Book 2: Chapter 24: Rose: Dark Star Storm
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After the light cleared it was obvious as to what I’m going to do next, I slashed at Maova and ended the battle right then and there, now she’s kneeling down in defeat, this should be satisfactory.

I look around and see that the nobleman who is also in this final battle puts down his weapon and waves his hand in defeat, this is the end of this part of the charade.

“Uh… The one who is shall be the Hero appeared! Rosia!” The announcer announced, looking quite shocked still.

I must say it feels good to use this sword again, I’m getting rather nostalgic.

“This damn wound you give me, that was on purpose wasn’t it?” Maova stood back up with what seemed like a deep slash across her chest, any normal human would’ve died from something like this, but once again she shrugged off such an attack with nothing but irritation.

“Perhaps, anyway let’s get the ceremony over with. Not that I have any idea how this’ll proceed” I responded. 

A few people run over, I think this is the healer team for this tournament. Many rushed over to Maova and a few to the nobleman.

“Are you okay? Huh? You seem fine” One person of the team asked, then realizing Maova seemed unwounded, her wounds healed up quickly after all.

“I wish I could say that, I just forcibly healed myself is all. I think I need a place to rest if you don’t mind” Maova replied, trying to sound strained, her body wobbling a little.

“R-Right! Bring her to the healing room!” The person replied and everyone helped support Maova to said room, the same can be said for Yuuna’s brother. Still some people are still about.

“Are you fine?” One person asked.

“Yeah, I’m a bit tired is all” I replied.

“Right, the ceremony should take place soon, please rest until then, the room is open for you as well” That person replied. Might as well, Maova is there anyway.

 

#####

 

Still clutching Suemosa in my hand I sit at the bed next to Maova, who is laying down and resting. People aren’t around but we probably shouldn’t say anything implicative, Yuuna’s brother recovered already while other people take their talking elsewhere.

“Well that was one hell of a battle” Maova commented.

“At least it’s over, I believe it’ll not be long before the ceremony starts, hopefully you’ll recover that quickly” I replied knowing the answer already.

“Heh, well I am pretty confident in that” Maova snarked. 

“Yeah yeah” I replied sighing a little. This whole thing feels a bit like a mess, but if it’s for her sake then that’s fine, I’m the one going along with it in the first place.

While I’m never the one to lose my composure in difficult situations, I’m not sure if I can make an effort to care enough for the ceremony to come to look natural, but I guess I’ll tackle the problem when it comes. 

“Ah, my apologies if you’re still resting, but the ceremony will begin soon, I believe you two have to go to the top floor of the colosseum and the stands there, that’s where the ceremony should be held. Should be in about five minutes” A man came in and explained what to come next.

“Thanks” I replied with the same dull voice I always have, and that seems to spook him a little, then he walked off. Well I don’t think people would imagine any hero to be so monotonous. I see myself as rather emotionally dull, or rather a type of person not reacting strongly with emotion, with only a few things able to make me feel enthusiastic, still even if I’m enjoying myself I usually don’t express it much. I do think my expression gets a bit crazed when having sex though, but perhaps I was just imagining things, Maova never commented on it after all, or maybe she’s hiding that fact from me, have to comfirm later, just maybe not now.

“Um, are you thinking about something uncomfortable just now?” Maova asked, looking a bit awkward, standing back up completely fine because such a massive wound means absolutely nothing to her.

“No, it’s nothing” I replied as I stood up as well. Maova stretches her body a little and shakes her body slightly.

“Kinda sucks that something that generated back is numb as hell at first, but it’s not that big of a deal” Maova commented on an irrelevant fact, I didn’t even tear a part of her body off, just make a gap in her torso is all.

“Well, let’s go” I said, walking ahead of her. Hopefully nothing goes ‘wrong’ during this process.

 

#####

 

At the highest platform of the colosseum, where none but the most prodigious can enter, I am right there, along with many nobles and even those of royalty, the princess, the king, they are all here, I’m a bit overwhelmed to be honest, but I cannot show any weakness now, since we keep the charade up until now, we need to keep going.

The king approaches me, his rather old but regal look eludes air of authority. Of course I know full well in my presence he’s but a man fancying himself amongst the divine, so really I shouldn’t feel pressured, at least by his status.

“Oh great hero, I as the king of this land express my gratitude for you showing up in our time of need, we shall give you whatever support we can muster, no doubt the wretched demons will invade us soon” He said bowing slightly. How ironic that the hero before him is a demon. Honestly I feel like stabbing him out of spite, but that’ll go against Maova’s plan. His authority aside, looking at him just filled me with irritation, reminds me a lot of that king as well, seems it runs in the family, makes me want to stab him all the more.

