Aside: The World's 'Hero'.
By no means was Daisuke Sato a good person, nor was he any person of note but that was in his world. Born from middle class parents he spent his life normally and indulged in all forms of entertainment, games, reading, sports, by all means he could be considered nothing special. If someone in need where to pass him by he would walk by, as many of us would naturally do. To help others is to at times trouble ourselves and where the line is drawn between kindness, neglect or self-sacrifice is blurry at the best of times.
The one thing Daisuke did have was an open mind, or perhaps better put, a mind that was easy to mould. Accompanied with great talent in regards to magic, in his own world he would have never been discovered but in a different world he was perfect. Summoned seven years before the beginning of this tale, he, Daisuke Sato, was for the first time in his life special.
The Emperor himself brought him to this new world and worshipped praise to his ears all within the cause to gather his favour. The Empire itself had hit a snag. They countries surrounding them had been conquered but their territory had become vast and their armies spread thin. It was at this time when they finally discovered the lost magic to create a manmade monster but lacked the correct tool to kill it. As you would expect, they needed a Hero.
Daisuke openly accepted their words, to his credit however at first he was suspicious. Still, with no signs of getting home he lavished in the Emperor's wealth. The finest foods and hospitality they had to offer was spread before him. Money, power and women of all races were given to him. It did not take long for it drive his mind asunder. He was their God. Any spell taught he learnt in as little as a few minutes. His physical strength dwarfed the Empire's finest and even the Emperor bowed before him.
Graced with the Empire's royal blade he took to the fields of battle and massacred those who stood in his way. To him they were nothing but ants, as Demon Lords, Generals and the Heroes of the people fell to him one by one. When it was too much, the Monster was sent in first. It destroyed cities, entire countries fell and as the dust settled he, Daisuke, would kill it to the praise of thousands. He could do no wrong.
The Eastern continent fell quickly to the Empire's clutches and the West was chosen to be their next target. However the people had been forewarned and the Empire's army failed to create a firm stronghold. It was at this time that the Emperor declared a new conquest for the lands they once resided. A Holy war to take back what was theirs. And so the Hero was sent to the High Continent arriving in the Country of Iron. Before they could even plea for help their King's head was taken by him and the country became theirs.
For months they bided their time to gather their forces. Daisuke hated it. To be kept in a backwater country with only the women they captured to keep him company, he eagerly awaited the day for the war to begin. And it did. The Empire's armies broke through the border with little resistance and for several days they pushed far into the land. All this time the Hero watched from far away as if he were playing a game.
Then it happened. While relocating to new stronghold he received news. It had been taken over and what welcomed him where four Heroes. Seeing them he could not help but feel overjoyed as he knew that they were the same as him. Blade in hand, knowing he was unstoppable he relished the fight with them. It was the first challenge he had experienced in many many years. And they fell. He griped the neck of the girl who reminded him of home and smiled at the premise of breaking them apart. They were his. This world belonged to him. He was the one who would rule it. That was however till 'he' appeared.
Vivid red hair in firm black armour surrounded by a thick mantle. A gold stone shone in his chest and horns grew from his head. Davarious First Born Light of the Autumn Wind, Demon Lord of the High Continent. For the first time in his life Daisuke felt pure frustration as at every turn he was foiled. His great power was split apart, the techniques he had trained were seen through and all the while he was treated like dirt. Enraged he sent the Monster in his place for only he could kill it and once the Demon Lord was dead, he would be certain to play with his 'friends' to his heart's content. Of course that is if the Monster could kill him and by no means would the Demon Lord ever bow down.
Aside End:
Davarious First Born Light of the Autumn Wind.
A trail of destruction led from the town to me. Mountains had been reduced to hills and valleys levelled. It wasn't like I wanted to but damn it this Monster would not die. It was all I could do to lure it to a safer place. Not only that but I was being pushed for time. It had already been more than half an hour since our fight began. Considering the mana I had already used my limit would be coming up. At that point I would be nothing more than a rag to be stomped and torn apart.
The Monster raged before me, pounding the earth as I tiredly breathed and prepared for its assault. Man, if I knew I would die like this I would have told Sayuri how I really felt about her…. I cut the thought apart. I was not going to die. Or at the very least I'd take this damn Monster with me. I smirked as I realised I did it again. I couldn't to die here.
The Monster charged. I jumped straight up as it swung past me and descended on top of it with a powerful kick. The foliage around us bent back from the force but it only stopped the Monster for barely a second as it tried to grab me. I pushed its arms away and for the umpteenth time stabbed my hand into its chest, searching for its core. Nothing. With that I was flung away again, colliding against a nearby boulder. I coughed in pain. Even with my enhanced body, it really hurt. Ha, I could really use a break. If only I had magic I could fly away and get my father and grandfather's help but no, like this I couldn't even call for help. Truly a double edged sword.
I rose off the ground, my body dead but my eyes shining. Maybe it was fate that this would be the end of me. Maybe it wasn't fate but just my stupid actions that led to this moment. And maybe, just maybe, I'd get to see my family and friends once more. It was all wishful thinking and false beliefs twisted in my half concussed brain but even through all the pain I knew one thing, if I did not kill this Monster, I'd regret it for eternity.
