Unfortunately, I’m Not A Hero 64: Interlude: Reiser (Patreon)

Unfortunately, I’m Not A Hero 64: Interlude: Reiser

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Commissioned by Shaderic

Wordcount: 2500

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The Hellhound came forward with a furious, bestial fury that most would consider a berserker rage… and die the moment they confronted it such.

Hellhounds were amongst the strongest of the Kindred. Even magical blades could melt against their skin, and if they found purchase, their blood could be so incensed by battle that their it would set alight all it spilled upon. Their claws and fangs could carve through the strongest of enchanted plate, and despite their womanly forms, they are well-muscled, strong, and fast.

Normal men could only fell them in great numbers and immense discipline… and so such would be the case whenever they entered the field.

The Empire loathed to lose its champions to Hellhounds, so they spend their men upon them in their stead, unless the lines broke.

But with Hachiman’s teachings and training backing this Hellhound, Ashe, I was sure that she would break through the frontline, kill those sent to oppose her, and route entire armies in an instant.

Such was the devastating combination of her natural power and talent combined with Hachiman’s teachings.

Her first strike was a feint that flew over my shoulder, while I blocked with my shield the short punch she made with her left, clawed hand. I felt my bones trembled at the impact of the blow, as she knew how to properly use her strength with the most minimal of distance, and used the force she generated to power a controlled roll away from her.

The feint she made crest over my shoulder turned into an attempt to grab me, so she could use her superior strength to pin me and defeat me.

Yet, even as I struck at the offending digit with the one-handed axe I chose for the battle, her arm was already returned to her, and she was once again charging at me with a ferocious cry, as well as hiding her true attack behind a flurry of frantic, frenzied swipes.

This one Hellhound could upturn entire battles on her own, yet she was not alone.

Our audience was composed of er compatriots. They were Werewolves who considered her the Alpha of their pack. Each one watched our battle, but not one growled, seethed, or cried out for their leader. Instead all their gazes were upon me, their minds dedicated to the task of finding out they could support their commander in battle against a foe such as myself, and they whispered to one another strategies involving everything from thrown rocks, using their crossbows, and even an Empire pike for a moment, despite how much it would harm the user, so that they could help their commander.

I knew for a fact that if I fought against Ashe and her retinue of Werewolves, each one a ranger well trained in the usage of both their body and weapons, I wouldn’t be able to compare.

However, in this mock battle, she and I were fighting alone… and I still held the advantage.

The moment my roll ended, I gathered strength into my legs, and leapt forward shield-first. I hid the entirety of my form behind the shield, becoming hidden in the middle of battle behind its circular frame.

Ashe’s eyes widened as she saw the reason behind my movement.

She did not know how I would attack with my axe.

To the Hellhound’s credit, she did not balk at meeting my shield-charge head on. Her claws rent the reinforced iron with utmost ease. The path of her melted iron and burnt through wood, while her eyes darted through the gaps in search of any clue towards my imminent attack.

She was too focused on my shield, as well as my imminent attack, and did not notice that it was no longer attached on my arm.

Thus, she froze in place I brought short the two-handed axe blow to her neck that would’ve concussed her tremendously, even with its bluntness and her innate toughness.

For a brief moment, I wondered how the Hellhound would react to her loss, just before a familiar, toothy smile formed on her face.

“I am of amazement! Your actions are of greatness!” The Kindred readily conceded the battle and banished her flames. One of her faithful companions came forward and offered her clothing, and she readily allowed herself to be dressed. Soon enough she was clad in a ash-colored, leather vest as well as shorts which declared to all that was all she wore beneath. Yet the long-haired Hellhound still wore more than most Kindred. “My movements are still lacking, because of your great skill!”

