The Nemesis Rune

I expect nothing else. In this world of monsters and men, I expect nothing else from them. Even after relishing the results of my work, they would not dare to face me. I suppose that even hiring me must have cost a few years of their lives. To stand in my presence for a little over a minute. How brave, how noble. But after slaying a few of those beasts, I could understand them a little better. That wasn’t a batch of monsters any warrior could handle. How sad of them, to think of me.

And if you still sought to know, my name is Mithir. The most hated man to live.

These lands belong to Queen Jilka and that is all I know about her. Her appearance is also a mystery. The closest thing was this one time when I came close to the capital. There was this great statue and she seemed beautiful. Like a golden spark, the heavens made human. But it was a meager glimpse until the locals covered it with a cloth. That is what they do. Do not underestimate their loyalty, and their faith in this great symbol. The paintings, the idols. Anything that carries any sacredness to them, they will hide from me. Of course, I could not taint what was so beautiful, with my gaze.

Sorcerers are taken away from their tasks, to use their expensive knowledge to keep track of me at all times. Forge masters and their students put their requests aside to craft weapons and items to use against me, once they learn I am moving in their general direction. Guards and lowly criminals lose any and all semblance of rivalry and the prisons are kept unguarded in order to keep their towns safe against the threat I pose.

My existence, very truthfully, impedes the progress of this world.

I know better at this point. But whenever I enter some place new, my mind still takes me back to the same feeling. As those heads turn with spite in their eyes. As they shout and curse. As some even charge with the intent to murder me, I keep thinking the same, fruitless things.

“I am simply passing here. There is no need to be afraid of me.”

Maybe my wording is off, but saying it or not, makes no difference. Sometimes it takes a few unconscious men to realize I won’t be bested. And after that, they tend to keep their distance. I am still not allowed in most places; I am not given help or directions. I am not someone who is spoken to; they prefer to yell at me. Away from me, they still keep a close eye, to make sure I won’t steal or desecrate anything important.

The guilds are the only place I can enter, and on the boards are about one or two papers place there exactly for me. Being the most hated man in the world came with a good side, I suppose it had to be fair in some regard. Ever since I was a boy, I was made to fight against plenty of others. And every time I was thrown at the edge of death, I came back.

My skills were honed and now few are the dangers that worry me.

And those skills may be of use to someone. Another job, directed to Mithir, the Deplorable with no reward. Of course, I answer it. These are people in need of help, not only can I help them, but I also have nothing else to do. I do wonder sometimes if I do these for the chance of being treated differently. Maybe a kind word or I don’t know… anything other than this.

I don’t know the extent of my own mercy and it scares me. What if I make a mistake along the line? But I don’t mean the mistake that the regular mortal does. This is not about imperfections. I mean the mistake that brews a million more. The one that makes you falter and stumble indefinitely. Where I will prove everyone right, that I was nothing but a disgusting stain in this world. Knowing myself, it’s just a matter of time.

Despite the glares and the voices, I head to the woods. In the notes, I am told to bring down a flock of Neto Crows who are making nests, a little too close to this town. If you have never seen a Neto Crow before, consider yourself lucky. These ugly things are as tall as a house and weigh as much as a giant boulder. Their yellow and white eyes are hauntingly piercing, and their feathers are all over the place. They act much like crows, but their beaks are armed with hundreds of sharp needle-like teeth. They stab and shred prey as big as them.

We called them Neto Crows because they were created by a vile caster of House Neto. I don’t know much about these people, but they have a reputation for being blasphemous and against all that is Divine. One would think that I and the Netonians would be on good terms, but they are still affected by the rune. And if I passed near their settlements, they might just harvest me for their research.

There are many clans with a presence in this world, though these presences seem to be more malicious than peaceful. The volcanic madmen of House Castha in the south. The Jildats, fanatics of Queen Jilka, in the east. Neto, Foalpax, Lind, Satozax… it’s a strangely large list, for a world with so few enemies.

At least Qorra, of House Berlilas seems nice enough, when I passed by, she told me that as long as I didn’t enter their grounds, they would not shout nor harvest my eyes. Great people, indeed.

