Demi Heroes

by Andrew Lynch

  The handle struck true, and hit Jess in the side of her head.

  As she fell, raw magic raked out from her hands - like forks of lightning in blues and reds, with a very faint golden hue - directed straight at Yelx.

  Yelx finally had to break eye contact with Lucian and focus on this magical attack. Perhaps if Lucian had another weapon he could have thrown it now. But he didn’t.

  The lightning struck at Yelx, who allowed his staff to block it. This was no single bolt from Jess to be batted aside. For entire seconds, Yelx had his staff in between himself and the attack.

  And Lucian limped forwards, as fast as he could. He threw aside pain, knowing that if he didn’t, it wouldn’t matter later.

  Yelx’s staff began to smoke as the raw energy channeled through it couldn’t be contained.

  Lucian reached the dais on which the throne sat. A final high step that threatened to defeat him. But he could see the sweat beading on Yelx’s face, concentrating so completely that he hadn’t seen Lucian’s sudden rush for him.

  Lucian hopped up on to the dais, his good leg bent, ready to launch himself forwards. He had no doubt that Jess’ magic would chain to hit him too, and he wouldn’t survive. But if it got Yelx as well, then he’d die a real Hero.

  Jess’ lightning stopped as she hit the floor. Yelx’s staff burst into flame, and he threw it aside.

  While he was distracted, Lucian threw himself at the villain. It was half fall, half jump, but it was enough.

  He braced for impact, his hands outstretched, ready to grab Yelx’s head. Without a weapon, he’d just have to dig Yelx’s eyes out with his thumbs.

  His stomach flipped and Lucian felt the impact.

  On his back. He opened his eyes and saw the ceiling.

  Something had grabbed him in the air and thrown him to the floor. Yelx’s magic? But he was dealing with Jess. No. It stood over him now, just as it had before, its chipped eye slit looking down at him.

  A metallic foot hovered over his face, ready to squash him like a bug. He could hardly move anymore, let alone fight. Lucian closed his eyes, accepting his defeat.

  ‘And that is why you never leave an enemy standing. Especially when your opponent actually asks you to. Thank you.’

  Lucian opened his eyes again to see Yelx standing over him now. He’d dismissed the executioner with his words of thanks, but it maintained its vigil in Lucian’s peripheral vision.

  ‘Clearly a polite conversation isn’t going to work,’ Yelx said. ‘New plan: I talk, you listen,’

  Even after what Lucian had attempted, he couldn’t detect any aggression in his voice. Just cold reason. A man with limited time.

  ‘As I was saying, Malum speaks highly of you. And of your teammates. In fact, you owe him your life. I don’t allow people to make it this far if I don’t want them to.’

  ‘I guess we're even then,’ Lucian said.

  ‘Ahh yes. One good turn deserves another, correct? Tell me, did Malum ever hurt you?’

  ‘No. When we met him he was crippled. His minions certainly did plenty of damage though.’

  ‘An unfortunate side effect of the job, yes. We often have to take who we can, and they often have different ideals and ethical outlooks from us.’ Yelx looked at the executioner pointedly. ‘At least this one’s heart was in the right place, if not their axe. Or foot.’

  ‘Malum had great ideas,’ Yelx continued. ‘Brilliant plans. I supported his every action, and helped where I could. But Moxar cut him down. Except - he didn’t, did he?’

  ‘sha’Laria helped,’ Lucian groaned. Partly the pain, partly he realised he was being monologued. At least he’d die a traditional Hero’s death.

  ‘And it was you that freed sha’Laria, wasn’t it? And she then proceeded to devastate Malum, and free God Mercy.’ Yelx shook his head sadly. ‘So much time and effort wasted. I look at you, and I see someone who had to sacrifice two of his men, and his own long term health, to take down one of my executioners. I see no stand-out talents or abilities. Yet, you masterminded the takedown of a God’s plan. And you were either brave enough, or stupid enough, to head to the very heart of arguably the most powerful villain in the Empire.’

  ‘God Mercy’s plan? You enslaved him! How twisted are you to think that was his plan?’ Lucian challenged. He figured if he was going to die, at least he could interrupt this monologue a bit.

  ‘How could I think that?’ Yelx pointed to the corner of the room. ‘You see that desk there?’

  Lucian couldn’t turn his head, he found, but he grunted an affirmative.

  ‘A year ago I sat there, with God Mercy on the other side, and listened to him tell me his plan. That’s how I could be so “twisted”. Because he asked me to implement it all for him. Unfortunately, due to time constraints, I instead assigned my best man. Malum. All God Mercy wanted, was a mortal to leech his power, and give it to the masses. Give everyone a little bit of Godhood. He was indeed truly merciful.’

