《Rogue Hero》 Prologue - A Journeys End? Keith approached the corpse of the Demon King slowly. He had just done something that everyone had said was impossible, despite the fact that he had been summoned for this specific task. He knelt and ran his fingers over the king''s face, closing his eyes. "You were a powerful foe, old man, but you let yourself be corrupted by the power you sought to use to better your people..." He stood up and shook his head. He spun around as he heard someone enter the throne room. In fact, there are three people there, the other three who were summoned to this realm with him, the three he had abandoned so as not to hold him back. "To think, a Rogue would be the one who managed to end the tyranny of the Tyrant King," the man in blood splattered armor stated softly, while the mage behind him started chanting. "I can''t have people thinking you managed to kill him, considering that I was the one who made everyone think you ran away from your responsibility." The priest standing beside of wizard chuckled softly at that. "Yes, yes indeed... We need to get rid of this eyesore for good. After all, he stole the sword that you were supposed to have, Brother... Look at it, driven through the King''s heart still. Yes, this will be very good for our reputation, once he is gone." "Oh, looks like the princess has just arrived too... We''ll need to rid this world of her, since we can''t have her growing up to be a Demon Queen and demanding revenge for her father''s death," the Knight chuckled coldly, making Keith step between them and five year old child who had watched him duel the King. "Leave her alone. She is the only light that the Demons have..." Keith softly growled. "What need does a dead race have of a light? We have slaughtered all of them on the way here... Boris, you said you wanted to see what ''Banishment'' did... Use it." The Wizard, Boris, smiled coldly as he pronounced the last line of the chanted verse of the spell and cast it, "Bind thee, oh greatest spirit, so as to never return! BANISHMENT!" A tearing sound comes from behind the princess, and a large golden arm reaches through, aimed for her throat. Keith dashes with the agility and precision of a master ninja, slamming into the arm, trying to knock it away, only for it to suddenly grow, and wrap around both him and the princess to the laughter of the three ''heroes''. With a sharp tug, the arm pulls them through the portal, and a loud boom as it seals behind them. If you come across this story on Amazon, it''s taken without permission from the author. Report it.--- When Keith awakens, he''s in an empty void, wondering if he is dead. He looks around the endless grey landscape, and sees the Princess he had tried to save floating in a crystal box. He tries to move, and suddenly feels the weight of the chains that he had yet to notice binding his arms and legs. The chains fade into the grey around him, and emerge again, connected to the Princess'' crystal box. "To think that the murderer of her father would try to save her life after having just ruined it," a soft, feminine voice whispers and echoes in the grey landscape. "I''m sorry, young Hero, but you have been banished from that Realm, and as such, you have lost all your stat bonuses you would have retained if the Church had cast the Ritual of Return to send you home." "So, I''m not dead? "No, neither you or the Princess are dead, but your destiny has been bound as one. Neither of you can return to Azaron, ever. Sadly, since you were Summoned, your Home world is currently locked for me to send you... You will still have all the skills you learned from Azaron, but you and the Princess must start anew..." "Why was I chosen? I was just an intelligent nobody back home." "Everyone is Someone... The time and place of your importance was for you to grow up to be Summoned, so you could save the Princess and introduce her to the new world, where the ''Devilium'' Race is about to be casting a summons. They expect to get a grown champion, not a young child, but you might just be able to be their champion, since the Banishment spell has bound your souls together for eternity." --- Bright light, searing pain, damn, being summoned hurts, Keith thought as he emerged from the crimson gateway with the crystal enclosed Princess, who remained peacefully asleep in the Grey Between and through the Summoning. The crystal shatters, and her eyes open, she draws in a deep breath, and then shrieks in terror, hiding behind Keith''s leg as she sees the Devilium Knight - Level 50 in front of them, armed and armored as if it was a Storm Trooper from Keith''s home world''s Star Wars movies, if not for the lack of a helmet, and the large demonic horns and bat-like wings on it''s back. Keith looks at Kalypsa and sees above her head ''Demon Princess - Level 1'', then in the mirror he sees above his own ''Rogue Hero - Level 1''. Chapter 1 - Devilium Status Quo The knight calls out something that is in an unknown language to Keith, and a ''Devilium Mage - Level 57'' approaches and hands him a book.
