Davarious First Born Light of the Autumn Wind:
Well that was harder than I thought it would be. I looked at the Heroes sprawled across the tunnel. Yep they still had a long way to go. Just one little upset in their battle plan and they fell apart. Still that monster was really something. I'd never fought one like it before, well appearance wise at least. With the training I had done, fighting monsters that could disrupt mana was something I had done on many occasions. Though one this strong was new. Even just by being close to it mana couldn't flow properly.
I gathered the Heroes bodies and put them aside. In my current state I couldn't use any magic but their wounds were healing slowly nonetheless. As expected of the Heroes. Now to explore what exactly this monster was hiding. First I made sure there were no monsters in the area that could harm the Heroes. After confirming it was clear I made my way forwards.
It was a dead end. Or at least it seemed like it but after rummaging around the tunnel wall I felt an oddity and with a light punch revealed a hidden door. Now this was getting somewhere. Put simply behind the door was a laboratory. It was larger than the one I had in my castle for Warten to play around in. The equipment though hundreds of years old were still things I recognised and used. Scary because many of them we had invented ourselves. Worse still was the contents and an involuntary chill spread down my spine. Dark forbidden magic was studied here.
Vats of liquid lined the wall and half decomposed human bodies floated within them. The bodies felt familiar, to a hateful degree. So the stories were really true. The Mil kingdom had created a human monster. The same Monster that was kept sealed by my family. I felt a rage inside me build up. The same rage that lead to us destroying their kingdom. They played god and payed the price. I had to calm myself. The knowledge in this room could be the key to finally destroying that Monster.
I scurried around the lab and gathered the leftover research documents and any evidence I could find. There wasn't much but what I found hinted at a few things that may just be what we needed. One the Monster was indeed a human. Namely it was an unknown prisoner that had a core infused with mana surgically implanted in his body. Normally doing this would kill the human immediately but from trial and error they managed to find a method that stabilised it. Then they created a suit of armour that would enhance the Monster's strength. The armour was meant to negate the effects of magic but something went wrong. The Monster's core became unstable when the armour was equipped, fusing to the Monster and causing it to go mad. From there it escaped and the rest was history.
I felt a twinge in my body. I had spent too much time leafing through the documents left behind. My time was almost up. I exited the lab and after doing so collapsed the tunnel leading to it. The researchers from the Archmage's Council could not be allowed to see something like this. I believed Denton and the majority would think it sacrilegious but there may be a few of them intrigued by the idea. There can never be another of those monstrosities unleashed upon the world. With that done I picked up the Heroes. It was hard to hold all of them without using magic but I managed somehow. With them in hand I ran back quickly, bulldozing any monsters in my way.
Instead of leaving the way we came I created a new hole and shot out into the city ruins. It would be better to not meet with Denton in this condition. With my magic gone, the illusions casted on me had vanished. My ears were no longer rounded completely and my heart stone would be visible under my shirt. That and my hair roots were beginning to show, it had been a while since I dyed it after all.
I placed the Heroes down in a small abandoned building. They'd be safe and it was now time to take my leave. My body would collapse soon and it would take some time to regain consciousness. Just as I was about to leave Sayuri shifted and shot up.
"Dave?" she murmured. Oh crap, it really was time to go. "Wait, where are you going?"
I ignored her and bolted. She immediately followed me. Damn it, damn it, damn it.
"Go away!"
"What why? Just tell me where you're going," she persisted.
"Nowhere!" I yelled back. My body surged and I stumbled. "I'm just going for a run."
"Don't lie to me!" she was catching up. I began to slow down. Time was up. Energy flooded out from my body and I fell to my knees. "Dave! Are you okay?" Sayuri stopped next to me.
"I'm fine," I huffed and then with a cough a mass of thick blue liquid splattered out.
"Is-is that blood?" Sayuri asked in shocked concern.
"…." Well it was but blood should be red for humans…. "It's just… mana."
"I said don't lie! What's wrong?" she was beginning to panic.
Ah crap, I was blacking out, "J-just don't touch… me." And that was it.
Carl:
"Help! Quick, get up and help me!" someone was yelling at me.
I stirred awake, "Sayuri? Where are we?" I looked around. We were above ground again inside some random building. Alicia and Gary were beside me also just waking up.
"Dave saved us b-but he's not getting up now!"
