The sun remained high in the sky, though later in the day, as we rode out along the main road from Nyrill. We rode atop a pair of horses, having left the village a few hours after eating. I was in a new set of clothing, primarily leather and cloth, with a rectangular, brown-cloth wrapped object strapped to the side of my horse’s saddle.

My horse was mostly brown and black with a greyish-white mane and tail. I sat upon a plain brown saddle with my feet held in a pair of white stirrups — saddlebags filled with a variety of camping tools that Soralynn had purchased before leaving. Sora’s horse was pure white with a matching mane and tail. The wind whipped around me as our horses galloped down the open dirt road. We had left at a leisurely pace, thanked the border guard for their hospitality and left Nyrill without looking back.

I couldn’t fight the grin that spread on my face as we rode, my heart pounding as I reveled in the wind sending my hair whipping around my head. A little ahead of me and to the left, Soralynn glanced back at me, a smile playing at her lips. “What has you so excited, Joseph?”

“Just call me Joey,” I said with a wave of my hand, still expertly controlling the horse. “I’m…glad to feel the wind and enjoy the freedom of the open air.” I reached down and rubbed the side of the horse’s neck.

Soralynn hummed, a smile growing on her face. “I see. Well, I’m glad you’re enjoying it so far…Joey.” She paused as if measuring how she felt speaking my offered name. With a final nod, her gaze turned to the saddle on my horse, still managing to stay in control of her forward motion. “Your Affinity must be truly multipurpose if it works with more than weaponry.” Her eyes took on a calculative gleam. “It’s a curiosity I have to know the limits of such an…effective Affinity.”

That made me pause and consider a few things. Had Soralynn ever told me anything about herself, besides her name? “Soralynn?”

She pouted at me. “Please, call me Sora.”

I rolled my eyes, a smile playing at my lips. “Sora, then. What can you do? I’ve told you about me, but you haven’t offered the same.”

Sora’s eyes widened as her cheeks darkened in embarrassment. “Ah, I’m, oh, this is mortifying.” She murmured as she averted her eyes. “Penny always told me I tend to get tunnel vision at the most inopportune times.” She released a calming breath and inclined her head to me. “I’m a Witch. A former human that was corrupted and twisted by demonic energy. I can technically do any form of Arcane manipulations, so long as I have the strength to follow through my choices. I’d demonstrate a few tricks, but we’re too close to a human settlement for me to be comfortable with that.”

A Witch, huh? I was half-tempted to ask where her pointed hat and black cat were, but I’d instead not mistakenly make fun of her. “Thank you for telling me, Sora. Where are we going next?”

Sora nodded to my first statement, a satisfied smile on her face. At the question I had asked her, she turned her head upwards. “We’re heading east at the moment and Veracity in the north.” She then pointed to her right. “The first location we need to reach are the swamplands in the south, the Realm of the Unmarked Graves, where we’ll have you meet Mina.”

“Mina…” I mused to myself. “The Vampire, yeah?”

“Yes,” Sora stated with a mysterious smile. “She is the one who fields the vast majority of your army. The self-propagating numbers that overwhelm your foes.” She bared her teeth in excitement. “Once you gain her support, then the majority of the pressure on you to remain under the radar will lessen by a significant margin.”

I didn’t answer immediately. “Any of my friends…with what’s happened to me, who among them do you think would be willing to join me?”

Sora’s smile shrank as she furrowed her brow. “Of all of them…I’m not sure. The fact that you’re once again among the living will no doubt be a shock. However…” She turned a serious expression toward me. “Your current state of being, the title you carry, I recommend you keep it to yourself until you know without a shadow of a doubt that they will not turn on you.”

Frowning, I regarded her with a stern expression. I wasn’t sure how I felt about hiding things from my friends, even if they thought I was dead. Still, that wasn’t something I should focus on at the moment. “What’s our next stop? I don’t like the idea being on a constant charge to the ‘Realm of Unmarked Graves.’”

