I remember falling. I felt cold, blind, and angry. The pit I fell into seemed to go on for days.
My name was Nix, I was a Viscount's son who had fallen in love with my childhood friend. Someone who just a few hours ago, I had learnt was the appraised by the gods as the prophesized hero. I remember leaping for joy and congratulating her. We spent so long together that I knew that although she would be nervous, I knew she would do great as a hero.
I was only confused when the high priests suddenly spoke whispered something in her ear and led her away. She looked scared at first but when she looked at me, I gave her a smile that comforted her. She smiled back, and I admired the warm smile that added to her fair skin and platinum hair.
A few hours later I am kneeling on the ground with a dagger in my stomach.
"W-Whyy?" I ask in a pained voice.
"I'm so sorry Nix, I was told that his was the only way to save your soul and the world." Bellona hugged me and was then crying tears as she said this.
"What do you mean Bell?" I also started tearing up.
"There is a prophecy written on an ancient piece of paper that states that one day a hero will be chosen to fight a demon lord who if left unchecked will bring desolation and ruin to the kingdom."
"Okay?"
"The prophecy also states that hero's closet childhood companion will be corrupted and hasten the appearance of the demon lord."
"What!? I would never do that to you Bell."
"I know, but I can't take the risk that your soul will be corrupted and no longer be allowed to go to afterlife."
"Huh? What do you mean?"
"The prophecy states that the reason for the companion's betrayal is that soul of the companion will be twisted by dark magic a few hours after the hero's appearance and that you'll be cursed to be sent to the 7 hells after you die. I can't let this happen to you Nix."
"...I see."
"The only was to stop this corruption from happening is for the hero to stab their beloved by their own hands and sacrifice them to this pit. I'm so sorry."
I looked to the surrounding guards, priests, and members of the royal family. Their were looks of pity towards me. However, I also noticed stares of lust and greed towards Bellona. Some of them likely wanted to use Bellona or perhaps marry her and gain standing.
When I looked at Bellona's eyes, I could see that she sincerely believed what she was saying.
"What will happen to my family?"
The king stepped forward.
"They've been told that..."
"Fark off, Bell what will happen to my family?" I immediately lashed out against the king.
"Why you insolent!" The pontifex (head priest) head steps forward but the king stop him.
"The young boy is about to be sacrificed priest, he deserves at least this much."
"They've be been told the truth and will be compensated greatly. I'll make sure that no one will hurt them my love."
Despite this betrayal, At this point my heart could forgive her for almost anything. However there was one thing I couldn't let go when I looked into her eyes. Rage suddenly bubbled in my head.
"I understand, please stop." I said sternly, suddenly standing.
"I'm sorry Nix. When this is all over, I won't ask for forgiveness because I know I don't deserve it, but I'll join you in the other side." More tears flow from her eyes.
"My love, I already forgive you for almost everything."
"But, I can't forgive you not trusting me. Not believing that I can defeat the corruption."
"I-I I'm sorry." Bellona could only bow her head in shame.
"It's fine." I took of the necklace she gave me during my birthday this year and the handed it to her.
"Next time, give it to someone you can truly believe in." I tried to act tough but, the truth was I was crying my eyes out while I said this.
"Nix I..."She was beginning to say something when I suddenly turned away from her and then threw myself into the hole.
"NIX!!!" She suddenly yelled but it was too late.
She tried to jump in after me but, she was stopped by the surrounding guards.
As she looked at my falling face one last time. I mouthed my farewell.
"Good bye, my love."
Seeing this she collapsed on her knees as I closed my eyes and fell into the darkness.
*3rd Person POV*
For a few minutes, everyone let the hero grieve for her beloved. At one point, the pontifex impatiently tried to walk towards the heroine, however he was again stopped by the king.
"My lord, her training must..."
"I am barely containing my anger from the fact that I had to sacrifice a noble child of our kingdom for your prophecy. Do not make me throw you into the pit to accompany him by not even allowing a child to grieve." The King said while showing a face that showed the pontifex he was serious with his threats.
The pontifex grumbled and had a sour expression but stayed silent.
After a few more minutes, the king ordered most the people to leave except some guards to prevent any chance the girl may join her love ahead of schedule.
However, as some of them were beginning to leave, a calm voice echoed throughout the hall.
"Huh, I guess she was right. They would kill their love over a piece of paper. Well, the bet's concluded, the demon king will definitely appear...Farking idiots."
A shadowy figure suddenly appeared next to the hero while looking into the hole, the only thing visible aside from misty shadows was a dark featureless mask.
The knights, priests, and mages became alert and readied their weapons and spells.
"Who goes there! Name yourself." The king said with authority.
He also signaled the guards to get ready to save the hero if need be.
"Me? I'm just a messenger here to announce the winner of a bet between the gods." The figure, using magic, showed his symbol.
"...Wait... you! Your her servant! The betrayer of civilization" Shouted the pontifex. Every one who heard this shuddered and became even more wary of the figure.
"Oh, so this is still recognized, that's good then that makes this easier. Yes, I am Kyr, the lone servant of the tower"
"Hah! How does it feel to lose your chance to summon the demon lord faster? You and your master must not have realized that the Gods of Order sent us a secret message long ago that warned of your plan."
The figure pondered for a moment then said.
"Uhuh, well not exactly."
