Year 2: The Heroes Descend - Chapter 3

After the luxurious banquet hosted by the monarchs of the Free Peoples ended, Duncan and the other heroes were led to their own private mansion within the castle grounds.

It was four stories tall and had massive bedrooms for each hero, fit with a queen-size bed, multiple cupboards, desks, chairs and tables made of luxurious materials, and each hero was given their own personal butler and maid to attend to their every need.

Furthermore, there was a regiment of a hundred of the most skilled knights from all four of the countries in the west, housed entirely in the west wing of the ground floor. They were the heroes’ private defenders who existed solely to defend the mansion and escort them around the city of Rhodes.

I know some people are probably loving this treatment, but honestly, it makes me a bit uncomfortable, Duncan mused as his maid and butler guided him around the manor house.

“On the first floor, you’ll find the reception hall, pantry and kitchen in the east wing. The King has instructed us to be prepared to host multiple balls throughout the year to celebrate the achievements of you young heroes, so please look forward to that,” the maid excitedly said. “On the second floor, you’ll find many training rooms, classrooms, two libraries and an alchemist’s laboratory should you wish to take up potion making.

“On the third floor, there are several recreational rooms and lounges to relax in. And, finally, all of your bedrooms are located on the fourth and fifth floors; the men are on the fourth floor and the women are all on the fifth. Do you have any questions, Lord Duncan?”

“Um, just one - could you please not address me with ‘Lord’?”

“I’m afraid I cannot do that, Lord Duncan. His highness has insisted that we treat each and every one of you like royalty and any who violate that order can be arrested or worse.”

“It’s that severe?!”

The maid giggled. “It just our king’s way of showing you all how much he values you, Lord Duncan. It also wouldn’t look good for the Kingdom of Rhodes to treat the summoned heroes as anything but. Actually.” The maid looked around for a moment, then lent close to Duncan’s ear. “The other three monarchs were bitterly upset that the Kingdom of Rhodes was allowed to house all of the heroes in their territory.”

“Really? Why?”

“Because the Free People’s Alliance is meant to stand for all of Aangapea; all four of our great monarchs are frightened of the others scheming for power during a time of great crisis, and so they wish to be the ones to house the summoned heroes for their protection.”

I feel like there might be a bit more to it than that, but it’s probably best not to pry.

“Do you have any other-?”

“No. Thank you, Lacy.”

The maid Lacy smiled and politely curtsied. “You’re very welcome, Lord Duncan. Then, should you ever wish to call me, just ring the golden bell on your bedside table. It’s a magical tool designed to resonate with only my bracelet, so I’ll know that it is you who wishes to see me, Lord Duncan.”

Lacy showed him the bracelet wrapped around her forearm and then, with a “Good day” left Duncan at his bedroom door.

However, Duncan was far from tired.

It was late in the evening by the time they’d arrived at their private estate, but Duncan still felt restless. He imagined that almost everyone else must’ve done too.

So, he went downstairs to the largest of the lounges where, unsurprisingly, all the others heroes had drifted too as well.

“Ah, so the man of the hour is the last to arrive?”

“Man of the hour?”

“What’s your name?”

“…R-right. I’m Duncan. Duncan Warick. What’s your name?”

The Japanese boy let out a hefty laugh, ““He-he-he, remember it well, Warick Duncan.”

“It’s Dunc-”

“My name is Hajime Sakamoto! I! Am! Someone who has always wanted to be a hero, save the world, marry a princess and live happily ever after in another world. Nice to meet you, Mr Warick!”

Hajime threw out his hand to Duncan which Duncan awkwardly shook. “…Um, Hajime, this might be a bit rude to ask, but…you’re Japanese, right?”

Hajime shot him a confused look. “What are you saying? Of course, I am.”

“So…why are you speaking English?”

“Eh?”

“Eh?”

After two awkward, silent beats, Hajime yelled, “You’re right!”

“I’m glad I’m not the only one who noticed that.” The tall girl who had been the third person to speak up in front of the king slowly walked over to them. “Kayleigh Henson. Pleasure.”

She stuck out her hand but retracted it before either boy had shaken it.

“I was born in England but raised in Germany all of my life.”

“And did you-?”

“I could speak English, but not this well and not without an accent.” Kayleigh sighed. “Shit.” Confused, she pinched her cheek. “Wait, I can still speak German?”

