As I opened my eyes to see the landscape before me, I could only try to remember what led me here. To a place that could only be described as hell on earth.
A sea of flame surrounded me with smoke filling my vision, the smell filled with a putrid odor that led me to see what was the cause.
Corpses.
By the dozen, all piled up like mountains on top of each other. From hot-blooded youths to seemingly frail old men, I could even see some women scattered about the surrounding.
Blood flowed down like a never-ending stream, dyeing the earth with the color of blood.
From armors of adventurers and mercenaries to garbs of royalty, everyone on the social ladder seemed to be present in this land of death.
Not to mention the various weaponry from the simplest of blades to national treasures of various factions.
After seeing the surrounding do I finally notice my own condition, and it's even more messed up.
Somehow I feel like I've been through hell and back, pain from the cuts and wounds throbbing from all parts of my body barely keeping me awake.
A strong metallic taste fills my mouth, probably from the blood that got caught in my mouth.
After taking in everything around me I finally noticed and set my eyes at the man in front of me. He seemed familiar so I analyzed his features further.
He was wearing the uniform of exorcists of the state, a black collared jacket with a pin of the emblem of the state of a proud eagle spreading its wings with a sword grasped with its talons.
He had his sword ready, in case I tried something in this sort of standoff. After seeing him I slowly realized why I was at the center of this whole mess.
His lifeless blue eyes seemed empty and apathetic towards everything, the blonde hair akin to the first rays of the sunrise.
I could never forget the face before me in a million years.
Ah, I finally remember.
The cause of this, all of this death and suffering.
It was all by me...
at least, that's what those bastards pulling the strings behind this want others to think.
I mean... when one's life is on the line, does one just accept the death ahead of him?
Raising his sword aimed towards me, he finally uttered the words I didn't want to hear coming out of his mouth.
"Rayner Miller, heretic to The Church of Uruthos. In the name of the High Priest I have been dispatched to end your life."
"After ten years on the run we've finally cornered you, now with one foot in death's door."
"Demon, today your tyranny shall finally be put to rest. I, John Collwell will avenge those you've murdered in cold blood!"
John Collwell, the closest thing I can call being a brother in this world aimed his sword at me and demanded vengeance.
The man who was destined to be a hero, with myself as the strong support to lean on the toughest of storms.
When did everything fall apart?
When did everything go very wrong?
Was the man I once knew to be the kindest and stalwart soul capable of becoming the man before me?
...
No.
Those eyes, they're dull and lifeless. Like he's a...
puppet. Only to be controlled.
...
I ran away since I couldn't face against them, biding my time to strike at the moment of carelessness. Collecting everything I could gather to fight against those damned bastards.
But all that led was to him facing against them alone, outnumbered and stabbed by the people he trusted.
I ran away from my friend that turned into this monstrosity, a puppet by those so called 'holymen'.
...
I'm done running.
I'm ending this nightmare once and for all, releasing the truth, and saving him like he would've done for me.
I maybe one foot in the grave, but I sure as hell ain't letting you go down with me.
I'll get to you, save you from the prison you're trapped in.
I grinned as a way to bluff him and finally utter a comeback.
"Time for a demon's sacrifice, eh John?"
Time to end this circus show once and for all.