I directed my hand to Desiric's arm where I tried to swipe the necklace from around his wrist.
Memories and knowledge told me this is the necklace of random luck probability (RLP) powering The Eater, two relics once sacred to Prince Sin. And one can assume that used together increased the chances that The Eater purges my soul for good without chance of any kind of resurrection, with the RLP lasting for 5 seconds (the probability doesn't influence the time limit).
If he was using it, that meant he calculated for the luck probability to be great. And now that I had it in my hands, I could only assume the safety of my life.
Since the Eater permanently purged anything, the summoning binds were broken. And now the 5 seconds of the RLP began.
I used all my strength to push Desiric off of myself. My push had him flying across the room. With just 4 seconds left, I ran.
I pushed my tired body to run while the probability heals my supposedly death-bringing wound. This new body's strength got me towards the door at an inhuman speed. And while I was running, I caught sight of every powerful being rising from their place, ready to catch me. No magic or weapon thrown in sight as I shoved myself into the crowd of human witnesses, where I then ran up the wall.
1 second left.
"When there's no exit, make one." And with the last RLP, I blasted a hole into the ceiling where I made my exit and once I was out, I stuffed the necklace into my pocket where I then headed for the group of trees off in the distance.
It was nerve wrecking, I had to admit. Having no getaway car, or a magic staff of teleportation. Just the plan of running while having about five powerful beings chased after me. So I doubted that hiding in the forest would last long.
"HEY! HOP ON!" A voice shouted from overhead through a gust of wind trying hard to push me off my feet.
I looked up from the growing shadow to watch a great, armored dragon flapping down to my level. And I stood about only a few meters from its head, gazing at its purple flame-like eyes with flakes of crimson red on the outer edge. Such a bold color complimented its silver, shiny scales. I snapped my attention to the more important matter sitting on the dragon's back.
Most importantly, I recognized this new character as the most feared yet respected necromancer and dark mage, Vriala Von Cresside, sitting in a plain black suit with pure red heels.
This sight was peculiar, because in my dreams, she was a freelancer and neutral party that only dedicated her life to research of the dark arts. But to see her here instead of secretly finding ways to resurrect her long lost mother made me fear for the worst.
"Viala...? Are you...helping me?" I watched as she leaned to the side of the dragon's neck with an extended arm. I suspected me knowing her name only surprised her a little.
"Not for free, of course." Viala stated plainly as she waited for my grip on her hand. "But worry about it only when I get you out." As I took her hand gingerly, she immediately pulled me up behind her with great haste.
"Hang on tight."
The dragon took off several meters into the air, the gust of wind and trees it pushed away must have alerted the council to our location. Because of this I was extremely alerted.
But I looked back only to have caught them watching us take off. Or so I thought.
The demon king shape-shifted into something large whereas the others ran towards different directions, hidden within the forest.
"They seem to have a plan. They might catch up to us." I warned Viala, who stood at the head of the dragon with arms crossed.
"They won't." She grabbed something from her pocket. A tiny brown brown which she then launched into the air ahead. "Shoot it, Rowae."
With just a slight part of its mouth, a ball of blue fire pushed its way out from the throat and into the sky at the thrown pouch. After the fire cleared out of sight, a cloud of dark fog took its place. Quickly spreading around us until nothing could be seen.
Grasping tightly onto the reins, dodging passed a storm of blades and magical attacks. But after several dodges and shakes, silence fell. The crackling of lightning and fire magic, the swooshed of blades, and the growling ended. And Viala, without turning to me, said with no hint of exhaustion.
"We're in the clear now."
I turned from the fog to her. "How are you sure?"
"Because we're entering a dangerous territory none of the council would dare cross. A place I call home."
I dropped my gaze back to the fog, watching the dragon beat its large wings. Pushing away what remained of the fog until the light of sundown creeped in.
"Ever heard of the Dragon Act 2,000 years ago?"
"No."