“…Don’t suppose you know German, Hajime?”

“Sorry. I don’t speak German.”

“Eh?”

“Eh?”

“…Eh?”

“You…said that…in Japanese, right?”

“Y-yeah…”

“And you said-”

“Interesting.” Kayleigh folded her arms. “We can still speak our native tongue, but we can also all speak English.”

“Maybe this isn’t English,” Hajime said. “I mean, everyone in Aangapea was speaking it, but maybe that’s just their language here?”

“So, English would be Aangapean?” Duncan mused, slightly unsure of himself.

“Earlier, when we first arrived, I tried to say something in German to the monarchs, but it came out in English. I’m not sure why, but…maybe it’s nothing.”

“W-well, on the upside, at least we can all communicate with each other, right?” Hajime offered with a fragile smile. “A-and, it means I can bring my full-proof self-introduction from high school to everyone in this world, too!”

“Full-proof?”

“Behold, Duncan Warick. Alright! A pleasure to meet you all, Hajime Sakamoto, sixteen years old, single, blood type A, and I will be the strongest man in the world! Let’s all get along…wait, what’s with those blank stares?!”

“I mean, if nothing else, Hajime leaves a pretty strong impression on you in any language,” Duncan said.

“Regardless.”

“At least have a reaction!” Hajime begged.

“…Regardless.” Kayleigh glared at Hajime coldly. “This doesn’t change all that much. Everyone in Aangapea, including us, can communicate in English or Aangapean, whatever you want to call it, but it’s a bit weird that they all speak the same language. Even that princess in the kimono did.”

“I thought that was strange when I heard it to,” Hajime joined in. “And what was with those tattoos? I don’t think any Japanese person would ever have tattoos like that.”

“That is irrelevant,” Kayleigh coldly stated. “What is important is the fact that where we’re from doesn’t matter. All that matters is who we are, what we can do and why Harmonia chose all of us.”

“Did Harmonia say anything to either of you two about that?” Duncan asked.

“She did. Something about how I was special because of my soul, or something?” Hajime answered.

“I was told the same thing. Harmonia said that I’d been chosen because my soul was special and it had the potential to become a powerful hero to aid the Free Peoples.”

“Then, that lines up with me too. Though, it’s best to check with everyone first.”

“Why?”

“Why? To make sure that we’re all on the same page.”

“R-right, of course.”

With a weary sigh, Kayleigh put a hand on her hip. “What happened to the awe-inspiring hero who confidently said all that embarrassing stuff in front of the kings and queens of the world?”

“Embarrassing?!”

“It really was.” Hajime chuckled. “I was cringing quite a bit.”

Duncan’s face felt flushed as Hajime’s laughter intensified. “S-so, should we-?”

“Listen up!” Kayleigh’s unexpected outburst silenced the whole room in an instant. “I and the two idiots behind me were just introducing ourselves and checking that everyone was on the same page. Before we get to know one another, just want to check, by a show of hands, did Harmonia say that you were chosen because of some special trait to do with your soul?”

Almost everyone’s hands shot up instantly, though a few were slower than the rest.

“…Right. I’m Kayleigh Henson; I’m nineteen years old and I spent most of my life in Germany before I was killed in a hit and run accident. For whatever reason, I’ve lost my accent. Duncan.”

“R-right! Eh, um, I’m Duncan Warick, eighteen years old and I was stabbed to death by a mugger. I’m from England and…yeah, nice to meet you all.”

“Right, I’m next then! I’m Hajime Sakamoto, Hajime Sakamoto, sixteen years old, single, blood type A, I’m from Japan and I will be the strongest man in the world!”

He stuck with the same intro?!

“Idiot.” Kayleigh whispered too quietly for anyone but Duncan to hear. “Who wants to go next?”

“Talon Laurent. Twenty-four years old. From France. Pleasure.”

“…I guess you did.”

“Problem?”

“…No, but you didn’t say how you-?”

“Does that matter?”

Kayleigh narrowed her eyes. “Just a little.”

“Then, no problem. Next.”

“Then, I shall introduce myself. Ehem. Greetings, fellow heroes from another world, I am Amen Hassad - I am twenty-five years of age, and I am from Egypt. If you are curious as to how I perished, I’m afraid my story is not that interesting.” He chuckled gently. “I choked on a rather nasty piece of food, alas, and no one in the restaurant was a doctor, or knew how to do the Heimlich Manoeuvre.”