Sora let out a laugh at my statement, teeth showing in her grin as she stared forward. “We’re taking a pit stop in Xadria, a town named for a notable past King of Veritas. It’s an advanced settlement, far enough from Veracity that Knight presence is limited, though a few Inquisitors are roaming around.” She explained as we shot past the trees into a vast expanse of wide-open space. A clearing as far as the eye could see, no more trees in front of us. Vast, flat lands, with only a handful of blips in the distance, probably farmhouses or something like that. “Plus, if my information is still accurate, I believe that Miss Fitzgerald has her mercenary company stationed out of there.”

My head jerked over to face Sora. “Kacee is there?”

“If my information is still viable.” She cautioned me. “It has been at least two weeks since my subordinates told me of everyone’s whereabouts.” Sora frowned as she leaned forward in her saddle, spurring the horse to go faster. I did the same, leaning forward to match her pace. “Once we reach a checkpoint, I recommend we visit the local blacksmith, the armorer and find a place to rest. From there, we can better plot out a route to reach Mina.”

I hummed noncommittally at her answer. I still wanted to meet with Kacee, if only to see how she was doing. Still, that was far off and not something I could do right then. At the moment, I just needed to focus on keeping pace with Sora. Even as I did that, though, I couldn’t help the excitement that filled me, the ecstatic rumble within my chest as I grinned into the wind. I was free. Free to travel the world of Verum and see it for myself, to judge how I felt about it, regardless of the words and beliefs of those that others told me.

When the sky had begun to darken, night coming closer and the day coming to an end, we had decided to make camp. After I had started the fire and helped Sora set up a large tent for us to share, I took in my surroundings. We had broken away from the thick brush of trees and were well into a vast field of empty plains. As much as I enjoyed the openness of the area, I didn’t feel as if it were a secure place to be. Aside from the fire, the stars in the night sky illuminated the broad plains. On my right, I saw the thick grouping of trees in the direction of Nyrill and on my left was the direction or our destination. Off to the side, our horses were eating the gently swaying grass in the softly blowing wind.

“There’s no need to worry, Joey.” Sora’s voice pulled my attention to her. She was tending to the fire, cooking a few strips of dried meat and boiling a small cask of water. “We’re far enough from civilization that we don’t need to be concerned with being found.”

“What about animals or bandits?” I asked her as I walked over to the fire, taking the seat across from her.

Sora snorted as she turned over the platter of meat, her eyes taking on an almost sinister glow. “I’m the scariest person in the wilderness right now, Joey.” She turned her head to regard me with an ominous smile. “Well, until your power matures, my King.”

I frowned at her answer but didn’t say anything immediately, listening to the crackle of the fire. I moved my gaze to the light, watching the faint sizzle of the jerky. “Sora, what is your role?”

“Hm?” She gave me a confused look. “What do you mean?”

“What do you normally do that led to you being the one to find me?”

“Oh.” Sora hummed at my question, turning her still glowing eyes to the crackling flame. “I am the spymaster. I am the one who goes behind enemy lines and steals the knowledge that others do not wish me to know.” She looked up to me, lips quirked in a darkly amused manner. “They don’t necessarily know when I do, but I do regardless.”

“And that’s how you found me? All of us?”

“Yes.” She smirked ever so lightly. “Thankfully, amongst all denizens of Terras, I’m closest to human, so the affliction of madness did not rob me of my rationality and discipline.”

“Madness…” I whispered as I studied my escort. “You’re the third person who’s spoken of this ‘madness.’ What is it exactly, beyond a curse that my predecessor inflicted?”

