Archive of Our Own ^beta

Chapter Text

Chapter Text

I couldn’t get out of there fast enough. The smiles, the fake handshakes. I hated all of it. Gods they even felt slimy when I touched them, I’m sure it was projection but still. I hated the way they saw me as one of their own. Sure, I was going to betray them but, in those moments, when I had to play along, I hated them and myself. I just didn’t know the timeline. Would it be days or years. Gods, I hope it wasn’t years. I left out without a parade or any parties. I told them it would just take me longer to get on the road and I wanted to be done. It was an answer that pleased them, and I thought that I earned a little of their trust. GROOSSS!

Still…they followed me. Just a few spies were sent by the king. Lower level than I would have thought, but the good ones were probably out in the field. So, I kept up the act, I pulled the demon when I could, let her ride the horse I borrowed in the name of moving faster. Not borrowed, stolen. This horse was mine now, I had no intention of getting it back. The demon was shaking the entire time…I can’t blame her. I was a monster in her eyes just like them and for now the act had to keep up. There was no defiance…she looked like I was marching her to her death and my heart hurt for that.

I found an inn and paid for the room, two beds…which drew attention until I paid the extra gold to get them to shut up. They probably just thought after that I just didn’t want to sleep with a filthy demon. Works for me. Once inside I closed and locked the door and cast runes on the doors and windows to stop prying. These spells were nifty, and she was right…I knew how to cast them right away. No one will hear anything said in this room and there is no spell that can reveal to the prying eyes what we were doing. Those who were following me didn’t come into the inn…at least not right away. There was a tavern downstairs so they could slip in when they wanted, I’m sure. Just another thing to watch out for. My attention is instantly on her and the chains on her wrists.

“Fucking hell…I need to touch your wrists to break the chains, okay?”

I asked, she didn’t move so I reached down and as gently as I could snapped the wrist restraints on the demon’s wrists like they were nothing. They didn’t give me a key; said she’d try to kill me the instant she was free. I wasn’t worried, she deserved a couple of revenge hits to be honest. If she could kill me then I deserved to die, but I can endure the pain for sure and it might make her feel better and get her to talk. She didn’t fight though. Not one bit. After I removed the shackles, I took a few steps back.

“…assholes.”

I could see the scars on her wrist and some of the wounds on her arm were fresh. I had an area of effect healing spell that was powerful so I would cast it on her instead of touching her. Still though…

“I’m going to cast a healing aura on you. That should take care of the injuries…alright? Do I have permission?”

She still didn’t’ say anything…so I cast the spell and again it was easy. Her whole body lit up with a faint green glow and her scars seemed to fade to nothing and her injuries faded too. It might not have been the right thing to do, I felt shitty just throwing my weight around. I wasn’t any better than them right now but she needed to be healed.

“I’m going to get rid of the curse around your throat too. They thought I wouldn’t notice, but I did. Rat bastards.”

Again, she didn’t respond, so I traced the runes in the air and shattered the spell around her throat. None of the curse breaking used incantations, I would just get pictures of symbols in my head and then draw them out. The wards were the same way. They didn’t count on my ability for that. Curse breaking seemed different than casting attack magic, I had a hell of a lot to learn. When the curse around her throat shattered, she reacted and then looked up at me. She still looked defeated, but a little less than before. Sadness in her eyes, but a tiny glimmer of defiance…so that was good. We were making progress.

“What use do you have for a speaking slave?”

There was a bitterness in her tone that I didn’t hate, it means she hasn’t resigned to her fate. She has probably just been focused on the horrible things that I was going to do to her in her mind. That is a depressing place to live, but at least she still had it in her to be bitter. I needed to give her space, so I moved across to the room to sit on the opposite side. I didn’t need to crowd her, I felt bad enough forcing her to be in the same room as me.

“I don’t have a use for a slave at all. An informant and a guide, but not a slave. I don’t like slaves.”

That caused a rather disgusted look to cross her face, there was anger there again. Good, she was slowly coming out of it. Let her feel the anger. She can yell and scream at me all she wants. Not that I’ll take it well, but my comfort isn’t something I care about right now.

“Call me what you want. I don’t have any free will! A slave, that is what I am!”

I sighed, the level of anger was making me uneasy, but I couldn’t be the one to regulate her emotions and really it was my problem not hers. I could deal with that. I just took some breaths to calm myself so I didn’t shut down, I have certain issues with dealing with angry women. Been that way ever since I was little. A man yells at me and I’ll fight them, a woman yells at me and I just shut down and take their aggression…deserved or not. In this case, I certainly deserved it…at least I feel like I did.

“No, I wanted to talk to you alone with no prying ears. Tell me your side of the story, your side of the war. It’s important. No one can scry this room or listen at any of the walls or windows.”

That stopped her in her tracts. My tone was calm and even, I was just watching her without making eye contact. I just wanted to listen and appear non-threatening. I could see all the emotions going over her facial features. She didn’t move for a moment or two, she was processing. I was a different creature now, not what she had prepared herself to deal with.

“What is there to say? We are hunted and treated like scum. My race has been pushed out to the west where there is hardly any farmable land, and the game is more dangerous than we are. Every time we gather enough strength to try and push out and expand, they summon…well you. Then you ride in slaughter our strongest fighters and we get enslaved for another hundred years.”

That tracks with about how this kingdom looks. They didn’t seem like they were in dire need, and really I’m sure they were prepared to try and brainwash me with horrible stories of vengeance that the demons have visited upon the humans. I waited to make sure she was done talking before speaking up.

“Alright. How were you captured?”

I asked and still she seemed confused.

“I was in a scouting party for my brother. He is the current leader of the rebellion. We were ambushed and I was captured, they had hostages and when they found out who I was…They thought they could use me as a bargaining chip. I am but one demon and my brother wouldn’t give up for that so here I am. They treat us like we are nothing, worse than nothing. We…we just want to live. To be happy, we want our children to feel safe. That is it. Why can’t we have that?!”

I can’t be mad at her at all, not that I would be. This was all garbage. I wonder if the other races had this sort of issue. I didn’t see a single race other than humans in the capital. I didn’t like that. Diversity is the key to growth and happiness. Same on Earth really. The more diverse places tend to do better…most of the time.

“You deserve that to be honest. All races do, no matter the world.”

That made her stop, tears falling from her cheeks. Perhaps she was taking time to feel emotions, she felt safe enough…no. She didn’t trust me. She might think this is the end and that she had nothing to lose. I don’t know…I’m so nervous and anxious.

“Why are you saying that? You are human. You are at the top! Not only are you human, you are a FUCKING hero! You don’t know hardship. You just have power and then the King and the pope point you in a direction you KILL and then you get to have a pile of slaves and land and live happily ever after! SO what? You’re going play nice, then I’m going WANT to fuck you? Is that right? What game are you playing here!?”

I had to hold back a wince. Don’t yell back, don’t get angry…I’m not angry…I’m sad and filled with anxiety. She deserves this, to yell without being corrected…to vent. It was the very least I could do. I take a breath, but my heart is beating fast. Sometimes you need to let people yell and feel. She stood up and walked across the room. My anxiety was off the charts.

“I’m NOT Going to roll over you got it. If you are going to fuck me, do it! But I’m not going to just let you. You sick fuck you probably like it! I can’t fight you…I know that. You…you are on a completely different level than I am. I WON’T SUBMIT THOUGH! Fuck you…get it over with I’m ready! That is why you healed me up right?! So I can be all happy and ready when you want to have your way with me? Bastard! WHY AREN’T YOU SAYING ANYTHING!?”

She hit me in the face…I was surprised how little it hurt. She looked horrified a split second later after she realized what she did. I know what she was expecting me to do, but instead I smiled. That is what she deserved, understanding. I took a step back too, giving her room. She could attack me again if she wanted, but with that fear on her face I don’t think she’ll do that again right away.

“You needed to say your piece. I respect that. I can’t imagine what you have been through. Before we even left the throne room, I had made up my mind about one thing. Your freedom is top on my list. A world where there is slavery is a broken world. This place is terrible, there are slaves in the street…a slave market near the palace. I hate all of it. I want it to stop…no country that ‘needs’ slavery should exist.”

Most countries in my world hold a history of it. Where there is wealth and power, there are those who seek to own everything…even sentient beings. Whenever I play games and I have the freedom to do so I take down any institution that supports slavery. It’s an easy trigger to get me to act…and I’m okay with it.

“So, I’m going to help you. You have the Heroes aid and protection and I make that vow right now that at the very least I’ll get you back to your brother.”

She stopped dead at my words and was staring at me. I kept waiting to be hit, or for her to not believe me…or to be hit. I’m a tank, I can soak it. I’ll only stop her if she is going to hurt herself…I’ll heal, I think.

“You are lying. How dare you! Don’t give me hope, not even a sliver. I’ll kill you for that.”

I didn’t move, I just blinked and offered a soft smile. She was changing her stance as though she was going to fight me head on. I didn’t move, I calmed myself and prepared to be attacked. Still the anxiety was tight in my chest…my hands were even shaking a bit but I kept them behind my back.

“Do you have a spell that will make me tell the truth? I’ll let you cast it on me. Or an ability that will make sure I’m not lying. I’ll let you use it without resistance.”

I stand up then and take off all my weapons, leaning them against the wall near her side of the room. Then I sat down and kept my hands in the open. She stalks across the room standing above she grabs my chin and forces eye contact. I was deeply uncomfortable.

“Do you plan to betray me?”

I didn’t feel any different, but I didn’t break eye contact. If this was a spell, I couldn’t see the mana flow…I caught the surge of mane when I cast the spells earlier. I can see hers too in her aura. This wasn’t a spell. An ability maybe? I don’t know. What ever she was comfortable with.

“No, I do not plan on betraying you.”

She didn’t move for a while, her head canting to the left and then to the right.

“Are you actually going to help me and my people?”

Again I didn’t feel any different, but maybe this was her power. An untraceable skill maybe?

“Yes, even if it kills me.”

Her breathing slowed…and I could almost see the weight leaving her. She wasn’t scared of me anymore. Whatever skill she has worked. Would she trust me now. Her face stayed stern as she stared at me and moved back across from the room. One human telling the truth won’t change her opinion in one meeting. I had a lot to probe.

“My name is Irma by the way. You should know that if you are going to march to your death.”

I nodded and gave her a smile as she moved to just fall over in her bed. She allowed herself a little smile at that point. I can’t imagine how long it has been since she slept in a bed. She looked to me once more.

“Call me Ogre, that is what I’ll go by in this world. It’s my nickname from my home. I’ll keep my real name for myself.”

She nodded a bit and passed out soon after, she must be so tired. I’ll have to let her rest for a few days before we get to moving. She’ll need armor and weapons too…shit how will I sneak those in. I didn’t take any polymorph skills or anything. Shit, this was going to be harder than I thought.

I hear some motion in the tavern below and I figured why the hell not. I’m not sleeping much tonight. The sounds of this town were too quiet, and I don’t’ have my sleep sound machine. So, I cast an alarm spell on the door and the window and head down. Nothing will get in without my knowing about it and then I should be able to move very quickly.

At the bar was a bear of a man. He stood nearly seven feet tall and if I wasn’t ‘the hero’ I’d sure as hell be intimidated. This guy could break a normal human in half. There were some others scattered around, looking half drunk and just sitting in silence. That is the company I could keep tonight. I approach the bar and offer a half smile. I didn’t want to be an asshole; customer service is hard no matter what world you are in.

“Hey.”

The large man turned around as I sat down at the bar and gave me a good look over. I was still trying to keep up appearances. Looking like a grumpy badass. I was spent though. Its not who I am. Confrontation takes it out of me that is for sure. I hate it and used to avoid it. I’m old enough though that I can force it. I figured once we were on the road I didn’t have to keep up the act anymore. It would take a few days to get a few horses and some supplies, I already started that process before getting the inn room.

“What?”

He asked, a mirror of the attitude that I was projecting. I couldn’t be mad, those eyes he had were intense and watching my every move. He wasn’t just passively existing. I was being judged. That is fine, keep it up…I have to keep it up. I’m tired as shit, but at the same time there is no way I’m sleeping without a little help.

“Ale.”

I grunted back to him. The giant of a man looked at me for another long moment. I could swear he wanted to punch me in the face. Again, I couldn’t blame him. I guess I was playing the asshole a little too well.

“One Gold, payment first.”

Oh he was taking me to task on this. I was an asshole, so I was going to pay like a noble for an ale. Even I had some idea at this point of how much a gold could buy. I could get a night and a meal at the inn for a gold, and I was just about to spend that one a single drink.

“Better be the best fucking ale I’ve ever had, or we are going to have a problem.”

Yeah, I was certainly playing it up. Something in the back of my mind was still trying to tell me to use caution. Perhaps it was my years of role playing that was catching up to me now. I couldn’t pull myself up from this nosedive. I pulled out a gold coin and put in on the bar top. He almost looked surprised, like I was supposed to threaten or intimidate him to lower the price.

“Here.”

He said very nearly slamming a tankard of ale on the bar top in front of me. Still not a drop spilled, what a neat trick eh? I took it and took a deep swig. That…actually hit the spot. I took a breath and seemed to relax a moment, I felt almost like I deflated from that one sip alone.

“Well…looks like we don’t have a problem tonight.”

I couldn’t hide the little smirk I had on my face. It was like having a perfect cold bottle of beer after doing a lot of yard work on a hot summer day. This ale was an oasis. It was a happy place, a hint of home. Just refreshing. I noticed the bartender seemed to be more at ease too. Was it a test? I thought I was just letting my adhd over analyze everything. Guess it works here too, body language is multidimensional I suppose.

“That girl…what did you do to her?”

This was another moment of tension. His body stance changed too, this time he was ready to hit me. I could lie, keep on the mask. Make up a reason. I looked at the other regulars, they hardly spoke and were whispering. Were they watching too? No, just focus on one thing at a time…I have to stay keen.

“Honestly…like truly honestly…”

I motion for him to lean in. The whole tavern didn’t need to hear this. I have a reputation of a day or so to uphold. I needed to be an asshole, make people think twice. But I’ll tell this one man the truth. Bartenders did that here too right? Keep secrets because they really don’t care…at least I hope so. He did as I motioned for him.

“Removed the chains on her wrists, healed her scars and then I saw the mute curse they put on her throat, so I broke that curse…I let her yell at me. You didn’t hear it because I have the room sound proofed. She even hit me…but I want you to act like I just told you something gross. She is resting right now, so I gave her some space and came down here.”

He lingered for a moment and then pulled back with a snort of derision, though it didn’t reach his eyes. I took a breath and then another deep drink of the ale. That is good, he did what I asked. Maybe a little respect?

“Yeah, she had to sleep for a bit after that. You know what I mean.”

I said a little bit louder for the others to hear. I don’t know why the act anymore, I couldn’t stop at this point. I was being cringe as my kid would say. Still I am bad at this. I just want to be me…I hate all of this to a point. The longer this takes the longer it will be until I can start researching how magic works in his most primal form and develop a spell to get back home.

…I’m over thinking again.

“You sir, are one sick fuck. Let me refill that for you.”

I had apparently just been sitting and drinking without interacting much, my mug was empty. I’m a big dude and had more than a few skills to help against poison…so there was no way I’d get drunk. When I fished out the gold coin the bartender just winked and waved it away, did I just make a new friend? Thank the goddess.

“Thank you.”

I said quietly before looking up to motion him close again. I looked like a gremlin with the direst secret. I didn’t trust the other two that were still here, I swear they were trying to listen.

“Listen, I have no idea where to look right now. You know how big she was, do you know where I can get clothing for her? Men’s or Women’s, it doesn’t matter. Anything is better than what she has on.”

His eyes went wide after another smile and he shook his head.

“You…wow I didn’t know…wow. Yeah I’ll look in the back to see what I have. People are always leaving shit behind. It will cost you another gold though.”

Yeah, I like this guy already. Someone touches this tavern I’ll burn them to ash while recording their screams for their families…well that was a bit dark eh? I’m tired. I just nodded to him and the bartender moved to the back and I could hear him opening a trunk and pulling out some clothing.

