I yawned with the dawning of the morning light shining on my face from the window of my room. It dawned upon me as well that what I've been doing feels so unreal, yet what I've been through is here, etched within my body and soul. I stood still in bed, looking at the ceiling for no apparent reason, maybe just to let all this sink in.
Those three days passed by in an instant. Every detail and every word I remember both clearly and vaguely. I've devoted myself to this choice I made. Surprisingly enough I haven't had the urge to call it quits. There were times that it became painful, and I almost wanted to yell in pain... But I didn't.
"It feels like I can take on the world already. Just you wait, Mom, Dad. I'll show you all what I can do," I said to myself out loud.
"You can show them what you can do once you've finished eating," a familiar monotone voice sounded from the door. There stood Louise, wearing her casual, plain dress, looking as charming and mature as ever. She welcomed me with her usual barefaced look, saying good morning with the most monotone voice I've ever heard of in my life.
"Ah, miss Louise. I didn't notice you there. Good morning. Up early, aren't you?" I asked, springing up from my bed.
"It's a routine. Otherwise you would all wake up by the afternoon, specifically speaking, my adoptive father. Now if you will. Breakfast has been prepared," she said, leaving without me.
I caught up to her, pushing back tidying myself up on my agenda. "What do you mean by adoptive? Are you not his real daughter?"
"It appears that you possess neither tact nor delicacy, but no matter. It does not bother me in the slightest. You are correct. He is not my real father. I was found in the streets and taken in by him when I was still a child. My real parents were gone by then, and I have taken care of myself at that age."
"I'm sorry, I didn't mean it like that. I didn't know about it at all."
"Like I've said, please don't worry about it. Everything's said and done. I'm grateful for him for taking me in, and I had not wasted this chance I was given. So, I made the best of it. Further worrying of the past will only hinder one’s progress into the future. There is no need to forget, but one can do without them."
"Is that fact? Well, you do handle yourself well. And to top it off, you're really beautiful and mature too. I bet that sir Hark's proud of you, needless to say your real parents would be as well if they saw you now."
"Flattery will get you nowhere, Sir Zachary. But I do appreciate the compliment."
"Eh, was that really flattering? I thought I was just telling the truth. Well, no matter then," I noticed a wide-open room where a dining table sat in the center, and on it were appetizing, freshly cooked food served on a plate.
"What took you two so long? I'm withering away here," Sir Hark said, putting down the newspaper that he was reading. He looked awake enough to be up and about, but that's because we have to do something after. It's just me that unprepared.
We sat and began eating. The taste was overwhelming and filled with warmth. Kind of like Mom's homecooked meals. It feels like it's slowly giving me energy.
"Who made this?" I asked.
"I for one can't cook to save my life. So, there's only one person left to pick up the slack for me," Sir Hark glanced at Louise who was silently eating, not taking notice of both of us.
"This is amazing! It's like I can eat it and never get tired of it. You're really something else, aren't you, miss Louise?"
"Louise is fine. Thank you. It would be preferable if you offered your pity towards the matured adult who lets his daughter cook and do everything for him."
He jerked from the remark, laughing wryly at it, but not minding it at all, as if he were used to it.
"Alright, in ten minutes I'll need you to be ready and waiting at the barracks, alright, Zach? We're moving out to Caspia. I'll brief everyone once I get there, so do whatever you want in these ten minutes," he said, thanking Louise for the meal and leaving with a satisfied grin on his face.
"Thank you as well, Louise. Do you need any help with the dishes?"
"No. It'll be better use of your time if you prepared. I can handle everything by myself," she started stacking the dishes neatly.
"That so? Alright then, I won't force you. But still, thanks for the food. It feels like I'll get by for days after having eaten what you've made. Can't wait to eat it again," I said, quickly leaving for my room to take my sword, then head to the barracks to organize my equipment.
The town was quiet, but it was a slightly different atmosphere upon arriving at the barracks. Dozens of armed soldiers were organizing their mounts on the dry training grounds of the barracks, some looked like they were ready to leave at any second. I picked up the pace and made sure to remember anything that I might have forgotten.