Sora didn’t respond at first, her lips falling into a frown. A contemplative silence settled between us until she nodded firmly. “Truthfully, I’m the last person to be asked this question, amongst those from Terras, but I shall do my best to answer.” Her tone was soft and contrite as if she was afraid of disappointing me. “In the War that humanity fought against the first Demon Lord, your predecessor needed an army and Mina had yet to gather her forces.” Her lips curled cruelly. “Even in the past, discrimination against nonhumans was at an all-time high. The Beastkin wanted equality and weathered many abuses to prove their resolve.” She then shrugged. “Something changed, an insult too many or they realized that nothing would change and the Beastkin elected a representative to approach the Demon Lord.”

Sora leaned back in her seat, resting on her hands. “Rumors abounded that war was inevitable and the then Royal Family tried to keep it hidden from the general villagers. Those rumors found the Beastkin, and they managed to locate the Demon Lord, though he went by a different name, one lost to time.” She lifted a hand and waved it to the side. “They reached an accord, a bargain. The Beastkin would throw in their lot with the Demon Lord and fight in his army. In return for their loyalty, he granted them incredible power: strength enough to crush steel with a single grip.” She clenched her hand tight enough for her knuckles to turn white. “Dexterity enough to dance around the most fleet of foot warriors.” Her hand opened, and she flourished her wrist as if holding a sword. “A constitution strong enough to weather the worst of fatigue.”

Sora then offered me a sad smile, her eyes dimming. “All of that power, those gifts, for a single price. Their minds, their conscience, their rationality.” She shook her head, staring at the flame. “Your predecessor gave them incredible strength and augmented their already wondrous potential, but robbed them of their minds and free will.” Sora pursed her lips. “Should they stay loyal and follow him till death, they’d have all the greatness they could ever desire. However, should they betray him, turn against his vision and attempt to subvert him in any manner, then they would lose their minds, their rationality, and lash out at all who are near, with no regard for loyalty or love.”

Her lips curled in disgust. “There are many things I agree with, about what your predecessor was trying to do, but that? Toying with the loyalty and minds of those who only wanted equality? All for his sick amusement and wish for cruelty? That disgusts me.” Sora turned her head to regard me with painful earnestness. “That is why I am glad that of all the summoned Heroes here, it was you that Jeanne chose. Of all of you, she noticed something about you that she knew would make a difference.” She smiled wide and let out a joyous laugh. “Of all of you, the closest one to a Hero, a true traditional Hero, is the one we chose to become the next Demon Lord.”

I wasn’t sure what to say in response to her words. What could I say? The previous Demon Lord was a sick bastard who manipulated an entire species, ruining any chance they had for true equality. Should I be surprised? I can’t. It’s something I would’ve expected, considering what Sora just told me. In a way, I have a better view of the man I’ve replaced, and I don’t like it. Then again, I don’t have to do much to be better than him.

Still, even with that, I’m the equivalent of the Devil. Hello, Milton.

“I’m no Hero.” I disagreed quietly, despite knowing full well her response.

“You will be the one to bring Terras back from its disrepair and usher in a new time of growth,” Sora spoke as if she were describing the weather as if it were a fact of life.

An uncomfortable churn in my stomach was all I felt as I tried not to let her know how I thought about that. “Tell me about Terras.” I segued away from the topic, wanting to know at least more about the nation that had become mine.

Sora gave me a gentle smile as if knowing why I asked. “Terras is a nation bathed in eternal twilight.” She lifted her head to face the night sky. “It is neither too dark nor too bright, a perfect lunar illumination.” Waving a hand, she continued, “Wide, flat plains as far as the eye can see, surrounded by a natural barrier of mountain ranges.” A smile flickered across her face. “Fertile lands where those who bravely fight to keep their rationality make their living. Families, whole and unmarred by unnecessary conflict, populate Terras.” Her smile widened, pale cheeks gaining color as she looked to the sky, the moon’s light bringing out a faint radiance from her eyes. “The people are kind, even as they struggle with the encroaching madness. They fight and fight, holding on with everything they have even as Penemue keeps everyone on edge.”

