"I've never been a man of faith, but I don't outright not believe in the existence of gods. I've just seen how cruel this world can be."
In a random bar a drunk man of twenty seven years lays passed out on a table. The owner of the bar stands behind the counter yelling at the man to wake up and go pass out in an alley. The man though is dead to the world. He finds himself in the lands of booze and women. For most this would be their worst nightmare, but for this man it's just another day. During the day he's a healer and at night he's a drunken man whore, but no matter the day or time he is always hated.
The man's name is Kazuto. He is twenty seven years old, stands a respectable six foot five, with messy brown hair. A thin shadow beard blends perfectly into his hair, working as a distraction from the deep dark circles under his hazel eyes. He wears a white button down with the top two buttons undone and the sleeves rolled to the elbow. Black slacks with red trim at the seams. Black dress loafers, and draped over his shoulders a black long coat with green trim. In any other town he'd be quite popular with the ladies. To be fair he never goes to bed lonely if he doesn't want to.
In Tiamat a port city west of Tigerra. The people make their living off tourism and fishing. Their biggest tourist driver are the canal roads. It is a fast way to get around town, wonderful for romantic rides, and the water powers the city's hydroelectric power plant. There is one more thing that Tiamat is known for, though the citizens would never take credit for. They have a healer that will treat any person regardless of their ability to pay. This healer has been paid with apples, blankets, booze, and one time a live chicken. A noble man offered the hand of his daughter as thanks, but the healer declined citing his inability for monogamy. In truth the girl was twelve and he's not into that kind of thing. The healer is Kazuto, and while locals know the tale of his alleged transgressions. The people who travel for his services only know him as a savior.
Kazuto has been invited to move many times and has always given it genuine consideration. Still he stays and absorbs all the city's abuse with a smile. He goes to gambling houses where he knows games will be rigged against him. He acts as if he doesn't see the crude gestures or disgusted looks of people when he shops or drinks at bars. He laughs off incidents where people toss rotting food at him. He offered a kid candy after the child spat on him. The kid smacked the candy from his hand and Kazuto apologized. He never fights back, and is the first to offer aid when anyone needs medical help. Yet, his crime can't be forgiven, and Kazuto never asks them to forgive him.
"Alright you bum, time for you to leave. Go and do everyone here a favor and die in an alley." The barkeep said, throwing Kazuto onto the cold hard stone street.
Kazuto hit hard on the ground. Thankfully he was still black out drunk so he didn't feel anything, but the fall was enough to somewhat wake him.
"How did I… You're not whore… I think some… some… I love this bar" Kazuto rambled incoherently.
The barkeep shook his head in disgust before turning and slamming the door. Kazuto sat there alone, still too drunk to even realize where he was. He was just muttering to himself happily. He was so drunk he didn't hear the trio approaching behind him.
"Hey man you good?" one of the people asked
Without turning around Kazuto responded "I'm hate… nice you… rawr coo." with that Kazuto blacked out for the night.
The next morning Kazuto awoke in bed which was strange in and of itself. Stranger still was that he didn't recognize the ceiling, and the room smelled clean and not like horse crap.
"Fuck me, I hope this time this is a female's house. I can't have that awkward conversation again."
As Kazuto sat up he was met by Dokja who was fighting for his life not to burst out laughing. He was ready for a lot, but not Kazuto admitting he'd drunkenly banged a guy.
Unable to hold it back, Dokja violently began laughing. "Of all the things you could say! That has to be the best! What's your name, old timer?"
Kazuto looked at Dokja annoyed "I'm not an old man twerp. I'm only 27, and what are you like twelve?"
Dokja gave a slight chuckle. "Fifteen but who's keeping count? So about that name geezer?"
Kazuto sighed before answering "The names Kazuto, so drop the old stuff and just call me Kazuto. What about you kid?"
Smiling Dokja answered "My names Dokja, and my two companions are out at the moment, but their names are Silocke a demon and Yi a beast folk. Yi is a bit shy so if she doesn't talk that's why. Silocke's a bitch, but she's actually really cool once you get to know her."
Kazuto took a moment to process everything "This demon, is she hot?"
Dokja thought about it for a moment then answered "Well, she's not my type, but I feel pretty strongly that you'll like her. I'd rethink pursuing her though. She will chew you up and spit you out."