“There’s no need for such gratitude Your Majesty. It’s my duty after all” I replied as I began holding my blade for all to see.

“Ah, the legendary blade of the founder of that noble house. The fact that it’s in your hand, truly you’re the chosen one” The king noted with enthusiasm. The colosseum is rather silent, as people hear the conversation with great interest, the winds blowing can be heard as the crowd’s voice is nonexistent.

“Flattery will get you everywhere Your Majesty. Still I am honored that you create such a selection, certainly none that I have seen before” While that was meant to be a compliment for him it was also a jab, as while this is the most practical in selecting someone powerful, it’s not one when selecting the destined hero, as there should be some sort of sign for them in the first place.

“Hm. Well I shall announce this here and now! Citizens! The Hero has graced her presence! Now the world shall be saved for those wicked demons! You can all put your mind to rest! I! Zleople Genolotalepe! Your King! Am confident in my judgement!” He said with great grandeur. Now it will be the good time to-

*Dim*

Suddenly it was as if the world went dark for a second, everyone seems to have chills run down their spine, even the king who seems so confident just now seems to be sweating and unable to continue speaking. I tilted my head upward and saw the dark star in the sky, so she began doing so now. Really the other finalists should all be here as well, but no one really paid attention to them, she must’ve left when no one was looking.

“Your Majesty, as sweet as this ceremony is, there is a problem I must attend to” I said ominously.

“W-What do you mean Hero?” He asked, sounding somewhat terrified. I simply titled my head up and signaled him to do the same. He and other people look up to see the dark star in the sky and all are terrified.

“I’m sorry, Your Majesty, but I’m afraid everyone must quickly evacuate the vicinity” I instructed as the dark star in the sky began contorting and shaking in frenzy, as if to consume all life in its path.

“C-Could that possibly be?” He asked in a terrified response.

“I’m afraid there’s no time to explain, you must do so now!” I answered assertively. He simply quietly nods in return.

“All of you! Leave this place at once!” The king orders with his authoritative voice, and everyone quickly flees, some panicking and a few screaming in terror. Next to no one is present now, only myself… 

*Beam*

As if an embodiment of all the world’s calamity burst towards me, the beam of darkness that seems to swallow everything in its path flies toward this colosseum. If I were to take this head on I'm uncertain of my chance of survival, she surely doesn’t pull any punches with this one.

That hero has the audacity of trying a similar fighting style as myself, and in return I shall use one of their own spells, I do not understand why she doesn’t use it then, but it matters not now. I reach my hand out to the sky, to confront this overwhelming power about to engulf this place whole.

“[The Shield with the Power of the Gods, heed my call and be subservient! Aegis]!” I chanted out as-

*Shine*

A massive shield, no, a wall of light appeared in the sky, with many indescribable symbols all over its ethereal body. Magic circles of light formed this massive wall, and-

*Clash*

The black spear of retribution hits it and the shockwave alone causes the colosseum to begin cracking in its entirety. I have no basis for this shield’s function beside its godly protection, and that’s all it will be for me, the single greatest protection against this calamity, it shall block this massive blast of darkness and prevent destruction it’ll cost!

“Haaah!” I began screaming as I forced more power into my shield. I’m struggling not only to keep the shield from breaking, but to prevent it from being pushed back as well. This spell that the damn hero uses to block against the Demon Lord’s strongest attack… will it hold this time around as a high powered imitation?

*Crack*

The shield began cracking ever so slightly over and over, I tried my best to repair any damage it had taken, but even so, the crack began forming quickly than I could maintain it in its perfect form. I cannot give out here! That’s not what Maova would’ve wanted!

“Ugh!” Even I began feeling like I’m being pushed back. To think I’m struggling for this charade… This attack was made by Maova herself, directed at me, it was not by malice, but by expectation, and I cannot betray her expectation.

“Raaaah!” I began pushing the shield back up against the still persisting pillar of darkness. This blast is nothing in front of me! I might not be the Hero, nor the Demon Lord, but I sure as hell… am not some weakling!