Entering the swamp, I am reminded of the fact that the ones of House Neto have been becoming increasingly more intense these past few years. Must be a generational thing. With its own peaks of peace and madness, making the equation flow as it should. Not that it really matters, I should be focusing on these damned crows instead. I spot four of them, and they already seemed aware of me.

My sword was a bit larger than most, but nothing exaggerated. It also doesn’t carry any ailments or magic, but I’ve gotten better at handling my Blight spells. Out of the magic sources that exist I must say that Blight is the one that flows best for me. In case you don’t know, Blight are these brown and violet cysts that sting and burn your skin. Not that other sources like Lighting, Blackflame, and Moon Ice are bad, but this thing is wonderful when dealing with monsters.

I meet the first one with a swipe under its massive beak, fortunately, the Blight cuts through their hind with ease. And it leaves them to squirm and yell. But unlike getting hurt in a hunt, those painful cries made the other crows take their distance. And before they can gather courage, I strike the fear of the gods on them. Jumping onto it, I stab the first crow in the head, dousing it in as much Blight as I can, so that this creature would never get up again.

The crows seem hesitant. I’m no druid, so my beast interpretation isn’t great, but I could tell that they were arguing about whether or not to maul me. I needed another move to make them give up on me, and truth be told, I wasn’t feeling my best today, so I didn’t fancy fighting the entire flock, especially if there were more, I wasn’t aware of. Stomping on the corpse of the first, I channel the Blight into the dirt and with a swipe, cast a wave over them, destroying their growing nest.

That image ought to be enough. I stand still while they caw and fly away, making a ruckus wherever they go. I thought it was interesting that these things flee if faced with a potential threat. It’s like they were unaware of how much damage they caused to everything around them. Terrible, terrible creatures. Cannibals too. If it weren’t for me, they would have eaten the first crow’s corpse.

All in all, I do think that using my magic to break the nest was a bad move. After all, now this rot is going to stain the forest for a while. So, the locals will blame me as they always do. And here I was hoping to not hurt my image.

Before I could leave, however, I saw a girl peeking through the trees. She seemed kinda saddened that the crows left. Her dark green and white garbs indicated that she was part of some royalty. Was she studying the crows? How fascinating for someone so young. Admittedly, a bit of a morbid interest but fascinating still.

— And your parents?

— They’re back home.

— Are you noble?

— No sir.

I doubted it since the clothing was far too wonderful for a peasant. And thinking back to my location, I enquire that she is in fact part of House Neto. The green, white, and gold were part of their crest. I don’t blame you, child, but since your family consists of lunatics… I am now leaving.

She tells me goodbye, still more interested in the giant corpse than in this dangerous stranger. And then it dawned on me. It was something so simple, and mediocre that the average citizen wouldn’t mind it. I turn back to her, trying to maintain a straight face. This must have been the first time someone wished me a good departure.

— What did you say?

— Goodbye?

— Do you know who I am?!

— N-no…

Since I failed to hold back my cry, I had to ask her one more thing.

— Do you hate me?

— I suppose... not?

…You see, long before I was born, the Gods in their immense wisdom sought to diminish the evil in our world. Not to take away what made me and you so inconsistent, otherwise we couldn’t quite learn from our mistakes. But to direct it.

Do not aim your wrath at another brother.

Do not bite the hand that feeds you.

Do not hurt the ones around you.

So, they carved this rune on my back and turned me into the world’s enemy.

Don’t misunderstand, these individuals are still stained with flaws. They are still spiteful, jealous, and filled with ego. They are not perfect, and they still make mistakes. It’s just that honesty and humility thrive while their hate is directed toward me. They still despise what is evil. But it seems that I am evil itself in their eyes. When one sins with another, they blame me, better themselves, and move on.

The Rune of Nemesis makes me the most hated and despite person to exist. Regardless of what I do and say, I will always be hated.

It happened when I was a child. The Gods must have realized that I was of good enough age to survive on my own. Or to be fair to them, they must have lost the previous holder of the rune. Whether he was killed by others or finished it himself, I will never know. But what I do know, in such detail it makes me frail, was that my mother and father were no longer the same.

Compared to the monsters, the enemies, the constant shouting, and the dangers. Nothing gave me greater despair than to see their expressions shift. They hated me, their own son, more than any criminal or atrocity. And simply because it was meant to be. I will forever hate the Gods for this.

