Belief in Loved Ones

In her personal chambers, Princess Nadia groaned with a mix of pain and frustration. She shifted on the red velvet covers of her royal bed, trying to achieve some kind of comfort. She was covered from head to toe in bandages, which were slightly damp with blood.

Even after a week, her injuries had yet to fully heal…She had underestimated what divine power could do to Demons.

"Damn that Overseer…" She muttered.

A calloused hand gently held her by the shoulder, and a soft voice spoke in a soothing tone.

"Lady Nadia be still, or your wounds will reopen."

She turned her head to the one sitting beside her, a young man in a black suit of plated armor, who was around her age. Like all Demons, his skin was white like snow, and his eyes red like blood. He had a smooth face and a kindly smile, and his shoulder-length violet hair was rather wavy.

Seeing him made Nadia a little calmer, and she sighed tiredly.

"Right…I need to rest." She murmured. "Thank you, Rashad."

Rashad, inclined his head, then took one of her hands and kissed the back of it. The look he gave her was one of regret.

"I should have been there." He said quietly. "You wouldn't have ended up like this, if I had been at your side."

Nadia shook her head. "It wouldn't have changed a thing…It was better that you took that other mission."

"Even so…it pains me to see you like this. How can I call myself your betrothed, when I left you to fight such a hard battle alone?"

Nadia sighed and smiled softly, and slowly brought her other hand up to cup Rashad's cheek, brushing away a tear that peeked from the corner of his eye.

"It's not your fault." She whispered. "I'm the one who took the task to find that Hero of Light. We did not know the Overseer would act like this. Calm yourself, Rashad."

Rashad took a deep breath, then gave the Princess a more firm gaze.

"I'm alright, thank you." He said confidently. "But Lady Nadia, until you recover I'll take care of your duties. Take it easy until then."

Nadia hummed as she laid back. "Okay, okay…just don't push yourself too hard. But first, can you, stay with me a little longer?"

Rashad smiled and nodded, and for a little while he remained silent while holding her hand. The Demon Princess closed her eyes, enjoying her fiance's gentle touch as she drifted to a more peaceful sleep.

She began to dream of a better world…where Demons and monsters had better lives on that green surface, away from this infernal Hell.

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A while later, Rashad was at the castle balcony, looking out at the land below.

Hell…a place mortals could only dream of, yet it was all too real for the Demons and monsters who lived in it. Here, it was as if night was eternal. There was no sun to light the ashen earth, only lakes and rivers of blazing lava. There was only one city down here, Remnant, which Hell's denizens called home.

Remnant was far larger than the capitals of the mortal world. Its stone buildings housed hundreds of thousands of Demons and monsters, and thus was made up of dozens of districts. All of it protected by a grand wall of stone reinforced by black hellsteel.

As Rashad looked out at this dark world he lived in, he spotted its greatest danger lurking outside Remnant's walls. Humanoid beings that were as tall as horses, some even bigger, with pure white skin that looked like leather. They lacked faces, only having mouths that were perpetually open. Yet, they would turn their bald heads toward the city, as if sensing the people there.

These were Menos, neither Demon or monster. They were the predators of Hell, who hunted its denizens indiscriminately.

Rashad scowled as he saw them. He couldn't help but think…this was not right. Why did Demons and monsters have to suffer in this barren realm? To be prey for those abominations? While the mortals above lived in prosperity? It was only right to fight them for their lands…at least, that was the reasoning.

"...This is why we took the fight to them." He voiced to himself. "Still…why do I feel uneasy?"

He heard paws pattering behind him, and he turned to see a humanoid dog monster, called a Kobold, approaching him. It bowed before speaking with a slight growl.

"Queen Yolanda has requested your audience."

Curious about this, Rashad raised an eyebrow, then shrugged and began his walk through the lantern-filled halls of the dark castle.

He passed by some Lizals, lizard-like monsters that were bipedal. They greeted him with salutes, and he inclined his head in response as he continued on.

When he reached the doors of the throne room, he stopped so he could take a composing breath. Then with a cool expression, he pushed them open and stepped inside.

At his feet, a blood red carpet trailed down a dark room, flaming braziers on either side. At the other end, a woman was sitting on a bejeweled black throne.

She was a bewitching beauty, with her mature face that withstood the test of time. She wore a purple dress that fit her bountiful form, with one side open to show off one of her long legs. Her jet black hair reached her waist, and curled bangs hid one of her eyes. Her visible one gleamed as she saw Rashad, and her black-lined lips curled into a charming smile.

