“Old man… are you okay?” Simon had been talking and calling the old man but was not responding, a strange demeanor that was out of the usual.

“Boy… I’m okay, we are almost there aren’t we?” the old man answered.

They ascended the rugged mountain slope, each step was a cautious negotiation with the treacherous terrain. A moment's distraction could spell disaster. The old man, his face etched with the lines of countless memories, as he occasionally muttered to himself. The past clung to him like a persistent shadow, dragging forth fragments of forgotten times and half-remembered dreams. His mind would be randomly lost in the labyrinth of yesteryears, it pulled him away from the present danger. The memories called to him, like a relentless and unbidden monster, they kept on leaving him vulnerable on the perilous ascent.

The boy could tell that something was wrong with him. He was too used to him that he could tell the subtle change that the old man would show.

“Old man stairs!!” and the boy who was ahead of the old man screamed down.

The stairs that the boy found were made by the long-lost monks of the Sun God’s Peak. An old cult that revered to the Sun as their god, their trace were almost gone lost in the sea of time. The only remnant was the peak where they prayed and worshiped before.

‘It would all be a waste if that old crook has died now,’ the old man thought as he remembered his estranged blacksmith friend, he huffed twice as he was finishing the climb.

He could see Simon’s feet as he climbed toward the edge. He remembered a proper flight of stairs that once led directly to the Sun God’s Peak. The reason they were climbing now was that the stairs were gone, likely destroyed. He had some ideas about why they had been destroyed, but the details remained frustratingly out of his mind’s reach.

The boy was waiting for him silently, the wind was really picking up where the flight of stairs began.

The old man gazed at the breathtaking panorama offered by the mountain's lofty height. Beside him, the boy also took in the view, as he was patiently waiting for the old man. The view was probably the reason for the boy’s silence, it was truly captivating.

“Let’s go boy!” the old man like regaining his bearings said with excitement.

The boy couldn’t help but smile as he heard it. “Yes!!” and they continue their travel up.

The flight of stairs was etched to the side of the mountain, although rigid it was still climbable. The old man began to curse as his knees began buckling. Well, they had been climbing since the first light of the day, not feeling his knees would be a miracle by now.

He glared at the boy who was so energetic and was already ahead of him by probably a hundred steps now. After cursing for a while he finally reached the boy who was just there standing.

“Old man… there is a knife here,” the boy said as soon as he knew that the old man was already beside him.

The old man’s eyes widened… the knife was familiar, truly familiar like his soul shook as if he was beginning to feel the next event that would be happening.

“Try pulling it out,” the old man said.

Without questions, the boy tried to pull it out, but even his strength didn’t do much of it, and the boy was much stronger than the old man, as his the master of the boy he knew of it.

“Then it's probably for me,” using his hands to gesture the boy to stand down he walked closer to the knife. Surprisingly, he didn’t need that much force to pull it out of the ground.

“Simon…” the old man muttered but he then resumed climbing up.

The old man’s follower just continued to follow him.

The old man began to climb up steadily, the boy was just behind him. There was a deafening silence that was produced from the old man’s demeanor and the wind that was blowing cold air.

“Simon… I would be facing someone ahead-” the old man suddenly began a conversation “-Even I wouldn’t be able to defend you… you should go down now,” the old man said as they walked, a solemn tone in his voice that brought shiver to the boy.

“...You said that you will be with me until you die… you are not dead yet” the boy said.

It made the old man pause. It was a shameful thing for him to say that, as much as he wanted to bash the boy's head so that he would not remember what he said he wanted to bash his head first for saying that.

The boy didn’t even think of running away… not even a shred of doubt in his voice.

“I did say that didn’t I,” the old man answered and he continued his steps.

“Yes,” the boy answered like it was the right thing to do.

It's funny how simple words could remove all the doubts and fears that the old man began to feel. The old man regained faith in himself again. Why did he feel fear in the first place? Redgar was just Redgar no need to worry too much. Still, words coming from Jimmy resounded in his mind.

Jimmy: “This may come back to haunt you someday.”

And he replied ‘I don’t care,’ it cracked a smile on his face as he remembered that scene. “Yeah I don’t care…” the old man said.