"Leather armor, greaves, gloves, leggings, check. I guess this is good," I said to myself, having strapped all the laces tightly. I then took the bag filled with rations and other medicinal equipment, our basic tools that we're required to depart with.
I went to the stables, taking the reins of Noel, the horse that I had trained with the other day. It was almost miraculous how he obeyed me after I gave it a few carrots to eat. It acted like he and I were familiar and well acquainted with each other, but that's more than fine with me.
I headed to the main field where everyone else was getting ready, strapping their equipment on their horses, all looking well fed and energized.
"Oh, well if it isn't Zach. Remember me? It's alright if you don't. It's Ruziel, the one you sparred with the other day. Nice to meet you again!" he gave off a radiating smile, his hand extended out to me, one which I shook.
"Don't worry, I wouldn't forget someone who gave me a tough lesson during practice the other day."
"Is that how you remember me? Ha ha, how vexing. But on to the main thing," he took a breath in before continuing. "You ready for this? No pressure, but I bet there'll be a lot of them out there. Who knows what might happen, but disappointingly there are always casualties. It can never be avoided with these kinds of enemies. I have just one advice. Be careful out there. And I know this sounds harsh, but look out for yourself before you look out for others. It's basic mistake number one that someone tries to act all heroically, giving their safety away all for the sake of another person. Don't be like that, alright? Think of everyone here as an experienced soldier. So with that, I'll be off to wait. Good luck!" he gave me a thumbs up and left even before I could say anything at all.
Ten minutes passed and Sir hark arrived with a magnificent set of armor on him, carrying an ornate looking sword on the sheath hanging on his waist. He strode with a gallant and commanding aura befitting of someone in his image.
"Listen up, all of you! We will be departing for Caspia, a town west from here. We'll be taking Shale's forest to get there. I've received reports that the demon's activities there are getting more hectic. It might even mean that their numbers have doubled. But, we're the only ones that can do it. We've been entrusted this task by the king, and that means a lot. We're enough for the job, otherwise I wouldn’t have willingly taken it. Now, I shall lead the group. All everyone needs to do is follow me," he said, speaking with someone beside him, holding what seems to be his banner.
I felt my heart beat loudly, and it made me realize that everything was beginning. I mounted my horse and ran what I've been taught to do, moving with the group as they slowly galloped on the town's stone streets, leaving the gates with a salute from the guards, some of which I remember seeing from when I first came here.
I felt the wind strongly flowing on me as I rode quickly along with many others through the densely-covered forest. The smell of wet leaves was strong, but the ground felt dry and smooth enough for the horse to ride through it.
The images passed by in an instant, and an overwhelming series of sights passed me by. Was this what riding a horse felt like? The feeling of speed, freedom, the sights, it puts me at ease somewhat. There was a child-like, giddy feeling inside me that was amused and excited at what was happening so far.
We went on riding without resting, reaching our destination within a few hours, or the outskirts of it anyway. It was a clear, green field as far as the eye could see. There was nothing obstructing the eye except one thing. A flare of smoke in the distance, and below it was a ruined looking town.
"Everyone prepare yourselves. We're getting closer to the town. Follow the banner and prepare to rest for a while. Sir Hark required someone on reconnaissance, so volunteers come with me," someone from farther up the ranks said, steering the group to the side, forming a small formation there.
"Zachary, right? Your presence is being requested by Sir Hark," one of the soldiers came up to me.
"You said you needed me?" I asked, arriving at the front where Sir Hark looked gravely at the distance.
"I did. What do you make of that?" he asked, pointing at the flare of smoke.
"Good guess, but no. That's miasma. It's thick, but not that lethal from what I can see. It seems that we're up against some pretty tough demons. One of them might even be a commander, or better yet a general."
"Is that a good thing or a bad thing?"
"Bad, no, that would be an understatement. It's a nightmare. If we encounter a general, then we're done for. They usually lead demons numbering up from hundreds to thousands, and they themselves are worth hundreds by themselves, boasting horrific amounts of power. It'll require a few thousand, maybe even more, for us to be able to defeat that. But, a commander might be doable. If it gets bad, you turn back and head for Lavis. Tell Louise what happened here," he faced me and spoke sternly.
