Jack woke to a banging on his door. He heard Marina yelling his name. He sprang out of bed, throwing on whatever happened to be in his wardrobe, and stumbled to the front of the house.

He threw open the door. Marina stood right on the desk. Over her shoulder was Halson.

He was bleeding.

“I’ll be alright.” Halson said cheerfully, as they laid him on a wood plank in the backyard. But his voice sounded weak.

Jack took off Hal’s coat to reveal the injury. A gash in his side coated in dry and fresh blood.

There ain’t any bloody doctors no more.” Halson coughed.

Jack took a step back. “Forget a doctor, you need a healing mage!”

“Marina! Go get help!”

“I already told a bunch of people! A hero is on the way.”

“I’m sorry Jack, I shoulda listened to your rant about how the Aldarians would deal with it.”

Jack winced. “I’m sorry for not helping you. If I did, well… You wouldn’t be stabbed.”

“Or apologizing.” Halson chuckled, but quickly devolved into coughing.

A guy ran towards them. He wore green armor. He had a badge of Rorin on his chest.

“Hey, what seems to be the problem?” He announced in an unnaturally optimistic tone.

Marina raised her head from her hands. “He’s bleeding out! Help him!”

“Jeez, Miss freakout over here, huh? Anywho, you say he’s bleeding? Is it a slash or stab?” The guy responded, still somewhat cheerful. “By the way, I’m Greg.”

Are you going to do something? Jack asked, raising his voice.

“Yes. First let me get out my trusty sewing needle, then-”

“Wait, why not use a healing potion?”

The guy scoffed, as if Jack had actually just asked a stupid question. “What? You want me to waste a health potion on this guy?”

“His name is Hal, and yes, why not?” Jack was beginning to dislike Greg, despite him being there for just over a minute.

His wound isn’t that serious, we have people on the brink of death, and uhh, health potions ain’t exactly cheap.” He explained, matter-a-factly.

Jack said nothing. And with that, Greg proceeded to sew the wound closed.

Halson yelped.

“Oops, sorry. Maybe I shoulda paid more attention in class, oh well.”

Jack stared at Greg.

Greg looked back at him, then snorted. “Wow, none of you have a sense of humor.”

Jack again, didn’t say anything. He just wanted it to be over.

“Alright, looks like he’s good to go. Pretty good job for someone with no experience, eh?”

“What?” Jack asked.

Hal groaned.

Greg froze in place, fidgeting with his hands. “There was another guy who was supposed to come, but he wasn’t there, so they sent me.

Jack was exasperated. “He’s going to be okay, right?”

Greg resumed swinging his arms. “Yeah, yeah, he should be okay.”

“Owww…” Moaned Halson.

“Wait, before you go, can you at least give him just a few drops of a health potion to ease his pain?” Marina asked.

Greg sighed. “Listen, the potions are for emergencies only. If I give you a potion, I’d probably get fired.”

Jack slumped down.

Greg wiped his hand with a piece of cloth. “There’s a certified doctor near Hippod dock. If it still hurts, you can take him there.”

And with that, he began walking away.

Jack and Marina sat next to Hal’s bed.

“He was a prick.” Halson coughed.

“Sorry, again.” Jack rubbed his face. “I don’t know… I shoulda helped, or something.”

“It’s alright, this is just a scratch.”

“I know this sounds kind of a stupid question, but did you get the bag back?”

Halson coughed. “Nope, but I broke the poor bastard’s leg.” He grinned, “Told ya I don’t go down without a good fight.”

“I helped too!” Marina added. “Kicked him real hard!”

Halson and Jack chuckled. “He couldn’t have gotten far. He’s probably still in Rorin.”

Marina nodded. “Yeah.”

Jack looked back and forth between the two, realizing what they were insinuating.

“You’re going back?”

Halson smirked, “Yeah, I’ll be all better tomorrow,and it’ll be a 3v1 this time, well unless you sit on the sidelines again.”

Jack raised his hands. “Okay fine, but we report him as soon as we spot him, got it?”

“Deal.” Halson grinned.

Helen held his hand as they walked, but Jack was wondering when she would break free due to curiosity. She beamed at the sight of Aldarians walking past.

There was a massive stage in the courtyard, much like that of a play, but bigger. Lanterns strung across in many colors.

