12 Chapter 12: The Day of the Deal

The day is close now. My birthday. The day where someone is going to die. Whether it is me or Hedrif, depends on the outcome of the fight that will take place tomorrow. I do not know if it'll be in the morning, at noon, or at nighttime, but it will happen tomorrow.

The days seem to have gone by so quickly too. The past three weeks have been just straight practicing, with only sleeping and eating as a break. But this is all necessary for the fight tomorrow. Me coming out of that fight alive, is little to no chance. But in order to protect myself and Simon, I will do anything within my power, to defeat him. To defeat Hedrif.

I can't even get any sleep tonight. The thought of having to fight Hedrif is keeping me up. But if I'm too tired to fight tomorrow then how will I protect me and Simon? Hours have already passed, it's midnight and I am not in the least bit tired.

[MC: Uhh. So annoying. What if I just knock myself out?]

No I won't do that, I have to be in tip-top shape when I fight that demon.

I wish medicine was more advanced in this world. I'm pretty sure there was medicine that put people to sleep, only if they had that in this world. Maybe they do though and it's only meant for people of a higher class. Like the King, or something.

I think about the things that could've gone differently.

What if I didn't having that disease?

What if God didn't give me this second life? Well fourth from what he said, but in the end he still gave me another life.

What if I choose to go to heaven instead?

What if Hedrif didn't killing my parents in the first place?

What if Simon decided that I was too much of a burden and left me?

What if Hedrif decided to kill me, without even offering the "deal"?

What if I chose to die on the spot instead of waiting out the two months?

With so many things that could have gone differently, they didn't.

The reason why I chose this life and the reason why I stalled for as long as possible is because-

[MC: I'm afraid of dying.]

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Light burned through my eyelids. I don't want to get up. I don't want to fight. I don't want to die. I need more time to prepare. Is there a way to go back in time?

[??: Oi! Wake up, you've slept long enough. It is you're birthday.]

[MC: But I don't want to.]

I turn over to look at the man standing at the door. Simon. He was standing there with his arms crossed and has a frying pan in hand.

[Simon: Why not?! It's your birthday. You always get excited for your birthday!]

Geh. I can't tell him. He might die. An excuse. Any excuse!

[MC: I just don't want to taste your cooking.]

Whew. That was a close one.

[Simon: But you know how much I improved in cooking. I use to just cook the food with no seasoning, but now I use seasoning. And I improved on different combinations of different seasonings. There is no way my cooking is still that bad. Even the other week, you almost admitted my food was good.]

[MC: I never did say it was good though, right?]

[Simon: No. No you haven't.]

He sighed. It's true that he got better at cooking, but I'll never admit it to him. Even if today is my last day.

[Simon: Fine then! I'll go get an elk and we'll see who can make the best elk-based meal.]

This works for me actually. Now I don't have to try and find an excuse to shoo Simon away.

[MC: Fine by me. But don't go crying when I beat you.]

[Simon: Heh! I could say the same to you.]

I wonder if demon meat is good for eating... probably not. But I guess I won't know until I try it.

*******************

[MC: Damn it, when is he going to get here.]

It's already been at least three hours since Simon left, he could be back any minute now. I would at least like to die before he comes back.

I look around anxiously, waiting for Hedrif. Any noise, animal, or object that seems out of place, I'll get my bow ready. He's a shapeshifter isn't he? I would expect him to be something other than himself.

That was when I heard a small, quiet thump to my left. Quickly, I ready my bow with an arrow in hand.

[??: Interesting.]

A voice said behind me. I turn around to find the one I hated most. For forcing me into this, for threatening me and my peaceful life. Hedrif.

[Hedrif: I wonder if that's part of what saved you backed then.]

Saved me? What saved me? My hearing? No that didn't save me. So what is he talking about? Should I ask him? I think I'll ask him.

[MC: What are you talking about?]

[Hedrif: I was hardly making any noise, and yet you were able to pinpoint my location almost immediately. You must have something that helps you to do so.]

[MC: You know how little I actually understood what you just said.]

Something? Something. Something. Something. The blessing thing? Is that something a blessing? So I do have a blessing, huh.

[MC: Is that something a blessing? Or am I wrong.]

[Hedrif: So you're aware of blessings and such.]

[MC: No, not really. Just a lucky guess.]

He looks at me as if he didn't believe me.

[Hedrif: So? Your decision?]

My heart, at this point, is beating out of my chest.

[MC: Hah! My decision! Right.]

I clear my throat before continuing.

[MC: I've decided to fight you! Fight for my freedom! And I don't care if you don't accept this! Because if you want my sacrifice then you'll have to kill me!]

The demon before me sighed.

[Hedrif: I kind of expected this, but I didn't actually think you would try this. Also, that's not how sacrifices work.]

That was the last thing he said before he disappeared from my vision. And before I got a chance to say anything.

[Hedrif: Do you still want to fight me? Even knowing that you wouldn't be able to touch me.]

[MC: Well of cou-]

I wasn't even able to finish what I was saying before I got hit in my side with what felt like a giant, sharp rock. I went flying some distance, before I hit a tree at full force. The moment I hit the tree, I vomited up blood.

With no time to get up, Hedrif appeared in front of me again.

