Everyone deserves a second chance. Or at least an attempt for one.
This was one of many laws that the deity Oasis implemented when he first became God of this world.
No one believed in it. They thought it was a waste of time. But when the first ever therapeutic adventure team for rehabilitating all sorts of villains and immoral individuals was made, hope was regained and the population's happiness increased.
This pleased Oasis very much, who believed in the idea of saving all, with all his heart.
So when a guard came into the main room of his rather humble home to announce the capture of a long-lasting threat to all living beings, he was more than filled with hope.
"I pass Myerasis' judgement onto you for the chairman to read to him later." Oasis stated as he gave the guard the scroll that contained his word of such judgment.
"Sir, do you think a judgment like that will work for someone as dark and monstrous as him?"
"Yes." He replied without a second thought. Perhaps it was selfish and too egoistic of him to think something like that. After all, Myerasis has transformed many. Some innocent, others just lost forever into the dark. Changing them into these hallow monsters. "I have my reasons."
"I trust in your word." The guard nodded, about to leave until he remembered, "By the way, one of our investigation teams found something that might interest you."
Oasis watched as the guard held out a cup full of--
"Dirt?" He questioned, using his magic to bring the cup into his hands.
"Proof of his past whereabouts. We already had the High Witch analyze it. She confirmed it to be the evil lord's resting place."
Indeed this was a discovery that interested Oasis. Not only would it confirm where Myerasis has been these past eons, but also explain what role it was exactly that he played in this long lasting war against destruction.
"I'll look into it more. Thank you. You're dismissed."
Once the guard left, Oasis slipped out of his seat. His left hand shaking, unbeknownst to him.
"Myerasis..." He whispered, his heart immediately full of old pain and haunting regret. "As a human I failed to save you. But now, although I still cry like one, I can finally help you."
[Present time]
Ripping through the starry sky, a grand dragon of deep blue scales flaps with a body softly perched between her jaws. And the ride takes a while before she finds the place she needs to be. After landing, she scours through the forest for any sign of what she is looking for. And there, she spots a thick line of smoke rising from within a plain field.
Atop a hill, a tiny group surrounds a bonfire nearby their famous demonic-looking door on top of a set of resting legs; inside of it a place they call home. Singing songs of all kinds and drinking around the fire, all in celebration of their recent taste of victory that happened just yesterday.
The dragon bellows, alerting the adventurers but they stop once they recognize who she is.
"Heya, Vyra!" One of them calls out.
"Did Oasis send you to celebrate our victory?" A middle aged woman asked, stepping forward to properly greet the dragon.
"Not exactly." Vyra the dragon struggles to reply. And the rest take notice of it and ask in curiosity--
"What have you got there?"
Vyra pushes her head into the light to show them the person perched safely in her jaws just between her teeth. A fearsome enemy of all kinds of beings that only the team's leader, Enette, recognizes.
"Oh my fucking...! That's--!"
"It's your newest member, Myerasis." The dragon nods, leaving the passed out elf onto the grass just a few feet away from them and then turns to one side in preparation for take off.
Everyone is quick to group around him, gazing upon him in fear and wonder.
"That's Myerasis? As in the Elf Lord of Destruction?" One asked in shock.
"Everyone, back up please."
Their curiosity has Enette struggling against their weights until she fights back with a push to give their passed out visitor some space. But she freezes upon catching a glimpse of him, amazed to see that the so called Lord of Destruction is beautiful.
Possessing such feminine and masculine qualities at once, making him seem more like a gender-less God from old tales, than an evil entity that feasts on suffering and total annihilation.
"Is that really the Elf Lord of Destruction? He's too fucking pretty, man." A half-elf human boy gasps in surprise.
"Timi!" Enette hisses, slapping the back of her son's head before turning to the rest of her team. "Everyone! Calm yourselves. Remember that we are the Rehab Adventure Team and that we accept criminals and villains of all kinds according to Oasis' holy judgement. So please, be sure to make him feel welcome."
"How the fuck are we gonna--" Their werewolf member begins but is immediately cut off by their faun priestess member.
"Oh Great Oasis, he reeks of darkness. You sure you didn't make a wrong turn somewhere, Vyra? Perhaps the River of Eon, where the most evil lost causes belong? No, no. Perhaps that's an unfitting demise, after all, he is leagues more powerful than any souls there."
