−Nagasaki−
The city was worse than I expected. Image the worst post-apocalypse movie you've seen and that’s what it looked like. The buildings were dilapidated and crumbling, the streets were nearly empty with a few craters in the road here and there, and the few people that did walk about had hollowed looks in their eyes as they walked around lifelessly. I spotted a restaurant nearby and made my way towards it. The place was slightly run down, but considering the condition of the city, it was a pretty good place. The mood inside was a bit more lively and a few people laughed loudly, but that might have been the beer they were consuming.
I sat down and ordered a nice, hot bowl of ramen and listened to the voices and drunken laughter around me. I sipped my tea from the cracked cup when a piece of interesting info drifted towards my ears.
“Did you hear? A hero is coming,” a young woman whispered nearby, but she didn't seem pleased about it.
“I heard its Hero Freedert. They say she slayed the Demon Lord in Sapporo.” This new delighted me. That means I could skip going all the way north and just go to Sendai. Ah, wait. Just because Hero Freedert defeated the Demon Lord doesn't mean Irene will let me off. If the hero didn't destroy the object powering the seal I’d never hear the end of it if I didn't go there myself.
“I hope she skips Nagasaki. Did you hear what happened after the Demon Lord was killed in Sapporo?”
I heard the man and woman shift uneasily at their table.
“The Demon King appointed an even crueler ruler in Sapporo. I hear that the new Demon Lord even eats humans. Things aren't much better here, but at least we don’t have to worry about becoming the Demon Lord’s snack.”
“But what if she could defeat him,” the man tentatively suggested. “What if she could defeat the Demon Lord and free us? We can’t survive much longer with the decay he’s spreading.”
“Don’t you remember Sapporo?” the woman hissed.
“Yeah, but we can hope and dream, right?”
The waitress brought over my meal just as the discussion ended. I thanked her and quickly ate as I fragments of conversations around me, and none of them sounded good.
“Crops are dying…”
“…supply short…”
“…high taxes …polluted water...famine…”
The city was in a dire situation. It was only a matter of time before every human around Nagasaki died.
After paying my meal I left the restaurant and walked around town looking for an inn. The further I walked the worse the buildings looked and the fewer people I saw. It wasn't until I reached a large stone wall and peeked through a hole in it did I realize why. The other side had been converted into a demon residence, and the reason for the buildings being abandoned and destroyed was probably due to fights among demons. The buildings were bright and new, filled with lively creatures walking about. It was the polar opposite of the side I was on. I walked along the wall and found that it circled around the human area, trapping everyone inside.
I sighed wearily and resumed searching for an inn. Finally, after an hour, I found a place that was renting rooms. Not exactly an inn, but I wasn’t too picky about it.
With my room key in hand I walked down the rickety hallway and almost collided with the figure that turned the corner. The person quickly jumped back and looked at me with narrowed, wary eyes before going on their way again. Only the eyes were exposed so I couldn't tell if that person was male or female. But when he/she moved past me, I heard the sound of a sword hitting against their leg as they walked. Ah what did it matter?
Yawning, I opened the door and sat on the straw bed and immediately lay down. Maybe I can catch a quick nap.
“I’m back!” Irene cheered, appearing beside me as she hovered over the floor. Give me a break.
I pulled back my hood with a sigh and looked up at Irene. I didn't have the energy to get up after walking all day.
“So what did you find out?” she asked.
“The city’s divided into two, with us being on the human side. Things look pretty bad. It’s only a matter of time before all the humans die. I doubt they can escape either, since there’s a wall circling this side of the city. I heard someone talk about a curfew, so they probably closed off all the exits.”
“How are we supposed to get to the Demon Lord then?” Irene wondered with a worried expression.
“I have an idea,” I said, pointing at Irene. “You go and scout the demon side.”
“M-Me?!” she squeaked with wide eyes.
“Yes you. Since you’re kind of a ghost right now, they won’t be able to see you, right?”
“I-I guess…” she mumbled, clearly not liking the idea.
“So hurry up and go,” I said, making shooing motions with my hand.
“Fine,” Irene huffed and flew through the ceiling. Finally I can get some sleep while she’s out. I closed my eyes and was about to fall asleep when Irene came back in less than 5 minutes.
“That was fast,” I grumbled gloomily.
“Don’t be like that you lazy bum,” Irene lightly scolded. She smoothed out her skirt before floating down and hovered above a nearby chair, pretending to sit.
“So?”
“I couldn't reach it,” she mumbled, depressed.
“Is there some kind of barrier?” I asked with a frown. With Irene in her ghost-like state it should be a piece of cake to sneak in and out without being seen.
“Well,” she began, “I saw what you meant by the wall, but that was as far as I could go. When I tried to go farther past the wall, I guess I kind of blurred out? Like I was having trouble staying and I almost went back to my real body.”
“Did anyone see you?”
Irene shook her head. At least this was good news. Even demons couldn't see her, which could work out for me.
I sighed and pondered this new information in my head. There didn't seem to be a barrier set up along the wall, since nothing prevented the demons from busting holes in it, and I didn't feel any magic coming from it. That means there was only one thing.
“You have a distance limit,” I stated. Irene’s eyes widened for a moment before her face scrunched up in thought.
“Maybe…”
“Try heading to the restaurant to the south,” I instructed. She gave me a confused look before complying and flew out the wall behind me. Less than 5 minutes later and she was back.
“I couldn't make it,” she reported.
“How far did you get?”
“To this giant pile of garbage. I think all the cars were thrown there, but they’re all destroyed. I doubt anyone could use them to get away.”
I nodded and told her to go as far west as she could. When she returned she looked frustrated.
“I barely made it to this giant crater. I heard someone say it was caused by the demon invasion. I tried to go farther Jun, I really did, but I start blurring like a TV with bad connection,” she mumbled with her head hanging in depression.
“I know, I know,” I said soothingly, not wanting her to break down on me. I had a pretty good idea what her limit was, but one more test wouldn't hurt. With instructions to go east, Irene left with her shoulders slumped wearily.
