Rage

The path was littered with old, discarded bones. Zeke thought nothing of it as he walked forward. As he got closer to the building in the center of the room he began to hear the bones slide across the floor. One by one they reconnected with one another until they formed several skeletons that began to walk toward Zeke from both in front of him and behind him.

He tightened his grip on his sword and prepared for combat. "Scan." He said while looking at one of the skeletons.

[Skeleton: Race: Undead, Level 25. Skills: Reconstitution, Harden, Fearless. Experience: 200]

"Shit they are ten levels higher than me." Zeke said.

The bones of the skeletons began to shimmer, becoming infused with magic. They had begun to cast harden upon themselves to reduce incoming damage.

Zeke swung his sword at one as it approached but, in his inexperience, he missed his strike. The skeleton reached out and grabbed his arm holding the sword and gave it a quick yank. Due to the fact Zeke was an amateur this caused him to lose his grip and drop his sword. He watched in horror as his sword fell into the waters below.

"No!" Zeke screamed, jerking his arm back. The force of the action caused the skeleton to lose his arm. It dangled from Zeke's arm, the skeleton's hand still holding tight. Zeke's heart raced at the scene. The disarmed skeleton continued to walk towards him. Zeke swung his torch rapidly trying to scare the skeleton with the fire. "Oh right, they have the skill of being fearless." He said. His thoughts went back to the night before, how he was powerless to fight the demon king, how his mother and Lucy died. He could feel the anger building in himself, slowly replacing his fear.

Sparks began to fly from his hands as he became overcome with rage. "So magic is emotion based?" He said as he watched the energy shoot from his hands. "Good to know." With renewed determination he focused on the skeleton in front of him. He channeled all of his hate and rage at the monster and lightning flew from his fingertips. The skeleton turned to ash in an instant. He then turned his attention to the next, and the next until every one of the monsters were nothing more than a pile of ash on the ground.

[Experience gained: 2400]

[Congratulations Level Up!]

Zeke took a moment to compose himself. "I can't believe I just used magic!" He said ecstatically. "I used a lightning spell. Look out you damned demon king! I am coming for you!"

"Zeke?" A voice said from inside the building. "Is that really you?"

"Hello?!" Zeke shouted in reply. "Who is there?"

A woman exited the building and greeted Zeke. He knew her from his days working the shop. She was an adventurer, a mage. She had crimson hair and always dressed in a red robe with a wizard's hat. Zeke enjoyed when she visited because she was always nice and extremely beautiful. Her name was Scarlet.

"Scarlet?!" Zeke shouted. "I am so happy you are okay!" tears began to pour from Zeke's eyes, and he rushed to her to give her a hug.

The sudden display of affection took her off guard and startled her. "Of course, I am okay, you know I am here with Devin." She said, "He would never let anything happen to me."

Devin was her warrior boyfriend; he was the main reason she would visit the shop. They did not sell equipment of the magical nature, however the equipment they sold fit Devin to a tee.

"We have only been gone a few days, why are you looking for us?" She asked. "Also was that magic you just used?! I didn't know merchants could cast spells."

"So, you don't know what happened." Zeke said with a sad face, releasing her from his hug. "The town was attacked."

"Attacked by who?" Scarlet asked.

"The demon king." Zeke said. "He killed everyone last night and turned them into the walking dead. My mother, Lucy, everyone died. I made a vow for revenge and made a resolution with the gods to become a hero as I took my final breaths. Today I woke up with a new class on my status screen. I am in fact a hero and I will get revenge for our people."

"Stop joking." Scarlet said, her face stricken with fear. "You have to be joking, my brother and parents were in town." Even more horror flushed over her face. "You said last night?! No!" She yelled. "Devin!"

"Where is Devin, shouldn't he be here with you." Zeke asked.

"Last night we camped out here and needed some more supplies." Scarlet explained. "I was tired because my mana was low from casting spells all day exploring the labyrinth, so Devin went into town alone to pick up more supplies. I was wondering why he hadn't come back yet. It's so hard to tell how much time has passed here, so I didn't want to worry, but if what you said is true…" Her eyes continue to well. "Devin! I should have gone with you!"

"If you would have, you would have died too." Zeke coldly explained. "The demon king's power is on another level. If you would have been there you would have died."

"Better than living without my love!" Scarlet cried. "At least we could have died together!"

Zeke slapped Scarlet across the face. "I know exactly how you feel. I never got to tell Lucy, but I loved her. Now I will never know if she felt the same, I will never experience what I could have had."

Scarlett rubbed her cheek from the slap. "That's nothing compared to what I am going through. Devin and I were to be married! We were going to have a family! You didn't even confess your love, it is not the same! How dare you even suggest that it is!"

"I'm sorry." Zeke said, feeling bad about his previous statement. "I only meant to say that I am experiencing a lot of pain as well. I meant to say that I share your pain."

Scarlet wiped the tears from her eyes. "So, you made a vow to kill that son of a bitch?" She asked. "I want in. I want to make him suffer. I want to make him regret the day he destroyed my heart, my love."