“Me, me!” A rather joyful man cried, leaping out of his seat. “I’m Kavi Tarin, eighteen years old, and I’m from Spain.” A woman laughed nearby. “Oi, who was that?!”

“Sorry,” Talon grunted. “Your name. Spanish? Unlikely.”

“I’ll have you know that my parents met in Spain during a foreign exchange trip between Ireland, Spain and India, that’s why I have this wonderful name. Talon, was it?” Kavi smirked. “I wasn’t aware people named their children after the sharp, clinging parts of birds. Then again, maybe the name fits you quite well.”

Talon smiled back. “A threat? Pathetic.”

“I don’t think this is going too well,” Hajime muttered to Duncan.

“W-well, hopefully, once people get to know each other better, these sorts of problems will fade with time.”

“…Hopefully.”

“Alright, you two, stop fighting!” A young girl clapped loudly, drawing all attention onto herself. “You’re both several years older than me, but you’re acting like my little brothers. This is why I hate adults - they push their ideals onto us and then start acting more immature than we kids do.”

“Kids?” Duncan repeated.

“Yep. I’m Blake Armstrong, sixteen years old, and I’m from Scotland. I have three younger brothers and they’re all better behaved than Talon and Kavi.”

“Oi!”

“Hmm…child? Interesting.”

“What’s interesting?” Blake demanded.

“Age range. You, youngest. Oldest, Amen. So far.”

That’s…a good point, actually. Duncan put a hand on his chin and went into a deep thought as the others continued to argue. Our group’s made up of people from all over the Earth, and there are some people who aren’t even adults. I wonder if there’s anyone older or younger than them and, if so, why? Harmonia said it was about the strength of our souls, so maybe there’s more to all of us than meets the eye.

“If you are all quite finished, I would like to introduce myself next.” A tall muscular man stepped forward. “I am Gati Pramath and I come from India. I passed away peacefully in my sleep. Why, I wish not to say, but I’m twenty-two.”

“Is there any-?”

“Personal reasons.”

“…Well, let’s leave it there for now,” Kayleigh whispered. “Blake, Kavi, you guys didn’t say how you died.”

“Plane crash,” Kavi said.

“I slipped and fell off a cliff,” Blake replied. “Wait, Kavi, you died in a plane crash?”

“Yeah, I and a few hundred other poor souls. I wonder if any of them got as lucky as I did, you know, being called here and all.”

“Perhaps, or perhaps that is not their fate. All living things are destined to die one day, but not all are destined for greatness in the afterlife.” A thin man in the corner spoke up next. “My name is Feng Li. I am from China, and I was twenty-five years old when I lost my life on the battlefield.”

“Battlefield?!” Several people exclaimed.

“Yes. It was at the Red Cliffs, and I was one of-”

“Wait, Red Cliffs?” Kayleigh marched forward and stood right before Feng Li’s eyes. “Did you say that you died at the Red Cliffs?”

“…Yes. Might I ask why this-?”

“Do you know what an aeroplane is?”

“I’m sorry?”

“What about a car? A gun? Which master did you serve in China?”

“Kayleigh?” Duncan and Hajime looked concerningly at her back.

A few others in the room seemed to understand what she was getting at and watched on with curiosity.

“…I serve the honourable Liu Bei.”

“Liu Bei…The Liu Bei?”

“Of course. Could there be another? As for your previous questions, I do not know what an aeroplane or gun is. Are they some form of weaponry or-?”

“Wait, what?!” Hajime shouted. “How can you not know-?”

“He said it, didn’t he?” Kayleigh sighed. “He died at the Battle of Red Cliffs. That was more than a thousand years ago for me.”

“Same.”

“Me too.”

“…Wait, that battle? From Ancient Chinese history? That Red Cliffs?!” Hajime stared at Feng Li in disbelief. “That’s…insane.”

“…So, it’s not just our ages and countries that are all over the place,” Duncan whispered. “Even our time periods…what the hell?”

“Alright, then I’ll ask what everyone else is dying to know. Is there anybody else here who comes from a time before the year 2000?” Kayleigh’s eyes shifted around the room as two more people stuck up their hands. “Could I ask you two to introduce yourselves?”

