Chapter 13

Black Heart

“….” I tried to come up with some form of excuse. But there was no way I could lie myself out of this situation. Even people who can’t sense magic, could tell that my power is evil.

“Anna your arm….” Deborah said.

It’s over. Once word get out that I’m the Demon King. Then everyone will be after my head.

“Is it injury?”

Wait what?

Before I could process what she said, she was already at my side inspecting my left arm.

“It doesn’t look broken. Does it hurt at all?”

“…Just a little.” Do they not see my right hand is cover in black smoke? No, they definitely see it. They’re just pretending everything is normal. They’re probably going to run and report me to the knights, once they’re out of my sight. I need to silence them before that can happen.

“Good, I’m glad you’re ok. When Aaron told us what happen. I thought I’ve might lost you.”

“…” The black aura surrounding my hand began to vanish. Well, she is treating my injury, so I guess she’s not a threat to me yet. I’ll just take of care them some other time.

“Now that I know you’re okay….”

“Hey, what are you doing?” in an instance I found myself swept off my feet. Being princess carry by a woman, the little pride I had left instantly vanish.

“I’m not that injured, I can walk on my own.”

“We still don’t know how bad your injury is. Plus I don’t want you to go anywhere, like you did this morning.” She gave me a force smile. That basically told me to run.

I look over to James, to see if he could help me. But he just simply shrug his shoulder. Well at least I know now who wears the pants in the family now.

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“What were you thinking?! You could’ve got kill out there!” As soon as my arm was treated. I was met with her wrath.

“It wasn’t her fault, she was just helping me.” Aaron intervene.

“Don’t try to help her. If she didn’t try to sneak out. Then neither of you would’ve ended up in that situation.”

Why am I putting up with this act? Both of them saw me use my power earlier. Yet there both acting like everything is normal.

“James, say something to her.”

“….” James remain quiet. Now that I think about it, he hasn’t said a word at all.

“James?” Deborah had a little bit concern in her voice.

“Huh?” I guess he must’ve been trap in his head, because he look like he just been teleported to another world. “I’m sorry you say something?”

“I’m disciplining your daughter, I appreciate it if you help.”

“Right. Anna, I am disappointed. What you did could’ve got you in your brother killed.”

“Like I care.” Both Deborah and James, were surprise by my response. I don’t know why they thought I would keep playing this game with them.

“Why don’t you guys make this easier on yourself, instead of pretending nothing happen, why don’t you just let me go on my merry way?”

“W-what are you sayi-

“That’s enough Deborah.” James intervene. “I’ll take it from here.” The house went silent, as everyone watch James head to door.

“You guys stay here. Anna, follow me.”

If it gets me out of this house then sure. I hop out my chair and follow James out the house. I’m not sure what he is up to.

But I’m pretty sure we didn’t come out here for a talk.

“You’re not planning on burying me alive are you? I’m pretty sure you need shovel to do that.”

“….” James suddenly stop moving. “I wish you stop doing that. I brought you out here to show you something. Take a look around, this place should look familiar to you.”

I took a look around the clearing and notice a bunch of dead patches of grass in the ground. And there was a dead tree amidst a lush forest. This place is where is secretly come to train. But apparently, it never was secretly.

“How long did you knew?”

“Your mom and I. Always knew you were special Anna. We never did teach you how to talk or walk. At first we thought you were a genius. But after seeing your hair and eyes change color, than witnessing your power, I realize you’re something more than that. Anna, you’re not human are you?”

“Hmm, to be honest, even I don’t know what I am currently. But in the past, they called me the Demon King.”

“I see… so you weren’t kidding about world domination were you?”

“…” I actually don’t how to respond to that. I’m pretty sure most people would be upset once they found out there kid been taken over by an unknown entity.

“No, I wasn’t joking about that. Normally I would kill you for knowing my secret, but I’ll trust that you’ll stay quiet.”

“Wait were you going?”

“I’m heading to the adventurer guild than getting out of town.”

“I can’t allow you to do that.” James step in front of me.

“Why, are you stopping me? I thought you gave up on being a knight.”

“I’m not stopping you because of that. I’m stopping you because it’s a father job to stop is child from doing something stupid.”

“I already told you before, I’m not you kid.”

“Really? Everything you done up to point prove to me you are. You even risk your own life to save your brother.” That’s exactly what an elder sister would do.”

“I wasn’t trying to save him. I was just protecting myself. Now get out of my way.”

“I can’t do that.”

“Fine then, I’ll just go through you.” I throw a quick jab at him, which he easily catches. I’m really getting real tired of people eating my attacks. I twist my body around so I could build momentum for a kick. James quickly back steps away from me.

*Tch* This day just keeps getting better. First a huge ass wolf and now this. It also doesn’t help the fact that my left arm is completely useless.

“You’re a pain in the ass. You know that right?”

“Well that’s what a parents supposed to do.”

“Shut up!” I rush to James, and attack him with a flurry of punches and kicks. But all my attacks hit nothing but air.

“Stop fucking dodging and fight back already!”

“That won’t happen. I refuse to hurt you.”