5 minutes had passed and Irene hadn't returned yet. I frowned at the wall where she left, wondering if she actually made it farther or if she had disappeared back into her body. Not including the first time we met, which was due to her inexperience and inability to hold the spell for long, Irene said she needed a ‘recharge’ period in order to use the spell again, since it uses up her magic. I’m not sure if this applied to her distance limit, but if it did she’d be gone for a long time.
But Irene knew her limits. She wouldn't push herself until she disappeared. That would mean I’d have the chance to sleep in peace, and she was against that. Hah, maybe there wasn’t a difference between her and the demons that wanted to kill me after all.
Minutes ticked by and I wondered if she had disappeared. I sat up, contemplating my next move when a loud, frantic voice screamed my name from the eastern wall.
“Juuuuuunn!” Irene screamed my name as she flew through the wall at a super-fast speed –a speed I didn't know she could travel –towards me. I shielded myself with my arms reflexively as she flew right through me and screeched to a halt before she passed through the other wall.
“Wow, I didn’t know I could fly that fast,” she said in amazement and spun around to face me.
“Did you have to scream my name like that?” I asked, lowering my arms.
“Wha –yeah I did!” she exclaimed suddenly. “I saw a suspicious person walking around, so I decided to follow. I couldn’t tell who it was since they were wearing a cloak and their face was covered.”
“Go on,” I prompted.
“That person ran into a group of thugs and they suddenly pulled out knives. Then the person pulled out a sword and… and killed them,” she finished quietly.
“Do you know where this person was headed?”
Irene shook her head. “Once we reached a large office building I started blurring again, so I came back as fast as I could to tell you!”
“I see…” This person was probably the same person I almost ran into on my way to my room. But what was their intention?
“Ah, let’s forget about it,” I said, lying back down, uninterested.
“What?! Why?!” Irene demanded, hands on her hips.
“I’m here to save you, not become some idiot who runs around yelling, “For Justice!” at the top of my lungs.”
“You stupid self-proclaimed hero,” Irene said angrily. “You told that little boy you were a hero, but you won’t even bother stopping something potentially evil!”
“Oh stop nagging me. If you want to do something, then get your own body back and do it. I told you before, my main goal is to sleep and conserve energy. Thanks to you it comes second, but that doesn’t mean I’m going to forget it and go waste energy running around and poke my nose where it doesn’t belong.”
“You don’t have to say it like that that,” Irene mumbled dejectedly.
Ah, she’s such a pain.
“OK, cheer up and stop looking at me with such a sad face. I have one piece of good news for you.”
“What is it?” she asked skeptically.
“I figured out your distance limit. Judging from the places you could reach, I’d say it’s about 1 kilometer.”
“Wait, so I can only be 1 kilometer away from you?” Irene repeated, clearly surprised. Whether she was happy or unhappy with the distance I couldn't tell, but eh, what did I care?
“Yeah. Anyway, you don’t need to worry about that person. I have a pretty good idea who it is.”
“Wait, you do?” she gasped. “You, the lazy self-proclaimed hero who has no friends?”
“Hey, no need to insult me. I wouldn't be a self-proclaimed hero if it wasn't for you,” I shot back and stood to Irene’s surprise.
“Where’re you going?
“We’re going to pay this mystery person a visit,” I said. “If my hunch is right we can get everything wrapped up and still have time for a nap.”
*~*~*~*
I followed Irene to the abandoned office building the person had apparently gone into. Well it was supposed to be abandoned, but I saw a few people patrolling the building. A few of them had guns but most of them held machetes or lead pipes.
“I thought you said it was empty,” I hissed at Irene.
“I was kind of busy following the person and blurring, ah ha ha ha,” she laughed sheepishly.
“Go be useful and tell me how many there are,” I sighed. Irene gave me a mock salute and flew over the fence. Currently I was hiding behind a rusted, long forgotten car. Ah, I just wanted to go to sleep. Night time was meant for sleeping.
When Irene came I was half-asleep on my feet. After yelling in my ear to wake me up, she told me what I wanted to know.
“There’s about 10 guys outside and about 50 more inside. I even spotted a few women and children inside, but all of them were armed. What’s going on?”
“We’ll figure that out later. Where’s that person?”
“On the main floor actually. It seems like that persons the boss, so I thought they’d be at the top. So I ended up wasting time going down a bunch of empty floors, sorry,” she finished apologetically.
“I wouldn't mind if you take longer next time,” I yawned, stretching.
“Jun!” Irene fumed at my lazy attitude.
“Okay let’s go,” I said and headed towards the building.
“How are you going to get in?” Irene asked, floating after me.
I grinned at her and said, “Through the front door of course.”
*~*~*~*
5 minutes later and I was sitting on the ground on the main floor, my hands tied behind my back with a thick rope. My sword, cloak, backpack, and jacket had been taken and were currently beside the mysterious cloaked figure, who sat on an old, cracked chair studying me with narrowed eyes.
“Is this your great plan?” Irene hissed, looking around uneasily at the 20 or so men around us. They couldn’t see her of course and were busy glaring at me while holding their weapons at the ready.
“You bet,” I replied under my breath. If I started actively chatting with Irene, I’d seem like a nutcase. For my purposes I didn’t want to seem insane just yet.
“Yo, if you got something to say, say it!” one of them snapped at me, holding his pipe threateningly as the others agreed.
“Okay then,” I said out loud and turned my attention to the cloaked figure.
“Hero Freedert, I assume?”
Her eyes seemed to smile as she pulled down her hood. She looked to be in her mid-30s with short brown hair and had an amused smile on her lips.
“How did you guess?” she asked with an accent.
“No one hides their face in this town besides you and me. Besides, no one wants you here.”
“Shut your mouth!” one of the men spat, taking a step forward. Freedert extended an arm to him, stopping his advance before turning her attention towards me again.
“It’s true that most of the citizens believe that change will only make life harder for them, but as you can see some want change,” she said, gesturing to the people around the room, who seemed to have increased in number. I even saw a child or two in the crowd.
