How can I save the world if I'm no longer the hero?: How can I save the world if I'm no longer the hero?, #4

By Melody Avant

Following her newest discovery and finally safe while residing in the city of Kazora, Joan finally gets a chance to rest and relax. Already the world she knew has shifted so dramatically from which she once knew, with the survival of Isla having a huge impact on both Andreas and Korgron. More importantly, her knowledge of past events is finally allowing her to take advantage of this moment of rest by allowing her to do in a few weeks what had once taken them all years.

Unfortunately, not everything is quite as good as she would hope. New knowledge brings with it both advantages and threats. More importantly, the more she accelerates the chosen in their adventures, the more rapid she herself falls behind. Leaving Joan with possibly the biggest danger to her safety and the fate of the world. Her own boredom. After living so many lives going on so many amazing adventures, can she truly bring herself to wait where it's safe now that she is No Longer the Hero?

• Language: English
• Publisher: Melody Avant
• Release date: Feb 2, 2022
• ISBN: 9798201463588

Book preview

Prologue

EVERY INCH OF THE HERO’S body ached. His very lungs felt like they were on fire.

But he’d done it. He stood over Korgron, his spear thrust through her chest. Neither of them would leave this building, they both likely knew that. Still, she stared up at him with hatred. Why? the Hero asked. After... everything. Why did you... betray us? You weren’t supposed to be... like the other... demons.

Korgron coughed, spitting out a little blood. Other... demons... that’s all you... ever saw... isn’t it? she asked. You’re no... hero. You never... were.

You... killed them, the Hero said, a hand moving up to his chest. Already he was feeling the world grow colder, feeling his very life leaving him. They were your friends. Why? You were... one... of us...

I was never... one of you... Korgron said. You... never... let me...

The Hero stared down at her, trying to contain his burning hatred and rage before finally reaching out to grip the spear, twisting it one last time before, finally, he collapsed onto her body.

He’d failed.

IS WHAT SHE SAID TRUE? the Hero asked.

You’ll need to be more specific, the sisters said. She said a lot of things.

Was she not one of us? the Hero asked.

Was she?

I hated her in the end, the Hero said. Did I ever not? Did I ever treat her with respect? I just saw another demon. Didn’t I? Was that wrong? She did betray us, afterall.

Was it? the sisters asked.

That’s why I’m asking you, the Hero said. Aren’t you the ones who decide this?

That is for you to decide, the sisters said. We do not judge. Good and evil are not ours. We are merely watchers.

This is hardly watching, the Hero said before looking at his options once more.

There is nothing left to watch if we do not, the sisters said.

The Hero sighed and tried to go over it again in his mind. It was true, she had always been on the outside looking in, in one way or another. A demon. He’d always hated demons. Ever since he had started this journey. Ever since he’d become a hero. He paused for a moment when he looked over the options he’d been given. Were there more now than there had once been? What if she’s the key?

Perhaps she is, the sisters said.

If you can change aspects of me, can you change that? Can you make it so, in my next life, I give her more chances? I don’t do any of this? the Hero asked. So I can not hate what she represents? So she can be one of us?

There are limits to what we can change, Hero. Only that which was already at the whims of fate. Your decisions are your own, we cannot change them for you, the sisters said.

But you are the fates, can’t you decide it for me? Fix it? the Hero asked. Is it not by your hand that our fates are predetermined?

No, the sisters said. It is by you that your fate is determined. We merely see the threads, can merely tug on them. Guide them. In the end, every choice and decision that alters the weave is done by your hand. Fate is determined by who you are, the result known to us only once you become who you become.

The Hero sighed and gave a nod. Right. It was a stupid thought, anyway. What could they possibly do to stop this?

But... the sisters said. Slowly they reached out and the strings of fate appeared once more. Perhaps we can give you one small chance.

A chance? the Hero asked. How?

Your first encounter with demons has always been one of violence and death, the sisters said. We can alter that. But there’s no way to know how it will change things. How it will change you. Every alteration, no matter how small, can have incredible effects. Not just on you, but on others around you. Effects you may never even see, yet become so important.

The Hero nodded. But it will change things?

Perhaps, the sisters said. That depends on who you are. It will be a small, gentle change. One tiny encounter where the threads are drawn just a hairsbreadth closer so they touch. But it will be your first. Who knows? It’s not as if you could do much worse.