“[Consume all darkness… Sigea]!” I commanded the shield as I molded its form, from something meant to stop something from being consumed, to something that consume others. Soon the shield began shifting and coiling around the black pillar, trapping it and began compressing and- Ugh, the strain is getting me… Soon the black pillar is contained and ultimately reduced down to nothing… but even so…

*Boom*

As if the pillar has the will of its own, it explodes in defiance and leaves only a giant blast of light and darkness for the eyes of many to see…

Footsteps can be heard, the colosseum began collapsing as seconds passed. I feel like I’m going to collapse at any seconds… if my stamina and mana doesn’t generate so fast, unless I exhaust everything at once to the point of unconsciousness I probably will never get tired, or at least very hard to do so. My head hurts… 

“Rosia!” That was… Maova’s voice… So much about assisting me, you bastard of a woman.

*Catch*

I was about to fall off but Maova catches me gently, her embrace feels so good… this whole thing... worth it… 

“Oi this is no time to be smiling you lustful girl! I’ll deal with the rest, try to not show any faces!” Maova reprimanded, fine, but she better pay me back a lot in bed later.

“Fine” I grumbled.

*Lift*

Ah, she carried me, this is great. 

“Okay then, this whole is collapsing so that’s no good… Whatever”

*Leap* *Land*

I think Maova just jumped from the place we’re at to outside the colosseum, no way a normal human can do that and she does it unapologetically anyway.

“Whoa!” A few shouted out seeing Maova appear as if she’s from the sky. I closed my eyes so I can’t see anything, well at least I could maybe open my eyes slightly. I can hear other people’s footsteps.

“You are… one of the finalists are you not?” A man asked. I cannot see his features with my eyes closed but I doubt that’s important.

“Yeah, our hero over here over exert herself, we need a place for her to rest” Maova explained sounding convincingly distressed.

“I see. As she’s our destined savior-”

“I have no time listening to your monologues! If you can’t be bothered then I’ll just put her somewhere myself! Yes, the best of the best, I know a place, now scurry away!” Maova interrupted, sounding extremely angry, she cares for me even if it’s not necessary, it puts a warm feeling in my heart.

*Dash*

I can feel the wind pushing strongly against us, Maova must be running madly trying to find this best place she mentioned. I can hear a few people talking but at the speed we’re going it’s impossible to pick up on what they’re saying.

“Halt! You cann-”

“Shut it!” Maova cut in as if lost in her own madness. I can hear the sound of her forcing her way through the guards, I’m still not certain where she takes me however.

*Open*

I hear her physically opening the door, it must’ve been large with the sound it makes. She keeps running and running, up the stairs, down the stairs, loud footsteps heard throughout the place. She’s so overprotective even if it’s just an act I can’t help but feel happy.

“Where is the medical room!” Maova shouted out madly as a few noises of terror can be heard, with a sound of her brandishing her katana and cutting through air as a form of intimidation.

“I-It’s this way miss” A sound of a girl can be heard saying so meekly. Before I could fully process what she said, Maova already kept moving.

*Crash*

She opens the door full of desperation and puts me down on a rather comfortable bed.

“Honestly I think I was getting a tad too dramatic there” Maova commented with her usual tone.

“I’d say your acting is quite great” I responded.

“Thanks. Still if that were to happen for real you can bet I’d do everything in my power to save you, you are my love, no way in hell I’d let anything happen to you” She said full of confidence and seriousness. Still where did she take me?

“So… where are we?” I asked, opening my eyes slightly, the place looked rather regal in design. I can hear more footsteps, erratic and panicking.

“There you are! What are you doing in the royal palace!” A man asked as if interrogating Maova. Maova glared at him without fear. So this is where we are, in the home of royalty.

“I’m just giving our hero the best place in the capital of course. I doubt there’s anywhere better than this as a place to rest” Maova replied without so much as a drop of guilt.

“Even if you’re doing so with good intention, I cannot allow such an action to go unpunished” The man said as a few soldiers surrounded Maova, she simply smirks in return.

“Did you forget my performance already? I might not be the Hero but my strength far exceeds the rest of you combined and then some. How about letting me go for free? We have no time fighting amongst ourselves anyway, I doubt you want to try futilely to arrest me when you could’ve prepared for the Demon Lord instead” Maova said so in a chilly tone, a few soldiers flinched in return, shaking slightly at the bold and confident sage in front of them. The captain simply looked more angry by contrast.

“How dare you act so high and mighty! Guards! Capture her and-”

*Flick*

Before he could say any further he’s knocked unconscious with a flick to the forehead from Maova, just a simple flick causes the captain to fall down and unconscious.

“You shall all leave this place, this is now the Hero’s resting place, any attempts to disturb her shall not be met with such a merciful punishment” Maova said so sending fear into everyone present. Her words have no sense of doubt, only conviction, and all of the soldiers silently agreed while carrying their commander away. Maova shuts the door and only us two are now present.