“You said something old man?” the boy that was following him checked on him.

“Shut up boy, you better watch carefully later, this is one of those fights, remember that thief that uses wind? You think you can beat him now?” the old man asked.

“No… if I can use magic then probably” the boy answered honestly.

“I see…” was the answer of the old man as they continued to walk.

<--->

A man was meditating in front of a grave he had made. He opened his eyes as he sensed his nemesis approaching. This was their fate otherwise.

Unauthorized duplication: this narrative has been taken without consent. Report sightings.

‘Finally… he is here,’ Redgar thought. He could feel the presence of the old man, and the knife being pulled out of the ground confirmed it. But he also knew the old man was not alone. A stronger wielder of magic was walking beside him.

Well, it didn’t matter that much; he had been preparing for this for a very long time. With a single wave of his hand, the knives embedded in the ground lifted, hovering in the air and glinting ominously. A second, more deliberate gesture sent the knives whirling back to his waist, each one sliding smoothly into its sheath with a soft, metallic click.

“Lenaya…” one name from the past that kept haunting and pushing him to the path of revenge.

<--->

After burying the love of his life, he became obsessed with monsters, especially the ones with the power of possession. After a few more dives with the hero of the era he quit the party to fulfill his obsession.

At this point, Redgar‘s and Alphecca’s relationship was already in shambles so nobody really stopped him.

From researching into hunting them, his intention was initially to ensure that it would never happen to anyone again. However, as he delved deeper into the mysteries of dungeons and monsters, he discovered many potential ways to save Lenaya. It consumed him, but it wasn't enough to drive him to seek revenge against Alphecca.

Until he met the healer. A healer living in a village near the Dread Bone Craig just southeast of the central continent. Redgar followed rumors and hearsay to find the cave of the healer.

Redgar found a man who was chopping wood. Redgar knew that the man was already aware of him. Still, he approached steadily not showing any hostility.

“Traveler… you are not from around here aren’t you?” the man spoke while continuing his work “Thwack!!”

“You are hard to find, why a cave in the Craig?” Redgar tried to approach friendly.

The man stared at him, staring eerily. “How can I help you?” the healer then stopped for a while, it seemed like he was counting the chopped wood, and then he began collecting it.

“I would like to talk to you, about possessions and spirit monsters,” Redgar said as he moved closer.

“You know that I’m a healer right? I fix and mend flesh, I have no knowledge about monsters and such,” the healer said as he headed for a small shed that was just beside the cave.

“You didn’t deny the possession part…” Redgar smiled and followed the healer.

After dropping the stack of wood in the shed he guided Redgar not that deep into the cave, he could still see the light out of the cave.

“Ask me anything, you are lucky that I’m really bored… shoot your questions please,” the healer said, using his hands to guide Redgar’s attention to a rock, then the healer sat on another rock too.

Their conversation began, from the problem of the spirit to the troubles of the mind, Redgar even began to give examples of his encounters and finally began the exposition of his final example.

“That’s the clearest story you’ve ever told me so far… like you were there,” the healer said with a mocking tone.

Redgar smiled at him “That’s right, I was with them… I was a part of the Hero of the Era’s party,” he spilled the beans.

The title carried more weight and was known to every part of the realm. Their exploits were legendary and even the names of the party were already passed down through the news and the hearsays.

“So you knew the Hero of the Era… Alphecca Varus?” the healer asked and Redgar nodded.

The healer understood the context of the last case. The case of the fox was really interesting for the healer. The healer smiled. It was probably fate that the man had found him in the cave.

“If I tell you that I’m a demon… would you believe me?” the healer suddenly said and Redgar was immediately on guard. “Relax friend… don’t you want to exact revenge?”

“What are you saying?” Redgar pulled out a knife from the ones that were hanging on his waist.

“You’ve probably researched it yourself,-” the voice and the way the healer spoke began to change “-but there were many possible ways to save her… he didn’t have to kill her didn’t he?-” there was a venomous sting from the words of the healer and it was sipping right into Redgar’s ears. “-Or he was just too late?”

