Four days after the ogre's defeat deep into level seven of the unknown dungeon
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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.157Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡrTkoZeG73L
and he was bored.
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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.
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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.
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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.
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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.
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SWISH
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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.
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Nothing.
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It reformed with a dragon's grin on its watery face, assuming him bested, as that was his best strike…
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“Fine, I’ll take this seriously.“ It slipped from his lips, more a passing thought than words meant for this spirit creature thing.
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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.
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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.
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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.
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Yet he never cared to use it.
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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.
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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.
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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.
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He blinked, surprised. He was just starting to get a rhythm and feel a real fight. It almost made him feel…
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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.
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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.
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With the dungeon cleared, now it's time to head back to the capital. Back to his father’s kingdom.
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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…?
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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.
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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…
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When was he ever really alone, even here?
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“Do you need something, my lord?” She spoke calmly and kindly.
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“No, I’m fine. I will eat later.”
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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….157Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡEas2Unz5RD
What a walk around camp watching everyone ask him, Did you need anything?…
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“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….
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The tent flap was pulled open as they bowed and entered. He nodded in respect, thankful for the new “report.”
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“I look forward to the news.”
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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.
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“The threat is terminated; receding request a local team dealt with the threat. Formal apology for time wasted. End report, sir.”
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He wanted to see that report but knew it would say the same with more dry words and no more answers…
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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…
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“Can we still leave tomorrow? I wish to see this time.”
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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.”157Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡyNGu2GmeoY
To settle? And do what… This was a chance at an adventure, something new, and now it's back to the old….
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“When my next vacation…”
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“Not till spring, sir.”
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“Bah.”
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“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…”
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“Sorry, sir, I will try to limit it to eight next time.”
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“Eight? For what?”
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“three attendants, two guards, two scouts, one messenger“
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“To visit a village in our kingdom… Are you mad?”
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“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…”
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“It’s not my place to make those calls, sir, but I agree with your wisdom.”
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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….
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“Keep me informed. Any info I want reports.”
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He looked around, noticing no food, and frowned.
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“Are you hungry, sir?”
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“Aha, yes, it seems I forgot to ask for a meal to be made.”
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“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…
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“Thank you for informing me you're dismissed.“
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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…
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***
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Three days after the ogre's defeat
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“Dear, did you hear they won?”
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“Ogre is dead; just heard the news.”
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“It's all rumors; the ogre is still out there, people spreading lies.”
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“My brother was their heard.”
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Coby sat near the back, the voices low whispers but still carried easily enough since all wanted to hear, all wanted to share…
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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…
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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….
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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…
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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.
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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.
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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…
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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.
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“Did Terra or Arlin not want to show?” Leena asked while scouting in case they sat elsewhere.
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“No, I have not seen them since we left a few days ago.”
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“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.
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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.”
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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.
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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.
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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…
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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.
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“I’m telling you it’s them.”
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“Heroes”
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“Really, them?”
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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…
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“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…
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“It’s fine, Len. You’ve been through enough; you have a right to find some comfort.”
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“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.
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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.
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“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…?
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“Is he ok?” I was worried I had my own issues, but if Wolf needed me, it could wait.
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“He’s fine, just brooding,” Len spoke, making me look surprised. Why is he brooding?
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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…
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“Will make it work, Nina,” I said it to offer her some comfort, but also to myself since I had to face my judgment…
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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.
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I was losing myself to those thoughts, staring ahead, bread staying mostly untouched, when Len's voice broke my thoughts.
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“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.
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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…
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Legends in the making are just born of lies and deception.
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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.
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And since we won, we are now the legends with a notch on our count…
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We left Nina at her home; her mom was there to offer her comfort as we left for the meeting hall.
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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.
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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.
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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…
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Unless he trains them…
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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…
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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…
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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.
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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….
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“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.
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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…
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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.
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“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.
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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…
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‘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?
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“You poor thing, facing that beast out there! If we did a better job, you never would have gone.”
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“Don’t worry, I swear we’re letting all out there know what you were willing to sacrifice to see them safe!”
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Listening to him go on, I was flabbergasted. How to think or feel? I thought we were coming here to face judgment for recklessness?
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“Uncle, you know what I did was wrong; I should have waited.”
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“The mayor speaks the truth, and you know it.” My dad chimed in between Mayor Joy and my confusion.
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“NONSENSE,” the mayor barked, waving his little arm in defiance while still partly holding her with the other.
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“We hunted worse at her age and are fine.” The mayor looked at Leena’s dad for support.
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“Tell him, Justin, it’s your daughter; defend her more than me!”
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Justin's dad looked like he was ill and not sure why he was here, but surprisingly did speak…
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“I wish she told me, but it is true… we have done worse with less mana and powers.”
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“Aha, see! They're fine!” The mayor was overjoyed as if it was settled, but Dad kept looking at me.
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“My son lied. broke trust. endangered others and wasted Tanya's good call in a favor…. They’re still coming too, by the way.”
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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.
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“No,” Len’s firm voice caused us all to pause.
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“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.”
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Technically, it was true…. But knowing things I do now? I think she would listen to me…
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“I won’t have my niece be a martyr for saving the people, their heroes.”
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“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.
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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…
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“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.”
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I knew what Dad was not saying: I hate you for lying to me, son. Now I lie not once but twice for you.
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“Good, that’s settled. Let’s plan other matters. I’m sure the kids are tired; leave them be.”
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“I love you, niece, but shoo, shoo, go be free,“ he patted her leg before facing me.
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“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….
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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…
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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?…
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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…
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“Did you hear anything new about Tanya?“ Justin asked, breaking my thoughts.
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“Still in a coma, Arlin was seen by her side again and hasn’t left it since…”
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“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…
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“What? She is safe, and I visited her…”
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“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….
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“How long till you draft the report? I don’t want the kids caught in a lie, regardless of the reasoning…”
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Sighing, I hated admitting this part, but I was lying enough without adding more… ”It has already been sent.”
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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. “
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“I wanted this to be a matter between us as a village, not outsiders.”
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“Haha, brilliant!” The mayor cheers, grabbing the last cookie.
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“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.
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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.
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***
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Evening at the church
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Arlin watches as Bishop Light checks on his mom one last time for the night.
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“The gods will know what you did, loving you, Mom, and will wake her soon, I’m sure. Just keep the faith.”
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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.157Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡDORlhI6wTP
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.
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“Yeah, we did not defeat it for you, but we did do it, Mom.“
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“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.”
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“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.”
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“She’s probably doing a better job than you, too.”
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“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.
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“Ok, Mom, I’ll see you tomorrow. Try to wake up, ok?”
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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.
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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.
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“Um… who are you?”157Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJbYjbGYavR
and then Add to home screen.