307. Interlude - Daniel's Destiny Part Four

Daniel Song stood in a familiar throne room. It was the very same place he’d woken to when he heard the alien words echo in his head for the first time. This was Ertos. The Capital city of Elutra. It happened five years ago, and it had completely changed his life.

His mundane, boring life back on Earth was no more the moment he’d opened his eyes and saw the looming figure of the King standing before him. A princess waited at his side, prim and proper, inspecting him with an analytical yet vying gaze that instantly drew his interest.

All his problems felt like they’d finally vanished. It was as though he’d been given a second chance in his new life: to right his wrongs; to start anew; and to become the man he’d always wanted to be.

Unfortunately, what he soon learned was that just because his external problems vanished, his internal problems— that which related to himself as a person— still remained. And when new problems arose as they normally would, he wasn’t able to deal with them.

He ran.

A [Hero] that fled from his duties. Ridiculous. It was so ridiculous. Daniel realized then as he did now that it was such a ridiculous concept. Yet, that was what he did, Unashamedly, he abandoned the country that needed him the most.

It wasn’t as though he didn’t understand what he was doing when he did it. He knew the consequences of his own action, even if he didn’t fully understand it— if that made sense. To him at the time, it was just an abstract idea; he thought that… or maybe, hoped that… things would work out.

Standing here, amongst the corpses of many familiar faces— Destiny, Rel, and many more— he knew that the consequences were finally here. It was no longer a probability, but reality.

Daniel’s gaze darkened as he hung his head in a brief moment of shame, before he turned to Faith.

“I am sorry.”

The princess held Bel in her arms. The youngest prince. Tears streamed down his eyes as she drew to her feet, bowing to Daniel.

“D-Daniel, you—”

“The [Hero] has finally made his triumphant return. It is a pleasure to meet you. I am Simag. An Archdemon of Wrath, at your service.”

A low, groaning voice interrupted her. Daniel narrowed his eyes, turning to the Demon standing at the center of the throne room.

[Changeling - Lvl. 114]

The Archdemon of Wrath stood as tall— no, taller than Salvos had been as a [Changeling]. He had the same skull-like face, although only a single pair of arms… well, a single arm now that Daniel had lopped one off. He had a pair of crooked horns poking out of his head, and his glowing eyes peered into the [Hero] with disdain despite his tone.

“And neither Occis or Vide were here to inform me of your arrival. So, I take it that they’re dead.”

“You’ll be next if you dare try anything here.”

Daniel stepped forward, raising his Primordial Longsword.

“And what are you going to do? Look around you— Ertos has already fallen.”

Simag just chuckled. Daniel shook his head and spoke in a warning voice.

“Pull back your troops. Recall this invasion. The people of Elutra have suffered enough.”

“Alas, even if you kill me, you won’t be able to stop this, [Hero]. After all, you’re not Melissa. You’re not Zacharius. And you’re certainly not Alexander.”

The Archdemon circled around Daniel, speaking casually.

“You’re not even a real [Hero]. You’re just… a coward.”

And something inside of Daniel snapped. He rushed forward, shouting as he swung for Simag’s neck. The Archdemon laughed and easily dodged the attack. He struck Daniel in the stomach before spinning around and kicking the [Hero] back.

“Ack—”

Daniel went flying. Simag sneered.

“Did you think I’d be as weak as Vide or Occis just because I’m at their level? Please. Neither of their Classes are even close to Level 100. Mine, meanwhile—”

The Archdemon snapped a finger as a crimson sphere appeared around his shoulder. It quickly expanded, and he spoke.

“[The Primordial Spark].”

That’s— Daniel’s eyes grew wide. He watched as the explosion shot out towards him. Swinging his blade, he sliced through the brief blast of fire, only to face a dozen burning weapons floating above Simag.

The weapons launched out one after another as Daniel leapt to the side, cutting them down as they erupted into small fiery explosions. The Archdemon just laughed.

“Come on, now. You can’t keep running. Not unless you want to save them.”

He directed his fire weapons at Faith and Bel. Daniel stared in shock.

“You wouldn’t.”

“They’re my targets anyway. I don’t see any reason why I shouldn’t.”

Simag snapped a finger, and the attacks came for the princess and prince of the Elutra Kingdom. Faith covered her younger brother as Daniel threw himself in front of them, his blades turning into a whirlwind of strikes.

“[A Hundred Quick Strikes]!”

He struck down the salvo of fiery blades before they reached either Faith or Bel. One of the burning swords went for him, and he caught it out of the air. He tossed it aside as it exploded behind him, facing Simag with a determined look.

“I will not let you take another innocent life.”

“Please, can you really say that when you can’t even protect yourself?”

Simag walked forward as he brought a clawed finger up. Daniel watched him come. A sphere of ice appeared in the Demon’s fingertips. It was familiar. A prickling sensation— a chill of recognition— ran down Daniel’s spine.

The world almost seemed to freeze around him. It was as though the fighting in the background ceased. No more sounds of clashing blades. Daniel backed up as he recognized the words to leave the Archdemon’s mouth.

“[Ray…”

It was an ice attack. One that was incredibly powerful. That would turn everything in the throne room and beyond into ice. It had been used by the Lich of the Plaguelands. The Remnants of Zacharius the Quisling.

But how? How was Simag capable of both ice and fire magic at the same time? Was it his Subspecies? Or was his Class really that powerful?

Daniel didn’t know. He just braced himself, nodding at Faith and Bel.

“Stay behind me.”

“—of Frost]!”