"What!?" I was shocked awake as I finally noticed Dave limp in Sayuri's arms. Some blue liquid was leaking from his mouth. "Quick lie him down."
Alicia and Gary were finally up as well.
"Argh my head…." Gary gently stroked his wound. I grabbed him and forced him to Dave. "Hey watch it." He froze when he saw him.
"Gary what's wrong with him?" I asked. He became serious with Alicia behind him, her eyes widened in shock.
"Move," Gary pushed me back and put his cheek above Dave's mouth. "Good he's breathing." He pulled back and seeing the blue liquid near Dave's mouth brushed it with his finger. "What is this? Poison?"
"It can't be…, it came out of Dave himself," Sayuri said.
"It feels like blood."
"Blood's red idiot," Alicia snapped. She kneeled next to Dave and shook him, "Hey Dave get up! Davios Flint get up!"
"Stop don't shake him!" Sayuri pulled her back.
"But he's not waking up. He's usually a light sleeper!"
"Everyone let's just clam down for now," I declared. "For now it looks like he's at least alive. Gary can you see anything?"
"Give me a second," Gary moved closer. "There doesn't seem to be any wounds on his body or head… hang on."
"What?"
Gary brushed Dave's hair back, "His hair roots, they're white… no they're a light blue."
"Let me see!" Alicia took a closer look as well, "that's strange did Dave dye his hair?"
"Why would he do that?" Sayuri asked confused. "Ah wait! Alicia his ears, his ears!"
"That's weird their slightly pointed. They weren't always like that right?"
"No," I shook me head. "Remember that time when we were talking about elves and he showed us his? They were definitely rounded back then."
Gary pushed us all back, "Are we sure this is actually Dave?"
Sayuri became angry, "Of course it is! I saw him myself."
"Hey I'm just checking."
We all stared at his body curiously.
"Now I think about it, we don't really know that much about him do we?" Alicia said.
"Yeah, he never really talks about where he came from," I nodded. "I didn't want to pry but…."
"Maybe we should check the rest of his body for 'wounds'." Gary leaned closer.
"Wait we can't do that!" Sayuri panicked. "Before he collapsed I remember he said not to touch him."
"How suspicious," Alicia moved closer as well. Even I was intrigued and even though Sayuri was against it we were hovering over Dave's chest.
"So should we start with his shirt?" I asked.
"B-but…." Sayuri was blushing.
"Oh come on girl," Alicia began to tease, "You've seen him topless at the beach."
"This is different, we're… we're going to strip him."
"Yeah we are. Would you like the honours?"
I thought she'd refuse but after some hesitant panic she nodded, her face red. Slowly she unbuttoned his shirt. We all gulped. His chest was revealed and in the centre, shining splendidly was a golden stone merged into his flesh.
"What the heck is that?" I couldn't help say.
"I want to touch it…." Gary moved his hand closer but Alicia knocked it away.
"Stop, what if it's actually a curse?"
"But it looks like it's a part of him."
"Fine but be careful."
Gary gently placed his fingers against the stone, "Oh! This is really nice. It's smooth has jagged edges but warm. Touching it… it's very comforting."
"I want to try!" Alicia switched places with him.
"Me too," Sayuri exclaimed. When it came to my turn I realised something. I had seen a stone similar to this before. How could I not remember it? Then it happened,
"So what are we all doing?" Dave's voice asked us.
Davarious First Born Light of the Autumn Wind:
"Waah!" they all jumped back from me. My chest was exposed and I could still feel the lingering warmth from when they touched my heart stone. "I'm just going to put this out there but that was rude. Touching someone's heart stone is a no-no. Imagine if I touched you in your privates."
"Dave you're okay," Sayuri ignored my comment and smiled in relief.
"Yep," I buttoned my shirt. Well it looks like the jig was up, now for damage control. Just how much did they know?
"Dave…." Carl looked at me with careful eyes, "You're not human are you?" The others were shocked at his words.
"How could you say that!?" Alicia snapped, "That's something I'd expect from Garr."
"Of course Dave's human," Sayuri defended me.
"Wait," I held up my hand to stop them. Pretending I was human now would only cause problems later. "Carl's right, I'm not human."
"What!?" they all yelled at once. Carl's expression darkened considerably, Gary's was full of interest, Alicia was just kind of blank and Sayuri's… it was hurt.
I laughed awkwardly, "Surprise."
