image [https://imgur.com/1ep5c4V.png]

Chev the baker pulled the huge hot loaves of bread from the blistering oven. It was three in the morning, and he had been up for the last eight hours. Soon he would be able to rest and then his daughter would take over the morning shift. He was tired, cranky, and dripping sweat, and grumbled somewhat constantly to himself about being too old for this.

A gentle knock came at the door, and he stubbornly ignored it. Technically his bakery was open, but who came around at this hour? The knock came again, polite but insistent. He set the loaf aside and straightened, his back crackling like small snapping twigs. He glared at the door, not moving. The knock came again, almost sounding like a question.

“I’m COMING!” He stomped to the door and threw it open, surprised to be looking down at a young woman. She smiled back at him, her dark hair framing her pale face. “Hello sir, my traveling companion and I were wondering if we could purchase some of your bread? I don’t mean to bother you, but you are the only place open currently, as even the Inn is closed.” Chev tried to grumble, but the open sincerity of her face stopped him. He suddenly felt like a heel. His bakery was open this late precisely for travelers. He nodded gruffly, and motioned them in towards a small table with a bench off to one side. “Take a seat. I’ll bring you something in a moment.” He heard a delighted sound from the girl, and then he noticed a large man behind her. He stepped back in spite of himself.

The man had a rugged face, and was perhaps even handsome, but he looked haunted. There were dark circles under his eyes, and he stared into the distance as if he saw nothing. The woman noticed his gaze and made an apologetic expression. “I’m so sorry, my friend Luka has gone through a rough time recently. I’m Samantha, it’s a pleasure to meet you.” She held out a hand, and Chev shook it and introduced himself, still eyeing the man, Luka, uneasily. Was that armor enchanted?

“Ah, of course. Where did you both come from?” He went to check out some pastries that should be finishing shortly. “We came from the Starter town, it’s a bit of a walk from here.” Chev grunted, things making sense. Chosen Heroes. They were all strange but usually threw around money pretty casually, and were incredibly helpful if you needed a monster killed. It was rare that anyone came from that Starter location, but it wasn’t a secret. Of course you weren’t allowed there if you weren’t invited.

He kept glancing at Samantha. Yes, she was clearly a Chosen Hero. You could feel the earnest goodness coming off of her. He even felt a pang of worry. This was a rough world, and she was so earnest and open. She was looking around his small and unassuming shop with wide happy eyes, as if she was inside of a palace. He straightened his back and let himself feel flattered. He did keep a neat bakery, and was proud of it. He decided to serve them both fresh meat pies, instead of yesterday's leftover pastries.

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“So, new Heroes, hm?” He placed four large personal meat pies in front of the two, alongside two cups of steaming tea. Samantha nodded. “Well I am, Luka is just along to help me out.” Luka nodded, looking distant. Chev frowned. “Ah, then you’d be going out to that meet up. The competition, correct? It’s taking place in the outskirts of West Capital city this year.” The girl nodded enthusiastically, taking a small bite of the meat pie and blowing into it gently. She nudged her companion, and he picked up the meat pie and began to eat it mechanically. Chev winced as the steam billowed out the back of the pie.

Samantha tried to talk with her mouth full, choked, and then chugged some of the tea, choked on that, and wiped at her mouth and some spilled crumbs. He tried not to smile at her antics. “Mhmhmf! Yes! I’m very very excited to see the other people who have come!” She made a sound of contentment. “Wow this meat pie is delicious, thank you!” He smiled as he continued to get his baked goods ready for the morning. “Thank you miss, I appreciate it.”

He glanced over at her and noticed she was staring. “Miss?” She smiled timidly, but with determination. “Chev… I have a silly favor to ask. Um. Will you root for me?” He blinked without totally understanding. She laughed awkwardly. “I mean, it would mean a lot to have some people on my side. This world is new to me, and I only really know Luka.” Chev felt his cheeks heat, for some reason, and he nodded. “It would be my honor. I genuinely hope for you to do well.” Her smile grew even larger. “I will! I promise that I will always fight for what is right and good, and to make you proud!” He felt her conviction, and in spite of himself felt his eyes prickling. It was so easy to be cynical, to grow weary after a long life. Her youth and exuberance, her desire to do what was right… he had forgotten how good something like that felt.

“You know what, let me get something for you.” He went back through the kitchen of his shop, and then walked upstairs to his small home. He normally wouldn’t leave customers alone downstairs, but he didn’t think for a second he had anything to worry about. Getting out a small lockbox he fumbled about until he found the key, and then clicked it open. Inside were assorted items that he had collected over the years, almost all of them purely sentimental. Except for one item. A ring he had inherited from his grandfather, who had inherited it from his mother. She had been a Chosen Hero. His mother had said she had actually managed to Ascend, although he wasn’t sure he believed it.

He brought the ring downstairs, turning it over in his hand. He had never been a fighter, and neither was his daughter. It was wasted on them. He held it out to Samantha, who looked at it with a surprised and dazzled look. His voice was gruff, but he felt a swell of happiness inside. “Here. This ring can stun an enemy for one second. You can only use it once a day, so it’s not the most powerful magical item, but… I hope it can help you.” Samantha took it reverently, and even the dour man looked over in surprise.

“Thank you Chev. I feel so lucky to have met someone like you. I’ll keep you in my heart, always.”

Chev knew she meant it, and knew he would remember her always as well.