The Demon King And The Hero (Part One)

Chapter Three: The Hero's Bravery

Chapter Three: The Hero’s Bravery

　

　

Absolute territory is but a myth

　

　

        “-Your sword is your life. If it ever breaks, you’d better find a new one soon. Its your food, your money, and your protection, all wrapped up in one package. You will not survive long as the hero otherwise. Pray, pray harder than you’ve ever prayed in your life that you are near a city with a respectable sword smith. Your sword is your life, don’t ever forget it.”

        The words kept repeating in her mind. The very words her teacher had instilled into her the day she became the hero.

       “How many heroes have died because of foolish mistakes at the hand of the Demon King?! Never let yourself get into a situation where your life is at stake! Do not ever think you can do it alone, you need every bit of help that is offered!”

      His own son was a prime example, cocky, overconfident, and unready. He was never seen again.

        She hadn’t even been fighting the Demon king and she’d almost died, save for the fact she had Nemis with her. Hell, she wasn’t even fighting against a demon that looked human.

She felt weak

She was ashamed

          Have I been too cocky? Shion never once thought herself to be like Ivis, the hero before her, her teacher’s deceased son. She was self assured, but that was it. She never once thought she would win just because she was the hero and she sure as hell never thought she was better than the demons she was slayer of.

           “Never think you are better than your enemies, never! When you do…Your demise is surely near. When you have no respect for them, that is when you’ll fall.”

Like a bucket of water being dumped over her, the realization rushed through her mind.

         She had been cocky, she had been over confident, and she had underestimated her enemy. She’d thought it was just a beast, one that she had encountered many times before, yet it turned out to be more than that. There was no doubt in her mind that the Demon King was somehow behind its unexpected attack.

She was relieved that she had not come upon the Demon King. She wasn’t ready.

But that was pretty much what Ashthran, her teacher, had told her.

     “Only you will know.” He’d whispered to her the day of the ceremony, the very same day she became the first female hero in the history of Ellithian. Years of blood and grit had propelled her into the position she so badly needed, years of studying the art of death. So many years giving up the pursuits of young girls.

        Shion had lived her life with the intent of killing the Demon King, nothing else. The very thought of being unready was terrifying.

       I don’t have time to train again. She cried silently. She wanted to crouch down and cry, to hide herself, but every bone in her body rebelled against the notion, and she stood stock still. I can’t do this alone…

      Thank the gods that Nemis knew exactly what she couldn’t say.

        Three other people had offered her their services, her failures told her that she was going to have to accept them.