"B-but you look so human," Gary said, "Are you half human, half demon?"
"Well no… my mother was human but I'm whole demon." Truth be told I didn't actually know she was human till I was ten years old. My parental lineage was another thing entirely and while I was tempted to hide it, I knew at least telling them part of the story would ease their anxiety.
Sayuri fell to her knees, "H-how?"
"My species of Demon is quite rare. We don't really have children much but when we do the child is always one of us."
"And what species are you exactly?" Alicia asked.
"A high demon."
"That stone on your chest… it's like the one on the Demon Lord's," Carl looked at me with a dangerous tinge.
"Well we are the same species."
"Then why are you here!?" he yelled unable to hold back his rising tension.
"Why do you think I'm here?" I replied calmly
He froze unable to find the words.
"You told me last night you believed not all demons were evil Carl," I pushed forward.
"You've been lying to us this whole time…," his fist clenched. "The reason why you freed those slaves…."
"Because I'm one of them."
"And your ears and chest?"
"Illusions."
"I'll ask you again, why are you here?" he looked at me with teary eyes.
"And I'll say again, why do you think I'm here?"
"Don't play with me Dave!"
Sayuri burst between us, "Stop Carl! Dave has always been with us. He's saved us countless times."
"That's right Carl, he was summoned as a Hero just like us," Alicia placed a hand on his shoulder.
"Just because he's not who we thought he was doesn't mean his entire personality changed," Gary said nonchalantly. "He's still our friend."
Carl took a step back and shook his head, "S-sorry, I…."
"It's fine," I smiled softly. "I did keep it a secret but I guess you know the reason why."
"Right…," Carl smiled, "But still, why are you here? As a Hero I mean. And if you answer me with 'why do you think' so help me I will punch you."
I laughed, "Even we demons want peace."
"But what about the Demon Lord? Are you going to kill your own ruler?"
I darkened my gaze with determination. I really had to sell this. "Let's just say the Demon Lord's life is entirely my business." Well it was true.
"Hmm now I really think about it, not much changed right?" Gary laughed, "Well I mean Dave's a bit more of a mystery but it's not like our purpose has changed much."
"Exactly," I tidied myself up. "If you have any questions you can ask them but for now let's head back."
The Heroes nodded. With the exception of Gary, the others were still looking at me a bit differently but for now it would be okay. With time they'd settle down again. Thankfully they didn't connect me with the Demon Lord. That would have been super awkward. That reveal needed to come later. Thinking about it, maybe this was good. At least it wouldn't be as much of a shock later.
On the way to back Sayuri reached over to tap me on the shoulder but just before she did her hand snapped backwards. Honestly that one kind of hurt.
"Did you need something?" I asked normally.
She quickly became flustered, "Ah well… umm it's just…."
"Sayuri it's fine. I'm still me, you don't need to panic so much."
She calmed herself down, "I just wanted to ask about before. With that monster and why you collapsed. I actually saw a bit of your fight and…," she trailed off. The others were also looking at me curiously.
"You could say it's my emergency trump card," I began to explain. "You know I'm not very good at physical activity and I can't normally reinforce my body with mana. Thing is I found a way around it, and that's what I did. I sacrifice all the remaining mana in my body and convert it to a single spell that when consumed will enhance my physical strength."
"So you become super strong?" Gary asked wistfully, "Can I learn it?"
"Not really," I said hesitantly, "It's because of my constitution that I have to rely on it. The downside is that when I'm in that state I can't use any magic and after an hour or so the energy dissipates regardless of what I'm doing. Thus why I collapsed afterwards."
"Is that because you're a High Demon?" Alicia asked.
"No that's just because I'm me," I laughed. "The rest of my species are relatively normal. Though we have a tendency to be quite powerful."
"Ugh so you're really a cheat," Gary complained.
"I don't want to hear that from any of you," I returned. "Normally it would take decades to reach you're strength."
"So what are High Demons anyway?" Carl asked. "They didn't have much about them when were still in Elsbeth."
"Haha, you really want to know?" The Heroes nodded so I continued, "What I'm about to say you should really take with a grain of salt. High Demons are one of, if not the original source of intelligent life. Intelligent being human or demon."
"Wait humans as well?" Gary became confused.
