I opened my eyes after the last few hours of slumber. Weighting on my shoulder laid the ebon steel sheath of my beloved Nyraxis.


    Unsheathing the slender sword I see my reflection in the even darker steel. This blade had been forged from a special material renowned for its pure black lustre, and it kept that way for millennium.


    But has for time concerned itself, Its keen sheen turned somewhat crimson, bathing her in the blood of my many foes had an effect on it.


    I sheathed it back again and looked around from high on my throne.


    My castle. My throne room, all built from stone and bones. Bones from my enemies and slaves both; and stone from the fallen kingdoms that perished towards my wrath throughout many thousands of years.


    During my journeys since I came to this world, I never really belonged or had a home to return to.


    But ever since I finished this wonderful project of mine, that did change. I brought the few woman that earned my love throughout my life and had some kids.


    Thinking back at it… Woman. They can be a real pain the you know where.


    At the side of my throne there lied my ax. I placed Nyraxis leaning at the side of my throne and jammed it a little. Good old guitar, a perfect replica from the one I had in my first life back on earth, this one had magic in it tough.


    “


    Works of art, painted black


    Magniloquent, bleeding dark


    Monotonous palate, murky spectrum, grimly unlimited


    Food for thought, so prolific…“


    I sang along the lyrics and played a solo with the skill earned throughout an immortal life.


    “


    Bleeding works of art


    Seething work so dark


    Seering words from the hearth.“


    *Clap* *Clap* *Clap*


    I heard the sound and looked to the side as a figure appeared from the darkness behind a set of pillars.


    “Impressive. Rare is the soul that can sneak on me. I’m afraid that’s as far as you can get.” I said with my usual stern demeanour.


    “Without having me sniff you out!” I snapped a laugh and charged at the figure.


    “EEEKKKK” It screamed as I lifted her up in the air and span her around.


    My daughter and a source joy. All the light that this dark and murderous heart of mine can withstand.


    “Daaaad! I’m too old for this stop!” She said as I spun her around. Then I placed her back down.


    I sat in the steps of my throne and she quickly sat right by my side, a mischievous grin in her face.


    “You will always be my little barghest, spooking my mortals and pranking my courtiers!” I poked her nose.


    *ATCHOOOO* She sneezed.


    I looked at her. My third daughter, always getting in trouble, and trying to get me to teach her my songs. Those that I happened to err… borrow from back then.


    She is all big now. Kids… grow up fast. But in truth they never cease to be those little mischievous gremlins always getting into trouble.


    “That song is Hearthwork right? Can you teach me a little? I never seem to get the riff right!” She tried to reach for my guitar as I held her in place by her clothes.


    “No touching my things, go fetch you own damn guitar!” I rolled my eyes in an amused annoyance.


    “Meh… Yours is a lot cooler.” She mumbled.


    Abella. Golden eyes and a long auburn hair. Now that she is all grown up she is the spitting image of her mother. That c…. Never mind. Our daughter stayed with me while she keeps prowling the night making her amateurish plots that will never work against her betters.


    And I did replaced her, my newest one is the perfect one, I am sure.


    “I just want to show my new…” She kept mumbling and I cut her off.


    “How are the twins? Behaving? ” I asked.


    She frowned. “Yeah… They are babies they just cry and stink. Their mother is taking care of them! I know let’s go over to the lowest floors! I heard of a bunch of mortals stirring up a…”


    I cut her off again. And walked out of the room.


    “I’m off, going to check on the twins. You are free to come.”


    I heard her stomping her feet and walking away.


    Kids… Almost two centuries old and still acting like that.


    Soon I reached my bedchamber where i saw the three.


    My wife Astra sat on the couch surrounded by books as always, and my two little baby daughters playing at… throwing books at each other.


    “Fise! Falle! Stop that! You are lucky these are enchanted if you ruin any of my tomes I will cast a pacify jinx on both of you!” The mother said clearly annoyed. But I noticed a faint smile on her lips.


    I took a sit in the couch next to them.


    She jerked up. “My lord… How kind of you to find the time to… grace us with your presence. Our children are alright as you can see … eer” She shyly hid behind a blanket.


    “I see. I came to check on you too. Do you… have everything you need? The servants are behaving? No one causing trouble for you three?” I asked sincerely.


    —


    My wife Astra… she is a little withdrawn.


    One of the daughters of a wizard emperor back in the other side of the continent. An empire which I happened to raze to the ground and enslave most of its citizens.


