Ch 100. Across Dimensions.

I remember when "They" appeared.

A crack appeared in the sky, and from it rained hundreds of demons. The world was overwhelmed within days, and the cities that served as a testament to humanity's ingenuity were reduced to ruins. The skies became red, and the people hid behind walls, reduced to a fraction of their populations. With the rampage of monsters, the government issued a conscription.

Each family seeking sanctuary was required to give one of their able-bodied members to fight in the war on demons. The children and elderly were not expected to fight, but everyone else was fair game.

Our family was no exception, as much as our family's mansion was secured- surrounded by walls on all sides. It wouldn't last against the demons. We needed to find sanctuary, so Father had to make a decision. He could go himself, or he could offer one of his children.

I'm not sure what I expected.

Our family was one with history. Our ancestors fought in the wars of old and protected the people. Protectors of kings, generals amongst men, Father bragged about our blood so much the military thought us gods.

Now, in a crisis where demons ran a muck, those fooled by Father's words looked to him for protection. Our home became a sanctuary, but the walls wouldn't last against a wave of demons. We all knew this, so when a wave of demons was heading in our direction. Father evacuated.

The military stationed at our mansion took those unable to fight while leaving behind those 'chosen' to defend them until they evacuated.

"We can't leave my baby here!" Mother screamed. I turned away from the chaos outside the window to those gathered in Father's office. Well, I used it more than him, but I digress.

"We have no choice; to enter a sanctuary, we must sacrifice one of our family members," Father told her.

At least he didn't sugarcoat it.

It was old-fashioned, but the government created an honour system; the family members left behind had to fight to ensure their family received shelter. If they survived and continued to fend off demons, their family would receive the best care.

It worked.

Young men and women, Mothers and Fathers, and even some elderly sacrificed themselves to ensure their families survived. Of course, if their sacrifice died, as most did, they received care, but rumour had it they only received the bare minimum and didn't even have their own beds to sleep on. It was another incentive to have your strongest with the most potential to survive stay behind.

The problem my parents were having was that my little brother was the "strongest" as the heir. He was expected to stay behind, but who would want their child to die in a demon wave?

Waves were like a tsunami of demons rushing through an area, leaving nothing but destruction. No one outside the sanctuaries has ever survived a wave; if they left anyone behind, they were leaving them to die.

Sacrifice.

Everyone had to do it at some point since the world ended. Well, it wasn't like there was no hope. An event occurred where someone survived a wave; it was a miracle and humanity's hope for their future, but it was rare and not guaranteed for everyone.

It was too much to hope for a miracle now.

"I'd rather die than watch my son ripped apart by a demon!" Mother screamed, throwing a tantrum.

If you don't want to see, look away.

Father held her. "Don't be like this. We knew this day was coming when they released that ridiculous requirement," Father tried to console her, but she flailed in his arms.

"That's why we made our own sanctuary!" she screamed. "So we didn't have to lose our child!"

Children, there are two of us!

"How can you just let this happen!"

"Don't be unreasonable. Do you want to stay behind to ensure our family gains entry!" Father yelled in frustration. Mother buried her face in his chest and wailed.

I turned away from them and looked out the window. I could already see movement on the horizon. They were close. We didn't have time for this charade.

I ignored their eyes as I watched the people run and the helicopters taking off, one after the other.

They have no intention of leaving their child behind. All this was to guilt me into staying.

How meaningless. If Father said the word, I would do it. That's all I'm good for, following orders.

"It's okay, Mother," My little brother spoke, finally. "I'm the strongest. I'll definitely survive."

He smiled at his parents, and they looked at him with pained eyes. I wanted to puke. This level of acting isn't necessary, you know!

Still, I kept my composure and my eyes on the horizon; they were moving closer now. The last helicopter began to board our family, and I turned away again.

"We should get going," I said simply. I walked by, ignoring my parents' confused faces as I left the room.

"Madam," our butler bowed, respectively, as he handed me a sheath sword.

"Thank you, Ron," I thanked him, taking the sword in hand. "Are you also staying behind?"

"I can't expect my grandchild to fight in my stead; she is your age," he said proudly.

Look at this butler insulting his master.

"Is everything in order?" I asked as we walked down the hall.

"We emptied the family armoury. Most weapons are old, but we were sure to test them before taking them out. You should have no issue with the weapons provided. Of course, we were sure to focus on your proficiency] in spear and sword."

