A New Fate

by Ethan A. Blanca

“What do you mean?” I respond.

  “Though I’ve been king for many years now, most of those years were in my childhood. My father, the previous king, died when I was but a baby. I was appointed king, though the court and my father’s generals held the real power. Until recently I didn’t even have any real influence. Of course, I have men, and generals that I can trust, but I know I don’t have enough battle experience to win this war. However, you are different. I can tell just by looking at you that you are an experienced warrior and leader. So, let me get to the point. I would like you Ron, to lead the men.”

  “With all due respect, I don’t think your people would be fond of a human leader,” I whisper, glancing at the door.

  “I didn’t exactly say you had to lead elves,” King Terashi states.

  “What do you mean?” Joshua cuts in to say.

  “Well, I know that Ron wants to save David, but to do that would mean fighting the demon forces. The only way to do that is with an army. Of course, I will also fight, but Ron needs his own soldiers,” King Terashi explains. “But he must find men willing to follow him, and I don’t think my people are an option yet.”

  “So, what do you have in mind?” I ask.

  “Have you heard of... the Blood Moon?” King Terashi replies.

  “Well, no. I’m still kinda new to this world,” I remark.

  “I guess this ‘Blood Moon’ is something we demons are unaware of too,” Joshua comments.

  Rose however, has a different reaction to the words. Upon hearing them she instantly grabs my arm, like a kid afraid of the dark.

  “What’s wrong Rose? What do you know about this Blood Moon?” I ask.

  Rose is a little hesitant to talk, but after a little persuasion she explains. “The treants tell of a dark night, far off in the deepest parts of the forest. On the nights of the ‘Blood Moon,’ as they call it, you can hear war cries echo throughout the night.”

  “I know of the dangers. You don’t have to do this,” King Terashi states.

  “They sound like strong warriors. I would like them on our side,” I quickly decide.

  “Just like you, Ron,” Joshua comments.

  “Yup, you would probably go there because of pure curiosity,” Rose teases.

  “Aw, come on, guys! That’s not the only reason...” I mumble.

  King Terashi just laughs. “I guess I was worried for nothing. After all, you are a Homathreas,” he says. “You shall leave tomorrow then, but before you go I have something to show you three.” He leads us to a room which is full of elven weapons. “Please, take what you need,” the King offers.

  We look around. Well, except Rose--she really has no need for a weapon.

  “My apologies, Joshua. We elves don’t really have any weapons similar to fire demons,” King Terashi admits.

  “Um, that’s fine. I would be fine with a shield though,” Joshua replies.

  “Of course,” King Terashi agrees, ordering a servant to bring a shield.

  “Well, thank you, but this shield is pretty small,” Joshua admits, holding a shield that only covers his arm.

  “You heard him. Bring a bigger shield,” King Terashi orders. After a little time, three servants come back with a giant shield. All three of them are struggling to lift it. “This is the biggest shield we would have,” King Terashi explains. “However, on the battlefield it is usually wielded by two men for the sole purpose of protecting flanks and archer fire.”

  Joshua ignores this and easily lifts the shield. The three servants are in awe.

  “Mmm... a little light, but it will do,” Joshua mumbles to himself.

  “Haha, amazing! You are very strong, sir,” one of the servants exclaims.

  “Ah, it was nothing really,” Joshua claims, blushing.

  “Well, Ron, have you found something that interests you?” King Terashi asks.

  “Well, I was just wondering--that’s an interesting sword,” I remark, pointing at a long sword in a corner.

  “Mmm, that sword isn’t really anything special. For what reason do you find interest in it?” King Terashi asks.

  “It’s just the design. It looks familiar for some reason,” I mumble as I pick up the sword.

  “Very well, the sword is yours,” King Terashi declares with a smile. “Forgive me. At the moment we do not have armor for either of you, but I will immediately order for my servants to make some for your exact measurements,” he explains as his servants begin to measure our bodies.

