Evolution of the Hero?

What kind of hero would Himari be? She's too scared to charge head first into battle. She's inexperienced in combat as well who will mess up often. She truly cares about her close friends and even random strangers and monsters she meets. She doesn't sound like your typical hero. But this ordinary girl was chosen by the 4 Gods of Origin.

On their journey back, Himari and the others occasionally help around, purifying the lands as they return home.

She still has 3 rings that were crafted by the kitsune so she wishes to return them. However the Kitsune Tribe avoids all forms of contact if possible. One day she plans on finding at least one of them to return the rings.

They finally arrive at Onyx Village, the town they were supposed to cross until Alice took them through a dangerous forest. However, that decision made them meet Ruby.

“Alright I've given this village my blessings.” Himari slumped onto the couch.

Himari calls her purifying powers as blessings as it's the easiest to convince the people. If the hero chosen by the Gods is offering blessings, then that would mean the 4 Gods of Origins are giving them blessings.

“Heh heh heh! I could get used to living in such luxury~!” Alice rolls round the nice bed.

“We shouldn't be greedy and use Himari just to get good things from people.” Ruby sighed before continuing to stretch.

“She’s right. Don't use me for luxury.”

“Ehhhh…”

“Himari!” Estelle opens the bedroom door fast. “She woke up!”

The girl they have been carrying all the way home finally woke up. She was what emerged from the Demon King’s ancient armor. A mysterious girl who seemed relatively healthy. There are some concerns that she may have memories of being the Demon King.

“Uhh good morning. Well I guess good afternoon huh?”

“Hmm?” Her eyes are listless.

“Hello. My name is Himari. What's your name?”

“My name…?”

She sat there thinking. No one else seems to have any idea how to talk to her. She examines her clothes with a bewildered expression. Her expression softens when she smells the clothes.

“Good scent… I like it.”

“G-Glad you like it…?”

“I believe my name was…Edith… However… Something tells me that I'm wrong…”

“What do you mean?”

“I think I was someone named Edith… Yet my mind says that's not it. It honestly hurts to think about. Give me a new name.”

“Eh? Well ok… How about Lily? Your whole…look reminds me of a white lily.”

“Lily? It sounds cute… Very well, I am Lily.”

Her stomach growled loudly which made them laugh. Ruby leaves to bring some food.

Alice and Estelle update Lily on the current situation. Even that her clothes are from Himari who had “saved her life”. They're all still confused and a little anxious about her.

“So I was the Demon King…? That doesn't make sense…” She smiles in a goofy manner.

“That's what we saw!” Alice protested.

“What should we do with her? She has no other memories.” Estelle turns to Himari after examining Lily.

Estelle’s holy magic solely focuses on healing but she can also use it to examine someone's mental state.

“My original plan was to bring her to the king but if she has no memories then… I’ll have to tell them the truth but make sure they are convinced that she is of no danger.”

“Are you sure?” Estelle whispers. Her voice tickles Himari's ear.

“M-Mm… If she shows any signs of malice, I'll have to take care of it.”

“So… She'll be staying with you?”

“That is our best option.”

***

“Presenting the 11th King of Lapispire! His majesty, Noah Sebastian Lapispire!” Trumpets startled Himari and Ruby as the King walked to his throne. Estelle holds Himari’s hand making them both blush.

“It has been half a year my dear hero. You move quicker than expected. Have you fixed the seal of the Demon King?”

“I uhh… I have better news…” She steps forward. “The Demon King is no more…”

The entire room fell silent. Eyes wider than before.

“The Demon King is no more? Are you saying that you have vanquished the ancient evil sealed away?”

“Yes. I even informed the citizens of SilverStone Town to investigate. Once they confirm everything, someone will arrive with the news.”

Whispers among the court grew louder.

“Magnificent! You truly are a blessed hero!”

Cheering began along with the trumpets from earlier. Even after the loud cheers of SilverStone town, Himari is still not used to this.

“Um! I also have something more to explain!” The court slowly quieted down. “The truth is, I can purify malice on items and even…people. So what was once the Demon King, is now this girl who has no memory.” Himari grabs Lily’s hand.

“I beg your pardon?”

“When I purified the Demon King, she emerged from the armor. She is a clean slate. I named her Lily.”

“Fascinating… And you confirmed she has no memories? No memories of being the Demon King?” He glares.

“Estelle has mastered her holy magic training and can examine her mind. If you doubt her then have the Great Sage confirm it.”

“Very well… Call in the Great Sage!”

While they waited, the court began to chat amongst themselves. Alice seems to be behaving herself unlike last time. Ruby sits as if she is meditating.