"Older too." The werewolf adds, seemingly unbothered by the interruption.
"As much as I hate his kind of people--not racially, Timi--I believe we should give him a chance." Their male demon member responds. "After all, we are the rehab adventurers. We pride ourselves in shaping the darkness in lost causes, into something beautiful. Just like we did with Rochelle. And she was as tough as rock to shape into what she is now."
"That is true." Rochelle, their female human member, agrees while spinning her dagger around her finger. Unwilling to look at the elf unlike everyone else.
"Do not fret, everyone, for the Mark of Oasis was placed on him to ensure your safety. Now, I must depart. I wish you all the best of luck." Vyra spreads out her wings but then pauses upon remembering, "Oh and do try your best to take care of him. I believe this one is quite important to Oasis who could have sentenced his soul to rest at the River of Eon. So it'd be a great loss to him if something were to happen."
"Important to Oasis?" The priestess sharply scoffs in disbelief, to which the werewolf flicks her horns.
"Relax, Siena. I doubt he'll be competing for Oasis' divine love as much as you."
In retaliation, Siena smacks his face with her adorned staff. "Hands off, dirt."
"I'll connect to him before he wakes up." Enette states, gingerly placing her glowing hand onto the mark neatly on his chest. Allowing the magic to connect to her own. It has always acted as a security measure. Sealing the target's magic as well as anything else that grants them strength that can kill. And if too powerful--immobilize them as punishment. It seemed cruel to her when she was first introduced to it but after many close calls with past members, she felt at ease.
As she presses her hand on him, Myerasis tenses up. Feeling her palm's warmth as well as the sting coming from the mark and her magic. Wishing this overwhelming, one-sided interaction, to be over. That's when he gets an idea to make his first ever impression, as shocking as it can be.
"Who dares touch me?" Myerasis growls, jumping back at the same time as Enette.
Members with fighting capabilities step forward, alerted by the sudden startles
"Hold back!" Enette whispers to them, composing herself immediately in hopes she can make a better first impression. "Hey there, sorry about that. You gave me a good scare."
The demon rushes everyone to their places around the bonfire, allowing Enette to lead him to them.
Everyone sits in silence, many hearts beating with adrenaline. Already feeling uneasy around the elf, much to Myerasis' expectations and Enette's disbelief.
But who's she to judge them? She, as much as they, put herself on high alert despite needing to be as welcoming as possible to avoid vulnerability. Though this is reality. It is unfair just as it is unpredictable and cruel, no matter the age nor race. Exactly like one's nature. Where an old man can still be spectacle about youngsters just as Enette will always be cautious despite her position as leader.
"Who might you all be...?" Myerasis asks softly, eying everyone with intensity. Wanting for them all to never dare think about approaching him with the same warmth and kindness that their leader is attempting to bestow upon him.
To him, introductions mean little since knows all there is to know about a person. For example, the leader. She is Enette D'Cruz, human, age 37. Two years widowed with a troubling child that she feels uneasy having among society. So she manages this adventure team, aka a bunch of freaks, alongside a co-leader that happens to belong to a fearsome race.
'This is the place I'm supposed to feel at home now? You have poor judgement, Oasis.' Myerasis recounts in disgust, quickly turning it into a passing thought once he looks down at his own body to find Oasis' mark on his exposed chest. Etched into his flesh like a brand on some vicious animal.
Even now Oasis, the grand God of all, sees him as less than the rest of the mortals without talent or power. He pushes his brows together in realization of that reality.
"Um...I..." Enette grows more unsteady than usual as she watches the elf's expression change to emptiness. Not just the depressing kind, but the void-type of empty. Dangerous--like he'll explode at any minute.
'So what should I say to avoid my own death?' She wonders nervously. 'He's the physical form of destruction itself...'
The demon, Enette's co-leader, places a reassuring hand on her shoulder. "I got this. You just rest." He whispers, patting her once more before turning to Myerasis with an outstretched hand. "Welcome, Myerasis. My name is Tor. Supervisor and protector of the Rehab Adventure Team, at your service."
Myerasis looks at Tor's hand, from there he glances at Enette, who nods nervously at him with a forced smile and clenched fists. She, along with everyone else, have grown cautious. To see a monster in front of them, unpredictable and stronger than any of them, even if he is wearing chains. Because never in history has this happened before. Never taking in someone whose power rivals Oasis himself. A power that almost succeeded in corrupting and killing almost all on this planet.
