Rupture: Rise of the Demon King (24 page)

Yoshino frowned. “I so hate the word ‘monster.’ It brings back memories … No, I am not a monster, and I expect the same amount of respect I give you!”

He actually shouted,
Seeko thought through the haze of the Voice. Had Kazuma actually angered Yoshino?

Yoshino ran a hand through his hair and took a deep breath. “Seeko,” he said, pointing to him. “Can you see the vision I have? Can you see it through the Kikoeru? Can you see my plan?”

Mori looked back to him. “Don’t talk to him, Seeko! He’s using you!”

Yoshino ignored her. “Can you see it?”

Seeko shook his head, attempting to clear away Kerodesis and the angry voice. “I can’t hear or see anything but the violence of the voices in my head! There is no reason to it!”

Saddened, Yoshino turned away from the company. “You will see it with time. I figured out who that Yoshino in your past really was. It is me! Or rather, it will be me. You see, I haven’t gone to Earth yet. How do I travel through time to do such a thing?”

Seeko knew that Yoshino was trying to goad them into attacking him. He looked to Mori, who stood still, but Kazuma took the bait. With a roar, he launched himself at the demon, igniting his sword as he did so. But when Kazuma’s sword was an inch from his back, Yoshino shifted. He appeared behind Kazuma, sighing as his sword appeared in his hand.

“I was wondering which one of you would attack me,” Yoshino said as he pierced Kazuma’s back. Yoshino pulled out his sword as Kazuma fell to the ground before him. The demon turned to face them. “Does anyone else want to get between me and my vision?” He shrugged at the stunned company. “You will understand, Seeko, once you see it. Once you understand, all will be made clear.” He moved away from Kazuma.

“I don’t want to see your vision! Just stay away from me!” Seeko shouted.

Yoshino allowed Mori and Keith to rush to Kazuma but all it did was confirm what Seeko already knew. “He’s gone, Seeko,” Mori said. She was on the verge of tears. Keith looked from the body to the demon who did it, anger and fear in his eyes. He pulled his claymore off his back.

“No need to throw away any other lives,” Yoshino said when he saw Keith clutching his weapon. “It was to prove a point.”

Keith moved between Mori and Yoshino and stood ready. “What point?”

“I can’t have anyone, not even the Irenic hero, get in my way. My dream is too big, too necessary, for any of you to get in my way. So please do not, or you will end up like him.” Yoshino gestured to the body. “Now, if you’ll excuse me …” With that, Yoshino teleported away.

/ / / / /

They buried Kazuma in Linea’s graveyard. Kazuma slept on a white sheet, dressed in a pure white robe. Lorissa held his head, crying. Mori and Seeko hovered above him, holding hands. Even the usually stoic Keith was frowning.

Seeko fell to his knees, tears forming in his eyes. “Why did he have to die? It’s my fault! He trusted me!” He threw his hands into the air and yelled at the top of his lungs, pounding his fists into the dirt. “Yoshino, what did I ever do to deserve this? You took everything I am, and you kill those closest to me. Quit toying with me and kill me already!” He screamed again and cried into the dirt.

“Seeko,”
Lorissa said to him.
“Kazuma meant a lot to us, but I don’t think he would want you to act like this.”

Seeko wasn’t listening.
“First he takes me from my home, then he takes my humanity, and now he’s taking my friends.”
Horror struck in his heart and he looked to Mori. She was also in tears.
“What if he takes her? What would happen to me?”

“Don’t think like that!”
Lorissa shouted inside his head.

After a moment, Keith spoke. “I didn’t know this man very well, but I felt like if the rest of the Irenic Empire were like him, then maybe it wouldn’t be so bad. He was a good comrade.” He saluted. “Good-bye, Kazuma.”

Mori wiped the tears from her eyes and sniffled. “After seeing his loyalty to both his country and to Seeko, I know he deserves to be honored as a hero. Even after losing everything, he stood strong. He was a good soldier and a good friend. I will make sure he didn’t die in vain.”

Lorissa reached for the faint ring high above. “The goddess Nyeri has him and will protect him for eternity. He’s with his family now.” Her hands returned to her chest and she muttered a prayer. Then she bent down, kissed his forehead, and wept.

Seeko closed his eyes as a tear rolled down them. “He was the first person I ever met here, and now he’s …” Another tear. Seeko tried to regain his composure and Mori squeezed his hand. “He taught me how to fight with a sword … and I took everything from him. I took from him his job, his friends, his fight. I’m sorry.”

He shifted away from the body, ashamed to look at it any longer. Mori pulled him close.

