After Life: Demon knight

Chapter 6: Hero 1, Edward's past

Swampfort village

Midnight

Remi once again woke up in cold sweat. It's been a week since he began living in the village, the witch's cabin had now been customized into Remi and Edward's house it was a little bigger adding about 2 more rooms to it. He got out of bed to go for a walk the wooden floor made a small cracking noice every step he took, he noticed Edward still sleeping in his own bed and snoring loudly.

"Oh what I wouldn't give to be able to sleep like that again" Remi whispered to himself.

Ever since his confrontation with wrath the only thought in his head was regret, regret for taking another chance at life, regret for accepting the challenge, regret for allowing strangers into his home, all these things Ultimately led him down the path his currently walking.

He opened the cabin door and stepped outside. The cold night breeze made him feel better.

He looked at the once ruined village now restored. The barren fields we're now crop centers, the swampy area was still there but it was dwindling in size. A town hall and an orphanage was made in the center of the village, alongside an extra building belonging to Remi not yet in use.

Remi went over to his building and thought.

(A restaurant wouldn't be bad, the only problem would be the menu) Remi was a good chef but at this point where his taste buds would only allow monster meat, water and spices such as salt and pepper etc, it would be difficult to get started.

Morning

Today was the grand opening of the Fiora orphanage for abnormals, it was named after Queen Fiora the mother of princess Unala the founder.

Unala had with her a group of elders on a podium signing bills and forms, amongst the elders were Remi and Edward signing forms of approval.

Unala then called forth the villages and the children and began her speech

Despite her young appearance she was actually 36 years of age, this was due to her being an abnormal as well, being half human half goblin.

"Good morning people of Swampfort.

As you may know I am princess Unala I've called you all here to announce the grand opening of the Fiora orphanage!" Unala said with Glee.

"Yahhhhh!" All the villagers cheered.

Remi would have been confused if Edward hadn't explained why they were so happy.

"Sir Remi, you might not know this but most of the time abnormal children become very dangerous to us human, the Aris cultist use them as soldiers while some unfortunate one's give into their instincts and become monsters" Edward explained.

Remi felt a rush of anger cause of this, these children had no control over this phenomenon.

(Abnormals - these creatures are created when two different races have offspring or could just appear randomly in some cases)

"So by doing this the abnormals will have an allegiance to mankind instead of the cultist or monsters?" Remi asked.

"Exactly when they grow up they'll have a sense to protect humanity instead of destroy it, princess Unala is a great woman ain't she?" Edward joyously said.

Remi's first impression of her was still bad, meaning he still couldn't trust her.

A while later the the 4 story building was full of children running about and playing.

Remi observed them to see some had tails,horns,wings and other bodily deformities, yet to see all of them happy and smiling brought a small slime to his face. Edward saw this and said

"Wow sir, you do smile!"

"The hell was that!" Remi retorted back flustered.

The funny scene was interrupted by the appearance of Unala.

"I see you two are enjoying the view. most of those kids were abandon by their parents while others were sent here for their safety, i intend to keep it that way" Unala said looking at Remi.

"What are you getting at?" Remi asked

"I've got an assignment for you Demon, try not to screw it up" Unala said distastefully.

At the furthest end of the village was a huge mineshaft. Where Remi, Edward and Unala we're talking by.

"Missing children?" Remi asked.

"Indeed I've heard rumors of 2 siblings living in the mines, I need you two to find them. I believe their abnormals as well" Unala said.

"Princess, we'd be honored to take..." Edward was saying before Remi cut in.

"Not to sound greedy or something but we'll be getting something in return right?" Remi asked.

"Indeed I intend to give you more land, I've heard you rear animals so the extra land would be satisfactory wouldn't it" Unala answered.

(How'd she know)"Grrr, yah that would be alright let me get my gear" Remi said begrudgingly. Both Remi and Edward went to prepare for their departure.

