Rebirth Online World

Prologue- A king shall be chosen.

“Rarrr! Fear me mortals! For I, the demon king have come for you!”

“Fear not, for I the hero will vanish this monster! Have at you!”

The two individual that introduced themselves retrospectively as the hero and demon king charged at one another.

The tale of a hero rising up and facing off against a demon king have been spread far and wide. A classic tale, beloved and known by all.  A battle between good and evil, waging war for millennia. And this was not it.

*****

On closer inspection the demon king was nothing more than a person with a scary drawn mask while the hero had on a rusted helmet and a wooden practice sword. The two charged at one another as cheers erupted around from them. The source of which came from children’s and some adults watching the show.

Most of them were cheering for the hero but a couple were routing for the demon king. The action was scripted and quite hammy. With over exaggerated moves and attacks. Nevertheless the children enjoyed every bit of it.

The play came to an end when the demon king was on the ground and the hero was on top of him, readying the final blow. Bring down the sword, the demon king died in an over the top manner. “And thus his reign is over!” The crowd cheered at the hero’s victory speech.

“Do you mind getting off of me now?” Amidst the cheers a voice called out to the hero. It was the demon king. “Right. Sorry.” Apologising, the hero quickly got off and helped the demon king to his feet. Brushing off the dirt the demon king took off the mask to revealed a boy.

He wasn’t handsome, above average would be the best word to describe him. His hair was short and snow white color. His eyes was a crimson red color like a ruby. The boy stood tall and proud, making sure everything was fine. The boy was a resident of the small village, Luk Ugua. A name given to him by the village.

“You know you could have gotten easy on me. Getting hit by a wooden sword still hurts.” said Luk as he rubbed the spot where the sword made contact. The only replied that Luk received from his complaint was a chuckle. “Sorry, but I do have to put a believable show for the kids. Remember, it’s all for the kids.”

Removing the helmet, the hero reveal herself to be gorgeous beauty. Her long and flowing golden hair was set loose from the helmet. The hero was Luk childhood friend, Ash Rasui. Despite wearing common and rather dusty clothes, her beauty wasn’t hindered. The villagers often called her the princess of the village as her beauty.

“Bravo. Bravo! A wonderful show as always you two. The children’s will miss you when you are gone.” An old man slowly walked up to the two while congratulating them, the old man was the village chief. “Yeah, but that’s why we put on this last show for them. A farewell gift.”

“When are you planning on leaving?” asked the chief. “The Choosing Ceremony will take place within a week. We’ll need to leave early morning if we want to make it.” The one who replied this time was Luk.

“I see.” There was a hint of sadness in his voice, not only because they were losing two young and bright individuals but also because they would be losing two family member. Sensing his worry Ash stepped in.

“Don’t worry gramps, we’ll be fine and visit every once in awhile. Have more faith in us.” Pounding her chest with her fist, the chief couldn’t help but smile at Ash’s boundless energy.

The two were well known throughout the village. Namely they were famous for their plays of the demon king vs the hero. Reading a story can be immersive but having the scene played out in front of you, completely immerses a person in the action. They namely put it on to entertain the children and a way to kill their boredom when need be.

Luk often plays the roles as the demon king, one of the reason being that Ash has no obligation to it. There was no real reason as to why Luk prefer the role over the hero. So 10/10 Luk was the demon king.

Night soon fell upon them and the village held a celebration in honor of the two. A large feast was held with the two at the helm. Around midnight the feast came to an end and the two went to bed. Sleeping the entire night, night soon turned into dawn and they were readying up. Everyone was there to see them away along with passing last minutes parting gift and blessing.

With their village at their back, they set off to face their destiny!

***

Their destination was the capital of human continent, Highrufa. Magic existed in the world and influences everything from nature to every living being on the planet.  

Long ago a war broke out between the demons and humans over the control of the abundance of mana. The demon king as he called himself, wanted all the power for himself and his kind.

Humanity united under one goal, to push back the invading demon army. It was through magic that they discovered a way to fight back. Heroes. Individuals with immense power that were able to stop the approaching demons and lead humanity to prosperity. Through the harnessing of magic they discovered the The Hero Ceremony.

In everyone there exist untapped potential. The Ceremony were able to identify those with boundless potential thus they were labeled as Heroes. Thus the Choosing Ceremony was born from the method of finding heroes to combat the demons.

Now the Choosing Ceremony was used to find the best future for certain individuals so that they attribute to the coming society. However the ceremony still retained its original purpose, the culmination of heros.

When the first war came to an end, when the hero slayed the demon king. He gave a last warning to them. “Do not believe this is the end! My soul shall be reborn and I shall fight once more!” Ever since then, there have times multiple times in history where a new demon king rises up and another war started. A total of six war has been waged and the seventh was coming.