“You want more, down the street is the tailor’s shop. She is good enough to whip up something in a few days for you and her. Cause you stick out a lot.”

I laughed and took another drink of the wonderful, wonderful ale. I was feeling better already. The clothing was placed on the bar and I pulled out two gold coins and slid them forward.

“So, you’ll ignore the screaming tonight?”

I gave him a fake wicked smile, I don’t know if they tip in this world but if anyone deserved it, this man did. I finished off the second tankard as sober as when I started and dipped my head. The anti-poison skills were working just fine.

“Have a good evening. We’ll be here for a few days; you’ll be seeing me.”

I said and turned to look at the two regulars that seemed to be trying to hide the fact that they were just looking at me. That is alright, if I’m lucky they’ll spread the rumor that I’m some sick fuck, or at least some sort of bastard that the bartender fleeced. I hope that was a good enough show to get them off of my back for a while. With clothing in tow, I head back to the room and try to get some sleep, I feel better here…so finally I’m able to sleep.

Chapter Text

Irma sleep for two days and I mean who could blame her, it was probably the first time in a while she felt safe enough to rest. She was safe too, there were wards on the whole room…perhaps too many but one couldn’t be too safe. I set the clothing on her bedstand and left a note saying they were for her as well as some daggers that she could hide on her person easily. I also sort of built a cheap divider in the room so she could have her side of the room and whatever privacy that would afford and I could have mine. I need to be able to pretend to be alone a bit every day so my brain can recharge.

I spent those days wondering about the city and hating it more and more. The slavery was so apparent and when I did finally see other races, they weren’t free. I could burn half the city before they even knew what hit them…but that wasn’t going to be good enough. The king and the nobles would escape. No, we needed an army…so I had to bite my tongue and bide my time until I could come back and take over the whole country.

The bartender was wonderfully helpful in the guise of just hating who I was pretending to be. When the tavern was empty, we had good conversations. Ribbing each other. Everyone just called him Bear, so I did too. After two days the spies stopped coming but I didn’t feel like I was out of the woods yet. So the pageantry went on, it was nice to have the support of course. He’d make up stories for the spies who would come in asking about me. Worked too, they weren’t very smart.

After two days of sleeping Irma woke up. I made sure I had a lot of food ready for her when she did. Even had them bring hot water and a tub so she could bathe. I just fully left the room for that. She found it odd though I would arm her. It was a step of showing her trust first, at least that is what I told her. It was the truth too. Really I just felt better knowing she could fight if something was keeping me busy for too long. She was very strong, and daggers were on her skill list…I still feel bad for peeking, but I was looking before I saw the morality of the situation. I’m an asshole and I will not do that again. She hit me when I told her.

As a few more days passed, we were able to get a wagon and supplies for the journey to the demon homelands. When we were out Irma’s act was flawless. She didn’t speak so they thought the curse was still on her and I said That I wouldn’t have a tattered slave at my side which is why she was healed, and the new clothing bought. That seemed good enough for everyone. When we were alone, we’d just make fun of everyone we saw throughout the day and eat good food.

Within a week we were out of there. Irma had us take a far less traveled path that the kingdom didn’t police. She said the other races tend to live in those places, they will be far more tolerable than human settlements. That made everything easier in so many ways…it would also make anyone they sent to follow us stick out like a sore thumb. I said goodbye to Bear leaving him a sizeable tip for all his help and we set out.

“I don’t like being in human towns. This passive slave bullshit pisses me off. Neither of us like it. Fucking SUCKS! You know how hard it is to bite my tongue. I know it’s an act, it SUCKS. The only human worth a shit in that town was Bear…well the seamstress was nice too. Beth her name was? FUCK Though. I thought it was funny, I saw the way that sword maker was looking at me…you were going to punch him in the face. He knew it too. Got all subservient like a puppy. That was funny. STILL…I hate this place. When we come back, we had better burn it to the ground. Racist shitbags, the lot of them.”

She started to talk a few hours into the forest. The path wasn’t well traveled and only two wagons wide, which was good…Irma just needed to vent fuck I needed to as well. It was nice that I got to relax and drop the mask. I just smile and offer her the water canteen as I take control of the horse for a bit.

“You aren’t wrong. I hate them all too. This act is killing me. I have to be an asshole to you, I have to be chummy with them. It is DISGUSTING! I usually have to mask to fit in, but this act…I feel gross. I need to scrub myself for a week and I won’t be clean…still…can’t wait…”

I just said as I took in the first clearing, I’ve seen in six hours of travel. My energy skyrocketed because I have been wanting to do something ever since I got here, and now was the chance. There was an ability I wanted to use. I’m so desperate to see what I can bring forward and how it works.

“HELL YEAH! WONDERFUL! Does this world have fairies? Do I have to worried about being kidnapped if I step in a circle of mushrooms? Am I going to summon like an ancient protector?”

Irma looked at me like I had grown a second and third head. I would take that as either she didn’t know…or she did know, and I sounded rather insane. She then shook her head.

“The faye here are different from what you just said. They exist but none of the mushroom circles or anything. Trust me you’ll see them soon enough. Good or bad…that I can’t tell you. They are like any race I suppose. Cook for em though and you’ll have a friend for life…as long as you always cook for them.”

I nodded and pulled over into the clearing. I took a breath and pulled up the mini-map and then put out a detection spell to make sure I wasn’t snuck up upon. Other than some deer and wild boar, it was just Irma and I and that was perfect. I set up a fire first and got a pot of stew going. That was something I could make with my eyes closed so I could still have part of my mind on what I wanted to do.

“Okay while that is simmering I’m gonna do something I’ve been really wanting to do. Summon familiar. This is gonna be FUN!”

Irma’s mouth opened in surprise and then she shook her head chuckling a bit.

“You are ‘The Hero’ after all I shouldn’t be surprised you have access to that level of magic. I honestly have no idea what you will get. I mean you are the hero…but you are different from any other hero before you. I can’t read your stats, your spell list…anything. You could summon a massive devil dragon, or a tiny birdy. Honestly, this is going to be cool as fuck.”

That just made me smile brighter. I stepped away and pulled up the spell on my personal display. I read it carefully before I took a breath. I pulled out an ax and cut the tip of my finger, the spell didn’t say to do that but I really felt like it was important. I had to offer something of myself to whatever primal energies I was calling out to. The wound healed quickly.

“Hear me powers of arcane, ancient, and mysterious. I call upon you to gift me wisdom from another realm. Give me a guide, a mentor, partner, and friend. Take my magic, my power, my life and bring me forth a companion. I SUMMON YOU FAMILIAR! COME TO ME!”

I added words to the ritual. I was told magic is a feeling and two people can cast the same spell two different ways. I was just adding imagination and purpose. That was important with magic. Less the words and more the image in your head. Though, I was having a hard time focusing on one image. The ADHD had it like the searched on the old TV shows showing a million pictures while the computer is searching for one.

There was a definite gathering of power I could see mist starting to gather, almost as though it was pulled from the forest’s ancient reserve of power itself. I just closed my eyes and kept focus. Still I couldn’t really picture anything. I decided to let the chaos of the arcane give to me what it saw fit rather than draw what I thought the ideal companion would be. I could hear Irma gasp as I felt the magic around me concentrate.

“Wow…I mean, I didn’t think…just wow.”

I kept my eyes closed so I couldn’t see the expression on her face. I feel a rush of power all around me suddenly and where it was gathering on the ground now shoots up to the air. Must look cool from the gasps that are coming from Irma. Then there was another rush, warm and flowing over me like a perfect summer breeze.

Now I had to open my eyes. The spell was cast and I looked up to where the energy coalesced. The creature flying around was something I have never seen before but to me they looked majestic. It had the head and feathers of a raven, but a body of a great horned owl…when it flapped its wings it didn’t make a single sound. Its feet were black, but hooked talons like an owl too. Somehow it was able to over, bright amber eyes taking in the surroundings…and it stopped when it saw I was looking right back at it.

“You.”

It said in a rather gravelly voice. I smiled and held out my arm for it to land. Oh it looked so cool, I couldn’t be happier. I’ve always loved owls and corvids. Raptors too of course, but I don’t know something about ravens make me happy. They were the size of dogs where I used to live.

“ME!”

I said as it landed on my arm. It was heavy of course, but they were a decent size. It meant they could defend themselves. I was made more aware of that fact with the talons digging into my arm. I wasn’t mad though, hell I was giddy. Irma was just still staring.

“I was thinking of something more…just more.”

Irma said almost disappointed, but I was still really happy. This bird looked SICK, at least to me. The black feathers and the stout body. I’m so glad I couldn’t focus on shit. I don’t care how powerful they were, they just looked awesome, and this is the closest to having a pet raven I’ll ever be.

“You…you are the one that summoned me? A human? Gross. What gives you the right to summon me after eons of being incorporeal? No one has been strong enough to summon me for a very long time…and even then, it only happened once. I wasn’t happy about it then either.”

That was confusing in so many different ways. I thought it would be happier, well I thought a lot of other things too that my thoughts jumbled up for a moment. Still, I had one major question to ask.

“Wait, you aren’t brand new to this world?”

In a tabletop game I play, they were fairy-like creatures, but they didn’t exist until you cast the spell. Though, why was I comparing this to a game. I meant I didn’t even have to roll dice to generate myself in this world…silly me.

“We are not created to serve, just summoned. I exist without form in another realm…all of the summoned familiars do of all different power levels. Then we are pulled to this realm when a creature has the right skill and uses enough power. Just…a human…like…REALLY a human. This is gross. Don’t tell me that demon is your slave?”

Irma opened her mouth to speak but then got this impish grin and just kept her mouth shut looking at me. She was fucking with me right now. I gave a nervous chuckle as I looked to her and shook my head.
“Slavery is wrong. I don’t own slaves. Irma is my friend and traveling companion. Yes she is a demon, yes I am a human…YES humans are gross. But we are making it work right now. I am a tool for her, a means to an end. She right now though, is my friend. My name is Ogre. What would you like us to cawl you?”

I chuckled at my own joke but was just met with confusion from the two. I just rolled my eyes.

“I…I can’t remember the last name I had. If you would put me like humans, I’m a noble…king or pope or something like that. I can’t remember how that works. So, we’ll talk about it. If I don’t hate it, then you can call me that name alright?”

I looked to Irma who was still just gob smacked and I just shrugged looking over. I couldn’t think of Odins raven’s name and that might be too edge lord anyway.

“Well do you prefer, he, she or them as your pronouns.”

That is a good place to start. I don’t know how they see gender here and especially in a spirit realm where they don’t always have a physical body. I could feel them shifting around on my shoulder as they thought. They were looking at me a lot too. Like surprised I was this thoughtful.

“He, them is good. Yes, he/them is good.”

Okay that gives me a lot of room to work with. Lots of names…and then I thought of one. Male and in Russian…my wife says it’s my stripper name but works for all. If this was going to be my familiar, it meant something to be part of me and I never felt bad when she called me that name.

“Sasha. That is a good name. One for men and women in my home world. It’s from a country called Russia where my ancestors come from. I think it will fit you nicely.”

There was silence for a bit and the Raven head craned around to look me in the face, reading my eyes. Then something akin to a chuckle came from its beak and he leaned back.

“You aren’t as disgusting as a normal human Ogre, but I should have figured that out from your name. Most humans want to be named something far different than a monster and you seemed to embrace it. You even have a belly like the stronger ones…save for you are WAY more tiny.”

Irma finally found her voice after a few more moments and was up close and personal with Sasha in a heartbeat and it seemed she didn’t need to be too far away from me either, which was good. She was reminding me of my daughter a little in that way. It was refreshing. Very letting boundaries and questions. We’ve talked for hours in the days getting ready to leave. I’ve learned a lot about her and her a lot about me. Each day she was more at ease with me and more determined that I was certainly there to help her.

“You are a king? Explain that to me.”

Sasha looked to Irma canting their head in a very bird like fashion. He hopped a bit to turn to face her better.

“Your people called me that, you know…mammals, body havers, non-summons. The last time I was summoned I looked like a dragon, white scales, blue eyes and I breathed holy light. That is when they called me king and your majesty. That was hundreds, if not thousands of years ago…time is different there and here so I can’t always tell. Plus when you are ageless and damn near immortal, time is nothing.”

Well, that is interesting isn’t it. Irma started to get animated though. Her eyes were wide and then her arms started to wave.

“Wait…WAIT WAIT! You are telling me you are the ancient dragon king, the one that was summoned by the great hero almost two thousand years ago…and then promptly killed that hero. You…the same dragon king, that stopped the first dark lord when he tried to cross over to this world that would have killed EVERYONE! BY YOURSELF! And now you’re stuck in the body a bird a familiar for this dumbass hero? Aren’t you pissed?”

Sasha’s head craned to look at me and then shook. I was curious too…especially after hearing about the killing of the first hero part. I didn’t think they could do that. Automatic loyalty and all that…though he hasn’t attacked me yet which is wonderful news…for the moment.

“No, I have a great deal of power. What I look like doesn’t matter. I was the dragon king then because the hero wanted me to be the dragon king. I’m this now…well I never got a clear picture with this one so I picked from what was swirling around in that pool of chaos you call a mind. Am I pissed…irritated is a better word. Look at this potbellied man. Unkept beard. I mean…I’ve seen worse but he’s still alive so that is something right?”

I could only grin at that, my fault of course, but I liked the form that they picked honestly. As for the fact that I wasn’t dead yet, that was a good thing. I have no idea how powerful Sasha actually was, but if he was the Dragon King in the past to the point where he just straight up killed the hero well…I must be a little special now right? I hadn’t notice his eyes focused right on me for a moment.

“Now Ogre, what are your goals?”

The rowl? No I’ll think of something better. The Owven? The Sasha will have to do for now. That…that was a good question. Really, I had to order my thoughts. It took me just a second before I just let everything sort of spill forth.

“Get Irma home, lead the demon charge against Authoria knocking the humans off the top block. THEN I plan on destroying all knowledge of this world being able to summon heroes from my world. THEN and only then will I be able to sit down and figure out a way home…if I haven’t died of old age. Hopefully the goddess will help with the time thing. I don’t know…they think I’m dead in the other world. The goddess said they think it was an explosion. So if I just show up then maybe she’ll be mad, my daughter will be angry. I might have to fight her new husband…”

I was rambling more than I should as my brain went into overdrive to predict doomsday. I wanted to get home, I really did. If it takes me too long…what if the world moved on without me. I mean, if they do think I’m dead then sure I’d want her to move on. I won’t be that selfish, but I don’t want to move on yet. I didn’t notice Sasha moving to Irma’s shoulder and they were both looking at me, like they were parents and had some bad news to tell their kid.

“You, might not be able to get back Ogre. The hero either dies trying to kill the demon king, which hasn’t happened in a while or dies of old age in their own castle here. No one goes back.”

I took a deep breath and shook my head.

“The goddess said that no one has…yet. So that gave me the sliver of hope I need. The more I use magic the more I’ll understand its theory. My brain works differently than most, in my world and here. I think I have a chance. When this is all over. I must stay to help at the very least. If I don’t, I’ll regret it. I won’t be able to live with myself. So I do what I can, I don’t even know if I’ll fix everything. I’m not thinking, just acting on instinct and anger. Hell I could ruin the world worse than it is…I don’t know. I just know I have to do something. So, something is what I will do.”

I was rambling again. This wasn’t that great was it? The more I thought about it the more hopeless I felt. I was already started to grieve for a process that I haven’t even really started yet. I took a breath to keep myself from plummeting any deeper into a depression that I know will hit me like a ton of bricks if I let it.

When I refocused on the world Irma and Sasha were again looking at me. Irma was smiling and it wasn’t sad anymore. What did I say? She moved to pat me on the shoulder when Sasha transferred himself over.

“Well Ogre…I think I’ll help you. If you had said nothing else, Irma’s attitude toward you is good enough. Demons have always had a good reputation with summons. She doesn’t hate you. For a demon not to outright hate a human, it hasn’t happened for a while. I mean it’s possible, but humans are fostered in such ignorance that its rare. I guess it took someone from another world to break the cycle. Still, if you mess up…I’ll kill you.”