  “Thank you for such an offer, but if I must wear armor, please prioritize movement over strength,” I ask.

  “Of course! Just a simple breastplate and light chainmail for your arms should suffice,” King Terashi promises.

  “Um, I can’t reach his shoulders!” one of the servants mumbles as he tries to measure Joshua.

  Joshua lets out a laugh. “Here we go,” Joshua exclaims as he hoists the elf up.

  “Thank you, sir! Wow, what a view!” the elf remarks.

  “My shoulders...” Joshua questions with a grin.

  “Oh, yes, of course!” the elf agrees.

  After we finish the measurements we retire to our rooms. Bethany helps organize the gear for tomorrow’s journey. “Master, you do not need to help me with this. It is my job, after all,” Bethany offers.

  “Nonsense, I don’t mind, and remember, the name’s Ron,” I remind her with a grin.

  “O-oh yes, of course, Ron,” Bethany corrects herself with a smile.

  Once the packing is complete I retire to my bed. I fall asleep, thinking about the new things I might discover the next day. As I do this, unknown to me, my shadow nature slowly travels to the sword I had just received.

  Chapter Eighteen

  The Truth of Ron’s Sword

  I begin to dream. Strange, this isn’t what I normally dream. I’m dreaming about some battle I never fought in. By the looks of it, it was fought way before my time. I can’t help but focus on a certain man as he bravely fights foes that outnumber him. His swordplay is excellent. He cuts down his enemies as if they are wheat to his scythe. Wait--his sword--it looks like the one I just received.

  “Master.”

  I awaken from my dream.

  “Bethany... was that you?” I call out.

  “Mmm, is that what they call me nowadays?” a voice asks.

  “Who’s there?” I call out, knife at the ready.

  “Interesting, so this is my new master.” again the voice speaks.

  I look down. Is the sword talking?

  “Well you did awaken me with your nature,” the sword suddenly exclaims. As soon as I hear this I jump up in surprise.

  “What is going on?!” I express in a panic. “I’m still dreaming, I’m still dreaming,” I chant to myself.

  At this the sword... laughs?

  “What’s so funny!?” I yell at the sword.

  “Oh, forgive me, master! It’s just that you remind me of my previous master. He was also human, and had an interesting personality,” the sword replies.

  “W-well, how can you talk?” I ask the sword.

  “Well, I haven’t spoken for many years. I haven’t seen a human in eons!” the sword remarks. “But you used your nature, so here I am! Speaking again after so long.”

  “Well, ok, that still doesn’t really answer my question, but I doubt I’ll get an answer,” I muse.

  “Anyway, master, please let me assist you in the future,” the sword states.

  “Did my sword just... fall asleep?” I think to myself after a long silence, before falling asleep again.

  “Master, wake up.”

  “Bethany, what did I tell you, just call me Ron,” I mumble as I rub my eyes.

  “Again with the name Bethany! My actual name is Anumbrius.”

  “What?” I turn toward the voice.
In front of me is my sword, still in its sheath.

  “Again, my name is Anumbrius,” my sword declares.

  I jump up in shock. “That wasn’t a dream?” I yell to myself in disbelief.

  “Of course it wasn’t! You are very funny, master,” Anumbrius remarks.

  “Is something wrong, Ron?” Bethany asks, suddenly opening the door.

  “Ah... um,” I fumble through my words.

  “Don’t worry, master, only my wielder can hear my voice,” Anumbrius assures.

  “N-Nothing Bethany, just thinking to... myself,” I reply.

  “U-um... ok then,” Bethany mumbles with a confused face as she closes the door.

  Anumbrius begins to chuckle.

  “What’s so funny?!” I snap at Anumbrius.

  “I just think it is funny how you mixed up names between a sword and an elf,” Anumbrius teases, still chuckling.

  “Well to be fair, I didn’t even know talking swords existed until last night,” I argue. “But it looks like you’ll be with me for a while. So, for starters my name is Ron, not master.”

  “Ok, then, Ron it is!” Anumbrius declares.