"Then have you heard of the Battle of Ralzeoth?"
"No."
Viala dropped her head in a manner that looked like embarrassment, yet her voice remained monotonously indifferent.
"...I see."
"So why did you decide to save me? Aren't you a part of that corrupt council?"
Viala took a quick breath. "I never liked politics. Only stayed 'cuz they promised me a lab for my magic. And it was okay after sometime until the ridicule and belittling from the council and the academy became more intolerable. Soon what I was also looking for became a mere dream. But now I know it's not."
I didn't have to know what it was that she was looking for, given she was here now with me now, mounted on the back of a dragon fleeing from a band of God-like beings. That spoke enough words.
"I have questions that I don't think you can answer."
"Try me. Although I have a sense you know more than me."
But our conversation was cut short by a thundering boom that struck Rowae's right wing.
The moment the impact had been made, Viala already took action.
She reached for a dagger hanging at her belt and with a tug, it grew into a large sword which she swung into her arms. And as we fell, the trees in our path heavily disrupted our balance. Tossing me far from Viala and her dragon.
I fell, bumping into many branches which slashed and pierced my skin. Flopping me around like a fish dragged out of a river until I landed with a great oomph.
After that, I fell into darkness.
And from the darkness...I emerged from a pool of water. Very hot water that sizzled my face until I felt the need to scratch it. And as I stood on my two feet, I found myself gazing at the night sky where that mad star hung.
It emitted a soft, red glow that hummed softly. Beckoning me as if I were a bug to a light. It made me want to scratch my face even more. But I stopped myself when I felt a tap behind me.
"It isn't wise. To seek destruction." A woman dressed in black armor snarled at me.
I attempted to open my mouth to reply but she held up her sword-- a black sword decorated in these white thorns. And then raised a glass staff in the other decorated in red branches that stretched out to the top where a black gem was safely perched.
Although I could see these objects and the mad star as clear as day, the knight in black was somehow a blur. Her face no less than a mirage you'd encounter in the distance in a scorching desert. Just like her voice.
"I'll end you."
I woke up in shock the next moment before she could strike me, flinching at a series of pokes at my arm. It drove me into a coughing and gagging fit, drying up my throat until I calmed myself down.
After a few breaths, I looked up at a small figure. A little boy with this paperboy style hat and white shirt. And in his tiny hand he held a short stick.
I quickly picked myself up, patting off hay from my beaten clothes. Speaking of clothes, I didn't know I had on a rather anciently royal type of outfit. Fancy pants, fancy shirt with these light armor plates on my arms and legs. It screamed money, yet smokey with misery and laced with betrayal.
No wonder the little boy in front of me held a face of both fear and curiosity.
"Where am I?" I asked the boy as I took the liberty to look around. Seems I landed in the yard of a poor family's house surrounded by dead trees and dead grass and a dead looking sky. Speaking of which--
"You're the evil demon." The boy softly whispered, releasing the stick from his grip before taking a few steps back.
I turned to the boy with furrowed brows.
"Evil...?" I looked down at my hands. Normal looking hands with the tips of my finger dark in color emitting a faint aura so twisted that I had to turn away. "You can see one's aura, huh," I took a large step towards the kid watching carefully as he sharply stopped, hands and legs shaking. "According to most comics and movies, if someone gifted of your age can see my aura, you shouod be in the academy?" I waved my fingers around, following his eyes as they followed the trail of aura I left behind until it faded out of sight.
"I...I'm not allowed to talk to bad guys." The kid squeaked before breaking into a run. I felt the urge to chase after him but ultimately left it as I turned to follow a trail in hopes it would lead me to a city.
Perhaps then I'll gather information-- learn about this world and cross reference it to my dreams until I find the cause of this world and the reasons to my dream. Perhaps impose a type of order to the council of idiots and that monstrous hero for planning to kill me for a crime I had no recollection of.