“You’re not from Japan are you,” I questioned, already knowing the answer.
“It’s not uncommon seeing people of non-Japanese descent now, since the slave trade spreads us everywhere. Is that a problem?” She asked this in a light-hearted tone, but her eyes challenged me to say otherwise.
“I don’t really care,” I said with a shrug.
“So why did you come looking for me?” she questioned. From the bump in her cloak I knew her hand rested on the hilt of her sword, but that didn’t stop me from saying my next words.
“I don’t really care what happens to this city-“
“Screw you!”
“Go die!”
“I’ll kill you!”
“You’re such an insensitive idiot, Jun!” Irene shouted at me.
Freedert raised a hand, silencing all the angry shouts directed at me.
“-but we have a common goal,” I finished.
“And what exactly is that?” she asked with narrowed eyes.
“To defeat the Demon Lord,” I stated with a grin. Everyone inhaled sharply and started talking amongst themselves.
“How about we team up?” I suggested. “We’ll both work to defeat the Demon Lord. All I ask is that I be allowed to search the Demon Lord’s castle after and you can continue with your reform or demon slaying or whatever.”
“Like hell we will!” someone yelled.
“What can a brat like you do?!”
Irene looked around uneasily and floated closer to my side.
“Oh you’ve made them angrier,” she whimpered.
“It’ll be alright,” I whispered under my breath as Freedert was busy discussing something with some of the men. Once she turned to face me again the room quieted down into hushed silence.
“How do we know you won’t drag us down?” she questioned.
“You don’t,” I said with a shrug. “I’m not asking for a partnership. If I slow you down just leave me behind. All I want is to search the Demon Lord’s castle.”
“Don’t listen to him! He’s going to steal the treasure!” someone objected.
“Just what are you looking for?” Freedert asked, ignoring the interruption.
“That depends. It might just be the treasure you’re talking about.”
Freedert sat there thoughtfully as we waited for her verdict.
“Alright,” she said, surprising her crew who cried out in outrage.
“Glad to hear it,” I said. Beside me Irene slumped in relief.
“But if you betray us I will kill you,” Freedert warned, standing so I could see the hand that gripped the hilt of her sword.
“I didn’t expect anything less,” I said casually with a grin. That was easy.
“Go untie him,” Freedirt instructed.
“Don’t bother,” I said, pulling my hands apart and waved him away. Freedert and Irene looked at me with surprise. Untying myself had been a piece of cake.
“How long have you been untied?” Freedert and Irene asked simultaneously.
“From the moment you made me sit I guess,” I said absently, answering both their questions as I stood.
“I shouldn’t underestimate you,” she said with a nod and ordered me to follow. One of her henchmen grudgingly handed me my stuff. Irene stuck close to me as we followed Freedert into an empty office that was serving as their base. A roughly drawn map of Nagasaki was laid out on the table and a few more hung on the walls.
“So what’s the plan?” I asked, studying the maps.
“We strike tomorrow,” she announced.
“That’s fast.”
“This rebellion has been planned for quite some time.”
“I thought you just arrived,” I said.
“That’s true. I arrived a little over 2 weeks ago but the people are tired of waiting.”
“You think you can win?” I asked, not concerned in the least.
Freedert gave a long, weary breath before replying.
“We’ll see.”
“What made you become a hero?” I suddenly asked, curious as to why someone would choose such a tiring occupation.
Freedert was silent. I didn't really care if she responded or not, but eventually she did.
“10 years ago I was studying to become a teacher. When they invaded I was captured and sent to Japan as a maid. I learned Japanese from a girl who was forced to work for the demon as well. Long story short I eventually escaped. I wanted to save the people back at the mansion so I trained. It was then that I learned I could use magic. However, everyone in the mansion died and the demon had disappeared. It was then that I cast my old name aside and took up the name Freedert. I will continue to free people from the demons as long as I live,” she said with conviction.
“You’re not saving anyone,” I stated, absently flipping through an old, yellowed book.
“Once you kill a Demon Lord a new one will be appointed. Or are you telling me you’ll exterminate all demons?” I wasn't mocking her by saying this. I just wanted to see how far she thought this through and really intended to waste her life fighting.
“I know my limits,” she stated.
“At my current level I have no hope at defeating the Demon King of Japan. I’m sure you've heard of Sapporo. I barely won even though I had amassed a large force to fight them. But even if I can’t free everyone from the demon’s control, I can still help someone. And hopefully people will realize it is possible to fight against them. If I can be that hope I’ll gladly keep fighting.”
“Well good luck with that,” I said with a shrug, finding it was a waste. Why fight when you could sleep? Maybe Irene should have been stuck with Freedert than me, but there wasn't anything I could do about that.
Done with the small talk I asked what the plan was.
“We’ll strike at noon,” she stated, pointing a spot on the map. She traced a finger along the wall that divided the city in half and tapped her finger at the center.
“Half of the remaining citizens of Nagasaki have joined us. We’ll be splitting into three groups. You’ll be accompanying me as I lead the troops from the center and the other two will head around. Once the forces from the sides slip in past the wall, our job will be to cause a distraction, allowing them to slip into the castle undetected. We’ll then carve our way towards the castle and join up with our comrades who’ll be fighting the Demon Lord.”
“Such a reckless plan,” I sighed. So much energy will be wasted.
“It’s the only shot we have.”
“Alright, alright,” I said in defeat. Well, one sword wouldn't be enough for such a troublesome task.
“Let’s see… I think I can fit 2 swords on each hip… Okay! I’ll need 3 more swords, a bow, and a quiver of arrows before I agree to this.”
Freedert gave me a bewildered look, but did agree in the end.
“I’ll see you tomorrow then.”
*~*~*~*
For once I woke up on time –something that had delighted Irene that morning –and was currently crouching in one of the abandoned buildings right by the wall. One of the nearby men glared at me when I yawned. I couldn't help it. Not only was I bored but my legs were starting to get sore from staying like this for so long.
Irene was currently flying above the building with instructions to be my lookout. I couldn't have her hanging so close to me, and she was more than happy to comply.
