Leon sat down on the ground, savoring the last drop of water from the gourd Barto had given him. He shook it, realizing it was empty, and dipped it into the river to refill.

"Heyo, Leon!" Aster called out as he approached. "How was your nap, my friend? I see you’ve got your gear back on."

Leon stretched and nodded, feeling refreshed. "It was good. My mind's a lot clearer now. So, Aster, what were you up to while I was resting?"

"Just scouting around, looking for anything useful," Aster replied with a casual shrug.

"Sounds productive," Leon said with a grin. "So, are you ready to get back to the mission?"

Aster sighed, his shoulders drooping. "Honestly, I’m getting pretty weary of this mission. I’m ready to head home."

Leon said, "Me too. Come on, mount your camel." They both climbed onto their camels and began moving forward.

Aster patted his camel's neck. "Thank you very much for protecting Leon. You, good sir, have done a great job."

Leon raised an eyebrow. "Aster, why are you talking to the camel like it's a human?"

Aster grinned. "I told it to watch over you until you woke up. You should thank your camel too, since I told her the same."

Leon gave his camel a gentle pat, showing his gratitude. "Thanks, girl. I appreciate it."

They continued their journey, chatting about their mission.

"This has definitely been quite the ride, huh, Aster?" Leon said with a grin.

Aster nodded. "Yeah, it has."

"Getting out of the city was nice," Leon remarked. "It's good to see the world beyond the desert for a change."

Aster looked ahead thoughtfully. "You know, if we weren't on a mission and it was just the two of us hanging out, we could see the world together."

Leon smiled. "That sounds cool. I'd definitely be up for that."

Aster's tone softened as he glanced at Leon. "You know, Leon... you're a great friend. I can’t remember the last time I had someone to trust and talk to."

Then, a flash suddenly struck Aster’s mind, and a voice echoed in his head: "You are not good enough. I created you, and this is what I get in return? The bare minimum!"

The flash shifted to a memory, one that Aster had tried to bury. He was a teenager, around 15, training hard to join the Mirage Vanguards—the elite guards of the City of the Scorching Wastelands. Aster had always dreamed of becoming one; he had the mind, the spirit, the will of a warrior.

But then, there was his father. The captain of the Mirage Vanguards, a man who had once been a symbol of strength. But now, he was a shadow of his former self, drunk every single day. That night, his father returned home once again, stumbling through the door, eyes glazed, reeking of alcohol.

Aster’s mother tried to comfort him, but he shoved her aside, collapsing onto the floor. “Where’s the little brat?” he slurred.

“He’s outside playing,” his mother replied, her voice trembling.

His father’s eyes flared. “Open the door. I want to see him.”

Aster’s mother obeyed, opening the door to reveal Aster, still training with his father’s sword. The boy, so focused on his training, didn’t see his father approach. In a split second, Aster swung the sword, narrowly missing his father.

“Oh, Father, I’m sorry!” Aster stammered.

His father let out a bitter laugh. “Sorry? You’re sorry?” He slapped Aster hard across the face, knocking him back. “You damn brat!” He grabbed the sword back roughly, glaring at his son. “You damn right you’re sorry. Did you even notice how close you came to stabbing your own father?”

Aster’s heart pounded, and he lowered his head. “Yes… I know. I’m sorry.”

His father’s eyes burned with anger as he stood over Aster. "What were you doing playing with your old man's sword?" he sneered.

Aster quickly stammered, "No, sir... I was just training."

His father’s glare grew fiercer. "Training for what?"

Aster swallowed, nervously meeting his father’s gaze. "The... the... Mirage Vanguards."

At the mention of the Vanguards, his father's expression darkened even more, the rage in his eyes intensifying. "The Mirage Vanguards!" he growled. "Oh, son, do you have any idea what it's like in the Mirage Vanguards?"

Aster hesitated for a moment, then spoke up with quiet determination. "Well, no... I was hoping that, maybe, one day when I’m fully grown, I could join them."

"Is that so?" Aster’s father sneered, his voice laced with bitterness. He threw the sword at Aster’s feet. "Then fight me."

Aster’s eyes widened in disbelief. "Fight you, Father? But I—"

Before Aster could finish, his father’s fist connected with his face, sending him stumbling backward. "Pay attention to your enemy," he growled.

Aster’s mother screamed from the doorway, her voice full of panic. "Hey, stop! Don’t hurt him!"

His father snapped, "Shut up, woman! The boy wants to join the Mirage Vanguards, which means he has a death wish."

Aster’s mind raced as he wiped the blood from his nose. His father’s words echoed in his ears, but he wasn’t about to back down. During this time, the war between the Mirage Vanguards and the Hellstorm Legion had reached a bloody peak, with both sides fighting relentlessly for land, the death toll mounting on both sides.

Aster rose to his feet, blood dripping from his nose. His father watched, waiting. "Come on," he sneered. "How about this—if you land a solid punch on me, I might consider you worthy to join them."

Determined, Aster charged, throwing punch after punch. But his father was too quick, dodging and blocking each blow with ease. Every time Aster tried to land a hit, his father countered with nothing but clean, punishing strikes. The pain built up until Aster could no longer bear it, his body giving in, and he collapsed to the ground.

