The Curse We Carry

Sitting at the table in my room, I rub my eyes, looking at the pile of books to my left. Discarded as they had no information on outliers or the Demon King. Finally, giving up on my search, I get up and head over to the balcony overlooking the wild garden once more as the sun begins to set. Bringing up my status board as I lean on the railing, I swipe down to the list of skills below. Looking through all of the skills I had gained over the last few days. I never fully understood what Ellavessa had meant about outliers gaining skills until I started training. Then, like a tap turned on full, skills just started popping up. A loud voice ringing out on my head each time. The first time was right after I pulled the revolver out. And lined up down the sights to shoot it at the training target down the range.

"Skill acquired: precision aim, skill acquired: create bullet, skill acquired: instant reload." I damn near fell over when it happened the first time. And since then, I've gained so many more I've lost track of them all. Heading back inside, I look towards the door as it opens and Hannah steps inside. The leather training armor covered in dust from the training grounds. For a moment a bolt of fear pierces me, and a cold sweat breaks out on the back of my neck causing it to prickle.
"How did training go today, sweetheart?" Looking at me with a cold hard stare, she walks past me without saying a word into her room and slams the door behind her. Still angry with me I suppose. I guess I was never really all that good at de-escalating things between us. And I’d let my anger get the better of our argument at the training ground a few days ago. Sighing, I open up my stats window and click on the little icon for my inventory. Another of those skills I acquired. Looking at the four icons sitting there. Three guns and a clothes icon. Hovering over the third gun, I read its name and notice a description that I didn't see before. Final Testament–When all else fails, I shall pass judgement on heathens. Rounds Remaining: 1. Time until next round generation: 5 days: 3 hours. I guess I should've read that before using it in the training ground. Shuddering at the memory of the rear wall destroyed, rubble and debris scattered everywhere. Soldiers in a panic, and Hannah. Standing there covered in all manner of grime. Apparently, the training grounds had been built above the castle's waste tunnels. Using a god killing gun to work out my anger was clearly not my best moment. Shaking my head and closing the stats menu, I notice a small red book I hadn't seen earlier, sitting at the bottom of the pile. Picking it up, I can barely make out the words on the cover, their black lettering faded after many years. Opening it slowly, I flicked through the first few pages until some words caught my eyes.

'The Demon King Saetaen.

The Demon King Saetaen cannot be destroyed by mortal men. His physical body, however, is not bound by this rule. Any person with enough power can destroy his physical body. Only one who has been blessed by the divine can kill the Demon King completely, however. Anyone else will just delay his rise to power temporarily. His rise to power was marked by the death of the Goddess Firentia. Her death came as a crippling blow to all who live in our world, as it halved the heroes we could rely upon to vanquish the Demon King.' Putting the book down, I blink to remove the surprise from my eyes. So, I can kill the Demon King. At least long enough maybe for Hannah to live out her life and not have to worry about this Hero nonsense. Picking the book back up, I continue reading.

'However, if the Demon King is killed by another and there is a hero in the world, he will reincarnate within a few years. We are unsure as to why this happens, perhaps it is something to do with the death of Goddess Firentia. We do know one thing. Firentia's blessed heroes have gained a new ability since her death. Overdrive. This skill has proven to be incredibly deadly. Its destructive power is on a completely other level. One under the power of Overdrive could easily destroy the Demon King, there is no doubt about that. However, the backlash from the use of that ability is extreme. Whatever skills they have obtained shall be consumed by Overdrive. It is a onetime use spell. Most, however, do not survive the mental backlash and die from it shortly after.' Chills ran through my body, and my stomach turned as I read the words. Closing the book and pushing it away, I got up from the table and walked out of the room. As if distance could get me away from the truth of what I had read. Walking aimlessly, I found myself in a corridor overlooking the training grounds that were destroyed by my use of Final Testament. Unbidden and unwanted fear and guilt coursed through my veins, and I ran. I ran like I did back in the academy when I’d just been chewed out by the drill instructor. Ignoring those in the castle that called out to me. I ran turning corners and running down hallways as the rage and guilt consumed my thoughts and fueled my adrenaline pushing me to run harder. Until I found myself outside at last, the fresh air on my face feeling like a cold shower after my run through the castle. Staggering to a halt in a clearing, I breathe heavily, the run finally catching up with me. Looking around, I notice that the sun had finally set, and I was in a garden that I had never been in before. The cool night air full of all of sounds and scents. With a deep breath, I take a seat on a nearby bench and wait for my heart to stop racing when felt a presence behind me. Springing from the seat and turning the dark revolver appeared in my hand, the word THORNE written down the side in silver shining letters. For a moment my heart catches in my throat as red eyes gaze out from behind the bushes. Slowly walking forward on padded feet, a giant wolf like creature with multiple tales comes prowling out. Its sleek white fur shining oddly in the purple glow of the moon. Taking step back, as it shifts its weight forward, my training takes over and I push down the fear rising in my chest ready to react. Taking a breath, I slide the hammer back on the revolver and wait, my finger resting just on the outside of the trigger guard. Taking one more step, the creature pounces suddenly. Throwing myself to the side, I feel a sting on my arm as its claws graze against me.

