Coker didn't sleep after the attack. He just sat on the same broken wall, watching the smoke in the sky. The village was quiet now but not peaceful. People was crying, picking up pieces, looking for loved ones. Some was missing. Some was hurt. Some just standing, staring into space.
The demon attack wasn't just an accident. It was planned. Too many come all at once. And that man… that one in the black cloak… he was no normal enemy. He didn't move. He didn't fight. He just stood and looked at Coker. Like he was waiting for something. Like he already know Coker.
Lira bring him some water and sit beside him. You didn't sleep, she say.
He shake his head. Can't. That man… he was the one. The voice in my dream.
You sure?
I feel it. He's not just some demon. He the one calling me. Maybe the first king. Or the last one. I don't know anymore.
Lira look at him long. Her eyes was soft but also worried. What do we do now?
We find him. We make him talk. I wanna know why he keep chasing me. I wanna know why I feel him inside me.
But you not ready, she say. You not at full power yet. You still fighting yourself.
I know, he say. But if I wait, more people die. I can't just watch.
He stand up and walk into the middle of the village. People saw him coming and moved back like always. Some still whisper behind their hand. It was him. The cursed one. He bring the demons here. The hero die cause of him.
He ignore all of it.
He step onto a broken table and raise his voice.
Listen up. I know you don't like me. Maybe you even hate me. But last night we all almost die. And it not gonna stop. That man in the black cloak… he's not just any demon. He's coming back. And he not alone.
People murmured. Some scared. Some confused. One old man shout, Why should we listen to you! You're cursed! You the reason the hero is gone!
Coker look at him straight. I didn't kill the hero. The demons did. And now, I'm gonna kill the demon king. I don't need you to believe in me. Just don't get in my way.
Then he step down and walk away.
He and Lira begin packing. Light things. Travel gear. Some food. Lira carry scrolls with healing magic. Coker just carry his fists.
As they was leaving, one small boy ran up to him. His clothes was dirty. His nose runny. But his eyes big and serious.
Coker look down at him. What?
Are you gonna beat the demon king?
Yeah.
Then bring back my sister, the boy said, then run off.
Coker didn't say anything, but his jaw tighten. More reasons to keep going.
They travel fast. Into the dead land. That place between the human and demon world. The sky turn gray here. No sun. No moon. Just light with no warmth. The ground was full of bones and dead trees.
Coker feel the fire inside waking up. He didn't fight it this time. He let it flow. Not too much. Just enough to protect.
Lira walk close. You okay?
Yeah. Just focused.
After hours of walk, they reach an old ruin. Broken stone, tall archways, symbols on the wall. This place was ancient. Before time. Even Lira didn't recognize it.
Suddenly they hear something.
Not a growl. Not footsteps. A voice. Low. Deep. Cold like shadow.
You came faster than I thought.
Coker spin around. There he was. The man in the cloak. His face still hidden. Only his mouth show. A small smile. No teeth. Just calm.
Who are you? Coker shout.
The man step closer. His feet not making sound. I am what you will become. I am the past. You are the future.
Stop speaking riddle! Coker yell. I'm not you!
You will be. The fire is already part of you. I placed it there.
Coker blink. What?
Yes. Before I fell, before I burned the last city, I made sure someone carry my flame. And that was you.
Lira raise her hand, light forming. Don't come closer!
The man just laugh. You think you can stop destiny with light?
Coker run forward, fist on fire. He punch. The man catch it with one hand. Coker eyes wide.
Impossible!
The man throw him back. He crash into wall. Blood from his mouth.
You still weak. Not ready yet. But close.
Why are you doing this? Coker groan, standing up again.
Because I'm dying. And when I fade, my fire need to live on. You are the vessel. My perfect one.
I'll never be like you!
We'll see.
Then he vanish. Just like that. Smoke and gone.
Coker fall to his knees. Lira run to him. You okay?
No, he whisper. He's not just a demon king. He's something else. He planned all this from the start.
That night they camp in the ruins. Coker didn't sleep again. But he wasn't scared now. He was angry.
Next morning, he wake up early. Not from dream. Just from the voice inside getting louder.
Burn them all. Burn everything.
He grab his head. Shut up!
Lira wake up fast. What's wrong?
It's getting stronger, he whisper. I feel him in my blood.
Then we find a way to stop him. To break the link.
How?
She pull out an old scroll. My father once said, a curse that is passed can also be rejected. We just need the right place. The right seal. And maybe… the right name.
Coker nod. Then we find it.
They walk again. No time to waste. No place safe. And far behind them… in the ruin shadows… the man in the cloak stood again.
His voice low, only wind can hear it.
Soon.