Kazuto didn't seem to discouraged, if anything he seemed more committed. He had a fire in his eyes that reminded Dokja of Zane. Zane would get super fired up when the store had a buy two get two deal on sugar free Cherry Pepsi. Dokja never really got the hype, but Zane would practically run to the store when he saw the ad.
The two sat in silence for the next several minutes. The girls returned soon after Yi ran to show Dokja all the goodies they'd bought. It was mostly just groceries as well as a few non essentials. They bought a long toothed comb, this was better equipped for beast folk's thick hair. Dokja was pleasantly surprised that a human city would have anything made for what many humans refer to as a lesser race.
"So, Dokja, who's the loser that puked on me?" Silocke asked scowling at Kazuto
Kazuto looked genuinely mortified by the news. He hung his head in shame, and to add insult to injury. Yi came up and patted Kazuto on the arm consolingly. This only made Kazuto more depressed. Dokja gave him a sympathetic look, and Silocke gave him a look that said roll over and die. Kazuto in that moment would have loved nothing more than to roll over and die.
After several minutes of Kazuto wallowing in his embarrassment he spoke. "My name's Kazuto and I'm a healer."
Silocke looked at the man curiously before responding "Are you that healer that everyone in this city hates? If so, what the hell did you do? I thought demons were hated, but compared to you they treated me like a hero."
Kazuto didn't immediately answer, but the silence and sag in his face answered the question.
"I… just ask the locals. They'll tell you a story."
Kazuto didn't speak much after that, just one word answers and the occasional head nod. The group decided to let him sleep off his hangover and they'd go exploring.
Silocke went off on her own, and while Dokja and Yi invited her to come with them she said "I'd rather have a dragon blow fire up my asshole." Dokja didn't think the language was necessary but he got the message nonetheless.
As Yi and Dokja navigated the maze of sidewalks and bridges. Dokja was captivated by the splendor of this city's architecture. The white sea stone houses with blue waves, arches, and aquatic life painted the buildings and bridges. The sea green window panes made the whole place look like Atlantis. Dokja had always wondered what Atlantis would look like, and he guessed it probably looked something like Tiamat. Yi on the other hand was engrossed by the food stalls and gondolas. Dokja in the short time since buying her realized how little she'd gotten to experience. Every little thing was fascinating to her, and Dokja could tell she wanted to explore. Yet she never asked for anything. If Dokja would suggest something he knew she'd like then it was no problem, but it was like she was afraid he'd harm her for wanting to do something.
"You want to take a ride on the boat?" Dokja asked
Yi's face took a moment to study Dokja, but after coming to the conclusion it wasn't a trap she cheerfully answered "YES!"
The pair took a trip around Tiamat seeing all that the city had to offer. They stopped to shop and try the local confectionaries. Dokja could see Yi slowly coming out her trauma made shell. She smiled bigger, walked a little further, and started to show some independence. Dokja knew that it was still a long road, but he was happy to see her taking the first steps. It was more than he could say about himself. He was doing his best to keep smiling, but it didn't make the pain any less present. It only served to keep those in his party in the dark.
Officially they aren't a party. Tigerra refused to accept their application. Dokja tried to argue, but was told by the Guild Master that demons weren't welcomed in his branch. That was around the time they left and headed off to find a branch that would accept them. Silocke said she was used to it and it doesn't bother her, but Dokja who was also hiding his feelings knew she was lying.
"It takes a liar to know a liar." Dokja mumbled under his breathe
Yi turned around "Did you say something Doki?"
Dokja looked up smiling and answered "It's nothing just thinking about where we should go next." Yi struggled to say Dokja's name when they first met so Dokja told her to call him whatever was easiest, and so she started calling him Doki. Dokja wasn't sold on the name though. Half the time her pronunciation was closer to calling him another name for poop. He tried correcting her once, and she broke down crying begging him not to abandon her. He decided that being called a turd was better than watching her have a mental breakdown. Just thinking about the terror in her eyes made the rage in his heart flare up. He hated every human who failed to protect her. She deserved a normal childhood. She deserved a loving home. She deserved to feel wanted.
Yi snapped Dokja from his thoughts by grabbing his hand. He looked down at the young beast girl. Her golden eyes seemed to peer deep into Dokja's soul. Her black ears were perked in curiosity and her black tail swished anxiously. He felt bad making her worry. He tried to save it by ushering her to a candy store, but he could tell by her drooping ears it didn't work.
