The Guardians' Throne - The First Magic Swordsman

"...What?" Zaos asked in shock.

"When I felt my mana being drained, I did some research in the secret section of our library," Ameria said. "There, I discovered that the demon god has the power to drain the mana of his enemies. Once I discovered that I knew that my child would be the one the demon god would try to use."

                Zaos didn't want to believe that the newborn girl sleeping on the cradle nearby would someday become the demon god. She looked like Ameria, after all. Blonde hair, blue eyes… Still, Zaos realized that Ameria didn't say that the child was the demon god.

"The demon god died, so he can't return to this world using normal means, so he spread his magical powers, and once enough of his people died over the years, his powers would reunite on the body of someone who can wield his powers," Ameria said. "While dead, the demon power can't resurrect himself, but if someone who has his powers try that… he will return. Once the times, the demon god will start to convince Milliendra to revive him. That is why I wanted you two to work together and raise her to be stronger in our place."

"I can't do that… you shouldn't give so soon either, Ameria," Zaos said. "You are stronger than that."

"Thank you, Zaos. Hearing that from you really means a lot…" Ameria smiled. "But I can tell, my mana isn't recovering anymore, and my body only grows weak, and I can't count on anyone else to raise her."

"Why not?" Zaos asked.

"Millie will have the powers of the demon god, and his powers will bring fear and hatred. Only those who have his gifts or those who are descendants of the magic race are unable to feel that," Ameria said. "People like you and Aleni are exceptions to that rule… I can't trust my family or Drannor on raising Millie."

            Zaos couldn't tell why Aleni wasn't affected by that effect, but that wasn't important. Regardless, Zaos didn't want to leave without trying to save Ameria. He had plenty of focus amulets, so they might help.

"You never give up, Zaos… that is why I am counting on you," Ameria said. "Raise Millie to be like that as well… you should hurry, I send Drannor away on a fake mission before the delivery, but he should be arriving soon."

"This might be a little gross, but you might get better if you eat the bluestones of the amulets," Zaos said.

"Listen to me Zaos, geez…" Ameria smiled and then sighed. "You are the smartest person that I know when it comes to magic, so try to free Millie from this curse. I want her to have a happy life."

"... Okay, I will do my best," Zaos said. "Rest assured, I won't let her be hated by anyone, and one day, she will return to your home."

"Thank you… Zaos, I am sorry, but I have one last favor," Ameria said.

"No problem," Zaos said.

"I am really sorry for asking you this. This isn't a burden you shouldn't carry, but…" Ameria said with tears in her eyes.

"Hey, you can count on me," Zaos said, and then he held Ameria's hands with his.

"... I want you to kill me," Ameria said.

"... What?" Zaos asked in shock.

"I am sure that the demon god will use many things to mess with Millie's head, so I can't die like this. She will eventually discover that I died for lack of mana in my body, and she will blame herself," Ameria explained. "Zaos… I know that this is very unfair, but… I don't want her to blame herself for this."

                Zaos' bit his lips in anger… how Ameria could ask him something like that… Zaos could never do that. Wouldn't it be easier to ask Aleni to do that? Why Zaos? He knew her for longer, so… suddenly, Zaos recalled that despite the fact that she was an assassin, the knights she fought weren't dead as he had imagined. Maybe it was because of that… she didn't want to be what she was trained to be, and Ameria couldn't force her to do it.

"... I understand," Zaos said and then grabbed one of his throwing knives. "I am sorry for not being with you when you needed, Ameria."

"You were with me, when you could when it was necessary…" Ameria smiled and then smiled while she let tears fall from her face. "I wish that those days when the three of us were together could return… I will always cherish those days, Zaos."

              Zaos nodded and then bit his lips once again. He let some blood fall from his mouth, but he didn't let out tears. Zaos couldn't let Ameria see him suffering… in the end, Zaos cut her wrists so fast that she didn't even sense it.

"I guess this is goodbye, I wish you two good luck, and I apologize once again for burdening you like this," Ameria said and then smiled. "Aleni, I am certain that you will find your happiness, don't give up, okay?"

          Aleni nodded, and Zaos saw her trembling from head to toe. It seemed that Ameria freed her from her job…

"Millie, I am sure that you will overcome all the obstacles you will find on your path. Please, be happy," Ameria said and then looked at Zaos once more. "Please… protect her."

          After saying that, Ameria finally closed her eyes and her presence disappeared. Those words echoed in Zaos's mind while he trembled from head to toe as well and let the tears flow. Zaos' mission in that world was to protect Milliendra, and he was determined not to fail. In fact, he was confident that he would succeed because he knew who his real enemy was… the demon god. Somehow, Zaos always knew that their paths would cross at some point, he just didn't know how. Still, he couldn't say that he was happy for it, but he finally found a target to unleash all his fury....