“Skill acquired: Evasion.” Rolling to my feet I bring my gun to bear. Focusing down the sights I take a few steps back putting some distance between myself and the creature. Looking into its eyes, I see intelligence and wariness in them and decide to try my luck. Holding my hand openly, I wave it slowly downwards in a hope to calm the creature in front of me.

“Easy. I don’t want to shoot. Please stay back or you’ll leave me no choice.” Prowling around me, it reaches a spot in front of the castle and sits back on its hind legs, letting out a weird sound in its throat. For a moment I stood there stunned then I realized it was laughing. Turning from me, it walks behind the bushes, and strange sounds came moments later. After a moment, Marianne walked out, tying a robe closed as she stepped past the bushes.

“I must say, for a human and an outlier, you are a strange one. I can see now why Ellavessa is taken by you.” Relaxing slightly, I lower the gun but still keep the hammer cocked. Ignoring me, she walks past and takes a seat on the bench.

“Relax human. If I wanted to kill you, I would’ve done so already. Put your weapon away. We must talk.” Gesturing for me to take a seat next to her, I hesitate for a moment before putting the revolver away and coming over to the bench, taking a seat heavily next to her.

“Is this about me being an outlier?” Turning to look at me, her eyes seems to pierce through me to my soul.

“Amongst other things. I have been alive a long time. Longer than most realise. I am a Fenrir. One of the last remaining of my kind. We are ancient beings, not as strong as gods but just as long lived. I have seen many heroes and outliers come here over the centuries. You are the first to ever come here for someone else. That is both your strength and curse.”

“Why do you say that?”

“The strength that comes from protecting someone or something is immense. But for you, that instinct to protect could be your undoing.” As she talks a sad look enters her eyes.

“As a parent we only ever wish to shield our children from all that life throws at them. But in doing that, sometimes we send them down a path of no return. I see in you the same instinct to protect your child as I once had. But the truth is, we cannot stop them from facing their destiny. Trying to do so only leads to heartache and suffering.” Looking into her eyes and seeing the masked pain behind them, the grief I had thought I had suppressed rises once more and threatens to take me.

“How long has it been?”

“Both long enough but never enough. I don’t think there can ever be enough time. Some losses we carry with us forever regardless of the time that’s passed.”

“I lost my wife a few years ago. And I promised her I would look after our baby girl. I cannot lose her too. I refuse to allow that to happen.” With a small soft sigh, she blinks a tear away and looks up at the moon.

“That is the curse we must face as parents.” For a while, we sat together in silence. I’d like to say my thoughts weren’t a swirling mess, but I would be lying. Outliers, the Demon King, Gods and Destiny. It all swirled through my head faster until the headache from earlier came back with a vengeance and I slumped my head into my hands. Rubbing my eyes to ease the tension building behind them. Getting up from her seat she offers me a warm smile.

“I can see you care. That is why if I can impart any wisdom to you, it is this. We cannot stop our children from facing their destiny. We can only prepare them for it as best we can. That is our role as parents. You would do well to remember this.” Starting to walk away, she stops as I get to my feet and give her a little bow.

“Thank you, Marianne.”

“There is nothing to thank me for human. I shall now take my leave. There is still hunting to be had. Good night.”

“I have a name you know.” Stopping just before the bushes, she turns and looks at me over her shoulder, a twinkle in her eye.

“I Know.” With a toothy grin she disappears into the trees, her robe falling behind. Turning the opposite direction, I head back towards the castle, a wolfs howl filling the air behind me and for the first time in a while, I felt better about been here in this world.