Demon King

Manyu's home was as quaint as any other in Shukora's lower district. It was the most that a lowly cook like himself could afford, though a stark downgrade from the gargantuan castle he had once dwelled within 500 years ago. As he prepared some green tea for his guests, Dorma took the opportunity to relax after her journey from Tor, whereas Din fidgeted awkwardly and struggled to make sense of the situation.

"I don't understand…" She muttered, "Why did you spare the Demon King's life?"

"What a difficult question…" Dorma paused for a moment, "-To begin with, it wasn't my decision, and neither was it Shilahi's. Barion was the one who insisted on it."

"It was… Barion's decision?"

"I couldn't believe my eyes when it happened." She sighed, transitioning from kneeling to sitting with her legs crossed, "It was the toughest battle I'd ever taken part in. And yet, even when we stood victorious, Barion stepped forward to block us from dealing the finishing blow."

"Why would he do that?"

"Do you remember what we spoke about during our trip, Din?" She asked, "When we encountered that village which had been sundered by Demons?"

"You said… that you didn't think Barion was human…" She answered.

"Me and Shilahi… the two of us almost felt like outsiders during that battle." Dorma lowered her head, "Barion and Manyu threw themselves at each-other without grace or strategy. It didn't fulfil my expectations of the legendary confrontation between the Hero and the Demon King… rather, it was more like a saddening farewell between the two."

"...A farewell?"

"In a way, it was as if they cared for one-another. A strange sort of kinship that could only be formed between two mortal enemies. The fate of the world was being decided in that single battle, but for a moment, the two hopes of each age were completely at peace. That's why, when Barion shielded Manyu's body… I could almost understand his desire."

Two kindred spirits, who at the conclusion of their journeys had discovered a bond unlike any other. For all the death and despair he had caused, Barion's desire was exactly that--to keep Manyu alive. It was an unexpected and unreasonable end to their saga.

"Are you familiar with the mountain goats of the Steppe cliffs, Din?"

"Mountain-" She paused, "What's this, all of a sudden?"

"When the time comes for them to breed, the males of the species battle for dominance, as many beasts often do. But rather than maul or claw at one-another, they meet as equals--equidistant and pacifistic, before rearing up to ram their heads together." Dorma explained, "And, despite having proved his worth, the victor does not kill the defeated. Why do you think that is? Animals fight to ensure that their genes are carried on to the next generation, so why would they allow an inferior example of their species to continue living?"

"That's…" Din thought, "Animals are… just slaves to their instincts, aren't they? They don't kill their own kind because they don't have an impulsive desire to do so."

"I suppose that's the most sensible answer." Dorma admitted, "But, I would like to think that they have a certain kind of respect for their opponents. In the same way that a soldier might allow an enemy combatant to live. Not out of sympathy, but in recognition of their skills. That, I think, is why Barion allowed Manyu to live."

"...But why?" Din asked.

"That is the question, isn't it?" She replied, "Animals duel to secure something as primitive as a 'right to breed', but we do so for grander purposes. Does sparing an enemy stem from sympathy? Or perhaps a desire to see them redeemed? Or perhaps… do we voluntarily extend conflicts to fulfil our own faraway dreams of romance?"

"Romance…"

"Barion spared me because the two of us are connected." Interrupting their conversation, Manyu entered the room with a tray of cups from which fragrant smells emerged, "We are the dichotomous 'constants' of this world. The Hero and the Demon King, fated to challenge one-another for as long as the farcical cycle of light and dark is allowed to continue."

Placing the beverages on the ankle-height table, he sat at the opposite end and continued to explain, "He did not kill me because he knew that it would solve nothing."

"-But you would have killed him." Dorma finished.

"Of course. That's just how it is, after all. An age of darkness cannot exist so long as the Hero lives. However, an age of light may begin in spite of the Demon King's survival."

"I don't understand…" Interjecting, Din lifted one of the cups with a conflicted look, "If Barion didn't kill you, how did Demonkind disappear? Don't you control them?"

"Just another rumour transformed into legend by the frenzied hopes of a dying people." Manyu answered, "I have as much influence over Demons as anyone--which is to say, none at all."

"Then why did they disappear for 500 years?"

