It had been a week since Thoosa died and two days since her funeral.
The Hero was not present.
First of all, because it had annoyed him greatly, that after he had found the body, he was accused of being the cause of its death. With more than convoluted explanations, without any head or tail, and that he had to pass a lie detector test - not just one, otherwise it wouldn't be funny.
But most of all, he hated funeral ceremonies.
Particularly those of people he had, more or less, been in contact with.
That's why he didn't go to the funeral of Sister Leila, he didn't know how to react to the relatives, those who remain...
Yet he had loved her, he even believes he had fallen in love with her at one time. He had cried all the tears of his body that day. However, he found himself unable to visit her grave, despite all the love he had for her. Even his mother had never understood why he had never wanted to go there... or to the other funerals that came afterwards - hey, even in a place as peaceful as Novillios, our world hasn't changed, still as dangerous as ever.
Now it was Thoosa's turn to suffer the absence of the Hero.
What could he have said, except that he thought she was cute and that he had advised her to stay away from Beneltig?
He hadn't really gotten to know her much more than that.
He would find it hypocritical to express his condolences to his bereaved parents when she was an illustrious stranger to him.
That's why he was currently lying on his bed, staring at the ceiling where a fan had been installed - little by little, this "apartment" was looking more and more like a real, liveable home.
During this short period of time of a few days, many things had happened: already his training with Sawyer resumed and the bodyguard had not gone there with dead hand. But in a short time he could see that he could really become stronger and Sawyer recognized the unlimited potential of the young boy. Sawyer did not spare him, despite the accusations that he had to deal with the death of Thoosa and that it affected him. And the hero was not asking for it. Both of them knew that the Hero did not train alone unless he had to. Nevertheless, his main reason for training so hard was that not only did he need to let off as much steam as possible, but also that, although he didn't know her that well, he intended to make the men who had taken the life of the amethyst-haired fairy princess pay. And he knew very well who they were: the Legion of the Witch Marrynelia sect.
In the meantime, he was visited by the Fairy's friends who invited him to come and play and spend time with them. The hero soon realized that they did not hold the quarrel at the party against him and that they believed in his innocence. Neither did Mina, but she warned him that she still had doubts about him, and he simply replied:
- Sincerely, I don't give a damn, he declared to her without tongue in cheek, and you do well not to trust me: I don't do it myself, he said with nonchalance.
It was obvious that she took the Hero's answer as a "confession" that something was wrong with him. But hey, if the others trusted him why not her.
However, he was not visited by the Queen or the Fairy, and even more surprisingly, it was the Fairy's father who came to see him. He introduced himself as his new tutor. Since the Hero refused to go to school, the school had to come to him. Unexpectedly, the Hero had a level of education equal to or better than the Fairy - the fact that he was a real bookworm had something to do with it. The Hero was reluctant to take classes, but he couldn't just rely on the memories of his predecessors to get by - especially since compared to them, getting there was unparalleled difficulty.
However, this was not the only impromptu visit he had: Lelelitio was waiting for him downstairs. The hero heard stones banging on his window, he poked his head outside and inadvertently received a stone in his forehead, which sent him to the ground.
- Ah!" exclaimed Lelelitio, "sorry! Sorry! Sorry!" he repeated frantically.
The Hero returned to the window and threw his rock back at him.
- Doors are not for wild dogs.
Precision, because not all dogs are speechless!
- I didn't really want to climb that ladder, actually.
- No kidding... Well, now that you're here, why don't you come play some video games? I need an opponent.
He refused politely and explained the reason for his visit.
- I can't go up because you have to come down because you have to follow me.
- Do you know what time it is? I'm going to sleep soon.
- It is a request demanded by my mistress. And considering her temperament, I advise you, for both of us, not to refuse.
The Hero swung his head around to weigh the pros and cons, before agreeing in exchange for a grilling at the local shop. Lelelitio scratched his head in pain. He rummaged in his pockets to see if he had any coins to pay for the grill.
- Don't bother. If you don't have any money on you. I'm gonna buy us those grills, the way your stomach's growling.
Lelelitio jumped for joy at the Hero's proposal.
