"You almost had it that time!" Faye pointed at the gauntlet that had, in a flash of light, magically appeared on my hand. "That's the best you've done yet!"

  "Don't patronize me, woman." I ripped the gauntlet off my hand and threw it back into my inventory.

  The hero laughed. "Okay, okay. Yet again, that sucked. Better?"

  "Yes." After a deep breath, and with every ounce of willpower and rage known to me, I dug deep and imagined myself covered in my armor, shield at the ready, sword in hand. A part of me reached into my inventory, and for a moment, I could almost feel my equipment before the feeling slipped away. Before the feeling was gone entirely, though, there was a flash of light. Immediately, I could feel the weight of the amulet Ura-Elathiel gave me around my neck.

  "I mean, that wasn't any better, but at least you look regal."

  "Shut up." I pulled the amulet off and shoved it back into my inventory.

  Her eyes softened, and she took a long look at me before saying. "I know this stuff doesn't come easy to you. I also know that you think tough love is the best way to see progress, so I'm not going to butter you up." She started circling me. "However, I'm not going to needlessly tear you down, either." After she finished a lap, she planted herself in front of me and put her hands on her hips. Somehow, despite her being short enough that she had to arch her neck to look up at my face, she suddenly felt so much bigger than I was. "You're starting to look and act like a guy who could be king, you know?"

  Involuntarily, my eyes dropped. "Yeah. I guess so."

  She pressed her pointer finger into my chest. "It's that right there. That's why you struggle."

  Leaning back to take the pressure off my chest, I instantly felt relief. Her finger left like a stick of rebar trying to tear its way through my sternum. "What are you talking about?"

  "You can't imagine being more than you are right now." She lifted her finger again and looked like she wanted to poke me before seeming to rethink it. "You don't believe it's possible."

  I wanted to argue with her, but deep down, she wasn't wrong. "I guess I like who I am."

  She smiled. "You should like who you are. You're kind, hardworking, and dedicated. You always find a way to help, and you stop at nothing to protect the people you care about. I mean, I watched you protect me against someone so much stronger than you are. Me. The Hero." Her smile grew. "I knew you were something special, but that moment hammered the thought home."

  Uncomfortable with all the praise, I cracked a joke. "Are you hitting on me again, grandma?"

  That earned me a light smack to my cheek. Which caused an explosion of sparks to fill my eyes, and a dozen teeth to fall out of my mouth.

  [Unbreakable]

  "S-shit! Sorry!" Faye's hands found my shoulders. "This is why I don't touch people often!"

  "Ish okhayee." For a good minute, I was a bloody mess. When my jaw fused back together and my teeth grew back, I spat out a glob of blood and grinned. "I was right, wasn't I?"

  Her face pale, she added, "I learned a long time ago that people born under the sign of the Shield, and especially guardians, make the best soldiers, but every one of you people is insane. It's nice not needing so many healers around, though."

  "Racist." I rubbed my jaw. It was as good as new.

  "Racist, huh?" She chuckled. "Fair enough. Don't get me started on those people born under the Flame."

  "Aren't you born under the flame?"

  "Yup." She puffed her chest up. "I'm insufferable."

  "Weren't you just telling me about how I should believe in myself?"

  She shook her head. "No, that wasn't what I was saying."

  "Explain."

  "You can not like yourself and still imagine being something different." That made her laugh again. "Hell, I think that's almost a prerequisite for not liking yourself."

  I pointed around at the courtyard of the house we'd given her. "Well, now that you have a place to call your own, what does something different mean to you?"

  Her lips pressed together as she did a slow turn, looking at everything and nothing as she scanned the place. A soft smile grew as the sounds of the kids' playing echoed over the courtyard's wall. "I think that, when I'm done with everything that needs to be done, I'm going to take a sabbatical." She held her ring, the one that the Lords of Saern forced her to wear, up to the orblight. "I'm going to find a way to take this thing off, and I'm going to be Faye for the first time in a long, long time. Just Faye."

  "You don't have to come here, you know." I realized that maybe the whole house thing felt more like pressure than a gift. "You can go anywhere. Don't feel tied down."

  "Good kick!" One of the kids shouted.

  Her smile widened. "No. I think this is where I want to be. It's a fine place to start fresh. Plus, I have friends here. Old ones and new. And I think I can do some good in this little blossoming country of yours."

  "Faye, you don't have to fight for us. We can take care of—"

  "There are many orphans here in the city, right?" Her eyes flicked to me. "Kids whose parents haven't come back to life yet?"

  I nodded. "Dozens. The harpies have been caring for them. Ushai and Irileth are naturals with kids."

  "Then that's what I'll do." She nodded. "I'm going to turn this place into an orphanage. That's how I'm going to help the world."

  Faye? Running an orphanage? "I can't see it."

  She shrugged. "We all start somewhere, right?"

  "True." I pointed at her arm. "You're going to need to learn how to control your power if you want to work with kids."

  "Also true." She put her hands back onto her hips. "So, what about you?"

  I wanted to joke again, but I was beginning to realize that might be a way to redirect from real talk. Stupid coping strategies. "I guess I'm going to be a king."