Or so I thought. It’s been a few decades now, and I hope my parents are still well. I thought I would carry that evil within me for longer. That it would fuel me and capacitate me. But I don’t feel the same anymore. For someone who has death wished upon them so consistently, I feel rather peaceful most of the time. I have no place to go, so I wonder. I have no one to talk to, so I speak quietly. I have no duties, so I rest.

I would be lying if I never wanted something different. Though I knew that I could never be different, I still had a small wish in me. Maybe I would wake up one day and all this would different. The Gods can do anything they want, can’t they?

And yet, this child exists. The Girl from House Neto. The Girl who defied gods.

The Girl that Does Not Hate Me.

Sitting down, I take the time to recompose myself. Her clear eyes were searching for anything interesting about the crow’s corpse. She didn’t even look at me. I could not grasp it. It simply wasn’t real. Lying was beyond everyone, they were honest about their feelings toward me. This girl… is truly unaffected by the Rune.

I don’t even know what to do. What should I tell her?

Should I learn about how she avoids the Rune’s effect?

Are all the Netonians like this? Is that what their hatred for the Gods led them to?

— What… are you interested in?

What was she looking for in the crow? She answered that it wasn’t the crow, but the magic poured over it. The Blight magic that stained it. She said that she was used to many types of magic. To my lack of surprise, House Neto was full of casters and sorcerers. But I suppose Blight might just be a little rarer to find and study. Should I teach her about it? Should I move to house Neto? Will they welcome me as another anti-god associate? I’d never trusted House Neto before, but now…

The Girl that Does Not Hate Me stood so close to the Blight, I forgot that she should be hurt by it. But she was as safe as me, the caster. Sitting next to me, she tells me her name is Kanabeth. An uncommon name, but I couldn’t contain my excitement. I ask her if it was fine to call her by that name.

We talk about magic. For someone so young, I was surprised to see how much knowledge she had. Her training must be exhaustive, but very empowering. I dared touch on my Rune. Maybe reminding her of my existence would be enough to ruin everything. We talk about the weather and our favorite things. It was difficult to not mention the hardships I’ve dealt with, but I managed to make it seem like I was some nomad. And she seemed fine. The Girl that Does Not Hate Me smiled and laughed.

I smiled.

And I laughed.

I’ve never talked to anyone like this. Strangely enough, surrounded by rotting magic and the massive crow’s corpse, we were still comfortable for hours. As the sky had already shifted to auburn, I remind her of her home.

Kanabeth tells me that her parents are not worried at all. She was already too good at spells and could move on the forest grounds of Neto Manor without supervision. The villages nearby must hate these nobles to send me their way. Something tells me it was on purpose. They hoped that we could destroy one another.

Daring, I tell her to that I can take her home. I couldn’t simply leave at this point. About one minute after seeing her, I already realized she was too precious for me, and I would dilacerate everything that threatens her.

But I digress. Walking alongside her, we exit the forest and see Neto Manor upon the naked hills. It was a great house, with many corridors and floors. The white and green robbed all the attention of the surroundings to themselves. As if having their crest on every corner and banner wasn’t enough. It makes me wonder what kind of history the progenitor of House Neto had, to create such a place. If these people could, they would dominate all that is Jilka’s. No wonder they are so frowned upon.

It was still about three minutes of walking until we reached the gates, but I tell Kanabeth to go alone. She says we were still not there. Her innocence is commendable but everyone except her has something against me.

— Loh there!

I sigh, with anger. As I talked to the girl, I see that I had attracted eyes again. Members of house Neto approach from the gates. From their eyes they definitely recognized me, and they had no desire to see me next to one of their own.

— Stay away from her, you vile freak!!

— Walk away, Kanabeth.

There were five of them, and one of the men already grabbed the girl and pulled her away from me. The other four surround me and become ready to channel their spells.

— Mithir, The Deplorable

— Could I talk to the master of the House?

— What makes you think that is possible?!

— I accept any condition. Remove my weapons, my armor. Subdue me and keep me at a distance… whatever it takes.

— You really believe our Master will—

— Rip my arms off if you must. I will not even scream.