His father stepped on his head, pressing down hard. "And now you’re dead," he said coldly. "You’re not good enough. I created you, and this is what I get in return? The bare minimum! I wanted a son who was strong, but I guess you’re not my son."

Aster’s vision blurred as the weight of his father's words hit him harder than any punch. His mother came to her son aid “ That's enough go back to the town and get drunk out of your mind!”

Whatever,” Aster’s father muttered before turning and leaving for town, his footsteps heavy and deliberate.

Aster’s mother stood still, her heart breaking as she watched her son, bruised and battered, struggle to rise to his feet. The sight of him, bloodied and defeated, pierced her soul.

Aster looked at her, his eyes full of pain and uncertainty. "Mother... am I weak?"

Stolen story; please report.

She knelt beside him, gently brushing his hair from his forehead, her voice full of both sorrow and love. "Aster..."

He clenched his fists, his voice trembling. "I wanted to live up to him... to be strong like him. I guess I’m just too weak to be his son... I'm not worthy of it."

Her heart ached as she cupped his face in her hands, looking deeply into his eyes. "No, no, my boy. You are not weak. You are just very young, still growing and learning. You are his son, and no matter what he says, that will never change. You are strong in ways he’ll never understand."

Aster’s gaze faltered, and for a moment, the weight of his father’s cruel words threatened to drown him. But his mother’s soft, steady hands were there to anchor him.

"You’re worth so much more than that, Aster," she continued, her voice unwavering. "Strength isn't just in fists or fighting. True strength is in the heart—the ability to rise, to keep going, even when the world tries to break you."

Aster swallowed hard, a wave of emotion crashing over him as he hugged his mother tightly. Her warmth was all he had left, and in that moment, he felt the weight of everything that had happened, every word, every hurt, every hope.

A year passed, and his father, unable to remain faithful, abandoned Aster and his mother, leaving them to struggle alone. With no one else to turn to, Aster took on the role of caretaker as his mother’s health steadily declined.

But one day, Aster came home to find her lifeless body, cold and still, surrounded by scattered files. The sickness had finally taken her. His heart shattered as he sank to his knees beside her.

As his eyes fell upon a letter beside her, his hands trembled as he opened it and began to read:

*“My son, if you’re reading this, I’m most likely gone from this world. There are so many things I wanted to say before my life ended, but there’s one thing I need you to know: I loved you the moment you were born. I vowed to take care of you, and I did with all my heart. You were a gift, born from the gods themselves. But there is one thing I ask of you: turn my body into ashes and scatter them at the mountain grave. It was a dream I had since I was a child—to climb that mountain and view the world from a greater perspective. After that, I want you to be the man I know you can be. Be better than your father and live out your dreams.

With all my love, sent beyond the grave."*

Aster’s breath caught in his chest as tears blurred his vision. His mother’s final words burned into his heart. He held the letter close, knowing what he had to do.

At the peak of the mountain grave, Aster stood silently, the cool wind brushing against his face as he gazed at the sunny skies. He held the urn containing his mother’s ashes in his hands, feeling the weight of her last request. With a heavy heart, he looked at the urn one last time, then gently scattered her ashes, watching them rise and flow into the sky, disappearing like whispers on the wind.

Aster remained there for a moment longer, the silence of the mountain giving him a sense of peace he hadn’t known before. His mother’s wish was now fulfilled, and he felt a sense of closure, a chapter finally closing in his life. With a deep breath, he turned and began his descent back into the town.

As he neared the town square, he saw the Mirage Vanguards lined up, preparing for their next battle, their armor gleaming in the sunlight. Aster's mind briefly wandered back to his father's cruel words and the years of struggle, but he quickly pushed the thoughts away. There was something more important ahead of him now.

Suddenly, as he walked through the busy streets, he bumped into another teenager, knocking him to the ground. Aster quickly extended his hand, concern on his face.

“Are you okay?” Aster asked, his voice soft but sincere.

The teen looked up, his expression a mix of surprise and embarrassment. "Yeah, I'm fine," he said as he accepted the help. “My name is Leon. I’m sorry, I didn’t see you.”

Aster helped him to his feet, nodding. "No harm done. I'm Aster."

Leon smiled sheepishly. “Nice to meet you, Aster. I guess I should be more careful next time.”

Aster's gaze shifted back to the Mirage Vanguards as they prepared for battle, their disciplined movements and gleaming armor standing in sharp contrast to the chaos of the town around them.

Leon, still standing beside him, watched the scene with intrigue. "Who are they?" he asked, his eyes wide with fascination.

Aster pointed toward the group. "Those are the Mirage Vanguards. They're locked in a battle with the Hellstorm Legion for control of the land."

Leon’s eyes brightened. "That sounds awesome!"

Aster smiled faintly, a sense of pride swelling within him. "Yeah, and I plan on joining them."

Leon raised an eyebrow, clearly impressed. "Really? Don’t you need a ton of training to get in?"

Aster’s gaze sharpened, determination evident in his voice. "Yeah, that’s exactly what I’ve been doing. I’ve been training since I was 13."

