“Die Demon!” – Orc

*STAB*

“Guahh!” – Orc

But before the Orc could stab Riot, a spear was gouged right through his chest. Riot stabbed him without any hesitation. It was a kill or be killed situation. Plus from the look of the battle, it was Orcs against Humans; the Orc wouldn’t listen to him even if he explained.

‘He would’ve killed me if I try to explain... still, where is this place?...’

As he surveyed the battlefield, he saw fireballs, the size of a soccer ball, flew straight to an orc battalion cooking them alive. The orcs retaliated by throwing boulders that squashed unlucky humans in the area.

*SQUACK!!* *KRYAAHH!!*

Roars could be heard in the sky as Riot looked for its source. Hundreds of flying creatures were also having their own war in the sky.

 A human can be seen riding a giant creature that had an Eagle for a head with a body of a lion. It front had claws instead of a lion’s paw as it shredded an orc’s body to pieces. It moves fast just like a lion on the ground and its golden wings sliced the aerial opponent like butter in half.

“For His Majesty, the King!!” – Human Captain

“”UUOOOHHH!!”” – Human Soldiers

“Krog’tah! Have them taste the Wyvern Rider’s might! Burn them to ashes!!” – Orc Chieftain

““ROOOOAAAAGGGHHHH!!!”” – Orcs

The wyvern riders charged straight to the human riders, who by guess are riding the legendary Griffin. But before the two factions clashed, the wyvern unit suddenly stopped mid charging and blew green flames against their opponents. The forefront of the human riders fell from the sky as their bodies along with their griffon burned and crash like meteors in the midst of the battle on the ground.

Riot was in shock as he saw the fantasy-like battle right in front of him. He compared it to the movie he saw with Akira, and this was more surreal than the movie. He almost forgot that he was in the middle of the battlefield when a clear voice, which he shouldn’t hear in the midst of the screams from the battle, called out to him.

~Master look out! An arrow will hit you on the back in three seconds!~

‘?!’

Immediately, he rotates his body and saw an arrow coming at him. He easily dodges it and looked for the source of the arrow and saw a human fired it. He was confused as to why would a human try to kill a fellow human in a Human-Orc campaign. He should have no gain from killing him, but he immediately knocked another arrow and tried to fire again.

But before he could aim and released it, a spear pierced right into his stomach and out to the back. Blood were dripping on both ends of the spear as he tried to take it out of his body, believing that it would save him from his demise. But the more he tries to lodge out the spear, the more blood spilled from his guts. Giving up to his fate, he looked at the person who threw the spear with eyes full of hate and rage and spew out death throes. And the person who threw the spear was of course Riot, who had no clue as to why he was being target by both sides.

“D-demon! Don’t think of escaping... Hahh... hahh... You fucking traitors will pay!” – Human Archer

‘There it is again... why the hell would they associate me with a demon? It’s not like I have horns or a tail right... right?’

Riot unconsciously touched his head to check if there were horns growing out of it. But fortunately, there was none. There was also no tail coming out from his back when he tried to feel it.

“It’s kill or be killed, so don’t blame me for wanting to survive.” – Riot

The human archer coughs up lots of blood as he shouts toward the person, who made a hole in his stomach. He then reaches something on his back and retrieved a gun.

Unlike normal guns that Riot saw from Earth, this was different. Its handle was made from wood with carvings flowing with golden light. The gun barrel was made of metal, but what was intriguing was its shape. It was like a miniature cannon that was glued to a wooden handle and was fired with a trigger. From the look of the hole of the gun, it looks like its bullet is the size of a tennis ball.

‘Truly a fantasy-like weapon.’

Riot readied himself as the gun was pointed at him. He has no knowledge on what damage it could do to him if he was unprepared for the attack. But the Archer then pointed the gun at the sky and fired it.

*FWWWIIISSSSHHH!!!* *BOOM*

A red fire flew out from the gun with a deafening whistle and exploded in the sky. Red smoke comes out from the explosion and every warrior, Human and Orc, stopped from fighting and looked at it. They then looked at the area where the flare was fired from and saw a human with a spear skewered in him and an unknown person looking at the red smoke in the sky.

“W-with th-this... we’ll have our first taste o-of re-revenge... *Cough*... try escaping from two armies if you can... ughh...” – Human Archer

The Archer drew his last breath as he looked Riot in the face. Even in death, his face was still looking at Riot with intense anger. That made Riot’s face scrunch up from displeasure; it was like eating something so sour. He was clearly displeased as to why he was branded as a demon and due to that, two living beings were already killed because of misunderstanding.