"Exceptional work as usual, Ron," I praised.

"You praise me too much, my lady."

"Marinette!"

I turned to my family, who finally chased us.

"What is the meaning of this?" Father asked. Mother stood behind him, her child in her arms, looking at me in confusion.

"I'm taking action, as I've always done," I said flatly. "As the eldest, it's my responsibility to protect the family."

Father sputtered at my words, though I don't know why. This outcome was what he wanted. That was the reason they put on that terrible show.

I committed their faces to memory. This moment would be our final time together, looking to the side and at our family portrait. My little brother was still cute then, nothing but a small child that clung to his sister's skirt.

"If it's not too much trouble," I said hesitantly.

"I'll have it transported right away, my lady."

"Thank you, Ron."

What was I thinking? I looked at my little brother. He was a brat I would kill if given the chance, so why…

I smiled.

"Besides, Father," I smirked.

"We all know I'm the strongest."

I walked into the courtyard, nodding to the other sacrifices, most of which were military. They stared at me in confusion; they thought my brother would be the one to stay behind. They watched in amazement as my family boarded the last helicopter with my brother and left me behind. I was the only woman left behind and the youngest at that. My family was really shameless.

I kept my back to them, not sparing them a glance as they left.

They didn't say goodbye, and I didn't want to hear it.

The walls cracked as the demons arrived at our doorsteps.

I fastened my sword on my waist and took an offered spear. I nodded at the head maid, Sera, who stayed behind.

The walls trembled and cracked, and the military readied their weapons, aiming at the fragile wall.

"If we survive this," I said, taking a stance. "I'll treat you all to cake!"

"I think beer would be a better offer, my lady," Ron offered.

"Really?" I was surprised. "Beer doesn't taste good, though," I whined.

"In this case, it's what everyone desires."

"Ok!" I accepted. "First round is on me!"

"I'll hold you to that!" one of the soldiers said.

"I don't drink anything but a dragon!" another proclaimed.

"How the hell are we gonna find a dragon in this day and age?"

I chuckled at their banter as the walls collapsed.

"I'm an Alaric!" I declared, "There's nothing I can't do!"

I twirled my spear, cutting down the first demon to attack me. Gunshots rang out around me as the military attacked the demons pouring in. I drew a line in the ground granting death to anything that crossed. Spinning my spear like a blender, I cut through the wave of demons, slicing them to pieces. I didn't have to worry about the people around me; I kept swinging my blade, cutting through flesh.

Crack!

My spear stopped on the horn of a bull demon. I clicked my tongue. Does this beast dare to stand in my way?

I leapt back and aimed before I threw the cracked spear at the beast. The beast crashed to the ground dead as I received another spear from Sera.

I leapt over the corpse and into the fray. With a full-moon slice, I created a circle of death before continuing my rampage.

Click click.

The soldier clicked his tongue and took out a pistol when his rifle ran out of bullets. They didn't have enough for a wave; he knew that.

Everyone did.

They were only supposed to hold them off long enough for the people to evacuate to the nearest sanctuary, the only place safe from the demons. They lasted longer than they thought they would because of the war god. He looked over at the carnage. Blood and flesh formed a disgusting soup on the ground around her. It rained blood every time she swung her sword. If he didn't know better, he would think her a demon.

The young Lady of the A family was a war god. He heard stories of her family's history but thought them stories of a nobleman. He didn't expect them to be true.

"Are you out of ammunition?" the soldier flinched at the voice, looking up to see an old man in a suit.

"Yeah," he admitted. He looked down at the cases of empty mags and sighed. "I'm surprised we lasted this long."

"Hmm," the old man looked thoughtful. "How are your archery skills?"

"Huh?"

The sound of gunfire faded the longer the battle went on. I couldn't think, how long were we fighting for? My arm trembled. A bear demon raised a paw at me, and I buried my broken sword in its mouth.

I sighed. I reached out and received my second scimitar. I frowned at Sera, who looked just as tired.

"We don't have a lot of options now, my lady," she apologised. I shook my head. "As long as it's sharp, it doesn't matter."

I glanced at the fire arrow as it flew through the air and struck a demon, igniting it.

"I see we're out of bullets," I chuckled.

"Afraid so," she bowed apologetically.

"We're gonna die here, aren't we?"

"Unless a Hero arrives to save us, yes."

"Haa," I couldn't bring myself to laugh at my misfortune.