"But I can help you. You of all people should know that, right? That's why I've been training."
"Don't be stubborn. You can't even make it manifest. Forcing it won't do you any good either. Just do as I say if things ever come to that."
Before I could reply, a soldier mounted on a horse came from the town's direction. "I have the reports, Sir Hark!"
"Good. Report."
"I wasn't able to get a few inches further in since it might risk my presence being detected, so I was only able to scout the perimeter. The town seemed quiet from the outside, almost like there's no one left. But that's just what I saw. And for the demons outside, they look like the usual low-class and medium-class pairings, a few revenants as well. I saw no signs of any commander, but their numbers are great, maybe a hundred or more."
"What about terrain, the outside of the town?"
"There were decayed bodies of soldiers, weapons scattered about. There seemed to be a battle, but the gates of the town were slightly open, enough for some of use to fit in, but it was battered beyond repair. That's all I have."
"Then that's fine. Have everyone on the ready to charge in a few minutes," he dismissed the scout, then turned his attention back to me. "For now, show me what you've learned. I know this is your first time fighting demons other than the revenants, but remember and use what you've been taught and you'll be fine. It's all up to you in the end, got that?"
"I do. Don't expect me to lag behind. It feels like you have little confidence in what I can do."
"I've seen it, and you can't scold me for being worried afterwards. So, don't get too confident. It's asking to be killed. Now get into position, we'll charge using a spear formation!" he rallied his troops, assuming the forefront, wearing his helmet and unsheathing his sword.
"We will trample those that dare try and take away our right to live! These demons who have pushed us to the brink of extinction can be defied, and we shall be the forerunners of that thought! Use your anger, your fear, muster into power, into strength! Show them the might of us humans who will struggle till the end, even if it means our death! Now, Spearhead formation... Charge with the wind and make the earth tremble!" he yelled out viciously, leading the charge as his sword gleamed in the light, raised up high. His words, it filled me with vigor and a strange tenacity that I didn't know I had. And without noticing it, I was following him into battle.
We met the demons comprised of deformed looking beings and monsters, some were corrupted looking demi-humans, and some were revenants. They were all hacked and slashed in one charge, swords slicing from the left and right. The entire unit moved as one, and everything felt like it was in place. Demons were being felled by the tens, leaving nothing but their bodies to rot in the dust.
Their blood stained my blade. The sensation that I felt upon slicing them with the momentum of our speed felt like knife was to butter. It was nauseating, but it felt like the right thing to do.
"Faster! They're starting to gain numbers!" a yell came from the front, then from the back, and the next thing you knew the formation was broken. The confidently formed formation collapsed as a sudden force emerged from nowhere, blocking our path.
Chaos ensued. Their deafening yells could be heard everywhere. Demons from the back started gaining on us, and soon enough the back row was engulfed with battle, and so was the front.
"Dismount and fight back! Form a solid line and fight from your direction! Don't let your lines collapse, otherwise the demons will get your allies’ back!" a command from somewhere sounded, and almost everyone followed suit. They dismounted and fought heavily with the demons.
"Zach! What are you waiting for?! Get off your horse and fight them back!" Sir Hark said, having dismounted as well, currently fighting with numerous demons, slicing through them with ease, but is being overwhelmed by numbers.
But as soon as I got off my horse, I was approached by a demon who lunged from one of the soldiers, trampling him.
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I focused, convinced that it was not time for me to be spacing out at a time like this.
I waited patiently, everything around me seemed to move slowly, including the demon currently closing in on me from midair.
When it came close, I unsheathed my sword and took a step forward, using a large amount of force to pull the hilt, drawing strength from my leg as well, cutting the demon down, sending it tumbling down the ground with a thud.
Next came from the side, a demon that had attacked one the soldier's blind spots, wounding him mortally as the monster stabbed him with his arm, piercing almost through his body, making blood gush forth like a fall.