I laughed a little at that. I just assumed they’d be loyal but there was nothing in the text of the skill that would actually suggest that. They were fully sentient beings and there was nothing about being enslaved to their master’s will. That was good, another person to keep me in check. I needed that a lot. I smiled and leaned my head over to touch theirs.

“You know what, Good. I need you to keep me honest Sasha. Don’t let me become a monster.”

I met his eyes and in that moment we regarded each other. Irma was strong but nowhere near my level. Sasha on the other hand could put me in my place. I needed that, completely. Who knows how power hungry I was going to get. I knew what lurked inside me…to a point. How far will I be pushed? What will I have to endure? CAN I endure it all? Sasha was a failsafe that I felt better for having around.

“Alright, the stew is done, there is bread in the wagon and I’ve done what I wanted to do. You two eat, I would like to set up the tent and then I’ll have my portion. Chef eats last, at least in my house they do.”

Sasha jumped off of my shoulder and flew to Irma’s and they both went to eat while I set up the tent. I lost my appetite a little going all doom and gloom. The grip around my heart of all the possibilities of not seeing my wife again or going back and having to deal with the fact that she will move on…it was heavy and tight. I’ll be okay…I have to be, I have no other choice and I know its sort of a mantra at times.

Setting up the tent was quick and easy…for me. Reminds me of my days camping when I was younger. I made sure everyone had their own little space, the supplies were guarded, the horse would be nearby. Though honestly, I didn’t even have to tie him up, he just sticks around and I’m not mad about it. I have a horse and a good bird and a friend. I cold be worse off that is for sure.

“So Ogre…”

Irma asked as I sat down with my own bowl of stew. I took a bite before looking up to her, damn I’m a good cook.

“…tell me. What do you plan to do when everything starts to go down? You seem nice, like REALLY nice. In your world you were mundane. No real combat training, you’ve never had to kill anyone. Sure you have power now but…can you do this?”

Holy shit that snapped me back to the world. She was right, she hit the nail on the head. It took only a moment for my thoughts to order. Well as much in order as my thoughts ever get.

“Well, all I have to go on it what I think and my morales. I am not a good person. You look at me as such, and I will treat you as such. You Sasha and our noble steed…people I bring in close to me. None of you will know the depths of the darkness in my heart. I think, and this is theory, that when I need to kill, I’ll be okay. My enemy isn’t seen as something with a soul, just an obstacle. They are cows to the slaughter if you will. I will never view an entire race as such, but individuals. I think I can do it just fine.”

I didn’t need to think much on that response. I think fast, very fast. Irma actually looked satisfied with that response and I watched Sasha pick apart a hunk of meat and some potatoes. I liked watching them eat, I liked watching anyone eat, it did the grandmother in my soul proud.

“Alright, I accept that. I really hope you can. Sometimes violence will be needed and a reputation won’t save you.”

Irma said dipping some bread into the stew and taking a bite. It was a time to get closer with everyone.

“So Irma…”

I started because why not, I’m always getting asked questions so it was a time for me to ask a question.

“So if you had to choose one for the rest of your life…would you rather shit out of your ears and listen with your butt. Or eat with your eyes and look out of your shoulders?”

That stopped both of them dead and I swear even the horse was looking at me sideways. I had to laugh and then I grinned, that was enough to bring my spirits up just a bit. The night continued with much of the same silliness. Helped me stay focused on the good and not the bad. The bad would be coming soon I’m sure of it, I mean that could be the anxiety talking too. I didn’t take any of the abilities that predicted the future. I’m told I am chaos and even the fates can’t plan for me. At least that is what my wife thinks.

Chapter Text

Two days passed and it was actually really nice. We all just shared stories and lore. Well, they told stories about their past, aka their lore, and I listened. I would tell stories too…they weren’t happy because they were about my troubled childhood, but it let them understand me better and that was the important part. I guess you could say I was telling them the lore of Ogre.
Sasha just told stories of realms that were cool. An entire planet where all the plants were connected and self-aware. Another that just made sweets out of nothing…just so many weird things that exist just because ‘magic’. They were very interesting to hear.

Irma has had a hell of a life, and just listening to the oppression and the HELL that she has been through, yeah I’ll burn the humans to the ground. Yes its it racist. Sure, I’ll spare individuals like Bear…but like as a whole the country needs to fall. The anger is tempered though, lessened by the fact that we were in the woods.

I felt at home here, more than in the cities. I just love the trees, and the ancient majesty that seems to seep into your bones. I love the way the sound is dampened, and the smell of the plants. It was easy to just take a breath and relax, I almost forgot I wasn’t at home. I felt at peace…just listening to my traveling companions talk and the horse breath and the wheels on the wagon spin.

Then there was a shift in the wind, a rustle in the bushes…and something giant and pig like jumped out the road. It was grunting and pawing at the ground like monsters do in anime right before they charge. It looked kind of cool to be honest. Oh great, my first monster encounter! That is sarcasm.

“Holy shit, a dark boar!”

Irma said with no small amount of surprise in her voice. I used my skill identify and saw how strong it was and that thing was a tank. Irma’s stats were just below it in all areas save for dexterity and magic, and I knew she was pretty damn strong. I don’t know if Sasha could fight it…but I think this is my time to step up right? I needed to try this fighting thing. A monster isn’t going to be intimidated. Still there was anxiety…so much anxiety. I’m good though, see the grin. Yeah, I’m good.

“Well, I have to get my feet wet sometime, right? Let me fight it. I need to test myself. Stay back, even if it does take me out, it will be hurt enough for you to kill it when I’m done. Worst comes to worse, have a nice life, Irma.”

I just chuckled as I jumped down from the carriage. I had spells out the wazzo that I haven’t been practicing with…a little bit. Some shadow magic cause I think it was cool…I can use some really sharp threads to cut things and create portals to travel short distances. I knew some ice spells, mainly been using them to make drinks cold. Some fire spells…utility of course. My element of choice was dark though…cause…I don’t even know why because Thought they sounded cool. Well it was time to test some of the more basic ones out.

“Sasha this isn’t like an ancient forest spirit, right? I can kill it? I’m not here to piss off anyone I don’t have to.”

Sasha flew to my shoulder to get a better view. Then he shook his head as he returned.

“No, this one is not a legendary beast. Run of the mill cannon fodder for the species. Good eating, but a tough fight. I’ll give fifty percent chance you don’t die and ten percent of actual victory.”

Oh I could feel the love… but I also couldn’t argue with the analysis. It was charging at me before I could think of a solid plan, but that was fine. I thought better on my feet anyway. So why not…lets brute force this thing. I turn to face it and hit it straight on, grabbing it by the tusk and just throwing it almost like a body slam. The impact was strong, and my body tensed but I was able to take it…good, this was wonderful. I could tank it.

I threw it farther than I thought too so when it hit the ground, I was already running towards it as its legs flailed trying to right itself. I could run…I COULD RUN! Shit I don’t know why I hadn’t tried this before. She must have gotten rid of my asthma. I just assumed I couldn’t…and yet I assumed I could fight a boar that stood eight feet at the shoulder. My brain…is weird.

I moved much faster than I have ever moved in my old life and was on that boar in moments keeping it on its back with a kick as I pulled my great ax off my back. It took a single strike to separate its head from its body. Blood…holy shit there was a lot of blood. That isn’t something I was expecting, though I don’t know why I wasn’t. I knew about farm to table and butchering your own meat, I suppose it’s different when you are hunting it yourself for the first time. I wasn’t bothered by it, just surprised.

“FUCK! Wow you made that look easy. That thing would have ripped apart three of me! Oh, they taste so good too.”

I just grinned, half covered in blood as I pulled on my cooking skill to start to dismember the beast and put it into a magical bag for later use, I mean I watched a lot of videos on how to do it on youtube…and Irma helped me too so I saved the meat and the hide. I wanted to keep the skull too. Brains could be used for making leather, but I mean it was a giant boar skull so that had to be cool right? I didn’t even have land to keep this cool stuff. My daughter would love this skull, my wife too. Maybe I’ll save it for them…HELL…wait…WAIT?!

“I COULD BRING THEM!? HA! And here I have power! They’d live comfortably. No need to work or anything….shit no. That wouldn’t work. I don’t know how much time has passed. What if my daughter finds a girlfriend she loves, or my wife remarries and loves that guy. Shit I couldn’t do that could I? Wait, if I could check on them first. If there are portals, then I could scry. YES! YES! Okay there is hope. Work on a sky spell.”

I was mumbling as I worked…too many thoughts at once. I wonder if I could trade the hide for anything? It is like REALLY strong stuff. I bet some great leather armor could be made? Or a blanket or rug? It’s a lot softer than I thought it would be.

“A scry spell would be useful. Then you could see how they are doing when you want to cast the spell. If you don’t want to be an asshole. I mean you do care for your family don’t you?”

Sasha asked as he nibbled on some raw meat that I gave him. His body was perfect for processing that, he was just so cool to look at.

“Yes, she was…is…my wife, we…are...were in love. My daughter, I might not bring her if she is happy with a partner...that is if this takes years. Still, I think it could work. The issue is I have to build the magic from the ground up. Which means I need to capture one of the mages in the capital that can cast the summoning ritual instead of just killing everyone and burning the books. It wasn’t a skill I could take. Crap…am I being selfish? Should I not? I don’t know if I want to go back though. I like this world already. Once the war is over it will be a wonderful place to live. Shit, am I over thinking?”

Irma got a thoughtful look on her face for a moment as we loaded the magic bags into the cart. Then she nodded and patted my shoulder.

“I think a little, but if you are going to do everything you said you are going to do then you deserve to be a little selfish. I hope you get to bring them here someday. Or go home, which ever one.”

Sasha cawed at that.

“I agree, you were taken from your family, and you just want them back. The fact that you think you are selfish means you’ll be in control. So I don’t see a problem. Plus…all the violence will be done before they get here, you’ll already be a monster. That reputation will keep them safe. Trust me on that.”

That made me feel better, and I know that at least Sasha can put me in my place physically if I get out of line. After the boar we were able to travel for a few more hours before Sasha pointed to another even less used path saying that it is a good idea to go there. So we went and after a little bit we were greeted with a weird sight. They were an elf, tanned skin jet black hair and very long pointed ears…wounded trying to run along the road.

“That is a wood elf, stop! She is hurt. Stop the wagon.”

Irma was pretty much out of the wagon before I even had the chance to convey for the horse to stop. She was very quick to help…how odd. Maybe the only race that keeps the demons down are the humans? That is good. No matter what, I wasn’t going to leave someone wounded on the side of the road, even if it was a human. So she didn’t have to yell at me, but damn was she fast.

“Sasha, watch her back if you would be so kind.”

With a nod from Sasha they took off to sit on her shoulder as she started to help the elf, female presenting from what I could see. They were hurt and running, which either meant the danger wasn’t far behind them or chasing them down. So once the wagon was stopped, I got out and ran past all of them to make sure that whatever was chasing them, if anything…would have to chew on me before it would get to my friends.

“Demon bear! Ogre! WE NEED TO RUN! GO! GO! GO!”

Irma called after she had been casting for a few moments, she was already scooping up the elven woman and running back to the wagon. I was too busy watching the tree line waiting for whatever a demon bear is/was. That is when I saw it…damn thing was a good fifteen feet at the shoulder, course black hair with ichor dripping from its fangs and glowing red eyes. This thing was terrifying…my heart was hammering in my chest. I remember my world, the world where a bear wouldn’t think twice about murdering me just for shits and giggles but still was close to my size. I wanted to run, fast and hard away from here.

Still…this voice in my head whispered power…tank…protect…fight. It was a voice that was gaining volume. I call it my dad voice. Even over the hammering of my heart I could hear it. I was grinning like an sadistic idiot now as I approached it while everyone ran past me to the wagon. Why? To hide the sheer terror I felt. I needed to be more badass than this. I knew the battles would only get harder. I needed to push forward to protect at least Irma, I don’t think Sasha needs me…but I like his company no matter.

“Fuck it, I got this. Stay back and get ready to run if it eats me. Sasha, can you do a shield thingy or something over Irma and the elf? I would be happy if you did.”

I let out a breath and then decided to use one of my abilities, taunt. I want it focused on me and no one else. The hand axes were pulsed from my blet and held in my hand as the lumbering beast approached, dead hungry eyes fixated on me with no thought or emotion…just hunger. I could feel a surge of magic behind me as Sasha cast a spell…good, I could let loose.

“Hey! You…yeah you! YOU MOMMA WAS A SNOWBLOWER! HA! Gods you look like you’d make a shitty rug. Still…I could use a shitty rug to wipe my feet on after a long day of walking through the forest! TAUNT!”

That helped me calm down a bit, god awful insults make me feel more like myself. Fuck, what to do? OH YES! I pulled an axe from my side and threw it. I through it hard and fast. That is what I had right now, try not to use magic at first. Don’t use it as a crutch. The blade bit into the bear’s shoulder, lodging in and causing a pretty deep gash to form. Good, that was good. Now with me wounding it and taunt affecting it, I’ll be the only concern for it. More taunt!

“I WAS HAVING A NICE DAY! I’m not going to recover from this till tomorrow. The anxiety is insane you asshat. Fucking bear…HAD TO BE A BEAR! SHITTY ASS PRE-RUG…come and GET ME! TAUNT!”

I didn’t use any spells on the boar…and this thing was hurt and pissed. Its strength stats were going up with each passing moment. Watching the numbers tick up each second caused me to want to panic even more. This thing…fuck I hated it. The face was angry and hungry…thoughtless. RUN YOU FOOL!...nope. Gotta be an idiot. Gotta fight the bear.

“I hate this…I hate this. I’m SO SO…wait…WAIT. BEAR JERKY! HA! Food, I’m GOING TO EAT YOU! YES! You better not be filled with WORMS! OH, some salt and pepper and the SUN! YOU ARE GOING TO BE A SNACK! TAUNT!”

Okay time to use some of this shadow magic stuff. My screen popped up as I kept an eye on the bear as it recovered and threw another axe to keep it off balance and at a distance, I wanted to slow it down and the axe bit into the opposite leg so it would limp now, or I thought it would anyway. FUCK It was ignoring the pain. I pissed it off good and plenty. Time for some magic now. Okay Shadow thread…this is your time to shine.

“I summon the secrets hidden from sunlight. Ribbons of the hidden spaces between worlds. Cut my foes, send them into the next life. Dance with violence intent…. SHADOW THREADS!”

It was almost elegant how I moved my hand and caused a rooster tail of blood to erupt from the bear’s entire back as the threads emerged from between my fingers. My hands moving like I was conducting an invisible symphony of suffering and pain as I simply started to tear into the beast one huge chunk at a time. It was screaming at me at this point and it closed the distance faster than I would have wanted. Before I could do much else a massive claw took a swipe at me, the way I was attacking made mobility limited…and I’ll have to remember that for the future.

…I’ve never been hit this hard before. In all my life I was never lifted off my feet and thrown back. There isn’t much you can do other than watch the thing that hit you get further away. I’ve even been hit by a car when I was riding my bike, and it didn’t feel like this. I’m calmer than I thought I would be. I hurt, but I always hurt…well since before coming to this world. I hit the ground hard and rolled a bit. I tried to stay tight and together. Then something in me started to act, I don’t know if it was the skill points or something but I was able to get on my feet very quickly. I bet in no small part it was thanks to the armor I was wearing. I’m not mad about that. The bear was bleeding from hundreds of small wounds all over its body. The spell wasn’t that powerful yet…but now I have incentive to play with it some more. I was just hoping that I could wiggle my fingers and kill people…that will come later I’m sure.

“HEY…Fuck…ass…Okay that wasn’t good. BUT LOOK OVER HERE ANYWAY. DAMN RIGHT YOU ARE GONNA BE A RUGH….and and…I’m GONNA GO FIND GOBLINS…they gonna FUCK ON YOU ALL DAY! SWEET SWEET GOBLIN LOVE! YOU ARE GONNA BE STICKY WITH IT! TAUNT!”

