year 206 BC

when I was born parents always told me that the world was created by gods. the gods gave life and created many different creatures including elves.

unfortunately even though the gods who made things love his creation some gods are no like him.

for them, every creatures are needs to obey like dogs and some wish it's creation to be destroyed.

this gods are called evil gods.

the evil gods create monsters and send it to the earth to wish the humanity parish. but the creator and it's supporters fought back by giving the humans a power called magic.

this magic gave them a strength to fight monsters but even though they got magic. humans can be corrupted by the evil gods.

this cause many of the humanity became sinners and worship the evil gods as it's own master.

for many years the humanity fought back and forth and many suffered by the evil gods.

this makes every gods decided to make the order of light who can fight this monster and punish the sinners.

and it's called the holy church of the thousand gods.

....

after I grew up, I decided to joined the holy knight and server the god who created and make peace for the worlds.

for years, I trained and fought to the battlefield killing many monsters and sinners I face.

I never considered anything related to evil gods as friends or people but instead. I kill them with my own hands.

although we fought hard, the evil gods decided to use his new creation called demons.

the demons are stronger than monsters in fact. they are the apex predator.

they kill every human they see and cause many slaughter towards the humanity.

even though we are in disadvantage we fought bravely and finally cornered them after hundreds of years.

"you're holiness, the demons has finally retreat but to close the gate we need to destroyed it to the inside."

the pope gritted his teeth as he look glared at the gate. he knew that once it destroyed the gate they be trap inside.

but as a knight for the god I serve. I' LL never be afraid.

walking towards the pope. he notice me and gave a sore face even though I didn't told him my words. he already suspicious what's my plan.

as I gave a respectful bow to the pope, I told him what I wanted to say.

"you're holiness, I wish to destroyed the gate on my own."

upon answering him. everyone look at me with pity and some even gave me a honorable respect.

the pope look at me as he sigh and said with solemn face.

"are you sure sir Rudy? once you destroyed the gate, you will trap the demon world for eternity."

"I know my lord but to preserve the peace from the humanity. I'll willing to sacrifice myself."

as soon as I told him without hint of fear. some of the holy knights came towards me and spoke.

"am coming too."

"me too, Rudy you're not the only one will enjoying the fun Rudy."

"we are not playing games Tasha."

"oh shut up you long ears."

some of my friends are willing to entered the gate with me. this makes me to smile a little at the same time the pope who watching us gave a sad expression.

"knights, I respect your dedication to entered the gate and willing to sacrifice yourself but madam Tasha. are you sure about this? lord greenwood wish you to returned home and serve as a priestess for the world tree once the war is over."

the sacred forest of Tikka was the home of elves and has a good relationship between other race.

we will never to get this face without their help but I feared that the greenwood leader will be angered if she wishes to come with us.

but Tasha already made a decision as she didn't replied. some of the elves gave a respectful bow towards their princess.

the pope only sigh in sadness and said in the respectful tone.

"my knights and our friends. thank you for all the things you did for the humanity I hope that the gods gave the blessing for your journey."

...

as we all ready to entered the gate. the man who smaller than a child walk towards me and said in a sad tone.

"so are you going inside Rudy?"

I look behind me and saw the pitiful dwarf who was carried by his comrades.

he was Theodore my friend in arms and also my rival. we fought every battle we face and sometimes we also fought each other in bar.

looking at the dwarf who lost his right legs and both of his arms. I couldn't help but angry to myself.

"Theodore I-"

but before I continued to even to speak. he already stop me and said.

"my Friend. it's not your fault that became like this so don't blame yourself."

earlier before. Theodore and his group was pin down by enemies to hundreds. although some of his fellow dwarf comrades died. he still stood his ground as fought to the last breath.

as soon as we arrive to save them. the only thing we arrive was Theodore who casually smoking without arms and right leg with the mountain of demons stack like hill.

when he saw us look badly wounded. he casually smile and said.

"you're late."

every time a remember that. I couldn't help but gave solemn face. I knew that his career as a knight was already over.

but then one of his friends gave me two weapons.

one of this was a sword. judging from the weapon it was crafted by the bone of the doom rank demon. while the other a large hammer which make me to open my eyes wide.

"Theodore why you gave me this weapon?"

this hammer was his most precious hammer. it was crafted by the finest blacksmith which his ancestors make it.

this hammer was pass down to generation to generation making the dwarf king consider it as their national treasure.

now, his face was remain calm and spoke.

"hmph, fool do you think I gave it to you? am just lending it to you so don't get to yourself. beside with this hammer am sure you will miss me hahaha...."

his laugher makes me want to punch him at restraint myself as he continued.

"Rudy, the demon world are no joke. I lending this weapon to you so you can survive a bit. we both knew that even though the demon world is close. there are still ways to escape."

"Theodore.. but."

"no buts. just take them and leave and also this sword was just a trash. so free to destroyed it, but not my hammer! I swear I'll kill you?!"

"the hell you talking about you baboon. you don't even have arms."

as we keep insulting each others. we can see we are smile despite knowing that we will never see each others.

as soon as we all prepared. I spoke to Theodore and said.

