The Crimson King

I. The Rookie God Slayer

Heavy rainfall.

The sign of a death of a God. A bearded man with grey hair and circlet fell to the ground. A brown hiking boot stepped on his head. A slim, black, single edge blade lowered down to the left of the boot. Thunder struck. The beautiful, yet full of anger and hatred, bright blue eyes stared upon the dead God under his boot.
His usually messy, light brown hair was soaked from the rain, going over his eyes and ears.
"You Gods really piss me off."
He was clad in a longer and hooded dark red zip-up. Yet another thunder strike. A man and a woman ran to the so called shrine.
"Dammit, we were late.", the man grabbed the boy by the shoulder, but he didn't even flinch. He just stared at the dead God, glaring daggers at him.
"You just killed a God we could've cleansed!"
"Who cares? He'll just reincarnate within a few days."
"You still killed a God!"

The man yelled at the boy, but the second his eyes met the boy's, the man's knees started to shake. The glare directed at the God was now on him. So terrifying, so cold, full of anger.
"Hands off the shirt."
With just those words the man let go of him, stumbling back. With that the boy sheathed his sword and walked away. Tucking his hands in the pockets of the zip-up.
"Damn that kid, that's the fifth God he killed."
"Be quiet Marco. At least he does his job well."
"Killing Gods is still sacrilege."
"It may be, but his efforts have made the council consider titling him a Subjugator."
The boy walked away, discarding the conversation they were holding.  The sword on his waist disappeared into flames and the boots splashed as he stepped into puddles.

The name's Jake Russell. I'm a rookie God Slayer, but don't get me wrong. I'm not doing this out of religious reasons. I'm searching for War Gods, the bastard who cut my father's life short. Sure, I'm pissed about it, but my sisters need a father figure more than me. That's why I seek revenge for this disgraceful act. 

Jake walked through the rainy town, occasionally glancing over to stores and cafes, studying the people inside. As he came across phantoms, who attacked humans without a second thought, even they steered clear from him.
"Even to them I'm a monster."
There was nothing more he hated than being seen as a monster. Even though Jake knew he paved the path himself, it was still a painful thought.
At least there were a few, who saw him differently.
He walked the rainy streets until he reached an apartment building. Jake took out the keys from his pocket and entered the building. He went into the elevator and went to the sixth floor. There, Jake went to the door with his last name and unlocked it.

Just as he opened the door, a girl, much shorter than Jake ran over. They shared the same brownish hair, but she jad hazel eyes.
"Big brother!", the girl tried to jump into his arms. Though when she saw Jake was soaked, she stopped.
"You're soaked."
"It's good to see you too Jen."
Jake closed the door and locked it. Then he proceeded to take off his boots and zip-up.
"Who is it Jen?"
Another girl asked from the room on the right and seconds later peeked her head through the door.
She looked like Jake if he were a girl, they shared the same icy blue eyes and the brownish hair.
"Hey, you're home."
"Yeah, finally."
Jake walked upstairs and went in his room.

It was nothing special. What stood out was his corner desk with three screens and a microphone.
Jake emptied his pockets and put his phone on the desk. After that he went to the bathroom and dried his hair with a towel before completely drying it with a hair dryer. With that done Jake went back to his room and got into some dry clothes.
He had just pulled down his shirt and already his twin sister came to the door.
"You know, the council is holding a meeting right now."
"And I should care why?"
"While I was heading home I heard quite a few mention your name."
"Sammy, how many times must I say it? I don't care about what they have to say about my methods."
Sam let out a heavy sigh and looked up.

"It's been two years since we joined the order in dad's place."
"Has it been two years already? Feels like yesterday we got the news."
Sam knew that ever since their dad died, Jake wasn't the same. He was more social, but there was an obvious border and self isolation on his side.
"These last two years... they were really hard on you. Right, brother?"
Jake stayed silent, there was nothing he could hide from his twin. They just knew what the other was thinking.
"That's right... I never felt so helpless in my life."
"I heard... that the council wants to make you a subjugator. Just like dad. A God Slayer that slays them all."
"Subjugator or not, I'm still a Slayer. It's my job to kill Gods if they get corrupted. And I will find the one who killed our old man. Even if it's the last thing I do.", Jake clenched his fist. The day he learned of his father's passing flashed before his eyes yet again. Just like it did every day before he went to bed for the past two years.
"I'll... leave you alone for now. Dinner will be ready soon."