The four then wrapped Kazuma in his sheet and moved him to the hole in the ground. Keith gently lowered him in using his wind magic and they began the burying process.

It was late in the afternoon when they finished. “I don’t understand,” Seeko said after the grim task was over. “What have I done to deserve your trust? I’m just some kid that doesn’t know anything. I turned into a demon and got Kazuma killed. I don’t deserve anything.” He faced Mori and the others. “Even if I am the hero, you shouldn’t follow me. I’ll just get you killed.”

Keith glanced toward him. “I’ve never heard anyone whine as much as you.”

“Kazuma is dead!” he yelled back. “And it’s my fault.”

“It’s Yoshino’s fault,” Mori said. “Don’t blame yourself for Kazuma’s death. We all willingly follow you. We understand the dangers. It’s not just because you’re the hero. It’s because you give us hope.”

“Getting people killed doesn’t seem very hopeful.”

She waved her hands at him, trying to get her point across. “You closed two demon portals already. Of course, we helped, but you brought us together.”

Seeko looked up to prevent more tears from coming. “I don’t deserve help. I never earned it.”

“Yes you have!” she yelled back. “You just want to think you haven’t. You’re beating yourself up for no reason. I’ve seen what you can do. I know you are a hero. You are
our
hero!”

She moved to him and held out her hand. He grabbed it and looked to her, blinking away tears. “I guess listening to the hero cry isn’t going to make things better,” Seeko said. “If I have your trust, then I should try to keep it.”

She beamed. “I more than trust you.” She pulled him close and hugged him.

“I know you have your doubts,”
Lorissa said in his mind,
“but no one said it would be easy. Remember the prophecy. Still, Mori is correct. Don’t beat yourself up for things that are not your fault.”

Seeko nodded and held Mori close. He smiled to hide the pain. “Thank you. All of you.” He looked to Keith. “Except you.”

Keith cracked a smile. “Good.” The breeze picked up and they shared an awkward laugh.

But inside, Seeko was still hurting.
The prophecy?
His memory flashed back to Hannet speaking:
“The weight of the world is on his shoulders … I cannot see if he survives. Even if he does, this world extracts a terrible toll from him. He is the one that will bridge the gap between demon and man, to truly understand them … And he will separate them and us because of the truth. He will become one with them. This world will take everything from him.”

This world has already taken so much from me. What more can it take?
As if in response to his thoughts, Mori squeezed him tighter and his heart skipped a beat.

22: Vision

29 Din, 112 AV: Day 185

The four friends found a boat in Linea and left early the next day, eager to leave that city and the bitter memories it held. A large refugee boat on the giant Lake Linea’s shores took them in for a nominal fee. So the company crammed onto the boat, searching for the captain. Unable to find him, they approached a group of refugees.

When Seeko asked where the boat was heading to, the answer he received from an old man with glazed eyes was “Arenthi.”

“Why can’t we go to Merina?” Seeko asked.

“We’d just be exchanging one disaster for another,” the old refugee said.

“What’s happening in Merina?” Mori asked.

The old man cackled. “There is a storm a-brewing in the southern Vornal Gulf. It’s been down there for weeks now, and most people that sail for Merina don’t return.” He smiled a gap-filled grin at Mori. “I think it’s the Halcyon. Can’t trust them. They probably have their boats and their demons down there and …” He lost track of his thought and sat down on the deck with the others.

Unfortunately, Seeko and his friends were forced to sit next to the old man, as the refugee boat was very crowded. Throughout the journey, the old man muttered on about the Halcyon and the demons. At one point, he took a close-up look at Seeko’s eyes and accused him of being a demon, then he threw a tantrum, which drew the attention of others. After that, Seeko sat as far away as he could from the old man in order to avoid unwanted interest.

The two-day journey was rather unpleasant. There were multiple problems in addition to the crazy man. There was not enough food on the boat, and so Seeko and Keith often went hungry to let the girls eat. There wasn’t enough room to lie down on the boat, and so they fell asleep in uncomfortable positions and woke up cramped and starving. The wind picked up on the open ocean, which of course brought a rainstorm with it. Eventually, Mori and Keith, along with others, were recruited to protect the passengers from the wind and rain. In doing so, the boat’s sails lost the wind and the boat was almost at a standstill while the storm raged.

On the evening of the second day, the ship pulled up to Arenthi. The refugees debarked and went their separate ways while Lorissa examined Kazuma’s old map.

“So we will have to travel around the Himal Mountains to get to Port Merina now,” Lorissa said.

“Food,” Keith said as he pointed to a nearby fish stand.

“I didn’t know you had needs like the rest of us humans,” Mori said.

Keith was already making his way to the fish stand with Seeko close behind. With a sigh, Mori caught up with them.

