Legend of the Demon Hero

1. Discovery in the Cave

The Hero's Bloodline. It was the power of the descendants of the heroes who slew the Demon King five hundred years ago. Those of the Bloodline had enhanced senses, stamina, and strength—along with a much higher aptitude for magic. The Bloodline was common among the upper nobility and royalty of the Hundred Kingdoms. Of people with the same standing, those of the Bloodline were considered first among equals.

Azuin was one member of this exalted race. In looks, as well, he resembled the descriptions of the Eldest Hero to an extent that often surprised those who had seen portraits of him. He had jet-black hair that fell to his shoulders, cool dark eyes, and a dignified pale face. Indeed, the resemblance was so striking that Azuin had been saddled with high expectations from the moment he was born to a couple of middling nobles in the Kingdom of Grivnis. Unfortunately, he had failed to live up to any of them. That was why he found himself in this predicament.

In front of him lay an enormous and imposing structure. It looked larger and more impressive than some of the royal palaces he had seen. Extending from the earth to the ceiling, the subterranean dungeon entrance was held up by great marble pillars so thick that Azuin couldn't completely put his arms around them. The entrance was shaped like the wide, gaping maw of a serpent. Above the door were written words in an ancient language that Azuin couldn't read. He wished he had paid more attention during his classics tutoring.

Whatever the words said, this place certainly looked like it could be five hundred years old. It was scary enough that it could be a demons' hideout. Not that Azuin was worried. He could probably beat a few demons. They were said to scatter quickly before bearers of the Hero's Bloodline. Even a failure? questioned a voice in the back of his mind. Azuin stubbornly pushed it aside as he ran his hands along the great stone doors.

The illumination spell he had cast was flickering, changing the shape of the nearby shadows, causing Azuin to jump every once in a while. A true illumination spell did not flicker, but Azuin did not worry too much about it. A hero wasn't judged by how well he could light up the place.

The more Azuin studied the doors, the more he was convinced he was right. This was one of the places he was searching for. He quietly thanked the gods for their aid in letting him find this place. Though, in point of fact, he hadn't really found this place. He had tumbled into a cave by accident, and the slope had been too steep for him to climb out, so he had headed further into the cave.

But what luck! They had scoffed when Azuin had told them of his plan, though no one had stopped him. This would show them! It had hardly been two weeks and he was already close to his first goal.

But there was one huge problem. He had no way to open those huge stone doors. He had tried pushing, but they wouldn't budge. There must be some mechanism or other to get them open. He wished desperately that he could read the words on the serpent's upper jaw and avoided thinking about what would happen if it were sealed forever.

There was no point in sealing something forever; in that case, it would be simpler to destroy whatever the dungeon housed. With that conviction, Azuin kept running his hands along the door, hoping to find a secret lever or button that would open the gates.

"What do you think, Neril?" he murmured. The spirit that dwelt in his sword stirred its power—causing the sheath to feel hot against his leg.

I do not have the power to strike this door down. Even if I did, I suspect that there are hidden magical protections in addition to the physical seals. Thus, I suspect that you will die down here of starvation, and I will spend the rest of eternity here, never finding another master or accomplishing anything ever again, said the spirit in his mind.