I shouldn’t be laughing. This was a serious situation, yet here I am…grinning and chuckling. If I can’t keep its attention on me, Irma might have some issues with the elf and Sasha might have to step in. Hell, I don’t even know how powerful that bird is. I want to see this through though. I have to finish him off. His strength was still going up despite the life points going down. I needed to hit it hard with something not so elegant. Then there was a spell I’ve only been using a little bit…time to pump some mana into it and see what happens. The pool I have is HUGE, looking at my numbers I haven’t even touched a tenth of what I could do…so that was good.
“The cold in my heart manifest…freeze the air and let this creature know the pain of loss. STEAL FROM IT THE HEAT OF LIFE! ICE SHARD!”

The spell was wonderful, from not just my hand but an aura around me hundreds of dagger like shards of ice appeared around me and then fired into the bear. The thing howled again…and tried to run forward….it was snarling and growling as I watched the life points tick from ten to one as it fell over. No sign of defeat on his face, just rage…empty hollow rage.

Still I didn’t wait…no slow approach to see if it was still alive I ran over as fast as I could and removed its head from its body. I fucking hate those kind of jump scares in movies. Breathing hard and covered in its blood I just fell backward, my mind sort of shorting out after the calm could take over. The sky was pretty, and the clouds were nice.

“I’m NOT dead…but I don’t wanna move for a couple of years, okay? Camp here? Please…pretty please with sugar on top?”

I said loudly with a chuckle so they wouldn’t worry about it, The elf was the priority anyway. I’ll be okay, I just was covered in gross foul blood and tired. Soon Sasha was sitting on my chest looking down at my face.

“You are an idiot. A skilled, tough…very powerful idiot. Next time ask for more help…you moron. IF YOU DIE I GO BACK HOME. I’m having fun. NO one, NO ONE, has beat a demon bear like that. Groups of adventures have to plan to kill a thing like that FOR A WEEK! You brute forced your way to a solution. Just…just try not to be so stupid. You got lucky. Next time that thing might be smarter than you, you ape!”

I couldn’t help but laugh at Sasha’s words, not because he was wrong…but because he was so right. I needed to be more careful. If I die, there is no summoning my wife back. There is no victory march for the demons through the capital. Thousands of creatures will remain enslaved. I couldn’t be passive, but I certainly needed to plan better. I can’t die, not yet…but there is one issue. I’m stupid. So that is a huge thing that is working against me.

“Sasha I would love to say I won’t do it again. As you said though, I am a moron. For in my pea sized brain that wood elf that I have never met before and don’t even know the name of…Irma and you are all worth more than my mangy hide. I am the tank, I take the damage, I fight the monsters and I protect my friends. Plain and simple. Just hope I get stronger, so fights won’t be so hard.”

I heard a frustrated grunt from Sasha and then he just shook his head. I’m sure if he had a mouth, he’d be giving me some sort of pity smile. Then I heard two footsteps approaching. Must be Irma and the elf.

“Her name is Ella. Her village isn’t close, but it isn’t too far either. She was gathering herbs to deal with a rampant sickness in her village when the bear attacked. She ran this way to lead it away from the village so they would have more time to prepare. You saved her Ogre.”

Irma’s voice was gentle, I could hear the smile in it. She must have heard what I just said to Sasha. I wasn’t lying at all. With a groan I sat up and looked to the wood elf. They had tanned skin and dark near black eyes, pointed ears, at least this one did. I held out my hand after I struggled to sit up.

“It’s a pleasure Ella I’m glad I could help you out. With the bear.”

Ella looked terrified of me. I can’t blame her, I just fought something I am sure it would take an entire regiment to fight. I did it alone too. Made me more of a monster than the bear. I’m surprised he isn’t running for the hills now. If demons hate the hero I wonder if all the other races do too.

“Well…”

Irma started and that is when the Wood elf sort of spoke up. She took a breath to steady her nerves and then as I fully stood up she got down on her knees.

“Sire, Lady Irma has so graciously offered your services to my village. So please…please I beg of you. Help my village and my people.”

I sighed and looked to Irma, I mean really it was on her. I didn’t think we’d be doing side quests here. I wanted to get her to her people as fast as I could so I could start the rebellion from the outside. Looks like the other races still live in this human country but they are very much out of sight out of mind.

“Are you that desperate you’d seek the help of a human?”

Ella looked to me with desperation in her eyes. I mean the answer was yes from the outset of this interaction. I just don’t want them to feel like they are dirty being indebted to a human. I have a good idea of what they’ve done to these people.

“Please I’ll let you take me as a slave, just please help my people.”

That is when I got that pleading look from Irma. There was no worries here, I didn’t want a slave, not in the least. The very idea pisses me off.

“I don’t want a slave, Ella. I’ll help you and your village. Just give a place to rest afterward and we are good. Call me Ogre by the way. I’m the summoned hero…just don’t call me that. No sir, or anything else other than ogre or you fat bastard…but only after we’re friends.”

I was doing my best to lighten the mood, I just wasn’t doing the best job. I shook her hand, she was TREMBLING. I had gotten so comfortable with Irma and Sasha I’d almost forgotten that the rest of the world was terrified of me. I’m a human with a terrible amount of power, that is the worst nightmare for so many. Might as well try to improve my reputation. Ella got in the wagon with Irma and Sasha got on my shoulder after flying high to do some scouting. I took some time though and started to part out that demon bear. I’m sure the claws and fangs and the heart will do something? The hide was ruined, there wasn’t much I could do with it…I am FUCKING making that rug though. I wasn’t sure what to do with the rest of the corpse. I didn’t just leave it either, I figured that much power…even dead shouldn’t be left to rot. Instinct just screamed ‘You want undead, this is how you get undead!’.

“Burn this body to ash with flame, cleanse this spot so that no soul remains. Give it peace and let it pass. Turn this body into the grass. Incinerate!”

The flames that came out of my hand were almost soft…if that is the right way to say that. They floated gently and gave the body the respect it deserved. They seemed like they were tamed and making sure everything was done well. It was interesting…and I might have gotten caught up watching the body burn for a bit.

“HEY, OGRE come on. WE have to get moving! Sooner the better…hurry the fuck up!”

That was Irma and she snapped me back to reality. I just smiled and turned to come back. Ella then lead us to the village…and honestly this…I don’t know what I was expecting, but this wasn’t it. I had a lot of work ahead of me. I hope Irma won’t get mad with a week or so delay. Not that I had any idea of what we were walking into at all.

Chapter Text

I just stood there at the entrance to the village. The trees were sick and dying, there was a thick almost smoke hanging in the air. Some of the wood elves looked…okayish but it was probably because they were younger. They even had dark spots all over their skin. Irma was just staring wide eyed, it was a lot to take in that is for sure.

“This is miasma. A very toxic substance. If they were human, everyone here would be dead right now. Woods elves have a close tie to the land and it allows them to fight off sickness for a bit…but this, they’ll all be dead in a week. They’ll blame the demons for this I’m sure…but this isn’t demonic in origin. That I know for certain.”

Sasha was the one speaking as we were just walking around. What a quick assertation. He is very old though and has probably seen a lot. I don’t feel like questioning it. I trust Sasha implicitly, so there are no worries in that department. I trust Irma too to be honest. It might be my downfall, but I trust people until I don’t. I really don’t want to have the doom and gloom mentality of everyone is going to stab you in the back. I did, and it’s stressful.

“Alright, no reason not to trust you. Do we know where the source is?”

Sasha shook his head and I nodded. I knew one thing though; it would be a bandage until we found the source. I looked up and I could see the fear in everyone’s faces that I was here and just looking around. Damn me and not paying attention.

“Ella who is in charge here?”

The wood elf walked past me and pointed to a building that was centrally located. No one in the village was doing well. Ella looked the best but that was due to my magic. It looked like the younger looking ones were talking care of the village, doing the best they could. Everyone looked old and/or sick. They were surprised to see Ella in the condition that she was in and hurried her into the building.

Why didn’t they leave? That question burned in my mind. If this is happening and they aren’t leaving…it means they can’t. The sickness aside, it probably meant they have nowhere else to go. What did the people of this country do to the elves? I was snapped back to this world by Ella leading out a rather older looking woman, by human standards she looked in her 90s by far the oldest looking elf here.

“I am the village elder. Why are you here? We don’t need your help, go away.”

I got down on one knee, so I was smaller than everyone else to show my respect. Then I looked up at her. I mean this is what they do in the shows right? I don’t know customs and what not, but I need to appear respectful. For all I know I’m just being an ass, but this is the best shot I have so might as well go with it.

“Ella risked life and limb to seek help. She even outran a demon bear, while wounded, to bring us here to you. My name is Ogre, and I am the summoned hero…”

I hated saying that part because I knew the fear it would bring. Everyone was already giving me looks, some even looked fearful at the price I might ask. My stomach sank for a moment but I had to keep pressing on. It would become easier over time.

“…and I am here to help your village. If you would allow me, for the time being there is a spell I would like to cast that would help in the short term. That is until we find out what is really going on. The spell is called purge.”

The elder looked to Ella and then narrowed her eyes at Irma.

“Why should I? You travel with a demon. They are a plague to this world, should be wiped out. It’s their miasma that is making us sick, killing us. How do I know you won’t just kill us all?”

I had two options here, and Irma was already looking uneasy. I sighed and looked up. I don’t know if I needed to be the nice guy here, to handle this with kid gloves…or if I wanted to be tough. Old people…they don’t make me happy. There were only a few I liked back in the other world…and the rest, well they were entitled and destructive. Obviously, I couldn’t hold elves to human standards. Culturally we had to be miles apart. I just assume humans were garbage and everyone else was better…still.

“Well even if I am going to kill all of you, no one is in a position to stop me right? Though I would have just started doing that and not bothered to come talk to you. No, I want to help, I promise. I won’t cast the spell without permission and if you want me to leave, I cannot force you to accept aid. Also, before you ask, I don’t want payment. Save…maybe dinner. I like food and I want to learn some wood elf recipes. So that is all I ask. Knowledge, not wealth or power.”

Ella was worriedly looking between me and the village head. I just needed to be blunt. I can do what I want when I want…and the fact that I’m asking means I want to help. I’m also rambling a bit too, I can’t always help it but I’m doing my best. The elder sighed and then nodded.

“If you can actually help us, human…no Hero, I’ll give you my prized stew recipe. No one else in the village knows it but me. My name is Marion. You can call me what you want.”

That got my attention. I love one of a kind recipes and I was excited. With a bright smile I stood up fully and since I was already in the center of the village I started to chant so I can cast purge. The spell said it would remove impurities in land an people. To me it looked like an advanced cure poison spell that could be cast over an area, so that is why I picked it. I picked a few spells like it just in case, I had a LOT of points.

“I summon the wind and the rain, the sun and the soil…purge yourself of toxin and sickness. Let us fill our lungs without pain, let our plants reach up to the heavens and let our lips taste the untainted water. PURGE THIS PLACE OF SICKNESS SO THAT WE MAY HEAL! PURGE!”

That was pretty good if I do say so myself. I think the arcane agreed with me as my entire body started to glow green with little blue sprites swirling around…then there were white and copper as well as all the elements I called were represented and from where I was standing the energy surged forward in all directions, purging the miasma from ground, water and air. Everyone looked to feel better instantly as the energy washed over them. Even the elder stood up straighter…and oddly enough seemed to reverse aging almost forty years in human appearance. I wonder if the elves are tied that closely to the land. I mean I have a lot of other questions too, but like…those can wait.

“Breath life, bring health…may the touch of light, of earth of the Great mother help them recover. AREA HEAL!”

Again there was an aura that spread from me, it was just in case that the purge didn’t heal…this would help everyone who might have been on death’s door recover.

“I don’t think once recipe is enough.”

Marion would say as everyone seemed to just gasp at this show of power. I was surprised myself, but I knew this was only temporary. We needed to find the source. Once that was found, I’d kill it…purge it. Whatever I needed to do to remove the taint. I was sort of focused on it…one track mind until I was done so to speak.

“Well, we will see when all is said and done what you want to do. That was one hell of a curse someone put on the land. Also, you owe my companion an apology. You live in a human country, and I know that isn’t easy for you. It’s easy to hate what you don’t understand. I’m tired of blind bigotry.”

What she said about Irma has been irking me since she said it…I don’t like this. So I have power…might as well use my favor to get the ball rolling on cooperation. Sure I’m strong arming it, but fuck it. I don’t want to wait decades for something that could start now. The elder did hold a bit of shame in her face, so why not pile it on.

“As a matter of fact, that ‘demon’ is the one who spotted your subject and was out of the wagon running to help her before even assessing the danger. Oh…and just so you know.”

From my magic bag I pulled out the demon bear’s heart and placed it on the ground in front of the village elder. There were a lot of gasps…it was still…juicy. Perhaps that was a little much, but I wanted to drive my point home.

“I was not joking; I killed a demon bear alone to save Ella and my party. Ella is your savior. I would have ridden past this place without so much as a second thought without her running away so your village would be safe. So please, Irma deserves more kindness than what the humans had led you to believe.”

I was blowing my cover, but still I was playing the part of the asshole too. This was an odd balance, but I was doing my best to maintain it. They weren’t humans and they didn’t seem to like humans. So I didn’t have to be too big of a prick. Still I was watching to see the Elder’s reaction. Though now she looked damn close to my age.

Marion walked right by me and straight to Irma where she bowed her head deeply, taking the demon’s hand in hers and pressing her forehead to it.

“I am sorry for what I said, there is no excuse for my actions, and I do hope you can forgive me. The hero is right, we are treated poorly. Its… easy to hate what and who you don’t know. You deserve better. Hell, WE deserve better. I will be better.”

Save there was an excuse, the miasma. That affected her body, it can only be assumed it would affect her mind to. SHIT, I was an asshole. No turning back now. Fuck…I am stupid though. I should have thought of that before and not after the fact. I’ll have to do some extra work to make up for it. Oh, I have the boar…I’m getting ahead of myself.

“Sasha, would you fly up again and try to follow the mana of the miasma to a source. If you would be so kind that is.”

Sasha almost clicked his beak at me like he was just about to suggest that, and then took to the skies to look around. It was the best shot we had. I wonder if it’s like an ancient artifact or something. A spell would be too easy…at least I would think. Had to be something stronger yet easy to turn off. If I wanted to trick a village into doing my bidding that is. Make them accept how shitty they are treated all the time. This village…it could be so much more. I don’t even know why the village is here.

“Found it! That way! Keep up you non-flying biped.”

I look up to Sasha and turn the direction he was flying. This was going to be ‘fun’…I mean I doubt it, but I need to be optimistic.

“Marion you and your people stay here okay? I don’t want any of you to get hurt if it really is some sort of monster. I’m a hammer when you need a needle, ya know? Sort of smash everything around me. I don’t want to worry about anyone else and I’ll feel guilty.”

That got an odd look from her and then a smile and she nodded. Ella smiled as well but Irma looked very unsure.

“Please take care of Irma, talk…share stories. You’ll find you have far more in common than you don’t, I’m sure.”

Irma looked up to me and managed to force a smile. She has a different personality; one I like of course. She swears and is curt and really all the qualities I like in a friend. I hope they like her as much as I do, and if they don’t…well their loss.

“Let’s fuck this curse up.”

I said as I turned and took off in the direction of my familiar. I have to stay the stat boosts are nice. I know I’m strong, but the nimble part is really nice. Not only could I run without my asthma triggering, I was fast and like I was when I was a teenager nimble. I was vaulting over logs and launching off of tree trunks like I did when I was in the forest as a lad. Now only if my muscles didn’t hurt like a mother fucker. CAUSE FUCK!!! That bear fucked me UP! Still though, I was faster…I was able to run and the more I ran the more used to everything I felt. Now I was going off to potentially fight something bigger than the bear. FUCK ME! Is this how its going to be, constant battle and pain. I mean it will be worth it in the end…but still…Imma be a bitch about it for a while.

“Found it Ogre.”

I was pulled from my thoughts when Sasha spoke. In front of me was a cave just reeking of the miasma that tainted the village and much of the forest. It was thick like ink in the water, never fully mixing, rotted vegetation and fish lined the shore. Oh it smelled awful. I hate bad smelling places…still it wasn’t as bad as my childhood home…but that is a trauma I’m just…yeah lock it away. Don’t want to deal with that bullshit now.