Skill Book: Languages Sub-Skill: Devilium
Would you like to learn the Devilium Language?
AcceptDecline
Keith reaches forward and taps where the ''Accept'' button was in his vision, and the book glows brightly for a moment before crumbling to dust, and he has to grab his head as the knowledge of reading, writing, and speaking Devilium flood into his mind. Spoiler :
CONGRATULATIONS!
You have gained the following skills: Reading - Common - English - Devilium - Arazon Writing - Common - English - Devilium - Arazon Spoken Language - Common - English - Devilium - Arazon
You have gained +2 Intelligence
Keith nods and gently takes the other book, kneeling and handing it over to the Princess who was hiding behind him. He convinces her to use it and nods softly as she finishes using it. "Can you understand us now?" the Mage asks softly. "Yes, thank you. My name is Keith Herbert, may I know yours?" The mage smiles, showing very sharp pointed teeth. "My name is Kriath''il, and I am the leading Mage in the Kingdom, now that the great Sages have sacrificed themselves to perform the summoning." "Ah, I''m sorry... the last world I was summoned to didn''t have to sacrifice their casters for the summoning... May I ask why you needed to summon a Hero?" "Oh, it wasn''t you who we were summoning... We were summoning the young lady behind you," Kriath''il replies. "Our latest king died without an heir. In ancient times, when our nation was founded, it was set down in law that if the current ruler should die with no heir, then to prevent inbreeding of the nobility, we are to summon a Demon Ruler from another realm. Right now, we need to set up a regent for our new young queen." "I want..." Kalypsa speaks up. "I want to have the Rogue Hero to stay with me..." "Well, my princess, we weren''t going to throw him out... We have never heard of a Rogue Hero before..." "Well, a Rogue Hero is a merge of the Rogue base class and the Hero hidden class. I basically get the stealth abilities of a Rogue, and the ability to use relics of ancient heroes, as long as they don''t violate my Armor limits as a Rogue... Hence my Black Tunic," Keith stated softly. "Of course, when I die, the Legendary Relics I''ve collected will be spread across the world into giant chests in dungeons. I also have this pouch which acts as an extradimensional inventory system, and freezes time while I''m accessing it." "That is... very interesting," Kriath''il states while Kalypsa giggles softly. "What sort of things do you have in that bag?" "Hmmm... Well, I''ve got a pair of mythril boomerangs, a magical lamp of infinite flame an automated Grappling Hook, a self-replicating Bomb Drone, a Hero''s Elven Bow with a Quiver of Light, Super Jump Boots, a few different Tunics with different abilities, my Wristband of Supreme Lift, Pickaxe of Dwarven Insight... there''s a few other things, that primarily have magical effects for use against either fire or ice." "So what does this Black Tunic you are wearing do?" Kriath''il asks. "Oh, oh! I know that one!" Kalypsa giggles as she claps. "The Black Tunic allows him to merge with shadows and slide through them! My grandmother sewed it for the Shadow Hero three thousand years ago..." "I see," Kriath''il nods. "That is a powerful Tunic." "Sadly, I lost most of my increased health, magic, and stamina upon leaving the old World. In fact, I''m not sure how well those systems are merging with your local systems," Keith murmurs. "There are many things you will want to check, when you get the time. Use the following commands to inspect this world''s information: Status, Abilities, Spells, Skills, Inspect, Equip, and Help." The narrative has been taken without permission. Report any sightings. "Status," Keith enunciates. Spoiler :
Keith Herbert
Human - Rogue Hero
Level:1
Health:100/100 + 150/150
Stamina:100/100
Magic:120/120
Strength10
Dexterity25
Agility25
Vitality10
Intelligence12
Wisdom15
Charisma15
"Abilities." Spoiler :
Keith Herbert
Human - Rogue Hero
Abilities
StealthDash
BackstabSpin Slash
ThrowLunge
"Spells." Spoiler :
Keith Herbert
Human - Rogue Hero
Spells
Earthquake100
Inferno Blast100
Lightning Storm100
"Skills." Spoiler :
Keith Herbert
Human - Rogue Hero
Skills
Detect Trap (Basic)Level 1
Disable Trap (Basic)Level 1
Dissipate Presence (Basic)Level 1
Sense Intent (Basic)Level 1
Lockpicking (Basic)Level 1
Jump (Basic)Level 1
Boomerang Mastery (Basic)Level 1
Bomb Mastery (Basic)Level 1