    Anyway, all of it is over, solved and now that empire now flies the correct banner and pays taxes to the correct emperor. Mine and me.


    Before I fed that old coot’s neck to my Nyraxis he came up with a peace offering. His daughter in exchange for mercy and vassalizing his empire, and of course few more remunerations and a few slightly useful artefacts.


    I was feeling compassionate that day. And I did happen to be single at the time.


    So I took his offer and only cut off his legs. He won’t be growing them back.


    Still. His daughter… The renowned genius of the arcane and etcetera, is having trouble warming up to me. Despite me being so nice to her.


    Give it time, I guess.


    —-


    “Yes! No one gives us trouble… And everything is peaceful.” She nodded.


    “Good.” I smiled.


    “Is my eldest daughter behaving?” I asked.


    “Yes of course, why wouldn’t she be?” Astra answered and then made a question, which I ignored.


    My eldest daughter… Nevauri was quite the handful. I was expecting her to stir up trouble with her new little sisters and my new wife, but she behaved. How odd.


    I got close to the twins and patted their heads.


    “Fise, Falle. Take care of your mother and keep her from murdering everyone.”


    They both pinched my cheeks.


    Fise-“Daddy is cute!”


    Falle-“Daddy play with us!”


    “Fise, Falle! Behave!” Astra jerked up and shouted, panic in her voice. “I’m sorry my lord. They are children i… can’t control them.” Her voice shaken.


    “It’s alright” I chuckled. I have no idea how to talk with her, i noted.


    I looked at my little daughters. Black eyes and a natural blue hair the exact looks of their mother, aside from the eyes.


    Do I get a say in it?


    “I’m off, back to my duties. See you ladies later.” I got out of the room and closed the doors.


    As I walked in the corridors of my palace suddenly a spell warned me.


    Trespassers are reaching the highest floor. Come to slay the mean big old devil. It seems the many traps, hordes and the meanest pets from hell failed at their job of guarding the place.


    “These brave heroes…“ I mumbled in disgust.


    I sat back on my throne ready for a fight as I polished my beloved Nyraxis. “You will soon quench your thirst.” The great sword glinted seemingly in acknowledgement.


    The doors opened. And from the stairs below walked a single figure. She approached swag on her step. Tall and slender. A rapier on her waist, silver white hair and abyss black eyes just like mine. Pretty face, but a devious grin and eyebrows full of deceit. My own face on a girl.


    “Nevauri.” I greeted her.


    “Father.” She answered.


    “I see you came to greet our visitors. Keeping me company, heh?” I asked as I relaxed.


    “You have been sitting on your arse for far too long. I fear it made you soft; so I decided to come… and give my old man a little backup.” She smirked as she sat in the throne’s steps.


    “You just sit and watch. It will only take a moment.” I answered.


    She laughed. “Amusing.”


    Nevauri. My first daughter, she is the one who takes after me the most both by looks and might. I spoiled her a little to much, but then again she never failed at anything. Always moving up, always the best at everything. A genius.This narrative has been unlawfully taken from Royal Road. If you see it on Amazon, please report it.


    Such heights bring ambition, and once there. Arrogance.


    Our downfall. I learn that lesson thorough my life. And when it happened, i was at my lowest.


    I will be there for her when that happens, seeing my daughter like that is something that a father just can’t bear.


    “Hey Nev.” I smiled as I looked at her.


    “Dad?” She looked at me.


    “I’m very proud of you. And… I love you very much.” I said sincerely.


    She narrowed her eyes. “I… Me too. Me too.”


    She looked a little uncomfortable now.


    “What is it?” I went to her side and summoned a blanket and placed it in her back.


    “Ahhh— Its… just the cold, yes the cold.” She jerked up and hugged the blanket.


    “Sure… We need to talk.” I answered, strange seeing her acting this shy. She is always so brazen.


    I sensed the intruders just beaten the last floor. They were coming up the steps. Come to greet me. They would be here in about thirty minutes.


    “Later…” I continued.


    She nodded.


    I took my Ax and started strumming. A greeting is in order.


    “


    Long been complacent with the hand I’ve been dealt


    Restless and weak from the life that I’ve built


    So I’ll journey afar, for there’s glory to find


    And I’ll out my entry in the annals of time “


    I started strumming and singing one of my favourite songs.


    The doors finally opened as I went on.


