I check upstairs for more contestants?" he beckoned and spoke to an average looking man with a dull expression. He approached the energetic man without much interest, but listened as he would, glancing at me a few times.


    "Sure. I''ll do it," he replied simplistically.


    "Thanks! I''ll come back in a bit to see the results," and he left with gusto behind his step, disappearing on the corner.


    "Let''s begin right away," he said, taking off his armor and taking a wooden longsword from the nearby weapon rack.


    I chose a similar one and took a positon opposite of him, a few meters away.


    He started, sprinting at full speed with his weapon to his side. I met him halfway and positioned my weapon on my sides, preparing to parry his attack.


    Learning to read your opponents and their movements were just some of the few things I''ve been taught by Daphne, who excelled at swordplay against those that sought her life. It had been something of a routine then commonplace. She had fought with them more times than she could count, but that''s where she got her techniques and skills from.


    ''Listen. Humans and demons are two different things. They will both fight either differently or equally, but it doesn''t change the fact that both have weaknesses. For us, it''s possible to exploit it through many ways like emotion, stance, movement, and eyesight,'' she said, teaching me the finer points herself, earning me some few scars and wounds.


    With one strike, I have to finish this with one strike. That''s all that it''ll take. This tournament will test me and help me grow. Win or lose, I will go further into honing my skills. If I falter even for a moment, many lives will be lost, and me even having this power would be useless.


    I took a step and dug in, absorbing the attack as I held the part near the tip of the wooden sword with my free hand.


    Tightly gripping my sword with two hands, I cleaved downwards with a forward momentum, shifting my weight towards his weapon, forcing it to the ground. I then spun and evened out my leg''s positions, stopping the sword a few meters away from his neck.This text was taken from Royal Road. Help the author by reading the original version there.


    His eyes were wide open, reacting late to what had happened, not even realizing right away that his weapon was down on the ground.


    "Wha- unbelievable. Such speed," he said, holding his hands up, retreating. "You win, you''ll get in the tournament for sure. Though, there are a lot more who are faster and even more skillful, I''d say you have a chance making it to the semis."


    "Is there anything else I should know about the tournament?"


    "Nothing I can think of that stands out. It''ll be a competition where the best in Ylithia, maybe from other kingdoms, compete. So, no doubt there''ll be some strong fighters there that have years of experience. Well, you''re young, so it''ll be alright to lose."


    Just as he had finished speaking, the enthusiastic man returned huffing and puffing at his breathlessness. He looked considerably worn down, but his energy didn''t wane in the least. Maybe he was forcing it.


    "Already finished? That was fast. How did he do?" at the same time, he glanced around us and saw all kinds of stares towards me. He tried discerning the reason for that by glancing back and forth but couldn''t. A tense atmosphere and shifty murmuring was in the air almost as if I had painted myself as the villain in what is supposedly a great tournament. But saying that of myself was arrogant. He was too slow. There was nothing I could''ve done about that.


    "He passed with flying colors. He''s good to go in a bit."


    "Excellent. That means I can fit you in the brackets already. Do your best. You will probably have three matches in total if you win the first two of your battles. Then you''ll proceed to the next round till there are two left. Good luck! We''ll be starting after a few more preparations, so please stay here until your name is called."


    "Before that, I''d like to know if there is a man named Norman Neils here by any chance?"


    He pondered for a little while then lit up, realizing a name and a particular face associated with it.


    "Well, there''s only one Norman Neils that I know of. And he''s pretty well known too. He''s a knight and a general for the king''s army, leader of a small order as well."


    "That might be him. Do you know where I could find him before the tournament begins?"


    "What for?"


    "I''m here as a representative of Sir Hark of Lavis, and I was raised with giving him something."


    "Huh? Is that so? If it''s that important, then why didn''t you say so? Come, I''ll show you where you can find him. I bet that he''s with the other commanders and generals, near the king''s stall."


    He pointed me in the direction after leading me through the stairs of the hall, tightly reinforced by guards who said nothing and kept their eyes forward. Some would cough, but that was the only offense.


    It was then that I reached a sturdy looking double door where two guards holding spears blocked the way before I could come close to entering. The man I was with had already left due to some things he had to help out with, so I was left with my own devices.


    "I come here in place of Sir Hark of Lavis. Will you let me through to see Sir Norman Neils? I have something for him from the lord."


    "And what proof do you have? You could''ve said that you are the king''s son, and no one would be the wiser. Now, identification?"


    I reached for my neck and presented the heirloom I had kept precious and dear to me. Though I never understood what Sir Hark meant by it, it held a great importance by the look in their eyes. One of them knocked and went inside the room, then out once more, confirming with his eyes.


    "Where did you get that necklace from?" he asked suspiciously as another guard, one who wore an imposing looking armor, emerged, taking charge.


    "I didn''t take it from anywhere. It was given to me, by my father."


    "Hmm, that''s Sir Erinn''s medallion," he murmured, holding his chin. "No one soldier of the kingdom would not know who that belongs to. Whether you''re lying or not, the truth will come sooner or later. But you are granted admission into the royal halls. I will be watching you closely," he said escorting me inside with a strict distance.


    There, many old and middle aged men with and without beards sat in chairs, some looked at the events transpiring below while the others sat and drank to their hearts content. Most of them wore regal clothing, while others wore light armor.


    There were also women and young women mingling amongst themselves. But their eyes stopped and followed me. They murmured and giggled to themselves, not caring whether I could hear them or not. But I simply paid them no mind as I continued.


    The distinguished eyes of the men turned to me, and they became silent, aware of my presence.


    "Uhm, pardon me, Sir Normal Niels, if you will. This young man said that he has something that he needs to give you."


    A man sporting a long curly white hair and trimmed beard rose from his feet, both hands placed behind his back. He was one of the men wearing a light piece of armor, but one made of leather in his case. He was tall and slim, but fairly built, walking towards me with a rhythmic sound of his boot steps along the stone floor.


    "And who might you be, young man? I don''t recognize you from anywhere, but perhaps you can enlighten me. Please leave us be and return to your duties. I think I can take it from here," he shooed the guard away, who left immediately with a respectful bow, not relenting to his decision.


    He had a sharp, discerning aura that made it rather uncomfortable to look him straight in the eye. It was as if he peered into the very confines of my mind. But then his straight-laced expression worsened as his brow raised in suspicion.


    "Zachary Erinn. I am here in place of Sir Hark," suddenly, the men''s eyes narrowed to me, and it became apparent that they were interested. "I have a message from him that he told me to give to you. It is about his absence for the assembly. We recently attacked and drove away an army of demons from Caspia, and he was badly wounded. So, he won''t be able to make it."


    "I see. But I will put that aside for now. What you had said earlier piqued my interest more than Hark''s news. That old uptight relic is always doing reckless things on his own. Tell me, do you know a man by the name of Frederick Erinn?" he slowly said and emphasized the name of which I was more than familiar of.


    "I do. He is my father."


    He grinned and relaxed his face at my answer, looking to be satisfied.


    "Who knew Frederick had a child. You don''t look like him in the least, but I don''t doubt your words. I can tell that you are not lying. You are dismissed. Thank you for taking the time to deliver this. You must be exhausted. Tell him that I have received it. I have no proof to give you, but my words are enough for him," he said, signaling some guards to come and take me away from the room.


    With nothing else to do, I returned to my waiting area and was left to my own thoughts once more. I had a lot to think about, but nothing to focus on. Every thought had a grave significance, but it just didn''t feel like it right now. Their gazes supposedly told me something, but there was nothing, nothing at all that I could know about.


    "Hmph! So, that''s Frederick''s kid? Doesn''t look like much to me," a man laughed haughtily, emptying his wine in seconds. "He looks too normal to be Frederick''s kid. Wait... no, he just as normal as him."


    "What do you think, Norman? Do you believe that kid''s story?" he asked as the man kept staring at the closed door, motionless until his name was called. "Ah, apologies, Varras. I was lost in thought. Hmm, what I think? Well, he certainty was not lying. But, perhaps we can find out in a little while. If he carries Frederick''s blood and influence, then he shall show it with his sword."


    "Hah! I doubt it. There''s a lot of strong looking warriors in the tournament. No way that mundane looking kid will make it past the first round. There nothing about him that stands out... wait, that''s exactly Frederick. Looks normal and mundane enough. But still! I think the one with the best chance is Merevas''s son, Geoffrey. Isn''t that right?" he nudged the man beside him, lost in thought, arms crossed.


    "Right, I remember. You''re Frederick''s self proclaimed rival!" he burst out laughing at the hilarity that only he understood.


    "My son has been trained to take up his arms in my stead in the near future. I expect him to perform as befitting of his rank," he said sternly and strictly.


    "Always so uptight. There might just be some other interesting competitors. I can''t wait to see how this one turns out. Zachary... that man always has some odd ideas when coming up with names," said Varras, pouring himself another cup.


    Meanwhile, as all this transpired, a man donning a royal but modest attire listened in close. He grinned in a slight of amusement, sitting back in his chair with anticipation and a great eagerness. But while he enjoyed the conversation without his participation, a girl looking to be of his age tilted her head in curiosity,


    And finally, the time came for me to step into the dry dirt of the arena, surrounded by the eyes and roaring cheers of the spectators.


    Many had already finished their bouts, and the end of the day''s round was coming to a close. But through it all, their cheering had not worn down in the least.


    In the beginning, the king and the royal family was introduced, and they were met with a roaring applause. It was clear as day to see how much they adored them.


    The king was a tall, gruff man with dark hair and a youthful energy about him. He greeted them all with a down-to-earth demeanor. Though he wore a bit of expensive clothing, it did not make it difficult for the people to approach him, rather they were impressed by it.


    He opened with the ceremonies and quickly began the tournament while its excitement was as its peak.


    They paraded the grand army around the grounds, displaying their power to the people who spectated in awe.


    "Next in the tournament! A young man from Ylithia. Zachary Erinn!" he cried out triumphantly. For some reason, the name elicited a roar of applause and a round of murmurs from people along the stands.


    I stepped into the sunlight and came directly into the sight of a tall stand where the royal family sat and watched. The king, wearing his expensive garments for the event oddly leaned forward on the stands, looking down at me, or maybe at the people behind me.


    "And his opponent! The son of Duke Merevas! Geoffrey Merevas!"


    There entered a tall, lean, stoic man with a stiff expression. He strictly walked without paying mind of the people cheering for him and his charms. The seriousness in his expressions caused small ripples in my mind telling me to be cautious of him.


    He wore a shiny set of armor decorated with a cloth over it. He wore a helmet, only showing his face which contemptuously stared me down in hopes of making me back away. He carried a long sword and unsheathed it, impaling it on the ground, holding both hands of it.


    "Greetings," he said in a low voice. "Let us have an honorable and fair fight. Know that I will not hold back until this has finished."


    I couldn''t respond. There was nothing good for me to say or come back with, but instead I gave a nod.


    "That name... I have heard of it before. And if you are not an impersonation, I may believe that you are his offspring. But that holds little meaning here. Right now, I shall leave the titles behind and fight by my own name!"


    "First to make his opponent yield, wins! Now, without any more delays, let us begin!" the man handling the ceremonies shouted, promoting Geoffrey to dash with his long sword to his side.


    I ran to meet him in the middle, only to find his presence like a road of thorns that stopped me in my tracks. And with a viscous step and a fierce roar, he slashed sideways with an amazing length to his weapon.


    I narrowly avoided it by making a bit of distance between us. He followed through and relented, slicing with a forthright and balanced pace, not giving an inch as he continued pushing me back.


    I saw the glint of his sword as it came once more towards me, seeing my one and only chance to push him, or stop him before I could lose my already dwindling advantage.


    I stepped to the side and avoided a skillful thrust, using his every move as my own, I swung my sword to his side.


    His eyes followed my move precisely as he retreated. It then became a fierce exchange with our blades as I found a bit about myself in this battle. When he would push for the attack I would try and exceed him a bit further. It would fail often and I would curse my luck, tiring myself out needlessly.


    Suddenly, it has gone on for long enough that he distanced himself from me and took deep breaths, preparing for something with a stance.


    He rushed at me, sending a flurry of thrusts with near blinding speed, putting an obvious strain on his arm as he grits his teeth.


    I tried my best to dodge and parry, but his agility was something else. Once he had closed the gap, he spun clockwise and forced me back, sending an irritating vibration to my hand as I nearly allowed my weapon to slip.


    Finally, he took a single sideways step and repositioned himself to my side, lining up a precise thrust with an exhale of his breath that was previously a shout.


    It became a battle of attrition at that point. Having adjusted somehow to his speed of attack, I managed to instinctively move my body to avoid the strike, giving me an opening. As I swung my blade, he parried it but did not continue his chain of attacks. It was obvious that his armor was weighing him down. His breathing was ragged, and so was mine, but I still had not lost the advantage over him. He has his heavy burden on, preventing him from fighting in full form.


    it was a drawn-out battle where no one side gave way. I was at my limits, and the last ounce of my energy was to be spent in this last clash, where the victor would be decided. He knew that as well; he waited for me to initiate.


    My hands were numb; my eyes were viewing blurry visions. I was in no shape to continue something like this. I was simply not used to fighting on a longer period of time.


    That''s when a sudden flash surged to my head. It was difficult, but nonetheless my only way of prevailing or failing. There was nothing much else to lose. I had never put it to practice, but it was a theory that my father, Frederick, had told me as a joke. I thought deeply about it in the past, but now it oddly made sense to me. It had to be done.


    I sheathed my sword and placed my hand tensely on the hilt, taking a stance where my right foot stood forward, and my body was leaning forward.


    He took a standard stance of holding his weapon in front of him firmly.


    I broke into a run, keeping my stance as I came closer. I spared no energy as it needed every ounce you could squeeze into it. Then when the time was right, I stomped my foot, and at the same time drew my sword, quickly pointing it at his neck, a few seconds before his sword could descend upon my head. It was finished, or that''s what his face said.


    The crowd cheered as the master of the ceremonies announced it. Geoffrey brought his arms down and breathed a sigh of relief.


    "So you still had that much speed in you. Unbelievable. And here I thought that we were at the same level. I had never seen such a move before, and it came quite as a shock to me the way that you came running with your sword sheathed. I concede. Clearly there is no room for arguments from me," he extended and shook my hand, nodding in approval. ¡°I shall remember your name, Zachary Erinn,¡± he then coolly made his exit, leaving me in the limelight of the crowd who continued praising and calling my name.


    I released a sigh as well. There was no way for me to fight like I had anymore. He was a difficult foe. Fighting demons and humans truly are two different things. It doesn''t feel the same, nor can I use a method meant for the other one on the other. But I thought about that after I had retreated back inside the tournament halls where I was greeted with intimidating and fierce gazes from the other competitors. Some sneers here and there, but nothing to perturb me. As if though I was content with having fought him, someone whose skills seem to exceed Daphne''s.


    "Quite the spectacle you''ve caused here. You sure surprised both of us," Gino and Daphne greeted me and caught me by surprise as I retreated back into the tournament training halls.


    "How did you manage to find me so quickly?"


    "It wasn''t hard after they announced your name. It''s quite the entrance too. Everyone seems to have taken a liking to you and your lineage. Frederick Erinn''s fame now runs through you, it seems. But what was more excellent was the fact that you defeated the favorite of the tournament, the son of Merevas, Geoffrey. You might just have a shot at winning the tournament now, don''t you think so too, Daphne?"


    "Yes. I''ll admit that I was impressed by what you did," she said sternly, reverting to her iron-like facade. "But I would have liked it if you had finished it earlier. It was too close for comfort."


    "Easier said than done. He was skilled, and I often found myself under his influence. I was lucky enough to have deflected some of his blows. Any more and I would have definitely lost. It¡¯s all thanks to the training you gave me. And speaking of the tournament, why didn''t you enter, Daphne? You would have had a better chance."


    "My life is being sought for by cutthroats and hired mercenaries, remember? Walking around without my armor and helmet is a great risk enough, so as much as I would like to join, I would have been seen by many and found out."


    "Always so serious. Well, you and Daphne seem to be enjoying the festivities after all, so I can''t complain. You still have two more matches to go. Try your hardest, then we can have a small feast back at the inn to celebrate your victory."


    "What did I tell you? Unexpected as usual. Frederick trained his son well. To be able to defeat Geoffrey, a child who had been training as a squire at a young age."


    "Yes, it is as I suspected. He might just replace him with a bit of training. What do you think of the young man?"


    "He has a long ways to go if he wants to exceed Frederick. Knowing him, he''s in a league of his own. Age has taken a toll on him, but he is plenty capable."


    A knock came from the door beside him, interrupting their conversation. "My lord, another suitor comes. What should I do? He says that he comes with gifts for the family," a well suited old man said.


    "Another one? Don''t they ever stop? Turn him away like the rest. If more comes, then I''ll deal with them myself. My daughter is not to be married for the use of influence. I see no genuine love from these nobles anyway."


    "As you wish, my lord," and the old man disappeared from their sight.


    "When are you planning on letting your daughter decide for herself. I think she''s mature enough for that, don''t you think?"


    "You''re right. But I need to make sure that I guide her. The world out there is cruel you know."


    "And it has been for the past century."


    "Fine. I''ll think about it. Sigh, it feels like I don''t have any authority whatsoever when it comes to these things."


    ¡°Try to exert some while you have the chance. Soon I predict there might be no stopping what might happen to this kingdom¡¯s future, if you know what I mean.¡±

 Chapter 14: A fateful encounter

    The next two rounds weren''t as eventful as I thought, nor was it thrilling enough to match the intensity of the one against Geoffrey. They were a haughty bunch, declaring their royal lineage and spectacular wealth that only those up there could ever dream of having, even imagine. They made sure to tell them how impossible it was to achieve such a feat while they groveled in the dirt. Though they flourished and bathed in the praises of the spectators with an ecstatic face, they happily sneered them when some of the ''lower class'' tried to approach him. They were denied miserably and turned away without so much as another word, yet they foolishly praised them for some reason.


    Well, that was enough to fill my fury and satisfaction for when I defeated them and tarnished their fame and ardor to the ground like dust. It was a petty reason for doing so, but something in me just couldn''t help but put a stop to such nonsense. I always though from those books I read that royalty were people who helped and loved the people. They were forthright and just, defeating the enemy of innocent and in the end, emerging happily ever after with a princess to forever spend their lives with peace. It seems my childhood illusions stayed an illusion at that time. I wouldn''t normally sneer them myself, but the impish child in me instinctively did so without hesitation.


    They cried of course, asking for forgiveness or even warning me that if I were to inflict so much as even a scratch on them their families would smite mine into oblivion. Flaunting their authority forced their guards to charge in the arena when I forced them to submit, saving their pitiful master before I could do anything else other than to intimidate him with a single step of my boot.


    Of course, to the people I was the clear victor, there was no doubt about that. But I felt disappointed that I could not have done a bit more. Nothing serious and malicious. Their skills were sub-par, even nonexistent when they fought. It only took one swing of my sword to send theirs flying. And without anything to threaten their opponents with, they yielded to me with a vengeful frown.


    We went back to the inn; the festivities having died down to a manageable degree to which we can easily hear ourselves and our thoughts. Gino looked satisfied with the results while Daphne, or Alexandre rather, remained adamant for the remainder of the day, often looking around her suspiciously like someone was out there looking at her.


    Night came and we had finished our small feast consisting of chicken and meat cooked to perfection, soup and hot dishes to heat our bellies, and freshly brewed fruit juice to finish everything off. It was a luxurious afternoon despite it being a bit heavy on our purses. It was well worth it after all we''ve been through.


    We had retreated to our separate rooms where Gino had already dozed off. I on the other hand couldn''t find a reason to sleep, as if there was a reason to do so in the first place. I simply couldn''t for some profound reason.


    The night still hasn''t finished for the city of Exaltier. There was still a small night festival happening around the square where the crowds have been said to gather. Deciding to go, I crept away from the room and gently closed the doors to avoid waking Gino. There was a mild silence downstairs where the inn was supposed to be lively at night, but it seems that everyone thought it to be a priority to join the lively night atmosphere.


    There was a faint cold breeze as I walked alone. The streets were lit up by gas lamps and the lively stalls were now closed. I followed a few people talking to each other on the way to the center plaza where a night festival was being held. People danced to the sound of uplifting music being played by a band. Some cheered while some laughed gaily.


    "Come here often, handsome young man? Looks like you''re lost," a slender, lightly dressed mature woman came towards me with a seductive smile. "It''s not good that you''re spending this evening alone. Why don''t you come with me? I''ll make it worth your while."


    I could feel and hear my heart beating fast. There was an inkling of curiosity that made me want to say yes to find out what she meant by that, but at the same time, there was nothing trustworthy I could see in her. With a great stroke of luck, however, a drunk man came swinging by, placing an arm around her and forcibly taking her hands, whisking her away to the center where they danced. She struggled but could set herself free, surprised by the strength the drunkard possessed.


    Moving on from that fiasco, I tried to find what I could do amidst all this to alleviate my boredom. It was then that I noticed pairs of young men and women dancing together with the same closeness that a family would have. They danced neatly, holding each other''s hands as they twirled and took light artistic steps, swaying each other to the now mellow music fit for the atmosphere, one that I found oddly uncomfortable for my own good. It had something to do with me being alone that I avoided the gazes of people by looking around me expectantly


    It was then that I chanced upon Alexandre, or Daphne rather, who walked quickly without stopping. By reflex I yelled out her alias in hopes of catching her attention, but she was far that my voice couldn''t reach her, but my eyes could still follow her going down the street.


    What was strange was that she was being trailed by a group of cloaked figures going the same pace as her. In my suspicions, I passed through the crowd making a gap in the circle that was immediately closed off by more people going the opposite direction as I am.


    I found myself going faster with each second, alarmingly losing her as she swiftly turned a corner where the group of clocked figures did the same.


    "Heh, finally caught up to you. I''ll admit that it took us a lot just to get to this point, and a lot of our brother''s lives were wasted just for some stupid bitch," he held a special contempt for her, looking disgusted as he aggressively tightened his grip on her wrist. "You''re a bastard of royalty, a princess, but... you look fine enough to serve as my personal slave. I''m sure your uncle wouldn''t mind. After all, he wanted you dead, why not just make use of trash, right?" he eyed her greedily, licking his lips as his other companions laughed to themselves, wanting a piece of her, lusting for a special kind of desire.


    He drew her close and smelled her sweet and fragrant aroma, tempting him as he felt her soft curves, touched smooth skin, and saw her malicious gaze. Everything she did only made them want her more.


    "No one will come for you, not even that traitorous long-haired boyfriend of yours. Gino, was it? Man, he really fooled those stupid nobles into thinking that he was faithful to the crown- " she elbowed her in the stomach staggering him. But her attempt was quickly foiled by his companions, whom gave her a single jab for them to regain control.


    She desperately tried to resist the man, disgusted by his rotten stench and character, but his sheer raw strength and advantage over her made it impossible to do so. They gagged and bound her to prevent her from yelling for help nor having any chance of escape She thought of a person in her mind, one that owed her a favor. She grasped on to that promise he made to her and fervently believed that this promise could be fulfilled unreasonably even if he weren''t here to hear the proposition. She repeated his name even though she knew that there was no clear possibility of him coming to her rescue.


    "Now, let''s go, shall we? I think it''s high time that you met your uncle. Then we''ll be on our own merry way- " silence. He falls to the ground with a loud thud, then followed by another. He came at them with a bottled-up fury and the speed of reckless abandon. Adrenaline seemed to fill his head at that moment that he didn''t even look at her.


    "Wha- who is this kid?!" they scrambled in a state of shock, astonished by the sudden attack at them. With their sheer numbers, they recovered and began to surround him. He stood in front of her as she was lying on the ground, unable to stand due to her bindings.


    "I''ll get you out of here, don''t worry. Just leave them to me," he said impressively, standing like a statue with purpose, a back of comfort, and the voice relief. It was as if she knew another person, different from who she was seeing now.


    She couldn''t say anything back at him as she was overwhelmed at the amount of luck she had. Might it be contributed to chance, or to happenstance maybe, she asked herself, or was her faith in him this strong that he came here by intuition.


    They brandished their blades at him, glinting at the light of the moon. He was at a clear advantage, and it was a surprise lying in wait, what he had for them, if he had anything at all.


    They came at him one by one, and to his advantage, he was able to disarm and pacify his first opponent by allowing him to rush, then he evaded to the side, taking a strong grip of his wrist and bending him back. He then repeatedly kneed the cloaked man and forced his blade from his hand, giving him some assurance as he forcefully smashed the hilt of the dagger on the nape of the man''s neck producing a faint gasp for air.This story has been unlawfully obtained without the author''s consent. Report any appearances on Amazon.


    With difficulty, they fell one by one, but got up each time to challenge him again. It was until he found himself battered and exhausted that he saw a chance of him failing. But nevertheless he stood there, unmoving and unwavering.


    It was until their leader, a man with a scar on his left eye, swiftly charged his side. He evaded but failed as the man circled him and stabbed his dagger on his left shoulder, driving its hilt further down to force him to the ground. He cried in agony as the cold blade drove further in him, searing blood.


    "Zachary!" she cried, unable to do anything as he was slowly being poisoned by the viper. His face was contorted in pain, and it was obvious that he would not hold out any longer as he bled profusely.


    But in an act of desperation, she dragged her body and kicked the viper''s leg, forcing him down as well.


    Zachary felt the weight on the hilt of the dagger disappear, that''s when he stood up and pulled it in a fluid motion. He went for the other assassins and easily took them down as they were shook by surprise of his tenacity, and the fact that his face was full of intimidating rage.


    "Damn," cursed the leader of the hired blades as he dragged himself up and ran through the alley, limping.


    He concealed the dagger and ran in pursuit of the man, his energy quickly draining from him, but his sanity slowly returning.


    It was difficult to give chase as the crowds coming from the opposite direction would bump into his shoulder. The man would also disappear from the crowds as his pace increased bit by bit.


    It was until he found a dead end, panicking frantically. He snatched a nearby person donning a dark green cloak and ran into the alley way, trapping himself.


    "If you know what''s good for this one right here, you''ll best let me go before I slit her throat," he threatened him.


    He noticed that the person he was holding hostage was panicking, trying to get away from him but could not. She didn''t look to be that much older than him. They looked to be the same age, but a bit shorter than him. Tears fell from her cheeks, but he reassured her that everything would be alright.


    "Fine, let her down and leave. Don''t even think of going back for her. I''ll hunt you down no matter what it takes until you regret trying again," he said, taking a step towards him until they were a few meters from each other.


    He abruptly dropped her and charged at him furiously with his dagger. "Don''t get too cocky, kid!" he roared.


    He evaded and managed to slice his arm, fulfilling the phrase of an eye for an eye.


    The man, however, continued his momentum and ran further. I''ll come back for you, kid. Don''t forget! You''re added to the list of dead men I''ll be coming for!" he finally disappeared.


    With a ragged breath, he came close to the person the man took as a victim. "Are you alright?" he asked her, kneeling to level her face. It revealed a lovely and gentle face of compassion and humility. Her eyes, instead of looking mortified of what had happened, looked at him with concern.


    "I-I am alright," she said pleasantly. "But, you, are you alright?" she said in panic, placing her arm over his unwounded shoulder. "You are bleeding! What should I do? No, no, don''t panic," she held herself together. "Wait here, I will do something, so please, stay strong for a bit longer. I won''t let you go after you''ve saved me. I''m indebted to you. I will do all I can in my power to save you," she reassured him.


    He fell to the ground slowly until he was lying flat on the stone street. He wanted to rest, but it didn''t feel like the end for him just yet. He was proud of himself, however, that he was able to accomplish something by himself. But better yet, he managed to save Daphne, and possibly earn her favor which he squandered by accident.


    It doesn''t stop there, however. Before his eyes could close, there was an angelic face that looked over him with clear concern. She spoke about how she would not let him go, and how she would do her best to save him. It didn''t matter anymore. She was simply lovely and beautiful that he was charmed at first sight. He could not conceal his smile.


    "Where am I?" I woke up abruptly with a searing pain on my shoulder and sides. But the sight around me wasn''t familiar. It didn''t look like the inn at all. It was grand, white, pure, and clean. The furnishings were ornate and beautiful; the designs were pure and straightforward. It was as if I was cleansed jsut by being here.


    I lay in bed with sheets over me, feeling as soft as the clouds. It was luxurious, nothing I''ve ever felt before.


    But I realized that my body was bandaged, and all that was left was my leggings.


    Recalling was happened last night was difficult, but not impossible. In the meantime, it was all a haze. Vaguely I could recall me being stabbed in the shoulder by a dagger.


    A beam of light passing through the window reminded me that it was morning. But my prior question wasn''t answered at all for there was no one there to answer it in the first place.


    As I stood up, there was a knock on the door, followed by the entrance of an orderly youthful woman wearing glasses. Her hair was of a straight chestnut color flowing along till her back. She wore proper and somehow formal clothes that restricted her tempting proportions and curves. carrying what seemed to be a book and small stack of papers in one of her arms.


    "Ah, thank goodness, you''re awake. I would like to introduce myself," she bowed casually but in a friendly manner. "My name is Sofiya Matten. I am the royal steward and caretaker of the princess Lorelei of Ylithia. I am very happy to meet the savior of our princess. If it were not for you, she would have been wounded mortally, or worse, lost," she said sadly as if scolding herself.


    She came up and seized my hands, shaking it with a warm smile. "It is through my own recklessness that she was lost. I-I should have never allowed her to go outside, but she insisted, and I could not just resist her. I had lost her when we arrived at the night festival, and there I desperately searched for her. Thank you on behalf of myself and the kingdom, I just wanted to thank you for keeping her safe. My clumsiness and unfirm stance got the best of me again."


    I looked away as she came close enough to temp me, but I managed to reply with a ''you''re welcome'' before things got too out of hand. There''s another first for me.


    "I know that she would want to meet you, so why don''t you come and see her? I will escort you. Right now, she should be finished eating with the king and queen and is now in her studies. I''m sure that they would want to meet you as well. After all, she has kept watch over you during that night, and took care of you by wiping your wounds away."


    I follow her through the halls. This was when I started to sift through my thoughts. Royalty? the princess? Just what have I gotten myself into? I don''t think I remember saving royalty in the first place. Might as well hold back till I can get some answers.


    The halls were guided with a velvet carpet, and beside were table stands where ceramic vases and flowers with a pleasant smell and image. The windows, that revealed the outside of the city which seemed larged from this view, were large enough to almost reach the clean white ceilings. Guards could be seen walking in an orderly pace, and some would be seen standing firmly with their weapons close by. elegant and prim people wearing frilled dresses and aprons, suits and ties, could be seen keeping the area tidy. wooden doors were often on each corridor, and it seemed that the halls could go on forever.


    "The thing is, the king and queen don''t know about my blunder," she said in a guilty, soft, hushed voice. "I urged her to tell the truth to them, but she insisted that I keep it a secret since she''ll make sure nothing like that will happen again. If they knew, I might be executed, or imprisoned. But she doesn''t want to tell since she treats me like a friend she had growing up from birth until now. It''s quite disheartening, really. I''ve done something that almost cost her life, but she isn''t angry about it. Don''t you think that''s wrong?" she glanced at me, awaiting an answer.


    "What''s so wrong about that? It sounds reckless, and I probably don''t know what I''m talking about, but what''s wrong with not standing up for someone that you know and have been with for so long. I think it''s natural."


    She heaves a content but wan sigh and continues walking. "Thank you. I know you''re just being kind, but thank you nonetheless," she murmurs, not to hide it from me it seems.


    I was lead to a lonely, wide, and spacious room where the light shone upon the archaic designs of the past and present. Parchment, weathered, and desired pieces of paper that holds the treasure of knowledge hidden behind its cover and pages. Clean wooden shelves upon shelves towered and were arranged neatly, carrying a plentiful but seemingly infinite amount of books.


    The scent of dust and weathered paper filled my nose as my eyes darted from left to right. It was immense, and it felt like I could get lost in such a chamber filled with hundreds of words. Its classic elements and elegance was not equal of what was outside, like it was of another time, but it had its own charm that made it special and separate from what was beyond the doors behind me.


    We went further in, ascending a few flights of stairs that led up to even more shelves stacked with books. But, almost instantly my sights were brought to not the lengthy clear glass window where light passed through like a beam, but what the beam illuminated. There was a table close to it, and an angelic figure, who wore a simple faint pink dress all the way till her ankles, elegantly and silently sat on a chair, softly changing the pages with her delicate fingers in a graceful manner, as if every small detailed move she made was already ingrained into her, and made natural with the passing of time.


    She closed her book and stood up, making no sound. She smiled warmly at me and came a few inches until she bowed elegantly, taking the hem of her skirt with her thumb and index finger.


    "I am very glad to see that you are awake. I hope that you were comfortable while you slept, you had quite the wounds last night. My name is Lorelei; I am very pleased to make your acquaintance. Could you grant me the pleasure of knowing your name?" she asked sincerely, not giving me much of a choice, not like I wouldn''t have given it anyway.


    "Zachary, nice to meet you too. Thanks for, this," I gesture to the bandages covering my wounds. "I can''t really remember what happened last night clearly. I was hoping someone could explain where I am and what''s going on."


    Thus, they began explaining the happenstance that then allowed my memory to recover. It all felt like a thrill remembering it now, and how unbelievable it might seem, it all happened.


    "So that''s how it went down, huh? Thank you. I guess I owe you more than you do me."


    "Please, don''t think of it too much. I was grateful for you for saving me. I don''t think this alone would be enough to repay you. Tell me, what is it that you want?"


    "I don''t think I have something to want. It''s fine, really. I wasn''t doing it for anything."


    "Is that so? My, how modest. Very well, how about we get something for you to eat? You must be starving after all that. Please, come, we shall see what the kitchen has to offer. I may be able to serve you something. I think that can compensate," she smiles lovingly and pulled me by the hand gently with her soft delicate one as to not agitate my wound, leading me gently down the stairs and out of the library. I looking back I saw Sofiya smile brightly as she waved us a brief farewell.


    But as I depart with her without protest, I can''t help but remember something that I had forgotten. It seemed important, but what it was I can''t exactly fathom.

 Chapter 15: A heartfelt ripple in between

    She wore an apron over her dress elegantly with a natural warm and soothing smile as if anything she wore would suit her. She moved around the counters handling cookware and ingredients gracefully, pouring them into pots and cooking some on the metal pans.


    As I sat down watching her, a mouthwatering delicious scent wafted along the room from the pot she was stirring. She hums a calm, rhythmic tune, smiling at me and giggling in a lovely manner whenever she would catch me looking at her. I would have sworn that I saw her cheeks turn a faint pinkish blush, but it may only be my imagination.


    Lorelei placed an expensive looking plate of steaming seasoned meat with sauce and vegetables on the side, soup with a delectable aroma, and bread served on another clean plate.


    "I hope that you like it. It''s the first time I''ve ever tried cooking for someone else, so I''m quite anxious to know why you think," she said, untying her apron. "It''s pheasant meat, seasoned with spices and a sauce I''ve learned to make from a cook book. Next is a thick stocked soup with small chunks of meat and vegetables."


    From start to finish I savored every taste, not having time to comment and compliment her on everything she had done great on the meal. It felt like a small feast for me alone, and that this being the reward sufficed. Within minutes I had realized that there was nothing left on the plate, and I was content. "It''s delicious. It¡¯s been a while since I''ve had a hearty meal like that, it reminds me of home. Thank you."


    She smiled at me jovially and released a relieved sigh, placing her hand on her chest where her heart is. "I''m glad that you liked it. But I was confident that I would make you something that you might like, I wasn''t sure about how you would think of it."


    "I don''t know how anyone would think that. Have a bit of faith in yourself. This is great."


    "Ah, what a relief," she said softly.


    After I finished my meal, she showed me around the castle, various wide spaced rooms where most of the tenants are people wearing armor and holding weapons, servants running around doing errands and chores, and staff of the kingdom. Each room was grander than the other, providing a specific service depending on the one using it, but It felt quite dreary and lonely as the silence made its way in. Wide open unused halls accumulated dust, their purpose being wasted.


    But one thing that I did realize was that the wealth contained within this castle alone surpasses anything I could ever dream or imagine, though I never gave it any serious thought, the designs of royalty to suit their tastes were expensive. Gold chandeliers hanging from the ceilings, marble pillars serving as the support of the tall floors, even stain-glassed windows. But nonetheless, there was no such effort for the people living in the confines of these stone walls to exude out in the open their wealth. I saw in that in Lorelei. As I looked upon her, there was no such thing as sin on her face. She had a genuine smile that could never hope to draw any controversy since there never was a use for it anyway. That''s what I see in her.


    She showed me her works, a few paintings that she had done in her studies. One was a breathtaking portrait of a lush green scenery where a cozy cottage stood, mountains covered in snow in the distance. It felt so real, the way I looked at it, and it seemed unbelievable that someone could make something from reality and put it into what she calls a ''canvas''.


    "You did all these by yourself? Amazing. How about this one?" I asked, looking at one other notable portrait of two beautiful looking people. One elegant, beautiful. mature looking woman wearing a beautiful dress with her hand on the man, who sat distinguishably with a courageous and brave smile to suit his youthful features. They posed and looked as if they were staring back at me.


    "This one is of my father and mother from a year ago. Before everything became hectic and chaotic. So far, this has been my most cherished work. But as of late, I have not had any progress with any more works of art. It seems that I have lost the inspiration."


    "Inspiration? What do you mean by that?"


    "I can''t quite explain it myself, but when I do feel, inspired I seem to create these works with a great vigor and motivation. I pour all my heart and emotion into creating such a wonder that even I fail to notice doing just that."


    "Then that means you''re a natural, motivation or not. Looking at these paintings, I can feel a great amount of hard work behind them. At first glance, I realized that you made each one of these with a great passion, but maybe that''s just me."


    "You praise me too much, Zachary. But, thank you, that means a lot."


    "How about this one? The one in the middle sure looks familiar," I drew my attention to an unfinished painting by the corner of the room, covered by a piece of cloth that I had removed, revealing a green hill where three figures sat, looking at a sunrise. The figures and the scenery was incomplete, but what it was supposed to look like was obvious."


    "Ah!" She quickly covered it up and hid it behind her bodily frame. It''s-It''s not finished yet, or, I don''t plan on finishing it. Forgive me, but I simply keep this here for my own use, nothing else."


    "Well, if that''s what you want, then I''ll leave it at that."


    Finally, I was led to a garden, a wide plot spanning a few green acres, decorated with a beautiful array of flowers arranged in a rainbow of a bed. There, a fountain where the statue of a woman holding a sword in one hand, and as scale in the other, stood in the center for all to admire, being the cornerstone of the garden. The greenery here also felt natural as trees, trimmed shrubs, and bushes could be seen, yet the artistic taste of those who designed it demanded the attention of the guest, a goal which was bold yet successful as I found myself admiring it for a few seconds.


    But it hit me as we took a leisure tour of the area. It bothered me that I had to ask her about it. "Isn''t it lonely here? Besides you, I don''t think I¡®ve seen anyone your age around here. There are a lot of rooms, but not a lot of people, save for the guards."


    She stared at the beautiful bed of purple flowers and knelt in front of it with a somber expression, hiding the once jovial smile that made my heart beat irregularly. "These ones are called Hyacinths. Have you ever heard of the language of flowers?" she asked, carefully caressing one.


    "Not really, though I''ve planted some, I never really thought that they had any meaning. I just thought that they were all beautiful to look at."


    "Is that so?" she let out a stifled laugh. "You seem to look at the world with a much more optimistic point of view. Maybe I should teach you some time."


    "Answering your previous question, yes, it is quite lonely. But in these times, there is not much a princess of a kingdom can do. I had not the opportunity to make friends because of the great caution my loving parents have given me. They have said that it is to my benefit that I stay within the confines of these castle walls so that I may be safe. But at the cost of being alone, I have accepted. However, I have found leisure time in my studies, learning about the outside of our boundaries. I have read many great works of art. But I have had some friends in the past- " she took a pause, turning gray as she refrained from continuing, looking away from at for a split second until she returned to her usual self.


    She stood up, clasping both her hands in front of her, cheerfully looking at me. "But though it pains me that I have disobeyed them this once last night, I am glad that I found someone that I could be friends with... Am I being too presumptuous?"


    The way she smiled seemed forced, but what was more painful was when she thought about her loneliness because of my question. I was hard to see her like that for some reason. "No, no! Not at all. I''ll be more than happy to be friends with you. Not because you saved me, but because I want to. So, if it''s alright with you, then I won''t let you be alone. Besides, I know that it''s lonely not having someone to talk to when you need them the most," I said with a shaking confidence. It was odd though, her face was flushed, but I know why.


    I impulsively took her warm and calming hands, and stood inches away from her, realizing my lack in social grace. I moved away as quickly as I could, trying to comprehend why I had done something as ridiculous as that.


    Sure enough it made it hard to look her in the eye as we both seemed to avert each other''s gaze. There was an awkward silence in the air.


    "T-thank you, Zachary. I truly am glad to have met you," she spoke, flustered, finally breaking the silence, giggling cheerfully. Her smooth, long, chestnut colored hair swayed with the soft breeze, her fair skin and emerald green eyes encompassed her charms.


    Thankfully enough what I had done earlier didn''t ruin our relationship, she seemed to ease up once more as we began talking. I told her some of the things that I had gone through with my adventures with Gino and Daphne, omitting some of the parts best left alone. She seemed amazed at every part, eyes full of wonder and curiosity. Without a concrete knowledge and experience of the outside world, my stories piqued her interests greatly.


    "Sir Hark became what one could call an adoptive parent. Though his treatments were harsh, those were to better myself each time. He wasn''t all that strict all the time. In truth, he''s more lax than people give him credit for."


    "My, it seems that I had seen a mask on his face. Whenever he would come here, he would have a distinguished and unmoving face that displayed a powerful amount of authority."


    "Well, he changes once it comes to his duties..." we continued to talk as if there wasn''t anything in the world that could ruin it. In truth, I had hoped there would be no divine intervention for something that I have started finding a great fondness of.


    "But if Sir Hark is your adoptive parent, where are your real parents?"


    "They, passed away, to the demons. It still feels recent, the time I lost them. It almost feels unreal, how I''m here and all. I never would''ve thought that these many things were just beyond the boundaries of the forest I lived in with them."


    "Oh, I''m terribly sorry for reopening your wounds. I didn''t mean to. I''m very sorry about them and what you had to go through," she said apologetically.


    "I know. Well, you couldn''t have known, so it''s alright. I just wish I could''ve been stronger to save them. But would it have meant anything. I''m still really weak. I promise, that no matter what, I''ll keep those close to me safe no matter what, now, that includes you too."


    "I''m honored, but I don''t think you are weak," she placed her hand above mine and looked at me with a smile. "You don''t need to draw strength from might. There are many things that I can see you''re strong at, rather, I can feel it. You defended me without even knowing me, without being terrified of losing your life. You have a strong conviction, and strong ambition to dream, there are so much more. So don''t punish yourself for what you already have."


    She flashed me an even brighter smile, one that made me want her to be here with me forever. It was a ridiculous thought, but right now, as we sit together, I can feel a warmth lying dormant inside. I can''t quell it, but I feel calm just staying by her side.


    "I, don''t know what to say. I guess that''s the first I''ve heard of that. Thanks."


    "No need for any of that. I know this is quite the question, but what was it like? Seeing the demons," she asked.


    "Well, at first, I was really terrified, but I had to grow accustomed to it. I still wonder why they are made to fight all of us. Why can''t we just leave them in peace if it''s going in this direction."


    "I''m afraid I can''t answer your question, Zachary. I don''t know myself. I''ve never seen one before."


    "But I would like to ask, if you''ve been to Lavis, somewhere that far, then have you seen the wave of light, or the bright pillar up close? I have never seen something so beautiful in my life. It was as if the stars of the night sky were closer. It was all that everyone was speaking of when it happened."


    "I wonder if it is true, what they say. That the Thalisean truly exists."


    "What do you think of them, exactly?"


    "I think that they''re simply brave, courageous, and selfless. They were born for the sole purpose of defeating the demons for the safety and future of the human race. That alone is more than enough to show just how strong their will is to be able to live with such a task... Father said that the light I saw that day came from them, and they always had it from the beginning of their lives. It was as if they were born from the stars up above, a simply magnificent and wondrous thought," she marveled at the clear blue sky. She spoke with a brimming passion, sincere and genuine. It was odd; I had half a mind to simply break my promise and tell her that I am one, but no, it will all come in time.


    She spoke about how she grew up as on only child of the royal family, living a sheltered, but loving life because of her parents, which grew busier as the ruthless reality threatened the lives of many. It was then that she spent most of her time with Sofiya, her friend growing up, and her steward. Nothing much else could be said other than the suitors she would often get from other kingdoms and countries asking for her hand. Wealthy princes and royalty carrying high-born blood vying for her affections. Somehow it made me unnerved as jealousy moved my emotions for some reason.Stolen content warning: this content belongs on Royal Road. Report any occurrences.


    "Did you accept any of them?" I asked grudgingly.


    "No," she shook her head. "Father would chase them away. But I wasn''t quite fond of the idea myself. I knew nothing about them, so it was very uncomfortable, the thought of being with someone that you know very little of, or even the thought of marriage with that person."


    "I see," I said, feeling a weight lift from my shoulders.


    "It should be the one with whom you are devoted to and love, no?"


    Amidst all our time together, I failed to notice the arrival of one so important to this realm. A great bravery and a mature beauty. They passed and entered the garden that we were in, drawing a startled "What is the meaning of this?" from a strong husky voice.


    "Ah, father, mother, what are you two doing here so early?" she said, standing casually and bowing with grace, radiating with that lovely smile of hers.


    I found myself the target of a suspicious gaze. There was a frightening intensity that came with it as he stood there silent while the beautiful fair skinned woman beside him simply giggled to herself, smiling warmly at us.


    "Have you made a friend, Lorelei? I hope you don''t mind if you introduce him to us," she said, drawing close to us, enough for me to closely make us her appearance. She wore an elegant white dress that hid her mature charms and fair skin; a long blonde hair that went along her back. She had eyes as blue as the sky, and a temperament of a calm woman. Her long brown hair elegantly swayed with the breeze.


    "Yes, I would be glad to. Zachary, this is my mother, Roxanne Evandelear, mother, this is Zachary Erinn, a friend that I have made."


    I stood up on reflex, stuttering and stammering unable to clearly say anything to her. She laughed at it then urged me.


    "Zachary Erinn. Sorry that I came here unannounced. I''m really thankful to Lorelei for saving me."


    "Quite formal, are we? Your name, I have heard of it already if I''m not mistaken. It seems that there is something that I need to know about how all this developed. But nevertheless, it is nice that our dear Lorelei has made a friend. Someone nice and modest, don''t you agree, Gareth?"


    "Hmm... Erinn''s child, is it?" he said, looking me over sharply. He said nothing else but instead gave a slight nod. "I knew your father, if I am referring to the same man in my head. He trained me, and under him I grew. It seems that you carried with him his admirable strength and skill from what I saw from the tournament. Know that I am eternally grateful to him for his tutelage. I''d like for you to tell him if you have the chance."


    I nodded back and stood silent. It felt wrong to ruin this moment, so I decided to stay silent about his passing and tell him another time, some other time where Lorelei wouldn''t be listening. But that wouldn''t stop me from fulfilling his request.


    "Well then, I think it is time that we return. We still have much to do before the tournament begins. Please come over to the palace whenever you like. I''m sure Lorelei will be pleased with that as well. I hope to be able to see you once more in the near future to get to know you a bit more," she bowed and took the arm of the king. Together they left, leaving the two of us to ourselves once more.


    The sun started shining brightly into the sky, reminding me that dawn had passed.


    "I didn''t notice that this much time had already passed. Forgive my father for his strict character. That is his way of showing his firmness as he would say. He would prefer if people looked at him with dignity rather than a lax disposition."


    "Don''t worry too much about it. If that''s the case, then I''ll have to somehow make myself look good enough for them to not think that I''m a bad person."


    "Thank you for understanding. But I know that you aren''t."


    "What are friends for anyway? If I put my mind into it, there''s nothing impossible out there that I can''t accomplish."


    "You''re quite straightforward with your words. I feel a great amount of fulfillment in them as well, like what you say may be accomplished by you through belief and belief alone. I trust you as well that you can accomplish such impossible feats," she encouraged, smiling, refreshed as if a weight had been lifted from her shoulders.


    "Princess, we must prepare now. It is almost time," said Sofiya, appearing on the entrance with a wave.


    "Unfortunately, I have duties to attend to," she sighed. "I must be there to attend the tournament this evening. But... I would not like to see you go. Is there possibly another chance that we could meet again?" she asked shyly, inciting a rapid beat from my chest once more. I could feel my face heating up as my throats went dry, unable to find the right response.


    "Wait, you said something about a tournament? Then I''ll be there to compete. It''s not finished yet after all, and I''m still in the running."


    "But your injuries. You simply can''t compete in your state."


    "I might not look like it, but when I need to do something, I can push through despite the hardships. Of course, if I go, then I''ll be able to see you like we promised, right?"


    "With the risk of you getting hurt further, I don''t think I''d like to take that chance. There are strong and terrifying competitors there. Those who take no mercy. It will all become worse if you relent."


    "Thank you for being concerned for me. But I can''t go breaking a promise now. It''s just not in me. Place a bit of your trust in me, why don''t you? Once the tournament is finished, I''ll try and come here again."


    And with a sad farewell, we parted, and I made my way and entered the square of the city. I think that it was too much to force her to worry after all she had done, but the worry on her face made me all the more motivated to finish this tournament standing on the top. On my way there, what I had told her lingered in my mind. There was something in me that wanted to give my all and impress her despite my injuries which still ache at every turn.


    Why I was so focused and fixated on her was a deep mystery to me. I had yet to understand why such things are happening to me.


    The districts and the streets were just as festive as they were yesterday, in fact it may even be more chaotic than yesterday. It looks like the number of people have doubled since yesterday, and that they crowd the busy streets in droves.


    I quickly made my way back to the inn where Gino, Daphne, and I were staying in, worried about what happened to Daphne after I had left her last night in that alley. I had checked it beforehand, but only the traces of blood remained.


    Right as I opened the door, I was met with a wide awkward stare from Daphne, bags in her eyes. She was silent, unmoving, slumped on the table of the Inn. She slowly stood up and walked towards me. Her hands were clenched and I found myself backing away instinctively.


    She wore a casual set of clothes, different from her usual set of armor. She had no sort of weapon on her hands except her hands themselves.


    "Sorry I left you back there. I got these wounds trying to pay them back for what they did to you, and I guess I couldn''t move until the morning," I said scratching my head while smiling wryly. I tried looking her in the eye, but she evaded my gaze.


    To my great surprise, it was not a scolding that I received from her, but a warm welcome with her eyes focused on me. She fidgeted and embraced her arms, trying to find the words to say but could not speak.


    "I was worried about you," she said in a hushed voice, hands clenched. "Why did you have to do that and chase him? You could have let him go instead. That was idiotic of you," she said calmly.


    Though I couldn''t figure out why this was happening, I went along with it as best I could. I was too astonished to think of a reason as to how she became like this in an instant. It was very much different from her usual stoic and grave self; in fact, she was the exact opposite of who she was before.


    "What do you mean? If I did that, then they wouldn''t have left you alone. I just wouldn''t let them get away after they did all that to you. I''m not heartless, you know?"


    "I know that. Of course, I do. You ran away even before I could say a thing."


    "Well, it''s all said and done now, so why don''t we take a seat? Where is Gino anyway?" I said, trying to separate myself from the anomaly that was Daphne. There was a moment that I gazed upon her face, pure and innocent, untainted. This was indeed her, yet not her. The one I had known of both possessed an equal allure of that I cannot explain further.


    The door opened, and Gino emerged with a handful of scrolls and books in his arms. He looked at me as if we never separated, and greeted me with his usual smile and staggering confidence.


    It was at that point too that I noticed Daphne had already backed away as if she had not done her earlier actions.


    "It doesn''t look like you''re holding up well. I can''t administer medicine if it still ails you. I knew you''d be back by tomorrow. I had that much faith in you. Unfortunately, I am in the middle of something, so I cannot join you."


    "What are you saying, Gino? What are you doing?"


    "Ha ha, well not to worry. I''ll leave you two young ones to yourselves. I will be trying to find some sought out tomes and scrolls for my own use, so why not join the festivities outside? By the main plaza they are holding some sort of feast in lieu of the event. I think you two should find some time to bond and build your relationship, don''t you think?" he went past me with a wink and proceeded into the rooms, departing with a great amount of speed.


    It was then that we found ourselves alone once more, only the stares of the tenants and the inn keeper on us.


    "How about we take his advice and go in out? I''m sure that there''s still a lot of things out there that are exciting?" I asked her, trying to break from this atmosphere.


    "But your wounds, I think you need rest."


    "Don''t worry about me. I''m fine. Come, let''s not waste any time. I''ll just get a change of clothes. I wouldn''t want to go out in these."


    And so, after I had exchanged my tattered, bloody shit, I met with Daphne outside, whom had changed into something different, wearing a casual brown skirt that spanned below her knees. And a beige blouse as a top. It was the first time I had seen her wear both a different set of clothes, and a different expression, almost as if she were truly a different person.


    Innocent but uncertain. Full of doubt, but untainted. Her pure image was now in front of me, and my eyes would be glued on her without my noticing.


    "Come, let''s go then," she said, leading the way shyly, trying to look away from me at every glance.


    As we walked, she would pace far enough for us to be separated by the crowds, but I would catch up to her using a great amount of effort.


    "Is something the matter?" I confronted her."


    "Nothing. I was simply lost in thought."


    I had shrugged off my imminent accusation and went on with the day normally. There were as many booths and stalls that occupied us and kept my mind off it, but I was even more conscious of it. She would try and distance herself from me whenever I would try to close the distance between us. Our eyes would not meet when I speak with her, but she would fidget and squirm uncomfortably and look anywhere else but at me.


    We went to the plaza, an oddly less crowded location where people would pass by, only to head to where the main festivities of the day are being held. Now only a solemn, peaceful atmosphere reigns. A fountain stood in the middle, a marble statue of a maiden looking heavenward. We sat side by side on a lonely bench away from everyone else.


    "I can''t think that this is just my imagination. Tell me, have I done something to you that made you like this? I don''t understand what happened all of the sudden."


    "I-It''s not that. It''s just that, what lingered in my mind was the thought of you having been endangered because of me and my weakness. If only I had not neglected their presence, I would have avoided something like this happening. If something happened to you, then I would take responsibility, but I wouldn''t want that. I wouldn''t want to lose someone close to me again."


    "Is that it?" I looked up feeling a sense of relief wash over me. "I thought that I had done something to make you dislike me. I''m glad that wasn''t it. I wouldn''t want that, after all," I said, looking at her. She seemed to evade my gaze once more, but knowing that it wasn''t out of hate made it a softer blow to me. I simply laughed it off.


    "But it''s pretty dangerous, the fact that you''re being constantly chased by people who are after your life. I''ll make this promise then. I will do something about that soon. I still don''t know what, but I''ll do something so that they stop trying to chase you," I said with a firm look at her, forcing her attention at me. Her newfound timidity was quite shocking, but oddly refreshing.


    "Are you mad? The only way you could do something like that is to confront my uncle, or kill him. Are you telling me that you''ll fight a kingdom for such a petty reason as protecting me? You don''t even know me that well."


    "I don''t find it petty at all. In fact, I''m serious. I''ll take on the entire kingdom just to make sure I don''t have to see that sorrow in your face twice. It pains me. It reminded me of myself when I had gone through something terrible in the past. I don''t think I need to know you to a certain extent after having seen all that."


    "You''re foolish, you know that?" she laughed. "But, I can''t shake the feeling that after looking at your face as you said that promise of yours, you might just be able to do it no matter what happens. I won''t force you to go through with it, but thank you. Hearing your words, it''s comforting enough," her face eased up and she relaxed, leaning back on the bench.


    "I know this isn''t the time, but I just can''t not say it. You look different. You look really beautiful now that I''ve gotten a good close look at you. Both what you look like and what you''re wearing right now. I guess that''s just me, but- " the air in my lungs was knocked out before I could even finish my sentence.


    "What nonsense are you spewing all of a sudden?!" she said in a frenzy. Her cheeks were of a rosy red, and she started stuttering through her sentences that slowly became incoherent.


    "Nonsense? I was just speaking my mind," I said, trying to recover from her near fatal attack.


    "W-Well, I am sorry then. It was just that I am not accustomed to receiving compliments. I would be told that I looked more masculine than feminine, so I thought of it as an insult. Forgive me," she spoke solemnly and sincerely.


    It was a farfetched reason, but not something I chastised her for. It was my fault for not knowing, but a part of me inside wanted to let her know all about it since it was all true.


    "But, I wanted to ask you something that stuck to my mind from that night. I''m not sure if I heard it clearly, but they called you a bastard princess. What was that about?"


    "So you heard, have you? I was hoping that you had not. Yes, it is true. I am the daughter of the king and a woman that he had fallen for during his reign. I was borne from that love, and I grew knowing it well. But when he was killed, every truth that came from his mouth became lies. Thus, I have been exiled when my uncle assassinated his brother, my father, and placed his son and daughter in the throne. I had been promised it, so I will not allow it to fall into someone else''s hands. It is the last legacy that my father had given me."


    "So, how do you intend to win it back?"


    "I thought you would do it for me," she looked at me with a stern gaze, then laughed. "I jest. I intend to win it back through my own efforts. But I have a choice, one that can overrule all that."


    "And that is?"


    "To marry the last Thalisean."


    The silence became deafening as she stared into the horizon, not meeting my eyes those of which sought that question, why? And how? I found myself confused and without an answer for what should happen now.


    "Let me ask you this. Zachary Erinn, I Daphne Everric Luvierre, daughter of Halycn Luvierre, previous ruler of the kingdom of Alrifer, ask for your hand in marriage to restore my power to the throne. Will you help me attain that? No," she shook her head. "I shall wait for your response. I will not force you, but I will wait."


    It wasn''t that simple anymore. Her words constantly echoed inside my head, not giving pause. No true answer could be said, nor do I know what to say despite there being only two choices from me to select from. A single yes or no would diverge into two separate paths, those of which I do not know the outcome of. But I knew something, one thing that my parents had taught me from their own experiences through life together. There was a certainty in her voice that made it difficult to tell if she was lying or not.


    "A marriage is supposed to be for two people who have devoted themselves to each other. For two people who love and care for each other. If I do accept, there will be nothing for you to feel. You won''t know love if you have forced someone to do the same. I won''t be fine with that. It has to be genuine."


    "I see," she looked down sadly, ¡°Do not worry yourself, Zachary. It was a mere jest. I would not force you to do something like that. Now come, there are still a lot of things for us to see and do," she rose with a newfound smile, one that seemed forced, and extended her hand towards me.


    The way her face immediately changed guises made me question myself and what I wanted to do. I wanted to protect her, as much as I can. She''s been under the danger of dying all this time, and just because she was born from a high-blood family.


    Are people really willing to go through something this drastic just to end someone''s life? Just to silence them? Well, I won''t stand this by for long. Soon, I''ll do something to help her, and finally end this farce. I don''t want to see that sorrow in her eyes anymore. I want to save it.

 Chapter 16: Ruin by choice

    She sat on the corner of her bed wearing a silk sleeping gown, fidgeting with her fingers as she scrambled with her thoughts thinking about him.


    Her room was illuminated by lanterns and candles as the night settled in.


    "It seems that you''ve not an understanding of your feelings now. But I know it clearly, and well. I can see myself in you when I was in love with your father. Tell me, what do you feel about him?" she asked, smiling with a comfortable warmth in her eyes.


    "In love... is it? That may be the case. I can''t tell if I am feeling anxious, but whenever we are alone, I can feel my heart beating loudly, and I cannot control my happiness as we speak. I feel safe when I am with him as well. What do you make of this, mother?"


    "My dear, you have been ignoring your feelings and your heart. What you say is a natural feeling, and if you feel that it is right, then you must follow it without hesitation. Tell me, how have you become so attached to him in a short amount of time?"


    She told her the entirety of what had transpired that night. She became firm, fearing for her safety but she listened and stood her silence. She spoke about him with a great enthusiasm, smiling, cheeks becoming flushed with a faint red color. It seemed that she herself hadn''t noticed it.


    "I see. What you have done was dangerous... " she scolded her, " but I will not tell your father. I will allow this one last time. But from now on, my dear, if there is anything bothering you, come to me. I will listen to you."


    "I-I understand, mother. Forgive me for disobeying your warnings," she said, disheartened.


    "But I will admit that he was brave to defend you when he was wounded. It seems that I have held him in a low esteem. You have changed what I think of him."


    Still, she was silent. Thinking of one way to soothe her, a fond memory resurfaced from her mind, and she smiled as she remembered every detail, reliving it for a few seconds before speaking her mind.


    "I do not like to admit it, but when I was at your age, I often went out to see the night sky without anyone accompanying me. It was the smallest thing, but through it I met your father. He too was watching and admiring the sky we once shared. So, my dear. Don''t feel disheartened. As long as you know, then it is fine," she placed her hands on her shoulders and gave her an embrace.


    "Now, why don''t you ask him to accompany you to the twilight festival. I will allow it, but I will task Sofiya with staying close by. Are you fine with that?"


    "The twilight festival?"


    "Yes. It is a wondrous night that only happens every three years. The Thaliseans that have passed away sent their souls back to their creator, but they would return from the sky to roam and cleanse the land with a shower of light, to show their splendor. It reminds us that even though they are not here anymore, they still remain with us, to remind us that they will always be there to protect us..." she took a short pause then continued. "But they have disappeared for many years now, and so have the souls of twilight. But, we dedicate the festival to them so that someday, possibly, they might return and give us a sign. It is also a perfect time to promise something to your special someone. The Thaliseans look over that promise and protect it. They are like those who oversee that promise to make sure that it is kept."


    "Is that true?"


    "Well, it is what they say is true. But one cannot dismiss it. Believe, it is the trait of those who can make their dreams a reality. As long as you believe, then there is a chance that it will happen."


    Her eyes lit up as she thought about it. Then she looked up into her eyes. "Are you sure? Will that be alright with you?" she asked to confirm.


    "Yes. I won''t deprive my daughter of her chances of finding someone that she truly likes. I have awaited this time just so I could help you if you ever needed it."


    "Thank you, mother! I will make the most of this opportunity!" she embraced her tightly, snuggling up to her."


    "Now rest, you will need your energy for tomorrow. Go to the west most section of the ramparts, near where the festival will be held. I assume that it will be quiet there, and it will also have a clear view of the moon. There you can be alone," and she kissed her forehead, doused the lamp and the candle''s flame, then went out, meeting a tall man''s shadow upon exiting the room.


    She spoke in her dreams as her eyes closed and her mind settled. It was a wish of an eternal friend. One that would not disappear. A lovely wish started to become a recurring nightmare as an image began to form. One of a young man with a youthful and bright smile, standing gallantly with a sheathed sword next to his waist, his dark hair covering a part of his eye. His fiery temperament livened the atmosphere, and his dedication to justice and bravery burned like the sun. And next to him was a solemn looking young girl wearing a robed tunic. Her calm, cool, and silent demeanor cancelled out her friend''s, but even with that they were close knit, inseparable.


    Don''t fall too far behind, Lorelei! Hurry or you''ll miss it!" he yelled out, running at a great pace upwards on a hill, the sun rising in the distance. He had a wide grin on his face as he charged through without fear.


    But she fell behind, unable to catch up to him. "Wait!" she cried out, panting. But her voice was unable to reach him as he drifted further away." But, before she could fall, a hand held her up. A soothing smile reassured her that she was not alone.


    "Come, let us take it at our own pace. It''s amazing that you tried to catch up to him, it was admirable, but remember that he is an abnomal person. He never seems to run out of stamina in whatever he does, always filled with vigor. I wonder where he gets his strength from," she spoke, looking at him with admiration despite his frame becoming smaller and smaller the farther away he got. She did not look to fear being left alone, but she knew, and was confident, that she would eventually be there to catch up to him and raise him up whenever he stumbles.


    They finally reached the peak where a beautiful sunrise gleamed slowly from the peak of another mountain in the far distance, covered by a white sheet of snow. A vast lush green field served as their playground, a place where they eased their weary bodies and laid themselves down upon.


    The three of them laid their backs on the grass, eyes closed, feeling the calm breeze brush by their skin.


    "Ahh! This feels great! It''s been a while since I''ve been here. I thought I''d never see the light of day," he said loudly.


    "Well, that''s what you get for voluntarily locking yourself up to train and study at the same time just to pass the academy. Goodness, if you only prioritized one thing," she replied.


    "A man can pass any trial given to him as long as he has to will to keep going. And of course, I won''t let the academy shatter my dreams! It''s too big for that. I''ll pass, no matter what it takes. Then I''ll show everyone just how great I''ll become. Then they won''t underestimate me."


    "I know that you can accomplish it. I mean, well, it''s you after all. I think everything you''ve said so far you''ve done. It''s amazing how you can seem to accomplish something so hard and difficult," said Lorelei, looking at the side.


    "Well, Lorelei. If you try too, then you''ll be able to make anything you want come true. Everyone''s still complaining about how hard it is when I''ve already done it. Their problem is that they complain and don''t really do anything about it. Have a bit of faith in yourself, why don''t you?"


    "Yes, Lorelei. It might just be the end of the world since I''m agreeing with him, but place a bit more trust in yourself. You don''t seem to realize it, but you''re a natural at almost everything that you do. You do have a dream that you want to fulfill, right?"


    "No, I can''t think of one. I don''t know what I want, and how to find what I should aspire for."


    "Well, you see, I don''t want to brag, but I just accomplished the first step of my dream!" he roared out, getting up in one fluid movement, then placing both hands on his waist, as if to declare something to the world so that it may rejoice and applaud at him.


    "I just became a squire! An official one! And I''ve got immediate assignments to go to the Ellanter wall and support the front lines. There''s the place I''ll finally make a name for myself. Demons will be running scared when they see me! Then, I''ll finally be a part of the king''s knighthood order after I beat the demon king!"


    "Congratulations! That''s an amazing achievement! You''ve finally done it, haven''t you?"


    "Thanks, Lorelei. If only Miss pessimisstic here can sympathize with me."


    "Don''t you think that''s going a bit too far? Or maybe you''re jumping a bit too far up ahead. I mean, the demon king. I know you''re eager to get started and all that, but you''ve never even fought a real demon yet. How do you think you''ll be able to match the demon king?" she argued, like she always would whenever he would make up some impossible task that he would end up miraculously accomplishing. It felt like a routine to her, but it felt natural to ask him all about it.


    "With grit and determination! There''s no way he can outlast me! I bet he won''t be able to even keep up with me. I''m far from being at my limits anyway."


    "Are you sure that you''re awake? This might be another delusion of yours. You can''t depend on that alone. Creator knows that there''s only a few in this world than can match you in tenacity."


    "I''ve already run laps before the rooster crows! And besides, you''re that person that can match me, so you''re just as guilty! Hear this, Lorelei, she got an offer to be in the most prestigious academy in Exaltier to become an officer, and what does she do? She declines it and chooses to graduate in the same academy as us instead, aspiring for the same thing."This book was originally published on Royal Road. Check it out there for the real experience.


    "I would rather stay with Lorelei and be happy rather than be apart from her and feel depressed over there. I''m still far too young to become a knight."


    "A knight?! You never told me that you were offered to be a knight! That''s... something that I thought you''d get eventually, but not before me!" he became silent as he crossed his arms and closed his eyes, thinking hard before speaking once more. "This one''s a scary man woman, Lorelei. You think I''m ambitious and tenacious, but you''ve never seen her. She''s like a brute that''s been let loose- " but before he could finish his sentence, she had already performed a magnificent throw on him, sending him lying on his back again.


    "Argh! What did I tell you?" he spoke, out of breath. "Something else, isn''t it?"


    All three of them would laugh at the exchange and let bygones be bygones. They were like brother and sister, inseparable by their bond built with time.


    It was then that the fated day came for him to leave their presence. It was a sorrowful day as they grudgingly left each other. The last he saw of him was when he wore a distinguished shiny steel armor, a cape and a shield decorated him.


    "So, I guess this is finally it?"


    "Go already. You''re making this harder for the both of us," she said, urging him with a bittersweet smile.


    And so, he did. With his radiant smile, he departed.


    A few months passed until the dreaded news arrived to them, and along with that was a familiar sword, its blade cleaned from the blood that had stuck on it.


    It was a familiar sword, and touching the hilt only made it all the clearer. Their sorrows mounted as their emotions cascaded into an uncontrolled sob as they wept for him.


    A great battle began with him as part of the main front line, and along with the others he disappeared, never seen from again. A monstrous demon decimated and left no survivors, including him. There were no bodies, but there was no proof of them dying or living. That was what they had told them.


    Lorelei looked on with tears as her only remaining friend cried her heart out, embracing his sword in her arms, shouting his name into the heavens, "Arthur! Arthur! Why did you have to leave us!" she uttered. Her calm and unmoving disposition became alien to Lorelei, but she knew that her agony was genuine. She loved him, but she never had the chance to tell him before he left. She vowed a promise that Lorelei could not hear.


    A few more months passed, and the promise was fulfilled.


    "Will you truly be leaving, Dione?" she asked.


    "I must, Lorelei. Forgive me. I still cannot accept that Arthur simply had died or vanished. With this, I will search for him, and I shall bring him home. Forgive me for leaving you alone, Lorelei, I will return shortly after I have found him. I am sure that he simply stumbled somewhere, waiting for someone to come and get him."


    And so, she too left her presence, departing with a great rank at a young age, decorated with medals and honors from many distinguished knights. Her excellence brought her high in an instant, pushed by her promise and motivation, she rose unlike anyone had ever seen, and so, she was prepared.


    Many days she had become alone, roaming the empty gray castle halls without a company other than Sofiya. Her silence and anxiety brought her to no end of worry, so she too aspired to excel in many things. She furthered her education, learning about all that she could, studied many arts and methods, even going as far as to train in fencing only to refrain a week after.


    She awaited her ever morning, every night. She expected her to come through the door with Arthur hanging on to her shoulders, walking beside each other. But nothing but dust and the wind came through.


    Her already trembling heart was shook even further by the new of something she had thought the possibility of, but never thought possible.


    She spent her nights locked up in her room, cradling her legs, not having eaten nor changed her clothes. But she was pulled out from her depressed state by him, her father, comforting her along with her mother. And it was then that she wept for so long, finally letting go of the sorrow she had kept bottled up.


    "There, there, Lorelei. Everything will be fine. We are here, and will always be here for you, never forget that."


    And so, her sorrows became a nightmare, one that, if she had made another friend, that he or she would disappear from her grasp again, never to be seen from or heard from.


    He moved like a blur as he quickly faded from my line of sight. There was a cold, sharp pain that stung me from my back where my wound from last time was slowly being reopened as I was sent stumbling forward, brought down by my own momentum and weight.


    I struggled to stand but succeeded, seeing him brandish his sharp and flexible rapier with a haughty confidence that came with a cold stare.


    However, my mind was more occupied with other things rather than my demise in the hands of a snake.


    I collected myself and held my weapon firm. I charged the man with a fraction of my energy, but one thing motivated me. A pair of eyes looking drown from her stand. Her eyes of concern where all that I could see, but it was more than enough.


    He thrust with a forward momentum. Sending a flurry, scratching and wounding me. But it had a flaw to it that I had already seen a dozen times over. I''ve felt its cold lash on my skin as it lacerated my flesh. I have one chance.


    I Evaded with my body and took a giant step to the other direction, eluding his initial attack. Once I had avoided its direction, he was wide open from his sides. I took the chance to cleave with all my might and send him down to the ground with the flat ended of my sword.


    He yielded, then came a roaring applause, one louder than yesterday.


    It went by like some routine, and I found myself back on that same garden where I beheld her image.


    "I told you it would be dangerous! But why did you have to insist?" she said, looking over me with worry and a soaked towel in hand. The cold water sent a shiver up my spine while it stung as she applied it on the side of my wound. "And please don''t move too much. It''ll irritate the wound further."


    She wore an exquisitely beautiful light blue dress that only reinforced her status, and made her look even more angelic the day I first truly laid my eyes on her. Her hair was neatly kempt that flowed down along her back as it gave off a faint but fragrant aroma. On it was a good tiara resting comfortably on her head, adorned with a few bright and colorful stones that gleamed as the light shone on it.


    the amount of wealth on her didn''t make her prideful, and it showed on her face of concern as she treated my wounds.


    "Well, I wanted to impress you, like I said. Besides, I wouldn''t want to back down from that. But still, thank you, Lorelei. This is the second time that you have helped me. I haven''t even repaid your for that time," I couldn''t think but feel helpless for giving her this responsibility. I couldn''t stop myself from smiling at her, then laughing at the mess I had become, and one that she had to clean. "Besides, I''m so close to winning that I can feel it. Well, I can feel something else, but it''s painful, and nothing like winning."


    "There is no need for you to do so. You being here is more than enough for me. I could have not asked for anything more... But there is something that I wanted to ask you."


    "Well don''t keep me in suspense. What is it about?"


    "I-I wanted to know if you wanted to go with me to the festival of twilight tonight? Just the two of us?"


    "The twilight festival? What is that?"


    "Well, it''s a celebration of light as I''ve been told. But I will keep the rest of it a secret until tonight."


    "Alright, I''ll look forward to it. Do I have to wear anything fancy?"


    "No," she laughed. "I don''t think that will be needed."


    And thus, we had made a promise. The day dragged on as be talked and spoke about many things we knew and didn''t know about. We roamed the many rooms of the castle and laughed away at the bliss of it all.


    "Come," she said, pulling me by the hand. We ascended a set of stairs leading up, passing by many other floors until we were at the highest peak of the castle, a tower overlooking everything.


    She opened the door and revealed a magnificent sight where the sun gleamed brightly, and the clouds, it felt like I could touch them if I reached out a bit more. Everything in the distance became clear, and the people down below became small dots. It was a breathtaking sight as the wind blew at me, refreshing and warm.


    "This is a special place of mine that I go to when I look at the stars. Well, one of my special places. This one is the best by far. Please, tonight, I want you to meet me here. I will be waiting."


    "Is it for the twilight festival?"


    "Yes, so please. Will you?"


    "Absolutely! No way I''ll miss it for the world."


    Then it was my time to leave that a familiar face appeared through the doors of the hall, breathing raggedly, her clothes tattered, and she was covered in wounds. A couple of guards accompanied her, guiding her in the case that she falls. Her eyes turned to me, looking graciously. She declined the helping hands extended to her as she threw herself onto me. I could feel her heart beating fast, and the shuddering of her body. Her monotonous face could not be seen, but it was replaced by one of fear and urgency.


    "Zachary! Lavis, it''s being attacked by demons. You have to go back and save Sir Hark. He won''t last long enough to wait for anyone else! It has to be you, please!" she begged, a single tear falling from her eye. "I''ve been traveling for so long that I don''t know what''s become of the town by now."


    I felt a strong pang of pain assault my mind, my throats felt dry as I had to swallow the information, unable to believe that I just had heard. Though I was happy to see her, I knelt to her level and wiped the tear away. I looked at her eyes sternly and spoke, trying my best not to break down and panic.


    "Stay here, and don''t come back until it''s safe. Call for help if you want, but I will go ahead now. I promise, I''ll save Sir Hark. I won''t let anything happen to him. I promise, Louise," I said, standing up and leaving her to the guard''s care, quickly departing the castle for the Inn, brushing aside anyone that I came into contact with. It felt like the insides of my body burned as I ran faster than I had ran before.


    I barged into the door of our room in the Inn and saw Gino looking over his bed, where scrolls and books were spread out in the open. He had a perplexed look on his face, which turned to surprise as he looked up at me.


    "What a sudden visit. Already done having fun with the princess?"


