The Hero

When shadows lengthen and darkness reigns,

A choice of sacrifice shall test mortal chains.

To break the curse and restore the light,

A path of sacrifice must be chosen right.

In the heart of the storm, where fate is entwined,

Two paths diverge, both cruelly defined.

One demands the life of a cherished heart,

The other craves power, tearing realms apart.

The beloved’s breath, a candle’s flicker,

Their life the cost to break the curse’s bicker.

In their sacrifice, redemption’s flame shall spark,

But at the cost of love, plunged into the dark.

Yet power beckons, a seductive lure,

A force to wield, to conquer and ensure.

The essence of might, a forbidden feast,

But at what price, the multiverse released?

Beware the allure of power’s embrace,

For in its grasp lies darkness, a twisted race.

The sacrifice of the self, the soul’s decay,

As power corrupts, leading astray.

Two choices laid, in shadows cast,

The life of a loved one, the power amassed.

But heed this warning, choose with care,

For in the balance of sacrifice, lies despair.

In the end, only one shall rise,

The chosen path, the ultimate prize.

But whether in love’s embrace or power’s thrall,

The cost of sacrifice shall claim them all.

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There is a nation whose peoples’ blood is black and magic that comes from their very souls. Blessed by the gods, they were gifted the ability of teleportation, and therefore, many nations believed they were gods themselves. Others said they were arrogant monsters who involved themselves in country affairs they did not belong in.

To the ignorant they were the space people, powerful beings that were hunting the galaxy for black magic and the Cursed. To the rest, they were the Novas-a centuries-old race whose sole purpose was to protect humanity from itself. Terrans called them Heroes after hearing epic tales of champions who destroyed worlds with a single touch of their finger. Such exaggerated stories did not so easily fool the rest of the 10 Dimensions, yet the name stuck. Hero or Nova, their role as servants to the Galaxies was set in place ever since the Cursed Wars.

Hashim’s eyes flickered over to the dead body stretched across the bed and winced slightly, pitying anyone on cleanup duty. The princess’s blood soaked through the blankets and mattress as it dripped onto the wooden floorboards. She had sprawled out in the most dramatic way possible, with a face permanently contorted in horror. She’d done it on purpose, of course, as a parting gift to try and make him feel guilty. As Hashim stared at her face, he gazed up at the glowing orb hovering over his head and said, “Raoul? You there?”

A short cough and rustling of clothes ensued before Raoul’s voice echoed through the orb.

“You done already?” He asked, smacking loudly as he chewed on what Hashim imagined to be imported tobacco. Hashim glanced one more time at the princess before turning away to head to the side of the room where he could sit on the couch while still being able to see her.

“I was wrong. It was just a general Curse.” Raoul paused before swallowing his food, leaning forward in the squeaky chair he refused to fix.

“Damn it, are you sure?” Raoul huffed, disappointment laced in his gruff voice.

“Sorry,” Hashim sighed, “I thought I was onto something.”

“No, no, it’s not your fault. Even Sabre thought this Curse was a clue,” A pause and then he said, “She’s dead though, right?” Hashim glanced at the body and said, “For now, she is. She’ll come back in a few years.” Hashim heard Raoul shift in his chair as he reached for his computer, most likely already planning to send a CF team down here even as he questioned him.

“Why? She acting weird or something?” Acting weird was an understatement. The princess had been downright disturbing.

“I can’t tell if she’s cursed or a Curse,” Hashim explained, fingers tapping lazily on his blood-stained cargo pants, “It was difficult to contain her, and I don’t think she was being honest with me all the time either, so I’m unsure if she’s even a physical being. I think that’s why we thought she was a piece of the Break.” Raoul stopped typing, and Hashim could just see his pudgy face turning pale with unease, even over the orb. Hashim’s CIS operator was not well known for his bravery. Smarts, yes, but courage was a “work in progress,” as he stated.

“She managed to lie even toyou?" Raoul muttered, “How strong is she?” Hashim overheard even more frantic typing as he leaned back farther on the couch, eyes watching the limp fingers of the princess.

“What’s the magic level in there?” Raoul demanded. Hashim checked his watch and said, “It’s fluctuated between 70 and 80 since I killed her.”

“What about before?” Hashim hesitated slightly before saying, “I was sort of busy at the moment, but I’m sure it was over 200. It was reaching close to that when we were about a mile away from the castle.” It was a high level, certainly in the range for a Curse. Raoul muttered something under his breath, and Hashim knew he was thinking the same thing. Recently, Curses have been getting stronger. There was most likely a Surge coming.