The surrounding warriors looked at the scene where there was a black haired person standing, wary what would happen next with a demon joining the battlefield. Both armies near the scene stopped fighting, not sure on what to do next.

‘This is bad... I need to escape here...’

“Men of Kharin! Continue to fight the enemy in front of you! This is the war that will decide our future! Don’t hold back! Kill those orcs that defiled this land for countless generation. I will kill the demon myself!” – ?

“””Woooooooo!!!!””” – Human

Riding a white fully armoured horse, it was the person who shouted the order just now. Silver armour that shines brightly within the battlefield and a long lance that can easily penetrate three shields stacked together was the equipment of the said person that was currently charging at tremendous speed to Riot. But what was more noticeable was on top of his helmet. It was...

‘A crown? A king? No, from what could be heard from his voice, he’s too young to be a king... a prince maybe? And what the hell, you’re bringing a cavalry squad with you. I really need to escape... now!’

But before Riot could move, an earth shattering noise could be heard. He looked at the source and saw a black-skinned orc. Wielding a giant rock that was tied to a tree trunk, he swung it towards a group of unlucky humans. It was a gruesome scene, but what was more unbelievable was that he wielded it easily like a normal weapon. He was coming directly to Riot.

“Filthy monkeys! Do you think you have a chance in beating the mighty warband of Mazeldor? Foolish humans! That is why you will always be lower than the insects on the ground. You don’t know where your place is. But this time, we will surely put you down like the mad dogs you are. Attack! Give them no space! I’ll handle that fucking demon myself!” – Black Orc

“””OOOO!!!””” – Orcs

Orcs and human battle it out again in the field. Carnage went on as the two armies clashed, metal on meat, not caring if they die as long as they’ll bring down the enemy with them.

Riot stood there dumbfounded as he watch the scene. The war was very chaotic, no strategies but a clash of strength. Even fighting with the devils, they had strategies but this scene was far from it. But this scene looks very familiar to him; it looked like when he and the other heroes fought the 5 princes of hell. It was a fight for survival; they threw away all tactics and jumped on the demons just to kill them. Some even threw their lives away so that an opening will be created through victory; it was this scene that what Riot was reminded.

‘I need to get out of here now. This is no ordinary war; I must get away as far as possible.’

He ran on the opposite way from his pursuers, dodging left and right from the stray arrows and spells. He ran as fast as he could until he saw trees not far away from his view. Immediately running there so he could lose his pursuers, he dashed sideways as he dodged an incoming boulder that was clearly aimed for him. The boulder was wedged on the ground deep, and is currently blocking his way.

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‘Damn, that would have been the end of me if I was hit...’

He looked to where the source of the boulder was and saw a raging orc approaching from his left. He tried to move away but saw the incoming cavalry on the right. With his back on the boulder and in front was the battle of the two armies, he was trapped with nowhere to go.

‘Fuck! I’ve got nothing except to fight. What should I do? There is clearly no time to look for another way as these two are currently hunting for me.’

Taking in a deep breath, he cleared his mind of everything what was going on. He just pictured a certain person from his memory, his most beloved person. The person looked at him smiling, a smile that can melt the coldest heart, and beckoned him to her. He immediately went to her and hugged her, making the woman laughed. The woman gently touched his face ever so dearly, as if it was the most fragile thing on the planet and quietly told him:

“I want you to live my love. I want you to tell me every story that you will do when I’m gone. I promise you I will wait for you at the other side if you promise me that you will take care of your life. I can’t wait to see you again and hear your great adventure, my love”

“Mi Amor... I also can’t wait to see you...” – Riot

Steeling himself, he exhaled the air that he held and looked at the incoming warriors. He took the imbedded spear on the ground and firmly gripped it.

“I’m sorry, but I must survive even if it means killing you people...  oh god, I hope this is just a portion of the armies.” – Riot

With that, he quickly headed to the oncoming cavalry as the black orc was still far behind. As the horses were already near him, he threw the spear to the first horse. The spear landed right between the eyes of it, making it tumble along with his rider. The other riders that were behind him were also caught in the havoc, plunging them to grounds and were crushed by the weight of the horses. The other riders quickly stopped to avoid further harm on their group.