“It’s a matter of training. You do not yet know how to fight skilled foes yet.” In terms of physical power, and arcane might, the Hellhound before me was most likely only rivalled by the elites of the Amazons and Hachiman’s Demon. Not even the strongest of the tribes Hachiman absorbed into Ylstu could hope to confront Ashe. However, that was only when one considered strength alone. Against even the tribal warriors, still acclimating and training to their new lives, she could be felled. “Do not fall for feints easily. Do not allow the enemy to dictate the pace of battle. Retreat, evade, and reengage when necessary.”

The Hellhound nodded with my every word, her eyes bright with inner flame, and her ears perked up. Her tail wagged behind her, as she hummed with every nod that she sent my way, and despite my fears and worries I had to stop myself from smiling.

Ashe was one of the few Kindred that I could speak to calmly, because she truly had the demeanor and countenance of a dog eager to please and be pleased.

Thus, I found it easy to train her and develop her abilities against even those who I served with before.

“Think of yourself not as infantry, but as cavalry.” In the back of my mind, I saw the horrified, betrayed faces of the men I saved, of those I called brothers and sisters, and those I respected. However, I focused upon Ashe’s rapt attention, her earnest enotiosn and desire to learn and be better, and the pressure upon my shoulders lifted. “When you are in motion, you are unstoppable, so retreat and gain momentum if you find yourself confronted by skill. Find weaknesses, disrupt them, and fight weak opponents, so you can make the strong fall.”

Ashe took a seat, crossing her legs, and nodding with my every word.

Soon enough she was joined by her fellows and the entire pack surrounded me.

A part of me screamed to not say another word, to not see the curiosity in their eyes, and the earnestness of their desires to serve Ylstu better.

It was very difficult to push back and portion away.

But I managed to do so.

…

My accommodations were no longer Ylstu’s prison, but a guard’s room within Hachiman’s property. Faint memories of living in a mansion entered my mind every time I entered it, of cold and dreary halls filled with cold, calculating gazes.

But my new accommodations were different.

The Kunoichi greeted me as I passed them by, frustrating me as I have yet to manage to figure out the trick to finding them. But unlike my father’s secretive servants, they are playful in their actions, as they watch and protect us. They speak with a giggle upon their lips, and their eyes are always teasing.

The Kikimora, in their elegant servant’s garb, typically glide across the halls to dust, maintain, and do all the duties required servants. However, they always surpass the minimum requirement, and offer more. A bath is always freshly drawn for me to use after my work, while a hot drink and fine-smelling, clean clothes are prepared upon my bed. The tools I need to care for my arms and armor were always within reach, just before I go to sleep.

Then, of course, there were the other inhabitants of the household.

Tanis worked long hours, despite her guild increasing in size. Her works in relaying information between the Empire and Ylstu was a monumental challenge, but she and her people were also becoming the cornerstone of all the budding, Kindred communication system. Yet despite her long hours, and how she often collapsed into her bed, she always sought me out to learn more of the Empire.

At first, I wondered what her goals were, and if she wished for me to acknowledge the sins of my people right before her and shame myself.

But when I listened to her questions, she only asked for the advancements of my people, and how her own could be bettered with the knowledge I offered.

After acknowledging her, I found it easier to acknowledge all the Kindred as well.

All except one.

Kurama.

But not because of my hatred of Kindred, but because of what she has become, and what I could never be.

Despite all the warmth offered by my new home, the moment I finished cleansing myself of filth and endeavored to walk out of the room, I froze as soon as I remembered what day of the week it was.

It was the day Kurama and Hachiman spent together, so that they could one day fulfill their vows.

As always, the moment my thoughts turned towards that fact the Demon appeared with a smile and draped herself upon me.

“Leave me be, Demon.” Though I spoke, there was no spirit in my words. Despite my accomplishments, I knew that today was yet another day when Hachiman spoke with his Kitsune wife and grew closer to her. I could smell the strange, new concoction that she created, which she fed him, and which he enjoyed. Then, he would speak to her about his past life, because he trusted her with knowledge, he could never trust with me. “This is my burden alone.”

