The news sent chills across the army, everyone was still
the legendary demons weren’t an easy thing to kill
stories told of ancient battles with a demon tribe
battles too incredible for any to describe
Everybody knew the tales of demon lords of old
every human child had heard the ancient stories told
heroes fought the demons til the human lands were won
with demons driven out a peaceful era had begun
Only songs survived of those amazing bygone days
histories of then all seemed to vanish in a haze
but even now, the human army felt the stories’ weight
and many thought to flee the scene before it was too late
No one faulted those who ran, but most would choose to stay
they’d come too far to throw their chance at fame and land away
the army rallied their morale beneath the hero’s flag
and not a single soldier’s foot would dare begin to drag
The hero filled his army with his passion for the fight
those legendary evil things would face the hero’s might
only one among them took much longer to convince
but there was little choice provided to the sober prince
“Hero, I don’t doubt that you’ve confirmed the demons’ plan
but I confess that I am on the side of those who ran
our empire is a monumental power as it stands
can we really place our empire’s future in your hands”
The hero was offended by the words of his old friend
but he was well aware the prince’s doubts would never end
“fate has brought this battle to us, one day you will see
we have luck and friends enough to seize this victory”
“You should know the stories, ancient wars were not so quick
the thought of facing legendary demons makes me sick
our empire may be stronger than it ever was right now
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but legend only says the wars were won, no one knows how”
The hero started laughing, and it caused the prince unease
he felt a coldness in his laughter like a winter breeze
“now our empire has a chance to bring the legend back
I have found my enemy, so now I must attack”
The prince resigned himself to watching how events unfold
the reigns of destiny weren’t something normal men could hold
he prayed that should the demons be as real as legends said
the hero would be strong enough to fight them in his stead
The army was formidable, but they were mortal men
he also longed to see his home and family again
he steeled himself to fight with honour til the bitter end
regardless of who fate chose for his enemy or friend
Finally the army made it through the hills and trees
but in the clearing what they saw brought many to their knees
the presence of a demon army came as no surprise
but still they were dumbfounded by demon army’s size
For every human fighting on their righteous empire’s side
at least a hundred times as many demons stood with pride
still the hero didn’t share the army’s sudden fear
even he alone could deal with every demon here
The hero who’d been cold and distant lately then went forth
the prince stood by and watched him face the demons of the north
his hands began to radiate a terrifying glow
he hadn’t felt so ready for a fight since long ago
Every demon waiting for them there upon the field
looked as though they had the strength of will to never yield
terrifying auras came from demons big and small
generals with magic weapons standing proud and tall
The hero didn’t hesitate to launch the first attack
every other soldier struck with fear still at his back
“demons one and all why don’t you come and test my skill
fight until there’s no one left of you for me to kill”
Revelling in all the strength bestowed to him by fate
his appetite for battle near impossible to sate
a general came forward with his own impressive blade
the hero laughed with every great attack his foe could trade
While they fought he asked the demon if he was their king
but found that he was just the ruler’s favoured underling
“our lord has been engaged in battle with our enemy
until his battle ends, you must be satisfied with me”
The hero didn’t care to hear the business of his foe
whether they had problems of their own, he needn’t know
but he was content to test his new opponent’s sword
finally he’d found a fight that didn’t leave him bored
The armies held their ground while they were fighting one on one
realizing slowly that their battle had begun
by the time the demon fell, the hero’s smile was wide
indeed he’d found a battle that could keep him satisfied
He looked behind him at the human knights frozen in fear
and with his laugh their confidence began to reappear
“I bring justice to this cursed and godforsaken land
surrender now or I’ll kill all you monsters where you stand”
The faces of the demons who he faced were full of rage
The hero smiled while thinking of the battles he could wage
“the war to end all wars has come at last to set me free
this shall be the day that I fulfill my destiny”
One by one the humans marched into the open plain
but resolution on the demons’ faces didn’t wane
their march became a charge and with the hero at its core
the forces met to bring about a new era of war
~