Riot quickly saw that as a chance and charge through the fallen soldiers and took one of its sword. He stabs all those unlucky soldiers that were caught in the mayhem without any hesitation.

“Gaaahh!!”

Those surviving cavalries instantly felt fear as they saw their comrade quickly fell in the hands of Riot. They were not your ordinary run-on-the-mill soldiers; they were part of the best of the best, all exceptional in combats and tactics. But these said soldiers, who can beat a group of infantry individually, were easily taken out by Riot.

“Monster!” – Soldier 1

“He really is a demon!” – Soldier 2

“Never lose hope! We will charge again! Bring down the demon that tries to interrupt this holy war! And let’s present his head to the king after we win this war!” – Prince

“”Yes Sir!””

As they were preparing for the charge, Riot was checking the bags of the fallen soldiers. He looked over to see if there were valuables that can help him in his dilemma. He also checked the equipments that were with the soldier.

‘This is?!’

“Charge!” – Prince

As the cavalry charged, Riot drew two weapons that were found on the bodies. It was a flintlock pistol, the same as the archer that gave him this problem. He aimed it at the prince but before he pulled the trigger, a huge chunk of rock was thrown to the unfortunate cavalry nearly wiping out all of them.

“Who –?!” – Prince

“RAAGH! Both of your heads are mine!” – Black Orc

The Orc swings his mighty hammer at the unlucky soldiers who were near him. The bodies were cleaved clean as if the orc was using a sword. He was so strong that all the human soldiers could do was to become a fodder for his hammer.

The prince was in a dilemma, as he was now trapped between a demon and an orc. He can’t fight the orc alone while always guarding his back if the demon attacks him. He knew that he must beat the demon as a top priority than the orc, as the demon might call for reinforcement. Thinking that teaming up with the orc was the only option to beat the demon, he tried to call out to the orc.

“Hey, why don’t I help you kill that bastard there? He’s clearly an obstacle to your victory in this war. In exchange, you let me go after we take him down. Deal?” – Riot

But before words can escape from the prince’s mouth, the so-called demon, made an irresistible offer. To team up and beat the opponent in front of them without worrying for his back. But believing that Riot was a demon, he knew that only a fool would accept it immediately. But...

‘Making both the demon and orc destroy each other, and the surviving one will be finished by me. I’ll be called the greatest king with just the benefits on this war alone. It was a good thing that I forced father that I’ll be leading this army and not that bastard.’ – Prince

“... okay, but swear to me that you’ll never come back to these lands again or I swear to the gods that I will kill without mercy!” – Prince

Ambitions suddenly filled his head as he made his decision on accepting the deal Riot proposed. He knew what he had to do, weaken them both and kill the survivor of the bout with ease; a “two birds with one stone” as they say.

“Sure... well then, let’s go!” – Riot

“Hyah!” – Prince

Both of them attacked the monstrous orc. The first one to attack was the prince, as he was riding on a horse, and stabs the orc at its left thigh.

*STAB*

“GRAAAHH!!! Die!!” – Orc

The prince tried pulling away his lance that was currently stuck at the orc’s meat but it was lodge well in between the hard muscles. He can’t pull it out and decided to release it and pulled out his sword and shield.

The orc swung his giant hammer to the prince to appease his anger from the attack earlier. The prince saw that and readied his shield to receive the incoming hammer. The orc smiled because he knew only a fool would take on the impact of his mighty blow.

“RAAAA -- *BANG!**BANG!* -- GRAAAHHHHHH!!!” – Orc

Two loud noises where heard before the hammer could collide with the shield, which resulted to a slight trajectory of the hammer and only hit an empty air. Blood was flowing out from the orc’s left eye and his right arm that was holding the hammer. The orc was filled with rage as he addresses the culprit of the said assault.

“Bastard! As expected of a demon... only attacking when  co—“

“Shut up! All is fair in war! Raaaahhh!!!” – Riot

“Graaahhh!!!” – Orc

Riot quickly pulled the lance that was stuck from the orc’s thigh and tried to stab the orc in the stomach. But the orc was faster as its hand swung to Riot’s body, blowing Riot away and crashed on some rocks. The orc tried to follow his attack but was stopped on his tracks.

“Flame Dance!” – Prince

 “GRaaaAH!” – Orc

Countless of orb of fire surrounded the orc as the prince cast his spell. The fires quickly took form of a sword and assaulted the orc, chipping his life away little by little. The orc tried defending itself but the punishment was severe as he knelt on the ground panting after the spell was ended.

