The sun was setting over the mountain behind our home. Before us my father laid in a clear coffin forged by the combined magic of my grandfather and I. It wasn't only the Heroes, Generals or my family's servants but also the leaders of the Human Kingdoms. As a sign of good will they too chose to join us in this hour of mourning. With the war finally over, we could give him the sending off he deserved.
My father looked immaculate. Preserved the way he lived using magic, his eyes were closed to the world but peaceful. I felt my heart twinge in sadness. The Heroes drew closer to me and Sayuri gently touched my arm. My sister clung onto my other arm barely able to hold in her tears.
My grandfather stood in front of the coffin, "Today we say goodbye to the 25th Demon Lord, my son, a father and a husband. Alexander Golden Mane of the Autumn Wind, since his birth he had but one dream, peace for this land and thanks to his efforts we have finally taken the first true steps to his goal. I read now the passage long passed down by our family, 'May your life never grow old for your soul is now free. Do not be saddened by your parting or for those you have left behind, for we uphold your legacy and in that we shall stand tall. Know that your life will always be with us, in our heart, body and mind, for it was through your sacrifice that we may live and live we shall." He sprinkled a fine powder across my father's body, "Goodbye."
All at once we replied, "Goodbye."
Small orbs of light began to shine and float from the coffin. A beautiful spectacle as my father's body began to dissolve where the light touched him. My grandfather whispered the spell calmly but with a melancholic expression. Soon my father was no more but ashes and his heart stone.
"Davarious if you will," he floated them towards me and I took them within my hands. A gold light emitted from my palms as I compressed the ash. Mana ran freely around us, dancing through the ripples of the energy I emitted. It was thick enough for even a normal person to see as the colours swayed around me and condensed into my hands.
With a tired breath I opened them and inside was a golden gem. Inside the gem waves of colour circled around. His body and heart stone had now been merged into one.
"Varry," Terra pulled on my sleeve and I passed her the gem. She clutched it to her chest and cried freely, "I'll miss you dad." Wiping her tears she passed the gem back.
I held it to my own chest, "We'll all miss you." I searched the crowd, "Lisanna you might as well come here."
She had been back with the other human leaders but even with her acting ability, her emotions were clearly on a different level to those around her. With a nod she came forward and took the gem,
"Master…, no, father. I'll make sure to keep our promise. You can leave Varry and Terra to me." She laughed and wiped her eyes, "They need all the care they can get."
She handed me the gem back and I gave it my grandfather. He held the gem with a heartbroken expression,
"You were not meant to leave before me," a tear slipped down his cheek. The funeral was over now. My father's gem would be placed in the hall of memories beside the rest of my family whose lives had been lost.
"Before you all leave I have an announcement," I raised my voice over the crowd. "As some of you may know now, I am no longer the Demon Lord. With my father's death I have lost the rite to be called such." The Heroes widened their eyes in surprise and confusion.
"Then who will be the new Demon Lord?" Gary asked apprehensively.
"About that," I smiled and turned to my grandfather, "Quinton Void Bearer of the Autumn Wind, I proclaim you Demon Lord."
"Excuse me?" he scrutinised me. "That title left me when I lost my wife."
"Maybe but there's no rule saying we can't hand it back. Besides Terra and I talked, we both decided it would be far better you take the role again than having her do it."
"You cheeky children," he laughed softly, "You just want to pin all the work on me."
"Well I won't lie and say that's not part of it."
He looked at the crowd, among them was the Klerical King who stepped forward and bowed,
"I could think of no other worthy as you Quinton. Our paths had crossed before and not for the better, however I promise you my Kingdom shall honour this peace." Not to be left out, the other Kingdoms and the Archmage also agreed.
My grandfather let out a melancholic smile, "Then I will accept the responsibility once more." He lifted my father's gem up to the fading sky, "I promise you Alex, I'll make your dream a reality."
Two weeks passed quickly after the Miltis Empire's army was forced to leave. Most of it was meetings with the human kingdoms to sort out our new alliance together. Even though I was no longer the Demon Lord, many of the proceedings heavily relied on my participation. The Heroes as well were key players in relaying the message of peace, being the symbols they were. Without their help, the humans would have never been so keen to work together. Of course we couldn't all just jump in and start mingling, even I was not that optimistic. Ambassadors were made, trade routes established, visitation rights, new towns and migration laws. It was all a huge pain, but worth it 100%. It would take decades before things finally quietened down.
The Miltis Empire had been forced to sign an agreement. In exchange for the lives of their commanders, they would not come back to our continent. Without their Hero and his 'holy sword' they could no longer conquer the world so easily and sparks of rebellion had erupted in their own lands. It would be awhile before we heard back from them.
Right now however I stood on a balcony overlooking a town filled with both humans and demons. The town we made and a testament to what we could achieve. The people were in full celebration as was the same all across the continent. It was a festival to celebrate the Monster's death, the Miltis Empire's defeat, my father's life and to commemorate the first days of peace between human and demon. I sighed, so many things had happened these past months.
"So this is where you are," Gary stepped on to the balcony.
"Oh? I was expecting your sister," I said, facing him.
"My sister?"
"Yeah, this is usually the time when she'd grill me out for something," I smiled wryly.
"Well unfortunately she's playing around with Carl so you'll have to stick with me," he leaned over the balcony beside me. "Is there anything sis actually needs to grill you for?" Before I could speak he continued, "Oh wait, it's totally about Sayuri right?"
"Possibly…" I turned my face away. "I'm not avoiding her I swear, in fact it feels like she's been avoiding me."
