The battle was a festival of conquest and reward

　　a fine display of justice over evil through the sword

　　the hero`s actions earned respect from everyone at war

　　and with his help they fought until the monsters were no more

　　His elven friend relayed his orders to the demon force

　　advising his new hero on the army`s every course

　　the battlefield which had long been a blight upon the land

　　began a celebration where the hero made his stand

　　The sky began to clear after the hero`s job was done

　　and he may just have been the happiest of everyone

　　the hero bathed in gentle sunlight on the seventh day

　　content that with the monsters, all the shadows went away

　　He closed his eyes and fell into a slumber then and there

　　lying in the grass among his foes without a care

　　he dreamt of all the songs and all the stories that he knew

　　his family was with him and his comrades all were too

　　When he awoke he found himself beside a small campfire

　　embarrassed when he realized he`d been the first to tire

　　he stood up and he said aloud while feeling fresh and fine

　　"where`s that drunken prince, I think that I could use some wine"

　　He rubbed his sleepy eyes and wondered where the prince could be

　　his friend was always nearby to discuss a victory

　　he was just about to call out one more time for him

　　but when he saw who stood nearby his smiling face grew grim

　　A pair of glowing eyes that pierced the darkness of the night

　　staring at the hero from beyond the campfire`s light

　　he then remembered where he was, these were not his allies

　　but he could do no more than stare back into those red eyesIf you come across this story on Amazon, it`s taken without permission from the author. Report it.

　　His eyes adjusted to the darkness as his mind returned

　　this was not the victory for which he`d always yearned

　　instinctively a fire began to flow down his right arm

　　for red eyes all belonged to monsters meant to do him harm

　　And then, before he had a chance to summon forth a sword

　　he caught a glimpse of golden eyes just like those he adored

　　but these belonged to one that he had met just recently

　　a man who claimed to be a friend of his own family

　　"It is you after all, the human hero from the south

　　I`d doubt those words if they came from anyone else`s mouth

　　now that one fight`s over you`re so keen to fight again

　　I guess that it was only ever a matter of when"

　　The hero`s magic dissipated as his escort spoke

　　his thoughts began to cloud as if his fire had turned to smoke

　　"don`t call me a hero, I`m just here to lift a curse

　　does that make me worthy to live on in song and verse"

　　The hero couldn`t understand the words he`d just said

　　he should be proud of what he was, but he was scared instead

　　why would it ever bother him to share his noble name

　　the greatest hero and himself were still one and the same

　　The elf just shook his head and let out one long heavy sigh

　　and then he looked over to the red eyes that dwelled nearby

　　looking closely, they belonged to one young demon child

　　the elf approached the boy and while he spoke, he gently smiled

　　"Little one you know that fate is neither cruel nor kind

　　whatever happens now, we all must leave the past behind"

　　from the young boy`s fierce red eyes came tears in one long stream

　　"I see that monster slay my father every time I dream"

　　The hero had killed many monsters, all without remorse

　　heroes killing monsters was but a matter of course

　　but now he recognized the child who stood by his new friend

　　the messenger the demon lord himself had dared to send

　　"You say I killed your father but my justice isn`t blind

　　I would only slay those evil monsters and their kind"

　　he spoke with pride, but found it odd his throat was sounding dry

　　standing by the campfire must have been the reason why

　　"Then kill me now, am I not just a demon like my dad

　　what does that word even mean, are you a fool or mad"

　　his cries rung out across the camp where many demons slept

　　but most were used to sleeping while the orphaned children wept

　　The kind and weary elf knelt down to look into his eyes

　　"you have no business testing fate, so cease your reckless cries"

　　moments passed and finally the boy just walked away

　　looking at his feet through shame without a word to say

　　The hero wondered why he didn`t cut him limb from limb

　　"I feel like I`ve seen eyes like those more times than I`ve met him

　　is he some relation to you, or another elf

　　if he was, he really should identify himself"

　　"No doubt his eyes remind you of a man that you know well

　　the legend of that day is now a common tale to tell

　　the red eyes of that boy which pierce your spirit like a sword

　　his father also had them, you called him the demon lord"

　　~