    "There''s no time! I have to get back to Lavis, and quick!" I reached for my father''s sword on the corner and my rucksack and ran outside, wasting no time.


    "Wait! Hold on, what did you just say?!" Gino yelled out to me, his voice fading as I got down the Inn''s main room.


    Right as I opened the door, there Daphne stood, astonished as she looked at me, wide eyed.


    "What''s wrong? You look ragged. Did something happen?" she asked. But I didn''t have time to explain. Every time that passes is a chance of saving Sir Hark and Lavis lost. "I''m sorry, but I have to get to Lavis, fast!" I squeezed through the door way and made my way towards the city gates, panting but not stopping.


    There were masses of people going towards my direction, many accompanied with carriages, wagons, and people carrying heavy sacks and loads.


    I hurriedly looked around and rushed at the first one my eyes glanced on. A tall brown horse, saddled nearby on a stable by the gates. I took the reins as I leapt onto its back, cutting the rope restricting it with my sword.


    Then after eluding the guards from the gates I was finally free, galloping full speed back to Lavis. Deep in my heart, I wish and prayed for their safety. My thought was clouded of nothing but how they were faring during these times.


    To return back to the land, where a lush green area spanned acres upon acres, untamed and unkempt by anything that man had to offer, yet with it came a deep mystery that hid many. The two dimensions of humanity and nature separated what I saw and what I perceived.


    A faint breeze, a stagnant wind, a warm ray of light. I felt, tasted, smelled, saw, all of it came back to me like a wave.


    Meanwhile, as she was left in the care of the guards, Sofia stood in the chaos, having heard the change, and even more.


    "Ah, Miss Matten! This is urgent. I come from the town of Glace, orders from the governor. The nearby towns are being assaulted by demons everywhere! It''s like they appeared from the forests, and some out of thin air!" He emphasized, showing a great amount of panic. "We must send forces to quell this, otherwise they will make their way towards Exaltier."


    "What is the situation with Glace?" she asked firmly, changing personas.


    "I know little of the ones out of reach from our town, but the ones nearby are already engaging in battle. Without any leadership from their lords, I doubt they''ll last very long."


    "Very well," she replied. "I shall relay this right away," she then looked at the castle guard beside them and spoke authoritatively. "Please leave this woman in my care. I will get her to the infirmary. Gather all of the generals and commanders to the king''s hall, I will call the king and queen to address the problem."


    The man left with a bow and ran out of the door, hurrying himself as he understood the urgency of what was happening.


    "Please hold yourself together for a little while more. I shall get you help, then you can explain your part in this," she spoke to her, fatigued and unable to speak, replying with a nod instead. She then fell into a deep slumber, succumbing to her fatigue.

 Chapter 17: Reminiscing the night of uncertainty

    My name is Theodore Hark, the lord of the town, Lavis, and the so-called protector of the surrounding villages. I am old, but not old enough to be burdened by it. If not by age, the load of paperwork is what''s making me weaker.


    Talk about being appointed the position of a bodyguard.


    People''s trust in you grow substantially and fluctuate depending on the deeds you accomplish. It was no surprise that after the many campaigns and battles I have partaken in and emerged victorious from, people started to warm up to the idea of being in a state of peace as long as I was around.


    I didn''t mind it especially. One can''t simply say to the public "Forgive me, but I cannot keep up with your expectations, so please do lessen the burden on me by not depending on me too much." Pride doesn''t have to be in the way. Lives are on your shoulders. It should be an honor to be able to serve them, let alone protect them.


    It was a ridiculous and an utterly idiotic display of the lack of confidence.


    So, I kept the honor and kept bettering myself. It was easier when Frederick was still at my side to help me. The man after all is akin to a demon when it comes to fighting. But he''s not here anymore, a tragedy that could have been avoided if only I had visited more often. But all in all, he was a good man. If you had someone to depend on, then you would be stupid not to pick him.


    He turned most of the impossible situations we were in around, and more than often he would get me out of a rut that could have taken our lives. I owe much of it to him.


    But now that he''s gone, I have to be stronger, for the both of us.


    The greatest warrior I have ever come to know is gone, so I must take that burden, as his friend, and sworn brother, not by blood, but by bond.


    Because of some past events, I have been crippled, both physically and mentally.


    I''ve lost most of the men I need to fight demons on the surrounding area, so an offensive is not possible. If a small army were to attack an area around here, then it would take longer for me to respond to the attack, and the chances are, by the time I''ve gotten there, everything would have been too late.


    It was a previous event in Caspia that I had lost most of them, only emerging alive from the help of my nephew, Frederick''s son, adopted, and the very last Thalisean of his generation, or that''s what I know so far.


    This world''s so shrouded in mystery that one can''t tell the truth from lies, or if there are any more hidden, it would take you a while to find the truth.


    The young man grew splendidly. Though he doesn''t look like his old man at all, he had his character, or at least a bit of it. Frederick paid off of him after all, then.


    Training him, I realized that he had a big potential to grow, but nothing to his name. When he came up to me that fateful day, I was surprised, and he had gone on and on about wanting to train under me because his father told him to do so.


    The kid went through something terrible. Witnessing his own parent''s deaths. Adoptive or not, no son or daughter should have to bear the weight of seeing their parent''s death. The pain should have been imprinted in his mind, and that was true enough. The child was shaken up by it that he as frail and weak.


    He had to fight for his life, having fought a demon and a revenant no less, alone. being taught by his father, he fought as much as he could and eventually achieved revenge. There he unknowingly awakened his latent prowess as the son of light.


    It took a few days to force him up to shape, but no drastic measures had to be made. He adjusted to it. He showed promise in being able to grow up despite the tragedy of his life thus far.


    But enough about him. I can''t be bothered to tell a story anymore. I''m too old for this!


    "Father, who are you talking to? It seems that your ramblings are even more rampant today. Are you that worried about Zachary after the recent incidents?"


    My beautifully monotonous and strict daughter entered the room with a small clipboard in her arm. It seems that she was already checking off the agendas today, and without my consent, again.


    "Of course I am. but you, you''re already up and anxious about work in the morning? I wonder if you''re getting enough rest yourself. It''d be bad if you grew ill."


    "Morning? You must be confused. It is already the afternoon. You have slept in once again and neglected the duties that were needed in the morning. But rest assured, I have already taken the liberty of finishing it in your stead."


    She responded coldly, looking at me with disappointment as she stood by the door, waiting for me to get up.


    I was competent, but at my own pace. It was no use to rush at anything not unless I was motivated to get it finished as efficiently as possible. Today was just not the day it seems. I wasn''t that much past my prime.


    Ever since Zach left for the task I had given him; I had been worried with how he was.


    It was on short notice, and the shortage of manpower contributed to that, but he was the only one I could depend on at that time.


    Even with the financial crisis and the shortage of manpower, we tried to struggle as much as possible, coping and adjusting to the growing problem of demons ravaging the kingdom''s territory.


    I stood up and stretched my body. After getting that injury from the battle at Caspia, I had to rest for a while, but that much of an injury could not keep me down. I had to stay strong for everyone.


    "Tell me, how is our progress on hiring more mercenaries in the meantime?"


    "We have a small group of 120 to 150 soldiers in our disposal, excluding the town''s defensive army. some of them are the mercenaries that we''ve hired while most are volunteer civilians that we are currently training as we speak."


    "Hmm, I guess we can work with that. Is that all for the town?"


    "Yes, but there are more arriving in a day or so. A few 50 men. I''ve already deducted the forces that we''ve sent to the surrounding villages, so this is the current total."


    She was efficient. Meticulous and efficient. She made up for some... alright, most mistakes that I overlook or make during some very vital decisions concerning the town.


    But yes, we hired mercenaries to help cover the lack in manpower. Sure enough the costs would be enough to drive us into the ground, but the threat of the demons invading at any time would be more than enough of a reason to overspend. I have a few gold coins in my coffers anyway.


    "With the defensive army that we have, do you think that we can withstand an attack if they were to arrive?"


    I asked, voicing my suspicions once more.


    This was not the first time I had told her of my premonitions and the possibility of an attack.


    After receiving information of a possible mobilization of a demonic army, I prepared with haste and arranged for things to go my way and according to how I wanted it. Though her faith in me was shaken for the smallest bit of things, I was still confident in my abilities as a general and a commander that I could take charge and ease the people''s worries as much as I could.


    "I cannot predict that. I have no prowess with militaristic manners. But seeing from our subpar force, we may be able to withstand the attack of small army. However, it is an entirely different question if we were to attack. I''m sure you would understand why."


    "I have the basic gist of it in mind. It''s good to know that I''m not the only one who thinks that. I''ve been faced with so many uncertainties as of late. I have tried my best to not let it shake my confidence, but one of these days it''ll come to topple me."


    "With your stubborn attitude, I''m sure that won''t be anytime soon."


    "Thank you. That''s reassuring. Well then, enough brooding. What else is there?"


    "Would you like to see the treasury?"


    "sigh, I''d rather not, for my own health. We should already be beyond saying financially by any normal means. I''ll have to ask Gareth to compensate me, otherwise I''ll go into retirement for good."


    "Threatening a king next? Your boldness knows no bounds."


    "If I was not, then we''d be long under. Sometimes, a few risks are in order."


    We went on with our usual day, looking over the town''s defenses and training the newly formed militia and army. A small punitive force that will only be used for the most desperate means. Using them for a real battle from the get go will only get them killed.


    I''ve shoved away most of the paperwork and put if off for later.


    I swung my blade slowly, then gradually building up strength and speed with my previously injured arm so that I could adjust to not having used it as much.


    Beads of sweat poured from my forehead, and my body felt unusually heavy.


    "Was I this out of shape? I thought It''d trivial."


    I panted as if I had been training for hours on end, when in reality, only an hour had passed.


    My footwork had declined as well, and coordinating my senses felt dull. Nevertheless, I forced as much as I could unto my body until I had a faint grasp of the basics.


    "Would you like some refreshments?"


    Louise appeared, carrying a tray of water and some bread.


    There was a reason for this as well. But to sum it all up, merchants seldom came here, so the supplies were reduced by a heart wrenching amount. There had to be some precautions to make sure everyone gets their fair share.


    "So, how is everything so far? Holding up?"


    "Yes. I would not dare leave this task to anyone else. But of more concern. How are you faring with your training? Have you returned to your formal self?"


    "Worried about me? My dear daughter, I''ve yet to return to the level that I want. But don''t underestimate me, I can still cut down dozens of demons before I even break a sweat."


    "Hmm. Well, that''s odd. I wonder if you are sweating or in the middle of bathing."This story originates from Royal Road. Ensure the author gets the support they deserve by reading it there.


    "Come now, I''m trying to impress you here."


    "Well, I''m impressed by how fatigued you look with a few hours of training."


    "Fine, you win. Listen, I wanted to tell you something, Louise. This is rather important."


    She turned around and listened, not a single change in her expression.


    "If worse comes to worse, I want you to go to Exaltier and warn the king, if possible, stay there. No harm will come to you, understand?"


    "I''m quite capable of taking care of myself. But, I am confused about one thing."


    "And that is?"


    "That you seem to be terrified of something, so unsure. It''s unusual from your confident self."


    "Just listen. I know I''m not good at expressing myself, so I''ll just say it now. I fear that we''ll be overrun. We are far from the capital, and close to enemy territory, without a proper army to help us. With the way I am, I can manage to hold them off for a few days until I succumb."


    "Please stop saying ridiculous things. There are many more things of importance to do. The last thing I would like is you jesting."


    She promptly left without looking at me.


    Well, I didn''t quite expect this to happen. I thought she would comply, but instead it''s the complete opposite.


    I can''t express myself in times like this. It''s not that I don''t want to, but I just can''t quite do it.


    But if that time comes, I shall see to it that she escapes no matter what. And with the looming danger of an attack, I''m rather happy that Zach isn''t here. He should focus on getting stronger by himself, even without me.


    I''m not writing my own tombstone yet, but the chances are too great to think otherwise.


    If the demons plan to attack the southern part of the kingdom, then it is ideal.


    They should already by now know that most of the lords have been absent for a while so they are taking advantage of that by attacking the weakest point.


    I may not be a genius, but this is a simple strategy, a strategy leading to something else entirely.


    I must make a letter just in case. There''s no telling whether I''m right or wrong, but the demons have gained enormous strength over the seasons. The only thing holding them back are the persistence of the other kingdoms.


    But yes, what follows is an imminent attack on the capital while the lords scramble to defend their weak points.


    No doubt that this is only one of the points they will strike upon.


    The most important thing right now is for me to figure out how to get Louise out of this town if an attack where to happen. Zach isn''t here, so I needn''t not worry about him. As long as he doesn''t come back here, then he will be safe.


    He is just not prepared yet to face the demons head on, nor is he prepared for when they finally realize and come to the conclusion that there is indeed a Thalisean roaming the kingdom of Ylithia.


    Once they come to that conclusion, then they will do everything in their power to eradicate him, even going as far as to send armies to kill him. After all, this isn''t the first that has happened. Many years before the demons have sent armies upon armies to kill a single Thalisean.


    sigh, I looked at the sky and closed my eyes, feeling the wind brushing by my skin.


    "It''s been a while since there''s been this much peace within me. Have I already accepted it?"


    I can''t tell whether I''ve come to terms with it, but fear does not grip me, it hasn''t since I''ve matured. Whatever may come, I shall face it. A sacrifice is needed here, and if it shall give humanity the chance it so desperately needs, then I shall oblige.


    But I just can''t be optimistic about this, damn. And I thought sacrificing yourself for the betterment of your kingdom was something fulfilling. But rather than fulfilling, I feel drained.


    It was a quiet night; the clock had just struck 9 o''clock.


    I sat in my studies reading and planning for tomorrow. My eyelids felt heavy as the fatigue persisted in slowing my progress.


    I have already finished the letter and have sealed it. If my predictions do come true, then this will help then get through the task.


    The bell toiled loudly, then it resonated within the city, rousing the senses of every townsperson in their beds. I looked out my window with unease and saw the gates burning the torch signaling an enemy attack.


    ".... Demons! Close the gates! We are being attacked!"


    ".... Rally the defenders before they start breaching the walls!"


    ".... Archers to the walls! Prepare for defense!"


    The sounds of terror, marching, and the cries of battle snapped me awake. Without hesitation, I wore my armor and took my weapon, running down to the barracks to rally the men I''ve had hired.


    It was dark, but the people around were alarmed already. Many panicked, quickly disrupting the already crumbling peace of the town.


    The soldiers were also alarmed by the sudden announcement, confounded as to what to do. They were lost.


    "Gather at the plaza, immediately! You, man, spread the word immediately!"


    Damn this. It''s too early for my predictions. I have not even had the time to get the townspeople out of here, but it''s not too late. It''ll just take priority over the defense for a little while.


    "You will take command of the men until further notice. I will go to the walls and the gates to secure them. Bring the men and be prepared to attack whenever."


    "Yes sir! You can rely on me."


    "Give me five of our best men with 6 horses, and have them wait here, understood?"


    "Easily arranged, sir."


    "Good. Now move, we don''t have much time."


    I ran back up to my quarters and fetched the letter, seeing Louise looking out from the window at the panic of the people.


    Though she was always adamant, I felt a bit of unease from her. There was no need to see her expression, but I could feel it.


    "Louise. Now is the time to do what I have requested of you. Please, don''t disobey me for once."


    Hs turned around with a serious expression and stood firmly.


    "Do I need to emphasize my stance once more, father? It seems that I need to. I will stay here and help you defend the town until reinforcements arrive. We will have a better chance if I am here."


    "Don''t doubt me, I am pretty capable when the situation calls for it. Take this, go to the capital and hand this to the king. Also, I have another request for you- "


    But as I handed her the letter, she swatted it from my hand, letting it fall to the ground.


    "Louise... Why? There''s no need to stay here. You will be free of your responsibility, and what''s more, I won''t be there to bug you as much. Isn''t that a good proposal?"


    I tried to lighten the mood, but the more she stays firm, the more I''m forced to simply send her away without regrets. Her eyes were giving off a determined stare, one that intimidated me to no end.


    What a daughter I have.


    "I will stay here with you. I will not leave your side. If we die together, then let it be, but all I ask for you is to not send me away. Anything but that."


    She became fiercer and enraged by my attempts. Her lips were quivering, and her hands were clenched, trembling.


    "I don''t understand. Why do you want to stay so much? The town will fall, and the kingdom will go in ruins if nothing is done to stop them."


    "Please understand me!"


    She cried out, tears slowly falling from her eyes.


    "I heard you earlier. You''re prepared to die here, to die protecting the kingdom till the very end! but don''t you get it?! I don''t want to lose you! You are my father, be it adoptive or not, you are the only father I''ve ever come to know! Don''t you realize how much of a pain you''re giving me now by sending me away?! I don''t want to lose the only father I''ve ever had. So please, don''t, father, don''t let it end like this."


    She fell to her knees, crying.


    This was the first time I had seen her this vulnerable, but it was no time to be surprised.


    I took the letter and held her trembling shoulders. I raised her chin with my fingers so that her eyes were leveled to mine.


    I gave her a bright smile and spoke as softly as I could.


    This was my mistake, a grave mistake that I overlooked.


    I''m so ashamed to be called a father now, forgetting to take the feelings of my daughter into account. Oh, what a shame this is.


    "I know I haven''t been nothing but a disappointment than a father lately. But please, let me be a true father to you for once and let me protect you. I know this is hard on you, but this is harder on me. I don''t care if you are adopted or not, but you have always been my daughter, and it would be even more painful for me to lose you than it is for you."


    I embraced her and felt my own emotions well up, but now I have an obligation to stay strong for her. I''ll hold back the tears till I''m dead.


    But as soon as I embraced her, she returned it, tightly as if not wanting to let go of me.


    "There, there. It will be alright. Thank you for being my daughter, Louise. You''ve given me the joy and privilege of becoming your father, even though I wasn''t up to the task."


    She wept even more, and tightened her grip.


    "But now, we don''t have that much time left. It''s sad that we express ourselves only when there''s danger, but still, I''m grateful. Here, take it and go. I still need to do something for the town."


    She couldn''t respond, and I understood that. But to my surprise she mustered as much strength as she could and spoke amidst the tears and sorrow that made her stammer.


    "T-Thank you for giving me the chance to know what it''s like to have a father."


    I''m blessed to have such a daughter, but it''s a pain that I have not spent so much time with her.


    I assisted her and led her outside to where the soldiers I requested were waiting.


    "Men, your final duties to me are to get this daughter of mine to Exaltier. I cannot pay you with anything right now except my eternal gratitude, but if you have family here, then I will assure that they get away alive before any demon lays their hands on anyone of them. What say you?"


    I recognized some of these men. Some were part of the main army I led, but I chose to put them on the defense when I recruited more men in the past.


    "Sir, having fought with you was an honor enough! We will do whatever it takes to keep miss Louise safe. We will never forget you and what you have done for us."


    They gave a salute and mounted their horses, along with Louise whose eyes never left me.


    "Go! Before the gates are battered down. I can hear the demon''s decrepit cries. The back door''s the only way you''ll get out from here. A bit more, and I''ll have the people escape through there."


    And with that, I sent her away, waving until I couldn''t see her anymore.


    Now, here lies my greatest responsibility up next.


    I assembled a small group of 20 men in my disposal, placing the remaining in the care of a commanding officer of mine. With that, I would be able to swiftly move about the town in the case that they do break in.


    The evacuation of the villagers have begun, so I will be planning on using the entire town to my disposal.


    For a moment, gathered my officers and laid out a map of the town, showing the specific strategies I wanted to implement.


    Each piece I placed on the board had a special significance and importance. If one were to fall, then arranging for another plan this very instant would be impossible. I stressed my point to my men, who looked perplexed, their confidence wavering as the cries of demons beyond the gate echoed.


    We had not clashed against them, but there are already casualties.


    "Sir, we have a rough estimate."


    "Good. Give me the report, soldier."


    There appears to be more than a hundred battering at our gates and around the walls. It was too dangerous to go beyond the forests, but movement has been detected there. From what I have seen, there should be more of them arriving soon if not now."


    "Well, it isn''t exactly ideal, we will make do with that information. The demons don''t quite follow any type of orders unless they are led by someone. They become like mobs. But remember, our first priority is getting the people away from here. Then we hold the demons here for as long as we can until reinforcements arrive."


    None replied, but I could read what they wanted to say in their minds. Their emotions showed on their faces, and it made me quite pensive.


    But, there''s no going around it. I might as well tell them up front rather than let them rout in fear.


    I stood firm and took a deep breath in.


    "Men, listen to me. I know your worries. They are mine too. But fear not, I will be here to share them with you... We will die here."


    As expected, their faces shifted with uncertainty. Their eyes widened at what I said, and murmurs started shifting through them almost instantly. It was a bold statement, if not bold, then an idiotic one.


    One of a general''s most important tasks are to keep up the morale of his units, but I''m breaking that one law.


    "There is not much to say, but reinforcements won''t be here on time seeing as there are so many of them already outside these walls. Soon they will surround us, and it will be impossible to escape. But it will be at the cost of our lives that people are saved. Isn''t that what we enlisted for?"


    I took on a calm tone. They listened quietly, which was what they needed to calm their nerves.


    Some of the civilian volunteers trembled in fear, while some contemplated their decisions.


    "But this is not the end of us. Listen to me. If you want to live and get through this, then show me that you can challenge the impossible. I say it is impossible to escape from here, but can you change that? Can you show these demons that we are not to be underestimated? I don''t think any of you are up to the task."


    Yes, intimidation. If anything, I played with their emotions. Filling them with regret and sorrow, then giving them an ounce of hope that they will cling on to. Playing with their emotions was not my forte, nor did I want to do it. But desperate times call for desperate measures.


    Ironically I feel like I''m the one who''s the most affected here.


    "It won''t matter then. I will fight, and I shall challenge that impossible ideal. And in the end, I will emerge from this, though I might be on the verge of death by then, I would have made it alive. Why? It''s because I wanted to live, desperately. I wanted to see tomorrow. Now, are you the same? Are you cowards? Shout! Let me hear your voices!"


    I roused their emotions, making it stronger like a fire being fed firewood.


    But only some raised their arms, looking nervously at their peers and fellow soldiers. It seems like the majority was strong, and to make them unified, one must take the silent majority and force them to his side.


    I approached one man and placed my arms on his shoulders, looking him straight in the eye as I let my words resound and resonate within him until he looked renewed. Then I moved on to the other, then to the next, until they were all convinced that they were missing something.


    "But despite all this, challange it or not, I will be with you. Choose. Stay there without chooing an ideal to fight for, or will you challenge the impossible along with me?!"


    They let out a powerful roar, a cry that inspired every single man in the town. It might have even been strong enough to shake the resolve of those damnable demons outside.


    I was proud to have the chance to fight by their side, even on a losing battle.


    The night was as dark and foreboding as ever. In the shadows hid an enemy feared by many. But in the walls stood an army of men ready to face them.


    "Frederick, watch over me, will you? This is the most I''ve been uncertain in my entire life. You were always there to guide me, but you''re not here anymore... I promised to take care of Zach, but I''m not as strong as you. But with this, I will protect him."


    Wait for me, my friend. There is a large chance that you and I will meet once more. I hope you don''t mind the company.

 Chapter 18: During and after the twilight

    I tried my best to stifle my ragged breathing, but my thoughts wandered to their situation. How could they be faring at this moment? Will I be able to reach them in time?


    The anxiety made me panic even more to the point that I mercilessly forced my mount to its limit. The thought of losing another person that I''ve cared for made me weak, so much that I was willing to risk anything to save them, even myself, though the thoughts became terrifying as I had dozens of chances to lose my life in the past.


    I passed through village after village, not stopping at any one, except at a river where I had to rest my horse.


    I leaned back on a tree and looked up. "It''s already gotten this dark," I said to myself, despite the blurred vision, I could clearly see the twinkling of the stars up above the clear night sky. My body still ached because of the previous encounters I had in the tournament, so I was in no position to do anything strenuous... "Are you kidding me? Pull yourself together, Zach."


    I planted my face unto my hands filled with cold water from the river and awoke myself. This was no time for me to rest. It hadn''t even been a day, but I wouldn''t gamble this situation like that.


    "But why do I have this feeling that I did something wrong?" I stared up, immediately remembering the promise she had made to me, earlier this morning. A pang in my heart welled up as I cursed myself. I broke my promise with her, simple as that, and I can''t do anything about it anymore.


    I left Gino and Daphne without explaining anything to them. Some friend I am. Did I have not enough trust in them to ask them for help? Or did I leave them on instinct since, deep down, no matter how much they''re indebted to me, I didn''t want to drag them into this.


    It''s easy enough to lose your life, even when you''re that skilled. This power of mine is the only reason I can shoulder this decision of mine. I know they can handle themselves, but I can''t put them in danger, I care about them too much for them to be put in harm''s way.


    "Why is this all happening?!" I yelled out to no one in particular. "If only I didn''t have this mark with me," I stared down the back of my hand and clenched it, forcing that white outline to appear.


    "Show up, damn it! I need you..." but nothing. It remained blank for the longest minutes that passed. It felt heavy as those few minutes passed. I was wasting the chances I had.


    "Fine! I don''t care if you don''t show up. I''ll save them all by myself," I kicked the tree right in front of me, unsettling the horse I had stolen.


    "Sorry, I had to drag you into this. I promise, when we get there, I''ll set you free," I said to it, calming it as I felt its nose shivering.


    Without delaying anymore time, I rode through the paved roads once again. My frustration mounted with the silence around me, save for the galloping of the horse''s hooves.


    She sat there alone, looking at the festive lights and the soft sound of harmonious music being played in the background. She was alone, waiting for someone as the night sky and the stars kept her company. On her lap was a Yellow rose, and a tulip.


    Naturally she believed that the twilight festival would bring out the awaited shower of light like everyone had anticipated, but as time passed, her beliefs grew weaker, and so did her confidence. Her mind became troubled as she expected him to come saying ''sorry I was late!'' but nothing. Time passed until the twilight festival came, and it the time for rest arrived.


    But, she stayed stoic and adamant, remaining there even when the night started to sink in, hoping and wishing for a miracle to happen.


    "Imbecile! He could have waited for us. Not like there was anything stopping us from helping him. So why did he just have to go alone?" she contemplated, riding full speed into the night, wearing her full set of armor.


    "It seems there are still some things that we have yet to know about him. That may be bothering him, I speculate," Gino retorted, carrying a bag full of his belongings. "But in any case, we have better get to Lavis right away. I have a bad feeling about what''s going to happen, but I don''t exactly know what."


    She gripped the reins tightly and ground her teeth. "Doesn''t he trust us enough to tell us about what''s happening?..." she felt saddened by her reasoning. On the inside, she was shaken, not sure what to believe.


    "I''m sure he has his reasons. And whatever that may be, we will be sure to ask him about it. We''ve gone this far, so there''s no need for us to separate, is there?" he said enthusiastically, lifting her spirits up by a little.


    Through the night, there showed a crimson flare in the distance. A dark cloud of smoke that signaled ''help!'' as it became larger the moment I drew closer to it.


    Sounds of people screaming ripped through my ears. Upon closer examination, houses and fields of wheat and grain burned as bodies littered the surroundings. Demons with amalgamations of animals and some vile beasts were in the mess as well, some even roamed and stalked their prey as if they were enjoying a feast. There was a large number of them, and a quickly dwindling number of the opposition, fearfully fighting back the monsters while heroically defending the feeling unarmed people.


    As if by impulse, I leapt from my mount and hurried to their side, taking my sword from my sheathe and swinging it at the nearest demon that I could find.


    The heat was overwhelming, and so were their numbers, which seemed to increase tenfold from nowhere.


    "Hurry! We have to get them somewhere safe!" one of the soldiers in charge beckoned, dutifully giving out orders with a quivering voice. His eyes wandered, trying to find more of those that he could depend on, but they themselves were too occupied to follow his orders.


    A demon knelt there, possessing two horns and a long snout; a large, scaly body and a tail. It feasted on the remains of a deceased farmer, not noticing my presence. Beside it was a child, crying and sobbing at the farmer being consumed.


    Before I knew it, I was running and driving my sword into the monster''s mouth, forcing him to choke on its own blood. The best I could do was tear the child away from the horrid sight and give him to one of the fleeing peasants, who turned me away with terrified looks. Many more passed, declining the offer to save a life. I even saw some of the helpless children being trampled by the stampede of fleeing farmers. All I could do for them was yell at the farmers before the imminent came.


    I asked myself this as these precious seconds passed. "Just who is more of a monster?"


    I then gave custody of the child to one of the soldiers, who reluctantly took him away from me, saying, "What are you still doing here?! You''re too young to stay and fight, never mind. Creator bless you that you saved this child when no one would. Everyone''s just out for their own asses here. You''d best get out of here, too! There''s no chance of saving the village. There''s just too much of them!" then he ran along with the others.


    I faced the oncoming horde, now alone. I felt a warm sensation on the back of my hand, growing stronger as I remember it. Like a flame being tended to until it burns bright and strong.


    "Come! I''ll show you how terrifying the light is!" I yelled out, gripping the hilt of my sword, nearly crushing it. Thus, the light grew brighter and brighter until it outshone the scarlet, red flame burning around me. The demons stopped in their tracks and looked at me as if I were a monster.


    Lorelei...


    Tears streamed down her face. "Have I done something wrong?" she asked, trying to think of why he had not showed up yet.


    But Sofiya interrupted her, and she hurriedly wiped off her signs of sorrow.


    "Princess! What are you still doing here? The festival is finished, so there''s nothing to admire any longer. Come, let us head back to bed. Things will start being hectic starting tomorrow, I predict."


    But she did not receive an answer, not even a glance.


    Being the one who had spent the longest time with her, save for her parents, she immediately knew that something was wrong. So, she came forward and sat with her, looking at the stars and admiring them.


    "Wow, it''s not every night that you see them like this. It just doesn''t compare to every night. What are you waiting here for, Princess?"


    "No one in particular. I was admiring the festival alone, that''s all," she let of a stifled laugh and spoke indifferently, calming down to realize that he was not coming.


    "That''s strange. I was sure that you would ask Sir Zachary to join you. But I guess he wouldn''t be able to anyway."


    She stopped before she could descend the stairs, turning around with a confused glance.


    "What do you mean?"


    "You have not heard? Well, I guess you wouldn''t have. You were asleep, after all. I did not want to wake you since you looked so tired. But yes, there was something happening to the south. A woman came earlier, and Sir Zachary seemed to know her. She''s in the infirmary, resting, but she told him about Lavis being attacked, so he left in quite a hurry. There have already been reports of dispatch, but they won''t depart until tomorrow. No one truly knows what''s happening to the kingdom."


    She looked behind her and whispered his name in concern. She placed her hand on her chest where her heart is and prayed for his safety. He had a reason to go, and she knew how badly he wanted to go for his reasons were too great for her to be upset about it. He had a task that he himself made firm in his mind. But she couldn''t help but feel restless now that she knows what kind of danger he is in.


    "Let us rest then, Princess. It would be better to do it now. I guess it disappointed you that nothing happened this festival. Well, many had their hopes up, seeing as how they all saw that white light, and twice! I was waiting too, but I guess we''ll have to wait and see for another three years."


    Just before they could descend, she felt a slight chill on the nape of her neck that made her turn around to see the horizon overlooking an empty and dark road leading southwards.


    A strong flash of light exploded, giving off a brilliant radiance that eclipsed the light of the sun itself. It''s turbulent magnificence spread instantly across the dark land, illuminating everything with a purifying splendor. It was not blinding, nor did it bring harm to them, but it felt warm, like the embrace of another person. There was a sense that gripped everyone who took in the light that lasted seconds when it felt like eons. Then came another wave, this time it descended from above, a shower of light and stardust.


    And so, it disappeared, and everything went back to normal, or so it seems. All in the kingdom, and many other kingdoms were shook, unable to grasp what had just happened. No one spoke, and everything became silent, so silent that it was deafening.


    Looking at it as the light faded, a single tear fell from her eye. She wiped it off and blinked, snapping herself back to reality.


    "Amazing... What a beautiful light... But why does it feel so painful?"


    "Unbelievable... Was that truly the Twilight festival at work? It''s the first time I''ve seen it, and it''s magnificent!" she said, at a loss for words. "But yes, I can feel a sad emotion from it, I can''t tell why or how, but this anger, I, I don''t know what else to say."


    Daphne...


    "That light! I recognize it. It''s him... but this light, it''s different. Why do I feel anger from it, a restless, and uncomfortable one? Not like the ones I saw before," she said.


    "I agree. I might be imagining it, but it''s like I can feel an emotion from looking at it, feeling it. Quite poetic, but I can''t jest at a time like this."


    "But It is him, there should be no doubt about it."


    "Then we must hurry. We''re a bit far from it, but if we don''t rest, then there''s a chance that we''ll be able to catch up with him."


    "Maybe it''s just me, but you seem to awfully concerned about him, and not to a simple standpoint. Want to tell me anything?"


    "It''s nothing. Let''s just keep going. We can''t risk losing any more time. If we lose him, it''s over, for everyone."


    She said that, but deep inside, she tried to keep her emotions in place. Her mind was in shambles, and nothing was clear. She was worried about him, and what could happen to him if something terrible were to occur.


    When he left suddenly without telling her anything important, or even confiding in her why he had to go, she thought that the problem stemmed from her, and that she was the one who drove him away because of what she had said to him at the park. But, she remained stoic and kept it at the back of her mind till she could truly find out what the matter was about.


    Zach...


    I was close to passing out. My hands barely gripped the reins to prevent me from falling off, but there were more than a few times that it almost happened. Me still being here was a miracle. But it happened again. Right when I needed it the most, but did not expect it to show up, it saved me, I suppose. But that doesn''t matter anymore. I won''t last long without it.


    Instead of being ungrateful for it and blaming my weakness as a human, then I''ll just have to be grateful for it and embrace my lineage to the fullest. But it would help if I could control it.


    How long has it been, anyway? I''ve lost track of time, but the sun seems to be rising already.


    The wounds surrounding me itched and stung with every move I would make, and riding a horse made it worse.


    The moment the power faded, and the mark disappeared from the back of my hand, there came a scorching pain that replaced it. I remember almost losing my voice to how much it pained me, but then it quickly went away. Then disappeared my strength, as if it was sapped from me in an instant.


    After a while, I reached a forest and followed a stream to a small clearing where I found the desperate need to rest. The pain and constant worrying about the time I would lose if I slept kept me awake, but it was greatly tempting. My promise was hanging on a single moment.


    Still, what amazed me the most was how I had been able to endure this much. If I were my past self, then I would have never made it this far. Maybe I''ve changed after all these few days that have passed.


    I washed myself on the stream and stretched my body. It didn''t feel the same, but it was refreshing.


    I cleaned and glanced at the one of the two belongings I brought with me. My father''s sword. It looked as unbreakable as ever. Thought it was a simply longsword, its pommel had the Erinn name engraved on the bottom of it in small words, reminding me of them constantly.


    Just as I was thinking to myself, I heard a faint rustling getting louder and closer towards me. It was abrupt, but I took a step back on the ground and pointed my sword in the direction to where the rustling could be heard.


    There appeared a wolf, running towards me at an amazing speed that even I couldn''t keep up. I staggered back in surprise, but more so that it hid behind me, whimpering again, its leg and sides bleeding as it set itself down on the ground, releasing from its grip a smaller version of itself, sleeping soundly. It breathed slowly, but sure enough it didn''t look to bright.


    It then growled as two demonic figures appeared from the bush, faces and claws covered in blood, teeth gnashing, eyes glaring. My horse started making sounds as it was unable to settle down, trying to get free of its reins.


    They resembled wolves, but ones that stood on their hind legs, possessing horns; their bodies have grown to an even more terrifying and advanced rate that one could not tell them alike as they surpassed my height and towered above me by a few inches. One had a scar on his face, while the other was spotless and furious.


    The mark on the back of my hand started glowing, and I could feel the faint beating of my own heart. It seemed to burn, but not enough to make me lose my focus in front of the two monstrous figures that can kill me without much effort if I give them the chance.


    "Finally starting to warm up to me?" I said, glancing at the mark.


    As a cold sweat dripped form my back and my hands felt restless, I seemed nearly weightless as the seconds counted down. The weight in my sword became less, and my body felt unusually strong despite my earlier weakness.If you discover this narrative on Amazon, be aware that it has been stolen. Please report the violation.


    They rushed at me with a single leap, claws readied over me, eyes looking me down. Their large bodies created a shadow over me at time moved at a slow pace.


    Then I rushed, moving to its side and hacked the left one''s shoulder, forcing it down tumbling to the ground, creating a small cloud of smoke as it whimpered at its injury.


    The scarred one leapt at me relentlessly as it landed on the ground, appearing behind me.


    I kept my footing as much as possible as to not lose balance, yet its constant assault using its sharp, malicious claws seemed to close the distance between it and my neck with every swipe.


    As the battle went on, I managed to injure it to the point the it became a stalemate, or so I thought.


    It was awfully quiet, and it became a fatal mistake that I ignored the one behind me.


    I felt a rush of pain invade my mind as I fell to my knees. But, before that, I turned using the weight of my body and found the one I had injured earlier lying on the ground, looking up at me, snarling tenaciously. Then it lifted itself up and threw itself at me, claws at the ready.


    I gripped my sword tightly and sliced it across its face, narrowly avoiding being caught. But the beast finally fell to the ground without a fight.


    Blood trickled from my back as the sharp pain of its claw was engraved deep within me. I fell the ground with my hand supporting me, my other keeping my sword steady.


    In my moment of weakness, the scarred demon rushed at me with a powerful bloodlust that it felt suffocating.


    I tried to move, but my body wouldn''t react, as if I was tied down to the ground.


    My eyes locked with the beast, and it almost seemed like I could see into its mind, but I was caught by surprise.


    The wolf that hid itself behind me threw itself onto the beast, preventing it from getting to me in one leap. It was caught and thrown to the side, hitting the stump of a tree, discarded like nothing.


    I stared as the entire thing transpired. I was at a loss for words, with nothing to say or do.


    Before I knew it, I was driving my sword deep into the beast''s head mercilessly, staring it down with an insatiable anger in my heart. Many thoughts raced in my mind, but that didn''t matter in the least.


    I couldn''t think clearly, but there was a calm rustling feel to the forest as I closed my eyes and heard the rustling of the eternally peaceful forest once more, slowly taking over my senses.


    It was clear that I fell to the ground, unable to move an inch further.


    But I was so close.


    I can almost feel it, just a few more steps.


    Pathetic, just pathetic. I can''t even save myself when someone needs me.


    I try to save someone and I end up dying on the ground. What use am I? Being the son of the revered Frederick Erinn, trained by the infamous Sir Hark of Lavis. Am I nothing but waste in this earth? I''m so insignificant. Even though I have this much power with me, I can''t use it properly, nor be someone deserving of its power.


    Maybe I should just give up and close my eyes. That seems easy enough.


    But, as everything started to fade, I felt a soft ball of fur near my stomach, a calming warmth that I could embrace in my fleeting moments. Forgive me, father, mother. I know that you raised me with good intentions, but I turned out like this in the end. Guide me to wherever you are.


    It is still not your time. As much as we would like to see your face and feel your embrace, it simply isn''t your time yet. You will live longer, but not enough to see the world you saved prosper.


    In time, you will know when it is your time to go. But for now, many still need you. Do not give up on them. You are their last bastion of hope, the last thing they can cling to.


    This voice is familiar. It''s as if I was hearing these words as they were being said beside me.


    It was a pure void of darkness where I could not even see myself. It was the same thing I see with my eyes closed, but this must be a hallucination.


    Glancing here and there, my search became fruitless as I was unable to find the source of the voice.


    Oh, how I longed to hear their voice after so long. I felt weak, enough to let tears stream down my face, but yet, there was nothing.


    ''Zach, please, they need you, more than we do, more than ever.''


    My father''s voice echoed.


    "Wait! Where are you? Father! I still need your guidance! I-I can''t do anything right. I can''t decide on anything; I can''t think clearly. What should I do? I''m lost, I need you to guide me. I''m torn about everything that this uncertainty might swallow me whole. So please, won''t you guide me?"


    ''Son, you do not need our guidance anymore. You can handle this all by yourself. All you need to do is trust who you are and what you believe in.''


    I felt a weight on my shoulders, two hands filled with the warmth I''m so used to feeling.


    Turning around, I saw their faces, clean, pure, smiling happily as if not to give a care in the world. They were the only sources of light in this void of darkness around me.


    "Mom... What do you mean I don''t need you both? That''s... It can''t be true. I never thought that it would all turn out this way. Tell me, what should I do?"


    I pleaded with them, helplessly and sincerely. Though they might not be the real parents I once had, I knew for a fact that this feeling, as I floated in this void, they were indeed my parents. Those that raised me, those that taught me love. It was cultivated within me, and in the years that passed, it grew stronger, strong enough that without them, there was an internal void deep inside my heart where they were.


    ''Do you remember? Those times that we enjoyed together, living our lives in that small cottage. We have taught you many things, but at the same time, I didn''t my best to teach you what I could. I worried day and night about the trial you were going to be forcefully thrown in. I clearly knew of the dangers.''


    He took a slight pause then spoke.


    ''We have been looking at you from above. Though you still have much to learn, you have done many great things. I know that this isn''t something I should be praising you for. Killing demons is no little thing to be praised, rather commended. This is just the beginning for you. There will be so much more challenges for you to face, but know this, we believe, your mother and I, that you can achieve your fate.''


    I felt their hands depart from my shoulders, and at the same time I turned around to find them walking away with their backs turned to me, retreating into the void whose end I could not see.


    "Wait! I still need to ask you so much more! Don''t leave me! After seeing you, I just can''t let you go..."


    I grasped the air, running with all my strength to catch up got them.


    I knew it was unreasonable to ask them to stay for a little longer. They weren''t there anymore. They already passed away, yet I didn''t want to give them the peace that they deserved because I felt lonely and lost.


    "Won''t you let me be selfish even for a bit?"


    I gave up the chase and looked at their trail, whispering my words with contempt.


    I clenched my fists and stood in wonder, just where is this all heading to?


    They believed in me, even in the afterlife. I couldn''t ask for better parents, even if they are adoptive.


    I never received a reply from them, no matter how much I wanted to hear their voice, I knew that it was impossible.


    But, they believed in me. Isn''t that enough of a response to keep myself from giving up?


    "I won''t fail you. Please continue to keep on looking over me."


    And so, I closed my eyes and resurfaced from the darkness.


    I slowly opened my eyes to a new dawn, the light of the sun shining down upon my face, irritating my sight.


    I unconsciously let out a pained groan as I felt the wound from my back assault me.


    My body contorted and convulsed to the point that I ground my teeth in resistance.


    But after a while, the pain had dwindled, and I had managed to gain a bit of composure by lying still, letting the sun''s radiance shine down upon me.


    Moreover, there was a peculiar feeling in my arms, a soft, furry texture that exuded a comfortable warmth, one that made me want to embrace it even more.


    The small ball of fur expanded and deflated; it produced a small growling sound at it stirred on my stomach, then settling down.


    But as I continued to caress this ball of fur, I heard the faint rustling of the grass and the sounds of boots walking toward me.


    "Ah! Finally awake? Thank goodness. I thought you''d been completely lost back there, I wasn''t really sure what I should''ve done."


    A young man came into view. He was undistinguishable, but I had a strong feeling that I had met this man before, yet I can''t quite remember the day as to when that happened.


    Even after these events that have transpired, it felt like my memory was getting worse by the second.


    "I didn''t know that you were the kind of person to keep pets. But it''s quite brave of you to take care of such a ''pet''"


    "What do you mean?"


    He glanced at my stomach to where the warmth rested. And sure enough there sat a small canine with dark fur and pointy ears sleeping soundly.


    "How and where did this come from?"


    I asked myself, unable to find the answer.


    Recalling my memories, it dawned upon me quickly. This was not something that fell from the sky, but something given to me by that wounded wolf. The one who gave its life to protect me when my time nearly came.


    Does that mean... Unfortunately, it seems that was the case. There was no sign of the wolf anywhere.


    This was her cub, a life she tried to save but couldn''t, so she passed it on to me.


    Why me was another question for another time, but the suddenness of the responsibility quietly shook me.


    How would I be able to take care of a cub? I have no knowledge of the very simple guidelines to follow.


    "Well, it seems like that is the case."


    I said, answering my own question.


    "That''s a bold task you''ve taken up right there. To take care of a cub. I wonder how it''ll turn out."


    I tried to stand and look around me, remembering my task, but a torrent of pain came crashing down upon me and the wound on my back.


    "I don''t think that you should stand, so please, just stay where you are. And don''t worry, I won''t harm you. I fixed your wound as best as I could, so it shouldn''t take a long time to heal, not unless you do something to agitate it."


    He spoke with a certain familiarity that caught be off guard. My mind sifted through the few faces I''ve come to know, but I''ve started narrowing them down slowly... But nevertheless, my capacity to think as of now had dwindled.


    I had exhausted myself to the point where I could not think clearly. Every time I tried, it would be for naught.


    "Thank you. Your voice, it sounds familiar, like I''ve heard it before. Forgive me, but would you tell me your name? I can''t seem to remember it."


    "Oh, well, I can''t blame you for that. I remember you, rather, I can''t forget you and what you''ve done for us. The name''s Durham, I''m from the village near Lavis. I''m sure you don''t remember me, but you saved me and my sister, I guess not just us, but everyone else there."


    I looked at him and saw his face beaming enthusiastically.


    His face became familiar suddenly, someone that took the liberty of defending a handful of people by himself, standing between the innocents and a ragged band of marauders.


    I remembered his shuddering figure as he held his weapon back them, and how the entire thing transpired.


    "I remember now. Sorry, but my mind was a bit spurred that I couldn''t think straight."


    "Yes, I believed that was the case. After seeing your wound and everything around your body in that clearing, I was amazed that you were still breathing. But that''s a good thing!"


    "Where am I exactly?"


    I asked Durham, looking around me as best I could.


    There was nothing in sight but the wilderness and some hills and mountains over the great horizons. I understood that I was lying down by a doused campfire and two sleeping bags, one where I was resting on. A couple of belongings were gathered together in one place, but that was the limit of my gaze.


    "I don''t really know myself, but we''re somewhere near the village, or what''s left of it anyway."


    His voice carried a certain negativity that made it obvious there was something wrong with what he had said. His face gave it away even further as he looked at the ground and said nothing.


    "Ah! But don''t let that bother you. Everyone already evacuated when Sir Hark gave the order to the other surrounding villages. The only problem is that we don''t have a home anymore."


    "You were talking about a sister. Where is she?"


    "With some people from the village that I escaped with. They''re around here somewhere, foraging before we move further up towards the other safer towns."


    "I can''t quite understand everything. Tell me, just what happened here.


    "Alright," he sighed, showing complete dislike of the reminisce. "It all started two days ago. It was a calm morning just like every other day. After recovering from the previous bandit attacks and having restocked our stores, we went about our day as normally as we could, all the while receiving some help from the town of Lavis, which already had its forces stretched thin. Everyone knew of what happened at Caspia, after all."


    His hands started fidgeting. His face was covered with uncertainty that he barely kept eye contact with me.


    I myself couldn''t realize just how grave it was, but time passed, and I allowed it. I had used up too much of my energy that I was still feeling spent after the rest I had just received.


    I couldn''t calm my nerves thinking constantly about Sir Hark and his state, but I had to listen. There was something important in his words that I had to hear.


    My initial panic caused me to lose all composure and act irrationally. That was my first problem.


    If there are more, which I know there are, then I will find out in due time.


    Durham continued, gazing off with his eyes restlessly looking over the place around us unfamiliarly, as if he was lost and was trying to find a way out.


    Yet he seemed composed.


    "But suddenly, the village was attacked by a small number of demons. We were able to beat them, thankfully enough, but the rest had to be sent back to Lavis since they were being attacked there. We were made to evacuate the village. It''s been happening ever since, so no one knows what''s happening there."


    "Then that means I have to go."


    I tried to stand, but the pain still lingered, preventing me from moving a whole lot.


    "Like I said, just there. Why do you want to go there so badly? I already said that it was dangerous. Besides... as much as I don''t want to admit it, there might not even be anyone alive there anymore."


    "No, It can''t. I won''t and can''t accept it till I can see for myself. Losing those I care for is the last thing I would want."


    "I know it''s hard to lose anyone, but, we''re powerless. You''re strong, and I''ve seen that. But there are just some things that can''t be shouldered by a single person. You''ll only lose your life in the process. Is that what you would want?"


    "It won''t matter if I''m dead, as long as they''re safe. It''s terrifying, the idea of death. I''ve come face to face with it so many times already that I still am terrified. But if I give up on the one promise I swore to keep, then that''s even more terrifying than dying."


    "Well that''s surprising. I haven''t seen or conversed with anyone whose had a resolve this strong. I can''t really stop you if you''re that adamant about it, not like I could in the first place."


    "Durham! We''re back! See anything while we were out?"


    A small group of people consisting of children and women asked, carrying baskets of fruits and leaves.


    One of them rushed at Durham and gave him a warm wide embrace with the span of her small arms.


    "Micah! How did it go? Find anything interesting?"


    He ruffled her hair and smiled warmly.


    "Who do we have here?"


    Durham''s companions looked me over in my pitiful state.


    "Micah, I suppose you remember this man. He saved us, after all."


    She narrowed her eyes at me, but it was seemed to be focused somewhere else.


    With a jovial expression, she ran up next to me and snatched up the ball of fur nesting on my stomach. It let out a surprising yelping sound and whimpered as she embraced it as if it were a stuffed toy.


    "Ah! Be careful!"


    Durham said with a swift suddenness as he pried them apart, saving the small cub from her own little sister. The wolf cub then hid itself in my arms and continued so whimper, trembling in fear.


    "But I wanted to play with the doggie."


    "Micah, come now. We must not forget how others feel. Look, it''s terrified. I think it''d be best if you simply admired it from a fair distance, don''t you think? It''s here, and you''re here as well, so everyone''s fine."


    As if to bitterly reconcile, she sniffed looked down, nodding her head.


    "I understand, sorry."


    "Ahh! I''m so proud of you!"


    Durham said pridefully, embracing Micah with a tender face equaling that of a father and mother.


    "Durham. I think you''re spoiling her too much. Help us out here, will you? We need to get moving as fast as possible."


    One of the women laughed at their act of sibling love and set their baskets down, wiping the sweat from their brows and sitting down.


    Some even came up next to me and gave their greetings, showing a surprising amount of warmth once they realized that I was one of the three saviors of their village.


    Durham praised and glorified my deeds after having fought two dangerous demons that took the lives of dozens of people, and without much surprised they showered me with praise.


    A wonderful and youthful maiden, who didn''t at all look intimidated by me or my antics, offered to look at my wounds and gently touched me with her delicate fingers, often sending a brief chill up my spine.


    She applied more herbs and ground them up on a mortar, then pressed them unto the wound.


    I ground my teeth and sometimes let out a pained cry, but it the very least, I felt the incessant need to stay strong and keep a brave face in front of her.


    "There. I think it''ll be better if you moved around, but take it as slow as possible. This medicine will help if you get accustomed to it."


    "Thank you. It hurts less now than earlier."


    "I will commend Durham for his exemplary, and quite messy work with patching you up, but it seems that he still needs a lot more training."


    Before I could speak, she continued, staring at the back of my waist where my scar was.


    "But, you are strong. You came back alive after encountering demons. But that''s not all."


    She looked at the rest of my bare body and examined me with an uncomfortable face. She made a pained expression in my stead as she gently felt up each scar on my body. It tickled, but I assumed that it would be inappropriate to do that and laugh, so I held my breath and let her go on.


    "Even with these much scars and wounds, and despite your age, you''ve managed to keep living. Where do you get your motivation? Aren''t you scared of getting hurt further?"


    The atmosphere became solemn and serious. It drew me in and I gave her an honest answer.


    "It''s because of a promise. I guess it''s simple enough to say that, but it''s true. I don''t know if what I''ve been doing so far is right or wrong, and most of the time I feel like I''m not even going in the right direction, but I can''t turn back anymore, rather, I had no choice to turn away in the first place."


    Her eyes looked at me strictly and she spoke.


    "Your face tells me that you carry a very heavy burden. I won''t ask, but I will pray for your success."


    She then departed from me with a smile and a wink, then went and helped the others is organizing their belongings.


    Finally, alone, I looked at my companion beside me. It returned a pure and blank expression with its tongue out, perspiring with its tail wagging behind it.


    It was odd that it became terrified of someone else trying to touch it, but with me, and at this close of a distance, it doesn''t seem as terrified, in fact, it seems more at home and comfortable.


    I tried reaching my hand out towards it to pat its head, but without protest it willingly allowed me to do what I wanted. I was warming up to it and was starting to get fond of having it around as I was unable to resist its charm.


    It was a vague understanding, but there was a guess in my mind about the how¡¯s and whys to all this.


    But as the precious minutes passed, and the morning sun was in full view, I regained sight of my goal. I started getting impatient, the words of that dream I had, the voice of my parent, it woke me up.


    "So, you''re really going, aren''t you?"


    Durham came up to me and asked with a wry expression on his face. He looked bitter, as if cursing himself for not doing anything drastic to put a stop to my shenanigans.


    "Yes. It''s the only way left for me to do. There are others, but this is the only way I have to go, forward."


    "I wish I had that resolve of yours, or even a fraction of it. We''ll be moving out, too, so this is where we part ways."


    He extended his hand out to me and I reached for it, standing up wobbling. I used the tree beside me to support my balance, but it returned gradually.


    "I just have one favor."


    I asked him, handing the cub who looked at me innocently, tilting its head to incite a tinge of pain for my own decisions.


    "Where I''m going, I think it''s obvious that I can''t bring him there."


    As he tried to reach for the wolf cub, however, it snarled and threatened him, astonishing Durham a great deal as he instantly retracted his hand.


    "Man, that''s smarts. I guess it wants to stay with you then. I''m sure you''ll figure it out somehow, you always do."


    He took a small bow and faced me sternly.


    "I''ll say this once. I''m grateful for what you did for us and the rest of those in the village. I swear, I''ll become as strong as you someday, and I''ll return the favor. It doesn''t have to be to you, but it could be to someone else in need. We won''t ever forget you, so don''t go forgetting this promise of mine, alright? So, don''t go dying on me."


    "I''ll look forward to it. If you think that I''m that strong, then it''s only right that I try and live up to your expectations, right?"


    I said, shaking his extended hand firmly.


    The rest of them gave their own grateful speeches and gratified me. I thought that it was excessive since I didn''t do most of the work, but denying them would only hurt them more than me, so I allowed it as it is.


    "Bye bye! Thank you for saving me, mister!"


    the small girl named Micah yelled out with a wide smile, waving jovially, hand in hand with Durham as they disappeared into the distance.


    Again, it was me alone again, but this time with my two new companions, a wolf cub and a horse. Not that i scorned the company. I welcomed it better than nothing.


    "I wonder how you''ve grown so attached to me so suddenly."


    I said, looking down at the cub who circled around me, howling and barking, losing its voice to show its inexperience and lack of growth.


    "Well, I guess it doesn''t matter anymore. It''s time to get this over with."


    I took a deep breath in and relaxed my body. Surprisingly enough after emptying my thoughts of everything that could distract me, the glow began to appear on the back of my hand, sending a swell of energy throughout my body as it always would, but at a weaker rate than when I was in danger.


    It only disappeared right away when the cub started howling and barking at me, making me lose my focus.


    "We''re going to have to work on that."


    I said, swinging my sword for a little practice, then mounting the horse.


    The cub followed me around as I thought it would, so I had the horse gallop in a slow pace that the cub could keep up to, and it if looked like it got tired or started getting left behind, I carried its small body in my arms.


    Instantly I felt our bond grow through that, though there are still many unanswered questions, I knew that this was another one that I would have to keep safe no matter what.

 Chapter 19: The relentless question of why?

    No matter the outcome, I had to confirm with my own two eyes.


    Each step I became nervous, uncertain, yet certain of a fate that I didn''t want to admit was true.


    It''s quite funny how that strands of fate makes it seem so convenient for themselves, but at the expense of others.


    There I saw the town I lived in. The very first one I had laid eyes upon exiting the life in the forests.


    There was a peaceful tune as I walked slowly, pulling the reins of my horse. It was like a tribute being given by nature to those that perished here. Orange, dried leaves from old withered trees slowly falling from branches, tossed around by the wind.


    A thin black smoke rose from the rubble of the town, devoid of any signs of life. The walls were broken down, the houses and buildings were toppled to the ground, and bodies of people littered the path leading towards the capital. They were unarmed, but mercilessly killed by disgusting means.


    Some of their bodies were ravaged, bloodied, gored by spears, it was horrible. I was amazed at my own ability to swallow this kind of reality while ignoring the horrid stench of death, decay, and blood all around me. It didn''t seem to matter whether they were children or not, their bodies could be found scattered everywhere.


    Why can''t I react to any of this? I felt no emotion welling up. Have I known that this wound eventually happen?


    The wolf cub looked up at me and whimpered. Maybe it felt my own feelings as it lowered its head near me.


    "Don''t worry."


    That was all I could say as I patted its head and continued into the town. It''s strange that I thought a wolf would be more savage and ferocious, yet the weakness it is showing me defies that thinking. I don''t know why it trusts me so much, but I''m just happy for the company. I didn''t much care whether it understood my words or not. I just had the strange urge to speak to it normally just like I would to a normal person.


    Inside were the bodies of soldiers and demons. With the way the bodies were positioned, it looked like the demons had broken into the town''s walls from the inside.


    The silence was awfully deafening, yet the rustling of the wind and the sound of the breeze blowing kept me from spacing out. The sights were just so familiar that I could see it before it was reduced to rubble and ruin.


    Just then, I got to a street leading up to a park, and a small way from it was a house where I made a promise to meet someone again. The second floor of the house crumbled while the first floor stood strong, on the verge of collapsing.


    "Fiona... Erica, are you two safe?"


    I muttered their names as I reminisced back.


    But just before the silence took over again, I heard a quiet sobbing, one that didn''t call for help, but one the felt like it mourned the loss of someone. And it came from inside, no doubt about it.


    Quickly but cautiously, I crouched under the collapsed beam covering half of the entrance, avoiding any loose flooring that might crumble under my step.


    The inside of the house, though collapsed, looked to be left untouched by any demons as there were not a single sign of them inside. The furnishings were ruined as if a storm had barged in. Dust was everywhere, and a strong liquid smell oozed through the house as the air was cramped in.


    Then I could hear the sobbing more clearly, it led to a kitchen where the top floor bore down on the body of someone, and a window was nearby, shedding light upon the sobbing child who looked at the expressionless but solemn face of her mother, who, under the terrible weight of the debris, had perished in a tragic way.


    I struggled to say her name without startling her, reluctant to see her safe, but alarmed that something might happen to the house if I don''t get her out of here right away.


    Upon creeping up next to her, I placed a finger in front of my lips and gave away smile.


    "Come, let''s get you out of here. Remember me?"


    But she sobbed and held her arms out towards me, her crying getting louder.


    "Mama! Mama!"


    She kept calling out to her loudly and reaching her small arms out, but she didn''t respond to her.


    Feeling a sense of a melancholic nostalgia, I held her and embraced her tightly, patting her head as I made my way out of the house as cautiously as I could.


    "It''ll be alright, I''m here now. Everything will be alright."


    I told her repeatedly, but it only made her bury her face on my chest and tightly grip onto me.


    I''m sorry I couldn''t do anything. I was sincerely sorry. I wish I could have been here earlier, if I was, then I could have saved her.


    But the worst was yet to come. I was waiting for it, but I didn''t want to find it deep inside. It felt like just a bit more could push me off the edge. I could only hold out for so long, but all this was so overwhelming that I didn''t have the time to mourn. If it was for the best or worst is something I''ll have to answer after this.


    Once Erica had calmed down, she immediately fell asleep. If this had indeed happened a few nights before, then she had been there, awake and in that pitiful position for those days. What a horrible memory to keep.


    I held her carefully as I continued into the very heart of the town, being careful not to wake her.


    As I arrived, I saw a young man who looked to be about my age, kicking stones and lazily walking about.


    He didn''t seem to notice my presence so I hid myself behind a still standing building, glancing cautiously at him to make sure whether he would pose a threat or not.


    The young man wore a long dark cloak, and an unused hood that exposed his brown hair. He had a fair complexion and a bored face.


    But just as I had secured my silence, a mouse ran under my horse, startling him and forced a sound that surely echoed through the desolate town.


    "Shhh!"


    I tried to calm him down, but it was too late. When I looked back he wasn''t there anymore. Not a single trace of him anywhere.


    I was in an unfavorable position, holding a child in my own arm, and a sword in the other, well, it stood sheathed but ready to be used when needed.


    The sky above me was suddenly covered by a figure from overhead, a size too big for a anything I know roaming the sky. But the figure became larger as it descended and broke the ground it landed on, waking Erica and startling my companions. He spun and fluttered his brown cloak, clearing the dust and smoke around him till he was positioned a few inches from me.


    I immediately drew my sword and pointed it at him, seeing the face of the same man whom I recognized just a few seconds ago.


    He had a sharp, terrifying gaze that exhumed a serious confidence and the feeling of strength to show just that.


    His palm was facing me; his arm, which had strange markings of a trail of tattoos on it, possessed a current of energy that flowed along him. I felt an amazing amount of energy slowly building up to his palm, and I became petrified, unable to say or do anything, not even move a muscle.


    "Who are you?"


    He spoke coldly and menacingly. He had a killing intent that was the source of my petrification. This was an inhuman being who had just leapt and landed from a few stories above me, creating a small impact on the ground. There was an uncanny strength at play here. The way I am now and how I was occupied, I had no chance of beating him in combat.


    "Hey! Answer me. Are you deaf?! I''ll warn you already. Tell me you''re a demon, and only the worse is to come. The truth, now."


    He demanded, the energy built up on his palm was bursting, and all that was needed was to allow it to come forth and ravage anything in its path. Was he a mage just like Gino? No, he''s far stronger than him, I can feel it for some reason. This is no normal power.


    But of course, there was only one true answer to his question.


    "I''m not a demon. I don''t look like one, don''t I?"


    He narrowed his eyes in suspicion, looking at me as if he didn''t believe what I had said. He looked at Erica, whom kept crying as she looked at the young man, intimidated and terrified, while the wolf was growling and snarling at him as well.


    "That''s not really convincing anyone."


    "Fine, then think about this. Why would I be staying around here if I knew that I would gain nothing? If I were a demon, I don''t think I''d have any reason to stay here, won''t I?"


    "I''ve met wandering demons as well. They go where they please and don''t give a damn not unless theirking orders them to. They don''t need reasons, even when they have the power to have common sense and rational thought."


    I''ve got nothing else to convince him with. Just how do I prove my innocence before I''m wrongfully accused of being something I''m not. Revealing my true identity is just a last resort, so I have to think of something else.


    He closed his eyes and kept silent for a moment. Then his eyes focused on me, his pupils turning a color of green, as if it were a serpent''s, sharp and able to see througha facade.


    "Now that you say it, you don''t really look like one, nor do I sense anything from you. Sorry, these days there are some demons whom you can''t tell apart whether they''re demons or humans. They''re starting to slowly resemble humans more and more. But anyway, what are you doing here then? No normal person should be around here in this place."


    His attitude became a bit more relaxed, as if he had taken a giant leap from being cautious and wary to being calm and easygoing. He was strange, no doubt about it. But I was glad to have him being calm around me than hostile.


    "I was searching for someone. That''s why I came here."


    "I see. Well, found that person yet?"


    "Well, I wouldn''t be here if I did, but no."


    I sheathed my sword and lowered my guard.


    I tried to let Erica sleep peacefully once more as things had finally calmed down; I had done the same with the wolf, patting his head.


    "You''ve got quite the companions here. Mind telling me why you''ve brought them here?"


    "It''s... a long story. We''ve just met, but you wouldn''t mind hearing me out? I''ve got so much on my mind."


    "I don''t care one bit. You seem like a good guy, and that''s enough for me. I''m sorry for being too rash there. I almost did something I would''ve regret. Sis always tells me to hold back, but I guess I still have a long way to go. So, go ahead, tell me about it."


    And so, I did, telling him about how I found Erica, and how I met her and her mother in the first place. It was, painful, telling him the story while she was there in my arms, sleeping without a care in the world. But he listened with great intrigue and interest, making a pensive face once I got to the present.


    "Man, I-I didn''t know, sorry. You didn''t even know the person that well, yet It feel really painful when you lose someone close to you. Damn! If we only got here sooner, then we could''ve made a difference."


    I scratched his head, then clenched his fists, cursing under his breath.


    "But what''s with the wolf cub?"


    "I saved him from some demons. So it sort of grew attached to me. I''m still not sure how it came to be, but I''m not bothered by it one bit," I said, looking at the cub.


    "What or who are you anyway? What were you doing here?"


    I asked him the same question.


    He had spoken a lot, but it seems that there''s more than meets the eye with him. There was something that pushed my curiosity as I looked at him and his unusual character.


    "Huh? Me? The name''s Aster... a half-breed. I''m from a small organization called Yolim, or the creator''s left hand, just like how the Thaliseans are the right. The name''s not official. It¡¯s just something that we thought about."


    "I''ve never heard of it, sorry."


    "That''s fine, it''s better that way. Not a lot of people know us anyway, and it''s because we''re an independent group acting with our own agendas. A bit secretive, but it all boils down to one thing, stopping the demons and helping people as much as we can. They''ve rampaged through the land long enough. That''s our main objective."


    "I don''t really see much of an organization with you."


    "Well, yeah, that''s why I''m still here, or part of it. They''ve gone off and chased the demon leader that attacked the town, and they left me in charge of waiting for the kingdom''s reinforcements, just to make sure that this place doesn''t get attacked a second time. But the thing is, they haven''t come back yet, and I''m starting to get worried."


    His emotions showed on his face; his unease and worry. He was an open book. An obliviously sincere person that took everything life threw at him head on. It radiated from him.


    "But that''s enough from me. I haven''t gotten your name."


    He stood up and extended his hand towards me with a small smile.


    "Zachary, my name''s Zachary."


    "Alright Zachary, now that the formalities are over, let''s search for that person you''re looking for. I''ll help you."


    And so, we began to walk the barren streets in search for the man whom took me in when I was alone during that sudden night.


    "You know, when we got here, there wasn''t much left. But they were still fighting, that alone was surprising to see when they fought against hordes and hordes. It was like the one that led them had the iron will to die fighting no matter what the cost, a trait that not a lot of people have these days. It shook me, that determination. When we got here, they already lost, and the remaining were being routed, mercilessly killed by the demons. We could only subdue them and drive them away."


    He was right, there were bodies lying around everywhere. There was not even anyone to pick up the corpses and put them to rest.


    I would often catch him staring at me with a suspicious, stern expression, but he himself wouldn''t notice it until he realized it.


    "Is something wrong?"


    I asked. There was something, a feeling of unrest in his eyes. There was something that he wanted answered, but he kept silent. Everything happening in his mind was beyond my comprehension.


    But finally, there, the great Theodore Hark, lying in all his glory on the ground along with his allies near the very end of the collapsed gates, and around him were the many corpses of his slain enemies. He wore his armor, where a large cut was on his chest, and died holding his sword on his left. He had a solemnly calm face that made it painful to look at. I was torn, unable to find the right words to justify this. Why did this have to happen again? I asked myself. I couldn''t save him like with my parents, and it''s as painful to see, just like having relived that very moment.


    I handed Erica to Aster and fell to my knees, resisted the tears from spilling forth. But my limits had been tested and have been surpassed. There was no way that I could stand silently and take this. I felt an empty void inside me as I took hold of his hand, cold and dry with blood. It fell limp upon my trembling hands as I tried to tightly grasp it.


    My lip quivered, but no words came out, instead, droplets of tears fell to the ground near him.


    ''I''m sorry. I didn''t mean for this to happen like this. I-I wanted to save you, but I couldn''t get here on time. I''m so sorry. You know, I promised Louise that I''d save you no matter what. But, but I don''t think I can face her anymore. I failed, I failed miserably. I let you, the man who took me in during my greatest time of need, die when I promised that I would save you if anything were to happen to you.''


    ''I''m sorry.''


    I finally said my last words and moved away from him, taking a step back away from the others to look at the bright morning sky. A view that wasn''t at all suited to this grim, sullen atmosphere.


    I felt a warmth brushing against my leg and looked down to see the cub by my side. It has been diligently following me, not knowing why it has or should be. But right now, I''m grateful, yet pained.


    Aster...


    He looked completely demoralized. It was as if his soul had been sucked out from his body, leaving him an empty husk without anything else to do in the world. Honestly, It made me feel terrible. But there was no anger, just sorrow. That in itself was strange and confusing since most of those we''ve met scorned us for being Half-breeds.Unauthorized duplication: this tale has been taken without consent. Report sightings.


    They''d cast us out with just about anything they had, stones, pitchforks, words. They''d succeed. But we never took it to heart. We would go without a word; nor would we turn around to look at their terrified and disgusted faces. But I can''t just feel anger at their presence.


    You see, we were born just like everyone else, yet we were somehow different from the rest. That''s what my sister told me. She understood something that I didn''t when I was about seven years old, and she was about twelve. Yet she took care of me better than any adult could.


    I never understood why we were hated by everyone. We helped them whenever they needed it, going as far as to kill demons for their sake, yet they shunned us and cast us away with scornful looks.


    Right here was a person that didn''t look at all angered by my presence, even when he knew that I''m a Half-breed.


    I saw no need to hide it from anyone. Better for them to know than for them to find out later. Trusts are much harder to part with when you''ve built a strong bond with someone only to have it crumble at the mention of a single word. ''I''m a Half-breed.''


    Those who would hear those words would immediately change their faces. It would contort with a snap of a finger and all would end right there.


    We were born from a demon and human parent, and thus we have been given the blood of a demon. Half their strength was also given to us, yet even with that, Sis forbade violence against humans no matter what. It was a golden creed that she held firm until now. We didn''t look that much different from an ordinary human, but we do have a longer lifespan. The only difference that stood out like a sore thumb at times was the marks that Half-breeds inherited from their parents. It was usually a symbol, but for us two, it was a tattoo on our arms.


    She was strong, my sister. Stronger than anything I can ever aspire to be. For whenever we were threatened by humans, she would protect me, and now, I would protect her. Yet it doesn''t feel as different. I still feel plenty hopeless.


    I asked her more than often why we have to defend ourselves against those trying to harm us. It was contradicting in every way imaginable. But she would tell me the same answer again and again... ''So that a future where we live in peace together is possible''.


    In the years that preceded, she gathered all the Half-breeds that we could encounter in our travels and created a group dedicated to making our image better. That was the most important goal of all. To fight demons for humans and to show them that we are not to be feared.


    But nothing has changed. Until now we are still spat upon just because we carry the blood of a demon. No matter how much we helped them live a second life, there was nothing gained. It didn''t make us any different, but that''s the way we were treated.


    Looking at him more clearly, he''s been through some tough times. His face showed that this wasn''t the first time he felt this kind of sadness. He came back to a burnt down home and a deceased father figure. Though I never knew my parents since they passed away when I was born. HIs face showed a genuine pain and suffering. I began to ask myself the question that if I knew and lost my parents like this, would I feel sympathy for them, or scorn them for giving birth to us? It wasn''t exactly the life we wished for, rather it was the only door open for us.


    It made me suddenly relive a part of my past where I seemed to open my eyes to the harsh reality, the disgusting and sickening truth that we live in. No matter what kind of kindness we give, as long as we carry this curse, then we will continue to live like this until we wither away.


    It was a few years ago... I still remember it as clear as day.


    "Gilles! Subdue it! Even a few seconds are fine. We just need to wound it, otherwise we won''t be able land a scratch on it!"


    She commanded our movements precisely like she saw what we saw in her own eyes. She had that kind of ability, not because of the blood she inherited, but because she was a natural at leading people.


    So, those whom she gathered grew to trust her almost immediately, believing that with leading us, there will be salvation.


    "Tch, fine! But don''t count on more than ten seconds. That''s already stretching it! My golems can only handle so much."


    He yelled out, peeking over the ruined pillar we used as a shield from the demonic overgrown salamander looming behind this shield of ours.


    It breathed a corrosive but flammable breath; possessed a nearly gigantic body covered in hard scales, and had three heads, all breathing a lethal stream of fire that could incinerate us in an instant.


    There were four of us, including me. Each of us possessed abilities of our own that was chosen to benefit the operation.


    We needed to take this beast down or pacify it. It looked ridiculous, but in truth, this was a simple lower whelp who didn''t know better. It attacked a nearby village in search for a meal. But of course, those that accepted our help didn''t know about our identities.


    "Aschya, try to keep its heads at bey in any way you can. A few seconds as well will suffice."


    She nodded diligently and prepared to cast multiple layers of spells. The burn wound on her leg immobilized her, yet her diligence fought that back splendidly.


    "Aster, you will knock it down. Head to its side when Aschya distracts it, then on my signal, Gilles and I will hold it down. You know what you need to do."


    "Alright, I understand."


    My heart was pounding in a rhythmic beat, but I''ve been against worst. It was the adrenaline making its way up to my head. My hands shivered, and my legs trembled, but I braced myself and prepared to run as fast as I could.


    "Now!"


    And with that, Aschya let a dark mist resembling countless of tendrils ripple forth towards the salamander, constricting two of its heads, the middle quickly escaping its grasp and breathing fire upon it, incinerating the tendril.


    With that, I dashed until it''s sides were in plain view. At the same time, Gilles summoned a golem as large as the salamander and had it grab its tail, constricting its movements.


    But, my sister, whom possessed the same abilities as I did, amazed us the most. She was unreadable. Exceptional in combat, always surpassing those whom challenged her formally. She could fight with a blade, a blunt weapon, or bare fisted. It didn''t matter for she would win without a doubt. She had no need to rely on her power, so most of it were either her apparent skill itself and her own abilities she had honed over the years.


    She sliced forth in a single motion, a single step created a Single trail that reflected the light gleaming on her sword. In a single step, she went from her position, to the salamander''s front left limb, slicing at it. Then she took another step, taking her from there to the other front limb, forcing the beast to kneel forward. If one were to take a simple glance, they would say that she could teleport, but it was entirely her agility that made it work. I could see her, but vaguely.


    It roared loudly, emitting a deafening roar that shook the insides of my body. But I steeled myself and ran at full speed, building up a current of energy to my fists.


    As the seconds wound down, I had leapt and smashed my first right into its sides, then repeatedly delivering a flurry of blows each creating a powerful ''booming'' sound that echoed everywhere. A current of energy flowed along my body, and with every blow, I sent a paralyzing amount of lighting into it.


    But with that, the beast was slain. It fell to the ground, helpless. There we finished it off for good.


    The exhaustion was apparent as we carried ourselves back to the village where we gave our aid to, but we were jovial at the thought of having succeeded in helping them and making our names better.


    We arrived at the village, but the atmosphere was gloomy.


    They we''re waiting for us at the gates with torches and all sorts of farming equipment, both rusty and sharp. Their faces displayed that of terror and uncertainty. It was a is they saw a monster inside each and every one of us.


    Sis took a step forward and told them the good news, however, they didn''t seem happy at all. In fact, they looked displeased about something.


    Immediately, an old man, escorted by two armed peasants, came forward and asked.


    "Are you all Half-breeds?"


    We didn''t say a thing, but that silence affirmed their doubts. They started to move back slowly.


    "See what I told you, chief? They''re just using us! I bet that they lured the salamander here and tried to get some easy money from us!"


    "Yeah! They''re all demons! We should kill them all!"


    Many agreed with the man that began the outbursts.


    -I can see them, those damed mark! They really are Half-breeds!


    -How terrifying! Demons, here at our village! Whatever will we do?


    -We can''t protect ourselves from them. The lord''s forces aren''t here.


    -Did you see how they took down that demon? They''re cursed beings! We should burn them at the stake!


