Reject Human. Become Demon. [Curse Mage Berserker]

Several layers of ceiling opened above me, like the maw of a thousand beasts. The sky was revealed, and I flew high into the air. Without pause, I shot towards the mountainside. The wind thundered its cries in my wake, likely causing a massive disturbance among Arisen’s residents, but their comfort mattered little. All I cared about was getting there faster.

So I flew my hardest. I pushed myself further. I destroyed my body for speed.

The world blurred past me as pain wracked my wings, but that only meant I had more to give. I reached the mountains in minutes. I sped past their lofty peaks. Some harpies decided to try and chase after me, but they could never keep up. They were supposed to be the true creatures of air, yet they fell so pathetically behind.

All but one.

I’d almost made it all the way to the other side of the range, when a tall harpy man suddenly shot into the air in front of me and flew ahead. I narrowed my eyes and refused to slow down, but he easily maintained his lead.

“Greetings, stranger,” he spoke in a tone both respectful and proud. “Might I inquire as to who you might be? I must say that you have some powerful flying capabilities… which makes me wonder why it lacks the finesse someone as powerful as you should have.

“Shut up!” I just screamed. “None of your business! Out of my way!”

“Excuse me? I will have you know that I am the Oracle of the Wendargo Duarchy–”

“I SAID I DON’T GIVE A SHIT! I’M IN A FUCKING HURRY YOU DOLT!”

He gasped.

“Why, I never–” The harpy man curved in the air and tried to block my way. My scowl deepened and I punched him. My enemy reacted quickly, and met my arm with his talons. Those claws dug deep into my armor, and cut up the flesh underneath, but I only sneered. I pushed him away, and the harpy man looked worriedly down at his talon that surely throbbed in pain.

It was quite obviously far less damage than what I suffered. Anyone observing our fight might easily conclude that I lost that exchange. But I did not lose.

Flesh knitted itself back together, and the skin on my arm sealed the wound over. The damage to my body didn’t matter. So long as I could get a single drop of blood from my enemy–maybe not even that–then I would emerge victorious in time. I would survive while they could not.

“Stop! STOP!” The harpy man resorted back to diplomacy. “I demand that you stop, for you have flown over our lands so loudly without permission nor notice!”

I just shouted over him.

“MY WIFE IS DYING AND I NEED TO GET THE HELP OF THE ELVES TO HELP HER! STAND IN MY WAY, DELAY ME ANY FURTHER, AND I WILL FIGHT IN EARNEST! I WILL FUCKING KILL YOU!!!”

“Ah. That explains it.” He… actually slowed, just trailing behind me now. He glanced at how my arm had already healed, though the metal had not. “Very well. I must apologize as well. I was not aware that you had business that urgent. Please forgive the delay I caused, and let us start over another day.”

The oracle flapped his wings one last time, and gave me a boost. A tailwind.

I glared at the man as he disappeared along the horizon… until I gave a firm nod just before we fully lost sight of each other.

That would do.

The Grandest Forest came into view just as I left the mountains behind, and it was truly grand. From trees half as tall as the prior impassable mountains, to leaves that embodied the vibrance of springs. Countless birdsongs were sung across that endless canopy, and monsters of obvious size and power swung themselves across those thick branches.

It was beautiful.

I was sure I would’ve been awed, had it been any other day. My instincts wished to rejoice at the sheer power on display. I wished I’d visited at a better time. But I arrived here today, in a stormy cloud of grief and rage. Whatever joy I felt sank into the deep uncaring abyss, unable to ever float into the surface of my psyche.

Those damned archangels ruined even this. An adventure I’d been looking forward to for so long.

“HELP!” I shouted and finally slowed down. I decided that it was fine, even if I could never be happy again. So long as Moonwash and Arx could survive. The latter still had a massive responsibility to his people. I could not possibly carry that on for him. They could not be allowed to die!