“A bold one you sure are” I commented as Maova sat by my side.

“Heh, anything for you” She said with a small smile. In a fake crisis like this she can demonstrate how she’ll act if I were to be in a real situation, and she did so, and I feel happy, it’s hard to describe, but it’s there, blooming and it makes me fulfilled.

The place is quiet, the outside is rather dark and stormy. Maova must’ve used some sort of spell to cause the sudden change in weather.

“This atmosphere is like the world is falling apart is it not? I’d say so” She commented not looking like she expected a response.

We simply waited, glancing at each other from time to time, not saying anything.

So where do we go from here? If my memory serves then there’s a few things Maova will do, first is ‘recruiting’ those who she sees with interest, then she will need a disguise if we need to battle it out to maintain the charade, and we need to fool both these people and those from elsewhere. Easier said than done, but if all else fails Maova would’ve found a way to cope with it somehow, hopefully not anything she’ll regret.

“Ah. Right. In the midst of this chaos, I’ll go grab the participants, wait here, and of course, don’t forget to lie like you breath” Maova said as she walks off and-

*Zoom*

Teleports out of view. She certainly has to pull out dramatic lines every so often. Guess I’ll wait here and see what will happen…

More footsteps, whatever is going on right now?

“Hero! There you are!” The regal girl said, if I remembered correctly this is the princess, her auburn hair flow gracefully with each movement, her innocent blue eyes, and her slim physique, she’s quite attractive, but still, I doubt I can try anything with her without Maova’s remark on the matter, and doing so now would cause problems no doubt, and by her side are guards. The last incarnation of the Hero was engaged to the princess, and considering the mutual kill nature of the end result… well it’s not pretty to put it lightly. I wonder if I’ll get into a similar situation as well, but again I would like to hear Maova’s opinion on the matter first even if I’m just going with the flow.

“Princess… it must’ve been straining for you, seeing the one who chose to help you all in your time of need is on a bed in less than ideal condition in such a time” I replied trying to look melancholic, which she seems to buy.

“There’s no need for apologies my dear hero, I’m glad you’re safe, you can surely save our kingdom after you’ve recovered, but for now you should rest” She certainly has the air of an innocent and well-meaning girl, certainly way more tolerable than the last. I clenched my fist as a sign of bad news, which everyone seems to have noticed, or at least registered the action if nothing else.

“Such a thing… had never happened before, this Demon Lord… is different” I said cryptically while others looked at me concerned at my words.

“Is there… anything else you could add?” One guard asked, looking quite fearful if paying close attention.

“Our strengths were always equal, at least that’s how I see it, but now that thing is… way too stronger than usual, with a different approach as well” I replied.

“Care to elaborate?” He asked, sounding intrigued if also terrified at the obvious implication, that even if I have ‘recovered’ the Demon Lord most likely will end up victorious.

“The Demon Lord was more like a beast than a man or a demon, mindlessly destroying anything in sight, or at least never coming up with any plans themselves. Yet this time they deliberately attack the capital city while remaining rather inactive for perhaps weeks now. The Demon Lord should be sighted way before appearing here, as they couldn’t bother, it’s as if they learn, they can act much more intelligently, perhaps scheming and hiding elsewhere” I explained trying to sound terrified, them buying it or not I do not know, but at least they seems to understand my explanation, I know full well Maova couldn’t bother trying to appear like a mindless beast, so I’m doing her a favor here even if it’ll make her deception less likely to work.

“T-That’s…” The princess muttered in horror, the prospect was no doubt too bleak to think about, if they thought about it for even a second they would know how screwed they are. I raised my hand and gestured to them to be quiet.

“As much as it pains me to say it, I need to rely on many more allies than before, there’s no way I could defeat them alone” I said, not going into my proposal just yet, as perhaps Maova would’ve wanted to explain it herself.

“That’s… no problem at all! My father will no doubt recruit all the best allies you could possibly have! I believe he can do so!” She said optimistically even if that just means more people will have to sacrifice themselves, perhaps she’s too naive to realize it? These events have very few survivors, it’s a miracle to survive such a fierce battle. 

“I can’t possibly ask for others to waste their lives meaninglessly. I don’t think just the knights alone are enough” I said looking quite grim. Everyone looks rather down, while quiet footsteps are approaching the room while no one hears anything.

“Then… what can we do?” She asked, hoping for a solution, then…

“Easy, more heroes, a lot more” Everyone turned to look at the one joining in, the enigmatic companion of mine, looking perplexed and curious at her proposal.

Next chapter, the end of Book 2

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