  ‘And perhaps keep a little more for yourself?’

  ‘Naturally. Order would still needs to be kept. We're getting sidetracked. Lucian, you have abominable luck, and nothing in the way of skill to make up for it. Yet here you are. Do you know why?’

  Lucian considered saying something about his keen observation and mastery of tactics, but kept silent. Raggedly gasping for air, unable to move.

  ‘Neither do I. But maybe, just maybe, it has something to do with your desire to do good. And if there’s one thing a real villain needs, it’s the drive to do good.’

  Yelx crouched down and used his billowing sleeve to wipe some dirt and blood from Lucian’s face. ‘What’s in your heart? Would you burn a village to the ground to kill the villain? Or let him get away to save the village? Do you want to be heroic? Or do you want to be good? I think that you can’t be a Hero. You’re not heroic enough, you don’t have what it takes.’

  ‘They’re the same thing,’ Lucian protested weakly.

  Yelx stood again, his knees cracking as he did. ‘No. How many times has Moxar been good over being heroic? Was orphaning a young ogre heroic? Not at all - but it made for a great tale. Was razing an entire bandit camp of mostly messengers heroic? Just people trying to make money so their families didn’t starve. Could you have done those “heroic” deeds like Moxar?’

  Lucian thought back and squeezed his eyes shut. He didn’t want to think about that. ‘I’m a Hero now.’

  ‘Yes. Yes you are. You’re a Company Hero. But how about we make you a real hero? A hero who doesn’t care about his story or legacy. A hero that simply wants to help. A hero who prioritises protecting the innocent over killing the villain. You can do anything you want if you’re with me. Zenith Keep wants you to do stupid, heroic things, and make great stories, so they can sell merchandise - consequences be damned!’

  ‘But you’re… evil. I’ve seen villains do evil things.’

  ‘Not all of us are as dedicated as myself and Malum. When the chance for power comes along… yes, some have fallen to its lure despite their noble intentions. I won’t lie to you. Some of us become truly evil.’

  Pain shot through Lucian’s damaged leg. He was starting to lose himself.

  Yelx sighed. ‘Lucian. You want to bring only good to the Empire. Gods, more than just the Empire. That much I can see in you, and somehow you’ve made it this far. So I want to do something for you. I want to give you the power to do anything you want. Let me. Let me help you.’

  Yelx stretched out his hand, offering Lucian everything he had dreamed of since he was a child.

  ‘If you want to be a hero, become a villain.’

  The pain in Lucian’s chest was about to overcome him. His breathing was short and sharp. He strained to raise his own hand to meet Yelx’s. Their fingertips touched, and Lucian saw a new future before him.

  A hero, or a tyrant.

  It was up to him.

  Lucian smiled, shook the offered hand, and fell into darkness.

  Note from the Author


  www.lynchwriting.com

  I hope you’ve enjoyed reading about Lucian and his adventures. I certainly enjoyed writing him, and exploring his mildly ridiculous world.

  This is my first book, and was a HUGE learning curve for me. I learned so much, and one could parallel Lucian’s journey of becoming a Hero, with mine of becoming an Author. Luckily, I didn’t lose any teeth - my losses were more emotional.

  I do plan to do a follow up to Demi Heroes, and hopefully you’ll be along for the ride. I’m also hammering away at another fantasy book with a much grander scope. Real Epic Fantasy. My own creation! No Dwarves and Elves and other Tolkienesque races. Also, I’ve got a YA urban fantasy in the works, because that’s the hot ticket apparently. It’s not a dystopian sci-fi with a female protagonist though, so things may change!

  Finally, if you enjoyed this book, the biggest payment I could receive from you is telling like minded folk. And a review! If you want to keep up with my work, check out my website (and sign up for my newsletter) at www.lynchwriting.com

  Thank you,

  Lynch

  About the Author

  A. Lynch is an avid writer, gamer, craftsperson, and fitness enthusiast. They live in eternally sunny Kent, England. They came late to the writing game, only publishing their first book at the ripe old age of 28.

  They can usually be found at their computer playing games instead of writing, or perhaps in the local coffee house where they have to write. Sometimes, they’ll even be in their workshop, creating their next leathery masterpiece. On occasion you can find them half way up a slab of rock, extolling the virtues of utter terror as inspiration to keep fit.

  Unlike many authors, they do not owe their success to a nomadic tribe of cats rampaging through their house.

  When not doing what they enjoy, they can be found in full time employment, cursing the fact that they are still required to contribute to society. They long for the day that that can give it all up and write full time.