Words began to ring in Redgar’s mind, the day Alphecca offered Lenaya’s head.

Alphecca: “It was all my fault... I let this happen. This is all I can offer you... She passed painlessly.”

The hero of the era’s words were worthy of its weight.

What should he do with his feelings? What should he do with his life?

“If you could bring me any part of her body, then I could show you what really happened,” the demon said this and it rang in Redgar’s mind.

“Demon… your word I will remember it,” Redgar’s face immediately contorted in pain after hearing those words.

“Wait… a parting gift for you,-” the demon summoned Redgar’s attention once more handing a piece of token. “Hold on to it, the gem in the middle would glow if the one you are talking to is lying, a lie detection stone in simple terms, good luck to your endeavors.”

…

A few years had passed and he returned with the skull of Lenaya. The demon was surprised to see the once glorious man was now missing an eye and had a new scar on his face, still, the demon remembered his promise as he began depicting the final moments of Lenaya using magic.

The demon held the skull and placed his hands on the neck of Redgar, like a dream it projected Lenaya’s POV into his mind.

“Not even a shred of doubt… you truly are the hero of the era,” Lenaya spoke but those words felt like they came out of Redgar’s mouth.

“Fox… you have to die now,” Alphecca in all his glory was emanating magic that was beyond his years.

“What if I say to you… that she can still be saved… will you still kill me?” the fox said.

“She is already gone, don’t fuck with me fox…” Alphecca said.

“Alphecca she might be right!” it was another voice but Redgar was limited to what he could see.

“Your words are poison…” that was the last words from Alphecca as he disappeared from sight.

It totally broke his heart watching Alphecca swinging his sword to cut Lenaya’s head.

Before dying a head’s consciousness would last a few seconds. He saw another man that was standing and it was Jimmy, his face contorted with dread witnessing Lenaya's death.

“I want to see the battle between the Fox and Alphecca… is that possible?” Redgar muttered as he came back to reality. He didn’t trust the demon and it was what the demon wanted.

The demon’s face painted the most menacing smile behind Redgar’s back, it seemed that the token he gave him really did the trick.

“I could help you… if you trade your soul I will help you,” the demon said, like a fish already caught on his bait.

“Have it,” Redgar stood up.

<--->

Back to the present. Redgar was already attuned to his senses and his reasons for his revenge. They were almost there. He stood up and began his walk to come out of the cave he was staying in.

Making another glance at the grave of Ezagon he bid farewell with a nod. From the Ezagon’s dog’s grave until he could start to feel the breeze on his face. He could hear his steps resound through the cave.

Until the light began to shine on his face. He was out, the air and the breeze of the cooling seasons blew through him. He loved the feeling and smiled as he heard footsteps that weren’t his.

“Redgar! Long time no see!” it was the old man Alphecca, still as brazen as ever began the first dialogue.

“Is that your kid? Really, you who only loved swords? Lenaya would laugh her ass out!” Redgar answered like he was still friends with him.

“Hmm… you look good, and could make jokes now, amazing how time flies, I remembered I told you before, when I etched that scar in your face, I would kill you the next time I see you,” the old man said nonchalantly.

Redgar could feel no animosity from the old man and it made it more scary. The old man was Alphecca, the hero of the era. He was cold and really articulated in shaming nobles. Strongest human he had ever known. If he didn’t feel fear then he would be numbed to any form of danger.

That sentence made Redgar touch the scar on his face.

“Oh, you remembered huh?” the old man smiled at him, then gesturing a wave he told the boy that was beside him to go in the side.

“Your tongue is still sharp as ever… but your magic had been in decline…” Redgar said with his sheer confidence.

“Yeah, you are right, if the best scout I had ever known said that then it's probably true, what took you so long?” the old man still bantered with him as he began placing down his things.

“Jimmy told me that you were dead… he said that you are sick and that you won’t last that much but you still look good… Jimmy is dead by the way, he slowly died.” Redgar said this like a provocation.

“Of course… he would like to feel his life draining out of him, that man was a beast,” and as usual the old man was on point, he was just too old to care about him dying.

“You better not beg for your life old man!!” Redgar screamed. He was ready to begin.