I felt something off about the cave more so than anything else. Like an animosity…a beast that was nothing but hate inside. It made the air even thicker than it already was. Good thing no one came here, it I wasn’t the hero I’d be ten times more sick than those in the village. Well if I hadn’t taken all the fortitude and anti=poison skills that is. I am what I am… a tank.

“Whatever is causing this sickness is in there. I don’t like it, I don’t like it and really and truly…I DO NOT LIKE IT!”

There was a fear gripping me. Again, its fighting, I’m not used to it. Too many plans were running through my head. Was it a spell caster, was it just some toxic monster. Was it an artifact that will just kill me if I get to close. What if there was a puzzle…FUCK I suck at puzzles. When I’m role playing I just break them or I have someone else in the party fix them. I am the party dumb dumb, and that is fine with me.

“Sasha you’re smart right? You can figure out puzzles?”

I asked as we started to enter the cave. I wasn’t being as cautious. I should be cautious…I could die. Still I’m just walking into this fucking hell mouth and possibly to my doom. I should be more scared, if it’s a bear I’ll be scared…but I can’t run away.

“Oh, I’ve been known to make a few puzzles and even solve a few. They call me quite the puzzle genius. Why do you ask? You too stupid, You ape? I’ll help you out if needed. I won’t let you forget it either.”

Sasha asked tooting their own horn. I just chuckled a bit as we kept walking, the tunnel was getting smaller and smaller. I was hunched over now, more and more I was thinking about the instant kill artifact.

“Thank you, Sasha.”

At this point Sasha was just hopping along the ground as I pushed myself deeper into the tunnel where the spring was pouring out. It looked like someone too oil and added weight to it, that is how the miasma swirled in the spring water, and then when it hit the air it would release in a bit of gas. No wonder it gathered around the village like it did.

“There is something big in there I’m sure of it. So if there is a puzzle, you fight whatever bastard creature is in there. That is light work. You’ll be okay you brute.”

That was fair enough. Don’t fight if you don’t want to, and especially if you don’t have to. That was my job as the tank. I draw the attention; I fight so that the others around me don’t have to. I’ve been like that my whole life, I don’t physically fight but I’ve always made myself a target so others don’t have to suffer. Its stupid, but it’s a lot in life I accepted.

“The tunnel opens ahead…I don’t like the feeling I’m getting. Be careful okay.”

No insult? Sasha must be serious. That isn’t a good feeling. The cave was getting narrower by the moment. So, if it gets wider…well if it was a monster how did it get there? It was a good place to hide something though.

“I don’t like the feeling I’m getting either, means we are certainly going in the right direction.”

I chuckled a bit and rushed in and what I saw…just it was a lot. The thing was humanoid. At least ten feet tall, though it was hard to tell because it was hunched over the spring. That thick ichor that I saw in the water was coming out of one of more than a dozen mouths in what I would assume was the creature’s head. IT was just standing there letting the sickness seep into the water and the ground continuing vomiting that thick goo. Everything about it gave me the ick.

“That…is fucking gross.”

I said with a growl, Sasha was on my shoulder in an instant and then behind me. That is exactly where they should be. The thing stopped barfing for a moment to ‘look’ at me…the mouths all starting to speak, or growl…or hiss all at once. This is something I’d LOVE to throw in a game…freak everyone out, staring at it just makes my stomach churn. I couldn’t wait to destroy it.

“Sasha make sure the blow back doesn’t go out the cave entrance. I won’t have it running away. This bastard is mine and mine alone.”

I could feel their power erecting a shield behind me right after I was done talking. That was great. The last thing I need is that crap being spread across the whole forest cause I’m stupid. This cavern was huge so there was room to fight I just had to be careful. I’m not going to use fire because I don’t know if that shit is combustible. So Ice…wind…got it. I only took a few of both really. Basic attack stuff. I mean I could just…

That is when it hit me…and hit me so hard I went into the wall. That hurt, all over it hurt. I was a little stuck too…I’m a few feet into the wall of the cavern and with effort I’m able to pull myself out. Those points in strength are no joke.

“HEY FUCK YOU BUDDY! I’m gonna pull you apart with my hands…THEN I’m GONNA SQUISH YA THROUGH MY FINGERS!”

I charged forward and deflect a few strikes from the monster’s…four…FOUR arms. I should have counted…fuck. FUCK. I was able to block a few more strikes before just hammering this thing in the chest. My punches were doing nothing. It had no bones. Yet when it hit me…it felt like a hammer. Good thing I was already used to pain, I mean I hate it but I can function.

“Fuck you…fuck whatever summoned you! NO, I’m NOT gonna fuck them. They don’t deserve it. I’m a tender and…SKILLED…lover. THEY DESERVE AN INCEL WHO JUST LIES THERE AND DOES NOTHING!”

I grunted as I pressed forward to keep punching it. Though one of its arms hammered into my side knocking me away. SO much pain…gods this armor is good. I bet without it I’d have a lot more broken bones. I wish this thing had bones to break. Or it screamed…or crunched when I hit it…or SCREAMED!

I rolled away and had to draw one of the hand axes at my side. Already with just two hits my body was screaming at me, this isn’t how it goes in the TV shows that is for fucking sure. They take hit after hit after hit and can still be happy. Still want to get up, all I can say is… fucking ouch. From the damage before I was not doing well…but one good thing about me is I can push aside the pain.

I was able to get out of the way of another swing, out of breath I ready and head right back in with weapon not aiming at the main mass but the arms… I want this bastard to look like a potato when I’m done. I made contact with a wrist and one thing was certain, this thing didn’t bleed.. It was nearly solid…like a dense clay… creepy ass sculpture. That being said I could still cut it apart. So that was my job, I would dodge and try to cut it into lumps and honestly, I was doing pretty good…until I got cocky.

Then I stopped paying attention to where the lumps of clay were falling. I had it armless and down to one leg before it fell backward and onto its own body mass, and suddenly legs and arms were growing back, and I found myself slammed through the small tunnel. And into the shield that Sasha was standing behind. Thank goodness…it held up.

“You okay? At this rate you are going to die you dum dum ape. Here…this is the LEAST I can do. So…ya know you don’t lose.”

I was covered in a green aura shortly after and my body felt lighter and in a lot less pain. Must be some light heal spell. I’m thankful for it, that is for sure. Sasha is getting the dinner of his choice later, I’m gonna take my time cooking it.

… I didn’t want to do this. I need to do something else, something more. What do I have that destroys matter…OH OH…HA YES! Disintegration! I took it because…well you have to if its an option. Just like fireball. No self-respecting nerd would leave that out. I mean…I want to use fireball, but I don’t want to test to see if my spells hurt me yet…or if I can dig myself out of a mountain.

“Rip apart…scream in pain. Nothing of you will remain. DISINTERGRATE!”

From my palm a ray that was purple wrapped in streaks of lighting shot forward. IT WAS SO COOL! When it hit the monster, it shrieked and part of it just turned to ash. Like a HUGE chunk was just gone and when its mass moved to ‘heal’ it left the monster smaller.

“HA! FUCK YOU! I GOT THIS! DISINTERGRATE! DISINTERGRATE!”

I cast the spell over and over again until there was one small chunk of the monster’s body left. In the matter I could see a small glittering gem and when I pulled it out the last of the matter just fell apart and turned to dust. That is when I sort of slumped forward…I was tired. It hit me a few more times during the process and even with the healing spell my body was SCREAMING to stop. I just groaned as I looked around.

“Time to go Sasha…I need to nap for like a year.”

I looked like hell. I had healed cuts all over my body, but that didn’t rid of the blood that stained my face…I was healed but I still hurt. Magic could only go so far? Or maybe I was just in so much pain that the small healing spells I was using weren’t enough. I was tired…I hurt…I hurt and I was tired. It would have been easy to just nap right there, but I couldn’t stop. I had to keep going forward. More work needed to be done.

“I have to say my barrier did its job. The tunnel didn’t collapse, and I didn’t get hurt at all. AND I saved your ass. You owe me. I expect a meat dish. Something yummy. OH and…something pretty to wear. I’m naked you know. I don’t want to me naked anymore.”’

I just shook my head and groaned as Sasha spoke. I moved to try and make my way to the mouth of the cave. I cast a simple healing spell on me so at least I could make the walk back to the village and cast another purge spell.

“I want to eat charred meat…and have a cold beer…and sleep SLEEP! I bet if I talk to the elder you can get something nice to wear, like a tabard or something. Yeah we’ll get you dressed.”

I said with a groan as I got on my knees for a moment. I slowed my breathing. It was time to cast the purge spell, I hope I don’t pass out. I never keep track of my mana. Having the status window up all the time is distracting so here goes it. If I do pass out, well at least I’ll get a nap.

“Let the earth breath, winds be purged of this hateful plague…earth be cleansed of this taint. Let the trees flourish, the birds fly and the fish swim. PURGE THIS MIASMA! Let it not foul this place again. PURGE!”

From me a green glow just shot out in all directions, melting away the miasma like it did before. Oh I was tired though. Fuck, maybe I still need to train despite having the ability scores to backup whatever my caveman brain comes up with. I have a little weapon training but nothing even close to anything official or organized. That will be something I need to fix.

SOO much work to do. FUUUCCKKK!

The walk back took about an hour I think…but I could see the forest was already starting to recover Already. There were some fresh new buds, and small mammals were scurrying around this way and that. I was moving slow as hell…no need to rush. I wasn’t dead and I had destroyed the threat. So dammit I could take my time right?
I came back to the village in the dead of night…I wasn’t expecting to be gone that long at all but for an instant I was met with spears before gasps. Marion rushed out of her hut and Irma was right at her side they both looked worried and Irma ran up and hugged me without asking…and this is the first time that ever happened…I’m a hugger though so I have no complaints. She usually just punches me in the arm.

“You giant fucking dumbass. What took you so long? WHY do you smell like shit?! WHERE WERE YOU!”

I paused to look at Irma’s face for a moment and I just had to start laughing and I gave her a squeeze. She wasn’t even embarrassed. I guess we were friends. I missed hugs for sure. I’m a hugger, and I’m told my dad hugs are AMAZING. Seems Irma thinks so which is good.

“Promise I’m okay…just in a lot…A LOT of pain.”

I groaned and then fished into my pocket to pull out the crystal that just said summoning focus. I bet it was because the spell was still at level one. I REALLY need to get on that. All in due time, I haven’t been here long…and I’m lazy. I got Marion’s attention and handed it to her.

“Do you know what this is? There was something nasty, it was the reason the forest was getting poisoned. A lot of mouths and no face. NO FACE! Made out of clay or something. I fought it for a long time. Strong as shit but dumb…thankfully. I found out something, I SUCK at fighting. I’m also dumb. But there is a saying back in my world, If you’re gonna be dumb at least be tough. SO, I got that down. Thing beat the HELL out of me. I got it in the end, disintegrate for the win!”

I grinned and then moved to the fire they were burning in the middle of the town and sat on a log with an old man groan that would make any Earth dad proud. Sasha was on my shoulder looking to the elder and she sat down on a log near me while Irma sat next to me.

“Oh and for the record…I hurt, also I purged the sickness from the land and your forest is recovering. Also I hurt.”

That caused some cheers from those who were up, and that made it worth it. I could almost see the weight just lifting off their shoulders. I was doing my job. I…couldn’t sleep or rest though, The anxiety was too high. If that wasn’t a confined space a little bit could have escaped and then it would just reform and come back, or maybe it could. I don’t know. I replayed the battle in my head and tried to go over what I could have done better. I didn’t prep myself AT ALL. I could have cast mage armor, have some traps set…something. I just walked in to fight it like a dumbass.

I was allowed a few moments of peace before Marion sat down on one side of me and Irma on the other. I can’t get mad at this. Neither of them were raising my red flags so I didn’t hate it.

“I know what this is, human magic. Summoning crystal. Humans are the only race that can use magic to summon beings from other worlds. That is why they have such a strangle hold on the power balance in this world. We are only here because they can’t tame the forest and letting the wood elves live here means there is always a stop and a place to rest in the deep woods. Once they figure out how to tame the ancient magic of the forest with something other than violence we might not be so useful.”

I knew it…I KNEW IT. BASTARDS!

“So the plan was to have this thing poison you, they come to save you and you are loyal for the next 100 years. Fuck wit clown bastards. OORRR they just let it kill you and then move in afterward using your story to rouse other elves to do what they want.”

I wasn’t witty right now, just in pain and angry. I could turn around right now and just kill everyone in the capital. I won’t even feel bad. I mean I couldn’t…I’m sure their more powerful fighters when they band together could kick my ass…so I can’t do it single handed. Gods do I want to though.

“You made sure that we are in your debt and not theirs. The hero never comes this way. I’ve been in the world for the last six summoning cycles and they always take the more traveled road. None of them are interested in the deeper magic of the woods. They aren’t interested in anything that isn’t slaves or the human world.”

Six hundred years, that is a long-lived race. So for that long they have continued this cycle of oppression, torture and release just to get loyalty. FUCK that pisses me off. Stupid nobles…stupid magic…stupid power. Man I wish I had my phone on me. I need some music so bad. Ear buds and a dark room, yes I’m 40 and yes I still do it. Don’t judge me.

“Well, I feel at home in the trees…always have, trees and mountains. That is where I live in my old world, a beautiful place. Just being in deep woods, well it makes me happy. So of course, I had to take the less traveled route. It was worth it too.”

I smiled back and just fell backward the short distance between the log and the ground letting my legs get propped up so I could see the sky and Marion and Irma sitting there just chuckled at me.

“I’m going to just rest here if that is okay. Oh, I’d like to pay for lodging for the night. I know you are going to argue…debt blah blah. I will not fuck with your business and lively hood. I’m going to use space and supplies and I can’t just take. So yeah…nuff said.”

I laughed a bit and the elder almost looked angry but Irma put a hand on her shoulder and smiled. She seemed to ease up after that. That simple gesture made me happier than I thought. They talked while I was gone, they built rapport…they are friendly…wonderful! Worth all the pain.

“Alright Hero, we’ll take your gold, but everything will be at cost. I refuse to make profit off the one who saved us. Also I’ll have a present for you in the morning. Stay for a few days at least…rest and relax. You deserve at least that much.”

That is fair. At least they wouldn’t be left without. Sasha was on my chest in a few moments turning so he could see the fire and resting as I still just stayed on my back. There wasn’t a party or anything, people went back to their homes. Night watch did their thing, Irma sat next to me though. I didn’t talk, I just looked up to their beautiful night sky trying to calm my mind.

Irma stayed by me too, she would just look at me on the floor and shake her head. I think she accepted me now. That was a good feeling. I like having friends. Helps me hurt so bad from missing my wife. I don’t remember when I passed out…but the sleep was deep and damn was it good.

Chapter Text

Let me tell you this…WOOD ELVES CAN PARTY! I don’t get drunk or anything but the next day was SO much food and song and just celebration that I was happy. It reminded me about the Renaissance fairs I used to be a part of every summer. Just good food, people dressing up and forgetting the real world for a moment or two. Irma had fun, she can dance and so can Marion. The songs…were beautiful and haunting in their depth…I can’ t really describe it. I felt light. In the best of ways. We used ALL The boar meat I had left, which was lovely because I didn’t have a way to keep it fresh for too long.

“You know Hero…Ogre…when you sing the song of war, Elven blades will raise.”

Marion would say as I started to load our wagon to get going. I wasn’t in a huge rush, but I really was. The sooner I got Irma to her people the sooner phase two can start. I want to raise an army and BURN THIS COUNTRY TO THE GROUND! Not actually of course, but…yeah. For all I can’t do back home, for all the people enslaved and oppressed…I will help them all. I will become a monster so they can be happy and free. I’m dead set on this. I need to become more heartless…well in the face of the oppressors anyway.

“Marion thank you. I will call upon you when the time arises. Thank you.”