“Sayeh Azimi. I’m from Persia, and I died at the age of nineteen.”

“Do you know the year you died?”

“I’m afraid not. I was illiterate and didn’t know how to read or write. I merely did as I was told until I died.”

“Persia became Iran in 1934 but, if you didn’t know that do you know what a gun or an aeroplane is?”

“…I have heard of guns before, but I thought they were only used by soldiers in Europe.”

“…Right. And you?” Kayleigh turned her gaze to the only other person to raise their hand.

“Akane Nariko. I am from Japan, the land of the rising sun, and I committed ritual suicide at the age of seventeen in order to protect my honour from bandits.”

“…I see. So, you were a noble.”

“Correct. I was trained in many forms of art and combat, but the bandits launched arrow volleys at us whilst my father and brothers were away. The first two arrows landed in my legs and rendered me unable to walk. After putting my sister out of her misery, I split open my stomach so that neither of us would have to bear the shame and dishonour of what those animals intended to do to us.”

“L-lady Akane.” Hajime timidly spoke up and walked towards her. “I-I don’t know if you remember me, but I’m Hajime, and I’m from Japan too. Do you know if your father fought for anyone in particular or if-?”

“Takeda Shingen.”

“…Eh?”

“My family swore our loyalty to Takeda Shingen.”

“…Seriously?”

“I would not lie to you, Lord Hajime.”

“L-lord?” Hajime looked a little happy to be called that, but he quickly recovered and proclaimed, “The Takeda Shingen?! The greatest military leader of all time?! Seriously?!”

“Hajime, Hajime, calm down and focus.” Duncan lightly gripped his shoulder. “Who is that and when-?”

“Takeda Shingen is the greatest daimyo to have ever lived! He’s seriously one of the best commanders and fighters I’ve ever learnt about at school, and I’ve always respected him. He’s also called the Tiger of Kai if that helps you.”

“…It doesn’t.”

“So, no one else knows who Takeda Shingen is?!” Hajime was disappointed by everyone else’s confusion to his excitement. “Alright, well, Takeda Shingen lived and died in the sixteenth century, so she died more than four hundred years ago to most of us. J-just so I know, Lady Akane, did you ever meet Takeda Shingen?”

Akane nodded. “We met six times a year. My family often hosted great banquets in his honour, and I studied under him for ten years.”

“Seriously?! How long did he stay for each time he visited?”

“Sometimes he would spend a single day and, other times, he would stay for an entire month. He helped educate and train me on various topics.”

“That’s really reassuring. Right, so, just to check again no one else here from before 2000?” No one else raised their hands. “Okay, so, who would like to introduce themselves next?”

“Well, I might as well do it,” a young woman grumbled. “I’m Brena Iversen, seventeen and from Denmark. I died in a car crash with my mum and…” Brena smiled sadly. “Doesn’t look like she was a lucky as me.”

“Fear not, Brenda.” A muscular, if short, man said. “I’m sure your mother would have wanted you to have this chance. Just as my father would wish for me to have mine. I’m Liam Byrne and I’m from Ireland. My old man and I were out drinking to celebrate my twentieth birthday when I slipped and fell. Cracked my head open, if memory serves. Then again.” Liam laughed boisterously. “I was incredibly drunk at the time.”

“I thought you had to be twenty-one to drink in Ireland,” Blake said.

“You do, but not if you have a fake ID or a father willing to buy you a keg for Christmas.”

“…What a shitty father.”

Blake’s cold comment was spoken so softly that no one but her heard it.

“I didn’t want to say this too early, but I think it’s quite nice how many of us there are from Britain here.” The next to speak up was a short boy with freckles all over his face. “Hello everyone, I’m Trevor Newlin. I’m from Wales and I’m sixteen. I, uh, honestly don’t remember how I died. All I know is that I was in my home in Wales one moment, and then, uh, I was there, face to face with the beautiful Goddess.”

“Indeed, Harmonia is a beautiful woman, but I shall not have anyone here disrespect her in any way, shape or form, and lusting after her appearance would do such a thing. I trust that you, Trevor, did not mean to offend her.”

“O-of course not!”