A snaked suddenly jumped out of the canopy, and I fucking dismembered the Level 80 creature. I slammed it into a tree and injected my curse unto its corpse. I loathed the insignificant worm for daring to try and slow me down! “Do you want Moonwash to die!? You fucking freak! Fuck you fuck you fuck you! Die!!!”

Two pairs of light footsteps landed a couple trees away, and I whirled around. I turned my glare towards the two elves who’d arrived. One already had a deathgrip on his bow, but I appeared right in front of him before he could point it at my face. I crushed his hand over his weapon, and then punched his companion before she could draw her dagger. She fell to her knees and started puking blood into my hooves.

“Take me to your healers! I need life mana! My friends are dying! Help me!”

“WHAT!?” The elven man exclaimed, as if genuinely shocked and confused. “Can you please let me go!?”

That wasn’t the answer I was looking for. I glared at him harder, and he began to feel the terror.

“Hey! Please!? This is very rude and it’s not the right way to ask for help!”

“Ah.” I was still crushing his hand and the wood of his weapon. I let him go, but the scowl remained on my face. The elven man clutched his broken hand, before healing himself with nature magic. “You drew your bow first.”

“You had a sword in your hand!” he protested. “I wasn’t pointing my bow at you. I was just holding my weapon, in case something happens.”

I quickly reviewed the scenario in my memory core, and winced hard once I found his words to be accurate. “Shit. Sorry. You’re right. I was… startled. I’m in a really bad spot. But that’s no excuse.”

I gathered my blood magic, and added my healing unto his own. The other elf was also busy healing herself, so I extended my help to her as well.

“I’m sorry,” I repeated, more sincerely.

The elven woman huffed. “You better be! We’re the ones who were startled by those loud sonic booms, and then that curse and fire I’ve never seen before! What was that!? What are you?!” She suddenly sagged and looked at me guiltily, for some reason. “But… I guess you were also just as scared, huh? Sorry about that. We didn’t mean to scare you. We’re nice elves, I promise!”

“I wasn’t–” My temper flared. Me? Scared? Of them!? Don’t make me fucking laugh! The days of me being cowed by the likes of Elfrafim are over! I remembered the painful reason why I was here, and decided to drop the topic. “It’s fine. I’m uh, I’m sorry again. I didn’t mean to crush your hand. Or punch you so hard you puke blood…”

“It’s really bad, man.” The elven man pouted. “I think this is permanent…” He flopped his broken fingers around.

I took a sharp breath and winced even harder. “Ah, shit. I’m really truly fucking sorry. I didn’t mean to–I severely misunderstood the situation. My girlfriend is dying, and so is one of my best friends forever. I came here looking for a cure, or well a lot of life magic and a master to wield it.” Tears began flowing out of my eyes. “I just wanted to save them! And their health is deteriorating even now. I don’t know how much time I have left. I don’t know how long it’d take for the proper healing magic to be cast. I’m just so desperate, another one of my best friends has… already died just earlier. But then I had to go and ruin my first contact with your people and even permanently injure you, which is exactly what happened to my friends.

“But, but… If you’ll allow me to make some excuses, then I have magic in my blood, and I have three brains, maybe four! Two of those are new additions that I’ve only had for year. That’s of course my problem first and foremost, and not yours, so I’m willing to make it right! So please! I need to find life magic and a really fucking good healer or biomancer! Just point me in the right direction, and I’ll pay for your healing too! I’m really strong, so I can go and get whatever Materials you can dream of! I’ll fight a dragon if you want! You guys are super curious people, right? I can tell you everything! About my race, species, powers, magic, all of it! So please… Please help me find what they need… I don't want them to die… I don’t want to lose anyone else…”

I trailed off, finally realizing how pathetically I’d just acted. It filled me with such excruciating embarrassment. I wanted to murder these two and bury all witnesses. But I held myself back from doing anything that extreme. I still needed their help. And it would be wrong, so I shouldn’t just kill them.

“Oh. That’s… terrible,” the elven man frowned sadly.

“I’d be so sad if you died!” the other lamented.

