Chapter 2 Meeting with Friends

After leaving mom, who waves as I leave, I head to my friend Sylvia's house. We are neighbors, and her house is on the left of mine, so it doesn't take long for me to arrive. I knock on the door, and wait for her to answer. An old man opens the door with a smile. Once he realizes that it is me at the door, his smile turns to a frown. He is Albert, Sylvia's father, who doesn't like me for some reason. Despite not liking me, he still calls out to Sylvia.

"Coming," she says as she appears at the doorstep. Sylvia is a girl that is the same age as me, but I am older by a couple of weeks. She has long hair with a reddish tint to it. She also has pink eyes, and is considered one of the prettiest girls in the village. There are many who are saying she will be a very beautiful woman in the future.

We got acquainted one day when I was pulling water from the well. Usually I get up early so no one is there to draw water. That day I slept in though, so I rushed to get the water from the well. She was also there at that time drawing water. We didn't talk then, but we had a misunderstanding when we were heading home. Her parents had taught her to watch out for men, since she was a pretty girl.

As such, when we were heading in the same direction she was wary of me, and said. "Don't follow me. Daddy told me to stay away from people like you."

"I'm not following you." I replied back at the time, "I'm just heading back home."

"Yeah right." She replied. "If you really did have your home in this direction why haven't I seen you before."

"I stay at home most of the time."

"But you still would have to get out to draw water. Why haven't I seen you before today then?"

"I don't usually get water at this time. I woke up late today."

"Yeah, just don't walk next to me."

"But, my house is right there."

"Hah hah. Real funny. Telling me that you live right next door."

"What, you live next to me? Why haven't I seen you before?"

"Maybe, because you don't live here and are just following me."

"I'm not. I'm not following you."

"Prove it. Walk up to that house, and introduce me to your parents."

"Fine. Sigh why would I even be interested in following some girl I don't know?"

"What was that?"

"Nothing." Knock knock knock.

"Is that you Sylvain. Why are you knocking on the door? It should be open."

"Sorry mom, you told me to knock when company comes so you can get ready."

"Oh, we have company over. Who is it?"

"A girl I met when I went to get water. She should be our neighbor."

"Should be?"

"I don't know if she is."

"What's her name then?"

"I don't know mom. I'll just ask. Hey what's your name? Also is this enough for you to believe I live here?"

"Huh, Uh yes my name is Sylvia. I'm sorry for doubting you."

"It's okay, it's okay. Nothing bad happened so it's fine."

"Welcome." Mom says as she opens the door. "So, you are our neighbor Sylvia. I heard your talk through the door."

"Yes, I thought he was following me. I didn't even know our neighbors had a kid."

"Yeah. Sylvain is a nice kid, but he doesn't really like to intersect with others much. Oh I just had a great idea. Since you are our neighbor why don't you become friends."

"But mom."

"No buts here Sylvain. It is not right for you to just hang out with me and your father. I like how diligent you are, but you have to have fun with friends your age."

And that is the story of how we became friends. My mom just kept pushing the idea. I was even forced out of the house for some time so I would play with her. I didn't want to at first, but as we played together more we started to become actual good friends.

"So what are we going to be playing today?" Sylvia asks as her father leaves us.

"Come on," I reply, "you know we first have to meet up with Danny."

"Uh," she says, "I don't like him. He is fun to play around with, but it feels like he doesn't want to really play with us, and his house is too far away. Oh I know why don't you piggyback me."

"No. If I do I will be too tired to play with you guys."

Danny, my other friend, is the son of the village chief. He has brown hair with black eyes. He has a very plain face, and is the oldest of the three of us. Of course he isn't that much older than us, only older than us by about a month or two. The way we met was also strange.

It was a year after meeting with Sylvia. At this point in time we were already good friends, and we usually played by the well where we first met. For a couple of days I had been feeling a gaze on us like someone was observing us, and when Sylvia and I came into close contact or seemed like we were having a good time the gaze would intensify. Because of the training with dad I was able to tell that this gaze had hostile intentions, but since it didn't act I didn't. I mean it could all have been my imagination.

Then the next day, I got a letter delivered to my door. My parents found it and gave it to me to read although no name was put on it so the sender and receiver were unknown. I had already been taught basic things like math and reading from my parents. Magic and weapon training was also going well. Well, anyways the letter basically gave me a time and place, and told me to come alone. I didn't know what it meant so I asked my parents about this. They just told me that I should meet this person first before deciding anything else. I listened to my parents' advice, and went to the meeting place. It was at the outskirts of town, but still within the range the guards patrolling area.

When I went there I saw Danny for the first time, but I didn't know who he was at the time so I asked. "Are you the one who called me out here?"

"So you really did come alone. Haha good. As for your question, yes I am the one who called oh out here. My name is Danny, son of the village chief."