The ground trembled as a beast towering over the others came into view.

"The boss is here, my Lady," she stated the obvious. Despite the looming demon, the soldiers couldn't help but smile. With the appearance of the boss, the Wave was at its end.

If we survived this boss battle, we would survive the wave.

Ron appeared holding a new sword. I looked at him curiously.

"It should be able to cut through the beast's hide," he explained.

I looked at him unamused. "Should?"

"Your ancestors never exactly fought a demon, I'm afraid."

I sighed. Looking at the beats, a minotaur, I nodded, taking the sword.

I fastened it on my waist and held the scimitars, ready for another round. I took a deep breath, recalling the teachings of the nomads and locked on to the enemy.

"I'll handle the smaller one; we'll leave the boss to you," Ron said.

"Sure."

I took off then, dashing at the beast.

Arrows flew through the air, igniting the beast that came through the crack in the wall. The crack in the wall forced the demons to enter in small numbers; without it, we would be overwhelmed.

Seeing the beast beyond the walls, I knew it wouldn't fit through the crack and would break a wider hole. I couldn't allow that; with ammunition being non-existent, we couldn't afford to be overwhelmed now, at the end.

I fought it beyond the walls, leading over the burning corpses and toward the towering beast. I sliced through the demons around the boss. Mindless as they were, they attacked anyone who moved; they were drawn to larger populations.

I leapt off the head of a bull and jumped onto the minotaur, stabbing my blades into its leg. The beast roared, locking onto me in rage. I leapt onto its swinging arm and ran up its body. I swung at its face, causing it to recoil in pain.

It was barely a scratch.

I stabbed into its shoulder, and it began to writhe around in pain.

The things that made "Boss Demons" hard to kill were their tough skin and regenerative ability. I glared as the wounds I inflicted healed up.

Something moved in the corner of my eyes. I barely managed a clumsy defence before the beast's tall swatted me.

I groaned in pain as I crashed into the wall and slid to the ground. I was tired, and my arms felt numb. Why was I doing this again?

I moved in time to dodge the beast's stomping feet. My vision blurred, but I shook it off. If I can hold him off long enough, I can get back up. I repeated it in my mind like a mantra. "Help was coming; just hold on."

I don't know how long the fight went on. Each slice wasn't deep enough and healed soon after. My swords broke, and I was on my last one. Though it did indeed cut through the beast's, unless I performed a killing blow, it would heal. I tied the sword's hilt to my hand so I couldn't drop it as my grip became numb. It hurt to breathe, and my vision blurred with each passing minute.

Where was my backup? I can't do this anymore.

Sensing my vulnerability, the beast struck, but I couldn't dodge. In the end, I would die here.

"My Lady!"

Ron was my family's loyal butler. Since I was born, he and Sera looked after me. They cheered me on even when Father overlooked me in favour of my little brother. They were a shoulder when I cried, a mentor when I was confused, and a father when my own was absent!

Warm blood ran down the length of my body.

"You're not hurt, are you, My Lady?" Ron's weak voice reached my ear even as I sat dumbfounded.

He took the hit. Ron, an old butler with no combat experience, protected me with his frail body.

Die.

Ron is going to die.

"AHHHHHH!"

My ears rang with the screams of a wounded beast. My blood boiled beneath my skin, heating my body. I grit my teeth in rage as I glared at the beast that dared to hurt what was mine. Something in me snapped an energy I didn't know I had rushed through my tired bones. I felt like I was burning. Sera appeared by my side, offering me a new weapon while taking Ron. I untied the bandage around my sword hand and reached for my new weapon, a scythe.

I was pleased. I would reap the soul of this demon that doesn't know its place.

The walking corpse threw a fist once more. The blow was one I avoided previously. I raised my scythe and danced around the attack, chopping off the offending arm as I went.

The arm landed with a thud, surprising the beast. I moved before it could recover, scaling its arm and dragging the scythe over its skin.

It cried out in pain, grabbing the stomp as I mounted its shoulder. Before it could react to my presence, I swang at its head, managing to slice its eye. I clicked my tongue. Not deep enough. I leapt off its body when it retaliated. I needed to chop its head off in one go.

I began to sway to a tone in my head. The full-moon slice was most effective against targets on the same ground level. With the beast towering above me, I would need to do something different.