The girl looks at me with a certain sadness. I’ve never seen such eyes directed at me. And I wished to tell her that I would be okay, but I can’t let this chance go by. Whatever atrocities take place inside Neto Manor may have led Kanabeth to become immune to my Rune.

— I must talk to someone with influence.

They stare at one another hesitant. Of course, they would never let the source of all evil get anywhere near their sacred grounds. But would such lunatics let go of the chance to have me at their disposal?

I’d say very few people understand the existence of my Rune. Most would answer that they hate me for many imaginary reasons. For things, I’ve never done. But some may know that I made hated by the Gods. So, I hope that the master of Neto Manor is one of these few. Maybe we could defy the gods together.

My weapons are taken away and the black metal that consisted of my armor is also removed. They threaten me with spells and now that they felt that I was not a disposable threat, they take me inside.

The Manor was as grand on the inside as it was on the outside. It was rather dark, with all the curtains tightly shut, which made the absurd number of windows rather pointless. But there were many torches placed on the walls, a heretical emerald flame.

I was separated early from Kanabeth, and I didn’t have a chance to say goodbye. It bothered me more than I thought it would. But given the circumstances, I’ll let these madmen have their way. Into the inner chambers, deeper underground, I am kept away from light. A cell was prepared for me.

Set on my knees, their chains pull my arms back, restraining me on the floor. If I were to lower my head some more, my entire back would be visible. The nobles seemed equal parts disgusted and impressed. They could actually see the Rune on my back, something only Gods had control over.

A line going down my back. With four small protrusions at the top like the feathers of an arrow. And at the bottom two lines came up, forming the tip of the arrow. Around the bottom, three dots on each side.

A Divine symbol to resemble only one thing: Hate.

— You are now before Gosuro-Neto, current Lord of the Neto Manor.

One of the nobles spoke, but given my current position, I could only see the man’s boots. Those his high-majesties garbs were longer, denser, and almost touched the floor.

— Mithir, The Deplorable… how can it be?

— Does the Rune on my back not make you overflow with joy, Lord Gosuro?

— I can only despise such a vile and repulsive thing.

His voice was deeper than the others. I could just tell he was another old fool, who let the simplicity of his powers get ahead of him. The powers at play, are just beyond our reach. You can see it, and maybe even make out some of it. But you can’t reach out and seize it. That’s why it’s divine.

— But it is this disgust that makes me understand you. The curse you carry is real. You are indeed Mithir, the Deplorable. Only someone such as yourself could bear any pride over that mark.

— As if…

— Tell me, then, Demon, what brings you here?

— I’ve heard scattered pieces, that you and your clan are sworn enemies of the Gods.

— It only takes one mistake to undo the glory of the Gods, Mithir.

— You don’t have to be so upfront about it, I understood the hint.

As any great leader would, he went on to explain the majesty of House Neto. How he and his men were unlike anything History had been confronted with. How their genius, their morals, and their uniqueness were all reasons for their praise. It wouldn’t take a month for other men to take their place.

— Our methods are expanding. It’s a matter of time until their reckoning.

— Would you believe me if I told you, you are closer than you believe to be?

— Tied and exposed as you are? What do you hope to gain?

— Freedom.

I force myself upward, to glance at the face of Gosuro. Though I am reprimanded to face the great Lord, I speak regardless of the consequences. The child Kanabeth bared a strange immunity towards me. From a newborn infant to the most powerful sages, no one can resist the feeling of wrath. This cloud that I bring affects everything.

There is no training, spell, or technique that can overcome it.

After all, it was made by the Gods.

— Yet one of your own, defied it.

— Explain yourself, Demon.

— The child was as friendly to me, as she would have been with any wanderer, Lord Gosuro.

I saw it in his eyes. A flash of stupidity. If anyone knew me, and they did, they’d understand the great significance of such graciousness from her. But it took the lord a few seconds.

— A mere child?

— Bring her here if you must. Her heart is unlike any other in this world.

And as expected, they tortured me.

Not because I dared to call a witness to prove my point, but because Lord Gosuro of Neto Manor deemed me a liar. As they used those disgustingly prickly whips to tear me apart, I could only think back to Kanabeth. Keeping my eyes on Gosuro, I’d smile at the thought, that she was not only the best among them but that she’d also one day overthrow the entire clan. I can’t wait until someone underestimates her heart.

