The Chosen Hero

"AAAAAAAAAAAAHHH!!"

The Crimson Empress’s body fell with a violent thud. 

Blood splayed across the ground like rose petals. Ashes dissolved into the evening sky. Winds rushed through the now-vacant throne room, whipping through torn banners, and kicking up embers from the smoldering carpet. It took everything with it, leaving behind only a lingering stench of sulfur. 

Seiichi staggered forward. His sword still steaming with the flickering blue sparks of dying magic. His breath was heavy, vision fraying at the edges. The ringing in his ears didn't subside. He wasn't sure how long he could stay standing. 

“You did it, Seiichi-kun!! You saved us!” chirped an overly high-pitched voice. 

A black ball of fluff shot into view. Nyamo—talking cat, contract familiar. Her eyes lit up with hearts. "The Crimson Empress... is no more!" 

Behind him, the remnants of the throne room collapsed, shattering like obsidian glass. Seiichi gave his surroundings one last look before weak knees finally buckled. Someone caught him. 

"Don't push yourself," muttered his knight-class companion, lifting him up. "Your mana is dangerously low."

"I'm alright," sputtered Seiichi. "Don't worry." 

"You’ve done more than enough, " said the soft-spoken elf alchemist. "The Healer will take care of you."

✦✦

The town gates opened with a groan—then cheers. 

"He defeated the Demon Queen!!”
“Seiichi-sama! Seiichi-sama!”

The townsfolk lined the lamp-lit dirt roads to see him. Men applauded from the rooftops. Children waved. The church tower bell rang in celebratory chimes. 

Seiichi sat atop his trusty white horse, still aching from the battle. His companions walked beside him, Nyamo perched on Seiichi's shoulder like royalty. 

“Kyaa! Not bad, huh?” she exclaimed. “This is what the finale of a magical route should look like!”

"You did well," the knight companion said. "You've earned it."

He gave them a weak, though genuine smile. 

“This way,” the elf girl said, breaking through the crowd. “Leonidas is waiting.”

✦✦

A radiating circle of golden runes emerged within the chamber. Seiichi sat, elbows on his knees, his uniform jacket stained with dried blood of both his own and the relinquished.  

Across from him stood Leonidas, healer of the Lunarian Order. His eyes even grayer than his hair. His voice aged with the wisdom of a thousand years. Hand raised, he closed his eyes. Runes flickered once more before fading. 

“The damage is stabilized,” he said. “You’ll live.”

Seiichi gave him a quiet nod. His wounds were sealed. 

"But..." the old healer murmured. "I can't... It won't close." 

Seiichi looked up. "Huh?"

"Your body is healed, but something beneath remains... open." 

He walked to the doorway, then stopped.

"Sometimes," he continued, "when a wound doesn't belong to this world, it won't respond to mere magic." 

"What do you mean, healer?"

“You should rest,” he said, ignoring the question. “Long day ahead.” 

✦✦

Seiichi returned to his quarters. A little black cat trailing at his feet. 

It was relieving to finally be back home. Outside of the balcony window, the last embers of sunlight gave way to a starry sky. A beautiful town of oak-beamed homes. A breezed leaked in, carrying the scent of spent magic and smokey chimney ash. 

He dropped his jacket onto a chair and collapsed into his silk sheets. Nyamo hopped up besides him. 

“Get some sleep now,” she said.

“I know.”

"But you did look really cool today," she purred, curling up into a small loaf near his chest. "Thanks for saving us. You always keep your promises." 

Seiichi smiled. He turned onto his back and let his eyes close.

Sleep took him. 

✦✦