The faceless boy didn't understand why there was so much enthusiasm for simple grilled food, so in doubt he took about twenty for the two of them. Lelelitio only allowed himself to eat two and kept the rest on him. The Hero did not give him any thought about his behavior. It reminded him of his own behavior outside this kingdom. Nevertheless, there was no danger here, he did not need to survive by partitioning his food.
- I think we've wasted enough time, said the servant, it's time to join the princess.
The Hero set off in the direction of the noble district, called Sanctuary, but Lelelitio stopped him.
- We don't go that way, Mr. Legendary Hero. We're going down the other side.
- Where are we going?" said the Hero, with a circumspect look.
- After your home, in the Nether.
This is the place where the Fenrirs who attacked Mina, the Fairy and him came from.
It is true that he had not heard from the monster that had escaped him.
Had he attacked other citizens of Sylvania?
They went down the slope leading to the Sanctuary, the further they went down, the darker the environment became and the more unhealthy the atmosphere.
It did not look good to live in this part of the kingdom.
On every street corner, he saw homeless people and prostitutes begging them for a few coins in exchange for some kind of service. Crimes and misdemeanors were committed before his eyes, and it seemed to be commonplace here. The ground was dirty, sticky, covered with filth and blood of strangers who must have died crossing the path of the wrong person...
He didn't know if he could say that it made him nostalgic for Vicenti, however the atmosphere was familiar to him, which made his hair stand on end.
- What's with this bad place? It has nothing to do with Upper Town and the Sanctuary.
- Good observation, you must be a mind reader, laughed Lelelitio.
The Hero was circumspect, not understanding why the elf seemed to be upset by his remark - surely because it was obvious that this environment was quite different from Sanctuary and Uptown, nonsense.
But Lelelitio recovered and returned to the Hero's remark.
- Because it is totally different. Here only the dregs of society live: those who cannot pay the royal tax or participate in the smooth running of the kingdom. In addition to the outcasts and the "traitors"...
- Traitors?
- You can ask her yourself, since she is the one who is primarily concerned.
Continuing to the place where Lelelitio wanted to go, the Hero felt that he was being watched, even followed. It's true that with the clothes he had been bought, he looked like a nobleman to the inhabitants of this place, no matter if he had this curse on his body or not.
- Don't be afraid. You are with me. In my company, no one will rob you.
- You are so strong and respected? sneered the Hero.
- No, I am too weak. It is Malalalivia whom they respect, and whose wrath they fear. Then to attack me is to attack her, he said proudly, so you have nothing to fear.
- Ah..., said the Hero, disappointed.
There was really nothing to be proud of, thought the Hero.
It was really nothing to be proud of, I thought.
They arrived in front of a kind of dilapidated orphanage, with holes all over, which looked more like a haunted house than an old shelter for abandoned children.
Lelelitio brought him into the bosom of his home without the Hero having time to make a remark, and no sooner had he returned than he and his guide were assailed by a dozen or so bawling kids running around. The rooms were lit by the light of luxinite torches and by dim bulbs.
How come I didn't hear them from outside?
One of the girls, who was a fairy with dull wings, approached the two boys, innocently, and pointed a pocketknife at them to take their things.
- Is she Malalalivia? asked the Hero.
- Do you want her to reduce you to ashes by underestimating her? said Lelelitio, speaking of the Glitar...
An unidentified thing fell from the sky, shattering the ground with its full weight. It came out of the crater and grabbed the little girl's knife, before grabbing her and putting her on his armpit without the Hero having time to react. The little girl struggled violently but nothing could be done, this person was much too strong to let herself be abused by this kid.
- So you came? asked this stranger.
- If I'm invited, I'll come, especially if there's a lot of grace.
- Sorry for you, but we have no food, she announced, I told Lelelitio not to lie to you, but well...
The smoke from the impact caused by this girl's fall cleared, and the Hero realized that the person talking to him was the same person who had stopped his move at the princess and champion party. The same starry eyes and the same maid's dress split down the sides of her legs, but it was less clean and more full of grease and sauce stains, with a bit more wrinkles than at that party.
- Oh, but aren't you the super-strong servant who stopped me when I wanted to hit the other jerk?
- Yes!" she exclaimed, "do you remember me?
- How can you not remember such a strong girl!
- I am very flattered by this from the hero of the legend, she smiles proudly.
- But does everyone know that I am, by the way?" exclaimed the Hero.
