Aside: The 25th Demon Lord.
The story of Alexander Golden Mane of the Autumn Wind like many began with his parents. The 24th Demon Lord Quintin Void Bearer of the Autumn Wind and his wife the human women Lily Read. The two met each other not long after the Human side's betrayal during the peace talks. To show his sincerity for peace Quinton was told to come only with one other. Even for a Demon Lord the risk was enormous but optimistic as he was in his young age, he left for the talks with his best friend, a Merfolk girl named Atalia. No sooner had the pair sat down did the humans lock them inside. Chaos erupted and Quinton was stabbed by the cursed dagger of the Klerical King. There was but one reason he made it out alive, and that was due to Atalia's scepticism for the talks. She lost her life but her Lord remained, wounded and far from his people.
Distraught and distrustful Quinton cursed the Humans as he stumbled alone in the forests of the Klerical Kingdom. Eventually his strength could hold no more and when he awoke he was in a small cabin in the woods. His wounds were bandaged but the curse had infected deeply into his core, mana no longer flowed inside him. The girl who found him was the grieving daughter of a hunter who had perished not even a month before. Her name, as you might have guessed, was Lily Read.
She had no knowledge of demons or war and her body was weak but even with the world going against her, to the blessing of others she had a kind heart. Slowly day by day she cared for Quinton as he healed. At first he rejected her, for how could he trust a human again? His best friend was dead and his people far away were being forced into a war without their Lord. She would sell his location for money he was sure, but the days turned to weeks and each morning he would wake up alive. Then they began to talk and their talk blossomed to love. She healed his wounded heart and brought back his resolve.
The day Quinton left was also the day he confessed his love for her and as he began to leave she clutched him determined for him to stay. The outcome? Well she just had to come along. The years went by and the war faded away as the Demons reclaimed their lost land. The Heroes vanished and a relative peace returned. It was during this peace when he was born. Golden hair that shined like the sun, Alexander, the Demon Lord to be.
Alexander was a strong child with a firm justice. His talent for magic was small but his sheer determination made up for any lack of talent. He grew strong and tall, a model for Demonkind. For the first time in over a thousand years the Demon Lord to be was not taught to hate but forgive the humans. He took his father's lessons to heart and was convinced his reason for being born was to make the continent truly peaceful. However, all though one strong mind was hopeful the world was not ready.
In his 24th year of life the Monster's seal began to fade. He bid his mother good bye and with his father made the journey through the mountain. The pair could do nothing against the Monster and he felt first hand just how little power he really had. Just as his father cried out and began to seal the Monster once more, chains of gold strapped the Monster down and pulled it away. At first they were confused but the two realised too late what was happening, as they turned around only to see the women they loved most begin to die.
Lily Read, a frail human women whose life would have ended long before if not for her marriage. Even as weak as she was the seal was not built on strength but love. For her son and her husband she gave her life and died with a smile. Once more Quinton had failed to protect someone he loved and for the first time, Alexander understood what true pain was. Cuts and bruises would one day heal, but the pain inside may never leave.
With her death the 25th Demon Lord was crowned. Quinton did not recover immediately from the loss and spent many years in solitude, leaving the Demon Side to Alexander. Although he had been through much already, it was only the beginning of his story to come. The Golden Mane of the Demons. Stoic and imposing he showed a kindness that some found strange for his appearance.
Within the year the new Heroes were summoned but Heroes in name only they were. Two from the other world and two from his own. They were powerful and clashed against his ideals many times. Results before method, the 'Heroes' sacrificed the lives of others to get what they wanted, to the extent of being watched over by their 'companions'. It was at this time when he met Polton Drake Verenbell. A man a strong as the heroes with a firm compassion and good mind. Many times did Alexander try to beseech him, alas he was more interested in fighting than talking.
In his third year as Demon Lord, he saved his later to be wife, Theresa. She was only eight. Her small village was the sight of battle between monsters, Heroes and the Demon Lord. In the erupting chaos, Alexander barely managed to save her from the Hero determined to use her as a hostage. To him at the time, she was no more than a young girl crying for help.
For over a decade the border between sides was a constant zone for skirmishes as the people fought each other. Whether it was for revenge, land, justice, anger, or plain destruction, Alexander could do little to stop it as the Heroes revelled in their power struggle against him. Not once did they listen to his words. In truth as people they were not the worst but their hearts were closed to hear the words of others and they were determined to do what they believed in, even if others had to suffer. Still, Alexander forged forwards believing in his childhood dream, until that was, the death of a Hero by his hands.
