Hey guys Rookie here, i'm back with a brand new chap!
Chapter 35
Corrupted legacy 3: Alexander the Great
“Is it true, that monsters are more active at night?”
“Why the hell are you asking me?” Does it look like I study monsters?”
“Why are you being such an asshole? I was just asking you a question!”
I watch the bickering between two old men with amusement.”
“Are these guys serious? This is the worst time to be arguing with each other.” Max said as he watch the two old man in disgust.
“They’re arguing because they’re scared out of their mind, after all we are stuck in the middle of the forest filled with creatures that wants to eat us.”
“But we have plenty of adventurers around to protect us, including you. If someone try to attack us, they’ll end up dead just like the monsters that ambush us earlier.”
I was impress looking at Max’s confident grin, impress at how inexperience he is. While optimism is a good thing in a crisis, it doesn’t amount to much if you don’t understand the situation you’re in.
“We were able to defend ourselves earlier because it was daytime, but it’s night now, by the time we see a monster it’ll already be in our face.” Well I can see clearly at night, but everyone else is a dead-man when the monsters strike.
“But even if a monster manage to sneak up on us we’ll still defeat them.” Aaron pats Max on the back before sitting down. “Just stick close to sis and me and you’ll be fine.” I was slightly taken aback by Aaron’s attitude. Earlier today he was unsure of himself and even beg to me for power, and now he’s back to declaring he’ll protect everyone. I guess it good that’s he isn’t mopey anymore, I just hope he doesn’t make the same mistake he did during the orc incident.
“How bold of you.” Claire leans on Aaron’s back. “I remember a few hours ago you were crying about your sister, but I guess you were able to work everything out since you seem to be full of confidence now.” Aaron’s face turn bright red, when Claire brought her face closer to his ear. It seems like she was whispering something in his ear, something that made Aaron want to scream for help, since he was giving me a look that said “get her off of me.”
“Claire can you leave him alone?”
“Oh, is it possible that you’re concern that I may take your brother from you?” Claire tightly hugged Aaron, which somehow made his already red face, even redder. At this rate I wouldn’t be surprise if something in his pants started to rise up.
“You can have him if you want, I’m more concern as to why everyone is gathering around me.” A few minutes ago, I was sitting by myself enjoying the quietness, but then Max came along and started to talk to me for some reason. Before I could get rid of him, Aaron suddenly jump in, and then Claire quickly follow after.
“It’s because we’re a team, we have to stick together.” Claire said like it was the most obvious thing in the world.
“A team? When did we become a team?”
“Ok everyone! Listen up!” One of Alexander’s man walks up towards the fire everyone was gathered at while loudly clapping his hands. I could tell it was dagger man, from his rough voice and lifeless eyes.
“Now that I gotten your attention, the first thing I would like to say is hello, my name is Kyle, and I will be your protector during these dark hours.” The dagger man gives us a humble bow. “Oh the hero is also here too.” Dagger man points towards the hero who was sitting near the fire blankly staring at it. Realizing everyone was staring at him, the hero weakly waves at us, before going back to staring at the fire. I hope he isn’t thinking about what happen between me and Excalibur earlier, because the last thing I need is for him trying to figure out who I am.
“Anyway, as you can see the moon isn’t out tonight, which kind of makes things hard to see doesn’t it? That’s why it’s very vital that we keep this fire going, because if it goes out, then well… we’re dead. Also it’s be wise to not separate from this group, if you go missing we’re not going to go looking for you, we’re just going to assume a monster got a hold of you. And I think that’s about it, keep the fire going, and don’t leave the camp, simple right? If you guys have any more question then just ask me or Joseph.”
“I have a question!” One of the old mans that was arguing earlier raise his hand.
“What is it?”
“Alexander said he was going to protect us, so where is he?”
“Right… Alexander. He’s currently checking the area around the camp making sure its safe.”
“In the dark?”
“Yes, in the dark.”
I hope no one believe that stupid lie, but since no one is speaking up, I guess they believe it, that or they’re forcing themselves to accept it, since Alexander is the only person that can protect them now.
“No more questions? Good.” Dagger man walks away from the campfire and sits near a tree that gave him a good view of the area. Even though he says he’s going to watch over everyone, I could feel his cold gaze focusing solely on me. Right now I think I’m the last person he needs to worry about tonight. If the monsters are as smart as Claire said they are, then they’ll definitely use the darkness to their advantage.