    The people crowding the gates began to give us shifty looks as they murmured with one another. You could hear the word ''Half-breed'' being tossed around. Then they all started agreeing with their own notions.


    "They''re demons! You all saw them handle that thing! It only proves it!"


    The women and children vacated the crowds and retreated further inside. Now the only one¡¯s left were the men, all cautious as they glared at us.


    "Chase them out of here, chief! They''re demons! You know that they only want us killed."


    "Yeah! Let''s kill them before they kill us!"


    "Let''s call the lord of the town, he''ll help us! We''ll get a hefty price if we sell ''em these demons!"


    They raised their makeshift weapons.


    "Just go ahead and try, you ungrateful bastards!"


    The villagers all took a step back and pointed their weapons towards us.


    Gilles said aggressively, taking a step forward only to be stopped by my sister. Then followed a deafening silence.


    "Don''t stop me. This people blame us after we helped them, and I''m getting sick and tired of helping these damned people that only treat us like trash. I know how hard you''ve been trying, and I''m grateful for that, but I have to draw the line sometimes. If they only want to kill us after what we''ve done for them, then we''ll beat them to it."


    But she simply shook her head sideways.


    "Very well, we shall leave. If we start now, there won''t be any way for us to turn back. It will not only affect us, but those others who strive for the same freedom. Let us not spoil their efforts for the expense of our emotions."


    She said adamantly, turning away from them.


    Gilles didn''t say anything and simply bit his lip. He threw a cold glare at the villagers and turned away. He always had a soft spot for my sister, just can''t say he loves her. But that''s not the point right now.


    Just as we followed her, a hail of stones assaulted us from above, coupled by the incessant shouting and cursing of the villagers and our weakened state, we were unable to do anything but cower and hope that none would hit us. But that was just wishful thinking.


    This was not the first time it had happened. I can''t even count the times this has already happened. I, along with the others, have been silently taking it, braving the sneers of these people just because we didn''t want my sister to bear all these.


    What happened next simply told me that it was enough. It felt like a rope snapped at that moment, and my sanity was unable to take this sitting down.


    As we left the village, I was covering Aschya''s head. Her arm rested around my shoulders so that I could support her, and that so she wouldn''t strain the wound on her knee. But with the countless numbers of stones raining down upon us, she had gotten hit on the head, on her back, and on her wound. Despite me covering her the best I could, she let out a pained cry and fell weakly to the ground.


    "Aschya!"


    I immediately shielded her with my back and held her close. It didn''t matter to me how much I got hit since I had a sturdy body, but her, she was frail, yet she joined us. The top of her head bled, and she was sweating profusely.


    "Get out of here already, you disgusting demons!"


    Their anger moved them to this extent, why? What did we ever do to deserve this except help you?


    I tried to make my move as well, channeling a current of electricity towards the palms of my hands, creating a small quake beneath my feet. But the moment I took a side glance at my sister, she had a fierce glare that said ''don''t do whatever you think you''re going to do, otherwise I''ll have to stop you myself''. It was a terrifying glance that shook me.


    And so, to avoid the troublesome villagers, the others and I rushed out from there and went back to our place.


    Are all humans this despicable? They''re even more terrible than we are, yet they see themselves as normal. It was a ridiculous notion to live with, and it still has, with a bitter taste in my mouth.


    We''ve continued helping people despite that, but after hearing of the atrocities and having that happen to us a few more times, many of those that we gathered left. they simply couldn''t take the philosophy that my sister had stood firm with.


    And so, a few of us were left. So few.


    Those that disappeared went against her philosophy, ''repaying'' the people for the hardships they were given using force in every aspect. It tarnished our reputation, if we had one in the first place.


    It wasn''t easy, building up who we are or should be today. But all that plummeted in one fell swoop, and their transgressions immediately fell on us.


    We were to blame for the entirety of a massacre we had nothing to do with.


    But all that aside, here we are still, helping people despite the hardships.


    Yet, this person, having heard of me saying that I am a Half-breed, should have made him angry almost instantly for this atrocity the demons have done to his one and only parental figure. But he had not said anything for the past hour. He neither blamed me, who carried a demon''s blood just like everyone else, nor did anything those villagers had done in the past. He simply stood in silence, lamenting the fact that he was gone.


    But, I wanted to affirm something. I just had to know... why? I''ve been so used to the fact that we have been seen as the culprits almost every single time, so I suspect every person I meet of harboring bad intentions towards Half-breeds such as myself.


    I want to know...


    "Hey, tell me... Why aren''t you putting the blame on me? You know what I am, yet I haven''t heard anything from you. Your face does not display disgust nor terror. That means you aren''t scared. So what is it. Aren''t you angry at me since I carry a demon''s blood?"


    I know, it''s stupid, it''s an entirely stupid thing to want to know about, but if by chance this person is someone I can come to know without having the need to be scorned nor cast away, then I''m willing to find that out.


    "Nothing here is your fault. You came here to try and save them, so why should I place the blame on you? If more, I am thankful that you tried."


    His words left me speechless.


    He forced a smile as he turned around.


    Is he someone that I can trust, someone who doesn''t fear us Half-breeds? someone who can sympathize with us.


    Just then, the sound of hooves galloping and stomping on the ground shook the earth as they came closer, a stampede like movement. Dust trailed as they came in large numbers, well armed and disciplined above all else. They carried this kingdom''s banner with such high esteem that it felt suffocating how they flaunt their strength. I had a terrible feeling from them.


    A man wearing a more extravagant form of armor dismounted. A man well beyond his thirties with a wrinkled face, a stern disposition, and an unmovable resolution to him. He carried himself above all others as he strode down with a strict eloquence.


    "What a disgrace. Look at what had happened here. It seems that Hark''s negligence finally brought his standing down to a befitting level. As I suspected."


    He raised his chin as he ridiculed the man Zachary sobbed for. They man now laying down, resting in peace.


    "Adjutant! Make the necessary preparations to have these men buried at once. We will set up camp around this desolate and miserable town until the king sends a dispatch of more men. Have them be at ease while I assess everything."


    A man about a few inches from his height saluted in response.


    "Yes sir! It will be done with haste. But still, it''s horrible, what happened to these people. Even the ones just outside of town. They were all hunted down."


    The man looked sorrowful, displaying emotions that made him human.


    "The kingdom''s prospects and assets here have been destroyed. This will be a painful blow to the kingdom. This loss would have been avoided if they put someone else who was more worthy to the task at hand. The weakness if the lord governing this town led to this tragedy. There is no one else to blame but him. After all he was useless and obsolete from the beginning."


    His words made my blood boil.


    Though Zachary stood there, clearly listening, he simply stared blankly at the man, not saying anything. I couldn''t take any more of it. They ridiculed a dead man instead of giving him peace. But I knew full well that ''people'' like these existed. It was not unheard of, rather, I expected it to be like this having seen him stride too confidently for his own good.


    "Hey! Think that you''re going too far, geezer?"


    He looked at me in a perplexed way. His soldiers all stood their guard, making sure that their presence was known by me.


    "Excuse me? What did you just refer to me as? You insolent plebian!"


    Haughty. It just gets worse from here, does it? But why, Zach. Why not fight for your old man''s honor, his pride. Don''t let this man ridicule him when clearly, there wasn''t anything you could fault the man for. After all, he was here, and he stood his ground. He died will a great fulfillment and satisfaction of having been able to help people as much as he could, but ''people'' like these walk on him like dirt.


    "Didn''t know you were deaf too. You''re too narrow-minded to have seen it, but this man fought the the last man. He died with them, yet you shun him? You people really are disgusting."


    "Who are you to dare and talk to me like that, you low life scum! Don''t you know who I am?"


    And came forward and glared at me, placing a hand on top of his sword''s hilt, grinning maliciously.


    "I don''t think I''d want to know. You judged this man like he was nothing. Yet I''ve seen people like you, cowards, running with their tail between their legs when the situation becomes dire. This man stood his ground, yet you don''t see his merits?"


    "Merits?! If he were at the very least competent, then this should not have happened in the first place. A man of this kingdom is not as negligent as this failure of a lord. And what''s more, he suffered the greatest disgrace a man from this kingdom could ever suffer. Be defeat by demons."


    He drew his sword and let it idle.


    "Your name, now. I won''t let such transgressions go unpunished. Your insolence will cost you, be it your life, or someone else''s. You dared talk down to the man of the great house of Kaelus. Your payment will be your life, and I, Maximillian of the great house of Kaelus, will be the one to punish you."


    "My name won''t be wasted on your deaf ears."


    He eyed me intensely, looking over my clothes and found his answer. From the wide grin, I could tell what he was thinking at that point. It was devious, but obvious.


    In an instant, he struck my face with the back of his hand; the sound of the slap echoed throughout the ruins. It didn''t feel the strong at all, though he looked to be using most of his strength with that, it simply itched. My body wasn''t that weak to be affected by paltry attacks such as that.


    Though he struck me, I didn''t take it to heart since it was better to have the malice directed to me rather than to Zachary and his old man. He had more than enough to deal with... But his face pisses me off. There was a grin that stuck out like a sore thumb. His confidence was the only thing obvious when looking at him, that and the haughty personality.


    "Hmph, so a Half-breed dare talk down upon me..."


    His men immediately drew their weapons and set their sights towards me, laughing as the man struck a blow to my cheek. I started to tense my muscles and prepare for the worst. Looking at them, I know I won''t get out of here unscathed, but I''ll take as much of them down.


    ''Sorry, Sis, but this is something that I have to do. I don''t think I can get out of this one so easily.''


    "Who is to say that you didn''t commit this crime. After all, you and that fellow over there are the only ones present here. Suspiciously enough, there are no other culprits."


    "I didn''t. I helped in putting down the ones that attacked the place."


    He raised his hand and made a circular motion with it.


    "Men, surround this vile cur. Lies have tainted my ears, and I will not have it. This demon will be presented to the court at Exaltier where ''it'' will face charges concerning the attack of Lavis and the death of Theodore Hark!"


    At his announcement, his men did surround me, covering every crevice that I might escape from.


    I could use the full extent of my powers here, but there''s too much of them to be able to finish off at one go. I''ll... die here if I''m not careful.


    "Didn''t you hear me? I said I helped the place! - "


    But he cut my sentence off, taking me by my neck, applying pressure to nearly suffocate me if I were a normal human being. But his rage showed by the apparent vein close to popping on his forehead.


    "I have already dirtied my hands on you twice. There won''t be a third. I''m warning you, demon. My hands aren''t worth to be sullied on your disgusting face, yet here I am, delivering punishment where it is due."


    I didn''t move an inch since it wasn''t worth it, but I was still thinking of some way to get out of this place unscathed. I don''t know what will happen to Zach and the kid, but I have to put them into account as well. I can''t drag them into this, hate me and my race or not.


    "Don''t you dare talk down on me, you damned scum on the face of this soil. You are lucky I am merciful today. If I were not, then you would have already been cut down by my blade. But, I won''t spare you the time to sully my blade with your disgusting blood. After all, you and the rest of your kind are only imitations, low-lives that seek to be a part of humanity when in fact, they can''t be, for they are disgusting vile creatures with no purpose but to pollute this world with their presence. You are all the same. Demons, the very scourge of this land that deserves to be purged, every last one of you- "


    Before he could even continue with his vainglorious speech, I swatted away his hand that was restricting my neck with ease, taking the collar of his uniform protruding from his armor near his collar with both hands and headbutting him.


    As expected of a noble lord, he became disoriented in one hit as I used enough force to knock him out. the only thing I was surprised with was that he still stood, though wobbling, he stood. This was fitting. If he wanted to insult us, then it was wrong to do it where I could hear you.


    "Don''t you dare talk down on us! We''re worth much more than you narcissistic and egotistical bastards who flaunt their power at the expense of the lives of others!"


    As he fell to the ground, unable to hold himself up, he irritatingly yelled out as to move the embarrassment away from him.


    "What are you all staring at?! Apprehend this damned demon and chain him down! Cut him, slice his head off, I don''t care! Just take it down!"


    ''Damn. There''s no choice then!''.


    But right before they could start cutting me down, a voice shattered their momentum, forcing their attentions away from me and towards... Zachary?


    "Don''t even think of harming him! Not one step further, otherwise, I might do something I will regret, and believe me, you will regret it too."


    While still holding the little girl he rescued, he leveled his right hand with his chest and showed a weakly glimmering symbol of light. I could feel something rejuvenating just by staring at it; taking my full attention, as if I was being renewed. Though there was an inkling of pain as my eyes stared at it, there was no way to pry my attention from it.


    There was a certain rage on his face as he cried out, and his eyes, they were terrifying, maybe much more terrifying than my sister''s which was something I thought impossible, but here it is now.


    I felt a chill on my spine at they were all mesmerized by the same thing. That mark, that symbol that I can''t quite explain.


    "What?!- What are you?"


    The haughty noble named Maximillian questioned him, perplexed as he stared at Zachary.


    The men unknowingly let their guards down. This was my golden chance to make a turnabout, but to my surprise, even I, who possessed a strong and limber body, could not move, yet it nothing felt out of the ordinary. There was nothing constricting me, it was as if my body forcefully didn''t want to move itself, taking control over from me.


    "I think I can answer that question. He is a mage, just like I am."


    A voice called out from our side. There stood two figures who looked slightly messy. One wore a black and gold laced cloak, holding in front of him a layer of magic in the shape of a circle. Inscribed on it were various symbols and markings that I couldn''t hope to make out. It was pointed right at us, and the energy that was gathered on it was immense, as equal to the level that a high-ranking demon would have. Or it might just be my imagination.


    The other beside the man was an iron clad knight just a little bit shorter than the one beside him. He held a sword, standing silently and attentively.


    "Now, I wonder what kind of trouble you have gotten into. This seems rather out of place, don''t you think?"


    He spoke with a strangely dangerous, composed eloquence, as if every word that came from his mouth could turn the tides and swoon opinions.


    Just, who were they?

 Chapter 20: To grow, To learn, To mature

    My anger dissipated once I saw them. As if the drain had been pulled.


    They had nonchalant expressions as they glanced at me. My attention turned to Daphne whom wore a helmet, and behind that very helmet was a cold, sharp glare that could almost kill.


    "If you could stand down, then that would be great. I wouldn''t want an ''accident'' to happen here so suddenly."


    "On whose authority do you dare order me to stand down?"


    The man named Maximilian stood up firmly after having brushed the dust off his uniform. His distinguished self had reappeared, and his rage-filled character had disappeared. Seeing that, I thought to myself if there were two entities living in his body, one of composure, and one of anger. Yet, his haughty attitude remained the same.


    "I hold no authority pertaining to rank. But, I do have my own authority, and this is a rather dangerous spell I barely have under control. And if I may admit, I am quite unskilled with the control of the magical arts. If I were to ''suddenly lose'' control, then a great tragedy could occur. I will say that I am not in the least a weakling when it comes to damage."


    The noble held his stare and stood quiet. His hands were behind his back and his chest was puffed out.


    "I will have you understand this, mage. The soldiers I have here are of the highest breed. They are what the kingdom calls the elite. A head-on damage from a spell cast by an amateur that can''t control his spells effectively are of no threat to us. And moreover, I know that they can withstand such blows and still rise to slit your throat and cut you down like a dog. Now, how will you convince me that your threat hold true?"


    He grinned and called his men to attention, having some of them form a defensive line in front of him. Confidence clouded their face, most likely all from the speech their commander had said out loudly without a hint of doubt in his voice.


    It became a tense battle of words, and that atmosphere was being battled with composed grins using the threat of spells against the threat of heavy armor wearing men wielding sharp swords and the unwavering discipline of a said ''elite'' soldier.


    "Very well. I shall show you a reason to heed my words, head of the noble house of Kaelus."


    In that instant, Gino increased the size of the circle. His grin changed into a fierce glare as he tensed his body, exerting a terrifying amount of pressure that could be felt by those around us, including me.


    He pointed it towards the sky and unleashed the pent-up power concealed within the circle. With a strong gale of wind, it shot up at a speed faster than an arrow, emitting a low whistling sound as it broke the barriers of the wind. Soon it was just a simple dot at the greatest height above us.


    All eyes stared up at the projectile as it exploded into a gigantic ball of cataclysmic proportions. The sky became red as the explosion only continued to grow larger, dissipating and giving off the backlash of its power.


    The booming sound that it created shook the hearts of those beneath it, and the clouds were cleared up in an instant, leaving a brief remnant of its presence in the sky. It was a magnificent but terrifying display of prowess that I have never seen from Gino, nor did I suspect that he was capable of such power.


    The soldiers looked at him in awe, including the noble, whose conviction looked shook for a moment.


    Without another word, he held his hand up once more, then spoke.


    "Stand down and be ready to move out. Adjutant, have the men set up camp outside the town at once. Have sentries scour the area and divide the work as needed."


    "Yes sir! Come, men, mount your horses and follow me."


    With a quick pace, they evacuated the area and fled, leaving a trail of dust.


    "I shall not forget this threat, mage. Remember this. If we are to ever meet once more, I would suggest that you ready another spectacle. That show of force will not be able to save you next time. I will show you the transgressions of threatening me. I will use all of the power in the disposal of house Kaelus to perform that act, I swear on the goddesses and on the name of this very house of which I am the head of!"


    Maximillian stood for a while and looked at Gino for a bit more then mounted up himself and left.


    At that moment, Gino''s legs went limp. Before his body could fall to the ground, Daphne supported his shoulders. His face looked appallingly feverish, as if he was on death''s door. His breathing was ragged and beads of sweat formed on his forehead.


    "I was afraid he would catch on to my bluff. If he had waited a bit more, then this could have gone a lot worse."


    Though he was tired, he managed to force a confident grin.


    "Gino, Daphne! What on earth are you two doing here?!"


    I asked, sheathing my sword. I got closer to them and saw how dirty their faces and garments were. How they got it was something I had yet to know, but was curious to figure out.


    Suddenly, Gino''s face became stern. He controlled his breathing and tried to stand on his own, but failed, relying on Daphne to support him instead.


    "Zachary, I can''t say that I''m not angry but... Why did you have to leave so abruptly? You could have told us the entire thing and we would have come with you anyway. So, why?"


    It was a general question that I could have given answer to, not just one, but a few more. Was it because of the lack of trust I had in them... the lack of faith in their abilities... the danger of being with me and constantly being in harm¡¯s way... They could be all of them.


    Had my emotions and concern brought me this low to doubt the people whom have called me their friend?


    In trust I remember it. Once I had heard of the attack on Lavis, I knew that it would be excessively dangerous, enough that their lives could have been taken from them by hordes of demons. But that worry of mine was unfounded, in fact, there wasn''t any danger at all.


    I was the only danger to myself. And with that, I had cost myself the trust of those that cared about me.


    "Well, go on, I know you have something to tell him. I can sit here instead."


    Gino gently let himself down and sat on the ground, legs crossed. His exhausted state returned as he heaved a great sigh of relief.


    Daphne removed her metal gloves revealing her smooth and delicate fingers, both fit for her beauteous and stoic personality. But unbeknownst to me that this signified something else, only, I understood that when it hit me, literally.


    ''Slap!''


    I reeled back in pain and fell to the ground due to the immense strength behind the slap. A sound echoed through the air a few times before it faded away. I held Erica close to prevent her from getting any harm.


    My cheek stung a great deal. I touched my cheek and looked at her. There was a part of me that knew what it was about, but it was vague. Another part of me was greatly confused. I could have drawn a conclusion to ''why'' from the look on her face, but she still wore her helmet, concealing her face.


    To my relief, she seemed undisturbed and kept on sleeping soundly.


    "Hey, what is this all about?! I thought a knight''d be more chivalric. I don''t know how strong you might be, but I think I can handle you. He''s already been through enough."


    Aster came between us and held out his arm, separating us. His voice was rather tense, but nothing out of the ordinary. It seems that he was unable to comprehend just what happened as well.


    I quickly got up and hand Erica over to Aster.


    "Don''t worry, I''ll handle this. I know them."


    I looked straight at her, on her face where her eyes should be and stood there silent. The moment I uttered her name, a quick instinctive reaction came from her hand, another slap, but I was prepared for it this time. I caught her wrist barely before it could hit me, but from there I could feel her entire arm trembling.


    "Daphne..."


    I said it again, this time, I set her arm down gently and removed her helmet slowly, showing her unblemished face and her short hair which flowed as I took her helmet from her.


    Her eyes had tears on them, but her eyes themselves avoided mine. Her lip quivered, and she stayed silent, until I said her name once more, causing a sudden reaction from her.


    "Why? Why didn''t you trust us enough to tell us? You idiot... don''t you know how worried I was about you?"


    Her words trailed off and her head inclined down.


    Without thinking, I allowed my emotions to take control from here. Whatever I would have said, it needed to be what I really felt. It can''t be anything one-sided. I owe them that much, and more. I don''t think anything simple can make up for that now, but right now, there was only one thing that I could do.


    I embraced her tightly and spoke as softly as I could into her ears. She smelled fragrant like a special flower, but that wasn''t as important as what I needed to tell her. I''ve never done anything so straightforward like this, so whatever happens next, happens.


    "I''m sorry. I didn''t think about how you two would feel. I was too worried about what would happen if I brought you with me, but that simply showed how much trust I lacked in you when in return, you had so much more in me, enough to follow me here. I don''t think I can do anything to make amends for this, but just know that I care enough for you to keep you from harm''s way no matter what."


    I heard a mutter from under her breath, one that reassured me even for a bit.


    "Why do you have to be so unfair? What do you expect me to say after this? You care enough for us to keep us from harm''s way?! You are a fool to have thought that!"


    "... Ahh, youth can be so touching sometimes. It fills my heart with glee every time I see such a display. I could feel another type of emotion as well. Maybe... affection, is it?"


    Instantly, she pushed me away from her. I fell to the ground abruptly, but couldn''t realize why. Still, her strength was the same, if not stronger. I remembered her well because of that.


    Her face was flushed as she turned away from me, arms crossed defiantly.


    Gino laughed and raised himself up from the ground, approaching us.


    "Let me tell you this, then. On our way here, we encountered a near massive horde of demons, and that explains the dirt and dried blood smeared upon our faces. However, it seems that you encountered no trouble on your way here. You say that we could be kept from harm''s way, but I simply showed out mettle by coming here in pursuit of you. I think that''s a good start, isn''t it?"


    I felt myself tense up instantly. Did that mean my decision caused them more trouble than when I should have told them everything? Damn. Why, just why?


    "Well, I am curious. You came here for something. Mind telling us what and what happened?"


    I then remembered that dreadful sight beside us. The tragedy that befell Lavis and the man whom protected it with his dying breath. There were those that cared


    It was difficult, to look at him once more even after accepting his absence. But right now, I have to be strong, for the both of us. That''s the only thing I can do. It was clear as day to me.


    My glance took their sights to the man gallantly lying down with his eyes closed near some rubble. There was no sign of life from him at all, yet the everlasting peace that I had seen from him remained immortalized in my mind. How I was going to carry on his will like I''m trying with my parents still confounded me till now.


    The two of them became silent.


    "I''m... terribly sorry, Zachary. This is Theodore Hark, is it?"


    Gino asked. His face showed a genuine concern.


    "I have but one favor to ask. And I understand what I had done to you both by leaving you. But could hear me out one last time?"


    It was lonely. The wind brushed softly against our skins as we stood there in silence once more. It''s like most of my time here has been in silence. Each second felt like a lifetime that was precious for every special reason I could make.


    I stared down at it, but still I could swear I could hear his voice. Yet no matter how many times I look around me, there is no one else besides us. That''s just another wishful thinking on my part.


    Theodore Hark had finally been laid to rest on a familiar plot of land. His gave was close to a burnt house with the stench of burnt wood still wafting in the air.


    It took a lot to decide going here when it shouldn''t have. Was I terrified of seeing the truth once more? No. I can''t say I''ve even overcome that.


    Once we arrived at the final resting place, however, there was something that shook me, leaving me breathless.


    There, a grave was made of two mounds sitting by each other. On top of that were makeshift wooden sticks bound together by a cloth, forming a cross. There were shovels on the side, discarded, but I had never seen it before. When I had left this place, there was nothing left besides the burnt house and the languid memory I had to leave behind.


    There was something that immediately caught my sight once I focused on the mound. A letter that was discarded, meant to be hidden within the dirt mound as the soil was being placed on it.


    The paper was dirty because of time, yet upon opening it, the writing could still be legible. I had a sinking feeling once I read the name, griping my attention.


    I had not noticed that I had started reading it silently.


    To my dearest friend, and a man whom treated me as his brother, both in blood and arms.


    It has been a while since I''ve gone here, isn''t it? It''s a shame that the beautiful house you and your wife had given so much time to build had been destroyed. The painful thing is that the moment I decide to come is he moment I get to bury the person whom treated me as family when I needed it the most. It was similar to the feeling of having to bury your blood brother, it was heart wrenching. But in the end, even when you had retired, I knew you were still going to make me worry to no end. Now, it seems that your obligations in this world have ended.


    How envious I am of you for having attained eternal peace. Your exploits when you were alive baffled me every single time, yet you left a longer lasting legacy stronger and louder than any person who might call themselves heroes. Your son is one of them, possibly the greatest even.


    But, why am I exactly writing you this letter? I don''t understand myself. It might be because of the looming danger on the horizon. There''s a part of me that wanted to clear things up before the end. Now that you''re not here to help me, this daunting task will most likely be my last. To join you... well, I wouldn''t say that bad. It hasn''t been that long since you''ve been gone anyway.The story has been stolen; if detected on Amazon, report the violation.


    Frederick. Wait for me. I have a hunch that we will see each other soon. I''ve done my best to help your son grow, but, there is only so much I can teach him. Nothing can possibly prepare him for the inevitable. It''s tragic, the way that he was raised only to have it be snuffed from him. I only wished that I were able to get through this. But, I am not as I used to be.


    There is so much more that I could say, but any more would make it hard for me to part. The fear of dying is catching up to me at this point, so I can''t have my resolve waver... what would you have done if you were in my place?


    Yours, Theodore Hark.


    The day passed briefly, and the moon illuminated the darkened skies from overhead. There was a soft humming noise that seemed to calm me down, and a gentle wafting wind that was colder than usual.


    We had set up camp near the outskirts of the forest where my house once stood, near the gravesite of where Theodore Hark was buried along with the Erinn family, my parents.


    I sat nearby the fire as well, carrying Erica who had woken up.


    "So, do you mind introducing us to your friends, Zachary?"


    Gino sat calmly, basking in the heat that the fire gave off. There were no blankets to help us stave off the night except for this one burning flare in the middle of nowhere.


    "Aster. I had just met him today. He''s the one who helped me find Sir Hark."


    He introduced himself to the two and shook their hands. He carried a more welcoming disposition once things seem to have calmed down.


    "If I may be so blunt. I sense something within you, young Aster. I have this strange feeling that you are something else entirely," Gino grimaced. "Would you mind telling us?"


    Aster became perplexed, eyes wandering where they could, as if he were thinking hard about what move he should make next.


    "Don''t worry, Aster. You can trust them," I said, reassuring him.


    "Alright, fine. I don''t know how you realized so quickly, but I am a Half-breed."


    He spoke begrudgingly as if he regretted saying those words. His hands were clenched, it his worried almost instantly disappeared.


    "Is that so? Interesting," said Gino, examining Aster with his calculating eyes. "That mark of yours tells me just that."


    "''Is that so?'' That all you want to say? Aren''t you going to chase me away like all the others?"


    "Whatever do you mean? I see no need for that. Of course, I know about your race. I''m quite educated with it. And that''s the thing. Once you have learned, then your eyes would be clear of dust. As I am with you. But judging from your languid expression, it seems that you''ve gone through a lot. Rest assured that the two of us bear no ill will towards you, right Daphne?"


    She nodded with a hint of discipline but kept quiet. She was more focused in keeping herself warm. She huddled closely with her legs, embracing them as she sat close to the crackling fire. Often, however, I would catch her glancing my way for no reason at all, then she would quickly avert her gaze and close her eyes.


    Aster let out a sigh before speaking again.


    "This is something else. Meeting people who don''t want to kill you. I wonder if my fortune''s finally turned around. Sis''ll be really happy to know that there are some out here who we can speak with normally like human beings."


    "Humanity has been on the edge for most of its life. The paranoia of demons has greatly swayed their opinion, so a simple demon or the lowest class would be a threat to be feared still. Why? For their reputation. Tell me, what were you doing in the town? I have yet to know."


    "I''m from an organization called Yolim."


    "Yolim... I have heard rumors and news about a name like that somewhere westwards."


    "Really? What did they say about us?" his eyes gleamed in curiosity, but with uncertainty.


    "The organization was called ''a self-righteous and a radical band of demons parading in the skins of humans whose sole purpose is to drive a stake into the hearts of people, slowly taking away their life until their demon overlords could take over''. Not that nice, isn''t it?"


    His shoulders drooped in disappointment. Glancing at the sky as he lay down upon the grass, he spoke.


    "I knew it''d be like that. But I didn''t realize it was that bad. It''s pretty hard to stomach the fact that after these years of hard work, there aren''t any fruits for our labor. It''s sickening," he cursed under this breath.


    "You spoke about a sister. Where exactly is she?"


    I cut Gino off as he spoke, finding my chance after deciding by myself. All eyes were on me.


    "There was something that I wanted to talk about concerning that. I''ve decided that I want to help Aster find his sister, and the demon that attacked Lavis. His sister had chased the demon off. They''re still out there, so I want to find them. I know that it''s a foolish thing to seek vengeance, but I can''t let this go. This is something that I must do. I''ve already broken your trust in me, so to atone, I shall be leaving by myself."


    Trust that was built through the uncertainty and chaos of life. It had become strong, yet because of me, the ties binding us would have been eventually severed. I will atone with this, and then after that, I will fulfill my task. It''s the only thing left for me right now.


    As the silence slowly crept in, a voice dissuaded me.


    "And you think doing this alone will atone for your mistakes?"


    "It''s... the only way I can think of."


    "Then your way is quite crooked. Listen, there is no need for you to be alone. We chased you here so that we could understand why you left in the first place. We didn''t know your reasons, after all. But I see no need to cut our ties because of this tragedy. If we were in your place, our emotions would most likely take us down a familiar path."


    "But aren''t you angry? Would you still want to be with me after that? I left without saying anything since I didn''t want you two to get harmed in any way. I didn''t trust you at all."


    "Angry? Not exactly. Simply a bit disappointed. understand this, there is no easy way to build trust. If you don''t think we can handle ourselves out here in this world, then we shall prove it through our own efforts, and that means together."


    He smiled brightly, including Daphne, whom nodded at his statement. What he said was unbelievable. This alone was a great show of trust in which they had in me, but not I in them.


    That bitter feeling surrounding my soul was lifted with their words and presence, and it felt like I were forgiven when I was not.


    To be blessed with such companions was asking for too much, but here they are.


    "Wait, Zachary. What do you mean you''re going to help me find my sister? Why? There''s no reason for you to do so."


    "You don''t think I have, but I do. It doesn''t matter what you are, or your lineage. You helped defend Sir Hark''s pride when I didn''t say a thing. You hadn''t even known me for a day. But it is a selfish thing to decide upon as well. One reason is for vengeance. If the demon that attacked us is still alive, then I shall redeem Sir Hark."


    He scratched his head and sighed.


    "You''re insane, do you know that? No one would ever help a Half-breed. Why would you want to help me in the first place? Just because of that? I don''t have anything to give you."


    "Aster. Your sister, you''re worried about her safety, right?"


    "Yeah. It''s not that I don''t believe she can accomplish it, but this one''s awfully ominous, as if she were trying to draw her and the others away from here. her presence was one thing, and her strength another. It was unbelievable, the way I felt petrified. But because of that, I was worried of what might become of her... There''s no way I can handle that thing myself. Not even a normal human can hope to handle that thing."


    "Then that''s where I step in. I''ve lost someone, but that doesn''t mean I stop there. I''ll do everything in my power to make sure you don''t end up losing someone you care about."


    "Fine, I won''t argue with you. Thanks, Zach. This means a lot. I''ll make sure to watch your back."


    As I shook his hand, the back of my hand started emitting the strange light within the mark. It was a weak gleam, but that was enough for him to notice its presence.


    With a peculiar stare, his face changed into one of surprise. His bewilderment started to question the things he didn''t understand.


    "That thing again. Just what is it? I saw it before, but it was stronger. Just what are you?"


    "I see no reason to hide now that you''ve told me who you were. I am a Thalisean, or that last of them, if that makes any sense."


    It took a bit of time for him to realize before he could react. the surprise on his face couldn''t be concealed at all.


    "... Thalisean?! You are? Then that means... you are the last bastion of hope for ever human on this plane! I-I can''t believe it. The last of the light''s chosen, the very embodiment of the creator''s being, standing here in front of me. I just can''t quite come to terms with it yet. I mean, you''re a living legend, that means! The last hope of the humans, the beings bathed in light! I can''t believe this!"


    "So you know about them, or us, in my case."


    "I don''t think there''s anyone in the entire continent who doesn''t. If that noble from earlier knew just what you were, then he would''ve tried taking you for himself."


    "Why is that?"


    "Those power-hungry people like him, I''ve seen them before. If he knew the greatest power in this continent, standing in opposition of the greatest threat in the continent, stood before him, then he would''ve taken you and used you for his own good. Once he does, there is no one who can stop him."


    "I''m not quite the great Thalisean you know. Right now, I''m still trying to live up to their name, and it''s still a long way head. I''m barely able to use this power of mine. It''s the biggest mystery to me right now."


    "Still, that''s something else. Know it or not, that light is the greatest fear of a demon. I''ve been told stories about them myself by my sister. She''s always had a fascination with your kind, even until now. She hasn''t told me why, but every time she tells me something about your race, there''s a warm smile on her face."


    "Where do you think we''ll find her?"


    "I remember her and the others going through that way, from where we are. There should be marks or trails that should say if they were here, but I can sense my sister, faintly. We are family, so I can feel her presence. It feels far away already, but not out of reach."


    "Well, better to have a lead than going back to town and retracing our steps," said Gino. "We''ve made quite the enemy, that man of Kaelus. I''ve heard of that family. They are strong and affluential in Ylithia, not to mention their strong standing within the nobles themselves. They go back years, close to the founding of the kingdom. If he truly swore a vendetta against me, then it is best not taken lightly."


    "I won''t let it come to that. If it ever does, then I''ll see that it''s not a threat to us."


    "Quite the promise. Then I shall hold you to that. It will be interesting seeing how you will try and back your words up. I know you can, somehow. Now, why don''t we turn in? If you''re planning to do just that, then we''ll need to leave first thing tomorrow so that we don''t lose them."


    "I agree. Thank you, all of you. I know we hardly know each other, but helping me out is not something anyone would do. I don''t know how I''m going to repay you."


    "Hold it until we finish the job. For now, let''s not worry about such things till the future."


    And so they prepared to sleep. The night''s curtain drew until the moon was high up above its precipice. it was something to be admired. How fond it is to stare at this very sight and feel your heart calm down. Inside me, a tumultuous storm rages, and my emotions can''t help but feel restless. How am I supposed to handle all of this when I''ve even faked being alright?


    I have to find the answer to that, and soon. The longer things stay this way, the worse it''ll be. I have to settle things before I lose even myself.


    This was a brief conclusion that I had come to. All that''s been happening has been a series of challenges unfolding at a rapid speed. There is no time to ponder and think of my next steps. The only way no to get left behind is to move forward. But I don''t know if that''s alright.


    ''What kind of man were you back then, father? You''ve been receiving praise even when you''re gone. That long lasting legacy you left behind, just what are those?''


    Everyone I''ve met so far has told me about your greatness, and how much of an effect it had made on this continent.


    Will I be able to copy you? Or at least do better. Will I be even half the man you were?


    ... I''ll try being you. That''s the only answer I can come up with right now. It''s just to satisfy that hole in my mind nagging me over and over. I have to have something that could put me at ease, not just a purpose, but a reason to follow that purpose.


    One could only think how deep reasoning goes. But as you ponder more and more, worrying about every meticulous detail, you find out that the world is much larger than one could think.


    The sheer magnitude and bewilderment of realizing this will test your worth and your identity. To realize that, I live a life not just for my own now, but for everyone else. It''s overwhelming.


    But, I''ll take up that challenge, that trial. I will do my best in becoming what you were as best I could...


    Is that the right answer anyway?


    Since Erica didn''t want to leave my side when I offered to leave her with Gino and the rest, I took a leisure stroll around the forest with her and the wolf cub that followed me around still, and I eventually arrived once more to where the grave of my family was. I took a long hard stare at the place, fondly relieving the memory etched within my mind. Those fond and happy memories that I can''t help but reminisce about.


    "Father, Mother, I''ve returned once more. How have you been both?"


    The silence felt deafening. I asked not expecting any answer, but I felt the need to tell them everything that happened so far. So, I did the many things I never Imagined that I would do in my life. It was surprising even as I said it. Those events truly happened, and I was a part of it.


    "Never knew that a world larger than what I knew existed outside this small world of ours. But even beyond those boundaries, you were known... listen, I still have a long way to go, but it seems that this quest of mine has an even more mysterious path that I''ve yet to tread. I''ve started to realize slowly that the uncertainty of not knowing what may come doesn''t terrify me as much anymore. Do you think I''ve grown because of that? Or have I disappointed you still?"


    "..."


    The cub whimpered as my tone became languid. I was starting to get swept by the emotions of guilt and weakness, like I have been all my life beyond these boundaries.


    It seemed to calm down, and I as well, when I patted its head.


    "I''m sad to say that I''ve even disappointed the people that had called me a friend. I didn''t get to save Sir Hark. I was failing everyone..."


    "... I don''t think you failed anyone."


    A voice sounded from behind me. A calm tone that didn''t surprise me in the least. But it was familiar. I saw no need to turn my head. It''d be hard to face stoically her after this. I didn''t have the heart to do so.


    "Why not? Have you not seen it? Have you not heard? I was supposed to be the one being everyone looked to for help, yet I could do nothing to save them. They would have been long massacred, and all that would be left was their souls. And it would haunt me. I would be reminded constantly of who I was, but, what does that even matter now?"


    "But it does. You can''t just save everyone. That''s... impossible, even for you. There was nothing to fault you for. You couldn''t have known of what was happening, so why punish yourself further?"


    "Because I deserved it. How about you? Aren''t you angry that I didn''t trust you enough, and because of that, what I did not want to happen, happened anyway? I would understand if you were at least angered, but why? Why do you think otherwise? I see no merit in my actions for they have only brought misfortune on others. That''s the worst reality that I could imagine. Ever since I left this place and knew who I was, I had always promised myself that I would save and protect those that I could... I think you know how that turned out."


    There was a brief silence between us before I heard her speak again. In truth, I expected her to leave at that very moment. She did hit me when we saw each other back at Lavis. But there were tears in her eyes. Were they because of me or because of what I had done?


    Nevertheless, she surprised me by still being here. A part hidden inside me was happy, but I just couldn''t get up and say it for some profound reason.


    "I know how that promise turned out for me, however. I know you tried your best. I''ve seen the anguish on your face. It made me feel the same pain I felt when I lost someone I dearly cared for. With your promise, I am still here, looking at you. That was the first one. The second was in Exaltier, when you saved me from those mercenaries. That goes to show that you could keep your promises. I am still here because of what you''ve done for me. Isn''t that enough to convince you?"


    "But that was a given. I would have saved you even if I hadn''t made that promise. Why would I let that happen to you?"


    I stood up and faced her, seeing her worn clothes out of her armor. She hugged her arms and bashfully looked away from me as I turned around. There was a hint of surprise as I said those words. I noticed them very clearly.


    "I-Is that so?"


    She murmured, barely making her voice audible.


    She slowly walked up to me until we were merely inches away from each other. I was taller than her, so her eyes were hidden from view as her head was tilted forward. Her scent was pleasant as it wafted towards my nose.


    "You''ve saved me twice, but I''ve only repaid the favor once."


    She spoke without meeting my gaze.


    "What do you mean by that?"


    "If you would let me, then I shall get rid of that uncertainty in your heart. I... don''t like seeing you pained so much. You may, use my body if you so desire. If it means that you will feel better, then there is no problem in that. I owe you my life, after all."


    Her eyes gazed up at me as she spoke, finally allowing me to see her face, which was even more beautiful than I remember. It was as if this was another side to her, one that I had seen before. Her weakened state.


    My heart started beating loudly that I could hear it, my throat felt dry, and my hands felt spasmic. I couldn''t believe what she had said, but it made my face hot that I started slowly sweating.


    Of course, I knew about what she spoke about. I recall having a talk with my mother. I remember her subtly trying to talk with me as she had an unwavering grin on her face. Never in my life did I know about what I was about to go into. Not to say that it was easier with my father. He would laugh about the topic but still give a solid piece of advice that I still have with me today, despite it being clich¨¦ and ridiculous.


    "Wait!"


    I said erratically. I was embarrassed. I couldn''t simply do as she had said, that was a given.


    "Don''t give up yourself like that so easily! I won''t just use your body like it''s nothing. Hold some value for yourself!"


    "Tell the same for yourself!"


    She fumed. I found myself astonished, but listening intently.


    "I don''t think that you did anything wrong. Now chin up, that''s no way for a proper Thalisean to be acting. You have to grow up. You have to realize that there will be losses, and sometimes you can''t do anything about it as you are now. But it''s much more of a reason to push yourself so that you don''t have to feel this way every time you lose someone you care for."


    I released a sigh and tried my best to smile. Her efforts, though needed work, were uplifting enough to lift my spirits. Though it was unexpected, the shock seemed to snap me from my senses.


    "Alright. I''m convinced. Thank you, Daphne. I''m glad to know that you''re there looking out for me. But try not to offer your body again next time. I don''t think you''d be delighted to the idea."


    "W-what?! I was simply trying to cheer you up, yes, that was it! Why? Did you think that I was truly going to offer you my chastity? I may be wearing the outfit of a knight, but inside I am still a maiden and a princess. Do remember that."


    "Haha, I will. You''re right, about everything. I know now what I have to do."


    Right, I have to move forward regardless. The longer things stay the same, the greater the danger to the rest of the people living in this continent. If I don''t want to feel such sorrow, then the only thing left is to better myself. I am, after all, a Thalisean.


    "Before we leave, could you stay for a while. I''d like to head back together."


    She turned around and spoke, arms crossed.


    "Fine, do what you want. But hurry. The night is getting colder."


    I knelt down in front of my three witnesses and bowed my head.


    ''This might be the last time I come here. This might be the last time I regret things and blame myself. I won''t know what the future holds, but I will have to find out myself. This might mean goodbye, but know that I will do my best to make this all right. I will carry on your intentions.''


    I stood and held my arm out to Daphne, whom smiled and took my arm. Together, the three of us, including my canine companion, returned, to prepare for a new start. A beginning whose purpose I''ve unraveled, and a reason that I have found. Where will this take me and how will this end, I do not know. But how would I learn if I do not treat those uncertain paths?


    "You know? You''re starting to look a bit different suddenly," she said, glancing up at me.


    "Really? I mean, thanks, but I haven''t done anything yet, so it''s great to know that I begun to make a differ- "


    "I jest. You still have a long way to go. What you''ve promised isn''t as simple as realizing it. You have to walk and live with it until it becomes natural. You won''t even know that you''ve changed, but others will."


    "What a tease. But I guess you''re right. Thanks, Daphne. I''ll continue on depending on you till the time I fulfill those promises."


    ...You truly have changed suddenly, Zach. I can''t hide the truth. But you''ve grown a bit more mature since we first met. Will you still be the same Zach that I know and admire?

 Chapter 21: A plague of memories

    ... You are special, yet flawed. You do not have another purpose after this, for your end comes with the closing curtain in this spectacle.


    Dozens have come before you, but now they have all gone and passed. The torch has been given to you, the very last. You carry the greatest power of all inside you, but it is not without sacrifices.


    You will have to make many of that, sacrifices. At times, you will have no choice. That is the heavy burden that you must carry.


    You are not aware of this yet, but in due time, it will all become clear. You will realize that even in this tumultuous age, that very curtain has yet to rise.


    Where you are to be taken, you will grow. If you do, then you will be a step further to fulfilling this destiny of yours. Fall, and it will not only be you whom falls.


    Will you forfeit your mind to the madness that awaits? Will you accept the invitation of the very enemy of the one who created you, just for the sole purpose of running away from fear itself? I do eagerly await what path you walk.


    Alrifer, a kingdom close to a barren wasteland and borders to the demon realm. The vast expanse of land that it occupied was on a boundless plain, mountains were few and to the north towards Ylithia.


    It was not as it was back then, a strong pillar of expansion and order. They were once feared by many, beginning from a small town and expanding into an empire that overshadowed everything else near it. The royal family of Luvierre ruled with pride and strength, and in time, it became a respected empire despite the turbulent change in power.


    It became ever so chaotic as the succession by steel, conspiracy, and blood happened. But now, they ruled with an iron fist.


    "Who would have thought that our search would bring us here. A rather large coincidence, don''t you think?"


    Gino took a sip from his cup where a clear mist rose.


    "Are you sure that you can sense her here? You might be mistaken."


    Daphne argued, feeling unnerved ever since we entered Alrifer.


    We followed Aster for directions, bringing us here. Months passed since we first traveled from Ylithia to this small village tavern close to the borders. But I wondered myself why a demon would choose to travel into the human''s territory instead of taking too long, but safe, way around to get to their own lands.


    "I''m sure that she must be here, or somewhere here. I can''t be wrong. I can still feel her presence."


    "But there haven¡¯t even been any signs yet. If a demon that was as strong as you said be present here, then there should be clear signs of that."


    "Now, now. Let''s not spoil the mood. Eat, drink, then rest. Let us enjoy the season of winter while we are here. It''s not every time that we get to go back home," Gino quelled the two.


    I felt a calming warmth as I took a sip from a drink that was brewed with herbs and leaves that gave off a fresh and sweet taste. Looking around me, there were not much tenants. The lighting was ample, but nothing was notable about the wooden built tavern.


    I stared at them, the people whom I have started traveling with again.


    Daphne held Erica and fed her bread, the place''s acclaimed tea, and other sweet looking pastries that were the specialty of this small tavern, or as the proprietor told us what it was called, a cafe. I expected a rowdy atmosphere, but it was calm and soothing. Peaceful enough to think without worry.


    Now that I think of it, the two of them had started growing very much attached to each other. Though at first, Erica was opposed to it, she started warming up to Daphne. And soon enough they were smiling together, laughing together. She had eased the child of her past tragedy, something I don''t think I could have done. But I was glad that she felt better than before.


    I told Daphne of what happened when I found her, which she sympathized about. But to my surprise, she would never look at Erica with a face of pity or of sympathy. She would always smile at her just like they were siblings. I think if one were to look at it from an outsider''s perspective, then one could possibly assume that they are siblings. Daphne was very much warmed up to the idea when I asked her that.


    But in truth, I had no intentions of bringing her along with us for the entire journey, including my own. It was dangerous, too dangerous for a child to be traveling with us. But I have no one to turn to, so it will have to wait until I figure out just how I should handle this.


    "Spacing out again? What are you thinking about?" asked Aster, whom noticed my darting eyes and attention floating in the air.


    "Ah, it''s nothing. I was just thinking of what we need when we go back on the road again."


    "Always thinking of something so meticulous. Well, I can''t argue that it''s important, but you have to enjoy these quiet times, you know? But I can''t say that''s a reasonable request coming from the one who was leading you all," he laughed at himself.


    With Aster in human lands, it was a given that we had to conceal his identity. So, we had him change his clothes and uniform with something that could cover him up and something that won''t give him away. He wore a dark short-sleeved coat that had a hood underneath, and something not too thick, but not too thin that would stave off the cold. That one was the same for all of us.


    -Hey, did you hear about the sudden edict at the capital?


    -Yeah. It''s crazy! Why should the soldiers abandon the western front to fight a war with Ylithia? The greatest danger off all are the demons. Just what is the King thinking?


    -It has been a long while since the last war fought by the two kingdoms. There''s no telling what can happen next. As far as I know, my grandfather told me that it had always been a stalemate. But this time, the King''s putting every soldier in the kingdom to use, leaving only a few to guard the Ludieve wall.


    -Seems like they''re enlisting a lot of people too. I think the villages are next.


    -Just what is happening? I don¡¯t think I¡¯m ready for this. I mean, demons? I¡¯m already scared thinking of just facing one.


    -Ha! Don''t be a wimp. You should be proud of serving this kingdom! If an enlistment ever comes to this village, I''ll go reluctantly. Plus, there''s a bit of gold in it too, isn''t that enough motivation for you?


    I listened to the men''s conversation as it drew me in. I was interested at what was happening since it might have something to do with what we are here for. But it was only a vague thought.


    I stood up from me seat and approached the men drinking by themselves. One was a carefree adult with a cleanly shaved head, while the other was a nervous looking man with beard.


    "Excuse me, but would you mind telling me what you were talking about earlier? I couldn''t help but feel interested in it."


    The bald man raised an eyebrow at me.


    "Not from these parts, are we? Where you from? The north Ylithian, eastern, west, or southern?"


    I didn''t know any other place other than Ylithia, but with what I had heard earlier, this man seemed to be quite a fervent believer in this kingdom. If I were to say that I was from Ylithia, then there might be a commotion here.


    "From the west. I''m currently travelling with my companions over there, so I was hoping that you could tell me about what was happening to this kingdom."


    "The West huh? I wonder why you''d leave that place with what''s happening in this continent. That''s the safest kingdom right now, I''ll have to admit. It¡¯s full of beauties too, if you know what I mean,¡± he shrugged and winked, pertaining to something strange on the lands to the west that I had absolutely no idea about. "But soon, it¡¯ll pale against Alrifer when it gets back on its feet!"


    He exclaimed it loudly, laughing heartily.


    "Alright, I''ll tell you. Alrifer''s mustering up some people to go and attack those damned fools up at the north. I don''t know what they''re thinking, but it''s just the thing to get us people of Alrifer fired up to fight the demons."


    "Why do you think the king wanted to wage war on them?"


    "Didn''t I already tell you? -"


    "No, I wanted to hear your thoughts."


    "Hmm, that so? Well, I think it''s because of the bad history between the two. I know that people''ve been saying things like ''Alrifer has gone weak after king Halycn''s death'' but that''s a bunch of crap! I say it''s gotten stronger under a new ruler. The last one was weak and pathetic, always talking about peace and some idiotic thing- "


    Just then, a loud thud could be heard from behind me. It took everyone''s attention to our table where Daphne and the others sat. No one knew who that sound came from, so they went on with their usual business.


    "Where was I? Oh, yeah. With the new king in command, he''ll be able to finally win against Ylithia and end this damned history of stalemates. News is that Hark, one of the kingdom''s strongest generals, just died to an attack from some demons a month ago. That man had a good reputation, but with him gone, taking Ylithia would be easy."


    "But! Isn''t it even more devastating if the demons invade us? Haven''t you thought about that? And a war?! There already is a war, and it''s right through those walls! Everyone just wants to keep killing each other rather than working together!""


    The nervous man spoke in a small uproar.


    "You don''t believe enough in this kingdom to know what capability it has. It''ll come out on top no matter what! Hahaha!"


    He kept spouting nonsense and praising this kingdom, never running out of things to say. It was especially hard to find the time to cut him off, but eventually I did after a few more minutes, returning to our table.


    Gino was the first to speak and break the eerie silence enveloping our table. Erica looked petrified, looking at me for help, but I nervously shook my head and moved my lips to say ''I''m sorry, but I don''t think I can do anything about this''.


    "Not the most discreet of people, but you can''t really persuade them to be someone else that they can''t be. Still, what you did gave us a bit of insight on the matter. It seems that there hasn''t been much change except for the upcoming war."


    "That man. Unforgivable. I can''t let him run his mouth about him like that. I will make him regret those words of his. Without those treaties of peace, then the kingdom would have been long under ruin. No one understood that the man saved a falling kingdom from being left behind by history. And what¡¯s more, that damned uncle of mine is destroying this kingdom by doing that!"


    Daphne fumed with a terrifying glare, but Gino was the only one to stop her. He placed a hand on her shoulder and shook his head sideways.


    "Don''t worry too much about those little things. Deep inside, you should know well if he was indeed a great man or not. Don''t let yourself be persuaded otherwise if you firmly believe in that, understand? We can¡¯t quite control how things go, but soon enough we will have a chance presented to us."


    She simply nodded her head and stayed silent. Aster looked perplexed as he didn''t understand what she was upset about.


    Just then, a nose peeked out from under the coat that I purposely covered him under. He sniffed out the scent of food and was looking at me eagerly with his tongue out. It was a given that animals weren''t allowed inside the establishment, more so if it were a wolf, even a cub.


    "Shh, you can''t get out yet, just a bit more."


    I covered him and snuck a handful of bread under the cover. I felt the tingly sensation of his tongue as he wolfed down the meal. I had established it that he would be coming along. There was no way that I could have parted with him so easily.


    But, Aster had done me the liberty of choosing a name, one that everyone seemed to agree on. He said that it had the meaning of loyalty in their language.


    "Is Von hungry?"


    He asked, noticing me fumbling with something under the table.


    "He is, but I can''t quite argue about that. The smell of the food around here lures one in."


    "Well, we don''t need to spend much time here anyway, plus we need to get a move on soon enough. Is everyone alright to move out again? I''m all set to set out right away," said Aster, standing up, stretching his body.


    Everyone else agreed on it, so we once again left for the cold barren road.


    "Geoffrey, my dear, look at you! So dashing and dignified! I knew I had made a good choice by selecting this cape, oh it will suit you very well with your upstanding demeanor. You''re doing this house a proud thing, young man. Now, don''t let me keep you from your practices. Go along now, don''t be late. I wish I could take you out to eat, but I''ve heard about the rumors. You''re starting to get busy as well. So maybe another time."


    "Thank you for understanding, Grandmother. I shall cherish this gift of yours. Now, if you''ll excuse me."


    "But wait, before that. Have you seen your father? That son of mine has not even come back to see me yet. He is too engrossed with his work. I wonder if he ever gives you enough attention. You are his son, after all. Aren''t you bothered by that?"


    "Not at all. What he is doing is not just for our benefit, but for the other''s as well. Him not being here is understandable."


    She made a rather bitter face, probably remembering the story of my life before I came here, before I moved away from my past. I knew that she would be too silent to say anything at this point, so it''s better to simply calm her and let things move naturally.


    I placed a hand on her shoulder.


    "Don''t worry, grandmother. It''s fine. I''m fine. You having visited me here is enough for me. I''m happy that you did."


    I gave her a smile. My intentions were genuine. She, despite being wealthy and quite the big spender with her fortune, is a caring grandmother who more than often looks after me with an excessive authority, always saying that she wants the best for me, just to make up for all the things we had missed as a family.Unauthorized duplication: this tale has been taken without consent. Report sightings.


    She smiled back, but wryly. This wasn''t the first time. It''s not so easy to forget that, more so if you care for the person.


    I left the receiving hall and went into my room to change into something less constricting. Fancy clothes adorned with gold finishes and expensive threads were a common luxury that I was given for my exploits. Though I had never turned down a gift, I received the gifts with grace. But, you know what? I''ll keep this cape. It was a white and gold long cape with a gold chain to hold it in place. It was a semi-plain design with the kingdom''s small icon on it. It feels quite appealing to the eye.


    But speaking for the rest, I never had use for most of them since I only needed the bare necessities. So I would give most of what I had to those that truly needed it. It may sound hypocritical, but I''ve known what poverty feels like.


    I am the only son of General Leonar Merevas of Ylithia. I was born the son of a noble and a maid that worked under him. I was strictly trained to be like one. As I grew and obeyed to the best of my abilities, I was able to fulfill what I had been ordered to do, and thus my father became slightly proud of me.


    But before most of that, I was born and raised on a small village as the son of a farmer. My mother was the only one who took care of me during that time. Needless to say that I would ask her where my father was. She would answer with a faint smile that I swore was forced... "Somewhere safe, and far away."


    I never understood why back then, but it soon became clear. You see, my mother wasn''t the only loved one that my father had. She was the second. He would always say that she was the only one that he loved with a dramatic and pained expression on his face. But the problem was that my father''s first lover found out about their tryst one night and swore vengeance against my mother for she stole her fianc¨¦ away from her.


    She sent assassins to silence her for good, but the first attempt ended in failure.


    What happened on that night were as my father and mother told me their sides of the story.


    None of them knew the plan for vengeance, but when night came, the assassin entered the study where she was cleaning, and my father happened to walk in by coincidence.


    He was harmed trying to fight the assassin, but the man escaped into the night after being wounded, never to be seen or heard from. He showed me the cuts on his arms and the stab wound on the lower left side of his stomach.


    That night, my mother became traumatized since the very next day my father became terribly ill, as if he was on death''s door. But soon enough, after she had taken care of him with every ounce of her efforts, he recovered enough to be able to walk by himself. He promised that he would protect her no matter what. He even called off the wedding with his wealthy fianc¨¦ and chose my mother to be with.


    But my mother never recovered from that, it seems. She soon realized what was happening when she overheard my father''s first wife about the plans to get her killed, so she took the decision to leave since he would only get hurt because of the promise he had made to her. She left, bearing me inside her.


    Years passed and I was born. We weren''t what one might call rich, but my mother and I worked hard to put food on the table, no matter what. She was a saint to me.


    "What do we do now? The plants are all withered."


    "Don''t worry, Geoffrey. This is just another challenge given to us by the creator. If we persevere, then we will be rewarded!" she showed her boisterous energy with a bright smile, cheering me up by making fun of all the little things that was supposed to bother us.


    No matter the hardships, even when she was suffering from a fever or an aching feeling on her body, she took care of me as best as she could and never abandoned me even when we had not a single coin in our pockets.


    "Mom! Are you alright? What''s wrong? Why do you look so pale?!"


    "Ah, don''t worry about me, Geoffrey. I''m just a bit lightheaded, you see. I''ll be fine.


    "I''ll buy some medicine, please, give me some money! I can run to the other village and buy some medicine there!" I spoke erratically, panicking since this was the first time I had seen her like this. Weak and pale, not an ounce of energy inside her. She was bedridden for days.


    She shook her head and smiled. Deep inside, I knew what that meant. But I didn''t dare say it since it''ll only worry her even more.


    "..." Instead, I did what I could, embraced her and started plowing the fields and planting seeds to grow and harvest for the next season. I ignored the blisters I would get and the pain aching my bones as long as it meant that my mother would get better.


    There were times when some people carrying plows and sharp gardening tools wearing tattered clothes and mischievous faces would come to our doorstep demanding money from us in exchange for protection.


    "It''ll just be five gold pieces a week, nothing more, nothing less. Not that bad of a deal, don''t you think?"


    "I''m sorry, but we don''t have the money to pay you. We can make do on our own," my mother said, closing the door on the man.


    But as the door began to close, he placed a foot into the small gap and pushed the door open, brandishing his plow with a rusty metal sickle attached on the tip.


    "Oh, come now. Don''t be like that. The braves ones are usually the first to die. You don''t know what kind of people there are outside these places. All kinds of sly bastards on the run."


    "Like I said, I don''t have anything to give you, and we don''t need the protection!" she tried pushing them away, but her strength simply didn''t pay off.


    The man took her wrist and tightly held on to her. I felt a surge of anger and adrenaline rush to my head, but I just couldn''t move. I was scared, too scared to come out of the corner I hid behind.


    "I don''t think you understood us the first time, lady! I''ll make it really simple for you to understand. Give me all your money, otherwise you''ll have to pay us to protect you from us, if you catch what I''m saying," his eyes looked at her. Though she was old, she still carried a youthful body. It surely tempted him as his disgusting tongue licked his lips.


    "But I think we can work on an agreement."


    That time, I rushed out and tackled the man''s leg.


    The surprise allowed my mother to be free of the man''s grasp. But that was all that I could do.


    "What the hell! Who is this damn kid?! I''ll teach you to mess with me!"


    He took me by the scruff of my neck and started beating at me with his fists, his companions laughing and kicking at my sides. It hurt, but as long as they didn''t harm a hair on her, it was well worth the trouble.


    I was saved once the local men from the village passed by and saw the commotion. The men were chased away and were never seen from again. I was happy for that. Despite the swollen face and the crippled body that I couldn''t move without feeling pain, I felt relieved that she was safe. I never even cared that I lacked the strength to help her more. I felt her arms around me as she gave me a warm embrace. One that I simply wouldn''t be able to forget. If that was what it took, then it was worth it.


    But it was strange. She cried and cried, saying that I was a fool for having done something as rash as that. I didn''t understand until I was old enough. She had this sad expression on her face whenever she would look at my messed-up face.


    But because of that, I remembered the fond times when she would tell me stories of great heroes and people, and it would always interest and inspire me. ''I wanted to be just like them'', I remember that saying back then. She would say, ''I know you can do it, you''re my son after all. I love you, Geoffrey''. And she spoke those words with pride. There I dreamt of myself being a hero and protecting her, making her happy. I wanted to see her smile again.


    "They say that their light was the most beautiful thing in the world. Whenever they would fight the demons in a great battle, they possessed a mark where the light was said to be the strongest. I remember my grandfather telling me the great stories of how they would save cities, towns, and eventually come to defeat the demon king. I listened to his every word, and I found myself lost in thought often thinking about them."


    "Tell me more!"


    "Alright, alright, calm down now. I will tell you as much as you want to hear."


    The story my mother told me that I was fascinated with the most and admired better than the rest was about the Thaliseans. She spoke with such admiration towards them. Though they were born from the light, they were just like us. They had the strength to defend those they cared for and the ability to come out on top when the situation became bleak. I always imagined myself in their shoes.


    She gave me her necklace with the symbol of a feather. She spoke of it as the one thing that bound her and my father together. But think of this as something that can give you strength in your hardest of times. Take hold of it and never let it go. ''It has my strength in it'', she said jokingly. "Please cherish this as something to remember me by. Please don''t harbor any hatred towards your father. I brought this upon us, so I will understand if you come to hate me. But remember this, I will always love you and your father, no matter what."


    I just never realized that those were the last words she was ever going to say to me. That dream became short-lived.


    When morning came, it was silent. But I would usually hear the sound of her humming in the kitchen, preparing something to eat. This time was different.


    I assumed that she was simply out in the garden, but I quickly looked and saw no trace of her outside. I began panicking. It was until I saw her sleeping soundly on her bed, not making a sound.


    At first, I was relieved to see her, but those memories haunted me every single morning that I woke up till this day. I would then remember that I don''t have her here anymore, then return to my usual self.


    She was buried behind the house, under the shade of a tree she loved to stay under whenever she was finished with the garden. There we would sit and sometimes I would sleep on her lap. I never realized that, the happier memories you had to keep, the stronger the backlash of pain you had to feel when it finally came to an end.


    Many more months passed, and I was alone. There was nothing really, nothing special about that at all. Still, I worked hard to keep myself alive. I knew nothing about the outside world, or who my father was, and where he was, but I tried to forget all that.


    There even came a time when those men that harassed my mother and I, came back for vengeance. It was petty, but who would want a reputation to say that they were tackled by a kid.


    "Just here to pay a little visit. Remember us, kid?"


    I was beaten senseless and unable to move. That was at the height of winter. I don''t remember how many days and nights I was unable to move nor eat. My wounds and bruises became numb, many of my bones were broken, and I was sure that I was going to succumb to the cold and die. But, I knew they would take every valuable that they would see, so I clutched the necklace tightly and never let it go. Though it was foolish, I thought that it would be something like a heraldic mark for the Thaliseans. I thought it would grant me the power to beat them up, but nothing happened. I was kept awake with trying to make sure that it never left my clutches. It was all that mattered to me.


    A life without her was horrid. They granted me the slow death of succumbing to the cold, hungry, weak, and alone. There was no warmth for me. What was strange was that I never shed a single tear. I don''t remember a time in my life that I had done that.


    Nearly a week had passed, and somewhat of a miracle had happened.


    My eyes were closed since I didn''t have the strength to even open them anymore. I heard the door open weakly, and along with it were the footsteps of a single man, and the voice of many others with him.


    "My lord! There, on the ground, a child!" one exclaimed with shock. That was most likely me.


    The footsteps rushed over to me, then I felt the warm touch of another person. That person took me in their arms and carried me.


    "Goodness! This is terrible. The child looks to be on the verge of death! He''s pale and so thin! What in the heavens happened here?! Everything is ransacked, "


    "Hush, Phineas, let the child rest peacefully... He''s so light. I don''t think he has eaten anything."


    "Terrible... Just terrible. How could anyone do this? But are you sure that this is the child you are looking for? I mean, can we even trust those villagers that gave us the information."


    I felt his hand trying to unclench my fist. I tried to tighten my hand, but I couldn''t. It was taken from me, and not even a yell to stop could come from my mouth.


    "No doubt, this is my son."


    He then embraced me. I felt his body shiver as he sobbed quietly.


    "I''m so sorry. I''m sorry that you had to go through this. I''ll be sure to give you a better life."


    Before we left, I managed to open my eyes slightly to see that he had brought me to the tree where under its shade was the grave of my mother.


    He knelt gently and murmured words that I couldn''t hear, looking sternly at the mound of dirt. Then, we left. I never felt so relieved to sleep my entire life. I was not able to take up until two days after.


    I was then raised by my father as strictly as he could, but it was in moderation. He would not yell nor force anything upon me. I took everything he sent my way and accomplished it to the best of my abilities.


    We are on good terms, but not on one where we could express our feelings in the open. When we would encounter each other at times, there would be a lack of expression from both of us. That much didn''t matter. I never knew if he felt bad about what had happened to my mother and I, but he never spoke about it. He said that it would be better if it had been forgotten, and that if I want to honor her and grow up, I should continue living as normally as I possibly could.


    I couldn''t accept those words at all. Forget and move on? Are you joking? Why would I do that? You don''t even feel the same pain that I do, so how can you understand? That was simply impossible for me to do.


    We had never spoken without formalities. Sometimes I wonder if I could try and persuade him to sit down and reconcile, but I just can''t bring myself to do it. I wanted to know and feel how it was truly like to have a father, but there''s a weight holding me down. I can''t do it unless I get rid of that weight.


    I grew up with these experiences and grew along with them. I kept that promise I made to my mother. To become just like a Thalisean, a hero. But at this point, reality struck me early. I knew my limits, and knew just how far I would get. Therefore, a knight was the closest thing that I could aspire to be.


    During my continuous growth, I continued to excel, thus it brought me an ample amount of fame that placed me in the attention of many.


    Where I stand today, I still keep these memories close by, never forgetting. I even still have the same necklace on me at all times. It''s the only thing keeping us together.


    It had been quite a while since the festival, but, with the intention of keeping the spirits of the people high, the intention had failed. Lavis was attacked, the honorable Sir Hark passed away, and there are rumors circulating that Alrifer to the south will be exploiting our weakness there. What the kingdom plans to counter that remains to be seen or heard.


    However, military affairs have been rampant as of late. Soldiers could be seen marching, and some of the royal guards were training people who looked like recruits. Some regiments could be seen leaving the capital as well, some led by the generals heading towards their territories, while some, I assume, are for keeping the country side safe from demonic invaders similar to the tragedy that befell Sir Hark.


    Every abled body was being utilized because of the recent unprecedented loses that shook the kingdom. With that mistake, the rest of the continent saw this as an opportunity to break through the small crack in the kingdom''s defenses.


    That is just how much a single general is worth. Each one is significant to a great extent, that when one goes down, there will be a heavy test for the predecessor to fill that general''s shoes.


    ''Knock, knock''


    "Master Geoffrey, may I ask for a bit of your time? There is something that requires your attention."


    "I shall be out in a moment, Phineas, thank you."


    Yes, the name. He was the same man that came with my father to get me. He is just a bit older now, in his sixties, sporting a white mustache with a monocle. He was thin and lanky, but dependable enough that my father entrusts his life to him at times. He would come through without anyone noticing.


    "I''m here now. What do you require me for?"


    "Ah yes, well, I have a letter here for you from the king. It has the royal crest on it. But don''t worry, I have yet to check the contents."


    Not a lot of these are given. When one is sent, it is either of grave circumstances, or an important letter concerning the kingdom. These letters with the crest of the king are not to be undermined. It was my first time seeing one in personal.


    "Then if you shall excuse me, young master, I shall be taking my leave- "


    "Wait. If you''re not otherwise occupied, I''d like you to stay here and listen to this."


    His eyes widened in shock.


    "But young master! This is an important letter from the king! It is for your eyes only. A commoner such as I cannot possibly bear to look or listen to such a critical piece of information, even if I am a servant of this house."


    "You''re like a friend to me already, Phineas. Come now, bringing out the formalities when it suits you? I know I trust you enough now to have you sit with me on this. You shall be my witness. I know not what is to come from this anyway, so it''ll help to have someone to turn to with experience in life."


    "Experience in life, you say? Well, I may be old, but if you say that you can trust me, then I won''t disappoint you, young master."


    He bowed and showed a straight, stern face.


    "Well then, let us see what it holds for us, shall we?"


    To the young man of house Merevas.


    In these turbulent times, we all look for those that can stand with us and extend their hands to those that have fallen to the ground. In light of your previous exceptional feats, I have recognized that you have the capacity to stand with us for the kingdom''s sake. This is of my own discretion, and is by no means known to anyone else. I have faith in my decision that you will be able to achieve many great things, but before all that, the question would be... are you willing to raise a banner for the kingdom''s sake no matter what?


    If you are, then come to the palace hall by yourself. I shall give you a day to think it over. If you are not there by the allotted time, then this letter shall be treated as void, and you are to burn it immediately.


    It is not only your father who has to carry his own banner for you can carry it with him. Though you are his son, you are your own person, ergo that you have your own destiny. Leonar has yet to know of this, but he will surely oppose by my predictions. I am not forcing you to make your decision at once, but merely to think through it. He, with good intentions, would restrict you to the dangers of the outside world. But with that, your talent is hidden and uncultivated. Such a shame, but as a father myself, I can understand not wanting your child to be brought to harm. But if you can show him that you can accomplish something great, then he would surely change his mind. I have written this to you personally because I know you have the ability to do so.


    -Gareth


    "M-My goodness! I can''t quite believe my ears. The king is requesting of your talents, young master! What a wondrous thing to have been a spectator to. What shall you do, young master? Will you comply with the king''s wishes?"


    "Give me some time, Phineas. I''ll think it over. This is sudden, but I think I will have my answer by tomorrow."


    "Well, I shall keep this secret from the master and with me to the grave!"


    "Don''t sign your will yet, Phineas. I don''t know how my father can possibly get by without your help."


    "Oh, you flatter me, you master. But thank you. I don''t understand my you place so much trust in this old man, but I am grateful for it."


    "I should be thanking you. You took care of me in those two days that I was asleep when my father was away. You could even say that I''m alive because of you."


    "But the master has a great amount of gratitude in that as well! After all, he found you in a remote place where no one could have been found at all. I will tell you this, your father had stressed over you and the missus so much that he stayed at home for the duration of your disappearance. He used every inch of power in his reach, while being discreet of course, to try and search for you. he even- no, forgive me, I am a bit close to overstepping my boundaries."


    "It''s alright, Phineas. Thank you for telling me this. Now, if you''ll allow me, I shall now go refine my abilities even more. If someone of high status is expecting this much from me, then it is just proper that I live up to their expectations."


    "Very well, young master. Please do tell me if this old man can be of any assistance to you."

 Chapter 22: The resolve to face uncertainty

    Two royal guards clad in heavy armor held their spears firmly with one hand, and stood beside the door leading into the royal halls of the palace. Their eyes darted to me then straight ahead. The silence of their presence meant little for they were only guards who protected the palace. There was little to talk about in this line of work for it was prohibited, not unless they were addressed.


    I had mustered the courage to come here in order to find out what the king has in store for me. It was the morning after I had read the message that I decided to come. In truth, I hesitated for a while, but finally made up my mind, half-heartedly, that is.


    I dressed up as formally as possible, taking a nobleman''s long-sleeved coat that I have been given as a present a few months ago. Not too extravagant, but just enough for me to get by without attracting strange stares.


    "I am Geoffrey Merevas. I have come here on the order of the king. Is he present?"


    I asked the guards. My words echoed through the empty hall for there was no one else but us here.


    It had been some time since I last visited the palace. It is still kept clean and tidy as much as possible. The royal finishes that decorated the room were too exquisite for me, but that''s just because I didn''t feel that much comfortable around too much luxuries.


    "You are being expected by the king. Please, come this way. I shall escort you to the halls."


    One of the guards left his post and had the door opened.


    The insides were just as mesmerizing as the day I first saw it. A high ceiling, a wide and spacious room, scarlet curtains decorating the tall windows, smooth white pillars, a red carpet leading all the way to the steps where the throne sits. The chandeliers up above gave a radiant gold glow to the palace halls. It was a drastic change from the decrepit outside of the area beyond the door I came from, almost as if a different plane existed that was separated by a single door.


    But more so, I took slow steps moving forward. My own steps echoed, but I was not alone this time. The eyes of many were upon me, and they watched my every movement closely. My throat felt dry at the strictness of the security here.


    The Ylithian Royal Guards. The most accomplished knights of the kingdom that serve the king and protect him no matter the cost. These men consisted of people whom have created a strong image of themselves and have established their names as someone with the capacity to serve someone like a king. They were all different from any other knight, though they wore the same meticulously crafted armor, they wielded their own weapons to better themselves.


    Not even I can hope to fight these men for their experience is a key component to their great feats and accomplishments. I have heard that the commander of these men is a veteran whom had survived countless of battles, pivotal battles, against demons and other kingdoms.


    But sure enough I have encountered in my studies the greatest commander of these knights in the history of the royal guards. His was a name that no one did not know of. Frederick Erinn, a man whom was legendary for his service to the kingdom and his feats that made him a demon to the demons themselves. But I think that''s just an exaggeration. His accomplishments, however, were recorded in the history books and had been a story to many young and aspiring knights and adventurers seeking inspiration. It was unfortunate, but his death came to a shock for everyone. It was as if the entire kingdom held its breath and wept silently. That truth was brought forth by a letter that General Norman Niels reveled, then made public.


    That man is also a close acquaintance of the king, his teacher and mentor, to be more precise. If there is someone that would know better of the man, then it would be King Gareth of Ylithia, or the deceased Sir Hark of Lavis. Most of this I''ve only heard from my father, also a general of the Ylithian army, and a close confidant among the few most accomplished generals in the circle, Leonar Merevas.


    Then I finally made it to the steps that the throne overlooks. It was vacant, but the sounds of footsteps could be heard. Those were not mind since I was standing still. But this aura of confidence and authority shook me. I was now in the presence of someone holding the highest position in the kingdom. The king himself appeared from the side, wearing a golden battle armor with the image of a lion on its center. The size of the armor was enough to fits his robust build.


    I immediately knelt and lowered my head, only seeing the king''s face for a few seconds. It was overwhelming, this atmosphere, almost suffocating.


    "Geoffrey Merevas, stand. I have requested you here as a guest. We shall either see each other on an equal standing or not at all."


    His voice was deep and vibrant, almost as if my being reverberated to his tone. What a terrifying and commanding person the king is. He is not that old, yet he is not one to be taken lightly.


    King Gareth, the titled king of the new age. He who brought forth a peaceful reign to a turbulent time in Ylithia''s history. He won wars against both demons and humans countless of times earning him another title of ''warrior king''. His expertise in battle and stratagem equaled Frederick Erinn''s yet no one would know who would come out on top if they were to clash.


    At a young age, he was exiled by his father who was a monarch that ruled Ylithia with an iron fist. In that time, the kingdom was beset by all manners of demons, large armies that tried to take the kingdoms through numbers. In this, King Gareth saw a chance to draw the people to his cause, the cause that would eventually end his father''s reign and establish the kingdom''s peace, strength, stability.


    Once I had raised my face, he wore a stern expression. It seemed that there was something on his mind which I could not even begin to guess.