“Are you okay staying until the CF gets there? I’ve requested them to take her to the Library.” Hashim raised his eyebrow at Raoul’s words and said, “Sure. Tell them to take their time. I’m in no rush.” It seemed like Raoul thought the princess was a Curse. If she was, that was good. The more data they had on Curses, the easier it would be to know how to break their own.

“Yeah, yeah, enough with your act,” Raoul grumbled, “I’m hanging up now, okay? Call me if anything changes.”

“Will do,” Hashim added, watching as the light died from the globe before turning back to the empty, disorganized room. It was eerily quiet now after the screaming had stopped. The Curse had forced them to listen to its screams of anguish throughout their whole walk through the tower, and it had gotten unbearably loud.

Hashim jumped slightly as the door to the bedroom smashed open and stopped himself from laughing as Caden stormed in, his red eyes blazing with fury. He was covered in blood as if it had been poured over him, and as Hashim stared, he realized that might have been a plausible situation. Besides minor scrapes and a gash across his forehead, he was fine.

“Please tell me you killed that bitch?” He snapped, eyeing the dead princess on the bed. Hashim smiled and said, “What happened?”

“This witch decided it would be funny to try and drown me in a room full of pig’s blood,” Caden said, gesturing to the blood dripping down his clothes in utter disgust, “Probably one of the more revolting moments in my life. At least tell me this little trek was worth it?” His scowling face made Hashim feel bad for telling him the trip was a lost cause.

“No, but Raoul thinks she’s a Curse, so maybe it’s not a complete loss.” Caden’s eyes lit up, and he said, “Ralph called? If he says she’s a Curse, then she’s one.” Ralph was the affectionate nickname Caden called Raoul after they’d bonded over their mutual love of all things Terran. Their common slogan was ‘Hate the man, not the inventions.’

“Yes, he’s sending a CF team,” Hashim said.

“What, no,” Caden groaned, “Why would we need those scrawny wonks here? We killed her, didn’t we?” A small whimper escaped the princess’s lips as if on cue, making Caden and Hashim take a giant step back. They watched as her fingers twitched, and an agonized cry escaped her lips. She blubbered and moaned for help but still didn’t get up.

“What thefuck?”Caden whispered, eyes widening in horror.I guess she’s waking up earlier than I thought, Hashim thought.

“Don’t move, Caden,” Hashim muttered, watching as Caden took a hesitant step forward. She’ll try to enchant you.”

Hashim stepped closer, pulling out his dagger, and looked down at the young woman’s face. She looked a lot different. Her eyes were two big black orbs, and her creamy-rose skin was now ghostly white and wrinkly as if she’d been underwater too long.

“You are a very bad man-I can’t believe youstabbedme.” She sniffled, still seemingly paralyzed except for her lips.

“Has your vocabulary deteriorated as well?” Hashim asked, gently smiling as he stared down at the incision along her neck from his dagger. She really should have been dead longer.

Her agonizing cries grew louder, tears streaming down her fish-like appearance, making Hashim’s hands shake. She certainly was powerful if he had to focus this hard on not getting manipulated.

“W-what are you going to do with me?” She hiccuped, bug-like eyes stared up at Hashim in fear. Hashim was debating that part right then, but instead, he gently said, “You’ll go to the Library. Do you know where that is?”

“T-the Library? You’re going to torture me?” She wailed.

“Damn, she sounds disgusting,” Caden hissed behind me. The princess’s head whirled toward his voice, a relieved smile crossing her face as she said, “Is that my hero? Please help-”

Hashim rushed forward to clamp his hand over her mouth, grimacing at the slimy texture, and said gently, “Do not help her, Caden. Stay where you are, and do not speak.” Hashim didn’t need to tell him twice. He was pale from fighting her words, but Hashim had overpowered her magic, so Caden should be fine now as long as he didn’t speak.

Hashim slowly withdrew his hand from the Curse’s mouth. If she could have harmed them, she would have done it by now. She was weak, but if the CF crew were to arrive, Hashim wouldn’t be strong enough to control them all. He could kill her again, but something was nagging in the back of his mind. She had woken up too soon. He was missing something. He’d wanted to save the rest of his magic for the walk back, but he decided to chance it and push this Curse hard.

“Are you a manipulator like me?” the princess squeaked out, a small ounce of betrayal in her voice. “Why are you doing this?” Hashim stared at her before glancing at his watch. He had time. It took a while for a CF team to prepare, so he had five minutes, maybe ten if he was lucky. He could do this. Fighting back the pain in his throat, Hashim said gently, “Are you sure you don’t know about the Novanoid Curse?”

The Curse’s black eyes narrowed, and she immediately recoiled at his words.