  “In a little while, we will be traveling,” I begin to explain.

  “Yes, I already know, since you were discussing your plan right in front of me last night,” Anumbrius comments.

  “Well, all right then,” I remark, equipping myself with my gun and Anumbrius on my back.

  “An interesting weapon, Ron,” Anumbrius states.

  “It’s a little crowded back there. Are you comfortable?” I ask Anumbrius. Did I just ask a sword if it was comfortable?

  “No worries, Ron. Compared to that dreadful room I was stuck in for the last century, this is nothing. Though it would be nice if you moved me a little to the left,” Anumbrius teases.

  “You’re a sassy sword, aren’t you?” I groan with a sigh.

  After eating breakfast, I meet with Joshua and Rose before we embark.

  “Be careful, guys!” Bethany shouts as we walk down the road. I turn toward Bethany, giving her a wave and a big smile. Before we leave we stop at the Wise Ones.

  Before we leave I think we need to see the Wise Ones. “It would be nice to ask about...Anumbrius,” I think to myself. “I need to ask the Wise Ones something before we leave,” I tell Joshua and Rose.

  “Well then, ask away,” Tink sings as he suddenly appears behind me.

  “Who is that, Ron?” Rose asks.

  “Um... he’s one of the Wise Ones,” I reply.

  “What!? You’re not going to say friend?” Tink asks with a fake pout. “At least say human.”

  “Oh, another human besides Ron,” Joshua exclaims with curiosity as he walks to Tink. “Mmm, a very... weird looking human at that.” Tink just smiles.

  “Why, thank you, fire demon,” Tink remarks with one of his big smiles.

  I let out a sigh.

  Only Tink would take that as a compliment. “Anyways, since you now know everything, I no longer need to hide myself. So, I will be joining you on your journey, Ron,” Tink states.

  “By knowing ‘everything’ I’m even more confused,” I think to myself.

  “Glad to have you,” Rose declares with a smile.

  “Well, this is Rose, and this is Joshua,” I tell Tink.

  “You forgot about me,” Anumbrius remarks.

  “You will be introduced later,” I mumble to Anumbrius.

  “Did you say something, Ron?” Rose asks.

  “Oh nothing,” I reply, ignoring Anumbrius’ complaining at the back of my head.

  “So anyways, did you have a question for the Wise Ones?” Tink asks.

  “Well...since you will be joining us, the question can wait,” I reply. “Though I do have ever present questions about the Homathreas.”

  “Ok then,” Tink says, as he begins to walk onto the road.

  “We are in for an interesting journey,” I think to myself.

  Chapter Nineteen

  The Darkness of David

  Darkness surrounds David, Nikud, and Hamon. They have had nothing to eat for three days, not even scraps. Hamon is still unconscious, though his tears still continue to run down his face. David is trying to control the darkness, though it has almost completely consumed him.

  “Come on, David! Don’t give in to the shadows,” Nikud begs with a worried look. Though she’s applying her power on David, it seems to be in vain.

  “Don’t worry... I got this,” David mutters. But even as he says this his eyes lose more and more light, darkness the only thing remaining.

  “D-David, stay with me... I-I can’t lose you!” Nikud exclaims, tearing up.

  “Haha, you...should see the look on your face. You usually look annoyed... but right now... you actually look like you care for me,” David says through groans.

  “Of course I do, David! How could I not?” Nikud yells.

  “How could she care for a man like you,” the evil voice in David’s head scoffs. “A man who turned away from those who gave their lives for him?”

  “That’s not true!” David screams back to the voice in his mind.

  “What would they all say if they saw you now!” The voices continue to torment. David is suddenly shown figures from his past.

  “Pathetic, and you call yourself a soldier.”

  “You weren’t worth saving.”

  “So much for second in command.”

  “They would never say such things!” David screams. Suddenly, David’s mind is clear for a moment.

