Kite's S rank exam

The Demon King

”“
The last thing Kite could remember before the world around him going black was the smell of ashes and soot. A smell as  flame demon slayer he would be use to but that wasn’t the issue at that moment. His senses were suddenly flooded with a new aroma. The smell of unburnt grass, a gentle breeze and if such a smell ever existed there was a smell of peace in the air. ”That smells nice, I can’t remember a time that such a pleasant smell was before me.“ he said with his eyes still closed his mind still in a foggy like dream state but as the seconds passed by his mind slowly started to become more clear. The memory of the massive demon, the battle that ensued and the wasteland that was left in their wake suddenly flashed in his mind and his eyes snapped open. While he was drained of his magic energy his muscles tensed but the sight of a bright blue sky with not a single cloud to blemish the view. ”This isn’t the village.“ the feeling of grass tickled his skin caught his attention, ”Is this grass?“ he asked himself confused about what was going on. He took the initiative to actually looked above and around him to see he was completely surrounded by a field of grass, ”Where did all this grass come from? I remember falling into a crater. Where exactly am I?“ he asked but he soon enough it turned out he was not alone after all and he was called out to. ”I know that voice….“ he said as he looked down by his feet and despite there being no sun a shadow was cast upon him and despite his face being cast in shadows Kite was able to fully recognize the man who spoke to him so casually. His face now a mixture of confusion and seriousness he spoke the name of the man who spoke to him, ”Frederik Corbyn.“ he said plainly. The sixth person to have the honor of being the GuildMaster of Sabertooth, however Frederik abandoned his duty and one day just left the guildhall without a single word and since that day no one has heard from him.
Fred asked Kite the most simple of questions, asked Kite how he was while extending his hand in order to help the demon slayer up. A flood of several emotions and questions ran through his mind but nonetheless he accepted the former guild master’s hand and allowed himself to be pulled to his feet by his predecessor. ”I’ve been better. Same with Sabertooth“ he answered as he brushes off his back and legs before looking him in the eye, ”But then again you’d know all about that had you not left.“ ironically his bite was cold. Fred was someone who they could have used during the incident. Had he been there he could have possibly prevented the guildhall’s destruction. ”Where the hell have you been Fred and why did you leave?“ his question was simple and to the point but bypassing his anger and letting the former guildmaster speak his piece his attention strayed from the man and back to the location he awoke to. ”and what exactly is this place and how did I get here?“ he asked as he pinched the bridge of his nose and closed his eyes trying to recall what he had been doing before waking up here. ”I was in Peace Village fighting a demon. I drained my magic and took it down. So why aren’t I waking in the crater I had left?“ he reached down and ran his hand over his chest and upper arms, ”I was covered in wounds too…..“ his hand pressed against his side where the demon shoved its claw into but no blood. ”Did you heal my wounds?“

Kite Wilhelm

1,169/3,000 WC 

The Demon King

”“
Despite the feeling of anger and rage, despite wanting to maintain that sharp tone that could easily scratch a diamond, and despite the feelings of hurt and loss that had come with Fred’s abrupt and unannounced departure, what the demon slayer just heard Fred say caused him to push that rage into the back of his mind and left him absolutely speechless which was a good thing. He had many questions but Fred would do him the service of explaining what he caused his death but only in vague detail. ”De...dead?“ he struggled to sound the word out and was so focused on the words that he didn’t initially register that Fred said they were in a place that could be considered the afterlife. ”The afterlife?“ he questioned but not for any direct answer just questioning what he had heard but that particular topic was put on hold for the main topic, Fred being dead. It was something that still didn’t sound right at all and did nothing but cause questions to formulate in his head but Fred’s explanation would answer some of those questions. Fred had left the guild not by his own wishes but by a need to, the darkness in which he had subjected himself to in the past had affected both his mental and physical being and thus felt it best to isolate himself and die in peace. ”You went away to die? Just like that? Why didn't you come to me about this Fred?“ he said still hiding his anger behind an emotionless mask but his hands clenched tightly giving it away, ”Perhaps we could have found a way to reverse the whatever was happening.“ of course as he said this he had no doubt that Fred would have already thought of something on his own and explored every and all possibilities to keep the flame of his light ablaze and thus his words would do nothing but ring hallow. However despite the anger he had felt for the former guild master leading to this moment and now that he knew the whole story he was saddened for all the curses he cast upon his friend for leaving them, ”I'm sorry that I couldn't save you Fred.“ he would say simply before the topic shifted from Fred and his death to the plane that he found himself in that was regarded as the after life.