The prince walked slowly to the kneeling orc, smiling as victory is nearly within his grasp.

“I must say an orc kneeling to the future king isn’t so bad when the bards will sing this epic tale in the future days to come. To think that my plan go so well, you killing the demon while I kill you... I’m gonna hog all the glory! Killing the legendary Jorvic Rockhammer and the first to subdue a demon in the last hundred years, people will sing my name throughout eternity! And it pains me to say this; I thank you, Jorvic Rockhammer, for becoming my first stepping stone to the path of my godhood!” – Prince

The prince readied his sword as he intent to kill the orc, Jorvic, in a single blow to the head. Jorvic only looked at him with eyes of antipathy. He tried to defend himself, but loss of blood and the shrapnel inside his head are making it to difficult to move. He surrendered himself to fate as he was watching the blade flash in the sun’s ray, making himself look to the prince and suddenly smiled.

“...all is fair in war huh?” – Jorvic

“Huh? Of course it is. Some people might say that war is about how heroes shine with bravery and honour, but in truth, you can’t win with just that. Backstabbing, cheating, bribery, etc. Those are major factors in winning the war. That is why you and your race will die by my hands!” – Prince

*STAB!!!*

“Guuuhhh!” – Jorvic

Purple blood was coming out from the fatal wound that was given to him. He tried to pull out what was lodge in his chest but his hands seem to give up. He looked again, smiling, to the warped faced prince as he too was in pain, suffering from a fatal wound. A familiar looking lance was coming out from his stomach and it drove straight through the chest of the orc, giving them both wound that is impossible to recover from.

“Huh? W-what the?”

The prince, who has no idea what was going on, dropped his sword and shield and tried to get rid of lance. But when he tries to remove it, an unbearable pain takes over his body and coughed blood. He looked back and saw the being that made a hole in his body.

“B-ba-bastard!! *Cough**Cough* ... you fucking betrayed me! We had a deal! Gaaahhh!!” – Prince

“... I thought you knew that all is fair in war, right? You see, I knew you would betray me the minute we killed him. I mean, you can’t even keep a poker face when I made that fucking offer.” – Riot

Riot let go the handle of the lance and slowly walked away from the scene, but stopped as if he recalled something. He went back to the two warriors who were breathing heavily as they were looking at him.

“Oh right, I don’t have any equipment as of now... so I’ll have keeps yours prince, okay?” – Riot

“M-m-monster...” – Prince

“...” – Jorvic

Riot picked up the prince’s sword and shield but as he reaches out the weapons, just like what happened with Satan’s sword, white lights enveloped it and they were gone. He looked at his ring and saw it was still glowing from the previous interaction.

‘What the hell was that? Why do some weapons disappear if I try to touch it?’

~I’ll explain it to you once we get out of here master...~

‘?!’

Riot was surprised as he heard that voice again. It was the. Same voice that warned him from the arrow and it was also sure that it was the one who woke him up with that demented voice. He looked at the ring again thinking that it has a mind of its own.

~Not quite, let’s get out of here and I’ll tell you everything you want to know, okay?~

With a carefree voice, the unknown entity suddenly stayed quiet after it offered a deal; as if it wasn’t there all along.

“Remember this bastard! My kingdom will seek retribution for what you did to me! I’ll lead the army myself in hunting you down! You hear me?!” – Prince

As if waking up in trance, Riot looked at the prince with an astonish look in his face. The prince smiled thinking that he scared Riot and offered a deal.

“Now, if you helped me I pr—“ – Prince

“For someone on death’s door, you’re pretty lively aren’t you? Why don’t you be quiet like that orc and accept that you are dying here? Were you offering me another deal? Haven’t you learnt something? Well, not that you’ll be needing this were you’re going but... never make a deal with a demon.” – Riot

“Hahahahaha!!!!” – Jorvic

“N-no! No!! I’ll live you hear me! I’ll live and will come for you!” – Prince

As Riot said what he wanted to say, he sprinted to the trees to escape. As he was running, he heard the orc laugh and the death throes of the prince. He just ignored them and went to the trees safely without encountering anymore trouble. As he was looking for a place to hide, he saw a hollowed tree and went there. He sat and rested his body on the tree, knowing that no presence was following him.

He then looked at his ring and said:

“Now, let’s talk."