Kazius had reached the position of a high-ranking lieutenant at only the age of 18...A far from easy feat. At this point, while he was still somewhat concerned, being a Holy Knight long-term was becoming less and less like a farfetched ideal…

Of course, that would mean he would be going against the will of The Oracle, but he no longer saw it as a God. Not after the events of his coming-of-age ceremony, which he dwelled on. What sort of holy being would make you lie to his own church much less become The Monster King?

No, he saw it for what it was, a powerful entity, sure, but one that foresaw the future and in doing so could also try to influence it. It was no God, not good nor evil. It also far from had a way to change your future if you did not want it.

The future it saw could be wrong… Besides, in the unlikely event The Demon King ever returned, he could address the issue as a Knight of Edict. Despite his approach to The Oracle though, he held on to his determination to be a Holy Knight.

To him, being a Holy Knight had evolved to be about community and friendship between him and his fellow squad members. After all, he had admired The Holy Knights due to the tales of their strength. He was drawn to such strength and the church was still all he ever knew. Destroyer of worlds? Ruler of the dead? He didn’t know who The Oracle thought he was, but it had nothing to do with him.

Kazius snapped out of his thoughts, he was with Alex, Hank, Leo, and Mark, his squad members. They were planning to head out for a drink after patrolling.

The sunset was so beautiful in the city of Marv, a trading hub of Ratier. A view he hoped to enjoy for much longer, but of course, it was not up to him where his squad was stationed at. As he walked, the knights were goofing around, speaking of women and the like, after all, it wasn’t like they had to be celibate. The Pope even had a harem.

‘They really are a bunch of knuckle heads’

Kazius would think with a small fond smile. They were each like brothers to him, especially his best friend Alex.

“Hey Kazius, you finally going to loosen up? Maybe after a drink all of us should find some-“ Alex began only for the statement to be interrupted by a loud bang, followed by the sound of screams…

‘What the hell was that?’

Kazius would take little time, raising his hand, this immediately stopping the men from their scrambling or any panic, regaining their composure. They admired the male very much and his leadership shined in emergencies like this the most. “Come on!” He exclaimed as he rushed with the group.

He saw knights from a different squad already attempting to evacuate the civilians, going up to one to get information.

“What is happening? Any orders?” Questioned Kazius, the male being easily recognized by the knight due to his feats.

“The city has been attacked by a band of Orcs! There are Trolls and Ogres too! This is crazy, they have never gotten so close to the city before. There are no orders. Not with the ceremony going on.” The knight stated. While the knight had thought fast to evacuate the civilians, it was clear that he was freaking out.

Indeed, this was a horrific timing. Most of the force behind the Holy Knights were out, defending the Oracle Orb at the capital. Today was actually one of the biggest coming of age ceremonies ever done by the church, there were over 500 boys and girls who turned 15 on this day that wished to see their fate.

This left a small company of Holy Knights at Marv, 30 in fact, including Kazius and his 4 squad members. Things were bad. They were massively outnumbered.

‘Had the Orcs noticed how few knights there were in the city? Such an alliance by monster creatures attacking… How was this possible?’

The timing was just too strange. Still, thinking too long was not a luxury they had now.

“We will hold back the horde as long as we can, keep evacuating the citizens”

“Yes, sir!”

Kazius would then turn, looking at his squad who nodded and saluted. They understood the situation.

Of course, dying was a real possibility. Many of them were promising… But taking on a whole horde? They were not Edicts, not elite nor experienced enough for such a feat. Still, they would do their duty and the squad far from hesitated to follow his lead.

While they knew what they were attempting was difficult, how hopeless the situation was did not truly sink in. Not until Mark was decapitated by the sheer force of a hit from an Orc General dressed in elaborate tribal garb. It seems that their leaders were not in the back, they were right at the front lines. Orcs were nomadic and loved fighting, but this was…

“NOOOO!” Alex exclaimed, horrified at the loss of their friend. Hank and Leo could only be horrified with their mouths left agape; their eyes wide. Their terror was obvious at the bloody sight. The atmosphere felt heavy with the helplessness of the situation. The group was surrounded by the burning city and blood curdling screams.

