The battle was a festival of conquest and reward

a fine display of justice over evil through the sword

the hero’s actions earned respect from everyone at war

and with his help they fought until the monsters were no more

His elven friend relayed his orders to the demon force

advising his new hero on the army’s every course

the battlefield which had long been a blight upon the land

began a celebration where the hero made his stand

The sky began to clear after the hero’s job was done

and he may just have been the happiest of everyone

the hero bathed in gentle sunlight on the seventh day

content that with the monsters, all the shadows went away

He closed his eyes and fell into a slumber then and there

lying in the grass among his foes without a care

he dreamt of all the songs and all the stories that he knew

his family was with him and his comrades all were too

When he awoke he found himself beside a small campfire

embarrassed when he realized he’d been the first to tire

he stood up and he said aloud while feeling fresh and fine

“where’s that drunken prince, I think that I could use some wine”

He rubbed his sleepy eyes and wondered where the prince could be

his friend was always nearby to discuss a victory

he was just about to call out one more time for him

but when he saw who stood nearby his smiling face grew grim

A pair of glowing eyes that pierced the darkness of the night

staring at the hero from beyond the campfire’s light

he then remembered where he was, these were not his allies

but he could do no more than stare back into those red eyes

His eyes adjusted to the darkness as his mind returned

this was not the victory for which he’d always yearned

instinctively a fire began to flow down his right arm

for red eyes all belonged to monsters meant to do him harm

And then, before he had a chance to summon forth a sword

he caught a glimpse of golden eyes just like those he adored

but these belonged to one that he had met just recently

a man who claimed to be a friend of his own family

“It is you after all, the human hero from the south

I’d doubt those words if they came from anyone else’s mouth

now that one fight’s over you’re so keen to fight again

I guess that it was only ever a matter of when”

The hero’s magic dissipated as his escort spoke

his thoughts began to cloud as if his fire had turned to smoke

“don’t call me a hero, I’m just here to lift a curse

does that make me worthy to live on in song and verse”

The hero couldn’t understand the words he’d just said

he should be proud of what he was, but he was scared instead

why would it ever bother him to share his noble name

the greatest hero and himself were still one and the same

The elf just shook his head and let out one long heavy sigh

and then he looked over to the red eyes that dwelled nearby

looking closely, they belonged to one young demon child

the elf approached the boy and while he spoke, he gently smiled

“Little one you know that fate is neither cruel nor kind

whatever happens now, we all must leave the past behind”

from the young boy’s fierce red eyes came tears in one long stream

“I see that monster slay my father every time I dream”

The hero had killed many monsters, all without remorse

heroes killing monsters was but a matter of course

but now he recognized the child who stood by his new friend

the messenger the demon lord himself had dared to send

“You say I killed your father but my justice isn’t blind

I would only slay those evil monsters and their kind”

he spoke with pride, but found it odd his throat was sounding dry

standing by the campfire must have been the reason why

“Then kill me now, am I not just a demon like my dad

what does that word even mean, are you a fool or mad”

his cries rung out across the camp where many demons slept

but most were used to sleeping while the orphaned children wept

The kind and weary elf knelt down to look into his eyes

“you have no business testing fate, so cease your reckless cries”

moments passed and finally the boy just walked away

looking at his feet through shame without a word to say

The hero wondered why he didn’t cut him limb from limb

“I feel like I’ve seen eyes like those more times than I’ve met him

is he some relation to you, or another elf

if he was, he really should identify himself”

“No doubt his eyes remind you of a man that you know well

the legend of that day is now a common tale to tell

the red eyes of that boy which pierce your spirit like a sword

his father also had them, you called him the demon lord”

~