"Hello, my daughter's dearest." She said with a certain air. "I have certain matters to discuss with you. Come here."

He strode until he was a few feet away from her, then knelt into a respectful bow.

"What do you need, my Queen?" He said solemnly.

"My dear, there's no need to be so formal. If we're to be family, you must stand and face me like you would anyone else."

Rashad hesitated, then stood up and looked Queen Yolanda in the eye. She hummed in satisfaction, then narrowed her eye as she spoke in a more serious manner.

"As for why I summoned you, I have received word from my spies that the Hero of Light has left Lucen, and is traveling with adventurers to Cocola for a commission. As my daughter is in no condition to fight, I shall send you for a surprise reinforcement of our forces in that town. Kill that Hero of Arum while you have the chance."

He held a hand to his heart. "It shall be done, milady. Is there anything else you wish to tell me?"

Yolanda's smile returned, and she shook her head.

"No, that is all. Now, go prepare for your departure. You are free to see Nadia before you leave."

Rashad nodded before taking his leave. He still felt Queen Yolanda's gaze on his back, until he was out of the room. He then let out a breath, relieved to be away from her. Even though she appeared nice enough…there was something off about her that he couldn't put his finger on.

He shook his head and focused on the matter at hand. The Hero of Light was out there, and he needed to be eliminated. This would be a step toward the future all Demonkind was fighting for. That peaceful dream was what Princess Nadia believed in, and Rashad believed in her.

And so he started for her room, so he could bid her goodbye before leaving for the mortal realm.

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It was about three days since the party left Lucen, which meant they were halfway towards Laplace. That afternoon, Terrence was having another sparring session with Kayla, while the others watched them from the carriage.

He stepped forward while swinging his sword at her shoulder, and she gasped as she barely blocked the strike. She managed to shove his blade aside, and tried to strike back with a horizontal, which he avoided by hopping back. However, he winced and faltered as he still suffered a scratch across his chest.

"Oh Gods and Goddesses, are you okay?" Kayla said worriedly, lowering her sword.

He huffed as he straightened up. "I-I'm fine, let's keep going."

Cress sighed. "You know, if you two are struggling this much one-on-one, how are you going to fare against multiple people?"

Kayla was puzzled. "What do you mean?"

"You expect every fight to be single combat? Out in the field, you'll be facing more than one foe at a time. And the way you are now…I don't think you'll last more than a minute."

Terrence sweatdropped as he took in that information. Right, how could he fight many Demons and monsters at once, when he was struggling with just one person? Kayla had the same problem…

"Damn, what are we supposed to do?" He muttered.

Cress grinned at Elijah. "I say this calls for some extra hands, don't you?"

Elijah shrugged. "I am feeling bored, so why not?"

"Try not to go too hard on them." Satin warned.

The men went to stand some feet away from Terrence and Kayla, then took fighting stances. While Elijah drew a one-handed axe from his side, there was surprise from a green light flashed in Cress's hand. He now held a bow made of gold, with plant vine wrappings and a glinting silver bowstring.

Terrence was taken aback. "W-what is that!? A Sacred Treasure?"

Cress chuckled. "Not as fancy as that. I'll tell you later, after we kick your ass. Elijah, let's do this!"

He drew back his string, and a narrow bolt of green energy appeared between his fingers. He let it loose, sending it straight towards the Prince, who gasped and narrowly leaned out of the way. Then suddenly, Elijah was closing in, swinging the blunt end of his axe at his shoulder.

However, even as Terrence tried to raise his sword, he knew he was too slow to block the attack. And even if he was fast enough, he was still too weak…

Then to his surprise, Kayla stepped in front of him with a burst of swiftness, raising her blade in his defense. Unfortunately, she was unable to match Elijah's sheer strength, and cried out as she was knocked aside.

Despite his concern in that instance, Terrence was able to notice the opening that Kayla gave him. If he could just strike at Elijah's side…

Then before Terrence even started to move, he noticed something at the edge of his vision and turned his head. There was Cress, having moved from his initial spot, with another strange arrow readied. He released it straight at Terrence's face, and it struck bluntly like a punch and threw him back.

He coughed as he hit the dirt, then groaned in discomfort. He sat up and swooned, feeling dazed and sore. Bjartbrandr took human form and knelt by him, looking concerned.

