Aaron Amano's POV
The trek back home was relatively uneventful.
Due to Rheves's strength, the many Aether Beast which lives within the forest don't even dare to come any closer.
In his right hand, instead of the twin daggers he had before, he is holding a well-maintained one-handed broadsword. I don't know when, but it seems that he placed the daggers away when I wasn't looking.
Since he has to hold me with one arm, it is a matter of course that Rheves would switch with a more suitable weapon to fit his needs. However, just by looking at him holding the sword, it became obvious that a one-hand sword truly fits his style more.
The strange situation where it seems that Rheves had used dual daggers in a fight was probably a one-time thing…
Does that mean that these dual daggers have something special that would make Rheves have chosen to use them at that particular moment?
…No. It's the only plausible scenario.
The mysterious 'weakness' Xoketh had shown at that time….it must have occurred when Rheves was battling Ashe[Xoketh possessed] at the same moment using those dual daggers.
The very same dual daggers that will become Ashe's main weapon of choice for the duration of the game.
I never knew that Ashe's weapon had that sort of secret.
There had been only two pieces of information that have ever been released pertaining to Ashe's first weapons.
Its actual design that was shown in tandem with Ashe's battle illustrations….and its designation as an indestructible beginner's weapon for Ashe.
VDS, like other RPGs, uses an equipment feature to allow players to strengthen and customize their characters through equipping powerful weapons, defensive gear, and accessories.
Even a costume feature was added, allowing all players to customize the looks of their favorite characters to their liking. For a price.
Putting that aside, depending on the character you choose, each of them had been given one unique free equipment that matches their character's main weapon.
In Ashe's case, the dual daggers that Rheves will give him in the future became his free beginner's weapon.
Unsellable and untradable.
With stats comparable to a wooden stick found in other games, it's only salvation is that it has infinite durability and impossible to destroy.
The name given to the weapon by the game was merely 'mysterious dual daggers'.
For its item description, 'An ornamental mysterious set of daggers said to made during the Omnias Era. The first present Rheves had ever given to Ashe. It seems to hold a special power….'
Although the flavor text says otherwise, ever since I had begun to play as Ashe, there had been no more mention of that special power ever again.
Even now, if it wasn't for me seeing the real thing right in front of me, I would have totally forgotten about such detail.
However…this world is not the game.
If those daggers truly have a special power, it wouldn't surprise me. Compared to what I had to experience these past few years.
While it was useless in the game, it doesn't mean it is useless now.
I have already guessed that the daggers had something to do with when Xoketh's power had weakened somewhat. This allowed me to gain the advantage against him.
If Ashe were to be given the daggers, as it was given in the game, it is possible that by using the dual daggers' special ability, Xoketh's revival can be slowed down and eventually stopped.
Thinking about it more deeply, it is probably the real reason why Xoketh's appearance in the game was so infrequent.
From what VDS potrays, Demon Lords such as Xoketh are able to become stronger and even heal their wounds through gathering negative emotions. If you were told merely this much, the only impression you would get about Demon Lords is that they are similar to the 3rd rate villains you find in cute 'magical girl' animes.
However, the truth is nothing that simple.
In order for Demon Lords to gather negative emotions, they will have to absorb it from the source of such emotions. In other words, they would need to devour 'souls'.
Not just any 'soul'. They would have to devour the 'souls' of those who have been corrupted by despair, anger, and other negative emotions.
Their strength, violent personality, and disgusting behavior. For Demon Lords, all of that is nothing but mere methods for them to prepare and devour the best souls.
In particular, it is a Demon Lords' favorite method that they would choose to use a 'curse' upon a strong person's 'soul'.
Through the corruption power of the 'curse', Demon Lords can fully corrupt even the strongest souls as long as a 'curse' was successfully applied just once. The stronger the person is, the more desperate they would feel having their prided strength become useless in the face of such an 'evil' method. That is why Demon Lords prefer to use 'curses' on the strong.
While the effects of a 'curse' are slow, it has the advantages of being virtually incurable and lasts until the target is dead.
Just like what happened to Aileen.
While 'devour' is the term VDS uses to describe how Demon Lords absorb corrupt 'souls', it's not as if they actually use their mouths to try to swallow them.
For a Demon Lord to 'devour' a corrupted 'soul', they would use what could be said to be the foundation of their power, Miasma.
Miasma is constantly produced within a Demon Lord through the conversion of Aether.
The Miasma would smother the target's 'soul', and depending on the Miasma's potency, the Miasma would either quickly or slowly breakdown the 'soul' for absorption.
A terrible end for anyone.
Even as a mere fragment of his 'soul', Xoketh still holds the ability to convert Aether into Miasma.
For Demon Lords, the origin of their ability to convert Aether into Miasma is not found in their powerful bodies. But rather in the core of their corrupted 'soul'.
It was this power that allowed Xoketh to be able to regain enough strength to take over Ashe's soul regardless from being separated from his original 'cursed' target, Aileen.
By gaining an adequate amount of Miasma within his 'soul', Xoketh can at any time try to take over Ashe's body once again.
While I have currently suppressed Xokeht's control through my newfound 'power, I am unable to truly stop Xoketh from regaining his.
