Netori: Stealing The Hero's Party!

The guests had arrived a few hours ago, even their meals were done, and finally, it was time for Raven to head out and deliver that speech. But he felt conflicted–almost as if he wasn't yet ready. Why? Because he knew that once he stepped out in the open and stood on that stage, a new chapter in his and in the lives of everyone he knew would begin. From a hero to a general, from a leader of a party to a warlord of the future.

Feeling Regalia's hand on his shoulder as he sat in a chair, he felt somewhat comforted knowing that there were those with him who were very much family with the brutality of war. Glancing around him, he focused on the many faces that he saw for a few good minutes. Jenna, Felix, Astra and Hilma were there instead of his regular party–he wanted them to taste freedom for a bit longer and also make these false heroes understand what they'd signed themselves up for.

"Be ready to train new soldiers," he said, looking at Felix.

The demi-human was obviously not happy, but with his women not daring to say a word against the rugged hero, he–an eunuch had little he could do or say.

"Raven…" Suddenly, as the door to the room opened, Linkle poked her inside and called out to her man. Watching the heads turning in her direction, she held her breath for a second before speaking up again. "Everyone's waiting; now's the time."

And indeed it was. No room for restraint, no room for hesitation, finally the day had come when Raven plants his flag on solid ground and declares exactly what everyone needed to hear.

"Alright then." Pulling himself out of the chair, the mage followed the witch's lead. Like everyone else, Linkle had been lost after losing her purpose, but recently, being around Raven and his people, she'd found something else to keep on living.

"I suppose this is it, huh?" Stopping by the veil beyond which laid the stage, the witch looked Raven in the eye and offered a hand to help him up the steps. "Making that leap beyond fighting mere horrors to preparing for the war we all knew was unavoidable."

"Time to wake up and accept the fact that we'd been tackling the symptoms instead of the disease itself." With a nod, Raven took her hand, but instead of letting him walk up the step, Linkle pulled him closer and planted a quick kiss on his right cheek.

"I believe in you." Breaking the kiss, Linkle took a deep breath and finally helped Raven climb up the steps. Stopping at the very top step, she patted him on the back and whispered before pushing him through the veil. "Now go and save them like you saved me from my old selfish self."

Gaining his balance right as he appeared on the other end of the stage, Raven stood tall with a rugged look on his face. No longer did he seem like that playboy that once wandered through the streets of Athenia trying to woo many women. Instead, with broader shoulders than even a week ago and a body much more fitting of a man than a toned youngster, he stood being marveled at by the many guests and some–especially the men were even jealous of his rough-trimmed beard.

'Dune?' Many were shocked to see the change in him, for they hadn't seen him since a while ago, and to those who knew Dune Boartooth, the reflection of that man was striking in the Aranuvian king. Even Moxy was fooled for a moment, but she couldn't be fooled for long, for the stubborn man was still much larger.

"I cannot stress how much I'm glad to see such a fine gathering of friends at our mansion." Stretching a hand forward as if trying to shake hands with the entire public, Raven held it firm and continued. "But there's something important that I want you all to know, and I apologize in advance for ruining this moment."

Looking around for quite a bit and taking in the faces of the many guests. Some friends from the start and the others' enemies turned allies, not only that there were still people like the Mistress present who weren't exactly helpful but whose authority could be put to great use if their differences can be placed away.

"A year. I ask for a year of your time and cooperation, and we'll build an army especially trained to take down horrors and stand against the servants of the demon lord!" A quiet ripple of murmurs erupted through the crowd. Not many understood what Raven meant, but that's exactly what he'd expected, and thus, he'd prepared an explanation well. "Follow my command, let me guide you and your people, allow me to shape the way our nations, our people, our friends and families cooperate with each other! Allow me to be king–not in title but authority; allow me to be your leader. A year is all I ask, and then we march to war against the greatest threat to our existence after those vile gods of the heavenly council!"

Although most guests that had gathered weren't quite fond of gods, their silence made Raven realise that it would take more for them to be convinced than a mere rebellion against the selfish council of the heavens. Thus, closing his eyes, he decided to share his memories with each and every one of them. His back erupted into long arms made of dark flesh, and slowly approaching the crowd, they began grabbing the reluctant crowd by their arms.

Some were more accepting for the memories while the others struggled to let someone into their minds, but one after the other as they saw just what the horrors were capable of and the devastation they brought–especially the memories of the childrens being toyed by them, it became very hard for them to resist punching those phantoms of the past.

Like Mino from long ago where she'd watched the child succumb to a disease born off of corruption and consuming the child that she'd attempted to save, their heart bled for the children–theirs and that of others, and finally as it was over, nobody absolutely nobody could, in good conscience walk away from this rebellion against nature and the cruel gods.

"We have the blessings of the only gods that matter–the gods that have brought us peace and prosperity. now it is up to us to uphold and to do that we need a leader…" Stepping forward, Raven opened his arms wide. "And if anyone wants to contest it with me, walk forward and let's get this over with."

Raven waited for a whole minute, but nobody ever considered themselves more capable than the man who'd stood before many such atrocities of which they'd only seen flashes of just now. Thus, with the decision made, it was time for everyone to have a one-on-one meeting with their leader and discuss at last how everyone was about to contribute to this beginning of a new era of war.