Mineshaft

Remi was wearing a blue shirt with chainmail on the inside he wrapped his hands in black bandages to reduce the damage of punch recoil. He kept a short sword by his right his black trousers were tucked into his boots and tied with bandages to also reduce kick recoil.

Edward was wearing his robes but had some equipment with him in his pack including potions, rope, food rations and water.

The duo embarked onto the mines

It was a like a normal cave but some areas were sparkling with colourful gem stones, Edward took it upon himself to pick the ones loosely in the walls, selling them would be worthwhile.

"Yo Ed, Unala is using us isn't she?" Remi asked.

"Yep she's playing her cards right, if somehow you perish on this mission she wouldn't take it as a major loss"

Edward replied.

"If I perish on this mission you're coming with!" Remi shouted

Edward shrieked a bit but he was used to Remi's teasing by now.

After descending further into the mines Remi stumbled upon...

"Huh what's that" Remi said bending a knee to check out markings on the ground.

They were footprints tiny footprints actually.

"These must belong to the kids" Edward added.

"Then we should follow them" an unknown voice said

"Right....." Edward said before he was pushed out of the way by Remi.

In a split second someone had ambushed the two without their knowledge.

When Edward opened his eyes he saw a horrifying scene.

The assailant had struck Remi across the chest with jagged blade cutting through his chain mail.

'Gaaaaaahhh!!!' Remi let out a cry.

"Damn I was aiming for the chubby one. I like to see fat people bleed" the assailant said licking the tip of his blade.

He was a middle aged man with a bald head, he was wearing a green vest that exposed his packs, he wore torn jeans as well, no shoes though.

His major feature was the red chain necklace he was wearing it had a large 'A' on it meaning he was part of the Aris cult.

Doing his best to ignore the pain in his chest, drew his sword with his right hand.

"Oh boy, I come looking to erase the church's past mistakes and instead I find a couple of knights instead. Bonus!" The man said.

"Hey what do you mean by church's mistake?" Edward asked

"Oh? Am pretty sure that's the reason you two are down here as well, looking for the children huh!" The man shouted.

Remi and Edward looked baffled.

"Well too bad! Because I Deacon Ranchus! Of the great Aris church will eliminate those children of sinners!!" Ranchus shouted.

In his outburst Remi took the chance to strike.

'fhuuuuuuuushhhhhh!!!!' Remi charged towards Ranchus holding his sword like a spear Ranchus couldn't react in time and got stabbed.

"Guwaaah! Hahahaha not bad" Ranchus said

Remi tried to remove the sword but Ranchus held his wrist and didn't let go.

"Behold the glorious power God has given us members of the church to purify sinners!" Ranchus mumbled.

As he said this his whole body started to grow in size.

Edward started immobilized by fear.

Ranchus bald head started rapidly growing hair the hair spam across his whole body leaving only his palms and chest hairless his hair was black with gray spots, his mouth elongated like a dog's and fangs replaced his teeth.

"Behold my blessing! *Beast evolution: hyness!*"

Similar to what he had stated he's form had been converted into that of a hyena even his legs had been bent into that of a canine's.

Before Remi could react....

[Safari frenzy!]

Ranchus used a skill, with his new animal fists fired off a flurry of punches at Remi.

The impact alone flung him into Edward and they both flew off into the wall of the cave.

'braaaaaaaaaaac!!!!' the walls collapsed on itself sealing off normal passage ways through it.

"Damn I went a little overboard. Now how'll I find those kids!" Ranchus shouted.

On the other side of cave Edward stood up from the debris unscratched but in Remi's Case.

"Sir Remi!" Edward screamed

Remi was still bleeding and the damage from the skill earlier was clear to see.

Remi held his chest wound in hopes of closing it.

(Why can't I heal?. what's going on?, Am I going to die?)

Fear that was what was going through his mind

The thought of facing someone he couldn't win against too scared him then suddenly......

'Sspllllllllt'

"Gaaaaaahhh" a pain surged through his body

"What" Remi was puzzled

Edward had driven a knife through his leg.