Even now, Xoketh continues to constantly produce and store Miasma.
Like a chemical reaction with Mentos and Cola, the produced Miasma, with the right trigger, can cause increased pressure through expansion in the 'Soul World'. If left alone, I don't know how long for the same events to happen again.
That is where Rheve's daggers come in. Through the dagger's special ability, Xoketh's ability to produce Miasma can be suppressed.
The Rheves in the game must have known this when he gave Ashe those daggers as his first gift in the first place.
That's how, for more than 10 years, Ashe was able to live problem-free before the actual start of the game.
Without those daggers by his side, he would have long been since taken over by Xoketh before even the true game began.
However, nothing lasts forever.
Ever since losing Aileen to the 'curse', Ashe had never been the same since.
For many years, Ashe had recurrent nightmares all related to his mother's death.
Rolling on the floor as she screams in pain. Body twitching unnaturally. Even blaming Ashe for not saving her. Ashe's mind was constantly eroded away by those very dreams.
It was so bad, that Ashe even fears to sleep. Due to his lack of sleep, Ashe would suffer from having to create a constant intense glare in order to keep his eyes open. It gave him the impression of a hoodlum.
The reason for why he was having those dreams…was Xoketh.
In order to harvest a constant supply of negative emotion, Xoketh chose to use a vicious method.
For a Demon Lord as experienced as Xoketh, making someone have nightmares even under the suppression of the daggers is extremely easy.
While it took longer than usual, Xoketh was able to regain a lot of his power leading to his eventual complete revival in the game.
None were able to predict it. None were able to stop it.
That is why it is imperative that Rheves is able to bring the Blackthorn Rose in time to save Aileen.
If Aileen never dies, Ashe will never have to suffer from those nightmares ever.
Without that advantage, I can continue to control Xoketh's revival date as I please.
And more importantly….Ashe would not have to lose his mother.
At the end of the day, that is what it amounts to.
Regardless of how dangerous the future might be, as long as Aileen gets to live another day is all that matters.
His mother is saved, Ashe remains happy. Two birds with one stone.
It is now my greatest wish to make that thought a reality.
.
.
.
Just as I finished my thoughts, we finally arrived.
"Aileen!!?"
The front door of the log house was left wide open as young Ashe had left it when he ran out.
Through the open door, Rheves was able to see the collapsed Aileen.
Rheves quickly ran towards Aileen, bringing me along.
Once we arrived inside the house, I immediately jumped down from Rheves's arm.
I quickly made it to the side of Aileen to immediately check her pulse and signs of breathing.
…Phew! Although the pulse is weak and her chest is barely moving, it is enough that she is not dead. That's all I need.
"Hurry!! Bring the Blackthorn Rose to her work desk! There should be a pestle and mortar, along with the other ingredients that are needed! You should know what to do!" I hurriedly pointed Rheves towards Aileen's workspace.
Despite his original misgivings, Rheves immediately, without hesitation, began to concoct the medication under my orders.
No matter what, concocting the medication will take some time. I made sure to keep checking Aileen's vitals to make sure that she is still alive and breathing by the time it's done. Last resort: CPR!
Thankfully, I hadn't been forced to use 'that' method which would result in me summoning the raging spirit of Alabama.
Once finished with one batch of the medication, Rheves gently lifted Aileen's upper body as he tried to make Aileen drink the medical solution slowly.
As soon as the last drop of medication went past her lips, an immediate change was noticed.
Aileen was seen breath a little bit deeper. When I checked her pulse, her pulse became a bit stronger and more pronounced.
It worked! But we're not out of the woods, yet.
Now that her pulse is stronger, I had noticed that her heart rate was slightly too fast. It is proof that she is still in pain.
Without even urging, Rheves continues to concoct and administer the medication.
After the third time, I once again checked her pulse and respiration. It was a success.
Aileen is going to make it.
I had successfully changed fate!
Once that truth was slowly digested in my mind, I felt my vision blur out of focus.
…Seems like time is up.
"Due to your timely appearance, I was able to save Aileen in time…I thank you from the bottom of my heart." With a low bow, I express my heartfelt thanks to Rheves.
"…It is not worth mentioning. Saving Aileen was an obvious decision. I have no need for thanks,: said Rheves with a brusque manner.
Hah! Still suspicious, I see. No wonder. I didn't explain anything to him and still had him come here.
"Still, I wish to express my thanks…and my goodbyes."
After hearing my last words, Rheves instantly began to raise his guard.
"Do you think I would let you go after what happened? I still have a ton of questions I need to ask you….especially about your relationship with Aileen."
I let out a small smile as I said, "It is not like I do not want to take my time to talk to you about many things….I truly have no time. He is about to wake up."
"What do you---"This body's original owner."---what?"
It was at that time that the dizziness truly sets in. My vision is slowly going to black. I start becoming unsteady on my feet.
"Oy! What's wrong!?"
"Make sure you take good care of him. He was really worried about his mother. And before I forget….don't tell him or Aileen about me, okay? Byeeee..."
While still looking at Rheves, who was opening his mouth in protest, I finally couldn't hear anything he said anymore.
The time turns to zero.
I returned to the embrace of a familiar darkness.