“Then good!” The man who challenged Trevor chuckled and flicked his long, black hair behind his shoulder. “I am Gabriel Perez. I am a twenty-year-old bachelor from Hungary who values far more than just a woman’s external appearance. I am very much of the mind that it is not just the outside that matters, but rather!” He slammed his fist onto a table. “Rather, what matters most is who she is inside.” He then, with a big smile on his lips, looked up at some of the women and winked. “I hope we all get along well.”

“And I hope you stay the fuck away from me,” one of the women cursed at him. “Right, my turn. I’m Elysa Tedra. I’m twenty-three, I don’t like younger or older men, so stay the fuck away from me Gabriel, and I’m from Greece. I died whilst snorkelling in a deep river when I got stuck in the reeds. Gabriel, I reckon, got stabbed on a blind date.”

“How did you know?!”

“She was right?!” Hajime retorted.

“…U-u-um, c-can I go next?” A shy girl with short hair and glasses spoke up next. “I’m Eerika Korhonen, from Finland. I-I-I died a day before I turned seventeen. I-I’d…rather not say why.”

“That’s fine, Eerika,” the woman beside her said, rubbing Eerika’s head. “I’m Delwyn Anghard and, like small Trevor over there, I’m from the glorious land of Wales. If you like sunshine, rainbows and being able to drive, then don’t come here.” Delwyn laughed loudly as did Trevor. “Well, I lived in Bangor and then a bad flood came in. I slipped, fell, and I’m pretty sure I drowned whilst lying unconscious in a small puddle. Great way to go, eh?!”

“…There is far worse.” A quiet woman with a cold expression muttered. “Dao Chen. Twenty-one. I was left for dead after being abducted by a gang of thugs.” Dao walked up to Delwyn and glared at her. “Perhaps you should be lucky you don’t remember dying.”

“S-sorry, I didn’t-”

“Forget it.” Dao Chen sighed and returned to the corner of the room. “I’m from Thailand if anyone cares. If not, leave me alone.”

“…Adrien Iason, I’m seventeen and from Greece. I…had cancer.”

“Reis Conley. I’m from Ireland and I was hit by a car when I was out with my mates six days before my seventeenth birthday.”

“Stephanie Ryan. I’m eighteen years of age, and I’m also from Ireland.”

“Fala Talli. I am from the USA and my sister killed me. She said I was trying to seduce her husband and she stabbed my heart six times with a kitchen knife.”

“…I’m Hailey Carman, from England. I’m nineteen years old and I…was hit by a car…and died in front of my little sister’s eyes.”

“I’m Ari Teina from Indonesia. I was twenty-two when I died of a severe case of the flu.”

“Guy Simeon. I’m from France and I’m twenty-one. I always suffered from short-term memory loss on Earth and don’t remember most of my life. Harmonia said she cured me of that and, so far, I haven’t forgotten anything…I think.”

“Yve Muller. I’m also from France and I’m twenty-three years old. As much as I hate to admit it, I do know Guy.”

“You do?! I don’t-”

“Remember? Of course not.” Yve giggled. “I used to pick you up after school on days when your mum was too busy with work, so I can confirm that Guy did have a lot of memory issues back in the day. I haven’t seen you in two years, but I’m glad you’re doing okay.”

“I died.”

“So did I.”

“So did we all. Pleasure to meet you; I’m Tomar Bedi. I worked in my dad’s garage in India before a faulty platform dropped a car tire on my head chest and crushed my lungs. I was eighteen and, in a bitter twist of fate, that car was a surprise gift my dad got me for my birthday.”

“Zuzu Arnost. I don’t really have much to say, other than I’m sixteen, I died at home and I’m from the Czech Republic. Which makes you last, man by the door.”

“…Ewan Walsh. I’m one of the oldest here at twenty-five and I’m also from Wales, though I don’t actually remember how or when I died.”

“You don’t remember anything at all?” Kayleigh questioned.

“Other than what I told you, no. And this is why I waited to go last.”

“Because you wanted time to think of a lie?”

Ewan glared fiercely at Kayleigh. “Because I wanted to see if I was the only one with this problem. It turns out, however, that other people have similar issues, and some folks aren’t even from our time period.”

“And how do you know that you are?”

“Because I know what a gun and an aeroplane is. I’m a hundred percent convinced that I’ve held one and been on the other, though I don’t know when or why. However, I think there is something far more important to talk about.”

“Which is?” Duncan asked.