As he was about to retaliate in anger he realized.

His wounds started closing up

"Huh" Remi said

"You have to get angry Sir, the wrath demon's powers come from anger, you can't be afraid when fighting or you'll die!" Edward shouted.

He realized this from the beginning Remi was different from the time he met him. He was afraid.

"Sir am going to look for the kids when you're done healing please look for me" Edward said.

"What you can't be serious if that guy finds you, you're as good as dead!" Remi shouted.

"I'll hold him off for as long as I need to, I was useless in the previous battle but now am not scared anymore, you gave me that courage when you saved my life. It's time I do the same for those kids" Edward said giving a small smile, he then raced off to another exit.

Remi could only look on as his companion ran off selflessly.

Miner's Ravin

An unground stream was the location Edward found himself in, crystal clear water ran down a small water, exhausted he decided to have a drink.

As he was fetched water in his two hands he saw two figures on the other side of the Ravin.

He went through the water to get a closer look . It was a young boy with gray hair strangely enough he had black spots on his hair as well, a little girl next to him had the same hair color, both were exhausted and sleeping. Their clothes were worn out and they looked like they haven't eaten in days.

Edward gently shook them awake.

The boy quickly went into defense mode by holding his sister tight.

But slowly he relaxed as he saw how gentle looking Edward was,

"It's alright now, am here to help."Edward said.

"Who are you?" The boy asked.

"Me? Hehehe am a hero!" Edward said striking a pose

The boy and girl chuckled a little, this eased the tension around them.

Edward then proceeded to escort the kids until he found Remi.

"So how'd you two end up here anyway Tom?" Edward asked.

"Our parents were part of this group, when they wanted to leave the group people started hunting us down.

Then Mommy asked me to protect Seras and hide in this cave" the Tom said confirming that his sister's name was Seras.

From the explanation it was clear that Tom's parents were apart of the Aris cult, they probably got cold feet and wanted out, no wonder Ranchus was hunting them.

As if knowing his name was thought of, a huge boom occurred before Edward

'boooooooom!!!!'

When the dust settled the figure of a hyena was present.

"Yo kiddies, want to talk about our Lord and savior Lord Arisio!" The hyena said smiling menacingly

Edward went in front of the siblings, the hyena started growing human libs and stood up right the form of man had taken over.

"Ranchus you don't have to do this! Their just kids they have nothing to do with the cult!" Edward shouted.

"First of all it's a church! And second their parents do! Or should I say did! Hehehe!" Ranchus shouted.

The kids were in shock to hear this

Ranchus had taken care of their parents already

"You monsters!!!" Edward shouted.

"Am a deacon chubby! Their parents became sinners and I had to purify them! Now let me purify those abominations!" Ranchus then charged Edward.

Edward pushed Tom away and readied his knife.

'wwwwwwt!' Sparks flew as blades crossed.

Ranchus flung Edward aside with a swing of his blade.

"Gwahhh" Edward cried as he hit a wall.

"Come on!" Ranchus shouted as he kicked Edward in the stomach.

Edward fell to the ground

Ranchus pointed his blade at Edward.

"Oh boy! May God have mercy on your soul, you couldn't achieve evolution in this life maybe you will in your next" Ranchus preached as he stabbed his blade downward.

Edward's life flashed before his eyes

Flashback

The Belliora kingdom a kingdom of magic and might ,He saw a chubby boy in the middle of buff men flexing their muscles.

This was Edward's family the Anderson's

This family was renowned for having strong warriors yet when Edward was born he had neither strength nor the will of a warrior.

"My father would be ashamed of me having brought such a disgraceful son into our Noble family" his father said.

Amongst his 5 brothers Edward was the one his father hated the most. Yet his mother encouraged him.

"Don't worry Edward you'll be great in your own way."

The blade was stopped in mid air.

'binnnnnk' at that moment Edward the boy born into a family of warriors who only relied on strength used magic.

Next chapter coming soon