    He motioned to the guards saying "Leave us be for the time being. I wish to speak with the man alone."


    And in that very instant, the men lined up at an orderly fashion and marched out the door, closing it, leaving not a single person to guard the king.


    He descended the few steps and walked towards one of the tall windows to the side, looking at the view of the city, bustling with noise and people moving about with their lives. He was silent for a time, and I dared not move for some reason, but then he spoke.


    "I will be forward with you. There are things beginning to unfold in quick succession. I feel that a curtain has been raised, and that the actors are all moving in place," his eyes stayed on me, hands held behind him.


    "What do you mean, my King? Actors, curtain? I can''t quite comprehend."


    "As you may well know, no matter how hard one tries to keep the peace, there will be one whom will disrupt it. That is the natural order to things in this world. Light cannot exist without darkness, and darkness cannot exist without the light. Both are needed to coexist in chaos in order to bring about the unstable balance that is our world. Tell me, how do you perceive this kingdom?"


    "It is magnificent how it is at peace despite the war. Of course, many battles are being fought each day, but the worries of these people can''t be seen on their faces. The economy thrives, and the growth of the kingdom only continues."


    "I see. To me, not as a King, but a man living in a world dictated by who can lead the people, I see flaws, many of them, cracks in a wall to be exploited only to have that foundation built through decades crumble into ruin in mere seconds. People whom put their all in faith will fall instantly without anyone to hold on to once their faith is destroyed or shook. The kingdom is not as it is any longer. Two of the greatest of Ylithia have perished, but that should mean little, shouldn''t it? The death of two is unequal to the lives of many."


    "Are you referring to Sir Hark and Frederick Erinn?"


    "Yes, my two greatest friends and companions. This kingdom has lost many great warriors that rallied the people''s hearts and souls to an unwavering resolve, but now that they are gone, who are left to fill their shoes?"


    "Well, there are many talented generals here as well. Though I don''t think it is easy to match the reputation of those two, I think that they are enough to live up to the kingdom''s expectations. Besides, with you leading us, there is no way the kingdom would waver."


    "... Son of Leonar, heed my words. Be careful not to be too reliant on someone too much. Learn to become an example yourself rather than looking at an inspiration or a fleeting dream. If that person were to vanish, then both the people and the one expected to lead the people next are left with their mouths agape."


    "I-I understand! forgive my assumptions, my king, that was out of place for me."


    "Mind your formalities. There is little need of that here. But I shall get to the point. I have heard of your past and upbringing from Leonar. It was harsh and horrid. I sympathize and give my heartfelt prayers to your mother."


    "Thank you, my king. But why bring up my past?"


    "I wish for you to stand next to your father. You are an exceptional man with exceptional abilities waiting to be cultivated. In time, you shall surpass your father, but beyond that I do not know what kind of future there is for you. But the one thing I know as of the present, you will be pivotal in this kingdom''s future."


    "Has... my father told you of anything about my mother?"


    He became silent and closed his eyes, as if he were thinking of something.


    "Nothing that interests me. But he often speaks of your accomplishments and how much you''ve changed over the years. His words alone were that of a proud father. He once said that you might have the capabilities to become just like general, but it was then that he opposed to the idea."


    ''Proud father? He''s never praised me openly. I''ve not even seen a smile from him except a stiff nod''.


    "Then how do you propose that I do that? I don''t think I have the capabilities that you expect of me."


    "My eyes do not lie. But It seems that you do not know yourself. You father will naturally oppose to this, but those reasons are best found out by yourself. How I propose that you do that is for you to become just like him, a general."


    "I-I can''t quite comprehend this. Can I truly do something as important like serving the kingdom as its pillar?"


    "There is no choice. But I am giving you one. You have not aspired and dreamt for nothing, have you not? It would be a shame to waste those dreams and aspirations just because you think that you cannot suffice. Do you often think to make your father proud and to fulfill the promise of strength?"


    It was like he read my thoughts through my expressions. I was left speechless, but returned to reality, regaining my composure as best as I could.


    "Yes, I have often thought of that. I don''t think there has been a moment when I haven''t. If you will offer me this opportunity, then I shall take it graciously."


    I bent one leg and knelt, placing a hand on my chest, waiting for the king''s reply.


    "Excellent. Stand, there is no need to kneel. I shall announce this when I request the presence of all generals once again. It won''t be for a while, so you can rest easy. Every single one of them are still making sure that their territories are safe and well protected. You are free to tell this to Leonar if you wish. Now, if you shall excuse me, I will be dismissing myself. You are free to leave."


    "Thank you for granting me the opportunity to speak with you, my king."


    He inclined his head slightly and left the way he came from, not at all changing his stern expression.


    As the tremendous atmosphere left the room, the door opened, and the royal guards flooded in an orderly manner, resuming their positions.


    This was what I expected upon coming here. I knew that there would be some decisions which I would feel conflicted about. It''s in the nature of deciding things. Rather, I''d be even more unsure if I decided right away without thinking it through.


    This heavy weight, the responsibility to carry the lives of others, not just your own, on your shoulders. Is my dream starting to come true? If so, then please, look over me, mother. I shall make you both proud. I will not fail you, no matter what.


    Thus there was nothing else for me to do here. But when I return, there is still much to learn. This beginning cannot be the start of my neglect. I will continue to strive, to be stronger than ever. That defeat I suffered during that tournament was a disgrace and mistake on my part. I became complacent and negligent. That man, the son of Frederick Erinn. I expected better, but it was enough to defeat me. What more he can accomplish; I do not know. Maybe he might be able to follow up on his father''s footsteps and create an even bigger legacy than the one Frederick Erinn left behind.


    I took a stroll around the palace and to the garden that the princess was said to have admired greatly. There were a few guards who took their rounds, but none were overly suspicious of me.


    There was nothing I wanted to accomplish by coming here, just to take in the scenery. The clouds floated aimlessly in the sky, the wind blew gently, and the sound of grass rustling was calming to the nerves.


    On the corner of my eye, there were two figures moving towards the fountain to the center of the garden. One wore an elegant dress and the other a formal uniform that appealed to her mature charms. Though I was certainly surprised by their presence here, I was able to recognize them both.


    "Oh, I have not seen you here before. Who might you be, stranger?"


    The princess'' attendant, Sofiya Matten, noticed my presence and called out to me. The princess as well turned to my direction. Her face was rather distant and downcast, as if she were lamenting something in her mind.


    "My name is Geoffrey Merevas, the son of Leonar Merevas. It is an honor to make your acquaintances."


    I knelt and bowed, the custom of showing respect in the presence of royalty.


    "Won''t you join us for a while? I''m sure standing there alone would be less preferable."


    Without saying another word, I heeded the princess'' words and came to her side. Seeing her up close and personal, there was a strange allure and charm to her, but there was a hint of a facade on her face, almost as if she were masking something. Her beauty was nothing short of angelic, however.This story originates from Royal Road. Ensure the author gets the support they deserve by reading it there.


    "I believe I have seen you before. The tournament, is it?"


    "Yes, I was a participant."


    "Sir Geoffrey, would you tell me what is happening to this kingdom?"


    Again, another vague question, just like the one the king asked me earlier. If there were any significance to this, I would notice, but overthinking it would only further complicate my thinking.


    "It is becoming chaotic."


    "I see. It is unfortunate what happened to Sir Hark, don''t you think?"


    "Yes, tragic. But why ask about Sir Hark in particular?"


    "Someone I know had lost someone dear to him, someone whom he looked to as his father when there his previous parents perished. I wonder how he is feeling after all this? He must be so lonely and lost because of what happened. I myself have worried about him even until now. Are all these just unfortunate events, or the beginning of something even more terrible than what is happening now?"


    She knelt in front of a flower bed and plucked a single red rose from it.


    "Who is this man that you speak of, if I may?"


    "You have fought against him. Zachary Erinn. I suppose the name is familiar, no?"


    "It is. He is an exceptional fighter. The son of the great Frederick Erinn has the burden of needing to carry the same reputation as his father. You worry about him, but that would only mean that you admire him if your languid expression is severe as so. Am I correct?"


    "... Yes, that may be it. Our time together was short, unfortunately, but I am sure of what I think. I know that he will return someday, I know he will. But forgive for telling you my worries, I know they are not of concern to you. Do you have something on your mind?"


    "Princess? What do you mean?"


    "I think I am not the only one with worries. Your face shows that obviously. Would you like to tell me? I shall listen."


    She sat on the grass comfortably, enjoying the shade that the clouds cast from above. I felt the need to tell my worries for her voice and soothing atmosphere drew me in. I didn''t understand why, but I sat down along with her and gave a tired sigh in remembrance of some things.


    Thus, I told her of my worries, exempting my recent discussion with the king and the plans for my eventual initiation to the circle.


    "How sorrowful. You have our most sincere condolences for what happened to you."


    "Your kind words are wasted on me, but thank you."


    "Your dedication has brought you this far. That is not an easy accomplishment. I''m quite impressed. But if you wish to impress Sir Leonar, then moving forward and continuing in your endeavors is the best possible way. The way I see it, he yearns for you to be able to move away from that tragedy that he himself feels responsible for."


    "Is that so? Well I shall keep that in mind then."


    The bells toiled away at signaling that it is now twelve o''clock in afternoon, and that it is now time for me to leave.


    "Thank you for sparing me your time, princess. I will be sure to keep your advice close to mind."


    She nodded and smiled faintly.


    I spent a short while more until I had left the garden grounds. These pressing concerns of the kingdom are starting to make me lose my composure. Yes, I must continue striving. Train, study, learn, there are still so much I need to do for my father to fully realize and admit my merits.


    Opposite of me was a pale skinned man wearing a long dark nobleman''s coat that was adorned with gold finishes. He had a sly smile and a malicious looking face. His eyes were sharp and gave off a dangerous feeling which made me on edge. He sported a dark, short hair. If I had to describe him simply, it was a dangerous extravagance, or arrogance in my suspicion.


    Once his eyes met mine, he stopped in his tracks. His smile grew wider for some reason.


    "Let me guess, Geoffrey Merevas?"


    He spoke with a smooth, devilish voice. I simply stared back at him without saying anything, thinking that this man I''ve never met in my life was not one I can tell my name to so easily.


    "No much for words? It seems that the son of Sir Leonar is truly a man of silence as my father says. No matter. I have no qualms with you. But as one whom shares the privilege of being able to hold your own banner in the name of the king, I give to you, my regards."


    He took a few steps and extended his hand.


    "What privilege do you speak of?" I asked him, not taking my eyes off of his.


    "No need to be overly suspicious. Let me introduce myself then."


    With an excessive amount of grace and gesture, he bowed.


    "My name is Alexander Kaelus, the son of Maximillian Kaelus. No doubt you have heard of our family''s name. I do think only the ignorant have not heard of us. The privilege I speak of is being brothers in arms, or to be announced as one. Don''t think that you are special. You are not the only one asked to become a general for the kingdom''s future."


    "What have you come here for anyway? I doubt it''s to merely insult me. It''d laughable if the heir of house Kaelus had the strange hobby of mocking and stepping on people as in his leisure."


    He smiled at my remark and laughed.


    "My, what a sharp tongue as well. Please do keep in mind of the clear hostility in the air around you. There is a rather large chance that you might end up losing your life the moment you make a wrong move. Your hard work and motivation coming from the death of your mother won''t be enough to save you."


    My eyes widened in shock, and I felt the air around me become cold and constricting. I had not noticed it, but he was for a moment talking in front of me, but now he stood beside me, as if there had been rift in time which he broke through.


    Placing a hand on my shoulder, he whispered like a serpent luring someone to their doom.


    "Let me test you for a while, as an individual whom lives in this hell filled with demons."


    Just then, a sharp air made my nerves swell anxiety and panic.


    I shoved him away from me with my left and drew my sword, deflecting a near fatal slice aimed at my sides, and with it was a great hint of precision that shook my arm and made my hand ache in pain of the sudden draw.


    The sound of blades clashing rang in my ears over and over, but there was no time to think. I backed away slowly and kept my footing even, measuring the space between us. I had seconds to regain my composure, but thankfully I had enough experience to muster that.


    "Poor reflexes, but adequate for fighting simple monsters and demons. Nothing that will save you from anything beyond that of course. I''m mildly disappointed, but I expected nothing more, so the backlash wasn''t as bad."


    He looked like a reaper, the one whom delivers the dead to the afterlife. Wielding his strange golden ornate sword that gleamed with the light, and the smile that could not be read. I looked at my sword, which made a cracking noise. To my astonishment, it was split cleanly in half, and my sides which I had tried to protect with this sword of mine bled. The pain came a few seconds afterwards, not that dire, but it was threatening to know that even with that, my life was in danger. Just who is this man?!


    He sheathed his sword, and at that very moment, the princess and her aide came, accompanied by a few of the royal guards, worried about the sounds. Soon we were surrounded on all sides by the royal guards. The princess covered her mouth as soon as she glanced at me.


    At the sight of them, I fell to my knees clutching my wound. I could still stand the pain, but it was searing.


    "What has happened here? Are you alright?!"


    She tried to rush over to me, but was stopped by two people; her aide Sofiya, and another person approaching from behind the small crowd of soldiers. His voice reverberated through the gardens.


    "What is the meaning of this?! Wielding swords in the premises of the royal palace? Some nerve you have there, kid. Explain yourself before you are arrested. I have the authority as the commander of the royal guards, so don''t even think of trying to outclass me."


    A man wearing an impressive heavy armor came forward, a great sword resting on his back. He was of an old age, but his words carried a great weight. His face sported a gruff expression and a steel-like demeanor.


    "Arrested?" he scoffed. "Rest assured that there are no problems here. I was merely expressing my sincerest homage to a fellow brother in arms."


    Alexander spoke with a smile on his face, not showing any type of fear in the face of a man carrying such rank.


    "And on what authority do you have for that to be allowed?"


    "I''m sure my name carries enough weight to be tossed around for my own leisure. Alexander Merevas. I do hope that you realize your lowly worth before trying to look down upon me. Otherwise you might find yourself missing a head, something and someone dear to you. I am no simple commoner in the midst of all these farces concerning kingdom politics. I am someone whom you should look up to with the respect I am due for protecting your miserable hides."


    "Is that a threat?"


    "Wouldn''t you like to find out, Sub Commander Reginald Valen of the Royal Guards?"


    As if he were taunting the pain, he placed a hand on the hilt of his strange sword. In response, the commander unsheathed his greatsword.


    "All of you here will be witnesses to this duel. Let your eyes not deceive you and not your mouths lie. Here, only the truth will be revealed. This kingdom''s weakness is over," he announced, raising his hand up in glorification.


    "I shall silence your serpent''s tongue, son of Kaelus. Your arrogance has been heard by many, thus you are feared. But not by me. I have a pride to keep, therefore I shall stake everything on this, even if it means killing a nobleman''s son. You call yourself a man worthy of respect, that I cannot argue, but I shall show you just how mortal you are. Your arrogance meets its end here!"


    "Commander! Please, do not continue with this. There is little reason for us in Ylithia to be fighting. We are already torn, is it not enough, what we''ve gone through alread? Won''t you listen to me?" a voice pleaded.


    "Forgive me princess, but I cannot allow such a man to walk without shame. This is a man of many atrocities. I ask of you to watch as I show you my worth as a commander of the royal guards. Take my head after if I win, it will not matter. So long as I set an example that those whom look down upon others can always be brought down by anyone with the will."


    She could not respond, rather, she could not find it in her heart to stop the two from this duel. The man''s honor was at stake while the other seemed to want the entertainment. Though I had just been injured, I was also anticipating just what might happen between the two.


    The commander rushed with a single step, using his sword to drive him further forward. Cleaving downwards with a great roar, his blade closed in on Alexander''s head.


    It was then that a split second of movement could be seen from him. He stepped aside and smiled at his own reflection as the blade bashed the ground.


    Realizing that he missed, he slid his feet to the side, holding the hilt tightly, slashing upwards from the ground towards Alexander.


    He merely tilted his body to the side, narrowly missing the blade. But there was not a hint of anxiety or terror on his face. It was as if he were enjoying the entire ordeal.


    "Quite slow today, aren''t we? The demons I''ve fought are a lot rowdier than this. I''d be quite ashamed of the Royal Guards if their commander''s skill only measured up to this."


    With his sword raised up, he roared at the intimidation and cleaved downwards, continuing the chain of attacks he had made.


    "How boorish."


    Alexander took a step forward and struck the commander''s sword arm with the back of his hand. There was a surprised look on the commander¡¯s face as he didn''t realize in time that his enemy had made a move to disarm him. What he thought to be an honorable battle fought with blades had the mixture of combat in it.


    Next, he then he drove his knee into his opponent''s stomach, kicking him towards the wall like a cornered fool. The commander''s sword made a loud sound as it crashed to the ground.


    Unsheathing his sword, Alexander held the commander''s sword arm up and struck his blade through his palm, hitting the wall with a small crack like a pin.


    The man let out a deafening cry, but muffled it by grounding his teeth. Until now he was trying to be discreet with the princess in attendance, but she tore her eyes away from the sight of the helpless commander being beaten so easily.


    "Now I wonder how embarrassed you are after making that statement. I mean, look, your mindless arrogance brought this on. I don''t very much care whether you''ve learned your lesson from this, but know your place. You are meant to be looked down upon by me, and this simply shows it. I won''t grant you the honors of being injured through a great battle. A disgraceful one is better, so every time you wield your weapon in this hand, you will remember this loss, and I do hope you remember me as well."


    He laughed and sheathed his sword, walking towards the princess. I moved towards her to protect her from this menace, but he kicked me aside like a pest. Landing on my side, I felt the pain drastically sear through my mind.


    "Argh! Damn!"


    "Mind your words when in the presence of the princess. You might taint her ears," he said, smirking.


    "Now, I think you know why I have come for you, Princess. Shall we discuss the succession? I do believe that a wondrous ceremony should be planned by the ones engaged, don''t you think?" he extended his arm to her.


    Those in attendance excluding the princes and her aide could not believe what they heard. The two of them, engaged? How has it come to this?! This was the first I have heard of it, but who knew that it was so overwhelming.


    "Yes. Please, follow me. Sofiya, would you please help Sir Geoffrey and Commander Valen," she said unenthusiastically. Sure enough that there was a clear hint of sorrow on her face. She avoided looking at Alexander by turning around towards the garden.


    "Please forgive Sir Kaelus for his actions. I will take responsibility for this," she bowed by holding the hem of her skirt and smiling faintly at me, then taking Alexander''s arm and walking away into the garden.


    I and the commander were escorted to the palace infirmary where our wounds were treated meticulously by the maesters, effectively relieving the pain from my injury.


    Lying down, I stared at the ceiling asking for an answer that the silence will never give. If I remember things well, it is that the king practically places the princess on a pedestal and refuses any suitors to be considered as grooms for her. But what is this drastic change? Was that sorrow on her face when we conversed in the garden about that?


    This feeling of restlessness, why do I have to feel this? I should not particularly care about what kind of royal affairs happen, but I can''t help by pry and think.


    I turned my head to the side and saw Sofiya, the aide, squeezing a towel drenched with water.


    "Please turn to your side. I need to disinfect the wound before the cover is placed."


    I did as I was told but looked at her face full of worry.


    "Miss Matten, would you tell me just what is happening?"


    "It seems that you were perturbed by that as well. I can understand. Even knowing that, I am still quite shaken up by it. I cannot tell you the entirety but only what I can. Are you fine with that?"


    "Yes. I am. I need to understand just what is happening to this kingdom."


    "As you may have known, the fall of Lavis and the death of Sir Hark placed a decisive blow upon the king''s reputation. The man of house Kaelus, Maximillian leads a group of influential people opposing the king for control at every turn. This time, the claim was that the king was too incompetent to have lost one of the kingdom''s greatest generals. Sir Kaelus persuaded the people that for the kingdom to prosper, it would need to be led by someone who can place the kingdom in the right direction."


    "And that''s him, isn''t it?"


    "Precisely. The king has a strong reputation himself, but Sir Maximillian controlled the people through fear and speculation, plucking them away to his side. They are too terrified to think that anything will be better moving forward. They knew about Sir Alexander''s exploits and achievements, and they decided that he was enough. The final blow was decided when rumors of Alrifer attacking roamed the kingdom."


    "Tell me, just who is this man, Alexander. I''m oblivious of what the people see in him, other than a sadistic bastard."


    "That''s odd. I wonder why you have not heard of him. Understood, I shall tell you one of his most recent accomplishments. He acquired an artifact from one of the demonic commanders and forced the demons away from a decisive piece of land where a fortress stood."


    "Wait, are you telling me that fort Parium was retaken?"


    Fort Parium, a fortress in the middle of a mountain pass that was considered difficult to siege and take, that goes for both sides. A large army of demons once attacked it in the past and forced the defenders to starve. When they were weak enough, the demons charged and massacred every soldier there, leaving no survivors. No one general of the middle territory was able to take that pass ever since. But that changed."


    "So are you telling me that the news of fort Parium being retaken was the work of that atrocious man?!"


    "Yes, unfortunately. It was a long and arduous process, but he was successful, even when there were a lot of casualties. The outcome of the victory was rather slim in the eyes of the men. There were more than many instances where the soldiers thought that it was the end, and that there was nothing that could be done, but they were proven wrong somehow."


    "Then how about the artifact? I''ve heard of those, but not a lot."


    "Then let me refresh your memory, Sir Geoffrey. An ''artifact'' is the name of a weapon consecrated by the creator, imbued with a strange and powerful ability passed on to the user the moment that it is wielded. However, they have various curses and prerequisites that are required before their powers are used. That one that the son of Kaelus wielded against you was the unbreakable sword, Castolianne''. As the name says, its blade is unbreakable under any means and retains its sharp blade no matter what. The curse is that; the blade is only as strong as the user, besides that it is a simple, golden forged blade. Once the sword breaks due to the lack of strength, the wielder will die. The requirement is unknown. It is one of the artifacts without much information on it. It was told by a subordinate of his that he found it in one of the caverns nearby fort Parium where a strong group of demons escorted the blade nesting upon a glass case, wrapped in a velvet cloth."


    "Talk about a stroke of luck. If he was able to break my blade, then that means that bastard is stronger than I first thought. It even cut through and wounded me. Ridiculous."


    "Please do not worry about it. There is nothing final. The king is still relentlessly fighting and opposing the group of house Kaelus."


    "What does the princess think of this? I assume that she is, forgive me, but in her right mind? I can''t understand what she would see in that man who shed blood in her presence just to satisfy his desire for entertainment."


    "The princess... There is someone that she has fallen for. I''m sure that you remember the name. Zachary Erinn?"


    "I remember. But where is he now?"


    "I do not know. When news of Lavis'' demise and the death of Erinn''s adoptive father, Sir Hark was sent to the capital, she was devastated."


    "If he were to be brought back here, is there a chance that this engagement would be called off?"


    "That would be a whimsical thing to desire. But seeing as it is Sir Frederick Erinn''s son, there is a chance that not many would oppose, even the king himself whom was the pupil of Sir Frederick."


    "I understand. Thank you. I will think for a while."


    Fixing my beddings, she bowed and excused herself.


    "It seems that I have taken up too much of your time. I shall be returning to the princess'' side now. Good day to you."


    Is this too another trial that the kingdom must face? Though he has nothing to do with me, I can''t help but want to meddle. Him as the next king would surely plunge the kingdom to ruin. For this kingdom, I shall want it to stand. That will be my goal. How I do that remains to be seen... But Zachary Erinn, is it? Just where are you?

 Chapter 23: Promising to save her from doubt

    I ran with my sword sheathed, earning a fair amount of speed and momentum to cleanly slice my blade through the demon. It cried out with a deafening screech, flailing its arms around in madness. It was a huge demon with horns, two arms that were as big as logs. Its tough skin prevented me from cutting deeper into it.


    "Gino!" with that, a loud whirring sound came from behind me, blasting towards the demon within seconds. A powerful bolt of energy struck it, yet it remained unfazed. The sound of the impact reverberated as the demon was pushed back a few feet from its original position.


    "It seems that it wasn''t enough. Zach, distract it for a while. I will force its composure to crumble. Daphne, find your chance and strike. We will probably have only a small window to go through with the plan, but it''ll be enough."


    "How about me?" Aster asked, looking eager to join the battle.


    "You will continue to look over our dear little princess," Gino smiled, gesturing to Erica whom looked at Aster as he stood beside her. Her eyes were focused on the battle between us and the demons, but it didn''t look like she was quite fond of it.


    "Don''t worry, kid. I won''t let any demon get close to you, got that?"


    She simply nodded at him.


    "Will Zach be alright?" she asked.


    "Of course. Just watch. He''s something else. Being a Thalisean means that he''s an amazing person who can beat the demons so that they don''t scare other people like you. Just don''t tell anyone what he is, alright? Now, cheer him on. He''ll need it."


    "Mhm!" she clenched her hands and focused on me. I noticed her eyes from the corner of my eyes, but sure enough I had the urge to show off my skills.


    "Alright. Let me think for a bit."


    I concentrated and allowed the power weakly shining from the back of my hand to spread to my body. My control was still not where I wanted it to be, but having it amplify my strength was enough for now. In fact, it was helpful in saving me more times than I could count.


    I broke into a run and circled around the demon, its glowing red eyes followed me. Taking a deep breath, I charged at the demonic beast and leveled my sword downwards as if it were sheathed.


    My eyes stayed focus on its movements, anticipating that one move that I waited for.


    It raised its large arm and brought it down towards me.


    ''There it is, my chance!''


    "Von!"


    I whistled and caught his attention. In that moment, my canine companion bit onto the beast''s tail, forcing the beast into making its move early.


    I stomped my foot and leapt back, narrowly avoiding the beast from flattening me. Despite the ground being shook from the impact, I stood my ground and leapt on its arm, leaping onto its shoulders. Climbing on its head, I placed my right hand on it and poured all the energy I''ve saved up and gathered.


    The beard reacted as if it were being burned alive, but that was not the case. The light wasn''t as strong, but it had the same effect when used against demons. As a start, that was good enough.


    "Daphne, bring it down!"


    I leapt off from its head retreated, allowing her to cleanly cut through, using the gap under the beast''s leg, cutting at the back, forcing the beast to the ground.


    "Gino, again!"


    At Daphne''s behest, Gino unleashed a powerful ball of fire he was channeling during that time. He released it as if he were throwing a piece of stone. It then blew up and engulfed the demon in flames. I could feel the heat from where I stood. With one last cry, the demon roared loudly, forcing his legs to stand, but it finally fell to the ground with an earth-shaking thud.


    The mark disappeared once more from my hand and it again sent a searing pain to my head. It was weaker and bearable this time, maybe because I didn''t use too much of it. Still I wonder why it has to pain me every time I used it. It''s starting to make me dislike using this power if it''ll only inflict a malicious lash of pain afterwards.


    "Are you alright?"


    Looking up, there Daphne stood with a hand extended towards me.


    "Not exactly."


    I took her hand and forced a smile. I haven''t told anyone about this, but maybe it''s fine if it remains in my mind for now. There''s no fuss about that. I just have to get used to it and bear the pain.


    "You certainly have gotten better. You''re starting to look more like a Thalisean."


    "Still a long way to go, huh?"


    "Don''t feel that bad. Nothing is too easy nor too difficult. Think about it that way. You''ll get there, eventually. Just keep trying."


    When it came to skill and proficiency with the blade, Daphne surpassed me. With her as my teacher, I gradually felt myself being able to keep up. Still I had a lot to learn. I can''t keep depending on the heraldic mark to give me the strength I need every time. There will come a moment in my path where I will be forced to use my own abilities to get through the task.


    A man came running towards us, huffing and puffing as he came to a stop. After catching his breath, he spoke jovially.


    "Oh, unbelievable! Just great! You did it! I knew that you would! Thank you, thank you. My sincerest thanks for defeating this beast that has plagued our lands for weeks, no, months on end! It''s vile reign has finally ended. Please, tell me how I can ever repay you?"


    "A place to rest would be nice."


    "Then come with me! I have just the place in mind, in fact, that was where I was headed to. I''m sure the villagers would love to hear what you''ve done for them. It''ll be safe to go out for the time being because of you."


    With a spry step, he led the way, following a road that led to a small village on a vast plain. The place where most of the houses were built was walled off with bricks while the fields where the villagers panted their crops on were outside, arranged symmetrically.


    "Welcome to Alva, my home. We''re a small farming village just a few days¡¯ worth of travelling to the capital. There''s an Inn managed by my brother. I can ask him to give you a few days for lodging, if that''s alright?"


    "That''s fine, thank you. Well then, I''ll be heading off to the chief''s place and make a report. Us merchants can''t be complacent."


    With that, he parted from us.


    The others and I settled all our things down upon being ushered into our rooms. It seems that the brother of the man we saved a while ago became eternally grateful and was overjoyed to receive us.


    "I just noticed this, but, why aren''t there any soldiers guarding the village? I haven''t seen one," I asked.


    He sat down and let a sigh escape from his mouth. There are, but not enough. There''s so few of them that they''re basically forced to guard a village from demons despite their small numbers. The king ordered many to depart for the capital since something rather big is happening soon. Rumors are that they''re going to attack Ylithia, but that''s simply absurd! The king would prefer war over the protection of his people, but there are some that think that it is a good thing. Those people do not know what living in fear feels like. To be unable to sleep because you hear those terrifying sounds coming from the forests around you, making you think that there are demons on the prowl. If only King Halycn had not perished, I believe that things would be peaceful even with this terror."


    The moment that familiar name rang through the room, I glanced at Daphne whom looked down instead, avoiding everyone''s gaze.


    "I have heard that king Halycn had a daughter before he perished. Though she was not born as righteously as they say, in my own words, I would rather have her sit on the throne rather than those in the corrupt line of the Luvierre family. People are starving, losing families and homes, and for what? Just to win a war and create more strife within us? We are already divided as humans; doesn''t he understand that?"


    "Hmm, interesting. Well, tell me, how has the capital been?" Gino asked, taking an intrigue in the discussion.


    "The capital? Hmm, haven¡¯t been there for a week, but news has come around that the soldiers are being sent there to build the invasion army. It''s tightly guarded, the capital. It''s the largest army ever mustered by Alrifer. Maybe a couple hundred thousand, give or take."


    "Impressive. Then that would mean the king used every soldier available in the country, yes?"


    "He did. Even from the Luvic wall, the soldiers are being recalled. Just what is he thinking? We''re practically defenseless at this point. Well, there''s no use griping about it I guess. A simple commoner such as I won''t be able to make a difference against an absolute ruler."


    Just as he began to walk away, Daphne asked a question that froze the man from his tracks.


    "If King Halycn''s daughter were to appear, would you follow her claim even if she were an illegitimate daughter?"


    "I would! Without a doubt. Maybe it''s just that I don''t want that line of Luvierre to rule, but I can''t say for certain yet. However, I believe in king Halycn''s legacy! I''m sure that his daughter would be more than enough to lead us!"


    "I see, thank you. That is all I needed to know."


    There was a brief silence. I myself couldn''t find the time to speak, but I will try to find one. There certainly is something that''s bothering her about what she had heard. I have to do all I can to repay and help her. She had helped me a lot to grow, now I think it''s about time for me to give that back once more.


    "Well then, why don''t we go do our own things? I''m sure that we are all tired from that encounter. Let us meet up again afterwards. I will be busy reading some more interesting things I''ve bought, but if you need me, I shall be there. Our next destination is pretty much decided by now."


    Gino ascended the stairs and left us on our own.


    "Hmm, I think I can read what you''re thinking. I got this," Aster nudged me with his elbow, smirking.


    "Hey, Erica! Let''s go play outside for a while."


    "Boo! Your games are too difficult, Aster! I want to stay with Daphne!"


    "Oh, come on now, giving up already?"


    Aster came closer to Erica and whispered into her ear. I hear what he had said faintly as I was close to them.


    -Can''t you read the atmosphere, kid? ... Right, I forgot, you can''t yet. Let''s just go. Let''s take a look around the village.


    -But I don''t want to! I-ah!


    He carried her and ran outside in a hurry, leaving the two of us alone. But even with that small fiasco, she remained silent and in low spirits, failing to notice what had just happened around her.


    "Daphne, do you mind if you take a walk with me somewhere? Everyone''s occupied doing their own thing, so I wondered if you weren''t."


    It was a longshot. She most likely wanted to be alone after that. Her responsibility was practically shoved towards her, reminding her that she held a great deal of responsibility and decision in the way that this kingdom will live in the future.


    "I''d like that, Zach. Thank you."


    To my surprise, I was wrong. Without much time to think things through, we took a stroll towards one of the nearby forests and followed a trail. Then a path hidden by the overgrowth showed itself, revealing a small clearing where a small river flowed.


    There was an ample amount of shade under a lone tree in the middle of the clearing.


    She walked towards that by herself, hands behind her back. She sat down and hugged her legs. There was a clear hint of silence between us. I knew well just what she was thinking of, but I was in the middle of thinking what I should say. But then it occurred to me. In these types of things, one must allow his or her words to come naturally, and it will as long as our hearts are in the right place.


    Thus, I took a deep breath in and approached her, sitting beside her under the shade.


    "Are you thinking about your responsibility, princess of Alrifer?"


    "As much as I don''t want to, I am. Zachary, do you really think I have what it takes to lead the people?"


    "What are you worried about? If I remember correctly, your resolve is as strong as one''s should be. You know, I remember those times when you talked about this kingdom and what you will do in order to regain it, just to inherit your father''s will. You were passionate about it. I was convinced that you can do it no matter how hard it may be, and I still do think that you can do it."


    "How can you be so sure? Now that we''re here, I''m starting to get second thoughts. I mean, this isn''t how things should go. I do not have people of influence to support me, no territory to begin my claim. I am but a single piece against hundreds upon thousands. What makes you think that I can do such a thing?"


    "Because I''ll be there to help you."


    I knew it in myself that I too knew little about what I am and what I should be. I was in no position to boast about strength when I could not even understand what I am. But one thing is clear to me, it is that, to help yourself, you must help others. That doesn''t necessarily mean to help someone only for the gain of benefit. It''s quite complicated to explain, but there''s a feeling that I get every time I help someone. I can''t help but feel happy and limitless, as if I could face any challenge this world has to throw my way.


    "Could you tell me your reasons for that?"


    "I don''t think I need one to help you, don''t I?"


    "You can''t not have a reason, Zach. There has to be something that''s motivating you, otherwise it''s just an empty promise. Once you accomplish it, there''s nothing for you to gain. What reason do you have to stand against a kingdom with me all for a dream that I wish would come true?"


    "A reason... If you really want one, then it''s because I want you to be able to make your father proud. He left you his kingdom, but someone else snatched from you. Now they seem to have ruined it. I''m sure that whatever happens, no matter the outcome, you will be an excellent ruler, I just know it. Your father trusted you that much since he decided that he wanted to give you the reins, didn''t he?"


    She hid her face behind her knees. She became silent, but I was sure that I saw a small smile on her face before it was concealed.


    "Don''t lose your resolve now, Daphne. As long as I''m here, then there''s nothing for you to fear, right? As long as we''re supporting each other, then I don''t think there''s anything for us to fear."


    "... You''re right, Zach. Thank you. I don''t know why, but you seem so different again. Why does every time this happens, you seem so distant and far away, as if you''re going somewhere I can''t reach you?"


    "I don''t quite understand, but I don''t think I''m any different from who I am now. Are you sure?"


    "No," she shook her head. "I know that it''s impossible for you to stay with me until the end because of who you are, but for now, please, will you stay here with me for a while? I can''t stop the inevitable. Someday, you will leave, and I won''t know what will happen to you. I want to stop you, but for my own selfish reasons against the world, I don''t think I can, forgive me."


    "Well, I say we don''t think that far ahead and enjoy what''s happening in the present. There''s no use worrying about something that we know will happen, but not remotely close to when we expect it to happen. I think you taught me something like that, right?"


    "Now you''re turning things around. How unfair," she smiled. "But you do have a point. Why is it hard to accept when you had once said it to someone else?"


    "Hmm, maybe it makes too much sense for one to realize that you''ve been telling yourself the truth all along. It''s hard to accept the truth at times. I''ve known too well about that, but through time I''ve also understood that the truth coming from your own mouth means a lot more than what others say."


    "I see. Well then, it seems just that I heed my own words. But for now, allow me to be vulnerable before I steel myself for what has to come. I have decided, or rather, I owe this to you and everyone that we have traveled with. Will you allow that of me?"


    "I don''t see a reason to keep you from doing that."


    "Then I shall not hold back."


    I felt a weight on my shoulder and the fragrance of flowers in the air. The small space separating us was no more, and the warmth that we individually had was now being shared.


    But she is right about one thing. I''m not ready for it as I am now, but soon I will have to go somewhere dangerous, somewhere I can fulfill my fate and fulfill my promise to my mother and father. That is simply who I am and what I am meant to be. Our selfish desires cannot go against the will of the people, and the creator.Unauthorized use of content: if you find this story on Amazon, report the violation.


    ''Then I promise, I shall stay with you for as long as I can. I will fulfill my promises to you, and when that time comes, when that fateful time comes, there will be no regrets''.


    Am I thinking about things a bit too pessimistically? As I am now, there''s no way I can hope to face demons alone, let alone the demon king. I wonder just how strong fighting it is.


    I looked at Daphne and wondered why she was silent.


    "Fell asleep huh?"


    I gently lifted her head up and leaned my backs against the tree, placing her head on my lap. I too wanted to enjoy the tranquil sight of this forest''s clearing. I might only find peace here and not where we''re going. That much is sure.


    I thought about it for a bit more since I had nothing else to do but wait for her to wake up. I mean, it isn''t so bad that we''re spending time like this. It''s not every day that this happens to me. I feel quite skittish about this whole thing, it feels like a dream, honestly.


    It''s strange, I¡¯m just realizing it now. And now that I''m thinking a bit more clearly, my face started getting hot, and my heart began throbbing irregularly like a drum.


    "What do I exactly do here?"


    I don''t know why, but brushed her hair away from the side of her face to see her better. There was a single tear on her cheek.


    "I wonder what kind of dream you''re having right now. You''re still sorrowful even when you close your eyes. I think that when you close your eyes, all your worries should go away. Don''t worry, I''m still here, Daphne."


    I wiped the teardrop from her face as gently as I could and closed my eyes as well. My fatigue reached its point as well. I don''t know what might happen next, but surely it''ll need a great amount of energy.


    As much as I can, if I have to, then I''ll face an entire kingdom without fear. It''ll be difficult, and I might just be feeding my confidence some air while I can, but I see no other way to build that up, unfortunately.


    "Are you sure that we can find your sister here?" I asked, oddly suspicious at the sight before us. The way I see it, there should be clear signs of demons roaming about if they were chasing them. Yet there are no demons in sight.


    "I can''t be wrong. This feeling, it''s her, but the connection''s vague, I feel that I''ll lose this connection if I don''t concentrate enough."


    "Isn''t it nice to be back home, Daphne?" Gino said to her, smiling wryly at his own remark.


    "I can''t quite feel happy at the idea of being back home. But there could be nothing done if Aster says that we can find his sister here. I just wish that we can get this over with as soon as possible. I have not anticipated this, so I''m not as prepared as thought I''d be."


    "I hope this coat would be enough to hide your identity."


    "Don''t worry, Zachary. I don''t think the guards would have the memory to remember the bastard daughter of the former king. I''ll get through fine with this."


    "As long as you believe that that''s the case."


    "You worry too much about me. I mean, I''m not opposed to that, but you have to worry about yourself first. Yu can''t get complacent just because of me now," she had a soft expression as she smiled from the side. It seems that our bond had grown a bit stronger, and the rift between us had been repaired. I can''t help but see her in a strange, but nice way every time she would smile. I wonder if I''m starting to get conscious of her ever since she asked for marriage.


    "Ahh, it''s so beautiful! Is this really what a city looks like?" Erica''s eyes gleamed brightly at the new sight. The smile on her face puts my heart at ease, but she was right, the city was rather impressive. There were many tall structures and buildings with a fashionably rustic feel to it.


    "Well then, I don''t think we should idle by here. I have an idea. Why don''t Daphne, Erica, and I go to a cheap lodging place that I know of, and the two of you try your hand at searching for any traces of Aster''s sister. Dividing the work will make things simple and fast, don''t you think? Look for Galastine''s Inn. We''ll be there."


    "I think that''s a good idea. You fine with that, Zach?"


    I approached Erica and asked her.


    "Will you be alright while I''m away?"


    "Don''t worry. Gino and Daphne are here to keep me company! Thank you for worrying about me, Zach," she smiled and embraced me briefly, then taking Daphne''s hand as they waved us goodbye, disappeared into the crowd entering the city.


    I took my time to look at the numerous ranks of soldiers outside the tall imposing walls of the city. I originally thought that there would be more inside, but they had set up camps and tents just outside, probably not to crowd to insides of the city too much.


    Fully armored men wielding all kinds of weapons ranging from swords, spears, to bows and arrows. There were those that looked intimidating while wearing their armors that had the images of fierce looking monsters on their helmets. There were those whom were training arduously, sparring with one another. Their motivation and morale shook my ears.


    The sheer assortment of soldiers baffled me to no end. They looked superior in every way, even their mounts looked like beasts twice as larger than a normal horse.


    "So this is an army. I''ve never seen one of this magnitude. It''s impressive."


    "Well, if you want to fight demons and live through it, you have to work hard to be part of the best defense humanity has to offer. I''ve heard stories about the great strength of the Alrifian army and their devastating orders. Alphirona, the iron knights of the vanguard. They are the lead army for every battle in this kingdom. If there is a battle, they are present. I do not know who leads them, but the command is terrifying either way. They are just one of the best examples I can tell you."


    "That''s quite the reputation they have."


    I stood there in a daze until his voice echoed into my ears.


    "Hey, Zach, let''s go. We''re going to need all the time we need. Truth be told, I don''t feel comfortable being led to a city. If this is where she''s being held, then I only hope that she''s safe. It doesn''t bode too well for her to be somewhere so populous."


    Pulled back from my thoughtless daze, I turned my sights to Aster.


    "You''re right. Let''s get going then. It seems that the security of the entrance isn''t as strict as I thought it''d be, I was quite worried. Stay close, Von. Don''t get left behind. and hey, now that I''m getting a better look at you, your fur''s gotten even more whiter, hasn''t it?"


    "Just one of the reasons why he''s popular with the children."


    "Don''t people get bothered with him though? I thought that they would be at least weary."


    "They are. I don''t know myself."


    We started to walk in the direction of the crowd, entering a rather bustling district filled with people working about, some doing construction work by lifting big blocks of stone and long stocks of wood. The business of the district was more than apparent.


    -Oy! be careful with that! Break it, and it''ll go right from yer paycheck, slave! That means your life is pretty much forfeit early! Haha, you don''t even get paychecks!


    -Sir, what do I do with this one? I caught him resting and drinking water without permission.


    -Flog him! I don''t want paid merchandise to be slacking off at my own expense!


    -Please, no! I was simply tired. We haven''t had anything to drink for the past hour!


    -So? I don''t care. You''ll drink when I allow you to drink. And clearly, I don''t remember ever allowing any of you. For a demon that''s been spared for a few days, you''ve quite the audacity to try a stunt like this. Go, show him what happens to disobedient trash.


    The man shouting commands from a high place laughed loudly, drowning himself with his drink that spilled from the sides of his lip. Not a second glance came from him as the man begged for forgiveness. He was dragged towards a wall where he was tied up with his backs facing a tall, burly man wielding a whip.


    The ones being referred to as slaves did manual labor and were at the beck and call of those that needed them. They wore little to no clothing, wearing something akin to rags and worn, tattered clothes sown together from a mesh of other discarded clothes. Their skins were different, their features. They were not the same as the humans scoffing at them.


    The slaves did not seem to be limited to men for there were women and children whom served drinks and acted as ''toys'' for the men.


    I overheard a punishment for something as ridiculous as taking a rest, but before I could, Aster took hold of my shoulder and shook his head.


    "There''s nothing that can be done about that right now, unfortunately. This kingdom''s got a bad history of taking in slaves, both Half-breeds, demons, and prisoners both of the kingdom and of war. For example, I see a couple of Half-breeds over there, the ones being worked to death. Children, women, old people, they''re subjected to that no matter what. Believe it or not, there even are demons being used as slaves here, some for entertainment as they are used to kill each other in areanas. Some are pitted against other humans. To these people whom held the power of influence and wealth, these people were superfluous to their lives and thus are treated as materials to be discarded after use, all manners of use."


    "Then all the more reason to help them. Why do you oppose that? You can''t expect me to listen and look at this without being able to do anything, right?"


    "I''m not going to force you, but I''m going to ask that you don''t. It''ll give us away. It''s too risky. In truth, it¡¯s not the first time I''ve been here. Hiding our identities, my sister and I have often snuck inside the city only to see the horrors of the current reign''s corruption. I''ve heard that in the past before the current king, this wasn''t the case, in fact, there was nothing about slavery. I''m sorry, but this is selfish, but I want to save my sister before anyone else. It pains me to say it, but..."


    "It''s alright, I understand. But I will do something about this once we rescue your sister, alright?"


    "Be my guest. When that time comes, I''ll let you do whatever you want, as long as it''s not bad and goes against the morale code."


    After a few more minutes of walking, we came upon the main business district where most of the shops and stores were located. They accommodated a lot of customers and people wearing clothes ranging from casual to extravagantly colorful ones.


    "The sight''s changed. It''s almost as if what we saw back there didn''t exist here. Why is that, Aster?"


    "I''ll tell you what I know. There''s a social class that''s gone unnoticed. It''s not that rampant. You haven''t even seen the worst part yet. If I remember correctly, there''s a large part of the city that''s become a slums area. There the people live in poverty, but heavily guarded by the city military so that the two classes stay divided. That was proposed by the nobles and approved by the king."


    "Seeing those slaves are just the beginning. If you try to search hard for these flaws, you''ll find them without much difficulty. Thus, there are some who try and escape the slums in order to find some kind of fortune beyond their boundaries. Robberies, theft, and arsons are quite frequent, but not as of late. After all, most of the military of the kingdom are already present here. They''re idiots if they try something like that."


    "I-I didn''t know. How is it so skillfully hidden?"


    "There are people who don''t want to see the imperfections of society. People like us are shunned but live in a world where we''re hated. Our purpose is difficult to achieve here seeing as nothing has been gained. I hope that someday this changes."


    "Well, it should. I know it will. And that might be sooner than we expect, Aster."


    "What makes you so sure? We''ve tried that, and for years. But nothing."


    "I''ll just keep that a secret for now. Soon you''ll know."


    "Fine, I''ll hold you to that. Since we''re already talking about secrets, why do you want to hide something as amazing as that? Being, you know, that?"


    "Now that you tell me, I haven''t really told you why, haven''t I? I''m hiding it because I was told that everyone was still unprepared. There will be those that will want to find me, and they will surely kill and destroy anything in their way. When I''m stronger and when I''m ready to face the full reality, only then will I tell the world who I am."


    "Oh? Sounds pretty dramatic. Well, it makes sense. Let''s keep going for now. The more we talk, the more suspicious we''ll get. I can already feel the eyes of the district guards on us."


    "For what reason?"


    "Just because. They always seem to know when one''s an outsider or not. Might just be my imagination, but you can''t be too sure. Just keep your cloak in mind."


    From the corner of my eye, I saw a rather suspicious movement. It was vague, but a figure appeared on an alleyway we had just passed.


    I took a second glance and found a richly dressed figure at the very end of the hall. His or her arms were raised up high while three to four other figures seem to hold something with a glint close to her neck.


    "Aster, wait here. I''ll just check something out."


    "What is that?"


    "Nothing too important. Just wait here, I''ll take Von with me."


    Silently and carefully I crept into the alleyway, making sure that my steps didn''t make that much of a sound. Von followed shortly behind me, even more nimble that I was.


    The image of the entire thing became clearer once I got close enough to them.


    There were four ragged individuals with sly grins and sharp eyes each wearing cloaks and hoods that covered their faces. Each one of them held rusty looking daggers.


    The one they forced into a corner wore a uniform consisting of a white, dirtied blouse and a short dark skirt. She had a faintly red hair until her shoulders and cool blue eyes that didn''t match her terrified expression. Even her pale skin was blemished with dirt.


    -Hand over everything you have, now! Before you lose your head.


    -No! Please, I-I can''t. If I return empty handed, my lady will be very displeased with me. I do not want to lose her trust. Please spare me. I am but a servant of the princess. I have nothing to offer and nothing to give!


    -Didn''t you hear me?! You think we care for you rich people and your problems? Last I checked we''re not the ones sitting cozily on a chair by the fireplace eating good food.


    The man brandished the blade my inching it further towards her neck. I increased the pace that I walked and prepared myself.


    She shivered, shrinking because of fear. She covered her head with her hands and trembled.


    -Damn, we don''t have time for this, Philip! Just kill her and get it over with. The guards will find us soon. It won''t matter if one of the nobility are dead or not.


    -Don''t you think I''m not thinking of that?! Shit! You think it''s easy deciding whether to kill the princess'' servant?!


    -But she''s a worthless demon. She should care less whether a demon is dead or not. We can just take her and sell her. We''ll fetch a pretty good price for her race. She''s practically merchandise already because of who this damned bitch is! We practically doing this continent a favor for getting rid of her. Think that we¡¯re the only ones thinking that? The nobles are, too, surprisingly enough.


    Looking conflicted, the man named Philip wound up his arm and stabbed at the defenseless woman in a frenzied panic.


    Just in time, I caught the man''s wrist and smacked his dagger away from him, knocking it far away from their reach. Then I shoved the man away just enough that his back hit the opposite side of the narrow alley we occupied.


    "Don''t you think what you''re doing is a bit over the top?"


    -Argh, who the hell are you?!


    The man recovered, and so did his companions. They closed in on me and surrounded me, holding their daggers away from their bodies and pointed at me. At this point, I was used to having pointed objects directed at me that it didn''t faze me in the least. But from what I could see, their hands were trembling as they held their weapons.


    The mere hesitation that I''ve heard from earlier could have been because of their inexperience.


    "That doesn''t matter. What you''re doing, is wrong. Just what were you thinking?"


    -You don''t even know the beginning! We''ve been living for so long in the slums that the food we eat aren''t even enough to fill our bellies. It''s become worse that a single piece of bread is a godsend for the entire day, so long as we don''t kill each other for it. We''re used to living outside, seeing others like us dying on the street because of the cold. Why do you think we''re doing this?! Those people whom have chosen not to do anything deserve to die!


    "So you resort to petty thievery and robberies?"


    -What else do you think we can do? The king can''t even dream of speaking with us, let alone give us something to wear for the winter. There''s no other choice for us.


    "So you''ve tried talking with the king?"


    -Ha! Tried, that''s amusing. Only the lucky ones are able to even see the king. The rest of us that are unlucky are either locked up and tortured for being in his presence, or killed on the spot. I don''t expect you to understand. You don''t even seem to come from here. The way we see it. You protecting that noble right there only means that you''re depriving us of our lives. Think about it. Aren''t you the villain right now?


    He''s... right. As much as I hate to admit it. He''s right. But there''s a clear boundary to what can be done and what can''t be done. But this is difficult. Am I really depriving them of their lives?


    No, even if that''s the case.


    "No. Taking a life is still wrong. If you''re calling her a demon, then you wanting to take her life just because she is one makes you the demon."


    -You''re weak. Then look at it this way. That noble your protecting, is a demon. How does that make you feel? Helping a demon? Still going to defend her? The only reason she''s not dead is because she''s the princess'' lackey. Everyone''s afraid of her, but they''re too afraid to lay their hands on her.


    I took a glance at her, seeing her trembling figure, the terror on her face remained still.


    "Tell me, what did she ever do to you?"


    -Do to us?! Are you serious? That doesn''t matter. She''s a demon, and that''s that. If we humans have the same enemy, then it''s the demons! All the demons deserve to die, even the Half-breeds and the monsters.


    "This is what''s so disgusting with humanity. It makes me ashamed of being raised as one sometimes. The innocents are not part of the fight, yet you drag them into it like they''re the masterminds of all this. Leave. No harm will come to her."


    -Her?! Are you telling us that you''re going to protect this freak?! Then you''re no better than a demon! Get him!


    Once more, I glanced back at the demon.


    "Don''t worry. I''ll protect you from them. There''s no need to worry anymore."


    They rushed at me with their daggers, yelling on the top of their lungs.


    "Von, hold him down!"


    I whistled and pointed at one of the men. Von immediately turned to snarl at its target and lunged at it, biting it its leg and pulling him down to submission.


    Now there were three.


    I met the men and aimed for the supposed leader''s wrist where the dagger was being held but missed my mark as he swung low.


    Just a bit too slow for me, I managed to avoid it by taking a step back. But he relented by swinging his dagger at my face.


    The chance showed itself to me, so I timed it perfectly until I got a good firm hold on the leader''s wrist, twisting it so that his back was facing me. Once I disarmed him, I kicked him towards one of his companions and placed my attention on the other one charging me from behind.


    I avoided a couple of jabs and sent a strong blow directly to his face. He had no time to dodge, so he was immedately knocked down.


    -Damn you!


    "Be careful! Behind you!"


    I heard a cry come from the woman I was protecting, her finger pointed behind me. Glancing in that direction, the leader rose and charged at me desperately, picking up the dagger I had knocked away from him.


    Have I been a second later, I would have not been able to stop him. But due to the help I was given, I evaded the direction of his swing and took hold of his arm, swinging my arm at his cheek strong enough to force him down on the ground rolling with a loud thud.


    "Thanks for helping me back there. It might have turned badly if not for you. Are you alright, are you hurt anywhere?"


    I asked her right away and held my hand out to her. But instead of an answer, I received a stare of bewilderment and silence. She stared at me for what seemed like the longest time, until she blinked and regained her senses.


    "Uh, ah! Yes, I am alright, thank you..."


    "Come, let''s get out of here before they regain their senses. I don''t like the idea of harming them more since they seem to have learnt their lessons. Using a sword here will probably do more harm than I could, so I''ll have to refrain from that."


    Once she had reached out to me hesitantly, I pulled her as gently as possible led her away from the alley.


    "Come, Von, let''s go."


    The odd thing was that, once I had reached the same location I had left him, Aster was nowhere to be found.


    There was a dense crowd all around us, but there was a clear and obvious space separating us for some reason, as if the area around us was forbidden.


    I tried to search for Aster, but all I saw that stood out were the eyes of the people passing us by. They were more like glances and glares rather than stares, as if they were sneaking a peek, then murmuring as if I can''t hear them.


    My worries started surfacing. What if the guards had suspected and detained him? Even if he were disguised, there was still a chance for him to be found. I hope that it had not happened for it would be difficult to try and rescue him, not saying that I wouldn''t try.


    I walked around to try and find him, looking around at the various districts and streets nearby, but before I could go further, I was forced to a stop. Turning around, I realized that I was dragging the woman with me the whole time.


    She averted my gaze but tried to speak.


    "Where are you taking me?"


    "Oh, ah! Sorry! I didn''t realize that I had brought you along. I may have panicked after seeing that my friend was not there. If you''ll excuse me then, I need to go and find him before my worst fears come true."


    I waved her goodbye and turned my back, but just as I was about to leave, my sleeve was pulled, taking my attention to her again.


    She looked shocked as I looked at her again.


    "Wait, please. Will you answer a question of mine?"


    "Go ahead."


    "Was what you said back there true?"


    "What do you mean?"


    "You said that even if I was a demon, I was innocent and not deserving of the scorn I was receiving. Was that true?"


    "Of course I am. I mean, that should be obvious enough. Even if we all don''t look the same, that doesn''t mean we''re any different from each other. We just see each other in different perspectives that the other side refuses to look through."


    "But still, why? You heard from them, I am the servant of the princess and a demon nonetheless."


    "So? I don''t care about that. Demon or not, you''re you. There''s no need for you to feel that the world''s against you. I don''t know why everyone''s so afraid of you, except for the demon part. But they''re going through such lengths of difficulty to avoid you. Sometimes I question the amount of their effort and what they put it into."


    Then I heard a commotion where a small crowd was gathered, and a few guards could be seen approaching the scene. My heart started beating quickly, so I quickly said my farewell and ran towards that direction.


    Just before I could reach the scene, I was pulled by my arm and silenced with a hand on my mouth.


    I turned my head whilst struggling as much as I could, but this person''s strength was something to behold, almost like it were superhuman.


    I clenched my fist as hard as I could and loudly thought about the mark and how I could force it to empower me.


    But it was unnecessary until I glanced back, seeing Aster with a finger in front of his mouth, hushing me.


    I calmed down and settled as he allowed me to speak.


    "Where were you? I thought that the guards had taken you."


    "I can''t afford being taken so far at this point. But thanks for the concern. I hid because I think I attracted too much attention by doing nothing, so I moved around and circled the through the alleyways. But then I saw that another group was coming from the other side, so I came back to where I entered from and to my great luck, I saw that something else was happening over there, I don''t know what it is."


    "I guess we''re both paranoid."


    "I can agree to that. My head''s thumping like crazy. But anyway, what happened? You went somewhere and didn''t return for a while."


    "Let''s talk while we walk back to the Inn. I think we''ve done all we could for today. Besides, it''s getting dark."


    "You''re right on that one. It''ll be harder for us to try and walk around at night. We''ll be questioned without a doubt."


    So Aster and I asked around some people who didn''t seem to mind and eventually found our destination. But on the way, I told him about what had happened.


    "I don''t know if this is intentional, but you''re a smooth talker, aren''t you? Sly words are a pretty girl''s weakness. Daphne''s obviously infatuated already. Wonder if that''s a Thalisean''s perk."


    "Huh? Why''d you think of that? I don''t think I meant it by any other way. But enough of that, let''s go in already. I''m sure they''re waiting for us."


    "Sheesh, already avoiding the topic. What a shrewd man. You''re missing out. You might not realize it, but that''s a strength that you can use. This isn''t the end of it, hey! Wait up!"

 Chapter 24: The few who aspire

    -He saved me, my lady! I''m sure that you won''t believe it, but he did! H-he stood up for me. That was the first time in a long while ever since anyone had done that for me. I was... surprised. I didn''t know what to say because it was all so overwhelming.


    -Interesting. Even I am surprised to hear that.


    A sly grin appeared on her face which she immediately masked with her smooth and delicate hand. She was trying to hold in the laugh, but the amusement in hearing such an idiotic act compelled her. Not in her wildest desires did she think that something entertaining would appear so quickly.


    -Interesting. It seems that I may still have use for you yet. I was afraid that I had to do something to you since I was getting quite bored.


    -My lady, did you say something? Forgive me, but I did not hear you very clearly.


    -Oh, no. I was simply talking to myself. Do mind me.


    -But the eyes of those around him were still the same. I was terrified that they might do something to him since he stood up for a demon like me. But instead, he fought for my sake, knowing full well of who I am!


    -Yes, yes, that''s good for you, now arrange yourself and tell me more of something worth talking about. This man whom defied the heinous eyes and opinions of the people, tell me, what was he like?


    -What was he like?


    She thought about it again, just like it was unfolding right in front of her. Those events that led up to her uncontrollable inspiration and admiration for him, a man whom ignored the mortal providences and followed what he thought was right.


    -He was tall, wearing a coat that just suited him. When he stood in front of me, I felt secure behind his back even before I knew that I was going to be protected. He had a very reassuring smile that made me feel safe, and he was rather skilled with how he fought the ones who tried to harm me. It was as if he were toying with them. And... his hand was warm. He looked at me as if I were a normal human being.


    -Hmm, he had quite the mouth on him, doesn''t he? It is either he is a trained con man whom wanted to take advantage of you, or an oblivious idiot. Clich¨¦ as it may be, I cannot agree with most of what he said.


    She blinked a few times and lowered her head.


    -Why do you say so, my lady?


    The young woman stood up with her haughty demeanor and strode down a small flight of carpeted stairs. Her head was held up high and the paleness of her skin and the sharp look in her eyes stood up. The high and mighty eerie atmosphere about her fluttered like a dark mist protecting its master.


    She remained oblivious to the secrets and the true nature of her master, yet she followed and heeded every word and every command she was given. Not a single one was to be disobeyed, that was the promise she had made on that fateful night.


    The night called by two names, one of which being the night of the cowards, and the other being the full moon of vengeance.


    On a night where blood was spilt was the night she thought her own life would have ended, yet here she stood in front of her savior. The one she deemed the immaculate master whom saved her from the savage nature of the humans.


    -Remind me of the promise you had made to me.


    She commanded with her backs turned.


    Lowering her head, she spoke in respect.


    -I promised to you, my lady, to devote my life to serving you to the best of my abilities no matter what. I owe you my life for having saved me.


    -Very good. Then I shall tell you this. The world is perceived by truths and lies. Both, move the world in ways that we can''t conceive easily. But men and women alike are driven by that notion. Listen, and listen close. You are to never forget who you are and why you are to be scorned. You will draw strength from hate, and from that you will breed a strength unlike any given by truth or lies. You are to etch unto your mind the careless words of scorn uttered by these rabble turned vermin. You are treated as scum; therefore you are. But revel in that until you are impervious to it.


    To her surprise, she raised her head. Many words she had considered harsh, including the punishments to her flaws, had been like lashes to her. But this request was unlike anything else she had been given.


    -But why, my lady?


    The woman crept up to her and took her chin with her delicate fingers, peering into her eyes.


    -You cannot erase who you are, so why not embrace it and turn it against those who use it against you? Life is unfair even from the start. The moment you are born, living in this hell of a world is already a death sentence. We are made to suffer and feel inferior until the time that your inevitable death comes. But how we chose to spend it varies. For I, love amusement more than anything in the world. I have many whom would do my bidding, but that would be rather plain and boring. I need something to ignite my passions for what I do best.


    -What is that passion of yours, my lady?


    -That, is a secret that I must keep only to myself. But let us not get sidetracked. From what I have heard so far, you have not thanked the kind man for his actions. Search for him and bring him to me. I wish to... thank him personally for keeping my lovely servant safe from harm.


    At that request, she felt a surge of unknown optimism. At was as if her own emotions had been ignited, and that her feelings were starting to kindle into a light flame. The constant reminder of him and his heroism gave her that push. Not just the fact that the only two people had been this forgiving and kind to someone like herself, save for the one who took her in.


    She nodded her head with delight.


    But how one saw as an innocent smile, she saw an opportunity to sate her desire.


    "Good girl, good girl. That is how things should be. You should simply follow my words and act upon them."


    The night was at its peak. The air was cold but bearable. Most of the people have abandoned the streets and have left for their warm and comfortable homes. The only people that were present were guards and the local troublemakers, including those from the slums who wreak havoc upon the city.


    "Let''s go for a little walk, Von."


    I had stepped out after the others resigned themselves to sleep. Somehow, I couldn''t feel as comfortable as I wanted to be. Staring at the ceiling won''t do anything, so I decided to instead look around and further know the capital of this kingdom.


    The gas lamps were lit up and lined up along the sidewalk, illuminating a portion of the path I traversed. It''d be safer if I travelled where I could be seen in case something like what happened earlier would occur once more.


    The various shops and stalls that bustled with people and attention were now closed and bereft of light.


    My restless feet led me to a wide plaza where statues, a fountain, and some greenery adorned the sight. It was obvious that the city took meticulous care of this area since it looked untouched by impurity compared to the other places around here. As if it were kept clean at all times made that way.


    The fountain was a man holding an open book in one hand and a sword in the other. His stance was gallant, and his expression victorious and stern. He wore armor fit for a king, and that''s we the statue felt like as I stared at it.


    A stone pedestal where a golden plate was nailed on it stood in front of me. It read, King Halycn Luvierre. May he live in eternal peace, and may his will of peace watch over us, his people.


    So this is your father, Daphne. The ones who made this statue immortalized him well. There should be no worry.


    But just as I was getting complacent, a movement came from behind the bush just a few meters away from me. The feeling of eyes on you where you can''t see them gave me a slight chill.


    With a fresh breath, I had calmed myself down and prepared for the worst. Should it come to that, I will be prepared. I''m not as inexperienced as I once was. I have a reputation to uphold as a Thalisean. Losing a simple brawl will only disgrace that name. But when did I exactly become careful about something like reputation?


    "Who''s there?" I said, standing up. I approached the bush slowly and cautiously. "I''ll say this now, I''m not much of a novice when it comes to this anymore. I''d advise that you turn away if you dare try and face me."


    Von snarled viciously at the figures behind, further threatening them.


    "Wait, wait! Don''t worry we''re not here to harm you or anything. Can''t manage that anyway. Not that I can''t take you myself."


    To my surprise, a child with brown messy hair popped up with his hands in the air. He wore tattered and dirtied clothing to match with his messy hair and face. But he had earnest, fierce eyes as he stepped from the bush and into the open where I could see him clearly.


    "Who are you?" I asked, not lowering my guard still.


    "You can call me Caden. This here is a buddy of mine, Dante...?" as if he were missing something, he looked around and sighed. "C''mon already, Dante. I thought we agreed that we''re going to ask him? Don''t let your dad scare you even in your mind! We already talked about this."


    He dragged another child from the bush, a timid one who was fond of looking down at the ground and glancing up at me every now and then. He hid behind his friend, terrified of me.


    There was a clear difference in the two, not just their personalities. The golden haired child named Dante wore an extravagant set of clothes that made him stand out as one of the nobility. Gold finishes, a clean red coat, and shined shoes.


    He nodded his head, murmuring a Hello.


    "Where was I? Oh, yeah! So the name''s Caden, and this is Dante. I''m from the slums, and he''s from the rich people''s district. His dad''s pretty scary. Tall strict guy with a scary face! Man, I get shivers anytime I look at him, pretty brutal too."


    "I don''t quite get where this is heading. Mind explaining what this man has to do with what you want from me?"


    "Wait, wait, wait. You gotta let me build up the story, otherwise you won''t know everything. So, yeah, his old man never lets him do anything on his own. But the thing is, Dante and I want to become knights of the kingdom!"


    "I don''t mean to demoralize you or anything, but I think that''s a long shot. I don''t know how they do things here, but don''t you need to be an... adult?"


    "Well that''ll come sooner or later. I''m drinking lots of milk, so don''t worry about that. We want to know how to fend for ourselves so that we don''t get pushed around so much. Then we''ll become knights when we grow up. I''ll give you a gold coin! This is pretty hard to come by where I come from. But I just found it lying on the ground. Lucky, right?" he shows an open palm where a lone golden coin sat. He had a smug look of confidence at this bargain, but I don''t quite understand why he has to pay me.


    "Why me exactly? I don''t think we''ve met other than now. I don''t think I''m suited either. I mean, knights. I know very little of those and how you become one, but it sounds challenging."


    "Here''s the thing. We saw you fighting them people from the slums, I know those people, but not know, know them. I just ''know'' them. So, we wanted to ask you to help us learn! We want to learn how to fight!" he pumped his fist into the air, triumphantly declaring his intent.


    Dumbfounded, I don''t know what to think of this. Sudden, yet I can teach them harmlessly. I''ve been taught by Daphne, but most of that would be too much for children to learn. They don''t even look that old, maybe twelve to fourteen years of age.


    The eagerness in their eyes disturbed my choice whether I should go along with this or not. After all, there seems to be a prejudice with the people of the slums and the ones who have the money.If you spot this story on Amazon, know that it has been stolen. Report the violation.


    "Is there an even deeper reason as to why you want to learn? It''s dangerous, that should be obvious, and it''ll take a lot more than eagerness to come through. Tell me, what''s pushing you to do this?"


    "I don''t like how this city is. It''s always full of people trying to hurt each other, and it''s confusing. I mean, shouldn''t we just get along and fight the sameenemy? But not the nice demons here. They''re not scary, even when they''re twice your size," said Caden.


    "Y-yes, I am the same with him," added Dante.


    "What he meant by that was, he doesn''t like how people look at demons who do nothing wrong get punished. And that he wants to somehow help other people too, so that''s why a knight is the next best thing! I for one don''t want my mom to get hurt by this eventually. She''s the only family I got, so I''ll do anything to protect her!"


    "So is she a great reason for you, Caden?"


    "Yeah! You bet! She''s super cool! She cooks great food and always works whenever she can. When she gets angry, she gets REALLY angry. It''s like she''s a man, really strong. But don''t let her know I told you that. My ear might fall off."


    "Alright, before anything else, let me ask, but it''s alright if you don''t understand. I just want to know something right now. What do the people of the slums think of the people from their boundary, and what does the other think of the other?"


    "Ha! No problem! I can tell you, no problem," he pounded at his chest with his eyes closed. But his eyes remained close for the longest time that the silence took him in.


    "Don''t know anything, huh? It''s- "


    "Wait! I know that they don''t like each other. That counts, right?"


    Just before I could say anything, Dante spoke from behind his friend.


    "T-There are three classes here that aren''t that much enforced, but built upon years of discrimination. aside from royalty, It''s the Nobility, the middle class, and the lower stratum. The middle class and the nobility are despised by the lower stratum while the nobility discriminate from the lower stratum and want to get rid of the slums and the people living there. The middle class are the ones being swayed, and the percent of people for the destruction of the slums and the lower stratum are higher than that of the ones who are against it."


    ... I could have not expected this, but I was surprised, clearly enough. I was left speechless trying to find what to say in reply, but I simply blinked my eyes at them.


    "Oh yeah, Dante knows a lot since he''s the son of a noble. He''s not the bad one, of course. It''s his dad. He punishes him if he doesn''t learn well or get things right, it''s pretty brutal. But I think my explanation was better. You know, simple and not confusing, don''t you think?"


    "That''s not the point. Don''t your parents know where you two are? It''s too late to be out without anyone you know to keep you safe."


    "Well, I snuck out, and so did Dante. But we''ll get back by morning, so there''s nothing to worry about."


    "Still, it''s dangerous. Haven''t you two known what could happen if you''re not careful? - "


    As I spoke, they turned their attention to Von, whom warmed up to them almost instantly. He now sat comfortably on the stone pavement while Caden scratched his head with Dante watching from the sidelines.


    "Woah! Cool, a wolf. Its fur is so soft. You really are a strong man, aren''t you? I mean, you trained a wolf to be your pet!"


    At the mention of the word ''pet'' Von whimpered and looked at me for some reason.


    "I''d say he''s more of a companion rather than a pet. But wait, you''re not listening. You two need to go back. I''m not good with taking care of other people, but that''s besides the point. I''m not good enough to train you, more so if it''s a knight that you''re aiming for. Tell me, where do you live?" I asked Caden.


    "Eh? Over there, near the entrance to the slums. It''s dangerous near the center, so we''re pretty fortunate."


    "How about you, Dante?"


    He nervously pointed towards a path leading to the inner district near the residential district and the palace grounds.


    "Alright, come with me."


    I started walking towards the slums entrance, whistling for Von to follow me.


    "So you''re finally going to train us?" he asked.


    "No. I''ll escort you two home before your parents find out. I''m not the best judge as to whether you''re ready or not, but I just don''t think I''m up for it, sorry."


    "... Fine! If you don''t want to, then we''ll leave! I hate people who can do something but choose not to. You''re just as worse as those nobles over there! Let''s go, Dante. Let''s go to my place and think of what to do next," he angrily pulled his friend towards the area to the slums in hurry, disappearing from my sight after a few seconds.


    I was then left alone with the silence and the night to keep me company.


    Releasing a sigh, I looked at my canine companion and asked, "Did you think I did the right thing by declining them?"


    But he responded by tilting his head in confusion.


    There was a reason for that. I hadn''t said it properly since I thought that it didn''t need to be said.


    I don''t want them to grow up with that kind of dream having learned something that won''t help them the way they want it to. I''m not cut out for teaching others how to fight since they might end up in a bad place because of me. It''s degrading who I am, but I can''t find any other fault other than my distrust in myself. I''m still growing, but I''m not in the place of where I want to be right now.


    I waited for a while more and looked around me, taking in the lay of the land. It''s bigger than what I''ve seen from the outside that it feels like I''ve only seen a small part of it when it felt like I''ve walked a great deal of it.


    This is going to take some getting used to.


    ... Thinking about it a bit more, I could only worry about sending them by themselves. After all, I hadn''t apologized for not explaining things clearly.


    "Right, I need to set things straight then head back without any regrets and worries."


    So I headed towards the direction of the slums to where they headed off to.


    Suddenly, a strong cold wind blew my way, sending a chill down my spine.


    I rubber my shoulders and breathed into my cupped hands, making as much warmth as possible.


    I need to get this done quick or I''ll freeze to death.


    As I made my way to an unfamiliar street devoid of people nor light, I began to feel an eerie chill.


    I started walking lightly, looking around every nook and cranny I could. There were people here, and their presence didn''t do any good in soothing my senses.


    "Ah, let off me!"


    I heard a loud cry further down the street that I stared at.


    The familiar voice made my heart race, and so I began running in that direction with being careful in mind.


    ... Caden


    I just don''t get it. I mean, it''s not that hard. I just want to protect mom and everyone else here. I want to get rid of the hatred in this city, the hatred that''s split us all in two. We''re all the same, but why do we have to be divided?


    It''s my fault. I placed too much of my trust in him. I thought he''d be the one to finally take us seriously and teach us, but no. He''s just like everyone else here. Not even the soldiers who laze around at the local bars take notice of us, but once they do, they throw us away like trash.


    Is it really that difficult to make a change?


    "Don''t worry, Caden. I''m sure he has his reasons for turning us away."


    "What kind of reason would that be? He''s lying. You saw it too. He said that he''s not cut out for it, but he took down those goons like nothing. I want to be able to do that so I can''t protect people. Don''t you feel the same?"


    "I-I do, but there''s nothing we can do anymore but keep trying something else. It''s not forever that this will happen. Soon we''ll be all grown up, then we''ll be able to make a change."


    "But I want to start now. I''ve only been around the slums most of the time, but I''ve heard how bad things are outside the city. Demons are starting to attack innocent people, and there''s a large chance that they''ll attack here. I don''t want that to happen... I''ve already lost someone because of them."


    I felt my eyes tearing up at the remembrance of him. The way I wanted to imitate his heroism and courage. He was someone that I aspired for. Just another reason as to why I need to become a knight so that I can protect everyone.


    No, I can''t cry here. That''s the same thing as giving up.


    "Don''t worry, Caden. It''s alright. We''ll be knights sooner or later. You''ll make your dad proud when you become like him, brave and selfless."


    "Easy for you to say. You can ask your father for a tutor."


    "But he won''t allow me. I''ve tried asking, but he scolded me and told me to focus on my studies."


    He pulled on his sleeves, hiding something.


    "If this keeps up, you''ll be a boring statesman. We''ve got to do something to change that! Wait. not again! You got bruises again? That''s smarts."


    "Eh, ah! Let''s move on about that. It''s not important. How about we try my idea. We go back to my place and read some books about how to fight. It''s going to be tedious, but it''s the only option I can think of."


    Looking at Dante, there wasn''t anything wrong with him. He was more calm than I am, and here I thought I was the one who needed to himself together not just to look cool.


    "If there''s nothing else left, then let''s do it. I don''t care if it''s boring anymore."


    "Not scared of being caught whe we''re there?"


    "As if! I''ll even take them all down and show ''em who''s boss."


    It was dark where we were heading. There were not gas lamps on every street. People here had to struggle to get a candle and at least light their houses. If they were fortunate enough to have houses in the first place, that is.


    It wasn''t odd that there weren''t any people sleeping around here. The local church by the center of the slums offered the people a place to stay for the night since it would get especially cold tonight, which it already was.


    I rubbed my hands together and breathed into it, warming myself a bit.


    My clothes weren''t exactly the best in this cold, but that didn''t matter. A man can bear the harsh cold by himself using will alone. That''s what I''ve been told... But what Dante wore was a bit warmer looking than mine.


    "Wait, are you sure we''re going in the right direction? This doesn''t look that familiar at all."


    Now that he says it, this place sure does seem different.


    "No problem. We can just turn back. It''s not like it''s my first time around these parts."