“Don’t ask me that. I told you I don’t know where he is,” she whispered.

“But you do knowofhim?”

“Of course,” she snapped back, momentarily losing her composure before gently saying, “Everyone knows him.”

“So you hate him too?” Hashim said, shaking his head, “Then why are we fighting?”

“Because I’m not so foolish to try and cross him like you’rekind.”she spat back, wincing slightly at the movement. Hashim felt the blood pooling into his mouth and coughed, watching as it dripped down his mouth and nose and onto the floor. Darn it, he was tired. Glancing at Caden’s worried expression, Hashim quickly turned back to the Curse-leaning in further as he felt his magic slip out of his mouth.

“Oh, but I’m not asking you to cross him. All I ask is for some information. I doubt he’d come all this way just to go after you, right? Especially when you’re injured.” She was fighting him. Hashim could feel it, but ultimately, he knew he’d win. Just a little further. Thin, dark strands of smoke twisted and coiled out of his mouth, rising into the air like serpents. He couldn’t help but feel a searing heat in his throat as if his insides were liquefying into a molten river.

“All I need is to know where he was born.” The Curse’s eyes widened, and she wiggled in Hashim’s grasp.

“You ask for too much,Nova.” Hashim smiled gently, his eyes now single blackened orbs, and said, “Then you tell me what you can.” There was that eerie silence again. Hashim waited, fingers trembling as he tried to keep control until he finally felt a snap. Eyes dancing with excitement, he leaned down as the Curse’s lips opened, and she whispered, ”Quimath.”

It was only a word, but to Hashim, it was as if she had just given him the cure to his race’s illness. But before he could ask her anything else, she grabbed Hashim’s knife and plunged it into his leg. He grunted at the impact and silently cursed himself for his slip-up. The dagger she’d grabbed was forged with magic, forcing their victim to bleed out. One nick and you were done for. He needed to kill her quickly.

“You know, as a Curse, you’d be less likely to die if you helped us,” Hashim said through gritted teeth-glancing down at the black blood oozing out of the fresh wound.

“Then we wouldn’t get to see your miserable race suffer, and that’s no fun.” she cackled, but Hashim quickly caught the flicker of doubt across her face.

“Well, that’s too bad.” Hashim huffed as he yanked out the dagger and cut into the Curse’s tongue. A blood-curdling scream filled the room as she gripped her mouth, but it was too late. She would never be able to speak again.

Seeing that the Curse’s ability to speak had been taken from her, Caden rushed forward, dragging Hashim away from the bedpost.

“Shit, Hashim.” Caden hissed, pressing his hands over the gaping wound as the blood spilled out. “We’ve got to get you to the magicists.”

“She said Quimath,” Hashim said, trying to hear Caden over the Curse’s constant wailing.Where was that CF crew?

“Quimath?” Caden said, looking up in shock, “As in the capital?”

“I’m assuming so.”

“But it hasn’t been around long enough. The Novanoid Curse is ancient, while the 4th Kingdom has only existed for a few millennials.”

“We all know it’s anactthat will break it, not a place.”

“And you think she’s telling the truth? How do we know she isn’t sending us on some wild goose chase?”

“I don’t,” Hashim said through clenched teeth as he tied a piece of cloth around his thigh to try and stop the blood, “But it’s better than nothing, right?” Caden gritted his teeth and looked up at the still-wailing woman and yelled, “Would you fucking shut up, woman?” This seemed to make her scream louder, so Caden stormed to his feet, grabbed his knife from its sheath, and began ripping the bedroom curtains to shreds. When he managed to get a decent enough piece, he roughly wrapped it around the Curse’s bloody mouth and tightly knotted it behind her head, forcing her to stop screaming.

Caden snapped, “You’re giving me a headache,” before glancing worryingly at Hashim’s injured leg. It was bad. He had maybe a few minutes. The pressed bandage was helping stop the blood, but with that knife, it wouldn’t do much for long. They needed a magicist to break the curse before they could heal him, and Caden wasn’t trained enough to try it. He could end up making it worse if he weren’t careful.

“Forget the CF; we’re ditching,” Caden said, giving Hashim’s paling face another final look before making his decision.

“Protocol,” Hashim warned, and Caden waved him off. “Yeah, fuck protocol. I doubt Sabre would be pleased if you died on me. You’re more important than a witch who gave us one fucking word as a clue.” He snapped, angrily glancing at the shivering form of the Curse. Yeah, she was playing her cards all right. Thankfully, her tongue had been cut off, and it would take years for it to grow back, so her magic was pretty useless at the moment. He felt pretty confident that those CF wanks would be fine. Besides, a little scare would help toughen those scrawny Novas anyway. They needed it.