Fred theorized that the moment that Kite had used up his magic he was thrust into the afterlife but was unsure how he had done so but Kite knew, ”Yeah there is a reason, a good reason and I know exactly why too.“ Kite momentarily created an orb of flames colored black and purple and it swirled out of existence as fast as it was created, ”About a year ago half of my soul was severed from my being in exchange to save a life.“ the life was that of his former paramour Marcy but that wasn't detail that he had wished to share with anyone, ”That is the only reason I can come up with.“ The conversation took a new turn, and shifted from how he got here to Fred giving him advice not dissimilar to when Fred was alive and told Kite to take a walk around this eden like paradise to clear his mind. The idea of Fred giving Kite some sort of order was amusing for the moment but Kite nodded and picked the direction of where the house on the hill was located, ”Not much point to argue with you is there?“ he said as he began to step in the direction he chose. The grass crunched under his boots as he walked but only walked about three meters out before he turned around to speak to Fred, ”and what will...“ he turned to where Fred was and he was just gone, ”you do?“ he didn't bother to finish the question, there was no point. ”Even if you could hear me would probably wouldn't answer anyway.“ he shrugged to face the house that he was using as a way point but before his eyes if slowly vanished in a wave similar to a mirage. ”What the hell?“ and then as if it were raining in reverse the grass surrounding him pulled to the sky leaving nothing but the dirt that was once blanketed by the grass.

Kite's attention still fixed up to the sky still waiting for Fred to come out and end whatever he was doing but then a sudden rush of heat snapped his focus away from the sky above. He turned his head in the direction the heat was coming from and before his eyes was a swirling mass of blue flames spinning around a massive humanoid fist. His eyes widened as instinct took over his reflexes making him jump backwards out of the way of the incoming fist which ended in an explosion erupting from the contact of the fiery fist and the ground. ”So this is how you say hello?“ he would say to the owner of the fist cloaked in the smoke and debris flowing from the attack. The smoke cleared revealing a figure he had not expected to see ever again.  The demon hadn’t changed in appearance since the day he had killed it. ”This certainly a surprise. So you’re the demon again father?“ The being before him was none other than his father once again appearing before him in his demon form, the same form he had met him in. “ You should have known that it was only a matter of time until I came for my revenge.” Kite’s eyes narrowed and clenched his hands into fists so tight that his knuckles turned white. ”Revenge?“ he asked incredulously keeping his eyes keenly on his demonic foe, ”Revenge for what?“ but he had a pretty good grasp of what this vengeance pertained to. “The last time we had come face to face you had managed to kill me because of that damn demon king’s agenda. Fortunately that isn’t the case this time around.” From open places along it’s back seven colored flames shot out of each orpheus “and what’s more once I kill you I am going to hunt down that pink haired girl that was forced to bathe in the flames of sin. I’ll kill her out of spite. If not for her involvement I would have killed you easily.” It gave a small chuckle but for Kite there was no laughter, the sudden flash of memories from the day his father spoke of, the day the colors of sin were forced upon Iza and in his desperation to save his friend he ate the flames of purgatory experiencing her sin and in turn gaining the power to defeat the demon then. Now it was different, Kite was much stronger as a mage and a person. ”That was a mistake. Had you kept your mouth firmly shut I wouldn’t think to go all out from the beginning.“ His aura burned bright as blue flames surrounded him, causing heat to stem from him scorching the ground below him. “It doesn’t matter whether you choose to go easy or go all out you are still no match for the likes of me.” it said plainly but Kite was done talking. In a flash Kite closed the distance between himself and the demon before him with his hands already cupped together with a sphere of blue fire already concentrated in between them. ”Flame Demon’s Inferno Destroyer!“ he pressed the sphere into the demon’s chest and let the sphere expand into the demon and it flew carrying the demon upwards at an arc and then down into the ground exploding.