“If we’re meant to work together to defeat the Demon Emperor, we need to get along with one another. After watching how everyone else has acted, I’m guessing that there are some folks here who don’t like others, and that fights or worse could break out.”

“My thoughts exactly.”

Without anyone in the room realising, two more people had joined the summoned heroes at some point.

One was a handsome man with a metallic arm and the other was a beautiful, fierce looking woman with her hair tied in a short ponytail.

“Well, seeing as everyone else has done their introductions, I’m Dante and this is Kella. We’re two of the people who’ve been assigned to train you guys and help you get used to this world.”

“…R-right. Um, when did you guys-?”

“About five minutes ago.” Kella sighed. “Only one person noticed us arrive, which means twenty-nine of you are lacking a basic survival skill.”

“Hey, Kella, there’s no need to be that hard on them right from the start,” Dante joked. “Don’t mind her, she’s just-”

“Oh, beautiful maiden, please, wipe that vicious scowl off your-!”

Before Gabriel could continue, Kella seemingly vanished before their very eyes, gripped the man’s arm in a painful, vice-like lock and forced him onto the ground.

It took Gabriel a few moments to register what had happened, and then he started screaming wildly in agony.

“Kella.”

Upon hearing Dante call her name, Kella released Gabriel and pulled him off the ground. Once he was steady on his feet, she released him and folded her arms.

“What was that?”

“That wasn’t necessary.”

“She’s scary.”

“What the hell?”

Kella heard each and every one of their grievances, but her expression did not change in the slightest.

“Wow, we are not making a good first impression.” Dante once again tried to lighten the mood. “If you were wondering who we are, she’s a first-rate adventurer and I’m a five-hundred-year-old monster-slayer, and the last of an ancient order.” When dozens of people stared at him dumbstruck, Dante laughed and said, “I know; I don’t look a day over two hundred.

“But that’s not all.” He grinned. “We’re also the only two people alive who’ve fought against the Demon Emperor.”

“What?!”

“Seriously?”

“Is that how he lost his arm?”

“Correct, sir in the back!” Dante cried. “Well, I didn’t lose it against him directly, but I lost it the day that Old Themis fell. I did manage to wound the Demon Emperor though, and that’s something no one else can claim. Hopefully, in a few months or a year’s time, you’ll all be able to claim the same.”

“Whether or not it’s that easy depends on all of you,” Kella continued. “The Free Peoples Alliance have lined up five combat instructors to train all of you, and there’s a special vault beneath the palace that only heroes from another world can enter. Inside that room, you will find a vault filled with legendary weapons, artefacts, and armour. They say that an item calls to each hero and that is the only boon the vault will ever grant them. If you don’t listen to that voice, it’s said that you’ll never be able to leave the room.”

“Of course, we’re not heroes from another world, so we’re just having to go off what the history books say.”

“We’re not the first?” Duncan asked.

“Of course not,” Kella bluntly replied. “Throughout history, Aangapea has called on heroes from another world to defend it, but the last ones were summoned back in Dante’s youth during the Draconic Wars three hundred years ago.”

“Draconic Wars?! That sounds awesome!” Hajime exclaimed.

“Oh, it was...” Dante trailed off and smiled sadly. “It’s also when I became the last of my order.”

“R-right, sorry.”

“Don’t be. They saved the world and I…well, that doesn’t matter. Anyway.” Dante clapped loudly twice. “We’ve said our piece for the night and-”

“What was he like?” All eyes turned to Ewan. “What was the Demon Emperor like? Was he really as evil as the monarchs said he was?”

“…They don’t even know the half of it,” Kella grumbled. “I remember the day Themis fell like it was yesterday. I remember the cheers when Karak-Harth fell, I remember the relief washing over my body and the joy I felt, knowing that I’d saved the Holy Empire…and then, I heard the laugh.

“The Laugh Heard Around the World - poetic name for the thing of nightmares.”

“Kids, I’ve fought dragons; I’ve killed six drakes the size of a castle, I’ve slain twenty krakens and I’ve battled the last ancient behemoth to the death without my scythe…and I’ve never been so scared of anything more in my life than that laugh.”

“The Demon Emperor is beyond a plague,” Kella said. “He is beyond a disaster; he is the embodiment of evil and he has to be destroyed. Even now as we speak, millions of poor souls are being oppressed in the east under his heel, countless have been enslaved and even more have lost their lives trying to reclaim their freedom.