It took you a while to notice, though.
- I have to say you don't go unnoticed, especially since you yelled it out during the party while you were upset," she laughs.
- Oh yes... that's right..., he said, embarrassed.
The little fairy on the servant's shoulder tilted her head in the direction of the Hero, surprised by his title.
- Is it him?" she asked the taller Fairy.
- Exactly, she answered him.
- Do you realize that I almost racketed the hero of the legend, Malalalivia?" the little fairy with dull wings got excited.
- Wait! You are..., said the Hero.
- Indeed, intervened Lelelitio.
The servant passed by the Hero and duly introduced the person facing him.
- This is Princess Malalalivia Talemilia Grave, pretender to the throne of Sylvania and daughter, rather descendant but it's classier to say it like that, of the fourth king-fighter! They generally call her Malalalivia, he whispered to her.
- What's that? What the hell are you talking about? It can't be her, she had the same outfit as you. It can't be a princess.
- That's because we're too poor to buy her nice formal clothes like the other fairies, the fairy princess' servant explained to her, we have to use the money we get to feed the children and some citizens of the Nether. I modified her dress with my sleeves to make it different from the other maids' dresses.
The princess lowered her head, scratching her cheek in shame.
- You don't have to be ashamed," said the Hero, "it's normal to think of your family before your own needs. But I think you will be able to afford something since you won't have to worry about food.
The servant took out from behind his back the bag of skewers, with the good smell of grilled meat. The little girl carried like a sack of potatoes on Malalalivia's shoulder escaped from the fairy-princess's grip and threw herself at Lelelitio, then followed a rumble of children's footsteps that rushed at the fairy-servant, tearing the bag apart, greedily grabbing and devouring its contents.
Malalalivia slapped her face at the lack of manners of her boys. The Hero laughed, he had not seen such a ridiculously funny and childish scene since he left his village.
- Sorry to let you see such a distressing sight...
- Stop saying such things," he stopped her, "do you think I'm noble?
- You are not one of them? cried the princess, but the queen visits you, pampers you and praises you...
- Check your sources," he advised her, "because the reason is quite different. Although to some extent I am one, I don't come from that background. I'm supposed to be as poor as you. I mean, I was as poor as you were at one time, but things got a little bit better outside of that realm. So I can understand your choices and their behavior.
The hero clapped his hands to get the attention of the children, who turned in his direction, their lips smeared with grease and dust. Lelelitio was able to stand up, but was completely stunned by the clash with the toddlers - some of them were behemoths, although they all looked much younger than the three "teenagers.
- Oh the brats! No need to drive you into the ground, there will be something for everyone.
The Hero took out six small bags from his pockets, which returned to their original size.
- When... asked Lelelitio.
- When you caught up with me to point me in the right direction to where your lover was, and you passed me. I took the opportunity to take all the goods from the kebab seller. I had to make his day," laughed the Hero.
He turned toward Malalivia and explained:
- The queen lent me a jewel to fill my pockets with items without using a bag because "a champion is a nobleman, and since a nobleman can't carry a bag like an average citizen, then keep this on you for your errands.
- Why?" asked Malalalivia.
- Because when I saw your servant's sunken cheeks and his difficulty in paying me for a single skewer, I knew he was in a difficult situation. I told you: I too was poor to the point of rummaging in the garbage! So I know how to recognize my fellow man. I just didn't think I could feed a whole regiment. And, in truth, I also asked the queen to enchant my pockets, so I could steal the food for the big party of champions and princesses. But then, with the death of Thoosa, my plan fell through. Where do I put this?
She pointed to a room on the right that served as their dining room. Like the other rooms, it was dirty and run down: the table was split in two and one of the legs was missing. He preferred to put the bags on a smaller table, which was supposed to be the one for small children.
- Save it for later, he advised them, you don't know what might happen tomorrow.
- All right!" they replied in unison.
The children ran to the table to eat the hot food under the supervision of Lelelitio. Lelelitio told the hero and the princess to go upstairs to discuss what Malalalivia wanted to tell him.
They complied and climbed the stairs to the upper floor.
Finally, his instinct that felt something nauseating towards the kingdom of Sylvania had not been wrong; there was nothing surprising that such a place existed.
