Demetri Von Arstine

Aura. There was only one person in this kingdom who could use aura. Remnants of time long past, the power was thought to be lost. It had been generations since anyone in the imperial family had manifested aura. That was until Demetri Von Arstine turned the tide of the continental war with his blue flames two years ago. At the tender age of 16 the bastard son of the king was sent to the battle field to die. But against all odds he returned a victorious war hero, was granted the title of duke, and shortly after disappeared.

To think that such an important figure not only saved me but registered as an insignificant hunter to stay be my side. What a crazy world.

What followed was a sword dance honed in war. Starting with the eyes that had begun to heal, the knees, and then the ankles, Demi decisively cut down the mutant without wasting any movement. The blue flames kept its regenerative abilities at bay. Finally, with the tainted lying prone at his feet, Demi sliced off its head.

Stifling silence followed.

"If you could do this all along than why did you wait 'till now!?"

Jer tried to cover Brandy's mouth but she wasn't having it. Brusquely swatting Jer's hand out of the way, she approached Demetri. "We could have settled this a long time ago had you just been honest about your abilities, your highness." Not one to hold back, Brandy's voice was laced in sarcasm.

"..."

"I also don't understand, your highness. Even if you wished to hide your identity, isn't it a bit much to hold back in this situation? You would know better than anyone else how important accurate information is in forming a battle strategy." Jeremy respectfully but firmly backed up his partner. Dave and Derek were silently looking at Demi. Their grim faces indicated they agreed.

"So what would you have done differently had you known?" a voice like frost asked. "Would you have me handle everything from the beginning and go back to your village with a fun story to tell? Then what would you have learned? How would you face a tainted like this in the future, when the only aura user in the kingdom is no longer by your side?"

The pointed question stung like a knife. He's right, any other time we would be fucked.

While Brandy was huffing, Demi turned around and walked away. I should go after him. He's my partner after all and, once again, I'm still alive thanks to him. I decided it would be best not to get in his face so I followed about 50 paces behind him. He must have known I was there but he just kept walking. The others never caught up to us. I'm guessing they didn't try.