Hammer Mastery (Basic)Level 1
Archery Mastery (Basic)Level 1
Grappling Hook Mastery (Basic)Level 1
Mining (Basic)Level 1
Herbology (Basic)Level 1
Skinning (Basic)Level 1
Harvesting (Basic)Level 1
Cooking (Beginner)Level 1
Swordsmanship (Basic)Level 1
Sword & Shield Mastery (Basic)Level 1
Magic Wand Mastery (Basic)Level 1
Magical Aptitude (Basic)Level 1
Magical Recovery (Basic)Level 1
Languages [Reading]Arazon, Common, Devilium, English
Languages [Writing]Arazon, Common, Devilium, English
Languages [Spoken]Arazon, Common, Devilium, English
After viewing his skills, he whistles softly. "That''s a lot of different skills I have there..." "Yes, perhaps you should wait to go through the Help menu and the rest until after dinner, when you retire for the evening?" Kriath''il asks, making Kalypsa giggle and nod before tugging on Keith''s hand. "Welcome, my princess, to Kratoria Keep, the home of the rulers of this world known as Sparta." Chapter 2 - Spartan Hospitality AN: Greetings and Salutations people! I hope you''re all enjoying this story. I have a question I want to post to you: Should a Summoned Hero on a world that has Portal Magic be able to have a portal created back to his original world so that he can go shopping and pull in ''Technology'' for his aid? Please let me know your opinion. I''m enjoying writing this, but I''m also trying to keep him from being uber-powerful, but at the same time allow him to do the job of a Summoned Hero and take out something that is far more advanced than himself... this is a very tough thing to balance, considering that these poor Demons (Devilium) are being attacked... Also, do you prefer the Tables in Spoilers, or just as regular blocks?
Chapter 2 - Spartan Hospitality Keith blinks as Kalypsa tugs him behind her. "Are you sure you want me to be here with you?" She tilts her head up at him. "My father told me that one day he would eventually die to one of the endless Heroes the summoned to Arazon, and that he would not be able to rest well in the afterlife if I unjustly hated the one who put him to rest for the pain and suffering he had caused. Will you hate me for being my father''s daughter?" "Of course not, I wouldn''t hate you for being your father''s daughter... if he hadn''t been so far gone that he couldn''t be reasoned with, I would have tried to make peace with him..." "Oh, yes, the last Hero who tried that was served for dinner... and is why my mother left, as she had promised that Hero she would be safe for the meeting." "I''m sorry, Kalypsa... I hope you can find peace here... Kriath''il, why exactly did you summon Kalypsa? Also, will the nation be okay with her needing to grow up and be educated in the ways of this nation and world?" "Well, Keith, we are being invaded by a strange new race from beyond our world..." Kriath''il starts to respond. "How is this invasion taking place? Is it via portals or spaceships?" "Well, our astrologers have seen odd things in the skies... What is a spaceship?" "A spaceship is a ship made out of metals and glasses that is entirely sealed so as to not leak air, and traverse the vast distances between planets and stars..." Keith takes a deep breath. "What is the current level of science on this planet?" "Could you explain the question? I''m afraid I do not understand the meaning behind it..." "Of course... you have magic, which allows you so many short cuts that most tech probably hasn''t been invented due to the ease of use of magic... Well, that''s neither here nor there, since we''re facing a technological based enemy. I would like to inspect the remains from one of the battles, and then maybe talk with your mages to see if we can make a temporary portal to my home world so I can try to get some assistance," Keith sighs softly and Kalypsa beams happily. "You mean that you''ll help us with this problem!?" Kriath''il gasps. "Of course I''ll help. No true hero could turn away from a people in need..." Kalypsa leaps up and throws her arms around his neck. "You''ll make a fine husband for me when I grow up!" Keith grunts and forces himself to remain upright despite the flying hug-tackle from Kalypsa. "Your husband? You are already planning ahead that far...? What if you find someone else while you''re growing up?" Kalypsa giggles and kisses his cheek. "That''s not gonna happen. A Demon Queen needs a powerful Hero as Champion and Husband in order to be respected and feared." *Tring* Spoiler :
Class Change Available!