"So…" I let out tiredly, "Can we talk this one out?"
The Monster shrieked and coiled its body together about to leap forwards.
"I guess not," I sighed. "Well I don't have much more in me so let's end it here." A vicious grin split my face and lit up my eyes. "My name is Davarious First Born Light of the Autumn Wind, 26th Demon Lord and today is the day you die!"
The Monster sprang and I focused my strength into one last punch. My foot held the ground my body twisted and the muscles inside me wrapped with mana. I pulled back my fist and opened my mouth to let out one last roar.
"ARGHHHHHHHHHHHHHH!"
Ha? That wasn't me. The Monster was swept away and pounded into the ground as a muscular man with golden hair forced it down.
"D-dad?" I gasped in surprise, "Wh-where did you come from?"
The Monster and he began to tussle on the ground as they both struggled for control. Finally my father grabbed its arms and in a violent roar tore them apart. The Monster screamed and jumped away only to regrow its arms a second later.
"I felt that you were in danger," my father brushed his hair back. "To think that I would once more lay my eyes upon a monstrosity like this."
At closer inspection he wasn't doing too well either. He was on the frontlines and the key player in holding our army together. Not only that, but the Demon side's border was several days travel from here. To reach here so quickly he must have expended enormous amounts of energy.
"How's everyone else?" I asked as I readied myself once more.
"They're fine. The Miltis Empire is in full retreat. Unfortunately I was the only one able to move here in time. Sebastian tried to contact you but was unable to. We became worried."
"I see…." The idiotic Hero's sword must have blocked any teleportation in the area and now it was the Monster. In a way, it was the one who called for help.
The Monster ran at us and in synchronisation we grabbed both its arms and flipped it to the ground. This was the end for it. My father wrapped his arms around its body and heaved it off the floor. It cried and struggled but could not move from his powerful muscles. I faced its front and tore at its chest, ripping mounds of flesh apart as they fizzled into the air. Each rend brought me closer to its core and soon enough… it wasn't there. I had completely tore a hole through its chest and it wasn't there. I couldn't help but stare blankly as it healed itself.
No calm down, its restoration came from the core so if I traced it back I could find it. I tore at its body wildly but it didn't make any sense. It wasn't healing from any space in particular. It screamed and with a burst of strength flung both me and my father away.
"Did you find it?" my father grimaced.
"I… I don't know…."
"What do you mean?" he asked calmly while eyeing the Monster.
"It doesn't have a core!" I yelled in frustration. Think, why would it not have a core? The Core was what gave it its strength. It was the source of its power, without it the Monster would slowly decay. No….
"Dad quickly, tell me how the mana is flowing near its body!"
He focused his eyes, "Mana is flowing into its body but to nowhere. It is strange."
This wasn't good. The damn Miltis Empire had really created a Monster. It didn't have a core. It wasn't made the same as the original. It was weaker yes but it came with a new perk. The only way to kill it would be to destroy its body entirely or wait for it to slowly decay to nothing. How many days that would take I had no idea. Even without that damn idiot of a Hero the Miltis Empire could wait for the Monster to slowly decay and pick up the scraps.
"We can't kill it," I said angrily. Not right now at least. The only thing that could overcome its resistance to magic was the cannon. I was really regretting dismantling it. As powerful as it was, it was a weapon that should have only been used once.
"First, my son. You know what will happen if we do not end its life here," my father shook his head.
"I know. If our armies break now, the Miltis Empire would be able to run free and we'll never be able to contain them in time."
"Then you know what we must do."
"…." Think, there had to be a way. Having the Monster run wild would be far too risky. They had no control over the thing other than it liked to kill. It would be stupid not to have a backup plan…. It clicked. The idiot Hero and his sword.
I looked at my father. We were both nearing our last straws but had to persist, "Dad, I'll be back, distract it till then."
"I understand," he clapped his fists together and launched towards the Monster.
My feet leapt from the ground before I saw them clash. I forced everything I had into running as fast as I could. Forests, fields and meadows blurred below me as I ran over lakes and rivers. From where we were to where the stupid Hero may be. If I was correct he would have retreated towards the Country of Iron. Between the town and the border there was only one place I could imagine him staying.
Minutes ticked by quickly as I felt my body began to fade and a surge of pain assaulted me. My time was running out. Blue blood leaked from my lips but I forced myself to continue as finally the countryside mansion came into view. Owned by the local Lord, we had been informed of its existence and possible troop movements around it. Just as expected several knights in silver armour sat outside but they weren't my target.
Without a care I broke straight through the wall on the top floor and into the master bedroom. The idiotic Hero stood there with a blank face, his sword at his waist.
"What are you-," he managed to say before I swatted him through the wall and snatched the sword. The prick sturdy as he was stood back up, "That's mine! Only I can use it, give it back!"