The Hero from his own world. She had taken her plans too far and sent monsters rampaging to destroy his armies. Thousands of innocents lost their lives as the calamity spread far further than intended. Angry at the lives taken from both sides he tracked her down and demanded she face justice and right her wrongs but all he found was the darkness of the human heart. She was proud at what she had done. For the first time since their war began they had broken the Demons' line of defence and she planned to do much more. With a heavy heart they fought and before the others could arrive he struck her down for good.
From there he knew that peace would not be seen in the current generation. His hands were stained with blood and so he stood back and watched with weary eyes as the war grew worse and finally subsided once more. Like his father before him he began to lose hope and wondered if humans and demons could ever truly live in peace. Then after many years news came of a group of bandits living along the border. Bandits who stole from the rich and 'sometimes' gave it to the poor but most importantly they were bandits of both Demon and Human.
In a stir of hope he rushed to meet them, it was there he met Theresa once more. An enthusiastic youth who tried to stab him in the neck only to confess her love for him a minute later. As they learned more about each other, his dream was rekindled. For the way he felt about her, and how she felt about him, if the world could have only share one tenth of their feelings, peace was a certainty. In the midst of it all his father recovered from his loss as he watched his son raise his own family.
With their marriage came a child, Terraostra Dark Eyes of the Autumn Wind. A beautiful baby girl who suffered from a rare ailment to age slower than her peers. For every two years she aged one, a constitution that the couple suffered from during her infant years. She was a very energetic baby that demanded love through tears. Although they were happy, Alexander could only be apprehensive. The Monster would reawaken and his daughter would not be ready to face the trial ahead. So he prayed for an answer, and the answer came as a second child.
For a High Demon the rate of childbirth was once every few decades and with a partner of another race the chances were far less, however despite the odds a boy was born. Davarious First Born Light of the Autumn Wind. From the day of his birth Alexander knew that this child would one day accomplish the dreams of his, and his father.
The years passed as he watched his children grow. One who was the bigger sister became the little sister and the brother once so tiny surpassed her. Even with his strength he could not be everywhere at once and there were those who knew of his opinions and disagreed. All he could to was steadily train his children to one day succeed him. There were painful times and close calls as assassins and monsters prowled the land but those years were the happiest of his life.
Through his son he met Lisanna and took her in like a daughter. Theresa loved her even more than he did and an odd family was born. A town was raised with his family at its centre. At first it almost failed but soon it flourished to more than he could have ever hoped. At the top of the world there was but one thing that could ruin it and ruin it did. Once more the Monster came into his life.
Four people entered the mountain. His son, his father, his wife and himself. Three returned battered and broken. Theresa of the Autumn Wind as she was called in her last moments. The love of his life sacrificed herself just like his mother had. With her death the mantle of Demon Lord was passed to his son and for many months he would not stir. But as those around him forged ahead he did as well, a heart heavy with regret and loss yet filled with hope for a better life.
And now after three years since his wife's death it was finally his turn. Alexander Golden Mane of the Autumn Wind, 25th Demon Lord. He stared at his sons crying face and gently stroked his cheek. The curse had struck his soul and he was not long for the world. He knew the pain caused from loss, a pain many would rather die than feel again. His son's tear filled eyes showed that expression, 'Why wasn't it me instead?' Just as he had thought back then. The answer was simple however, because he had faith that his son could do far better than him. That one day he would join the land together.
With his parting words his eyes began to darken but a brief light reflected in the sky and a goddess descended. She took his weakening hand and smiled as he felt his life finally fade away with one parting breath,
"Theresa."
Aside End:
Sayuri:
For an entire week none of us had seen Dave. We heard from Lisanna about what happened to his father but no matter how we tried to get into contact with him, we couldn't. Right when he needed us the most, none of us were there. I felt useless. If we had been able to defeat the Empire's Hero none of this would have happened.
The war was still ongoing but our progress had sharply declined. According to the plan as the Empire retreated and they called for reinforcements, we were meant to launch a surprise attack with our strongest to capture their commanders. But when the news came the Demons just stopped. Their armies held place, not moving or letting anyone pass. Without them the human Kingdoms were forced to change their plans and carefully advance.
