He was in front of me yet I couldn't see properly. The colors of the world had vanished. All I could see was black and white. There were loud screams all across the town and I could feel it, hear it, but couldn't believe it. All sounds were like they were filtered using cotton. My senses weren't doing their job properly.
However, I was more worried about getting out alive than the lives of strangers around me. Call me selfish but when faced against an adversary such as him, no one in his right mind would dare worry about another being.
Showing weakness would have meant my complete defeat. If what he said was true, then I shouldn't waste this chance. He's the root cause of all the suffering around me… I took a deep breath and calmed myself. "I am Daarc Green. Nice to finally meet you."
I pretended to be as friendly as I possibly could. If his underlings were that powerful then I could only imagine how strong he'd be.
His voice didn't show any empathy but his eyes squinted a little as though he displayed pity. "I SEE."
In any case, I couldn't see his face or anything other than his blazing dark pupils and black cloak that flowed like fire. His face was hidden behind the darkness that no light could reach. He was larger and taller than me. But not too large I'd say he was one and a half my size.
That's it? He's not going to say anything else? "Why are you here? I don't think that the emperor himself would come to apologize to me for no reason." I know I was pushing my luck but it needed to be done. I needed to know his reasons. Why would he show up now? To kill me?
"HMM...LET'S SEE. IT'S BORING BEING THE EMPEROR. SO I DECIDED TO PLAY A GAME. I WOULD SUMMON RANDOM STRANGERS TO THIS WORLD AND HAVE THEM, GO THROUGH HARDSHIPS. THAT WAY IF THEY ARE WORTHY ENOUGH, THEY MIGHT BE ABLE TO CHALLENGE ME AND EVEN POTENTIALLY ENTERTAIN ME," he burst into laughter as he said that.
It took a minute for me to understand. What did he say? I questioned myself, replayed his words in my mind and deciphered the situation. I was thunderstruck. I couldn't think properly for a good few minutes. Sweats dripped from my face and shivers went down my spine. But in the end my blood boiled. "Why tell me this?"
"CAUSE IT'D BE MORE FUN?"
That infuriated me. All this time I cursed the gods for summoning me. But not even in a million years did I think that a demon would summon me. It felt like the whole world was turned upside down. "Is that so? So… do I pass?"
"PASS?"
"To screw you, of course." I launched an attack.
It was foolish but I didn't want him to mock me. All this suffering was because of him and he was just in front of me laughing: that made me more than just angry. The fear of death which persuaded me even moments ago had vanished. My sanity had been overwhelmed by sheer anger. Maybe anger really was my greatest weakness.
He dodged so quickly that my eyes couldn't follow. I didn't stop. We got out of the alley or rather he led me out. He was basically toying with me. The new sword was very good but my skills weren't enough. People around us were frightened to death. I saw countless men piss their pants. It was not a pretty scene.
This is too soon for a boss fight and he's too damn strong… His speed made me hesitate. I couldn't just rush him either.
"WHAT'S WRONG? WEREN'T YOU GOING TO SCREW ME?" And then there was that mocking tone again. This guy really knew how to piss people off.
Damn it! I was getting restless. I couldn't even follow him with my eyes let alone strike a blow. But for an emperor he was rather nonchalant- or in his words- he was just bored.
I was fighting for my life and the future, and yet, here he was chatting nonchalantly like we were best friends having a normal conversation or something. "YOU SEE, I HAVE POWERS EQUAL TO THAT OF A GOD. SO THIS WORLD FEELS SO BORING. THIS WORLD HAS MANY PROBLEMS AND AS I'M LAZY I WANT SOMEONE ELSE TO FIX THEM."
"Then why not fight a God and be done with it?" My lungs were on fire and my sweat glands were like they were on steroids.
The emperor's voice changed for a moment and it hinted a little seriousness. "Everything in this world demands a fitting sacrifice for adequate reasons. To think one could have their way just because he's powerful would only make history repeat itself." It was like he was reading a book in the middle of the fight or something.
"What the hell are you spouting?" I didn't know why, but it made me feel more infuriated.
"THAT'S ODD… I REMEMBER GIVING YOU ENOUGH ABILITY TO COMPREHEND LANGUAGE." Besides, all of this was like a game to him.
"I don't care what your reason is but I won't let you get away with this."
"ISN'T THAT WHAT A TYPICAL VILLAIN WOULD SAY?" He giggled.
I didn't get it but the guy had a familiar sense of humor. Something about him seemed familiar but I couldn't grasp it. And that pissed me off even more. And it made me even more hesitant. "I don't need to hear that from you!"
I kept on trying to hit him. He was definitely beyond me and just playing around. Deep inside I was scared of what might happen if he went serious. I was scared of the truth.
"NOW YOU'RE JUST BUGGING ME. I DON'T HAVE INFINITE PATIENCE YOU KNOW. IF YOU KEEP THIS UP, I MIGHT GET MAD AND DESTROY THIS TOWN AND THAT VILLAGE." He wasn't joking. I had to stop. Even if I continued it wouldn't bear fruit, and I knew that…but…. I stopped. I stopped in my tracks and stood still, looking down at my feet.
"THAT'S MORE LIKE IT. WOULD YOU BE KIND ENOUGH TO LISTEN?"
We stood there in the middle of the road. A lot of people were running away from us. The mere sight of the fight made a lot of people empty their bowels and bladders. The air had a pungent smell. However, I still needed a lot more answers. So this wasn't a total loss for me.
The emperor already knew about me. So I didn't need to sugarcoat any of my questions. "I'll listen to you but first, I need to know how that demon imitated my sister. She's dead and-"
"I ASSURE YOU, THAT PATHETIC CREATURE HAD NO MEMORY OF YOUR SISTER. SHE RECONSTRUCTED HER FACE FROM YOUR MEMORIES. YOU SEE SOME DEMONS HAVE THAT POWER."
I didn't believe it. But I didn't say it out loud either. So, in spite of everything, I decided it was best for me to listen. "Alright, what is it that you want?"
"I WANT YOU TO TRAVELL ACROSS THIS WORLD AND ACQUIRE ENOUGH SKILLS, COMRADES, AND WEAPONS TO STAND UP AGAINST ME. MEANWHILE, I'LL STAY PUT AND NOT WAGE WARS AGAINST ANY NATIONS."
It seemed too good to be true. I always followed the rule 'if it seems too good to be true then it probably is.' So his words were hypocritical. And so the question remained. "Why?"
"I TOLD YOU DIDN'T I? I'M BORED. IT'LL BE MORE FUN TO CRUSH YOU AFTER YOU WENT THROUGH SO MUCH TORTURE AND HARDSHIPS, SEVERING ALL THE BONDS AND HOPE WHILE DROWNING YOU IN TOTAL DESPAIR." He was like a comedian just going on serious ramblings.
What are you? A hardcore sadist? I couldn't say that out loud though. He'd probably have ripped me to pieces.
"Can't I just go home?" I pleaded. I knew that was selfish but I couldn't help it.