"That would make sense considering she is."
"What?" I faced him again slightly shocked, "Why would she?"
"It's your fault," Gary sighed. "You've given us all something to think about."
"About peace between humans and demons? I thought you'd all be on board with that."
"Not that," he replied exasperated. "You made us a way home. How could we not get worked up about it?"
"Right…." Honestly that fact had slipped my mind. It was always my intention to send the Heroes back home but now everything was peaceful, it felt odd that they would leave. "How about you, would you go back home?"
"Me?" he looked out over the town pondering, "I really like this world. You do lack some comforts I miss from home but I could honestly live here forever. I've barely scratched the surface of magic but… even I have unfinished business back home."
"I understand…."
"Sis and Carl, as long as they're together somewhere they'll be fine, for now at least. Carl though has a proper family to return to and Sayuri, well she's the one who wants to go home the most. The problem however is you."
I didn't turn away because I knew he was right, "She's been avoiding me because she doesn't want to hear my answer."
"Heck I'd probably do the same. If you said you loved me, I'd feel happy but then would never want to leave. On the other hand if you rejected me, I'd be sad and go home."
"Hey Gary," I stared into his eyes.
"Yeah?" he replied a little taken aback.
"I love you."
"Stop messing around," he pushed me away with a smile.
"Sorry, couldn't help that one," I laughed and as silence came between us I let out a tired breath. "You should all go back home."
"…."
"Don't take me wrong, all of you are the best friends I've ever had but…, you don't belong in this world. Your family isn't here."
"Family huh," Gary stretched his back and sighed. "It would be great if you could figure out a way to send us back and forth."
I sighed myself, "If I could I would."
He shook himself, "Well no point fussing over it now, we're having a festival! Speaking of which, the reason I'm here. Where's your sister?"
"Terra?" I was surprised. I had noticed the two had gotten along quite well during our training sessions and these past few weeks but I hadn't expected Gary to look for her specifically.
"Yeah, I promised her the other day that I'd take her around."
"Careful there Gary, she's older and craftier than she looks."
"I know, I've heard about the whole age thing. Don't worry to me she's just a kid," he smirked. "I won't lie and say she isn't interesting. She acts like a kid most the time but sometimes she acts way older than she looks and it really gets me."
I laughed, "You've got that right. She should be around the south edge of the town square. Last time I saw, she was with Gilby and his family."
"Thanks," he waved and left me alone of the balcony.
I overlooked the town. It was bright. Brighter than I could remember in my memories. Maybe it really was. There were plenty of human and demon couples here, and soon they might just be recognised outside the town. I wondered if I could be the same…. Whoa. I shook myself I was getting a little too carried away with my imaginations there. There was every possibility that Sayuri would reject my answer… not that my answer would be about mutual feelings of course.
A wave of black hair caught my eyes. In a purple dress lit by the floating lights around her. She was wondering the edges of the square. I jumped off the balcony and walked towards her.
"Sayuri," I called out as I neared.
"D-dave," she jumped back.
I lightly bowed to her, "You look beautiful tonight."
"Oh umm, thankyou but…" she was blushing. "I- umm Alicia was calling me so I should go find her."
I took her hand quickly, "Can we talk for a bit first?"
She looked around and the various people looking at us quickly turned tail.
"Please," I insisted.
"O-okay but let's go somewhere more private."
I led Sayuri by the hand to the small garden behind the town hall. It had a gentle atmosphere that was extenuated by the softened noise of the festival raring nearby.
"Would you allow me to reply?" I asked.
"Reply to what," she was playing dumb and looking about abruptly.
"To your feeling for me, that is if you still have them?"
She stopped avoiding my eyes and steeled herself, "I do."
"First, Sayuri, can you tell me about your family?"
"Um okay," her brows drew together in thought. "It's been a pretty long time since I saw them. I have a younger brother and mother. My father disappeared when my brother was two. My brother is seven years younger than I am, so he should be ten now. We didn't have a fancy life but we got by happily. I'd take care of my brother while my mum was away for work. That's why I kind of knew how to cook, though it is a bit different here. My mum is a teacher at a primary school, she's pretty young but her students love her. Umm what else is there… how about you?"
"Me? Well…" We began to tell stories about our families. How we grew up, the people we met, our different lifestyles. It was fun talking alone with her about things I couldn't relate to yet at the same time could. The difference between our worlds and families were immense but we had many of the same experiences.
Just from her words I could tell how much she loved her home and family. Her eyes lit up and I could feel a sense of pride in her voice.
Finally I had to ask, "Do you miss them, your family and your home?"
Her voice quietened, "Of course I do."
I slowly breathed out and let go of her hand I only just realised I had been holding the entire time, "Sayuri about us… I don't think it'll work. I'm sorry but I can't accept your feelings for me."
She took a step back like I had stabbed her in the chest, "B-but…."
"We're different races, you're human, and your family is human. This isn't your world."
"I don't care about that!" she threw her hands down angrily. "Just tell me, please, how do you feel about me?"
I paused and froze my expression, "You're a wonderful person and a friend but that's all."
The words sank into her and her eyes began to water but before the tears fell she turned her back to me and in an overly cheery reply,
"I get it. We're too different. I was stupid for expecting anything else. I'm sorry I bothered you."
Before I could stop her she ran away. My arm stretched towards her but never reaching. I had to wonder if what I had done was the right thing. It would hurt but eventually she'd move on. Now the only problem is whether I could move on as well.