The sixth demon king, once again prophesied another war but this time, it would all change. Before meeting his demise, he proclaimed that the seventh demon king will be the last and that that the war will finally have a final victor. Interpreting this as the seventh would be the most powerful of them all, humanity prepared.

Two century have passed and the new demon king have yet to show himself. It was only recently that news had circulated that the new demon king was being to rise.

The ceremony could only be undergone when a person reaches their sixteen year. Flocks of young men and women would travel to the capital to discover their future but also for the chance to being selected as a hero.  

Already haven travel out of the village, they were slowly making their way towards Highrufa. They had to travel dozen and dozen of miles while traversing rough terrains. And that was only to reach a city. Upon reaching a city, they took a long caravan that was on route to the capital.

The two eagerly awaited the moment that they reach the capital and ultimately the Choosing Ceremony. The reason for this is because they dreamed of becoming heroes themselves or at the very least, a powerful position to help not themselves but also help their village. Their confidence stem from each individual strength.

Ash was proficient in fighting. Gifted with the sword, no one could match her strength and speed. Human or otherwise. Constantly training and getting better, by the time she was seventeen, Ash was confidence she was as strong as an Honor Guard. The embodiment of beauty and strength.

Luk lacked Ash’s skill with the sword but made it up in terms of power. Magic was just as well regarded as swordsmanship, if not more so. As a child Luk was timid and shy. Often times shutting himself away and indulge himself in his books. He made up for this in being proficient in magic later. As a child he had a huge capacity for magic, being able to control it and a large reserve mana at his disposal as well.

They each have their own respective dream, Ash wishes to join the Honor Guard, a position second to known to be the most powerful knights across the continent. For Luk, he dreams of joining the Archmages. A group of the most powerful mages in the continent. But most of all, they dream of being heroes like the stories and plays they putted on so many times.

“Hey are we there yet?” Popping from the side of the cart, Ash asked the same question for over an hour while waiting. “Please be patient Ash, we’re almost there. Besides, we are not the only one that wants to reach the Choosing Ceremony.”

After a long trek they had finally reached the outskirts of the capital. As many people were filtering through the capital for the choosing ceremony, there were often long lines just to get in. And stuck in the center of it was Luk and Ash.

“Easy for you to say bookey. At you least have something to keep yourself occupied.” Luk was reading a book, but it wasn’t just any book. It was book that held the tales of all of the adventures of the hero versus all the demon king. A collection of tales collected by bards, rumors, and first hand experiences through the centuries.

It was that book that gave Luk the idea to start up the plan. The book was old, the cover ruined, some pages missing, ripped and some pages being unreadable. Luk took care of it for many years and have yet to throw it away. It was inseparable from him. It was a treasure that the two shared as a child.

Most of the morning lazily passed as Luk entertained himself while Ash constantly complained. The wait was agonizing for the two of them as they were anxious to get in. After several hours their prayers was answered when it was finally their turn. Easily passing the checks and tests they ran in to be meet with the sight of the capital.

They couldn’t help but gawk at the wonderful sight of the capital. For a moment they forgot about everything and simple bathe in the view. It was an all new world for the two of them who knew only the small village. At the capital, there were large structures and bustling people that the two only heard of. The sight wasn’t that grandeur to a everyone else but to country blumpkins like themselves. It was like whisked away to a whole new world.

Ash was the first to snapped out of their daze and dragged Luk until they reached the Grand Cathedral.

The Grand Cathedral was the destination where all the Choosing Ceremony would take place. It was located in the middle of the capital and wasn’t impossible to miss. Their jaws dropped the moment they laid eyes on the cathedral. It was by far the most beautiful sight they had seen. A golden design that looked to be made of glass than stone or marble. Reaching as tall as sky, it was an imposing feeling but also a majestic feeling.

Dragging Luk along they were meet with another line, much to Ash’s absolute dismay. Luk had to force her down from running away screaming and going on a rampage in annoyance. They were forced to wait for another three hours or so before it was their turn.

Finally making their way in, their vision was blinded by the brilliant color that shined through the building. Crystal like chandelier hung from the ceiling while a red carpet welcomed them in. Continuing on their path, they reached the center where the ceremony would take place.

There were still people bustling about the area. Most of which looked to be officials and knights. The rest were simply onlookers or those who were in line. After each passing second they came closer to their future until it was their turn. Ash was up first but there was something different about her.

During their wait, Ash grew eerily quiet for the first time. Her previous anxious behavior stopped. She began tapping while waiting and it only increased as time went on. It was clear that she was nervous. Sweat slowly dripped from her sides and hands while her breathing grew shorter and shorter. Soon enough it was her turn.

