Chapter 2: Chapter 1
Dextros blinked his eyes open, the light of the sun bright and blinding. Slowly, eased himself to a sitting position, noting the trees and grassy fields that surrounded him. Slowly, he stood himself up, noting the tears and stains on his clothing.
He wasn't sure how long he was flying. Days, at the very least. That all came to a head when the exhaustion of what happened finally caught up to him, and he crashed to the ground with a thud, already unconscious. He was thankful that his sleep was dreamless, as he could only imagine what his subconscious mind would conjure up for him.
His eyes grew moist as he thought about about his loving wives, and how he'd never be able to hold them in his arms ever again. Mira was carrying his first child, and that too was taken away from him.
Sometimes, he envied the other demon lords, as they were easily able to overcome their emotions. He was different in that regard, and right now, he'd give anything for the heartache to just end. He wanted them back, but he knew that was impossible. At least, as far as he knew.
After a time,he began walking through the thick brush, stepping around trees and rocks as he made his way forward. Soon, he reached a crystal clear pond, and he slowly lowered himself to kneel in front of it, cupping his hands to gather water. As he drank, he stared at himself in the pond's reflection.
He was human looking in a sense, but that's where the similarities ended. His crimson eyes stared back at him. His long black hair was a mess, ash and grime covering most his body. The horns he had grown, as well as the wings, were not currently present. The last time he remembered that happening was when... his family was attacked, and he'd never been able to do it again since then.
Standing, he stared off into the distance, wondering just exactly he was supposed to do. He'd run again, but what else was he supposed to do? The pain and the grief he would have felt being at home would have been unbearable, and he was having a hard time even wanting to exist at this point.
His loves, his reasons to keep going had been taken away from him in only mere moments. He shook his head, trying and only partially succeeding to banish his intrusive thoughts.
"If only I had been stronger... if only I would have known there was a survivor. I could have ended him back then, and this never would have happened." He thought to himself.
The smiles of his wives flickered into his mind once again, and his knees gave out.
"What's the point of even going on?" He said to no one in particular.
Someone did hear him however, and the voice caused Dextros to jolt in surprise.
"Are you okay, son?" A man asked, and Dextros whirled around to see a simple looking man with dirty blonde hair.
"Woah, woah. Easy there. I won't hurt you. You seem troubled, and I've never seen you before. Just overheard someone talking while I was out here hunting." The man said, and Dextros relaxed, and then sagged.
The man was middle aged, and looked just like an easy going villager. He probably was to be honest. Dextros wasn't sure exactly where he was. He just picked a direction and flew for days without stopping. The man walked up to Dextros, and sat down on the ground right next to him.
"Name's Franklin. Franklin Yash. Been living out here for a long while. I've never seen anyone like you before. You look refined, if a little dirty, but you're strong looking. What's your name son?" Franklin asked, and Dextros didn't say anything for a long moment.
Franklin gave him time, letting him talk when he was ready. Eventually, Dextros spoke.
"Dex." Dextros said, barely audible.
"You sound troubled, son. Is everything okay?" Franklin asked him, and Dextros was a little moved by the man's genuine concern.
Dextros wasn't sure what to say, and to be honest, he wasn't sure if he wanted to say anything at all. This man obviously didn't know who he was just by looking at him, nor did he recognize the name he'd given. Many people knew of the name Shadowheart, and even more had heard the horror stories of those left in Dextros's wake. Not that he enjoyed senseless killing, but if someone needed to die, he would do so without hesitation.
"You look like you've had a hard time, son. I won't push you in to telling me anything, but I want to help you if I can." Franklin said, and again, Dextros was surprised by his genuine concern for his well being.
"I..." Dextros said, but then paused as they heard a crunch behind them both.
Spinning around, Franklin's jaw dropped and he went pale at the creature standing mere feet away from them. A massive red bear, at least 10 feet tall and foaming at the mouth snarled at them.
"What is a dire bear doing out here?" Franklin asked, his voice and body trembling.
Dextros could understand the fear in the man's eyes, but he couldn't relate with the feeling. He never felt fear whilst fighting, especially with a weak creature such as this. Still, though, he didn't want to see this man get hurt, as he had been kind to him thus far. Lilliana opened his eyes to how wonderful some humans could be. He shut his eyes tightly for a moment before opening them again and standing.
"Stand aside, please." Dextros said to Franklin.
Franklin looked at him incredulously, and was about to argue, when he froze, as he saw the slight glow of Dex's eyes. A fire burned within them, and Franklin took a step back.
The bear rushed towards them, jaw extended as Dextros casually stepped forward. The bear lunged at Dextros and went to clamp its jaws around his arm, when Dextros dodged to the side, surprising both Franklin as well as the bear.
Dextros's hand glowed red, and an energy blade formed around his hand, and with a quick swipe, the fight was over, and the bears head came clean off its body and rolled to a stop right at Franklin's feet.
Dextros unconjured the energy blade and walked back over to Franklin, giving him a nod.
"All done. You are safe now." Dextros told the man, and Franklin just stared at him with his mouth agape.
"What... what was that?" Franklin asked.
"I... know a few things." Dextros answered him, not sure how much he wanted to tell the man just yet.
"You killed a dire bear like it was a newborn kitten. I... am at a loss." Franklin told him, a little more wary.
Franklin looked at the bear again, and a thought came to mind.
"You... uh... would you mind helping me with this? You killed it after all, and well, I was hunting for food and well..." Franklin said, unsure of what Dextros would say.
Dextros thought about it for a little while. He didn't know the man very well, but he seemed nice enough. He also wasn't afraid of him, nor did he seem to realize what he truly was. It reminded him of how accepting of him his wives had been at first. Maybe this was something he needed to keep him distracted, and perhaps, just to move on, not that he thought he truly could, but he knew in his heart that they would want him to keep going.
"It won't ever be the same without them by my side... but I have nothing now. Maybe... I could find something out here." He told himself, then he looked at Franklin.
"I'd be happy to help." Dextros told him.
Franklin relaxed, and he returned the gaze.
"Do you have anywhere to go?" Franklin asked, and Dextros shook his head.
"No... I... have nothing." Dextros told him, his throat tightening.
Franklin could see something in Dex's eyes. It reminded him of how he was when he lost his wife, and he felt sorrow in his gaze. Franklin made up his mind, hoping he was right. It was something Melanie wouldn't hesitate to do.
"Why don't you stay with my family for a little while? I can't leave someone in need, and you most likely saved my life. I want to return that." Franklin told him.
Dextros gave a strained smile, and then he answered.
"I don't want to impose, sir, but I would gladly accept that, if you are willing." Dextros answered him.
Franklin smiled and clapped him on the back.
"No trouble at all, son. Just grab that beast, and we'll be on our way."
Weekly Power Status
-- Power
Ranking 
-- Power
stone