  Her eyes flashed. "You guess?"

  "I'm going to be a king."

  "Again. With conviction this time."

  "I'm going to be a king!"

  "That was just louder. With conviction!"

  My lips moved, but the words wouldn't come.

  "See? You can't see yourself as anything else."

  Slowly, I nodded. "Yeah. You're right. I can barely accept that I'm a chosen, and it's been months since you chose me. How the hell am I going to become a king?"

  Did you know this story is from Royal Road? Read the official version for free and support the author.

  She grinned. "I just told you. We all start somewhere."

  With a sigh, I said, "Can't you just teach me how to do this [Fast Equip] thing without all the life lessons?"

  "What are old folks like me good for if not for teaching life lessons?"

  I rolled my eyes. "You're not old, Faye. At least, not in here." I pointed at my heart.

  This time, it was her eyes that found the ground. "Yeah... I hope you're right." She stayed like that for a moment before wiping her face with her hands. "Okay! Now, try again!"

  "You made sure to pack food, right?" Na-Ya's voice wavered as she pulled Tristan close.

  "Yeah! Everyone was nice and made us so, so much food. I think we'll be okay." Tristan pulled Na-Ya into a tight hug.

  Na-Ya's hands began stroking Tristan's back. "And you'll be safe? You won't do anything reckless?"

  "As safe as we can be." The quarter elf buried her face into Na-Ya's neck. "I love you, my edán."

  "I love you right back, my sweet, beautiful, talented edán."

  The cousins were always so sweet with one another.

  That right there was love.

  Turning to my left, I witnessed the exact instant that Ark's palm caught Vral's cheek.

  "You're the boss's bad bitch, right?!" Ark's red dreadlocks whipped as she drew her other hand back again.

  "Right!" Vral barked.

  "And what does that mean?"

  "That means this job's as good as done!" Vral presented her other cheek.

  SMACK!

  "And will you get cut down during this job?!"

  Vral reared her head back and belted out a feral, "FUCK NO!"

  "Why is that?!"

  "BECAUSE I'M AN ASH EATER!"

  SMACK!

  The other twenty-or-so former black ears let out a series of yipes and howls as Ark pulled her hand back again.

  Shaking my head, I turned to find Varga pulling Tristan into her arms. Such a contrast.

  "Brother."

  I spun and found Ro behind me, with Renard, Jorn, and Greta beside him. "Hey, guys."

  Jorn extended his hand first. "I gotta hand it to you, Alex. You've grown up, kid."

  I took his hand and squeezed. "Thanks, Jorn." I nodded at Greta. "You, too."

  He side-eyed Greta and grinned. "Well, I gotta live up to my old lady, don't I?"

  "Old lady?" I looked for a ring. "Have you two... done the thing?"

  Greta laughed. "At least seven times, yes." She held up her hand, showing off a sizeable rock on her finger. "And now, at least in this city of yours, I get to wear it without chasing Jorny away."

  "You think that would stop him?" I laughed. "Whether it was a ring or an ocean, I don't think anything could keep his hands off of you."

  Greta's eyes sparkled at her... husband. They were married. Love was blossoming everywhere these days. "He never does take his hands off of me."

  I wiggled my eyebrows at him, the same way he always did when he was being sleazy.

  His eyes sparkled as he leaned close. "There are three rules in any good relationship: Eat good, sleep good, fuck good. Don't tell me I never gave you anything." He leaned back and hooked his arm around Greta's waist. "And have a great quest, my friend!"

  Greta waved her hand, and there was a burst of starlight in between her fingers. Reaching out, she placed something in my palm. A few somethings, by the feel of them. "For you, my dear."

  Turning my hand over, I saw that four rings were sparkling in my palm. "Are these...?"

  She closed my fingers around the rings. "You know what they're for. Whenever the time is right."

  Nodding, I placed them into my inventory. "Thank you. Both of you."

  Jorn clapped me on the shoulder, while Greta patted my cheek before they both stepped back.

  "Boy." Renard's voice shook the ground under my feet as he handed a potion-filled crate to me. "Farvad made you these." He nodded at the crate. "He also wrote you a letter."

  I saw it tucked in the corner. Retrieving it, I opened it up and read aloud:

  To the great and magnificent Alex,

  I am embarrassed to admit that I remember little of our time together. However, of what I do remember, what I remember most is the kindness that you and yours showed me in my addled state. I am eternally grateful for your help in finding a place to rest my head that isn't infested with rats and spiders.

  Now that they've given me a workshop, I'm able to resume my trade, but this time, I'm only going to make what I want, when I want, to whom I want. And that is why I find myself mixing away this fine morning, working hard to finish these potions before Renard and Varga leave to find you.

  While I know little of the particulars, what I do know is that your upcoming quest will be difficult. To help ease your burdens, if only a little (or a lot, in the case of the Strength Potion!), I have provided for you an assortment of the best potions, time, ingredients, and my still-addled mind can provide.

  May these potions I've crafted help you on your upcoming quest. I pray that the next time we speak, it will be face-to-face, where I can thank you properly. Until then, may your journey be swift and easy, and may the earth guide your feet.