“I don’t know what Harmonia said to convince you to come here, but it’s not going to be an easy fight.”

“We know.” Duncan and Hajime stepped towards Kella first, followed closely by Kayleigh and a few of the others. “But we want to help save Aangapea.”

“…Then, there are three things you need to always remember about the Demon Emperor.

“First, he is not weak. He is a powerful being whose cruelty is only matched by his intellect.

“Second, he…he cannot be reasoned with. You…have to kill him, no matter what…no matter what.”

“Third, don’t ever, ever…ever…let him get inside your head. He’s a master manipulator and…and, chances are, he has some horrific things in store for all of you.”

“If that’s the case, then why hasn’t he attacked yet?” Feng Li wondered. “Surely, he would’ve had the-”

“He’s gathering his armies,” Dante interjected. “He has hundreds of thousands of undead and demons in his service, and that number grows with every passing second. If there’s one bit of advice I’d give you lot, it’s this: get closer, get better and get stronger, cause if you don’t, you’ll lose more than just an arm.

“Well, that’s also why we’re here!” Dante smacked his hand against his chest and grinned. “We didn’t mean to scare you lot, we just wanted to say hi and let you know that we’re going to do everything we can to support you guys. The full might of the Free Peoples is behind you. Never forget that!”

***

As Duncan and the other summoned heroes started talking amongst themselves, with most of them quite enthusiastic and friendly, Kella and Dante stood off to the side to watch them.

“…Thoughts?”

“About?”

“Their chances.”

“Low, right now.”

“But?”

Kella smiled weakly. “But if they do work hard and stick together, they have a chance.”

“My thoughts exactly.”

“So? How’d your search go? Find anyone worthy of inheriting the Order’s legacy?”

“Not yet. Might be a bit easy after the selection ceremony tomorrow.” Dante grinned. “I’m excited to see what they’ll take from the vault.”

“What did the heroes take back in the Draconic Wars?”

“Honestly, I don’t remember. I barely worked with them and, when I did, I didn’t like them all that much, so I just sort of ignored them. I was…thinking about other things.”

“…Right.”

The losses.

The two stood silently for a few more minutes as the heroes slowly started trickling around the room in small huddles.

“Shall we call it a night, my lady?”

“I swear Dante, if you start-”

“…David really isn’t here.”

Instantly, Kella froze.

Her skin crawled as shivers shot up and down her spine.

Da…vid?

With a vicious scowl, Kella glanced back over her shoulder as her eyes locked on the brunette girl, Hailey.

It had been such a quiet mutter beneath her breath, a thought no one else was meant to hear, and only Kella picked up on it.

Hailey felt someone looking at her and turned to meet Kella’s gaze.

The two women kept their attention on one another for just two seconds, yet it felt so much longer to both.

Why did she say that name?

Why did she react like that to that name?

Kella tore her gaze away first and stormed out of the room, closely followed behind by Dante.

Hailey, however, remained dumbstruck in the lounge for a while still.

Too much had happened in less than a day, and she still hadn’t organised her thoughts.

***

In the dead of night, when all others were asleep, only Hailey remained awake.

She lay spread out across the most comfortable bed she had ever slept in, her duvet and pillows discarded all around her, and dry tears around her eyes.

To her, it hadn’t even been a day since she died.

To her, the world hadn’t stopped spinning.

Everyone else in that room, it seemed, had come to some sort of acceptance of their fate and their duty, but Hailey had not.

Harmonia said that I could find salvation here, but…how?

If we’re fighting against someone that vindictive, what can we do?

Dante and Kella said they’d train us, but-

…Kella…

That stare.

Why…did she stare…so angrily at me?

All I did was-

…No, that’s ridiculous. That doesn’t make any sense.

David died two months ago and…Feng Li died more than a thousand years ago.

Akane was from an age more than five hundred years ago, and no one ever asked when exactly we died.

If we had a general idea of when we died, we could maybe figure something else out or get a better understanding of why we were all chosen.

…Harmonia.

Everyone else praised her and said how gentle and wonderful she was, but…was that really what she was like?

A reunion…

Those faint words that Hailey thought she heard as Harmonia sent her to Aangapea still rung in her ears.

Did I really hear that…or did I imagine it?