Revival of the Hero

Aisrin exited the palace in a fury. Hephaestus was chuckling to himself.

"I've never witnessed a king, who is used to pressure, get absurdly flustered like that, at least not since Greece! Boy, you are full of entertaining moments. But let's get serious. Don't leave this city.

It needs you. I can hear it, feel it even. This peace tense with a feeling of approaching war. I've seen these outcomes, they're so horrendous, you'll never live without regret. Give it thought yeah? I know you well enough kid. You have a kind heart shackled by fear and darkness. A piece of advice... If you want to get stronger the fast yet hard way, Summon another god." Hephaestus vanished back to his realm after leaving Aisrin feeling conflicted.

"Why stronger though? I'm not feeling particularly weak." Aisrin muttered.

"Wait!" Someone called out to him.

"Oh for fucks sake!" Aisrin lifted his hand, and the ring on his finger extended into a sword, it's point resting on Elviras neck. She lifted her hands, utterly caught off guard, yet impressed.

"I'm sorry! I just want to talk." Elvira backed up.

"Royals don't just change. So unless you're here to bow at my feet, I don't want to... what are you doing?" Aisrin looked down at the girl bowing at his feet.

"I'm bowing at your feet." Elvira stated.

'What's the motive? Nobles don't just one eighty without ulterior motives.'

(No. But this one does.)

Aisrin sighed and returned the blade to its ring form.

"Okay, okay! Stand up, Jesus." Aisrin turned away, confliction running rampant.

'Damn it Hephaestus. I could have just walked out of here. I could have ignored this town... but why do I feel this damn desire to help?'

(Haven't you always been that way?)

"Please, I only wish to convey my apologies. What I said, in the room... I just wanted to see your arrogant attitude disappear. I never meant to remind you of your suffering." Elvira admitted.

"You may have seen it if you'd stayed just a moment longer." Aisrin muttered. The two were standing in front of the palace gates, gaining a piqued interest from passersby.

"What?" Elvira asked.

"Nothing." Aisrin replied.

"Don't leave." Elvira pleaded suddenly.

"After all that? You expect me not to?" Asrun spun to face her, but his anger dissipated after seeing her expression of remorse.

"I don't. But I wronged you, and wish to ammend it. I shouldn't have acted as if you were beneath me. I was angry at my father for forcing a marriage I didn't want unto me. But, you unwillingness to surrender in the face of overwhelming power, caused me to hate that determination. For a moment, I thought that I had no reason to reject the proposal. It made me feel helpless and weak." Elvira explained. The explanation left Aisrin feeling somewhat empathetic, which minorly infuriated him.

'Damn it! Is she playing me right now?'

(I don't believe so.)

"Why? I lost. The outcome was as everyone expected. Just because I was of a stronger will, you chain me up and threaten my freedom? Where is the logic in that? It's just what you nobles do." Aisrin snapped.

"I wanted you to feel what I felt. I was wrong. I was greedy, jealous, envious and prideful. I let my pride go before my reason, and you suffered for it." Elvira continued to look down.

(Don't you just want to hold her?)

'Oh my God, you are easily swayed.'

(She just makes me feel like I must hold her and comfort her!)

'Butt out.'

"... I still hate nobles. I loathe humans. Your capacity for evil is greater than any other race. Even Lycans are better in comparison. And hate them significantly... But..." Aisrins conflictions only grew stronger the longer he spoke.

"But?" Elvira looked up, a hopeful look on her face. Aisrins face flushed red.

'She's human, she's royalty. She tried to kill you fifteen minutes ago. Get a grip!'

(But she is beautiful.)

'That is true... Didn't I say to butt out?'

(I'm just trying to help the right side win in your war of confliction.)

"But, I suppose I can stick around. I'm not marrying you though." Aisrin replied firmly.

"If father removes the decree, then I'll agree with that." Elvira smiled.

'Maybe I'm the one with a problem?'

(Such a player. Even something you hate isn't totally untouchable.)

"Fine. See to it he does." Aisrin spun and walked away swiftly. Elvira stared after him.

'What's this odd feeling in my chest?'

*A few moments later*

"I was charmed!" Aisrin suddenly exclaimed.