I moved quickly, raising my blade up and slashing downwards with a loud roaring voice, cutting off the demon's hand from the soldier that screamed with pain and agony, falling to the ground, writhing in pain.
I had no time to look around. It was a second, but I saw that everyone was busy fighting for their own lives. No one could help this man. He was done for. I couldn't do anything... "No, I can!"
I ran back to my horse, taking the bag full of supplies, then returning to the bleeding man.
"W-What are you doing?! Don't turn your back on the demons! They'll kill you. I'm done for anyway- argh!" he coughed up blood, sweating profusely. Though there were those that were close by to keep some of the demons at bay, some would slip by, and I would be forced to take care of them.
As I finished cutting another one down, I returned to the man, only to notice that he was gone, his eyes still open. My heart raced, and it was that same adrenaline that I felt from before, resurfacing, like water overflowing from a cup.
I fought them just like everyone else, but the situation didn't chance at the very least. It only seemed like they were getting larger and larger in numbers. We were already being overwhelmed, but this was beyond explanation.
Suddenly I was pulled from the collar of my shirt by someone from behind me.
"Zach! Come with me, we're going to find the commander! I don't know where these fiends popped up, but it ruined our momentum, and my plan. We'll have to make do with a compromise!" Sir Hark said, covered in blood and wounds, breathing heavily.
"Troops, form a strong, cohesive formation and charge into the town!" Sir hark announced, leading the quickly dwindling numbers of soldiers into the town's gates, only slightly open, jammed and would not budge despite our best efforts at lifting it open.
"Just where are these fucking demons coming from?!"
"ARGH! Get this thing off my back!"
"Stay in formation! Don't break the line! Keep it for- Ack!"
They fell one by one, and soon we were as thin as an army could be. Though their courage was awe-inspiring and commendable, the demon's numbers skyrocketed greatly, and we were overrun.
"Hurry and get in!" Sir Hark said, squeezing through the gap. I followed shortly, out of breath.
"Find the lever and close it!" he ordered one of the other soldiers that had gotten through, stabbing the demons that were trying to make their way through the gates along with the other soldiers.
The gate started clanking, then it suddenly closed shut, impaling the demons under it with its metal spikes. But with the gate closed, the rest were cut off from us, and the others, that had gotten through, could do nothing but look at them barefaced, seeing them cry and reach out to them as demons hacked them from behind, not immediately killing them, making them suffer for a while.
"H-HELP ME! Don't leave me- Argh!"
"Damn, let's go and find the source of all this and put an end to their misery," Sir Hark said, turning around and heading further into the town in a brisk pace, leaving us behind.
All we could do was ignore the voices of their screams, begrudgingly not even acknowledging their existence.
"Hey, glad to see that you made it," said Ruziel as he patted my back. He had wounds all over his tattered armor, but he still had the energy to smile after all that.
"Is it alright to leave them? I think we could've still done something for them."
"That kind of thinking will kill you. They can fend for themselves. I know it's a harsh way to say things, but in this world that we live in, death comes naturally if we're not careful. All we can do is become stronger so that we could prolong our inevitable deaths. Now let's go and kill whoever's leading them and get back to town."
Refusing to look back, I went off with them, seeing the ruined state of the town. Decayed bodies littering the streets, houses and other buildings charred and demolished. There were traces of dead demons as well.
"Keep an eye out on your surroundings. Be ready for anything. For all we know we could already be surrounded by demons," Sir Hark said cautiously, slowly walking through the empty but ravaged streets.
We arrived at the center of the town, the spacious town square, a horrid filled sight where mutilated and consumed bloody remains of humans were scattered all about. I could almost feel what I ate coming back up, but I managed to suppress it for now.
"Man, they really did a number on this part of town. Maybe they even had a little feast," Ruziel remarked, taking everything around him as calmly as one could be.
The square was a spacious flat-bed garden where grass and flowers grew, and in the middle, was once was a fountain, but now is just a mess of rubble. Wooden carts and stalls were destroyed as well, and the surrounding houses were reduced to ruins, just like the rest of the town.