    "But isn''t it dangerous to be somewhere you don''t know?"


    "Well, it is. Yeah, you''re right. Let''s just get out of here as fast as we can."


    But just before I could leave, a group of people appeared, blocking the alleyways and the exits. They also appeared from behind us, at the very least, five people.


    "Well, well, well. You seem lost. I don''t suppose you just waltzed in here for some fun, didn''t you? I''m sure that you remember me, don''t you?"


    A man with a dirty face and a slimy expression showed himself. He was someone I vaguely recognized.


    "Hold him down."


    At his words, I was forced down without me realizing it. Two of them pushed my head down to the ground hard enough to make me black out. But luckily I held on. I just feel a bit lightheaded after that.


    "Caden!" Dante shouted.


    From the corner of my eye, I saw him being held back by one other of the man''s friends. He seemed unharmed, so that''s fine.


    "Don''t worry, Dante. I''ve got this. Who are you and what do you want from me?" I asked.


    "So you don''t remember, don''t you? Figures. You''re just a stupid kid. Let me remind you, Caden. You knocked me out that one time and stole my money. Ring any bells?"


    It did, surprisingly enough. A time back then when Dante and I walked around the slums, looking around for our own amusement. We just chanced upon him that time.


    He''s a slimy man known around the slums. He runs a small group that preys upon the helpless of the slums and takes all their possessions, not to mention ganging up on them unfairly. They''re the worst types of people you could come by.


    "So what? Stole something that you stole? You deserved it. That old lady was just walking by, and you tried to steal from her, worse, you tried to hit her when she wouldn''t give you the money!"


    I felt a weight pressed on my head, deepening the pain on my forehead. Maybe it''s bleeding, I don''t know.


    "That''s just how we live here. The unfortunate are made to be preyed upon. And it''s the lady''s fault for being there. Now, what I want to happen are two things. One, you give me back what you stole, and everything else that you have. Second, I return you the favor."


    The second part of what he said had his face making a sly grin, almost as if he were thirsting for something.


    Damn, if I only knew how to fight, then I''d be able to beat these kinds of people senseless so that no one else is harmed.


    "Let''s try the second point out then. I''m getting quite eager."


    He started kicking me while laughing loudly in enjoyment.


    The pain around every part of my body was unbearable, but I tried my best to protect myself, covering my head.


    "Caden!"


    I couldn''t do anything. But is this really how things are going to end up for me?


    "Hold him up. I''m getting even more irritated by looking at his face. Let''s ruin it for a bit."


    I was pulled up, my arms taken tightly by two people. I was pinned by a wooden wall of a house just behind me.


    He repeatedly smashed his fists in my face. From there I was sure that it was pure rage which was fueling him.


    I started losing my consciousness as my face felt awfully numb. I couldn''t even see anything but the light of the moon I weakly looked up to.


    But just before I could start losing myself, I saw a shadow move quickly, descending upon one of the men guarding the exits, just away from everyone else''s sights.


    He disappeared, dragged into the dark.


    "Von, strike!"


    There appeared a wolf, charging at the man holding Dante, biting on his leg and dragging him as best he could. That distraction allowed Dante to get free of the man''s grip, also taking everyone else''s attention away from me.


    As if he possessed an inhuman ability of speed, he quickly rushed at the man to my left, ignoring the instigator, and struck him with his right fist, making a satisfying crunching noise. The man instantly fell to the ground with a thud. Connecting, he also took a quick, light jab at the other, knocking him out the moment his fist collided with his nose; head hitting the wooden wall, cracking it.


    They fell in seconds, leaving only one left.


    He didn''t speak, but I saw his face. And at that moment I saw just how terrifying he looked. There was a sharp glare in his eyes, one that screamed death. The way the silence enveloped him and consumed his target was something that shook me on the inside.


    The aura around him was overwhelming, almost as if waves were crashing into me and forcing me away. And like the boundless blue sky and the shining splendor of the stars up above, there was a strange glow on the back of his hand. I could not explain it, but as I stared into it, I swore that I heard voices calling out, speaking a language that I have never heard of before. Repeatedly, it whispered, and I found myself drawn to its allure.


    The man backed away, reacting late to what had just happened.


    "What?! W-Who the hell are you?" he yelled out.


    But he didn''t say anything. He simply took steps towards the man.


    "S-Stay away from me! Don''t you know that I run this territory?! I''ll have you hunted down like an animal!"


    He brandished a dagger and pointed it at him. But his steps just continued towards the man whom backed away in fear.


    "I warned you!"


    In a fit of rage, he charged at him with his dagger.


    In a fluid motion, he evaded with his body and took his wrist holding the dagger, then punching the man repeatedly with his right.


    He disarmed him and took the dagger, throwing it away at a wall, sticking there as if it were intentionally thrown that way.


    "Weigh your hand on any of these innocent people and you will face a fate worse than eternal damnation. I will bloody my own hands for their sake, and in the end, you will find me more terrifying than a demon or death himself!"


    "I-I''ll remember this! Don''t think you''re off the hook, kid. You just made more trouble than what you started with!"


    He quickly ran off with his tail between his legs and disappeared within seconds.


    He fell to his knees and clutched his hand tightly, as if he were trying to bear the pain of something. The fear I felt from him disappeared, and everything seemed to return to normal. His companion came up to him and had his head petted.


    "How the heck am I going to explain this to your mom?" he said, glancing at me.


    He stood up and helped Dante to his feet. Running towards me, he had a face of terror.


    "How does it look?" I asked.


    "Uh, it''s not... that bad."


    The way he fumbled with his words meant that it was bad. True enough that it pained me, but the numbness was welcoming since it helped me not feel the pain from the beating. I''ve been through worse, after all.


    "Why did you come back?" I turned my attention to him.


    "I didn''t get to explain why I can''t teach you, but seeing as how things went down here, I''ve changed my mind. IF you really think that I can help you, then I will to the best of my abilities. But first, I think we need to get you back home. Point the way."


    Along with Dante, he carried me back. It was beyond late at that time, so my body had nearly not enough energy to keep up. But eventually we had made it back.


    "This is the place. Go through the window as quietly as possible. The doors are already locked, so this is the only place you''ll get in from."


    For some reason, that little squeaking noise that they had made on the wooden floor as they stepped in gave me a terrible premonition. Once inside, there was a terrifying beast waiting for us, fuming with her hands at her sides. She produced a terrible glare that was seen from the light of the candle she held near her face.


    "I don''t suppose you would mind telling me all this, now would you, Caden?"


    "I-I can explain!"

 Chapter 25: Stirrings From The Shadows

    ¡°Alright, take that!¡± he tried for a reckless attack to my sides after circling around me, following up with a cry that made his position obvious.


    ¡°Firstly, you can''t yell out loud unless it''s necessary,¡± I blocked his attack rather easily, knocking him and his wooden sword away from me. His tenacity and grit kept him grounded to my surprise; his weapon still in hand. ¡°And make sure, as much as possible, to always be on guard in case your attack doesn''t go through. But it''s another thing to think about it and make sure your attack goes through.¡±


    ¡°Got it! I''ll get it right next time,¡± he announced, taking breaths as he had already made use of most of it by hacking at me relentlessly the moment we stood opposite of each other.


    Caden¡¯s perseverance was the one thing that kept him up. There were other traits, but this one was obvious by looking at him.


    I know that it was terrible to underestimate a child¡¯s will to learn, but that was my undoing. I was almost caught off guard as each time I parried his attacks away, he would come back with even more ferocity.


    But as expected, his attacks were on the level that I gauged it to be. It wasn''t terrible, but it was a good start. I don''t know if I''m thinking about things the right way since Daphne¡¯s teachings are a lot more complicated that one would think. There''s just an understanding that I still fail to realize, but all she says is that it was her father¡¯s teachings which were passed on to her.


    I was quite jealous of his zeal. If I had that, then I would be able to accomplish a lot more than I think. I lack something, a lot of it. But I know that it''ll come in time as long as I keep moving forward. What these two children have for aspirations are pushing their boundaries faster and farther than how others could perceive them, and in years, their dreams might become a reality soon enough.


    ¡°Take a break, Caden. You''ve done all you can, so there''s no use pushing it for today.¡±


    ¡°What? No way! I can still go on. Watch me!¡± he ran for me, sword raised up high.


    I sighed. I thought about it, but I never knew that it would be real that his temperament would bring this about.


    With one hand, I prepared to meet him and parry his weapon away forcibly so that he would listen to me. I inched my wooden sword forward and placed my right leg forward, tensing the right part of my body just enough for him to not be hurt.


    The moment I clashed with him, I had not expected for this to happen.


    I half heartedly tried to parry him, but that was a failure in my part. The lack of commitment in the strength and focus needed to parry him was not enough, so the clash was drawn to a sudden halt.


    Once he noticed that I was struggling with knocking his weapon from his hand just like before, he made a confident grin appear on his face. With the weight of his small body, he tried pushing further, taking advantage of my astonishment.


    ¡°See? This time, I''m going to beat you even before Dante gets a chance at being a knight!¡± he again yelled out to empower him.


    This is bad. My grip on the hilt is slipping! I''m the teacher, but I''m getting too complacent. I need to keep my composure and take the advantage back, otherwise, what kind of teacher am I to be surpassed and beaten by his student a few moments after taking him in?


    Taking a deep breath in, I pressed forward with my left leg and pushed him back, giving me the small opening that I needed.


    With that, I spun and used that momentum to hit upwards, sending his sword flying in the air, spinning, the door landed on the ground with a clanking noise. His attention was pointed there, and he was in a daze.


    ¡°Huh, guess I''ll take a break then,¡± he said, collapsing on the ground with his arms open wide. He looked up, breathing calmly. It didn''t look like he was hurt, nor was there any bruises on his hand, so that was good to know.


    ¡°I really thought that I had you. What a letdown.¡±


    Yeah, I almost let Daphne, Sir Hark, my father, and myself down with that.


    ¡°You''re doing fine. But rushing it is never good. Take a break, then you''ll come back better than ever. Is there someone that trained you before me?¡±


    ¡°So you''re amazed with my skill, huh? No. I didn''t have a teacher. I just watched the local guards and knights around the city when they would train. It was hard since they''d chase me away whenever I got close, but I saw enough to copy that,¡± he smiled while laughing. ¡°How about you? Anyone teach you?¡±


    ¡°Yes. Well, three teachers. They''re all good fighters. But compared to me, I still have a long way to before I can catch up to them ¨C¡°


    I turned my attention to Dante who nervously tugged on my sleeve.


    ¡°I-I want to learn too, please.¡± he exclaimed.


    ¡°Don''t worry, I was getting to that. Why don''t we start right away?¡±


    While Caden fought with his perseverance and will, Dante fought with his intellect and stratagems. most his moves were thought out and well timed, but because of that, his reactions on how to implement those techniques in his mind were slower than what he anticipated. To add to that, he lacks the strength behind his strike to fully pull through.


    ¡°You''re thinking about what to do next too much. Try to think briefly, then act. You seem a bit doubtful.¡±


    With that, he stiffened his body to imitate Caden, using the same stance as well.


    The way he moved and the way he attacked were too similar with how Caden was. It was as if I was looking at a mirror image. But the only difference was, it was modified to a degree where the reckless attacks I called out earlier were covered up and improved. That would have been fearsome, but there was a clear lack of power.


    His eyes always seemed to have fear and anxiety in them. Maybe those are the things binding him down.


    This went on for another good half hour until he worked up a good sweat. The way they were able to grasp the basics easily was progress enough.


    ¡°Alright, let¡¯s take a quick break for now. You two have done great for today, so let¡¯s continue tomorrow.¡±


    Caden quickly rose up with a lively look on his face, refreshed from the earlier burst of energy. He came up and sat beside me, leaning his backs to the wall behind us, and so did Dante.


    ¡°What did you think, not bad, right?¡±


    ¡°It¡¯s a good start. If you keep it up, then it won¡¯t be too long until you succeed. Keep up the good work. The same goes for you, Dante. But if it¡¯s alright, I¡¯d like to see something from both of you after you¡¯ve rested. It¡¯s just a premonition, but I think it¡¯s a good idea.¡±


    ¡°What is it? Don¡¯t keep us in suspense. I don¡¯t think there¡¯s any use to that now,¡± Caden insisted with a silly grin on his face. ¡°I think we can handle it no matter what, so lay it on us!¡±


    ¡°I think you and Dante would make a great pair when you fight together. After seeing you two fight, you¡¯re more of an offensive striker while Dante is a defensive guard whom focuses on covering his openings. If you two fought together and each one focuses on their own roles as one, then it might work. But for now, let¡¯s rest. It¡¯s been a long day for me.¡±


    ¡°What exactly have you been doing, Sir Zachary?¡±


    ¡°I think the ¡®Sir¡¯ isn¡¯t needed anymore, Dante. Just call me Zachary. It¡¯s better that way.¡±


    ¡°Oh, I understand. Then I will do that.¡±


    ¡°I¡¯ve noticed that you¡¯ve gotten calmer around me. That¡¯s good. Well, for what I¡¯ve been doing, I¡¯m searching for someone alongside a few friends of mine. It¡¯s a long story, but we think that she¡¯s here in Alrifer somewhere.¡±


    ¡°Oh, we can help you find her if you want. I know a good part of the slums, so you can count on me!¡± said Caden with a brimming amount of fire in his eyes.


    ¡°For your mother¡¯s sake, I think we should stick to training you for now. I wouldn¡¯t want to worry her more than she already is.¡±


    ¡°Well, what can you do? It¡¯s just the two of us. She gave me a good scolding, but I know she meant well by it.¡±


    ¡°She certainly is kind for letting you off the hook that easily.¡±


    ¡°Eh, that¡¯s just who she is. By the way, what did you two talk about?¡±


    ¡°Nothing much. I just introduced myself and that was it for the most part. She told me to keep you on a short leash since you tend to go where danger is close.¡±


    ¡°Huh? She worries too much. Going through danger is what makes a man! If a man doesn¡¯t know what danger is, then he¡¯ll freeze up when he gets a piece of the action.¡±


    As Caden rambled on, I remembered what his mother and I spoke about.


    After she found us entering through the window, she immediately nursed Caden and gave him a good scolding, which was the first of a two-part scolding that was done after I had left.


    She looked distressed as she came back into the room. She looked very young, I, only being a few inches taller than her. She sported a long tied back dark hair. She said that she was thirty-two years old which was hard to believe. I remember how it all played out¡­


    ¡°Please forgive my son for any trouble he has caused you. I swear, that child follows and is followed by trouble wherever he goes,¡± she released a sigh as she sat on the chair in the small room of their house.


    Their house was built with sturdy looking wooden planks but was assembled in a frantic, and chaotic way, so most of the room is not much aligned like every other house. It was tidy enough, different from the area outside. The interior structure looked fairly reliable, but not one you could feel comfortable with. Despite that, it was their home.


    ¡°Don¡¯t worry. He wasn¡¯t that much trouble. But he does seem like a handful. Are you alright?¡±


    ¡°Ah, yes, I can agree with you on that. But please don¡¯t worry about me. I can handle this much. In truth, I¡¯ve known of him escaping at night just recently, but I hadn¡¯t the time to ask him until now. What reason does that child have for leaving at night worrying me? And what¡¯s worse, he always brings Dante along with him on his dangerous escapades. If something happens to him, then there will be hell to pay with the noblemen once they find out a nobleman¡¯s child has befriended a child from the slums.¡±


    ¡°They seem like good friends, don¡¯t they?¡±


    ¡°They do. And I trust Caden to make good decisions, but as his only parent, I can¡¯t help but worry. He is always going on about wanting to be a knight and learning how to fight. Does that have anything to do with you, I wonder?¡± she smiled weakly. ¡°Will you tell me what happened?¡±


    ¡°I¡¯m afraid it does. I will tell you. It seems that I made a commotion that caused them to look to me to train them. I tried convincing them that I wasn¡¯t qualified for it, but they insisted. I made quite the terrible impression since they stormed away suddenly, so I gave chase to them¡­¡± I continued explaining the entire events to her leading up to this point, but her face didn¡¯t change in the least. She listened intently until the end, keeping her discerning eye on me.


    ¡°Is that so? If he thinks that you can do it, then he must really trust you. He has always gone on about growing through experiences like his father taught him in the past, I guess he¡¯s starting to follow in his footsteps. I can¡¯t stop him if he¡¯s this adamant about it, so all I can do is to ask you to look after him and teach him as best as you can. He has never had an older brother, so maybe someone like you would teach him better than any knight or soldier would. I know that this is too much of a request, but -¡±


    ¡°It¡¯s alright. I¡¯ve decided to help them both. It¡¯s for their sakes too. Their motivation will make them into great people someday, not because of my teachings, but because of their ambitions. I hope I get to see that.¡±


    ¡°And why won¡¯t you be able to?¡±


    ¡°I just have this feeling that I won¡¯t be able to. Soon I¡¯ll need to go somewhere far away.¡±


    ¡°Don¡¯t looks so sad now. So you¡¯re an adventurer, are you?¡±


    ¡°Something like that.¡±


    She started grasping at the air on her table, realizing that nothing was there, her eyes widened.


    ¡°Ah, pardon me! I forgot to serve a guest something to drink, where are my manners?¡±


    She stood up abruptly and started looking through the cabinets and cupboards.


    She returned with two cups, handing one to me.


    ¡°This is a drink brewed from a well-known herbal leaf called the Balasitra local to the kingdom of Vals-Varyn to the far north. This jar filled with it was given to me as a gift from a cafe to the south of Alrifer, and it¡¯s worked wonders with relieving stress and anxiety especially in the cold. Try some.¡±


    There was a wafting aroma of vanilla and cream, a soft fragrance that soothed my sense of smell. It almost felt like the drink was charming me into drinking it. The warmth helped ease the chill from the wind outside.


    ¡°Good, isn¡¯t it? Well, let me take this chance to introduce myself. I know I should¡¯ve done this earlier, but I just don¡¯t know how to act when there are guests around. There haven¡¯t been any save for Dante, but you¡¯re the second, I guess. My name is Julia Laforte. I come from another continent, but I lived in this one for years.¡±


    ¡°Erinn, Zachary Erinn. It¡¯s nice to meet you too. I hope that I¡¯m not intruding. It¡¯s late at night, after all.¡±


    ¡°Erinn¡­ It feels like I¡¯ve heard that name before, but I can¡¯t quite remember. Don¡¯t worry about the little things. You seem trustworthy enough. The fact that you brought my son back here and didn¡¯t leave him there shows it. Thank you.¡±


    ¡°It¡¯s nothing to thank me for. I would¡¯ve done it otherwise, but it¡¯s starting to get too late. I need to bring back Dante before his father finds out.¡±


    ¡°I agree with that. Well then, come back here whenever you feel like it. You can treat this as your second home. It¡¯s the least I can do for agreeing to my son¡¯s request,¡± she smiled.


    With Dante at my side, we then departed to the other part of the city where the noblemen live.


    It was difficult to sneak past since the checkpoints and the guards are strict when it came to inspecting people coming and going through the gates. So I tried the back alleys where Dante showed me the path he took with Caden when he escapes nightly.


    Once we reached an empty street, Dante stopped to look.


    ¡°I think this is fine. I can make it back on my own from here. T-Thank you very much for agreeing to train us. I will be looking forward to it.¡±


    And that was how things ended.


    I returned to the inn when everyone was fast asleep. That was about it.


    I came back the night after we¡¯ve finished our time of searching the city, but no luck. So here I am again, an entire week spent searching and training.


    ¡°But what about your father, Dante? Did he find out that you were out for the night?¡±


    ¡°No. He usually stays out late or doesn¡¯t bother me when it¡¯s time for bed. He would be found often in his office doing work both as a statesman and a nobleman.¡±


    ¡°What a carefree parent. Well, if he¡¯s that adamant about it, then let him be. Let¡¯s get back to training, shall we? We¡¯ve still got a long way to go.


    So the two of them resumed training despite it being late. They had enough to spare, but their rash actions did them in badly. If they only had enough energy, then this would be a sound draw for both of them.


    ¡°Haa, haa, I-I can¡¯t keep going. This is just too much. I can¡¯t believe I wasn¡¯t able to get a single hit in.¡±


    ¡°I, agree. I¡¯m spent.¡±


    Both of them fell flat on their backs heaving heavy breaths.


    After I tried to instill in their minds the strategy of working together, they were unable to adjust to it right away, but even with that, they were a furious combination, attacking relentlessly left and right, not giving me an inch until their energy was spent.


    The only way I was able to retaliate was in defense.


    The surprise in the fluidity of their connection was something to behold, but it needed refinement to be called as such.


    As a result, I was exhausted beyond belief, having to fight an enemy that was quicker and had two swords, both with a mind of its own.


    ¡°I guess you¡¯re right. Let¡¯s take a stroll around the commercial district and get something to eat. I can spare a few copper coins for a cheap meal.¡±


    The two of them rose up forcibly and cheered, ¡°Finally! A reward.¡±


    We arrived to the same familiar path that Aster and I had taken when we first arrived here. The commotion I caused that day still remains fresh till this day since the gaze of the people¡¯s familiarity in me was apparent, not that I couldn¡¯t notice their gazes and murmurs, but I chose to ignore it.


    ¡°There! the ham cutlet sandwich here is amazing. I¡¯ve only gotten to taste it twice, but I can¡¯t ever forget the taste!¡±


    Caden ran off with Dante chasing him from behind.


    Before we had left, I questioned how difficult it would be to simply stroll around with Dante left in the open to be recognized, but we planned to disguise him with Caden¡¯s clothing which he reluctantly agreed to. So if one were to look at him, he would appear as just another child from the slums.


    ¡°Come on, Zach! Don¡¯t daze off. You gotta make sure you keep the promise, otherwise you¡¯ll get it!¡±


    ¡°You¡¯re too lively, cut me some slack.¡±


    But as I tried to chase after them, the familiar figure and face of someone stopped me dead on my tracks.


    She stared blankly into the alley where the light of the moon illuminated its path. Her presence alone found attention rather easily, or maybe she was already the center of attention even before I had gotten here.


    ¡°Are you lost?¡±


    I asked, trying to see if she remembers me.


    She turned to my direction in surprise, backing away a few inches but stopping until she seemed to recognize my face.


    ¡°I can¡¯t believe that we¡¯ve met again. I was thinking that that moment would be the last time I would see you, but my wishes have been answered.¡±


    ¡°Why would you want to see me again?¡±


    ¡°I never got the chance to thank you for saving me. I know this is long overdue, but, thank you! What you did for me meant a lot, so there is only way I could think of repaying you.¡±


    ¡°Repay me? There¡¯s no need to. I didn¡¯t save you for a reward. I would¡¯ve saved you otherwise, so no need to fret over that.¡±


    ¡°But please, hear me out. I don¡¯t think it will sit right with me if I allow this great favor to remain unpaid.¡±


    ¡°Alright then, if you really want to, then I won¡¯t stop you.¡±


    ¡°Very well, but first, I would like to introduce myself. My name is Maris Vilraf.¡±


    ¡°Zachary Erinn. Nice to finally get you name. Maris is a nice name.¡±


    ¡°Thank you very much for the compliment. Then if you¡¯ll allow me, Sir Erinn - ¡°


    ¡°It¡¯s alright if you use Zachary. It makes things simple somehow, so I¡¯d like that better, if you don¡¯t mind.¡±


    ¡°Ahem, forgive me. Then, Zachary, I would like to invite you to the royal castle to be a guest. I would like for you to come for brunch the day after tomorrow so that you may also meet the princess. She is looking forward to meeting you¡­ I would also like to talk with you for a moment during that time. That is all.¡±


    ¡°That is all? I don¡¯t think that¡¯s a simple enough thing to accept. Why does the princess suddenly want to see me?¡±Support the author by searching for the original publication of this novel.


    ¡°She has heard of your deeds through me, and so she would like to give you her thanks. Should I have not have said that?¡±


    ¡°Well, that matters little now.¡±


    The way things are, I don¡¯t have the option of declining. The earnest look in her eyes and the pleading gestures are all too difficult to decline. What could go wrong?


    ¡°If you¡¯ll have me, then I will go, but only for that time.¡±


    ¡°The princess will certainly be delighted to hear that! I am, after all. Thank you for your time, Sir Zach, I mean, Zachary. I hope that the day passes by quickly so that we may meet each other once more!¡±


    She quickly moved through the crowds, waving goodbye after she bowed curtly like a prim and proper nobleman. The way she spoke was similar to that as well.


    Just what have I gotten myself into?


    ¡°So that is what she looks like, the princess¡¯ attendant, Maris Vilraf. I¡¯ve only heard of her because of her lineage, but this is the first time I¡¯ve seen her,¡± said Dante.


    ¡°She doesn¡¯t look that terrifying for a demon. Why do people talk badly about her anyway?¡±


    ¡°That¡¯s just how things are, Caden. When the two of you grow up, you¡¯ll fully understand the thinking of people and why it always contradicts the each other. But why don¡¯t we get that sandwich first?¡±


    We sat on the same park bench where we first met. There the moon was in plain sight, giving off a refreshing cool wind that howled softly along the bed of grass and the leaves of the trees.


    Caden busily played with Von while Dante sat beside me, silently looking at Caden.


    He was the first to break the silence.


    ¡°I really envy and admire Caden. Do you know why, Zachary?¡±


    ¡°Not exactly.¡±


    ¡°He¡¯s managed to stay optimistic all this time even after he¡¯s lost someone close to him. He didn¡¯t simply kneel and cry, he moved forward with his dream. He¡¯s so different from me that I can¡¯t think of matching him, let alone trying to become the same thing as him. I¡¯m not as good and ambitious as he is, so what hope do I have?¡±


    ¡°You said he lost someone. Was that his father?¡±


    ¡°Yes. It was before they were forced to live here. But back then, I¡¯ve heard of the stories where the Luvic wall was breached, and a small group of demons managed to invade the kingdom, scattering themselves. There they terrorized many villages and towns, burning and razing both the land and the people living in them. Caden lived in one of those villages with his father and mother. Soon the village was attacked by surprise, and they were the only two who escaped successfully because his father held them back with the village people for as long as they could, but that alone wasn¡¯t enough. There came a great warrior that fought the strong demons trying to pursue them. Caden doesn¡¯t know who he is, but he saved their lives. I don¡¯t know what kind of anguish he felt back then, but right now he doesn¡¯t look affected by it at all. That¡¯s why I envy and admire him.¡±


    He took a pause, looking lost in his own thoughts, continuing after taking a deep breath in. I found no reason to interrupt, so I kept listening.


    ¡°You see, I had lost my mother due to an attack from demons. We were visiting some relatives in another town, but the town itself was attacked by a large amount of demons. Everyone was killed, and the town was burned to the ground. Before we had to escape, my father had to choose between my mother or I. He couldn¡¯t do it, but I know he wanted to choose my mother since he loved her so much, but my mother pushed me away with a smile on her face, leaving her surrounded by demons¡­ I think until now I was never really able to recover from that. I can¡¯t sleep well whenever I remember that, and I know that deep inside, my father would rather have my mother instead of me in his presence¡­ I¡¯m sorry for saying such sad things. I felt that I needed to get it off my chest, but it just sounded like me rambling for my own weakness.¡±


    ¡°No, it¡¯s alright. You can vent all you want. You can believe in what you believe, but what I know is that no parent would want their child to suffer or feel pain intentionally. I¡¯m sure that he has his reasons for doing that. I can¡¯t tell you what that is, but you will have to either find it our yourself, or wait for him to come up and tell you.¡±


    ¡°Zachary¡­¡±


    I patted him on the head and ruffled his hair.


    ¡°There¡¯s nothing for you to feel inferior about. You¡¯re you, and you¡¯re unique in your own way. I¡¯ll vouch for that. If everyone aspired to be the same thing, then there wouldn¡¯t be anything to be jealous about. It¡¯s what drives you further, not to copy, but to exceed. This is going too far ahead, but you¡¯ll be fine. You don¡¯t realize it, but you¡¯re strong on the inside as well, maybe even stronger than Caden in that aspect.¡±


    ¡°Do you really think so?¡±


    ¡°I do. It¡¯s going to be hard to believe my words alone, so you¡¯ll have to keep on trying until you get to that point. You¡¯ll see what I¡¯m talking about.¡±


    ¡°Thank you... again. You¡¯re right. I can¡¯t let this stop me from moving forward. I will continue until I see the fruits of my labor. I hope that you¡¯ll be there to see it as well. You¡¯re the one motivating me, so that makes sense, doesn¡¯t it?¡±


    ¡°Now that you say it, you¡¯re right. Well, I¡¯ll most certainly try.¡±


    The following day, there was a buzz around the populace about the king returning from the Luvic wall to personally oversee the building of his grand army.


    The people crowded the lines that the guards formed in order to see their exalted ruler.


    A great parade was held where the elite soldiers of the king closely escorted the carriage where the king stood and met his people with a stoic and stern face, followed by the rest of the elite soldiers.


    The sound of boots marching orderly hummed through the area, mixing in with the constant cheering and celebrating of the people under its banner and protection.


    -Look! It¡¯s the king!


    -Hail King Georgios! Long live the kingdom of Alrifer!


    -Finally! The kingdom of Ylithia will fall and know the true strength of Alrifer. They won¡¯t be underestimating us anymore!


    The clamor of the beloved populace were ecstatic, the vast majority that is. There were those who did not seem too fond of the idea of him being here. They refrained from speaking or paying attention at all, moving away from the crowds.


    King Georgios was a tall, strongly built man sporting a full-faced beard and a majestic looking set of armor to suit his imposing aura of absolute order and stability.


    But it was expected that the people of the slums were prohibited from being at the procession. Their chaos would lead to an uprising given their chance. But even with that, they had something to fear. Two prominent men that are tasked with protecting the ruler of Alrifer. That is their sworn oaths.


    One is the great general Everett Luxe, a seasoned veteran that had participated in many wars alongside the former king Halycn Luvierre, but still serves the same family. His age and repertoire have given him the name of Regulus for his ferocity and will in battle, those of which was akin to a lion¡¯s.


    He wore a heavy set of armor to go with his robust build, along with a cape representing his Order¡¯s banner, wielding a halberd and a shield to go with his ragged expression and rough demeanor.


    He paid no mind to the people cheering as his gaze was focused solely ahead, glancing around momentarily to make sure that everything was safe around the king.


    The second was one of the four Arch-Magni of the continent. A man whose wisdom through the ages have been sought out by many, and whose contributions to the world of Arcane, Alchemy, and Magic have greatly benefitted the continent. His presence alone in the kingdom is overwhelming to those who choose to oppose it. His name is Albert Foster, ranked third amongst the four mages council, four of which are already terrifying in their own right. His power comes from a plethora of spells which he utilizes depending on the situation, adapting to it, and eventually overpowering the enemy with his sheer knowledge of magic.


    He is also loyal to the Luvierre family, but does not see eye to eye with how the current king handles the kingdom.


    For most he is quiet, keeping to himself and simply observing his surroundings, but no one truly knows what goes on in his mind for when he speaks to someone, which is seldom, it contains a great lecture which the person would benefit from greatly if given the chance.


    At the very instant that Everett Luxe¡¯s sight wandered, he encountered the visage of someone he knew was familiar. Her very face and presence shook his entire being as if a fire had been reawakened within him once more. The gaiety within his being illuminated like it was from the past.


    It¡¯s you. You¡¯ve returned.


    The one whom he cherished much as if she were her own daughter, a man who took the responsibility of taking care of her came the passing of his friend. Yet he curses himself till this day for failing in that one task. To live with the shame was just, but to redeem himself with the pain was his chance that was presented to him now. And he would not let that chance get away from him this time.


    But it was not of romance, but of a new beginning that was calling out to him.


    At that very moment that he saw her, he heard the voice of his friend, opening his eyes, a gentle whisper from heavenwards graced his ears like a bastion from the creator.


    Will you help me recreate my legacy?


    Though he tried his best not to be swayed, it was apparent that his sight was focused on someone in the crowd, and that person stared at him as well, recognizing him.


    He saw another familiar face as well, a sly fox of whom he had never trusted, but had grown to trust despite his nagging feeling of distrust for him.


    He read his lips that formed a complete and concise sentence in his mind.


    He thought to himself, His lips are sly enough to seduce a deaf maiden, the same with conveying words like a viper from a forest.


    He understood clearly what that meant.


    Thus, he cleared his throat and fixed his composure, focusing on the task at hand, yet he can¡¯t dispel this resurrection in the making. His anxiety of wanting to see a better tomorrow made a small grin appear on his face, which was unusual to himself.


    But that smile was abruptly cut as he focused on them.


    There he saw in her arms a child who struggled to see the procession of the king, a small girl who seemed to be between the age of seven or ten, happily laughing and waving her hands in the air along with the jovial crowd.


    That sly bastard! How dare he lay his hands upon her! And worse, they have a child! How unprecedented. Halycn, forgive me if I shed the blood of your daughter¡¯s husband. Thy retribution shall be swift as it will be painless.


    He clenched his fists and strode on with a steel-like face, biding his rage within himself.


    The procession soon came to a halt in front of the steps leading into the palace.


    Georgios stood in front of his subjects, awaiting the silence to loom over them.


    The strongest of the kingdom¡¯s royal guards formed around him, their banners and flags held high like the spirits of his people.


    ¡°Hear me, my people. I have come before you to mark the very beginning of our great stride towards the future! This is the end of our long history of standing idly by while the rest of the kingdoms look at us in disgrace for our lack of power. It is true that what happened to my brother struck a lethal blow to our kingdom, however, that should not be a reason for us to remain lying down. What we should be doing is continuing the legacy that he left behind, and to crush the opposition that dares oppose this great kingdom of ours! This grand army before you will march into Ylithia and conquer our long, historic enemy, bringing an end to the long stalemate between us. Now I ask of you, both my brave soldiers and my people, give your blessings to us so that we may be united under one cause!¡±


    An uproarious cheer came from the crowd as he finished his statement. It left their hearts beating in anticipation, creating a geyser of morale to rise from their souls.


    At this very moment, they felt like they could sieze victory by any means, even against an enemy like the demons which they feared greatly.


    ¡°Now, concerning the Luvic wall bordering the demon realm. I will assure you, that coming from that very wall, it will stand tall and strong against any adversary that dares encroach upon it. There will be little to worry about even if most of our brave soldiers are to fight in Ylithia. The best of the best, elites and veterans in their own rights, are guarding the wall as we speak. You may sleep safe knowing that the threat of demons rampaging through our great kingdom won¡¯t come to pass, for even if they do, they shall meet the might of our forces, and there they will regret stepping foot in our homeland!¡±


    ¡°That was a very splendid speech, father. No doubt the hearts of the people are in the right place.¡±


    ¡°Ah, my daughter, Arielle. It is refreshing to see you finally. How have you been in my absence?¡±


    ¡°I have been well, but brother has gone away for unknown reasons, and has only told me to give you his regards.¡±


    ¡°Yes, I have sent him on a small journey where he will make his mark. I will not keep him locked up in this palace, so I have simply wished him luck on his travels. Now, tell me in depth how you have been. I would like to spend time with my beloved daughter over a meal.¡±


    With a clap of his hands, the maids and butlers stood at attention and bowed their heads, scurrying over to arrange for them a meal to the king and princess¡¯ liking.


    Once their small gathering finished, the two of them parted ways and left to do their own work.


    -As of this day, the preparations of the attack are nearly under way. With the Luvic wall left nearly empty, there should be no qualms for executing the remaining guards. If an attack on the kingdom would commence, a complete success is to be met.


    -A paltry feat, but one that I will acknowledge. You would do well to further your efforts, Klaustre. A mere puppet master is of no use if his puppets cannot amuse the audience, especially if the audience is our exalted one. Do you understand the gravity of the situation? We cannot afford to be complacent.


    -Ha! I would expect as much from the one whom took the liberty of overseeing the entirety of the board. I am impressed that things have gone smoothly like this. As expected of someone carrying the rank of Razhuen. However, I will keep this to myself. I suspect that you have your own ploys, am I correct?


    -... You would do well to sew your mouth shut unless I seal it for you. Accusing me without basis allows me the honor of challenging you personally, and that means taking your life in front of every demon in the continent.


    -Now, now. I was merely jesting. After all, you are to blame. With no one else to disrupt your total command over the entire operation, there will be no one to oppose you. The king¡¯s trust in you is not that big, yet you think that you are trusted. Believe me, that is only an illusion that you have made yourself. As a middle class Ivaas demon, I have certain power at my disposal. I can see the darkness in your heart, my dear commander. I just hope that this is not all for your own benefit. Your loyalty is as transparent as the lies you spout.


    -Just assure your success. I need nothing from you other than your cooperation. I am very much capable of handling my own.


    -Understood. The attack will be announced when I everything is set. I have sent over the sacrificial lamb and will be there in a few days. Please do give him a warm welcome. The child is rather immature, but with a flick of my finger, he has turned into a puppet without a soul. The small cost of being under my control. I shall inform you at a later date, good bye.


    And so, the silence returned to the eerie room, and the man reveled in the coming of a new age.


    He coughed, and the rough tone of his voice returned, along with the upright posture and the discerning gaze.


    There was no trace of the jester-like personality, nor was there a mocking attitude from him, not a trace in the wind.


    ¡°So, what is the meaning of this?!¡± he demanded, slamming his fist on the table, garnering the attention of the other tenants in the other room.


    They were secluded from the others to avoid suspicion, all thanks to Gino and his acquaintances, they were able to make the meeting discreet.


    He wore only his nobleman¡¯s clothes and a sword on his belt, using the alleyways to hide himself as best as he could from the eyes of others.


    ¡°I thought this would be a more heartfelt meeting, but I was mistaken. Meaning of what?¡± Gino asked in bewilderment.


    ¡°A child. I saw a child at the procession. She is your child, is she not?¡±


    ¡°R-Ridiculous!¡± blurted out Daphne instantly, though she wanted to keep her silence. ¡°Why would you assume that, Everett?¡±


    ¡°It is as she says,¡± Gino started, developing a grin on his face, where a simple ploy had just been developed for a small jab of amusement. ¡°Even if she is a rather splendid and an attractive individual, I would not dare make a move on a woman so boorish in her actions. It is not my child, but someone else¡¯s. That man has yet to take responsibility, and is roaming about freely. I¡¯m sure that you would like to meet this outstanding young man, wouldn¡¯t you?¡±


    ¡°Boorish?! Where is this all coming from, Gino?¡±


    ¡°Now, now, no need to get stirred up.¡±


    The cup the upstanding gentleman held in his one hand easily broke under the pressure of his anger. He managed a small, I would be delighted to meet this¡­ man, followed by a forced, wry smile.


    ¡°Please, Gino, stop this at once. I wouldn¡¯t want Zachary to be pulled into a mess that wasn¡¯t his in the first place. He will explain her when he gets here, but there is something much more important that I would like to ask you, Uncle.¡±


    ¡°Zachary? Who is this man?¡±


    He retained the firmness in his voice and composure, listening intently to her as he narrowed his attention.


    ¡°Let us talk about him later. But anyway, will you support me in retaking the throne from my Uncle?¡±


    He closed his eyes and took a deep breath.


    ¡°Where is this child anyway?¡±


    ¡°She is occupied. Sleeping. But I would like to talk about something.¡±


    With the tone in her voice, he knew what was to come next.


    ¡°sigh, I always knew that this day would come, but never at this inopportune time. But a tragedy can be made into a chance. I will support you, just like I had promised your father. This kingdom has lived long enough knowing pain and fear. You have a lot of your father¡¯s qualities in you. That¡¯s why I know that you can take over. But how will you do that?¡±


    ¡°Gino and I have already gone around the various towns and villages asking for support in secrecy. With your backing, we may have a chance at this. Other lords and nobles will follow.¡±


    ¡°Do you trust those people enough to reveal them your true identity?¡±


    ¡°I cannot blame them if they will betray me. But if they do trust, me then it would mean that they want a new beginning to this terrible present. Those who would not want it would be those who turn their backs on the kingdom. And I don¡¯t think there would be any in the towns and villages who would want that. The various governors have already grown tired of his rule, already pledging themselves to a cause that will overrule the current reign, but my words alone aren¡¯t enough to convince them. Here, I have a list of the villages and the towns that Gino and I have tried to call to our cause. You would be able to convince them best right now, not I, a stranger claiming to be King Halycn¡¯s lost daughter.¡±


    ¡°It is nice to see you so dedicated, but are you sure that you are ready for this? Once you take a single step in this path filled with blood, you must commit.¡±


    ¡°I am. I have thought it over so many times that it was all I could ever think about. But there is someone that made me realize that this is my path, and the only way to avenge my father.¡±


    ¡°Well, that matters little, I suppose.¡±


    ¡°Why is that?¡±


    ¡°I have sworn once long before to protect you no matter what. That promise still stands. Now that you are here, I am ready to face the world¡¯s divine retribution only to protect you, not because Halycn said so, but because I have chosen to. My allegiance is to you.¡±


    ¡°Well, that¡¯s one,¡± said Gino. ¡°Now that we have our foot in the door, holding it open, let us make haste with our chances and -¡±


    ¡°I only have one argument in this. What is your plan, Daphne?¡±


    ¡°It is to take the influence of the nobles and lords and turn them against my Uncle in force. Once he has no one to turn to, I will be there to take it. I know that battle and bloodshed are never spared from this, but I can think of no other way. As vexing as it may be to use the lives of others to succeed, their devotion will be my motivation, and through that I will ensure total victory.¡±


    ¡°... Too long,¡± he muttered with his arms crossed.


    ¡°What do you mean?¡±


    ¡°I have a better idea in mind. It will establish you as the one and only leader who can assume control, but we will be using the misfortune plaguing this land in order to obtain victory.¡±


    ¡°Oh? I plan from the brilliant general? I await in anxiousness,¡± Gino jested.


    ¡°Gino, make sure that there is no one listening. This is a rather ¡®sensitive¡¯ topic that I would not want anyone else to hear, lest we have riot on our hands. That would ensure that the people¡¯s firm beliefs in this war against Ylithia will be shaken, and so will this plan be voided. All the pieces are on the board; thus my plan is ready to be put in fruition. All we need to do is wait.¡±


    ¡°But I have already had him secure the area. There should be no one listening in on us.¡±


    ¡°You cannot be too sure, my dear.¡±


    Gino stood up and placed an old, worn square piece of paper on the table, and on it was a circle of various symbols, runes, and archaic letters inscribed on it.


    ¡°Silence the lambs, hush the shepherd with the horn and the commanding voice, grant the world a momentary peace, listen to the world where the trumpet of the creator sounds, show thy respite,¡± he chanted, tracing symbols in the air that would take form and slowly but silently fade into cinders.


    And with that, an invisible dome coated the room they resided in, preventing any form of sound from escaping and entering, forming two separate worlds, two separate edens using the arts of magic.¡±


    ¡°It will keep the common rabble out. But if there is someone interfering with the spell, then I will know right away, so go talk to your heart¡¯s content.¡±


    ¡°As if that needs to be said. Ahem, well then, where did I leave off? Yes, as many of you may have heard, the king has taken troops from the Luvic wall, most of them being elites and veterans, and had them join the invasion army. This leaves the wall at a complete disadvantage. You might even say that the king has given the demons an open door into the kingdom. I am still not sure of his intentions, but he is not thinking clearly. No matter what the people say and praise him for, that is something that they all fear deep inside. During his speech, he lied. There are nearly not enough troops to mount a defense, and surveying the outskirts of the wall, I have come to the conclusion that the demons are starting to form their armies outside.¡±


    ¡°What led you to that conclusion?¡± asked Gino.


    ¡°When we arrived there, no demons were present for miles away. Not one in sight. The silence was deafening, as if they had all vanished from thin air. Never had anticipated this in my years of service.¡±


    The two of them went silent as they knew the gravity of the situation when it came to the Luvic wall and its history with demons.


    ¡°That truly is a conundrum,¡± said Gino as he fixed his composure. ¡°This is the first I¡¯ve heard of the demons giving up chase. But if the constant attack at Luvic wall had stopped, then something truly is amiss. It makes me tremble not knowing what will come. But, what does this have to do with your plan?¡±


    ¡°There is no use in overturning the king¡¯s decision, so I propose using that as a means for your success.¡±


    ¡°Well this is rather unexpected, even from someone like you. Why would an upstanding gentleman like yourself allow the people to be put in harm¡¯s way just for the sake of an ascension?¡±


    ¡°You expected me to take a stance where the people are safe while invading another kingdom during a demon attack? You can only ask for so much of a king who thinks narrowly. But I am by no means agreeing to letting them suffer. I want you, Daphne, to take a stand once they do attack. I will convince the other lords and nobles for support as fast as I can, and when I do, a supply of arms will be needed to be sent to them. Some trusted towns and villages will be needed as a staging ground for training soldiers. We cannot expect most of the soldiers under the eye of the king to help us, so we will use garrisons and newly trained men, militia. Once you rise up during this great crisis, the people will see the error in the current king¡¯s reign, and there they will see you as the rightful leader who will protect them from this threat, just as king Halycn had done in the past.¡±


    ¡°A good plan, no, brilliant, but reckless, don¡¯t you think?¡±


    ¡°It is your plan or mine. I cannot think of any alternatives that would otherwise succeed.¡±


    ¡°We will follow your lead, Uncle. I believe in you, just as I have come to know you in the past. It is a shame that we had to meet under these circumstances.¡±


    ¡°Oh, Daphne. There wasn¡¯t a single day that I did not wish for your safety. It devastated me when you left, but seeing you here makes my heart and soul a bit lighter.¡±


    They shared an embrace of two long lost family members brought together by conviction.


    ¡°Sorry to interrupt the reunion, but what do you think of Old Albert Foster? Do you think that the mage will join us? Even if he is only one and commands a small unit, magic is still a terrifying adversary. In addition, he is also a part of the four grand mages of the continent.¡±


    ¡°I assure you that Albert will be joining us. He might be adamant, but once he vents his stress on wine and drink, he starts to spill every detail, including his grievances. However, there are still some influential lords supporting the king, a vast majority who still believe in his vision. Taking them on will be challenging, but seeing how level headed you are, I can see no problem. I will be there to guide you anyway, so you need not fear anything.¡±


    ¡°I can agree with every sentiment. Thank you for your time, Uncle. Now that everything here is finished, why don¡¯t you join us for a meal, Uncle?¡±


    ¡°Absolutely. There so much that we need to catch up on. I cannot neglect my duties as an Uncle, after all.¡±


    There wasn¡¯t much of a banquet, but more of a hearty meal made to fill the bellies of the hardworking and the tenacious. To them this was more than enough for anyone living outside the realm of the royalty.


    ¡°Tell me, what have you been doing since you left? It has been a long while since that time. It has been tumultuous on our side what with all the recent developments. I¡¯m just glad you¡¯re back here where it¡¯s safe.¡±


    ¡°Thank you, Uncle. It has been eventful on our side as well. Roaming the kingdom of Ylithia has been quite the adventure, and a rather difficult ordeal. Gino and I have encountered a demon commander with the rank of Quas and defeated it somehow. But that alone was difficult enough.¡±


    It was noticeable how he flinched from her story. He was surprised to hear it himself, though he knows that she would never lie about something like that.


    ¡°You have? Well I can only be proud of you for having made it past that. Even a demon with the rank of Quas can be challenging, and is by no means the weakest of all demons. A demon of rank is considered a terrifying foe that even I would find difficult to defeat. But how? I understand that you have a mage with ¡®adequate¡¯ abilities on your side, but it doesn¡¯t seem easy the way it all happened. Not unless you possess any of the artifacts.¡±


    ¡°Unfortunately, we have not the luck of possessing such a valuable object. But let us say that we were aided by someone.¡±


    ¡°Aided? If that¡¯s the case, then that is an excellent aid you had. There are only so much in this world with the bravery to challenge a demon and not incur their wrath. But let me ask, about that letter you left me before disappearing. What has become of it?¡±


    She avoided her eyes and looked down, pondering for a while before meeting his gaze again.


    ¡°I¡­ I had not been successful. It is not possible that I can find such an important person, don¡¯t you think?¡±


    I have to protect his identity no matter what anyone says. This is my own battle to fight now. I can¡¯t depend on Zachary every chance I get.


    ¡°I suppose that alone would be your crowning achievement. But I agree. Such an important person would not be roaming the kingdom after all. They would be busy dealing with the demons. Almost everyone believes of its existence now. Those who¡¯ve been graced with seeing the light have fervently believed that they exist. I¡¯m sure Albert would have tagged along if he had read your letter. That man is fixated on trying to find and research a Thalisean that he¡¯s nearly obsessed over it, but on a normal ground. I¡¯m just glad that he is still grounded and not like those fanatics at the academy.¡±


    ¡°I have a question, Uncle, just to get my mind clear.¡±


    ¡°Go ahead.¡±


    ¡°Do you think that Ylithia is really our enemy? You oppose to shifting armies from the Luvic wall to the Ylithian border, but you¡¯ve never made it known if you actually see them as foes or not.¡±


    ¡°I don¡¯t. Facing old grudges isn¡¯t enough of a reason to rekindle a doused candle¡¯s fire. I¡¯ve learned to move on after the peace treaty. Besides, I¡¯ve been thoroughly convinced by someone that Ylithia is not the kingdom to face as long as he lives there. Besides him, I think we have a chance of taking them. But because of that promise, I swore to not fight a war against them.¡±


    ¡°May I ask who you made that promise with?¡±


    ¡°Yes. I don¡¯t think I can forget that man¡¯s name even if I try. His name is Frederick Erinn. The man who I look up to and strive to be. But that has been in vain until now. I wish it were that easy.¡±


    ¡°Frederick¡­ Erinn,¡± Daphne murmured.


    She thought to herself, there can¡¯t be anyone else named Frederick Erinn, is there? There should only be one man whom a person such as Everett Luxe sees as a worthy person to look up to. If there were someone named that, it could only be him.


    ¡°Is something wrong? You look distraught. Care to talk about it?¡±


    She glanced at Gino and saw his head shake sideways in disapproval, as If he had read her mind.


    ¡°No, uncle. It is nothing. Come, let us enjoy this meal while we can. I¡¯m sure there is still a lot that you hve to do.¡±


    ¡°Ahh, yes, you are right. But it¡¯s not about the kingdom right now, it¡¯s for the kingdom that¡¯s about to be reborn soon. I will act as early as possible, so expect news in the coming days. I will find you here, right?¡±


    ¡°Yes. And we will be ready by then.¡±

 Chapter 26: The Throes of Passion

    Many days have already passed since we arrived here, and I swear this is the longest I''ve stayed in one place other than home. It was a strange feeling that came back to me, though it didn''t feel as fuzzy and comfortable as one would think, in fact, it''s the opposite.


    I had explained everything to Gino and Daphne beforehand, everything about my time with Dante and Caden, and the time I''ve spent searching with Aster to find his sister.


    This time they had something for me, something that they wanted to keep to the back of my mind as if they had never said it.


    There was a change in her, as if she was a different person already. What it took to change her I can''t be too sure about, but what I do know is that with the way I see her, she''s moving in the right direction.


    "Gino and I will be moving to Mesolvia, a town to the west from here. We have decided on how things will go, but I wanted to let you know before we leave."


    She explained her plans and her means to achieve it, baffling me with how her words reverberated and enlightened me. Her influence was stronger than I thought, but her character as an heir to the throne is something to behold. She already has so many people supporting her, and with her abilities alone she has achieved this much in such a short span of time.


    "This is something else. I can''t quite believe I''m witnessing the start of a war," Aster exclaimed, looking a slightly terrified, but speaking only to lighten up the atmosphere. I wish I could support you right now, but I still have yet to find my sister. She''s the first one on my list. I can''t put anyone''s safety before her, I''m sorry."


    "I understand that. It''s the natural thing to say, Aster. I should be the one apologizing for not committing to finding your sister. However, I think I will do a better job once I reclaim the throne. There should be nothing oppressing my decisions."


    "You are taking Erica with you, right? The most dangerous place she could be at is here if you''re planning just that. For me, I will still help Aster find his sister. That''s one of the things I came here for. But I''ve also promised to protect you however I can, so I will."


    "Yes, I will be taking care of her," replied Daphne firmly. "No harm will come to her, rest assured."


    "Thank you. I don''t know for how long we will still be here, but I just don''t have any leads pointing towards her whereabouts. You''d think that their presence would be known to the public, but not a trace. It''s strange."


    "About that," interrupted Aster. "I think I have a lead on where to find her. It''s still weak, the connection that I''m getting, but it''s clearly her, no mistake about it. I''ve tried going in, but the security is just too difficult to get through. I think she''s being held inside the castle."


    "I''ll be going there today. There''s someone that wanted to meet me, so I have no other choice but to comply. But if what you''re saying is true, then this is our only chance to try and find out. At this point, arguing whether she''s there or not will only delay us further."


    "Who would that person be?" asked Aster.


    "She said that the princess would be there along with the king, Daphne''s uncle. I don''t exactly know why they want to see me."


    "Be careful with her, Zach. She is a dangerous person, and so is my uncle. Thatis all that I needed to saybefore we departed."


    She took an exhasperated sigh and continued.


    "Then we should move out as early as possible. Gino, could you carry my belongings and put them on the carriage? Wait there as well. I will be out shortly. I''d like to talk with Zachary for a while, if you don''t mind, as well, Aster."


    With Erica holding Gino''s hand, they left the room, but before that, I caught a glimpse of Erica looking at me with a concerned face. She whispered my name, but I struggled to think about what I should tell her. Then I just realized that she had already left the room.


    "Got it. I''ll give you two some space. But don''t make too much noise, alright? Too many tenants around. They will think it''s strange to be going at it hard in the morning," he laughed, smiling as he left the room waving.


    "Aster! It''s nothing like that!" Daphne remarked loudly, her cheeks flushed red, and her actions erratic. "Goodness, even when it''s time to part ways his provocation knows no bounds."


    I found it amusing the way she was worked up that I couldn''t help but smile at her. That drew her attention, although.


    "What''s so funny?"


    "Oh, it''s nothing much. It''s just that, I was glad to see that there''s still a part of you that I know inside. I thought you''d become a completely changed person since you seemed so different, but you''re still there, that charming part of you that I know about."


    "C-Charming?! What are you saying now of all things? This isn''t where we part ways yet, alright? So don''t go disappearing, otherwise I''ll be really angry and disappointed at you. After all, you made a promise that you won''t do that anymore."


    She looked up at me with a serious concern in her eyes, one that forced a promise to be followed. But that was a natural response, and naturally, I would have kept it anyway. The more I break, the heavier my conscience gets. But it''s not just because of that. I don''t want to make her sad anymore. She''s grown past it, so there''s little sense in making her anxious once more. She will lose her resolve if that happens.


    "Of course, I''ll be by your side before we truly separate our paths. I still have to fulfill my promise to you. But I just want to thank you for believing in me up until this point. You''ve truly grown spectacularly, Daphne."


    "Well... It''s all because of you mostly," she said shyly, looking at her feet, glancing at me periodically until our gazes met and locked. "I would say that ever since I left this kingdom in search of you, it seems that it was not the easy path of a fake marriage that would help me build my resolve, but meeting you. And because of that, I have taken my first steps. I can say clearly that I have changed, but for the better."


    "No. In the end, it''s whether you choose to act or not that makes the most difference. But thank you for letting me help you. I''m confident that you can accomplish this even without me."


    "That''s not true! But I think explaining things here would take a long time to do. So, for now, I must cut this short. Let us have a long talk after this, Zach. I will be waiting for you."


    With a gentle smile directed at me, she opened the door.


    "Come. You have not said your goodbye to Erica yet. I''m sure that she would be sad to know that you suddenly had to part leave without saying anything to her. I haven''t explained everything to her yet, but I''m sure she will understand."


    So, we met the carriage that Daphne and Gino were taking. Their baggage¡¯s were loaded, and so were they.


    Erica looked at me from the carriage sadly, and waited for something from my mouth.


    I approached her and gave my best smile as to lift her spirits as best as I could.


    "Hey, Erica. You doing alright so far?"


    She shook her head and extended her arms towards me.


    I carried her off the carriage and placed her on the ground where she started tearing up slowly, holding back her tears barely.


    "Don''t worry too much about me, Erica. You''re strong, I can see that much in you. We''re just going to be apart for a while, but it won''t be long until we see each other again. But until then, you''ll have to remain strong. You''re safer with Daphne and Gino, but we''re all like family, so there''s no need to feel so alone with any of them around, right?"


    She nodded, suddenly embracing me and sobbing quietly. I returned the gesture, taking her small frame in my arms, almost like she were my child already.


    I could understand where she was coming from.


    She lost her parent to a demon attack, but this time, the one who took her in was going to be leaving without any reason being told to her. If that were me, then I''d be worried to no end. To add to it, I haven''t even been a good parent to her. I''ve told Daphne this, but I''m the one who hasn''t spent as much time with her as she needed. I was the last person she was safe to be with, and that was clear to see.


    The only thing I could do for her was reassure her and pat her head. There was no explaining this without making it sound difficult for her to accept, so this was fine for now. The worst hasn''t even come, so this is nothing.


    But it sent a flutter to my heart the way she still feels attached to me despite not having spent enough time with her. It''s making me not want to leave her, but it pains me to do so.


    What did I do to accept such a gift?


    "You''re strong, remember that. Before you know it, we''ll be back together like nothing happened. So for now, please bear with it."


    And with the tearful farewell, she had calmed down enough to let go of me.


    "Sorry that I don''t have anything to say to you, Zach. Unlike these girls that have fallen for your charms, I can only bid you a grace of luck. There is still something that you must do, and I know that you realize the gravity of that. If you are a sensible person, then you will do well to stay alive and fulfill the mission you have been given. It''s not simply our lives on the line, but many others'' as well."


    "Couldn''t have worded it any other way, Gino?" I smiled wryly at it, seeing Daphne worked up and flustered once more.


    "Forgive me, but I must save my eloquent words for the weeping maidens once the carnage begins. We of close bonds know how to reassure ourselves with simple words that others can see no meaning in. I''m sure that my brief farewell has made itself clear."


    And with that, they were on their way, disappearing in the distance, leaving Aster and I to ourselves.


    "So, it''s still the morning, so why don''t we get started as early as possible? I''d like to still help them with what they plan to do."


    "You and me both."


    "But still, this is surprising how things are developing. I wonder what''s waiting for us after this. I feel like something big is about to happen, something other than this one. Maybe it''s going to be you who starts it, right? After all, you''re a real important person, kind of like a hero waiting for his chance to face evil and save everyone. Kind of dramatic, but that''s just how the books go."


    "I''m nothing of the sort. I''m just like you and everyone else. A normal human being walking, breathing, and growing up."


    "Still comparing me to a normal human being, huh? I don''t think it''s necessary, but thanks."


    "That tells me, Aster. After you find your sister, what do you plan to do?"


    "I don''t know, maybe continue what we''ve been doing? As far as I see, nothing has changed, though change isn''t that quick anyway. But there''s a part of me that wants to help you. After all, at the end of the day, you have the hardest job of all. You''re the one who''s in charge of taking down the demon king, something that''s impossible to do even foe our kind."


    "I''m not even sure I''m ready yet. I don''t even know the full extent of my power. The only way I know how to use it is to strengthen my body and blind demons with light. There was one time in Caspia where I used its power to blast a giant demon, but I don''t know how to recreate that. It''ll really help if there was someone who can tell me how this works."


    "Doesn''t it have to be you who learns from that? I''m not quite sure, but you''ll find out on your own if you keep trying to see what extent your power has. Haven''t you been training or tinkering with it?"


    "No, I''ve never really thought about that. I''ve kept it in mind that this would be enough to at least help me beat a few demons, and seeing how well that''s going, I think it''ll be enough to get even with the demon king, don''t you think?"


    "As if that''s possible!" said Aster loudly, attracting a few stares, but not minding them at all. There was a slight anger in his voice, but he calmed down and spoke.


    "Listen, the demon king is like a divine being, but I''m already exaggerating that part because I can''t find a word that would be able to describe him other than that. But saying that he''s something close to the creator''s power is pure crap. No way anyone would even begin to know how strong the creator is. After all, no one''s even seen him. They have statues of him at various places of worship, but all he''s depicted as is a man with white eyes hidden behind a white cloak. What I''m saying is, don''t underestimate the strongest being in the continent. You''re not even close to his strength since you know little to nothing about being what you are, but you have the potential to match that, like every Thalisean has in the past, or so I''ve heard."


    "You''re right. I''m sorry. I need to think about this more seriously. I''ve never faced a clear danger yet, so I haven''t begun to even know how it feels like. I guess experience breeds knowledge, and I have none of that."


    "It''s alright. I''m sorry that I nearly got caught up in that conversation. If my sister were here, then she could explain things better than I would, but it''s terrifying to see that she''s starting to pay off on me. I don''t want to be quiet and mysterious like her. It seems like a chore."


    Quickly enough we came face to face with the entrance of the palace where stoic looking guards stood around the perimeter, closely keeping an eye out for anything that might pose a threat to the kingdom.


    It was massive as I marveled at it. From the outside, I could already tell that there were many rooms that needed to be searched, and secret entrances that needed to be discovered. I''m simply basing this off Ylithia''s capital castle. That was even more massive than compared to this, so I think it''s less of a challenge, but not one we should be complacent about.


    "I can sense her. It''s weak. I can''t believe that the only thing stopping me are a bunch of soldiers that I can power through," he clenched his fists and ground his teeth, looking intensely at the castle. "But I have this ominous feeling of something inside that''s making me not want to do that. It''s just a hunch, so I''m not really sure what''s in there."


    "Don''t worry, Aster. Forcing our way through should be a last resort if it ever comes to that. I just hope that it doesn''t."


    "Yeah, there''s a lot of them. I don''t even want to think of what we should do if we are to force our way through. My strength might not be enough to overpower the elites. What''s the plan anyway?"


    "Let me think for a while. I need to get my thoughts together."


    I closed my eyes and sunk myself in my thoughts.


    In truth, this was a dangerous thing to do, trying to sneak inside a well-guarded castle to try and find someone, but the worst part is that we don''t even know where to start.


    For me, it''s easy to do since I am expected, but for Aster, who will do the actual searching, he''ll need some way to get in undetected.


    I can ask Maris to allow Aster in, but that would keep him under constant guard, that possibility can''t be counted out. But if that were to happen due to immense luck, then getting out is another problem.


    This needed to be planned well, but we don''t have the luxury of time anymore. If I''m going to think of one, it should be something both of us are fine with, and that''s that. Hesitation is the last thing I''d want to feel, but it''s slowly creeping up from the back of my mind.


    Breathe, breathe. Focus and think. There''s no use panicking.


    There were men on the ramparts making their patrols in small groups. From what I can see, most of the ones making their rounds were wielding spears while the stationary ones have crossbows, those we the ones looking at every person passing by the castle walls as if they are suspicious of their innocence.


    The walls are tall and thick, spanning maybe forty to forty-four feet tall. If it comes to that, an escape from there would be


    Sigh, I''m just not good at this. No matter how hard I look at things, there''s no easy way through. Maybe we''ll just have to improvise somehow.


    "I''m fine with improvising. I''m fairly good at it."


    He waved his hands in front of my face.


    "You''re talking out loud."


    "Oh, my bad. I was getting too lost."


    While we were busy discussing what we should do, Maris arrived by the gates, smiling neatly. With that smile, no one would expect her to be a demon, but it''s a shame that it''s how people perceive and act around her that destroys that image.


    "Forgive me for arriving late, I had just untangled myself from some work that the Princess needed help with. Come, come, there''s no need to wait outside. You must have been waiting long."


    "Would it be alright if my companion here we to come with me?"


    "If he keeps close to you, then I do not see why not."


    The guards made way and opened the gates, keeping a sharp eye on us even until when we were inside the castle''s boundaries. The intensity of the stares was stronger from here, enough to feel that their glares might burrow a hole through me.


    "Damn, this is terrifying. I don''t feel comfortable here. You''re pretty lucky, Zach. Her eyes were completely focused on you while the guard''s eyes are focused on me. Talk about a rough introduction."


    Aster stared at the guards whom looked different from the ones outside. Some wore a dark colored armor, wielding sharper and intimidating looking weapons.


    There was an aura about them that made them rather frightening to look at, but looking at Maris'' back took my attention away from them. Her small dome of glee encompassing us calmed me down from this oppressive pressure, I thought that my exaggerations were simply getting to me.


    "Bear with it for a little while longer. I''m as overwhelmed as you are. I thought I''d be fine after being through a castle before, but I''m wrong."


    "Not nervous about meeting the princess?"


    "I am. It''s hard enough to try and hide, but I can''t afford to make any mistakes now."


    "Right. Time to start getting level-headed. We might not get a second chance."


    Once inside, we were met with a magnificent sight of white, red, and gold.


    Bright glowing chandeliers radiating from the sun''s reflection, red carpets and curtains, and the bright light of the morning pouring in from the outside through a transparent, tall glass pane.


    Small tabletops where beautiful vased flowers decorated the hall we walked on. Their presence refreshed our drained minds and somehow kept us on track.


    "Here we are. Behind these doors are the Princess who is reluctantly awaiting your arrival."


    Maris guided us with her hands, gesturing at a tall, double door guarded by two spear-wielding soldiers looking forward, not at all disturbed by anything.


    "Ah, could you point me towards the nearest latrine? I think I might need to handle this before it gets out of hand," said Aster with a straight face as if it were the most natural thing he had asked for.


    "Oh, that won''t be a problem."


    Maris faced one of the guards and nodded her head to him, speaking in a soft voice that I couldn''t make out.


    He then came forward and started walking back to the hall where we came from.


    "Please follow him. He will direct you to and back from your destination."


    "Many thanks. You two can go ahead of me. I think this will take a while. Plus, it''s you who the princess wants to meet, not me."


    "Very well. Then please wait for us outside when you are finished. I know not how long it would take."


    Before leaving, Aster glanced and left me a wink of his eye signifying something. Whatever it was, I won''t be able to help him as I am now. Even with my sword, overpowering tens of thousands of the soldiers in this kingdom would be a high ordeal.


    "Let us enter now, Zachary," she smiled, leading the way to an adequately shaded room where the curtains blocked out just enough of the light to both allow me to see the grandeur of the main throne hall, while not being overwhelmed by it.


    "Welcome! It is grand to finally be able to meet you in personal," said a voice from far off, sitting on a throne.


    There was an odd feeling of purity in her. She graced the very floor by walking on it, taking slow and steady steps towards us, meeting in the middle where our gaze met even stronger. Her influence was strong, something I did not expect from her at first glance.


    She wore a beautiful light-purple gown with a few accessories to go with her long, glistening golden hair. Her delicate, pale hands held the hem of her skirt, and she bowed elegantly, smiling slightly. "My name is Arielle Luvierre. I am the princess of this fair kingdom, and the daughter of King Georgios Luvierre."


    Maris bowed, and I did the same, not familiar with the manners needed to address royalty. I assumed that this simple gesture was common in every kingdom.


    Her voice was careful, refined, gentle to the ear. A soothing tone was directed at me, and I could not help but become enamored by it.


    "My princess, this is Zachary, the man whom I have spoken of."


    "Ah, yes. Splendid. Maris has told me much about you, very much. It seems that you, in her eyes, her savior. But looking at you, I can feel a glint of heroism that she had seen. I have a very discerning sight, you know?"


    She held her arm out towards me, her eyes closed.


    Glancing at Maris, she gave a nod, and I knew what I had to do.


    I locked my arms with her, catching a sweet, fragrant flowery scent waft towards my nose. Her skin was soft and warm, and I found my heart beating faster than ever.


    "Firstly, let us head towards the dining hall. I am famished after all the day''s work. I hope that you have room for a small banquet to welcome you?"


    "Thank you, but was it all necessary to go through such lengths?"


    "Why of course. Seeing as you have been such a great aide to my Maris, it is only fitting that I give the brave man a small feast for his efforts. To brave through the eyes of those who see your views as different, is difficult, no?"


    I couldn''t help but agree, so I nodded and followed Maris, leading the way.


    "Are you uneasy because of my presence?" she asked, noticing the stiffness in the way I walk and in my arms.


    "I can''t say that I''m not. Sorry, but I can''t calm down for some reason."


    "Worry not. It happens most of the time. We shall try our best to give you some serenity to feel calm in this castle. But I assume that you are not a man of formalities?"Unauthorized duplication: this tale has been taken without consent. Report sightings.


    "Ah, have I been too familiar?"


    "No, at all. I find it quite amusing, those who fuss over formalities. It is best to forget those and learn how to speak to each other as equals. But in the realm of royalty, one must know when and when not to have it."


    With the idle conversations we had, we arrived at another wide room where a long dining table sat in the middle, and on it were countless of dishes and appetizing looking food that worked up my appetite simply by the smell they emitted. The scent of cooked meat and aromatic spices and herbs mixing in, it truly was a banquet.


    "Now, please, enjoy yourself to your heart''s content. Do forgive my father''s absence. He is cooped up with his work."


    "You are excused for now, Maris. Give us some peace."


    "As you wish, princess," said she, bowing obediently and leaving the room after bowing her head kindly to me, a smile was hidden there as well.


    "Why don''t you tell me of your exploits over this meal? I would like to hear more about you. I can''t quite quench this thirst for knowledge about you seeing as you are someone quite special, or that''s how I see it."


    "Well I don''t exactly know what I should say or start talking about."


    "How about starting with who you are? Come to think of it, I have not heard your full name. They say that some tales can be better told through someone''s name. You see, I am quite knowledgeable about the outside world and some of the people there."


    "Is that so? Then, my family name is Erinn. What do you know about that?"


    Her eyes were wide open as she stared at me blankly, in a slight daze.


    "This might be a speculation of mine, but are you related or know someone named Frederick Erinn?" she asked, narrowing her sight at me.


    "Yes, he is my father."


    "My, this is truly an amazing turn of events! Imagine this, the one whom inherited the great infamous name of Erinn, a legendary man spoken and not spoken through the lips of the beloved people he has saved!"


    "Is he truly that amazing of a man as you say he is?"


    "Why not? Have you not heard of the exploits of your own father? He is revered by many, so there is no possibility that you have not heard of his many accomplishments."


    "I haven''t really asked around that much."


    "Have you inherited his strength as well? I''m sure that he has taught his own son how to fight."


    By the tone of her voice, her intrigue grew, and her attention was focused on me.


    "Well, that matters little seeing as you are his son. It is natural that you would know. To know that the legendary Frederick Erinn has had a son, I cannot let this opportunity pass me by. Become my servant, son of Erinn. Devote yourself to me."


    She stood up abruptly with glory and triumph in her eyes, her hand extended out towards me.


    "It would be a great honor for you to be offered such a position, and if you were to accept it, you are to be by my side as a servant would. A man such as yourself would be a fitting centerpiece for what may come in the future. Many would look up to me as someone who has the son of the great Frederick Erinn by her side through loyalty and faith, and of course, you will fight for my honor in many ways that please me. Don''t you think that this is a very pleasing offer to you? Many have already come to know my benevolence and affection, so it is only natural that all will become mine soon enough."


    I set down the utensils I held in my hands and abruptly stopped eating. It took me a while to take her words in since I couldn''t believe right away what I was hearing.


    My image of her benevolence we crushed into pieces at that very instant.


    But it was not it that disturbed me.


    "For what reason do you have to make me into a servant? Is it to merely have me as an icon for others to revere you for?"


    "For others, that is the case. But for you, I have many other things in store for you."


    "Tell me, what is Maris to you? She''s a demon, and the rest of the people in this kingdom shun her, yet you have the said heart of gold to take her in despite people discriminating her. There''s no denying what she is, but with how I see people treating her, I can''t quite calm down about all this. Is she merely another part of this set you''re collecting?"


    "I would not call her part of a set. She is a servant of mine that serves my every interest. She would not care what I call her since I saved her. That alone entitled me to the sole title of master. She willingly gave up her independence and gave it to me when she took my hand."


    "It''s sounds as if though she had no other choice. Maybe you have chanced upon her and simply found it as the perfect opportunity to have her for yourself with little effort."


    "I do not want to say that it is not the truth, but in its entirety, yes. She is my servant, the liberty of being the master entitles me to many things."


    "Then are you going to discard her when you''re done?"


    "Discard? How vulgar of a word, yet painfully blunt. No, I have a purpose for every single one that becomes my servant. They do lose their purpose in life, but to give it to me is the best type of honor that they could ever have!"


    "You''re treating people like objects!"


    "Yes, oh yes. That is how things should be, of course. Everyone is an object meant to be owned by someone. I simply assimilated the role of the master while everyone else stayed the course of being a mere object. That''s how we are born, and the ones that stay the same are those that are lost and need guidance. That is where I pluck them from the dead garden they rot upon and plant them in a magnificent bed where they can flourish."


    "Then they mean nothing to you other than your play things! It''s not worth that you see in them, but the satisfaction of having people following your every order. It''s despicable, you who plays with people like they''re nothing!


    "I do not like these accusations, Zachary Erinn. You are testing my patience. You cannot see it without knowing it first-hand. What do you mean to tell me?"


    "... I refuse."


    "Excuse me? I don''t think I heard that right."


    "No, I think that you heard me right. I have no reason to serve someone like you. Even if I had thought about it, I will serve no one as unfit to be called a master, and an equal, like you. You deserve no one!"


    I stormed out the door with my head thumping constantly like a drum. It started becoming a headache because of what I had said.


    My feelings overwhelmed me, so the latter part of what I had said was at the spur of the moment. Though I think, no, I know that it was right to refuse. Someone who treats people as her servants and nothing else are no good. I don''t know what I can do for Maris, but I have no right. If what she had said was true, then she is bound to her... but by words. That can be changed.


    Upon arriving to the hall near the exit of the castle, Aster''s figure reappeared beside me on time, blending in inconspicuously. There was not a radical change in his expression, but there was a certain eagerness to him that made his steps upbeat.


    "So, how did it go with the princess? Capture another maiden''s heart?"


    "Sadly, she''s not the real princess we made her out to be. All I can say is that she is not worthy of the people she reigns over."


    "Well you certainly look angry at something. I''m guessing it''s about her."


    I replied with a mere nod, changing our focus on Aster''s findings.


    "I can''t settle down. I''ve skulked around as best as I could, and I found where they might be keeping her. There''s a stairway leading further down underground. It''s not as well guarded as the floor here, but down there where it''s dark, there''s about five men standing by the entrance. I couldn''t go further since they were blocking it."


    "Why didn''t you try and push through? I think that you would have a chance to beat them before it even occurred to them. I don''t think anyone would have heard you if it''s underground."


    "That''s the thing. One of them''s giving me the creeps. There was nothing special about them, but for some reason, I kept hesitating at every chance I got to try. I know she''s behind that door, I can feel her presence strongly... But here I am, weak as ever, not even prepared to risk my life for my own sister."


    He clenched his fists and looked intensely at the direction he faced.


    "But why is she being kept here? I don''t like this, but I think that these royals have something to do with her."


    "Don''t worry. I''ll think of something. If she is here, then I''m going to get her out any way I can. Now is just a dangerous time."


    "It does feel that way. But where do we go now?"


    "To the slums. I need to talk to Caden and his mother, and Dante if possible. I want to have them leave the city and go to Mesolvia. That''s the safest place if Daphne and Gino are there."


    As we were let out by the guards of the main gate, Maris came up from behind, running frantically.


    "Sir Zachary, why have you left so early?" she said while catching her breath. It was clear on her face that she didn''t know a lot of what happened.


    "Sorry, but there were some disagreements on both of our parts. Besides, I think I was not quite welcome there."


    "But I wanted to talk to you as well," she said faintly.


    "I''ll go ahead. Just meet me there. I''ll keep them entertained," said Aster, placing his hand on my shoulder. He left quickly without any problems, leaving the two of us by ourselves.


    "I guess now would be the best time for that. I have something that I need to talk to you about as well."


    The two of us walked aimlessly in silence until we reached the very same park where I had met my pupils. This time, there were people, but not a lot to form a crowd. And as I expected, their eyes and sneers were pointed towards Maris. I noticed that she knew as well, but feigned ignorance.