Marion would smile at me and take my hand in hers. She didn’t let go, instead she dragged me to her hut and she sat me down. Sasha hopped in after and Irma peeked in as well. I saw a bowl of ink and something akin to a sick with a bunch of needles on the end. OH! OH!

“I’m GETTING A TATTOO!!!”

I beamed…and looked at Marion who smiled at me. I was so happy for this, my first tattoo.

“Do I need to take off my shirt? Where do you want to put it. Will I get more tattoos?! WAIT…if I do more cool things can I get more?! That would be soo cool…I mean…like…”

Marion put her finger to my lips and laughed shaking her head.

“Yes, we will put ink to skin. I was going to ask you if you wanted it but you already answered that question. Take off your shirt please. Your right shoulder is good?”

I nodded emphatically. I took off my shirt and smiled. Yeah, I had a dad bod, but I wasn’t ashamed of it. I was happy to get a tattoo. Marion touched my shoulder and whispered a prayer. I bowed my head to show respect and let her get to it. I’ve seen documentaries where people got tattoos like this and I wasn’t going to seek them out since I was certainly outside of those cultures, but it was being offered here…how could I say no?

“OH wow Mr. Hero. Humans don’t get this treatment. Like ever. Tattoos are left for the other races. You seem as excited as a child. So weird.”

Irma said as she pulled up a chair to watch. Marion was getting everything ready and I just grinned at her.

“In my world, cool people have tattoos. I’ve wanted so many but they cost a lot of money for good ones. So, I had to prioritize other things. I’m going to have SO many. SO MANY!”

I laughed a bit and then Marion got to work. What can I say? Yes it hurt and no I don’t like the pain but it was manageable for sure. I sat there for hours. We talked about just random stuff. I offered more random off the wall questions. Marion had to stop a few times because she was laughing. It was certainly a good time.

“There we go, it starts with the dead trees…then the summon…as the river flows the trees come to life and all is pure again. That is the tale of your deeds.”

Marion said as she traced her work. I used a familiar spell so I could see through Sasha’s eyes and had him hover a bit to see. OH IT LOOKED SO COOL! All in black ink of course, but like it turned out better than I ever could have hoped for. I clapped like a giddy child of course.

“SO AWESOME!”

I gave Marion a hug and she just laughed Irma was just grinning. I put my shirt back on after Marion put some sort of salve on the tattoo. I was so happy, I wiggled a bit as I put my shirt back on. Yes it hurt…but oh well. Pain is pain.

“You do look cool, ya know for…a human.”

She said as she stood up, intermittently she had been loading up the wagon. I owe her for that. I’m sure she thought she was doing me a favor, but you know. I don’t feel comfortable when people do stuff like that for me. I’ll make some extra yummy food at some point just for her. Just to show appreciation.

“Why thank you. That was dangerously close to a compliment. Be careful.”

I chuckled and got back to helping. We had a lot of food now, supplies that would keep for no less than a month, some storage boxes they instructed me on how to put cold enchantments on them so food would keep longer.

The next leg of the journey was pretty easy going to be honest. We kept talk light, when we did talk and just the very energy of everyone felt better…for a while. Thoughts started to drift toward the future when my mind was allowed to dwell on it. Thoughts of slavery and the impending war. How many lives would be lost. I fully intend to follow though, but with my mind and the way it works I’m thinking of ten million different paths. Each one of them dark and violent. It…well I’m not in a happy place in my mind by the time we get out of the forest and to a walled human city.

“Ogre…we can go around. There are roads. We don’t need to go here. It might not be a good idea, I’ve heard stories of the one that runs it.”

Irma’s voice brought me back to the world as it has many times in the past two weeks of travel. My eyes focused on the city and then to the line of people waiting to get in. I sighed and looked to her and then to Sasha.

“We’ll go in. It’s been two weeks and honestly we could use some fresh meat and produce. We’ll get in and get out. Though…I know I’ll draw attention. So, Irma, don’t be silent anymore. Speak for me instead, like these humans are so far beneath me that I won’t waste my breath. We’ll find a nice out of the way Inn, stay while we gather supplies and slip out.”

Irma had an impish grin on her face and Sasha just chuckled a bit and nodded.

“Sounds good to me. Maybe we can get some free stuff out of them.”

I shook my head at that and sighed.

“You know as well as me it won’t come from their coffers but the peasants under them. No, we’ll carry our own weight. I have some bones and hides to sell, we’ll be fine. I still have a good bit of gold left over too.”

Irma snorted but nodded.

“I understand and agree. I am not going to be nice though.”

That worked for me, I wouldn’t want her to be nice anyway. She’d be dealing with who ever runs this place, more than the common folk. The she can be as much of a dick as she wants to be and I won’t even be mad. So I moved the wagon to wait in line and it took about an hour before we were at the head of the line.

“PASS!...”

The solider said before seeing Irma and her skin tone with her horns. He sneered and then looked at me.

“Keep a collar on that bitch. We don’t allow free demons here.”

I hopped down instantly. Irma was going to kill him right then and there and I put a hand on her shoulder to hold her back. She growled though and looked to the soldier back handing him and throwing our travel papers on him after he hit the ground.

“You do NOT speak to THE HERO like that you fool! Do you think he can’t control a mere demon. You are lucky I just struck you, he would peel your flesh from bone while listening to your family lament. Your screams would be his lullaby. You live by his mercy at this moment. So LET US THROUGH!”

He looked stunned for a moment and other guards rushed out, until the moment he looked at the paper and then actually read it. The panic on his face was clear.

“EVERYONE STAND DOWN! That is the hero…he’d kill ALL OF YOU! HE…he is a week early. We were going to have a celebration and food and booze. Please…please forgive us.”

Irma grinned and I just nodded as the guards all started to look panicked and started to scramble to put their weapons away. The heroes of the past must have been monsters. I hate all of them even though they were taken as children. There is sympathy for what they went through, but still…they could have been better.

“Get out of our way. I don’t want to see a single solider or guard, your presence will do little to nothing compared to the power of the Hero. If you make like mice, we will make our trip short and uneventful. Do you understand?”

Irma was playing the role beautifully. I even let out some mana…as did Sasha to make them feel the pressure of our presence. Normally I want to keep everything to myself, but right now I want them to know I’m a big bad scary bastard and I’m not upset with the fear in their eyes. They all bow out of the way and Irma hops back into the wagon with me and we head into town. I already hated the air of this place. Why didn’t we just hunt? We could have hunted…I’m so stupid sometimes.

I saw the slave market too, it was HUGE almost bigger than the one in the capital….I hated it. The air was thick with depression, longing and loss and it made me sick. Instant rage was forming a knot in my chest…but looking at Irma snapped me back. I wasn’t even held in a place like that and I was that angry, I couldn’t imagine what she went through. So I just gave her a gentle squeeze on her shoulder and we moved on.

No, we made many turns and headed into the normal side of town and stopped at an inn and tavern called The Dead Boar. This place felt better than all the rest, I couldn’t put my finger on it. Once the wagon was taken care of we walked in and I swear I saw Bear standing at the bar. I had to blink a few times to see different scars, a shorter person, and much larger arms. It was uncanny how much they looked alike. Was this going to be an officer Jenny, Nurse Joy situation?

“I’m Boar, want a room?”

He sounded annoyed by his eyes said something different. Irma was more nervous now since he did look so much like Bear. She put some gold on the counter.

“We’d like a room please, two beds if possible.”

Boar was acting, I could see as much. He and his kin have the same tell. I don’t know how they are related but I know, I KNOW, Bear and Boar share blood. Irma was starting to lighten up and took a breath taking the key that boar placed on the counter in front of her.

“Here ya go. Don’t make too much fuckin noise.”

I did see the wink he gave her and that seemed to lift the weight from her shoulder, it would have been easy to miss. I saw it and Irma did too so she went off to get the room ready. She already yelled at me to let her do some things. She was starting to feel useless. I can’t get too mad at her; I’d feel the same. Maybe I was trying to pamper her a bit, she deserved it for what she has been through. It was the least I could do, but I suppose it was time to change that a bit.
“Sasha go with her okay, set up yourself a space there too. You deserve that much at least.”

The owl-like raven on my shoulder looked at me and then bonked his head on mine before flying down the hall after Irma. I walked up to the bar and took a place near the end. Boar was watching me the entire time.

“Your brother is nice.”

I said with a matter-of-fact tone as I put a whole gold coin on the bar top. That is what his brother charged me for my first drink. The large man regarded me for a long time before he smiled and poured me a tankard taking the gold coin and putting it in his pocket.

“The funny thing is I’m the nice one.”

I had to chuckle at that and I took a long draw from the tankard with a sigh. This tasted so good. I couldn’t tell you how nice it was to just have a good brew poured by someone else. I don’t drink much but still, its one of the few normal guy things I do.

“I saw the way you look at us, you two talk fast eh?”

Boar nodded still making sure that we were alone. I raised a finger and walked to the door putting the same wards on the front of the building as I will on my room. No one outside can hear what is one the inside.

“Yeah, news travels fast when it regards the Hero. You’ll get an invitation from the Baron of this land soon. He’ll want to give you a gift try to get in your good graces. Just…just be prepared. You won’t like it. It is going to piss you off.”

He said as he poured himself a tankard as well. Soon Irma and Sasha were back out and they had tankards as well. Sure Sasha could drink in that form and he seemed very happy to be able to do so. It was pleasant conversation for a moment but there was a thought that was eating away at the back of my mind.

“Hey, Boar…I have a question and feel free to tell me to fuck off. Is there a resistance in this country? Like you and Bear, and possibly others. I’ve been thinking about my time in the capital for a while. People were mean as shit to me…until I told them Bear sent me.”

Boar stopped for a moment and then sighed. It looked like he was going to tell me to fuck off for a second before he just looked to me and nodded. Irma looked at me like she couldn’t believe I would approach the subject so bluntly and Sasha…well he was just laughing at me between sips of ale and shaking his head.

“Yeah, yeah that is us. We are small and there isn’t much we can do. This place is so fucked. We try to get high profile slaves out of the country or at least in the underground. There are a lot of small things we do, but we have no real fire power. Just information.”

I nodded. Not many would be willing to join. Hell, I couldn’t imagine what would happen if one of them were captured and tortured for information. I dispel the wards at the door in a way to make it apparent.

“Well. Ya’ll have always been nice to me. You pour good brew, I’ll protect ya.”

In case anyone just decided to walk in. Couldn’t have no sound coming from this place for too long. People would ask questions. I don’t want people to ask questions and I know for a fact this place will get busy once they find out where I’m staying.

“Also, sorry for tomorrow.”

I grinned and Boar just shook his head at me.

“Fuck you.”

It was back to the act, but still that little wink he threw in at the end helped. I was just preparing myself. What was it called, Method acting? Yeah, fully immerse yourself in it. Though behind the door of my room all of that will melt. I will not fully turn into a monster.

The next day was as I predicted. The tavern was busy once people knew I was staying there. I woke up first walking in with Sasha on my shoulder. He decided to take the silent approach and just caw every once in a while. I just asked him to keep his eyes peeled and break the act if some innocent was in danger.

Irma kept up her part of the act too. She ordered for me and barked at people to get out of the way. Boar did his part too…it was all working wonderfully. I hardly had to speak other than growling ‘move’ now and again. Then a VERY well dressed man walked up to me. He held a letter with a wax seal.

“Sire, Ogre Sir, please may I have a moment of your time?”

He called over the crowd that was doing their best to just be near me. No one was brave enough to start a conversation. I broke for a moment and there was a child who looked terrified and I leaned down and winked with a hidden smile. Then I slipped a coin in his hand while putting a finger to my lips. She seemed to light right up and ran to her parents. I can’t be mean to kids…hurts my heart too much. I turned to the messenger.

“Speak.”

Irma was busy getting refills. So the man in the nice outfit handed me the letter. It sent a shiver through my body. There was magic on the letter. I’ll have to identify it later...but right now I just opened it and it was an invite with a time and place to Baron Armstrong’s estate. He wished to welcome me to the city and offer me a gift for passing through.

“My master would hope you found time in your schedule to come grace him with your presence. He wishes nothing more than to dote on a hero of legend and wants your stay in his city to be as warm as possible. What shall I tell him?”

I looked at the letter, then back to him. I blinked a few times and then identified the letter…it was a bug so to speak. He wanted to listen to what ever conversations I was going to have in my private quarters. I growl and look up, Irma’s hands were full so she couldn’t stop me from grabbing the well dressed idiot by his throat.

“Tell your master I will be there…and if he tries to listen in on me again without my permission, I’ll burn this city to the ground starting with his corpse. He better make it up to me.”

I wasn’t even lying at this point…I would burn the city down…just in a way that spared this area and only burned the rich section of the city. The slums needed my protection not my wrath, but I would certainly burn every mansion and estate I see for miles. The fear in the messenger’s eyes was real.

“Yes…sir…please…let…me…down…”

I dropped him when I realized I was about to kill a man in front of children. I just growl and throw the letter in to the fire that was cooking breakfast for everyone behind the bar. The man ran out of there and the birth I was given doubled in size. Once I sat back down and had some bread and cheese and some cured meat I leaned over to whisper to Irma.

“The Baron tried to sneak a spell past my warding so he could listen to our conversations. It was on the note.”

Irma growled a bit and sighed. Sasha muttered in my ear.

“I knew something was off about that letter, it shouldn’t have had magic on it. That isn’t common practice. I say we go into the mansion, kill him. Hand him from his own gates and claim ownership of the city.”

I ginned rather darkly at that but shook my head.

“Can’t. But I do love the thought. We are going, and I’m going to put this asshole in his place. AT THE BOTTOM.”

I grinned at my own dad joke and Irma stopped mid chew just to shake her head at me. I deserved it of course. We ate, then did a supply run only sticking to places Boar suggested. I was running low on gold at that point so I went to another place and sold the demon bear hide. HOLY CRAP They sell for a lot as do the claws and teeth. I MADE MINT! More money than I was given to get across the country with. So we were set for a while…might have to go monster hunting again though.

That took up all the time before I was supposed to see Baron Armstrong. Irma took a bath and I just chilled…I was just going to wear my dusty black armor and my axes and call it good. I refused to get dressed up for the oppressors. We were lead in with fanfare and all that bullshit when you are trying to get into someone’s good graces.

The main hall was opulent. No one needed a place like this at all. Especially not a Baron. I just snorted and walked through the hall to the ‘throne’. Who did this guy think he is. Sure it sits lower than the king’s but wow…like wow. It could have been a kings throne. HELL back on Earth they weren’t even like this. Where he sat, next to him was a woman who looked cold and kept her eyes forward. She looked like a trophy, not a partner. Something to be put on display for others to see. She was an elf, but not a wood elf. Shit I should have taken more time to learn the races of this world. Her eyes were distant, she wasn’t here. I get that. There was a shackle around her wrist. It was opulent, gold encrusted with jewels one could mistake it for a bracelet but I could tell it was a shackle. That rat bastard. She didn’t speak at all, or even look to me as I stood there.

“Welcome Hero Ogre to my fair city. Welcome his ‘companions’ too. All of you are safe here. Please enjoy this city to the fullest while you are here. Have you liked your stay so far.”

I snorted and looked to Irma. When she spoke it was with derision and I was happy with that. I still wanted to put my fist through the back of his head. Slave sale was…just ick. Poverty was everywhere.

“It is adequate. What we don’t like is being spied upon Baron Armstrong. My master detected the listening spell you cast upon the note you sent him. He was not pleased. It took me a long time to calm him down and it is no easy feat. You have a lot to answer for.”

He would have had a warning about this from his messenger, so I was interested to see what his response was. I didn’t have to act, I hated being here. I hated talking to this pale skinned soft handed moron.

“Oh, see that was a test. To make sure you were really the hero. See only the hero would be powerful enough to detect that magic. I wanted to be sure you weren’t some ruffian trying to use the hero’s name to get free accommodations or access to the city.”

Yeah, that was bullshit. I snorted again and Irma nodded.

“The next test you try to pass on my master will be met with aggression. So, tread carefully.”

