Hiro, Hikari and King, now with bandages around their wounds, enter the party that the villagers have started to hold after Ares was defeated.

They are amazed that deserted and lifeless town has now been transformed into a place full of joy and vitality. The streets that were once empty and silent were now filled with laughter, music and lively dancing. It was as if hope had blossomed again, bringing a rebirth to the once downtrodden community. They proudly witnessed the transformation of that city, knowing that their sacrifice was worth it to return freedom and happiness to its residents.

As they walked through the town a middle-aged gentleman with a funny mustache approaches them and says "Heroes, may I steal a moment from you?"

The trio shake their heads saying yes and the resident asks them to follow him to a quieter place.

After walking a long way and already being out of town they come to a green slope. The view was breathtaking. Lying down, the heroes contemplated the starry sky in all its grandeur. Countless stars shone brightly, forming majestic constellations that seemed to dance in the firmament. The darkness of the night highlighted even more the celestial brightness, creating a dazzling spectacle. It was as if the universe revealed all its splendor that night, enveloping them in a mantle of magic and mystery. The sight of the starry vastness awakened a feeling of awe and humility, reminding them that they were part of something much bigger than themselves.

The resident says " What do you think of this place?"

To which the three respond with enthusiasm " Incredible!".

The resident goes on to say "I'm glad you like it, and here I can tell you what I wanted to tell you.

Hiro says "Go on old man".

The resident lies back gazing at the sky " This was our town before Ares came here two years ago, always celebrating, everyone was happy, even though we couldn't splurge on money, we could splurge on happiness! But when he arrived...." The resident then as he tells it begins to recall the day when everything changed.

Two years ago:

The town was preparing for the harvest festival, a time of gratitude for the incredible year of abundant food. The residents were in high spirits, decorating the streets and setting up festive tents. Suddenly, however, outside the town, the heavy, menacing sounds of a terrible man's footsteps began to echo through the air. With each step, the earth shook and the atmosphere was filled with apprehension. The hearts of the inhabitants quickened as the sounds of horses' hooves joined the sinister symphony, announcing the arrival of an unknown and dark force.

That terrible Man was Ares who upon entering the city tapped his foot making the ground shake even harder and said with a threatening tone "This city is now mine, anyone who opposes will die!"

Upon hearing those words the king of the city who was helping the citizens to prepare the festival approached Ares with his chest out and said " It is not because you are threatening that we will submit to you!"

Ares, upon hearing those words, drew his flaming sword and immediately cut off the head of the king, who despite being kind and courageous, had never fought and was an easy target. Ares takes the King's soapy head and says angrily "DOES ANYBODY WANT TO OPPOSE ME?".

Upon witnessing such a scene, the people were immediately petrified. Silence spread through the crowd, who were in shock at the sudden and brutal act. The air was charged with a mixture of fear and surprise. Wide-eyed gazes were fixed on the figure of Ares, holding the bloodied head of the king. A murmur of fear and disbelief ran through the crowd, while some instinctively stepped back, trying to distance themselves from the epicenter of the violence.

Ares, seeing that no one else was going to oppose him, says "LISTEN SCUMBLE THIS CITY BELONGS TO THE SIGNS OF LIGHT AND YOUR JOB IS TO SERVE AS A TRIBUTE TO THE MASTER WHO DOES NOT OBEY ALL THAT I SAY SHALL BE SACRIFIED".

After hearing the news that they would be served as tribute and sacrifice, a new wave of despair and panic swept over the people. Anguished cries echoed through the streets, as families hugged each other for comfort at the terrible prospect. The countenance of every individual reflected fear and disbelief at the impending tragedy. Tears rolled down their faces, mingling with the sweat of agony. A feeling of helplessness spread, causing some to go into a state of shock, while others despaired, seeking any means to escape this cruel sentence. The heavy silence alternated with laments and pleas for mercy, but the words seemed to be lost in the air, as the cruel reality imposed itself before them. The community found itself united by sadness and shared terror, facing an internal battle between resignation and desperate hope for a possible salvation.

You could be reading stolen content. Head to Royal Road for the genuine story.

"SILENCE!!!" said Ares upset. "THE NEXT ONE WHO SCREAMS OR CRIES WILL BE KILLED, AND OF COURSE ANYONE WHO TRIES TO ESCAPE WILL BE KILLED TOO".