"Sir Hark, shouldn't we try and find some survivors? I know it looks bed, but there has to be someone still out there, right?" I asked, trying to avoid looking at the gut-wrenching sight.
"Looking at this, I doubt there'd be any survivors. What I'm worrying about now is who's leading them. Probably a ruthless demon, but that doesn't matter. If we eliminate the head of the demons, then our mission will be a success. We'll give our lives if need be just to finish the task."
"Isn't that too brash of an announcement to make? It almost sounds like you've already given up after doing what you've been ordered," I argued, having enough of these people recklessly saying that they can throw their fragile lives away at the cost of defeating a demon. I know there's no other way around it, and that I'm being selfish by saying it since fighting against a demon guarantees you losing your life, but it feels wrong.
"I understand how you feel, and from the perspective of someone who has just seen demons and the atrocities they commit, I would expect this. But this is how things are. Though we fight, we are still humans. We can only fight, but never truly stand tall. It is not our weakness, but their tenacity. We do not recklessly throw our lives; we use it to fight for others. As long as we do that and fulfill our wishes of keeping each other safe, then we can depart this world with content knowing that we served them well," he said confidently, not having any traces of regret on his face. He meant every single word that he said.
But as he spoke, the ground shook repeatedly, as if something or someone were walking, and every step it made produced fissures that drew everyone's attention.
Looking further, there appeared a colossal, decayed monster with a massive belly, corroding and exhuming a horrid stench that could not be explained with mere words.
Its body shook with its massive and overbearing weight, almost as if it were dragging him forward. It had a large, open mouth with two sharp fangs at the base of it. A large blade replaced its right arm, and its left was a decayed, muscular one that was the size of a log.
"Puny humans?! Here in front of me? Ha ha ha! Foolish! I can sense your fear. Small, powerless ants quaking in fear, just like every other pathetic human out there, Ha ha ha! Have you come here to offer your lives to me? You all look weak and pathetic, but you, the one with the white beard, you look like you can serve me well, or better yet, as a revenant!" he bellowed, laughing loudly that it almost blocked out any other sound in the area, forcing us to block our ears.
"If that's your first thought, then you are more foolish than a 'pathetic' human. You're not just that. But you're an imbecile as well, demon! I will allow you to laugh yourself to death once our swords are jammed down your rotten throat!" Sir Hark said defiantly and confidently, not at all quivering in fear of the giant that stood staggeringly tall in front of us.
But then the demon became silent, narrowing his eyes at us. He came forward, lifting his blade up high, slowly.
"Scatter! Spread out and attack once he misses the attack! Bring him down!" Sir Hark said, moving to his left, around the demon, coming to his side with his weapon ready at hand.
I went the opposite way, following the majority of the survivors along with Ruziel, staring and keeping track of the giant's weapon before it would descend on us.
The demon brought it down faster than he had raised it up, creating a massive crack on the ground, sending rubble flying everywhere, destroying the garden. The fissure made us jump and fall to the ground, disoriented for what seemed like precious, wasted seconds.
"Now!" A Faint yell could be heard from Sir Hark on the opposite side. It seems that he was knocked down as well, getting up frantically and charging with some of the others with him.
The rest followed suit, rushing at the demon's legs, trying to force it to the ground.
I rose, immediately rushing the demon with my sword leveled to my side. I tightened my grip on the hilt and rammed it through the demon's leg. But by surprise, it's skin was durable and hard, preventing us from piercing all the way through.
it laughed after seeing our attempt, raising its blade again, this time swinging it to our side with a loud, dominant laugh.
I retreated, forcing my legs to move faster than my limit, wanting to escape the sharp blade.
I succeeded, barely, and just like some others. But there were those that were unlucky, cut in half without much effort. Made to bleed like a fountain, their other half on the ground, motionless but bleeding profusely.
"CAINN!!!" one of the soldiers that escaped the demon's blade yelled in terror and anger, tears falling from his eyes as he screamed to the sky, drawing strength from his anger. "Die, you monster!" he charged at an amazing, but unprecedented speed, his blade held up. He was able to strike the demon, but not wound it. But it looked down at him, as if humoring the man's efforts.