    "Maris, is it true that you''ve sworn your loyalty to her, the princess?"


    "Yes, I have. Why the sudden question, Zachary?"


    "I know I don''t have any right to say this, but she''s treating people like objects. They have no meaning to her. She doesn''t even care what happens to you as long as you keep doing what she says. And if you keep doing things for her, you''ll never realize that she''s controlling you by a string!"


    "She is a good person. Though her words carry much weight, it is and has been to my benefit. I believe that everyone has their flaws, but what you say about her, I can''t quite see it."


    "But you don''t understand. Haven''t you seen it? She carries no love for those she takes under her crooked wings. It''s nothing but false motives and a fake smile. Surely you must know of this?"


    "No, and I don''t need to. Zachary, I thought that you would understand me and my intentions best, but it seems that I was mistaken. She was the one who took me in when I needed someone the most. To me, she is a divine grace sent by the creator, but you scorn her here right before me. Why is that?"


    "Because I''ve seen the truth with my own eyes. Please, for your own sake, realize it. Your sake is not to be scorned by these people. You look for love in her, yet youcan''t see it, nothing was waiting with her but an empty bond. I don''t want you to keep living under false hope, so why don''t you leave and come with me. I know a place where you can be sheltered, people that can care for you. Though it''ll be a rough start, it''s better than what you have now."


    She stood up and shook her head.


    "I don''t think you''ve tried to understand the princess. I do not see what kinds of mistakes you see in her. Excuse me, I shall be leaving to attend to her. I don''t think you see the merits in her, Sir Zachary. You have been mistaken, and so have I about you."


    As night came, darkness descended on the great dining hall lined with unfinished food. There was a single maiden still sitting in a daze, looking into the distance where someone sat just moments before.


    She had not said anything, becoming delusional, slowly losing herself to his words and the realization of her true self being revealed.


    "Ha... hahaha, this is unexpected," she said, ecstatically.


    Her motions were fluid as her delicate fingers traced the outlines of her own shoulders. She could not hold on to her sanity much less be able to keep up the facade. To her, this was all too overwhelming to digest. It was the first time anyone had been this way to her, but yet, there was no clear trace of anger from the outside, merely ecstasy in her eyes.


    "Ahh, it''s been too long since I''ve felt my senses tingle like this. Oh, how... amazing. How spectacular indeed. The hunt is making my body anxious to receive him, I can''t control myself, oh how the hunt pushes a lady to such extents that she must embarrass herself," she obscenely said, licking her lips in anticipation.


    "I must have him... The more something is kept away from me, the more I long for the time that I have it. But this time, I will not wait, I will grasp you with my own two hands, and then I shall give you a great amount of pleasure for making me this way. Oh, how I can''t wait for you to me in my embrace. I shall never let you go, and you will know to cherish every moment with me as if it were your last. You will not be able to live without me for long. Your warmth, your love, your everything! The wait is nearly suffocating me!"


    Just as she spoke to herself, full of longing and lust in every aspect of her being, the door opened, revealing Maris, her head low, being discreet as to not disturb her master.


    It was clear in her actions and eyes that what Zachary had said to her indeed bothered her mind, but she tried to combat his words with her memories, those fond memories which she had kept happily close to her. Those were the very memories that kept her hanging by a mere thread.


    Right away she noticed the presence of her servant, but this time she could not control herself, her shameful self that she wanted to keep locked away by any means. This time, she allowed it for her feelings were immense and overwhelming.


    "Princess, are you alright? You do not seem well. Should I prepare your bed?" she asked, slowly walking towards her, failing to notice the clear change in her through the darkness pouring in from the window and the absence of light. The dining hall looked all too eerie as if it suited the atmosphere enveloping the room.


    "Oh, dear me, if it isn''t Maris. Fear not, I have never been better in my entire life! In fact, I have to thank you for making me feel this way. If it weren''t for you, I would have never gotten the chance of meeting the son of Erinn! But I cannot yet tell if he is the one who can make my heart flutter. How I anticipate the moment we are together. He shall be no one else''s but mine. If I cannot have him, then no one will," she said as a terrifying aura surrounded her.


    "What do you mean, princess? I do not understand what you are saying."


    "The son of Erinn is a valuable part of my collection. He is the first in a very long time to have resisted my charms and has made my heart beat like so! I long for him, oh how I do. But for now, I must act before he is free. I must have him at all cost, even at his own life."


    The words coming out from her master''s mouth left her petrified. The one she praised and placed her pride upon was nowhere to be seen. Though they share the same face, the same visage, the same voice, there was not a trace of the person she believed to be just from this one standing before her.


    Even her intentions, they seemed deluded, dangerously passionate. The sense of euphoria in her seductive actions was unreal, slowly shattering the pure, untainted image in her mind. She had half a mind to leave and reconsider her thoughts, to think about all of this clearly, but she could not move a muscle.


    She stared as her master felt herself up and traced every part of her body, resisting the temptation of being even more shameless. Her breath was a thin mist she exhaled as if she were out of breath, her mouth softly exclaimed his name over and over. She was lost in her own thought, but eventually returned to reality once she had calmed down to a certain degree.


    She looked at Maris as best as she could and spoke softly.


    "Maris, my dear, would you do me a favor?"


    "Y-Yes, my princess! What would you want me to do for you?" she came close as Arielle gestured for her.


    "Please use your charms as a succubus and beguile Zachary Erinn for me, I desire him so, therefore, your true merit as a demon will become a useful asset for me in attaining happiness."


    Maris could not respond or think of something to say. All these overwhelming things were throwing her off balance. But most of all, the surprise came from Arielle and her desperation.


    "I-I... I cannot do it, my princess. I don''t think I can use my merits anymore. It has been so long since then, but I do not have a very good grasp of it."


    Though the way she worded it meant that she agreed to it, she simply chose an answer where she didn''t have to do anything. She didn''t want to, clearly. It hadn''t sunk in that she was wrong, but she knew that doing something like that to Zachary for someone like this mad woman in front of her. She had that much common sense at the very least. But what she had to do was unclear.


    "How useless," she muttered, disgusted, turning her head away from Maris. "Never mind that. It would be best if you do not come close to my dear Zachary, my prize and the source of my brimming passion. I will be the only woman he will love and know. Anyone else interfering without my consent will die. Call the captain of the guards at once."


    At her behest, the captain was made present with a staggering punctuality. His distinguished form and aura stood out as did his loyalty to the princess.


    "My lady, before anything else, there is someone here who would like to speak to you. I''m sure that nobility takes importance before a mere guard captain," he bowed, allowing space for the distinguished man to come forward.


    He relaxed his wrinkled and aggravated face, showing the just respect to the princess whom he shows an outward facade of fear to.


    "And what does a man like you need from me?" she spoke with a mundane tone, showing no great interest at him, as if her excitement had died down the moment he entered the room.


    "I have a dilemma concerning my son and the slums area. Would you hear me out, my lady?"


    He gestured for the one behind him to come out. The fear in the man grew as he came forward, and confusion tore him apart whether he should be entranced by the beauty of the one in front of him, or should he cower in fear of being beheaded on the spot.


    He was like a sore thumb, out of place for someone of his lowly stature. He wore tattered clothing akin to the slums, and his lips quivered, struggling to say something.


    "I-I''ve heard of him, Zachary, that damned man. He was with two children, one from the slums, and the other the nobleman''s son! If he''s not stopped, then there''s no telling what the slums people will do to the kid if they discover what he is."


    He eyes lit up, and her interest grew. Her smile went up from ear to ear as she listened.


    "Tell me all that you know."


    "Oh, you''re finally here! ''Bout time," said Caden, swinging around his wooden sword.


    Dante and Aster sat in front of Caden''s house where a wide space was available to train with.


    "Sorry, I got held up. Are you two ready to start again?"


    With a quizzical look, Aster motioned for him, receiving not a response.


    "Is something bothering you?" he asked. "You seem off ever since you got back from the castle."


    "You got to go in the castle?!" asked Caden with a bright enthusiasm.


    "They say everything is made out of gold, and everything in there is clean and shiny, not to mention that food! Ahh, I''m getting hungry just thinking of it."


    "Now, now. Let''s prioritize training for a bit."


    "Boo, c''mon. You''re no fun."


    But despite the complaints, he placed his utmost best in the training. As he held his weapon, his mind was focused and separated from anything else that would disturb his thoughts.


    Time went by quickly until midnight came.


    "Thank you for your hard work, the four of you," said Julia, bringing out four cups for each of us. "I think it''s time for you all to rest for the day, don''t you think?"


    "These two are good. I''m spent. She''s right, Zach. We best get back... wait, I forgot, we don''t have the room rented out anymore since Daphne and Gino left. Guess we''re sleeping out in the park, huh?"


    Just as the silence completely took over, the sound of marching was heard and became louder, soon transforming into the clanking of metal and iron. Their rythmic march filled the empty alleys of the slums and took the attention of the people living within them.


    The shadows of people shone under the light of the moon revealed soldiers, in multitudes, all heading towards us, fully armed. There was a man leading them, someone with a dignified stride. He wore an elegant cape to match his aristocratic garb, and on his hand was a sword, gleaming with the bright white light of reflection.


    They moved to surround us, pointing their spears dangerously close.


    "Aster," I called out, motioning him towards Julia and the two others.


    "What the hell is this?" he asked, moving, but questioning the events transpiring before him. He covered those behind him with his arm, tensing up without him realizing it.


    "Think I got found out?" he said jokingly.


    "I don''t think this is why they came here," I said, placing a hand on the hilt of my sword which hung from my waist. Though they were there, they said nothing. Their eyes were full of anger and frustration, and that could be sensed easily in the air, the tense air pollution the surrounding area.


    It wasn''t completely odd that the people of the slums started pouring out to see what the commotion was about. A crowd formed within seconds.


    The distinguished man took a step forward and clasped both hands behind his back.


    "The one named Zachary Erinn, son of Frederick Erinn, step forward. By the name of the great princess, Arielle, you are under arrest for the crimes of holding a child of the nobles as hostage. Release the child named Dante, my son!" he announced.


    Murmurs began spreading through the crowd, becoming louder by the second.


    -The son of Frederick Erinn? You mean thethatFrederick Erinn?! Impossible!


    -You''re right. What''s someone like him doing here?


    -Frederick? Who''s he?


    -Idiot! Even people from the slums know who he is! He battled Demon after Demon, keeping everyone in the continent safe! They say he''s on par with a Thalisean, and is the strongest man on the continent.


    -But didn''t he go missing?!


    -Why are they taking him away? He didn''t take this kid hostage! I''ve seen him playing around here every day! There''s no way the kid''s being held hostage if he''s not even unhappy or bound!


    -Yeah, he''s right!


    -You nobles are abusing your powers again! Corruption! Justice!


    They started chanting in unison, filling the streets with their voices, drawing other slum dwellers into the mess. Their words reverberated within me. These people, they were fighting for me and their selves. But amidst that, I couldn''t help but feel an imminent danger come from the noble and the soldiers.


    -You''ve already done us in, now you''re going to take in the son of Erinn for something that''s obviously fake?!


    "Silence! Silence you vermin! You have no right to interfere with this! You will all return to your holes or wherever you came from, otherwise I shall resort to force to drive you all away. Restrain him," he said, pointing at me. Quickly the man responded, but I why I did not resist I cannot even answer myself.


    He turned his attention to Aster and the others he shielded behind him.


    "Dante! come now. He will not harm you, lest I behead him and place his head on a pike for all to see. I will not let any harm come to you."


    But it only made him hide and cower beside Caden, who stood firmly, looking aggressively at the noble.


    "Liar!" shouted Caden at the top of his lungs. "You always hit Dante when he does something wrong! You''re lying, even I can see that, stinky old man!"


    "I will not tolerate the words of slander to my great family name!" he started closing in on Caden, his sword ready to be swung. Caden still held his wooden sword and took a firm stand.


    Quickly, without me noticing it, the guards had already held down Aster and surrounded Julia and Dante, preventing them from getting to him. I was the only one close by to do something. Despite being bound by them, I could break free. Their attentions were pointed at someone else. If I have a chance, it''s now!


    "Caden!" shouted Julia, trying to break free from the guard''s clutches.


    -Look, he''s going to harm the kid! stop him!


    Despite those words, not a single one of them moved.


    Caden ran full speed towards the noble, raising his sword just as he would in training.


    He swung left and right, but the man was agile, avoiding it and flicking it away with his sword easily without effort.


    Once Caden was disarmed, he kicked Caden hard enough to force him to fall to the ground, rolling.


    "Caden! You monster! Have you no shame, harming a child?! He is my child!"


    "Then as a mother, you are a failure for not teaching him manners. Be grateful, for I shall be instilling him the fear of what will happen if order is broken, and words are freely unleashed without thought. Child, to receive such a generous lesson from a noble, you would do well to learn from it.


    He raised his sword to cleave downward, mercilessly looking down upon him.


    Everyone held their breath while some closed their eyes, the sight of a child being executed in front of them was simply too much for them to bear.


    I too held my breath, inhaling, and exhaling, finally using this distraction as my chance to break free.


    With two of them on each on my sides holding my arms, I flailed him my right, slugging the one on my right with my elbow, then driving my knee into the other, forcing him to recoil back. Any other attempt to restrain me would be futile as I hastily burst into a run.


    -Hey! He''s escaping! What are you fools doing?!


    I rushed to the noble''s sides with my shoulder, knocking him down and disarming him due to the lack of knowledge of my position.


    "Are you alright, Caden?"


    "Y-Yeah. Man that was terrifying," he said, struggling to stand up.


    From the corner of my eyes, Aster had already overpowered his captors and freed himself, Julia, and Dante.


    "I don''t care if you want to take me in, but to harm these people are inexcusable! Everyone, please listen!" I looked around me, drawing the attention of those from the slums.


    "Hasn''t this gone on for long enough? Don''t let them keep you down because of their status, or the fear of trying to fight them! Weak or not, you do not deserve this! Fight for yourselves!"


    "Fool. You dare touch me?! Son of Erinn or not, what you have done is inexcusable. Men, kill them. It doesn''t matter anymore if they are taken dead or alive. As long as they do not do anything to disturb the peace, then we have done our job."


    He raised his arm, then lowered it, marking the signal for the men to commence their attack.


    Damn, this leaves us with no other choice but to fight. But the others, they have nothing to do with this... They have to go somewhere safe!


    "What''s the plan, Zachary?" Aster asked, Taking Julia and the others behind him.


    "We''ll break through and escape from the city and head to where Daphne and Gino are. It''s clear as day that we won''t be able to if we don''t fight. Are you ready for that?"


    "Heh, I thought you''d never ask."


    "Are you prepared to show your identity, Aster?"


    "I don''t care about that," he said, assuming a form as ripples of electricity and energy coursed through his body. The soldiers backed down, hesitating, but regained the order to charge.


    "H-Hey, Zach, what''s going to happen now?!" asked Caden nervously.


    "Stay close to your Mom, you as well, Dante. Julia, please keep the two safe for now. This is no safe place for us anymore. I can''t explain much, but we''ll get out of here, I will make sure of that."


    I met the soldier''s advance, evading the tips of the spears and quickly making my way towards them, trying my best to hit them with the flat edge of my sword.


    -Damn! He''s a Half-breed! Kill him!


    -A Half-breed without bindings? Call for reinforcements! They''re damned dangerous!


    I heard a shout form behind me, seeing Aster pummeling and thrashing the soldiers with his fists, injuring them by crashing lightning into them with non-lethal amounts of electricity. His immense strength made way for us as he tossed the two soldiers he held by his two hands towards the ground in front of me.


    "Through here, Aster! Before more of them come, we need to hurry!"


    "Got it!"


    As I led the way, we made our way through the streets, running through the crowds and using them and the darkness of the night as a means to hide our position as we changed streets by using alleyways and various shortcuts to get us closer to the gates without encountering the soldiers.


    We encountered more than what we expected, forcing us to fight, and soon, we had to shed blood. Otherwise we would be overrun by those that we leave with blunt damage.


    -Over here! They''re over here! Tell third squad to ambush them on the opposite side, district four!


    "We''re losing our openings. This is bad. What''s going to happen now? The dark isn''t obscuring me that much. I can still see clearly in the dark."


    "Don''t worry, Aster. I still know a few ways that we can take. I managed to memorize some streets and alleys while I strolled the city."


    "But it''s still ways from us. It''s starting to look bleak for us. What we need are horses to get us out of here fast, but I don''t think miracles happen that easily."


    "There is a stable close by if I recall correctly. This is part of the outer district, so I used to go by here a lot."


    "Well damn, what do you know?


    Julia kept on giving us directions, steering us away from the soldiers mroe frequently as we got farther away from the noble''s districts.


    "Haa, haa, I''m getting tired... Zach, can''t run anymore."


    "Me too, Zachary. I don''t have much energy to start with compared to Caden."


    "Alright, Aster, please carry them. Julia, please lead us towards the stables. I''ll try to deal with those that get in our way through the front."


    "Alright, stay calm, kids. You''re handling this like pros. Just be careful, Zach. You don''t look too good."


    "I''m fine. Aside being covered in blood and scars, my fatigue is not as worse as I wouldn''t want it to be. I can still move."


    Soon enough we reached the stables, having hid ourselves for a time.


    We all caught our breaths and thought about what will happen next. Time was valuable. The sounds of metal footsteps on the ground kept increasing, and soon they might crowd the city. It was bad enough that most of the kingdom''s army was here, now we have to escape from here, facing them in the process.


    But I can''t use my mark. Not just because it''s risky, but I can''t let anyone know yet.


    "We can''t linger for too long. Before they all muster and blockade our exit, we need to get past the gates. Currently, there are about six horses here, and we''ll only need three. Julia, can you ride a horse?"


    "I have. When I was a child, I used to ride horses. I''m still quite knowledgeable about it."


    "Oh, that''s so cool, Mom! You never told me that. And Zach, what are they saying about you being Erinn''s son? Are you really Frederick Erinn''s son?! That''s amazing! And Aster''s a Half-breed! And not to mention having cool electric powers!" Caden danced about, not showing any signs of being disturbed by what''s happening. Though the slight trembling in his voice said a lot about his consideration.


    "Sorry, Caden, Dante. But we should leave this until later when we''re away from trouble. Julia, take Caden with you. And Dante, are you alright with going with us?"


    He fidgeted, twiddling his fingers, looking at his feet.


    "Y-Yes! If I go back there, then everything will return to normal. I know how ruthless my father is. He won''t allow another mistake like this to happen. If I were to have been left behind back there, then I was good as dead. Thank you, Zachary, Aster. There was no longer love in my father''s eyes. There was none to begin with."


    "Thank us when we''re out of here. I still feel doubtful about our escape. But we''ll figure it out when we get there. Dante, you''re with Aster. I''ll take a single horse and clear the way."


    We broke out of the stables with our three horses, galloping through the streets, avoiding the soldiers wielding spears dangerous to our escape. Though I had ridden horses and had experience, it was a short struggle to get the hand of it again.


    "There! If we cut through there, the gates should be easily reached," said Julia.


    "Everyone, quicken your pace. Once we leave the gates, keep moving and don''t look back. Leave your rear to me!"


    "Are you sure you can handle them all?" Aster asked.


    "We can''t debate about this now. Just believe in me and don''t look back!"


    I''m tired. Dealing with so many of them was unexpected. Well, it was to be expected. Most of them were stronger than I originally thought, and most of the men gathered here are for the coming war effort. Surely there are elites walking amongst them. The only question I have is why they would go through all this trouble for us.


    The gates were in sight. The large metal barricade was being closed slowly as it descended. Torches on the ramparts and numerous guards on the ground were present. It was a tall gate that would not be scaled, not leapt from. The closing gate was the only option.


    "This is bad! The gate will close on us!"


    "Aster, take this and make a way for yourself!"


    I unfastened the belt and threw my father''s sheathed sword to Aster.


    "What are you going to do?"


    "I''ll make sure that you all get away."


    "What? What are you talking about?" asked Julia. "You don''t expect us to leave you, right?"


    "Just take a small detour. Once you see the gates stop moving downwards, use that chance and head here as fast as you can. I''ll be with you shortly. You don''t have to worry. I can handle myself. Go!" I said, separating from them, heading straight into the thick of it.


    There''s no way we can all make it out of here. Someone has to close the gates on these guards or they''ll be chased to no end! It doesn''t matter anymore. If I am to hide this, and risk the people I know being captured just because I don''t want people to know who I am, then this mark is wasted on me. If I have to start showing my worth as a Thalisean, then it''s now!

 Chapter 27: Blood for blood

    You''re unique...


    Every aspect of us is in you, but are you prepared to receive that grace?


    The way you perceive this world, the way you live in this world, and most importantly, how you interact with the ones living in this world, they are all so important...


    This light of yours, why is it flickering all the time, you ask?


    You must find the answer soon. We cannot tell you, for your life''s experiencesalongside those around you is important. From there, questions will stem, then answers will unravel.


    Though we are gone, there are still traces of us. Find them, and from there you will come to possess the strength to face all adversity that comes your way.


    But whatever happens along the way... Don''t let your light disappear forever.


    I tapped into the mystic energy in this mark of mine, drawing power from it to enhance every part of my being, my senses, my abilities, my strength. Though I don''t feel that this alone is enough to get me through unscathed, I am a cut above the rest.


    As I clenched my hand, the mark burned, but the light gleamed weakly, producing the symbol that I have come to know. Upon focusing further, I could hear the faint sounds coming from every direction, the sound of frantic footsteps and the constant shouting of men to,quickly get into position.


    I drove my horse straight into the ranks of spearmen lined up, waiting for me. Their spears were inclined up slightly, and the numbers of the front ranks measured to fifteen or so.


    As my mount got close to the spears, I tensed my muscles and pulled on the reins as tightly as I could, pulling him to a stop, then using its back to leap behind the ranks of the spearmen.


    That was easily enough done as the others were still running to their positions.


    Upon landing, I ignored the spearmen behind me and immediately took hold of one of the soldiers, locking my arm around his neck and taking the sword from his sheath. I then tossed him towards the encroaching ranks and took a brief reprieve to prepare myself. The air was musky and thick, my legs and arms trembled, and my eyes would turn blurry.


    The intense feeling of people''s lives depending on my success gave me the bitter sense of what I had to face in the future, in fact, I was grateful that I was given a small taste of how would that feel. While it was nerve-wracking, what awaited me in the end was the sole satisfaction of having been able to do something for a change.


    There was no need to face all of them for that would be near impossible for me. Yet, with this power, I had the chance and the strength to push through with my current goal: to reach the top of the ramparts where the gate''s cog wheels were being turned close.


    Thereweretwo sets of stairs leading up there, and in front of me were at the very least, ten or so men, and twenty or so men up on the ramparts with bows aimed down at me.


    With the acute sense of vision I had been granted by the mark, I ascertained the fastest route and what I had to face to get there.


    -Surround him! Don''t let him get away no matter what!


    I charged at the group coming towards me, parrying the first one''s sword away from me, then hitting his face with the hilt end of my sword as hard as I could, hearing a strong crunching sound. Using my newfound strength, I then used his body and threw him towards his allies, creating a small disarray in them as they ended up stumbling.


    Meanwhile, up on the ramparts, a row of spectators stood in wait, looking with their sharp eyes at the target that moved in a chain, not wasting a breath on idle movement without much intention.


    "Ready your bows men! Focus at that man, and when I give the word, you will fire."


    -Sir, are you sure that it is necessary for us to attack a single man with an entire unit of archers? I feel it unnecessary to waste them on a single fleeing man.


    The man commanding the units up on the ramparts didn''t move his gaze from the man moving swiftly and skillfully below him. He parried and attacked those that came to him with an effective technique that impressed him.


    This person is quite skilled at being a fighter. Though in the midst of being surrounded, he''s trying to clear out a path while dismantling the force that would eventually overpower him. This is not unheard of, but it is strange seeing such a play right in front of you. It is a shame that his head is wanted by the nobles. It would have been wise to try and force him on our side seeing as little in this land has such worth anymore... The way he is fighting, though he is shedding blood, he is trying his best to not kill them. Pathetic.


    "I don''t think I have to explain myself further, don''t I, adjutant?"


    With a look of disbelief in his eyes, he saw himself how the man was handling the grave circumstance by himself.


    He parried, threw his enemies at their allies, discarded the chipped blade he was using to block and parry, then stole another one from a soldier he had grabbed and used as a meat shield.


    -I understand, Sir! Men, be at the ready!


    I''m getting exhausted. This is just too much. I don''t even remember how many I''ve already taken down. But that matters little, I think. They''ve been throwing their men at me, and soon I''ll be overrun. Just one more push, that''s all I need.


    I negated one of the soldier''s attack by jabbing at his throat with my free hand. tensed up my legs then leapt high up towards the stairway, landing and using him as a shield to avoid their spears from hitting me. His agonizing scream filled my ears, and so did his allies.


    Blood spilt from the man and splashed on me as countless spears pointed up punched through his body, fortunately missing me. It was a cruel way to fight, using other people for my own disposal, but I saw no other way.


    Eventually, I got close enough to ascend and hear a loud cry from above me.


    -Aim! Fire!


    A hail of arrows came crashing down like a raging wave upon me.


    Reacting as quick as I could, I picked up the closest body lying down near me and hid myself under it, using my back to lift the body and my free hand to keep it on me.


    "Argh!"My shoulder! Damn this, it stings!


    There was a constant thud and shaking until the hail stopped. It avoided the men as they knew right away of the volley. They wasted no time and quickly rushed at me once more seeing as how their plan failed, but my goal was clear and in place.


    I took out the arrow that pierced my shoulder and hurriedly climbed the step, easily overcoming the soldiers meeting my advance by throwing them off the narrow edge, using their own soldier''s bodies as shields to block against the constant firing of arrows. Even with my strength, the difficulty of defending, looking behind me, and attacking those close to me cost me scars and wounds, but not gravely to my great luck.


    As things got worse, I further borrowed the strength from within the mark and felt a stronger burning sensation from it, making the wounds I received a numbing sensation that took my mind away from it, disguising it as a prick from a rose''s thorn.


    Finally, reaching the top, I saw the rows of soldiers looking at me with a chilling glare, bows, swords, and spears pointed at me.


    There was a momentary standstill as I felt it. The air up here was fresh and invigorating. I would lie if I had said that it didn''t matter in this situation. I looked past them for what felt like a long time, seeing the sight of a greener field where we had trod before arriving here. My constant admiration of the sights I never saw before were going to be the death of me someday, but today will be an exception.


    "You damned monster!" cried out an angry soldier as he rushed at him with bloodlust in his eyes.


    I felt the cold chilling sensation of a blade piercing my back-left shoulder. The man''s words felt fearful, angry. But I couldn''t move myself. I was captivated of the sight before me like it were a hallucination, or an illusion.


    I glanced at the man behind me, and with a movement as gentle as I could manage, I took a swing at his stomach with a clockwise twist of my body accompanied by my blade, swinging upwards, creating a long, vertical scar on his torso. That became the end of him as he fell back with an agonizing scream.


    I took the blade from my shoulder and tossed it aside, moving my attention to them once more.


    "Please, move aside."


    "Keep close to me, Julia! I see a narrow pass a few ways ahead. I''ll handle them. Hold on tight, Dante. Don''t be too surprised."


    He responded with a nod, keeping his mouth shut as the transpiring of events shook him to no end. He was in the middle of a danger zone where a single mistake will cost all their lives, and the fact that the entire city is out for them didn''t make things easier.


    Aster pointed his open hand at the soldiers forming a blockade at the block that they were supposed to turn to, emitting a raging surge of electric energy on his arm. Unleashing it, the surge blasted the blockade easily, tearing the rank apart and causing a strong explosion that formed a dust cloud on the ground.


    "Aster, this is getting too dangerous!" said Julia, feeling the fatigue of fighting on horseback which was slowly recurring to her. "Soon we''re going to be surrounded when they block out the streets. There are only two directions for us to take. One is a minute away, and the other is two after that. What do we do? Are you sure that we can still get out of this mess?"


    After having separated with Zachary, they used the narrow streets and districts to buy time for them while he tried to get the gates open for them.


    The chaos they caused forced the city to use most of their manpower to surround them by blocking the various entrances they were speculated to go through.


    "Trust him. He can do it, I know that he can. If worst comes to worst, then I''ll handle them as best as I can and at least get you and these two out of here."


    "Yeah, mom! Trust Zachary! I know that what he''s doing is dangerous and scary, but I know that he can do it!" Caden said, encouraging her.


    He looked up and saw the gates from a distance. As its descent stopped, Zachary''s words, echoed within Aster''s mind.


    I knew he could do it!


    "Alright, time to move!"


    Just as he had rallied them, he was unaware of the sudden appearance of soldiers pursuing them. Soon they were surrounded and had no room to move.


    "Aster, what''re we going to do now? We''re doomed!" said Caden, looking grim at the weapons being pointed at them.


    "Damn, how did they catch up to us right away?!"


    -Surrender! If you choose to give up the chase, then your punishments will be lighter, compared to resisting. There, a capital punishment will be given, Slum-dwellers. But that goes for the Half-breed regardless.


    Aster looked around him and assessed his options. The first thing that came to mind was to use force, and that meant him using every inch of his being as a Half-breed to force their way through. Though he was skeptical, his knowledge of his own strength was vast but untested for the most part. It would cause the death of many, including the destruction of his sister''s creed. But his decision needed to be made before they had to take them away with or without force.


    We''re so close! Why did it have to fall short?


    In his lamentation, he cursed how he had to resort to the last means he had in his arsenal.


    While still on his mount, he sent a surge of electricity flowing on his left hand, a more vicious storm of electricity rippled from his hand and on the ground, deliberately avoiding his mount and Dante from being shocked.


    The soldiers that bravely and confidently pointed their weapons at them staggered back upon seeing the cascading ripples of lighting glowing in the dark, illuminating a terrifying glare from Aster''s face, pointed back at them as if that alone served the purpose of a weapon.


    But yet another incident began moving from behind the shadows. They, in large groups, positioned themselves silently behind the ranks of the soldiers and seized them by surprise, knocking them out and taking their weapons.


    A large-scale attack had begun, destroying the focus of the unit and eventually a battle erupted, serving as a distraction that Aster himself did not see coming.


    -We chose to listen to the words of the son of Erinn!


    -Yeah! Even if we know that we''ll lose this, eventually, we''ll get the justice that we deserve!


    -Go and live for us! We won''t let them keep pushing us around any longer. We''ll fight, even if it costs us our life. That''s just how things go around here. We''re not trash, nor are we useless vermin! We''re the people of Alrifer!


    The people of the slums'' words gave them their saving grace, the very words that served the purpose of filling a broken cup, awaiting to be repaired by a man who will pick up after the mess and build it anew, stronger and better, or simply scrap it away and create a better one.


    Against the more experienced armed men, they paled, but in numbers and the element of surprise, they overpowered them and succeeded in their endeavors.


    "We can''t linger here for too long! Let''s go!" Aster said, regaining his senses.


    "Mom! Let''s go! It''s getting dangerous!" urged Caden to Julia, who snapped back to her senses, quickly whipping the reins of the horse.


    He had an ominous feeling in his gut as they continued to ride through the districts. He was glad to see that despite the time it took them to get closer to the gates, it had not budged after the initial signal.


    There was light, light provided by fire. It slowly ravaged the outer district of the city where numerous people wearing tattered and worn clothes wandered the streets, fighting the soldiers trying to cut off Aster''s advance. they caused an innocent chaos for a good cause on a massive scale, burning houses and stores where no people were present. A beacon that lit up the night.


    The screams of people filled the streets, and soon, they were unimpeded.


    "Uhm... Aster, do you think that Zachary is alright?" asked Dante worriedly. "I know it hasn''t been long, but he''s at the gates fighting by himself. I know that almost the entire army is here while some are moving to Ylithia''s borders, but they''re too immense for someone to fight alone."


    "I know what you''re thinking, and to be honest, I''m worried too. But I know that he can get us out of this. If only you knew, he''s something else, one of a kind, and the last of them."


    Dante didn''t bother asking, but thought about what Aster said since it didn''t quite make sense to him.


    As they neared the gates, there they say the slow turning of the gates once more. It started descending, but would stop every few seconds or so.


    Arriving at the gates, they finally saw what was happening.


    Zachary fought back the large numbers of soldiers in front and behind him. Beside him was the wheel that was needed to turn the gates.


    The soldiers would often get their hands on it and remove the lodged weapon that prevented it from moving. He would take it back right away, skillfully killing the one behind it and using their weapon or whatever he could get his hands on and strike it on the mechanism, forcing it to a halt.


    He was covered in blood, arrows protruding from his arms, back, and legs. Yet beyond all that, he still fought continuously, displaying an awe-inspiring last stand that showed proof by the amount of bodies lying dead on the ramparts and below it.


    However, his valiant fight distracted the soldiers who waited from below for their chance to take him down.


    Caden and Dante stared in bewilderment as they saw their teacher fighting with much more prowess than he thought them. He was in a league of his own, as they thought. But they were far from amazed. They were terrified for the most part, seeing him fighting alone, not stopping even with the mortal scars he had received all across his body.The author''s tale has been misappropriated; report any instances of this story on Amazon.


    "Keep going! Don''t lose your focus! Our only goal is to get past the gates," said Aster, rousing them back. "Don''t let what he''s doing be in vain! That''s going to be worse than what he''s going through now."


    "But, we have to get him out of there! He said that he was going with us!" quarreled the two, opposed to leaving him behind.


    "I know!" he shouted in reply, clenching his fist tightly. "Keep going. I''ll see what I can do."


    Looking conflicted, Julia knew all too well how all this would go down, but she simply bit her lip and placed a hand on Caden''s hand, reassuring him with her warmth.


    -Hey! Pay attention! There they are!


    The soldiers turned and saw Aster and Julia, immediately pointing their bows at them.


    "Zach! I''m coming for you! Sit tight," Aster shouted, surging another ounce of energy to his arm in a rapid manner.


    "Don''t!" he cried out, separating himself from the fight. "Keep going. I''ve done what I can. I''ve got nothing left to keep going. Just don''t get caught, Aster," he said, breathing deeply, smiling in triumph.


    Immediately he was knocked down to the ground, soldiers bearing down on him in great numbers, preventing him from moving. They began beating him in succession until he couldn''t move. But without their knowledge, he didn''t have enough to fight anymore. He only had enough left for one last thing.


    Aster stared at his face, until he had not realized that they had just passed the gates. Zachary disappeared from his sight, but he could not tear himself away from the ramparts where they held him down.


    "The cavalry! They''re going to catch up to us!" said Julia, looking back at the approaching horsemen from within the gates. There was an entire unit of them, trained and well versed with the art of overcoming the barriers of speed to catch up to their enemies. Their presence spelled their doom.


    But yet again, another astonishing turn of events, Zachary clenched his bleeding hand and again forced the mark to illuminate. It was weak, but it was enough to grant him the power to overcome the ones bearing down upon him.


    He knocked them away momentarily, and with a roar, he placed both hands on the weapon lodged on the mechanism, pulling it. With the lack of energy in his legs, he was unable to support himself, and he fell to the ground where they thrashed him until the last flicker of light from the back of his hand disappeared.


    The gates fell on the cavalry and prevented them from pursuing Aster and the others. They had not stopped moving, but their minds were occupied of him and him alone.


    Caden''s eyes slowly wept while Dante tried to comprehend what he had to feel. The silence in their group was apparent, but no one had the guts to address it as everyone knew.


    Their eyes reflected the towering flames rising high into the clouds with a fuming black smoke.


    "Let''s... go," Aster said, struggling to get some composure back in his voice.


    -Make way! Make way!


    People were tossed aside without warning, making a safe open road for a surprise reception.


    The city guards lined up and patrolled in a swift, spectacular manner, dividing themselves evenly and orderly to ensure the safety of someone whose life has become grim after stepping foot inside its enemy''s domain.


    Murmurs starting shifting across the city, but most importantly the castle.


    The important figures present within the capital lined themselves before the red carpet, vertical to the throne where the king sat after hearing the announcement.


    He had an intimidating, pensive look on his face as he waited for the doors to open, yet none had the courage to disrupt the silence of the room in the danger of agitating the king.


    Tensions between the two were already sever, and war was imminent by an inch, yet why was the crown prince of Alrifer here on a diplomatic mission of all times? Many questioned that fact but never came to a conclusion. They wondered first and foremost why he hasn''t been executed or apprehended yet.


    It was not the unit of elite guards following him in ranks, nor was it his personal guard, a tall, limber man wearing a large brown cloak. His face was hidden under the shadow of his cloak, but his intimidating presence and image kept the people to faint murmurs.


    The prince of Alrifer was a pale young man with white hair and a sickly demeanor. He was at the age of seventeen where he is at the pinnacle of his training for the ascension of the throne, yet the reasons leading up to here made people skeptical.


    "Hey, Norman. What do you think they''re up to, sending the next in line without so much as an army? You''d think that they would want him to be well protected, but there are barely fifty guards behind him, not to mention that giant of a personal guard. Where did they even find someone like that? I don''t think it''s normal to have someone grow that way."


    One of the louder generals spoke, taking a relaxed stance, but a disciplined mind in the presence of his king.


    "I do not want to speak nor draw any conclusions. These are already grave times for us and the kingdom, so I wonder as well. But we will find out soon enough. But do not mistake those guards, my friend. If you can see the emblem on their capes, they are theNox Vilrefas. A well-known order of heroes within the kingdom of Alrifer. They are similar to ourFurYggdratoras. We would do well to stay vigilant and wary of their presence."


    "Well, no matter who they are, if they make so much as a ruckus, they''ll feel the wrath of this kingdom. But it''s a shame that my shoulders are beginning to ache, and so is my back," he said, stretching himself out. "Don''t you feel tense at all, Leonar?" he gestured to the man beside him."


    "I do not feel anything in particular. It is simply another squabble in politics that we are all to take a dabble in. Honestly, while it is a pain, it is necessary. Do not do anything to make a commotion, understood?" he glanced back, giving off the impression of a glare.


    "O-Oh, alright, you got me there," he said, laughing wryly.


    "Quiet. They''re here."


    Norman narrowed his eyes to the direction of the door where it began to open, revealing the figure of a young man accompanied by a giant.


    They made their way at the feet of the stairs leading to the throne, in the middle of all the generals of the kingdom, and in front of the king. There they knelt as a sign of respect and acknowledgement.


    "Greetings to the Ylithian royal family and to the esteemed generals in these very halls! I am Vriesse Luvierre, the crown prince of the kingdom of Alrifer. I am sure that the tensions of our two kingdoms have driven us apart, and that my presence here sent a disturbing ripple of unrest within your kingdom. That I understand full well."


    He spoke with eloquence, gesturing with his hands at every turn, flourishing at his own words. There was not a sense of fear in his voice for being in the middle of your enemy''s capital, the worst place you could possibly be. In fact, he seemed to revel in the fact that all their attentions are focused on him.


    "However, I come here on more peaceful circumstances. That isifyou comply," he said with a grin. "I wish for our two great kingdoms to continue living with prosperity!"


    People began whispering one after the other, creating a small buzz amongst themselves.


    "Silence!" cried out the king. Immediately the room fell into a deep silence.


    He stood up and stared at the prince with a fierce glare.


    "State your business. You seem to understand your predicament and ours, so I don''t think I need to explain things and point out your petty attempt to rouse my people''s worries with your pathetic words. Speak!"


    The prince''s body faltered for a bit, but he immediately regained his composure, fixing himself in front of the crowd.


    "My, my. How virulent.Ahem,very well. I shall get to the point. I wish to negotiate in representation of our kingdom. But I am very tired after that long travel. Would you be so kind as to allow us a lodging for a while before the negotiations begin?" he bowed ardently, displaying his grace with words and gestures.


    Waving a hand towards one of the attendants to his side, the king whispered into the ear of the maiden where she nodded in response, leaving hurriedly.


    "Everyone here is dismissed. Prince Vriesse, follow me. I will be showing you to your lodgings myself."


    No one opposed to the decision, but the people took it bitterly.


    "Leonar," he beckoned to him. "Gather everyone to the hall. I will be with you shortly. And bring your son as well."


    Without saying another word, he simply nodded and stood his ground until the generals and lords were excused as well.


    As Leonar spoke with the generals and excused himself momentarily to retreat to his abode, he was greeted by the sight of his son waiting by the castle gates.


    "Geoffrey, what are you doing here?"


    "I heard about the arrival of Alrifer''s prince."


    "Starting to take interest in politics and diplomacy? You are still unprepared for such things. Return home."


    "You know I can''t do that," he protested firmly, looking into his father''s eyes.


    "And why is that?"


    "My presence has been requested by the king, right? I think I have earned my right to stand alongside you. I am more than prepared to fight and die just as I have been raised. I lived my second life for this very moment."


    "You were not raised to die. You were raised for a second life to avoid another travesty like the past to happen. After the commotion you caused with the son of Kaelus, I''m starting to think otherwise of yourright. What would your mother think of you spouting nonsense about dying?"


    "It''s not nonsense. I will prove it to you. And I promised to my mother that I would become someone who can protect the weak so that they don''t have to suffer the same fate as me. To live alone without the warm feeling of being with your parents."


    His words shook the man''s resolve, both physically and mentally. He knew that it was pointed at him, but his stern gaze never left his face. It was a strong shield that took the blunt of the damage.


    "Do as you will. Your failure is imminent. You would do good by heeding my words, boy. What you are becoming has been contradicting your own doctrines. I hope that you will realize that before it is too late."


    He passed the gates and left Geoffrey without another word.


    I will show you, he murmured. Strengthening his resolve, he pushed through and made his way to the conference halls of the castle.


    The conference hall was adequately spaced, not too large to be grand, and not too small to be cramped. It held a total of forty people including the guards, other than the generals, the acquaintances, and the king.


    People argued back and forth, showing their clear disdain for the arrival of the prince. They expressed their own insights in the matter and their grievances. It went on long enough that the king himself had been strained too much hearing about it that it made him tired.


    But all eyes turned to the doors when it opened.


    "Forgive me for my tardiness. I had to get much of the plan''s records and some details I had left at home. Shall we start this conference?" he sat down on the round table.


    The very table of the conference room was a large one with a hollow space in the middle where the one who would speak needed to be. That person would be surrounded by the people and their peers.


    The generals and notable figures sat down while the acquaintances and the guests stood beside the ones that invited them.


    When the silence settled down, the king stood in the middle of the hollow circle and looked around him to make sure that their attentions were pointed at him.


    "This will be about the retaliation of Alrifer''s encroaching attack on our southern boarders. I am sure that you are all aware of the fact that they are gathering their armies at a staggering amount near our borders for only one intention. One does not need to be a tactical genius to know this. This meeting will be to decide whom will be leading the charge against their offense. I will ask of your opinions and take a vote at the very end."


    One by one, the generals proposed their preferred leaders, those being the well-known generals, the distinguished nobles, and the king himself. There were those that abstained and had no one to vote, so they remained in silence and neutrality.


    "Before we continue on. There is another matter that we have to worry about," said King Gareth with a formal tone. He stiffened his back and cleared his throat.


    "There is a larger army forming near our borders. Demons."


    The room began buzzing with words and people talking amongst themselves. The sudden uprising created a clear tension that added up to their current problems.


    The scars of the kingdom were still fresh, and there were still wounds being created at a rate that they did not anticipate.


    "Silence. We need order before we can settle anything. That is why I decided to bring this up before continuing on with the voting. This is another matter that we need to express since it is far more pressing than the threat the Alrifer poses."


    He made room for the inner circle and gestured for the guards. In response to a nod, they began pulling a mechanism that brought up a table. The king was brought a large weathered map of the kingdom which he placed on the table for all to see.


    "At our western border, the demons have been seen massing their ranks, thanks to our reliable scouts. Though their numbers are not that much, demons pose a much greater threat for their ferocity and tenacity when fighting. It would take two to three men to battle a single demon, therefore we need to focus on this before anything else. I propose that Norman Niels will lead the operation, and accompanying him are the sons of Merevas, Geoffrey, and the son of Kaelus, Alexander."


    As their names were brought up, they stood before the crowd for all to see.


    Compared to the relaxed and grinning Alexander, Geoffrey tried to keep his surprise hidden. But the pressure of such a tall order gave him anxiety that was getting out of hand.


    "I think it would be high time for the young generation to take flight and show their prowess, thus I have decided to put their skills to use. If you have heard of their achievements, then I am sure that there are no arguments to defy this suggestion of mine. If you have, then speak up now."


    "I refuse!" said Leonar Merevas, slamming his hands on the table. He stood firmly and placed his hands on his back, clasping his hands. "My king, despite my son''s upbringing and repertoire, he is still unprepared for such a role. As his father, I do not vouch allowing him to take the front lines this early. I ask that you take me instead. I would suffice, would I not?"


    "Leonar? Surely you underestimate your own son. There is no doubting what he will become, so why not allow him to flourish? Besides, I have other intentions for you. Seeing the votes, you are unanimously the one to command the defense against the army of Alrifer. That task is a much more daunting one if it were not you."


    "Forgive me, but I thank you for allowing me the honor to serve the defense, and I accept the honor. However, I am firmly opposed to my son being in the front lines! Overturn the decision, I plead to you. Choose someone else."


    "Father! Why must you look down on me?! Can''t you see that I''ve worked hard for this very moment? Why can''t you open your eyes to that? I am not a child anymore, I am so much as a warrior like you are!"


    "You do not understand, Geoffrey. It is I who can see if you are ready or not. I am your father; thus I can see that you are not prepared."


    "You call yourself my father even after all these times of not being one. That is so much easier to understand. I am ashamed of you that you can''t see my own worth. It is clear that you are blindly spouting nonsense. Forgive me, my king, everyone. But I need to excuse myself."


    Geoffrey stormed out of the room with an upbeat pace. The room felt the awkward tension of a quarrel between a father and son that no one could say anything afterwards.


    "My, my. How childish of you to simply storm out. You just proved your father''s point," said Alexander whom scoffed and laughed as the events transpired.


    "Forgive me, my king, but my immature son still needs more time to learn when he is ready. But please do go on with the meeting. I shall gladly take the honor of leading the troops to defend our kingdom. I will take the left-out details when I return. Now, if you will excuse me," he bowed, following after Geoffrey''s trail.


    ... So it is you who will ruin our glorious ascension to power? Then you are my enemy.


    His footsteps trailed after his son''s to the empty streets of the Valour district leading back to their home, a quaint district where the silence is solemn. Here was where his mansion was built, a mundane design, different to every other house in the district.


    Having a competition on the looks of one''s abode didn''t suite his tastes, and he scoffed at attempts of those that tried to convince him.


    He didn''t find it odd at the very least that there were no people roaming about, since at this time, people would be enjoying their time inside the comfort of their own homes, but he only worried about reaching his son that he upped his pace, going past the familiar sights such as the various houses that nearly brimmed with gold and marble, and the grand statues and garden decorums on the front lawn of his neighbors.


    He wanted to tell him something, but the words simply didn''t come out right. The feeling of wanting to tell someone something pained him on the inside, enough to want him to blurt it out, or worse, yell it to the heavens where his wife could hear it.


    But it was not meant for her, but for him, his son, the one person that he had left in the world to cherish the most after losing the other.


    I know my wrongs, son. I am sorry that I cannot explain to you why I don''t want you to go through with this. But now, I need to explain myself. I can''t risk losing you again.


    Just as he turned the corner of the district, he bumped into a large figure wearing a cloak. He staggered back, not realizing that his thoughts made him lose his composure. But he did not fall to the ground, instead, he felt the cold touch of steel on his back.


    He grasped for air, arching forward.


    Behind him he saw the face of one familiar in his eyes. The pale face, the wicked smile, his anger swelled, but he could not move.


    "With this, the obstacle to our plan is gone," he whispered.


    He pulled the blade from the man''s back, kicking him away.


    "How ironic that such a renowned man would die so easily by a single stab of a dagger. I expected a fight from you," he said, spitting at the fallen man''s back.


    But to his astonishment, Leonar''s body twitched, then moved fluidly, rising from the ground.


    He drove his fist into his left cheek with a twist of his body and immediately took hold of the walls to support him.


    "I''ve taken worse scars than a simple stab wound," he said, spitting out blood, coughing. "How did you mask your presence, you fiend? I should have known if someone was following me, you damned snake of a prince!"


    Wiping his lip of the blood, he stood. "I am no simple someone, Leonar Merevas. I am the catalyst to this war. I shall be the one to spark this greatest bloodshed of the continent between two kingdoms. But before that, I must eliminate you, and seeing as you are not armed, I must finish what I have started."


    He nodded with a gleeful grin, urging the giant behind Leonar to take hold on his arm firmly, slamming him unto the the wall like a doll.


    There was a loud cry that came from him, including a small tremor caused by his body hitting the concrete. His bones were shattered, and he was made to be like a puppet whose strings were cut.


    His hair was pulled up, forcing him to stand. That alone severely battered him, enough to make his entire body numb.


    Vriesse slowly walked up to Leonar, who was restrained to the wall, and gradually sunk the dagger into his heart, looking into his eyes with a sadistic and contented grin as he committed the atrocious act.


    "I will tell you this. I am no simple someone. I am a demon, and I shall bring about the extinction of the human race," he softly whispered into Leonar''s ear,instantly driving the dagger into him until the dagger went through him.


    "Sleep knowing that you were fortunate enough to not witness the end, but to be the one to die first for it."


    He pulled the dagger and wiped it on Leonar''s uniform, leaving him to bleed to death.


    Or so they thought.


    He struggled to keep his breathing regulated. He did not panic as his body quickly started getting cold.


    He pitted his back against the concrete wall he was slammed into and carried the burden of his pain whilst grinding his teeth.


    Fiends! I will not rest until you are all brought to justice! I will not die, I will not...


    His eyes started slowly closing, but he bit his lip and instilled pain within himself to stay awake.


    This can''t be the end of me. Not while those demons walk the earth, I cannot leave my legacy unfished. Someone, please, anyone.


    As he wished and pleaded to the silence, he heard the sounds of footsteps inching towards his resting place.


    Glancing, to his left, he saw the face of the very person he wanted to see, in fact, he staked his dying wish on seeing him. Even in the face of death his adamant demeanor fought with him and opposed what he wanted for what he needed to do.


    "Geoffrey..."


    His eyes were full of shock. He couldn''t believe what he was seeing before him, but he wanted to think that it was a nightmare.


    He had heard of the sound upon storming back to their home, but never in his wildest imagination did he think that this was the cause of that.


    "Father!" he cried out, cradling his head into his trembling arms. "What happened here?! Who did this?"


    "The prince of Alrifer. His arrival was all a ploy. He and his companions are all demons! You must stop him. No one else knows but you," he said, coughing up blood.


    "Please stay still! I will get help, you will get through this!"


    But just before he was able to set him down, Leonar took his son''s hand firmly and shook his head, pulling him close with his dying breath.


    "Listen to me, son. There is something that I need to tell you before my light vanishes. I don''t have long. But I want to ask for your forgiveness. I know what I said back there was berating towards you, but I wanted to steer you away from the chaos so that you wouldn''t have to live another life like that. I am also ashamed to call myself a father for being cold-hearted towards you. I have been always proud of you, my son. Never had I not been proud of you. But it pained me every day that I told you that I wasn''t because I had to hide it somehow."


    "Why are you so unreasonable? You could have told me, and I could have come to understand, but why? Why did you have to do something like that? I don''t understand!"


    "Because I promised it on your mother''s grave. I promised her that I will give you the life that I was not able to give you when she was alive. But now, I don''t think I have the right to stop you now. It is as everyone says. You are meant for greater things. Forgive me for not being a father to you when you needed me the most. It will be a sin that I carry with me to the greatest depths of the underworld. Make me proud, son..."


    And with his last breath, he gave him a forthright smile with a discerning eye, an expression that he had never seen him make before.


    Seeing his face alone made him tremble, but hearing the last words shattered him.


    His father''s hand, which were on his shoulders, lost strength and fell to the ground.


    Unable to say anything, his own arms and legs went limp, and an overwhelming amount of sadness washed over him like a tide.


    His eyes which were full of tears and regret remained open as his head fell to the side, devoid of strength.


    No, not again. Why did I have to lose someone again? Why did this have to happen now of all times?!


    Tears streamed down his deadpan face, and upon looking up at the dark clouds where droplets of rain started drizzling down, he whispered his intentions with a grave tone.


    "I will have you repay this with your blood, demon or not. I will have my vengeance..."


    Though he had just realized his father''s true intentions and thoughts after years of berating, he had cast all that aside instantly.


    His true self was masked all for him, and that alone made it clear that he was his father, the one who would go as far as to discourage his own son to make sure that he doesn''t fall prey to fate''s mysterious plots once more.


    But the backlash was greater than what he expected. It was as if an obsessive cruel spirit had taken over him, amplifying his rage into action. And whatever evil intention that this cruel spirit had, he allowed himself to be absorbed into it.

 Chapter 28: A Stranger to Death

    The sound of a loud march could be heard on the horizon.


    An army made up of demons both small and large steadily paced themselves as they approached the wall which had stood for years, the bane of their advance upon the remainder of the mortal realm.


    The amount of manpower poured into the great eastern advance army made every single demon in the continent confident of their victory. It was clear to become a part of their history as one of the most largest assemblies to date. The amount only showed how much they wanted the taste of victory, to follow their one and only goal, the eradication of humankind.


    Beastmen, Giants, Centaurs, Ogres, Goblins, Salamanders,Harpies, demi humans, and a dozen other kinds of demons. Theyworearmor and wielded various weapons. Behind them were large mechanisms meant to tear down the walls of the opposition by pelting giant stones at them.


    There were large flying beasts as well, mounted by the smaller demons to utilize their speed and strength, the terrifying cockatrices, gargoyles, and the giant eagles named the Roc''s.


    With their eyes filled with blood, they stared at the wall they were to break through.


    With their constant advance, they were to reach the kingdom''s border walls within hours, if not minutes.


    "Listen up you ugly bastards! Slaughter the humans, conquer the land that belongs to us! They''re nothing compared to us! If you die, then die in the name of the king, the demon king! Don''t even think of where you''re going when you die and how your mangled-up corpse will end up. Just keep killing until the last demon! No mercy! Use that hatred inside of you, that very same hatred that the filthy humans have thrown at us for decades! We will be eternal!"


    With a rousing call for battle, their cries for war shook the land they walked on, and the morale of the men that stood on the walls, looking at the massive army that came face to face with them.


    More so that they were being led bytwo generals of great esteem and rank.


    One was a silent, tall and bulky demi human carrying the rank of a lower Ivaas personnel, who wore a heavy set of dark armor, enough to make him look like an impenetrable wall with his size and build. He wielded a hammer, mounting a large, vicious looking dark horse that didn''t seem at all burdened by its owner''s weight, in fact, it strode down faster than those that were smaller and lighter than it.


    The second was a brutish and cruel looking demi human withshort brown hair. His snake like eyes encompassed his character of a frenzied beast along with his aura of arrogance. He wore a light set of leggings, leaving his muscular top bare. His hands were empty of any weapon, but he was surrounded with an immense amount of energy that made it suffocating for a normal mortal to be around him. He had two horns protruding on the sides his head, twisting to the front like a bull''s.


    With the two of them leading the charge, it was like fatigue did not exist with the payment of sure success. Their morale was high and remained high as the brutish one''s rousing call gave them the sense of what they truly are, demons, in every aspect of the word.


    They gulped, looking at each other.


    "What do we do, Commander?" asked a soldier who looked at the distance with a grim expression on his face, one that represented the entire wall''s morale in transparency.


    "There is little point in retreating. If we are to die, then we will die fighting. Defend the wall till your last breath! You are a man of Alrifer, and we shall live up to its name just as we have sworn on our oaths! Are you with me, men?"


    No one responded. It was more that they were terrified of saying anything wrong that forced them to the ground. They each looked around at each other to try and find their answers, but it made it harder to find one.


    "I know you''re scared, and I am too. But can you see it in my face?" He took a step forward and looked into their eyes, leveling himself to their statures. "I am the same as you. Though we are few now since many have been taken elsewhere, we are the same people who have taken arms in defense of this wall. We''re already like a family, so why don''t we die like that in the end?"


    He considered their emotions, what they felt. He read them like an open book and took in the tragic atmosphere enveloping them.


    He had dealt with men who had resigned their fates before, but this challenge and their answer to it was natural. He didn''t doubt their actions nor did he want to chastise them for it, in fact, he was proud to see them not lying to themselves. But this was not the way to go about it. Sure, they could go and say that they''re scared and cry their eyes out, but in the end, they are still in control of themselves. They can still move and make a difference, no matter how little or insignificant it seemed.


    "I won''t force you to fight with me. You may leave if you want to, but know that you will still die by their hands no matter how fast you run, just mercilessly as usual. But, if you choose to remain here with me and last out their attack, then I ask you to put your faith in me one last time. I will risk my life with you on the front like your blood brother, and I will not leave this wall no matter how grim it might seem. That is the only promise that I can give you."


    He unsheathed his sword and struck it to the concrete on the wall, then knelt while holding it with one hand and placing the other near his heart, clenched. He bowed his head to them as a sign of respect from one warrior to another. It was an oath to be sweared on ones dying battle.


    There was a brief silence, but then the sound of metal falling to the ground sounded.


    With his head inclined forward a man in the crowd spoke. "I will fight with you, Captain, just as I always have for these past few years. I swear my sword to you and this kingdom, even in the afterlife."


    The rest then followed suit until every single body on the wall had knelt and bowed their heads, even the lowly servants, squires, and the slaves that were treated as equals courteously bowed their heads.


    "Then we shall fight one last glorious battle?" he asked them, a fierce expression showed on his face where countless of scars were present.


    The walls filled with a roar that echoed through the land. It challenged the demon''s cry for battle, which alone gave birth to an even greater amount of bloodlust.


    She paced back and forth inside the room where the commanders and generals that she had gathered sat. They had pensive expressions similar to what she was feeling. It was expected, but this was another problem entirely.


    News of prince Vriesse''s death at the vengeful hands of someone named Geoffrey Merevas stirred the kingdom, and roused the king to send his armies to invade Ylithia at once. And what''s more was that demons attacked inunison, forcing the prosperous kingdom to its knees.


    The fall of the kingdom was imminent.


    There was also news of the royal castle being attacked by the demons, and the capital having been taken over by them. No one knew how it happened, but word spread quickly like wildfire across the neighboring kingdoms.


    "With the state of Ylithia, it''s bound to fall soon. Even with the generals that escaped having formed their coalition to retake the capital. With the king, the royal family, and most of his retainers and generals'' states unknown, we cannot make sure that they are even alive at this point. But I see this as our great chance to begin our attack, don''t you think, Lady Daphne?" A stout but formal man said, taking the first step to break the silence of the room. "The soldiers on King Georgios'' sidehave already departed for Ylithia. It isfree for the taking."


    "That sounds tempting, Lord Balamir, but I would say that it is still too early to strike. We are not even sure about the state of the capital since our departure. The way things are, we cannot make any moves that will rouse the suspicion of those that are not with us. We are fortunate enough to have all been gathered here safely. Forgive me, but I think that it is not the right time."


    "I understand, My Lady. You make a fine point," the lord said, crossing his arms and nodding his head in agreement. But the mood had not calmed down in the least.


    Just as the silence again began to take hold of the room, Gino and Everett came in at the same time, both looking to have something important to say.


    "By all means, please go first, Lord Luxe. My information is grim, but yours should take priority." Gino Gestured for him to take the the floor which he did.


    He stood in front of all the generals and Lords, looking around him to gather their attentions.


    The room was not as wide, but was enough to give them the space to hold a conference. It was a hall made of thick wood. The furnishings were benches where the decorated generals and lords sat contently, making do with what they have rather than an extravagant setting.


    Everett Luxe, the uncontested supreme commander of the new Alrifian authority, stood gallantly in front of a podium overlooking the rest.


    "This is recent, but I have received information where the first step of our plan lies. However, it has been broken. We will not be able to implement the first part of the plan, so we will have to improvise."


    His words carried weight, and with this news of their plan failing from the very beginning, it was not avoidable that all in the room would be shocked. They staked their very lives and fealty to a new cause, but that fealty was being shook by fear and uncertainty.


    "Well, do not hold out on us now, General Luxe. What else is there for you to say? What is the dilemma?"


    "I will not withhold it, but I need all your silence now. You are all fastidious men, that I can praise. But to easily lose your composure over a vague piece of news that comes from my mouth, have you no faith in your decisions?"


    He silenced them by hitting them where it hurts the most, their faith and devotion. They wanted to change the kingdom, but they half-heartedly joined in hopes of this being an easy, downhill battle because they thought that by simply having the former king, Halycn''s daughter, they were righteous.


    However, that was not it. They had to prove that their cause was righteous, and not a fake usurping one that would abuse their powers when they get the chance.


    He was conscious of their one weakness that he wanted to fix it as fast as possible. Words meant little if action could not be seen. They wanted to see if there was a real possibility of this succeeding, but the bitter taste of some of them treating this as a mere gamble didn''t sit well with him.


    "I believe that this simply isn''t something that you thought to spend your free time on. Now, I shall continue. As you all know, the relocation of the armies from the Luvic wall to the main invasion force was a decision that I was unable to see through. But our greatest fears have been recognized. What had happened in the past has come to haunt us once more." He leaned forward and placed both hands on the podium''s sides.


    "The Luvic wall has been breached, and the demons are already advancing at a staggering pace towards the capital. They''re not even targeting anything other than those in their way, so I''ve done the liberty of evacuating those with our alliance to safer territories."


    "H-How? That''s impossible! The Luvic wall has stood the test of time, and the trial of demons attacking it for decades. How has it fallen so quickly?"


    "That I don''t have the answer to, Lord Erst. Just as I received the news of demons advancing, I acted as fast as I could. Fortunately, I was able to save the people living in the town of Asul, and relocate them elsewhere."


    "Are you sure that they won''t be attacking us? How many of them are there anyway?"


    "More than what the Luvic wall can defend against. It was as if they had anticipated for the wall''s weakness and took this chance to break through. But I cannot be certain that they will not attack us in the near future. It is clear that with the way they are moving quickly, they mean to advance to the capital. But the king is there, so it is still well defended. If it will be attacked, then it will hold out."


    "What will this mean for us now? If they take the capital, then our kingdom will be taken over. There is no way that we can hold them off seeing as they''ve breached the walls."


    "Do not lose hope. It is not the first time in our history that we have been faced with such a fate. Always we were able to get back up, and this time is not an exception," protested Everett firmly.


    "Then what are we supposed to do now? Even with our manpower, which is already low to compare with, there is no way for us to fight demons and our own kin at once. We may, but the losses would be devastating."


    "That is what we are to talk about now. Time is of the essence, so I shall make this brief. I have changed the plan to something much more fitting to the developments." He laid out a large rolled up map and had two guards hold it up for all to see behind him.


    The map was already marked with some details pertaining to his plan. All he needed now was the assurance that all will follow without fear.


    He pointed at the Luvic wall. "We have in our disposal enough men for two parts in my plan.As you all know, I lead anadequate numberof knights that I have trained myself. With them at the helm, and some units from your garrisons at my disposal, I will be retaking the wall and setting up a defensive point there. I will be taking other lords to come lead with me. I believe that cutting off their source of reinforcements is vital."


    "I see a problem with this," said Gino, taking everyone''s attention.


    "Demons are notstupid," he continued."There are some instances where they simply don''t destroy and pillage whatever they see. If this wall was the bane of their attack, then I think that they would occupy it and set up a strong, well-defended point of interest. It will be impossible to retake it, in fact, it would be suicidal with how we are currently."


    "Oh, then what do you propose?" asked Everett, raising an eyebrow at Gino, awaiting a splendid response.


    "I think I will be able to answer that question," said an old man sporting a grey beard and a calm expression. He wore a brown cloak with the hood covering his head. He was equipped with a thick, dusty old book hanging by a chain, a satchel hanging by his shoulder, and three daggers from his pouch near his sides. He guided his steps with an oak staff whose branches twisted and intertwined at the top, holding an oddly shaped blue stone at the top.


    If one were to look at him plainly, one would think that he was a lost, old man, but in fact, he was someone who transcended the title of an old man.


    "Albert? What are you doing here?" asked Everett.


    "I have finished my meditation for today. I have taken an interest in your plans, and what the young apprentice says is correct. There is a better way to go with this. Not too tedious, but something simple and straightforward. In fact, it would be a gamble that will give us a grand spoil if we are successful."


    "Tell us what you have in your mind," he said, giving the floor to him, retreating off to the sides.


    Gino then gestured for Daphne, the look if impatience burned in his eyes.


    "This can''t wait. Have Everett explain the plan to you afterwards. I think no matter how important you are now, you still need to know about this."


    She had a terrible gut feeling as he spoke. She had no idea what it was, or what it could be, but her mind was occupied with things concerning the attack and the future of the kingdom.


    Nodding, she excused herself and was led outside to leave the conference area of the town.


    Gino brought her to the infirmary where she saw Aster, whose body was wrapped in bandages, and three other people with him. A woman, and two children, who wore bandages over their wounds,thatslept comfortablyontheir beds.


    "Aster! What happened to you?" she asked, examining his cuts and wounds closely.


    She tried looking around. Despite the state of her companions, her heart began beating of joy. While she tried to hide her smile of expectation, she tried to keep a dignified, and straight laced face for when she sees him again.


    She was sure that the first thing he would say would beHow are you holding up? If it''s too much pressure, then tell me. I''m sure I can help you out when you want me to. After all, we''re in this together, right?


    But it became odd when Aster flashed a forced smile at her, then looked down again at the floor wherea familiar sword sat with its sheathed, covered by blood stains.


    "Hey, Daphne. Sorry it took us this long. We meant to get here earlier, but we ran into a bit of trouble and had to go the long way around. Took us a couple of days." Aster averted his eyes from hers, sighing as if lost in thought.


    "Where is Zachary?" she asked.


    The silence that crept about made her a bit more inquisitive as Aster didn''t look her in the eye.


    "What''s wrong? Do I not understand anything here? What''s with the silence? Are we strangers to each other already?"


    "No, it''s not that," said Aster, struggling to find the words to say. "Zach is... I don''t know. I don''t know anymore."


    "What do you mean by that, Aster? Is there something you know that you''re not telling me?"


    "I don''t know how it happened so quickly, but Zach is... gone."


    She could not comprehend it quite clearly as she was sure that her ears played tricks on her, but his words came into her ear and out in the other.


    "What are you saying? If this is another joke of yours, then I don''t think that it''s a necessary one. Now, where is he?" Her voice became quite shaky, half believing it. But her resolve remained firm. Knowing Aster, he liked to play tricks with her just so that he could see her expression and be entertained by it. But he was not laughing at all. She thought that he had trained himself to hold back his laughter, or he was saying the truth.


    "I wish this was a joke, but we saw it. He risked his life to make sure that we got free."


    It was dreadful, the way his death hit them. The three knew who he truly was, but that alone didn''t measure his worth. To them, he was more than a Thalisean, he was someone who walked alongside them like equals. But now, there was no trace of him.


    Daphne backed away, staggering and struggling with her words. "Impossible... That''s impossible. How could this have happened?" She muttered again and again with her words, trying to find an answer to her questions.


    Her knees gave up and she collapsed on the floor trembling, tearing up, agonizing over thepossibilitythat he was gone. However, she didn''t truly want to believe in that.


    "No, I won''t accept it. I just won''t. We have to go back there and find him. There''s no way that he can be gone." Daphne stood up, rebuilding her resolve. "Erica must not know for now. It''ll break her heart knowing that she lost another parent, whether or not we know if it''s true or not."


    "Where is she anyway?" Aster asked.


    "Playing with the other children. It feels so natural seeing her smiling and laughing, acting like an older sister to the little ones." She peered out the window, wiping her tears away. She curled up her hands into fists and took a deep breath in. "I''m going back for him."


    She tried to storm out of the room until someone pulled on her arm.


    "Gino, don''t stop me. I know that this is important, but to me, is the most important person here, putting my own emotions aside. But with those, he is someone I don''t want to lose."


    "That''s not me," he replied. "I was planning to tag along." Daphne turned around and see Aster pulling her wrist.


    "I don''t want to accept it too. If he knew himself and what his duty was, then him risking his own life for ours.... istoo much to take in. Especially for someone like me. I''m going back too. Knowing that my life was saved by someone like him is like taking his responsibility. I''m just not prepared for something like that. He should be the one to do it, right?" He forced a smile despite his injuries.


    "Comingfromsomeone that he saved as well, I want to know what you are all talking about. Just who is he truly? The way you talk about him makes him sound like a god. Is there something that you need to tell me?" Julia spoke up, her eyes firmly pointed at the three.


    Daphne hugged her arms and thought to herself if she could reveal who he was. This would get out of hand quickly, but he has said that humanity isn''t prepared to know yet. But, if they were to know, then they would be motivated to save him even further.


    She shook her head. "He is the one who pulled me up from desolation. He is the one I love, and I have much to repay him for."


    "Well, if we are to repay him, then we must have the support of everyone. We need motivation. I think this is just the right form of motivation that we need. The promise of a better future, and the life of someone of important on the line."


    "What are you talking about, Gino? It sounds like you''re simply selling him as a bargaining chip."


    "Don''t get me wrong. I want to save him, that much is true, but to speak realistically, we need to be united. Our emotions alone can''t be enough to save him if he still lives. his identity won''t matter if he''s gone. It was a terrible idea agreeing to keep amongst us in the first place, but now is the best time to unveil it, for his own good. What do you think, Aster?"


    He thought long and hard until he came to the same conclusion as Gino.


    "He''s... right. It won''t matter in the end if we lose him. Humanity might not be ready, but we don''t know for sure. I don''t care about anything else. I just want him back alive. I''ll do anything to repay the favor."


    Daphne fought with her own thoughts, trying to decide whether this would bode well for him, or if she should simply believe that Zachary may still be alive and wait until they succeed. That could go on for who knows how long. It was clear the she could not bear to think of what he is suffering through right now, and that thought alone pushed her to the edge.


    "Come, let us makeanannouncement." She said


    It was cold, damp, and dark. I could see a faint red glow behind my eyelids, but my face and eyes felt swollen after being beaten senseless for so long, that the numbing pain made it difficult to open my eyes. It was hard enough to breathe in the musky air, but there was an incessant poundingatthe back of my head that shattered my focus each time.


    How... How am I still alive?


    I tried to move my arms to feel that throbbing pain, but my arms wouldn''t move as much as I wanted it to. I only heard the sound of metalrattling loudly, and the faint groaning noise from the far distance.


    I felt cold, really cold. I don''t know whether it was just my imagination or not, but the lack of warmth on my body and the presence of the chilling wind surrounding me, led me to think that I had no clothes to cover my torso. I was fortunate enough to feel the presence of fabric on my legs.


    Just where am I anyway?If you spot this narrative on Amazon, know that it has been stolen. Report the violation.


    But then, another sound began reverberating towards me. The sound of a single person''s footsteps, slow, steady, and eerie.


    A faint laugh. The steps then came to a stop. I felt the stare of someone on me.


    "Did you have a rude awakening? Or did you sleep well?"


    Her voice was cheery, playful even, as if what her eyes were seeing amused her.


    "I have been waiting for you to wake up, my dear," I felt a warm touch on my numb cheek. The person''s fingers traced the outlines of my face thoroughly. "You know, you worried me to no end when you were brought to me in that miserable state. You were near death, slowly reaching out to the reapers'' hand. But luckily enough, my affection and yearning for you had kept you alive. You are special to me, don''t you know?"


    I felt the person''s fingers trace my naked torso, making me feel the immense and unbearable pain of the scars I had received. It seethed asherfingers specifically traced the lines of the sword scars and arrow wounds. Her tracing had a purpose to her that I didn''t know about, but it felt all too intentional to be false.


    "Where... am I?" I asked. My words didn''t come off clear enough since it sounded like a simple muffled noise, but she responded hearing it clearly.


    "Why, you are where you belong. Inside a special room for my collection. But worry not, I had given you a very large one that every other pales in comparison to. Only those that have turned quite naughty have had the privilege of staying here. And you, my dear, have caused quite the naughty act. Many would want to see you hung, beheaded, or even executed in the arena, but my saving embrace kept you here where you truly belong, in my loving care. Think about it. You kidnapped a noble''s son, roused and caused the slum-dwellers to riot and create a massive city-wide fire, one that ravaged a great part of the capital, and killed many of the kingdom''s soldiers."


    She paced around the room and took in her hand what looks to be a whip rolled up.


    She had a smile on her face as my eyes widened on it.


    "Now that you''re awake, I think it''s time to punish you. Those words that you said to me before leaving, they hurt quite a bit. But never had I imagined someone like you to say those to me." She allowed the whip to come loose. She practiced on a wall, making a sharplashingsound that echoed through the room.


    Without delay, she struck me. The first one hit me straight on the chest. It was quick and surprising, enough to make me lose my breath.


    I grasped for air, but failed as another barrage came continuously at me.


    I couldn''t yell. All that came from my mouth from every flog was an exasperated cry for air.


    It hurt, terribly enough that it defeated the feeling of a sharp cold steel cutting through your skin. I could feel her anger through it, as my flesh tore from the pressure she exerted. A warm flow of blood came, and then went cold as the chilling wind passed by again.


    Every time I winced in pain, I felt her ecstatic smile reached more towards her cheeks in spite of the growing amusement in her haughty laugh.


    All I could do was grind my teeth and shout in pain, doing my best to bear it as much as I could. But Iswear that I begged for mercy at one point, but all that came from my mouth was a stifled groan of pain and a grunt.


    "Beg! Beg for mercy and cry for my name! Come now, I want to hear it! I want to hear you beg for forgiveness after shaming me!" It was clear after minutes of this ordeal that she was an expert in it.


    I felt my entire body flare up, but theitchingsensation of wanting to scratch my bleeding wounds was prevented by the shackles binding me to the walls. I had no energy to say anything else. I thirsted, I hungered, but I doubted that I was going to get anything that I desired.


    "You are much more resilient than most. Some would cry out after the first lash, but you endured the entire time. I''m proud of you. I think you deserve a reward."


    I felt her forcefully grab my jaw to look up at her face. She pushed herlips to mine forcefully. But from her mouth came a gush of fresh water that was vigorously expelled down my throat.


    I chocked on the flowing water, but she passionately and aggressivelytwinedher tongue with mine to my great astonishment. her eyes were closed as if she enjoyed this moment. I couldn''t stop her, not had I the energy to reject this. In fact, this was worth going through the trouble of for something to quench my thirst.


    But despite all that, I felt my heart beat loudly. Her so called reward made me feel something that I tried to forget about since it didn''t feel right at all. This was all unnatural. And for some reason, her obsession was suffocating.


    It went on for moments until she parted with my lips. She touched the bottom of her lip with her finger and traced it, looking at me with a wild longing in her eyes.


    "Behave a bit more, and maybe abetterreward will come for you. But, as much as how amusing you are, I must refrain from using you too much. I would not want to get too bored with you. Farewell, my dear. I shall free you from your shackles for a while, but do not think of escaping. Otherwise there will be severe consequences."


    "Wait!" I cried out weakly. "Where am I?"


    "You areinmy dungeon. It is where those that become quite naughty rehabilitate themselves until they are fit to return to my side. You and a few others are the only ones left. Now, if you do not do anything bad, then you will live. So, I advise that you act accordingly. You are my new favorite now, after all." She touched the tip of my nose and tilted her head, smiling deviously.


    Once she had left the room, I fell to the ground, exhausted. My wrists felt stretched from the shackles. Just how long I had stayed asleep, I do not know. but I hope that Aster and the others got away safely. My state here doesn''t matter as long as they made it out safely.


    I don''t know how many days it has been since I was captured. Sure enough I thought that my time was over, but fortunately I had been kept alive somehow.


    But now I know one thing. Where I am right now must be where I can find Aster''s sister.