Leon’s eyes widened, his respect deepening. "Wow, so that's been three years, huh?"

"Yeah, I'm 16 now," Aster said softly.

"Nice… Hey, do you think I could ever become one of them, Aster?" Leon asked, his voice barely above a whisper.

"Become one of who?" Aster replied, confused.

"The Mirage Vanguards," Leon muttered. "Maybe I could join them, find some purpose in my life."

Aster frowned, sensing the weight behind Leon's words. "Purpose? But don’t you have parents?"

Leon’s face darkened, and he looked away. "No... I don’t have them anymore."

Aster's heart tightened at the sadness in Leon’s voice. He felt an instant connection to him. "I don’t have parents either."

Leon turned to look at him, surprised. "Really? What happened to them?"

Aster paused, his gaze faraway. "My father left my mother and me. Then, my mother... she passed away from an illness." He shook his head, trying to steady his emotions. "What about you?"

"My parents..." Leon’s voice faltered. "My mom died right in front of me. Someone killed her."

Aster’s eyes widened in shock. "That’s... that’s awful. Who did it?"

Leon’s expression darkened even more, the pain evident in his eyes. "It was a man named Master Jingzhi. He killed them.”

Aster fell silent for a moment, absorbing the weight of Leon’s words. "I’m sorry, Leon. That must have been really hard."

Leon nodded but didn’t say anything more, his eyes distant as he relived the painful memory. They stood there in silence, the weight of their shared words lingering between them. Around them, the bustle of people continued, the murmur of voices blending with the sounds of footsteps as the crowd went about their business. In the distance, the commanding officer's voice rose above the noise, giving a speech to the Mirage Vanguards. His words were strong, filled with purpose, but they seemed distant to Aster and Leon, who were lost in their own thoughts.

Leon broke the silence and said, “You know, my father told me something before he died.”

“What was it?” Aster asked.

Leon paused, then continued, “He said, ‘Leon, become someone who inspires others, someone who makes people want to be just like you. Be a hero—a hero who stands tall against all odds, no matter the challenge. And when you’re gone, people will remember you for generations. Make sure you're never forgotten.’”

Leon’s eyes seemed to glimmer as he spoke. “Back then, I didn't really understand what he meant. But now... I think I finally do. I need to become that hero he spoke of, for those who need it. For so long, I felt lost, like I had no purpose after they died. But now... I think I’ve found it.”

Aster said “ Becoming a hero was your purpose.”

“ Exactly. But I don't know where to start from.”

Aster said “ Maybe it starts with Mirage Vanguards.”

Huh?” Leon raised an eyebrow.

Aster nodded. “The Mirage Vanguards—they could be your chance. Maybe that’s where you can start becoming the hero you want to be. What do you say? How about we join together? People will look up to you, celebrate you as the hero they need, especially now, during this war.”

“But... don’t you have to be an adult to join the Vanguards?” Leon questioned.

“Usually, yeah. But they’re desperate now—they’ve started accepting recruits who are sixteen and older since they’ve been losing so many soldiers.”

Leon paused, deep in thought, before a determined look crossed his face. “Alright then. I’ll do it. I’ll join.”

Aster’s eyes met Leon’s, a spark of shared determination between them. “From this day forward,” Leon declared, “I, Leon, will become a hero. And you?”

“I will help those in need and put an end to this war,” Aster replied, voice steady with resolve.

They exchanged a confident thumbs-up, and without another word, sprinted toward the Mirage Vanguards’ camp, ready to sign up and take their first step toward their destinies.

“Aster!” Leon shouted, trying to get his attention. He realized Aster had drifted off somewhere deep in thought. “I’ve been calling your name, and then you just went quiet.”

Aster blinked, snapping back to reality. “Sorry about that, Leon. I was... lost in thought, I guess. What were we talking about?”

“You were just saying how I was a great friend,” Leon replied with a hint of a grin.

“Oh, right,” Aster said with a small smile. “Yeah, you are a great friend, Leon. Honestly, I couldn’t have asked for a better one.”

“Thank you, Aster. It’s truly an honor to be your friend… But you know,” Leon’s eyes sparkled mischievously, “I think this mission could use a little more excitement.”

Aster glanced at him, confused. “What are you talking about?”

Leon grinned wide. “How about a race to the Great Lands of Waterfalls”

“A race?” Aster echoed, raising an eyebrow.

“Yep! And we’re starting right now! 3, 2, 1—” Before Aster could react, Leon took off at full speed.

“Hey, wait a second! You didn’t give me a fair start!” Aster shouted, scrambling into action. “Come on, Carmel! Let’s show him who’s faster!” He urged his horse forward, racing to catch up with Leon, a competitive grin spreading across his face.

Friendship is one of the most important things in life. Having someone to count on makes tough times easier and happy moments even better. When you have a good friend, you’re never really alone—they help lift you up when you’re down and bring joy to even the simplest moments. It’s not always about doing big things together; sometimes it’s just about enjoying each other’s company, sharing laughs, or even just knowing someone cares. Don’t believe it—just look at those two, Aster and Leon having a time of their life.