Reincarnated As The Antihero

The Weight Of Failure

The journey back to the kingdom was a long and tiring one for the defeated Hero Hinnel. Every step he took felt heavier than the last. He was weighed down by the burden of his failure.

The painful memory of his defeat at the hands of the Demon Lord haunted him, filling him with a seething anger that burned like a raging fire in his chest making it hard for him to think of anything other than how he had lost to the hands of his enemies.

As he approached the barrier that camouflaged as the towering walls of the glorious city of Dysphoria, he could feel the eyes of the guards upon him, their gazes filled with shock. They quickly opened the barrier briefly, allowing Hero Hinnel to gain entrance. They quickly went to greet him.

"Hero Hinnel, we welcome you" the guard looked around for his comrades who had followed him in his quest to defeat the Demon King. "Where are the brave knights and soldiers who had accompanied you on your quest?"

"Perhaps they are on their way? " another guard asked.

Hero Hinnel took a deep breath then placed his hand on one of the guard's shoulder.

"They all fought valiantly until the end" Hero Hinnel replied.

The guards silently mourned their dead comrades.

"I'm sure they would be happy, knowing they sacrificed their lives for you to defeat the Demon King. Surely, their sacrifice wasn't in vain" a guard said.

Hero Hinnel bowed his head in defiance and the guards exchanged puzzled looks.

"I wasn't able to defeat him" Hero Hinnel said.

" I don't understand."

"How do you mean?"

" I mean I was defeated " Hero Hinnel replied.

The guards didn't know what to say, however, they assisted him in walking inside the city.

He knew that news of his defeat would spread like wildfire through the kingdom, tarnishing his once-great reputation as an undefeated hero.

And it happened just as he had said. Before long, everyone in the kingdom had heard of his embarrassing defeat. Rumours and murmurs spread all over the mouths of people and they judged the hero harshly.

But it was not just the judgment of the people that weighed heavily on Hero Hinnel's mind. It was the knowledge that he had failed in his quest to rid the world of the evil that threatened it, that he had allowed the Demon Lord to continue his reign of terror.

In time, Hero Hinnel received an order from the king, demanding his audience. The thought of facing the king and his court filled him with dread, knowing that they would not welcome him back with open arms as they once had. No longer would he be praised as a hero, but rather mocked as a failure, a disgrace to the kingdom.

With a heavy heart, Hero Hinnel made his way through the busy streets of the elegant city. Everywhere he turned, he could feel the whispers and stares of the people around him, their judging glances like daggers to his soul.

But amidst the numerous number of disappointed faces, there was one that stood out to him above all others, the face of the king, his expression cold as he studied the defeated hero before him. Beside him, stood his courtiers, their disapproving murmurs filling the air.

Without a word, Hero Hinnel approached the throne, his head held high despite the chocking weight of his shame. He knew that he must face the consequences of his failure, no matter how painful they may be. He had to be strong or he would be laughed at more.

"Your Majesty," he began, his voice steady despite the tension within him. "I have returned, though I fear I bring with me only disappointment and regret."

The king's gloomy stare bore into him like a spear, his eyes making sure not to show any of the warmth or kindness that Hero Hinnel had once known.

"Indeed, you have returned," he said, his voice evident with bitterness. "But what of your quest? What of your solemn vow to rid our kingdom of the scourge that plagues it?"

Hero Hinnel bowed his head, unable to meet the king's disappointed stare.

"I have failed, Your Majesty," he admitted, his voice almost shaking . "The Demon Lord Abron still lives, his power more than before. I am unworthy of the title of hero, unworthy of the praise that was once bestowed upon me by the wonderful people of this city."

Silence immediately took over the throne room. The only sound that could be heard was that of Hero Hinnel's uneasy breathing. He could feel the weight of the king's disappointment pressing down upon him, crushing him beneath its staggering weight.

"And what of your companions?" the king asked, his voice cold and unforgiving. "What of those who followed you into battle, who trusted in your leadership and your strength?"

Hero Hinnel clenched his fists, his anger renewing at the mention of his dead comrades.

"They are gone," he said sadly. "Lost to the darkness of the Demon king, their lives sacrificed in vain. I could not protect them, could not save them from the fate that awaited them."

The king's expression softened briefly, a hint of pity showing in his eyes.

"I understand your pain, Hero Hinnel," he said, his voice a bit gentle now. "But know this, you are not alone in your failure. We all share in the blame for allowing the Demon Lord to be reincarnated."

With those words, the king rose from his throne, his movements slow.

"Go now, Hero Hinnel," he said, his voice echoing through the silent chamber. "Go and seek redemption for your sins, for only then will you truly be worthy of the title of Sword Hero of Dysphoria"

And so Hero Hinnel left the throne room, his heart filled with regret and sorrow. But there was a bit of hope, a bright shinning light that made him more confident in his quest to kill Demon King Abron.