As I lost myself in the plan, I reached into my pockets only to find a rather raggedy brown pouch with the words "Sin" on it. A gift? And I took a peek inside it with a huff,
"Infinite stamina vial and 1000 bread, huh."
And as I was about to depart, I heard a shout call after me.
"Hey! You there!"
A small, green explosion about the side of my foot popped right beside me. The sudden boom in my ear threw me off balance. Which the owner of the voice seemed to have taken advantage of, breaking into a run with blade ready to pierce my flesh.
With my newfound instincts, I broke into a sudden sequence of dodges as the man in cheap armor and raggedy clothes swung his sword around. It was dipped in this green aura that smelled like grass, dirt and lemons.
The only thing I could think of was the element of earth. Quite different from the scent that the council I encountered before, which was overwhelming lead, fire, and wet dirt.
I could definitely tell that this sense came from the demon race. Famous for good hearing, unmatched magic, and identification of magic/aura by sense of smell and sight.
"You demon, I'll kill you before you hurt anyone else!" The man snarled, his blade stick on the metal covering of my forearm. And I glared at him as he gritted his teeth, attempting to break the armor.
"Metal from the depths of my lost kingdom. No man-made invention can pierce it." I told him before grabbing his sword and pushing him back with great force.
To my astonishment, the man only staggered back a few steps before quickly regaining his balance and going at me once again. I definitely could feel myself able to go for hours of dodging and pushing his blade away but by every breath he took, his lungs sounded like a rusty whistle.
So with the last large swing, I took my knee and broke his grip on his sword, sending him to his tired knees and I waited patiently for him to regain the strength to confront me again.
"What do you want from us, Prince Sin of the Mad Star?" He asked and I froze at the last two words.
"What...did you say?"
The man took another deep breath, "What do you want from us, Prince Sin of the Mirrikh Kingdom?"
"You said something else, not the kingdom I originate from. What was it?"
When the man stood silent, I grabbed him by the collar, forcing him inches off the ground.
"What did you say??"
"I said the Mirrikh! Demon prince Sin of the Mirrikh Kingdom! That is where you are from, demon prince, am I wrong?!"
I stared into his eyes in search of truth and when I saw the fear in the man's eyes, I let him go.
Massaging my temple with a grunt. "Where is the nearest civilization, Mark?"
The man, Mark, looked up at me with even more fear in his eyes as he held his hand with a gulp before pointing into the forest.
"That way. But I must warn you, you are a wanted man, Prince." Then he turned to his child whispering, "Get the wanted poster and my cloak." Before turning back to me with his hands together. "What are you doing here in the South Creek, dare I ask?"
I gazed at the forest and the path with a blank mind. "None of your business."
The child of Mark then ran toward us with a large paper in hand, which he then passed to me. I took the cloak with a puzzled expression before tossing it on and frowned deeply when I saw a blurry photo of me on a wanted poster going for 1 million Duses.
"What a bounty for a mad prince." Then I turned to Mark and his son with a small nod. "Good day."
Without another word, I left to venture the forest.
Walking deeper and deeper, Mark and his son disappearing from my senses. I soon gazed at the ominous branches of trees being overlapped by a vision of my old life.
Great oak trees bustling with birds and bugs. All feeding off human's trash whereas the creatures here, wearing rather ugly faces, tried to make a living in this cruel and vast world by nipping at torn cloth and poking at old bone.
They were all living a rather simple life. However, sharing a mindscape with a Mirrikhian prince inflicted deeply with as much hurt and anger as me drew a difference between plain and complex. We were betrayed and casted aside by many.
But as I thought about it the further I walked into the forest, the more I began to see myself fit into Sin's memories. As if I had been in it this entire time with magic and curses etched into my ancient soul.
"Never mind that." I snarled, annoyed at my sudden philosophy. "I share a body with a broken soul..." I stared at my hand, giving out this aura so deep and strong. I clenched it as he whispered to me-
"I want to kill him. I want to kill all those who took everything from me. And you will help me, boy from another world."