"Ha ha ha! That is what makes you puny insects so weak. Emotion! Come, I want to see what kind of face you'll make when I crush you in my palm," he said, grabbing the man like a toy easily, lifting him up.
the rest then began to fight their way so that the demon would bring the man down, immediately crushing him with the weight of his hand.
The man desperately screamed in agony, writhing and thrashing about like a madman. I stood there dazed, terrified and unable to move from where I was. I wanted to do something, but I couldn't. What exactly could I do? Dozens already stood dead in front of me, and many more are waiting for their turn, fighting for what they say is right.
Soon the man in the demon's hand passes out, but he does not stop until blood seems to come from his face, then a crack echoed everywhere. He was dead, unable to fight for his life as the demon heckled in amusement, his belly moving with his body.
But then, from the corner of my eye, I saw Sir Hark make a charge towards the demon, slicing its Achilles tendon and continuing to run past it as the demon fell to its knee, clearly angered at the knight.
"Zach! Come with me! You will escape from here! I will make a way for you while I defeat this demon," he said, pushing me away from the town's square, away from everyone else who still continued the fight against the massive demon.
"What are you talking about, Sir Hark? I'll fight! I can't abandon you all. Isn't it my task to help you, to help everyone?" I argued.
"Well you aren't doing a great job at it. And I don't expect you to. For someone to have known what his purpose was just days ago, you still need time to become accustomed to that. You were clearly petrified and couldn't move. What more can you do if not die here? But I won't allow that. I promised to your father, both in life and in death, that I would protect you if given the chance. And I am not about to disgrace him!" he shook my shoulders, emphasizing his words as it echoed in my mind.
"Where do you think you're going?!" the demon charged us from behind, knocking away the soldiers from him with a violent roar. He leapt midway, landing in front of us, smashing his blade on the ground, making the earth tremble once more. "Amuse me some more, humans. Show me how pathetic your entire race is," he made a wide grin upon missing us.
Sir Hark had pushed me away while he fell back the other side, the only thing separating us was the demon's blade, sharp but stained with blood.
"Run away from here, Zach! I will hold him off. Tell Louise what happened here, she will know what to do!" he immediately rose up and rushed the demon, harming it as he attacked its legs once again, trying to force it to the ground.
"Foolish! You think I would allow that to happen again?!" it said angrily, searching for Sir Hark, turning around.
"The rest of you! Let us finish this!" the knight said, rallying the rest of the survivors with him, causing them to gain a powerful boost of morale.
I readied my sword as well, attempting to stand, feeling my heart beat loudly in my ears, adrenaline pumping to my head.
If worse could have not come to worse, the demons that were left outside began storming the town walls, scaling in in large numbers. And soon the demons that flooded the outside of the city came, slowly surrounding us with their numbers.
"Now you all die! None of you will remain when I feast on your remains!" the large demon exclaimed, roaring louder and louder, rousing the small demons to attack all at once.
Three goblin-like demons sped up to me at a great pace, brandishing their axes, shields, and other makeshift weapons.
a small bit of my focus returned as they began to swarm me, not creating much fear for me, I could move my body with ease. The thought of my training was still fresh and had yet to be used at all.
If I'm going to make a difference, then maybe I can start here.
I parried one of the demon's attack, staggering it despite my clumsy attempt. I then switched to the second demon as it neared me. I took a safe distance back as it attacked with a great tenacity. However, I was able to regain my footing, enabling me to rush it with an overhead slash, felling the demon with one sharp attack.
The two remaining then coordinated their attacks, but more like they attacked in unison. Yelling in a vague language that I can't make anything of.
I took another step back, then ran to the side, flanking the other demon with a horizontal slash that it didn't expect, leaving itself wide open for the attack. It's life ended quickly as I ran my blade through its flesh, not that durable like with the giant demon, still present, but fighting Sir Hark for the meantime.
The last one was caught off guard as well, shocked to see that his two other allies had gone and died. It met a swift end as I cut it down quickly.