The others and I were kept from the battlefield. All the Kingdoms leader's agreed to spare us from the horrors of war. Of course we tried to refuse but Lisanna was the one who forced it. She was working the hardest of them all. Alicia and I caught her crying once in the hallway with only Gilda to comfort her. To her Dave's father was her father. I could only imagine how Dave felt. Was he sad or angry? Maybe he was both but we didn't know.
The week passed in a daze as we helped track down the Empire's remnants hiding away. Our armies pushed them beyond the border and into the Country of Iron. Yesterday they reached the Capital where the Miltis Empire would hold their final stand. The two sides now stared at each other across an untouched field as their armies stood forebodingly. It was strange, even with everything happening, we all felt disconnected from the world.
Tomorrow would be the hopeful final day but for now, Gary, Carl, Alicia and I, we stood in a circle devoid of life. The place where Dave's father died. The trees had withered black and the grass had all but turned to dust. The dirt was crisp without moisture and the air was uncomfortably stale. We had seen the explosion in the sky but this was our first time seeing the actual place. It was almost a perfect circle of death, crossing over hundreds of metres.
Carl bent down and touched the earth, "It's like the life was sucked from it."
"Just what happened here?" Gary sighed and we made our way closer to the centre.
In the centre a giant slab of stone had been plunged into the earth. On it, in jagged writing words were carved.
"'Let no life live where my father has fallen. A curse soon to spread to those who have wronged me'," I read it slowly and a chill crossed my back. These were Dave's words.
"After all this is over, no matter what, we'll see him again," Alicia clenched her fists, "Even if we have to break down the doors."
"There is no need for that," the new voice caused us all to jump. We turned around in time to see a fay man dressed as a butler. "Greetings once more Heroes."
"Sebastian!?" Gary exclaimed.
My heart quickened in apprehension, "Is Dave okay? What happened, can we see him?"
"Please calm yourselves," he smiled sadly. "Master Davarious is… fine. Our time of mourning has come to pass and he invites you to the castle once more."
"Now?" Carl asked hopefully.
"Yes now. He wishes to see you before the battles end," he held out his arms, "If you could please come closer, I will take you to him."
The four of us nodded and without hesitating stepped towards him. A light flash around us and the world began to shift. The black grove we had been in vanished, replaced with the hallway outside the throne room. The door was shut and the lights had been dimmed. I looked around timidly, it was like we'd never been here before. Although it looked the same, the usual life of the castle was gone.
"He will see you soon," Sebastian bowed once more and vanished.
Alicia tapped me on the shoulder, "Everyone look." She pointed at what was once the blank spot on the wall. Now opposite Dave's mother was his father. An inscription was below it, Alexander Golden Mane of the Autumn Wind, the first of us to die for another cause. May we never forget his life or his sacrifice.
"Damn it…." Carl cried but none of us were surprised, our thoughts where the same. "I-if only we were stronger."
Gary turned his back on the picture, "There's no point beating ourselves now. All we can do is try and help Dave the best we can."
"But…" Carl tightened up and Alicia enveloped him in a hug.
"I know, we all do," she pulled me and Gary into the hug. "No matter what Dave needs from us, let's help him however we can. And Sayuri,"
She let Gary and Carl go but held me in place, "Yes?"
"I'm going to leave it to you to cheer him up."
"I… I will," I nodded determined.
The door opened and we faced the throne room. It had been cleared to just how we saw it the first time. Like before we were nervous but now the reason was entirely different. We walked inside and in front of the throne standing on the stairs was Dave alone.
"D-," I began but was immediately cut off.
"Welcome Heroes," his eyes were cold.
My heart thumped and I felt myself shrink inside, "Dave we heard what happened, are you okay?"
"I'm fine."
"You don't look fine to me," Alicia shook herself.
"I said I'm fine!" the amount of power in his voice shocked us.
Carl frowned and stepped forward, "You're obviously not. You're father… he's… he's gone now. But we're here for you, just let us help you."
"Dave Carl's right," Gary nodded, "We're friends right? We were really worried all this time."
A staff appeared in Dave's hands and he stamped it to the ground, "That does not concern you. This entire world does not concern you. It was wrong for us to call you to our world and force our ideals upon you. I thank you for your service but that ends today."
Fear gripped me, "What are you saying?"
"I'm sending you all home," he wasn't joking around. He had really found a way.
"You can't!" I screamed.
