I am human.
Thus I struggle, fight, and defeat my enemies.
So that I may live as a human.
✦ ✦ ✦
“You pieces of shit!” Three. They killed three of them. Three brave, excellent soldiers. Cold-heartedly.
“Ugh, another dirty one appears.”
“He smells weird, too. I can only stand young humans.”
“Nah, it’s gotta be females. It’s a different feel when their teeth sink into them.”
Three long-ears and four silver leopards. This is ridiculous. You’d need a hundred to equal me. Three leaves? I’d play with them nice and slow before killing them. Leave this to me. I, Odysson, will avenge you. And I swear to save the children you protected. I will not let them die!
“Move, filth.” In his hand is a short arrow. A wind mage? Then I’ll set this riding upon the surging air. In my hand is charcoal. I draw magic from within, grip it, and... Take that, ya bastards!
“Ahhhhhhh!” Raging Flames reached them! They’re burning!
“F-Fire?!”
“Was that magic?”
“M-M-My hand! Water! Water!” Damn, only got one arm. The wind stream was stronger than I expected. The one over there is a water mage, though. That ain’t good for spreading fire. I gotta shut him down.
“Cursed human! How dare you?”
“Burn, leaf boy!” I was saving this one! I swing a vial full of oil and ignite the discharge. Flame Scythe!
“Rahhhhh!” Is that me screaming, or is it them? Damn it all! No go, huh? The fire scattered! Still, this is good enough. I’m fighting on equal ground against wind and water, the two elven magics.
Gotta move on. Next. Another Raging Flame—Whoa! Shit, a silver leopard!
“Yeek!” Huh? A spear? A spear pierces the ground in front of me, skewering the creature. Talk about deja vu, man. Looks like my ass was saved yet again. And she’s standing on the butt end of the lance, too. What an acrobat.
She brushes back her raven hair and from nowhere appear an ax and a longsword. It’s like sleight of hand. That shit’s too unique even for magic.
Kuroi. She has a lot of weird habits, but she’s one strong little girl. I could never tell what she was thinking, but... I think I finally understand. I can feel the magic—hot, intense, and bright. You’re angry, aren’t you? That fury is like a raging flame.
“H-How dare you?!”
“You wild boar! Dieee!” Oh, wow. Slicing through wind, brushing away water, her blades find their marks. Or is it magic? With every swing I can feel a singing heat. Compared to her, elves are nothing. But that’s to be expected. Her firepower’s just different. The speed is one thing, but ultimately the fuel is incomparable.
This presence. This pressure. There’s something incredible inside her. More than one person alone can carry. Oh... I get it! Maybe that’s where God resides.
“Both sides, cease!” Huh? Who the hell’s this? From her getup, I’m guessing some sort of long-eared officer. “I am Fleilyu, Dragon Warrior of the Ewlogond Republic Army. Brethren, silence your magics. Humans, put away your weapons. Her Grace Dragon Commander Sakiel shall take charge of this scuffle.”
A dragon warrior, huh? And a dragon commander? What the hell? This makes the swarm of monsters look cute in comparison. The real monsters are showing their faces now. It’s all over. It’s not about winning or losing anymore. You gotta wonder if the entire human race is about to be exterminated. What now? Huh, God?
“Dragon Warrior, good timing! Destroy that thing!”
“Did you not hear me? I said, cease fighting.”
“You cannot be serious! Look at this arm! And... Hey, wake up! Open your eyes! Ahh, he’s dead! He’s deaaad!”
“Two casualties, one injured, six beasts slain... Quite terrible.”
“Damn you, inferior specieeeees!” Wind’s coming—crazed, maddened wind magic. A big spell, too, but... Yup, it’s all fine. See?
“Fool.” This Dragon Warrior is a scary chick. That was so fast I didn’t even see her strike. The long-ears with the burned arm collapses, a tail feather sticking out of the back of his neck.
“Hear me. This incident was not of Her Grace’s will. It was an accident, stemming from our army’s attempts to replenish its supplies. Thus, any losses incurred by the army will not be reported.” Accident. Reported. Stuffy-sounding words, through and through.