He would have hoped that this would not be the case, and the queen had not mentioned it at all, but he had learned at a good school that nothing perfectly beautiful existed without some dirt stains around it - he would have hoped, however, that it would be limited to anti-human racism.
However, regarding the current case, the Hero was still not confident about the person who had summoned him. It was not the sight of starving children that was going to make him less suspicious. He had no idea what her intentions were, and he wasn't going to pity her simply because he had just discovered that the kingdom of Sylvania was not as idyllic as he thought.
- Surprised, right?
- What are you talking about?
- The fact that there is a slum in the Fairyland paradise.
- Surprised, but not surprised. No matter who or where, it is normal to hide the unmentionable. What surprises me more is that you are the daughter of the fourth king-fighter, knowing that there are three of them, and that you have no wings. Unless you're not a fairy. Or that you are a liar...
- Yet my eyes show that I am a fairy.
- Maybe, but it doesn't precisely answer one of my questions.
- That's true, but let's talk about it in my room.
But is it a habit to take an unknown boy to her room on their first meeting?
And he who says nothing!
That's not how you were raised, no way!
The Hero could see, with surprise, that Malalalivia's room was in good condition compared to the rest of the building. He imagined, without difficulty, that it was Lelelitio who had worked hard to make this room worthy of his mistress' rank.
He sat down on a chair, legs crossed, elbow on the table, head on the palm of his hand and looked at the princess facing her.
- You can take off your hood, we are indoors.
- It is necessary for me to keep it.
She shrugged her shoulders and let him speak.
- So mam'zelle, why have you summoned a commoner like me in your splendid house? Especially since you are not a simple noblewoman, but the "daughter of the fourth king-combatant" of Sylvania, therefore of royal blood.
- So I should have called on the queen in your opinion, if I needed help?
- That's right.
- Well, I have to say you're making good deductions even though you're wrong.
- Seriously? said the hero, surprised.
She took place on her bed, legs spread, fingers intertwined, elbows on her thighs and displaying a big grin on her face.
The Hero took the time to observe her a little better than during their two encounters: she had a large scar on her right cheek that ended on the bridge of her nose, starry and pink eyes, but dark, almost close to the color of his, bluish pink hair. On her dress, there was an opening in the middle of her abdomen showing not only that she was more muscular than he was, but also that she had a huge scar that covered all her abdominal muscles - they were not protruding, but just visible enough to show that she was working out -, and her arms were muscular too.
According to the Hero, she had the look of a soldier, she seemed, too, older than all the princesses and champions he had met. Her gaze was hard, fierce, and her fingers and hands, though fine and well-groomed, were dotted with wounds and bandages. Still, with her reactions downstairs, he suspected she was doing this to intimidate him, however, he was not one to be wary when intimidated, but this girl seemed to have more than one trick up her sleeve.
She was not the kind of woman who would let herself be protected by a champion - but then again, every princess needed one.
- Yes. Unlike the other fairies, I am the descendant, over several generations, of my ancestor, whereas they are their direct descendants.
- They are then, so to speak, your great, times twelve, great aunts, he summarized.
- That's right. Although I am older than them.
- How is this done?
- My ancestor was infatuated with a human, his brothers did not take it well, after all the misadventures they had experienced outside these walls, so they condemned him and his wife to exile here. He was the guardian of this corner of the outcast and the untaxed, but time had made him forget the history, since he didn't participate in any battle, he was exiled from the political scene, and he was disgraced in the same rank as the Great Felon.
- That explains it. But I'll still ask for confirmation.
He stood up and leaned his head out the window.
- Whose?" asked the wingless fairy.
- You'll see.
The Hero took a deep breath and shouted his chaperone's name. A shadow ran over him and landed in the middle of the room, it stood up and turned its piercing blue eyes towards the Hero.
- You don't have to shout so loudly if you know I'm around. My big ears hear very, very, very well," Helmir reminded him, "you've changed since you found your speech.
- Sorry, sorry!" he apologized with an embarrassed smile before becoming serious again.
He pointed with his thumb to Malalalivia and asked her if the story of the princess was true.
- Absolutely. Everyone knows, but her version of the story of the fourth is more "classy" than what is being said about him. That doesn't change the fact that she is treated as much, if not more, like trash than the princess-with-no-name.