“Me too!!”

“I’m sorry that happened to you…” they then addressed me.

“Yeah…”

“It must’ve been terrible…”

“It is,” i agreed. “But I didn’t come here mourn. There are still some I can save. So will you help me?”

The two looked at each other in a silent conversation.

“Oh, of course!”

“YEAH!”

“I’ll do it!”

“We gotta save them!”

“RED WOMAN! TAKE ME TO YOUR FRIENDS!!!”

I blinked and stared at them, almost confused that they agreed after what I did. I felt a warm gratitude towards the two strangers. I grabbed both their hands and prepared to fly back home.

“Wait. Do you guys have life magic? Are you good at healing and biomancy with it?”

“Nope!”

“Not at all!”

“THEN WHAT THE FUCK ARE WE GOING BACK TO MY FRIENDS FOR!?”

“OH!”

“OOPS!”

“We can’t actually help!”

“Take me to your leader then!” I demanded.

“Leader?”

“I lead myself!”

“Yeah! Yeah! No one leads me!”

“Weeeeeee!!”

“WOOOOOOOO!!!”

I sighed and swallowed my frustration. I was still the one here who’s asking for help. I knew intellectually that I’d actually find this attitude fun and endearing most of the time. I reminded myself of that.

I took a moment to remember what their culture was, from the bits and pieces Elfrafim told me.

I then spoke through gnashing teeth, my words probably a bit too stiff, “Please take me to wherever I can find a really good healer/biomancer. Someone who can heal… half of the body being missing. Many of their organs are either just gone, or have suffered similarly catastrophic damage.”

“Aaaaaaaaaahhhhhhh.”

“That sounds bad.”

“Are they even still alive?”

“Yes.” I swallowed, but spoke with confidence. “I have my ways. Trust me.”

“Okay!”

“Who is capable of repairing injuries that bad then?” The elven man asked the other.

“I like Pelfert’s biomancy!”

“She does make everything nice and sensitive… But I don’t think that’s what we’re looking for!”

“I’m sure she’s good at healing too. It’s right in the same realm.”

“Then why isn’t she ever the one to put us back to normal afterward?”

“Well… you have a point.”

“I do, I do!”

“OH! I lost my nose before and Elferune regrew it!”

“Oh! Let’s go with them then–”

“NO WAIT! I think they’re only good with elves specifically.”

“Shit, really?”

“Yeah.”

“Red woman! What are the species of your friends actually? Maybe they’re both elves?”

“Or are they that weird species like yours!”

“Good weird, good weird! You gotta clarify that, Elfaja! People elsewhere think weird-equals-bad!”

“What!? But it’s so good!”

“Human and inhex,” I interjected, giving the clarification they needed before they could derail the conversation any further. So this is what it’s like to put two Elfrafims in the same room. I wished I was in the right space to enjoy it. This would’ve been mad funny just yesterday. “AND, choose the best biomancer/healer that you think you can convince, please. I’ll carry you there, and I’m really fast! And I’m a demon, just so you know.”

“DEMON!”

“That’s so cool!”

“Where are you from?”

“Are there others?”

“I’ll tell you all about it later, but for now please focus!” I pressed.

“Ah.”

“Right, right…”

“Her friends are dying, Jelf. Tsk tsk.”

“Why is it only my fault? You got distracted too.”

“Gah! You’re right. But no more! I say we go to………….. hmmmmm………. hnnnngggg………..”

“Well, go on.”

“I don’t see you coming up with anything.”

“...You’re right. I’ve never actually met a human nor an inhex before.”

“Ah, I haven’t either.”

“What are inhex again?”

“Some… ant creatures? They’re sapient!”

“Hmmmm… I can’t think of anyone who’s worked with them.”

“Wasn’t there a human living somewhere north?”

“Oh yeah! But I haven’t really been there enough… I’ve met Elfoodie there, and he’s a really good healer!”

“But is he bring-someone-from-the-brink good?”

“Maybe not.”