The future Demon Queen, Kalypsa Asalith Maruadin has offered you the chance of a lifetime!
Offered Class: Hero Champion Offered Title: Consort of the Demon Queen
A Hero Champion is not limited by a speciality, as they must be able to prove themselves in any arena.
ACCEPTYOU BETTER NOT REJECT HER HEART!
Keith swallows nervously, and kneels, taking her small hand in his as he meets her eyes. He raises her hand to his lips and kisses the back of it. "I will accept this honor for as long as you wish to grant it to me." A case of content theft: this narrative is not rightfully on Amazon; if you spot it, report the violation. As soon as those words were said, a golden light surges around both Kalypsa and Keith, along with an actual audible fanfare, unlike the normal message Tring. *FANFARE**Tring**Tring**Tring**FANFARE* Spoiler :
Class Change!
You have become a Hero Champion! You have become the Consort of the Demon Queen! You have been blessed by an unknown Deity!
Hero Champion
Item and Weapons Masteries have been Combined into: Weapon Mastery [Intermediate]
You are now quite familiar with various ways to use ANYTHING as a Weapon.
You have gained the Skill: Lie Detection [Basic]
You are now rudimentarily familiar with basic ways to tell if someone is lying.
You have gained the Skill: Veil Piercing [Basic]
You are now rudimentarily familiar with piercing various stealth tactics.
Your Jump skill has been absorbed into: Physical Mastery [Intermediate]
Your body has gone through some serious training! Your physical stats now raise at 250% basic Human rate!
Magical Mastery [Basic] and Magical Recovery [Basic] have been absorbed into: Mental Mastery [Intermediate]
Your mind has gone through some serious training! Your mental stats now raise at 250% basic Human rate!
Class Bonuses
+50% Stats in a Duel. +50% Stats when being a ''Hero'' to the people. +250% Stats when assaulting or defending your Wife, her Honor, or at her command.
Consort of the Demon Queen
You will be officially wed to the Demon Queen, Kalypsa, upon her 18th Birthday.
Your Reputation with the Devilium Race has improved!
New Reputation with Devilium Race: Honored
+25% chance of Haggling coming out in your Favor.
You have gained rudimentary knowledge of the Devilium Culture!
Divine Blessings of #$%&!* and ^?!#@$
The Pantheon of Deities the Devilium believe in has witnessed your Consort Proposal and Acceptance.
Trait Gained: [Unaging]
We''ve taken away that pesky human concern of dying from old age. Go us!
New Body Parts Obtained: [Demonic Wings]
We''ve decided you need to be able to fly, and what better way than with cool wings?
Trait Gained: [Flight]
Those new wings of yours aren''t just for show. They''re quite resilient too!
As the light fully flares around Keith, he cries out in pain as a pair of huge, tanned leathery wings burst from his back, his Tunic of the Shadows morphing to allow the wings through without being damaged. The wings have an impressive 30 foot wing-span, and his body glistens in sweat as he grows to look the part of a Demon''s Heroic Champion, without losing his obvious human features. "Kriath''il, I think it would be best if my Consort and I were to be shown to our chambers quickly, so that he may recover before we attend any public ceremony such as a feast..." Kalypsa quickly instructs the mage, who nods and shows us through the back corridors of the castle to our rooms, which are next to each other.