    "Two birds with one stone," I said, laughing wryly to myself.


    I just have to try and move my body.


    It hurts, everything, my arms, legs. I can''t even move them without feeling a terrible amount of pain that makes me want to scream out loud. It feels like I''m being torn apart at every turn.


    I leaned my body to the wall despite feeling a stinging lash of pain from my scars on my back. I don''t have the energy to do anything even. I feel like a puppet without its strings.


    I took a glance at my mark and tried to pull some energy from it, which surprisingly enough worked. Its light was dying, but the energy I received was more than enough to get me back on my two feet. But I struggled, sticking to the walls.


    She had left the door open, oddly enough, so I went out, seeing two narrow paths diverging to my left and right. The far depths of the paths were lit up by torches, but still there was a thick amount of darkness that made it difficult to see where they lead to.


    I decided to walk aimlessly, taking the path to my right. I sensed something towards there, but I was not sure what that is. My mind was blank enough to see where I was going, but my intentions didn''t need to make sense. All I needed to do was try and find Aster''s sister if she truly is here.


    There were sounds of groaning coming from some of the holding cells. Those had thick wooden doors while some had the metal bars.


    The ones that took a glance at me would sometimes hurry towards the bars and shake them saying, "Hey, you! How the hell did you get free?! That doesn''t matter. Get us out of here! Please, get us out! We''ve been here for so long that we don''t even know what the outside looks like anymore."


    But I couldn''t tell them anything. I wasn''t sure myself if I was going to get out of this. It was a miracle enough that I''m still alive and walking. All I did was glance at them and nod, heading my own way once more.


    "Sorry. I don''t think I can even do anything for myself right now," I said.


    "What do you mean sorry?! I don''t need that! Get me out of here already! Hey, I''m talking to you!" Then he broke down in tears as I became further away from him, begging loudly and. The clear agony in his eyes was painful as it kept recurring in my head over and over. He was not the only one. There were others. But he was the most forceful one of them all.


    Some even looked too broken to speak as they sat still and silently without paying attention to me.


    I reached a staircase spiraling downwards and descended it. On that floor, I heard the sound of men laughing amongst themselves, at least two of them. They started heading towards my direction, heading upwards the staircase where I came from.


    Quickly surveying my surroundings, I hid under an empty space under the staircase that was untouched by the torches'' light.


    I heard the two men speak with a disgusting amount of confidence in themselves.


    "Ahh, that felt really good! I''ve broken a lot of women in my lifetime of being a guard for that deranged princess in this decrepit shithole, but that feisty one''s a problem. Shame that I had to give her a bit of punishment for lashing out at me."


    "Yeah, Ha-ha-ha! That was entertaining! The look on both of your faces. What did you expect form a Half-breed? Not only are they disgusting, but they''re demons too. But, despite this place being the dump that it is, that sadistic piece of shit royalty brings back some quality women. Too bad most of them are already used up by the others."


    "Heh, we''d better be careful. This isn''t really something that she knows about. If she knew, then I bet we''d get our heads sliced off clean!"


    "Like I care. If we get found out, then we can take care of her real easily, if you know what I mean."


    "Right. I''m just itching for the time that the Half-breed would break under torture just so I could have a bit of fun with her."


    "Are you sure that you really want to do it with a disgusting Half-breed? How knows what kind of disease you''ll get."


    "Bugger off. She looks better than the wenches that you see in this damned city. That doesn''t mean nobility and that crap are counted. It''s a dream enough to have a woman from a higher class than yourself."


    Their voices disappeared after a while.


    Once I heard the term ''Half-breed'', my resolve lit up considerably, and I was able to smile at the possibility of finding her. But the circumstances in which I heard about just earlier made my smile disappear.


    I reached another hall where metal-barred cells were lined up. On the farther end was a cell like any other.


    Walking as silently as I could manage, I saw the silhouettes of women lying down and sprawled on the floor in different angles. Some were weeping while some groaned, silencing their cries.


    I neared the last cell on the left end of the hall when I heard the sound of a beautiful humming sound. The sound echoed through the hall as a pleasant sound. The cries stopped, and the entire room was filled with on the sound of a beautiful humming coming from the cell that I was heading to.


    I saw the image of girl leaning on the wall with her eyes closed, humming without a care in the world. She had bruises to cover her face and nearly naked body, scars and wounds everywhere else. It was amazing that she could still do something like hum in her state.


    But most of all, she wore a smile. It wasn''t convincing that her smile was genuine seeing the stain of dried blood on the floor near her makeshift bed, that consisted of a single blanket where hay was stacked thinly under it.


    I drew closer to the cell, unknowingly losing my sense of balance as I fell forward, grabbing onto the metal bars for support. The mark had waned and disappeared, just like my energy.


    The humming ceased, and our eyes locked. Hers was of a crystal blue color, something that made it hard to look away from. Though she had bruises and blemishes on her face, she was still someone to be admired.


    She was rather pale, sporting a long dark hair that stretched until her waist. But it was bundled up to her front where she smoothedit out with her fingers. Her left arm had markings of a tattoo similar to Aster''s


    She didn''t look as old as me, but there was a hint of maturity about her that I could not understand. She was not that that taller than me. In fact, I was taller by a few inches from what I saw.


    Her clothing consisted of a tattered, worn piece of cloth that resembled a wash rag. That alone managed to cover her body barely.


    She did not speak but simply stared at me for what seemed like the longest time.


    "Are you alright? You seem lost." She spoke, not moving.


    "Do you know someone named Aster?"


    She blinked once, then twice, confirming something. But it was clear that she woke up with the mention of his name.


    "Yes. His name is familiar to me. How do you know of his name? Who are you?"


    "His friend. My name is Zachary. I suppose you''re his sister, aren''t you?"


    "His... friend?" she stared at me dead-eyed. A single tear fell from her eye as she produced a heart-warming smile. "How wonderful. He has made a friend," she said, wiping the tear away. "Yes, I am his sister,Cornelia. Is he safe? How has he been?" she asked, crawling towards me, placing her hands on my hands that held the bars. It was warm, a welcome warmth in this cold, desolate labyrinth.


    Her eyes were full of genuine concern for him, like her own state didn''t matter.


    "But how did you get out? Do you have a key? The one they call the princess must be rather complacent to have let you free."


    "I don''t. I can''t understand the way she thinks, but she set me free. I don''t think I can even escape in my state."


    "Yes, I can see that clearly. But, your body. Under these fresh scars and wounds are more scars etchings of pain. It is quite a miracle that you are still standing and breathing. Are you not exhausted?"


    "I am, enough that I could collapse here and be fine with it." I tried to force a smile and found myself rewarded by a smile from her. It seems that she had not lost hope yet.


    "But what are you doing here?"


    "I''m going to get you out. I promised Aster that I''d find you."


    "But that''s impossible. I am weakened. If you are Aster''s friend, then you must know what he and I are. I cannot use my abilities. A curse has been placed on me, one that restricts my blood and my identity. With this, I am doomed here for all eternity."


    She turned around and pulled up her cloth.


    "Wait, what are you doing?!" I said, trying to stop her from doing something that will end up embarrassing myself as well. The fact is that, the clothshe wore was a single embodiment of a low-cost dress. If she would pull up her cloth, then her body would be bare.


    "It seems that your mind thinks of something else. Malicious thoughts, are they?" shegrinned playfully. It was a surprsing thing to see from someone down in this decrepit dungeon. She laughed at the sight of me averting my eyes from her back.


    "The impure curseis placed on my back." she said, wrapping her arms around herself in a hidden sign of bashfulness. Her cheeks were slightly flushed, and her eyes averted from mine, staring down at the floor. It seemed that her teasing was a double-edged sword meant to see some embarassment in me, but unexpectedly in her as well.


    "Sorry, I didn''t mean it." I tried to remove the malice in my mind.


    She again pulled up her cloth. Beneath this thin piece of cloth, that seemed like it could barely stave off the cold, was her bare body. Nothing underneath to even help her fight against the heat. She was bruised beyond belief, and lashes appeared on various parts of her body.


    But this time, this was no laughing matter.


    On her back, a strange symbol had settled on her back like a tattoo. It was beating like it had a life of its own, similar to a beating heart. But the red passion contained within a beating heart was nowhere to be seen, only a black, vile curse that takes up most of her back, and it seems to grow with every beat.


    "It is eating away at my life, and of who I am, my identity as a Half-breed. When it consumes me, then I will be nothing but an empty husk. The only one who can remove this curse is the one who cast it, and that one, is a demon."


    "A demon?"


    "Yes. The man who this kingdom calls King Georgios is dead. He has been possessed by a strong demon capable of controlling people''s hearts, and manipulating the darkness within them. The demon is called Hobris, a lower Ivaas demon. "


    "Tell me, is that the same demon that attacked Lavis, a town in Ylithia?"


    "Yes," she replied, her back still turned to me. "I and a few others chased him down, to this very city and cornered him in the halls of the throne room. Unfortunately, he had already taken possession of the king''s mind at that time, and turned the entire kingdom upon us before we realized. Here in this dungeon I lamented the fact that we were lured, and because of my mistake, I lost the two closest people I can call family besides Aster."


    She pulled down her clothes and faced me, noticing something on my face as her hand passed through the metal bar, touching my cheek and curiously glancing at me with her eyes.


    "There is something on your mind that is bothering you. What is it?"


    "It''s... a long story. Won''t you mind, Cornelia?"


    "Seeing as you''re already here, I think this would be a better chance than any to get to know each other, don''t you think? And please, call me Lia instead. I think we have come to know each other if only a bit, so it is natural that we can call each other by simpler means."


    She smiled, lifting my spirits. There was no way I could have denied this chance of wanting someone to listen to me right now. Though it sounded stupid to do it here, what else could I have done?


    "Thank you, Lia. Then you can call me Zach instead."


    "There is nothing to thank me for, Zach. We all have something in our hearts that we need to confide to someone with."


    I told her my relation with the town of Lavis and the connection I had with Sir Hark, then everything leading up to this very point in time. It felt nostalgic despite it not being too long ago. But it all still seems to unreal to take in. To know that they''re gone and won''t be coming back. It was hard to accept, but eventually I did, subconsciously.


    "So, you have lost someone as well then. You have my most sincere apologies."


    "It''s alright. There''s no overturning the past now. But all I can do is avenge him."


    "But you are brave. You are going against a demon. For a mere human, mustering up the strength to even think of facing a demon is.... inspiring. You are quite the individual. Despite going through these hardships, you still face the future no matter what it brings."


    "I''m nothing, really. If it weren''t for a gift that I have, then I am nothing. I don''t even know if I can be called human."


    "What gift? Why is that? Are you a Half-breed as well?"


    It just occurred to me as I looked at it, remembering what she had told me about the curse on her back being made of impurity. It was just a hunch that I had, but I had a feeling, or a hushed voice rather, inside my head telling me what to do. It spoke like a hallucination, but I paid attention to it like it was normal.


    "Could you show me the curse on your back again?"


    "Uh, did I misunderstand?" her hand retreated swiftly.


    "Don''t worry, I''m not going to do anything bad to you. Like I said, I''m here to get you out. I''m not even sure if this will work, but it''s worth a shot."


    "I''ve already told you that nothing will work on the curse. It would take someone like the Four Great Magni to lift such a curse full of darkness and cruelty."


    "Please, trust me."


    "I-I understand. If you have a serious face like that on, then I don''t think I can doubt you."


    She turned around and slowly lifted up her cloth with a noticeable shiver in her hands.


    I inched my right hand past the bars and towards the curse as if it were being guided there by an unseen force. The mark was glowing brightly, maybe as bright as the time that I fought the demon from Caspia.


    I heard the voices once more, this time louder. There were countless of them crowding my thoughts, repeating words over and over.


    Purge the darkness... the demons... the dreaded ones who disrupt the scales.


    You are the child of light; your life is devoted to eradicating the threat until your last breath.


    You are not alone. All of us are within you. The flickering light of a waning star, the one who transcends us all. With you our legacy began, and with you our legacy will end.


    The demons are monsters, and we must be the judges of these criminals. It does not matter whether we are just to judge them or not. It is our way of life, it is who we are, and who we are to become.


    You, O holy one, the last of uspossessing the greatest light of all. Cleanse the vile impurity with your light of purgatory. There is nothing that can best the light but a brighter light itself, the darkness will merely dissipate, become nothing, just as it is... nothing....


    Before I knew it, my hand was placed flat on her smooth and soft back. The glow behind my hand created a bright light that cleared her room of the darkness.


    The curse seethed as it burned from her back, disappeared slowly. Lia arched her body forward, stifling her ecstatic cries with both of her hands.


    It was overwhelming. It felt likemy hand was being burned through a billowing pit of fire. The mark was burning a hole through my hand with the tremenduous amount of light it was giving off.


    It came to a point where it was too much and I had to pull my hand back, still feeling the scalding sensation clearly. Just what is it burning inside me that hurts so much whenever I use the mark? Is it all going to be painful every time I use it?


    I breathed hard, looking at Lia whose eyes were wide open in shock. She had recovered from the ordeal I put her up to and was staring at the glowing light on the back of my hand as it slowly dimmed.


    "This light... The Heraldic mark, it can''t be. But you''re all gone. How does one still exist?!"


    Damn, she saw the mark. What was I thinking? If anyone were to find out, then it would get out of hand.


    I pulled my hand back to hide it, but she moved fast, pulling my hand towards hers, looking down at it with an intense glee, like a child receiving a present. The wonder on her eyes as my light gleamed on her crystal-like blue eyes were captivating.


    "Are you really a Thalisean?" she asked, looking into my eyes, the grip of her hand tightened on mine. It was not an aggressive grip, but a gentle, and expectant one. "I can''t believe that there is still one in existence! But why are you here? You can''t be here. It''s dangerous!"


    "Shh!" I held a finger up to my mouth to silence her. "No one can know yet."


    "But why not?" she responded softly. "Everyone should know this. You''re the single greatest being here in this continent, no, maybe the world to combat the demons! Everyone has been waiting for your return, even us."


    "I''m... not ready for it yet. I still don''t quite understand how this power works. I didn''t even know about it until a few months ago. Right now, I''m far from what you can proudly call a Thalisean. But I know that I can''t keep complaining like this. Soon enough I''ll face my task head on without any second thoughts."


    "Does that mean no one knows yet?"


    "Other than you, only Aster and a few of my companions know about me."


    "I don''t understand. Simply your existence being known would give humanity the hope it needs to keep living, more so in these desperate times where the demons are as rampant as ever."


    "But in exchange, that will mean that the demons will come for me in great numbers. I''m still unprepared for that."


    "Ah, I... understand. Forgive me. I was not thinking clearly. I was just overwhelmed by the fact that here I am, meeting a Thalisean face to face. You aren''t quite as I imagined you to be, nor is the meeting place."


    "Aster told me about your admiration for them. What did you expect, anyway?"


    "A high looking, divine being. Like an elf. Omnipotent, high-born. A presence so grand and overwhelming that all who would look will succumb to a great awe. I imagined you to be wearing a stiff, strict expression that no simple commoner, let alone a Half-breed, would be able to get close to."


    "Those are some expectations. I assume that you''re disappointed?"


    "No, in fact. I''m glad that the first Thalisean I was able to meet was mundane, rather unimpressive at first glance, and down to earth. I never in my wildest dreams thought that you would be the Thalisean."


    "Mundane and unimpressive..." I muttered to myself.


    "Ah! by no means was that an insult. I''m sure that you have many redeeming qualities in you. Like your steadfast will to keep living. I can see it in you. I might not know the full worth of your character, but something tells me that you are destined for greater things."


    "How did you know right away what it was? TheHeraldic mark, as you called it."


    "I am certain because the moment, I had the urge to kneel before you. The mark felt omnipotent, as if I could not disobey the trance I was under. The only reason that I was able to resist was because you didn''t urge the light. To demons, and even us Half-demons, the light can bend its greatest foe to its will if it''s strong enough. And besides, you removed the curse. I''m quite knowledgeable about curses, and that one took a great deal of time to cast on me."


    "Just how much of the mark do you know?"


    "Enough from the books I had read. If we ever get out of here, then I would be more than glad to tell you about what I''ve learned."


    "Then I''ll hold you to that. And while I''m at it, I''ll try to show you that I''m not as unimpressive as you see."


    She laughed. "It''s been quite while since I''ve known laughter, or even joy ever since I was trapped here. Thank you, Zach."


    "Nothing to say thanks to me for. I''m glad to see you smile too. You looked devoid of life and depressed when I first saw you, but it made me feel better to know that you''re past that."


    "It is a given that happiness would not be found here. There is nothing but pain and suffering to be sought out. I''ve felt the pain of her lashes many times. She has gone and vented her frustrations on me as well. Yet even during those times I have not lost all hope of tomorrow."


    "I''m sorry to hear that. I''ve already felt that and know how painful it is. But your humming, it was beautiful and uplifting. It didn''t feel at all desolate here when I heard it. When I heard it, it almost made me forget what I just went through."


    "Is that so? What a compliment to receive from a Thalisean. I''m quite honored. But only you and Aster are the only ones to have heard that. I''ve hummed to him when he was still small, but not anymore. I think he has already forgotten that."


    "I''m sure that he hasn''t. After all, you are all that he speaks about. He holds you in high esteem."


    She smiled, reminiscing her memories. "That child. He hasn''t changed. Even if he looks old enough to be responsible, deep inside he is still someone who dreams of the impossible. It puts a smile on my face when he talks about becoming as strong as me, but I''m not even as strong to begin with. In fact, he has already surpassed me, both physically and mentally. He is bound to grow stronger in the future."


    We continued speaking as if it were the most natural thing to do in such a place.


    We exchanged smiled and laughs that was disrespectful to those who were suffering here, but I wanted to be selfish for now and just think that it was the two of us here. I learned much about her in these short minutes that passed like hours.


    But, as the light disappeared, a dulling sense of weakness spread throughout my body, leaving me without the strength to stand, not to mention the burning pain of having used the mark. The lower part of my body, from my hip to my feet, felt like it was on fire, and the insides of my body felt like it was slowly being torn apart.


    "What''s wrong? Are you alright?" she asked, frantically reaching out to me. The panic in her eyes was a welcome sight to fall back on.


    "I have to get you out of here somehow. If the demons controlling King Georgios finds out that you are here, then who knows what unspeakable evil will fall upon you."


    "I''m all for escaping. But how do we do that? Right now, the only way I can move is if I rest, or use the mark."


    "I can''t help as well. Currently, I am still trying to regain the strength I had lost. It will take a long while before I can do that. But I will do all I can to help you!"


    "Thank you, Lia. I appreciate the sentiment. I will be depending on you. But for now, keep this secret between us..."


    I paused, hearing the sounds of footsteps descending the lower floor where I am currently.


    "I will wait. Don''t worry about me. I''ll try to hold out for as long as I can, but whatever happens, don''t do anything rash to get yourself in danger."


    "What do you mean? It almost sounds like you''re giving up for some reason."


    Just as she finished, I heard the angered voices of the guards that just left a while ago.


    "What the hell? How did you get out of your cell? Oy, what the hell are you two standing around for? Get him already!"


    The men rushed to me, but I snuck in a few last words before what I feared for happened.


    "I''ll be leaving my life in your hands," I said smiling with the remaining ounce of my strength.


    I felt them seize me by my neck, pitting my back against the metal bars of Lia''s cell.


    They repeatedly thrashed me, kicking and punching me relentlessly and ruthlessly.


    "So you think you can just go and find a wench to have a good ol'' time with, huh? Well this is what you''re going to get instead!"


    They pulled me up, holding me on either side by my arms. The one that ordered the two around jabbed at me, some making a crunching noise.


    I felt blood spill from my nose as it became hard to breathe, but the metal gloves that he had on made it worse on my face. as he aimed for that alone.


    Then came a strong hook where he wound up, twisting his body all the way. I spun, ending up facing Lia''s cell, taking the bars by my two hands as to not fall.


    "Please, Don''t! Stop this already! Don''t you know who that is?" she cried out, rattling the bars and calling the attention of the guards.


    I looked at her and placed my index finger before my lip, asking for her silence. It was funny as I still managed to smile and assure her as best as I could.


    "I trust you," I whispered.


    "Eh? Who do we think this trash is? I don''t give a damn who this is. As long as they end up here, they nothing but insignificant pieces of trash, the lot of them, including you, Half-breed scum! bring him back to his cell. That maniac of a princess will be the one to deal with him later."


    He spat on me, landing on my cheek. I couldn''t move, numbed by the pain. I was dragged back to my cell by my shoulder.


    As I left the cell, I saw nothing but the dark. It was either my eyes were closed, or the light of the torches were extinguished. But by the end of it all, I received more lashes from her upon hearing what I had done. It was brutal and painful, but I had to endure, no matter the pain or the ordeal, no matter how long it may be.


    The sound of blood dripping to the floor rang in my ears. It was a constant, welcome noise that kept me awake for the most part. If I fell asleep right now when I''m at my very weakest, it feels like I won''t be able to wake up anymore.


    My body twitched helplessly at the remembrance of the recent method of torture.


    She had cast a spell of electricity on me relentlessly until I almost blacked out due to the immense violent current flowing through every inch of my body. I spasmed, convulsed, writhed, and howled in pain as loud as my lungs could reach. By the end of the day, I my lungs were as dry as the soil untouched by moisture. If I had to endure any more, I would have gone insane.


    How many days has it been since the time I came to Lia''s cell? I can''t even remember. My scars and wounds have gotten deeper and deeper, almost as if that mad woman checked on me on regular besis just so the scars could be renewed with little hope of healing.


    It''s a miracle that I''m still alive, and the fact that I could still think is anything but baffling.


    I heard the sounds of footsteps...


    Is it her again? Has she come back for more? I don''t think I can hold on anymore. There''s just no way. I''m at my wit''s end. Father, Mother, help me, please. It''s painful, too painful for anyone to bear. Each day is just as agonizing as the last.


    I pleaded, which was not the first time I had done it. There were times when I thought that it would be time for me to go. But everytime that would happen, the image of my mother and father would appear, and they would say, "It''s not yet your time. Please, bear it a little longer. You''re stronger than that. Besides, there are people waiting for you."


    It was ridiculous. I''m not even sure that they would even come for me anymore. They would have thought with how the ways things ended with the escape that I''m already dead.


    Please, someone, help me...


    "Zachary...?"


    I inclined my head up and saw Maris looking at me with horror in her eyes. She covered her mouth with her hands and trembled for a long while.


    I didn''t speak since I was too tired to do so. But it wasn''t needed for some reason.


    She rushed towards me and knelt, staining her beautiful beige dress with my dried blood on the ground. Tear immediately fell from her eyes, and she tried to reach out to me, only failing for reasons that I don''t know about.


    "This is horrible. You''re deathly pale, scarred everywhere. Why has this been done to you? Have they no mercy to show?"


    She touched one of my scars, forcing a cry of pain out of me as my body contorted like a jolt of electricity sent to wake my every sense.


    "Ah! I''m sorry!" she said, retracting her hands almost instanty. "I didn''t mean it."


    "Did the princess do this to you?"


    I nodded my head.


    "Then you are the reason as to why she is always going somewhere. I never thought that this was in her interests. Forgive me."


    "For what?" I managed a disgruntled reply.


    "For not believing you when you spoke to me. I had never known of this, but after seeing the horrors, it is clear that she is not the same person whom has taken care of me. Tell me, how do I repent for this? If it weren''t for me agreeing so that you could have an audience with the princess, then this would not have happened."


    "Water..." I pleaded.


    She stood without hesitation and left the room, returning after a while with a metal pale filled with water.


    She gently raised it up to my level and poured it steady. Some dripped down my body, givign off a refreshing, but irritating feeling.


    I cleared my throat and spoke.


    "Then I need you to help me with something."


    "Anything, Zachary. Anything to atone for my lack of faith in you."

 Chapter 29: A City in Ruins

    They stood on the horizon overlooking the capital as it continued burning, suffering, and bearing the pain of the attack. The immense number of demons crowding the walls, battering it down relentlessly cackled and laughed with joy with every piece of the wall that they take down. They felt the pits of their stomach rumble in glee for the coming feast.


    The men defending the city mustered all that they could, resisting those that were trying to assault them by raising the ladders.


    "Pour the boiling oil! They''re getting through!" One of them shouted, bathing in the blood of both his own allies and the blood of the demons that have sputtered on him. He panted, looking all around him. No one had heard his screams as the hungry and bloodthirsty faces of the demons became increasingly larger as they got closer using the ladder to ascend the wall.


    His own allies were preoccupied, fighting back the oncoming horde, firing backvolleysof arrows on the enemy, and saving each other from dying out as best as they could.


    The sounds of their superiors shouting orders were being stifled as the cries and shouting of the other soldiers tried to overpower each other.


    It was catastrophic, the first clash. The city had sent its finest men to meet the oncoming vanguard, but were beaten down easily by the demon''s commanders who possessed a terrifying amount of magical energy, reducing the advancing soldiers to nearly half in an instant.


    What followed was a simple slaughter to those that saw it from a safe distance.


    The remaining were quickly surrounded by the enemy''s cavalry and corralled like livestock. The they were killed on the spot for all to see. But the captain and his adjutant were brought up with large wooden logs fashioned into crosses, coercing the men behind the walls to give up their city.


    They refused flatly, receiving orders to fire upon the hostages with their arrows, killing them without remorse. The battle continued for hours from the beginning of dawn, and has become a bloodbath ever since.


    "What are those fools doing?!" Daphne cursed as she peered at the battlefield through a looking glass. She felt a bitter taste in her mouth as she saw the cruel passing of someone that those soldiers over the walls should have at least felt sorry for.


    "It can''t be helped," said Everett, stoically looking at the same place without so much as another expression clouding his face. "The man leading them knows that this is a losing battle. Even thinking of yielding an entire capital for the exchange of a couple unfortunate souls, it is unheard of. Thus the only logical way out is to execute them their selves."


    "But that''s too harsh of a fate to suffer."


    "In this world, it is seen as the most merciful way to go. To fall prisoners to demons is a fate worse than death. I would have made the same decision if it came to that, and would not harbor anger to those who would do the same to me." He spoke bluntly, not tearing his eyes off the ensuing battle.


    "Now, now. No need to cloud the air between you two with tension. We have an entire army with the morale surpassing the heroes of old. I think we need to strike soon." Albert spoke up as he came up from behind them.


    "Does that mean that they''re prepared, Albert?"


    "Yes, Everett. Everything and everyone is prepared. Gino is helping me with my mage unit curently. But are you sure that you want to fight on the front, lady Daphne? That would be very dangerous."


    "As I''ve said, I will fight like every other soldier in this kingdom. I have someone that I need to fight for. He is suffering; therefore I will suffer beside him and fight for his freedom myself. I owe all of this to him most of all."


    "You''ve grown ever more mature, and stupid, Daphne," laughed Everett. "But rest assured, Albert. As long as I am by her side, then her life is secure."


    Just as their reunion started to reach its fruition, a man came up frantically from a better vantage point. He rode upon a horse and perspired from his forehead down. His clutched his bleeding shoulder, grounding his teeth in resistance to the pain.


    "Sir! I''ve come to report of the state of the enemy''s left flank until the town of Asul."


    "Give me the full run down, leave no detail unturned. Daphne, if you don''t mind, will you alert the other generals that we are about to begin?"


    She nodded and quietly went back to the vanguard.


    "Understood!" said the scout, saluting with the stiff disposition of order. "There seems to be no reinforcements arriving for the enemy. The western territories of the capital are free from any approaching land or air units. My men and I believe that these demons sieging the capital are all of their forward units."


    "Have the scouts sent to the Luvic wall returned yet?"


    "I''m afraid not, sir. Should I lead a unit to come search for them?"


    "There is no need. We can''t delay this any further. This forward army is already immense. forty thousand demons all in all against a ten thousand strong army consisting of knights, soldiers, and mages who have the element of surprise on their side."


    "Having second thoughts?" asked Albert.


    "Far from that. I''m just itching with excitement. It''s been a while since we''ve gone to a battle like this where the odds are against us. Never have I thought that I would live through such a thing."


    "Yes, yes. Just be careful not to lose your mind again. You''re starting to sound like a warmonger. I''d hate to see this beautiful city reduced to nothing but rubble. Besides, what I''m truly after is the successful and safe retaking of this so called Thalisean. My intrigue is getting to difficult for me to handle. And it would be in our best interest to save such a being from sure uncertainty."


    "It''s hard to believe that such an important person would be held up in this city. I''m skeptical, but we cannot dismiss it. However, it''s true what Daphne says. If they are to know if he exists or not, and if they were to know that he is being held prisoner inside their own city, there would be riots, both from the side of the demons and the humans on an unimaginable scale."


    "This is getting rather complicated, isn''t it, Everett? But the men''s morale is exceptionally high for something like a mere rumor. They will all stakes their lives for the slim chance that a Thalisean truly exists, and it will be a momentous occasion if we are to rescue him from peril. We humans are amusing and terrifying at the same time for things like that. Our empty devotion can drive us to do reckless and unthinkable things."


    "Complicated or not, We will win. If we lose here, then it would be the same as losing the entire war against the demons. This will be for the salvation of many. Even if I have to stake my life for this success of this operation, then gladly. As long as it means that there will be a futurefor humanity."


    "True. We have been backed to a corner quite spectacularly, almost as if the strings were being pulled from right beside us."


    "That matters little now. Let us face this head on. We will grab hold of this chance and not let go of it until we are victorious."


    "Naturally." Albert closed his eyes and gave a small laugh from under Everett''s notice. "We all have a reason to fight."


    They departed back and prepared for the great assault.


    They began marching, dividing their light and medium cavalry units in half, positioning them diagonally for a hollow spear formation, striking and driving an open wedge upon the enemy''s rear. Meanwhile, archers will fire volleys upon volleys on the bulk of the enemy''s units in the middle, whittling them out as swiftly as possible.


    Then following the cavalry unit with haste are the soldiers who were made to wear less burdensome armor, enough to allow their legs to carry them to the enemy''s rear guard before they exhaust themselves.


    Following behind that unit was the heavy cavalry, Everett Luxe''s elite order of knights who are in charge of reinforcing and destroying the enemy''s means of defense.


    Everett thought about the men wearing light armor who will be sent to charge at full speed. When they get there, they will be left open even with their great numbers. Thus, to supplement that and give the men reprieve and a boost in morale, he positioned the heavy cavalry to the third wave.


    But of course, while all this transpires, the main vanguard unit will have been advancing already, at a steady pace as to not wear themselves out. Here, the mage unit, led by Gino and Albert Foster march behind the heavy infantry, led by Everett Luxe, and Daphne Luvierre. They will take the front as the first wave exchanges with them.


    That is the full composition of the all-out attack planned out by the true allied army. And it was quickly put into motion.


    "Charge! Have at them and show humanity''s will!"


    "Fire volley! Second wave, be prepare and fire on my command!"


    "Cavalry, follow my banner and strike true with your lances! Hold a single tight formation and don''t lose sight of the one in front of you!"


    They clashed against the enemy who scrambled to form up and counter the great offensive.


    Their front lines and commanders were being preoccupied by the Alrifian elite guards, so their chain of order could not be followed right away. As a result, the enemy''s ranks were thin, easily crumbling to the powerful offensive.


    Then came wave after wave until the first had switched with the main vanguard, so that they could retreat, recuperate, and prepare for yet another assault.


    The quick shift in the allies'' army surprised the enemy who fell one by one, unable to handle the endurance of outlasting such a coordinated army. In a short time, they were already close to the enemy army''s heart, the middle of it all.


    But, in a quick turn of events, the demon army separated into two, the first half, consisting of a majority, continued the siege while the second half was made to fight them.


    Though they were disorganized mere moments before, their ferocity had again been built up, and so have the composure in their pride. The weakened half of the demons'' rear guard alone was more than enough to compensate for the mistake of their fallen brethren for their numbers still surpassed that of the allied armys''.


    "Don''t falter! Their numbers are meaningless. Don''t lose sight of who you are, a man of Alrifer! Fear nothing and trample uncertainty with your blade and head held up high!"


    It was a fierce battle where balance shifted back and forth. No clear winner could be seen as despite the gap in numbers, the mettle of humanity was one thing that drove them like madmen.


    He looked from a vantage point close to the capital that hid his position. Though he felt the immense pressure of his own task, he was in awe of his allies'' bravery to face such odds with their will alone. He never understood that in the ones who ridiculed his kind mercilessly, but here they are now, proving their worth.


    He shook his head and faced the more daunting task of trying to get into the capital without being seen.


    Daphne and Everett had given Aster the outline of the city''s current defenses as they were surveyed beforehand. He knew that it would be impossible to join those men in battle as it would only cause a disturbance, so he had his own agenda.


    He took out the plan of the city and looked at his way in. There, the city''s defenses would be unguarded seeing as they were too gracious in strengthening one point of the city''s defenses. It made sense, and at the same time, it didn''t.


    "Here," he pointed out, glancing back at the wall and at the map, making a mental outline of what he should do.


    Though most of the city''s soldiers were occupied with a primary directive of defense, there should still be guards roaming the ramparts and the streets. It would be best to avoid any conflict or encounters with anyone, including civilians as he would most likely be apprehended with haste.


    His one objective was to get Zach out as fast as possible, and that was ingrained into his mind. If Daphne and the others were to fail, then it would fall to him to secure the fate of the one he calls a friend.


    "Don''t worry, Zach. I''m coming for you. Just wait a bit longer." He muttered and began his plan to infiltrate the city unnoticed.


    "There. How are your wounds? Do you think you can manage to walk by yourself?" asked Lia whom gently brought me down from my bindings.


    "I have no other choice. I''ll just have to bear it through till the end. Let''s go before they find us here. Maris, what''s happening outside now?" I asked.


    "For now, nothing has changed. The demons are still attacking, but I fear that they will soon destroy the gates and kill many once they enter."


    "Then I have to do something about that. I can''t let that happen."


    "Reconsider, Zach. You''re not even in a condition to hold a weapon, let alone fight. We should make escaping our top priority. We''ve gotten this far, we cannot waste this chance." Lia urged, becoming the voice of reason.


    "I have a duty to uphold. I know I''ve been trying to avoid it by raising reasons like my weakness and lack of training. But now, that has to change, I have to change. I can''t rest when there are people waiting for help."


    "Then you will never get any sort of rest when you go through with this. My goodness, who knew you were so hard-headed as well."


    "Are you disappointed in me once again, Lia?"


    "No. In fact, I think I see you in an even better light now. If you''re that adamant about it, then I will help you. With the time I spent saving my energy, I have recovered enough to fight on even ground. You can depend on me to keep you safe."


    "I-I''m sorry, but I cannot do anything to help you," spoke Maris. "I''m powerless. I know that this is beyond me already. But I want to try and help somehow, but I don''t know if I will make a difference anyway."


    "You helped take care of my wounds, Maris. If it weren''t because of your efforts, then I don''t know how long I could have lasted under her torture."


    "But I''m the reason that you were sentenced to this cruel punishment in the first place."


    "You don''t need to take the blame for that. It is of my own choice that I decided to go. Now, enough bearing the weight of my own pain. You''ve done enough for now. Stay somewhere safe while we do something about this." I placed a hand on her shoulder and reassured her with a smile before leaving.


    I dragged my body, that felt like itwasmade of lead, towards the exit of the dungeon. Along the way, Lia would often help me as I would stumble and almost fall to the ground.


    "Take it slowly and steadily. Don''t force it too much. You haven''t had much time to adjust."


    "You''re right. I feel a strong pounding pain on the back of my head, my limbs feel like they''re attached to something heavy, not to mention my body, which feels like dead weight. If I''m going to fight, then I need to be able to wield a sword at least. Tell me, what do you know of the demon, Hobris?"


    "Enough to serve as intel for when we needed to go and defeat him. Demon lord Hobris is an incarnation of the darkness within an old ancient''s heart. He can take advantage of it as long as the vessel is weak and is unable to overcome his trance. Once he has taken over a vessel, the vessel''s soul is pushed out without a place of refuge, eventually starving it and leaving it to fade as nothing."


    "His new vessel, King Georgios. How much of a threat is he now with that body?"


    "I have heard of how King Georgios is a man of battle. Demon lord Hobris can take full advantage of that and still use his arsenal of magic. Every Demon lord is equipped with a special power. Most of the time it is magic, of which they may share an affinity to."


    "Tell me about the time you fought him."


    "He wielded a scythe. His skill in that alone made him a force to be reckoned with. I couldn''t fight him on the same terms for my head as well became blurred with something. I can''t quite explain it myself, sorry."


    "No, that''s alright. Every bit helps immensely. Then how about his vessel back then?"


    "He was not using a vessel. In fact, he tried to take over Sir Hark''s body, but failed. It appears that Sir Hark has a strong will that prevented him from being taken over. But still, his soul was pushed out from his own body, andthatwas how he was left vulnerable, and killed. However... there was something peculiar that happened after that. I can''t quite remember if it was true or not... No, nevermind. It can''t be anything unusual."


    "I see. Thank you, Lia."


    It took me some time to stomach this, but I tried to not let my rage take over. Right now, I know that he is my enemy. He took someone precious from me, therefore I will avenge him. I don''t think I can be silenced until I succeed.


    "The Demon lord has control over the elements ofthe dark. But it is a peculiar typeof darkness. One imbued with a certain degree of dark magic that can be deemed formless. One that opposes the light. We would do well to be weary of such ploys. He is skillful and sly with it."


    "Then I will keep that in mind. But against him, I must be victorious. I cannot fail, otherwise, Sir Hark''s name won''t ever be in peace, nor will my conscience. Will you lend me your help in defeating Hobris?"


    "You don''t need to tell me that, Zach. It is an honor to fight beside a Thalisean brave enough to face his demons."


    "Well then, let''s go, shall we?"


    During my time here, biding our chance to get free, Maris had provided Lia and I with information about what was happening above ground. She also healed my wounds out of guilt for her actions that led up to this, but in truth, it was both out of our hands.


    She informed us that most of the guards that were stationed in the castle were mobilized for the defense of the city seeing as without help from the main army, the gates and the walls holding them off are bound to crumble soon. It was only a matter of time until they got in, and we were right in the thick of it.


    I wonder what Daphne and the others are doing right now? Are they safe at least from an attack such as this?


    Nevertheless, with fond thoughts of them in my mind, we continued forth, using a backwards route that will allow us to exit through the underground sewage system, then leading up to the plaza, as safe as it can be from the castle where Hobris most likely awaits the destruction of the city.


    "Shh! I can hear someone."


    Lia stalked the walls and kept close to them the moment we descended the staircase leading to the secret exit in the dungeon.


    I listened closely and heard their voices as well.


    "Hurry up! We need to close this before we leave, otherwise, there might be some breakouts. We can''t have that now."


    "Alright, Sir. With this, there should be no way that they''re getting out without the key."


    "Good. Now, let''s depart before the damned wall breaks down. We''ll need every man to slaughter those demons, and show who''s on top of the food chain around here."


    There were two of them, well-armed with swords and spears. They wore sturdy looking armor that''s not too light nor is it too heavy.


    With the direction they''re going, a confrontation is imminent. If we want to avoid them, then we''ll have to go back where we came from. But we can''t waste time like this. Worst comes to worse, I''ll have to deal with them myself.


    But before I could even move, Lia spoke.


    "Leave this to me. Save your energy for later."


    She slowly walked into the light of the torches and kept her hand on the hilt of her weapon, a normal sword taken from the dungeon''s armory.


    The two of them immediately became weary and drew their weapons.


    "Halt! Who''s there?" asked the one who must be the commander.


    He was met with silence as Lia had no intention of speaking from the beginning.


    "An intruder, huh?" he muttered, rotating his shoulders as a form of warming up. "Hey, you. Be on the ready. There seems to be someone who wants to escape."


    "Y-Yes Sir!" he said, unsheathing his weapon with a trembling hand.


    Looking at Lia, her aura started to change. A current of electricity, a beautiful flushed red color, was cascading and surrounding her. Her demeanor changed as well. She was silent,infallible, and steadfast. An extreme aura of focus reverberated around her.


    "What? A mage? Hmm, I guess it doesn''t matter. As long as you bleed, then it''s all the same as the others."


    He charged as quickly broke the distance between them. He was unusually quick with his equipment, ignoring that state of his. He cleaved downwards, stomping on the ground with a loud roar.


    But Lia stood there and received the heavy attack. A high-pitch, ringing noise resonated as the two weapons clashed, but then came the standstill.


    Despite her small frame, Lia stood firm and unmoving against her much larger opponent. He too noticed it and narrowed his eyes, figuring out the answer to the question in his mind.


    "A Half-breed?"


    Lia''s eyes flared up, and the discharge ofelectricityaround her became a fierce waltz of ferocity. The man backed away upon seeing this and cursed under his breath.


    "Stay put, rookie. You''ll only be dead weight."


    Without waiting for an answer, he again tried to charge at Lia, but this time taking a cautious approach.


    "Forgive me, but we cannot waste our time with simple battles." Lia spoke, taking a stance. Electricity distorted and cackled around her. She disappeared almost instantly, in the blink of an eye.


    The large bulky soldier was hit with by unseen force, stopping his momentum dead in his tracks. He himself was surprised at the sudden disappearance of his target, but there was no time to react. The moment he lost focus was the moment that he lost.


    Immediately after the soldier was hit from the front, Lia reappeared from behind him and delivered a lethal attack, drawing her sword along with the flow of her body, fluidly cutting through.


    She glanced behind her and saw the trembling soldier, disappearing once more only to reappear in front of him, delivering a strong jab at the man''s gut with the palm of her hand, discharging what seemed to be anon-lethalamount of electricity.


    The soldier fell along with his companion, and silence returned.


    "Come, let us continue," she said, taking the keys from the soldier and unlocking the gates.


    We arrived at the damp and rotten smelling sewer, seeing an unguarded ladder in the middle. Torches lit up the way, but some were doused with how cold and damp it was here.


    "We''re almost out, Zach. Now we just need to climb this ladder. But allow me to go first. I''ll check the surroundings and make sure that it''s safe for us."


    She hailed me to go up and so I did, arriving at the scene of an eerie silence.


    Maris said that this led up close to the outer district near the commercial business district where we''re supposed to go to.


    Knowing that an attack is coming, I''m not surprised that people would evacuate to somewhere further into the city.


    "Can you hear that?" asked Lia, closing her eyes and focusing her hearing towards a direction further in.


    "What is it?"


    "There seems to be a large group of people causing some kind of aruckusover there. I hear screaming and the sound of a large band of people."


    "Youcanhear that far away? I can''t even hear anything from where I''m standing."


    "It is part of the gift that comes in our blood. Now let''s continue. We will find out soon enough."


    We walked around the silent and empty streets devoid of people. The various shops and stores were left abruptly abandoned, the streets were littered with all kinds of trash and junk, but they all seem safe, apart from those building still being erected as they were destroyed from a fire that the people of the slums caused, that was from the time Aster and I tried to escape, said Maris who saw how it developed.


    Who knew that my actions would lead to such ruin.


    We came to an empty armory. Maris had given us a spare key as she knew the owner and thought that she would not mind if we borrowed some quality arms to protect ourselves with.


    I wore a light set of armor without the helmet and a polished sword which was light but sharp. I could see my reflection upon it, but was immediately put off by how messy I looked. It was a given, but then again, that matters little right now.


    "Do you think the cape is necessary?" I asked Lia, whom wore a light set of armor as well, slightly identical to mine.Support the creativity of authors by visiting the original site for this novel and more.


    "I think it fits you just perfectly. You''re quite dashing to look at. Besides, we''re matching. We both have capes."


    "That''s good to know. But now I think it''s time to confront Hobris before it''s too late."


    "As I''ve said, I will follow and protect you. If you still choose to go down this path, then I''m going to keep my promise. Let us go, Zach," she flashed a smile.


    "Right."


    To our great surprise, the moment we took a step outside was the timewheresmall groups of people started running towards the gates leading to the inner districts of the city.


    "What''s happening?" I asked a passerby who took notice of us.


    "The gate''s been broken! Demons are just pouring in! The soldiers aren''t letting the people from the slums evacuate to the inner distracts, so there''s a riot back there! They''re all going to die if nothing is done!" He resumed his pace and quickly left our field of vision.


    I clenched my fist and felt torn. But there was a clear decision that I had to make.


    "What do we do now, Zach?" asked Lia.


    "We''re going to the outer district. Hobris can wait for a while. What we need to do now is resolve the conflict there and allow the civilians to enter the district before the worst comes."


    "I thought that you would say that, and I''m relieved that you did. Very well. Let us go then."


    But by the time we had arrived there, it was already too late.


    The demons stormed the city''s outer district and ravaged every part of it as if they were in a frenzy.


    Many died as they were close to our grasp. We couldn''t save them, but did the best that we could so that some would be able to escape.


    It was worse than we initially thought.


    The guards of the city prohibited the people of the slums to enter the district just because they were not needed, and would clutter the parts of the cities reserved for the ones they deemed necessary. The demons took full advantage of the fact that they were clustered together and began a massacre on epic proportions, sparing no one, not the youth, the old, women, or even infants.


    The slums were turned into a massive bloodbath all because some people could not let go of their pride, allowing their own views to take importance above all others. It was a gruesome and disgusting sight that I tore myself away from.


    "Zach, there''s more of them coming this way. We need to move, otherwise we''ll be surrounded."


    We ran frantically towards an alley in the slums area.


    As we''re both not too familiar with the designs of the place, we ran everywhere just to escape the oncoming horde chasing us as their next victims.


    I had begun starting to get used to fighting once more as with the help of the mark, I was able to get back on track right away without needing to adjust for a long period of time. And for the most part until now, the mark had been functioning as normally as it would, giving me a small amount of power to fight the demons with.


    They were massive beings, and a mixture of quick, and cunning. Their numbers alone were a terror, so moving frequently was needed.


    Among the field of demons, there were no signs of the city''s soldiers fighting, almost as if they''ve been wiped out already.


    Lia''s abilities kept us safe for the most part. It just showed how much experience she had and how strong she was to put it to use.


    It was a sight to see as she weaved like an unseen flash of light, waltzing from one point to another with grace and elegance in her step. Her cape fluttered as she twirled and freed bolts of electricity. The silence as her blade struck was unbelivable.


    "Let''s move once more, Zach! They''ve started setting fire upon the slums area. With most of the houses being clumped together, and their material being flammable, it will spread quickly. We need to find a way out."


    I looked around and saw fire starting on the far end of the slums area where we came from. Sure enough it was coming at full speed. It would be disastrous if we were to get caught in the middle of that.


    "Wait, I can hear something. Keep an eye out for me."


    I closed my eyes and breathed, focusing my senses to my ears so that I could further hear that peculiar sound.


    "Help! Please, someone, help us!"


    I tracked down the cry to a dead end near what seemed to be the exit of the slums. There, a man wearing a soldier''s armor was lying on the ground with a terrible wound on his leg. There were two others, the other having a wound on his shoulder.The twoheld long sticks in their hands, trying to stave off a demon who cornered them.


    Lia immediately sprang into the offensive, striking it lethally from the back without it noticing.


    But her weapon was lodged into the beast''s coarse back, making it hard for her to pull it out easily. It growled and turned abruptly, knocking Lia away in a fit of rage. She was unable to finish it, but the demon was clearly damaged and was on the verge of dying.


    I ran for it and evaded to the side when I saw it strike its spear towards me. I took a breath in and upped my pace, circling around it, slashing at the back of its leg, forcing it down. I then took hold of the single horn on its head, pulling it towards me, and sliced its throat as deep as I could.


    It fell to the ground with a loud thud.


    "Are you alright? You had me worried there for a second" I asked, extending my hand towards Lia.


    She dusted herself off and laughed wryly. "I got too complacent. I''m sorry, I won''t let it happen again."


    "That''d be for the best. I wouldn''t know what I''d do if something were to happen to you."


    "Flatteries already, lord Thalisean? I''m honored to receive such treatment."


    "What''s with the sudden formalities? No. I meant it. Even if you''re strong, that doesn''t mean getting hurt is alright with me. I''ll pull my weight as well, so try to keep yourself out of harm''s way for me."


    She nodded, then we approached the three people lying down due to fear and exhaustion. They trembled due to the fact that they were still standing even after an encounter with a demon face to face.


    "Are you alright? Can you stand?" I asked him, reaching out so that his companions could take a good grip of his shoulder.


    "Am I alright? You look worse than I am. Just where on hell did you come from?" But to answer your question, barely. The name''s Anri. You two took care of that thing, thank you. I thought I was dead for sure, but these two helped me out," he said, taking my hand in a disgruntled manner. "Everything is falling apart, this whole city is a mess. It''ll be only a matter of minutes before we''re all dead."


    "I''m glad to see that you still have the energy to move, Anri. My name is Zachary, and this is Cornelia. Is there any way to stop this?"


    "With only you two, I doubt it. The army''s been wiped out and scattered. I was from there until we had orders to retreat into the middle district, but that''s gone too. Soon, it''ll be just a damned place filled with demons. Their two commanders are monsters on every aspect. We don''t have anyone that can match them."


    "Zach, he''s right. We can''t take them all out by ourselves. We need to do something that''s within our grasp." Said Lia with a watchful eye on our surroundings. "If we take up too much time, there won''t be anyone left to save."


    "Then Hobris must come first."


    "Exactly."


    "What are you two planning?" askedAnri.


    "Before this gets out of hand, we''ll cut it down from its roots, then we''ll have a chance. Do you know any place that is safe to leave you to?"


    "The gates to the middle district! There should be a checkpoint there guarding everyone that was fortunate enough to seek refuge in time."


    "Then that''s where we''re going next."


    We escorted the three of them until we arrived at the gates leading into the middle district. Only, there wasn''t anything left.


    Countless of bodies of both innocent and armored people lay strewn across the pavements and streets. Blood was spilt everywhere, and the sign of a clear struggle was apparent by sight.


    "Damn, the checkpoint''s been raided. There''s nothing left of them!" cried out Anriin despair, as well as his two companions from the slums. "Damned demons! I knew people from there!''


    Demons littered the grounds, catching sight of us almost instantly. They turned their attention and called out to the others beside them, surrounding us with their large numbers.


    "More than ten of them. Zach, we have to hold out and protect them," said, Lia, already taking a stance, placing Anri and the others behind her.


    "Agreed. If you find it too difficult to continue, then leave it to me. I already have half a mind to put this mark to good use."


    "I will keep that in mind," she let out a smile of reluctance and narrowed her gaze.


    There were five on my end, and five on hers. They were mostly composed of large, bulky demons with horns resembling monsters closely, and demi humans with sharp weapons andother deadly peculiarities.


    "Are you two insane? There''s no way you two alone can defeat these demons! They''re different from the normal bunch. It''ll take ten of us to beat two of them."


    "Then we''ll have to show you that we''re a cut above the rest, Anri."


    I siphoned a small portion of energy from the mark, allowing me to run fast enough to jab my sword into one of the demon''s bodies. I placed my right hand on thewoundafter pulling out my sword. The demon''s wound started to burn andsizzle, including its whole body. The demon roared out in pain, giving me my chance to slice at its neck, felling it.


    I parried attack after attack once the others had surrounded me. With the keen sense of instinct I was bestowed, I managed to avoid being wounded to a serious degree. But the lack of practice in me allowed for some of their attacks to go through.


    With a series of furious movements fueled byangerand frenzy, I used it to my advantage. They were wide open for the most part, granting me the prerequisites for a fluid finish as I found my way around their lines of sight easily enough.


    "Unbelievable. Just what are you two, Half-breeds or something?" said Anri in awe of what he had seen. "You really did take them out by yourselves. Can''t blame a guy to be skeptical."


    "What if we are? With the way you sound, you wouldn''t seem to be bothered if that were the case."


    "I wouldn''t be. I don''t have a grudge against them."


    As things started to mellow down once more, demons arrived in much greater numbers than before, doubling in a single moment. It became a tall hurdle that I have to overcome. But that meant unleashing a good amount of potential from this mark.


    "Let''s keep up the pace, Lia. It might seem bad, but we can''t let this much stop us."


    "Of course, that''s a given. But seeing as I''m going to be too occupied to give you support, I implore you to use the Heraldic mark."


    "I''ll give it some thought," I grinned, getting ready to face them. The situation was not something for me to take lightly nor laugh at, but I couldn''t help but grin at the thought of finally being able to put myself to use, protecting people.


    But just as I was about to sprint with all I had, the sound of a rhythmic march came from behind the demons, directed towards the south to where the outer district is.


    A small, punitive force had their weapons up and were charging at the demons, engaging them as they closed in on our position. And among those where a large, bulky man who wielded a halberd in one hand and a tower shield that''s almost as tall as him. He cleaved and pierced his way through, decimating the demons with his ability both as a warrior and a strategist, calling out commands which were quickly followed by unit he led.


    "Second unit, shield wall! First, divide into two and intercept targets!" They rushed the ones that Lia was supposed to face, surrounding them and leaving them no inch to escape from. And in that instant, they perished.


    The man in charge ordered his men to solidify their hold on this point, in which they quickly formed groups to secure the area. Then he stepped forward along with some surprisingly familiar faces.


    "Zach!" she cried out, running straight to me with a tight, suffocating embrace with what seemed to be all of her strength.


    "It''s truly you! I knew that you were alive, I never doubted myself even with the temptation of evidence! But what happened? What did they do to you, your face is covered with scars and bruises!"


    "Daphne?! What are you doing here?"


    "We are here for you, son of Erinn. I suppose you already know what that means, correct?" said the manwearingthe grand dark armor, wielding the halberd.


    I looked to Daphne for an answer, but she tried to avert her gaze.


    "Forgive me, Zach. But I had to tell them so that there was a chance for you to at least be saved. It sounds selfish, but they needed a reason to fight. I will take the blame for this, so if you are angered, them direct it to me," she said weakly.


    "Then your intentions were good. I can''t be angry at you for that."


    "What are you planning to do now, Thalisean?" he asked, stating it clearly for all to hear. Without the need to look around me, the stares of the soldiers and all around us were pointed at me. It was a nerve-wracking title to carry, but I had to at least dignify myself and not let it overwhelm me.


    "What I was meant to do. Free this kingdom from the grip of demons. Come, Lia. Let us finish this," I beckoned to her, giving a slight smile to Daphne, then starting towards the castle. There was really no need to drag on my time with her. Now that everyone here knows, it will begin to spread, no doubt. I fear that the worst will happen, and it eventually will. But when it does, I will be prepared.


    As I left the gates, I heard Anri yell out. "Wait just a darn second! You''re the goddamned Thalisean?!" His words ended there. He couldn''t speak due to the fact of shock. No one around us looked to believe me either.


    "Zach, please wait! I won''t allow you to go alone! I will join you," Daphne urged.


    "There is no need for that at the moment, lady Daphne. If you will allow me, lord Thalisean, then I will be your entourage. There is still much that is needed to bedonehere, so the general Luxe and lady Daphne will be enough to handle that."


    I turned and saw a man wearing old looking robed carrying a book on a chain with him on his side, and was guided with a tall oaken looking staff with a shimmering blue crystal on top. He looked wise beyond his years, not to mention his long white beard that was until his neck.


    "Ah, but forgive my impudence," he bowed his head. "My name is Albert Foster, a mage. My title is not important as yours, but I am the third of four in the council ofArch-Magni.I have no doubt that my expertise can be of use to you."


    "I know it is my duty to do this. But for the sake of many, I would like to do with as few companions. I can''t hope to bring others knowing that there is only death and suffering. It is what I was created for, so let me handle this."


    He looked at me silently and intensely, almost as if he were processing his thoughts inside his head.


    "Nonsense!" he cried out, snapping out of his own world. "It would be an honor to die beside a Thalisean such as selfless and willing as yourself! However, a mage of my caliber has the burden of living for the sake of others, therefore, I shant shame my name by losing to demons as brutish as these. I have resided in this city as well, calling it my second home. Will you grant my request?"


    "I have no authority to hold you back or tell you what to do. But please take care of yourself. You may expect a lot of me, but I know very little of my ownabilities."


    "It is duly noted. Now, shall we get going? I''m sure that those two commanders are brewing up a storm."


    "Commanders?" I asked.


    "Yes. The army that attacked the city was led by two powerful commanders. It is a shame that we did not stop their advance into the city, but their sheer numbers made it difficult to fight such a battle."


    "What are they like?"


    "I shall tell you on the way."


    "Then for the time being, Everett and I will settle things here and catch up to you as fast as we can. Zach, please be careful," said Daphne.


    "I will."


    "Quite the spectacle you two had made," remarked Lia quietly.


    "She was one of the companions that we arrived in Alrifer with."


    "So, is she something more than a companion?"


    "... Well, a friend."


    "Is that all?" she persisted.


    "Well, yes."


    She sighed. "Then I almost feel sorry for her. But at the same time, as horrible as it might sound, I''m quite relieved."


    "Why is that?"


    "Nothing that you need to know, Zachary," she quipped.


    "It seems that even in these dire situations, you both have light characters. I am quite relieved.It is joyous to see such a young Thalisean, and not one so uptight as they were said to be in the past. You seem to be approachable than those spoken of in the books," said Albert from my side.


    We began our march towards the inner dwellings, seeing the second part of the massacre that left off from the slums.


    "How terrible. But it seems they quickly had their amusement and left for the castle. That is where most of the refugees are. We must hurry. It is not too far."


    "Tell me, do you truly consider that I am one even when not having seen any proof?" I asked, estranged by his amount of confidence in knowing what I was only through the words of someone he follows.


    "I have cultivated myself, enough to see and sense irregular energies present in beings. However, even if there are many of these so-calledirregularbeings, yours is masked almost as if the energy itself is in a realm beyond the understanding of human knowledge. But you stand out in a particular way that led me to this conclusion."


    "Then I won''t question you any longer and will welcome the aid with open arms. It will be dangerous, after all. I know it''s foolish to want, but I want to end the bloodshed here. And the one who began it all is the king impersonator himself."


    "The king himself? Do you mean King Georgios?!" he said, appalled by the sudden revelation. He stopped in his tracks and took his time to absorb such information. "How did you reach such a conclusion."


    "Lia can tell you better than I can."


    Thus she explained what she had known, every part that I had heard from her as she and her group chased Hobris around the kingdom of Alrifer, and until to the very capital where she was sure her life would have ended.


    "How deceiving! A demon, donning a human''s likeness! And it''s horrifying how their two wicked personalities intertwined. That must be why I could not discern the two of them apart. This is a massive blunder on my part as a mage of the Arch-Magni. Then that means he is the one leading this invasion. His arrival marked this terrible moment."


    "Yes, sadly. But I cannot remove myself from committing such a sin on my part. Because of my shortcomings, he has succeeded and plunged the kingdom into terror. I was to follow him and put an end to his terror, but as you can see, I have clearly failed."


    "Worry not, Miss Cornelia. It is not the end yet. We will redeem this kingdom of its error and way withourstrength. He has not succeeded yet, not while the Thalisean walks the very grounds that he has tainted, isn''t that correct, Master Erinn?"


    "Thank you for your confidence in me, but I cannot be sure of what will happen. All I have to do is place my hopes on the teachings I have been given, this power gifted to me, and to my own will."


    "I am sure that there is no mistake in the creator''s part for giving you such a daunting task. He is not such a bring who can be selfish at times like these, nor does he do anything without purpose. There must be a reason to everything that he does, that much I fervently believe. Now, let us steel ourselves for I feel the energy of a horrid being amidst our path."


    It was until then that we found ourselves looking at an even worse image of horror.


    People lay dead, scattered on the floor, blood drenched the dry pavements, their mangled corpses were being ravaged by demons mercilessly why those that were surprisingly still alive watched in terror, surrounded, in fear of being next in line.


    Maris?! Is she safe?Are just one of the things I thought about. I don''t know where she could have gone, but I fear for the worst.


    Two figures stood on the top of the stairs, looking down a lone figure who looked to be injured a great deal. However, he still stood strong, standing with his fists clenched.


    There were bodies of countless of demons around him as he panted, looking at the unbelievable carnage that he himself had caused.


    "Still standing?" said one of them. A demon with muscular, lean build, an arrogant, and an overbearing smile that looked down on others without it needing to be states. His brutish personality was matched by his crass words and the way his legs down were stained with blood. His top was bare and toned


    "Would ya look at that?!" he leaned in a bit closer to see. Who knew that a damned Half-breed had this much fight in him? You guys are weak, disappointing pieces of trash," he said to his own people, spitting at one of them.


    "Aster!" Lia and I yelled out, taking his attention.


    "You two, thank god you''re safe," he said as his legs gave up on him, forcing him to kneel with his remaining strength. I ran up to him and carried him back to where Lia and Albert stood.


    "Lord Foster, do you have anything that could help heal my brother?" asked Lia as she tended to Aster.


    "I will cast a spell of rejuvenation onto you, young one. Your energy will return, but you must take a short rest," said Albert, creating a lush, cleansing green light in the form of small orbs which surrounded Aster and slowly merged with his body.


    "What are you doing here anyway, Aster?" I asked.


    "I was trying to find you, but it''s nice to see you too, Sis," he laughed, coughing up blood.


    "Save it, Aster. You''ll be back to normal soon. Put up with it for now, please."


    "Don''t look too serious now. Fine, if you say so. I have something to settle with these two anyway... But your sword, Zach, that guy has it," he said, pointing at the brutish looking demon.


    "Well, well, well. Who do we have here? Ruining my fun without even my say so. You''re pretty arrogant, let me tell you that. And It pisses me off badly," he laughed with a maniacal smile. He leapt into the air and landed softly on the center of the wide plaza. "I think it''s time I had my fun."


    "Please be wary of this being, Master Erinn," said Albert, taking a step forward. "He is one of the two commanders who led the advance and forced their way into the capital. Their abilities are rather impeccable, but nothing to be feared."


    "Talking awfully confident, are you old man? I suppose you won''t think that once I slowly snap your brittle bones one by one. You''re a mage, aren''t ya? I can sense it. You''re not an ordinary old waste of space as well. This''ll be entertaining." He started stretching his body, warming up for what was to come.


    "He''s not the only one you''re going to fight," I stepped up. "Plus, you have something of my possession, my sword. I''d overlook it if you gave it back to me now."


    "Who do you think you are, smug looking trash? You talking about thispieceof junk?" He brought out my sword from its sheath and used it as a cane to stand on one leg with.


    I felt irritation in the shame he was bringing upon my father''s sword that I almost lashed out at him with everything I had. But I should not forget that I had companions with me.


    "So? If you want it, then pry it from my cold dead hands." He started, opening his arms and mustering up two balls of flame from his hands. The intense aura around him shook the ground and impeded my own body from moving. So, to counter that, I drew more power from the mark, knowing just how dangerous this one is because of his presence. It is obvious that I will have to exceed the limit of what I usually draw from the mark.


    "The name''s Gorzt, lower Ivaas. Here''s to hoping that you entertain me," he flashed a bright, sadistic smile.


    Albert unleashed a barrage of icicles by tapping the end of his staff into the ground, creating a circle that faced Gorzt.


    He dashed towards the icicles, throwing one of the fireballs unto the ground to melt them, also creating a strong explosion that masked his image.


    Lia readied her blade and discharged an electric current around her body like a shroud, looking up at the image of Gorzt in the air, conjuring another ball of energy on his free hand. She disappeared, reappearing only inches before the demon, ready to unleash her attack. But he smiled at her, as if he was expecting such a thing to happen.


    He bashed his forehead onto her, bringing her down to the ground.


    Albert responded by softly chanting and casting his spell, coating Lia in a purple, thin cloak, allowingher fall slowly to the ground until she recovered enough to stand by herself.


    However, the demon had not finished with his act. He threw the ball of fire in his other hand with an unforeseeable amount of strength and speed that Lia and I were unable to see it in time.


    Opening my eyes, we were surprised to see ourselves unscathed. But in front of me was a blue dome coating the area around us. I glanced behind only to see Albert clinging to his staff with sweat profusely falling from his forehead. He was close to falling, but avoided it.


    "Albert! I yelled out to himrunning to help him stand in which he brushed me away with his hand.


    "No need to worry, Master Erinn. I was simply overwhelmed by the power of his spell. It nearly overwhelmed me. It will take some time for me to get used to this again, but if you place your trust in me, then I will perform until every fiber of my being turns to ash!" He stood up with roaring defiance, strengthening the barrier to get rid of the left over flames surrounding it.


    "Not bad for an old man," remarked Gorzt. But am I disappointed. If it weren''t for this walking fossil, then you two would have been dead already. Let that sink in for a bit, huh?"


    "Alright, Albert, please pull the barrier down. I need to pull my weight as well." I focused my sight on him and held the hilt of my sword tightly with my left hand.


    I rushed, slicing at him with an immense amount of pressure under my feet gained from the mark''s power.


    He met me with my father''s sword, using it with his skills in magic, firing spears made of flame with in impeccable amount of accuracy and speed, not chanting, nor doing any sort of ritual. It was with a snap of a finger, or the simple heed of a call that his power came. But that didn''t lessen my resolve in the least. I responded with a flurry of my own attacks, matching his speed at every turn.


    Terrifyingly enough, no matter how fast I became to slash at him, he became even faster, almost as if this were his game that we were playing, and that every time I gained momentum, he would be a step further from me.


    I tried to pierce straight knowing that he would evade by dragging his body backwards, so I followed through, only to stop at the sense of another impending attack from my blind spot.


    He recovered by attempting a kick from my sides, an elegant twirl by a bloodthirsty brute. I blocked with my sword, using my right elbow as a means of stopping it, but the sword broke easily as the back of his foot smashed right through.


    Upon kicking me, he had readied another ball of flame in his hands and motioned to throw it. I crossed my arms in an effort to protect myself from harm, but nothing came.


    Instead, I saw Aster gripping the demon''s arm, an electric current surrounding him, along with Lia, whom had eyes fiercer than any demon around. Her sword had cut a shallow wound on Gorzt''s side, but he blocked the rest of it with his weapon, parrying her to the side.


    "Oh? And I thought that your turns were already over. I''m surprised. But don''t think this is enough to beat me-"


    Just before he could finish his words, Aster sent a paralyzing amount of electricity through it body then shook him by driving a crunching blow to his face, sending him towards Albert, whom prepared a spell, creating a circle that formed around Gorzt as he finished rolling along the ground.


    "This prison ought to keep you grounded for a while. I created it especially for you demons," he said.


    "Here, I think this belongs to you. Glad to see you doing alright even when you''re half dead," said Aster, handing me my father''s sword which filled the hole in my heart.


    "Thank you, Aster. For bringing this back, and returning for us. I had almost given up hope, but I''m glad that you came through."


    "No time for reminiscing, you two. Our task is not yet finished," said Lia, whose sight was directed at Gorzt, who stood, laughing hysterically.


    "This is good! I thought it was over, but you proved me wrong. I was close to yawning, honestly, but I''ll give you that. Now the fun begins! But, it won''t be as fun for those who end up dying, just so you know."


    As he finished with a terrifying grin, his aura drastically went up to a spine chilling degree. The drive for death in his aura was overwhelming as if nearly suffocated me.


    He touched Albert''s barrier cage and triggered an electrical discharge of energy that coursed through his entire body. But he didn''t so much as flinch at it, even as his arm had passed through the barrier, all burnt and decomposing.


    "What?! How is this possible!" said Albert in clear astonishment. "You should not be able to escape such a prison with a high magic density and concentration, let alone it is set to shock you until death if you attempted to escape! But how?!"


    "Ease up, old trash. Don''t think that this paper-thin barrier can keep me cooped up. I could break it with a single punch. Useless," he said, passing through until his entire was body was across, all burnt up.


    But he engulfed himself in flames and came out looking brand new and back to his old state. His wound was gone, and all that remain was his grin.


    Just then, an earth-shattering descent shook the ground behind us, revealing a tall, bulky demi-human wearing thick, heavy armor. He wielded a golden hammer which was imposing enough.


    "You finally joined in the fun, Tarvis? Then this doesn''t look all too entertaining anymore. It''ll be over before it even starts," he said smugly.


    The giant named Tarvis didn''t make any kind of introduction, quickly striking at Aster, who didn''t see the large demon move in the first place. There was a blast of wind from where he stood, as if that split second was all that stood between us noticing, and him to move.


    Aster managed to cross his arms. But that didn''t stop the impact as he was sent flying to a wall, smashing it with his back.


    Lia, whose eyes became piercing, disappeared with a single step, reappearing behind Tarvis, slicing at his back by spinning twice in a swift fashion that made it impossible to see the first one. She then disappeared once more and returned in front of him, crouching, making her look miniscule in comparison. She sliced and cut, flashing in and out at an astonishing rate, becoming undiscernible by the eye.


    But, Tarvis stood there unmoving, taking the attacks without flinching. It was until Lia dealt a stunning blow with a bolt of lightning, which came from her hand as a fierce burst of power that Tarvis made his move.


    His body contorted as he unleashed a roar, grabbing Lia by her face with a swift movement and negating the discharge of energy, dispersing it like in itch. She was caught, flailing around her weapon helplessly, releasing a static shock of lightning to no avail.


    She began screaming in agony as Tarvis began tightening his hold on her face, imminently crushing it.


    With adrenaline rushing to my head, I allowed the mark to burn bright, to expulse the raging luster held within.


    Dozens of images filled my mind, and I felt true isolation as my mind drifted into a plane of pure white radiance, where not a single smear of darkness could be seen.


    The fierce light beckons to its master, the emperor of light, the destined bringer of salvation, the brilliant candescence that was seen upon the first day.


    I am you, and you are me. We are one in the same, yet we share the same odd destiny. Abide by the light and accept it without regret!


    An overwhelming amount of power surged through my body. It continued pouring in, overflowing without a place to be contained.


    I knew what to do, the incessant voices inside my head clamored on and on, revealing to me the way I must tread.


    To believe in the path of the light and prevail as it ismy own will. There will be nothing else left other than my unwavering dedication, resolve, and belief, that the light is the way to all.


    "Unhand her, demon!"


    Tarvis glanced at me with clear disinterest, but soon gave me his full attention as he eyes trailed towards two places, one at my eyes and the other at the mark glowing on the back of my hand.


    Gorzt also took heed of this and became speechless. I felt their spirits waver, but during the silence, their powers steadily rose despite the clear fear in their souls. They were restless.


    I moved to take advantage of their confusion, running faster than what they could see. I connected my sword with the mark''s power and light, imbuing it with the same attribute used to damage them, they very thing that they fear, the punishing radiance that is the Herald''s light.


    I slashed upwards at Tarvis'' arm, wounding him, not feeling any resistance from his durable defenses. I then unconsciously forged a bright, white flame from my right hand and curled it into a fist, slamming it into Tarvis'' gut. He was sent back a few meters, as I thought from someone of his weight and status, he held on quite effectively.


    It was strange as those actions felt like they were being transmitted from somewhere, giving me the urge to act on impulse. It still felt as if I had control over my own body, but it was half.


    Strange images of which I had never seen, and instructions of which I had never heard of before crowded the confines of my head and told me what to do, showing me what to do. Then al that was needed was to not doubt it and act. If it meant that it would give me the means to my strength and the safety of my allies, then I will follow.


    These fragments, they contain information of various people''s lives and tragedies, but I don''t ever recognize having lived through any of these. Just whose thoughts are these, what I''m seeing?


    It''s all too strange, reliving them all within the span of a few seconds.


    "Is this some kind of joke?" said Gorzt in agitation. "Are you trying to play the tough guy act? Cause this isn''t amusing in the slightest. If anything, it''s getting on my nerves. Makes me wanna bash your head in, you know? Trying to imitate someone that every single demon in this continent despises is a pretty bold thing to do."


    His flamboyant and impulsive attitude took form of a rage-filled, composed monster. His breathing was calm and collected, but his eyes seethed death and destruction. The fire burning on his hand grew stronger that I could feel the heat on my skin.


    "Or," he started once more. "Might you be the real deal?"


    With a smile, he blasted forth in an instant, Tarvis behind me descending with his hammer raised up high.


    I was brimming with energy, limitless amounts of it. An exhilarating feeling that enhanced every sense of my body. I could see, and feel their presence.


    Let us test the waters, then.


    Thefightingbetween the two of us was fierce. I was amazed at the pace I had to keep up with. I found no difficulty in trying to match them, more so as I exceeded them with every clash.


    However, they were not ones to give up so easily. They kept getting stronger and stronger as if they had no limit to their strength.


    The plaza became a wretched sight to behold. Everything around it was destroyed, buildings were torn down, fire engulfed the flammable materials surrounding us. But even through all of this, the demons that broke through rampaged still.


    It again went on for a while until I was suddenly taken aback by the limits of my strength. Not the power being bestowed upon me, but the limits of my own body. I felt every part of my being ache strenuously from a heavy amount of pressure. It was overwhelming, and heart-wrenching, as if I was being torn into two.


    I retreated a few steps and clutched my beating heart. It raced at a speed that was erratic and dangerous, making me lightheaded as I forcibly took in air I was so desperately needing.


    I was getting weaker. I could not handle the strength I wasbeinggiven, so the energy is simply overflowing. There was nothing to contain it in.


    "Finally giving up? You manage to surprise me at every turn, but now, I''m satisfied. Fake or not, whatever you call yourself, you sated my lust for fighting. But, that''s all you''re good for now. If I let you heroic types roam free, then I''ll risk you being stronger in the future. Better get rid of a pest before it festers completely."


    He stood before me and readied a ball of fire, scalding my skin with the intensity of his anger. He had scars all over his body, both bloody and beaten, just as much as I am. Along with Tarvis, I was astonished to see that I had done this much against the two of them. I was satisfied, but not completely sated.


    "Have fun in the afterlife." He said.


    Just before he could release it, a blast of energy blew him away, crashing him to a wall.


    "You must not lose here, Sir Erinn! I will hold them back as best as I can. You need to stop the one leading them. I will have no regrets if I am to perish here. I have seen a sliver of your light, and that is enough for me." Albert said, focusing his eyes on both of them with a will-filled expression. I could feel his bravery being shook in the face of such adversaries, but he remained strong, standing with his frail body.


    "He''s right, Zach. These two are trouble. I made the mistake of not going all out when I had the chance. Now, I''ll have to repay them the favor." Aster dragged his body towards Albert and stretched out his body, which bledfromsome places. A wry smile was painted on his face.


    "I cannot shame myself in the face of such a being. Zach, I urge you to leave before I let myself be lost in the frenzy of battle. It would be a shameful sight if you were to see me in that way." Lia managed a laugh. She usedhersword as a cane and held herself up.


    I had no choice. It felt like I had not that much left in me. But, I might not need that much to face Hobris, the one leading this attack. I cannot tell his strength from words alone, but that means I cannot hold back. I will need to draw out this mark''s full potential if I have a chance of winning.


    With a heavy heart, I decided. "Alright, I''ll end this. Please, all of you, stay safe."


    As I made my way towards the castle, Tarvis and Gorzt tried to delay me, rushing at a blink of an eye. But, Aster and Lia intercepted them from even landing a single hit on me.


    I narrowed my gaze and ignored everything else. If I wanted their suffering here to end, then it will end by my hand. But if I fail, then... I don''t even want to dwell on failure.


    Father, Mother, Sir Hark. Lend me your strength to overcome this trial. Now, I shall display this strength that had been kept dormant inside me. I will accept it for the sake of everyone relying and clinging onto that small glimmer of light they call hope. If need be, I will carry their burdens until my last breath. But for now, all I need is your guidance.

 Chapter 30: Let us Cling to One another

    An eerie silence fell upon the wide chamber of the throne room. It was dark.


    The sun was descending, the curtains were shut, and the candles and chandeliers'' flames were doused.


    The doors immediately closed behind me and cut off any chance of escape. There was something gripping me from this room, and I could feel its presence as dreary as the darkness wrapping its decrepit fingers around my neck in an act of suffocating me with pressure.


    "I have been watching the spectacle. It seems that our king''s worries are true and are to be feared." A voice in the darkness echoed. It was cold and heart-rending, shaking my soul from within. It was an unsettling voice. "However, it seems that you lack the strength to formally be called the wretched title of a... Thalisean."