Hashim was too tired to argue, so Caden quickly got to work, trying to find an open space on the wooden floorboards that was big enough for the Portal. Kicking aside the broken remains of a table, Caden took his knife and sliced it quickly across his palm, watching as the blood drops splattered to the wooden floor.

Using his other hand, he used his blood to draw out the seal, working as quickly as possible while trying not to make a mistake. He had just mastered the art of Portals, and today was truly not the time to fuck up. Satisfied with his work, Caden placed his bloody palm firmly in the middle of the circle and whispered, “May it be free.” His hand sunk into the ground, and the ground beneath it became fluid and loose, devoid of rigidity.

“It’s ready, let’s go,” Caden said, whirling around and cursing at Hashim’s slumped figure.Just my fucking luck,Caden thought. Just as he decided he’d need to move Hashim himself, a loud knock echoed through the room, and Caden looked up in bewilderment at the closed door from which he’d just minutes ago come in.

“Who is it?” Hashim called out weakly, and Caden smacked him hard, making Hashim laugh.

“Shut up.” Caden quickly stood up and opened the door, eyes opening wide as the room flooded with blood. Standing in blood that reached to their knees were three CF Novas, gloves and masks covering their faces. Hashim turned to stare at Caden, who looked just as shocked as he felt. No wonder it had taken them so long to get here.

“There’s been a bit of a setback,” Hashim said, and one of the younger Novas rolled their eyes.

“We could see that,” the lead CF said as he waded through the metallic-smelling liquid and set his eyes on the bleeding body of the princess before squatting down to get a look at Hashim’s leg.

“I thought you said you killed her.” He said, pulling his mask down as he frowned at the injury. His calm gaze glanced at Caden’s still-drying bloody state and pointed his gloved hand at him.

“I hope he isn’t injured as well?”

“No sir, just pig’s blood,” Hashim said weakly, staring at the blood running down the stairs like a waterfall.

“Can you move? We have to get you out of the building.” the CF said, watching as his two other comrades grabbed the struggling body of the Curse.

“We don’t need to,” Caden said, “I made a Portal already.” The CF shook his head as he said, “No, she’s corrupted the whole building. Any magic used in her domain is tainted.” Caden stared at him in disbelief. Clearly, Hashim and Caden had done a terrible job securing the area.

“We can’t move him. He’s probably got only a few minutes left. There’s no way he’ll make it back in time.” Caden snapped. The CF reached into his bag and pulled out a small healing potion.

“It won’t stop the curse, but it should replenish your blood system long enough for us to get you back to the Novanoid if we move quickly,” He said as he poured the contents onto the wound. It wasn’t strong enough to break Hashim’s knife’s curse, but he felt a small surge of energy and nodded as the CF looked at him for confirmation that it had worked. The CF turned to Caden and said, “You stay with them and escort the Curse to the Portal at the front of the palace.”

Caden nodded in agreement, grabbed the blubbering princess from the two other CF’s hands, and hoisted her over his shoulder, “We’ll be faster, so we’ll go first.” As he made his way, he quickly patted Hashim on the shoulder, hoisted his burden higher on his shoulders, and began running down the stairs.

“Let’s go,” the CF said, “I’m sure she plans to flood the place.” Hashim gritted his teeth and let the CF help him to his feet as he tried to ignore the burning pain traveling up his leg.

As he stumbled through the crimson-hued hallways, Hashim’s vision was blurred by a swarm of dancing spots that made his head spin. He felt the Nova’s strong grip on his arm, pulling him forward with a mix of urgency and concern, while his own feet seemed to barely touch the ground. The metallic scent of blood was overwhelming, and he could see the dark red liquid oozing down the black-tinted windows and walls, creating a gory contrast that made him shudder. Despite the gravity of the situation, he couldn’t help but find the decor somewhat gaudy and stereotypical, with its ostentatious display of violence and excess. If he hadn’t been injured, he might have even found it humorous, in a twisted sort of way.

In a moment that seemed to last forever, the CF and Hashim finally managed to hobble out of the double-door entrance which was then quickly slammed shut by Caden before Hashim collapsed to the ground, hissing in pain. The man lay on the ground, his eyes closed and his breathing shallow. Everything was a blur, and he struggled to focus. Above him, Caden and the leader of the CF were shouting, their voices muffled and distant. Slowly, he blinked his eyes and tried to push himself up, feeling the world spin around him. As he felt his consciousness slipping away, he couldn’t help but feel satisfied. He smiled at the one word he had managed to extract from the woman, even though it had taken almost two years to find her. Finally, they had a clue, and slowly but surely, they would eventually be free.