They called her out but Ash didn’t responded. Like a deer in the head light, she froze up. Having all eyes turned towards her, she almost sprinted away in fear but felt a hand on her shoulder.

“You got. After all, is this why we came all this way? Don’t worry. I’m here.” Hearing Luk’s reassuring voice gave her the encouragement she needed to finally step up. Taking in a huge deep breath she strolled across the room until she came face to face with the teller.

The teller as they were called were those with a particular aptitude for magic. Namely prophecy magic that allow one to take a glimpse into the future. That was how they originally found the heroes of old.

“What is your name child?”

“Ash. Ash Rasui.” responded Ash immediately.

“Tell me child, what exactly do you want? What are your dreams?”

“My dreams…To help those in need, to provide for those who had taken care of me, to protect and serve…but above all…I want to be a hero!”

The teller was taken aback a bit due to the vigor that Ash displayed. A small smile formed as he got back to work. Telling her to place his hand on the orb in front of him. The orb glowed a multitude of colors.

“Health- normal. Physical attribute- exceedly strong. Will- strong as well.” Those were just a couple of words that Luk managed to pick up as he waited for Ash. The orb soon glowed a brilliant golden color that caught everyone off guard before settling down.

“Uooooooh.” The teller let out a strange noise as continued to stare at it before the light finally settled down. Although foreign for some, Luk knew exactly what that meant. She was chosen.

“Hero….You are a hero!” The crowd didn’t fully registered what the teller had just spoken until Luk started to applaud Ash. The rest joined in and so were kneeling to Ash. She turned and looked at Luk with the biggest and happiest smile he had ever seen. Luk returned with a smile of his own. They continued on with the little celebration a bit longer while Luk impatiently waited.

He was giggity, not only because his childhood friend achieved her goal but also at the prospect that he himself might be joining her soon. The Choosing ceremony was adopted not only for it’s ability to assign roles and future but also because most of the time, the destiny that one was given, it was one that they desire. Both of their dreams was to become heroes and save the world like the tales they love. So if Ash was able to become a hero, then Luk had a chance as well.

Walking up with confident in tow, he slowly made his way over. Ash was making her way back and gave one last smile with a nod. Standing before the teller Luk took a deep breath to steady himself.

“Tell me Child. What is your name?”

“Luk. Luk Ugua.”

“Luk? That’s an interesting name. Well then child what exactly do you want? What are your dreams?”

“My dream…..” Luk trailed off a bit as his mind stopped in a sense. A memory flashed before his eyes in blurry details. Barely anything could be made out and the words were incomprehensible. Yet Luk somehow knew what they meant.

“I wish to make this world a better place. To work towards a goal to bring true peace and prosperity. That is who I want to be.”

Going through the same action Luk placed his hand on the orb and it reacted with a show of lights like Ash. However this time it was much more brighter, to which Luk took as a good sign. The teller performed his duties and finally it was time for the moment of truth.

“No…It can’t be…” Hearing the shock from his voice, Luk imagined the teller being surprised at the showing to two heroes back to back. His mind left him as his imagination went a drift for future adventures. Any second he would be a hero like he always dreamed of. But none came.

“Demon…king…”

As if the time had just stop, there nothing. No movement, no sound. Just a deafening silence that spread throughout the room. Everyone couldn’t believed what they had just heard. The demon king, a being of immense power and rulers of the demon king. And that individual was human.

The first one to regain their senses was Luk who promptly stepped back in fear. Hundreds of questions swarmed his mind, causing a storm of confusion. “What was going on? What’s happening? Is this all real?” Those were the questions his mind desperately tried to answer.

“Again…Do it again!” His mind was in a state of panic and desperately tried to find a way out of it. Raising his voice, he ordered the teller to do it all again. Either out of fear or concern the teller performed the ritual again. But it didn’t even matter, the results were the same.

“Demon…king…….I am the Demon king?” Luk didn’t know why he spoke those words aloud. Perhaps it was to ground him into reality or it was so surreal that we wanted so closure to the revelation.

“Seize him! Protect the hero! Surround him, hurry!” A loud voice gave orders as Luk was contemplating on what had just happen. Regaining his senses he was surrounded by knights with weapons at the ready.

“Wait…Please there must be some misunderstanding! I can–”

“Don’t listen to his honeyed words! The demon king is known for being able to trick even a saint!” No matter how much he tried to plea they wouldn’t listen. They slowly closed in as Luk struggled in vain.

The last thing he saw as he restrained and dragged away was Ash.

*******

Thus the story begins. A king forced to be a king, this was his fate. This was his destiny. This was his twisted fate.