The five years spent searching for the Fountain of Youth had somewhat distanced Damian from the battlefield, along with the hopes of many warriors who died protecting him. They all saw him as the mage who would defeat the Demon King and bring peace to the human world. Everyone wanted that for their families and knew that by dying for Damian, they could achieve it someday.
Although many spoke of the Thunder Mage, Damian wanted to return more directly.
Damian wanted to return to the front lines of battle; the news of the fights against the demons was becoming increasingly worrying. Not only was human territory being lost, but the losses were also becoming quite noticeable.
Everyone said that a human couldn't be compared to a demon; they might have been right in those aspects, but Damian knew that as long as they created tactics together, they could eliminate their enemies.
"Do fairies not fight against demons?" Damian looked at Elaine, somewhat curious about it. He had never heard of fairies before, let alone that they lived for thousands of years easily, like the elves.
Elaine, sitting beside Damian, didn't hesitate and said, "Our race was mostly exterminated by the ancient demons long before your current race has records. The ancient era was one where wars for world dominance were too frequent until one erupted that left no winning side."
The ancient era was the great era of gods and demons. Very little is known about it; it's only known that the goddess everyone has heard of emerged in that era along with a few other powerful beings who died long ago.
What's surprising about all this is that Elaine projected a magical image of what her people used to be, their home, and how her parents were betrayed when the Fairy King of that time joined the demons. For her, her only purpose was to guard the Fountain of Youth and ensure it wasn't obtained by a demon; only then would everything else be worthwhile.
"Aren't you tired?" Damian asked Elaine, who had been here alone for over five hundred years.
Elaine smiled slightly and said, "That's the difference between humans who feel every second of their lives and fairies who don't dwell on past time. Each race has its own way of feeling things, giving them emotions and meaning. For me, spending five hundred years here is natural and insignificant; why pay attention to it when I'll be here for eternity?"
"So, you don't have the right to live as you please? You've protected this place for so many years, and no one has come here for that fountain. As far as I can see, no one else will seek something that may have already been forgotten." Damian had never had a sister, but now it seemed like he looked at this little fairy as someone very close to him.
"Tell me, Damian, why do you care so much?" Elaine wanted an answer to Damian's interest in her life here.
Damian fell silent for a few seconds, then, coming up with a less embarrassing answer, he said, "Because life is beautiful when you live it, and besides, you remind me of a sister I never had. I would very much like you to accompany me in defeating the Demon King."
"A brother..."
Damian felt a bit uncomfortable and said, "I can try to create a forest with thousands of powerful guardians, so when you want to leave, you won't have to worry about the security of the Fountain of Youth. You're very strong, and I believe we would be unstoppable together. What do you think?"
"You've only known me for a few days. Do you feel sorry for me?" Elaine asked a question without feeling hurt at all.
"Absolutely not. I just saw some of my reflection in you... If you ever want a brother or just someone to talk to, I'll be here for a while, learning more about the forest and creating more puppets that can be your companions." Damian knew that heroes were forgotten in history, and if he truly died in an attempt to kill the Demon King, then at least he wanted Elaine to remember him.
The lovely and lonely fairy, Damian, really needed to stop getting attached to people so easily. That was his only flaw; the same thing happened when he met Adda, so he supposed it was a unique trait of his.
...
Days had passed, and soon, months later, the puppets of all kinds that Damian had created now roamed the top of the pink tree. There were small birds and miniature fairies dressed in their combat armor, the closest thing to something conscious that Damian had been able to create.
Additionally, there were statues similar to his Divine General with enough magic to fight once defending this place.
"These little fairies won't be able to defend me against an ancient demon if they attack." Elaine approached Damian and smiled at those little fairies, who had serious expressions, moving back and forth.
Damian smiled and said, "Don't underestimate these little fairies; they are much stronger than you imagine. Besides, their biggest factor is emotional support."
"Are you going to go fight?" Elaine changed the subject of the conversation.
"Yes, many expect me to."
"I see."
"By the way, do you know a mage named Serie?"
Elaine thought for a moment and said, "I haven't heard of a mage by that name."
Damian had heard that some years ago, Serie, a great mage, surpassed human magic and established a magical organization. He had been called to be evaluated by her, but he had put it off for many years because he wanted to find the Fountain of Youth.
"Comparable to the Goddess herself..." Damian looked at Elaine and asked, "What do you think is the right way to rule over a common race? Religion has a special effect on all living beings, but I fear that none of the existing religions are there to give value to life and evolution."
Elaine, without hesitation, said, "Religion is something supernatural that has been part of the creation and destruction of species. If you plan on creating a religion, you must take into account every detail."
The religion created by Damian could be the key to making everything worthwhile; that could be the path, especially focused on establishing a military force and the worship of a being called the Magical Emperor that he wanted to bring to life. Damian thought about this for multiple purposes, given that he couldn't obtain immortality now. One of the main purposes was to control and manipulate the masses, using faith as a tool to maintain political and social power. It also served to explore deep philosophical themes, such as the meaning of magic, the path to death, and the purpose of living beings.
If he weren't immortal, he should at least give meaning to all his efforts.
When Elaine read Damian's mind, she fell silent. What he was thinking was extremely serious and could have many consequences, especially for human development.
But she wouldn't interfere; whatever Damian decided with his life would be for growth and learning for humans.
...
A few days later, Damian's relationship with Elaine became closer, to the point of considering themselves friends.
"I would like to try that beer from the nearby village. Maybe if I ask Damian..." Elaine had read many books that the forest found for her on many occasions; some were personal narratives, and other times novels that told the story of warriors. Alcohol was always present in such stories.
"Do you really want to try that bitter thing? If you get drunk, I might steal the Fountain of Youth and
run away." Damian, who had appreciated finding some fruits to eat, heard what this fairy had said.
Elaine, embarrassed, looked at Damian with a slight blush on her face and said, "I know you wouldn't do something like that."
"How are you so sure?" Damian smiled teasingly, trying to provoke this fairy with more years than his ancestors.
Elaine looked at Damian and heard his thoughts: "[I remember once getting so drunk that I was left in just my underwear. Damn it, who steals socks and shoes?"
"Forget it; it was just a thought out loud." Elaine turned around, feeling a bit guilty for hearing Damian's personal thoughts.
But Damian didn't know he had given himself away, and seeing that it was getting dark, he muttered, "Wait here; I'll be back before midnight with good human food and drinks to kill us."
"Wait!" Elaine reached out to stop Damian, but by then, he had already left.
This time, Damian used his magic to fly; there weren't many things that mattered to him now that he couldn't obtain immortality. "Well, one last drink, and this would be a farewell."
The time had come to say goodbye to this place; he had been preparing for this for months, and today he believed the moment had come.