"What! Don't make me laugh, it obvious you came here to smite the hero now that the demon king's arrival has been delayed." The pontifex and the priests summoned bolts of light and threw it at the figure. They made sure to create a shield around the still not moving hero and aim carefully to ensure she wouldn't be hit.
The figure calmly looked at the incoming attacks and phased through them. Suddenly, he released a wave of energy that caused all the people in the hall aside from the hero to feel a an overwhelming feeling of fatigue that sent them to their knees.
"So before you interrupted, I was about to announce the winner of the bet. The winner of the bet is of course my lady." The figure's words shocked everyone in the hall.
The hero looked up at the shadowy god.
"How is that possible... did we not do it right? Is Nix's soul going to be okay?" She asked what was on her mind.
"Hmm... well to answer that let me explain how this bet and prophecy came about."
"One day, the Gods of Order boasted about how mankind had progressed civilization. They sung praises of how you were able to create lawful ideas such as justice, morals, and virtue. Afterwards, they gloated that all my master had done was create beings that were brutal, violent, and mindless. So in reply, my master proposed a bet. She said that humanity in general only followed the rules they created when it was convenient, and when forced they would happily forsake them to save their own skin. This is where the prophecy comes in. " Everyone was shocked when the dark god said this. Bellona had a feeling that she would not like what would come out next.
"The prophecy in some sense was true, there is chance that a demon lord will be summoned that can destroy the continent. However, inline with the bet, the master was allowed to modify the prophecy that was sent to your kingdom. After you received the prophecy, none us gods were allowed to inform your about the truth behind it in any way, shape, or form." A terrible feeling swept over the hall as they realized the prophesy was not as true as they had realized.
"To paraphrase the original prophecy, 'A demon lord will be summoned to ravage the earth if humanity will forsake their lawful beliefs and allow the chosen hero to stab and sacrifice their beloved'. So as you can see, you have fulfilled the true prophesy; leading to my Master's victory." The words of Kyr shook the hall.
"No... that can't be... Nix..." The heroine said in shock.
"Wait!!! Even if what your saying is true. This is unfair, you lied to us in the prophesy!" The pontifex suddenly used all his energy to shout.
Killing intent suddenly permeated around the all. This quieted any thoughts the pontifex had.
"... Hmm, so I'm going to say a few things and tell me if what I say is a lie. For hundreds of years, even when I was still a human, we espoused the moral values of never killing the innocent and propped up the rule of law." There was silence in reply, through this was not always followed, it was always a tenet in all lawful good religions that it was not justifiable to kill the innocent.
"When the prophesy was sent, it was sent only once on a piece of paper. There was no other follow-up from the gods. Despite this, the Gods of Order still highlighted the importance of not killing the innocent whenever they sent augurs to the mortal plane." Again there was silence.
"So even with our side only sending one modified message, while the other repeatedly sent indirect clues. You mortals still fulfilled the prophesy and went against centuries of teachings due to your fears, greed, or in the pontifex's case lust." Everyone aside from the pontifex, who felt angered and humiliated, felt shame after hearing Kyr's statements.
"To surmise, you killed an innocent boy over a piece of paper." After this, Bellona felt deflated when realizing that she had murdered her love for nothing.
"Now then, I suggest you start getting ready. Tommorow..." As Kyr was about to say the consequences of their actions, he suddenly paused. There was a deathly silence as no one wanted to speak up.
"Huh, it seems you mortals are lucky. Apparently, only half the prophesy was completed according to a technicality." Everyone's eyes widened when they heard Kyr's nonchalant announcement.
"Though the Hero did stab her love, Nix threw himself into the pit. So those lawyer farkers are arguing that you technicality did not sacrifice him, instead he sacrificed himself." In the eyes of everyone but Bellona, there was hope. A demon lord may not be summoned.
"... I see, it looks like we've found a compromise." After a few seconds of silence, Kyr spoke again.
"The demon lord will be summoned, however, you will be given time to prepare. It won't just be summoned tomorrow like I thought. Congratulations I guess."
"How long will we have?" Bellona asked.
"Hmm, not sure. It will be in your lifetime however, apparently the master wishes to see your clash with the demon. She believes it will entertain her." Bellona closed her eyes and grimaced when she heard this. Not only did she kill her beloved, she will still have to face a demon abomination without Nix.
"I see.. What will happen to Nix?" Bellona asked with urgency.
"...Nothing, he will pass to the afterlife like a normal soul." After a pause, Kyr informs her though there is a tone of guilt his statement.
"Ah... That's good at least." Bellona finally says.
"I know this doesn't really matter girl but... I'm sorry." Kyr says regretfully.
"Lastly, you their pontifex." Kyr points to the pontifex who is impaled by shadowy tendrils from the ground.
"The Gods of Order aren't supportive of your hand in them almost losing the bet and believe your corruption is an affront to their Lawful order. They have given me permission to personally bring you on a tour of the 7 circles of hell... But first, I'll be honest I don't like you interrupting me and how you look at the chosen hero." The pontifex is then thrown into the hole screaming in pain.
"Now then, I suggest you all get ready. The demon that is going to be summoned is a called a Balor, I'm sure your royal libraries have info on that annoying thing."
Kyr then started disappearing as he started sinking into the shadows in the ground.
"...Good luck, mortals."
*Nix POV*
"Hey kid, wake up".
[System Activated]
[Kyr, The Lord of Nightmares has taken an interest in you]