Sam left the room and Jake sat down in his chair. He sat the for a while, just staring at the ceiling.
Then he got a message. Jake checked it out and when he saw it was from a friend over discord he turned on his computer. The message just said "join vc"
Jake joined the voice chat with his friends and just like always it was full of yelling. Someone was talking to their mom, someone was playing music on their phone even though there was a bot playing music and someone even yelled "Green is hella sus!"
"What are you idiots up to?"
His deep and slightly raspy voice shut everyone up for a few seconds.

Meanwhile, under the city of Crater, the capital of Crimson Valley. The Council was holding the meeting Sammy was talking about.
"That concludes the meeting. Correct?"
"Not so fast elders."
The same man that came when Jake killed the God walked into the light in the middle of the room.
"We must still discuss the heretic known as Jake Russell."
Murmur began between the elderly stood on the pedestals on the edges of the room.
"That's right, the boy has slain the same amount of Gods as his father in half the time."
"He's a prodigy."
"And he knows the original reason the order was created."
Marco turned around frantically, refusing to believe what the council was saying.

"My elders, he's killing Gods! He's a heretic!"
"Quiet Marco."
"The boy is in fact sparing the Gods from their misery."
"We can only imagine the pain they go through when corrupted."
One of the elderly women spoke from her pedestal.
"We must discuss what exactly we need to do with him."
"It's still too soon to make him a Subjugator."
"Agreed, it's a heavy burden for someone of nineteen years."
Murmur erupted between the elders until the man at the head of the council hit his cane on the pedestal.
"Here is a proposition. We name the boy a true Slayer and give him his father's grimoire. Everyone in favour of that?"
"Aye."
"With this unanimous vote I proclaim Jake Russell, the son of Nathan Russell a true God Slayer and give him the permission to continue his father's grimoire."

The next morning Jake did his usual routine. Forced himself out of bed, went down and had breakfast then went back up and brushed his teeth.
When he was ready Jake put on his boots and got his keys.
"Hurry up Sammy! Otherwise I'm leaving you behind!"
"Give me a second!"
"Here's your bag big brother."
Jen handed Jake a grey courier bag that he hung over his shoulder.
"Thanks Jen. Now give your big brother a hug."
"No! Get away!"
Jake chuckled at her reaction and pat her head.
"Don't worry. I'd never put you in danger. Especially with your weak immune system."
Sam finally got downstairs and got ready for the day.
"You got your mask?"
"Yes."
"Enough money for lunch?"
"Yeah."
"Your ticket?"
"Oh my God Jake, I have everything. Quit worrying so much!"

Jake opened the door and was already halfway out.
"Alright, alright. But I'll still worry since I'm still your older brother."
"Quit it already!"
"Is it that time of the month again?"
"Shut up!"
Sam threw her bag at Jake, but all it hit was the door. Jake had already closed it and when Sam opened it again he was down the hallway and entering the elevator.
Jake could hear Sam call him an ass, but the way things go each month was just like that morning. He went his usual way, got his mountain bike and cycled to his internship. Jake worked in a small convenience store that was oh so coincidentally owned by the council.
"Morning boss."
"Morning little Russell."
"Don't call me that."
Jake went to the back room, got ready and started to fill the shelves. He was almost done when he bumped into a girl his age.
"Oh, I'm sorry.", she instantly started to apologise the second she noticed Jake leaning back.
"No it's fine miss, I wasn't looking where I was going."
"Jake?"
When Jake heard his name he looked at the girl. She had shoulder length extremely blonde hair it was practically white and beautiful green eyes.
"Kate, is that you?"
"So you do remember me."
"How could I not, you're the- nevermind that. How did you know it was me?"
Kate blushed for a second before she looked back at Jake.
"A girl has her secrets."
"Kate, listen. It was great to see you, but I have to get back to work."
"I-I get it. Can I still see you now and then?"
"Sure thing, just call me when you want to talk.", Kate's face lit up, she hugged Jake and got her things before going to the check out.
When she was out Jake got a mop and started cleaning the floor.
"That the girl?"
"Shut up oldtimer."