“C-can’t breathe,” Joan managed to choke out.

“I thought you were dead,” Korgron said, not releasing her hug.

Joan gave a light little gasp and tried to escape the hug.

“Um, Korgron? I think she was telling the truth,” Searle said softly.

“I thought I killed you,” Korgron said again.

“You’re about to,” Hardwin said with a soft sigh.

“Shouldn’t we do something?” Andreas asked.

“Korgron’s your future sister-in-law,” Hardwin said.

“Not about her,” Andreas said. “I mean the Wildfire.”

“Eh, I think Chase and Thalgren have it handled,” Hardwin said. “Besides, it’ll do Chase some good after all he put us through.”

Joan was starting to black out. She only had one chance at this and, despite her desires, she had to do it. She flicked her wrist and a knife appeared in her hand. She then stabbed Korgron in the side with it. The demon shrieked and released her, at which point Joan dropped to the ground and gasped for air, sputtering and coughing.

“Joan! What did you do that for?” Korgron asked, her hand reaching over to rub the stab wound, though it barely even bled.

“Are you t-trying to kill me?” Joan asked. “Also, did you all REALLY forget that there’s an ENVOY here? Kill it before it spreads!”

“I mean, you kind of arrived at the tail end of this,” Andreas said with a shrug before glancing out over the fields.

Joan gave a light groan. She had NEVER been this dismissive as the Hero. Well, okay, she had. But it didn’t make it any better. Also she was pretty sure her lungs were crushed. She glanced over at the burned, barren fields. As much as she hated to admit it, they might be right. Four days ago the Wildfire had appeared. Fortunately, they’d been ready for it. It had only one day to spread before the Chosen had descended on it. Thanks to the information she’d given them before they had been ready.

While fields had been destroyed, homes lost and destruction massive, many, many lives had been spared. Now its flames were only a little bit larger than the size of a wagon and even that was being torn apart by the muddy assaults of Chase and Thalgren.

Of course the moment Joan had heard about it, she’d insisted on coming here. With or without the queen. She’d hoped for the latter, but Emeline had insisted. To her credit, the queen had been giving her plenty of space and barely talked to her, frankly it was hard to tell which of them felt more awkward. Joan was annoyed at the queen, but she honestly didn’t have it in her right now to truly be furious at her. Being mad at someone was exhausting, especially if they were at least trying to make it up to her.

Worst, she couldn’t even really blame the queen for making mistakes. Joan made mistakes ALL the time and she had way, way, wayyyyyy more experience than Emeline. But she didn’t feel ready to really forgive her, either. So for now the pair were just stuck in this weird, passive and grudging acceptance of each other’s existence.

Good enough for now, she supposed.

What she hadn’t expected was for them to realize she was here and for Korgron to nearly crush her lungs in a hug.

Joan took a long, slow breath, feeling them fill with air. “Ow. So, ummm. I hear you’ve been trying to figure out what to do now?”

“Something like that,” Hardwin said.

“I’m sorry,” Searle said softly. “I have your book but, well…”

“It’s empty now?” Joan asked. “Yeah. Uhhhh. That happens. Evil monster. Thing. I uhhh… I’ll write a new one. But hey, you broke the spell, so that’s good. Thanks for that, by the way.”

“I’m so sorry,” Korgron said. “I knew Penthe would come if I laid that trap and I could destroy that weapon, but I didn’t know it would do that. If I’d been more careful, all of this could have been prevented.”

“It’s fine,” Joan said. “It all worked out, right? Besides, we’re almost done. As soon as I can stand, we can get to it. We’ve just got to go open a big spider door, figure out what else I can from the spider lich, heh, ironic. Then meet with the fates and then wrap up with one final destruction of the Inferno God’s heart. If we’re fast, we can wrap it up in a month or so.”

Even from her laying position Joan could see the looks the Chosen were giving each other. She readied herself.