    “Silence devil! I came to end your tyranny. And avenge my parents… And all the people you have murdered.” The leader spoke up.


    Interrupting-me.


    Finally they show up. The blonde youth and his little group all clad in enchanted armours and weapons.


    Just like in those fairy tales.


    I looked at him in disgust. Got up and smashed the tip of Nyraxis against the floor. Holding the grip with both hands.


    Dark feathered wings grew off my back, and horns curled up high above my head as I stood three meters tall.


    One, two, five. A well rounded party; this might actually take more than a moment…


    I could feel Nevauri smirking behind me.


    Some started chanting spells and others advanced. No matter.


    “My name is Davos of Shorehelm. And I will end you this day.”


    The brave hero approached in an offensive stance, spear and shield.


    I step slowly into the light so they can see my size and might, unsheathing Nyraxis and lifting it up high above my head.


    “My name is Zoldassim, I welcome you to my home. Witness your impeding doom…!”


    Nyraxis tight in my grasp I charged forward smashing it against the hero’s shield.


    He withstood the charge, parrying the blow and deflecting the sword, taking advantage of my overextended position he counter attacked, thrusting his spear towards my chest.


    The scales on my chest are impenetrable, his spear bounced off like nothing. As I chuckled.


    His companions stood far in the hall watching the fight, but didn’t move. It seems they chose to stay out of this. A hero’s honour... Sure, I could play around a little bit too.


    “Impressive armour. Unfortunately for you, my spear is not bound by ordinary limitations.”


    With a quick flourish, he tossed his spear up into the air, spinning it end over end. As he catches it, the spear seems changed, glowing and sparking with power.


    “Let’s see how well your armour holds up against this, fiend!” He shouted.


    I fix my gaze at him like a dragon eyeing his pray. My glare following every move like a hawk waiting for the right moment to pounce.


    I let out another chuckle. My voice rumbling like thunder thorough the room’s halls.


    “You think a toy’s weapon can scratch me? You truly entertain me.”I chuckled.


    A smile crossed his annoying face.


    “Let me show you the meaning of true strength.”


    With a lightning-fast motion, he launched himself forward in an explosion of speed. Closing the distance before I could react.


    Leaping into the air. He brought down his spear in an overhead strike aiming for my chest.


    In a flash, My response was like a lighting bolt taken form. My massive hand whips out in an instant, grasping his spear mid-descent, stopping his attack effortlessly.


    My grip is like vice, and his spear looks tiny in my iron palm. I chuckle again mocking him.


    “You are quick little hero. I will give you that. Too bad it is not enough.”


    He pulled back quickly, the force of my counter attack sending him stumbling backwards momentarily.


    “Let’s see how you handle this then.” He said.


    With a flick of his wrist, he sent a wave of energy along the length of his spear, the force surging outwards in a blast intended to knock me off balance.


    This wave of energy crashed into me, sending tremors of force into my body. Shacking the whole room. But instead of being thorn off balance, I stood firm, my feet sinking slightly into the ground but remaining steady.


    I chuckled, my voice filled with disdain.


    “Fall fiend!” He screamed, hatred in his voice.


    He grips his spear pressing the attack, He surges forward again, feinting high with his spear before changing direction and aiming a kick at my knee.


    Once again, my response is preternatural. I raise my hand in a block, catching his kick and stopping it dead with ease. My gaze locks onto his. A smirk on my face.


    Then I squeezed his ankle within my grip.


    “Tsk, tsk. Predictable… and weak.” I said with boredom.


    He grimaces in pain as his ankle is crushed in my grip. However he did not give me the satisfaction of a cry or a plea.


    Seizing the opportunity the contact provides, he slammed his forehead into my face, trying to drive me back with a headbutt.


    As his forehead connected with mine, a loud ‘thunk’ rang out. Bone to bone, skull to skull. My head snaps backwards for an instant, but I just smiled.


    In one quick motion, I grabbed hold of his shoulders, shoving him away and sending him stumbling several steps back. A deep, mocking laugh emanating from my chest.


    He managed to land on his feet, backing off and seemingly trying to regain composure. His breath comes in ragged gasps.


    He grits his teeth, focusing. “You really are a monster.” He said with a ragged voice


    And again he raises his spear, shifting into a ready stance. “But even monsters have weaknesses. I just have to find yours.”


    “Can’t keep up?” I provoked.


    I slowly start to approach him again, my strides slow and deliberate. My steel boots crunching the ground beneath them, the sound echoing through the stillness of the throne room.


