*It is the year 315 after the death of the hero Gizon. The era of chaos is now behind us. Humanity, which at the time was in a great phase of stagnation, has experienced a huge technological leap. Well, not humanity per se, but the heirs of ancient Malakye who have developed. The exploitation of Kalibur ore allowed them such technical marvels. At the time, neighboring nations had tried to seize it by force, sending their armies, but they were all annihilated by the Heroes Rhadim and Allen. Although historical texts themselves contradict a lot about the nature of their intervention. Anyway, the people of ancient Malakye went to settle in the Kingdom of Goethe, considered a holy place because it's where the Hero Gizon, the Lord Phoenix, would have died. Again, history is not clear on this immigration or invasion. They first built the Kingdom of the Fiery Phoenix, then the Empire of the Millennial Phoenix. To be honest, the number of conflicts that have succeeded and the number of people claiming to be the heirs of Gizon's will just in the last 200 years is insane. But eventually, a period of stability arrived where nations had stopped bickering, you know what civilized humans have been doing since ancient times.*
-People will never change.
*The Republic of Zenith, that's where I live, that's where I grew up, that's where I was educated.*
-This is your stop, everyone off.
*My name is Ezio Cohen. I'm 15 years old, and I'm in my last year at highschool. I hope to end up in a theater faculty. Every morning, I take the metro to go to school, and sometimes I even arrive almost early. The world has changed, as the president would say, we've become a small interconnected village. You won't find a metro outside of Zenith, along with wonders like smartphones.*
-Just a 10-minute walk from here.
*Since I was little, I've been a fan of the Saga of the Heroes of Malakye. It has been adapted into a book, a 6-trilogy film series, a game. 14 games to be precise, several documentary series, not to mention spin-offs and series. By the way, the animated adaptation of the novel was quite messed up, I think. Anyway, they are real historical monuments. Damn, even the Barrett house is still preserved.*
-Wait... Who's Barrett?
-Well, you...
-What... What? My name is Olsen, damn it. Why Barrett... No, you know what, just keep going.
*Our hero, who not only saved Malakye but the world, was of a rare human race in his time. The Psykers, or holy knights, well, it depends on the country, really. Remember when I told you that the era of chaos was behind us? Well, not entirely.*
-But what?
*After the defeat of the Chaos King, the demonic beasts of Malakye submitted to the heroes Rhadim and Allen. And it's possible that in their invasion... Hm hm, I mean immigration to the South, they used these monsters as weapons. Today, most demons are part of the ecosystem, and Psykers are hired by the Agency to take care of them. But hey, I live in Zenith; I don't have to worry about that. We have schools and offices.*
-Ezio, it's your turn. I hope you haven't forgotten your line.
-Don't worry, sir; I got this.
*Since I was little, I've always wanted to be a hero. You might say like every kid my age, but in my case, I really wanted to help people, not just have the cool gear and stylish powers... Okay, I also wanted the stylish powers. But unfortunately for me, I have a coward's body; I have to be around 5'2" (I'm still growing), I'm so bad at sports that I had to manipulate a dispensation letter without my parents noticing. You get it; I don't have the physique of a hero. But where I excel is...*
-You're mine, Lord of Chaos.
-Unfortunately, you're too late. For I have already completed the transformation ritual. Now I am, the Demonic Chaos Emperor...
*The theater. Let's face it; I have no ability as an athlete, nor the gift to become a Psyker, but playing a role is perfectly within my abilities. I love the stories of the Psykers, so I put my heart into playing their role. It's my way of telling their story.*
-Boring...
-Sorry?
-Nothing, continue.
*Recently, there have been nationwide tests; it was in order to find talented Psykers. Naturally, I rushed to go. For reasons that escape me, I was extremely confident; I don't know, I found it exciting. Usually, people are tested at birth and then around 4-6 years old. I thought that if we were still being tested so late in our youth, there might be a chance, even a tiny one, that it could work. Ha. Whom was I trying to fool?*
-It's okay, E.Z, you'll have other opportunities.
-You can talk, Mac; you're compatible.