“Mmmm, perhaps if I were not so pleased with today, I would agree.” The Demon writhed against me; her titanic form somehow perfectly womanly as well as fearsome. I tried to leave her loose embrace, yet because of her power and strength, my efforts were meaningless. “I do so adore seeing heroes rise from the ashes, triumph, and become worthy opponents all their own… however, I have a delightful, dear master to care for now. I can’t be selfish, especially when he’s doing such a wonderful job.”

She didn’t speak to him like this.

The Demon watched her tongue in his presence, treating him with the utmost courtesy, and never doing anything more than toe the line with his temper.

However, after my first, true meeting with her, I knew the truth.

A’Bel was not merely a mighty, terrifying warrior, but a capable administrator who eased the growing pains of Ylstu through her own methods. The Amazons caught criminals, but she found those who would exploit Ylstu to their own benefit. Tanis and her clerks documented and conveyed information, but the Demon often visited neighboring fiefs, and ensured that the messengers reached their destination. While Hachiman turned Ashe’s attentions towards the rebuilding Empire, the Demon looked towards the Kindred lands, and exerted pressure towards all those envious of Hachinamn’s rise in power and influence.

Her smile, her love, and all her affection were solely reserved for him.

All other things are merely disadvantages and advantages to be dealt with in any way he would allow… or forgive her for.

She cradled my face in her hand, as the candles in my room dimmed. The shadows lengthened, until I felt myself surrounded only by darkness and the Demon.

I forced myself to speak.

“Leave me be, Demon. This is my burden to carry. It is my duty to repent.” The words caused a part of me to recoil and scream indignities, but I stamped it down. I knew that I could forget, that my soul can be sold, and I can become a truly new person. A Reiser who could acknowledge her past like an outsider, learn from it, and be better. Someone who could stand beside Hachiman, and reach out to him… because she wouldn’t be me. The thought sickened me. It was no different from my current station, where I would see another reach him, while I cannot. “I will surmount myself without you.”

Ever since Hachiman’s wedding day, ever since I fought in the colosseum and clashed swords with mighty, honorable Kindred, I strove to repent, to be better, and to accept the truth.

Every day, I struggled with the burden of disgust for those who have been only kid to me.

Every day, I struggled with the teaching of Kindred the tactics of the Empire in single-combat.

Every day, I struggled with the desire to beg Hachiman to not look at Kindred, and to look at me.

If I gave A’Bel my entire “self,” if I surrendered to her and became Kindred, I would no longer have these feelings.

My past would still be mine, yet I would be another me.

A better being.

But I rejected that idea the moment the Demon first offered it to me, and I rejected it now.

This time, I actually escaped the Demon’s grip with my attempt to leave it.

A’Bel’s smile when I looked at her reminded me of the smile, she always gave Hachiman, instead of the fierce, worrying one she gave to all others.

I decided to give it no measure of consideration as I uttered my next words.

“It would all be for nothing, if I accepted your offer.” My work for the Empire has drenched me in the blood of many. Not just Kindred, but those who were stolen from their homes and forced to fight. In my quest for glory, so that my family would acknowledge me, I trampled upon and broke their spirits and hearts of those who trusted me. “I cannot accept becoming a Devil, because I would be a lesser for it.”

It would be running away.

I would be fleeing from my sins by accepting death, and allowing puppet to exist in my place.

If I was to choose death over righting as many of my wrongs with my own hands, my own will, and with my own power, then I would much rather acknowledge all my wrongdoings and take my own life.

And I abhorred the very thought of it.

The candlelight grew brighter within my room, and the darkness crept away to reveal my bed, my wardrobe, and the table I used to maintain my equipment.

A’Bel disappeared as well, her smile fading last, and leaving me to my sparse, simple accommodations.

It was all I had, but it was all I deserved, until I became better.

I did not need the Demon.

I will reach where Kurama now stands one day through my power alone.