"Hello Danny I'm Sylvain. What did you call me out for?"

"I called you out today to tell you to stay away from the fair maiden. Someone as beautiful as her doesn't deserve to be with you. She instead deserves someone with power and prestige such as myself."

"Wait, do you like Sylvia?"

"Sylvia so that's her name. As to answer your question, yes I do like her. She is the epitome of beauty. One so beautiful as her is rare to find."

"Big words," I said reflexively. I honestly had trouble understanding some of what he said. "If you like her, why don't you first start out as friends? If you want I could even introduce you."

"Would you really do that for me?"

"Of course."

"Wait, how do I know this isn't a trap of yours to ensnare Sylvia?"

"Well, I don't think she is very beautiful."

"What? Are you really saying that?"

"Not really." I say while thinking that mom is much prettier.

"If that is really the case then, I will use you to get closer to Sylvia."

"Whatever you want to do, new friend."

After reminiscing Sylvia says. "So are you going to give me a piggyback or no?"

"No, besides it's not that far. What game do you think we will play this time?"

"Heroes and demon lords was a pretty fun game."

"I guess I will be the demon lord again."

"Why do you always have to play the bad guy."

"Because the bad guy has to lose, so the weaker one will always be the bad one."

There are many types of demons in the world, however all demons fall under the category of demonic beast. A demonic beast is usually an unintelligent beast. Because they are unintelligent, they will attack any that enter their territory regardless of what they are. Sometimes other demonic beasts would also be attacked if they were to enter another's territory. Even though they lack intelligence they are far stronger than humans. They also reproduce very quickly. The weaker the demonic beast is the faster they can reproduce.

Very rarely there will be a demonic beast who is able to gain intelligence. This demonic beast will then be able to use its intelligence to unite the other demons. Demons usually don't cause much trouble except when expanding their territory however when a demon lord is born that changes. The demonic beasts will follow the will of the demon lord and do its bidding.

However most demonic beasts live in demonic forests and cause no trouble to humans. The center of the forests have the most mana. Mana is what the demonic beasts mainly subsist on. Demonic forests also have many plants that can be made into useful potions. The demonic forests are separated into 3 different categories. The first area is called the human zone, and is the place where humans can explore, but they will risk death each time. The second area is called the beast men zone, and is the area where beast men can go. Again they will be killed if they aren't cautious. The third area is the forbidden zone, and is the area that none have come alive from. Also demonic forests don't have to be forests. They are just places with high mana. So any environment can be called a demonic forest as long as it has enough mana

These few things are currently what we know of the demonic forests. The plants that are gathered in them are filled with mana, and will become more saturated the deeper one ventures in the forest. Oh yeah I forgot to mention that the humans and demon lords are at odds with each other. The reasons are unclear, but that has been happening for over 1,000,000 years. Of course over those 1,000,000 only 10 demon lords have emerged

The game heroes and demon lords recreates the first battle between the first demon lord and the hero's party. According to the stories the humans were suppressed by the demons because they were weaker. Two people rose up to try to free the humans from the rule of the demons. They demonstrated the power that humans have through killing the demon lord which if it isn't apparent is the strongest among the demons. The two people were a male and female. The male was an exemplary swordsman, while the female was an amazing healer. With both of them working together the swordsman was able to win against the demon lord freeing the humans from his tyranny

"But if anything you are stronger than Danny."

"What? No. Danny has been training in the sword since he could raise a sword. He is also the village chief, so he has gotten many good trainers to help him. How can I be stronger than him?"

"I don't know, but it just feels like Danny trains to get attention while you train for results."

"Nah, see, look ahead. Danny is training while waiting for us. He spends his own free time training."

"Whatever you say."

"Hey Danny."

"Hi Sylvia, Sylvain. Just let me finish this last set of swings, and we can start playing. What game do you want to play?"

"We were talking about it on the way over, and thinking of going with heroes and demon lords."

"Cool so Sylvia and I are the heroes, while Sylvain will be the demon lord right?"

"Yeah that's what I was thinking as well. Are we going to be playing in the same place?"

"And I'm done. What was that? Switching up the place we play at? Are you okay with that Sylvia?"

"Well we have been playing in the same place for quite a while."

"Okay, then I guess we will have to look for a good place to play. Any ideas Danny."

"Yeah, some places. The best I got is a cave a little in the forest."

"Oh that sounds nice."

"Yeah, the cave can be my palace, and you have to invade it while avoiding the traps."

"That sounds fun. The traps won't be dangerous right."

"Nah. Just traps to slow you down and tie you up. You don't have to worry Sylvia. Oh right Danny why don't you show us the way to this cave."

"Yeah, okay follow me through the forest. Okay just walk past this really tall tree, follow this river upstream and it should soon split off. We follow the split off portion and it leads us right by the entrance to the cave."

