Max put his armor back on. He hadn’t liked taking it off, but it wasn’t very comfortable to sleep in. He needed to rest, considering the task ahead of him. He wasn’t putting it on alone. Helen was helping him. He didn’t want to—or couldn’t—do it by himself, as nervous as he was.

“You seem a bit nervous, Mr. Max. The mission isn’t that dangerous, is it? They’re just orcs. They couldn’t do anything to you when... Well, you know when.”

Max sighed slowly. “I know.”

“And against Ronan and his serpent, you didn’t even blink.”“I know, Helen, but listen. I’m a normal person, okay?” He didn’t think it would shatter the pedestal she had placed him on, but maybe it would help a little. “I’m not a warrior. I’ve told you that. Before I came to this world, before Ares took an interest in me, for whatever reason, I was just a normal guy. When I rescued you, that was one of the first times I’d ever been in a life-or-death fight.”

“I still don’t understand why you seem so nervous now. Is it because of me? Are you afraid of what might happen to me?”“Yes, of course, partly.”

Max took a deep breath. He didn’t even want to think about it.“But that’s not the point. I’m a little nervous, but it’s not the end of the world. It’s a normal reaction. What’s strange is that my hand didn’t shake. Not with the orcs. Not with the serpent. And that son of a bitch. I don’t know.”

“Well...” Helen said slowly, after a pause. “I guess you’re a natural-born hero. That’s probably why it wasn’t so hard for you. Even now, I’m sure your fear will disappear quickly when the time comes.”

Maybe she was overspeaking, but...“Maybe. But that worries me. It’s not normal. It makes me think that some of the powers Ares gave me are affecting my mind too. My emotions.” Max clicked his tongue. “I could be completely wrong, more off track than ever in my life. But I can’t help thinking about it.”

Helen bit her lower lip. She nodded and continued her work in silence, helping him put on the last pieces of armor and adjusting the sword hanging from his waist.“Isn’t that a good thing?” she asked finally. “To stop being afraid when fear doesn’t help you?”

Helen wasn’t wrong. If he had lost his cool in the cave or by the sea, if he had let his emotions take over... He would surely be dead by now. And Helen too. Or worse, she wouldn’t be.

He swallowed.She wouldn’t be.

The little girl wasn’t wrong, but things weren’t that simple either. Still...“Yes, I guess you’re right,” he said finally. There was no need to add more weight to his body, to his burden.

His worries were silly, deep down. If his mind had truly been manipulated, he couldn’t even begin to suspect how many more changes had taken place or do anything to stop them. He didn’t like thinking that way.

He preferred to tell himself it was something special inside him. As if all this time, an animal had been waiting for the right circumstances to be born. As if the potential had been inside him from the beginning, locked away.

Because he had lived a peaceful life. Because he had lived in a society where he didn’t need to gamble with death to forge a future. When his situation changed, he changed in response. He preferred to think it was just that.

“I’ll let you help with the defenses. But you have to stay very close to me, Helen. At all times. Do you understand?”“I was going to do that anyway.”Stick to him.“Yes. That’s true.”

This tale has been unlawfully obtained from Royal Road. If you discover it on Amazon, kindly report it.

----------------------------------------

The tribe looked as it should: a hive on fire.

After all, the risk they faced wasn’t just losing their lives. The reaction was warranted. There were fates worse than death. How could it end in a world like this? Max thought. It’s not entirely fair. At least I did something good. I saved this girl.

He reached out a hand, messing up Helen’s hair. It felt good to pat her head, and even better to see that she liked it.

Helen didn’t seem afraid at all, despite what her mother had suffered before her eyes. Once again, she placed too much trust in him, just because he had arrived just in time to save her, and because he was Ares’ chosen champion. But if that helped calm her, he would accept it with a smile on his face.

The truth could be very inconvenient. Besides, maybe it wasn’t unfounded trust. So far, he had killed more orcs than anyone else. He had enough practice. Could it really be that hard?

They spotted Silvana, who separated them from the tribe, from the little houses among the trees, and led them deeper into the forest. Soon, the buildings disappeared from view, swallowed by the tree leaves.

“Be very careful,” Silvana said. “There are traps everywhere, carefully planned.”

Max gripped Helen’s hand tightly.“Stay close to me,” he repeated. “Follow my steps. Don’t stray even a little. Okay?”

The girl nodded seriously. In turn, Max followed Silvana’s steps. Obviously, if any of the traps were triggered and Helen got hurt, even by accident, they could say goodbye to the deal.

That was what his burning gaze communicated as he stared at the tribe’s leader.

Silvana, it seemed, understood the message.“It’s easy,” she said. “There’s no danger.”

He felt like she wasn’t taking him seriously. Enough to ask for his help, but not entirely. She seemed to believe he wasn’t a threat, that if things got out of hand, they could easily control him. Part of him wouldn’t mind an excuse to show her how wrong she was. He felt big, full of life, larger than life itself.

The journey wasn’t long. Passing through the leaves and branches, they reached another place: a lookout that would provide a good view of the approaching orc army. Their motives remained a mystery. He wasn’t sure why she had brought him there, but he didn’t really care. He had a mission, and he wanted to complete it as quickly and safely as possible, for both their sakes. That was all.

“You know, Max,” Silvana said, “we have everything on the line. You just... a good pay. Can I really trust you?”

“Isn’t it a bit late to ask that?”

“I’m serious. Can I trust that you won’t turn tail and run as soon as the risk seems too high?”

“If you’re asking if I’ll act like a mercenary, then no. But I won’t lie to you either. If the situation becomes untenable, I’ll grab Helen and get the hell out of there. I have priorities.”

“Of course. I wouldn’t ask otherwise.”

Max crossed his arms. He was glad Helen was staying silent for now.

“I appreciate the view, but I hope you didn’t bring me here just to ask me that.”

Silvana laughed dryly.

“No. Of course not. I wish. Listen, Max. The strategy I have in mind is simple: cut off the head of the snake. Usually, when they lose their leader, they cower. Or they start thinking too much about how to fill the power vacuum, to take advantage of the moment. In any case, they become easier to defeat.”

“I get that’s what you think. I won’t argue with you. But the last time I killed an orc king, that didn’t happen. They coordinated and came after us, angrier than ever.”

“Yes, that’s also possible,” Silvana admitted. “But it doesn’t usually happen.”

“Why?”

“Because they don’t usually have good leaders. That’s why I imagine the one you killed was far more articulate than the average orc. Almost sophisticated.”

“True,” Max said thoughtfully.

“Well, like I said, that doesn’t usually happen. Besides, it’s worth a try.”

“I won’t argue the strategy. You have more experience than me in this. Just get to the point—what do I need to do?”

“It’s very simple,” Silvana said. “When the fight starts, which will be soon, I want you to circle around and ambush the main camp. Kill the leader and get out. I don’t expect more than that.”

“Wait. Why are you...? Do you seriously want me to take Helen?”

Silvana shrugged.

“Don’t think I like it, but none of my men would trust you enough to follow you into enemy territory. And you need help. Unless you’re going to tell me I’m wrong, that you can do it alone.”

“I’ll do it,” Helen said before he could open his mouth. “I’m not afraid.”

“I’d love to know where your confidence comes from.”