"...Nnnnghghh...." A young man stirred awake from his sleep.

He sat up from his bed and rubbed his eyes groggily. Where was this place? Where was he? Who was he? Oww...my back! Why does it feel like I was stabbed a couple of times in the back? As he massaged his back, the young man looked around and took in his surroundings. He was in a room, brightly lit by the morning sun shining through the curtain-less windows. The walls, ceiling, and floor were all made from wood painted with a deep mahogany color, giving him the impression that he was in a log cabin or cottage. There was a small table to his right with a vase full of bright-colored flowers. The bed he sat on was a medium-sized bed with both a headrest and a footboard. The mattress was a bit tough not soft like it should be...wait...why does the mattress have to be soft? Could this be related to why he can't seem to remember anything? The young man stared at the bed, trying to remember even the slightest of bits and pieces. As his eyes wandered along the bed, his gaze fell on the pillow...it was comfortable enough...but it wasn't soft. This pillow must have been stuffed with straw and not feathers...feathers? Did he used to be a bed and pillow salesman?

The young man shook his head to rid himself of that thought. He continued to observe and noticed something by the bed. There was a silver breastplate complete with black metallic boots, golden copper gauntlets, and an engraved crimson helmet. The helmet was shaped like a Spartan helmet but without the headdress...wait...Spartan helmet?...Headdress? What are those? The young man turned around the helmet and stared at it...taking in every detail. This helmet...seemed very familiar...could it be his? Was he a warrior? He gingerly placed the helmet on his head and suddenly...he recalled.... His name was...Ian Dolores. He was...a hero.

Unlawfully taken from Royal Road, this story should be reported if seen on Amazon.

Ian took off the helmet as bits and pieces of memories flash in his head. He remembered being on a ship with his team of fellow heroes sailing to the eastern lands as a friend of his reported of sightings of demons terrorizing nearby cities. Suddenly...there was an unusual storm...then.... The only thing he could remember was some kind of long object coming towards him at breathtaking speeds. Then...there was darkness. Ugh...a sudden pain throbbed numbingly in his head.

As he massaged his temples, the door opened and an elderly woman walked in. She looked to be in her mid 60s with a petite and fragile figure. Her hair was gray and pulled up in a bun. She had a kind smile on her wrinkled face and wore a grayish brown colored outfit with a red shawl. When she saw that he was awake, she immediately called out to her husband. Soon, an elderly man entered and the two elderly couple walked to the young man's side.

"Who are you?" Ian asked as he observed the two elders.

"My name is Irwin and this is my wife Celina. We found you and your friends washed ashore in the nearby sea. How are you feeling?" The elderly man introduced. He was also short and his back curved with old age. He had short gray hair and a full blown beard. He had a small limp and walked around with a cane. Like his wife, he too wore a grayish brown outfit.

"Nothing's broken it seems."

"That's good. Do you know who you are?"

"Yes. My name is Ian Dolores...a hero. My friends and I had heard about some demon sightings around here and we came to investigate. Where are my friends?"

"Ah, your friends are having lunch. They woke a few hours before you did. Come join us."

"Okay." Ian agreed as he got up and followed the elderly couple to the living room.