The noble almost choke on his drink when Irma said that and I wasn’t even sorry for it, I even smirked a bit. She was doing so well, and I will make the gods wince if she so much as thinks he can strike her. I’ll let her kick his ass. She’d probably be meaner than me.

“Well well let us put this unpleasant business behind us. It is time for your gifts, I’ll give them to you in preparation for the feast tonight.”

He then clapped his hand and the guards brought out no less than eighteen women all just wearing white shifts long enough to give them modesty out. Instantly my blood boiled. They were all chained, most of them forcing smiles through very red eyes. Irma was visibly sick for a moment, but she was doing her best to hold it together. Sasha was pissed too. I had to stop myself from flying into a rage right then and there, though someplace in the back of my mind I’d been preparing for this.

“Please, pick five for your escort tonight. I’ll get them dressed up, you can use them up for the night, toss them aside. Whatever you want. They are good slaves, if you end up ya know...over working them we’ll I’ll take it upon my staff to clean it up for you.”

I was pissed…so very pissed. I took a breath and Irma was about to start yelling.

“All of them. I will take all of them.”

I said to Irma’s shock. Then she realized what I was going to do so that impish smirk crept onto her face. She knew me better than that, we’ve been talking for a while now and I legit have little to no filter when I’m comfortable. You get a good sense of a person in that time for sure. I’ve been nothing but open and honest with her. So I’m sure in this moment she trusts me.

“You owe me for the ‘test’. Either way, they will all be coming with me…even if I have to step over the corpses of your guards. Have I made myself clear?”

I had to get these women out. That was my priority. My anger can wait. They were more important than me. Their health and safety was first and then my emotions second. Right now I could only imagine the dread they were feeling in their core. It broke my heart.

“Irma, I want them at the inn. Rent out the other rooms if we must. Kick everyone out. Take them back. Sasha…watch them…keep the slaves in line alright. GET THOSE FUCKING CHAINS OFF. Worthless substandard IRON!”

I knew I was the strongest one here by a bit. So when Irma and Sasha got to work on the chains I moved to intercept the guards, who tried to stop me with no small amount of fear in their eyes. I punched a dent into a breast plate sending one back into others. It would have been easy to kill him, the skill was to hold back just enough. I wasn’t done by any means. Right now though, I had to get them out.
“You better stay the fuck away from me for my time here. I won’t be at your fucking party… the moment there is ANY threat from you…the moment I think even ONE person is trying to spy on me. I’ll kill them…and then I’ll burn my way through this city straight to you. YOUR SCREAMS WILL ECHO OFF THESE WALLS FOR ETERNITY! DO YOU GET THAT!?”

I think this is the first time he has felt fear in his life. I liked this a great deal. He was shaking and his guards were terrified. None of them were loyal enough to die right here for him. That was good…not that I wouldn’t kill them all anyway. Still…he nodded slowly and shakily.

“Yes…I’m…I’m sorry. Yes of course, I’ll leave you alone.”

I growled and turned away from the throne and stormed off after Irma and Sasha with all the slaves following. It felt like a death march back to the inn. They looked broken and lost. Then I kicked out EVERYONE from the tavern just asking Boar to trust me and he did.

“Irma check for damage on them. Make sure they are okay. Each one gets a bed and a room if there is room. They deserve a place to sleep over me. Double up if needed. I’ll sleep in the wagon or something.”

I only started to speak after I put more wards on the doors and windows to the place. I had Irma and Boar and Sasha do all the work. I…I was just a monster to them right now and I didn’t need to have them deal with that display I just did. All of them were fed and bathed and treated for wounds. Some were friendly others were still coping with what happened. I think Irma talking to them one by one helped.

Late into the night everyone passed out but me. I had to keep guard, the insomnia was there…the anxiety and the guilt. What happened to these people before they were brought out. There were humans, elves and a few dwarves. I’m just angry all the time now, but I hide it. They don’t need that from me. Just understanding and compassion. I heard some rustling around behind me and then the thud some glasses and a bottle.

“Drink up, its on me.”

It was Boar and I just nodded and drank what he gave me. It was a good ale, touch of citrus. Very good.

“Thanks. Can’t sleep.”

I said and Boar nodded. He looked down to the rooms that he had for the inn. I paid for every single one of them so everyone could get some sleep. All I knew was that they weren’t slaves anymore. I’d get them out of this city and the country, and they’ll be okay.

“You…you did something pretty damn good today Ogre you know that?”

I know he was trying to make me feel better, but I shook my head.

“I don’t feel like it. I wanted to kill him on his throne. I didn’t. I didn’t stop slavery…I didn’t help much. They are so scared of me and rightfully so. I’m a monster to them. I need to be a monster to keep them safe…but damn its hard.”

Boar nodded a bit and took a deep draw from his tankard. It was kinda nice to get this all out.

“I’m not going to lie, but you are walking an interesting line. It is hard. You have it worse than most, and I wouldn’t want to be in your shoes for all the gold in the world. Just hold it together. You need to. I don’t know how strong you are, but fighting the whole nations army and all the mercs they would hire might be something out of your realm.”

I nodded, he was right of course. Still, if push came to shove I might not have an option. I was doing my best to plan for so many outcomes but you know what they say about the best laid plans.

“For the moment. I need to talk to an unaffiliated alchemist. Magic can’t be the end all, do you have people that work with chemicals.”

I…was changing the subject because I needed to. This was just going to make me depressed, more so than I already was. I needed to think of science and math. I needed to talk about chemicals.

“Yeah, there are people who make potions and the like. I’ll get in touch tomorrow with someone. What do you need?”

I grinned and winked.

“I’m gonna keep that a secret till I get my hands on what I want. Yeah, you are gonna like it though I promise. It will be glorious. I hope…unless I can’t get what I want. Then…well I’ll figure out something else. I’m also kinda smart when I’m not stupid.”

Boar looked at me and laughed topping off my tankard. The rest of the night was lite conversation…we both needed lite conversation. We stayed up until Boar’s wife Birdy came and got him and told him to go to bed. I stayed up a bit longer, night time was my time really. Always has been, always will be. Hopefully I’ll be able to sleep soon.

Chapter Text

I was filled with so much anxiety I didn’t sleep much if at all. I knew the Baron was going to try something. I KNEW it. Still that night nothing came. I stayed up for nothing. Perhaps they would wait a night or two for me to let my guard down. That would just allow me to turn the tavern in to a fortress. I could cast stronger wards, put wards on top of wards…hell I could but eyes on the entire block leading up to the tavern. I was overthinking it…throughout the whole night not a single ward was set off. That was good, I was able to pass out for about five hours or so before everyone started to wake up and be active.

“Well shit! You look like hell.”

Those were Irma’s first words to me as I started to drink my coffee and eat some bread and meat for breakfast. I wanted to just march up to the Baron and put him in his place again, break him a bit so he would really fear me. My anxiety was off the charts.

“Feel like hell.”

I croaked as I ate some more. All the newly freed people started to wake up soon after Irma. I stayed away from them again, letting them eat in peace.  Though some would smile at me and dip their head. That was nice, at least it wasn’t blind fear. They were holding cautious optimism.

“Yeah, you stayed up later than me Ogre.”

Boar said as he filled my tankard with more coffee after making sure everyone else was okay. Some of the people were getting into the sing of things, talking with the others…but a few were completely shut down and near catatonic. I wish I knew how to help them, but honestly I’m not a therapist. All I can do is support them and hopefully find someone for them to talk to. They’ve been through a hell I can’t imagine. Its why I want slavery done and over with.

“Yeah, I keep thinking the Baron is going to attack at any moment. I can’t relax.”

No use in lying. I was good at it at one point in my life, it was all I die. But then in high school I did a one eighty and just stopped. My life became infinitely easier…so I never looked back. Lying is a skill you lose if you don’t do it often. I can still pull off the deadpan joke, but its just not something I like to do anymore.

“I see…I mean he is going to try something. You made him look weak. Like a child weak. I’m surprised too honestly. I wonder if he is putting out a call to mercenaries or just getting his army ready.”

Boar said and I just nodded. Well, we still needed to get some meat and supplies for the wagon so I set out to do that. Irma was staying at the inn with Boar and left that place VERY protected. Sasha was on my shoulder and we went to get supplies from various vendors…and then I met the retribution.

There were twenty men, all armed to the teeth holding the Baron’s banner that confronted me on the street. They were all armed to the teeth, their armor shiny and new…slightly enchanted. I wasn’t supposed to be as strong as I was, I think they assume I’m on a normal hero level. This won’t be enough. One that wore a rather embellished set of armor stepped forward and opened a scroll.

“The FORMER hero Ogre. You are hereby charged with treason! You stole slaves from the Baron, and you are hereby to be arrested and then put to death. How do you plea?”

No trial, no request to come to the manor. Identify showed me that I had a damn good chance against everyone here. People were getting out of the way, and it seemed not too many of these warriors had magic beyond self enhancement. That was good.

“Hey Sasha, every want to beat a bunch of whiny babies in public? Normally I’m against child abuse myself but I think there needs to be some lessons taught.”

The Owlish raven on my shoulder cackled and flew up to a nearby building.

“You know me Ogre, not a fighter. Have fun though, I’ve always wanted to see what you’d do in this situation. I think now is a perfect time to send a message eh?”

I just grinned and leveled my gaze at the twenty men. I was going to kill humans today. My stomach was in knots about it. I don’t think any of them are being forced to do this. When you are a cop, you choose to be a cop you aren’t forced to take the job, there are a thousand other things you can do…like pretty much everyone else looking on. You do this sort of work as the easy way out. I was talking myself into this battle…it was the only way I could go through with it.

“I INTEND TO RESIST!”

With a grin I pulled the great axe from my back. They…looked a little worried. Some of the younger soldiers did anyway. That was fine, I liked the fear. It was time to be the monster. Today I got blood on my hands. Today I became a murderer. Yes that is how I saw it and from the moment I set foot in this land I knew that was a path I was going to take. I’m not nice, I’m not overly kind…and my sense of justice is black and white to me. Didn’t mean I was going to like killing people, I just knew in my core I could do it and keep going forward. Still it was hard.

“You heard him. SHOW HIM NO QUARTER!”

They were going to try and kill me here and now if I let them. I had no intention to die here. I had to see my wife, check in on my daughter…Get Irma to her people. I had a long list. Hell I knew this was coming when I kicked the hornets nest by ‘taking’ all the slaves.

“Time to let you know why they call me Ogre…why they call me a monster.”

They thought numbers would save them, and when the first few clashed with me and I simply knocked them off their feet with a mighty swing. There was instant fear there. I wonder if they thought all the stories were false. That the hero didn’t really have that much power. That would have been an interesting pep talk. I singled out the commander pretty early on and after a second wave of soldiers were pushed off I pulled a throwing axe from my hip and threw it straight at him. He grabbed one of the younger ones and used him as a shield, the axe finding purchase in his chest before returning to my side. There was fear now…real fear from the soldiers. I was sort of hyper focused on the commander at this point now.

“You dirty bastard! Coward. I’ll cut my way through the entire city to get to you.”

That was a growl as I started to fight a bit harder. For a moment I thought that the soldiers would give up after getting beat for a bit…but no, no they must really like their slaves and money. Fuck it, they all die. I’m sure backup was going to come soon. So I picked up the pace, I thought briefly about offering them a chance to surrender but I need to establish a reputation. This was a more serious thing I need to start. They need to see me as a monster, the stories need to travel. I need to be a murderer. There are no innocent souls here.

“KILL HIM YOU FOOLS! ONE HUNDRED GOLD TO THE ONE WHO CLAIMS HIS HEAD!”

Good, no more chances. I swear even if they throw down their weapons I’ll kill them all. I can’t even imagine the horrors they’ve inflicted on the populace with how they were acting now. That promise of money, not punishment or praise…but money. That was it, no more holding back. I wish I had time to torture the head guard, see if I have the stomach for it. I probably don’t…yet but I’m sure I’ll get to that point. My axe found the vital spots of a few, sending rooster tails of blood in one direction or another, my face and armor getting splashed. I certainly looked like a monster.

I wanted to end this soon, the longer this fight went on the longer reinforcement had to get here. I knew the exact right spell to use.

“Come to me, storm and rain, let me show them all your pain. Lightning strike, burn their skin, take them to hell weighted by sin! CALL LIGHTNING!”

This was a spell I took to fight armies. Twenty men was good enough. The sky darkened instantly and it started to rain, I fought and decapitated a solider as I raised my hand and then pointed at the captain and from those darkened cloud a massive bolt of lightning screaming down and hit him straight on in a brilliant flash of light and a rumbling thunder that shook the ground. All I could tell is that it hit him straight on and then dropped him.

I didn’t give them time to run. Once their leader fell the rest of their movements became disorganized and frantic. They were just morons trying to stay alive at this point. I called the lightning a few more times and the rest were just killed one by one until I worked through all of them. I was…too okay with this. They weren’t people to me. They weren’t even monsters. I had respect for monsters. They were hungry…they wanted to live. These things…were less than that. So that knot in my stomach went away…yeah I could do this again. That thought in and of itself was scary.

I thought I was done, until I heard the commander groan. Holy shit that armor must have been good. Must cost a pretty penny. I walked over to his body and kicked him on his back. This was the worst one. I don’t even know if I was angry anymore. Perhaps I was more numb? I lifted him up so he could see into my eyes and me into his, then I just dropped him and punched his breast plate so hard it caved in his chest and he died chocking on his own blood. A bit graphic, but less than what I was thinking of doing at the on-set.

“Holy shit Ogre, I didn’t think you had this in you. Well, we better not stop now, don’t give them time to regroup okay. Keep marching to that fucking shit palace and finish it. Can’t go back now.”

I just nodded and grunted to Sasha. At this time there were certainly no people in the streets. They were all taking cover or looking through windows. Which was fine. Best not to have collateral damage anyway. I looked up to my familiar.

“Can you burn these corpses? I don’t have anything that can just target what I want. These people don’t need to have their homes burned because the Baron is a shit eating bastard.”

Sasha nodded and cast some sort of spell that only burned the dead human flesh in the street. That was nice to have him as a backup. I turned toward the Palace and started to make my approach. I kept the storm going so I could continue to call lighting at will. It would give me an attack or two right off the bat until I head inside. I don’t know how strong the Baron’s mages are, I didn’t know the magic items he had. So I just had to prepare for a lot of different outcomes.

I was overthinking. The guards outside were as ill prepared as the ones in the streets. This time there were some mages spread out in the ranks so these few were moving faster and hitting harder. With Call lighting and my own over-powered status, I wasn’t met with much resistance. Still, more of their blood splashed on my armor and I didn’t even bother to make it rain to wash it out.

Monster…I certainly looked the part now.

Inside I was met with something different. A lot more armed soldiers…as well as assassins mixed in. This was going to be a harder fight, and that is what I wanted. Perhaps it would give me peace of mind that they had a chance to kill me, that these people in this room were strong enough to take me down and I won because I was smarter and not just because I was over powered. I don’t know. I shouldn’t feel as conflicted as I do, but I’m old and been conditioned to put humans high up there and its hard to shake off in an instant.

“Give my body the will to live. Each cell remembers what it is to be whole. Cut off my head, pierce my heart, know that I will never be dead. Trollish Fortitude.”

That was going to keep me going for a bit. Made me sort of like Deadpool or a troll from Dungeons and Dragons. They can take so much damage…as long as it wasn’t fire or acid they’d survive. That made me much more of a threat. I don’t know what trolls are like here…I wonder if the goddess pulled this one from my mind or something. Oh well best not to dwell. Better soften them up with a spell.

“Manifest the ice in my heart, the cold indifference on human life I now feel. ICE SHARDS!”

The fight was hard actually. I won’t lie. It was the sheer volume of blades I was fighting that made this difficult. Honestly, this is what I thought I built myself for. Fighting massive forces. I don’t know…I thought it would be easier. Sasha, stayed out of the way the entire time letting me do the fighting, but I’d get healed now and again which was perfect honestly.

When I was done bodies and parts of said bodies were spread all over the room. I was dripping with gore and blood and I was calm. Any conflict I had about ending human life was now completely gone. Perhaps that is what they mean by practice makes perfect.