"They didn't. Demons never truly 'disappear', they only… become more docile."

"Wha-" Sighing in frustration, she looked towards Dorma, "Did you know this?"

"Certainly. Contrary to what you may think, we had quite the discussion with Manyu before our battle began. He was rather upfront with most of the unpleasant truths regarding Demon Ages." She answered.

"It's precisely that kind of reaction that makes us want to keep a lid on everything." Manyu supported, "If the truth was revealed that the Hero and the Demon King contributed nothing towards the appearance or obliteration of Demons, just what would the public have to say? We'd be dismantling thousands of years worth of preserved religious texts and iconography."

"But the Goddess of Light is real!" Din shouted, "The priests of both Aelf'ahlnohma and Tor commune with her on a daily basis! How can her legend be a farce!?"

"The Goddess of Light is most certainly real." Manyu answered, "But, perhaps not in a way you would understand."

"...What's that supposed to mean?"

"It's both too long and too complicated of a story to explain now." He replied, "I'm still waiting for Dorma to request my aid in bringing this business to a close once and for all."

"The Queen of Elves, Larion, has revealed Aelf'ahlnohma's existence to the world, and with it, the archives used to preserve history between Demon Ages." Dorma interrupted, "There were even talks of dispelling the city's obscuring enchantment to show how seriously they're taking the situation."

"Larion…" Manyu muttered, "Don't tell me-"

"-She's Barion's child, yes. But we don't have the time to be focusing on such trivial things at the moment." She finished, "Aelf'ahlnohma's developing alliance with Tor and the Holy Alliance has the potential to unite the entire world against Demonkind. If we're able to find some way to eliminate the threat for good, the cycle of Demon Ages could end."

"-But if you don't, Aelf'ahlnohma's destruction will ensure that there will never be another chance to do so. Not for a very long time, at least."

"Manyu-" Dorma locked eyes with the man, "With the Holy Alliance and Barion on our side, there's a real chance of this happening. But if we're to take the possibility of eradicating Demonkind seriously, we'll need even more help than that."

"So you would ask me to join you…" He sighed, "I think I understand."

"I won't entertain the possibility that the man who once strived for the world's destruction will be interested in saving it." She continued, "-I won't demand that you atone for your sins, or claim that this will redeem you in any manner… but to increase the chances of freeing this world from Demons, I would gladly get on my hands and knees and beg for you to help us."

"Hm…" Manyu went silent for a moment, "And Barion? Where is he?"

"The Steppe, most likely. You know how he is." Dorma crossed her arms, "-Probably killing himself with exhaustion trying to stop the Demonic hordes from pushing south."

"I imagine he hasn't done a poor job of it, either…" The ex-Demon King muttered, "Although his attention is being drawn away from more important matters."

"Such as?"

"The resurrection of Leviathan, for one thing." He answered, "I've heard rumours that a few Fleecian warships were sunk over Onaffor-Hen."

"Leviathan… the Eater of Worlds…"

"-Not that he can do an awful lot from the ocean, but a Heavenly King is a Heavenly King."

"That means it won't be long before Lilith makes an appearance, too."

"Yes… then the Holy Alliance will truly have its work cut out for it."

"It's too much work for Heroes. For anyone." Dorma paused, "Manyu, we need-"

"Dorma. Before I give an answer to your proposition, you must first know this-" He interjected, "The mystery of Demonkind and the continuation of this 'cycle' is more complicated than you could ever imagine. I myself have only superficial knowledge of the truth, and even that much is horrifying. You must know that this path is one paved with unconquerable hardships."

"I thought I made it quite clear during our first meeting that attempting to dissuade me is pointless?" Dorma tilted her head, "I will make any sacrifice, and endure any pain, to ensure the safety of this world. You may be without hope, but even after 500 years, mine has yet to fade."

"Hm. You and Barion haven't changed a bit…" Manyu sighed, "Business has been a little slow lately… I suppose it wouldn't hurt to close up shop for just a little while."

"...Thank you, Manyu."

"Don't even think about saying something like that. If it wasn't for you three, this 'cycle' would have ended long ago…"

"Destroying the world is not the answer."

"Well, we'll see, I suppose." His smirk was one without the faintest trace of happiness, "Yes. We'll certainly see."