As they entered the shop the shop owner greeted them with a polite if not over enthused greeting rushing to meet them. He was a portly man of around fifty, and his red button down with pants made him look like a huge snow cone. If it weren't for the pepper wisps of hair the mental image Dokja had would have sounded appetizing.
"Hello good sir, and to you as well little miss. Welcome to my candy shop, how can I assist you today?" the man asked
Dokja wasn't really a candy person, he preferred sweets in the form of ice cream or peeps. He told Yi to look around and grab anything she liked. She looked at him puzzled but he waved her off and she gladly ran to find a treat or fifty.
"Excuse me sir, but can I ask you a question? I'd like to preface by saying it may be an uncomfortable subject."
The man took little time in discerning what Dokja wanted to ask. "You've had a run with that despicable lout?" He turned the side and pretended to spit in disgust. "Go on, ask your question, but you had better buy something for ruining my mood."
Suddenly Dokja didn't want to ask. He wasn't looking to upset anyone or anything. He was just curious and now he was paying for it.
"Well, I guess I'm curious as to what crime he committed?" Dokja sheepishly asked
The shop owner scowled at the mere memory, and did another invisible spit before answering.
"Five years ago the corrupt priest showed up out of nowhere. He came during a time of plague and was a god sent. He's the only reason we only lost thirty percent of our population. He was welcomed to our city as a hero and wanted for nothing. He never asked for anything but that if we were ill we allowed him to treat us. We saw no downside for us, but felt terrible since there appeared to be no benefit for him. Little did we know in making that pact with him. We were really making a deal with the demon king." The man paused to give Dokja a minute to process and ask any questions. When he saw Dokja was ready he continued. "Two years passed and everything in the city was nothing short of perfect. The corrupt priest had taken on a new role as teacher. Not in a formal sense, but the kids would go by his office and he'd teach them about potions and magic. Nothing too complex but enough that the kids walked away a little wiser. Again we were incredibly grateful for his generosity. Yet…" he trailed off for a moment
Dokja offered his own analogy "You could say if it looks too good to be true then it probably is."
The man looked confused by the saying, but after giving it a bit of thought he nodded his head. "Yes precisely, such wise words from one so young. Ahem, getting back to the tale. A year later one of the girls who'd been a rather devout fan of the priest started acting strange. She wasn't eating, drinking, talking, and her mood that up to that point had been vibrant, had suddenly become sullen and withdrawn. Her parents, concerned for their child, took her to see the healer. As soon as she saw him she burst into a fit of agony and panic. She screamed for her parents to keep the evil man from her. The priest tried to act as if he had no idea why she'd act this way, but once the parents got her to calm down she told them everything."
Dokja already had an idea of where this was heading, but couldn't help this nagging feeling that the story the girl was about to tell was false. Still he listened and waited to hear the man finish.
"I'll try to be as vague as possible since you have a young one with you, but she said that a few months after he'd begun teaching. He asked her to stay after and then… well he taught her something quite different then magic. He kept her quiet by bribing her with toys and candy. She said other kids had been assaulted, and when we asked the younglings many stepped forward to say they too were victims."
The man paused to recompose himself, and Dokja took the opportunity to ask "So then why not throw this guy in jail, or at least banish him from the city?"
The man straightening his shirt answered. "Other than their statements we had no other proof, and after he saved our city we just couldn't bring ourselves to exile him. The debt we owe is too great, and while we hate the vile wretch. We are still a city that pays back their debts. So, unless he chooses to leave of his own volition we are stuck living with that monster."
Dokja found the reasoning odd, but something else gnawed at him. "What about since the accusations? Has he been accused of inappropriately acting with anyone else?"
The man shook his head no but added "He's under pretty strict watch. Even if he wanted to act on his depraved lusts he couldn't. Though that doesn't stop him from hitting on every female with a pulse, or purchasing the services of a lady of the night."
Dokja nodded as he thought through the situation. He saw many inconsistencies, but he needed to get Kazuto's side of the story before he could make any final determinations. He figured that just straight up asking would lead to another shut down.
"Thank you for your time and sorry to make you remember such a heinous memory." with that Dokja paid for the candy and he and Yi took their leave.
