Hero of Darkness

The whole party was flabbergasted as soon as Axel Lobethrox, the Hero of Fire…had suggested hiding the truth about the Hero of Darkness arriving in their empire. 

"Blasphemy! That's no different than high treason!" shouted halfbreed orc warrior with a giant battleaxe in his hand. 

But to his response, Axel turned his head around and spoke to this second stage saint. 

"Tell me, Tamak. What did we do in the past one year other than stopping some local rebellion and killing some low-level monsters?" asked Axel and looked around his teammates with a serious expression. 

"Although I was much welcomed in the empire after my arrival and all of you were recommended to enter the hero's party… 

Did we really achieve anything on our own? 

All of our achievements are aided by the imperial family and even to this day… We are still seen as nothing but chess pieces.

They tell us where to go, how to behave, what to speak to the people and who to help or kill." he spoke in a heavy tone. 

"Even your clans and parents see you all as nothing but glorified decorations who join me in parades and events decided by the empire where all we do is smile and wave hands at common citizens. 

They are using me as a symbol to raise people's hopes and loyalty to God Hetrax.

And as things stand… We are becoming a thing of the past. Nothing but pawns for everyone to throw around here and there." he iterated. 

To his words… None of them seemed to have any intentions to retort. Because this had been their reality from the past year. 

All of them were the talented young prodigies of the empire back in the day when Axel was summoned in the Vulcan Empire. 

They had their goals and their ambitions. And through their hard work, they earned the right to enter the Hero's Party. The biggest honor for any young prodigy in the history of their empire. 

But instead of walking the path of heroes and saviors who aided people in need… they had become nothing but puppets who didn't even have the right to leave the party now. 

"We don't have any real achievements since I arrived 5 years ago. 

If we continue at this rate… it won't be long until we become nothing but clowns for the ruling authorities." he continued. 

"The Imperial clan doesn't care about us and neither does the church. We're just here to make appearances in front of the people. 

I haven't even managed to make a breakthrough to the new rank because of how they keep me parading as their poster boy all the time and force me to attend their pretentious banquets between nobles." he spoke and clenched his fists. 

"What are you suggesting, lord Axel?" asked Mikaela.

"Look, if you had one shot or one opportunity, to seize everything you ever wanted in one moment. Would you capture it, or just let it slip?" 

Said Axel as he presented a plan. 

"If we tell this to the imperial authorities. They will capture and kill the Hero of Darkness. 

But if we say that he didn't enter and search for him by ourselves… We can not only do the job… but get all the credit for ourselves. 

That would also ensure your bright future in your clans as well as solidify your positions to become the leaders of next generations." proposed Axel. 

"This is truly a godsend opportunity and we can't just let go of it in the name of loyalty or patriotism. 

His core is also one of the keys required for the final piece. 

If I have that… What do you think will happen?" he asked in a smug tone. 

"Not only will I be a hero to the empire but my name will echo through all the other empires of Vantrea. 

And as part of my party, all of your names will become historical figures as well. 

So I propose that we hunt him on our own without reporting to anyone about the truth. 

And once we're done finding him… killing him won't be a problem since not only I'm stronger but we also outnumber him greatly… we will become the true heroes of the whole world." he said in an excited tone. 

"We have much more to gain by keeping this a secret than just reporting it to the authorities like loyal soldiers. 

So are you all going to be little obedient children and take charge of your fate and earn that respect and prestige that all of you have been working so hard to get for decades?" spoke Axel as he tried to rile up his comrades. 

A heated discussion happened between the 9 members of the Hero's party and finally… they reached a consensus. 

"This is the biggest risk I'm ever gonna take in my life… but you know what…" spoke Tamak. 

"Fuck those bastards! I'm done being their pawn." he declared. 

"Yes… I too feel like I never got to use my abilities to the full extent. 

So what if this Hero has some divine abilities. He is only one person at the end of the day." spoke Mikaela. 

"Besides… he doesn't have one thing like us." spoke Edna, the succubus enchantress, and continued in a vehement tone as everyone listened to her with a joyous smile. 

"The power of love and friendship." 

----------------

The next day, the main target of the Hero's Party… the man who aspired to be someone who couldn't even be defeated by the power of love and friendship, left Oslo city using the true dimension. 

10 days later, he was finally close to the biggest and most important city of the empire instead of hiding in a border among mountains and caves till he ran out of resources and ways to increase his strength to the higher rank. 

Instead of hiding like rats in a hole, Kahn and the company decided to enter Lion's den. 

And finally, they reached 100 kilometers close to the heart as well as the capital of the fire empire… 

ARKENSAN.