Kite walked up the crater to see the demon covered in burns, one of its limbs missing and smoking, “When did you get this strong?” Kite didn’t say another word as more flames erupt from him but speaks up, ”This may be the after life but I am sending you back to hell..“ he didn’t get to finish before he was blindsided by an attacker he didn’t see coming. A large spartan like shield smashes into the demon slayer sending him violently crashing to the ground skidding to a stop inhaling sharply from the blind side. ”Who the...“ he sat up to see that none other than Mars Ultor dressed in bronze armor covering his chest, forearms and shoulders with a helmet that covered its entire face minus the slit for him to see. His left arm held the shield that bashed him away while his right arm held a spear with a leaf shaped blade at the tip. Kite’s eyes grew sharp as an angry mask covered his face, ”Mars Ultor!“ shouted as he pushed himself to his feet. “I was god of war once but that isn’t my only name. I was also known as Mars the avenger and I will destroy you for what you did to me.” Kite got up and pulled Reaper and Rose from his back holding each one in his right and left hand. ”It was your idea to drop my home from the sky. You are a reminder as to what I had to do.“ He started to walk towards the Elder, ”First he shows up and now you. This won’t take long.“ he quickened his pace “It took three of you to kill me before what can you do alone?” Kite answered with a swing of his sword that clashed off the front of Mar’s shield that caused his left arm to be pushed back from the recoil. Mars countered with a thrust of his spear aimed for Kite’s heart but the demon slayer brought Reaper up and then down to parry the thrust. Mars was  fully open now, ”Flame Demon’s Rage!“ he let loose a blast of fire from his mouth catching the elder fully in the same attack that he used to destroy the guild hall, something that he would do again if it meant protecting those innocent. ”Burn to ashes Mars and do not return!“ the blast of fire vanished and revealed Mars was pushed backwards several meters away on his back with most of his armor melted away in a heap on the ground. ”Unlike the last time we fought I didn’t have to break down your fortress to get to you. This is me at near 100%.“ he concentrated his flames into a long shaft of a spear. ”Flame Demon’s Purgatory Spear“ he leaped into the air reared back his hand and with a snap of his arm he flung the spear into the center of the fallen elder’s stomach causing an explosion eliminating the elder. Angered by how things have managed to turn he looked around the area scanning for any possible enemies and shouted out, ”Is there anyone else who wants to fight!?“ the question rang across the empty vast area. No one replied or rather no one spoke but the loud thunderous sounds of footsteps booming towards him was the only reply he had been given. Kite’s eyes widened in alarm as he turned his head in the direction of the footsteps. The odor was recently a familiar one, ”So you are here too?“ Kite said to the demon that was partially responsible for him being sent to this eden.The demon didn’t respond to Kite’s words just walked closer and readied it’s dagger like claws in order to skewer him like before. Kite let his aura fizzle out and turned away from the savage demon letting the heat to die and his muscles to relax, ”I already killed you and ended your reign of terror.“ the creature looked at the demon slayer confused from his answer. ”I have nothing to fight you over, I ended your reign of death and destruction in the real world which means my business with you is concluded.“ Kite began to walk away. He didn’t have to fight every opponent that crossed his path, his father and Mars were two individuals that he would continually have issues with no matter how much time had actually passed but this demon he didn’t care ”I am not interested in you.“ Kite left the demon who vanished behind him.