She then turned her gaze towards me, emotion filling her eye. “With your ascension, Joey, the worst has passed. Your very presence weakens the pervasive curse of madness.” Sora leaned forward, taking my hand in hers. “Terras needs a King. A Demon Lord to lead Terras to where it is meant to be. Wherever that is meant to be is up to you, Joey.”

I expected to feel overwhelmed by her intensity, her joyous declaration, but I didn’t. I felt content like I understood what she meant to like it was the only truth. I wasn’t sure how I should take that, so I decided to move onto something else. “Describe how the currency works in Verum.” She gave me a confused look and felt my cheeks darken in embarrassment. “I’d rather not solely rely on others when it comes to purchases here.”

Sora smiled faintly, before nodding and reaching into her bag. She pulled out a small brown sack that jingled as she moved it. Opening it, she pulled out a handful of coins and lined them along the ground. They were a set of different colors and looked like standard fare for medieval currency. “There are four levels of currency. From lowest to highest, copper, silver, gold and platinum.” At each coin, she casually flicked each one to me.

I caught them with relative ease using one hand. Turning my hand over, I examined the coins that Sora had given me. The copper piece was the smallest, but the thickest. I reached down and picked up it between two fingers. It was rough and hefty for a coin. My thumb rubbed over the engraved sheathed sword, and I turned it over, revealing a simple shield. Flicking it back over to Sora, I turned my attention to the silver piece. It was significantly lighter and just a bit smoother, but still coarse. The edges were ridged and rough as I rubbed my thumb over it. One side held the same sword image, but the opposite side showed a single wing, diagonal from the upper left to the lower right.

I flicked it towards Sora, smirking at her exasperated sigh, then looked to the gold coin. It was smooth, almost too slick to hold. Firelight flickered across it as I examined the sheathed sword, feathers sticking out the cross guard and a diamond shape on the end of the hilt. On the opposite side of the coin was the image of two wings, joined at the bottom and jutting outwards to the top two corners of the currency — the outer edge of the coin held with a majestic finish, almost like laurels.

When I sent the coin to Sora, I focused on the last piece of currency. The platinum coin. It glistened in the firelight, like a rainbow that flickered across the surface. The sheathed sword image appeared meticulously carved into the coin. I could make out the almost razor’s edge of the slightest indentations. The tiny medal was smooth, practically painfully clean as I held it between my thumb and forefinger. Flipping it over, I saw that the back of the coin showed the dual wings, but had the shield layered over it. They also had that meticulous carving that I swore had to be personally carved. The outer edge of the coin also had the laurel border.

It felt almost wasteful to flick the platinum coin back to Sora casually, but then I remembered who I was now. If I was afraid to treat a coin with disrespect, then I had to be even right thought of as the Demon Lord. With that in mind, I snorted and contemptuously flicked the coin back to Sora. As I turned my attention back to her, I couldn’t help but notice her knowing smirk in the firelight, as if she knew what was going through my head.

“Each coin has its measure of worth. The silver is worth one hundred copper. Fifty silver to gold. Fifty gold to platinum.” She dropped her coins back into her pouch and put it back into her bag. “The common populace is more likely to see and use copper and silver, with a lucky few managing to save up to gold.” Sora paused and held her hand to the side. “Platinum? For all of ‘universal availability’ to the citizenry, only the nobility trade with it. Platinum is more of a status symbol, then outright currency by the average resident of Verum.” She closed her hand into a fist, then dexterously snapped her fingers, revealing a platinum piece that fell in between her fingers. “A little piece of advice for when you inevitably strike out on your own. Even if you only have one, all it takes is one to get the attention of any common-born villager.”

I nodded to her, accepting her advice and keeping it in the back of my mind for future reference. “When we arrive in Xadria, what’s the overall goal? Is it just to restock whatever provisions we have, or do you have a specific goal in mind?”