“Joan,” Searle said. “Don’t you think--”

“The world needs this,” Joan said. “I know. We’re at a run, doing everything we can to get this done. I know I just got back. But that doesn’t matter.” Very slowly she sat up and looked out towards the last sputtering remains of the Wildfire. “What matters is there’s an ancient, evil, pissed off god of destruction and death waiting for us. What matters is that we’ve all given so, so much. Not just in this life. Just like in the last ones. It might seem like we’re running through all this. Its only been a few months, right?” Joan asked. “Except this war has been going on for more lifetimes than any of us could ever remember It has caused more death, more destruction, more pain, misery and suffering than we could ever imagine. It’s still causing so much. This is our chance to stop it. This is our chance to end it. This is our chance to save everyone. There’s going to be a lot trying to stop us. So we just need to stop it first. Put an end to this cycle before there’s any more suffering.” She held out her hand to Searle.

Sheepishly he reached out and took her hand.

“I don’t know what’s more concerning,” Hardwin said before shaking his head. “The fact that what you’re saying makes some degree of sense or that you make it sound so easy.”

“Oh, gosh no,” Joan said before rolling her eyes. “None of it is going to be easy. I mean, sure, it’ll be easy. Ish. For you guys. But imagine what it’s going to be like for me. I’m going to have to wrangle all of you. Not to mention, oh gosh. I’m going to have to jump into that creepy pit with ten thousand spiders and just, ugh. Ew ew ewwwwww. Nope. None of this is going to be easy. In fact, it’s almost alllll going to suck. But hey, somebody has to do it. Right? Might as well be me.”

Korgron gave a soft sigh before reaching out and giving her another hug, though this time not nearly as tight. “Why does it always have to be you?” she asked. “Why can’t it be somebody else this time? Just this once?”

Joan was quiet for a few moments after that before glancing around at the Chosen. Finally, she gave a shrug and pulled out of the hug. “I don’t know. Frankly, that’s something I want to ask the fates. But I doubt they’d give me a straight answer. Then I kind of want to harass the Nameless One and find out what exactly THEY play in all this. But honestly? I think all of that can wait. Those four things are the things we absolutely need to do next.”

“So, let me get this straight,” Myrin asked. “The most important things are stopping the Inferno God, speaking with the fates, meeting with this spider lich who, need I remind you, was around when you nearly died right before I met you. On top of all of that, one of the biggest, most important things that you put up with all of that is that you jump into a pit of spiders?”

“Well, actually jump into the pit of spiders so I can get to the door they’re watching over and free the poor guy who’s trapped there. Especially now, because our world might need him if we’re going to recover from all of this,” Joan said. “That and there’s no telling how much of the other stuff I’ll even survive. Since I’m the only one who really can rescue him, well…”

“What about Penthe?” Andreas asked.

“Oh, she’s a whole bundle of chaos,” Joan said. “I’m not sure what she’s going to do. I’m hopeful she’ll come around, especially now. If she’s like me, she’s probably still trying to sort out all of the memories and ideas flooding her mind. Things that were locked off. She had some part of the story, but I don’t think she had all of it. I don’t even know if she has all of it now, either. So I can’t say if she’ll help us or try to kill us or what. Or maybe she’ll go after Arta next.”

“Arta?” Korgron asked.

“Oh, right,” Joan said. “Demon Lord was apparently the Hero at some point. I think. I’m like, mostly sure. But the Hungry One kind of infected him and I guess at some point I took over? Maybe? I don’t know. I’m not entirely sure. That’s kind of what I’m hoping to ask the fates about.”

“Hungry One?” Korgron asked.

“Oh, ummm. The Inferno God’s parent. More or less,” Joan said with a shrug. “It’s fine, though. It’s dying. Kind of. You guys beat it. Him? I don’t know. I want to say him. Either way, you guys won, killed it, it possessed the Hero of that time. Now it’s trying to drag our world down in its death throes and we’re not going to let it. I think I’ve got the means to finish it off, though. Or my sword does, at least. Maybe? Or the essence of the Hero does. I don’t really know. It worked on Penthe’s armor, so maybe?”

This story has been taken without authorization. Report any sightings.

Hardwin groaned and reached a hand up, pinching the bridge of his nose. “This feels me with absolutely no confidence. How can you manage to say so much, yet explain everything and nothing at the same time?”

“Just talented, I guess,” Joan said sheepishly. “Oh, by the way. Even if you and Penthe get together later, I’m not calling her mom.”

“Wait, WHAT?” Hardwin asked.