"No," I eyed him evilly and shot out back the way I came. The thought of just killing him did come to mind but he had exceptional vitality and I was running low on time. My father was waiting for me.
I looked back to see if there was anyone following me. No one. My theft had gone so quickly they couldn't react in time and now I was too far to track. I held the sword as I ran. Even without being able to externally use magic I could feel the malicious intent seeping from the sheathed blade. The longer I stared at it the more it became obvious to me. What the idiotic Hero said was true. Only he could use it, anyone else would be cursed and die. It wasn't even hidden, the curse was blatantly swarming the air around the blade, just waiting for someone to draw it.
In normal circumstances I would throw the thing away and lock it in a deep dark corner of my treasury. Even if I could remove the curse, I felt that by simply using the sword bad things would happen. Of course my options were very limited right now. Even as I ran I felt myself slowing down as my muscles were giving up, they had reached capacity.
By the time I made it back to my father they had moved several hundreds of metres and brought destruction to another area. The Monster was shrieking like there was no tomorrow all the while my father faced it. His armour had been shattered and one arm drooped low but the other was still held up ready for anything. I reached them and paused. One hand on the hilt and the other on the sheath. Using it now would kill the Monster I was sure, but using it now would also kill me. I sighed. Well I was going to give my life either way. Sorry Sayuri, sorry everyone, this time I won't be coming back in one piece, so just give me this last heroic moment.
The curse flared as it anticipated my intent. The air around me began to fizzle with black sparks and dust. I leaned forwards and drew the blade… or I would have if not for the hand blocking my path.
"That's enough Davarious," my father stopped me.
"Move!" I growled. "I'll kill it here."
"That is not your job," he pushed my failing body and snatched the sword from me.
"Stop!" I tried to reach for him but he had already stepped away. "You'll die! You can't use it." The Monster looked at us apprehensively, sensing the power the blade held.
"I know. It was quite clear as soon as you brought it here. Thus why I took it," he smiled softly. "My one and only son will not die here."
"And I won't let you die either!" I shouted. "After everything we've done you can't die. We're finally free."
"You yourself were about to use the blade."
I grimaced, "We'll find another way. Just give me back the sword."
"There is no other way!" my father snapped, surprising me. "Do not lie to me Davarious. You and I both know the repercussions of failing here. We cannot defeat this Monster and I do not plan for the two of us to die for nothing. I'm sorry."
"I said stop!" I tried to grab hold of him but pain wracked my body and blue blood filled my mouth. Why now? I just needed a few more minutes. "D-dad…."
He turned his back to me and my heart began to beat faster. This wasn't happening. I couldn't stand it. If anyone should die it was me. Please just let it be me…. To see someone else I loved die. I didn't want that. I'd rather die myself so please!
The Monster could no longer wait and started to release an oppressive aura as it ran towards us.
"My name is Alexander Golden Mane of the Autumn Wind and I will kill you here and now!" my father launched forwards, the Monster pounced. I wanted to shout and scream but I could barely keep my eyes open as the blade was drawn. It was anticlimactic. The cut was easy, simple and effective. Just like that, all the effort we had put in seemed useless as the Monster began to dissolve, reaching wildly for life. It was too easy.
Silence filled the world between us as the darkness gathered and like a spear stabbed into my father's chest. He roared in pain. The earth and sky shook. First he fell to one knee, then to both and as his eyes began to fade he neatly fell to his back. All the while I could do nothing but watch as I forced my feet to trudge towards him. I collapsed beside him. He was still conscious but inside his mana was rampaging.
No, no, no, no, no, no, NO! I refuse to let this happen. I'd faced curses before. I'd read about curses before. I'd suffered them and fixed them. I could fix this. I tried to pull my mana together but all it brought was pain.
"Arghhhhhhhh!" I screamed and cried as the tears fell on top his motionless body but I didn't stop. I needed power. If I could just use magic then…. The mana around me became rampant as it flooded in and out from my body being pulled in but rejected. My consciousness lapsed as my body returned to normal and tried to force me asleep but again I refused and tried to push myself onwards. Zero mana. I felt empty and weak but my hands spread from me pulling every bit of life I could.
The grass and trees began to wither and even the dirt became no more than dust. The green became black but it still wasn't enough. It was barely anything. Even with that tiny amount I pushed it into my father's body searching for the cure. There was a darkness that felt like nothing before. I couldn't find it and each second that passed I felt my father slip further and further away from me. If only I was stronger. If I only I could use my full potential of magic. If only I wasn't so weak.
His hand twitched.
"Davarious…," he smiled with dead eyes. "I'm sorry."
I held his hands and tears began to fall from my eyes, "No, no please no. Not again… I- I can do this."
"It's enough," his strength was fading. "Look after… our people, everyone… Terraostra, be nice to her…."
"I will, I will so please don't leave us."
His hand lifted up and gently caressed my face, "I know you'll... do…. right." The hand fell down and for a brief moment his eyes lit up, "Theresa…." With my mother's name I knew it was over. His life had faded completely and all I could do was scream and cry as the mana I had gathered flew into the sky, lighting it and staining the clouds red.