  “Remember, use every opportunity you have. As long as those you love live, it will be worth it,” David recalls Ron’s statement. “How about this...” he argues with the voice.

  “Oh, finally accepting the truth?” the voices reply.

  “Like hell I am,” David retorts.

  “Then what are you saying?” the voices ask.

  “How about we make a deal?” David replies. He suddenly stands up.

  “Are you all right David?” Nikud asks.

  He says nothing. He has been completely engulfed by the darkness. He looks like how he did in the Arena, but this time it seems worse. There are multiple strange symbols scattered around his body. Intense shadow nature is pouring from his very being. David turns to Nikud.

  “D-David!” Nikud screams hopelessly.

  “G-Grab....H-Hamon,” David mumbles in a voice that isn’t his own.

  “D-David?” Nikud questions as she puts Hamon on her back.

  “F-Follow,” David mumbles as he takes a stance, backing away from the door. His arms and legs begin to be covered in dense shadow nature. If you didn’t know any better, you could mistake David for a demon stalker.

  “David, what do you think you are doing!? You can’t break the-” Nikud’s sentence is cut off as David charges the door, destroying the entrance to the cell. The now bent metal door lies contorted on the floor. David immediately sprints down the hall. Nikud follows closely, carrying Hamon on her back.

  David comes across a demon stalker, on its way to investigate the noise. “A prisoner actually escaped their cell? This should be inter-”

  David instantly pins the stalker down.

  “Such power--what are you!” the stalker yells up to David.

  David says nothing, instead crushing the arm of the demon stalker. “Exit,” David mumbles.

  “T-That way, but- but you’ll never be able to lea-” the stalker manages to blurt out before its head is crushed by David’s grip.

  “Warden, it seems your precious human has escaped his cell. If only Hojan were still here,” the doctor states.

  “Don’t worry, he left us some of the Cornax unit. Just sit back and watch,” the Warden exclaims with an evil tune in his voice.

  David charges through waves of
demons, crushing bodies and receiving wounds as he goes. David is much too fast and powerful to receive any serious wounds from any of the demon small fry. Seeing that they cannot stop David, some small, nimble shadow demons pounce for Nikud. Nikud manages to kick her first attacker, but with Hamon on her back she can’t keep up.

  “See? What did I tell you? If we just take care of the weak ones first we can surround the big guy!” one of the small demons proclaims as he thrusts his dagger towards Nikud.

  In an instant David jumps between Nikud and the blade, crushing the attacker’s arm with a swift grip. Blood runs down David’s arm as he throws the demon at his comrades.

  “D-David! Your arm!” Nikud points at the demon’s blade lodged in his arm.

  David turns towards Nikud, his eyes showing no emotion but hate.

  “D-David?”

  With a blood curdling scream David charges for Nikud. Nikud backs away in horror, bracing for impact.

  “N-no! Not... her. Protect... her,” David mumbles as one of his eyes reverts to normal for a split second.

  “Fine!” David mumbles in a distorted version of his voice as he crushes the demons with his elbows, knees, and shins.

  This new fighting style David has suddenly adopted is not only devastating to the demons, but also to himself. David does not seem to pay attention to the wounds he is receiving, but the demons become even more fearful.

  “We have to buy the others time to regroup and call the Cornax!” a few armored demons raise their shields in unison, completely blocking the hallway. The less equipped demons immediately see their opportunity to flee, sprinting down the hallway to warn others, and save themselves.

  David glares at the shield wall before charging directly at it. Moments before colliding with the terrified demons he lifts up his knee for a powerful strike, allowing the momentum from his sprint fling him straight at the wall.

  “This human is looking down on us! There is no way he could break though our wall that easily!” one of the armored demons taunts as the group of them clench their grips.

  Moments before David’s knee connects to the shield wall, shadow nature suddenly covers his entire leg. His knee passes through the shields as if it had turned into a literal shadow. His blow appears from the other side of the shield, connecting with a demon’s face. The force of the blow sends the shield wall crumbling down. The armored unit is in shock.