The ground beneath us trembled with every step we took deeper into the heart of the demon Lord's fortress. The stench of blood filled the air, thick and suffocating. Lightning struck at the dark skies above, casting shadows along the broken walls. My heart pounded, but not from fear—from the weight of everything that had led to this moment.
We have come so far, we have been through so much in this long war.
I led the way, Solbrand in hand, its divine fire pulsing with every heartbeat. The sacred blade had carried me through war, through suffering, through death. My armor was cracked and dented, covered in sweat and blood that refused to wash away. Every step felt heavier than the last. But I couldn't stop—not now.
Behind me followed my companions. Elira, the high priestess, her silver staff glowed with holy light. Once, her prayers had soothed my nightmares. Now, her silence only deepened them. Garret, the knight I trusted like a brother, marched at her side, his gaze always forward, never on me. Myra, quick and deadly, her bow ready, always on guard. And Theron, as always, cloaked in silence, the hooded mage who had never once betrayed his expression.
They had been my family, my shield and my light in the darkness.
We walked into the throne chamber of the Demon Lord's castle. Where the Demon Lord awaited us.
Finally there he was, a monstrous figure of shadow and bone, eyes burning like dying suns, he rose from his obsidian throne with a growl that echoed like an earthquake.
"So, the light's champions finally crawl to me," he snarled.
I stepped forward, Solbrand raised. "We've come to end you, monster."
The Demon King laughed. "You think of yourselves as heroes? You are but tools—pawns to your gods."
I didn't respond. Words were no longer a necessity for what the world have been through. Justice will speak through my sword.
Thus it began the fight for the fate of this world, my world.
The battle lasted for hours—or maybe minutes. Time had no meaning in the heart of that hell.
"Lucien! To your left!" Myra shouted, loosing an arrow that whizzed past my ear and hit the summoned skeleton soldier, destroying it.
Garret slammed his shield into the Demon King, then grunted, "We push now, while he's exposed!"
"Divine blessing, shield them!" Elira cried, her voice cracking with strain.
Theron's eyes glowed as he whispered incantations that tore the stone from beneath the Demon Lord's feet.
I fought with everything I had. Every strike of Solbrand tore through shadow, every breath I took felt like my last.
Then the moment came—when the Demon Lord faltered.
"Now, Lucien!" Elira shouted.
I didn't hesitate. I drove Solbrand into his chest, roaring as divine fire erupted from the blade.
He screamed—a sound that shook the land—and with a flash of red light, he was no more, the darkness was gone.
We had won.
I collapsed to my knees, not from pain, but from release. The war was over.
Or so I thought.
-------
Our return to Valtaria was nothing short of divine.
Banners flew from every tower. Children threw petals in the streets. Trumpets blowed our triumph across the land. I smiled for the people as I raised my sword.
Finally after entering the King's throne room, I bowed before the king.
"Your Majesty," I said, kneeling, "the Demon King is no more. Peace has been won."
King Halvar stood from his golden throne, with nobles and clerics by his side.
"You have done well, Hero Lucien," he said. "Valtaria owes you a great debt."
"Then I ask only that the people may live free from fear. That our comrades who fell are remembered."
The king gave me a long, unreadable look. "Yes… of course."
But something in his tone felt off. It was rather hollow.
"You seem troubled, Your Majesty," I said.
"I merely wonder what comes next," he replied. "A man who holds godly power and
kills Demon Lords... what should we do with such a man?"
I hesitated. "I only wish to rest. I seek no throne nor power. A peaceful life by the countryside would suffice."
"Hmm," the king murmured. "We shall see."
------
A month has passed since the demise of Demon Lord and for some reason the distance between me and my companions grew.
One evening, a royal messenger arrived in my chamber.
"Her Majesty requests your presence in the upper halls. Princess Liana wishes to speak with you."
I complied and followed the messenger to her chambers. The guards bowed and stepped aside. I hesitated at the door, then entered.