  Farvad Biddlebinder IV

  When I finished reading, I tucked the letter and crate into my inventory and said, "Well, that was thoughtful. I hope we get to see one another soon, too."

  "About that." Renard stepped closer. "When you reach Highwatch, ensure that you stay overnight. The wilds surrounding Embermist Keep are fraught with monsters and other such perils. It is best to travel in the daytime, under Her light."

  I nodded. "Yes, sir."

  "Good." He stroked his beard. "When you enter the lands surrounding the keep, you will first pass through a veil. Once you do, know that you cannot return to Highwatch until you have spoken with the guardian of the keep."

  He'd told me about the guardian once before. It was some magical construct that waited at the entrance. "What should I tell it?"

  He shook his head. "The guardian is a fickle thing." He shook his head. "It may decide that you are worthy without a single challenge or trick. It may test you in myriad ways. Or, it may decide that it will not suffer your presence and send you back beyond the veil." He let out a slow breath. "What I can tell you is that I have not once gone to the keep and not been challenged."

  "I thought people could only enter the keep once?" At least, that's what I remembered about it.

  He sighed. "The guardian has told me many times that it enjoys seeing me fail. Thus, I am allowed to return." His gray eyes burned. "My wish is that you do what I cannot and destroy that insufferable thing, along with the keep itself."

  No pressure or anything. "We'll do our best."

  In response, he said, "When you reach the wall of the keep, circle to the east. There, you will find the old gate. Standing in that gate will be the guardian."

  "What does it look like?"

  The old dwarf frowned. "It may take any shape it wishes to. However, it most often appears as the lord of the keep did back in the fourth era."

  Faye twitched beside me. "It was startling, the one time I was allowed to step through the veil. I thought he'd returned to the world of the living." That made her laugh. "And if he had, we would have been fucked. It was all we could do to take down Avara and Vixis."

  There was a wistful note to her voice that made my heart ache for her. I'd pieced together a while back that the terrible guy she was still pining for was once the lord of Embermist Keep. His name was Adbul-Shazar or something, if I remembered right. But I didn't get it. Why would the hero have the hots for one of the Dark Lord's spawn? Didn't she kill them all? I thought that was, like, the whole reason Faye was here.

  Seemingly reading my mind, she answered my thoughts. "Some of them are irredeemable, but others..." She swallowed. "Like Maluphet and Abad... I still believe that they have good in them. That they can be redeemed."

  Renard's eyes flashed. "Then you are deluded, my lady." He ground his boot into the cobblestones hard enough that one cracked. "Any empathy they bring about within your pure heart is brought about through artifice. They are empty things, devoid of light or love." He emphasized the last word.

  Stepping back like she'd be struck, Faye whispered, "I have to believe it..."

  "Yoohoo!" Elise's bell-like voice echoed behind us.

  Turning, I watched as Urik and Berik took turns slapping Vral. Behind them, though, Elise, Davik, and Khadrel were rushing toward us.

  Once they'd woven their way through the crowd of goblins, Elise stepped up to me and tied a strip of fabric around my bicep. It was the same favor she'd given me back when we first met in the Pit. "You may not be my champion any longer, but Davik and I agreed that you should have this. For good luck."

  Davik grinned. "I know you don't need it, but a little extra luck can't hurt, right?"

  Looking down at the thing, I couldn't help but feel a wave of emotion. That thing had saved my life. "Thank you, guys."

  Elise curtseyed while Davik bowed.

  "Boy." Khadrel walked up and patted my arm. "I have nothing to give you other than my support, which I give freely. Do well, and come back to us, okay?"

  "We will."

  Renard stepped beside his brother and cleared his throat. "We will continue helping Ro-Saleh and Na-Ya guide your people while you are gone."

  Khadrel said, "I'm looking forward to training your troops. It wasn't so long ago that I trained you. I'd like to see what you've taught them in turn."

  "Thank you both." That was a relief. I didn't want my students getting soft.

  "Sir!" Falwell said behind me.

  I looked over my shoulder. What I saw made my throat catch. Over a hundred of our citizens, including every one of my students, were in some variety of bow or curtsey.

  "Thanks, everyone." My throat was raw.

  "Yes, thank you," Tristan said as she glided up to me. "Your support means everything to us."

  Someone kicked the ground behind me. An instant later, Vral was on my shoulders. "Don't you people worry your pretty little heads about us! We'll finish this job up and get back here in no time!"

  Na-Ya and Ro stepped up to us. Taking my hand in his, Ro said, "We'll see you soon, brother."

  "When you get home, we'll make you a feast," Na-Ya added. Then, she added, "And after that, we should all go home to the grove and..." She smiled. "You know."

  Tristan practically vibrated with excitement. "I can't wait."

  Vral pointed her finger to the sky. "Alright! Everyone watch as this handsome steed of mine does his trick!"

  I laughed. "You two ready?"

  "Yeah." Tristan grabbed my hand.

  "Away!" Vral shouted.

  From what Renard had told me, Galden was closest to Highwatch, so that's where we were going. Visualizing the twin mountains of Galden in as much detail as I could, I dug deep, took a breath, and used my skill.

  [Recall]