Yi could tell that Dokja was even more troubled, but she didn't think it was in a bad way. She got the feeling that Dokja wanted to help someone but didn't know how. She was happy to see Dokja not being swallowed by his darkness.
The pair returned to the inn and found Kazuto sitting up in bed staring blankly out the open window. He seemed miles away, his hazel eyes lost in a murky glaze. Dokja could see the pain and sadness in his eyes. Those eyes told Dokja all he needed to know. This man didn't hurt those kids.
"So, I hear you like touching kids. Pretty scummy if you ask me… or is there something I don't know about the incident?" Dokja decided on the antagonized approach.
Kazuto didn't look at him, but nodded his head slowly. "So, you found a resident to tell you the tale? Well, it was nice meeting you and thanks for helping me when I was drunk. Unless you want to tell me how much of a piece of shit I am."
Dokja saw an opening though not how he thought he'd get one. "I guess that depends on if it's true or not. I'm going to ask you, and I hope you'll give me an honest answer. Did you hurt those kids?"
Kazuto didn't answer right away, he stared at the sea deadeyed. After what felt like an eternity he turned and for the first time in the interaction looked him in the eyes.
"No…" he then paused again, but Dokja stayed silent. Only matching Kazuto's gaze. Kazuto, burying his face in his hands said "Of course you don't believe me. Nobody ever does… but I'm not lying… ugh forget about it, I'm used to being hated."
Dokja didn't stop staring at the broken healer. He needed all the facts before he could make a decision, but he didn't get the sense that the man was lying.
"I believe you, Kazuto the healer. Still, I need to know all the details of that night." Dokja said, giving him his answer.
Kazuto sat there for a long time. He didn't know what to do. He'd spent the past two years suffering alone. Nobody would listen to him, nobody believed him, and nobody cared if he lived or died. His life had become an island, desolate and isolated. He tried to speak, but no one was around to listen. He'd go to bars and shops just to get nasty stares. It was the only way he could prove he still existed. It was the only way he could be seen. Now some kid he's known for less than a cup of coffee is saying he'll listen? Kazuto thought to himself "This can't be real, he's working with the citizens to try and get me to confess."
"You believe me? You don't know a damn thing about me, and you believe me? Ha! Nobody's so trusting they'd believe some guy they barely met. Unless you're trying to tell me you're some kind of saint. You some noble and honorable knight here to save some lost soul? Well I'm not your soul to save. If you want to play the hero, go do it with someone worth saving."
Dokja sat there stone-faced staring into Kazuto's eyes. Kazuto wouldn't meet his gaze, but that didn't stop Dokja. Silence overtook the room, and Yi had decided to go and get a snack. All the tension was scaring her, and she needed to escape.
In a voice just above a whisper, but firm enough to make even the most hardened man stop and listen, Dokja said "I killed my first party. There were four of them, and they invited me to join them on a hunting quest. We were to investigate a dungeon for a potential break. I was too eager and overconfident. I thought that with my unique magic I could handle anything, but that was just foolish hubris. We ran into a fire dragon on the fifteenth floor. I was paralyzed by fear, and wiped from exhaustion. I watched as every single member but one was killed. I couldn't do a damn thing… well that's actually a lie. Turns out if I'd really tried I could have saved all of them. I brought the dragon to the edge of death, and if I'd done that earlier the rest of my team could have finished the beast. I'm alive because I let my fri… party members die. I'm no hero, hell I'm barely alive. At this point whether I live or die means nothing to me. So, sorry but I'm not doing this out of some heroic duty. I just think only those who commit vile acts should be the ones punished."
Kazuto didn't know what to say. He hadn't expected Dokja to have so much pain, or even be able to contemplate the depths of his loneliness. He sat fixated on the young man in the chair. A young man that Kazuto has started seeing in a much different light.
Staring deep into Dokja's eyes, Kazuto looked for any sign of infidelity in his words. After finding none Kazuto acquiesced and told Dokja his version of events.
"First, what story were you told? I'd rather just fill in the false parts."
Dokja told Kazuto all about what the candy shop owner said, and based on Kazuto's reaction the story wasn't too far off. Kazuto grimaced when the little girl was brought up. He wore such a pained look. Dokja got the feeling that he didn't hate or even dislike the girl. It felt more like disappointment, but not in her but himself. Dokja wasn't sure why but Kazuto seemed to blame himself. When Dokja finished recounting the tale he waited for Kazuto to correct the parts the shop owner got wrong. Kazuto only sat there stewing in his thoughts. Finally Kazuto looked at Dokja and not past Dokja.