“You seem very calm,” Freedirt noted with a strained smile. Clearly she was nervous, maybe even afraid, but it wasn't that odd. Everyone around us wore similar expressions.
“Nah I just woke up so I’m still sleepy,” I said lazily. “Thanks for the weapons by the way.”
“You’re welcome,” she said, looking at me skeptically. Out of everyone I was the dressed the oddest. Everyone had a sword at their hip and a few even had a gun or two tucked away. There were a few archers, but most of them were with the side groups. I guess you can say I looked like a mismatch of everything with 2 swords on each hip and a bow and quiver strung over my back. For the purpose of today’s battle I even left my cloak and bag behind. Hah, I just want this over with quick.
“Why?” Freedirt asked. Apparently I spoke that last thought out loud.
“No real reason. I’m aiming to finish this by nightfall.”
“I don’t think that’ll happen,” she cut in and tried forcing some logic down my throat.
“Even with the amount of people I amassed, how long we can hold out is unpredictable. Realistically we might continue fighting into tomorrow as well. If the battle ends sooner it’ll be due to our annihilation.”
“Ah, don’t be so pessimistic,” I said dismissively.
“I’m being realistic,” she shot back.
“Hah, whatever,” I sighed and stood.
“What are you doing?” Freedert hissed.
“It’s time, right? I hate wasting energy, but I hate wasting time even more,” I stated and headed down out of the building. I could feel everyone’s murderous gaze on me, but what did I care? If I want to finish up by nightfall, better start now!
A gate meant for keeping humans out loomed before me. It was obviously locked with chains wrapped around it. How useless.
With my hands in my pockets I gave it a nice, quick side-kick. With a loud snap of metal it flew off its hinges and crashed to the ground in the middle of the road. Nearby demons gawked at me and the gate –now having a large indent in the center.
“Listen up demons!” I shouted, standing in the gateway.
“If you want to live get out of the city. If you want to die come at me.”
They laughed at me and threw taunts as they started transforming. Some completely lost their humanoid shape while others started growing fangs, claws, and wings.
“You idiot!” Freedert yelled at me as she and the rest of the gang hurried to where I was.
“Puny humans! Tremble in fear!” a troll roared nearby.
“Ah, you’re so annoying,” I said, feeling slightly irritated as I loosened my shoulders with an audible pop.
“You’ll regret those words! I’ll-“
Ah, I’m tired of listening to their monologue. I ran to the center, so fast it seemed like I teleported, with a hand on the hilt of my borrowed katana and behead a werewolf as I unsheathed it. Keeping with the momentum I spun and slashed the goblin behind him in half. Time seemed to slow down as I continued my attack, slashing the vampire beside him down. By the time I sheathed my sword it took me less than 3 seconds to reduce 15 monsters around me to lifeless hunks of meat.
The demons recoiled and jumped away with fear, anger, and disbelief in their eyes. I heard Freedert and her gang gasp behind me, but I didn't give them much thought. They’d just slow me down anyway.
“Time’s precious, guys. If you want to leave, go right ahead. I’m on my way to the Demon Lord’s castle, so either let me through or die,” I warned, partially unsheathing my katana with a flick of my thumb, letting everyone see the metal glint in the afternoon sun.
I’m not sure if any of them retreated since they swarmed me at once. Not much I could do now.
I behead the first monster to reach me before stabbing the next one in the heart. I kicked its body away before slicing another behind me in the stomach, finishing him off by stabbing him in the mouth. Blood and gore flew everywhere as I continued to cut them down. I smashed my elbow into their face and caught another one with a kick to the head.
“Die!” a troll roared, bringing his fist towards me. Clicking my tongue in irritation, I easily dodged his attack and slashed at his arm. He howled in pain as I spotted cracks form in the blade. I’m impressed how well this blade held against the strength of a troll’s skin, but it’s time to retire had come.
I threw the katana at his neck and unsheathing a new one in an instant. I continued making my way towards the castle as the troll crashed to the ground behind me.
“Above you!” Irene yelled from above. I rolled forward in time to dodge an arrow and chopped off the legs of the demon before me as I rolled into a crouch. Another arrow flew at me, which I used the body of a demon to block. I grabbed a tiny goblin by the collar and tossed him into the oncoming arrow. Ah, this was so annoying.
I kicked a skeleton in the ribs, pulverizing its spine in the process and followed it up with a kick in the stomach to the monster behind it. I quickly sheathed my sword as it hunched over in pain and I jumped, using it as a spring board as I landed on the roof of a nearby building. Dodging an arrow with a roll, I quickly slid the bow off my shoulder and notched an arrow at the same time. Landing in a crouch, I took aim at the nearest demon and fired, catching it in the head. It fell to the ground as the other 7 screamed in outrage. Running across the rooftops, I shot each one of them down –either in the heart or the head.
“If you want to kill me you’re going to have to do a better job!” I taunted the demons below as I ran along the rooftops. The roared in outrage and followed after me, almost forgetting about Freedert and her gang. I think she tried yelling something to me, but maybe I imagined it.
A ball of fire flew at me and I took shelter behind a chimney. Ah, who’s breathing fire at me now?
“How’s it looking Irene?” I shouted as the demon continued shooting fireballs at me. Another one flew at me from the front and I leapt away. I forgot there were other streets.
“They’re swarming in on your location! The good news is the other groups have made it inside because of your crazy rampage,” she shouted towards me. Good for them but that meant more work for me.
“Just use your magic!” she shouted.
“On small fry like them? That’s anticlimactic! Besides, it’s a good way to exercise the body!” I shouted back. Well, might as well speed things up.
Giving a mighty leap from the top of a building I grabbed the hilts of two short swords. I unsheathed them at such a lightning fast speed that the shockwave sent a huge blast of air at the ground, creating a large X shaped crater in the ground that flattened, crushed, and sent monsters flying. Ah, shoot. Now there’s a bunch of dust.
Something flew through the dust at me and I lashed out with a kick, catching the harpy in the face. I landed on my feet and dashed forward. I was wasting too much time here.