“Claire can’t you see he’s uncomfortable?”
“I can see, but his reaction his just too hilariously.” Claire tightly clung to Aaron, as Max tried his best to pry her off him.
These kids are something else. While everyone is fearing for their lives, they’re sitting around having fun. As annoying they are, I’m glad they’re not cowering behind me.
Ignoring Aaron’s cry for help, I stare at the campfire. The trees that surrounded the camp created shadows that stretch towards the fire, as if it was trying to snuff out our only light.
Only a madman would roam these forest at night, what the hell are you up to Alexander?
(Alexander P.O.V)
Sitting in a dark forest by yourself with a small fire as your only light source, in this situation one should always be alert, but I felt my body relaxing as I watch the fire dance in the night. After the orc incident, I’ve been too busy helping the town they tried to destroy to get any proper rest, and now it seems my body is finally giving out on me.
I move my body around hoping to shake the fatigue away, but it wasn’t working, my body was simply too tired for any cheap tricks to work on it. Soon my eyelids became too heavy to keep open, just as I was about to give up and fall asleep, the sound of someone approaching jolted me awake.
Listening to the sound, I immediately knew that whoever was approaching me was friendly, since they were intentionally being loud. If it was an enemy they wouldn’t be making so much noise.
A middle age man with grey hair walk towards the small light my fire was emitting.
“How did it go?” Miyamoto sits down in his usual cross legged position near the fire.
“Kyle has taken charge over the camp and they was able to safely start a fire, also Joseph seems to be lingering around that area too.”
“Good. If Joseph is there than they’ll be safe for the night.” A yawn escapes from my mouth as I was talking. I quickly cover my mouth to stop myself.
“If you’re tired sir, you can go to sleep, I’ll watch over you.”
“I know you will, but right now I don’t have the leisure to get any sleep.”
“Why is that? Is something supposed to happen tonight?”
“Most likely.”
“Is that why you made everyone camp out here, because you expect something to happen?” Miyamoto gave me a suspicion look, which is unusual for him, since he normally follow my orders without questions.
Reading on Amazon or a pirate site? This novel is from Royal Road. Support the author by reading it there.
“You don’t trust me?”
“I do trust you, but I’m concern you’re purposefully turning yourself into a target, and I have no idea why.” Miyamoto takes a deep breath, I guess to calm himself down. “
“Alexander, I will follow wherever you go, but don’t you think I’ll be more useful if you told me what you are planning?” Miyamoto tried his best to sound calm, but I could tell he was frustrated. And he has every right to be, after all, he’s been serving me for years and during that time I never told him what we were fighting, I only said that we were protecting this world. I can’t imagine how it must feel for him to fight an enemy he doesn’t understand. But even though he knows nothing, he continue to follow me if anyone deserve to know the truth, then it would most definitely be Miyamoto.
“I understand Miyamoto, and I promise I will explain everything to you one day, but right now we should focus on surviving the night.”
“Yes sir.” I could tell that he was upset with me for hiding the truth from him. Miyamoto is truly a trustworthy guy, I really want to tell him, how the Demon King’s corruption is weirdly effecting the monsters evolution and how they’re were behind the orc incident, but this something I have to do on my own. Just thinking about the weight of my action exhausted me even more.
It’s not easy saving the world is it, Alice?
.
.
(10 years earlier)
“!!!” Screaming and cheers fill the city. From my balcony I watch as all of Athens celebrate the arrival of a new hero. With the world becoming a crueler place for humans, this was definitely something to be happy about, but I couldn’t help but feel bitter, at everyone that was laughing and cheering.
“What are you doing up here by yourself? You should be outside having fun like everyone else.” A beautiful green hair elf wearing a kind smile walk over to me.
“Alice…” I tried to sound cold and distant, but I couldn’t but feel charm by Alice. Elves are the children of Athena, an entity with unmatched beauty. It is rumor that elves have inherited some of Athena powers and beauty, and it would seem that rumor is true. Alice is living proof that elves are the most beautiful creature in this world. Everything about her was perfect, her long green hair, her bangs, and even her smile which is bright enough to stop any man in their tracks, but right now not even her smile can clear my gloomy mood.