THE HERO STARED OUT over the lake, ignoring the pounding rain. He never minded, it wasn’t as if he ever got sick anymore. Nobody would come out here in this rain, either. It meant he could be alone.

Nobody noticed if you cried in the rain. He wasn’t supposed to cry anymore. He was the ‘man of the keep’. He needed to be strong, for his mother’s sake. How could he kill those bandits and still be a crybaby?

He didn’t know.

But he did know the things they called him. When they didn’t know he was listening. When they didn’t hear him. They called him a monster. A demon. They believed he killed his father and all those men. Or that he’d made everything up. How could a child kill grown men? What happened there was impossible.

His own mother wouldn’t look at him anymore. He often wondered if she saw a demon now. In the end he only ever wanted one thing, though. His daddy back. Why did he have to go and leave him alone?

He didn’t want to be a lord of this keep. He didn’t want to carry his father’s sword. He just wanted is family. He just—

He jumped when he heard rapid splashing. Nobody would be out here in the rain, so why had something been splashing around? What was out there? Slowly he got to his feet and started to walk towards the source.

TAKE IT, THE HERO said before holding out the small bundle of dried meats. The winged demon stared back at him, her head cocked to the side. But, very slowly, she reached out to take them from him. Once he let go she quickly pulled them to her chest before she turned and ran into the woods, leaving him behind.

He’d always heard that demons were such terrible, horrible monsters. But she hadn’t been anything more than a child, even younger than him. Were there other demons like her?

I DON’T HATE ALL OF them, the Hero said. Most may be terrible, but some aren’t much different than you or I.

The prince laughed before shaking his head. If you say so, Hero. If you ask me, the only good demon is a dead demon. How many demons have you killed now. A hundred? A thousand? And after all that, how many good ones have you met?

Not many, but a few, the Hero said. Enough to know that sometimes I have to stay my instincts to cut them all down. But is it not the duty of the Hero to protect all in our world who need it, regardless of where they are from? So who knows? Maybe this Korgron is another one of the good ones. There’s only one way to find out. Let the others know, we leave at dawn. For now, I need some rest.

As you wish, the prince said before bowing politely. Always eager to please, that one.

SO YOU’RE THE HERO? Korgron asked, giving him an amused grin while she stared down at him from her vantage point on the walls surrounding the city.

Indeed, the Hero said. We’ve come here to see Lady Korgron, the princess of Kazora!

Oh, have you now? Korgron asked. Very well. However, all humans who desire to come here must first pass a single challenge. Capture a doomnetter and bring it back here, alive. You have one week. Depending on how you succeed or fail will determine your right to meet with the princess.

The Hero frowned when he stared up at the woman up on the wall. He swore when he met this Korgron he was going to have to have a word with her about the guards she had stationed around the city. But it wasn’t as if he had much choice. Very well. What is a doomnetter?

He wasn’t sure, but he swore he heard laughing from up there for a few moments before she started to describe it.

KORGRON SAT ON THE edge of the battlements, her eyes locked on the horizon. The Hero slowly walked up besides her before leaning against them. Do you feel better? he asked.

Of course, Korgron said before glancing over at him. The Demon Lord is dead. Don’t you feel happy?

There’s still a lot to do, the Hero said.

There will always be more. But there’s a chance for peace now, Korgron said. We were never meant to be enemies. It’ll take time, but they’ll come around.

Before or after the Inferno God awakens? the Hero asked in a joking tone.

Korgron gave a light laugh and shook her head. Oh? Are you starting to doubt, oh great Hero? What happened to ‘this is our destiny’ and ‘we cannot fail’? she asked in a teasing tone. Don’t tell me now you’re starting to get cold feet.

Never, the Hero said. Very slowly, however, his hand reached out to grab hers. She paused and looked down at it.

It’s not going to be easy, Korgron said with a small smile. Many won’t accept it. The divide between humans and demons runs deep.

This is our destiny, the Hero said. We cannot fail.

Korgron laughed despite herself before reached out and shoving him off the battlements. Fortunately, she was kind enough to cast a single slowing spell on his way down so he wouldn’t get too hurt.

THE HERO GAVE A LIGHT laugh when Qakog glared at him. You shouldn’t have come, the demon said.

She’s one of my friends, isn’t she? the Hero asked.

Was, Qakog said. Now we’re not so sure.

We’re not or you’re not? the Hero asked.