"don't worry I'll returned you hammer."

"you better be bastard."

upon wearing my helmet. 10 of us charge the demon gate and entered.

....

when we destroyed the gate. each of everyday we fought without rest. one by one my friends died in the war but he slaughter thousands of demons including doomed and calamity.

we all knew that we will never survive despite this. we keep going and going. butcher after butcher. and slaughter after slaughter.

from 10 we reduced from 8 until it keeps going and going until just the two of us.

me and Tasha.

both of us are wounded and badly beat up. some of my armor as already chip up revealing the second armor.

but there sacrifice didn't go in vain. right now we are facing the most strongest monster and also the leader.

the demon king.

"hhuh... huh.."

"can you still fight Rudy?"

".....yeah."

looking at our opponent. the demon king was also the same fate us ours. he armor was shattered and we can see his face from here.

the demon king was a handsome guy with horns in his head.

we can see his deep hatred towards us but his eyes was still has fire on it.

Tasha was already in no good condition. she already depleted her mana and she is nothing but ordinary person. as for me. I can still fight as I gripping the handle of the war hammer which Theodore gave me.

"taka....befotukasa... detofura....gekota?!"

each time the demon king keep talking those unknown language. for some reason. that words was really wants he to beat him up more.

"I'll end you hear bastard."

giving my all. I charge the demon king despite my wounds are deep and the demon king was the same.

we both clash again and exchange blows after blows. for some reason the god I serve was giving me a strength to keep going and going.

"holy smite!"

bang.

my hammer hit his left side and send flying towards the ruin stone walls. even though I still charge him and gave a upper horizontal attack like smacking a nail in the wood.

bang.

even though I successfully landed a hit. the demon king block it with his sword and gave he a powerful kick causing me to be throw in few meters.

I cough hard as blood was dripping from my mouth.

I look at the broken ceiling and watch the clouds up high. moments later I can hear the demon king trying to stood up. looking at him. I decided to stand up and fight again but it was no in vain.

my body was already in limit so instead of standing up. I crawled towards my Hammer and tried to stand up again. I can see the demon king was the same. he too can get up and crawl to reach his sword and use it as a Cain.

both of us use our weapons like a walking stick. both coughing and bleeding each other and no one are willing to go down.

each of us was hoping to bleed to death and once we stood each other. the demon king spoke but this time. I can understand him.

"you fought well bastard."

"....hoh? you can.... use our language.... now?"

"hahaha..... of course I do..... before we invaded your world.... I tried to understand you language if I met someone worth..... to fight....me."

"does.....that mean.... am worth?"

"hmph.... you are....more.... like that... too....bad I....wish to.....fight you....more....but It....looks like.... it's end for me...."

noticing the wound I'm his side. I can tell that my last blow was a critical hit. this gave me a small smile but I didn't show it to him.

"I see.... then that's.....bad."

"hahaha....yeah....well... see you soon.... holy knight."

as he breath died down. his body fall to the ground and I took the same.

even though we both survive. I already reach my limit and my breath was weakened. Tasha walk towards me while crying to my side.

"Rudy, I."

"don't be..... am happy that... everything....was over...."

as am about to died.

I saw a light shining to my face and then a woman wearing a luxurious armor revealed itself.

"well done my knight."

at first I thought am already in heaven but looking at Tasha's shocking expression. I knew that am not dead.

"goddess metina."

metina was one of the gods we served. unlike elves who only worship the world tree. we humans serve the gods. not only that each high ranking knights serve one god once they make name for themselves.

the knights who pass this test will personally witness the gods revealing itself.

the knights have two choices. it's either to choose that god which revealed itself to you or choose yourself a god you worship in thousand gods.

"my knight, although you pass the test, I still wanted to ask. will you serve me and be my champion? or will you choose other gods?"

no matter what I choose. Melina will never anger in fact, most gods who revealed itself will never anger.

"yes.....my goddess but I wish to serve the other one."

"oh? you want to serve two gods at the same time? well I don't mind but remember. once I became your god. I hope you will never forget me."

"I will goddess Melina."

"so who is the other god?"

"it's goddess Lidia."

upon saying her name, Melina's eyes when wide but her smile didn't change.

"oh? the little brat? well if you want her then am fine with it."

as soon as I said her name, Lidia revealed herself. just like Melina said.

the girl was small as a child and looks a little shy as she was hiding behind goddess Melina. this makes her to chucked a bit as Lidia was peeking behind her.

"well then our champion. I wish you well and as for you Tasha. the holy tree wants you returned and this time don't denied his request as priestess."

"yes goddess Melina."

as she bow. those the goddesses put their hands in my chest and they both said.

""we goddess of fertility and moon will make you our champion sir Rudy the last holy knight of the church of thousands gods.""

as the light covered my whole body. once it was over the two goddess vanish and only there voices can be heard.

"we wish you luck our champion."

as there voices finally stop the gate was opened. we both saw the dense of thick forest and Tasha spoke.

"let's go holy knight."

as I stoop up. I notice all my wounds was long gone making me happy a little bit as said with a smile.

"thank my goddesses."

when we both entered the gate. the world we once knew already change.