[Hedrif: Are you sure you want to fight me?]

[MC: I'd rather die th-]

At the top of my vision I saw it's tail come down upon me. The tail hit me as if it were a whip. As it did I clenched my teeth as hard as I could.

[Hedrif: Are you sure you want to fight me?]

[MC: I'd rathe-]

The same thing happened.

[Hedrif: Are you sure you want to fight me?]

[MC: I'd ra-]

The tail hit me again.

[Hedrif: Are you sure you want to fight me?]

[MC: I'd-]

Again, the tail hit me.

[Hedrif: You're not making this any easier for yourself when you refuse. So I'll ask again. Are you sure you want to fight me?]

[MC: In your dreams, you son of a bitch.]

I was fully prepared for the tail to hit me again, but instead he hit with his paw. I went flying again.

[Hedrif: The more you resist, the more you suffer you know.]

Of course I knew that, but like I've said before, I'd rather die.

[MC: I... know....]

It hurts so much just to talk. How the hell is he so fast?

[Hedrif: I don't understand humans. If you're suffering, then shouldn't you end it faster. I gave you a lot of time in hopes that you would pick the wiser choice, but it turns out that that was a waste of time. Now this will be my last time asking. Are you sure you want to fight me? Try and think of your position before you answer.]

My bow isn't anywhere near me, and I think my sword is bent from hitting the tree. I don't think I'll survive, but my resolve has been made already.

[MC: I've made up my decision a long time ago.]

I say as I stand up.

[MC: I've decided that I'll kill you! Or die trying!]

I grabbed the bent sword from my waist and prepared for a fight. Though I might not even touch him.

[Hedrif: Looks like there's no changing your mind. Death awaits you and your foolishness.]

[MC: I'll welcome it with open arms.]

That was a lie. If anything, I'll resist death for as long as possible.

[Hedrif: The time of a fool has come to an end.]

As soon as he said that, he disappeared from my vision, which mostly means he's behind me.

[MC: HAAAAAA!!]

With my yell, I turned around quickly. Only to see the most unexpected thing. The one thing I didn't want to happen. Simon was here.

As Simon stood there, there was blood spraying from his body. A lot of blood. Too much blood. He turned around and smiled. He said,

[Simon: I'm sorry, Orion.]

Then looked up to the sky before finishing up.

[Simon: I hope you'll forgive me.]

In which sounded like he was saying to multiple people. Before silently, his lifeless body fell to the ground.

I go to my knees, in shock.

[MC: What? What just happen?]

[Hedrif: Hmm, oh he died. Yeah, even I didn't notice his presence until he jumped in front of you. Such a shame, this could've been avoided if you just gave in to me. But noooooo, you couldn't let your stupid little self and your stupid little pride get trampled on. You just haaad to fight. This is the result of not sacrificing yourself, I hope you cry in despair, before I kill you.]

This couldn't be real. There's no way that this is real. He was suppose to be out hunting. He's not suppose to be here. Wait. Hold on. Hedrif's species is a master of illusions. This is fake. There is no way that this real.

[Hedrif: This isn't an illusion, you dumb human. This is very real. Only an outcome that you could've prevented.]

[MC: Prove it...]

[Hedrif: Huh? Couldn't hear you.]

[MC: Prove it. Prove it. Prove it! PROVE TO ME THAT THIS ISN'T AN ILLUSION!!]

[Hedrif: Touch him. You can't touch things that aren't there. So touch it and you'll know if it's an illusion or not.]

I listen to what he said. I reached out to Simon's body and put my hand on his chest. I was able to touch his chest. There was no sign of life in his body. No heartbeat, no rising of the chest, no breath, no reflexes, he was truly dead. He was dead, He is dead. And he'll be dead forever. I messed up. There was no happy ending for me, or Simon. Not unless if I had taken the stupid deal.

[MC: Why should I believe what you say about illusions? What if this is all part of my mind? Who would actually believe that this is real?]

[Hedrif: And why would I have any reason to lie? I could've killed you on the spot right there, right then.]

[MC: The reason why I'm not dead right now. How come I'm not dead? It's because you want to watch me suffer.]

The blood on my hands is turning cold.

[Hedrif: You're not wrong about wanting to watch you suffer, but I didn't plan this. This is all part of luck.]

[MC: Luck...]

My mind is going numb from the pain and shock that I'm in right now, the only thing keeping me up is my rage towards the demon.

[Hedrif: Well, I've had enough fun. I have others I want to get to.]

Others? Does he mean I'm not the only one he's doing this to? Of course, that's why he would disappear for long periods of time. I'm not letting him get to them. There's no way I should let others go through this same shit.

[MC: You're not going anywhere.]

[Hedrif: Pretty big words for someone who has a foot in the grave.]

[MC: You're not going anywhere.]

[Hedrif: Why do you repeat everything you say.]

[MC: Because there is nothing else to say to you.]

Just like the feeling I had twelve years ago, I felt something go into me. I feel more powerful. I feel like I'm going to explode. I feel sorrow. I feel despair. I feel like I want to die. I feel like I want to kill. I feel hatred. I feel rage.

[MC: You're not going anywhere.]

Was the last thing I said, before everything was enveloped in a bright, white light.