Once their stomachs were full, Lorissa continued with what she was saying. “According to the map, we need to go back to Fort Zan. Then we need to follow the Himal Mountains south until we hit Himal Lake. We follow its coast east and eventually we’ll get to Merina. There’s a road, so we won’t have to worry too much.”

“I could have told you that,” Mori said. “I live … well, lived, in Merina.” She cooled down a bit. “I wonder if that old man was right about the town—if there’s something actually happening in the port.”

“Well,” Lorissa said, “there is a portal near there too. I imagine the town isn’t doing too well if the demons are keeping everyone away.”

Worry appeared in Mori’s eye. “Well, what are we waiting for? We can’t just stand around.” She headed out of the city and the others followed close behind.

“I thought she didn’t want to go back to Merina,”
Seeko thought to Lorissa,
“because she was mad at her father. I thought she left when Yoshino embarrassed her.”

“She still loves her father,”
Lorissa replied.

“At least she knew her father.”

“You know Physis.”

“I know who he is … But I don’t know him as a father. Plus, he didn’t seem too happy to see me … Do you think he’s my real father?”

Lorissa paused.
“You are the only one who knows the answer to that.”

Seeko took a deep breath. He caught up with Mori and reached for her, and she hesitantly took his hand.

Father … Who are you?

/ / / / /

They approached Fort Zan within a week. The journey was uneventful. Seeko and Keith began to spar again, with Seeko showing remarkable progress. He could beat Keith more than half of the time in their duels. In fact, he would fight both Mori and Keith at the same time, which proved infinitely more challenging. He had never beaten the two of them when they worked together, but he enjoyed the challenge, for it took his mind off Kazuma.

Soon the fort appeared in the horizon. The slender Zan River flowed quickly away from the fort, running parallel with the road that the four of them took. It was there, not so long ago, where Seeko found his first sword and his Irenic uniform, given to him by his first friend in this world. The sight of the fort brought memories back to Seeko, both good and bad.

The walk was comforting. For a moment, Seeko just listened to the sounds of the journey: the sound of their footsteps on the worn dirt, the sound of the fast-flowing water, the sound of the wind gently rustling the trees.

“Wait! What are those?” Mori pointed into the sky, shattering the tranquility of the day.

In the sky above Fort Zan, large black things flew around haphazardly.
Demons!

Seeko and company rushed toward the fort, eager to fight the hated foes. They were several hundred feet away when one of the demons swooped down toward them. Keith smiled, rose his sword high into the air, and gave a mighty swing. A powerful gust of wind came from the action and the demon slammed into the ground on their left flank. As it rose, Keith dashed to it and sliced its head off with one expert swing. Its lizard-like body fell headless, and Keith moved to catch back up with the others.

A guard saw them draw near. “Open the gates!” she roared over the clamor. “The hero approaches!” The four rushed in and the gate swung behind them. They rushed up onto the wall to aid the guardsmen.

Seeko unslung his bow and took aim at the closest demon. He fired and, at the last second, ignited his arrow a sickly orange. It plunged into the wing of the monster, which came crashing into the roof of a building. Another demon landed on the wall and sent its claws into the nearest guard, slaying him instantly. Mori moved to engage the demon, tripping it with a snake of water. She plunged her rapier deep into its neck, and it slumped off the wooden wall.

Another demon landed in the clearing opposite the wall. Keith used his wind magic to jump from the wall, slamming into the monster, sword first. The monster crumpled, then rose shakily, but Keith knocked it back to the ground and sent his sword into its chest.

An aerial demon launched fireballs into the fort. The four of them moved to put out the fires as soldiers peppered the demon with arrows. Lorissa and Mori channeled water throughout the building, their band of water snaking its way through the halls.

But at that moment, a humongous bird landed behind them, crushing the wooden roof it landed on. Its hideous screech caused the company to face it.

“What is that?” Seeko yelled.

“It’s a thunderbird!” As Keith said it, the bird opened its crooked beak. Lightning crackled between its jaws, forming into a white ball of energy. The lightning then lashed out in all directions, hitting friend and foe alike. Demons fell from the sky and soldiers turned to ash. A bolt of lightning landed not two feet from Seeko, causing his hair to stand on end.

“Is it a demon?” Seeko asked as they ran for cover behind a building, ears ringing.

“No!” Mori shouted over the thunder. “But it is extremely powerful! I’ve never been so close to one before!”

The bird flew to another building and once more sent lightning into the area. Soldiers fired arrows at the animal but it didn’t seem harmed by the attack. The bird fired another lightning barrage and then jumped upward into the air.

