I sat there, next to Martin's body until the light started to pierce the skies.

Sometimes I wished I could become numb to my emotions. I couldn't even feel the pain on my shoulder or the wounds on my arms, only the pain in my heart. How could I have been so stupid to not know what was going on? I just believed in the past and wholly expected it to be the same moving forward. I just never believed that this young man, who grew under my wings, would be capable of such things. If I found out earlier, would it have made a difference? Would I have been able to save Martin?

The figure of a woman came up to me, she had a dead expression on her face. She spat at Martin's body and gave him a kick. I gave her a glare but slowly calmed my expression. It was the barmaid who most likely had her family taken away. I couldn't feel anger towards the people Martin had victimized. Yet I still felt that the living shouldn't hate people that had already died.

"I thought, that when he died I would feel happy," she said. "But I'm not, when will this feeling go away?"

"It doesn't," I replied.

Only the living could feel the pain, the anguish, and the suffering. These feelings were what it meant to be alive. The dead were dead and that was the end of it for them. Even the undead who would come back didn't feel anything at all. Only the living can feel anything and move forward. That was all we could do as we buried our loved ones in the dirt.

"Where will you go now?" I asked.

"I'm going with a group that is headed to Balenos," she replied. "We're going to forget about this hellish place."

"Good," I said.

The barmaid left me and I was in the center of the smoldering town. A hooded man appeared with a bow slung over his shoulder and a set of quivers on his back. As he came near, he took off his hood and revealed the face of an elderly gentleman. I could guess he was the one who helped the townsfolk and distracted Martin for me.

"Who are you?" I said.

"A follower of the Young Lord, my name is Morris."

"I see."

Morris dropped a bag filled with items at my side.

"This will help you on your journey," Morris said.

"Did Dante think of everything?"

"No, it's my own way of helping someone who seeks to court death."

"You know what I'm about to do?"

"No, but I can see it in your eyes."

Morris left me and I became the only living person in the town once known as Swillsden. Martin's body was being consumed by a black miasma. I watched as it took away Martin's body whole, leaving nothing left but black ash. This was the power of the Demon Lord's weapon. It was a weapon that I never intended to use on my allies but I had now done so twice. I looked at the ring on my finger and wondered if I would be dead if not for this accursed thing.

Many times before I had lost the ring or simply thrown it away, only for it to appear on my hand again. Ever since I took this item from the Demon Lord, it has stuck with me like it was my own flesh. It is powerful, very powerful and I don't know what price I'm paying for it. Maybe this ring is the one to curse me to this life?

No, it's probably my own stupidity and naivety for thinking that way. I have always lived in the dregs of society and seen the many horrors of the human race. I wondered why I believe so hopelessly in the good of people and for righteousness? Was it the Hero and my former companions that changed me so? Or was it my own defense mechanism to prevent myself from going insane? I know I have been stupid but I just don't want to be a cynic. I don't want to become a cold blooded monster.

This world makes it hard to show me any different.

I grabbed the bag that laid at my side and searched through it. Morris had planted many items in the bag and it was good enough for half a month's journey north. Then I would have to survive on my own and with the mess of all those dark things. The bag had some minor potions of healing in it. I take some out and began to drink them to feel its soothing effects.

I wondered what my former companions were doing right now. I know that they all separated and Princess Helen couldn't keep them together, they all hated her except for Cassandra. The oath and honor in Cassandra prevent her from doing so, she was probably still on patrols looking for me as her duty. Camille might be off somewhere swindling men out of their money with a smile. Silvia I know went back to the Kingdom of Solace but I don't know where. And Liz, she was someone I always worried about.

Liz was always a slothful and lazy girl, always not waking up on time unless it was for food. I get shivers remembering how that cute little girl was one of the most powerful Mages on the continent. She always wandered around and was always looking for something or someone when she was by herself. I can't imagine her being by herself for too long. People had a natural tendency to try and take care of her. I hope that she found a place of her own in the world.

How would these girls react in knowing that I've killed three of our companions already? If those girls were to fight me I don't think I could fight back. Maybe this was my ignorance talking, they most certainly would avenge our comrades if not the Hero. I most likely will have to fight those girls but I can't let them take my life just yet. I need to stop the Demon Lord and then, my life will be forfeit to anyone who wants it.

The healing potions' effects were wearing off but they worked like a charm on my body. Wounds from my left arm and shoulder were nearly gone. My body felt renewed but the feelings I had couldn't be healed with a potion. I looked towards the tavern and saw that it remained unscathed. My feet moved before I even thought about it and I was inside the tavern. I dropped the bag inside the tavern as I searched for a drink.

I grabbed a couple of bottles and sit at the bar with a glass. The first bottle I poured was a Dwarven ale, it was disgusting but it kicked like a horse. Shot after shot, I poured a drink and drank to my friends long gone. My body was burning but it numbed the emotions as I remembered about the last time I was blackout drunk. That was one of the many good times with my friends.

We had just gotten home to the Royal Capital in the Kingdom of Bareth and were celebrating our victory over the Demon Lord.

Silvia had discovered that it was Liz's birthday and so we all planned a surprise for her.

The Hero and Cassandra went to prepare the building for her surprise party. Silvia was helping Martin cook the food that was planned and of course there would be dragon steaks. Helem and Camille went to look for supplies and find a pastry chef. I was tasked with keeping Liz company and not letting her know of the plans.