SLAM!
“Oh bless us all! The Hero Has Returned!” The Great Sage stumbled in. He rushes all the way up to the throne.

The King explained the current situation. He rushes over to Lily with his hands ready to examine her head. A dim light flows around her head but she seems unfazed. This is starting to make Himari uneasy. There is a chance Estelle missed something since she is still a trainee.

“By the Gods…! She has no other memories older than a few days. As if she has been reborn!”

“M-My powers can purify the Demon Lords, giving them freedom and new life from Malice! I, Himari Suvi, swear to purify the land from the remaining malice of the world.”

“Excellent!” The King applauds. “This is far different from the history of the heroes! You are the evolution of the hero! The new beacon of hope for Lapispire, no, the whole world!”

Another round of applause from the court. Lily remains confused but Himari made sure to let her know all was fine.

“Now then… I promised you a reward.” Alice smiled widely. “I believe the Elf wanted gold. Do you all require the same as well?”

“No sir.” Ruby crossed her arms. “However I do wish to discuss possibly making connections with you humans. My name is Ruby, I plan to become the chief of my tribe so we can connect properly rather than stay at a neutral distance. So let’s discuss more when I return as chief.”

“Hmm. We already have an alliance with the Avian Tribe. I want to strive further for peace… Very well! I will await your rise to power.” He turns back to Himari. “And what reward do you desire, my dear hero?”

Himari is unsure on what she truly wants as a reward. Gold would be great but besides using it to fund her grandfather’s inn, what else should she use it for? Although once news spread that she is from Ambertown, they will get a lot of visitors. Perhaps funding for her travels to purify the lands.

“Oh wait… I have a few requests actually.”

“Anything for you, my dear hero.”

“I wish to have some funding so I can continue my travels to purify the land from Malice. When I finish my mission I’d like to set up a school in my home town to advance the holy magic Estelle and many others practice. It is a replica of the hero’s powers but I want to have holy magic be able to purify malice with ease. And not just for us humans. I w-wish to have it open to any beastfolk and elf as well…” Himari quiets down a bit. Has she asked for too much?

“Hmm. I admire your thoughts on the future of our kingdom. Very well! As a king who strives for peace for all, I approve of this!”

A sense of relief filled her heart. She still has a job to do however her future is quite secured. A future she truly can look forward to. There are just a few things she needs to do before continuing her adventure as the hero chosen by the Gods.

***

Morning rises, it has been a day since reporting to His Majesty. They stayed at a local inn rather than the royal palace, much to the King’s request. That was their last night to spend together as Ruby has plans to leave.

“Ruby! H-How’s your leg doing?”

“Ah Good Morning Himari. All better thanks to Estelle’s tremendous healing.” Ruby finishes tying her bag.

“Um… So this is goodbye huh?”

“It is. For now.”

“For now?”

“Once I become chief, I will open our secluded tribe to the world with the help of the King. Then I will find you once I get free time. We can either go on a hunt together or spend the day relaxing. The choice is really up to you.”

“Ruby…”

Ruby embraces Himari. This was the first time she has hugged her and her body seems so warm. She can even feel how tough her muscles are. Himari can’t help but soften up when hugging her.

“Are you not going to say goodbye to the others?”

“Ahh I shouldn’t wake them-”

“Oi you damn cat! Leaving without saying goodbye!?” Alice screams out the window. Her hair is half messy as Estelle was in the middle of brushing it. “When we meet again I will show you how strong I can become!”

“Safe travels Ruby… The next time we meet I’d like us all to drink together…”

“Sounds like a plan…”

“Oi! What about me!?”

“Yes yes I’ll see you again shrimp.”

“I may be small but just you wait! I’ll be a tall, attractive elf soon!”

Ruby laughs followed by Himari and the others laughing as well. It’ll take time for Ruby to succeed in her mission but her time with the others has changed her goals. She was just a hunter for the tribe now she plans on leading them to a peaceful future.

Himari starts to tear up a little as Ruby’s figure begins to grow smaller and smaller in the distance. To Himari, Ruby was an ally, a teacher, and now someone she considers her closest friends.

“Himari! I’m starving!” Lily’s voice echoes out the window.

“Ah! I’m coming!”

Alice, Estelle, and Lily stayed with Himari as she continued her journey. Both Alice and Estelle have grown so attached to her since meeting her. Now Himari’s last task before leaving the capital is to send a letter to her grandfather about her whole journey. She also will tell him that she will return once she is done.

Night falls on their last day before continuing. Alice started teaching Lily table manners and now she is teaching her how to bathe properly as she has no idea what to do.

It’s quite silent when Alice isn’t in the room. Some breathing room from all that energy.