Then more came, forcing me to use up more energy than I would like. But it saved me the trouble of being surrounded more times than I could count.
But it soon became useless. No matter how many of them we were able to kill, more seemed to pop up from nowhere, replacing them, two-fold.
Soon Ruziel and the others were overrun, unable to fight back the massive horde, they were slowly being tormented and tortured, the small demons feasted on them. But looking closer, if seems that Ruziel was able to fend for himself a while longer. Though his body was riddled with arrows and small spears, he stood there, bleeding profusely, holding his blade in front of him, forcing the demons to stay back.
He met my eyes, and there he smiled, panting.
"Ruziel! I'll save you, just wait!" I said, running through the hordes and hacking my way through, taking a few wounds here and there, but fighting them back to my surprise. Their numbers were overwhelming, but I was able to keep my composure until I was halfway through to Ruziel.
It was then that I heard a loud scream of pain to my right. I simple glance and I could see Sir Hark being held up by the demon with its left hand, smiling brightly.
"I'm going to enjoy feasting on you, human. Then I'll save that puny wimp down there for last," it said as it crushed Sir Hark with its hand, slowly making him feel a torrent of pain as his bones and body were slowly being crushed.
"R-Run, Zach! While you s- Ack! - while you still can!" he managed to say.
But what can I do? I can't let it end like this, no matter what, but how do I even manage to beat something that Sir Hark can't... Maybe that one thing can save me and everyone else.
I looked around, surrounded on all sides by hungry looking demons and a giant who can slice me in half without much of a problem.
... All that's left is that. Let your mind sink into the sea of nothingness. For now, allow the sea to take control of your body, and let it flow through you. Sink deeper and deeper into the abyss and you will manifest further, ascend higher, and finally stand alone, above and beyond the clouds. That is who we are, and what we are meant to be. We who live for the purpose of purging whom our creator tells us to purge. Through life and death, we emerge without uncertainty, and succeed without fail. You are the last of our kind. Let them not forget our power, the fear we instill in them whenever our light touches their skins. Now, no more time for delays. Go forth!
Suddenly, before I could notice it, my body and mind had calmed down. I wasn't shuddering in fear as I was just seconds before. Looking at the large demon, I felt no fear at all. My body felt as light as a feather, and my sword weighed nothing.
Looking up at the giant once more, its face contorted into fear, as if it had seen something in me to fear. The demon stood there petrified, just like the smaller demons around me. There was something that caught their eyes, something of much intrigue and fascination that they could not help but stare. That goes the same for Ruziel and Sir Hark, both eyeing me with shock and awe.
A bright flicker of light drew my attention to the back of my right hand. Yes, I've seen this before. That powerful light that stood out in the darkness. The light that drew hope from the smallest of crevasses. Was this the same power from before? A crown and two swords crossing, etched to the back of my hand, glowing beautifully, radiantly, even more so than the sun, outshining it. It seems that even I was in awe of what I was seeing.
"I-It can't be! What the hell is this?! Some kind of joke?! You must be an imitation, yes, a fake! That has to be it. Whatever magic allowed you to cast that light is possible. You think you can deceive me?! that damned race is extinct, and you think bluffing your way out of it can save you? No! I'll devour you, leaving nothing for eve the rats to consume!" but he stood there, pondering when he could have sliced me in half. it's strange. I could not sense any movement from him, as if he was frozen in place.
"Well will you *cough* will you look at that. I'm dying and seeing illiusions. *sigh* Better to die seeing false hope than nothing at all. I wouldn't mind you saving me, Zach. You seem like a good kid," Ruziel said to himself, laughing and half-believing the sight before him.
I spoke the words that came naturally to mind. They seemed to come from nowehere, but I was compelled to speak them loudly. "The time for an eternal banishment has come for you once more, demons. I, the last of the Thalise will act on their behalf, and of our creator. With this mark of the herald I shall purge all the demons that stand in my way, and finally, your king! Now, engrave this mark into your mind for eternity as you fade into nothingness!"