The sky was cloudy. Not too dark, not bright too. Just heavy like something big was coming. Coker was sitting near the edge of the village, on top of a broken wall. His eyes was staring at the big statue in the middle of the town. It was the statue of the hero. The one who died to save him. The one everyone always praise. The one he was blamed for.
He didn't even want to look at it before. Every time he see it his chest feel tight, like he can't even breathe. But today, he keep looking at it. Maybe he was tired of running away from it all.
Lira sat beside him but she didn't talk. She knew sometimes, silence say more than words.
That statue was big and tall. The hero was holding his sword high like he just saved the whole world. The people light candles and place flowers around it every week. Coker watched as some kids walk past and say thank you hero. One even say he wish the hero was still alive and the cursed boy didn't survive.
Coker just watch, his heart not even angry anymore. It just empty. He whisper to himself quiet words. I didn't mean for him to die. I never wanted that. I just wanted to be strong like him. Not take his life.
He stand up and walk to the statue. Lira stand too but didn't follow. He walk alone. Some villagers see him and stop what they doing. One man grab his child and move away like Coker was danger. But Coker didn't stop.
He stop in front of the statue. The stone face of the hero look proud and peaceful. He touch the base of the statue. It was cold and strong like the memory that never leave.
I hate you, he think in his mind. Not because you save me. But because everyone loved you and never see me. I hate how you left me with your death and now I carry it like it's mine.
Coker turned around and saw the people still watching. His voice came out loud. I'm not him. I will never be him. And I don't even want to be him. I'm me. I'll be stronger than him.
Everyone went quiet. Some whisper again. Did he just say he better than the hero?
But Coker didn't care. He already lost everything. What left now was only forward.
Later that day, Lira found him training near the river. His shirt was off. His body full of muscle. His cursed fire dancing around his arms but more controlled now.
You stronger now, she say.
Not enough, he reply. I feel something coming. Something big.
She nod. I feel it too. The curse inside you is talking more and more.
Coker nodded slowly. Sometimes at night he hear voices in his dreams. Not his voice. Something old. It tell him to burn, to take, to destroy everything. But he always say no.
That night he dream again.
He was standing in a place with no sky and no ground. Just fire and shadow everywhere. In front of him was a tall man with no face. Only two red eyes and a crown of bones.
You are mine, the voice said.
I'm not yours, Coker shouted. I never was.
The figure laugh loud. You carry my fire, my power, my rage. The more they hate you, the more I become.
No, Coker scream. I fight for me. Not for you.
The dream burn away like paper in fire. He wake up with sweat all over his face.
Next morning, he left the village again. He needed space. He needed fight. Lira came too.
The forest was thick and cold. The trees was tall like walls. The wind made scary sounds but Coker liked it. No statues here. No stares. Only danger and peace.
Then they saw it. A big demon. Bigger than any before. It had wings like broken glass and claws like long swords.
Coker stepped forward without fear. He didn't just use cursed fire this time. He used his hands, his speed, his smart. Lira helped too, her light magic flying like stars.
The fight was long. But at the end, the demon fell down hard. Before it die, it say something strange.
The vessel is awake. The king shall rise.
Coker froze. Lira too. What did that mean? Was the demon talking about him?
He sit on the ground, breathing hard. His hands was shaking.
You okay? Lira ask.
No, he said. I think... I think that thing inside me is not just a curse. It's someone. It's the Demon King.
Lira looked shocked but not scared. Then we must be ready. If it's true, it will come out one day.
Then I'll kill it before it kill me, Coker said.
When they got back to the village, a little boy run to them shouting.
There's trouble! Something happen at the statue!
They ran fast. When they reach the center, the statue of the hero was broken. Cracked down the middle. The sword in his hand fall off. People was shouting and crying. Who did this?!
Someone pointed. It was him! The cursed boy!
Coker didn't even reply. He just looked at the broken statue. Half was still standing. Half was on the ground.
It wasn't me, he said. But maybe it's a sign.
A sign of what? someone yell.
Coker look at them all. That it's time to stop crying over the past. The hero is gone. But I'm still here.
No one say anything. But no one attack him too.
Later, Coker and Lira sat on the same wall. The sky was dark now. The wind was cold.
You okay? Lira ask.
He nod. The statue broke. And it didn't hurt like I thought. It felt... right.
He looked at his hand. The cursed fire was quiet.
Maybe it's time, he said. Time to stop being scared. Time to be me.
And in the quiet, he heard something inside him whisper too.
Yes.