“Mmmm! What crazy journey…” Himari slumps into her chair.

“I am more surprised that you never asked about the royal library. Weren’t you going to find information on us Gods of Origins?” Poppy sits on the window sill.

“Ahhh… I thought about it but then again…I’ll probably find nothing of value. I just want to focus on the people I care about the future of this world.”

“You’ve grown so much, Young Himari… I suppose it’s time to say goodbye as well.”

“Eh? You’re leaving me?”

“I made our connection solely to guide you to the Demon King. You now have an important goal to follow before settling down. Whatever you do with the blessing we gave you is your choice alone. Thank you for being a great hero, Young Himari…”

“Poppy…”

“Worry not my chosen hero… You have companions with you now and family waiting for you at home. Live your life for them. Live your life and be free…” Poppy slowly fades into a pile of petals that also vanishes.

“Goodbye Poppy…” She smiles.

The room is quieter.

She is alone at the moment but she is not feeling sorrow. Journeys have a lot of greetings and farewells. She has accepted that fact to heart.

“Ah Himari…” Estelle walks in with two bags of supplies.

“Estelle! Welcome back!” She assists her with the extra bag.

As per usual before leaving a town, they stock up and sort them into Alice’s bag which has a charm to lighten the weight and carry more things in such a small bag. Elvin magic is quite powerful.

“Before I left, Alice was educating Lily in the baths right…? It’s nice to see her always stepping up to teach…”

“Mm hm… Um Estelle?”

“Yes?” The light from the crystal lamp was a little dim but Estelle looked beautiful under this light.

“I want to give you…an answer…”

“O-Oh… Yes of course…” Her face flushes red.

“Estelle…”

Estelle grips her hands together. Her eyes seem like they might cry. Himari gently grabs both of her hands, pulling her close.

“Um… I’m an inexperienced girl but…if you’re okay with me…”

Her eyes slowly focused into Estelle’s eyes.

“I love you too…” Her face burns hot.

“Himari…! T-Thank you… I love you so much…”

Tears fell down their cheeks as they both giggled. Himari had never had friends or fallen in love back in Ambertown. However after spending time with her friends, she has grown attached to Estelle the most. Hearing her confession earlier made her reflect on her feelings until now.

She is certain that their feelings are mutual.

“Himari…” Estelle leans in closer.

“E-Eh… Estelle…”

Their lips met. The softness and warmth of her lips Himari’s heart skip a beat. She started feeling nervous but she didn't pull away just yet.

They catch their breath, staring into each other’s eyes.

Their lips met a second time.

This kiss lasted a little longer. The nervousness was still there, but it was no longer enough to make either of them hesitate. Himari gently pulls her in by her hips and Estelle wraps her arms around her. They kiss some more, Estelle even kisses her on the neck before returning to their lips. Their soft moans are quite loud when they are alone.

When they finally parted, their foreheads remained together. In the cool evening, they both felt warmer than ever.

“A-Ah.”

“Hmmm?”

Alice and Lily are watching them through the doorway. Normally Alice barges in however she doesn’t want Lily to copy.

“A-Ahh w-welcome back…?”

“W-What the hell happened while we were gone?!” Alice blushes including her ears.

“Why are you so surprised…?” Estelle smiles warmly.

“Because we are!! Is this w-what humans do when they are alone!?”

“May I try?” Lily approaches Himari.
“O-Oi!”

“Ah geez…”

What was a quiet and romantic evening turned into a loud festival of questions. Lily seems clueless but laughs as Alice continues to yell.

She stops when both Himari and Estelle kiss both of her cheeks.

“E-Ehh!? W-Why are you putting your lips on me too!? I uhh…” Her ears flutter as her mind begins to crash.

Himari then kisses Lily on the forehead causing Alice to panic some more. This continued until the staff knocked on their doors with a warning.

***

The capital looks so small now that it’s far away.

The wind gently blew through the grass and trees. It was a beautiful day for Himari and the others for their journey is continuing toward the west.

Looking back earlier in the year, Himari was just an ordinary girl helping her grandfather with the family inn. This has been a long and eventful journey for Himari. Her story will soon be passed along through future generations.

She looks to her loved ones. Estelle, Alice, and now Lily. Even the thought of her other friend Ruby made her more hopefully of what tomorrow might bring.

Even though she gained the powers of the hero. Even though some would see her as a Demi-God with all that impossible power.

At the end of the day, Himari is still viewed as a normal person in most cases.

A plain girl with a heart that impressed the 4 Gods of Origins.

Himari Suvi is the blessed hero.

And that blessed hero is just an ordinary girl.