The citizens began to stab their bottom lip to hold back their crying and screaming, and those who couldn't or tried to escape were killed mercilessly, whether they were adults or children, men or women.

After that fateful day, a blanket of terror fell over the city, causing people to lock themselves in their homes, fearing for their lives. Fear hung in the air, suffocating any remnant of normalcy. The once bustling streets became deserted, with locked doors and windows, silent witnesses to the fear that was spreading. Those who dared to enter the city were met with hostility, barely lasting a day before facing a tragic and fatal fate. The atmosphere of desolation and constant danger drove away any hope and turned what was once a thriving community into an empty shadow of what it used to be.

Back to the present:

The resident ends up saying already with tears in his eyes " And that lasted until today..." Tears streamed down his face as sobs accompanied his crying. Amidst the emotion, he continued, "The death of my best friend, King Rodolfo, has finally been avenged.... Thank you, heroes!" His voice carried a mixture of sadness and gratitude, for the memory of the loss was still present, but justice had been done. It was a mixture of feelings that permeated that moment, a mixture of relief and sorrow. However, the villager found solace in the courage and bravery of the heroes who brought justice to his friend and freed the city from the oppressive yoke.

Hikari, upon hearing that story, turned away, unable to hold back the tears that flooded her eyes. The painful memories of what had happened in her own land came to the surface, echoing in a similar way to the story she had just heard. The sadness and weight of those memories invaded her heart, bringing up the sense of loss and suffering she had faced. Every detail of the narrative resonated deeply, revealing the emotional scars that Hikari carried with her.

Hiro, overcome with rage and frustration, struck a blow on the ground with devastating force, echoing a deafening boom that left everyone around surprised. With eyes sparking with indignation, he exclaimed in an unnerved voice, "Shit! Who do they think they are! They stole my father, they stole Hikari's land, they stole this city and who knows how many more..." His voice trembled with the intensity of the feeling of injustice and powerlessness that took over him. Each word carried the weight of personal and collective suffering, the echo of shattered lives and broken promises. Hiro's determination mingled with the pain, fueling his determination to fight back against those who had usurped everything he held dear.

King approached Hiro. In a soft voice, he said, "Take it easy." His gaze, filled with empathy, was directed at Hikari, who was also visibly moved. King wanted to convey the message that expressing himself in an explosive and uproarious manner would not be beneficial at that difficult time. He understood the pain and frustration that Hiro was facing, but knew that finding a solution required a more serene approach. With compassion, King encouraged Hiro to find an emotional balance, reminding him that acting calmly and clearly would be most effective in seeking justice and restoration.

Hiro replies " You're right... I apologize...".

The resident, now more serene, expressed his gratitude to the heroes "Thanks again for everything!" he said sincerely. Before continuing, he realized that he had forgotten to introduce himself properly. With a slight smile, he continued, "Forgive my distraction. My name is Arthur, and by genetic succession, I shall be the next king of the city Excalibur. The former king, besides being my best friend, was also my older brother." A mixture of pride and sadness flashed through his eyes, reflecting the complexity of his emotions. With a nod to the heroes, Arthur began walking toward the city, aware of his responsibilities as a future leader, but also carrying with him the memory and legacy of his beloved brother.

Hiro, Hikari and King bid the resident farewell by nodding back.

"Signs Of Light..." murmurs Hiro

"He will surely make an excellent king!" Said Hiro confident in his words.

Hiro realized that this was not the appropriate time to deepen the discussion, so he stood up, put King on his shoulder, pulled Hikari, who had already stopped crying, and with determination and conviction he said, "Let's celebrate too, and I won't take 'no' for an answer!" King agreed, reinforcing, "Go ahead!"

Hikari let out a shy smile, looking at the two of them, and in a more cheerful voice, though still charged with emotion, she said, "First one to fall drunk loses!" Hiro took the opportunity to joke with King, "King, can you drink alcohol? After all, you are a squirrel, haha!".

King cast a challenging look and replied, "Let's see who falls first then!" And so, our heroes returned to the city, joining the party. They danced, sang and drank throughout the night, releasing all their worries, frustrations and fears. It was a celebration that transcended the difficulties they faced, allowing them to find relief and renewal amidst the shared joy.

What will be the next steps of these so-called "Heroes" in the world of Nebula