“Sasha! Is the Baron still in the building?”

I said as I pulled my axe out of the last mage that tried to make a stand. I could see the bird’s eyes glow for a moment. He is very good backup. I knew he could fight if needed…but I think he stands back because the fights would be too unbalanced, though I’d like to think he’d step in if I was about to die.

“Yup. He is hiding with some other people and his wife. So that is good. Kill him Ogre. I’ll take care of the bodies.”

I nodded and headed down the hall. The doors to his room were massive and iron and reinforced with magic and metal. The stone wall next to it however…morons. You enchant the whole wall and not just the door.

“Shutter, stumble, break and crumble SHATTER STONE!”

This was picked in case I had to fight stone golems. I didn’t think I’d be using it to breech walls…I heard screams when I did. I was met by blades instantly and the Baron was cowering in the corner. I felt Sasha cast a barrier behind me so no one could escape. These assassins were better…different. Almost mindless and reckless in how they protected the Baron and his ‘wife’.

I felt some wounds open up through my armor, and it wasn’t too terrible. I am used to pain, and this was up there, but I was VERY determined to end this. More blood and gore to add to the trophies on my armor though some of it was mine now.

Though I smiled looking at that idiot man in the corner, he was truly terrified. I really enjoyed that. He had nothing that could stop me. No gods will help him, where were only a few assassins left…and they were good. I was disarmed of my great axe after a few moments and one suicide rush by one of the assassins, then I took a blade to the chest. To tell you that hurt was a massive understatement. I wanted to black out. Blood poured from my mouth and out of the corner of my eye I could see the Baron grinning. I should be dead…you aren’t meant to stay awake through this pain. Trolls had dead nerves. I…I do not and it sucks SO Much worse than I could have ever think.

I wasn’t dead though. Trollish fortitude did its job…I growled and grabbed the assassin shoving his own knife from his belt into his head. I then pulled out the sword from my chest and used it to kill another. My body glowed briefly after that and I heard fluttering of wings…Sasha was doing his job.

“DON’T FUCKING DIE YOU APE!”

His words echoed off the wall and I just grinned and raised my hand at the last fighter.

“ICE SHARD!”

Without incantation The spells were smaller, but still potent and a giant icicle speared the last fighter through the head. I turned my attention to the Baron and his ‘wife’…’trophy’…I don’t know it was hard to think. I was in SO much pain.

“PLEASE! PLEASE DON’T KILL ME! I…TAKE HER…TAKE HER SHE IS BROKEN! PERFECT FOR….”

I made him stop talking while I lifted him off the ground by his throat. She looked terrified of me…I wanted to say so much to this asshole, but everything was getting jumbled up on my tongue so nothing was coming out. One of the major downsides of ADHD, you get so worked up you can’t talk. There are no cool one liners in moments like this. Just a coward kicking his feet in the air. I could rip him apart, but that would do nothing…just scare the woman even more so I brought him close so he could look into my eyes.

“There was nothing you could do to stop this…”

I sputtered through the blood in my throat, it splattering across his face. Then I just pressed his skull into his spine past his shoulder blades, tossing the body aside like it was nothing. The ability was doing its job now, healing me slowly as I coughed up blood so I could breathe.

Then I looked to his long-term captive. She wasn’t scared anymore, she shut down…ready to die. That brought me back to reality really quick. I blinked a few times and then looked up.

“Sasha, take off her shackles.”

I knew he was around and I was right, he flew right by her side but paused when a simple peck didn’t work.

“You gotta remove curse. These stop her magic. She is a High Elf, very powerful magic users. Without these the Baron wouldn’t have had any control over her. That is a spell only you got.”

I nodded and leaned down to cast the spell.

“Lift the veil, chains removed, destroy what binds, freedom be proved. BREAK CURSE!”

And those shackles on her wrist shattered. That is what brought her back to this world, she was prepared to disassociate for me to do what I wanted. I get that, but when I didn’t do what she prepared for she looked up to me…confused and sad. Like she wanted to die.

“I am not going to kill you, nor am I going to rape you. You are in charge now. Did he actually marry you? Can that happen?”

That was important, I don’t know the laws of the kingdom…but if she had any right to rule in his place as a Baron I was going to make sure that happened. She took a few moments to process what happened, and then realized I had no intention of killing her.

“I was his wife, now Widow.”

She said slowly as she walked over to his corpse. There was no fondness in her eyes for him, I could tell that much. Then she started to kick his face and yell in elvish. Oh those were some vile things, apparently I can understand other languages. The wood elves spoke common, she did not in this instance. I’ve never heard something so angry sound so elegant. I wasn’t going to stop her, she needed to work that stuff out.

“Well, no love lost I see.”

I started to go through the room and then the pockets of the elite to look for keys and what not. I found a whole ring on the Baron. That is good, I’m sure there is a whole fleet of prisoners and slaves in the basement that I could free. That is where I need to go next.

I was about to turn around and ask her something when she was very close to me. Her hands were on my chest. There were tears in her eyes, I think at this point she knew I wasn’t going to kill her. But…I was confused…and nervous. I was covered in blood, but she didn’t seem to care. This was…uncomfortable, and I just had a sword in my chest.

“Listen, I’m good for pleasure. You don’t have to get rid of me. I’ll be good and quiet. I can cast magic to make you last so long. I promise to be good and at your side. Please, don’t get rid of me.”

Holy shit in the middle of all this gore…is that the kind of monster I look like. I guess so, I guess I acted too well. I had to take a step back…this, this wasn’t me. I know there is a connection between sex and violence, but I wanted NOTHING to do with sex. I wanted to be FAR FAR away from sex.

“I don’t want a slave. Irma, the demon I’m with. Its all an act so I can move in cities more easily without having to outright hide her. I can’t imagine what you have been put through. I won’t pretend to understand either. I’m just here to support you and everyone who has been oppressed by the royalty and nobles. Listen, if you don’t want to stay here you can come with us. Irma, Sasha and me. Its going to be hard, but like…I don’t know. You can say no if you want. Not an offer you need me to be making while I’m covered in blood.”

She looked…stunned. Then she smiled and then laughed, a manic laugh that turned into a warm one. There were a few tears in her eyes, perhaps she realizes I’m not actually going to hurt her or pressure her for sex in any way shape or form.

“You felt off. I thought it was because you were an evil man. Now I know it was because you were acting. You can call me Nora. I don’t think my elvish name applies to me anymore, so I don’t want to be called it. I’ll keep my human name, appropriate for my sins. I think I will come with you. I don’t have anything keeping me here and I can’t go home.”

I nodded and dipped my head deeply to her. I couldn’t imagine what has happened in her past and really I’m not going to ask. If she wants to talk about it sometime in the future then so be it, otherwise it would be her secret to keep. I’ll share enough of my secrets for the two of us I’m sure.

“Welcome to the party Nora. Well your first act as a member of the hero’s party is to show me where the slaves are kept, so we can free them.”

Nora nodded and it was then Irma showed up, her eyes glowing purple with the same color fire dancing around her hands. I think she was expecting me to be hurt or even dead. She saw the hole in my chest armor…the blood and then the smile on my face as I looked to her…to say she was confused was an understatement.

“You are a fucking moron! You should have come and gotten me, Or sent Sasha to get me! You don’t have to fight all by yourself you know. FUCK Ogre.”

She walked over to me, punched me in the arm and then let her flames die and gave me a hug. I don’t hate Irma hugs, she was pretty much family at this point, she didn’t make my hackles by touching me anymore. I do like hugs from the right people.

“Irma, this is Nora. She’ll be joining us. I’m told Elves have magic and if the curse I removed from her shackles is any indication well she is powerful.”

Irma looked to the elf, and really got in close so she could see her eyes. She then promptly brought Nora in for a hug, she was alarmed but hugged her back with a smile after a few moments. Probably trauma bonding. It was then I heard more soldiers enter the palace….I left Irma and Nora behind me so I could face them head on. I was still in so much pain, but BUT I Had a lot of mana left.

“Body of stone, Body of steel, body of WAR, body that can HEAL!”

I let the healing spell wash over my body as it gave me some fortitude too. The pain was lessened but the fatigue wasn’t. Still if I have to fight, I have to fight, right?

These soldiers were dressed differently, they all had the royal seal on their chest. Their stats were far higher, their weapons better. This…was going to SUCK! I just crack my neck and try to play it cool as I pull the hand axes from my hips and hold them ready to fight. Irma and Nora called spells too, Irma called her flames again and Nora’s hand glowed yellow. I have no idea what spell she wanted to cast.

“Come and get it…think I’m just going to stop now.”

The commander stepped forward to look at all the destruction I had caused. He…smiled. Not a creepy, sadistic smile like a genuine smile.

“Oh good you lived, how wonderful! Stand down men, it seems the hero does not need our aid after all.”

That…what…error error what the fuck just happened. Then I heard a familiar voice come out from behind him. It was Boar, panting and out of breath but I heard him and that was wonderful.

“Good GODS how do you run so fast in armor. FUCK ME! Oh…Ogre, you…”

He took in the damage to my armor and the blood covering me.

“You ain’t dead and that is wonderful. So, law…says that Nora can’t inherit the lands of the Baron since…racism. BUT My buddy right here. Markos, he can. I knew the Baron was dead the moment he sent the soldiers after you. So I went to get Markos for backup. This…this was unexpected.”

Markos smiled and the rest of the men bowed to me. Irma and Nora were just as surprised as I. Honestly knowing they were behind me made me feel a hell of a lot better. Like a lot a lot. Still, it was nice to know the fighting was done…for now.

We went to the cells after that and as I was breaking shackles and curses I was filled in that Markos was part of the resistance and his men were too. Apparently this city was just in the right position to not get much attention from the kingdom. There were farms and slaves and that was about it. It was easier to operate here. So they did and did so with gusto. Hell I leaned in about a months time they were going to kill him and run the city as their own anyway, I saved lives and effort.

“Okay…the two of you. I don’t care what anyone says. I’ll only support you if you get rid of the slave market. Period. No ifs, ands or butts…and mine is HUGE.”

Marcos and Boar were looking at each other and Markos crossed his arms over his chest.

“Okay, I have laws I can use to rip the whole thing apart. We’ll be a bastion of free people, I promise you that Ogre. Some of the nobles will not be happy. So we need to take care of that. I don’t like the state of this country anymore than you do I promise. You’ll have an ally here.”

That did my heart good. Sasha was on my shoulder as we spoke in the bar, he nodded too.

“A good step in the right direction. It would be hard to march an army here and not leave any part of the border not defended. Fear and brute force will only keep the people in line for so long.”

They talked a bit more after that, less me and more Sasha since I have no fucking clue how to run shit on a city level. At this point I’m a tool, a happy tool that will just fight where he is told to so that people can be free and safe. I’m a work donkey, and I’m not mad about it.

Later…there was a huge party at the Dead Boar. People were staring to open up. My work was looking for people who could act as councilors, talk to the survivors and help them work through trauma. I couldn’t do it, I’d just get mad and end up shutting down but we found people who could. Good healers and such that were used to taking the darkest part of life and helping people manage it.

Then the real work began. I wanted to leave soon, but first we had to put down the local nobles. None of them had intel on what happened, but they were going to vie for power and try to take it for Markos so the four of us…my Adventuring party…started to hit them hard.

I have to say I’m stupid. I did all the heavy lifting because I thought Irma was in a fragile state. HOW STUPID was I. Holy hell she fought so well. If I didn’t have the power I have, she could kill me without so much as a second thought. Her sword skills mixed with her magic made her just a menace on the battle field.

Then there was Nora, she was a far better spell caster than I was. Her rage for the nobles was matched only by Irma and those two watching each other’s backs was just insane. I might as well not even been on some of the raids for the work they did. Buildings burned, bodies lay scattered on the ground…and there were times I didn’t have to lift a finger. They were amazing, Angels of death on the battle field. My confidence in them SOARED after those skirmishes.

It took four more days. They were all labeled enemies of the kingdom and thus the Hero was only doing the king’s work. That made me feel a little dirty but in the end I knew it would give me a Very important foot hold in the kingdom. Politics SUCK, but this is only a temporary solution. End goal was to march with the demon army and allies to knock the human nobility out of power and let the people build something new. It’s going to be hard, but dammit it needed to be done.

We didn’t leave as quickly as I wanted. Irma didn’t seem to mind though. Once control was switched over to the captain of the guard and the people weren’t being ground under an oppressive noble’s boot. The entire city embraced those that were different. Irma liked the people who lived here, and so did Nora. Hell some of those that were freed decided to stay, others we helped get ready to leave in their own caravans. The city was changed for the better. So we stayed weeks longer…but it needed to be done. You can’t just overturn a ruling party and then expect to leave the next day.

I worked a lot, doing manual labor…helping train those that stayed to join the guard. One thing though, I didn’t sleep much. There was too much to do and too much on my mind. So I’d sneak out when everyone else seemed to be out like a light. Some nights I’d talk to Boar or his wife…others I would sneak out to a lovely place near the wall where I can see the forest and the sky. There was something comforting about the stars and the sounds of the nocturnal creatures. So I found myself there when a voice gently reminded me that I wasn’t alone this time.

“You okay?”

It was Sasha. He was the only one that could sneak up on me. Makes me wonder how big the gap between our powers truly are. Its been a busy few weeks and I haven’t had time to sit and have heart to hearts with anyone. I’ve sort of just been trying to bury everything in work.

“I don’t know.”

He was too old for me to lie to him. I have been killing people, as you do in war. Should I be more torn up about it? Should I be completely numb? I have no idea what I should be like. They say when you do it enough to you get a thousand yard stare. I don’t feel like I had that.

“This has to be hard on you. I could tell you haven’t killed anything before. Hell your aura chanced when you killed that boar. It isn’t something everyone can sit and deal with.”

I sat up at this point. The conversation wasn’t something I was expecting. I’m used to just being left alone and figuring stuff out on my own. Well that was the first half of my life anyway, when I got married my wife was pretty good at sniffing that short of stuff out and getting me to talk.

“I feel…guilty for not feeling more.”

I think that was appropriate. The people I had been killing were obstacles. They enabled a shit system that tortured and abused all the other races of this world. Regardless of why they had to fight me, they still fought me and I had pushed them off as resources.

“I feel like I’m a monster for it not bothering me as much. This isn’t like a war back home where, save for a few instances…no one was really right or wrong. I’m right and they are wrong. They are a product of the system they support. So I don’t feel bad, or as bad as I should.”

That is when Sasha hopped up and landed on my shoulder so he could get a better view of the sky and the forest surrounding the city. Or so I would assume anyway. Maybe he just wanted to get closer.

“I get that honestly. I thought it was going to hit you a lot harder and you were just suppressing issues. I’m glad you’re you. Ogre, I really am. Things are only going to get harder from this moment out.”

I nodded and shifted so I could lay back down so he could still look at the sky but so could I without craning my neck.

“Sasha, I want to live through this…I just don’t feel like I will.”

That was a major reveal. A fear I’ve been keeping in the back of my head. I want to see my wife again, I’m afraid If I die here I won’t even go to the same afterlife.

“I feel it in bones that there is a sacrifice play at the end. I won’t ask anyone else to do if. I can’t. I’m not better than anyone else.”

There it was all out in the open. Hell it was probably just anxiety speaking for me more than anything else. I couldn’t even tell anyone where this came from. It was just there, like a shadow that never fades. One I keep seeing out of the corner of my eye so often its just part of the background.

“I hope it won’t come to that Ogre. If it does, I’ll see you on the other side okay. We’ll have a good time, I’ll show you all the best spots.”

I paused at that…he’s gone too from this world when I die. How…comforting. He wasn’t even worried, not for me and not for him. That…shit that helped a whole lot. What ever happens…happens. I took a deep breath and smiled, I almost felt lighter after that simple exchange. Best not worry about crossing a bridge that hasn’t even shown up yet.

“Thanks Sasha. I appreciate you.”

I could feel his beak tap my forehead.

“I appreciate you too…”

This was nice, wonderful even. It was a calm night too until that green light shot up from deep in the forest. I just sighed, irritated I couldn’t get too much of a rest now.