Chapter 1 - A Forgotten Name

"Charge!" the head of the Imperial Guards growled at the demons as he raised his sword. The hundreds of men behind him shout atop their lungs to signal that they're ready to fight until the end. A final stand against the demons to protect Humanity from peril.

You can smell the blood in the air as the demons slaughtered the small army trying to resist them. Gurgled screams and grunts is the only thing you can hear. As the last guard fell, the demons set their eyes on the castle before them. The last symbol of Humanity's hope, and the demons will make it crumble to the ground. Suddenly, a flash of light emanated from the windows of the castle and everyone froze.

Inside the castle, the King gave his life to cast a powerful time spell to lock everything and everyone ,within a kilometer radius, in a time loop. It basically meant that he gave up his life to save humanity. The remaining humans that were hidden, finally set out and established communities and slowly developed their technologies. Without the demons, humans are now free to roam and are no longer in danger.

It's now almost 3000 years since the demons have disappeared. They are nothing but myths and legends to scare naughty children into behaving properly. "If you don't behave, the demons will come at night and take you.", this is the most popular way to scare children to behaving. 3000 years of peace doesn't always mean progress and prosperity in all aspects of society though. Martial and Mystical Arts has declined since and is not as widely used or practiced. But today is a special day, because today the Demons return.

"Hyaaah! Hooaaah!", a little boy screams as he swings his wooden sword in the air. This is Verde, a young 5 year old boy under the house of the Vanguard family. The Vanguard family are the descendants of an Imperial guard that was assigned to look after the civilians in the Last Great War. Everyone in the family is good with a sword and is a reserve troop of the Elite Imperial Guards that are tasked to protect society in dire needs, which rarely happens. "Verde, come now and get dressed. Your father will fetch you soon for your first recognition badge.", his stepmother called onto him. Today, he is tasked to acquire a Pathfinder badge to start his journey into the Imperial Army like the rest of his family.

"Verde! Come now! We must go", his father shouted. Verde hurriedly ran to his father and as he passed his stepbrother, Verde tripped and ruined his clothes. Desmond has always hated Verde and always bullies him when he gets the chance. Verde didn't mind his brother and went to see his father. His father saw that his clothes were dirty and disorganized. Ability, Boldness, Conduct, and Discipline. These are the principles that the Vanguard family uphold and Verde simply doesn't have these qualities. His father scolded him lightly and they went on their way. After an hour if travel in horseback, they finally arrived at a ruins that has amazingly stood the test of time. "Today, you must draw a map of this castle and bring it to me. You must complete this task by 12 midnight or you will stay here until the next day.", his father sternly warned him. Verde nods in agreement and his father rides off into the distance leaving his young son to fend for himself and also complete his task.

Verde looks around the ruins to find a good starting point and to scout the place. The ruins look really old but the bricks are still sturdy. No plants grow anywhere nearby but moss are still stuck on some parts if the building. Verde finds a huge door and uses it as an anchor point for his map. He starts drawing on a piece if paper he brought with him and then looks around to check his surroundings for any significant detail the map might need for reference. After a few hours of sketching and moving around he already has a rough sketch of the place and evey detail one might need to find their way using the map. Verde starts climbing a pillar near the entrance he found earlier to get a better vantage to check if he missed anything and he notices a window slightly hidden in vines near the top if the old ruins. He got curious and climbed up to reach the window and found a room with a candle still lit on a table. "This is peculiar.", said the boy and touched the flame. It isn't warm. He was amazed by this fact and kept playing with the flame and he eventually got bored. As he turned around the flame from the candle went out and the room got dark. A voice pierced through the darkness. "Boy, what is your name?", the voice asked calmly. Verde was so scared he couldn't move.

Verde suddenly felt a stinging pain from his stomach. He gasped and put his hand out and was able to grab clothes in front of him. The candle was lit again and Verde saw who was in front of him. It was his stepbrother, Desmond, holding a dagger in his right hand. Desmond had a sinister smile as he watched Verde curl up while holding his stomach. Blood pooled around Verde's body and Desmond quickly left the ruins. Life was slowly leaving the boy's body and the candle suddenly went out again. "Boy, I asked you your name.", a cold and commanding voice resounded inside the empty and dark room. "Verde", he answered softly. "What do you feel right now, Verde?", the voice asked. "I. I f-feel. Cold", Verde answered slowly. "Do you not feel fear or anger?", the voice asked again. "No. O-only. Re-gret." Light suddenly filled the room, and a tall figure towered over Verde. As the boy looked up, the figure spoke, "What do you regret?"

Verde couldn't speak. He was too amazed at what he is seeing. "I-is this the afterlife?", he asked to figure. "No, my child, not yet. You didn't answer my question. What do you regret?" Verde answered quickly, "I regret not being able to solve my mother's death. She died in her sleep while my father was away.", Verde answered firmly but with sadness in his eyes. "Very well, I can help you with that. But, on one condition.", the figure spoke with intent. Verde can faintly see a kind smile on the mysterious man. "I will solve your mother's mysterious death in exchange for your body. I will live in your body" Verde paused for a few seconds and then firmly agreed. "Yes! I accept!". The figure put his hand forward to shake the boy's hands and Verde did as well. As they're hands touched, the dark figure suddenly burst with light and he was blinded.

Verde's body is no longer his own. It is now owned by Humanity's first King. King Charles Heinrich!

To be continued...

I hope you liked the first chapter of this novel. Keep reading, the story is just getting started. See you on the next chapter!

Verde's appearance:

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