“Hmm…”

“Hnnnnngggg….”

“HMMMMMMMMMMMNNNNNNNNNGGGGGGGGGG…………..”

The two of them deliberated together. My hooves tapped in impatience for every second wasted.

But finally! They came up with a name!

““ELFERNANDO!”” they both shouted in unison.

Jelf explained, “He’s an ancient elf, and a biomancer most of all, second only to be a damn fine healer. He should be able to do it.”

“Yeah! Let’s go there! I think–”

I grabbed them each under one arm and they yelped.

“Alright! Sounds like a plan! Point me in the right direction!”

“Whoa!”

“You’re carrying us!?”

“Yes. You’ve seen how fast I can move.” Because I just attacked you guys… “You’d be too slow otherwise.”

The two elves I carried in my arms were definitely over Level 80. They were even higher Level than me. But I’d already demonstrated that they would lose to me, utterly and completely, in a contest of speed. Or strength. A lot of things, really. But I was sure they had their own talents to be proud of.

“Do you know that we’ll lose though?”

“I’m pretty good at tag!”

Another glare from me finally got them to point me towards my destination.

It was… at least the same general direction, but the angle either assumed were both a little off from each other….

Argh! Whatever! I’ll find you Elfernando, if it’s the last thing I do!!!

~~~

I flew through the Grandest Forest. I twisted around its massive tree trunks. Each canopy covered a vast distance, and the gaps in between were naturally much larger, but I was going so fast that they could still be a challenge to dodge. I couldn’t so casually crash through them like I would normal trees, because the experience would at the very least slow me down. I also had Elfaja and Jelf in each arm to worry about, who might not come out as whole from the experience.

I decided this wasn’t working and went above the canopy. Tree frogs, monkeys, and other such monsters then leapt after me from below. I dodged them all with wide flicks of my tail, to the enthusiastic cheers of my passengers. I couldn't help but smile a little at that, only for the memory of Granuel’s recent death to come slamming to the forefront of my mind. Arx and Moonwash were still alive, but they might yet die if I spent my time having fun.

Take these elves. Use them. Capture them. I only have to play nice with these Jelf and Elfaja for a short while longer. I just need them to take me to their leader. Then I can enslave them all. I’ll make them do my bidding. They’ll be the army that I send to weaken and flush out the archangels. There will be no escape. Only obedience!

I deliberately drank in the darkest desires of my magic. I processed it all with all three active minds. There was no time for joy.

I rose even higher above the trees to avoid the monsters in its canopy, only for the birds above and below to decide that I was one juicy target! I zigged and zagged around them all, until a wholeass genuine Level 160 wybird swooped in from above!

“Hellfire!”

My minds worked together, and threw together that ritual. It impacted the fool that taught me prey, and I left it behind as I further sped up and away.

“Whoa!”

“Awesome!’

“So cool!”

“Was that a ritual!?”

“Yes, yes, and yes!” I snapped at the elves. “Now where are we!? Are we there yet?!”

“Uhmmmm.”

“Errrr…”

“WELL!?”

“Oh! A village! Go there!”

“Slow down!”

I did as they asked, and we hovered above the new settlement to the curious glances of the elves within. The place was actually very easy to find, because it was full of weird and colorful… art installations? Even the trees were dyed in pink, orange, and everything else!

“Mama, look!” One elven kid shouted as she pointed up at us.

“Hii!!” The whole village was already on their way to meet us, for my arrival had not been quiet.

“OOoooooohhhh!!!!” They bounded through the trees with unsurprising agility, as many stopped at just eye level with me.

““AaaaahhhhhhHHH!!!”” I felt a faint twinge in my hearts, for all the elves had these truly enchanting voices, and it was almost too beautiful to hear them chorus all at once.

“Hello!” Jelf returned their greeting!

“Look who we found!” The other gestured excitedly to me.

“Yeah! We see!”

“What is she?”

“She looks cool!”

“Maybe I should change my style to that next year.”

“Who did the biomancy?”

“Those are some strong wings!”

“I know, right!?”

“We saw her decimate a viosnake like it was nothing!”

“She broke my hand! Look!”

“Guys, focus!” I tightened my grip on the two!

“Oh right!”

“Sorry!”

“This is Yumyum Village, so… This isn’t the right place, actually!”

“Then where?!”

“Ah!” Elfaja looked around, and focused on the many landmarks, until she zeroed in on the elephant with a very elastic and wavy body. “Sweetcheeks village should be… that way! Go there, go there!”

