Four days after the ogre's defeat deep into level seven of the unknown dungeon
101Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡNBubJxAXMm
The strikes at him were smooth pinpricks that flowed from a water-form spirit at such speeds the eye could not track each one, a killing blow that could end any lesser life.101Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡP7kZN2HZio
and he was bored.
101Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡVQywsckOU2
The clash went back and forth, neither giving ground. The beast was different this time, at least compared to all those he had seen before—more cunning but more essence and magic than a real physical form.
101Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡdbWwspTQai
It was a mix of human and dragon form blended in pure flowing water. It glowed with the mana flowing within the form it took. The closest thing to eyes was shining lights. Everything else bent and flowed, with its strikes mimicking his form and trying to surpass his speed.
101Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡeOvI5aEd9O
He flowed between the counterstrikes of the water beast like so many times before, countering with his own between the deflected strikes. The water form flowed around most of his moves, or even when they did pierce the beast's water flesh, it just reformed as it was piercing water and nothing more.
101Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡXEq951cj8s
So he took it seriously for a more killing strike and shifted his form. He matched its strikes, where before he had to counter. Now the beast was backpedaling to regain a better fighting form, and he pushed more between the blades the water beast formed. They gave him pause. The water blades still had strength like steel. He clashed until a moment between strikes. Even with its ability to shift its form, it could not counter this strike.
101Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡBAK0wAuiMY
SWISH
101Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡXwjZcDM7CZ
The blade flowed through the water's center mass and carved up into its head in a crescent strike, seeking a core to cut and force an end to the fight.
101Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡv30QcBSUci
Nothing.
101Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡKYLIeFypal
It reformed with a dragon's grin on its watery face, assuming him bested, as that was his best strike…
101Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡyTsGCKmJ73
“Fine, I’ll take this seriously.“ It slipped from his lips, more a passing thought than words meant for this spirit creature thing.
101Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡzksVyfOVNB
It looked at him in mild surprise, not believing he had not been serious up to now, as it focused and lunged with a flurry of twin strikes.
101Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡXuxoDcniij
Even though it had been pushed back, it was not from being overwhelmed but from a cold indifference watching the strikes learn the pattern. There was always a pattern, something everyone favored, and he saw it even in this best as he slowly, for the first time, used his water mana.
101Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡB9W0zsOwjq
Level 4 is very rare for humans and almost unheard of if you did not have powerful backing to help infuse you. He was born and found later. He was blessed at level three. His power and station afford him the rank of more.
101Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡTgBynlKSgI
Yet he never cared to use it.
101Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ1hlJ5NP2GI
He liked its passive effect; it let him sleep little and train all day, every day. If he paced himself, he could go for days and not tire just off the passive healing, but not in this case. The water spirit pushed him barely enough to need to try, so he used it to coat his sword in water mana to try a new strike. If it failed, he would try to rip it apart by force if needed. It was water mana by nature, so it would be worth trying if he could not win the fight by coating his sword.
101Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ1roD7IRkEM
Yet when he finally coated his weapon, the change happened quickly. Every strike made the beast flinch, as its blades were part of its water form, and he saw for the first time a bit of panic from the spirit, and he still felt nothing.
101Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡb5HhemHyLQ
Things did not escalate from there; it almost ended with a whisper as the strike that it matched and countered so easily before now it struggled with, and the cuts that it flowed around now were wounds it could not heal as he dismantled it piece by piece till its form shattered in a spray of water essence and faded soon after.
101Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡG42CDDkOZs
He blinked, surprised. He was just starting to get a rhythm and feel a real fight. It almost made him feel…
101Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJ34DrpeSEN
A gem glowed at his feet, probably a level 3 or 4 gem, not that he cared; the kingdom had whatever they needed and more…. Whatever a gift for others to spend, at least it was something to offer.
101Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ2Hg5la0Dcr
He left, not sensing anything else. He heard rumors before this dungeon dive of a beast. Others need help; maybe it will be something that makes him feel.
101Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡaFM0xl0OMe
With the dungeon cleared, now it's time to head back to the capital. Back to his father’s kingdom.
101Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ8IKsDgLfse
Back in his tent, he prepared for his next mission. This was meant to be a vacation of sorts, but what freedom or fun did he really have when everything was beneath him…?
101Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡHTVSijXTAx
They wanted to send more servants to help oversee things with him, but then it really would not be a vacation… Just another day at the palace, everyone praising him.
101Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡHnh47rBtmB
He set the gem on his desk. It was just him and a small tent made for him as he sat in his chair. Standing to the side, mildly surprising him, was a servant. He thought he was alone…
101Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡBvZIOtWovT
When was he ever really alone, even here?
101Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ0AVBDOtqv2
“Do you need something, my lord?” She spoke calmly and kindly.
101Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡAiQn6utQlE
“No, I’m fine. I will eat later.”
101Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡygnxNYpRdY
She nodded and started preparing his nightwear as he watched his desk, unsure where to go from here. The dungeon was done for the day, and there was nothing he wanted to do, not really….101Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡNSFrX05Ehe
What a walk around camp watching everyone ask him, Did you need anything?…
101Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ8zhSBBgwPP
“Delivering a report for the prince, an update on the next mission.” A smile bloomed on his face. Good news! He can go sooner than he thought; he got the news late when he started his vacation, or they would have already left 6 dawns ago, but things move slowly, and everyone wanted to make sure he was safe….
101Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡs7byP8mOo8
The tent flap was pulled open as they bowed and entered. He nodded in respect, thankful for the new “report.”
101Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡe7VlPep9Eo
“I look forward to the news.”
101Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡu3PkVkk1qa
He looked away, back to the desk, staring at the gem, wondering if this new beast could challenge him more when the spoken words gave him pause.
101Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡtBIdgTlv6w
“The threat is terminated; receding request a local team dealt with the threat. Formal apology for time wasted. End report, sir.”
101Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡir6wDSyPab
He wanted to see that report but knew it would say the same with more dry words and no more answers…
101Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡdwTafeD8eo
The threat challenges Tanya, Dad's old hidden blade, and friend…. Retired or not, she was a legend. He read her report and was impressed, so something could injure her, but lose to a random team? Who were they…
101Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ2jplhMKvtz
“Can we still leave tomorrow? I wish to see this time.”
101Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡC7l7BNiT8Q
Now kneeling, they shook their head. “No, sir, your father wishes for your return. Since matters have been settled, he wishes for you to settle.”101Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡfFxdDrsaaX
To settle? And do what… This was a chance at an adventure, something new, and now it's back to the old….
101Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡX1KhEVhtTL
“When my next vacation…”
101Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡwW65Arph3P
“Not till spring, sir.”
101Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJjyVCtSW5K
“Bah.”
101Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡYtUXoNudsQ
“Fine, make a note that is the place where I go next time, and less people—you're all hovering around me. This was not a vacation…”
101Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡpCtv9lF2sU
“Sorry, sir, I will try to limit it to eight next time.”
101Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ53TsgG0hdh
“Eight? For what?”
101Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡDNelIh4196
“three attendants, two guards, two scouts, one messenger“
101Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡWALkP2rLtA
“To visit a village in our kingdom… Are you mad?”
101Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡXCShJnfqz1
“The attendants, I agree, they assist, though not needing three maybe, one, and maybe one guard for status, and the scout can be the messenger, so three tops…”
101Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ2AqQcBdKT5
“It’s not my place to make those calls, sir, but I agree with your wisdom.”
101Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZmzFT49RuA
This was getting off topic, and others would work out the details anyway, so he did not care. What mattered was someone took his new prize, and he had to wait months to even find out who they were….
101Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡjVMrsRlEtl
“Keep me informed. Any info I want reports.”
101Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡvkYGhqX3Q8
He looked around, noticing no food, and frowned.
101Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ2OMztupOou
“Are you hungry, sir?”
101Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡUf52tVmmge
“Aha, yes, it seems I forgot to ask for a meal to be made.”
101Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡNaFe8cfryP
“I understand, sir; it will be made shortly.“ As she left, he noticed the scout still kneeling; he forgot to release her from delivering the report…
101Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡcyE8KhjlWw
“Thank you for informing me you're dismissed.“
101Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJsgkuhjCPa
She stood a bow and left as he leaned back, sighing to himself. He extended his hand, water slowly flowing between his fingers before fading to nothing. All this power and I can do nothing… So who are you in a town of county bumpkins that might be better than me? Or at least entertain me for a moment as life went on…
101Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡE7MUsJKTDC
***
101Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡwyTuKo4CHj
Three days after the ogre's defeat
101Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡphFnQ9TTIz
“Dear, did you hear they won?”
101Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡpWTe53hUcj
“Ogre is dead; just heard the news.”
101Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ0gVoxiEjbb
“It's all rumors; the ogre is still out there, people spreading lies.”
101Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡCdN75dLO71
“My brother was their heard.”
101Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJp2kXZSY9i
Coby sat near the back, the voices low whispers but still carried easily enough since all wanted to hear, all wanted to share…
101Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡE78ZFFfgJB
Even Tyler was in on it, full of pride at being in the middle of the gossip, and was the main source of spreading what news they could share…
101Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡlOaKbziHCh
He made the mistake of letting him know the other day they killed the ogre combined with a random report saying they secured a victory even with nothing official, and he could not wait to start telling others about him being friends with heroes that killed a legendary beast….
101Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡzwEsAL2jun
Tyler did apologize for not knowing I wanted it kept on the down low, so he tried to keep it more vague about what he knew, but word would spread regardless…
101Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡvqvjpHcYUo
His dad offered us meals on the house to honor the heroes who keep taking down legends. The other was the boulder monster, but these victories felt hollow knowing they were built on lies… well, at least the ogre one was.
101Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡWxfFT0mYK9
He felt them long before he saw her. Len entered with Nina, a happy surprise. Len said she would go with him to the meeting but wasn't sure if she would show. Not that he ever doubted her, but the way everyone felt fractured, he wasn't sure what to believe.
101Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ3zM1Vc8ifx
He watched her, still carrying her sword and shield and proud warrior even now, scouting the area. It got more rounds of whispers, and many voiced that if the ogre fell, it would be her that did it. It amused him mildly that they were right; they just did not know what it cost…
101Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡv42i0S1M1k
He watched Nina holding Len; she seemed more defeated since the last battle, not wanting to be alone or fight… They noticed me in the corner watching and came to join me.
101Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡzcEd1hysyE
“Did Terra or Arlin not want to show?” Leena asked while scouting in case they sat elsewhere.
101Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡfVjRjuiDNp
“No, I have not seen them since we left a few days ago.”
101Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡB4mSePiGZt
“Do you blame them?” Nina said in a low voice, ears flat, Len, rub her back before joining me. And Nina sat also, not looking at anyone, wanting to escape, but nowhere she went felt safe, not even here.
101Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡL5PMJ6cbZe
Tyler came up with a big bear grin, a face full of teeth: “Hey heroes—aha, sorry, I mean guests, just ask for anything you want on the house since we’re friends.”
101Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ6yITmd0Oue
I already had some bread; nothing else felt worth the effort to eat. Nina asked for a drink, as did Len, but no food. Tyler felt disappointed he could not sing their praise and shower them with a feast but figured they still were tired and wanting to rest. As he kept dreaming of ways of sharing the glory, even if only by making them a feast, he would find a way later to make it work as he left for their drinks.
101Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQcBUkRJzGM
We mostly kept talks low. Nina did not want to go to the meeting but wanted some support, so she was here with us, but Len refused to let me go alone to the meeting and wanted to take all the blame.
101Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ58G1cZ2OPc
The events since we left the dungeon were a bit muddled. The guard swap was flawless; it was the time it took us to get back that the new shift started, and that blew our cover. Not that we were ever going to walk away clean; we just did not plan for the aftermath…
101Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡkb9mqkT2ax
Dad covered for me and said he sent us in, so when we left, it was all as planned, at least in the chaos of the moment. As they sorted the details and we recovered, they wanted to officially meet to figure out how to address our actions.
101Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡqnz8PzaQyv
“I’m telling you it’s them.”
101Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡrqSUMSaHRd
“Heroes”
101Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡnTFivrRN2x
“Really, them?”
101Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡcMGj6brCnH
I tried resting my eyes to pass the time in silence, but it seemed people were noticing us more now that Len was here. She still would glow with a light, and it drew attention to us, adding weight to the rumors…
101Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡgxqHzZauua
“Sorry about the light; it gives me comfort,” Len’s voice spoke, making me look as I saw her watching the people try not to stare but very much staring at her light. It was the light blessing being rarely given and even rarer, strong enough to make someone glow with its light…
101Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡyJQ1R0PqxC
“It’s fine, Len. You’ve been through enough; you have a right to find some comfort.”
101Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡBxeEKARjI4
“Besides, they will find out in the end anyway; it's just happening a little sooner than I thought… I, uh, might have helped that, sorry…” Coby said, sheepishly scratching his chin.
101Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡTtmhCjjnUq
A gentle smile bloomed from her as she nodded in reply. We both had an understanding of what we were going through without words. We were divided but not broken…. Just wounded.
101Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡunO26V48er
“I miss my brother…” Nina spoke, surprising me, as she wasn't looking at anyone in particular… What happened with Wolf? I watched her, confused. They were close; why would she miss him…?
101Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡw2cBgT2y0a
“Is he ok?” I was worried I had my own issues, but if Wolf needed me, it could wait.
101Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ8arQD2Jhg9
“He’s fine, just brooding,” Len spoke, making me look surprised. Why is he brooding?
101Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡVlC4hMSYMj
She saw my look and explained, “We kept what we did hidden from him. He did not like being left out and is taking it out on Nina…” I grimaced at that. I did not lie to him but avoided him so I would not need to, but I did lie to my father… So, how Wolf feels is probably the same…
101Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ5ORtyzTzS0
“Will make it work, Nina,” I said it to offer her some comfort, but also to myself since I had to face my judgment…
101Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ7G7XlPP9u8
I never wanted to lead and still don’t, but I did want my counsel sought, and by keeping silent when others needed my view and lying for personal reasons when in a critical choice, I failed others and myself. The one thing I did want… trust.
101Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡVz2KJz2pfd
I was losing myself to those thoughts, staring ahead, bread staying mostly untouched, when Len's voice broke my thoughts.
101Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡyZYf8sOTVo
“You being there will be enough. I made the call; I will face the outcome.” Her words were not wrong, but it was my lies by omission that allowed this more than her wanting to lead us. But I said nothing; fighting for blame would not save us, and in the end, we all will face our own judgment. It's just mine and Len's now.
101Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡYHUCEG7GL7
We left the inn in a whisper of voices. It seemed the rumors were shifting from doubt that the ogre was dead to now it was dead, and we did it even without it being official. I looked back, seeing Tyler waving enthusiastically… That was the deciding factor that pushed them into heroes without even trying. Those who loved them and believed in what they did in the past refuse to not believe that even now they are heroes and keep them safe…
101Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡH4f7BgiudA
Legends in the making are just born of lies and deception.
101Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡbO6GACVX6Q
He wondered if that was why Arlin's mom was known as a hidden blade; it was harder to say what was intentional if it was all hidden. If she had won this fight against the ogre, it would have just been another notch added to her count; her legend grows. Instead, it was her loss that led to us making the same rash choices.
101Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZozUUzRkkF
And since we won, we are now the legends with a notch on our count…
101Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡA9b0leVzX0
We left Nina at her home; her mom was there to offer her comfort as we left for the meeting hall.
101Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡdz9O2uuTbl
The building itself was still the same; he never cared for it, as it felt like a weight of leadership he never wanted after it was built vs. the freedom of the hunts. It changed slightly now to look upon it; it was a weight of his choices and the judgment that comes from it.
101Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ27fbtEHtQp
The inside was surpassingly busy. It seemed word of the hunter guild sending the heroes to kill the beast was getting an influx of hopefuls wanting to join the hunts to honor the heroes who defend their town…. That's just adventure with extra steps, no? He did not want to train. Adventures looking for fun. The hunter guild was meant only to defend and hunt as needed.
101Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡOenG7yHFYp
He rubbed his eyes. Maybe he was just tired; they really could be here to defend the town like him and just feared stepping up till the heroes did, showing them even kids can be heroes…. But that just means them getting hurt or worse…
101Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡYmXlRNphf1
Unless he trains them…
101Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡFrfiam1lHo
Movement near the counter caught his eye—a waving hand vigorously trying to get his attention. Too many people to yell at and still be proper… It was her being happy to see him, causing others to look, wondering what got her so excited…
101Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡO65gcIhTlb
He nodded and waved with a strained smile, happy she did not question the details, but since she liked him, she just glossed over it like others that kept praising them…
101Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡXrVhKEx5TZ
We went deeper inside to the meeting hall. A guard stood near the door, more a formality than a need, bowed to me and Len, and let us in. The mayor was easy to see, facing the door, and surprisingly, he looked happy.
101Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡG0RF8lBPqn
He was getting cookies from a plate with one in his mouth, trying to balance getting more from the plate…. Why he did not just take the whole plate was beyond me, but it seemed like he was trying to share and save some for others while also taking everything he could from the plate….
101Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡqFIrN2K5Bc
“Uncle” Len's voice sounded from my side, firm but respectful. The gnome was torn between dropping his prize, choking, and being lost. While he was not sure what to do, she looked around, noticing the others, as did I.
101Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡSjdK1jG7bL
Dad was present, no surprises, as was Leena's dad, which did surprise me. He handled merchant affairs, and I thought this was more of an informal judgment meeting…
101Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡMAA6miAqd5
Though if I gave it any thought, it did make sense that it was his daughter… Dad looked firm; disappointed would be an understatement. The opposite of the mayor's carefree mood, Dad seemed nonplussed even though he knew we were coming.
101Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡH46Ieu31u8
“Dad,” Len said, causing her dad to nod in respect and now smile more in control. “Sir,” she said to my dad, keeping it formal.
101Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ0WZT0WU7rQ
A cough sounded as we all looked to the mayor, still struggling with the cookies. It seemed he was trying to swallow them all at once…. He drank where he could between cough fits, and it started to get awkward as we waited for him to recover…
101Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡrrbcTlzNx0
‘LEN”. The mayor started speaking, finally in control and desperate to reach his niece, starting to use the wind to rush her, grabbing her shin, and… crying?
101Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡTgOXMGW8BB
“You poor thing, facing that beast out there! If we did a better job, you never would have gone.”
101Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ5H66P9Ld3r
“Don’t worry, I swear we’re letting all out there know what you were willing to sacrifice to see them safe!”
101Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡMLmMGk4mf7
Listening to him go on, I was flabbergasted. How to think or feel? I thought we were coming here to face judgment for recklessness?
101Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡAY8XQLbAzy
“Uncle, you know what I did was wrong; I should have waited.”
101Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡBcsKQc3aka
“The mayor speaks the truth, and you know it.” My dad chimed in between Mayor Joy and my confusion.
101Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡeEnoQJZA5v
“NONSENSE,” the mayor barked, waving his little arm in defiance while still partly holding her with the other.
101Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡu92TRvL6Fa
“We hunted worse at her age and are fine.” The mayor looked at Leena’s dad for support.
101Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡI58WrgSR2o
“Tell him, Justin, it’s your daughter; defend her more than me!”
101Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡcs3NfWks6j
Justin's dad looked like he was ill and not sure why he was here, but surprisingly did speak…
101Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡWpXoaOXbid
“I wish she told me, but it is true… we have done worse with less mana and powers.”
101Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡsE7GNdJk7D
“Aha, see! They're fine!” The mayor was overjoyed as if it was settled, but Dad kept looking at me.
101Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ9HnIcBdMNi
“My son lied. broke trust. endangered others and wasted Tanya's good call in a favor…. They’re still coming too, by the way.”
101Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡuRygFvGo6i
I was wondering what was going to happen with that…. And Dad wasn't wrong; these were my choices that led to this. I was going to accept whatever judgment he had for me.
101Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡvpgRDF2Eoa
“No,” Len’s firm voice caused us all to pause.
101Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ0uCFFoXNIJ
“He did what I asked and helped me. If there’s any blame, it’s mine and mine alone. I wanted to play hero, and he feared diving the team. I gave him no reason to believe otherwise, so he supported me.”
101Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡfadOqQ7WOs
Technically, it was true…. But knowing things I do now? I think she would listen to me…
101Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ3rdYx9EOGT
“I won’t have my niece be a martyr for saving the people, their heroes.”
101Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡHNLAoSJWzx
“Kids made bad calls; we all have to live with them. But they won, doing what WE could not... THEY. ARE. HEROES.” The mayor stared as he emphasized the words to bring home the point… My dad was alone on this, and I was torn. I felt we needed judgment, not praise.
101Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡTV2lj5C2Wc
Watching Dad watch me, he felt the same, and it was his words that followed that felt like more cruelty than mercy, and perhaps that was the point…
101Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡF4SicV8Hfq
“So they are. Then let the heroes enjoy their victory; I’ll cover the reports. I already lied once to make the town believe what little more to say the same to the kingdom's team.”
101Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡkLGtl4HXrl
I knew what Dad was not saying: I hate you for lying to me, son. Now I lie not once but twice for you.
101Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡO9J9h2toQh
“Good, that’s settled. Let’s plan other matters. I’m sure the kids are tired; leave them be.”
101Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ1T6jAEK46M
“I love you, niece, but shoo, shoo, go be free,“ he patted her leg before facing me.
101Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ6VJh7klmk6
“Thank you for protecting my niece; you will earn your place among us in time, worry not!” as he walked back to his seat and took what was left of the cookies….
101Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡr0k9rzcTQH
Dad turned and no longer watched me and Len. Dad just seemed relieved, as if this was what he wanted all along, and happy he did not have to speak up much…
101Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡjtZpv0lAeD
So it was our victory as we left, not knowing how to feel. We won and faced no judgment or heroes. Even so, why did it all feel wrong and hollow?…
101Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡj7PS84e9gg
As the kids left the room, Coby's dad watched them go. He was disappointed in his son; he knew he had a cunning mind, but to lie? And to him…. Worse, over something so dangerous…
101Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ1mLOnqJhNf
“Did you hear anything new about Tanya?“ Justin asked, breaking my thoughts.
101Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡfFVeMY6nFT
“Still in a coma, Arlin was seen by her side again and hasn’t left it since…”
101Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡUrHEl8YyYT
“The event.” I watched them. Justin nodded as he went back to solemnness. The mayor, indifferent and eating a cookie, noticed my look and frowned at me…
101Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ9GXdUlYfqq
“What? She is safe, and I visited her…”
101Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ9IPTXjEjrw
“She would stab me with shadows if she saw me moping, so I’m not. She’ll be awake soon, I know it, and she’ll annoy us like she always does…” The mayor looked lost in thought now on the last cookie, and surprisingly, he did not eat it… Guess he's not as indifferent as he plays….
101Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡDkzGdtDJSx
“How long till you draft the report? I don’t want the kids caught in a lie, regardless of the reasoning…”
101Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡp2TSQJL2HS
Sighing, I hated admitting this part, but I was lying enough without adding more… ”It has already been sent.”
101Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡTLFRTBvLNG
Surprised, they stared at each other's faces at my words, which brought me no joy as I explained… ” Letters take time, and I could not risk conflicting info, so I told them the matter was settled by our team. Even if we punished the kids, they would be no wiser. “
101Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡM3U9M0QHQY
“I wanted this to be a matter between us as a village, not outsiders.”
101Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡtPLQOb88sb
“Haha, brilliant!” The mayor cheers, grabbing the last cookie.
101Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡNqnfeeAZtZ
“This is why we needed you to always be a step ahead. See, Justin, like old times!” Justin nodded, and I hated myself for smiling. It was like old times when I was there, making sure matters got settled long before they became an issue… like my son.
101Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡjm2epvl29O
I can’t excuse the lie, but I understand choosing loyalty to friends even if I don’t agree it was a worthy cause…. It just could cost him everything… Be careful in those gambles, son; there might not be a next time to ask for forgiveness or a son left alive for me to forgive.
101Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡtzz9JDSO4Z
***
101Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡM7zisOD3Cf
Evening at the church
101Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡjTsodOckcH
Arlin watches as Bishop Light checks on his mom one last time for the night.
101Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡkt2yWyy0Vn
“The gods will know what you did, loving you, Mom, and will wake her soon, I’m sure. Just keep the faith.”
101Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡCvdrb4N2ow
He nodded vs replying. He heard those same words at least three times now on different days, so they held less comfort each time, but he knew Light really did have faith, so he would too.101Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡXm2d74mIrp
When he was finally alone, he confessed once more to the events that had happened to her sleeping form, hoping it would stir her awake.
101Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡATx8agPNZe
“Yeah, we did not defeat it for you, but we did do it, Mom.“
101Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡySmaCsC4OG
“I was hoping it would be a happy ending and you’d just wake up. I guess it doesn’t work that way in life. I’m not sure what to do with my life, if I’m honest.”
101Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡLkl0ycZNRv
“I quit the team but told you that… Uh, Ziala's good. She misses you but doesn't like seeing you like this, and someone's got to keep running the guild in your place.”
101Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡfsgi15Gmog
“She’s probably doing a better job than you, too.”
101Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡHemFZcm3b9
“So why are you not waking up?” He looked around; the place was calm, a good place to rest. He was tired of sleeping in the chair and was going to call it a night.
101Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡyXs7JSPuQt
“Ok, Mom, I’ll see you tomorrow. Try to wake up, ok?”
101Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡef57xGEUO2
He turned to leave, but it was a subtle flicker of shadow that caught the corner of his eye that made him turn and look.
101Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡaz2d0aF5kB
And he froze in a state of shock. His mom, moments before lying down, was not sitting up, looking around. He was torn between it being a fever dream and a prayer answered when she finally focused on him and spoke for the first time since the ogre that put her in the coma.
101Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ1sWE43gomN
“Um… who are you?”101Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ1xkCRirLEz
and then Add to home screen.