(Indeed. Very powerful charm.)

'Why? What's her purpose? I can't believe I fell for that!!'

(Well, actually, charming effects can't be activated by any mortal being. That's the goddess' ability. Askarah. Charm won't work unless there's a slight attraction on both sides. She must really want you two together if she cast charm on the both of you. I guess you leaving was not part of her plans.)

'Ah, so my life is her sick entertainment?'

(I doubt that. She's a very respectable goddess. She only intervenes like that when it's dire. Maybe you should get married. It's not like it's without benefit.)

"I refuse." Aisrin suddenly blurted, gaining confused looks from the people around him.

"Ahem. Sir Aisrin." A few palace guards appeared behind him. Aisrin spun around and then sighed. Without asking he just followed them back towards the palace. A few moments later and he was standing before the king and princess.

"Yeah?" Aisrin asked. His earlier demeanor entirely replaced by a more docile one.

"Oh, that's a heck of a change from earlier. I won't ask. Aisrin, I won't remove the decree to marry my daughter. I'm sorry, but I cannot budge on that." The King immediately started with sour news.

"Are you fu...Ahem... May I ask why?" Aisrin corrected and calmed down.

(Gosh, now who's one eighty?)

"Because there's no other one whose at your age who I can gladly marry her to. She's quite strong, and everyone at her strength is either a woman or a really old geezer. Can you at least understand that much? Save this old man some face as a father." The King explained.

"...I already have three." Aisrin attempted to dissuade.

"That's... wait, three what?" The King started and then looked at Aisrin in confusion.

"Three women. I'm not giving them up for just one." Aisrin portrayed himself as the player he kept getting called.

"Oh... That's not uncommon. That's fine. Is that all?" Deramus grinned in understanding, as if he approved.

(Ha! That backfired.)

"Eh? Yeah.. uh... but? Huh?" Aisrin stumbled over his words, trying to get a coherent thought to form, one that might fix the situation.

"Am I not good enough then?" Elvira asked purposefully, noticing the struggle within Aisrin. She was enjoying his flustered face.

'That's too unfair! I'm being charmed one sidedly!'

(Askarah, when she intervenes, nothing is going to stop it from going her way.)

'I thought you said she was a respectable goddess!'

(And a shrewd one. She is a goddess afterall.)

"Well?" Elvira continued, even pretending to be nervous.

'Oh you vile wench!'

"Fine! Damn it! Have your way!" Aisrin admitted defeat.

'I swear I'll get her back for that! Damn goddess!'

(Maybe ask Hephaestus about her?)

Hope returned to Aisrin.

'Yes! Hephaestus! If I can get his help I swear I'll do whatever one request he has!'

"Splendid! Now, for the second topic. I want to announce your return." Deramus suddenly perked. Aisrin froze.

"My return?" Aisrin broke into a cold sweat.

"Yes, the Revival of the Hero. I plan to announce it tonight. Of course, that means you'll no longer have a peaceful life. But, you can still go around as an Adventurer. I only ask that you prove that you are the hero. As your file does say 'Magician'." The King motioned for a PSI reader to step forth.

Aisrin contented but did as he was told.

Name: Aisrin (Sin) Age: 21

Job: Hero Path: Free to Choose

It was the first time Aisrin had seen that show up in a very long time. His name finally read Aisrin.

"Blessed be Askarah. You weren't kidding! You've been hiding under our noses, all this time!" Deramus exclaimed as he stared at the words displayed. Even Elvira looked astonished.

'They didn't believe me the first time?'

(I would doubt it too.)

"You seemed sure when I told you earlier." Aisrin pointed out.

"You also used Illusion magic, so doubts are only justified to form." Deramus retorted.

"Ahahaha, right..." Aisrin laughed nervously.

"Then we shall hold a feast in your name!" Deramus happily announced.

"Hah... that's a bit too much though. I don't feel like a hero anymore." Aisrin sighed.

****

Unperturbed by Aisrins dismissal of the idea, King Deramus announced Aisrins return and openly celebrated The Revival of the Hero. All of Fargo was enveloped by excitement, but in the darker parts of the city, resentment still brewed. Even if he had returned, the damage after his disappearance was irreparable.