"Ooh, I see the cave. It looks really nice. I can't believe something so cool was so close to the village."

"Yeah I know right."

"Okay you guys wait here. I'll go in, and start setting up all the traps and set up the throne room."

I break off from the group. This was actually all a part of me and Danny's plan. It would give both Danny and Sylvia a chance to talk to each other, and deepen their friendship. I know that Danny likes Sylvia, but Sylvia doesn't really like Danny. I hope that the more time they spend together the stronger their friendship will become, and for this reason I have to stay away from them.

I am thinking of all this as I collect leaves and vines. I will use the leaves and vines to make rope so I can set up traps in the cave. I also gather sticks that can be used as light sources. These will be placed in the throne room, and given to them so they can travel through the cave. Danny checked the cave out before. It is basically a passageway that leads to a wide room. I will put torches all over the side room, and set traps in the passageway.

Thinking of the different traps I will set up with the rope I head back to the cave. I still see both of them talking and since I don't want to interrupt I hurriedly enter the cave. Using the flint and steel given to me by my parents, I light up a stick and enter the cave. I set up traps all over the passageway, and head to the wide room. I place the sticks on the walls, and then light them up. It gives the room an eerie glow. Once that is done I head outside avoiding the traps, and tell them I am ready while handing them sticks.

"Okay I will go inside. Wait a couple of minutes for me to get into the throne room. After that, come after me, and the game will begin. Here are your torches to help see although you won't really need them since sunlight enters the cave. Okay, bye then."

Once I finish telling them I head back inside, and quickly make my way to the throne room. There I lean against the wall, and wait. I hear some shouts and screams. I guess that means my traps are working real well. After waiting for a couple of minutes they finally enter.

Going into character I say. "Hahaha. So, you are the human's hope, the so-called heroes that will end my life. I don't see heroes at all. All I see are arrogant and foolish humans that overestimate their own strength. But come entertain me for this farce of a battle that will occur."

"Demon lord we will beat you, and free our fellow humans. There will be no more suffering as long as we are able to beat you. Watch as my skills with the sword defeat you."

"Hahaha. Using a sword to compensate for your weakness. This is really pathetic. I will abide by this joke, and allow you a chance to free your fellow humans from my rule."

"That is what we intend to do."

Then the intense battle begins. Danny and I go at it. His wooden sword against my hands. As per the story I in the beginning totally overpower Danny with my fists and hit him many times. After another crash Danny gets thrown away, and pretends to be in pain.

"What a pitiful first opponent. I hope that you won't be as pathetic as that guy, but as you are a woman I won't have any expectations."

"Oh, I am not here to fight you. O spell of light, come forth as a mist to heal my ally. You see this demon lord, my job is to help out with support-magic."

"Hahaha. No matter how many times the weak come back they won't be able to beat the strong."

"We will see about that."

Then the rest of the battle plays out as the stories. The humans keep getting beaten down while the demon lord stills stays strong. However the demon lord begins to tire out giving the swordsman time, and leeway to injure him with his sword.

"Huff, huff. Well well well, I never expected to take back my words so soon. You really did find a way for the weak to take down the strong. I concede defeat."

Now is the time for the swordsman to cut down the demon lord, but suddenly Sylvia begins to chant, "o spell of light, come forth as a mist to heal my opponent."

This isn't supposed to happen, but since I am the opponent I am supposed to get healed so I get back up.

Keeping in character I say, "I don't understand what is going on. Why did you suddenly change sides?"

"Because I feel like helping the demon lord win."

"Hahaha. What an upset we have here. Oh, but don't think you will be able to live even though you helped me out. I can tell that the only reason you were able to injure me thus far was due to your efforts so you will have to die."

"Oh, I am aware of this. I just felt like helping you now."

"Wait, healer. What about humanity? We need to beat this demon lord to save all of us. Isn't that the whole reason for this journey?"

"Yes, but I feel that the rule of the demons is fair, and it is just us humans that want more."

"But."

"Enough swordsman, this place shall become your graves."

Then I continue to beat both of them up and win the battle.

"Sylvia, what was that?" Danny says when we finish the game. "The demon lord isn't supposed to win, the heroes are."

"I don't like it that the heroes always win. I felt like the demon lord should be given a chance."

"Come on Danny don't be angry. This was a fun little twist to a game we played a lot."

"But the demon lord isn't supposed to win. The swordsman and healer are and then they get married together. That is how it is in the story."

"But it's not fun repeating the same thing over and over again. If anything I like this method better."

"Okay I guess we can do it this way for a while."

"Yeah, and since the demon lord is the one that wins this time I should be the swordsman since I am the weaker one."

"Okay, I guess I will be the demon lord next time then."

"Tsk, I guess the story needs to be changed again."

"Huh, did you say something Sylvia."

"Huh, oh no I didn't say anything."

"You sure because I swear I hear…"

"Roar."