“So, uhhhh… I guess we should get to it, huh? I mean, we’re almost done,” Joan said. “Spell is off, no brain damage. One of the envoys are dead. Or, well, about to be. Not going to be a better time than this.”

“Are we ever going to understand all that’s going on?” Myrin asked.

“No,” Andreas, Hardwin, Korgron, Searle and Bauteut said with varying levels of exhaustion.

“I mean, if I ever figure it all out you’ll be the first to know,” Joan said sheepishly.

“So why can’t we defeat the Inferno God first?” Korgron asked. “We know where it is, right?”

“Because there’s no telling what other things are waiting for us,” Joan said. “There could be a whole bunch of traps and problems waiting for us to get there and end this before we can. I mean, if you’d rather we just go straight to it and risk making things worse because--”

“Fine!” Korgron said before rolling her eyes. “Let’s go find you a big hole of spiders to throw you down. I swear I was never this much trouble for Isla when I was your age.”

“Oh, we alllll know that’s a lie,” Joan said with a roll of her eyes. “Also, ummm. Myrin? Could you give me a look over?”

“Oh? Why?” Myrin asked.

“It still hurts a bit when I breathe,” Joan said sheepishly.

------

Joan stared up at the sky. The stars were beautiful. She wished the night could last forever.

Probably because she suspected tomorrow was going to suck.

She’d already seen a few massive spiders, on the edges of their camps and staying as far from the light as possible. She’d grabbed Zapper from Zorn, though she’d asked him to stay behind. A part of her wanted to ask Bauteut to stay behind, but after the big deal she’d made about ‘not doing the right thing this time’ it didn’t feel right to exclude her.

Then again, making her teleport all over the world with them wasn’t very nice, either. At least they were unlikely to do it multiple times a day.

Now, though, they just had to wait. Zapper had gone off to ‘talk’ with the spiders and ensure they wouldn’t try to harm her. She didn’t like any part of this, but if she only did things she liked she wouldn’t be able to save anyone, let alone everyone.

“Hey, Chase?” Joan asked.

“Hm?” the Chosen asked, glancing over at her.

“You asleep?” Joan asked.

“Yes,” Chase said.

Joan rolled her eyes. “Sorry I ruined your fun.”

“Come again?” Chase asked.

“Telling everyone you were a changeling,” Joan said. “I know how much you absolutely adored hiding the fact you were one from the rest of us for ages.”

Chase gave a light snort. “Ah. I see. I don’t blame you for it. I have been known to, possibly, go a bit too far with my pranks at times. It is likely for the best.”

“I hope so,” Joan said before glancing over at him. “So ummm. What was all that, before? You and Penthe? Why were you helping her?”

“Ah, that,” Chase said. “That was kind of a… hm. Agreement, I suppose. I’d admit, it didn’t go quite the way I planned. I didn’t know why she thought a child like you were such an incredible threat. I think I am beginning to see, though.”

“Oh?” Joan asked. “Let me guess, because of all the masks I wear or something?”

Chase gave a light snort. “Oh, no. I don’t think you wear any masks, Joan. If anything, it looks like you’re desperately trying to keep them off.”

“What, so you think I’m honest?” Joan asked.

“I think you’re terrified to lie,” Chase said.

“Well, lying has gotten everyone I know and love killed,” Joan said. “I’m terrified, traumatized and, uhhh… what’s another good word. Taunting?”

“A truly horrible joker, though,” Chase said with a light chuckle. “We’ll work on that. Anything else you’d like to ask?”

“I mean, yeah,” Joan said. “How she found you, for one. But do you know? Cause I’d bet you don’t.”

“I do not,” Chase said.

“But hey, she’s the guide,” Joan said. “So I’ll bet she has all kinds of things to track the Chosen down. Why you were Dixon, but I’m guessing that was because the Demon Lord had his titanslayer only obeying him, right?”

“Correct again,” Chase said.

“I’d ask why you’re helping us now,” Joan said. “But, well. It’s you. You’re kind of a jerk, but you mean well. We need you, for all your many, many, many, many, oh my gosh sooooo many flaws, abandoning us isn’t something you’d do.”

“Not quite sure how to take that one,” Chase said in a perplexed tone.