- Okay. Okay. Okay," he repeated, nodding his head.
The Hero noticed that his host was annoyed by the arrival of this surprise guest. It is true that no one can expect him to be accompanied by someone all the time, but it was logical not to let a human wander alone in the Fairy realm, as much for the safety of the Fairy folk as for his own safety. Hero or not.
- I don't think it's a good idea for her to be there," said the princess.
- Why?
- I don't want any agent of the royal palace to know about the information I've gleaned to protect my people.
Helmir wanted to force her to speak if it concerned the internal security of the kingdom, but the Hero held her back: she had no power over her because of her rank as princess. Whether she was fallen or not, she was still a princess of Sylvania - that was her intimate belief, nothing proved her thoughts. However, from Helmir's reaction, he had a point. So he addressed Malalalivia.
- Considering your impressive strength, I know that Helmir will lose some feathers, especially if she has no right to kill you. Well, I suppose. But I want you to know that, although I am by nature very suspicious, she is one of the few people I would be willing to trust with my life.
- Much more than your princess?
- Beyond even.
That's unexpected," Helmir said.
There was nothing unexpected, little Helmir.
He had always been like that.
Few people knew what he thought of them, and it was rare for him to say it out loud, for one simple reason: he thought his opinion was insignificant. Otherwise, regarding the Fairy... after all, she wouldn't be the first person he defended who could turn on him - Belachat forever down our ass. Just thinking about it made his hair stand on end.
- If you say so, I have to believe you because of the urgency," she sighed.
She must have had a real grudge against the daughters of the three kings, the Hero thought, well, that doesn't make sense, rather against the government of Sylvania.
- So what is this important reason?" asked Helmir.
- You can imagine that Thoosa's death was not a suicide.
- Of course. I'm not the kid next to me," laughed the night elf.
- Hey!" the Hero defended himself by giving him a blow in the ribs.
- Calm down! This is serious. Have you ever heard of kidnappings here? Probably not, since no one came to kill the Fenrir that was walking around here and killed twenty-five people.
- Sorry, it's my fault... I didn't go after him after I defeated the others.
- I know. I know, I was there.
- When? Where?" exclaimed the Hero.
- Above the rooftops of Uptown, near your home.
- You know you're not allowed out of here, young lady," Helmir reprimanded her.
She shrugged, and with a disdainful smile retorted:
- Your guards should already have the strength to defeat me.
What nerve! She doesn't think she's just anyone! thought the Hero.
Already the fact that she could stop her move was surprising, so with her statement, it intrigued him even more.
It couldn't have been simply because she was a descendant of a fighter-king. Only the queen was strong enough to take on him. The other fairies, he would give them an arm lock, and that was it.
- But it's not a big deal, we took care of it afterwards.
- Huh?" they startled.
Malalalivia pointed to the window and told the Hero to put his head back on, but this time down. He did so and saw, stunned, the body of Fenrir separated from its head. He could not see it clearly, but it looked as if it had been butchered and gutted - logical, given the extreme poverty of the place. He wouldn't have thought that such frail Fairies, as he saw in the dark streets of this bad neighborhood, would have been able to take care of such a beast.
He returned to his host and sat down on an available chair. He made it clear to Helmir in one look that she had not lied.
At the same time, if they were several to deal with it, thought Helmir, unless she wanted to imply that she defeated it alone...
- I'm glad you were able to get rid of it, the Hero said, but to answer your question: no, I don't leave my house except for events I'm required to be at.
- I know about this case," Helmir replied, "some of the guards are investigating it, but their research is unsuccessful.
- This has a minimum leakage...
- What do you mean?" asked Helmir.
- I'm sorry to tell you this, Madam Spy, but their research is unsuccessful because the big heads of the government are involved in these kidnappings, she revealed to them.
- I'll pretend to be surprised," said the night elf.
- Who?" asked the Hero.
- No idea. But they don't need a pass to get back and forth between the Nether and the Upper Town, which proves that either they have the guards right or they are untouchable.
- Do you know what they look like? Do they belong to a common race? Something representative?
- All I know is that they are hooded with red tunics. They say that when they move, you can hear a metallic crumpling sound, and one of the kids downstairs who was able to escape from one of their rituals told me that one of the leaders had a huge scar on his torso or stomach.