Myerasis immediately smiles and shakes Tor's hand.
"Oh~ what a handshake. Rough and with protruding veins that seemed to have tasted blood before." He says, feeling the tiny muscles in Tor's hand tense only by a tiny bit. "Or perhaps longs to...? Either way, it's my pleasure." He then leans in and whispers, "If you need a buddy, call my name."
Tor pulls back, laughing off the intensity. "What a sense of humor, Myerasis."
"Humor, of course..." Myerasis dismisses him and turns to everyone else. "Just what is this place exactly, other than the graveyard of Oasis' failures?"
Some of them frown while others shuffle in their place, the tension in the air becoming thicker.
Enette jumps up from her seat, thumb trembling without her knowledge. "Right. You just woke up, probably confused and sca....er.... let me introduce myself first. My name is Enette, leader and founder of the Rehab Adventure Team. Now, I want to take this step by step.... or, um..."
She's freezing up, voice trailing off as her thoughts run blank. That's never happened before, ever. Perhaps it almost occurred that one time Siena tried killing her, but not as intensely as this.
"I have a question." Myerasis begins, taking a seat across the fire only for every seated person to stand up and awkwardly place some distance. Not even they could handle his presence. But that does not matter to him. "Why did he bring me here?"
"....I'm not very sure. Vyras, the messenger, just left you and Oasis' trust in us keeping you safe, here. Which is quite kind of him. Must mean he cares about you."
"He cares?" Myerasis scoffs softly, pointing his finger at the mark on his chest. "Does he brand everyone that he cares about?"
"It's for our, and your, safety, Myerasis. I'm sure you understand." Tor responds.
"Explain to me, what exactly it is you do?"
Enette steps in, a sudden light of confidence now on her face. "We are an adventure team. Founded with the quest of taking in and rehabilitating criminals and such other lost ones sentenced by Oasis, to utilize therapeutic means such as going on adventures, to forge bonds and gather healthy tools to combat whatever traumas and darkness held so far before being pardoned and released. That is our purpose, in which we have been very successful at."
"Really?"
"Take myself, for example." Tor starts. "A few years ago I was locked up for bashing in the head of a drunkard after a heated conversation. I held not a drop of remorse for taking his life. Not even after the revelation of his identity as a renowned architect with a wife and twins."
"The murder of a drunkard who had a wife and twins? Oasis must have been there himself to witness such a tiny crime to sentence you to therapy." Myerasis sighs.
"It was regrettably not my first crime. I've had other mistakes-- tragedies--done by my hands alone. I was supposed to be banished long ago, but for some reason Oasis took it upon himself to give me a chance to rehabilitate. So after I joined Enette's adventure team, I found the solution to the meaningless violence I invoked."
Even thinking about the past makes Tor feel nothing. Which is unfortunate to some, but quite common among the demon race. Because even through many many years of adventures with the team, where he has had the opportunity to grow and learn, he doesn't truly regret his past actions.
'He has no empathy.' Is all Myerasis can read off of the demon's situation. He turns away and points at the nearest stranger-- the faun.
"Name." He commands.
Enette scrambles to answer, "That's--"
"Siena Lolock, female faun. A priestess loyal to Oasis yet head ever so corrupt with such...darkness." Myerasis answers, tired of waiting.
Siena's expression never changes, even after Myerasis' truth. For she is aware he knows of her consciousness and everything below. The only being ever to see right through her. Like a mother who can see through her child's antics.
"You dream everyday of the music you sang to the humans and fauns that were willing to heed your preach. Sung in the name of Oasis yet masked with trickery and malice." He stands next to her with his head tilted, taking a look into her bright blue eyes only to see the darkness still lingering in her soul along with Oasis' mark. Branded and left off to camp, tamed and turned obedient. "You're still loyal to Oasis, despite the urge of destruction running through your veins?"
"Of course I am." Siena nods with a soft smile. "His light leads my life. His words are my truth. And my evil is but a part of me, just like He said."
'A failed specimen.' He thinks and turns to the others. Specifically the werewolf of the group. Tall and thick in muscle with a darkening stubble.
"I've seen you before, Yarek the werewolf. Once feared among a kingdom as he spilled blood. Very famous during that time but now just a dog without control." He then turns to a human woman, young and slim in stature with her exposed upper thigh covered in markings of features. "You too, Rochelle the merciless maid. All of you."