It was late in the night when they decided to stop. And only after that is when I decided to escape. But I took it slow since It was hard to move with such large wounds in my back. I’d rather not talk about the pain, there are things more important at hand. Technically, the wound did destroy the Rune, disconnecting the accursed mark with my bare flesh. But you’d have to be an idiot to believe that is all it takes.

I know that because I too was that idiot.

And it was an excruciating lesson.

In the meantime it took me to free myself I wondered about what was next. I felt like I needed to speak with Kanabeth one more time before leaving. I owe her too much—such a simple and insignificant action. And now I will never forget her. There won’t be a minute of my life in which her memory won’t grace me.

But drawing more attention to her would be selfish. If these fiends learn that it was her, I won’t be here to protect her. No… the odds are already terrible. They know it’s Kanabeth. Some of the nobles saw me with her and if asked, I doubt she’d lie.

At one point I remember Gosuro saying that the Gods had no options but to wait in fear of his plans. Because if the Gods could stop him, wouldn’t they have done so already? That’s what he said anyway.

What if he failed halfway? There would be no need to stop him.

What if the Gods were waiting for him to be at his highest point, ready to destroy them, to refute his plans and show him his insignificance?

In the same way, I laughed at his ideas, I question my own future. To keep Kanabeth at my side and face the entire world for the chance of freedom…

Would I handle it? Would she be safe? What would the Gods do? Would being exposed to me for so long, not break her? If I died, what would happen to her? I see myself without options. Even leaving her here would be a mistake.

Would it be a mistake? Or would it be as designed?

What is a mistake and what is as designed?

The Gods will always have the upper hand in this question.

Regardless of how you approach it.

Was the world better off without me? To have brothers and sisters humble and honest. To not let their hate, take over them, but to be unified by their hatred towards me, despite what might have happened.

If I die, won’t the rune just jump to someone else? Another child, abandoned by spiteful parents. Heartbroken to see their baby turn into the source of evil. Will the Gods not keep up with their plan? Was all this just a personal scorn against me? And the world just returns to its natural-most state…

Is it fair to have one person withstand so much, so that others may live peacefully?

Is it not like the duty of a father, to withstand pain for his family’s future?

The world is not my family, so I wonder what I should do.

Be a villain and justify everything that is done against me?

Be killed in a matter of days, for no reason?

I must say, however, I am glad that Queen Jilka doesn’t order her inquisitors to not hunt me down. I might be capable, but there are many others whose talents cannot be replicated. I would see my limit overwhelm me, sooner than I can imagine. The elites must realize that even someone like me has a place in this world.

I might be the nicest evil they’ve ever seen.

Despite it, you would think everyone would want to stay away from me. But all things considered, I’ve never been more popular, and I doubt that if it weren’t for this rune, my name would not be known. It’s their hate that drives them away.

But they will always come back to the things that made them leave. And they’ll opt to face me, simply because they can, rather than avoid me, which they should.

It’s just another dose of optimized suffering for my mind to process.

What does anyone care for, anyway?

A good day, or a bad day. Everyone will always have something more important, something they will never even reach. You and I will never see what is most precious, something intangible will always claim the summit.

Every few months or so, I tend to get on a downward slope. I… feel too tired and it seems as if dying is just a much better option than keeping up this dragging, insufferable walk towards nowhere. I look at myself and these other degenerates who cloud my way and seethe at the idea of our births. How could I, a child with gentle eyes end up so deranged and broken? What an abhorrent turn of events this life of mine was. Flawed as intended.

Because in the great calculation of divine order, someone must lose.

Though, there is something within that bothers me as much as it lifts me up. I don’t like being on the ground. I don’t like the feeling of failure, of disgust. That must be why I quietly tell others in my mind, to not hate me. I don’t understand whether or not this is our nature, or if this is something that makes me unique.

Much like this rune, I bear the will to suffer.

I was made to suffer and suffer I will. What other way will I be the envy of the gods above, if not overcome the destiny they chose for me? Meaning is not in achieving victory but is found in not losing, in enduring this endless endeavor. To make a mistake out of what was designed.

So, heed my words, patient history, for I assure you this:

I will survive this world. And so will Kanabeth.

I’ll make sure of it.