Suddenly, Helmir's eyes widened and she leaned forward, her hand in front of her mouth, she was in intense thought, remembering something. It was the boy who was pursuing the questions instead of the night elf.
- Can I ask the boy or girl who escaped what he or she might have seen? Unless you know enough...
- I don't think that's a good idea. Although he has recovered, he still has nightmares about that night when he narrowly escaped death..., Malalalivia confessed to him, I will tell you the little I know, but even I didn't quite understand. Nevertheless, the little I know is that heretics and their children are involved in these kidnappings.
- The "heretics"? said the Hero, suspiciously.
- Have you never heard of the "heretics" of the kingdom of Sylvania?
The human shook his head, but you could see in his eyes that he would belittle what he was about to hear. This was not the first time he had been confronted with a situation like this.
- Those who reject the queen as regent of the kingdom and her status as half-goddess, or queen-goddess, are called "heretics", and they deny, of course, the divine pantheon of which the queen is the herald.
- But there are nobles who do not believe in gods...
- They have the right. They live in Sanctuary. But it is very bad to question the place of the queen, even more if you live in the Upper Town, and it can become fatal in the Nether. Especially, if one claims that the descendants of the fourth king are more legitimate to take the throne... Nevertheless, let's come back to the main subject. The heretics would sacrifice, as a tribute to some deity, innocent people with a full supply of magical energy with a knife that absorbs the blood of its victim.
- A "vampire blade", says Helmir, normally, you might have seen one in Vesontio, kid.
- Uh... I don't remember, sorry," apologized the Hero.
- Simply put, it is a magical weapon that uses the life of its victims to convert it back into energy: either to be used in attack spells or, but this is pure speculation, to bring someone back to life. The purer the blood of the person, the greater the energy obtained.
The Hero let out a small laugh.
- No kidding...," exclaimed the Hero, sighing with his neck pressed against the back of his chair, "if I put this together with what the Queen told me, and what I know myself, it's not very difficult to understand that they're trying to resurrect Marrynelia with the poor lives of the inhabitants of this neighborhood that no one pays attention to.
So why go after the airy fairy if the whole kingdom thinks she's the reincarnation of the Great Fairy? And why prevent her from taking the throne through Beneltig?
- So you believe me? asked Malalalivia.
- Yes," said Helmir, "you have told me some things that complete some of my suppositions.
- Okay. I agreed to tell you, but I don't want anyone in high society to know. The queen at the most, but nobody else.
- Of course, if I tell the queen, she will inform her closest advisors, the Hero reminded him, we must already find the mole before telling her. But, finally, what do you expect from me? Basically, it is me that you have summoned ?
The princess wriggled her fingers, before jumping out of bed, pointing to her chest and declaiming:
- As the fairy of legend, I want you, the hero of legend, to help me stop these people from attacking my fellow citizens!
The Hero and his friend were speechless at this statement. The human bit the inside of his lower lip, embarrassed by what she had just told them. The longer the silence, the greater the uneasiness, making the fairy-princess lose confidence.
- But couldn't you speak up to remove that blank?" she spat.
- It's true that in a way, if she wins, she will become the fairy of the legend, Helmir remembered.
- Being the hero's companion would be a huge honor for me, although in truth I would have preferred to be the hero..., she sighed, scratching the back of her head.
- Why?" said the Hero fiercely.
His expression had just changed completely. The threatening aura that emerged from him filled the whole room, he threw a black look at his interlocutor who did not understand why such animosity towards her.
However, she was not discouraged and explained why.
- I want to be the hero of the legend because he is the fighter of the Evil One, the hunter of injustices, the protector of the weak and thanks to his strength, which he uses wisely, he is able to repair the wrongs of this world...
The Hero clenched his fist in anger, opening his hand with his fingernails. Then he lost his temper and burst out in anger, without shouting.
- What a bunch of fancy bullshit...
- Right?
- Kid, stop right there," Helmir urged him.
The Hero did not listen to him and continued his indictment filled with resentment and unhappiness.
- You've got to be six and a half years old to still believe in that damn legend... Didn't you hear what I said at the champions and princesses party or what? Heroes are frauds, nothing more.
- Well, you are wrong! she retorted violently.