“You lied to me Alice, you told me that I was destined to become the hero.”
“I didn’t lie to you Alex.”
“Then tell me why no one is throwing a party in my honor?! Or why everyone is cheering for a no name commoner?!” Even though I was angrily shouting at Alice, she remain compose and look at me with pity. Which only anger me more.
“I was wrong, I truly believe you were going to be chosen, but it seems Athena had other plans.”
“Then that means I wasn’t destined for greatness after all.”
“!!!!” The cheering in the town grew louder, I turn my attention back towards the street to see a group of people parading through the streets carrying a young boy with white hair, everyone around the group jump in joy the moment they saw the kid.
“After this festivals is over, he’ll be leaving to find Excaublir, are you going join him like the last hero?”
“No, I think that’s your job.” Alice gave me a soft smile.
“Huh?”
“I failed as a guardian to the last hero, because of me he had to sacrifice himself to kill the Demon King a sacrifice that ended up achieving nothing.”
“What do you mean? It’s because of you two the Demon King is dead.”
“True the Demon King is dead, but his legacy of corruption still continues to torment this world and has infected every monster. I’m afraid we created something even worse than him.”
“Alex.” Alice place her on my shoulder. I may been wrong about you being the hero, but that doesn’t mean you’re not destined for greatness. The hero and failed to protect this world, so maybe me choosing you is a sign that saying we don’t need a hero. The one that will save us all is you.”
“…..” I was speechless. The way Alice was looking told me she fully believe in me. Unable to say anything to her, I look back at the parade and watch the hero politely waving and smiling at everyone. As he was moving through the streets I notice that the smile on his face seem fake being born in a noble home, one of the first thing I was taught was how to fake a smile.
“You notice?” I turn my attention back to Alice who watching the parade. “That boy is nervous, being told that it was your job to protect the entire world at that age, it’s no surprise.”
“Is he going to be okay?”
“Of course, after all you’ll be watching over him.” Alice brought her face close to my ear. “Guide him.” She whisper to me. Before I could said anything back to her, she walk away.
“I’m going to go outside to enjoy the festival, you should join me.” Alice said before leaving. The moment she left, I took one last at the hero who was still nervously smiling at everyone. Even though Alice hit me with a huge bomb, the only thing I could think about was someone need teach him how to smile better.
.
.
“Alex, Alex wake up.” I open eyes to see Joseph was shaking me.
“What do you want?”
“Nothing, I was just waking you up.”
“I fell asleep?” I look at the sky to see the sun was just starting to rise.
“Did anything happen last night?”
“Nope nothing, although everyone was too terrify to go sleep last night, does that count?”
“No.” I let out a sigh while shaking my head. The monsters didn’t attack, why? Was there assault earlier just a test, or is something else going on?
“Where’s Miyamoto, he was supposed to be keep me awake.”
"He was going to wake you up, but I stop him and took over his spot.”
“Why?”
“Because you been looking exhausted these past couple of days.”
“Well I have been pulling all nighters these past few days.” I stand up to stretch my body. “Joseph, you mind telling everyone to get up and prepare to move out? We’re heading to Athens now.”
“Ok.” Joseph started to run towards the camp, but suddenly stop and turn back towards me. Giving me a concern look for some reason. “Alexander, you help me out a lot in past, so you know if something is bothering you can tell me and I’ll do whatever I can to help.
“I know. But right now I’m fine, I just overwork myself a little.”
“Ok… just tell me if anything is up.” Joseph look at me one last time before leaving.
I must be losing my touch if even Joseph can tell something is up with me. It’s true I do have a lot bothering me, but
I don’t need anyone help to fix my or the world’s problems.
I tightly clench my hand which causes a black mist to form around it. Up until now, it always been the hero’s duty to save the world, but not anymore, soon everyone will come to realize that I’m the only one that can save us all.
A/N: Sorry for late chapter. I got distracted by alot of things lately making it hard me to write and when did write I always ended rewriting an entire scene. Oh well at least my second story is up, if you want to check it out it's in my signature. Heads up its a GB. Funny thing is it wasn't originally going to be that, but this cool idea came to my head and well it became one.
Anyway, I hope you enjoy the chapter, hopefully next one won't take me so long.