Simag started, only for a figure to appear behind him. The Archdemon spun around, but was too slow to react. Amanda grinned.

“[Charge of a Thousand Blades]!”

She sliced for his throat. Simag leapt back as the blade grazed his neck. Black blood dripped to the ground, and he cursed.

“You—”

“That was for destroying the Harrowed Vindicators.”

Amanda flicked the blood off her double-bladed dagger.

“Well, I fucking hated them anyway. But they paid me well. So I could do at least that much for them.”

“The rogue assassin. I almost forgot to account for you.”

Even though Simag spoke in a casual, uncaring voice, his facial expression was clear— he was upset. Daniel had learned to discern Demon— or at least, [Changeling]— expressions and their meanings from Salvos.

“If only Vide and Occis hadn’t strayed from the plan, you’d both have been dealt with by now. Alas, I have to make up for my subordinates’ mistakes.”

“There is more than just the two of them, Demon!”

Another figure attacked Simag from behind. A man in heavy metal armor. Garland Monsterthorne. The knight-commander of Elutra’s [Pegasus Knights]. He rode on his winged Pegasus, swinging a glowing blade for the Archdemon of Wrath’s head.

Simag barely blocked it with a wall of ice. He started back, surrounded on all sides. By Daniel, by Garland, and by Amanda. The [Hero] stepped forward, raising his gray blade.

“You have lost this battle. Give up. Please, just put an end to this war.”

The Archdemon’s eyes flickered between the three enemies. His allied Demons— the other [Changelings] who’d been in battle with the Elutran royal guards and [Pegasus Knights]— lay dead at the entrance of the throne room. Amanda had caught them off guard, picking them off one by one from the shadows.

That had always been Daniel’s plan. From the very start.

Simag raised his single hand, sighing.

“You’re right. I lost. I can’t possibly stand a chance against all of you. Not by myself.”

Then his lips curled up.

“But if you really want to put an end to this war, you’ll have to make me.”

Daniel narrowed his eyes.

“Very well.”

The [Hero] leapt forward, charging for the Archdemon’s head. Simag’s eyes glinted. There was a shimmer from his claws. Faith shouted, trying to stop Daniel.

“Wait—”

“Take this! [Crescent—”

And Simag raised his hand. A ring shone, reality warping around it.

“Ring of the Forgotten Prison.”

Daniel felt his entire body being tugged towards the ring. He tried to move away, but his body wouldn’t respond. It was like he was being sucked into a whirlpool, and no matter how much thrashing he did, he couldn’t break free from it.

Faith’s screaming was all he heard for a moment. He thought it was over. Then, a figure appeared next to him.

“[Savage Step].”

Amanda placed a hand on his shoulder, whispering once more.

“[Instantaneous Escape]. [Disengage].”

The pair appeared right next to Faith and Bel. Daniel dropped to his knees as his vision returned to normal. The world spun around him, the dizziness too much to handle. But Amanda steadied him.

“Are you fucking stupid? That was obviously a trap!”

“I…”

He groaned, and Simag clicked his tongue.

“Your Skills truly are annoying, assassin.”

“I’m not a good fighter. But I am good at killing and running.”

Faith ran up to the [Hero], staring at him with wide eyes.

“Are you alright, Daniel? Are you…?”

“I’m fine.”

He waved a hand off and drew to his feet. He looked up at Simag as the Archdemon shook his head.

“Well, it matters not that I’ve lost here. The queen is dead. Ertos is ours. Even if a few of you survive, it won’t matter. Not once Belzu is dead…”

Garland again attacked him from behind, but Simag just leapt out of the way, wings spreading wide. He took off, cackling as he flew through the broken ceiling of the throne room.

“Run all you want, princess. [Hero]. We will find you. You cannot escape.”

And with that, he was gone.

Daniel grunted as he straightened. He took a look at Faith and Bel, then at the dead littering around the room. It was a tragedy. More than just that— he heard the explosions from beyond. The screams and shouts of innocents, affected by this unfair assault.

Even as Garland helped Bel onto the Pegasus. Even as Faith said something to him, he only saw the destruction being loosed onto Ertos. Faith grabbed him by the hand as another blast resounded in the distance. A plume of smoke shot in the air as the palace shook.

“Daniel.”

The princess’ voice was eerily calm, even in this situation. Or… no. It wasn’t calm. It was that of resignation.

“We have to leave. We need to tell the world of what happened here. Of what you saw.”

Her eyes welled up as she spoke. She gritted her teeth together, turning to Garland and the Pegasus. Daniel closed his eyes. He shrugged Faith off, walking away from the throne room.

“No.”

He spoke in a determined voice. Faith blinked.

“But we need your help to—”

“I’m not running.”

Daniel stared at the marching army of Inoria as they closed in on the city’s gates. He raised his Primordial Longsword, preparing once more for battle.

“I shall stop this. Somehow. I cannot let others suffer for my own failures.”

It was a hopeless battle. He knew it. The young man from Earth was very well prepared to die trying. But he’d already resolved himself to a decision. So, he continued.

“You can go if you want. But you can’t make me come with you.”

Faith opened her mouth to protest.

“But without you, we’ll be hunted—”

And a voice cut her off. Daniel felt a strike to the back of his neck as he collapsed to his knees. He looked up to see Amanda standing over him.

“[Precise Blow].”

She snorted as she picked him up.

“Who can you save if you’re dead?”

He tried to speak, but nothing came out. Amanda continued.

“Fucking moron.”

And his vision went dark.