- But I am one! There is no obligation for heroes to save people. Their only obligation is to defeat the Nemesis or die under his blows to make way for a new hero! You're not going to explain to me what I am better than myself.
- Yes, you do, because what you're talking about is dracodont dung.
- Right?
- What? You don't understand what? That you're making a mistake by talking rubbish about it?
- I am eager to know why because I am currently the only representative.
- Maybe today, but when I was younger, I had a book that went much more in my direction than yours!
A book? What book?
- In this book, it was explained that the fairy of the legend roamed the lands of Faiyera Terra, along with the hero of the legend, defending the oppressed, the unfortunate, the outcasts... Saving everyone they could from the clutches of misfortune and death caused by the Nemesis. While I was plunged into the greatest despair, having lost my identity and the last member of my family, being on the verge of succumbing to the primitive desires of certain men. I was rereading this book which recounted the exploits and setbacks of these two extraordinary individuals. This book appeared to me as a ray of sunshine in the black darkness of my life, and saved me from the hands of despair. And I found in it the words that helped me to get on with my life and save my cousin from the infamy of these criminals: "Believe in yourself because you are the only hero in your life, and don't forget that if you have people you love left, they will cherish you as much as you cherish them. The aura that surrounded it showed that it was different from any book I have ever read. It is from this reading that I am certain that you are slandering your own role. Certainty completed with the declarations of the queen Audisélia. They are the forgotten hopes of this world that deserves more good for each of its inhabitants. You and the fairy of the legend have the capacity to make the world better.
- You speak like the religious fanatics... Still the queen I want, she confuses the legend with her friend..., sighed the Hero.
- You are mistaken. I am not waiting for the help of an overpowered being: I want to be this overpowered being! To spread the good around me. Whether it is in the Nether or in this pitiful world. But for now, I need your help to save my fellow citizens.
She reached out to him, humbly begging for his support to stop these sacrificial rituals. One could say what one wanted about Princess Malalalivia Talemilia Grave, but her strength of conviction was not fake. She had a real monarch's presence, even though they were in an insalubrious building where you could hear a few rats running around in the ceiling and smell a foul odor coming from some animal corpse stuck in a ventilation system somewhere in the building, filling your nostrils. Despite this, she managed to have the same glorious aura as when he faced the queen before their fight.
- I'm sorry but I'm going to have to decline.
- Why?
- Think about it: I'm a human and I'm already interfering in the succession tournament. They want my head! Plus, I'm favored by the queen because of my affiliation with her childhood friend and her unparalleled adoration for this execrable legend. And if I start attacking some of the kingdom's bigwigs, you can imagine the fallout that could have on my protégée.
After expressing his refusal, he left the room but was caught by Malalalivia who held him back by grabbing his arm. She was distraught.
- But you are the hero of the legend, you can't let such ignominy happen.
He tore his arm from the princess' embrace and declared:
- I told you before: I am the hero of this world, not of the people of this world.
- So... so... why did you decide to be the armed arm of the princess-without-a-name?
He grunted, but answered her calmly.
- Because I felt sorry for her. But in this case because, like me, she has no name. A being doomed to disappear, disowned by the world... I feel sorry for someone who had the misfortune to be born as I was.
- Whether you believe it or not," she grumbled, "we're much closer than you are to her. She is one of the chief whipping boys of this realm because of her affiliation with the Bewitched Felon Marrynelia, and yet she allows herself to be walked hand in hand with the dogmas of this scapegoat society, which is always looking for a culprit to justify all the evils that remain. At no time did she express a desire to bring about any change in Sylvania to improve her living condition. Simply taking refuge in the sweet dream that the queen has implanted in her skull!
- Maybe! But the fact remains that I am her protector, clarified the Hero, consequently, she comes first, and I will do everything to make this "fanciful" dream come true.
Princess Malalalivia was enraged to the point of clenching her fists, but calmed herself as she exhaled, lowering her arms, giving up hope of trying to convince him. She held her arm and looked away from her guests.
- You can go, I won't keep you. And thank you for the meat, I say this on my behalf and on behalf of the children who are probably stuffing their faces with it.
- You're welcome.