The scythe was heavier than the ribbons and staff I was used to, but with my newfound strength, it wasn't a problem. I moved gracefully atop the wall as the beast regained its composure. It glared at me as I danced.

Dunhuang dance was once usually done with a ribbon and staff and wasn't a combat dance. Well, it represented an act of combat, but most who watched it don't know the tale. Like a bull, the beast locked on to me and charged towards me. I twirled the blade faster as the beast approached. I couldn't kill it with my own strength, so I'd use its own strength against it!

The beast drew close, and I braced my legs.

The beast crashed into the wall as I leapt forward. I felt resistance as the blade touched its skin, but the scythe cut right through. I fell to the ground along with the beast's head.

Thud!

The beast's body fell soon after the head, and the area became still and quiet.

After a moment of the beast not moving, someone dared to speak.

"It's over," he muttered.

When the gods of chaos didn't smite him with misfortune, the others cheered.

"We survived!"

Looking about the battlefield that was once my front yard, I noticed the demons of the waves were all dead, with various weapons stabbed into their bodies. Everyone fought hard.

"My Lady."

I looked over at Sera, who bowed to me.

"Congratulations on your awakening," she said.

Awakening was a miracle that occurred for a select few. Those in desperate situations could unlock strength that put them on par with the demons.

Heroes are humanity's last hope.

"Haa..."

I couldn't even laugh at the irony.

The life of a soldier was busier than that of a family head. Ever since my awakening and promotion to Hero," I was shipped all over the place. I often wondered what the heroes were doing, and now I knew. They were being worked like slaves.

I was always in battle. Blood, flesh and gunpowder became my norm. The idea of a normal life seemed so far to me.

Sometimes, when the battle ended and I had time to breathe, I wondered about my family's well-being. Since I was their Sacrifice, they must be living a good life. I became the

Sacrifice for Ron and Sera so they didn't have to fight; since they were a part of my family, no one batted an eye.

The cycle of blood and death ended with the appearance of a Sage that offered me a new purpose: a new life in another world. The offer came with the mission to kill the Demon King. They gathered a group of Heroes for the assault; surprisingly, my little brother was among them. The little brat awakened.

He wasn't able to avoid the war after our parents died, and he awakened from the grief.

Ah, they weren't living a good life after all, huh? I paid the brat who seemed to go through character development no mind as we scaled the Demon King's tower.

Of course, he had a tower.

After slaughtering our way to the top, we faced the final boss.

We were defeated.

I knew the final boss would be bad, but no one said anything about him using magic!

No, more than magic, it was a Kamehameha blast.

The brat stood on trembling legs; he had a vendetta against the Demon King, blaming him for the loss of our parents. The one who took his happiness away, he said. Funny, he finally knew what it was like to have everything taken from him after taking everything from me.

The Demon King laughed and struck out at the boy with killing intent.

And the "Heir" to the Alaric family would die here fighting the Demon King.

I leaned over the crib to gaze at the baby inside; blue eyes looked up at me. The baby smiled and giggled while reaching for me. I wasn't taught how to hold a child yet, so I didn't pick him up as he wanted, instead offering a hand. His small fingers closed around mine, and he giggled in delight. My face heated; he really was so cute.

He would surely become handsome and get chased by many suitors.

"Don't worry," I assured him. "Big sis will protect you."

I stood before the brat, my little brother, who did turn into a handsome bastard. In the end, I couldn't kill him because I promised to protect him. I was his big sister, after all.

He was shocked by my actions, but I focused on the Demon king in front of me.

"Don't you dare touch what's mine!"

The Demon King scoffed and pulled his hand back, amused.

"Know your place," he said coldly.

"I know it well," I assured him, unsheathing my blade. "It's above trash like you!"

The fight was vicious.

Since I gave up the idea of returning, I didn't hold back in my assault. We ripped into each other like wild beasts. What annoyed me, however, was the Demon King's healing factor. Like the Boss demons under him, the Demon King had incredible regenerative abilities. Even deadly strikes healed in an instant while I was left bleeding.

He chuckled as he stood over my downed body.

"You are not my equal," he taunted me.

This bastard was looking down at me.

I smirked at him.

"Indeed," I agreed. "I'm not your equal." I attacked his knee, causing him to kneel above me. Grabbing his collar, I pulled him down to my face. "Shall we change that?"

I bit into his shoulder, taking a chunk of flesh when he leapt away.