Qakog didn’t answer.

The Hero gave a sigh before shaking his head. I didn’t come here to bother her. I know she has a lot on her plate as it is, trying to maintain order in all of... this, he said before motioning towards the darkened skies.

The mess you cast our world into? Qakog asked.

Just let her know that something’s wrong, the Hero said. Andreas and Searle have disappeared. Hardwin is searching for them, but there’s no telling what’s going on. There’s stories of the Demon Lord returning and if he decided to seek vengeance...

I’ll let her know. You can leave, Qakog said. Why don’t you go find a doomnetter and leave us alone?

JOAN PAUSED, THE SPOONFUL of soup halfway up to her mouth. She then glanced around the table at Searle, Bauteut, Isla, Korgron and Andreas. Slowly she lowered the spoon.

Is something wrong? Korgron asked.

Can I ask you something? Joan asked. And can you promise not to lie to me or tease me over it?

What? Korgron asked. Joan...

Just promise me. Please, Joan asked. I need to know.

I promise I’ll do my best, Korgron said.

Joan nodded. She could feel the tension rising in the room, but she couldn’t not ask now. She had to know. If her suspicions were correct it changed so much. There’s no such thing as a doomnetter, is there?

There was a long, long moment of silence before, promptly, Korgron, Andreas and Isla began to laugh, the latter nearly choking on her soup. Joan growled before reaching out to grab one of the small loaves of bread and chuck it at the Chosen of the Crown. I can’t believe you did that to me SO MANY TIMES!

I can’t believe you only just realized! Korgron said, a hand over her mouth and tears of laughter now going down her cheeks.

Chapter 1

JOAN STARED UP AT THE door, her eyes locked on the almost entirely faded runes. She then glanced back at the little group that she was going to be bringing with her.

Her hand was locked with Searle’s, who’s other hand was holding Andreas, who’s last hand was holding Korgron’s. The reason they had decided this method was because they wanted the shield as close to her as possible in the event anything happened and Korgron wanted to have a hand free to cast her most powerful magic. At Joan’s hip were both sword sheathes, though only the demonic blade was with her now. The other was behind this door, in the realm of the gods.

Joan reached out and placed her hand on the door. After a second, the runes across it began to glow and then she waited.

And waited.

And waited.

And nothing happened.

How long does it take to open? Korgron asked.

I don’t know. It didn’t take long at all last time, Joan said. She pushed on the door, but it didn’t budge. Come on, open!

Uh huh, Andreas said before giving the door a swift kick. No, pretty solid. How about you, Bauteut? Time stopped?

Bauteut sat across the room, her arms crossed. She’d wanted to come on the initial visit as well, but had been denied as she wasn’t a chosen. Though it was quickly looking like there wouldn’t be another visit. Joan pulled her hand back from the door and the runes across it faded once more. Had it all just been a fluke? A mistake? Was she locked out now, permanently? No, you four are just standing there. Joan?

It just opened last time, Joan said before shaking her head and then reaching out to place her palm on it once more. It still refused to budge. Come on. Open!

I see, Korgron said. She pulled her hand from Andreas’ and glanced back to Joan. You still want to keep with your ‘I went through this door’ story?

If I hadn’t opened this door I wouldn’t have wasted your time coming here, Joan said with a lot more viciousness than she’d originally intended, drawing shocked looks from all of them. Sorry. I just, I finally thought I had this figured out. Open! Why don’t you just open?

Maybe there’s too many of us, Searle said.

Well, I was alone last time, Joan said. Here. Let’s see if just Searle and I work.

Andreas, at least, was quick to let go. Even so, the door refused to do anything other than glow. Judging by the look that Korgron was giving her, the demon was quickly losing any belief in the story she’d mentioned about the door opening. She finally pulled her hand back and then looked to Searle. I’ll try alone.

I don’t think that’s a good idea, Bauteut said. What if there’s another one of those fire elementals? You barely survived last time.

But I did survive, Joan said. And I won’t be going exploring or anything. I’ll just see if it does work alone. That’s all.

Then what? Korgron asked.

I’ll know how it works, Joan said. I can be careful this time. I won’t take any more risks, I promise. Besides, there probably isn’t even anything there now that I killed the guardian.

Korgron sighed before shaking her head. No. Not now. If we let you try, just go in and out. Until we find out how to get one of us in there with you, you’re not allowed to go any deeper. Understand?

