The afternoon sun filtered lazily through the skeletons of burned houses. A harsh wind lifted dust and dry leaves, dragging them through the silent streets of the ruined village. In the center of the square, the surviving villagers formed an expectant semicircle, their faces etched with fear and hope. They were waiting for their heroine.
Alex walked three steps behind Emi, as always. His steps were measured, his breathing, controlled. Everything about him screamed "don't look at me." The air smelled of ash and despair, a smell that was beginning to become all too familiar.
"Don't worry!" announced Emi, her voice bright and strong as a bugle, cutting through the gloom. "I'll take care of this! Alex, stay back, I don't want you to get hurt."
He nodded, a minimal gesture, and melted into the shadow of a ruined wall. The same routine. She acts, I observe. She shines, I disappear. If only I could evaporate...
A guttural roar, which seemed to rise from the very bowels of the earth, shook the ground. Emi didn't hesitate. Her ash wand appeared in her hand, and she began to weave the twilight light into an offensive spell.
"Come on, beast! Today you learn the power of a real
---
The throne room was spacious, with high ceilings adorned with frescoes of ancient victories. Sunlight bathed the queen in a golden glow, but Alex couldn't pay attention.
As always, he had stayed in a corner, trying to go unnoticed.
While his friend Emi—the main heroine of this world—enthusiastically recounted her success in the village mission, Alex just nodded silently. He didn't want to draw attention.
"We did it!" said Emi, radiant, addressing the queen.
"I'm glad everything went well," replied the sovereign in a voice soft yet full of authority. "Many will breathe easier knowing the danger has passed."
Alex averted his gaze, thinking about the other summoned heroes—who, along with Emi, were the ones who actually did everything—and with an inward sigh, he went over their abilities.
Hiroshi. Time manipulation. Absolute power, icy gaze. He spent most of his time on missions only because he didn't want to harm others with such a problematic power, in my opinion and in Hiroshi's own.
Ayumi. Water control. Dangerous and carefree. Like Emi, she was one of the most popular girls in our home world, with hundreds of guys after her, but also a high-class girl who acted in an eccentric way since she likes to use her power for everything and in a showy manner, though she doesn't seem aware of it, as she's also a girl who likes to make others smile.
Emi. Light control. There's not much to say about her; you'll see throughout this journey, as she is, in my opinion—I like to refer to her as the protagonist, and also, strangely enough, my best friend (not by my own choice, obviously)—always smiling, always at the center of everything.
And then there was him. Alex. His power was to strengthen others. A silent support from the shadows. Something he preferred not to reveal.
His reflection was interrupted by a cold voice.
"It's interesting," said the prince, his eyes fixed on Emi with a hint of disdain Alex instantly caught. "All the important heroes have missions in other kingdoms. Strange that one like you would stay here so... quietly."
The queen raised an eyebrow in disapproval.
"Everyone has a role to fulfill," she clarified patiently. "Including Emi, who will soon travel to face new challenges."
Finally, thought Alex with relief. If Emi left, there would be no complicated missions for him. He could return to his anonymity.
The thought lasted a second.
Suddenly, Emi approached him at full speed. Before he could react, her arms wrapped him in a tight hug.
"Don't worry, Alex!" she announced in her cheerful tone, but looking at the queen. "You're coming with me on this journey too! Whatever comes, we'll face it together."
Alex froze. The sigh of relief caught in his throat.
To the side, Princess Leona clenched her jaw, her perfect expression cracking with a mix of jealousy and contempt. She watched as Emi—disheveled, informal—won everyone over effortlessly.
With a teasing smile aimed at Leona, Emi added:
"Her Majesty already said it! With Alex on our side, everything will turn out fine."
The queen nodded.
"Of course. I don't doubt either of you."
Trapped in Emi's embrace, Alex could only let out a resigned sigh. His fate, once again, was sealed.
Princess Leona watched him with resentment. The prince looked at Emi with frustration and desire.
And Alex, the support hero who just wanted to stay unnoticed, understood the truth: no matter how hard he tried, his place was—and would always be—by Emi's side, in the eye of the storm.