“W-Wait for me!” Irene called behind me. Oops. She’s the only one I can’t leave behind. Her eyes will come in handy with the Demon Lord.
“Th-They’re retreating!” she gasped. I quickly glanced around and did see the monsters around me starting to thin out. Of course a few of them continued to lunge at me, but I quickly took care of them.
I finally screeched to a half in front of the Demon Lord’s castle. It seemed the Demon Lord had done some landscaping. Whatever buildings that had once stood here were gone and replaced with a massive, Gothic style castle. It felt like an old, cliché set for a vampire movie.
“We finally… caught up… with you…” Freedert panted along with her gang. It seemed like the majority of them survived.
“You’re crazy,” someone wheezed.
“Are you even human?” another questioned.
“I bet that was some kind of support magic, right?”
“No, it’s wind magic. Did you see his last move?”
“Yeah, yeah, yeah,” I said absently, having no intention of answering. I gave a high-pitch whistle and Irene flew to my side.
“See? If you were always this serious we could be done with Japan in a month or two,” Irene said with a smile, even though her face was pretty pale. She probably wasn't used to seeing so much blood and gore.
“Can’t go against my nature now,” I said and extended my hand, pretending to pat her head. A bit of color returned to her face as she pouted playfully.
“What are you doing?” Freedert cut in.
“Nothing,” I said with an easy-going smile, pulling my hand back. I turned to face the doors once again and whispered under my breath to Irene.
“Try and find the Demon Lord.”
“Got it,” she said, flashing me a thumbs up before flying into the mansion.
“So,” I said out loud, catching Freedert’s attention.
“Who and what is the Demon Lord of Nagasaki?”
“His name is Samael. We don’t know exactly what he can do, but judging from all the decay it must be something that causes instant death,” a man reported.
“Well isn't that dramatic?” I muttered, taking a step towards the door.
“Wait,” Freedert said, grabbing my arm.
I turned around and pointedly looked at the hand on my arm. She narrowed her eyes at me and slowly let go, probably thinking I was going to run away –or charge inside, one or the other.
“Who are you?”
“I’m Jun Yoshida, a human like you,” I casually said, gesturing to the rest of them.
“Those weren't the moves of a human,” she objected, searching my face.
“Is this really the time to question me when we can go kill the Demon Lord?” I said, tilting my head towards the doors.
Freedert grudgingly nodded and fell into step beside me as we entered something that looked like a foyer, with a bunch of creepy paintings and statues around the place. There was a pair of curving stairs that led to the second floor in front of us, and a couple of hallways. Where to go, where to go? Logic says to the highest floor. It’s the rule of every video game.
“This way,” Freedert suddenly declared, pointing at the hallway to our left.
“Why that way?” I questioned.
“Just follow me,” she said and started walking in that direction. Sighing in defeat I fell into step beside her.
“Why did you decide to join us? It seems like you could handled this on your own,” she said in a low voice, probably so the others wouldn't hear her.
“I told you it wasn't for a partnership,” I repeated.
“If I charged into the middle of your fight suddenly like I did, you’d probably think I was an enemy –a demon at worst. I don’t want to deal with the hassle of explaining myself to you mid-fight. Besides, if you caught me inside the castle you’d assume I was a demon or a thief. Again, a hassle I wanted to avoid.”
She went silent for a moment before saying, “You really are a lazy guy, but it seems you thought this through.”
I shrugged and continued walking. Irene appeared and reported that the Demon Lord Samael was located on the top floor. Ha ha ha! Video game logic is proven right!
Anyway, Samael apparently uses poison as his weapon. His body can secrete poison like sweat and create a blade of poison –allowing him to control its shape and hardness.
“But it’s odd,” Irene said with a worried look as she floated beside me.
“I checked everywhere bet only the Demon Lord is in the castle. I don’t see a guard anywhere.”
“Maybe he’s just that cocky,” I whispered back.
“You say something?” Freedert asked.
“Nope. Just thinking out loud to myself,” I lied.
Irene guided us to where Samael was and I shoved open the door before Freedert could stop me.
“So you've finally arrived,” he greeted with a smirk. He looked like a sickly man with black hair and pasty white skin. No, wait, make that scales. Faint, pasty white scales covered his body and his pupils were black, narrow slits.
“Yeah, yeah. Let me guess, you’re going to spring your trap on us right now, right?” I guessed with a casual air about me, keeping my eyes locked on him.
“Cheeky brat,” he hissed and snapped his fingers. Bars that I thought were meant for ventilation fell away from the walls and cat sized bats flew out, diving towards us. Gah, what a pain.
A curtain of fire suddenly shielded us and the bats flew into it, unable to stop and fell to the ground in charred hunks.
“Where are my men?” Freedert demanded. None of the other men from the other groups could be seen.
“I see, a Magician,” Samael said with a twisted smile.
“No matter. You’ll meet the same fate as them.”
Irene gasped and pointed at the walls in horror. The men from the other groups were slumped on the floor, dead, and their skin was an odd purple color. I heard someone retch behind me.
“Yes! I like those expressions,” he stated with a sadistic laugh.
Samael stood and extended his hand out. A dark purple liquid oozed from his skin and took the form of a shiny purple scythe in his hand.
“Get down!” I shouted, dragging Freedert down with me as Samael slashed the air with his scythe, sending dark purple pellets flying at us. It flew over my head, but a few slow men weren't so lucky. They fell to the ground, screaming in agony as the poison could be seen spreading through their body in dark, purple tendrils beneath their skin.
“Continue screaming in agony as I slowly kill you like the rest!” he laughed joyfully.
“Go!” I shouted at Freedert, pointing towards the door behind us.
“Men! Fall back!” she ordered and they were more than happy to comply, dragging their wounded with them out the door.
“Why aren't you going too?” I asked, my irritation seeping into my voice.
“I can’t leave you to fight him alone. I can use magic so you fall back as well.”