Eight Aldarians were on stage, some appeared to be talking and laughing, others looked annoyed or bored. One of the Aldarians held a sononora, which was a cone shaped device that could project a voice a long range. He appeared to be arguing with a female hero who wore a shiny cape. He put up his hands, indicating he was done talking, then he turned to the crowd.

There he was, the same face from his nightmare, Cadrick.

He loosened his grip for just a moment, but it was just enough for Helen to mistake it for allowing her leave. He felt his hand slip away.

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“Hey!”

She ran toward the stage, only stopped by the crowd. Jack caught up and grabbed her shoulder. “Hey, I said stay with me!”

Other children stood there too. They watched with awe, as did Helen.

“Dad, look! It’s Cadrick the great slayer!”

“I see, I see.” Jack replied.

“Dad, my birthday is tomorrow, why are we here today?”

“I hope you don’t mind, but the festival is today only.”

She looked up at him again confused. “I heard that It used to be any day of the week.”

Jack thought about it for a moment. “I don’t know why they changed it.”

“Helen, we’re only staying for a bit, I have other things to do today.”

She looked sad again. “But, you said we’d get to stay.”

Jack sighed, then got down to eye level. “I know, but something came up, and I'm sorry, we can go do something on the weekend. How about a fishing trip, huh?”

She looked sad.

“And besides, we’re gonna stay for the announcements.”

“Attention!” Cadrick spoke. His voice echoed through the crowd. People cheered. He smiled at this.

“Welcome to Rorin!” Another hero yelled out.

Jack started to clap, but realized what he actually said and put his hands back down.

Cadrick looked pale. He gritted his teeth, and whispered something to the guy.

They guy got mad and left. Another hero followed him off stage.

Cadrick put back on a smile that could blind a Goblin and continued.

“As I was saying, I am so glad to be joining you today! This was my favorite town out of all I’ve visited. And well, I have to say that in my 109 years of being alive, none have matched the hospitality. I know there are a lot of local Aldarians here that have so much potential… Just wasted.” His smile got bigger.

“Some of you want more than to just kill the same slimes all day long. Quest of this, quest for that! It just gets boring sometimes. I was 24 when I realized that I could be a part of something so much bigger… So much greater…”

“Unfortunately, I know what you all are thinking. The guidelines of the AFHA are too strict! What a shame. If only there was another way to become a professional hero…”

His eyes lit up. “Oh, but there is! We’ve had new guilds popping up for quite some time now. I belong to the Iron Legion, the largest group currently!”

“You’re probably wondering, what's the catch? Well there isn’t any!”

“You’re always welcome to join, just provide the payment, pass the test, and get out there and make a name for yourself.”

“I want to join!” Rang out a voice.

That voice was Helen’s

The crowd was silent.

Cadrick laughed. “Oh, we have our newest recruit, it seems! Tell me, what's your name, little girl?”

“Helen!” She shouted excitedly.

“And are you a second generation, or a third perhaps?”

She cocked her head. “What’s that?”

Cadrick’s smile faded a bit. “Who is the parent of this girl?”

Jack raised his hand. “Here.”

Well, you must have taught your daughter some fighting skills, perhaps some spells? Where were you summoned?”

“Actually, I’m not summoned, sir.”

Cadrick chuckled a bit. “Then who’s daughter could this possibly be?” He asked fondly.

“Mine.” Jack stared at him. He remembered his nightmare, the one he told not even Sheila. This man was nothing to him, he had never known or met him personally. Yet Jack felt a sense of discomfort, even annoyance, at Cadrick’s voice.

Cadricks smile faded, “Didn’t you tell her?”

Helen's face contorted in sadness. But she didn’t cry, at least not yet.

Cadrick had a pitiful look on his face. “I’m sorry, but you shouldn’t be a part of any guild, for your safety. I hope you understand.”

Some other parents looked at him, shaking their heads, like this was all his fault. Because it was.

He didn’t have it in him to tell Helen, really, that she wouldn’t be able to do any hero work. Yet he had still taken her there.

Cadrick gave him a look of disappointment, then he turned back to the audience.

“Anyways, I have a neat little story to tell you. When I was just summoned, I had no idea what to do. I wandered around naked, until I stumbled upon the village of Rorin!”