The room was adorned with rose-colored silks, moonlight hitting the polished floor. Princess Liana stood by the window, her gown sheer and flowing.
"Lucien," she said, her voice soft. "So much blood has been spilled… and yet you remain so strong."
"I only did what I had to," I replied cautiously.
She dropped her gown, revealing her body. She approached, close—too close. Her fingers brushed my chestplate.
"You saved me. Saved us all. Shouldn't a hero be… rewarded?"
I stepped back. "Princess, I have someone I care for. This isn't right for me."
Her expression hardened in an instant.
"So she means more than the crown? More than your future?" She said with a wicked expression on her face.
"I never sought a crown," I said firmly. "And I'll not betray the one I Love."
I turned and left, ignoring the venom in her eyes.
-----
A few day's passed, I wanted to talk to the king to tell him, I will be moving out of the capital and live the life I wanted, but I was refused permission to have an audience with the king for a week continuously.
I tried to talk with my companions about it but Elira no longer prayed with me. Her words became measured, distant.
"Lucien," she said one evening, not meeting my eyes. "You were... different back there. Too willing to embrace the flame."
"I did what was necessary," I replied. "You think I enjoyed it?"
She didn't reply, and as she left she said in a light tone "Goddess is watching."
I went to Garret next, he drank with nobles now. I approached him once in the garden.
"You've been avoiding me," I said.
He didn't look up from his wine. "We all need to move on. You should too."
"Move on? After everything we went through?"
"Some things are best left behind," he muttered.
Myra who wouldn't once leave my side now refused to meet my eyes.
"You don't trust me either," I accused.
She lowered her gaze. "You..." She didn't finish, she just turned and left.
Theron, as always, said nothing. But I could feel it. The cold wall between us.
How can this be after so many years of hardships we have been through. Was it all meaningless. Was I the only one who considered them my friends.
------
A few days later, I woke up to the sound of my door being shattered. Iron-clad boots stormed in. Dozens of guards, weapons drawn.
"What is this?" I growled, stumbling to my feet.
The captain stepped forward, eyes cold. "By decree of His Majesty, Lucien of Varelia, you are under arrest for treason and attempted assault upon the royal bloodline."
"You're out of your minds!" I shouted. "You know who I am! I saved this kingdom!"
Chains clamped around my wrists.
"You're a disgrace," one guard spat.
I had an oath with the goddess to not use my power against the humans whom I swore to protect. So I didn't retaliate.
As they dragged me through the castle halls, I saw them—my companions.
Elira stood at the top of the stairs, arms crossed, face like ice.
"I prayed for your soul once," she said. "But now I know even the gods can make mistakes."
"You self-righteous coward!" I snarled. "You know I would never hurt her!"
Garret stepped out beside her. "Save your breath. You were always dangerous. We just didn't see it until now."
"I trusted you," I said, my voice cracking. "You were my brother."
"You were never anything but a weapon," he replied.
Myra appeared next, arms folded,
"I knew he was a pervert, the way he looked at me, during our travels."
"It was you who always implied those notions, you bitch." I screamed as a gaurd kicked me in the back.
Theron's voice came last soft and mocking.
"Power like yours was never meant to serve. Only to destroy."
Their words were knives, every one of them.
And then, Princess Liana stood at the courtroom, tears glistening on her cheeks.
"He… he forced himself on me," she whispered, voice trembling.
I stared in disbelief. "Liana… how can you?"
She turned away but I saw the crooked smile on her side face.
"Silence!" the court officer shouted.
The king stood. "Lucien of Varelia, you are found guilty of high treason and violation of royal sanctity. You shall be executed seven days from now on the day of Goddess embrace festival."
I have had enough of it. I called for Solbrand. But.....it didn't appear.
Suddenly the goddess's voice pierced my soul.
"You've grown too strong. Too dangerous. I can no longer allow this imbalance."
My power vanished. I felt the strength leave my body, I screamed as it was ripped from me.
Just like that, I was thrown in a dark dungeon.
Stripped, powerless and alone.