    I raised my sword; Nyraxis over my shoulder with a single hand, the weapon seeming weightless in my grasp and my gaze fixed on the hero.


    He eyed the massive weapon with a mixture of trepidation and determination. The sheer size of it makes it look like a pillar of stone in my hands.


    “Impressive sword.” He commented. “But size isn’t everything.”


    Bracing himself for the impeding attack, he shifts into a defensive stance.


    I swing Nyraxis in a wide arc, the sword whistling through the air. It collides with his spear, over and over again, sending shock waves rippling through the spear’s shaft. The impact is like thunderclap, the force of the blow sending tremors through his very bones.


    I followed up with a quick jab with Nyraxis pointy tip, aiming for his abdomen.


    He desperately sidesteps the thrust, the tip of Nyraxis grazing his armour and leaving a shallow wound in his side. Despite the pain, he keeps moving, sidestepping and dodging as best as he can.


    Suddenly he switches tactics. Instead of meeting my strikes head-on, he begins to weave and dance around me, looking… for an opening.


    I stark getting a little frustrated as he successfully evades my attacks. I grunt in annoyance as I continue to swing Nyraxis, the mighty sword meeting only air each time.


    My patience thins as the hero weaves around me. I start to anticipate his movements better. I suddenly decide to pivot, launching a quick backhand towards him, catching him off guard.


    Smashing into his chin with the force of freight train. My backhand rocks his head back sending him flying and smashing against the wall.


    “Nnngh!” He groans, shaking his head and spitting out more blood. “You’re faster than you look, I’ll give you that…”


    I let out a deep, satisfied chuckle as my backhand connects, the impact clearly affecting him. I stride forward, closing the distance between us. My dark gaze locking into his, a smile on my face.


    “You’re just a stubborn little annoyance, nothing more.” I answered.


    I raised Nyraxis once again, the massive sword casual in my grip.


    “You won’t last much longer, you’ll fall soon enough. Why don’t you call your friends? I tire of holding back.” I teased the man.


    I slashed Nyraxis down. Interestingly enough, he manages to raise his spear and shield once again, only just.


    “You’re right, I’m just a stubborn little annoyance.” He retorts. “But I didn’t get this far by giving up easily. And you are mine, my friends have no place in this fight!”


    With a sudden burst of speed, he lunges forward, feinting with his spear before quickly changing direction and attempting to slide against me, aiming to get behind me.


    My reflexes don’t fail me. Countless battles and duels owned my skills to the top heights, it doesn’t get better than this.


    I react to his feinting manoeuvrer.


    With the speed of a dragon, I twist my body, Nyraxis sweeping across the area where he was aiming to pass through, its tip slashing the air just millimetres from his body.


    I let out another mocking chuckle. My gaze on him.


    Reacting quickly, he feints again, but this time launching into a roll and rolling under my legs, coming up behind me. He quickly raises to his feet, spear raised; aiming for a strike at my back.


    In surprise my expression falters for a moment as he rolls past me, his spear ready.


    My gaze narrows as I spin around and smack his spear away with Nyraxis, the weapon’s heavy impact sending it flying from his grasp.


    I step forward, my voice low, a mocking growl.


    “You’re just prolonging the inevitable, little hero. You’re dancing on thin ice, and I’m about to crack it.


    His weapon skitters across the ground and out of his reach. He steps back, the realization settling in that he is now unarmed and at a sever disadvantage.


    “Maybe so,” He responds, his voice steady as I smell his fear bubbling inside. “But if I’m going to go down, I’ll go down fighting.”


    In a desperate attempt and charges forward, hoping to throw me off just enough to retrieve his spear.


    My eyes narrow and I ready myself for his charge, my grip on Nyraxis tightening.


    I see right through his feint, noticing his true intention to reach for his spear.


    With a swift, calculated swing of Nyraxis, I deflect his charge, shoving him away forcefully and making it clear that I’m not fooled by his move.


    “You thought you could deceive me, eh? How na?ve of you.”


    His back hits the ground, his breath escaping him as he lands hard. He tries to get back up, but the pain in his ankle and the blow from Nyraxis slows his movement.


    “Damn you…” He mutters, struggling to stand.


    He looks, and sees me looming over me, Nyraxis raised triumphantly, preparing for the final blow.


    I smirk as I ready the execution.


    “And so, it comes to this. The end of your little show of defiance.”