A single demon survived the attack and flew past the thunderbird. Interested, the bird pursued the demon. The demon flew into the fort, weaving between buildings. The bird tried to follow, ramming its way through the fort.

As the company watched this, a knight in a full suit of armor exited the keep, escorted by four guardsmen. He strode calmly into the battle, channeling water as he did so into two long, clear snakes behind him.

The demon’s feet touched the ground near the knight, and it sprinted toward him. At the same time, the thunderbird landed, then its beak opened and the ball of energy appeared once more.

As the demon drew closer, the knight sent one whip of water at it and another at the thunderbird. The instant they connected with the bird and the demon, the thunderbird shot its lightning outward. The lightning connected with the water, creating a white tube of electricity. The demon turned to ash and the thunderbird came crashing into the fort. It rose after a moment, shook its burnt beak, and flew off shakily into the distance.

The knight removed his helmet, revealing General Todd’s old face. Todd made his way to Seeko and his friends. Frowning, Todd faced the four of them.

“How in the blazes did you get into the fort?” Todd asked.

“What do you mean?” Seeko asked.

“Demons are not allowed in Fort Zan. You saw what I did to the last one.” Todd gestured toward Lorissa. “That counts for you too, girl.” His cold stare told them that he was deadly serious.

“We aren’t leaving until we resupply,” Seeko said.

General Todd drew his sword and pointed it at Seeko. “Get out of my fort.” His voice was steel.

Seeko placed his hand on the hilt of his blade. “Don’t threaten your hero.”

“Hero? You are no hero!” A snake of water appeared behind Todd. “You’re lucky the Emperor gave me an order to not execute you, no matter what, or your head would be in the Vicussa Desert! Get out of here before I make you leave.”

Seeko met Todd’s hard gaze with his frightening red eyes but the general shrugged it off. Seeko stood down and began to leave, but turned when Todd spoke again.

“And take your rabble with you. Where is the ex-soldier? I heard he went with you.”

It was all Seeko could do to contain himself. He took a deep breath and closed his eyes, all the while hearing Kerodesis roar obscenities in his ear.

“The tall one tells me what happened to him with his eyes,” Todd said. “Killed the last of Grama Company, did you … hero?”

Mori moved closer to Todd. “Why are you trying to do?” she shouted. “Goad him into a fight?”

“If so, you will lose, General,” Keith said.

Todd exchanged glances with Mori and Keith. Then, slowly, he put his sword down and the water behind him disappeared. “Get out of my fort,” he said.

Todd nodded and a nearby guard moved to escort the four of them out of the fort. One placed a hand on Seeko’s shoulder, which he shrugged away.

“Sorry, hero, but orders are orders,” one of the escort guards said as they moved through the fort.

“Why is General Todd here anyway?” Seeko asked the guard.

“After Vicussa, we retreated here to restock and resupply. After your accident …”

Seeko shot the guard a nasty look and the guard shut his mouth.

Before long, they stood once more at the gate. The guards pushed them through and shut the solid wooden door behind them. After a moment, they looked across the narrow Zan River and saw a lone wagon waiting on the other side, lashed to a large kitsean.

“Wait, I remember those people!” Mori said.

Seeko squinted at the people on the wagon. Sure enough, they were the same people he had protected near Asilis, so very long ago, it seemed. The old male owner and his female companion stared at the four of them as they crossed the bridge that separated them.

That was when first used magic, and I’ve never been the same since.

Kerodesis chuckled.

As they drew near, the man spoke. “It is so good to see you again, hero! I hope all goes well in your quest to save us?”

“Uh … Yes, everything is good,” Seeko lied.

The man nodded. “The rest of the caravan went ahead, but she told us to wait here. There would be a surprise if we waited, she said. I guess running into the Hero of Endetia again is
quite
a surprise.”

Seeko rose his eyebrows. “Who’s she? Who are you talking about?”

At that moment, a young girl with silver eyes walked out from behind the wagon.
Hannet!
She waved at Seeko.

Keith noticed the girl from the wagon, and for the first time since he began traveling with them, his face softened and he smiled. Hannet walked up to him, looking down and blushing.

“I’ve missed you, Keith,” Hannet said.

Keith embraced her and she returned the hug. After a long time, they let go. Hannet was beaming, and after a moment, Keith was too.

“How did you know I was here?” Keith asked quietly.

Hannet smiled. “I’m a seer, remember?” She pushed him playfully, but it didn’t budge him. “I can see you’re still trying to be a tough guy. I like it.”

Keith’s ears actually reddened at that. Seeko and Mori stood in shock.
It’s so weird seeing him act like this,
Seeko thought.