The name of one man resounded across the entire world. His heroism became known throughout each country, spanning for generations, and his name completely wove itself into history. It did not matter whether you were an arrogant, high-born noble or a poverty-stricken peasant, everybody indulged and admired his inspiring tales.
Long ago, a terrifying army composed solely of demons invaded the human realm, driven by their innate desire to kill humans. They began their siege in the country of Vastos and planned to spread their malice across the world, eventually destroying the peaceful world that humans had come to know.
Soon, many battles across the country of Vastos began to take place, each one leaving lakes of blood and piles of corpses from both sides. This war between the humans and demons lasted one century. Blood spilled year by year on both sides, but it was clear that the humans were losing. It did not matter whether you were a man, woman, or child, as these demons were malicious, devouring beasts, completely devoid of even a fragment of sympathy.
The population of Vastos dwindled, and every country sat back and watched, offering no aid, believing the kingdom of Vastos would soon vanish into the past, becoming a mere memory of what once was. However, the people of Vastos were much too resilient and determined. They continued to fight back, defending their country.
On the hundredth year, one last stand took place. The silver-armoured knights of Vastos assembled on a tremendous scale alongside their king. Their banners wavered in the wind, bearing the country's crest. They wielded swords, spears, and shields. Thousands upon thousands of brave knights galloped on horseback, charging into the hordes of demons.
They were not just protecting their beloved country, but the world. Truly, if the demons were to win this battle, they would obtain the world itself. The country of Vastos, at the time, was by far the mightiest and strongest. All hope would be lost if they fell, though the countries existing at the time did not recognise it as such because their arrogance preceded them.
Soon after the final battle began, it became clear the demons would win. There were many knights, but there were many more demons. Each demon boasted immense strength, especially compared to the average knight. The ranks of the knights grew thinner, becoming more stretched out, and the fiery hope in their hearts began to wane, eventually extinguishing completely. Most knights dropped their weapons and fell to their knees while their faces painted in despair. Yet, in this hopeless battle, one man appeared in a sudden blaze of glory! He radiated a hot, burning light as he lifted his sword high into the air, emanating a bright and flaming shine. Everybody's gaze on the battlefield latched onto him almost as if it was uncontrollable. He pointed his sword forward, aiming it towards the mobs of blood-thirsty demons.
"Raise your weapons!" He took a deep breath and continued, "The enemy stands there in front of your eyes! Now is not the time to waver and lose hope! Heroes of Vastos! Charge! Charge forward!"
The knights began to stand on their feet, raising their weapons in unison. They let out an intense war cry, and with that, the knights of Vastos seized victory against the vile demons! Soon after, people came to learn the name of this man. He bragged around the country in various towns and cities, holding absolutely nothing back. This hero certainly loved to boast about himself as he recalled all sorts of tales and adventures he experienced any chance he got in almost every pub across Vastos.
These heroic tales became known as 'The Great Tales of Sedah.'
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Vastos,
Sedah's Cave
Present day
Sedah sighed, "It's been so long... I wonder if people remember me? They better!" He exclaimed as he clicked his tongue.
Sedah holed himself up inside a cave located in the largest forest of Vastos. Despite it's grand nature, it was actually peaceful and all around insignificant.
Sedah's mood began to sink at the thought of people forgetting him. He then winced at another memory much further into the past. He quickly shook his pain-stricken face and spoke to himself, "I haven't talked to anyone in a long time. I wonder how long it's been now? Ah! I did talk recently at the adventurer's guild...I think?" Sedah questioned himself in a relaxed tone.
He laid on a stone platform as a bed while resting his arms behind his head. Sedah stared mindlessly at the rocky ceiling above. "I won their war for them...humans are so ungrateful. They'd better remember my name and face! Haha! I made sure to talk quite a bit about my heroic deeds and tales...that war...can I really call that a war? Hah! After all, it was so easy and boring that I swung my blade once and the whole army of demons was defeated. All it took was one simple swing..." Sedah recounted to himself as he yawned.
He lived a mundane lifestyle of hunting and camping. Occasionally, he went down to the nearest village to pick up and complete quests, though to him it was just a hobby. "How long has it been now since I've had any real fun?" Sedah wistfully questioned himself. "I've been so bored for so long...and alone. Tch! Everything's too peaceful! Annoyingly peaceful! I can't even die of old age. Gah!" Sedah angrily spoke to himself.
"I'm a demon after all...so that makes me immortal. A demon with small horns...Haha." A rueful look came across his face as he emptily laughed to himself, reminiscing over a vivid yet distant memory.
Suddenly, a sort of sharp tingling sensation went through Sedah's mind. He sensed a human exuding great magical energy. He hurriedly left the cave with superhuman speed, closing in on the source of the magic.
He walked through the bushes at a slow pace towards this source. Sedah thought to himself with great excitement, "Maybe my goal of finally dying in battle will be fulfilled! Maybe... just may—"
"–Wahh! Wahhh!!"
He looked down at the ground. "A basket?" Sedah cautiously approached this brown basket. Peering into it, he saw a brown-haired baby boy wrapped tightly in a soft-looking blanket. Blue eyes stared at Sedah, who just so happened to also have blue eyes.
"He has the same colour eyes as me..." The magical presence he sensed vanished into thin air. He turned his head side to side, looking around, but didn't spot anybody around. Then Sedah looked back down. "...That magical presence... don't tell me it was coming from a stinking, crying baby?!"
Sedah then paused for a moment with a blank expression. "...Where the hell are its parents?! Goddammit!" He nervously looked around. "How have you not been eaten by some hungry monster by now? Unless! It was your magical presence that deterred them away." Sedah's nose then uncontrollably wrinkled as a sickening smell wafted into his nostrils. "That smell... don't tell me... shit. I'm going to throw up! Gah! It must be that foul smell keeping the monsters away."
"Wahhh!! Wahhh!!" The baby started to cry even louder, kicking its feet in all sorts of directions.
"Goddammit! Will you stop crying already?! Tch! So annoying!" he exclaimed as he pinched his nose in an attempt to block out the smell.
"Gahh~" The baby calmed down while smiling, joyously kicking his feet.
"...That actually worked?!" Sedah questioned with a dumbfounded expression on his face. Sedah then locked eyes with the baby. After some thinking, he decided to raise this baby. "Fine! Considering your parents abandoned you, I'll just have to take you in myself. First things first...a name. What would be a good name?...Arthur!...From now on, your name is Arthur! Understand?!" Sedah pointed his index finger down at the baby while gleaming with joy.
"Gahh!!" Arthur proclaimed, kicking his tiny feet in the air, grabbing ahold of Sedah's fingers with his tiny hands. Arthur's face was happy and completely satisfied.
Sedah turned his head side to side while holding Arthur and thought to himself, "Is there someone—"
"—Gahh!" Baby Arthur boldly exclaimed, interrupting Sedah's thought. Sedah held the baby up into the air. "That's a mighty fine idea, Arthur! I'll make you into an excellent warrior. I'll make you even stronger than me. No excuses!" Sedah then turned his head in confusion. "What do I feed you...milk?"