Liz was wearing her usual outfit as we walked around the Royal Capital. It was one of the few times I've been back since joining the Hero. Liz had on a pointy blue wizard hat with an oversized robe. She would usually roll up her sleeves and leave her robe open like a cape. Her attire looked like a young boy, with a white dress shirt, black shorts, and a belt that hung around her waist. If it wasn't for her long river of blue hair, you would think she was.

"Hoooo, Demitri, Demitri, I'm hungry!"

"You're always hungry."

"But I'll die if I don't get any food."

I give her an incredulous stare.

"You just ate," I said.

"That was then, this is now."

"We just walked away from the restaurant."

"That was then, this is now!"

"By the gods…."

Liz had an insatiable appetite, while Martin usually ate his fill, he couldn't compare to Liz.

"Okay, how about this, let's go to the north side of the capital and look at that new Elven tavern," I said. "I heard their drinks are good but their food is even better."

"Oooooooooohhhhh! Really?"

"Yes, let's go."

The Royal Capital was an enormous city and a maze at the same time. I deliberately took the long route in order to buy some time. If I had known that it would've cost me some headaches, I would have never done it. By the time we made it to the tavern, night had fallen and it was closed for some reason.

"I guess they aren't open today."

"Grrrrrrrrrr…."

"No don't! Liz, don't do it!"

"Grrrrrrrrr…."

"No! Stop it Liz!"

When Liz doesn't get food, she gets cranky and when she does, hell breaks loose.

"I'm….."

I started stepping a few paces away from her.

"I'M….."

I flipped over a table that was outside the tavern and cowered behind it.

"I'M HUNGRY!!!"

Liz dropped to the ground, wailing and pouting about food.

"I'M HUNGRY, I’M HUNGRY, I'M HUNGRY, Demitri! You liar!"

The voice of her shrieks cracked windows and the floor felt like there was an earthquake.

"Ok, we'll eat! Okay, calm down." I said over the table.

"You liar! Where's my food!?" She said.

Suddenly a staff appeared in her hands from a portal up above. My face was filled with terror as it had gone over the usual scale that could calm Liz down. Now it had become a matter of survival for me. I dashed away from the table and ran like the wind in the Royal Capital. I was too far to hear anything but I knew that Liz was casting a spell to rain terror on the city or me. Liz disregards the sanctity of human life especially my own when it comes to food in her stomach.

We usually keep her satisfied but today was supposed to be a special day for her. I held out from usually going to four or five restaurants because of the meals Martin was making. When Liz gets into this state there usually is no stopping her unless food is involved. All the shops looked to be closed and I was supposed to bring her back to our destination. Right now, the only thing I cared about was surviving her tantrum.

I looked back to see a huge storm brewing on top of the city. I ran faster and faster in trying to get to cover. A torrential flood poured down from the skies above and Liz flew in the air holding her staff. I held my breath as the water came and washed me deeper into the city. Liz was flying in the air searching for me. What she hated more than not eating was liars and if she thought I lied, she would enact some punishment.

I couldn't hold my breath any longer and swim up for some air. My eyes met with hers as she looked exactly at the spot I emerged from. Quickly I swam to a side of a building and scurried up the walls. I began jumping from rooftop to rooftop in a hurry. Liz started casting bolts of lightning at me and I barely dodged them all. I continued and she followed in the air.

I had thought numerous times that this crazy little girl might be the end of me.

I looked down the side of the buildings to see the streets that were flooded. I recognized the area and knew I was on top of the right building. I held up my hands in the air and waited for Liz. She appeared and threw a ball of lightning on top of the building I was on. I jumped up but the roof collapsed and I fell down with it. Liz floated over and then her face was filled with shock.

"Ugh….surprise?...." I said on top of a pile of rubble.

There inside the building was all our friends and companions ready to celebrate Liz's birthday. Everybody was dumbfounded but they knew the craziness that involves Liz when she gets hungry. Liz was smiling happily that we were celebrating her birthday. Part of her crankiness today also involved the fact that she thought everyone didn't know it was her birthday. Martin busted in the room holding a plate of freshly made dragon steaks.

"Is she here?" Martin said.

Liz ran over and started eating the dragon steaks that Martin held.

"I think I need a drink," I said as Helem was casting healing magic on me.

Everyone in the room laughed and we celebrated Liz's birthday with vigor. Her birthday cake had a glaze of blue frosting and miniature versions of all eight companions on top surrounding her. All our friends and allies through the years were there, laughing and celebrating. We danced, sang songs, remembered the good times. We played games and just had fun together. The celebration lasted all through the morning.

Liz had finally turned into an adult and was old enough to drink. She had always wanted to drink with me before and I needed a drinking companion. We drank together that day and I found out how alcohol had no effect on her. I became so drunk that day, but Liz stayed with me throughout.

"I'm sorry." She said.

Liz looked and seemed so mature now.

"Ahh….no worries, we had drinks, we had fun," I said. "I forgive you."

Soon the people around us started disappearing.

"I'm sorry that, I lied to you," I said incoherently.

"Don't worry, Demitri, I forgive you and I always will." She said.

Now even our companions had left us and I was alone with Liz, looking at her.

"Did you think you'd never be forgiven Demitri?" She said.

Everything faded to black and I appeared back at the tavern in Swillsden.

I was sitting at the bar and still drinking the Dwarven ale. Memories started to muddle in my mind as more of the alcohol touch my lips. I looked at the black ring on my finger and drank another glass.

"No, I know there's no redemption for me," I said alone.