“A part of me wants to know if all those times we met in the past, if you were working for Penthe and just never told me,” Joan said. “But not like I can ask past Chase.”

“So…?” Chase asked.

“Now? I have no questions,” Joan said. “Well, no. Very few. Do you trust me?”

“Mmmm,” Chase said. “I think you’ll do everything you can to save this world and us.”

“That’s not an answer,” Joan said.

“It’s close, though,” Chase said with a light chuckle. “I do not trust you with you. You wear no masks and most people I’ve met like that have a tendency to… not live very long.”

“Fair,” Joan said. “I’m going to die earlier than I should. But I don’t intend to die yet.”

“Oh, you don’t?” Chase asked in a teasing tone.

“If I die too soon, I’ll make everyone sad,” Joan said. “I owe you all too much to ever hurt you again.”

Chase gave a chuckle. “Oh? And how much do we owe you?”

“Nothing,” Joan said. “After all, you don’t remember it, so those debts aren’t applied. At least, that’s what I tell myself. Not counting that? Well, I wouldn’t mind taking advantage of being best friends with all of the Chosen now and again. Carry my luggage and all that.”

Chase gave another light chuckle before shaking his head. “More jokes. Go ahead, ask what you need.”

Joan gave a soft sigh before glancing over to him. “I guess, I mean. You used to be good at, well. I just… you know?”

“I don’t,” Chase said.

“I am scared,” Joan said. “Terrified. I’ll have to wear masks again, you know. When things get further. Don’t tell them. When those times come. I’m not as honest as you think. There’s still stuff I’m hiding from all of you.”

Chase gave a soft sigh. “Less than you likely think.”

“Probably,” Joan said. “I’m sorry I don’t have the ability to give you more time.”

“Time?” Chase asked.

“We’re so close to the end,” Joan said. “We only just found you and we don’t even get a chance to… do anything. I guess? I know you well, but you don’t even know me. I—”

“I doubt that,” Chase said.

“What?” Joan asked.

“I doubt you know me well,” Chase said.

“Possibly,” Joan said with a shrug. “But why?”

“I don’t even think you know you,” Chase said.

Joan gave a light snort. “Oh, that’s probably true. I’m a mess. Hero was a mess, too. But I’m working on unraveling his mess and tossing it into my mess so I can unravel that mess. In the end, I’ll have two neatly stacked and unraveled messes that I can bundle into a club and beat someone with. I don’t know who, yet.”

Chase gave another light snort. “Well, at least you’re aware you’re a mess. Somewhat. There’ll be plenty of time for us to get to know each other later. Once the world is saved.”

“There better be,” Joan said with a soft sigh. “I did NOT go through all of this stuff just so you seven could run off and disappear from my life the moment it’s done. Because, you know what? I make it through all this? If the gods decide that, after all of these troubles, I get to live?”

“Oh? What?” Chase asked.

“I’m going to make it all of your problems. You lot may be the Chosen but I’m going to make you all earn that title one way or another,” Joan said before giving a light smile. “But, ummm… so… we’re good?”

“Of course, Joan,” Chase said. “We’re good.”

“Good,” Joan said before giving a light yawn. “All of you are going to have a lot of work to catch up on tomorrow, anyway.”

“Catch up on?” Chase asked.

“Mmm hm,” Joan said. “I’m going to be busy getting to that door. It’s up to you seven to make sure you’re all ready for what you have to fight. After all. You’re the Chosen. I’m just a little normal mortal girl. You can’t expect ME to deal with all of that.”

“Speaking as a fellow ‘little normal mortal girl’,” Bauteut said. “How about you two go to sleep because us mortals need to get up first thing in the morning to ensure we can all hurry up and try and get ourselves killed in one insane method or another.”

Joan snickered, but didn’t speak up again.

Tomorrow it all started again. Open the door. Check the Realm of the Gods one more time. Speak with the Fates. Ensure the Chosen were ready. Destroy the Inferno God. Finish off the Hungry One.

Save.

Everyone.

No matter what happened later. No matter how much work there was still to do to fix their world, it all started tomorrow. A war that had spanned, in some ways, eternity itself.

It didn’t matter if she was a hero, the Hero or a zero.

She would end it.

Because she was Joan and this was how she would save the world.