"Are you alright?" She inquired.

He nodded and staggered on his feet, then turned to see Kayla getting up as well. Meanwhile, Cress sighed and squeezed the bridge of his nose.

"You know, I expected the both of you to put up more of a fight." He said in a cross tone. "Though I commend the Lieutenant for that timely save."

Elijah sheathed his axe. "We can spar again later. For now, let's just keep moving."

They all nodded, then joined Satin at the carriage and resumed their traveling. Since he had the opportunity, Terrence decided to ask about Cress's weapon.

"So what's the deal with that bow?"

Cress grinned and held it up. "This? It's called a Spiritual Relic, a weapon born from the soul. Mine is called Sagitae, after Sagittarius. You've heard of Nature Spirits, yeah?"

Terrence nodded, looking awed. "They're more minor divine beings who are said to travel the continent, spreading the blessings of the Five Deities year-round."

"But a lesser known thing about the Nature Spirits is that sometimes they grant power to ordinary people. When a person contracts with a Nature Spirit, a Spiritual Relic is forged from their soul."

"So you contracted with a Nature Spirit." Kayla said thoughtfully. "So even a washout like me…could have power like a royal?"

Cress grimaced. "Let's not go that far. A Nature Spirit doesn't just contract anyone, it's only happened a few times in the past few centuries. And there's a great price for such a deal…and not just how a Relic draws energy from your soul."

"...What is that price?"

Cress's eyes darkened, and he looked down quietly for a few seconds before responding.

"A sacrifice…and not just any kind."

Satin touched his shoulder in a comforting manner, looking at him with worry. He sighed and put up a wry grin, waving her off before speaking to Kayla again.

"Anyway, you're a Lieutenant, so your Captain must have seen potential in you. Just keep working at it, and you'll reach your true strength eventually."

Kayla hugged her knees, looking doubtful. "But what if I can never be strong? What if I don't really have potential? I don't believe in myself at all…"

Terrence remembered his conversation with Lucius, and figured now was a good time to try helping Kayla. After taking a moment to think of what to say, Terrence spoke to her in a comforting manner.

"I don't believe in myself either, you know. I don't feel like I'm worthy of being the Hero of Light, or the Prince of the Human race. I keep falling, and I struggle to get back up. But you know why I keep trying?"

He held a hand to his heart, where he could feel Bjartbrandr's warmth. He closed his eyes, and saw her serene smile. He could practically feel her arms around him. Then he thought of Mai, who was waiting back at the capital, and probably praying for their safety.

"Because I have people who believe in me. Friends, family, those I love and cherish. As long as they have faith in me, I won't stop fighting for them. Tell me, do you have someone like that? Someone who has always believed in you, no matter how many mistakes you've made? Someone dear to your heart that you'll always fight for?"

Kayla closed her eyes as she thought about it. Only a minute after, she blushed slightly and opened her eyes wide.

"I do have someone like that." She murmured. "I'll always fight for him. He never shouts at me, even after all of my screwups. He always helps me whenever I'm in trouble, but I want to make it up to him. I want to be at his side forever…He is why I'm here."

Terrence had a suspicion of who this was, but decided against bringing it up so as to not embarrass her. So he just smiled and nodded.

"Then hold onto his faith in you." He concluded. "Let that empower your will, and you can keep going. Do it for him, if not for yourself."

Kayla smiled softly and hummed. "Yes…I understand now. I think I can try doing better, from now on. Thank you, milord."

Cress and Satin chuckled, and the mood became lighter. Then the conversation took a different turn as Satin leaned towards Kayla with a mischievous smirk.

"Sooooo who is your special someone?"

Kayla gasped in shock, blushing furiously. "Th-that's private!"

"Oh come on, just whisper it to me! Just between us girls!"

"B-back off!"

Cress laughed while the girls squabbled, while Elijah sighed tiredly from his spot on the reigns. Meanwhile, Bjartbrandr came out to sit by Terrence and lean against him.

"That was said well, Master." She whispered.

"I just hope my own actions speak as loudly." He said sheepishly.

He knew his words would mean little, if he didn't put in the effort to reflect them. So he would believe…not himself, but in those who believed in him.

He thought of the future, where he could be confident of himself and standing with the two girls he cared for, with his parents proudly watching them. A future where they could all live in peace. As long as they had faith in him, he knew he could keep fighting for that dream.