They all glare at him intensely, creating a showdown type of feel in the air. Although most would like to show off their power and put this elf in his place, they cannot. They cower, just like wood to fire.
"I believe it is in all of our interest if we retreat for the night." Tor suggests, an idea to the liking of Enette, who claps her hands with a nervous smile.
"Yes, yes. I'll show Myerasis around the inside to his new room whilst you all head on to catch some sleep. Because I have an assignment ready to explain upon daylight." She explains and receives a couple of groans in response.
"So much for our victory night." Rochelle groans, heading into the door along with everyone else.
But Tor stays behind, worried about Enette's safety. So before she heads towards the elf, he pulls her back.
"We need to talk."
"Ah, okay. Let me tell Myerasis, then." She quickly turns to Myerasis with a nervous chuckle.
"Excuse me for a moment as Tor and I discuss business."
"Sure. Don't let me get in the way." Myerasis watches as the two walk away towards the darkness not too far from the camp and not too close to the forest.
"I can take care of the tour segment for you." Tor says, giving quick glances at the elf lord of destruction, who's playing with the concept of eating food like a normal mortal as he bumps a piece of bread against the surface of his skin. "I know how busy you are, given everyone's tensed up by his presence and tomorrow's adventure."
"I don't want to bother you with it."
"Enette, you should know me by now. I value this job as much as you do and the responsibilities that come with it. I have never let anything fall out of place, that includes your health."
With her hand to her thumping chest, Enette sighs, feeling her heart ease down with every breath she draws and exhales. The insects chirping in the night sky and the crackling fire becoming louder, rushing in calmness to her mind.
"You're right, as usual. I have a lot that needs to be done and if I focus on my heart never stopping from the stress he invokes in me, I'll never get anything done." She takes a look at the hand that is tied to the mark on Myerasis as well as Tor's hand. "If you need help, be sure to-"
"I'll be sure to let you know. Now go get some rest, leader."
Overjoyed by his support, Enette goes ahead to get to work. "I bid you night." She calls out to them and disappears into the door.
With a deep inhale, Tor turns to Myerasis, prepping up his fake smile. If he is to take care of this....elf then that means being at his best behavior.
"Are you re--"
"You will never be able to feel love." Myerasis states so suddenly, now standing just a few inches in front of him. "How does that feel? To never be able to shed a tear nor say sorry from the bottom of your heart?"
The fire's wild red clashing against the shadows on their faces. Intensifying the mirrored expressions, as one stares widely with malicious intent and curiosity whilst the other glares with instinctual alertness devoid of emotions. A stare off between two beings that gather different kinds of respect from people.
At this moment, Tor realizes the truth as he continues looking into those pearl colored eyes that never seems to be influenced by the fire's light.
"I'll never know, I suppose." He responds softly, turning his back to him and swallowing what he calls anger. A dangerous move on his part, yes, but he considers this a form of power. After all, this evil incarnate is powerless and under their command. Which would be unimpressive if he were just an ordinary villain. "Let's get going, shall we?"
The two head in, and just before Myerasis can head inside, the door growls
'It growled?' Myerasis thinks in utter fascination as many eyes pry open on the silver decorative frame at the top of the door. Glaring at him with piercing blue hues unwilling to make way for them.
"This...." Tor places his hand on the knob and recoils when it shocks him. "Odd. It's never rejected any guests before."
Obviously the two did not know or realize the fact that the door remembers this elf from a distant past.
Although it's just a door, it has instincts and impossible opinions of everything. This is how it manages who walks in and out as well as invade. How else has the adventure team make it so far in staying safe at times of rest?
Myerasis takes a few steps back, intrigued as the door opens again only for Tor. When it does, he begins to remember something faint. A past memory of a sentient door with such similarities. But what? If it was from a past pertaining to his own, then there's no use in remembering, for he spent most of his life in deep slumber and has no recollection of the past anymore. Just pure hunger.
"It seems the tour will have to wait." Tor grumbles, pissed off at the door but also understanding. It's just doing its job after all. But he looks back at the elf with obvious discontent of their current situation. He needs help but cannot afford to leave him alone in the open. Where he could have the opportunity to do something. Sure, he's defenseless and powerless, but it does not rule out anything. "I'll be back. And just so you know, anything you try will be at a price." He points to his hand and chest before walking through the door in a hurry.