"You beast!" he cried as his shoulder healed. I swallowed and tried to keep myself from gagging. I was never a fan of Rare Steak.

"You can't!" my teammate cried. "If you do this! You won't be able to return!"

As my wounds healed, I grinned at them. "I was bored with life anyway," I assured them.

Eating the flesh of a demon granted you the power of a demon, but it also took away your humanity, turning you into a wild beast.

I knew this.

The moment I swallowed that tainted flesh, Marinette died.

I moved like a beast, discarding my sword for clawing at the Demon King. Clawing and biting, it felt nice to forgo graceful movement for beastly ones. I smiled at the flustered king as I ate him alive. My pale skin became ashen like the Demon King; my flesh healed, and my strength increased.

When a horn sprouted from my forehead, I stood over the Demon King, my hand buried in his chest. He gripped my forearm tightly as my hand closed around his heart.

"Don't," He begged.

I leaned forward, bringing my lips to his ear.

"Know your place."

I ripped out his heart that beat in my hand. He reached for the ball of flesh, but I grinned at him as I swallowed it whole. He looked at me in disbelief, even as his body cracked.

"Can't be," he rasped. "To think me an Otsusuki."

He crumbled to ash then, and I felt a surge of power overwhelm me.

I winced at the power, boiling my blood. It was different from my awakening; it felt like my body would explode.

I ignored the cries of my team and looked skyward.

"They" came from a crack in the sky, a crack that remained in the sky, taunting us. I reached skyward and felt the crack responding. I could close it, I could end this.

My body cracked, and an agonizing pain ran through me. I breathe through my nose as I concentrate. Linking with all the beasts that littered the earth, I issued a command.

"Return."

The crack pulsed and recalled the beast it once spat out. Demons from across the world floated towards the crack, stopping mid-attack to obey my order.

Blood ran from my nose as my face cracked.

A scream reached my ear, but I focused on the task.

"You'll die!" the brat screamed at me.

Honestly, can't you see I'm busy saving the world?

My team watched in awe as stars flew skywards towards the crack. As they went through the portal, the people cheered. It was a miracle, one they would remember for generations to come.

As for me.

I was tired. I felt a crack run across my left eye, and it went blind. I smiled despite myself. Yeah, I was always working for others' approval. I was tired now. When I lost connection with the last demon, I reached out to the crack once more.

With the closing of my palm, the crack also closed.

"She did it," someone muttered in awe.

With the closing of the crack, the power I had vanished, and I collapsed to my knees.

"Mari!" I looked up at the brat as he held me to his chest. When did he get so big?

"Don't leave me!" he demanded, tears running down his face. "Don't leave me all alone!"

Always making demands, this guy. Cracked as it was, I raised my arm to his head.

His hopeful eyes turned to shock as I poked his forehead.

"You're annoying," I told him. "Unlike me, you were never alone. What do your friends mean to you?"

I would never admit it, but the brat was great at making friends. While I could gather loyal followers, he could gather honest friends. It was something I couldn't master till the end.

"Do as you please," I told him. "Live how you want. Don't be like your foolish sister."

It hurt to speak, but I gave him one last advice. He would be fine, I was sure; he was just being selfish when he asked me to stay.

I smiled at him one last time.

"Take care of Ron and Sera, will you?"

I didn't hear his response as the world turned to black.

I died.

I was so bored with my mundane life that I died in an epic battle against a Demon King. I really hope they didn't make my story into a romance.

I turned to the Sage that waited for me in the darkness.

"Well then, old man, shall we go."

"Thank you for your sacrifice," he said with a bow.

"It was thanks to your power that I won against the Demon King," I pointed out. He only smiled.

I sat up in the void, not bothering to look around.

"So, who are the children you want me to save again?"

"Asura and Indra, though they go by different names now."

"Hm?" I looked at him expectantly.

"Hashirama and Madara."

Happy anniversary!

100 Chapters, can you believe it? Sure, I didn't really have an end goal when I started this story, but here we are. I don't think I'll be able to go to 200 chapters, let alone 500, so don't overestimate me. This chapter wasn't supposed to be this long, or rather, the first half wasn't supposed to be that long. I went overboard, but this is Mari's backstory. And why a lot of things are in places they shouldn't be.

I was rereading the early chapter, and honestly, this fic is old; you guys saw me through school, work, and now, retirement.

Let's continue this adventure, yeah?

Next Chapter

April 2

Until next time

Night song~