“Don’t think this’ll be easy just because you have magic. You’re always saying ‘I have magic’ this and ‘I have magic’ that. You’re too dependent on it,” I warned, unsheathing a katana and readied myself. Samael rushed at us with blinding speed, but I anticipated this. Kicking Freedert away I blocked his horizontal slash. We both strained against each other before jumping away, putting some distance between each other.
“Be careful!” Irene exclaimed in a worried voice.
“I’ll be okay,” I replied evenly, keeping my eyes trained on Samael.
“Just get farther away and tell me if anything changes.”
“Alright,” Freedert said reluctantly, believing that I was speaking to her. I didn't care though, since she’d just be in the way. Both Irene and Freedert moved farther away from me, out of danger. I think it’s about time I started.
With a battle cry I charged towards Samael, slashing downwards above his head. He blocked it with his scythe, straining against the impact. His weapon seemed to warp a bit and I jumped back, twisting in the air to avoid the spikes that shot out from his scythe.
“Don’t let them touch you, Jun! They’re filled with highly toxic venom. Just a scratch will paralyze you instantly while the poison quickly courses through your veins!”
Clicking my tongue in annoyance, I sheathed my sword and quickly drew my bow. If I couldn't get close to him how about this?
I shot 3 arrows in rapid succession towards his heart, head, and leg. His scythe quickly turned into a shield, blocking the arrows as he stood behind it, smirking.
“You have to be kidding me,” I said, clicking my tongue as I swapped my bow for my trusty short sword. I took a step forward, steadying myself, and sent a powerful shockwave towards Samael as I slashed in his direction.
The shield caved in slightly and looked like it threatened to shatter as it strained against my attack.
“Not bad,” Samael said before extending a hand out. More poison oozed from his skin, flying towards his shield and strengthened it. My attack disappeared and his shield remained standing.
“You’re an interesting human,” he commented, his eyes bright like he found a new toy.
“I didn't sense any magic in your last attack. I've never met a human like you before. Why don’t you join me? Your skills will be put to better use than playing hero,” he offered, extending his hand out to me welcomingly.
“Eh? I might just consider it,” I said with a grin, ignoring Freedert’s outraged cry. Irene was floating above Samael with a confused expression, but I could see in her face that she still believed in me. She was too trusting, but I’m not complaining. It actually felt kind of nice.
“Wise choice,” Samael said with a smile.
“First I’ll have you-“
“I've got some questions first,” I cut in.
“What?” he asked with a bored expression.
“Out of curiosity do you have a magical item in your castle?”
“Of course,” he scoffed.
“I am a Demon Lord, so of course I have magical items. What, you want one of them? Go right ahead if you join me.”
“Well to be more specific, where is the item that’s sealing Irene?” I phrased it as a question but it came out as a demand. All traces of the Demon Lord that had tried recruiting me disappeared, replaced by a furious demon who glared daggers at me.
“You've come to save her? That little girl? Did you think I’d let you?! I would have let you join me, but since you’re after her I’ll have to kill you. A puny human like you has no hope of defeating me!” Samael roared. The atmosphere changed in the room instantly. The poison wall drew closer to Samael and wrapped itself around him, transforming him into a beast with long, poison laced claws on his hands and feet.
“I won’t feel satisfied until I rip you apart myself,” he stated in a low, menacing voice as he crouched, preparing to attack.
“Rah!” Freedert shouted behind him, charging towards Samael with her sword covered in flames, aimed at his heart. That idiot!
With lightning fast speed and reflexes I appeared instantly in front of her, putting myself between Freedert and Samael as he spun around.
“Don’t let him touch you!” Irene screamed.
I raised my sword in time to block the kick he aimed at us. Our feet skid across the floor as we were pushed back, but withstood the attack. I heard something hiss and looked at my sword. The place where Samael’s foot connected with it was starting to melt away, like something was eating at it.
“Irene! You didn't tell me he could use acid!” I shouted at the girl flying nearby.
“I’m telling you it’s still poison! I don’t know why but it has acidic properties now,” she said, obviously confused as she held her hands to her chest anxiously.
“I don’t expect you humans to know, but let me enlighten you,” Samael said with an air of superiority.
“Among us demons there are a few poisonous creatures whose venom has acidic properties. I’m sure you've seen those blobs roaming around Nagasaki.”
“You’re telling me you’re copying those Mucks,” I said, throwing my now useless sword aside.
“Copying doesn't describe what I've done. You see they’re my pets which I've studied intensively. I assure you that my poison is much more potent than theirs.”
“Can’t you use your magic on him?” I asked Irene. He was seriously irritating me.
“I can’t on such a large, complex target,” Irene argued.
“Even with my eyes I can’t handle all the complex compounds the human body –much less a demon’s body –is made of. Even if I could, I don’t have enough control over my magic to do it.”
“Then how about his poison?”
“Even if I did he’ll just make more. By that time I would've disappeared.”
Samael’s crazed laughter cut into our argument. He stood there and placed a palm on his forehead, tilting his head to the ceiling as he laughed at me.
“Oh, this is too funny! Have you given in to your despair and have gone delusional? You’re talking to thin air! What do you expect it to do?”
His crazed laughter echoed in the room, which seriously got on my nerves. Irene glared daggers at him and I could tell she wanted to blow him to smithereens.
“Don’t bother,” I told her, waving a hand dismissively before she could unleash her magic on him. I glanced outside and saw the sun start setting.
“Ah, screw this,” I sighed in defeat and scratched the back of my head.
“Good, just give in to despair,” Samael cackled, flexing his claws.
“You can’t give up! Run away while I distract him!” Freedert shouted at me and turned to face Samael with her weapon raised.
“Would you both just shut up and give it a rest?” I sighed irritably.
“First of all, Freedert you might as well leave. To put it simply: you’re in the way.”
Her eyes widened. Her face contorted in anger and disbelief at my words as her mouth opened and closed, but no sound came out.
“Secondly, you’re high and mighty attitude is seriously starting to tick me off,” I said in disgust towards Samael.
“Honestly I've wasted too much time here.”