Kazius would have little time to react, Hank was lost before they could blink, squashed by a Troll.

He was certain only but a handful of Holy Knights were left, including Alex, Leo, and himself. Enraged and feeling hopeless, Alex charged, breaking formation. His best friend since the academy, his brother… Alex was about to die.

Kazius didn’t understand what happened next… Nor how he did it, something in him simply felt like it stirred, it woke up. He couldn’t hear anything other than his own horrified screaming, thinking of the friends he lost and the friend he was about to lose. He was angry, scared, sad, his emotions were out of control as a massive form of shadow coated his body. He moved in but a blur, the Holy Knights only able to see but a dark shaded form with darkness spreading over before strings of it attacked in every direction. From the perspective of his friends, they did not see a savior. It was like an explosion of filth, something expected from only the worst creatures, a monster.

As soon as it started, it ended, few of their enemies in the area remained, blood from their headless necks spilling as the bodies would collapse. The Orc General managed to dodge the attack, looking shocked at what he saw.

He would then regain his composure only to laugh, as if he witnessed something hilarious. He chuckled, waving his subordinates away, “Retreat! Grab the antique and head out! We are done here!” Kazius could make out despite the ringing in his ear, his mind fuzzy.

It took less than a minute before Kazius returned to normal, if that was what you could call it. The males body was coated in shadow that was still slowly sinking into him, his eyes glowing a bright red, the males teeth… Specifically four of them were enlarged into fangs...he looked pure evil to his comrades... Confirming that he was a monster.

“What the… Antique… Did you guys hear him? What antique? What just…” He began, everything moving so fast. He felt nauseous, like he was hung over, “What are you talking about, Kazius?! You can understand that gibberish? You… You tricked us! Monster! What the hell are you!?” Alex demanded, him and the remaining knights in the area drawing their swords…

‘How ungrateful’

It hurt. His best friend, he was looking at him with such disgust… Leo too… He had hoped to live normal life, that perhaps his friends would understand him. That they would accept him regardless of what he was. Was their friendship fake? Did it mean nothing to them just because he wasn’t human? What about the years they spent together?

It was odd, but something that briefly began to come to his mind was the story of Ratier. The founding of this kingdom. It’s mention of monsters. The story was beginning to sound a lot like bullshit.

They all sneered, their looks of disgust and hatred… They looked at him like he was filth… He didn’t understand what just happened, but he just saved their lives!

“Guys, please, look, I don’t know what that was, but I saved your lives, I’m your friend! Your comrade! Come on, Alex, Leo, you can’t just-”

Kazius would be cut off by holy magic being throw in his direction, a cold feeling rushing over him. It didn't take long before he was attacked by his own friends, despite his plea... He was too nauseous to react. It seems like it didn’t matter though. His powers were still bubbling out of his control, just like his emotions. Their attacks were futile, their weapons shattering against his form when they made contact with the shadow that clung to him still. The force from the event would push them back.

‘They aimed to kill me’

He was enraged, sad, he felt betrayed.

After that...he knew what he had to do...he had to run...he couldn't hide... His life as a Holy Knight, his dream, that he tried so hard to cling to… Was over. The Oracle was right, he did not belong here… What that meant he still did not understand. What was he? How did he do that? Such questions were overshadowed by the anger he felt… He thought his friends cared about him, yet they didn’t even let him explain himself!

The male would run, but with the chaos and reinforcements coming, it was hard. He knew he would be an outlaw overnight, hated by the same people who once claimed to admire him.

‘How the hell will I get out of here? Fuck… Alex, Leo… I won’t forgive you…’

He would run through the city, able to run faster than the Holy Knights that were there. He was a lieutenant for a reason. Still, they were not far behind… They could eventually catch up.. It was then he would feel quite the hard yank into an alley, knights running could be heard... They were getting farther away… Who would save him? A monster… He would turn to look at his savior, a cloaked figure shushing him… Just who were they?