*Makoto Segura, "Mac" for the intimate ones. 3rd generation immigrant, his family has a textile factory in town, and he's my best friend. Oh, he's 2 grades below me since I skipped classes and all.*
-You know, you can always play my role when I become a hyper-famous Psyker.
-Even if I were paid to infinity, I wouldn't play the role of someone as narcissistic as you.
-Yes, that's right, complain, but it's my fame as a star that will get you contracts.
*Why not? Psykers are like cinema stars; they are super popular. Some are currently real movie stars, others are much more discreet, and when a high-ranking Psyker dies in battle, it's a damn national tragedy. I might be able to use his connections.*
-What are you thinking, you dirty pervert?
-Makoto. *I tell him with a smile.* Let's get rich together.
*A few weeks later, we had a new transferred student. Yes, you know, the one who arrives as if by chance in the middle of the year. Slender legs, chestnut hair with long curly hair, and a scarf on the wrist. If I were paranoid, I'd say that the girl of my dreams had just appeared before me. The only problem is she's a few centimeters taller than me.*
-How many?
*2 currently. But she smelled good, smelled good but smelled expensive. A perfume that must cost as much as my rent. I was assigned to help her catch up on her studies, personally, I was immersed in my studies; I just wanted to finish and go to college to do theater. The high school club was not for me. I had a mission, and nothing would deviate me from it.*
-Can I come to study at your place?
-Yes, of course. *I replied amiably.*
*Okay, maybe I can get distracted from time to time. Oh NO. I would have to hide my computer during the entire study
session.*
-What's this folder... Rule... 3...4 ....
-Don't open that folder. *I yelled.*
*The worst had been avoided. Stacy and I were becoming closer and closer. Besides, she loved theater, and we liked the same books about the hero. I thought I had a chance with her, so naturally, when she said, "do you want to come to my place?" I thought it was time to conclude.*
-So, you're really not the brightest type kid.
*You know, the life expectancy in Zenith is 75 years. Demon invasion and potential Chaos resurrection included. And then, when a girl invites you to her place, you don't say no.*
-When "her place" suspiciously looks like the national cemetery, I think you should ask questions.
-Maybe she lived there. Or who knows, maybe her father was buried there.
-She took you to the middle of a sword field, surrounded by men in black, and told you to firmly hold two of them.
-She said she wanted to see me play the Hero. In real conditions, I suppose. It was for a shoot, who knows?
-You're not the slickest condom in the pack, huh. *He said, unimpressed.*
*This girl, Stacy Gawain, was a Psyker from the Gawain family. The moment I laid hands on those swords, I couldn't move. There, she explained to me that the tests were not to find Psykers but potential vessels. By the way, she wasn't brunette but blonde. She wore a wig.*
-Is that really all you thought about at that moment?
*She told me not to worry, that the ritual would be painless, and I would make way for a better version of myself.*
-You're sure no one will miss you ?
*And that's when I twigged. Magic circle, national cemetery, and coincidentally, I stood in the middle holding what I thought were the swords of the hero Gizon. By the way, I wasn't alone; there was me and...*
-Cut it short, idiot, I'm losing neurons here.
*Anyway, I accepted her offer on one condition. That she completely erase my hard drive. After that, my consciousness flew away, and I thought that death wasn't so bad after all.*
-Are you taking it rather well for someone who got tricked?
-I'm trying not to hold it against her; she had good reasons. Plus, I really made way for someone fantastic.
-For som... And he's making fun of me, haha... I'm sorry to break it to you, kid... But I'm handing you the wheel.
*Haha. For a moment, I thought he wanted me to take back control of my body.*
-What did you say?
*He handed me back control of my body. So, I haven't told you, but the reason I was so calm was that a legendary warrior, literally a living god, was dealing with holding back an invasion of Malak demonic beasts by himself. I mean, when you have the final boss of the game on your side, you fear nothing. But now he just gave me back full control of my body, and it's up to me to handle this colossus.*
-But... But... He's going to kill me.
-So, I die, and I can peacefully leave as I wished. But if you survive, you can always congratulate yourself on being a hero.
*I hadn't told you, right? But the hero of my childhood... is a huge jerk.*
*To be continued*