Coker walk through the forest with heavy foot. The tree was quiet today, no wind, no bird sound, like the world was holding it breath. Lira follow behind, not saying anything. She already know when to talk and when not. Today was not a talking day. Today was for thinking.
Coker was thinking about the dream again. The fire place, the man with the crown made from bone, the burning eyes that see inside him. The way it said he belong to him. He didn't want to believe it. But part of him... deep down... it already know.
He stop and sit on one old tree root. His hands was shaking again. Not from cold but from inside. The fire curse was moving again. Not wild but like it want to say something. It crawl under his skin like it searching for way out.
I don't wanna be a demon king, Coker whisper.
Lira sit beside him. You don't have to be. You still can choose.
But what if I can't, he say back. What if the thing inside already choose for me.
Lira look at him serious. Then fight it. Fight it with everything. That what you been doing all this time right
He nod slow. Yeah. But it getting harder. I feel it watching me. I feel it want me to burn.
She reach out and grab his hand. Then don't burn alone. We're still here.
The words was small but feel big. For first time that day, Coker heart feel not so heavy.
They start moving again. Deep into the demon land. The sky above turn orange like sunset even when it still morning. The deeper they go the more the world feel broken. Trees grow sideways. Rocks float in air. The ground crack even without weight.
Suddenly a growl came from behind a black bush. Big one. Coker pull his cursed flame fast. But this one was not just demon. It was a fusion demon. The kind that eat other demons and mix they body to become stronger.
It come out crawling with six legs and three heads. The middle one scream like baby. The left one spit fire. The right one cry blood.
Coker step forward. Stay back, he say.
Lira nod. I'll cover you from far.
The fight was fast. Coker jump in and dodge the fire. He hit with cursed punch and the thing cry out loud. But the demon was smart. It split in two. One half go after Lira. The other keep him busy.
Coker heart beat faster. He feel the power try to take over. Let me help, the voice whisper.
No, he shout in his mind. I can do this.
He use all his train. Every swing was faster. Every block was stronger. The fire on his arm glow like red sun. He finally land a big blow to the chest and the demon fall down shaking.
Lira finish her half too but got cut on her arm. She smile like it no big deal but Coker still ran to her.
You okay
Yeah, just scratch.
He help her up. You shouldn't be fighting alone.
And you shouldn't be carrying the whole world alone, she reply.
He look down then laugh small. Fair.
After the fight they rest near a hot spring they found. The steam feel good on they skin. Coker remove his shirt and look at his reflection in the water. He didn't look like old Coker anymore. His body more bigger. His face more sharp. His eyes more red.
I'm changing, he said quiet.
Lira nod. Yeah. But not all change is bad.
He put his hand in the water. The fire inside cool down for now. But it always come back.
That night he dream again.
This time the fire place was gone. He was in a throne room. Made from bone and smoke. He was sitting on the throne. People was bowing to him. Some look human. Some look demon.
He stood up and scream. I'm not your king!
They scream back. Long live the king!
He try to run but the throne grab his leg. The voice came back.
Stop running. You was made for this. You are fire. You are fear. You are power.
Coker scream no so loud that it broke the throne in half. The dream vanish and he wake up breathing fast.
He step outside and see the sky turn red. Not morning. Not night. Just red.
Lira walk to him. You felt it too
Yeah, he say. Something big is coming.
Then they heard the horn.
It was from the human side. A big sound. War horn.
They run to the hill and see smoke rising from the village.
No, Coker say. Not again.
They rush back fast. His feet run like thunder. His cursed fire already awake. Lira behind him with light spell ready.
When they reach, they saw it.
Demons. Lots of them. Crawling from the broken side of the border. The wall destroyed. People screaming. Fire everywhere.
Why now, Coker say angry.
He jump into the fight. No waiting. No thinking. Just move.
He punch one demon and it explode. He kick another and it hit the wall. His fire scream from his hand. His eyes glowing red.
He not thinking about curse now. Only saving.
Lira help too. She use all her magic. She light up the dark like star.
Coker saw one demon running to a child. He jump and grab it before it reach. He hold the child tight and give to the mother.
Go! he scream.
Then he saw him.
A man in black cloak standing far away. Watching. Not fighting. Just watching.
Coker eyes narrow. That's no normal demon.
The man nod and turn away.
Lira came close. Did you see that
Yeah. That was him.
Who
The one calling me. The voice in my dream. The real demon king.
Lira look shocked.
But I thought he was inside you
Coker shake his head. No. It worse. I think... he want me to take his place. He want to die... and put everything inside me.
The village was burning but Coker only feel one thing now.
The real fight just started.!