~~~

I followed their instructions, doubled-back a couple dozen of times; but finally, we had arrived at the right destination!

“That’s it, right?” I confirmed again, once we were closer. The elves of the place were already running towards us curiously. The so-called village was already as large as a city back home, if not so much larger because they also built vertically. These elves really just called anything and everything a village… And those naming conventions, or sometimes lack therof… What the fuck?

“Yes!” Jelf confirmed that we were in the right place. “Been a while since we were here.”

“That worm statue is still so pretty! Kyaa!” Elfaja pointed at a worm statue surrounded by insects of all kinds and wearing a weird mask.

“Yeah. It is,” I agreed and gave them a… genuine smile as we landed. They’d taken me where I needed to go, far faster than I could’ve ever found alone. And that was after I’d hurt them, and given them the absolute worst first impression I possibly could. I did not deserve their help. “Thank you.”

I turned away from them, and began looking for this ‘Elfernando’ among the gathering crowd. There were a whole lot of elves here, suprasoars like Astan, and the equally sapient mooseracts. A lone centaur walked among them, along with a pair of belfegors, and then one harpy far above.

I… did not actually know what this Elfernando looked like.

“Whoa, who’s that?”

“What?”

“Wait! A demon! I know her.”

“Ooooooohhhh!”

“Aaaaaaaaahhhhhh!!”

“Wait, they're real!?”

“MY GIRLFRIEND IS DYING AND I NEED YOUR HELP!” I shouted over their beautiful voices!

Jelf and Elfaja helped me explain my situation, and then a very fabulously dressed dark-skinned elven man dropped out of the… christmas(?) themed canopy.

“I’m Elfernando and I’m here to help.”

“Okay!”

I grabbed his arm, and he tilted his head.

“What?”

“I’m teleporting us there.”

“There…?” He chuckled. “You can’t teleport that far! Unless if your girlfriend is just around the corner.”

My Mark of The Beast roared to life, and the surrounding elves leaned closer.

“Ah! Maybe don’t touch that please!” I referred to the rapidly enfolding space around us.

“Eeeeeeeeehhh why nott!!”

“It’s pretty…”

“Hehe, it tickles.”

“OW!”

“Whoa.” Jelf marveled. “Such… strange space magic. Are you really…?”

“Yes.”

“Well, shit! If you’re serious then give me a second! I need to get my supplies!”

“OH! Right, shit!” I canceled the teleport, and a few more elves yelped because they’d strayed too close. “Go do that!”

Elfernando almost did not lie about taking only a second, for he moved at least as fast as me as he sped through the trees. He entered a treehouse that had these cute decorations of bodies in constant flux. Elfernando came back out with a whole warchest of supplies!

“Now I’m ready!” He announced, and then led me to the stage that someone had just erected real quick… for some reason. The entire city had basically shown up to watch me use my Mark of The Beast. They gathered along the tiled or cobbled or glassed ground, and filled the colorful branches above. There was truly no keeping this a secret now.

It’s fine. I’ve already revealed it to worse people. It’s a small price to pay.

If I don’t use it now, then when?

“BYE JELF, ELFAJA!!” I screamed loudly to be heard over the melodic chatter. The elves would be so much more annoying if their voices weren’t so naturally beautiful. “Let's hang out properly next time!”

““OKAY!””

“TAKE CARE!”

“Let’s hang out later!”

“Yeah!” I waved back at them. Maybe I can take my friends with me–

“...That would be nice.”