    I take a menacing step closer, holding Nyraxis high.


    “Any words before you final breath, little fly?”


    His friend shout in panic and try to rush over, but our brave hero raise an hand and orders them to stop.


    Impressive and foolish. I think.


    He stares up defiantly, despite the fact that he is clearly beaten. His eyes never waver, his gaze steady.


    “Just one.” He responds, his voice firm.


    With a sudden burst of strength, he rolls to the side and reaches out, fingers grasping the haft of his fallen spear.


    As he reaches for the spear, my eyes widen, realising his last-ditch effort o grab onto his weapon again.


    I swiftly shift my stance, bringing Nyraxis down in a powerful cleave towards him, intending to prevent him from reaching the spear.


    The pain from his ankle flares as he dive rolls away from the incoming strike, just narrowly avoiding a messy end.


    As he lands, his fingers finally close around the haft of his spear, and scrabbles to his feet.


    “Not quite yet,” He manages, his voice a bit raspy from the effort. “I’m still breathing.”


    My expression darkens in annoyance and my anger grows.


    I take a step forward, readying myself for another attack, Nyraxis gripped tightly.


    He braces himself, clutching the spear in a defensive stance. His breaths come in ragged gasps, the exertion and pain from the fight starting to take their toll.


    Still, he holds his ground, refusing to back down.


    “That’s it. Come on.” He taunts between breaths. “Show me… Show me what you’ve got.”


    My confidence unwavering as I approach him.


    “You’re exhausted. You’re injured. And yet you still cling to that feeble spear. How noble… and foolish.”


    I raise Nyraxis once again, the sword humming with power as I swing it at him in a sweeping arc. Hoping to cleave him in half.


    He sidesteps the swing, the movement sending a fresh wave of pain through his injuries. He winces but keeps moving, staying just out of range of the massive sword.


    “Foolish, maybe,” He admits between breaths. “But I’ve never gave up on anything in my life!”


    Gripping his spear once again, a feint jab towards my gut, but at the last moment, he spins and aims a kick at my knee instead.


    My reflexes prove true, and I catch on to his plan.


    With a quick reaction, I deflect his spear and lift my knee, intercepting his kick before it can connect with my kneecap.


    He stumbles slightly as his kick is deflected, his balance compromised from the injury to the ankle. He stagger back a step, his breathing laboured, I can hear his heart pounding in my ears.


    “Dammit, you’re quick. Prick.” He grunts, his voice strained “But you… don’t scare me.”


    He adjust his grip once again on his spear, his shield long lost. And braces himself to continue the fight.


    I see him stumble and exploit his moment of weakness. I move swiftly, Covering the distance between us in a few powerful strides.


    I raise Nyraxis high and bring it crashing down towards him with my full force. The sharp edge aimed for his chest.


    He tries to sidestep the blow once again, but the injured ankle fails him, he finds himself unable to move out of the way in time. The satisfying crunch of Nyraxis connecting with his chest plate rings out, the impact knocking him a few feet back.


    He hits the ground hard, the air knocked out of him. He lies there for a moment, struggling to breathe, pain shooting through his body from his injuries.


    With a groan, he pushes himself up on his elbows, looking up at me through blurry vision. Fear and hate evident on his face.


    I looked down on him, with a mixture of disdain and triumph. The sound of Nyraxis almost spilling his guts on the floor; music to my ears.


    I walk to his side and place a foot in his back lifting his head up by the hair. A mocking smirk on my lips.


    “Good fight.”


    I bring Nyraxis up from below his neck. Cutting his head clean off in one blow.


    Blood spilling on the floor as his friends gasp from afar, hands in their mouths, knees on the floor.


    “The result would still be the same had you all intervene.” I looked over to them.


    I moved my neck. Strange…


    It did not move.


    I couldn’t move at all.


    I looked over to the body.


    Haa I see… An holy curse—Such high level to actually paralyse me for a little while.


    “It will only take a moment to…”


    Suddenly pain rang in my back, I managed to look down. The bloody pointy end of a rapier was sticking out of my chest. Where my heart was.


    I feel on my knees and saw her.


    My beloved daughter a light of my life. The one who had the most of my looks. Holding that sword in her grip.


    “Nev—… What have you done?” I said more sadness in my voice than rage. Still a mix of both.


    She moved her lips saying some words. “… I ….…..….….… ...…


    …..…….….….…


    I could not hear what she had said.


    Darkness.