“The feelings mutual you cocky-“
I ran towards Samael, slower than usual, and threw my last remaining sword at him. He caught it in his hand, taking his time to let me see the sword start to warp and melt as he held it –a stupid show of bravado, but that didn't make me stop.
“Did you think that would be enough? Now you’re-“
I cut him off by picking up my speed and appearing before him, hand placed at my hip as if to draw a sword even though I had none left. His eyes widened in surprise at my speed and he instinctively raised his arms to shield himself. It was that moment that I sliced deeply into his arm, but didn't separate it.
Samael howled in pain and leapt back, clutching his wounded arm as the tear I had created in his armor slowly sealed itself shut.
“What the hell is that sword?!” he shrieked.
“Oh, this?” I said, raising the hand that held the pure white sword that glowed softly, but shined brilliantly, as sleek as diamond. Wings sprouted near the hilt and spiraled around my hand.
“The Holy Sword White Breeze. A blade both beautiful and deadly. Weighting nothing to the user, it can easily cut through steel and boulders. White Breeze has no barrier properties or skills, but anything the blade touches is immediately purified. This effect extends to the user as well, but once the skin is pierced with a physical attack it cannot purify it,” Irene said as she analyzed my blade.
“Wow, you sound just like a-“
“Don’t! Don’t you dare compare me to that mindless talking machine,” Irene cut me off as she jabbed her delicate finger at me.
“Where did that come from? Don’t tell me you can use magic,” Freedert said, her eyes wide and filled with awe.
“My magic is called ‘Armory’. It allows me to summon any weapon I want –with a few limitations of course.”
Pointing my sword towards the ground and readying myself, I asked Samael with a grin, “Are you ready?”
“You lowly maggot!” he screeched, pointing his claws at me. Small orbs of poison flew at me like bullets. I swatted them away with my sword and charged. Samael panicked and raised an arm, changing his claw to a sickled blade.
I sliced his arm off before he could attack, feeling almost no resistance as I sliced through both his arm and armor.
“Ahhh!” he screamed, clutching his shoulder as blood poured between his fingers.
Out of all my blades I think this was my favorite –for now anyway. It goes without saying that I haven’t used them all. Besides, this blade was befitting of a Hero, right?
“And now you die,” I calmly stated without arrogance or gloating as I pointed the tip of my sword against his heart. Such emotions were a hindrance in these situations.
“Now tell me where the item is,” I demanded.
“I won’t tell you,” he spat, spitting blood at my face. I blocked it with my free hand and wiped it against my jacket. Disgusting.
Without any more dramatics I stabbed the Demon Lord through the heart.
“Disperse,” I commanded. My sword pulsed in my hand and started shining more brightly, engulfing Samael in its light before he disappeared in a shower of glowing orbs that flickered out.
With a weary sigh I deactivated my magic, sending White Breeze back to wherever it came from.
“I did it Irene,” I said, as if I just found a pair of socks she’d been looking for.
“You did it!” she cheered, flying towards me with an ecstatic smile.
“How did you do that?” Freedert asked, looking at me in disbelief, as if she was dreaming. Oh yeah, I almost forgot she was here.
“I stabbed him through the heart.”
“I don’t mean that,” she said, vigorously shaking her head.
“Those moves, that speed, that strength, and you can wield magic. You can’t be human.”
“I am, whether you want to don’t want to believe it or not. Anyway, Irene, can you sense the item?” I asked, turning towards my ghostly partner.
“On it,” she chirped, closing her eyes as she focused.
Her eyes shot open and she smiled broadly, pointing at the floor.
“I sense a strong magical presence beneath us.”
“Alright then,” I said and walked up to Freedert, who looked at me warily.
I sighed wearily. Would she just let me finish up already so I could sleep? I’m pretty sure I wasted a month’s supply of energy fighting today.
Not waiting for her consent, I wrapped an arm around her waist.
“Just what do you think you’re doing?!” she shrieked, giving a normal reaction for once.
“Hang on,” I warned and gave a mighty stomp, shattering the floor beneath us. She screamed as we fell, clinging onto me for dear life. I don’t know why in manga they made this seem cool and awesome. Who wanted to put up with a girl screaming directly into their ear, digging their nails into you or choking you with their vice-like neck hold? Not me, but unfortunately that was the fate of a hero.
I landed easily on the ground with Freedert in my arms and gently set her down. Her knees gave out and she collapsed on the floor, but I couldn't waste any more time on her.
What caught my attention was the large, jagged crystal pillar in the center of this dark and closed off room. It was a dark, smoky amethyst. I contemplated touching it but thought otherwise. I opted to lightly tapping it with one of the scabbards I still had. It sounded pretty solid and it didn't melt it.
“What’s this made of?” I asked Irene.
She stared at it intently but didn't answer. I guess I should leave her be.
I sat down and yawned, feeling mentally tired. The Demon Lord Samael had been a pain. If all the other Demon Lords are going to be like him, then I needed a very long nap before I headed to the next one.
“Is that the item you’re looking for?” Freedert asked, gazing at the pillar.
“We’ll see,” I said with a shrug, looking at Irene who was now circling the pillar intently.
“You keep looking off into the distance and talking to yourself. Is there someone there?”
“You could say that. Not surprised?” I asked with a raised brow when she didn't laugh or scoff at me.
She shook her head and sat down beside me.
“You’re full of surprises, so I’m not that shocked. But really, who are you?”
“You could say I’m a hero,” I yawned loudly, bringing tears to my eyes.
“I don’t mean to be rude, but you don’t seem like one. For starters, you’re kind of lazy,” she pointed out.
“Yeah, but I’ve got to save the world.”
I gave her a quick run-down of my quest to save Irene, omitting the fact that she can use Destruction magic. The last thing I needed was for her to spread the word about an immortal demon that can use powerful magic, which would lead people to want to kill Irene than save her.
“I see…” she murmured thoughtfully.
“My dream is to nap peacefully in the sun, so I can’t have immortal Demon King’s rampaging,” I concluded.
“That fits you perfectly,” she said with a chuckle.