Damn it, he just toying with me. I’m going have use my power if I want beat him. But I might accidently kill him if I do. Wait, why do I care? He just another obstacle in my way.

My right grew cold, as black corrupted magic wrap around it.

“Last chance James, get out my way and forget everything about me.”

“As I said before. I can’t do that.”

“Then you leave me with no choice…” I dispel as much energy I could from hand. This much shouldn’t kill him. But his health will definitely degrade once he gets hit.

“This is your final warning, Stand. Down. Now.”

“I thought your other warning was the last.”

That stupid nonchalant look on his face is really starting to piss me off. He’s an idiot if he thinks I won’t hurt him to get my way.

“Fine then, don’t blame me for what happens next!” James jumps over me just as I swung my arm.

I guess he’s not as stupid as I thought. My power still would’ve infected him. If he stood there in block my attack. But, he still fell for my trap.

I quickly turn around and raise my arm up again. Now that he’s in the air. It’s impossible for him to dodge my next attack. James may have been a skilled knight in the past. But I’m far more experience than him in fighting.

“??” Just as I swung my arm my vision went black. Next thing I knew, I was on the ground.

Why the hell am I the ground? As my vision was growing dimmer, I look to see James had an apologetic look on his face. I see, I didn’t actually think he would hit me.

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“Ow! Why the hell did you hit me so hard?” Rubbing my head, I look around to no one in sight.

“James?” Don’t tell me he just knock me out and then left. So much for being a father figure. Also were am I? Early I was in a forest. Now I’m in a field full flowers that seem to stretch for an eternity. Wait this scene is too familiar.

I kept looking around hoping I would remember the place. My heart stop once I finally look up. Floating causally in the sky was a planet.

No doubt about it, I’m stuck in an illusion. There’s only two people capable of this. And both I really, really don’t want to see.

One is Loki. But I doubt it’s him. Loki the kind of guy that’ll use his illusion to annoy people to death. This one is way too tranquil. Plus it’s obvious that the planet floating in the sky is Gaia. And there’s is only one entity that’s currently watching Gaia. “Athena.”

As if on cue the wind suddenly picks up, blowing the petals off the flowers. The petals began to spin and twirl in the air. It almost look like they were dancing. Slowly an image was created as the petals drifted closer together. The image became more humanoid as more petals gather.

Finally, after they all gather together. A woman appears from the petals. I’m pretty sure most people would be speechless if they witness this scene. But all I could think was that it was unnecessarily flashy.

And of course the person who created such a flashy scene, would also have a flashy appearance. She will definitely stick out no matter where she goes. The first thing people would notice is her pointy ears. Then again, that probably applies to all elves.

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The next thing would be her pure white gown that was loosely wrap around her. Exposing her slender shoulders. And the last would be her flawless appearance. Long golden hair and a well-endowed body that all man lust for, and ever woman envy. Not even I could find anything to nit-pick about her.

My mind went blank as I watch her walk towards me. Right in front of me was an Entity. These were the last people I wanted to see. Fighting her isn’t even an option. Even if I did somehow miraculously kill her. She wouldn’t stay dead for long.

How did this happen? Today was supposed to be the day I make my comeback. And yet here I am, in an inescapable death trap.

“Are you the Demon King?” Athena look at me with a puzzle look.

“No, I’m just a normal human being.” Aw come on, I could’ve come up with a better lie than that.

“Really? I don’t think I ever seen a human use the power of corruption, at least not without consequence. Plus, I only know one person that have black hair and red eyes.”

“…” She got me, there’s was no way I can counter her argument.

“I can’t believe. You really are him! You look so cute now.”

That compliment didn’t make me feel better at all. In fact it just made me feel worse. I didn’t want anyone to see me like this.

“How did you find me?”

“I sense a spike of sinister energy in your region. I was greatly surprise to find out it was you, and that you took such an interesting….form.”

Damn it, that was probably from me fighting that wolf earlier. I should’ve just ran away and stuck with my plan.

“Aww, to think my little brother would transform into beautiful girl. I guess this means you’re my sister now right?”

“I wish you stop calling me brother. And don’t call me sister either. Just because we’re from the same race doesn’t mean we’re related.”

“I see you still hatred for me hasn’t diminish .” Athena suddenly looks up at the sky. I follow her example and also look up. Both of us watch quietly as the planet and sky slowly rotates.

“The world has change since you been gone. Man grows bolder with each passing day. And creatures that once fear you are coming out of hiding. The future of this planet is uncertain.” There was a slight concern look on Athena face.

“Why are you telling me this?” I could care less what happen to this planet.

“You are a self-destructive fool. I know even in your weaken state, I know you’ll still go and try to fight the world. I don’t want to see that. I don’t want to see you hurt yourself anymore.”

“Well since you feel so obligated to help me, why don’t you tell me where Alice is. It’s because of her and that damn hero of yours I’m stuck like this.”

“I'm afraid I can’t tell you that.”

“That’s too bad. I guess I’ll just have to hunt her down the hard way.”

“You are an idiot. You finally find someone else that cares about you. And yet you’re trying to throw it away just so you can go back to a path that only leads to your death. Why do you keep choosing the worst option for yourself?”