The audience laughed.

“Imagine a man like me walking around with nothing but a leafy loincloth! The village took me in with such hospitality, I remembered it even a century later. That is why I chose this town. It's people are too kind, and its landscape so beautiful.”

One of the Aldarians behind Cadrick rolled his eyes.

“But then, the fourth demon king sent his army here! I was right out of the sky, and I was already tasked with holding off the army. Naturally, I couldn’t just abandon the people who took me in. So I took a sword and slashed until there was nothing left.”

“However, many died that day.” He said in a solemn tone. “A moment of silence for the brave men and women who I failed to save.”

He put his head down, as did everyone else.

After a moment, he pulled it back up again. “Their lives weren’t in vain.”

From behind the stage, mayor Faber walked up. He looked uncomfortable.

Cadrick patted him on the back without looking.

Before Helen could respond, Halson hobbled up to him.

“Jack, Marina found him! We already called a hero, but we need your help to catch him!”

“Okay, Hal, can you watch Helen?”

Hal pointed towards the edge of town.

When Jack found Marina she was pointing toward a man sitting on a bench. “There he is.” She whispered. “Jack, you’re a hunter right?”

“I’m not a soldier.” Jack replied. “You called the Aldarians right?”

The guy got up, he began walking away.

Not this time. He thought.

Jack sprinted towards the man. The guy turned. He was much bigger than Jack. He swung his knife defensively. Jack dodged clumsily. The guy punched him in the face, probably breaking his nose. Jack toppled, rolling on his side and getting back up.

The guy swung again. This time Jack grabbed the guy's arm and looped his arm around his neck. The guy threw him off and punched him again

“Hey!”

Suddenly the man was pushed, he flew over jack and hit a stand. It was a hero, finally.

As the guy got up, his face filled with fear. The hero pulled out his sword.

Suddenly, the man pulled out a potion, which he chugged, wiping his lips after. His injuries appeared to heal instantaneously.

“Come closer so I can kill you Cain!” He growled.

Cain waved his hand. “Nah, I’m good. Why don't you stay nice still, huh?”

The guy didn’t. He charged towards Cain, yelling in anger. He threw the potion, which exploded into a smoke cloud.

He jabbed the knife toward Cain, when suddenly, another hero showed up, bigger than Cain. He grabbed the man by his shirt and shoved him into the ground.

Cain laughed in delight. “Ohh man! This never gets old! Maybe if you stopped stealing from me, I wouldn’t have to beat your ass!” Cain kicked the man.

“Chill out, Cain. You took too much this time!”

“Shut up! I know my limits, now get you ass over here unless you want this fucker to keep stealing!”

“People need to know!” The guy yelled. He looked pleadingly towards Jack. “Please, I haven’t got a single copper to my name.”

“Shut up!” Cain was getting angry now. But he calmed himself immediately afterwards.

He turned to Jack, “Hey, get outta here before you get hurt.”

He grabbed the guy and punched him in the nose. “You know what I hate most? Bandits! You just can’t stop stealing! You keep taking my shit when I’m not looking and I’m getting sick!”

“You think I don’t know? You tell me I steal from you? You've been stealing from us, your whole life! Every single damn one you!”

Cain swung around. “Maybe I need to teach you a little lesson. How’s about I cut those hands off, so you don’t even think about stealing from me ever.”

Cain lifted his sword. “Pin him down for me, Othid.”

“Wait!” Marina yelled. “Stop!”

Othid elbowed her, giving her a bloody nose.

Marina stumbled away, whimpering.

Impulsively, Jack shot a desperate punch at Cain. He didn’t know why, but something inside him triggered the response. A d part of him that quietly whispered, This isn’t right. In a head normally so full thought to be dismissed, but now the only other sound would be his heart pounding in shock.

Jack felt the crunch of bone under his fist. Cain went limp.

The bandit seized his opportunity. He pulled out a brown potion and smashed it against Othid’s chest. He collapsed, sound asleep.

The man got up, and grabbed something from Cain, then ran off into the night without a word.

Jack ran back the other direction.

“Dad?” she looked worried, “They’re about to start the play, why are they going?”

Jack didn’t answer. He couldn’t describe the events that unfolded. Even as he tucked her into bed, he couldn’t look her in the eyes.