Helmir and the Hero descended the steps, still hearing the children feasting on their newly acquired feasts. Reaching the large front door, Malalalivia stopped them by yelling at them, threw herself on the railing, and declared at the top of her lungs:
- I will prove it to you! I will prove to you that the hero of the legend can save lives that are within his reach.
With a weary look, he turned his scarlet eyes to this girl filled with hope for change; she was more alive than anyone he had ever met on the desolate roads of the outside world. He wanted to answer her like he always did with a "If you say so...", but this time it was too harsh. It went against his convictions, his choice of life. Her choice to die. To let her say that was to accept a reality that he had fervently rejected throughout his life as a hero, amplified by his past.
- No. It won't happen.
Before leaving the building, furious.
Helmir greeted the fairy princess as is customary when leaving a nobleman's residence, and then joined his "little brother".
Lelelitio came out of a room and indicated to Malalalivia that her bath was ready. She nodded and headed to the bathroom, staring at the big door for no reason, before she managed to detach herself from it and dive into the hot water of this bathtub patched with tape and glue from Daqi wood sap.
Outside, Helmir was escorting the Hero out of the Nether, not that he needed any so-called security, but it was mostly to prevent him from venting all his frustration on buildings or innocents.
- Kid?
- Yes ?
- Why don't you want to help them?
- I've said it before: saving people is not my role.
- But you've done it before. Many times before.
- And each time, I failed. Just a few months ago, I had dead children in my arms. This proves what I keep telling you!
The night elf stopped him and turned him towards her, she bent down and looked him straight in the eyes.
- That's it. Even though we've only been talking for a short time and on rare occasions, I think I know you well enough, with the melancholy look on your non-existent face. I haven't forgotten the day you stepped into that toxic sand to save that girl's father and got booed, and after that event you were sick for weeks, writhing in pain with no one to help you, and your body had to evacuate, on its own, the toxins that had seeped into it. And yet, you never blamed them and continued to help others, even when they blamed you for the death of this man. You don't blame them for their lack of recognition, but for your inability to save others.
He shrugged and looked away.
- That's life, boy. You can't hold back from helping others because you can't save everyone. That can't be the conclusion of your role in this world.
- And yet, I believe it well, he sighed, there is nothing which could, which can or which will be able to thwart the Fate of the hero. As much not to be made illusions, he confided, I will do what I have to do, then basta. You you can make it, you are subjected to no destiny, he says to him by withdrawing his hands of his shoulders.
- Perhaps I am not subjected to the destiny, but I remain one of the Daggers of the Shade of Sylvania, clarified she, I cannot act blindly by not informing my hierarchy of it.
- Are you going to do it?" asked the Hero, watching her out of the corner of his eye.
- Not at the moment. I have to check something first.
Meanwhile, the princess Malalalivia rubbed carefully every part of her body, removing the dirt that had accumulated on her body, the impurities that could have been embedded in the hair that Lelelitio was struggling to make presentable with the little business she had for her.
She took advantage of being alone to have a little fun with the water of her bath and her hands, mimicking boats floating alongside a semblance of a duck made with her hand, pretending to be children having fun on a slide with her fingers sliding along her slender and muscular legs. But the emptiness of this ephemeral distraction was felt, and the gloom invaded the mind of the princess, she began to contemplate her reflection showing her dejected face and her empty look, her face imprisoned by her hair that surrounded her
Then she snapped, hitting the water of her bath, not knowing where to vent the stress accumulated by all her responsibilities that she could not fulfill, slowly exhausting herself until this sudden explosion of anger disappeared. She sank deeper and deeper into the water of her bathtub, staring at the cracked ceiling of that dismal bathroom, and came to the conclusion that, despite all her strength, she would need help. Not just anyone's help, but this "Man"'s.
But how do you get him to accept?
Finally, if she did not succeed in rallying the hero of the legend to her cause, she would not be able to stop this abominable machination... Was she going to lose once again the people she loves because of her impotence in front of the elites of this country and the abandonment of the greatest of heroes?
This simple thought increased her frustration to the point that she scratched her shoulders in anger. And she began to look at the wall in front of her, which she had pounded into like Swiss cheese. Repeating untiringly "Fight! Fight! Fight for them! Feeling the pain of the stigmata along her wrists and those along her spine, feeling the phantom pain of her beautiful wings torn off, long ago...