Despite expecting there to be more what happened next completely threw him off, he wasn’t attacked physically. Suddenly his aura spiked fire the intense blue flames of his demon slayer magic followed by the purple and black flames of the magic he refused to ever use, his nether flame magic and as fast as they both flared up a plume of his Nether Flames pulled from him and travelled to an unknown figure dressed head to toe in a brown colored cloak with a hood covering the top if it’s head and a mask hiding its face. ”Oh someone new?“ he watched as the flames circled around its hand that was pointed to the sky and danced around his body until each arm was covered from wrist to shoulder with each type of magic. ”What the hell did you just do?“ he asked the figured unsure if it could even speak, “We will use your cursed magic against you. Kill you with this grotesque and vile thing.” it said but Kite could make out two voices from the singular being. ”and what business do you have with me and my magic? What did I do to you?“ It responded as it moved towards him, “Everything!” it threw a fiery fist holding his deathly flames aiming for his chest. He stepped to the side, ”Flame Demon’s Exorcising strike“ He threw a fire clad one inch punch and the exposed side of the person before them. He hit hard collapsing his fingers into the fist however right before the explosion the person grabbed Kite’s wrist with  the hand covered in the black flames before a swirl of the fire spun around them, “Death Flare” suddenly an explosion of the black flames enveloped Kite sending him crashing away from the figure with his clothes burn and his arm covered in burns. ”bastard… “ it chuckled as it walked towards him still covered by the black flames, “I know what these flames are and I know what you gave to gain them… too bad its for nothing.” It inhaled and lifted its mask up to reveal its mouth “Nether flame howl!” The plume of flames approached. Placing his right arm behind him, he pushed into the ground with his right hand and his right heel lifting his butt off the ground he pulled is left leg back and through the opening like a break dance move and was on all fours, ”Flame Demon’s Rage!“ from his mouth he fired his own roar like attack meeting the black flames in the middle pushing against each other. Kite stopped pushing, ”Fire rocket!“ using his flames like a rocket he shot into the air above the two roars and watched as the black flames pushed back his own blue flames but it was a needed sacrifice. He changed the angle and now descended on the figure at a rapid pace with right hand covered in his flames.  ”Flame Demon’s Inferno Smasher!“ he said just as he was in striking distance however it was ready for him, it looked up with his right hand covered in nether flame. “Dragon of the Nether flame!” Kite’s fiery fist was an inch away before from its right hand a massive dragon constructed of nether flames erupted against the inferno smasher eventually overpowering it and pushing Kite back into the air at an arch and drove him back into the ground forcing a massive crater to form. He couldn’t move anything, everything hurt and burned. The figure walked to the edge of the crater and if he had to guess, Kite pictured a huge smirk on its face. “Good brat.” It pointed its right hand at Kite and prepared to use the flame away spell but something happened. The term brat was what brought fire back to his eyes. He hadn’t been called that since he was a child and was in the presence of...”The cult.“ Kite’ right hand reached to the ground next to him where he found the hilt of Reap. He pushed the trigger the opposite way forcing the blade to pivot leaving the barrels angled at the now identified enemy. It pushed his hand but Kite’s trigger finger pulled faster and shot the being’s leg knocking his aim off and fired just above the demon slayer. ”Flame Demon’s Desolation Fist!“ from his back he punched in the direction of the cult member and launched a huge fiery fist catching and throwing the being into the air giving Kite the opening he needed. Despite his body yelling at him to stay still he back rolled and once his legs were under him remained crouched. ”I know what you are and I will not allow your kind to succeed.“ Blue flames swirlled around him as flames cloaked him. ”Flame Demon King’s Hell Raiser!“ like a rocket he flew in the air towards the air borne being and slammed into him with the spiralling flames acting like a drill while his body supplied the blunt force and pushed him higher into the air and then down to the ground. The being was reduced to ashes and with a sigh Kite fell backwards and layed on the ground spread eagle. “You have grown strong, Kite.”

Kite’s eyes drifted past his head to look at the source of the voice. ”Is it another enemy?“ he asked concerned by the fact he was unable to put up a true fight. The voice responded, “So I am an enemy now?” Kite’s eyes widened the most they had since being forced on this adventure. The elegant looking woman holding an all too familiar flute in her hand had Kite nearly speechless, ”R...Ra….“ he stumbled to find the words to name her but was able to force it out, ”Raven….“ Her kind smile was confirmation enough as a slight tear left his eyes. This was one of the most important people to influence his life. Kite rolled over onto his stomach as gently as he could before planting his hands into the ground and pushing himself up until he was sitting back on his heels and his arms shakily supported him. She was Raven the guild master who had invited him into Sabertooth, ”I… I don’t want to fight you.“ he said almost timidly and looked down at the ground beneath him. She walked up to him placing the point of the flute under his chin and guided it upward to face her and did so gently, “I won’t be fighting you.” Kite sighed in relief from hearing this, “but I am going to give you a lecture for what you have done.” He immediately assumed she was referring to the destruction of the guild hall, ”I’m sorry. I had to destroy it, had I not the entire town would have been crushed...I didn’t have a..“ he leaned down and pressed her index finger against her lips signalling him to let her speak and he obeyed. “I am not talking about the guild hall. I am talking about what you have done to yourself. You are letting the past control you and hold you down.” She retained her posture and tapped the flute against her hand like a school teach would with a ruler. “You have so much fire and passion but you are letting what happened to the guild, what happened to your friend Izayuki and now what happened to Fred weigh you down.Where is the Kite Wilhelm that I invited to Sabertooth?” Kite shook his head, ”I don’t really know myself.“ was all he could say. “Can you do me a favor?” She asked simply and he nodded. “Forgive yourself. Be the mage and the man that I know you are and can be.” She played her flute and with a single note everything became like it once was, no sign of a fight and the eden like plains were returned to normal.

Kite Wilhelm

4,533/ 3,000 WC