Reuniting with Heracles pulled me out of my gloom. He truly was a candid, honest soul. He guided me to a table where several recovery foods had already been laid out, along with three figures—at least two of whom were familiar to me from my very first day.
—What is this trash? Can't I go up on my own just to eat something decent? —complained a large young man with an imposing build.
He wore only a black shirt and black pants, paired with sneakers bearing a large, unmistakable green-and-white swoosh that clashed horribly with the rest of his outfit. His blond hair, shaved into a rebellious mohawk, made me question his origins. When he turned toward Heracles, he greeted him immediately.
—What's up, Herc? Did you bring fresh food?
—Very funny, Aquil. Maybe if you hadn't fallen all the way down, you'd be the one treating us to something tastier.
—And now it's my fault? Brother, you hadn't died in, I don't know… centuries, and suddenly you lose once, and now it's my fault?
—It's not your fault —interrupted a beautiful young woman with black hair that barely framed her face. She wore an elegant, single-piece white dress that covered her from neck to legs, leaving only her arms and shoulders bare, along with black boots that clashed just as badly with her outfit—. If the big baby took the trials seriously, we'd have climbed back to at least Silver by now.
—Don't be like that. Look, I brought a tadpole to say hello —Heracles said, placing his hands on my shoulders.
—Ah… hi… —I muttered.
—I know you —said the third person, a woman with fiery red hair, emerald-green eyes, and a strong, well-toned body. She wore a sports top and black shorts. There was no doubt about it—I had met her on my first day here.
—That's right, Budi. This is the kid you fought against and lost to —Heracles replied teasingly.
—I lost to the maiden, not to the doll —she shot back, directing her gaze at the dark-haired girl, who simply looked away.
Now that I looked at her more closely, despite her tired expression and the way she hid her gray eyes, there was no doubt about it.
Jeanne d'Arc.
My heart pounded as I remembered my second savior. On impulse, I bowed my head forward—a very Eastern gesture that didn't quite fit European heroes—but I did it before speaking.
—Thank you very much for saving me.
Heracles' booming laughter followed immediately, joined by the more restrained but equally energetic laughs of Aquil and Budi.
—Hello, kid. I'm… well, as people know me… right, Achilles. And behind me is Boudica.
The red-haired woman nodded energetically. A smile instantly spread across my face. Achilles, arguably second only to Hector, was one of the noblest, most loyal, and most impressive heroes of the Trojan War—remembered for slaying Hector himself, for being the deciding factor in the conflict, and for his sometimes controversial, sometimes comical weakness in the heel.
Beside him stood the first victorious queen, who, after losing her husband, watched Emperor Nero strip her of her lands and abuse both her and her daughters, driving her to wage war against Rome. Without a doubt, one of the most influential women in history, both as a leader and as a warrior.
—It's an honor to stand before you.
—Have you really matured at all? —Jeanne said lazily, somewhat disappointed, uncovering one eye to look directly at me. I shuddered instantly.
—I… I try.
—Hahaha, don't bully the kid, Jeanne. Look —Heracles said, lifting my hand to show the small Steel plate I was clutching tightly—. He reached Steel on his own.
—But look at him. No legacy, no legend, not even a myth. How is he supposed to be "One of Them"…?
—Jeanne —Heracles interrupted elegantly but firmly—. This isn't the place.
—Myth? Legacy?
—Look at him, Heracles. He doesn't even know the basics —she said again, turning her gaze away from me in open rejection.
—To be fair, Jeanne, until "Those Ones" decide to share information, nobody really knows how this game works. Don't be so hard on the kid —Boudica commented as she stood up.
—Kid, do you have a name? —Achilles asked.
—Tristan…
—He's just Mr. Nobody.
Those words hit me harder than I expected.
Everyone else shot sharp looks at Jeanne, who remained focused on her drink, clearly not enjoying it.
—Alright, Tristan. You've seen the stars; I'd even bet you have at least one.
—Yes —I replied, like a student being called on in class.
—There are three types of stars registered in the system. The most basic one is the "Myth."
—Simple boosters, tied to events that aren't all that unique —Boudica interjected—. For example, a soldier who fought at Thermopylae could have the myth of "Spartan of the 300," a skill a thousand other players might also have.
—Or, more fitting for your story, kid: the First or Second World War. War heroes from those conflicts could share a myth just for participating and surviving —Heracles added, sitting down beside Jeanne.
—Ultimately, they're just temporary stat boosters, not much different from "Legends" —Achilles continued, getting a bit excited.
—In that case, they can be either boosters or unique abilities. In fact, Legends are among the last stars to unlock; they're usually the essence of a myth. Many—almost everyone below Platinum—quit the game without ever unlocking one —Boudica chimed in again.
—I won't go into details, but I have one: "The Twelve Labors." It's an achievement no one else in the Nexo could ever have.
I couldn't help but feel awe at Heracles' words. After all, the Twelve Labors were the backbone of his myth.
—And finally, there are "Legacies," without a doubt the best —Achilles said, climbing onto the table—. Mythical weapons, massive structures, imposing palaces, legendary beasts… they're… they're…
—Alright, calm down —Boudica said, smacking him hard on the back and knocking him off the table—. What this lunatic means is: Legacies are tangible things you left behind after your death.
—There are two ways to get one. The easy way is visiting Gobann on the Silver floor; almost everyone above that rank has one. But a true Legacy is forged with blood and sweat.
—Please, Heracles, not all of us can turn Leo into a hood.
—Wait… your mane? —I blurted out, unable to stop myself at the image of Virgo or Taurus turned into video game items.
—Well, I subdued the lion, and it dropped the hood. That's the hard path: forging your own legacy. And I'm not the only one —he said, glancing toward the girl who had remained silent.
—Just look at her. She forged her banner from Cancer's remains. This girl is insane! —Achilles exaggerated, only to receive a glass hurled at him by Jeanne.
—I'm out of here. I can't stand the noise.
She stood up and vanished into particles.
—Looks like she's in a bad mood —Boudica commented, claiming the food Jeanne had left behind.
—It might be my fault… —Heracles murmured almost to himself, gently patting my head like a father would his child.
—I hope you forge your legacy, Tristan.
All I could do was smile foolishly and nod, like a kid.