"I'll give them marks for accuracy… well mostly. They got a few things wrong, but overall that's how it happened. If I had to add anything it would be the plague they experienced. It was polluted water, and using a purification spell on the water and detoxification spell on the sick would have fixed the problem. I digress, the truth is far less interesting than the lie. About a week before the accusations the young girl confessed that she had a crush on me. I being almost two decades older than her told her I was flattered but couldn't accept. She should find a nice boy her own age, or at least one whose age doesn't start with a two. She took it about as well as any person her age getting their heart broken would. She cried and ran away, but I didn't think anything of it. She's a kid and will forget it in a week max. Well, fuck me I misjudged that one. In the end my poor handling of her feelings led to her…" Kazuto didn't finish but Dokja knew what he was going to say. His mishandling of her feelings led to her accusing him of assault.
"So, because she got her feelings hurt you have to be branded a pedo? Pretty dumb if you ask me."
Kazuto's face flushed with anger. He spun and faced Dokja with fire and brimstone in his voice.
"What do you know about this anyway? You think because you got your friends killed that makes your darkness more valid than mine? If that's what you think then go fuck off."
Dokja never broke eye contact as he retorted. "About time you looked me in the eyes. Now, I think it's time that we fix this mess, don't you?"
Kazuto looked confused. He'd love to fix this and clear his name, but the people had made their ruling and he was found guilty. He kept looking at Dokja, and saw the resolute determination to help him.
"Why help me? Ok fine, I was wrongly accused and it sucks, but if you associate with me. You're only going to cause yourself more trouble, and unlike me they have no reason to let you stay. If you're not careful they'll run you and your friends out of town."
Dokja didn't need to contemplate his response. "Why? Simple, I want you to join my party, and you've made it clear that you're not leaving until your name is cleared."
Kazuto sat there stunned. It been so long since anyone willing talked to him let alone for this long. Now sitting in front of him was not only someone willing to listen to him, but willing to believe in him. Willing to fight for him, and willing to ask him to join their party. He could feel tears welling up on the corners of his eyes. He did his best to blink them away, but he couldn't hide his joy. He was so happy to find someone who wanted him. To find someone happy he was alive. He'd fought for so long, and bared the hatred and scorn of a city. He failed again and again and again to show people he wasn't the monster they thought he was. He'd given up on ever being believed, and yet all his efforts were not in vain.
Before Kazuto could say anything the door to his room flew up with a loud "Thwack". Silocke entered the room casually, and seemed perplexed by Dokja's annoyed nose pinching.
"What? It's not my fault you humans make flimsy doors." Silocke justified.
Dokja rolled his eyes and motioned for Silocke to join the conversation. Silocke groaned but still came over and sat on the foot of the bed. This had a literal meaning since she plopped down on Kazuto's ankle. He let out a low volumed squeak of pain, but he'd be damned if he asked her to move. If anything he was thinking of having her do it again but harder. One death stare from Silocke made him rethink his request.
"Ok, so what was so important I needed to join? I'm assuming it has something to do with this loser."
Dokja gave a small smile then said "I've decided he's going to be our newest member. However, first we have to clear his name, and that could prove to be an issue. The culprit is a little girl, and despite what this kid did to him. He still cares about her. So, basically we need to convince this girl to admit she was lying without threatening or injuring the girl."
Silocke looked disappointed that she couldn't maim a small child. Dokja took a moment to acknowledge that this no longer seemed weird to him. Kazuto on the other hand for the first time seemed to lose the rose colored glasses. He saw Silocke for the demoness she was. The disenchantment didn't last long though. Within minutes he was once again dreamily staring at the demon. Dokja found himself unable to hide his smile. Kazuto was about to speak and tell them they didn't need to get involved but was interrupted.
"BOOM!!!"
A huge explosion came from the direction of the beach. Kazuto in one fluid motion jumped up and flipped off the bed. Landing he began to throw his coat on and head out.
"Kazuto, where are you going?" Dokja asked
Kazuto, without looking, just paused and said "To anyone who needs me. I am a doctor, and if there are people injured or sick I'm going to help them." He didn't wait for a response. He just sprinted out of the room and towards the danger.