"We act as one. No one dies or gets hurt. Not unless they deserve it. We're only here to figure out this world and how you got me here, Sin. So shut up and let me think."
Whilst mindlessly following the trail, I have traveled through a total of 8 small villages, each slightly different from the other but all similar in one thing: my face. Or more like my new face as this demon prince, Sin. Posters of my face plastered on every flat surface their villages could find.
To think that the rumors of my false infamy reached even the dirt poor corners of the world that my feet could take me.
I was exhausted, for one. Walking and hitching rides in silence for a total of about I can't tell how long. I would be dead if it weren't for my infinite supply of stamina vials and now 801 bread.
Finally, I arrived to one last village. It was small, but protected by a large white citadel with thick walls that stretched out fairly wide, leaving more empty space within the already small village. I have never been inside but I could tell by the positioning of the buildings within that perhaps they were dependent on farming or simply haven't unlocked the potential yet.
It struck a note in my mind that I plan to look more into deeply once I completed my plan. Though, this whole mad demon prince identity gave me the urge to fake an evil laugh.
"...biggest gig yet." A wanna be tough yet scrawny voice suddenly squeaked from way behind me, feet shuffling quickly. And another voice, much deeper yet jolly replied,
"Heck yeah! ....riches!"
I wanted to cast myself to the side and hide but I fond myself stuck in my spot.
Sin... A thought growled in my mind. What are you doing??
But there was no reply. Either way it was of no use since the duo of wannabe thieves caught sight of me and shone a toothy grin.
"Well well well, seems we've got ourselves a lost little man." The tiny one snickered, patting his dirt covered armor.
I rose a brow at it, finding it oddly familiar. Whereas the other guy held only a devious smile and a large bag slung over his shoulder. But both whipped out puny daggers with chips and scratches etched on the blade.
"You're in the presence of the famous thieves in all of the city! What an honor, eh?" The big one laughed and the smaller one nodded in agreement, carelessly swinging his dagger around. Although they're both gone in strength, they had a decent amount of magic in their aura. But too bad it did not compare to mine.
"Now give up your belongings."
I gave them a smirk. "Sure. Take it all. I dare you." I beckoned.
"Such big talk the one at blade point." The idiots laughed before I took off my hood. After I did so, the thieves froze in their tracks.
"THE DEMON PRINCE??!?!" The both shouted in unison and I nodded with a smile, approaching them slowly as my shadow casted over them. "H-h-horns and everythin'." They shivered, but they don't run. They cowered at my presence, shaking and holding each other with their single eye blinking at me rapidly.
"I thought you guys said you were the best thieves around these parts but I still haven't been impressed. What's the hold up?" I sneered and poked the bigger cyclops's helmet. But he did nothing. Only stared at me in utter fear.
It has been about 11 days since my travel that I've been using Sin's reputation at my advantage to scare puny thieves and murderers from dark corners of towns to give up their things and information in exchange for their life. Because I had come to terms with this new identity and the rules of the world that I will get what I came for.
But today was when I've experienced true anger since the day of the council. When I smudged the dirt off the armor on the bigger guy's plate of armor only to find a Mirrikhian insignia on it. The very first I had ever seen in a long time. The first to ever reignite a sudden flame that was hidden within Sin himself.
"Oh dear, oh dear, his cracks around his eyes are glowing! We best run, Gin!"
"No." I growled, grabbing the two by the throat. "You have in your possession something you wish you never went to school of thieves for, stupid Cyclopses." And without a second thought to reconsider my choice as Art, I felt the demon prince's anger stare into the two cyclops.
I wanted them to hurt--to pay for the armor they had no idea they were wearing. But I wanted to warn them. To have them run.
Sin stared deeply until they turned into a pile of dust. And when I came to the realization, I gazed at the dust blow away with my hands shaking.
"What did I....did he do?"
He gave me my first death.