"Isn't this what you wanted Sayuri? Your home where your family is. You can go back all of you. Gold, treasures we'll give you plenty so go home."
Alicia stamped her foot down angrily, "How could you say that!"
"This world and its wars, you don't belong here."
"You take that back right now," Gary pointed at him angrily. "How can we not be part of it after all we've been through?"
He looked at us with firm eyes devoid of emotion, "You don't have a choice in the matter."
Carl drew his sword, "Don't you dare do it Dave!" It was too late, a light sprang up around us. The mana in the room began to converge and we were pressed to the floor as a circuit began to draw itself around us.
"W-why?" Alicia tried to reach for him but couldn't move.
The light grew stronger and despite everything I tried, my body refused to obey me. Within seconds we were enveloped in the surprisingly warm glow. It was an oddly nostalgic feeling, just like the light that brought us here. My chest heaved in a melancholic pain. I didn't want this. For it all to end like this. We'd never see what happened to the war, what happened to Dave. Carl groaned as he began to sink into the floor. Gary grabbed him but only succeeded to be drawn in himself.
"Stop! Dave please stop this!" I called to him but he just watched us. My body began to sink into the floor and I turned back in panic. Alicia was already down to her waist trying everything she could to stay up. We screamed and yelled but could do nothing as slowly we were pulled down.
Carl's entire body disappeared. Gary's hand was all that was left. I could still see Alicia's hair but all that remained of me was my head. It was cold now. Then just as my eyes seeped into the light I saw his expression turn. The blank emotionless mask fell and all I could see was sadness. A tear rolled down his cheek and from his mouth a 'goodbye' was said. Then the light took me away.
It was pitch white. No one was beside me. It wouldn't have mattered where I was, all I could think of was his crying face. He did all this to protect us. I knew that but I hated it. It wasn't fair. My memories flared with all the good times we shared and inside me an anger grew. He was always cheerful, smiling, a prankster but my last memory of him was the opposite. There was no way I was going to let that happen.
"You idiot!" I screamed and released all the energy from my body. The white expanse began to shake and cracks formed across the ground. Through the cracks I saw the others, Alicia, Gary, Carl all of them were the same as me. "I won't be satisfied until I beat you a good one."
I jumped up and down as the world started to shatter and suddenly as I jumped up my head caught onto something. It was warm. My arms clawed upwards and before my eyes was the throne room once more. I pulled my body out of the ground. His back was turned.
"Davarious!" I screamed.
"I-impossible," he snapped back. "How are you-?"
"Because I, no we won't end it like this!"
The floor beside me shimmered and Alicia drew herself out, "That's the power of love, isn't that right Sayuri?"
I blushed but I let it fill my determination, "That's right, I love you okay! Did you think you could just send me away without giving me an answer?"
"That's a real arsehole move Dave," Gary rose behind me.
"I agree," Carl appeared and dragged himself beside Alicia.
The light began to fade as we stood back to our feet. The magic collapsed and the room returned to normal as the four of us stared angrily at Dave.
"You idiots!" he yelled, "Just go home, none of this matters to you."
"Sayuri," Alicia pushed me forward, I nodded.
With firm steps I walked to him and slapped him across the face, "Don't say it doesn't matter. We're your friends so please let us help you."
"I-I can't…." he stepped back. "It's too dangerous."
"We won't die," Gary scoffed. "We've overcome everything together and we'll keep doing just that."
"How could you expect us to leave when you need us most?" Carl said.
"I don't need you!" Dave remained stern. "My father died! The strongest man I knew died…. There's no telling what the future holds and I can't lose you as well." His expression began to soften, "So please go home."
"No," I reached for his hand but he pulled back. I didn't let it get to me, "Dave let us help you, please. We'll do anything we can."
"You haven't seen me when I'm angry!" he faced us and yelled. The four of us where surprised as his eyes lit up. "I'm frustrated and annoyed, more than I've ever been before. Those bastards took my father from me and all I want to do is wring their necks. How could I ask you to stay, knowing what I'm going to do to them? I'm not a Hero like you. I'm a Devil, a cold hearted murderer and I'll play it to the end if I can see them burn."
There were no lies in his words but behind them was a sadness that I couldn't stand. If Dave took that revenge, we'd lose him forever. My arms stretched around his head and I pulled him into my chest. He didn't resist and fell to his knees as I bent down.
"It's okay." They were the only words I could think of to say and like that his body began to shake as tears streamed down his face.