I sat on the ground and let out a long and over exaggerated sigh. “You should know the answer to that one Athena.

Athena look at me with a confuse look.

“Don’t you remember the first time we met? It was the day after I was born. The very first thing you said to me was that I was a threat to this planet and all life on it.”

“I’m… sorry about that.”

“No need, you were completely right about me. I tried to prove you wrong by befriending any creature that came my way. At this time I had no control over my power, so of course everything that came close to me die.”

“…” Athena had that annoying pity look on her face.

“No matter how hard I tried everything that got near me die. Until it finally dawn on me. Why fight it? Why go against your own nature? I was born with the power to corrupt life. I was born to be evil. After accepting my destiny, I decided to visit a human village and turn it into dust.”

"That’s a lie.”

“No, I clearly remember destroying that village.”

“I remember that day clearly. You didn’t go to that village to destroy it. In fact you went there with good intentions, but…”

“Jeez, you’re a stickler for details. Can we just accepts the fact that I destroy it and that I’m evil.”

“I don’t believe you're evil either. If you were truly evil than why didn’t you kill the father?  When he fell for your trap you could’ve easily finish him, yet you hesitated, why is that?”

See this is one of the main why I hate Athena. Her ability to spy on people is annoying. And now that she know I’m alive she’ll definitely keep her eye on me.

“It seems are time is up. Too bad, I really wanted to talk to you more.”

I look down to see my body was fading away. Starting at my legs, my body slowly vanish, until it finally reach my head. Just as I was about to completely disappear, I heard Athena whisper something.

“I know you still hate me for what I did to you. But I hope now you can finally move on and cherish what you got now.

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In the next instance I was back in my room. Changing scenery so fast like that is definitely not good for my brain. I can still smell flowers, even though there’s none nowhere near me.

Rolling out my bed, I notice Aaron was staring at me on the opposite of the room. He had a sad look on his face.

“I’m sorry” he said weakly.

“For what?”

“Your arm. It because me your arm is like that.”

I look down to see my arm was wrap in bandages.

“Well it’s true, it was your fault.” If it wasn’t for him I wouldn’t have fought the wolf. And then Athena would’ve stay oblivious of me.

Small tears were building in his eyes. Seriously, what a crybaby.

“I guess I was kind of at fault to.” If I didn’t get cocky and just finish him off, than I wouldn’t have got hit.

“…” Aaron quietly look at me with tears still hanging in the corner of his eyes. It look like he was trying to say something, so I patiently waited for him to talk.

“…”At this point. Both of us was just quietly staring at each other.

“Ok… I’m going to go for a walk.”

“Wait.” I stop dead in my track and look at Aaron who was nervously looking away from me.

“I…I know that you’re the Demon King. Dad told me.”

What the hell. Why is he going around telling everyone who I am. That’s nothing you brag about to people.

“I… I don’t hate you, you know.”

“What are you talking about?”

“Dad told me you were afraid that we hate you if we find out about your secret. But I don’t care that you’re the Demon King, I can never hate you.”

“Really? Even though I took your sister body, you still don’t hate me?”

After looking at everything in the room except for me, Aaron finally looks me in the eye.

“You protected me from bullies and play with me when mom wouldn’t. I think that you are my real sister.”

“I see… you’re an idiot.”

“Wait Ann-“I slam the door on his face.

What a delusional kid, I should get out of here before I get infected by it.

“You’re finally up.”

Entering the living room, I immediately spotted James sitting next to the fireplace. From the looks of it, it seems he was waiting for me.

“Sorry about hitting you earlier. My body kind of reacting on its own. And before I knew it I accidently… hit you.”

“That’s not the main problem here. Why are you going around telling people who I am?”

“Because I want you to understand that no one here cares about your past. You don’t need to be afraid anymore. No one here will backstab you.”

Does he really think that’s the main reason why I’m trying to leaving?

“But that’s not the main reason why you want to leave is it? I’m pretty sure you have a dream or goal you want to accomplish. *Sigh* I really do suck at parenting. I should be encouraging you to achieve your dreams, and yet here I am trying my best to imprison you here.

James let’s out another sigh while rubbing his head. If he keeps this up, I wouldn’t be surprise if his hair turn grey soon.

“I decided I’ll let you go, if you beat me in a fight without using that… ability of yours.”

“That’s a pretty huge handicap.”

“That’s exactly why I’m giving it to you. Fighting you I realize that you have a bad habit of trying to overpower enemies that’s stronger than you. I’m assuming this has to do with your past life right?”

I guess that’s true, my old body was pretty much invincible. Unlimited strength, unlimited mana. Pretty much all my fights ended in a sec. But now, I’m struggling just to injury a dog.

“You may have been the Demon King in the past. But you have to accept the fact that you’re human now, there will be enemies stronger and faster than you. So I decided, I’m going to teach how to fight like a human.”

“You’re going to teach me human techniques? That sounds like fun.”

“Can you also train me too?”

Both of us turn to see Aaron nervously looking away.

“I decided that I also want to be an adventurer.”

“You too Aaron?” Let’s out another sigh. “Fine then, your guys training begin after your arm heal.”

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