Joan gave a nod and contained her annoyance as best she could. Fine. Slowly her hand pulled free from Searle’s and she reached out to place it against the door. Once more the ruins glowed. Her stomach tightened into a knot and fresh doubts began to wash over her. It wasn’t opening. It wasn’t doing anything. She must have—

Then the stone disappeared and, this time, she was ready and managed to not fall flat on her face. She stepped in before glancing back at the others. They were locked in place, not moving.

But there was still one option. She reached out and grabbed Searle’s hand before she tried to pull him inside. Unfortunately, he didn’t budge. In fact it didn’t even feel like she was touching him, it felt more like there was some very thin, invisible barrier between her and him, stopping her from touching him directly. She gave a soft sigh before glancing down the passageway.

So much for the easy way. Still, she smiled just a little. Even if she had to come alone, the fact she could go into these doors meant that she had information that she’d never had before. She started to walk down the passageway before stopping.

She promised not to take any more risks. Korgron wanted her to go in and out, nothing else. Joan glanced back at her friends, frozen in time. Would they let her try again if they couldn’t find a way in? Probably not. Besides, they’d tried for decades to get into one of these doors, there was no way they’d suddenly find a way in.

Which might mean that they were locked off from her forever. This might really be her last chance to see if she could learn anything. She’d already killed the guardian, what were the chances there was another one? There was so much stuff she could learn from these as well. Despite the damage, there were other statues she could look over. Not to mention that strange room had all manner of damaged weapons and bones that could probably tell her something. Then there was the core of the elemental itself, if she could bring back the pieces there was no telling what she might learn from it. Maybe they’d hold the secret to opening these doors for the others. She took another step forward.

Then Joan stopped. None of her friends wanted her to go forward. She thought it was a good idea to keep going, but how often did she think something was smart only to have it all go horribly wrong? Her lack of proper judgment was the whole reason she was here, after all.

There could be untold information going forward, things she needed in order to help save the world. But she told them she’d come back and not take any risks. Even if she might find something of value deeper inside, she would be guaranteed to be going against them if she didn’t turn back around. Ugh. You have ANY idea how mind numbingly obnoxious all of this is? Joan asked the gods before turning back around. But fine! I’m doing the SMART thing and following their judgment, okay? I’m not doing what I think is best, but what they think! Happy? She took a few steps before stopping.

There was still one thing she could do, something she wanted to test. Her sword hadn’t come with her when she’d originally been tossed out of this realm, so she wondered if she was still bonded to it. She couldn’t summon it from outside, but maybe now that she was once more in this realm she could. She held out her right hand.

To her surprise and delight, her sword appeared in her hand once more. She took a moment to admire it. The metal was now tinted red, with the edge lightly rippling and shifting, as if it was on fire. A single red gem rested in the pommel, glowing like embers. Wow, Joan said softly. She glanced towards her left hand, eyeing the key that was hidden inside her body. I don’t know what you did, or how, but it looks pretty awesome. I’m going to not use it thought until I— Suddenly she heard an all too familiar giggle. She quickly turned around and held the blade up, but there was nothing in the passageway but her.

She waited for a few moments for another elemental to attack, but nothing happened. She took a small breath and then began to back away. Just this once she’d make the smart decision. What better way to surprise everyone?

Joan stepped out from the passageway and, after a few moments, the stone door appeared in front of her once more.

Joan, what did you do? Korgron asked, her voice sounding oddly accusatory.

Huh? Joan asked before glancing towards the demon. Oh, I stepped inside and—

Where did you get that sword? Korgron asked, cutting her off.

Seriously? Bauteut asked. You promised not to take any risks.

Joan, we literally just had a conversation about this, Andreas said,

What? Joan asked. I didn’t—

This is why I only wanted you to go inside and back out, Korgron said before crossing her arms and shaking her head in disappointment.

If I could just—

Is this how it’s always going to be? Korgron asked. You promise one thing and—

KORGRON! Joan yelled, cutting her off this time. She then threw the sword high up into the air. She let it fly for a few moments before holding out her hand and, right before it would have hit the wall, re-summoning it to her hand. I didn’t go anywhere. It’s the sword I bonded to me, remember? I lost it in there and was able to summon it back to me.

That’s the sword I gave you? Searle asked.

Yes, kind of, Joan said before glancing back down