“A message. Her Grace grieves. She says that human children may have been injured as well. Thus, at my discretion, I brought this. Use it.” A small container of woven bamboo... A medicine chest, eh? Could it really be elven elixir? Uh, Kuroi, aren’t you supposed to be taking that? Fine, I’ll get it. If you’re giving stuff out, I’ll gladly take it. Ain’t no good or evil medicine.
“...Lastly, a personal observation.” Ah, shit. “I am surprised to see fire magic that can burn an elf. I have much yet to learn about humans.”
The damn long-eared chick is focusing high-pressure wind on her body’s surface. At this distance, it’s easy to tell. Ain’t no half-hearted flames getting through that. Damn.
“More surprising, however...” Her eyes. Those eyes, fixed on Kuroi. They’re so sharp, like a bird of prey’s. “All I can say is you are a threat.”
Shit, she’s ready to attack at a moment’s notice. But she stopped the fight so surely she won’t start another one... right? Kuroi’s on guard, too. She’s empty-handed and has her back turned to the elf, but she isn’t budging an inch.
“Who are you, girl?” This ain’t good. If they get into it, I’ll just be a hindrance to Kuroi. First chance I get, I gotta evacuate the kids. Are all six here?
“That is our Lady Kuroi, Miss Dragon Warrior.”
Finally decide to show up, you piece of shit black-hearted priest? Quit huffing and puffing! Catch your damn breath already. Negotiating with the long-ears is your job, isn’t it?
“Took you long enough.”
“Negotiations proved difficult. I left the rest in Lord Willow’s hands.”
“They killed three of ours.”
“Raquial, Apollos, Locton. Killed in the line of duty. You shan’t be forgotten.” Huh. So those were their names? I won’t forget, either.
“Kuroi? Is that a name? What I’m asking is—”
“She’s human.” Yeah! Go get her, black-hearted priest. Give her what-for! “Very human. More human than any of us could hope to be. She is also the one who stands at the forefront of our race. She is a symbol of humanity living and thriving on this land, as well as proof that we are blessed by a higher power.” Ha ha! You too, huh? Your blood’s boiling too? I don’t doubt it. A half-baked understanding just serves to make you madder.
“She is what it means to be human. Each of us is born and granted many rights: the right to be loved by our parents, the right to be proud of ourselves, the right to love our children. She teaches us that it is okay to be human. That is our Lady Kuroi.” Nice smile, black-hearted priest. I can practically see the fire leaping from your eyes. And as for the Dragon Warrior... Hmph, she just looks confused. Bitch. Didn’t expect that description, did you? She’s all like, “What are these savages talking about?”
“Do not worry, Dragon Warrior. We will not seek an apology or reparations. Dying to protect children is a high honor, just as defeating your enemies and avenging one’s comrades are grand desires. Both are facets of the beautiful thing known as human dignity.” He’s completely won this battle of words. Then again, you have to take into account the difference in their positions.
Still, at least the enemy leaves. That’s a hasty retreat. The Dragon Warrior silently grabs the leaf broaches from each of the bodies and leaves. Those are special mementos, equivalent to a head for the long-ears.
Now, then. We can leave them to clean up their own mess... Kuroi? Why’s she staring at our three dead soldiers? What is she thinking? What is she feeling?
This... This magic, this presence... it can’t be! The three of them stood up?! No, that’s not it. The bodies are still lying there. Am I seeing things? It’s hazy, like fog, but I could swear the three of them are... Kneeling before Kuroi—before something great on her back. And then they fade away. What the hell? They were absorbed into Kuroi. Into whatever is inside Kuroi. Yo, what on earth? Kuroi, could it be? No, I’m certain about this. It’s not just weapons...!
“Oh... Deus Ex...” The words pass over lips. Not mine, though. Was it the black-hearted priest that uttered that?
Deus Ex.
The true word that the Church first teaches you. It means “may it be so.” It’s a prayer from the bottom of the heart said when a member of the Church wishes to sing praises. It is an affirmation of everything in this world. An expression of hope.
Deus Ex. Yes, may it be so. In the holy book, it is written as DX.
I—we—will surely win. I may die along the way somewhere. The black-hearted priest and the noble knight might kick the bucket, too. But we won’t be sad or troubled. We will fight until the moment of victory. We will continue to fight, no matter what form we take. That is what I just learned. So one day, we will win. Humanity will be victorious.