    "Then you must also know why I am here," I stated, not letting him shake my resolve.


    "Oh, I do. I never thought in my wildest fantasies that someone such as you would come to topple me down. I can try to flee towards the demon king and inform him, but it would be in my best interests to end you here while I can. There will be others vying for your life, so I find myself fortunate to be presented with such a generous gift, and the honor."


    "If you think I''m here to hand myself over to you, then you are mistaken. I intend to vanquish you once and for all, avenging someone that I once held dear to me as well. I don''t think you can even begin to realize the amount of anger that''s built up from within me, waiting for this very day to come."


    "Hmm? Avenging someone? I have no idea who you are referring to. I''ve killed too much already to remember their names or their faces. But, I would say that I have not lost my grace when it comes to taking someone''s life. I do not act like a savage, killing whoever stands in my way, no. I kill for my king, and for us demons who are struggling to live."


    "Then if you''re not a savage, recall his name, Theodore Hark of Lavis! Etch his name unto your mind for all eternity for his soul will continue to purge you after I have banished you from this reality. My name is Zachary Erinn, etch that name into your mind for it is the name of the one who will end you in the name of vengeance, not only for his sake, but the for sake of those that fear you."


    "Confidence can be overbearing. At times, it can even be a burden upon someone. To have emotions are a nuisance, but then how would I feel satisfaction from my deeds? The gratitude of being able to serve my brothers and sisters to secure a safe life for them. Having it for that is one thing, but trying to fake it is another. But it would be better if you showed me rather than allowing me to ramble on and on about things that can escape one''s bounds of understanding."


    "It sounds like useless ramblings used to delay the inevitable to me."


    "Then your ears are closed to reality."


    He stood, descending the stairs that separated the throne to the floor where the king''s subjects were to stand in attention. His steps were closing in on me. I readied my sword and drew power from my mark.


    "To answer your question. I might have recalled hearing that name. Ah yes, the town of Lavis. That time when his subordinates yelled out his name when I slew him. The look on his face was commendable as he accepted death with a stern expression. Not many can do that. Now, show me whether you''ll make the same face or not."


    His visage appeared as the light behind my hand gleamed on his face, rather, the face of king Georgios.


    He drew his sword and charged with his large frame, a dark mist of miasma trailed behind him.


    I challenged his advance and clashed, blade for blade, a fierce exchange of attacks coupled with a few maneuvers to avoid being fatally wounded. His attacks were strong, sending a shock of vibration from the handle of my sword to my arms.


    If it weren''t for this mark, I doubt I would have been able to hold off the brunt of his attacks, or even defend myself.


    Hobris swiped his clutches in the form of a left hook, and on it was a searing purple flame that seemed to burn brighter than my own light.


    "Exquisite! Truly. But the skills of that man you are trying to avenge is a cut above you. You lack the strength and the ability to put me to shame."


    Such strength! This is too much from the beginning.


    He mocked and ridiculed me, spouting all kinds of nonsense as his ferociously assailed me with an overwhelming barrage of attacks that seemed simply inhuman.


    I retreated more than I could advance, and soon enough, I found myself a few feet towards the door which I entered from.


    "Won''t you show me the true power of that mark? I thirst to see what the light has in store for me."


    "Your arrogance will be your downfall!"


    "Yes, but it won''t be anytime soon. In fact, it might seem like an eternity for me, I who lives as an immortal being of natural proportions. I am but a sliver of what is a larger being entirely. I exist, yet is treated as something to intertwine with the light. Peculiar, isn''t it? How does something intangible gain its own right to live and become like this?"


    It was surprising, albeit, something unusual. His words felt like a pulse of an imperceptible force that pushed me back.


    The mark reacted, creating a pulse of its own, resonating with the darkness trying to overcome me.


    "Many may think that the light is stronger, but they have never seen the darkness swallow up the light. It is a scene which truly captures the expression of one losing hope. I will show you just that."


    He retreated and sent forth a wave of dark mist towards me, crashing like a violent, virulent wave. The windows shattered at the force as an invisible force protected me, casting a form of a thin sheet of white light.


    He was overpowering me, I felt that immediately. But this barrier kept me from losing all hope.


    "Now, resign yourself to the darkness. There will be no pain, no suffering, all silence for eternity. Isn''t that such a nice feeling to have?"


    "Silence!" I yelled out. My words carried weight as a wave of light blasted forth and swept back the tide of dark mist hounding at me.


    Hobris staggered back as well, but only to swat away the pulse of light without difficulty.


    "Not without a fight. No, resigning myself to defeat is simply impossible. Many look upon me as a symbol of hope. But I see myself as a simple being in this land who wants to fulfill their wishes. Demons or the darkness, it doesn''t matter. Whatever evil I come to face, I will overcome."


    I built up strength in my legs and leapt towards Hobris, coating my sword with light, and imbuing my entire being with the overflowing power of light, even if I can''t fathom the amount it holds.


    I moved to advance, pushing Hobris back with every fiber of my being.


    I twisted and spun, putting to use all sorts of maneuvers to get Hobris out of balance, yet I can find no true opening. It was not as if I had not wounded him. Every clash of our blades, the light bound to my sword would pulsate and rebound to him. Every time that it would, his face contorted in irritation.


    Light, I compel you! Heed my words!


    Energy swirled onto my right hand unconsciously, building up until its power grew immense.


    I hurled it towards Hobris, first getting close enough to catch him off guard.


    He retreated and parried my blows until a clear opening presented itself.


    The brilliant luster burstfull force at Hobris, sending him crashing back on the throne.


    He became silent an unmoving until his head rose.


    "So, this is your answer?" he spoke. "I expected nothing less from the slave of the light. Yet, even with the possession of the title as auspicious as the last, you command the weakest light of all. It almost seems like something is holding you back..."


    "What is that supposed to mean?"


    "You are shackled to something that is binding your true potential. It is like you were created with a seal to your true worth. However, I know nothing else besides that. What I do know is that I need not underestimate you. Your race is to be feared whether they possess a weak light or not. They are all the same scourges."


    "Is this your means to try and distract me? If it is, then it''s a paltry attempt. My lack of experience won''t hinder me from defeating you in the very least. What''s driving me right now is pure hatred towards you."


    "Oh, well that''s interesting. Then, shall we begin and open the final curtain for our bout? The sole glory of defeating the Thalisean cannot wait. My rule will be unopposed if I take your head and absorb your power."


    He stood up and dusted himself off.


    "But, it appears that this body is simply holding me back. Only my true potential will suffice for such a victory."


    In an instant, Georgios'' body fell to the floor like a puppet with its strings cut. A dark mist hovered over the body and materialized into a robed, frail old man with a hunched back, wearing its hood on, covering his face. He used a tall, dark scythe as a cane.


    There was a cold air about, and his presence was unnerving. There was a malicious smile under his hood.


    He blended in with the dark mist around him and became hidden within it.


    My heart started beating loudly, and my mind was in a state of panic. There was an insatiable amount of bloodlust floating in the air, and in his dreadful presence alone I felt as if I were shackled to the floor by fear and uncertainty, unable to move.


    Slowly, the light present was disappearing, being enveloped in darkness. Then it was I alone who was isolatedin his realm of darkness. The scene of the throne''s chambers vanished and became a boundless rift of dark mist whose end I could not foresee.


    "Where... am I?" I asked myself, looking around the area only to see the same thing again and again, the dark, the endless labyrinth of darkness.


    As my guard wavered, I felt a glint of danger from behind me. It gave off the feeling of getting stabbed from behind with a cold, sharp blade.


    I turned to it with my sword, seeing the cloaked old man fly at me at an unimaginable speed.


    He swiped his scythe with enough strength to nearly disarm me and knock me back.


    I turned to face the direction he passed but saw nothing but the dark. He was gone once more


    As he disappeared, I was assaulted with a beating pain on the back of my head. There were incessant cries for help, delusional laughing, and the angered ramblings of despair. But, even with those voices ringing inside my head, I couldn''t see where it could come from.


    He again attacked and disappeared with an impeccable timing and speed.


    Each strike was stronger than the last, creating fear from within me as I tried to slash at him, but failed. Every time he wounded me, I felt my energy depleting. It went on until I was forced to stand on one leg.


    I tried to catch my breath and concentrate as best as I could. Fortunately, he paused, mocking me with his eyes that appeared as two red dots in the midst of a shroud.


    "I can feel it, fear, coming from a Thalisean. It is laughable, but appetizing. This realm of mine, what I callA Fool''s Paradise. It takes a lot out of me, but it drains the sanity of those trapped within my world. As you can hear, you are not my only victim. Once I reap your soul here, it will be lost to my domain for all eternity, just like the king, and that man you call Hark."


    I paused in shock, unable to find the answer nor the will within me to answer back. My surroundings froze and time stopped.


    But I managed to muster what few words I could say back at him.


    "... I thought the souls of those you take over are simply pushed out from their own bodies? Have I heard wrong?"


    He laughed, seeing a mental opening from within my psyche.


    "Answer me!"


    "True enough, yet I can reap what souls float in the endless abyss. The man''s soul aimlessly floated about this world, therefore, I only did what was right and took hold of his soul before it disappeared, as such the natural nature of death would take place."


    "... You truly are a demon. Now I have no doubt within my mind that you will regret these treacherous acts against us."


    My power grew immensely once more, but this time, the uncontained power that I allowed to wander was put to use.


    I absorbed every ounce that was being given. I could feel the power coursing through every vein in my body.


    "Hmm, what is this? I ploy of deception?" asked Hobris.


    I was slowly losing myself in the outburst of power that my consciousness started to fade.


    Let us share this tragic fate.A voice rang inside my ears, echoing like something out of a divine being. It was angelic, pure, benevolent, and calming.


    His eyes were brightly lit up, emitting an inhuman glow.


    The mark behind his hand shone like a lone star in the middle of the desolate night sky, a glorious luster in the midst of all this darkness.


    His heart was at peace; his hand didn''t tremble, and his soul was composed. It was as if a different person stood in his place, in his own body. This was a sudden turn of events that even Hobris didn''t foresee.Ensure your favorite authors get the support they deserve. Read this novel on Royal Road.


    He felt it, too, the sudden change in his presence, his aura. For the first time in his existence, he felt fear. The one who reveled from the fear he brought unto others, he was starting to drown in his own.


    "Hear me!" he cried out like a tyrant beloved by his people. His voice declaring a decree stood strong even in the dark one''s domain. "I compel thee, light, bend thy knee and act upon my will! I take the form of a knight long detested by evil and all of its heinous acts! He who is valiant fell with a pang of guilt and anger, therefore I call upon you, a servant of light! Act upon my words and once more rise from the depths of which you were banished to!"


    A thick coat of light began to surround him, enough to blind Hobris, enough to mask the body inside of the sphere of light, enough to bring about a worthless end to this so-called domain of darkness.


    He burst forth from his cocoon, a glorious rebirth.


    From head to toe he was clad in an armor reforged from light. A brilliant design that would make the most skilled artisans, craftsman, and blacksmiths in the world rethink their aspirations in life.


    He wielded the same sword he held before, donning a cape that was pure white on the outside, and gold on the other. His helmet covered his face, but its direction was pointed where Hobris hid within the shadows.


    He raised his blade, wrapping it in a coat of light. As he cleaved forth, a crescent blade of light shot towards Hobris, cutting the shadow where he hid.


    He retaliated, blasting forth a massive array of dark projectiles, vanishing to the light''s grandeur. However, he managed to beat it with his own spell before it could fatally strike him.


    Astonished, Hobris hesitated, whereas Zachary lunged towards him, cutting the distance between them in an instant.


    He stormed Hobris with a fierce combination of slashes, putting the demon on the defensive.


    He countered with his own, feeling an odd sense of difficulty that was absent when he attacked Zachary before.


    Zachary curbed the light into his command, using his current form to his fullest potential. He pushed himself to his limits despite the bone-breaking pain that assaulted him every time he would try to surpass the dead-end before him.


    The two of them continued battling each other without giving ground. Hobris was nearly pushed to the brink several times now, and deep within him he knew that he needed to bring out one of his trump cards. If he would not be beaten with that, then he would have to resort to his ultimate choice.


    Though Zachary possessed a newfound transformation, he held his head high and kept fighting, not thinking nor stopping in what he was doing. It was as if his will had manifested and possessed him fully, devoting himself to the destruction of Hobris, whom of which had been damaged badly due to the light''s harm upon someone like him.


    Zachary came to a halt, taking light breaths as to prepare for something. Small fractions of his armor were broken, but it held strong still, as if it were made with the strongest material on the face of the earth, maybe even something surpassing its perfection.


    Hobris did the same as well, his body seethed and sizzled. Smoke flared from his body, a proof of his detest and contempt for the light in giving him such a weakness.


    "I will commend you. The name of a Thalisean isn''t truly to be taken lightly. Anyone who were to be trapped in my domain would have already become insane by now, however, you look unfazed even. In fact, it seems as if you are forcibly erasing my own world and replacing it with your own."


    "..."


    "No words? I see. There is truly nothing to speak of. I understand that fully. But, even with that, I can feel your weakness, the agitation in your heart, the pulse of your body. It wants to finish this for you have not long before the light gives up on you, correct?"


    With a grunt, Zachary raised his right hand and created a curtain of weapons adorned with the power of the light, all gleaming and shining, combating each other for supremacy as the one who would catch their creator''s attention. But they all had the same purpose.


    The amount of different weapons he kept creating increased with each passing second, nearly dominating Zachary''s side full of light. As this continued, Hobris mustered his own strength, serving only second to his coup de grace.


    "Then let us both destroy each other here and now! Only the one who is worthy shall escape this maddening prison of despair! Come, hold nothing back for I am simply bursting with anticipation!"


    As he whispered his words into the abyss, he was surrounded with a ripple of dark red bolts of lighting, a tense pressure of strength, and what seemed to be a shadow of a transparent colossal being. It took form with Hobris inside it. The being had no clear form, but it had the outlines of a horn and two daemonic wings behind it. The being almost looked too real to the eyethanks tothe darkness and the countless red eyes behind Hobris to make it look alive.


    Zachary lowered his arm and thousands upon thousands of weapons crafted from nothing but the light rained down upon the speck of darkness lingering within his own world.


    "Bear the weight of your sins as I create my own! Article of judgement! Weapons created with the souls of those unfortunate enough to be stuck roaming this world without reason, nor justification. They wish for vengeance, a reason, a use. Therefore, they act upon my will!"


    Hobris managed an amused laugh as he finished his preparation. "Excellent..." he said, a grin appearing on his face.


    The demon''s creation howled in rage, flexing every bit of its muscle. Its massive frame seemed to absorb every bit of the attack, leaving them lodged within it, leaving Hobris, who remained silent inside, unscathed.


    "The prerequisites are complete," he whispered.


    The outline of the demon slowly began taking the form of a sinister looking monster. Its long horns, sharp claws, and demonic eyes were what you would expect from a demon possessing an incredible amount of strength. He wore a long, dark cape that covered most of his body. He was taller, massively on a scale that could not even be compared.


    As its materialization finished, he roared, sending Zachary back with a force that could not be seen. Chunks of his armor were being shattered apart even with a shield made of light to protect him. Thus, he was blown away from the demon.


    "This will be the finale at last!" cried out the demon. "To have granted me the requirements for my greatest feat of all! I have taken the form of a god! Ahh, the exhilaration, the feeling of omnipotence! Finally, for so long I have thirsted for such power."


    Zachary wasn''t fazed in the least, that much showed from his face as he helmet had been send back by the malicious wind.


    But the other peculiar thing was that another mark had appeared, aside from the one on the back of his hand, on the left side of his neck. It had the image of what seemed to be a crow pinching a feather on its beak.


    "What did you do?" he muttered, cursing him beforehand.


    "I merely absorbed every soul you simply gave out for free. You see, it was a forbidden sacrificial spell that I was chanting. I was planning to absorb every soul in my domain, however, you were gracious enough to hand me the souls that I needed. Now, I have ascended to godhood!"


    His words alone carried enough weight to harm Zachary to the point where he almost vomited up blood, not just because of the stress being placed upon him by the mark, but also because of Hobris'' presence.


    The demon was not lying. He thought to himself that there was a god-like aura about him so suddenly. Standing before him was difficult enough due to it.


    They battled; Zachary forcing every fiber of his being to move despite the unbearable pain upon his body.


    He could not land a strong enough hit on the massive demon as he would be blasted away with a more superior form of dark magic. It was on a much more terrifying scale.


    No matter how desperate he became, no matter how much effort he placed behind his powers, Hobris stood on top, not breaking a single bead of sweat.


    Hobris was faster despite his large, tall, lean body. In the blink of an eye he would disappear without a trace, then bombard Zachary with a monstrous array of spells bound with darkness.


    He found himself at a great disadvantage, as if his current form didn''t make matters any better, but not any worse. If it weren''t for the armor, which was reforged from the light, he was wearing, a worse fate might have befallen him.


    "Damn this!" he cursed, pounding the ground with his fist.


    "Ahahah! This is simply marvelous! Who knew being a god felt so fulfilling!" Hobris laughed loudly, losing himself in intoxication of his own greatness.


    Zachary stayed flat on his back, looking up at nothing in particular. His entire body trembled for nothing he could do would work.


    "What am I to do now?" he asked himself.


    He is still weak. Though he has now become a god, he still possesses a weakness of instability, both body and mind.A voice spoke inside his head, awakening his senses.


    You must finish him here and now, otherwise, he will wreak havoc in a much grander scale. No one will be able to oppose him anymore, maybe not even the demon king everyone fears so much.


    "But I have no strength to spare," he replied. "My power is slipping away from me. How will I hope to match someone who has become a god?"


    You are not alone. You do not realize it, but simply being here in this realm of darkness has given you your chance of achieving victory. Your beacon has awakened the shattered, restless souls of those trapped within here. They seek the benevolence and the respite from the light you create.


    He looked around and saw the silhouettes appearing from the darkness like possessed zombies. They spouted their anger, regrets, and wishes, appearing upon the thousands. There were enough of them to fill his sights.


    Save us... Save us, please...They all muttered in an unsynchronized fashion.


    A hand appeared before him, waiting for Zachary to took hold of it.


    "Don''t give up now," said the voice. It sounded too familiar to be true. Without hesitation, he looked up and saw a familiar face.


    "Good to see that you still have the energy to be surprised. Now, take my hand. You have no time to waste."


    Wait a second, just wait a goddamn second, he said to himself. He could not believe his eyes.


    "What? You look like you''ve just seen a ghost," replied the man reaching out to Zachary.


    "S-Sir Hark?" his voice trailed.


    "Nice to see each other again. I''m surprised, but glad. It seems that you''re just holding up fine, the scars and bruises say so," he laughed as heartily as if he were alive. "To be truly honest with you, I''m a bit glad to see your face. It was getting too decrepit for my own good here. I waited, but now here you are, just like I expected. You have a light that draws in the hearts and souls of the lost, Zachary."


    He fell forward due to the weakness in his legs, but Theodore caught him in time. His body and form looked real enough, including the scar on his chest where Hobris dealt the finishing blow on him.


    "Oh, you can''t be losing heart now, kid. It''s still far too early for that. Don''t tell me you''ve given up already."


    "I-I can''t believe it, you''re really here?" tears streamed from his eyes without his notice. His emotions showed on his sleeve. His trembling arms wrapped around Theodore''s in his moment of weakness.


    "Yeah, but not in the flesh. Only my soul, along with many others. I thought I was going to meet your mother and father already, but I was taken in on the road to the afterlife. We don''t have much time, nor do we have the luxury of chatting amongst ourselves. Listen, we need you to free us from this prison. All these trapped souls have gathered after seeing your light. They''re ready to give what''s left of them to pass on."


    "Do you think I have what it takes? Tell me, have I grown? I know I, who lacks so much has come this far, but am I truly prepared for this?"


    "I don''t think I need to tell you that anymore. Only you can. With you being here, that must mean that you''ve built up the resolve for an answer. Don''t lose it now, I''d be really disappointed if you did. You''re the only one who can do this."


    Theodore Hark turned to face the demon who was being enamored by hordes of restless souls, latching on toHobrisand distracting him. "Let''s catch up after this. I know we won''t have much time, but every second would be worth it for me," he smiled, glancing back at Zachary, who regained his lost confidence and strength.


    His marks grew ablaze, pulsating with a hopeful sheen. The souls that felt the light touch their incorporeal bodies became stronger and regained what life they lost after wandering the darkness for so long. The pure intent behind the light shining upon them was a bastion that overcame fear.


    "Reforge!" he cried out, enveloping himself with the same light that made his armor anew. "Great Thalisean of generations past, I utter your true name, Arun! the stalwart knight who defended the masses. Loved by all, yet fell from grace with regret. Let us intertwine our fates!"


    With a faint whisper, he spoke the very words uttered by the knight, merging his fate with his.


    "The stronger the gloom of the darkness, the stronger the light is. Oh, this tragic world, take each other''s hand and do not let go. Do not disappear into the darkness for I will lead you through it."


    His broken and shattered armor was reforged anew, this time, in a much grander design. A full set of armor fit for someone who carries the title of the great defender. His armor shone a gold light. The design of the armor was made to resemble a dragon, one of the greatest noble races, feared and respected for all eternity. His previously tattered cape fluttered valiantly behind him with the same magnificent colors.


    As Hobris glanced to where the light drew his attention to, he was wracked with a great pain from all across his body. He was getting restless, and the uneasiness inside his mind and soul was making him lose his focus and control over the power of the forbidden spell.


    He knocked away the wandering souls that were latching onto him. They possessed no true strength to stop him, but their numbers made up for that. They were draining his power bit by bit.


    "Get away from me at once, you damnable spirits! I still reign over this world! You cannot oppose me no matter what you do!"


    But he spoke that with an empty resolve. Inside, the souls he had absorbed were being restless, inciting an uncontrollable chaos within his own body where he was sure to have had absolute control.


    He thought to himself, ''The damned Thalisean''s light is giving them the hope that they desperately need. I need to snuff out that light before it''s too late!''


    But it truly was. It was strange, he said to himself. He was seeing two personas within one body, no, three. He could not comprehend for he didn''t have the time to dwell on such menial things. He needed to defeat him and regain control of himself as fast as possible.


    "Zachary, now! Finish him while we hold him down!" roared Theodore as he unleashed a chain that stuck to Hobris, along with many others, binding him down.


    He held his sword with his two hands and felt no fear nor trembling behind his strength. He was composed, calm, facing a godlike being with the light he was given.


    "Hobris! Prepare yourself for your reckoning!" he cried out, producing a near golden light that emanated from his sword. A strange aura swirled around his sword. "I swear on this damned mark that you''re going to pay for everything that you''ve done!"


    He was surrounded with a grandiose veil of light that embraced him benevolently.


    Hobris roared in anger upon hearing this, meeting Zachary head on. The two settled what had to be finished.


    Another battle raged on outside.


    Blood and the bodies of soldiers were scattered across the plaza.


    They all breathed to catch their breaths, exhausted and spent from fighting and using up most of their energy.


    Their bodies bled and ached. They were battered beyond belief, far from the comprehension of any normal person. They bore the weight of battling great demons with great powers.


    "Emperor of the raging skies, send forth an envoy to invoke fear upon the enemy! Rule with a thunderous applause!"


    With the words that came echoing from Albert''s mouth, a massive bolt of lightning struck Tarvis, in which he absorbed it. The ground around the demon, however, shattered under the strong spell.


    ''Damn'',he cursed. He was bound to using only spells that were within reason. If he were to truly unleash what was forbidden, then the city would be plunged into ruin. Yet, even with a sufficient inventory of spells, he surpassed any prodigal magician or spell caster. It was another problem entirely as he had to deal with demons who undermined such powerful attacks, taking the brunt of the damage.


    "I expected you to be able to bear only a few, but to be able to take most of them is terrifying! Are these what rank Ivaas demons are like?"


    He was well accustomed to fighting those beneath the known ranking of the demons, namely Quas and Eryahens.


    Quas was the weakest known rank within the demon hierarchy. But, it was subdivided into three categories, that being: lower, middle, and upper.


    A demon ranked as a lower Quas cannot be compared to an upper Quas for the difference is significantly different.


    Then comes the other rank after Quas, which is Eryahen, then Ivaas, then Razhuen, then Hylis. Each rank of a demon means that they are much more of a threat than the last.


    Hylis is the highest known rank of demons among the humans. They are oblivious whether there are ranks higher than a Hylis, but the humans fear that rank enough. To consider having a demon with a rank higher than that would mean the loss of hope for many.


    There have only been two Hylis ranked demons in the history to have taken the field, and they alone almost wiped an entire kingdom off the face of the map in the past. Only some of the greatest heroes were able to incapacitate them, but not kill them off entirely. It was at the cost of their own lives, and many others that they were able to succeed.


    Only those who have enough power can claim a rank. They are often calleddemon lordsin that aspect, so a clear boundary between which are strong enough, and those who are weak enough can make all the difference against a race that is struggling to fight for its survival.


    But even with such powerful demons, there are ways to defeat them.


    Lia and Aster stood side by side, dealing with Gorzt who was amazingly pushed to his utmost limits, becoming a raging monster wielding a powerful arsenal of fire magic. The siblings were at their wit''s end, overwhelmed by a demon''s true strength.


    Theyfought long and hard, coming to a complete standstill until Everett, Gino, and Daphne arrived, bringing with them a regiment of soldiers to fight back the demons with numbers.


    Their morale grew, but the hopes of defeating them were still grim.


    "Where is Zachary?" asked Daphne.


    "Currently, master Erinn is occupied. Our task is to hold these two back while he defeats the root of it all inside the castle." Albert spoke, not taking his attention away from the demons.


    "Then I will go help him! He cannot handle it alone." She tried to run for the castle but was stopped by Lia with an adamant expression on her face.


    "Place your trust in him. I''m sure that he will appreciate the help, but I don''t think he''d like someone to get hurt from it either. I know it''s vexing for I myself want to help him, but this is something far from what we can handle. I understand what you might feel for him, but I trust him enough to devote my efforts here."


    "She is painfully correct, Daphne. Though it unnerves me that we have to leave our last chance of hope alone, there must be a reason for this. I can''t ignore these two for the destruction they''ve caused as well. Let us defeat them and come to his aid then. Do you all still have the energy to keep moving?" he roared a rallying cry.


    They all responded to his call and never once wavered, believing him to the best of their abilities.


    Just as things began getting heated once more, a massive pillar of light burst forth from the castle''s roof, creating a spectacle that all looked up to, both demon and human.


    They were in awe, unable to speak. They simply admired it for it was different, far different from what they''ve seen before. For some, it was their first time in seeing such a beautiful light glow and pierce into the sky beyond the clouds.


    A turbulent wind blew softly blew away all those close by, and all within the city could feels its warm, welcoming presence gravitate towards their souls.


    For the demons, they felt unrest within their souls. They were being judged for their sins, purged, and commanded omnipotently.


    "That light!" pointed Aster as he shielded himself and his sister from the outburst of the wind. "Zach!"

 Chapter 31: A Fools Journey to the Beginning of the Horizon

    He filled the entire castle with light, liberating it from the darkness.


    Hobris was unable to take the brunt of Zachary''s greatest attack and was felled, revoking his title as a god. In a single instant, he was reduced back to a mere shadow.


    "I-I was wrong," said Hobris, clutching his chest. He was fading as well after being purged by the light, his greatest weakness. "I misjudged you to be the weakest one. Your strength, it is not normal. You are unlike any Thalisean that has come to walk the earth-" he placed a hand in front of his mouth and coughed relentlessly until he was able to breathe.


    "I fear for my brethren''s fate if you are to be left alone for now. Oh how I lament having lost here. But, despair, for now all the demons in this continent know of your existence. You and all that you hold dear will suffer as demons will come for you until you are either dead, or apprehended."


    His throat was dry, but he managed a reply.


    "And I''ll be ready for them when they come. No matter who it is, I won''t allow any of them to stop me. I''ve realized it now, no, maybe I had a long time ago. I may have just ignored it along the way because I was too terrified to come to terms with it. But now I see no other way for me, unfortunately. It''s the only path I can walk after this."


    "Then you know that only death awaits you in this path?"


    "... I do."


    "Why do you not despair and regret your circumstance while you can? This may be the only time you will be able to do that."


    "Why are you telling me this, demon? I thought you all sought me out. What''s with thekind offering?"


    "Ahh, yes, you can call it an act of kindness if you wish. You humans seek refuge in the comfort of others in your times of weakness. There you weep and lament that fate you have suffered. But why indeed? To me, it is not of kindness. I might be the only demon to see a Thalisean wallow in despair."


    "Well, then I won''t grant you that satisfaction. I still despise you for killing Sir Hark, and I always will, even when you have gone."


    "I see. Then, I will pass on silently. I have no ounce within me to move a single muscle. Farewell, Thalisean. Thank you for granting me the honor to fight you at my fullest. Before I disappear, convey all your lasting regrets to the man you devoted my defeat to."


    "Wait!" he called out. "You told me of something that was binding me earlier. Tell me, what is it? You know of something that I don''t."


    "Asking your enemy for something that will give you the edge against us? Fool. Realize the answer for yourself. But I shall give you a hint. It is much closer than you think, so close that you will only be able to see it in some instances. I doubt you''ll realize it right away. Now leave me to my death."


    It''s fascinating that a Thalisean born as a human can be this strong.Hobris whispered, only enough for him to hear.


    Hobris'' eyes slowly closed, and his breathing''s pace weakened. He was waiting for his last breath.


    Zachary panted; his body was slowly collapsing, but he forced himself to stand with what very little energy he had left. He stood with his sword acting as a cane to hold himself up.


    The armor he forged using the one he wore previously was crumbling piece by piece, turning into gold dust, then fading away. It all fell apart until all that he wore were the clothes on his back, tattered and torn.


    He was drenched in sweat, and every previous wound that he had opened during his battle with Hobris. Though he was already numb, he was fortunate enough to not feel the pain assault his now fragile mind.


    He was on the verge of losing his consciousness, but the thought of wanting to see Theodore one last time,kept him awake.


    He heard footsteps close in on him, then stop just a few inches.


    "Sir Hark."


    "Finally time, is it? Well, where should I start exactly?" he said, scratching the back of his head as he normally would when thinking of something too complicated, or too simple.


    "Thank you for helping me, Sir Hark. I wouldn''t have done this without your help."


    "It wasn''t just me. There were more, but most of them have already passed away... They wanted me to thank in their stead, a lot of them exactly."


    Sir Hark stood silent for some time, mulling over something. It was until he sighed and smiled that he faced me to speak.


    It was especially hard for me to keep a straight face, but I breathed in and out, somehow getting a bit of resolve to follow through.


    "So, this will be the last time the two of us see each other? I''m glad I got the chance to see you before I really left. I tried to hold out as best as I could after Louise pleaded, saying that she''ll bring you back to Lavis. It was admirable for her to do that, and not even being her real father, I was proud to have had her as a daughter... And you as my own adopted son, believe it or not."


    "I''m sorry that I didn''t get to you in time. I could have saved you," I stammered on my words and held back the tears.


    "I know you tried your best. You haven''t even begun your quest, yet look at you, all messed up already. No woman will fall for a man covered in scars, nor will they be with someone who can''t even protect them."


    "Well, then which category am I in, then?" I laughed wryly, suppressing my tears.


    He placed his fading hand on my shoulder and knelt, leveling his eyes to mine.


    "Zach, I know it''s going to be harder from here on out, and I won''t be there to help you anymore. But never lose sight of yourself. You might be the only one who can face the demons, but deep down, you''re still you. You might not realize it, but you have a heart of gold. Be sure to never turn your back on who you really are, alright? Even though I''m gone, I hope that you''ll be able to fulfill that wish you told me back then, that answer you gave me."


    "I-I''m going to be fine even without your help. I think you''ve trained me well enough to survive for this long. I promise, I won''t ever give in until I''ve fulfilled my own answer."


    "Good. If you doubt yourself, then do so with an open mind. Never think that it is the end. Now, I think it''s time for me to leave. It''s hard enough to delay your death as it was trying to keep myself alive all those years fighting demons. Take good care of Louise, why don''t you? She might be a girl whose emotions don''t show because of her duties and strictcharacter, but deep inside, she''s still an immature girl. She''ll need a shoulder to cry on and to lean on whenever it gets tough. I''ll be more than fine to leaving her in your care, in fact, you''re the only person I can trust with that. You two are like siblings to me already."


    "You know you''re being irresponsible by leaving her with me, right? I suppose you wouldn''t want her to be in constant danger against demons," I wiped my tears and managed a smile. He was slowly fading; his body was losing form. I knew that it was just a matter of seconds now.


    "Hah, it''s either you, or a boy that I''ve never met in my entire life. If that were to happen, then I''d come back from the dead to haunt the guy."


    "I don''t think I can force herfromseeking her own happiness, Sir Hark. She''s bound to find someone sooner or later. Who knows. But to me, she''s someone I can call a sister as well. Though I never felt the feeling of having one, she seems to fit the title just fine."


    "Figures... Man, I really hate being dead," he said, lowering his head. "Well, I''ve got to go before I embarrass myself in front of the last person to see me. Now that''d ruin the title of Hark, the defender of Lavis. Though the time we spent together while I was still alive was short, I''m proud of what you''re becoming Zach. Never lose faith in yourself and in what you''re doing. I''ll always be here," he placed his fist on where my heart was, smiling with beads of tears forming near his eyes. It was the first and only time that I had seen his face like that.


    Though it there was a gentle push as he placed his fist on my chest, I felt a strong weight behind it, carrying all his emotions and intentions.


    The moment he came into contact with me, he dissolved into countless of small orbs of light that continued floating towards the sky, joining the others who have already gone on their way to the afterlife. But I was happy. I was able to see him go without regrets, and with a smile on his face.


    Though I still regret losing him, there is truly nothing I can do about that now but continue in what I am doing. He was proud of it, and that gave me more confidence than he thinks to bear any kind of hardships.


    "Thank you, Sir Hark, and... Goodbye."


    I finally lost consciousness and fell to the ground without any concern for getting hurt. The mark on the back of my hand, and the other that appeared on the left side of my neck were enough to force me into insanity, but I just didn''t have the energy anymore.


    However, I heard my name being called repeatedly by many. Their voices sounded familiar, but... who are they again? I can''t seem to remember. My head, it''s burning up. This sense of agony spreading within my entire body was as intense as ever, maybe even more. It gave the feelings of me being burned as I run to a place where I will be safe. The agony amounted up to a burn that engulfed my skin, burning it to a crisp. Yet that was simply from what I felt.


    It was a fact I understood that for some reason, I would be wracked with a great amount of pain every time I would finish using the mark. Its range of the pain would depend on how long I use it for, and how much power I take from it. That fact alone made me hesitant to even use it for a prolonged time.


    What''s more was that, I seemed to forget more and more with each use. It might just be my imagination, but it was getting harder to remember some things. They seem obvious enough, but I can''t say why I''m forgetting these things that I shouldn''t be forgetting in the first place.


    My body already felt half burnt, the right half of me. My hand and leg on that side just wouldn''t stop trembling until after I felt the warm touch of someone twine their fingers in mine.


    "Zach! Zach, hang in there! Damn, I don''t think he can hear us."


    "A doctor, physician, anyone who can help, call them here right away!"


    Their voices were loud. They were in a state of panic for some reason.


    I could hear the sound of weeping, and the feeling of droplets of water falling upon my face.


    I could hear her voice drawing me back from my long-awaited slumber.


    "Please, Zach, don''t leave me... Not like this, after saving all of us. It doesn''t matter who you are to me, I just don''t want you to disappear, Zach! You told me that you''d see this through... We made that promise that you''d see me finally fulfill my dream, right?"


    Ah, her voice, I remember her now. Why did it take me so long to remember? This is a shame I''ll carry with me for a long time.


    "T-There, there. No need for tears... Not yet. It''s not time for that yet... Soon, but not now." I spoke softly, slowly opening my eyes and instinctively placing my left hand on her cheek.


    "Zach! Oh, thank goodness, you''re alright! I don''t know what I could''ve have done if... if..."


    She didn''t finish her sentence but simply tightened her embrace.


    With this, I can sleep peacefully.


    Though it looked as if though the chapter for this kingdom was coming to an end, it was far from over. Many knew that for it was just the beginning of an uphill battle.


    A few days after the battle to retake the capital city, word spread quickly of the one who liberated the people of their woes. The existence of the last living Thalisean came to the ear of every human on the continent in an instant, igniting a resolute flame of hope within every one of their hearts.


    It was a a given that the demons would be at an uproar hearing news such as this, but the humans could not clearly tell whether they were perturbed by the announcement or not. Even if his existence has been proven, they were still to be feared. They now sought the life of the Thalisean.


    But for the kingdom of Alrifer, though their numbers were now few, they continued to free their kingdom from the infestation of demons that had entered the kingdom''s borders through the Luvic wall. Their rekindled vigor gave them the desperate help they needed to overcome such a daunting task, but the events that transpired showed that they would be able to overcome any enemy through unity with one another.


    But this was made true only after Daphne Everric Luvierre, the daughter of the respected late king, Halycn Luvierre, ascended the throne, reclaiming it in her rightful place.


    There was no coronation, but instead, she held small feast for all citizens of the kingdom to come together to. She focused on getting people to trust her for she knew that it was foolish to rely on something such as a name and lineage to support your claim and right to rule. It would be won over by the truthfulness of ones heart, and its intention for those surrounding them.


    She made her vow to break the boundaries of the system which segregated the classes, earning her a terrible first impression from the populace, which are mostly composed of the nobility. But the masses backed her up, and soon began the first step to changing the kingdom. It would take a long time, but the first step was the most important part for her.


    And as for the Thalisean. Surely there were thoughts of how the people of the current city reacted to his existence?


    They clamored and cheered, expecting to meet their savior. But, they couldn''t. Not because he didn''t want to see them, nor was there any motives behind it. The reason was that he fell into a deep slumber and has been asleep ever since.


    He had been named the hero of Alrifer, the savior and liberator of its capital, long with Daphne, Everett, Albert, Aster, and Lia for their efforts.


    It has been a week since then...


    She smiled solemnly at him, combing his hair back gently with her soft, delicate hands. As she stared at his face, many thoughts about their adventures resurfaced to her mind. She never forgot them, but they were pushed back to the depths of her mind. She now had her duty to her people, and to dedicate it to one man would... not be a problem, that was her thoughts. But she knew that it was impossible, not when the state of her kingdom was like this. She could not give her attention to one person for many look to her for hope.


    "Have you been well, Zach? I''m glad to see you again, you know? But, I''m still sad that you''re asleep. You''ve like that for so long that it''s worried me day in and day out. No day has passed where I have not thought about you. Your heart beating, your body having warmth, you breathing, they''ve given me hope that you will still awake. I know that you will. You have a rather strong sense of duty. I know that you''ll soon wake and head on to your next adventure, but... I don''t know when that will be. And I''m scared to death that it might never come, more so that it will, and we might part ways."


    She placed her face against his hand and felt its warmth.


    "But I will be strong. I''ve been able to manage for an entire week after that, so I can''t say that I don''t doubt myself."


    She had come to him many times to Mesolvia to tell him what had happened to her, what she had seen, and what she had felt during those times. She told him stories and didn''t care in the least whether he would respond or not. She was happy being able to be by his side through it all.


    When the battle finished, Zachary had been found collapsed on the castle''s floor. No matter how hard they tried, he did not awaken, so they thought to move him somewhere he could recover and be away from the expectant masses.


    They had taken turns in taking care of him in these few weeks. This time, it was Daphne''s turn. It would be short, yet she would not hesitate to go.


    She glanced at the vase where she placed a beautiful array of flowers and felt serenity though it. Then her attention brought her to the door where she heard knocking.


    "Daphne, it''s time to go back. We still have urgent matters to take care of." Everett stood by the door frame with his arms crossed. The sternness on his face never truly dissipated even after all this. His steel-like demeanor was one of the great pillars that held the kingdom up from falling freely.


    She stood up and took one last glance at him. before walking over towards the door.


    "What matters need to be settled next?" she asked him.


    "We''re mobilizing a small unit to attack a small detachment of demons terrorising thinly defended areas."


    "Another one, then?"


    "Precisely. Don''t get tired of it yet. This is just the beginning. We can''t hope to take them all down in one fell swoop, not with the Thalisean incapacitated. We''re stretched thin as it is."


    "Then the unit has been assembled?"


    "They''re waiting for us by the town''s gates. I''ll brief you on the way. There''s nothing too notable about them, but that doesn''t mean we need to be complacent. The kingdom is still trying to regain its footing, after all."


    "I understand..." she replied half-heartedly.


    "Don''t worry, I think these three kids are at least competent enough to take care of him." He made room for them as his body nearly covered the entire entrance.


    "Ah, Queen Daphne visiting again as well?" said Dante, kneeling in her presence.


    "No need for formalities, Dante. I think we''ve gone past that now, haven''t we?" she said, raising him up to take a good look at him.


    "Looking pretty awesome again today, miss Daphne?" he said casually, admiring how imposing and magnificent she looked wearing her armor with her long hair.


    "Thank you for the compliment, Caden," she winked, making him wriggle in place, not making any effort in hiding his embarrassment. He tried to mask it, but simply twiddled his thumbs, evading her gaze, which only led to him being laughed at by his friend, and new additions.


    "I might be wrong about some being ''at least'' competent," Everett said coolly with his eyes closed.


    "Oh don''t be such a worrier, general," he pestered Everett playfully. "You don''t show it, but you were pretty restless when you made your way here earlier. You don''t show it, but you''re pretty concerned for Zach, too, aren''t you?"


    "I don''t think there was a change from his usual expression on his was here, Caden. You might have seen a mirage," said Dante.


    "Hmm?" Everett''s eyes turned to Caden, which appeared fierce to them, but to him was fairly normal.


    Caden and the others flinched at the sight of his glare and tried their best to hide their surprise by laughing wryly.


    "Now, now. No need to get too overjoyed, general. Sorry about that," said Caden in a fright, scratching his head thinking of what the terrifying general might do to him. He felt his stomach rumbling, meaning a terrible omen for his fate soon enough if he doesn''t do anything to appease him.


    "Daphne!" Erica ran under Everett''s arms and ran towards Daphne, embracing her with her usual joyful expression. "We''re going to take care of Zach today, so leave him to us!"


    "Ah, Erica!" she said gleefully, returning her embrace. "I know I can trust you to do that, Erica. But don''t strain yourself too hard. I know how worried you are for him still. You can''t hide that from me."


    She laughed wryly at being discovered. "Well that''s truly embarrassing," she fidgeted in place.


    "That goes for you two as well. Don''t overwork yourselves. Not just for my sake, but for his as well," she glanced at Zachary, who didn''t so much as budge at the noise entering his room.


    "Oh, I nearly forgot!" Erica said, running out of the door to chase someone whose voice sounded in the distance.


    She carefully pulled on his sleeve and guided him, bringing in Albert Foster, who wore a few bandages and a cast on his other arm, panting as he held on to his cane for dear life. There he was followed by a wolf with snow white fur, playfully circling the room.


    "My, these kids," he said, wiping the sweat from his brows. "It seems that I underestimated not just their vigor, but my age as well, Ohohoho. But I will say that it has been quite a thrill to go do things that I have during my childhood. Makes me forget how old I am now."


    "Sir Foster!" cried out Daphne, supporting him. "Are you sure that you should be out and about? You''ve barely even recovered yet."


    "She''s right, old man. You look like you''re ready to snap and collapse at any moment. Don''t slave yourself to kids. That''ll be your biggest shame as the third seat of the four mages council." Everett responded coldly, looking at Albert''s disheveled image.


    "You should speak for yourself, you inhuman warmonger! It was you who took the liberty of absorbing most of the powerful hits from those demons. I''m surprised that you''re still standing, even. But then again, I might have expected it as well, so the shock is not that baffling as it used to be," he said disappointingly; his shoulders drooping.


    "I can''t take a rest, and I don''t need it. The only time I''ll take a rest is when this continent is at peace, or when I''ve died doing all I can as a man of Alrifer."


    They sighed in exasperation upon hearing his staunch resolve for his duty, except for one, who admired him with glimmer in his eyes.


    "So cool," Caden whispered to himself, curling both hands into fists. He admired him to the point where he aspired to be just like Everett, a man who looked like man among men. He who would see a stab in the back as an itch brought on by a bug bite. His rugged expression and overly tough image inspired him, but it didn''t quite work out all the time. Yet he would always study him whenever he was around.


    "Well then, I think it is best if we leave now. Let us go, Everett. Please keep a close eye on them, Albert. I''m sure Lia and Aster are busy making sure that the surroundings are safe, so you need not worry about that."


    "I understand, lady Daphne. I wish you good tidings on your tasks. Please do visit again. I soon hope that I might be able to return to duty alongside you, my queen."


    She headed one last time to him and whispered.


    "I''ll be waiting for you, Zach. No matter how long that takes, I''ll be waiting. So don''t worry about a thing, alright?"


    She then headed out to the door only to stop in her tracks. Time froze for all of them in the room.


    "Your voice, it brought me back." he spoke, sitting up. He had a weak smile on his face and a sickly complexion. "Thank you for worrying about me and taking care of me for so long."


    Without her consent, tears began streaming from her eyes and onto the floor. She mustered to say his name again as it was easy the time before, but only air came out.


    He pulled off the bed sheet covering him, revealing his bare torso, covered in bandages and scars on every end. Some on his arm, another on his back, and many more concealed within his leggings.


    He tried to stand only to fall down with a loud thud when his right leg gave up on him, and his right arm failed to secure his fall, letting his face hit the floor.


    "Zach!" she cried out loudly, running at him instantly. She, along with the three children, raised his body and carried him back on his bed. They were too surprised to say anything, so the silence took over with Zachary being unable to understand what was going on.This story originates from a different website. Ensure the author gets the support they deserve by reading it there.


    "What were you thinking?!" she scolded him. "You''re still too weak to walk! Don''t you know how worried I became?!-"


    Her outburst was cut short with Zachary smiling and wrapping his arms around her, pulling her into a tight embrace.


    "It feels like it''s been so long since I''ve last seen you. But it felt strange... I can smell the fragrant scent of your hair like that fragrance that kept me company all these times. It was... nice. It always felt like you were there for me."


    "T-That''s... not fair," she mumbled. Her arms went weak, falling to her sides. She simply buried her face into chest and cried her heart out.


    "I-Is that really you, Zach? You''re really alive?" Caden asked in wonder, unable to move from his spot. Though he acted brave, tears started falling from his eyes as well. He wiped them off, but the steady stream came falling from his days'' worth of worrying over him, asking himself day after day after knowing who he was, whether the sacrifice he had made in exchange for their lives was worth it. It was not only Caden, but Dante as well who had frequent nightmares because of the weight of such an exchange.


    Erica said nothing but simply embraced Zachary as tightly as she could from his sides. She cried as well, muffling it with Zach''s leggings. Von followed, whimpering and laying himself close by his feet.


    "Erica, you look well. I''m sorry to have made you wait," he smiled at her, meeting nothing but the top of her head. She didn''t want to meet his gaze, so he simply patted her on the head and ruffled her hair, laughing.


    "I-I''ll get the others!" Dante stuttered and stumbled on his way out, shouting with all his might of the great news, alerting the entire town as well. He, especially, could not control his excitement. There was little he could do to hide it anyway for a weight had been lifted from his shoulders, one that showered him with relief.


    Many crowded to the house where he was resting, seeing for their own eyes the state of their savior.


    Aster and Lia could not control their relief upon hearing the news for it felt too surreal to be true.


    "You know how much you made everyone worry? You''re really something else, aren''t you? I knew my sister was someone who never knew how to feel sad since she''s so strict all the time, but she was worrying about you, too-"


    Aster could not finish his sentence for Lia had jabbed her elbow on his gut, silencing him.


    "I''m glad to see that you''re doing well, Zach. I knew you weren''t the kind to simply give up. The wait was hectic, but now that doesn''t matter."


    "Thank you, Lia. I''m really happy to know that you were worried about me as well," he laughed and smiled genuinely.


    Lia''s eyes widened, and she started averting her gaze from his. Embracing her arms, she looked away and said, "W-Well, Of course I would be worried. If something were to happen to you, then everyone in the entire continent would be troubled."


    "Gah!" Aster took in air, recovering from the blow dealt to him. He tightly clutched the part where he was hit and laughed bitterly. "You gotta be more honest than that, Sis. You''re going to get left behind soon, haha-"


    Again, he was silenced. It looked fatal, but Lia ignored the doubtful stares around her as they looked at the convincing corpse of Aster on the ground.


    "I think it is rather unpleasant to have bugs roaming your room, don''t you agree, Zach?" said Lia, glaring at Aster from the corner of her eyes.


    They shared more laughs and eased the worry in their hearts. Soon, it was as if they had never gone through such hardships with the way they enjoyed each other''s company.


    "I see... So I had been asleep for that long. How has the capital been?"


    "Well, thanks to your efforts, it is recovering at a steady pace. There are still much to fix, but it is nothing that can be impossible for us to achieve," said Everett confidently. "But that will only happen if we get a move on. Come, Daphne. We''ve stayed for too long. Our task is yet to be finished."


    "Very well. Zach, please rest. I''ll be back when I''ve finished up the tasks for today, so don''t force your body to move when it can''t... I''m glad you''re back, Zach." She left with a simple wave and took Everett with him.


    Now they were few, catching up as the crowd outside dissipated, satisfied with seeing him well and awake for now.


    I spent time with Lia the most in these days. She helped me get myself back on track, recklessly driving myself to move. She was against it at first, but eventually I got through to her.


    We were at the town barracks, training my body to adjust to the pain. the progress was miniscule, but having been able to move my hand to do simple things was progress enough. I still had to be assisted when walking alone, so I still had a ways to go.


    "You truly are a reckless one, aren''t you? Truth be told, I assumed the worst and thought that you''d be bedridden at best. But look at you. The determination spurs something within me, it''s quite courageous. It still puzzled me how you were able to endure such a time under torture and still come back to fight."


    "Thank you, Lia. Well, I don''t think I would have ever gotten out of prison if it weren''t for you."


    "No, I owe you as well. In fact, I don''t think I ever got the chance to thank you earnestly."


    "Don''t worry about it. It''s the least I can do. Saving someone just for a reward isn''t something that sits well with me."


    "Will you accept it anyway? I don''t have much to offer you, but tradition still stands. To have saved someone like me, a demon, or rather a Half-breed. It states that I have to serve you if you utter my true name, the one I have as a demon. Cornelia is simply a name given to me by mother, but my true name was given by my father. I shall give you my true name, and my eternal service."


    "That''s too heavy of a reward! You can''t just give it away like that. It''s precious to you, your freedom. I can''t take that away from you."


    "You don''t have to feel any sort of weight behind it. I''m giving it to you of my own volition. I will never give it to anyone else except you, that was clear to me."


    She stared up at me with expectant eyes and waited for my response.


    In truth, I would gladly accept it, but as simple as a name was, this was one that was complicated. Saying yes meant more than just knowing her name then being bound to my every order.


    "I don''t think I deserve it yet, the way I am. I''m happy that you thought of giving me something that special, but I''m not ready to lift that kind of weight yet. It''s sad, but I know myself too much sometimes. I''ll gladly accept it when the time comes that I''m deserving of such an honor. Will that be alright with you, Lia?" I answered her without taking my eyes off of her. It was a firm yet stern response that I could agree with.


    "Fine, I can accept that. It''s true that I might have acted on impulse as well, thank you for setting me straight before I moved because of my emotions. But now you just prove it more that you are deserving of it." She heaved a sigh and smiled in relief. "I will wait for that time. Still, I can''t not do something for the one who saved me. Take this as an incentive. Close your eyes," she said, placing both hands behind her in a lovely and charming way. Though she usually acted serious and dutiful, there was a drastic change in her persona that I didn''t mind. In fact, it made me smile seeing her this way, slightly flustered with her cheeks flushed for some reason.


    My heart began to beat as I closed my eyes, thinking of what she would give me in this case. We were in a place where only the two of us were present. I''m sure of it, that can only be the plausible reward in tis case!


    I caught a pleasant scent waft to my nose, tickling my senses.


    My heart began beating faster than ever. I tensed up but kept my cool composure, however shaky it looked on the outside.


    Then I felt a soft but warm touch upon my cheek.


    Opening my eyes, I saw Lia averting her eyes, standing still as if nothing had happened. I touched that part and stared at her in a daze.


    "That is the only thing of worth that I can give you right now, so forgive me, Zach."


    That day, I thought back on it more times than I could count. I asked her to confirm what it meant, but she said that it was left up to my own imagination to think of whatever it meant. By that time, she never brought it up, and every time that I would, she would act like it never happened.


    Before I knew it, my heart was beating uncontrollably. Having thought about it too much,I assumed that she had some kind of feeling towards me. Thinking about it, I was happy beyond compare. I would say that it more than enough of a reward, but something even better than that.


    "Are you sure you should be out? Daphne told you to stay and rest, as did the physicians." Aster said,acting as my support. I still couldn''t manage to walk alone as I lacked the energy to use my right leg and hand. Not just that, it felt like the right half of my body was numb from the pain. If it has been a week, then it is strange and rather terrifying to think that I won''t ever recover from this.


    "She worries about me too much. If I let something as simple as this hold me back, then I don''t think I''d last long enough to see things through, don''t you think?"


    "Well, I guess you have a point there. Fine, I''ll go along with it. But you better feel some remorse when she finds out and scolds me."


    "I''ll go the extra step and even cover for you if you want to."


    "Haa..." he exhaled. "That''d help. Honestly, if you''re involved, then I''d consider myself safe from her wrath. She''s gotten even more relentless and strict about some things, well, in a good way. But when it comes to you, I don''t think it''ll matter anymore. I''m sure you''ve noticed it, right?"


    "What?"


    "Still playing dumb?"


    "Not at all. I''ve known for a long while, even before all this. But I never answered her feelings. I couldn''t for some reason."


    "So you do know. I don''t know if you''re intentionally trying, but you''re something else when it comes to women. Are you a womanizer before we met by any chance?"


    "As if. I hardly knew anyone before we met."


    "Sure, I''ll believe that. Then you''ll tell me that you''ve met the princess of some kingdom out there and managed to share an intimate time with her in some way? That''s just something out of a story book. Doubt that''ll happen to anyone, and if it does, they''re one lucky bastards, the lot of them."


    It struck something within me. I didn''t want to answer back, even when he got suspicious. But I remembered her and started questioning how she was doing.


    "Well, where do you want to go? I wouldn''t recommend going somewhere crowded."


    "I think somewhere peaceful is fine."


    "Then I know just the place."


    Aster led me to a lush spot under a tree. It was located just outside the town, but the walk there was exhilarating. The wind blew gently and coolly on my skin. The smell of grass put me at ease.


    "Tell me, whatever happened to the two Demons you all fought?" I asked.


    "They escaped, unfortunately. They were too strong for us, but luckily, when we were about to be wiped out, they saw that pillar of light pierce the sky. It made them tremble and lose every ounce of their strength. You saved us, Zach. I don''t think you were even aware of it. Thanks for that," he said from beside me, lying down under the same shade.


    "Do you think the rest of the kingdom will look as peaceful as this town here?" I asked, looking at the lively and peaceful atmosphere surrounding the town. People moved briskly about, looking like ants from where wesat. On the way here, it was clear as day how their expressions eased, different from those living in the capital city. I can''t begin to imagine how hard they have it right now.


    Here, there was not a hint of worry on their faces, which put my mind at ease. They didn''t look at all perturbed by threats outside these lands. I know they must be worried or even terrified, but right now, they were different. Their smiles gave me a sort of motivation to look forward to.


    I thought to myself,"If what I''m rewarded with are smiles for having done my all to save them, then that''s worth seeing."


    I relaxed and nearly fell asleep, feeling a strong wave of exhaustion wash over me. It seemed that the strain had not dissipated yet. My body was still too weak to use the mark as it had during my battle with Hobris. I couldn''t muster the strength to see the faint glimmer behind it.


    But now there was another odd question preventing me from resting easily.


    Who was that voice that spurred me on when Hobris ascended to godhood? It was no one that I was familiar of, yet I followed and believed in his words. I couldn''t see him anywhere, but his voice felt so near and real that I assumed I was hallucinating.


    That voice granted me the power to beat Hobris. It seemed to unlock something within me that I didn''t know a single thing about. But now, its use is ingrained into my head, preventing any way for me to forget it... Such power, did it really come from me? I don''t know what to believe, after all. I''m still searching for clear answers leading to this mark which holds so much history I am oblivious to. Then, if I figure it out, will I be satisfied? No, I''m thinking too deeply into it. No need to get too fed up with something like that right now.


    As I wandered in my thoughts, the sound of three familiar voices became louder as they ran towards the slope we rested on.


    "Oh, Aster is asleep again!" pointed out Erica, poking his cheek to see if he truly was fast asleep, as if the loud snoring didn''t convince her. Von followed Erica, proceeding to lick Aster''s face for some reason. She explained that they became inseparable after Daphne brought him back from the ruined capital after the battle.


    "Eh, he''s just lazing around. He was probably happy to see you awake and took his chance to sleep since his sister''s been hounding him nonstop," said Caden in a playful, mocking manner.


    "Pardon us from the disturbance, Zach. I know that you seem fine and all now, but we''re still tasked with taking care of you today."


    "Still on with that formal tone, Dante? I''m glad to see that you haven''t changed. I don''t mind."


    "Then how about you tell us how you beat that demon in the capital!" urged Caden in pure amazement and admiration. "It was really cool! They say that the light I saw was from you, was it really Are you really the Thalisean?"


    "Yeah. I''m glad to know and see that you three haven''t been treating me differently now that you know. But yes, I am the Thalisean, or that''s what I believe I am to be, haha."


    "So cool! Man, who knew that our teacher was the Thalisean! I read about people like you. They have those shiny light things that come out from nowhere, and they beat up demons! How great is that?"


    "Caden''s right," said Dante. "Having heard it myself, I couldn''t quite believe it at first. Think of it. The chosen few who have the duty to save everyone. If you think about it realistically, there''s isn''t much of a chance that someone would be able to see them in personal, let alone talk to them like this. But, I''m glad to know that it''s someone like you, Zach."


    "So, what are you planning to do now? I heard from my mom that you''ll have to go soon, right? After all, there are still a lot of them out there."


    "I don''t know yet, Caden. Right now, I''m still trying to think things through. Where do I go, what do I do? They''re all vague, but it''s all the same in the end."


    "We''ll go with you, all three of us! Maybe even Aster, too, if he ever wakes up," said Caden, pumping his fist into the air.


    "Yeah! We''re going to go with you," they pushed on.


    "What are you talking about? You guys will just be too terrified. Don''t worry about it. Leave it to me. It''ll be more than enough for me thinking that I''m doing this to keep you safe."


    I couldn''t help but feel sadly solemn for myself. I''d damn myself if something terrible were to happen to them. If anything, I''d give my life to do anything to save them, as selfish as it might sound.


    "What?" they said in disappointment. "C''mon! You already trained us. We''re ready to go out and fight demons alongside you."


    "He''s right, Zach," pleaded Erica, sitting beside me. "You told me that you''d be there for me all the time, right? You saved me after all. I want to help you, too!"


    "You three are courageous, and that''s saying a lot already. For now, just keep at it. Listen, how about this. When the time is right, I''ll come back here. And when you''re strong enough, I''ll let you come with me, as dangerous as it might seem. How about it, deal?"


    They pondered on it until they came to a conclusion, agreeing with one another.


    "Yeah, we''ll become so strong that you won''t have a choice but to bring us with you! Just you wait, I''ll be the greatest knight this kingdom''s ever seen!" announced Caden without doubt.


    "I-I''ll be doing my best as well," said Dante timidly.


    "Don''t break your promise, alright? We''ll be strong, so be safe until then," said Erica, holding her pinky finger towards me.


    I remember another instance like this. Ah, yes, when we made that promise back in Lavis. I could never forget that.


    "I promise," I said, twining my pinky finger with hers.


    Sighing in relief and complete harmony, I took my time to absorb everything I was seeing and stared at the beautiful clear blue sky. It had truly been a long time since I felt such calm in me.


    I savored it for I knew that it wasn''t long before I had to act once more.


    Only days after I had rested and regained the energy to walk on my own did Gino tell me of what was happening outside, rather, I overheard it from him.


    I arrived in a building where the temporary headquarters of the kingdom was located. It was a two-story house where stacks of papers towered over each other. Most of the personnel had gone to bed, leaving the two of us and a well-lit room to ourselves.


    We sat across each other, enjoying a light meal as to catch up on things. I brought up the subject once more and allowed my curiosity to take over.


    "So you have heard, haven''t you? Honestly, I was thinking of keeping this type of news away from you for a little while more since I know what you''re going to do. It''d be better for you to stay here and follow us for a while. You have a kingdom backing you. Defeating the demons won''t be as hard if you''re going at it together than by yourself."


    "I was bound to find out sooner or later. It''s better if I know now than later, Gino. I think you understand why."


    "Sadly, I do. Fine, I''ll talk."


    He shared with me of what was happening in Ylithia. How it had been split and torn amongst demons and the ones living on its soil.


    Alrifian soldiers were being recalled, but they were also caught in the middle of a war between the two factions.


    "Then you''re telling me that the capital city had been taken over?"


    "Not only that, but half of the kingdom already. As we know it, the kingdom of Ylithia is bound to fall. The number of demons that invaded them make the ones that attacked here seem petty. They are serious about wiping out one of the kingdoms. If they do, then the stability of the continent will be tipped on the scale. Soon the other kingdoms will be affected as well, not like they''re not at the moment."


    "It won''t fall. Not while I''m breathing."


    "Then you''re saying that you''re going to face them alone?"


    "What other choice do I have? This has gone on long enough for them. I''m sure that they don''t have anything left. The easiest way to end this is to go right into the thick of it. I''m going to take down whoever is leading them. And, I appreciate you telling me that this kingdom will aid me, but it''d just make me feel bad, you know? I was never the type to accept things like that with open arms."


    I prepared to leave, firmly knowing what lies ahead. I know it''s foolish to allow your emotions to take hold of you in times like these, but if I don''t follow my own intentions, then I''m just less of a person. This mark is apart from this, for it doesn''t measure how much of a person I am, or that''s how I see it at least.


    "Don''t be too hasty. You haven''t even heard of who is leading them. If you leave now, you''ll die, most likely. Not like I don''t have faith in your abilities, but the gap is just too farfor comfort. I''d be saving you the trouble of dying by telling you what you don''t know now."


    I returned to my seat and saw a troubled expression on Gino''s face.


    "Daphne''s going to have my head for this, but I suppose I wouldn''t want to betray your expectations, not as a Thalisean, but as a friend."


    "Gino..."


    "There''s no need for you to follow tradition, Zach. It''s not inherent, it''s just pride taking over a being titled a ''divine''."


    "What do you mean?"


    "Every Thalisean to date, from every generation in the past has come to blows with the demon king. In every generation, the chosen one to save all of humanity ends up dying because they were alone and had no one to help them. You see, there was an entire race you people like you, Zach. But only a one was chosen each generation to lead the fight. Not everyone was given the strength that you possess. Some simply have the light in them and have no means to use it."


    "Are you telling me that I''ll end up the same way?"


    "I''m merely stating the clear facts. You''re already showing clear signs of being a reckless Thalisean, Zach. You might be human, but you''ve an inherent disease for being a hero it seems."


    "That doesn''t sound as bad."


    "My definition of hero and yours are completely different. I see them as reckless suicidal maniacs. Their egos are as inflated as their duty to justice. I don''t see it badly, but to keep at their duty to the point where they find the need to sacrifice themselves instead of returning alive with good news sickens me to the core."


    "Gino, is there something bothering you about that? You seem restless about it."


    "Oh, not at all. I was just rambling. Pay it no mind. It simply sings back to my past, but that''s nothing to pry into. But more importantly, yes, about that information." He stood up and proceeded to shuffle through the mountain of paperwork stacked together in one corner of the room. He then took a rolled up paper and unfurled it, revealing the map of Ylithia, showing a portion of its border with Alrifer. It was marked meticulously, looking like a strategical map.


    Along with the map were three pages worth of papers that he presented to me.


    "Here is a file containing what we know about him, the one who led the attack on Ylithia, that is."


    "Not a lot, I presume."


    "Exactly. Read through it and you''ll see what we know."


    I did as he told and skimmed through the notes, being sure to be meticulous about every important detail.


    His name was unknown. He looked to be a demi-human, but there was no solid evidence. His abilities are noted to be on an upper Ivaas'' level, as noted. But the lack of further evidences blue the truth. Adept in sorcery and dabbles in arts vastly surpassing many prominent mages. Said to be an equal to the second seat of the mages council, only being a few points ahead of Albert Foster in terms ability and practicality. The specifics are categorized in forbidden magic, on the scale to decimate a city and level the earth with enough strength.


    Only have been sighted thrice, thus the lack of information prevents further insight on his abilities and identity.


    "Are these all of it?" I asked.


    "Yes. You might not see it as much, but the lack of information should be enough to tell you that this one''s dangerous. This record says that it''s an upper Ivaas rank, but I''d say he''s a Razhuen, one of the few that we''ve seen. We''d need something like an artifact, or someone possessing a special kind of power. We barely know any of that."


    "Then what do you suggest?" I asked.


    "If you''re really adamant about going at this by yourself, then at least find someone else to drag along with you. I don''t think you''ll feel bad if they''re at the most, as strong as you, or maybe stronger." He stood up once again and presented me three records, dusting them off beforehand as if he knew that he was going need it.


    He continued. "Find them and see if they can help you out. I''m not too sure about the specifics, but all I know is on those records. I''d be happy if you''d be a little grateful since I''m just handing you off information from the royal Alrifian information vaults. I had them secured and ready just in case another travesty happened."


    "How strong do you think they are?"


    "Hmm," he pondered, lost in thought. "Beats me. Competent is the right word, but just because it''s the only word suited to them. They don''t make it a business being heroes. It''s just that they were there at the wrong time. I''m sure they''re either sick of their own lives, or something along those lines. In the off chance that you find even one of them and have them help you, then I''d say you may have a chance against the demon."


    "Don''t you have faith that I can handle him by myself?"


    "I don''t."


    "Too blunt tonight, aren''t we?"


    "It''s for your sake, so being blunt is being helpful. But it''s going to be a gamble with these three. We have no proof whether this is credible, or if they still live, but you''re against time here. The demons who invaded Ylithia still seek to take the entire kingdom. You have until then to seize victory. We only have records for these three for they are the ones we have the most information of, but as you can see, the said information can''t really be called enough. I''ve done the initiative to put my own thoughts of them on a separate record. Here, keep this map close to you. It''ll help with keeping track of things. I''m not sure whether this is enough though."


    "Don''t worry, it''s enough for me. Thank you, Gino. With or without them, I''ll manage. But I''ll do my best to try and find them."


    "Now I''m getting a bit guilty for sending the only living Thalisean to his death," he mumbled, taking a sip of his beverage.


    "Haha, I think we''ve spent enough time traveling to know that I''m quite tenacious about my own goals. I won''t stop at nothing until I make it happen."


    "True enough. I just hope that your devotion doesn''t change in time. But tell me, are you fine now? I recall you not being able to move half of your body a few days ago."


    "I''m fine now, surprisingly. I''ve been training myself with the sword once more. I''m ready to keep going."


    "You know, under normal circumstances, I wouldn''t let you go with those wounds and scars that might open up any second. I''m surprised that you have the galls to move even with wound enough to drive a man crazy with pain."


    "That just means I''m not your ordinary man. I''m as surprised as you are, but I''m grateful for it. I just won''t be able to find the time to rest anymore, haha," I laughed wryly at my own predicament.


    I took all that he presented me and motioned to the door, preparing to depart before dawn. But before I could reach for the knob, Gino stopped me with his words.


    "Lastly, if you will. What drives you. I''m sure that it''s simply not your duty. I don''t think you''re as superficial as they come. Tell me your reason for not cowering like most heroes, or disappearing, living your own life. Forgive me for this, but I just can''t calm down. It might be an idiotic question, but this is important to me." He stared sternly, his body facing me. His fists were clenched, anticipating my answer.


    "I had made a promise with someone, then a broke it, but nearly tore myself apart with the decision. I failed her, and now she is in the midst of all that chaos. Then I made another, but this time, with someone whom I held dear to me. I had made promises to protect two people, and I don''t intend to break them. I''ll save them and perform my duty, that''s all there is to it."


    "Not the best of answers that you could have said, but it will suffice for now. I''m sure that we will meet each other again, Zach. Until then, stay safe. Will you say your farewell to the others?"


    "Sadly, it''ll just make it harder for me to leave. Daphne doesn''t need to know, too. Well... for now that is. Give this to her a few days after I''ve gone my way. It''s a letter meant for her. I''d be happy if you didn''t read it."


    "Then this is just a cruel good bye, is it? Erica especially had been looking forward to spending her time with you. You''re her father now, after you saved her. Do you intend to leave her here?"


    I mulled over it, but explained it to Erica as a joke. It was irresponsible, and I hated myself for every word that I said. You could have called it trickery, but as a joke, I asked whether she would be fine spending her time in Daphne''s care, not as her sister, but someone like a mother figure to take care of her.


    She didn''t look fine with it, but there wasn''t much of a choice. She was going to have to bear with it. It''ll only pain me even more if she pushes herself to be with me during these hard times.


    "Then if it pains you, Zach, then at least tell the three of them your farewell. They''re children, so they will take this badly. I''m sure that you can disclose that much to them, right? It''s just outright cruel to leave them just like that, twice now."


    "I know, I know. But I just didn''t want to worry them even more with me."


    "They''ll be worried sick regardless if you leave in the middle of the night to fight demons for the rest of your life. Grant them at least that amount of comfort, Zach. I''ll assure that they won''t spill the beans for now."


    "Alright, Gino. I''ll do it. Thank you, and see you until then."


    "The same goes for you, Zach. We''ll be waiting for your return."


    We shook each others'' hands firmly and laughed at the terrible circumstance that I was soon going into, leaving no doubts nor regrets between the two of us.


    I gave up and realized how much of a fool I had been, deciding this alone. I agreed to Gino and went to the town governor''s former residence to say my farewell. to them. It was excruciating, thinking of leaving them again. But it had to be done, no matter how painful it''ll be for me.


    "Now, no more lamenting, Zach." I motivated myself wryly, taking deep breaths.


    I had spent time with Daphne in her time of visits that became frequent. We shared our time, thinking back on the fond things we''ve been through. Sure she was surrounded with work all the time, but she expected as much and was prepared for it.


    Yet, even with her being the queen of her own kingdom, we shared laughs and smiles as if that didn''t matter. She was still Daphne, and I was still Zach. There was no doubting the bond built between us as if felt so natural.


    Through it all, I was going to leave once more after promising to never do it again. How despicable can I be? I don''t deserve people like them, those that would consider still staying with someone who abandoned them even after he had done it the first time. Even as someone they considered their friend, he could not trust them to follow him for he feared what would happen to them. Those were my only doubts. It would hurt me much more if they got hurt than if I was the one to be harmed.


    I know that she won''t be able to forgive me for doing this again, but it''s for the best. I still need to come to terms with this fact, but it''ll take time. Though my resolve in this part was crumbling, I had to stay firm and resolute.


    For the sake of others, I will have to go my own way to keep them safe. As selfish as that might seem, it''s my way.


    "Sorry, Daphne," I whispered in the air, talking to myself on the way. I hoped in my heart that she would be able to find it in her heart to forgive me even through my cowardice of writing it in a piece of paper.


    I lightly knocked on the door of their room to see if they were awake, but then opening it after hearing no response.


    They were fast asleep with Von sleeping right beside their beds.


    I sat on the corner of Erica''s bed and saw her comfortably dreaming it seemed. There was a smile on her face that felt so solemn.


    I ran my fingers through her hair and stared out the window, revealing a beautiful night with a curtain of stars.


    "Hey, Erica. I''m glad to see that you''re doing fine. You see, I''m about to leave soon. I was conflicted about leaving without saying anything to you guys, but now here I am. As foolish as it may be, I''ll be leaving you once more, this time for a cause that''ll keep you safe. You know what I am now, and I hope that you''ll understand that I have to go somewhere you can''t be, somewhere dangerous. I''m really sorry, Erica." I combed back her hair covering her forehead and kissed it.


    "I don''t know if this is what a father would do, but I know that he wouldn''t leave his children behind. Just goes to show how unfit I am, doesn''t it?"


    I stood up, only to find her hand latched on to mine. The corner of her eyes had tears, and she was awake, listening to every word that I had said.


    She shook her head sideways and pulled my hand as hard as she could.


    "Don''t leave..." she sobbed. "Please."


    "She''s right! You can''t leave!" said Caden, bursting out from his covers, kicking them aside, as opposed to Dante, who gently pushed them away and sat on the corner of his bed.


    "No, Caden. I think it''d be immature of us to stop him. After all, everyone in this continent is depending on him now. We can''t be selfish and have him for ourselves. As much as it pains me as well, I''ll simply thank you for training us, Zachary. I''ll use those skills you taught me to be an upstanding man, enough to meet your expectations. When that time comes, you won''t be able to deny our aid."


    "The same goes for me!" followed Caden. "I''ll be strong, you''ll see. Then, then, when I get stronger, you''ll be proud of me!" he said, pointing a finger at me with a quivering lip, speaking in a loud, confident tone. "Thank you for saving us! For helping us, and being there for us! I won''t ever forget that, Zach! So don''t you even die, got that? We''ll get there some day, you can count on that!"


    "Yeah, I won''t," I assured him, giving him a smile to ease his worries.


    I turned to Erica.


    "I assume that you''ll be just like them?" I said jokingly.


    She shook her head up and down, not speaking as to prevent herself from crying any further. "When I grow older, I''ll be the one keeping you safe, so please, come back, will you?"


    "I promise, just like back then, under that tree. I''ll keep my promise, I swear to you three, no matter what."


    Thus, a part of the weight binding me had been lifted. There was more to it than that, but it was all that I could muster. I would have to make it up to the rest somehow, but delaying things further to think is something that I can''t do right now.


    Soon, I will return and make amends. It seems that I still lack the courage to truly face them, but is doing it for a good cause considered ''for the best''?


    Having done all I can here, I made preparations and took my belongings, heading out to the road to begin my quest anew, and on the way to Ylithia where things were said to have been stirred in chaos.


    It was bittersweet, how things were looking up for me.


    I kept my silence and left in the middle of the night, having procured a mount to take on my journey.


    "Are you sure that this is a wise choice, master Erinn?" said Albert as he appeared near the stables, waiting for me it had seemed.


    "It''s the destiny I now follow. Well, for now I''m just going along with my own selfish wants, but soon I won''t be able to do anything warranting selfishness. It''ll be for the sake of those around me. Will you keep silent about this, Sir Foster?"


    "If it will satisfy you, then very well. It is a shame. I had wanted to study you and your light, but that will have to wait for another time. Go, many are expecting your arrival... But before that, answer me this. Do you act upon your own will, or do you allow the mark and your duty to it lead you?"


    "Hmm, well, I don''t think it matters," he said, waving away his own question before I could answer. "You are the master of your own destiny. Simply don''t forget that you are not alone. That is a most foolish thought for one who has to bear the weight of an entire generation on his back." He left, not saying another word.


    "Thank you, Sir Foster. I''ll keep that in mind."


    I had left Aster and the others with a note as to not drag them into this mess any longer. I know it''s an idiotic thing to do since I''m sure he would have opposed to this, saying things like "We''ve already fought through much, you and I. I don''t think letting you go alone is something that friends who''ve fought together should do."


    Armed with this light to guide me and my father''s sword, I departed alone, not knowing what else awaits me...


    "Lorelei, Louise, please wait for me. I''ll be sure to save you no both no matter what."