Brought To Light

I awoke looking at an unfamiliar ceiling.

("I'm surprised I'm looking up.") [Solace]

I'm a side sleeper by the way.

("Pretty comfortable though. I should try sleeping on my back sometimes.") [Solace]

I took a glance around, a subtle pain aching in my abdomen and my remaining arm.

("I forgot that there was a curse…") [Solace]

It was all bandaged up, but I knew the wounds remained fresh.

("At least I haven't died of blood loss.") [Solace]

I could see that I was in a room full of beds and other demons running around with basins of water and towels. The beds were occupied with several injured demons, most I can recognize from the Royal Guard. From a few clues and very obvious signs, I could see that I was in the equivalent of a demon hospital.

("I wonder how Lemin and Belrick are doing?") [Solace]

I couldn't see them from my angle. Maybe if I lifted myself up a bit, but that would make my abdomen hurt.

("I'll settle for hoping.") [Solace]

As I lay there bored, there was sudden shouting at the room's entrance.

"The Demon Lord is coming!" [???]

("The Demon Lord?!") [Solace]

My curiosity was piqued. I looked over at the door, almost sitting up to get a good look.

"Out of the way!" [???]

Two figures emerged as the other demons made way. One was exceptionally large, while the other was exceptionally short. The taller one was covered head to toe in blackened plated armor, so much so that I almost couldn't identify if it was a man or woman. Their helmet's face opening was barely open in a T shape, somewhat making me wonder how they could see through it. There was also the part where his two black horns matched with helmet. The fit was completed with a purple cape, white fur outlining the whole thing.

("Ten out of ten fit.") [Solace]

The shorter one had skin white as ash, purple hair, and wore a golden crown; made to hook or latch onto their three horns sprouting from the side and front of their head. They were clothed in a purple robe and carried a golden scepter. The scepter itself had a spherical gem the size of my palm embedded in it, so I thought of it as kind of generic. The clothes underneath the robe looked similar to cargo style clothing. Maybe demons liked darker colors because the cargo clothes were also black. Other than that, the demon looked very young.

("Is that a child?") [Solace]

"Response: Subject of interest is a female demon approximately twelve years of age." [Spirit Guide]

("...So definitely a child.") [Solace]

If I wasn't stupid, I'd assume the kid with the crown is the Demon Lord. The demons within the room seemed to be very excited at her appearance.

"Demon Lord, please help us!" [???]

"Worry not, I will save our people." [Demon Lord]

The Demon Lord approached one of the many injured Royal Guards laying on the beds. The Royal Guard opened their eyes and gazed at her with a weakened expression.

"My lord…" [Royal Guard]

"Quiet now. Allow me to heal you." [Demon Lord]

Raising her hands, a dim purple light emitted from her palms.

"Oh god of demons, Reha. Please bestow upon me your grace and allow me to heal this lost soul. Benevolent nature, |Demonic Grace|." [Demon Lord]

After her chant, the wounds on the Royal guard fully healed. Or that's what I assumed because he was still wrapped in bandages.

"Thank you my lord…!" [Royal Guard]

Without hesitation, the Royal Guard got out of bed and took off his bandages. Turns out I was correct in assuming that he was healed since there were no longer any signs of injuries.

"No need for thanks. It is my duty." [Demon Lord]

As she moved on to the next patient, the taller demon followed her like a shadow.

("|Demonic Energy| has the ability to heal others?") [Solace]

There was also my theory that it only worked on demons. The time to test it was when she arrived at my bed.

("...Huh?") [Solace]

The taller demon loomed over me, staring at me as if it knew something.

("Does it know I'm not a demon…?") [Solace]

My heart started to pound as we locked eyes.

"Zyrig, can you move away a little?" [Demon Lord]

The taller demon glanced at her before silently stepping back.

"Thank you." [Demon Lord]

As she came closer to me, the Demon Lord tried to comfort me.

"Sorry about that. The Feerae is quite protective of me." [Demon Lord]

("That's the Feerae?!") [Solace]

No wonder why he had such an intimidating presence. Or maybe it's because he's just really tall and built like a tank. In any case, the Demon Lord casted her |Demonic Grace| on me.

("This feeling…") [Solace]

I felt comfortable. I felt all warm and fuzzy inside, and all pain had flown away.

("My pain… is gone?") [Solace]

I checked my arm and abdomen, shocked at the condition they were in.

("No injuries?!") [Solace]

I could've sworn that the Spirit Guide said it was practically incurable.

"Alert: |Demonic Energy| has increased." [Spirit Guide]

("Getting healed by it increases it too?!") [Solace]

That was a surprising turn of events.

"All done. Be careful not to injure yourself again." [Demon Lord]

She gave me a kind smile before moving to the next patient.

("...A kind child…") [Solace]

That's who I needed to kill. I need her heart.

("This is going to weigh on my conscience.") [Solace]

I'm not naive enough to think there is another way. I was prepared to kill someone in exchange for Fina's life. I can't stop here.

_ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _

After we were healed, the Royal Guards and I had the rest of the day off. I found that a majority of us survived the Hero's raid, but some of us weren't so lucky. We lost about a quarter of our force.

"What will you do for your day off?" [Lemin]

Following me around as usual, Lemin stuck around.

"I'm honestly surprised that you're alive. Your guts and everything was spilling out." [Solace]

Lemin grinned.

"You know me! Us Tenacious Demons are… well… Tenacious!" [Lemin]

He wasn't wrong.

"Where's Belrick?" [Solace]

Lemin turned his eyes away.

"He's… um… training." [Lemin]

"Training? On his day off?" [Solace]

"His defeat was a little… or maybe very… frustrating to him." [Lemin]

I had to see for myself.

"Let's go check on him." [Solace]

As Lemin followed me to the training field, we witnessed an unbelievable sight.

"That… doesn't seem right?" [Lemin]

Belrick was standing there, his appearance that of when he fought the Hero's party. His horn had extended and the wooden sword he held was wrapped in some sort of green aura. His swings made this loud snapping sound, similar to the crack of a whip.

("Is he breaking the sound barrier with each slash?") [Solace]

Belrick's eyes seemed to glow dimly as his attacks began to increase in speed. Even from the distance I was standing, I could feel a slight breeze from each swing.

"Damn it! Damn it all!!!" [Belrick]

He let out a wide vertical swing, powerful enough to shatter his sword, leaving only the handle.

"Belrick…" [Lemin]

Lemin was confused. Maybe this was the first time Lemin had seen this side of Belrick?

("Perhaps it's Belrick's talent that may make Lemin scared? They say talented people tend to feel lonely.") [Solace]

I couldn't just watch, so I decided to do something about it.

"I'll talk to him. How about you take a walk for now?" [Solace]

"I…" [Lemin]

He seemed like he wanted to say something. However, Lemin ended up nodding and walking off.

("He'd probably solve a lot of things in his life if he was more courageous.") [Solace]

After seeing Lemin off, I approached Belrick.

"Yo, ace." [Solace]

Belrick turned and swung at me. Unfortunately, there was no blade there to hit me.

"...Did I do something wrong?" [Solace]

The dim glow in Belrick's eyes vanished, and he seemed to snap back to reality.

"Huh? Oh, sorry Alt. I didn't mean to attack you." [Belrick]

"It's cool, it's cool." [Solace]

I motioned towards the benches for him to take a break. I somewhat expected him to refuse, but he accepted.

"So what brings you here?" [Belrick]

"Just came to see how our ace was doing." [Solace]

Belrick gripped the remainder of his wooden sword until it crumbled and fell to the floor. Matter of fact, I didn't even know he still held it.

"Uh… You alright there, Ace-" [Solace]

"Don't call me that." [Belrick]

He snapped at me.

"Oookay. Belrick then. Are you alright?" [Solace]

"I… am." [Belrick]

He then had this look of contemplation.

"Actually… Alt. I have a question for you." [Belrick]

"Mm? Okay, ask away." [Solace]

Belrick locked eyes with me.

"Who are you really?" [Belrick]

"Er… What?" [Solace]

Belrick stared at me with an eerily steady gaze.

"Even when bleeding to death, I saw it. I saw you fighting." [Belrick]

…I'm starting to think this guy is really good at catching me at the strangest times.

"Who are you, and what is your goal?" [Belrick]

"I… I'm just someone who wants to get by, y'know?" [Solace]

From the look on Belrick's face, that excuse wouldn't cut it.

"...You let them go." [Belrick]

"What?" [Solace]

"You let the Hero's party go. I know you did." [Belrick]

I could see intense anger in his eyes.

"...I have no words." [Solace]

Belrick grit his teeth, not hiding his frustration. Eventually, it led to him grabbing my collar.

"Why?! Just… Why?! Why did you let them go?! The people who harmed us! The people who harmed my family!" [Belrick]

I remained silent.

"...Fine. Have it your way." [Belrick]

He released my collar with a shove.

"You know what? I won't pry." [Belrick]

"...You won't?" [Solace]

That was surprising. Especially with how much rage he was bottling up.

"You saved Lemin. -And me for that matter. It's the least I can do." [Belrick]

That's a relief. I was starting to feel some kind of guilt.

"Alt, I have a request." [Belrick]

Now where's this going?

"...If it's something I can do." [Solace]

Belrick stood up and grabbed two real swords. Not the dull ones we usually use, but the sharpened ones that we use to practice against dummies for edge alignment.

"Fight me." [Belrick]

"...That's it? Sure." [Solace]

I stood up and caught a sword Belrick tossed at me.

"Alt, I don't think you understand. I want you to fight me for real. Without holding back." [Belrick]

"I-" [Solace]

"I saw how powerful you were. I want to feel it." [Belrick]

I could see determination in his eyes. Pure, undiluted, unwavering resolve.

"...Alright." [Solace]

Standing at a moderate distance from each other, we both took our respective stances.

"Don't regret this." [Solace]