“But you’re not much of a hero. Should I spread your name for you?”
“No,” I said, cringing at the thought. I didn't want people coming to me with their demon problems. Let some other hero handle those.
“Jun! There’s something weird with this crystal,” Irene called as she flew over.
“What? Is poison going to seep out if I break it?”
“No, it’s safe to touch but, well… I think there’s a person inside.”
“…Just great,” I sighed.
“What?” Freedert asked.
“There’s someone inside,” I told her and walked over to it. I placed a hand against it, whispering an apology to the poor soul trapped inside, and punching it.
“Ow!” I hissed, shaking out my bruised knuckles. The surface of the crystal cracked a bit, but it wasn't enough to shatter it.
Irene sighed and shook her head at me.
“Magic uses up more energy than punching,” I informed her, but I guess I didn't have a choice.
I extended my hand out and summoned White Breeze. I placed the tip against the crystal and used its ability Disperse –purifying whatever it touched instead of using it as a purification shield around the blade and me. However, this ability doesn't work on living things. It only worked on Samael because he had become one with his poison, making him ‘impure’.
The crystal was enveloped in White Breeze’s soft light. As it faded a figure started falling from where the crystal once stood. Leaping into the air, I caught the figure and landed, finding a little girl no older than 10 in my arms. Her hair was as pale white as her skin, and somehow she still lived even while in the crystal as her chest slowly rose and fell. Her eyes fluttered open, revealing ruby red orbs.
“Where… am I?” she asked faintly.
“You’re safe,” Freedert assured her, kneeling beside the girl.
“Lord Samael… Lord Samael’s after me,” she sobbed, tears forming in her eyes.
“Why?” I asked when a sudden, shooting pain wracked through my body. I quickly but gently set the girl down and clutched my arm where it was the most painful.
“Jun? Jun!” Irene called out as she panicked, extending her hand like she wanted to touch me, but knew she couldn't.
“What the hell?” I wheezed, finding it hard to breathe for some reason.
“Lord Samael touched you,” the girl stated with wide eyes.
“What?” There’s no way –dammit! It must have been the blood he spat at me. There must have been poison mixed in and probably used it to puncture my skin without me noticing. What an annoying guy.
Swaying a bit, I sluggishly slid off my jacket. My entire arm was a sickly purple color, and I could only image it spreading further.
“Let me see it Onii-san,” the little girl said, placing her hands on my arm.
“Onii-san is very strong. Anybody else would be dead by now.”
The girl’s hand started glowing with a pale green light and soothing warmth filled my arm. Slowly the color returned to normal and all traces of the poison disappeared.
“I see why he wanted to seal you,” I said, sighing in relief. For someone who controls poison, this girl would be their natural enemy. He must have been talking about her when he said ‘That little girl’, not Irene –well she wasn't a little girl to begin with. Hah, another dead end.
“Purification magic. It’s the first time I've seen it,” Irene said.
“This girl seems to be pretty good at it too. At her level I think she should be able to purify a bit of the land around Nagasaki.”
“Really? That’s great news!” I laughed joyfully. Let there be trees!
“Before I ask what you’re talking about, what’s your name, sweetie?” Freedert asked the little girl.
“Patricia,” she mumbled shyly.
Patricia jumped when I placed a hand on her head and ruffled her hair.
“Thanks for saving my life.”
“Y-Your welcome…” she stuttered, blushing slightly.
Once we finally got back to the surface people had gathered around the castle. They all cheered when we opened the doors and Freedert declared the Demon Lord dead. Everyone rushed Freedert and I allowed myself to fade into the background.
“Feel any different?” I asked Irene.
“No, the seal hasn't weakened,” she said with a sad shake of her head.
“Hey, I’ll find them. Don’t worry,” I assured her, giving her an imaginary pat on the head. She nodded, looking a bit happier and smiled. Good. But man, was I tired!
Just as I yawned Patricia tugged the hem of my jacket. She watched the people fearfully and hid behind me when someone walked by.
“Thank you for saving me,” she said in a soft but grateful voice.
“Hey, Patricia,” I said, squatting down to her level.
“Y-Yes?”
“You see I've got to go defeat all the Demon Lords and Kings, so I need you to do something for me.”
“What do you need me to do?” she asked, tilting her head slightly.
“I need you to help Freedert purify the land so I have a place to nap, okay? I know it’ll be hard and everyone will look at you differently, but you’re the only one who can do it, okay?”
She nodded her head with determined eyes. I was slightly puzzled when she suddenly stuck her pinky at me.
“Promise me you’ll come back and visit when you’re done.”
“Okay, okay. But it better be full of lush green grass when I come back,” I warned with a smile, linking my pinky with hers.
“I’m glad to hear that,” Freedert said behind me, accompanied by a few people.
“Everyone wants to express their gratitude for saving this city.”
“Forget it. I told you before didn't I? I don’t care what happens to the city. I only came here to defeat the Demon Lord and find the items I’m looking for.”
“Well I wish you luck on your journey. To the people of Nagasaki and myself, you are a true hero.”
“Thanks, but I’m still a self-proclaimed hero like yourself. It isn't until the whole world acknowledges my heroics will I truly become a hero,” I said absently, walking away.
“You’re welcome here any time! I believe you’re the only one capable of taking down all the Demon Lords and their Kings, Self-Proclaimed Hero Jun!” she shouted after me.
“Just call me Jun! It’s such a pain to say the whole thing,” I called back, raising my hand in a lazy wave but didn't turn around.
After making a stop at the base and retrieving my stuff –along with a brand new katana, I left the city. The voices faded, the people faded as well as the city. It was just me and Irene again.
“What about your nap, Jun?” Irene asked; floating beside me with her hands linked behind her back, peering at my face.
“Hero’s always have to have dramatic exits,” I stated. It was the law.
“Besides we didn't find anything. As you like to keep reminding me, we’re on a tight schedule.”
“Glad to hear it,” she giggled happily.
Not bothering to hide my grin, I pulled up my hood.
“Where to now, Irene?”
“Kyoto!”