The news sent chills across the army, everyone was still

the legendary demons weren’t an easy thing to kill

stories told of ancient battles with a demon tribe

battles too incredible for any to describe

Everybody knew the tales of demon lords of old

every human child had heard the ancient stories told

heroes fought the demons til the human lands were won

with demons driven out a peaceful era had begun

Only songs survived of those amazing bygone days

histories of then all seemed to vanish in a haze

but even now, the human army felt the stories’ weight

and many thought to flee the scene before it was too late

No one faulted those who ran, but most would choose to stay

they’d come too far to throw their chance at fame and land away

the army rallied their morale beneath the hero’s flag

and not a single soldier’s foot would dare begin to drag

The hero filled his army with his passion for the fight

those legendary evil things would face the hero’s might

only one among them took much longer to convince

but there was little choice provided to the sober prince

“Hero, I don’t doubt that you’ve confirmed the demons’ plan

but I confess that I am on the side of those who ran

our empire is a monumental power as it stands

can we really place our empire’s future in your hands”

The hero was offended by the words of his old friend

but he was well aware the prince’s doubts would never end

“fate has brought this battle to us, one day you will see

we have luck and friends enough to seize this victory”

“You should know the stories, ancient wars were not so quick

the thought of facing legendary demons makes me sick

our empire may be stronger than it ever was right now

but legend only says the wars were won, no one knows how”

The hero started laughing, and it caused the prince unease

he felt a coldness in his laughter like a winter breeze

“now our empire has a chance to bring the legend back

I have found my enemy, so now I must attack”

The prince resigned himself to watching how events unfold

the reigns of destiny weren’t something normal men could hold

he prayed that should the demons be as real as legends said

the hero would be strong enough to fight them in his stead

The army was formidable, but they were mortal men

he also longed to see his home and family again

he steeled himself to fight with honour til the bitter end

regardless of who fate chose for his enemy or friend

Finally the army made it through the hills and trees

but in the clearing what they saw brought many to their knees

the presence of a demon army came as no surprise

but still they were dumbfounded by demon army’s size

For every human fighting on their righteous empire’s side

at least a hundred times as many demons stood with pride

still the hero didn’t share the army’s sudden fear

even he alone could deal with every demon here

The hero who’d been cold and distant lately then went forth

the prince stood by and watched him face the demons of the north

his hands began to radiate a terrifying glow

he hadn’t felt so ready for a fight since long ago

Every demon waiting for them there upon the field

looked as though they had the strength of will to never yield

terrifying auras came from demons big and small

generals with magic weapons standing proud and tall

The hero didn’t hesitate to launch the first attack

every other soldier struck with fear still at his back

“demons one and all why don’t you come and test my skill

fight until there’s no one left of you for me to kill”

Revelling in all the strength bestowed to him by fate

his appetite for battle near impossible to sate

a general came forward with his own impressive blade

the hero laughed with every great attack his foe could trade

While they fought he asked the demon if he was their king

but found that he was just the ruler’s favoured underling

“our lord has been engaged in battle with our enemy

until his battle ends, you must be satisfied with me”

The hero didn’t care to hear the business of his foe

whether they had problems of their own, he needn’t know

but he was content to test his new opponent’s sword

finally he’d found a fight that didn’t leave him bored

The armies held their ground while they were fighting one on one

realizing slowly that their battle had begun

by the time the demon fell, the hero’s smile was wide

indeed he’d found a battle that could keep him satisfied

He looked behind him at the human knights frozen in fear

and with his laugh their confidence began to reappear

“I bring justice to this cursed and godforsaken land

surrender now or I’ll kill all you monsters where you stand”

The faces of the demons who he faced were full of rage

The hero smiled while thinking of the battles he could wage

“the war to end all wars has come at last to set me free

this shall be the day that I fulfill my destiny”

One by one the humans marched into the open plain

but resolution on the demons’ faces didn’t wane

their march became a charge and with the hero at its core

the forces met to bring about a new era of war

~