"Well it's a story that may or may not be true. Also I'm not sure about your world but it goes like this. In the beginning there was only the world. Then the world produced mana, and mana brought with it life. Trees, bugs, animals and monsters. Then mana began to solidify and it became a rock. These rocks grew into life and became the first High Demons. Hence our heart stones. The High Demons spread across the world and lived as one with mana. Then we began to change. As our race began to live longer we changed our appearance to suit the environment or suit our own needs. Thus the other demonic races were born."
"And humans?" Carl asked.
"Humans were special. A large group of High Demons decided to live mortal lives, to experience life more condensed and without our normal blessings. They cast away their heart stones and became man. As the tens thousands of years went by the races began to settle down and stop changing. Now there are not so many High Demons, the vast majority of us have become something else."
"So that's your creation story?"
"Yep, it's a bit far-fetched right? There are also more ancient creatures like the Elder Beasts and True Dragons but it surprisingly does hold some grains of truth. For that reason High Demons are respected by all demonic races."
"Hang on a second!" Alicia threw up her hands, "Just how old can High Demons get?"
"We can live for about a thousand years maximum but hardly anyone makes it past several centuries."
"…." The Heroes all just stared at me, finally Sayuri spoke, "Then how old are you?"
"I'm 18," I laughed.
"Wow so you're actually pretty young?" Gary asked.
"You could say that. High Demons age to adulthood at the same rate as humans but then we sit there for a long time."
"So you probably won't die until your 500 or something right?"
I couldn't help let out a melancholic smile, "No, I'll probably die not much older than any of you."
"Why?" Sayuri asked concerned.
"Fate." I waved off the dark atmosphere, "Demons and humans aren't really at peace. Hardly anyone makes it too long."
"But as Heroes we can change that right?" Carl looked determined.
"That's our job. Anyway we're close so cut the chat about me being a you know what."
We walked closer to Denton and his group. They were waiting outside the hole with their equipment ready to go.
He spotted us quickly, "Oh you're back and from another location, how intriguing!"
"Yeah, we found another hole and exited that way," I said. "As for the monsters, we've reduced a lot of their numbers but you'll still have to be careful and set up wards as soon as possible."
"Many thanks young adventurers," Denton bowed. "We could hear the combat from up here, it must have been quite extreme."
"We made it though."
"Indeed you did but it looks like you suffered some injuries. If you'd like you are more than welcome to stay. We'll treat your wounds and allow you some rest."
I shook my head, "No I think we've spent enough time here." I turned to Carl, "Have you found the answer's you were looking for?"
He looked directly at me, "Not quite but I'm fine now."
"You heard him, we'll head off soon."
Denton waved over the young girl from yesterday, "Marley please bring the box." She came over with a large sturdy box. "These are your rewards. Supplies for your journey and some coin." He said some coin but there was an extensive amount.
"We'll accept it gratefully," I took the box and handed it to Gary. Carl looked between the box and Denton. From our travels we could tell he wanted to do the heroic thing and forgo the rewards but with Alicia 'gently' holding him back he could only smile wryly.
"Also one last thing," Denton took out a rolled up scroll lined with gold. "If you are ever in the Felinas show someone this and you'll have access to whatever you need." The scroll was plastered with the Archmage's emblem. Something like this could be invaluable.
"Again thank you."
"No, thank you," Denton bowed.
We stayed a little longer to make sure everything was alright as they descended towards the cavern before saying our goodbyes. Soon after we began to make our way north out of the city ruins. The Heroes didn't speak much, they all had their own thoughts to settle. As we reached the outskirts I summoned my cloud and turned to Sayuri,
"You're turn now, what would you like?" I asked.
She had been in deep thought and looked up at me in surprise, "I…," she looked a bit lost but then suddenly became determined. "Dave you said you came from Rentolt right?"
"I did."
"You didn't lie did you?"
"My town exists in Rentolt." It wasn't a lie….
"Then I want to visit where you grew up. I want to see how you lived as a demon." The others were surprised but it was obvious that they liked the idea from their pleading smiles. For me however this was quite hard. She wanted to see where I grew up but that wasn't quite possible right now. But a Demon Lord never goes back on his word. However that didn't mean they couldn't bend it.
I smiled, "Sure I'll take you to my town. It's north of here along the border between Rentolt and the Demon Side." That should suffice for now and eventually I'd take her to my actual home, but that would just have to come later. What she didn't know couldn't hurt her or at least not yet.