Sora studied me intently for a few moments, a mutual silence accompanying the crackling of the fire between us. “Provisions, mostly.” She finally started. “Truthfully, I have an informant in Xadria, and I need to meet with her to review what we already know and learn more about what I need to know.” Her eyes met mine, glowing amber meeting my blood red. “Your presence, while slowly being recognized by those fighting off the madness, is something we need to keep hidden from as many people as possible.” She paused, her lips curling and expression turning wary. “Speaking of the memorial. Did you take anything?”

“No,” I said faintly, shaking my head. “I wanted to because regardless of what everyone says, it is my sword. It was for me. But the memorial is something that people seem to cherish. It gives them something to believe in.” I paused and offered a self-deprecating smile. “As much as it confuses me, I’m an ideal, a martyr, for those who wish to find something, someone, to believe in and I can’t take that away from people.”

She gave me a perplexed expression, her brow furrowing and lips curling. Then she scoffed a laugh, shaking her head. “Odd statement coming from a Demon Lord, don’t you think?”

“I did this for freedom, the ability to forge my path, not to kowtow to those who think they matter,” I stated, my tone darkening as I met her gaze with defiance.

Sora didn’t answer, meeting my gaze without fear. We stayed silent for a few moments before a smile grew on her face. “We shall commission your equipment in Xadria. It’s far enough from Veracity that we can stay there for a few days until they’re finished. However, it’s too close to Nyrill for us to relax fully, so please keep that in mind.”

“How much longer till we get to Xadria?”

“At a leisurely ride? Two days. If we push ourselves, we’ll get their late night tomorrow, but I’d rather not appear like we’re running from something.” Sora explained to me.

“Two days then. It’s a good thing I don’t mind camping. A pleasant change of pace from…” And just like that, I was reminded of Earth and my sister. It’s been a year for Maggie if time flows the same in both worlds. How is she doing? I can’t help but ask myself that as I stared into the flickering campfire.

“Joseph?” Soralynn pulled my attention to her, concern in both her tone and expression. “Is everything alright?”

“Just remembering what was left behind.” I paused. “Sora, do you have any siblings?”

She paused, turning her gaze to the side as the corner of her lips turned downwards. “No. It was only me growing up, and my…parents weren’t the most supportive or capable.” She flickered her gaze to me, curiosity in her gaze. “Why? Do you?”

I nodded. “One. A little sister. I miss her.”

Sora didn’t answer, her lips pursed as she turned her attention to the night sky. Silence reigned between us, only the sound of the crackling flame and the cooking meat on the individual sticks. “In Xadria, Miss Fitzgerald is staying in her company’s headquarters. If the information I’ve gathered is still viable, then she’s planning on moving to a town close to the nation’s borders.”

“Why?”

“The Knight Corps is cracking down on outside military forces,” Sora explained as she leaned her head on a hand. “The DeVere Royal Family wishes to regain their monopoly on military strength near Veracity.” She smirked playfully. “Your death on Nyrill has affected much this past year. The dissolution of the 13 Heroes sent ripples in the land. Penny’s decision to follow Jeanne’s choice of you bought us the time we needed to do what is necessary.”

I took in her words, considering them as carefully as I could. I picked at her words and tone, trying to decipher just what it was she trying to say without being obvious. “What is necessary, Sora? What does Penemue want? Why did I have to ascend to the title of Demon Lord?” I paused and tried to figure out the right question and get the answer I wanted the most. “What is the end goal?”

Sora’s answer forced me to take a moment and consider things carefully. She had promised answers after my tale. She had sworn to be truthful, to hold nothing back. She had been earnest and forthright with me.

Still, her answer to my question was one I couldn’t understand, not until the moment I entirely became assumed my role. Until the moment I gathered my forces and sat upon my waiting throne in Terras.

“Balance.”

After giving me the answer, we didn’t speak the rest of the night. It wasn’t an uncomfortable silence, but a companionable one, where we finally enjoyed the finished meat. I ate my fill and drank my water.

That night, beneath the stars and next to my newest companion, I slept the best I ever have in my entire life.