The author narrates.
It wasn't long before the entire valley—and beyond—knew of Steve's existence.
His name became legend.
Famous.
Feared.
The news of his victory against the Dark Thief spread like wildfire on scrolls, rumors, and tales that crossed villages, kingdoms, and almost the entire known world.
Steve, the fighter who withstood devastating blows.
Steve, the man who never gave up.
But for him… fame wasn't a prize.
It was a burden.
Many came to him, begging to be trained.
They wanted strength.
They wanted glory.
They wanted to impress.
But Steve refused.
Not out of arrogance.
But out of conviction.
Steve: "I won't train someone who only seeks fame," he once said. "This isn't about impressing a couple of girls." This is for those who feel it in their hearts.
Even with the world at his feet, Steve was thinking about retiring.
Three years of practice.
Three years of blows.
Three years of memories.
He had fulfilled his desire: to be recognized.
But he no longer wanted to fight.
His body begged for rest.
So did his soul.
The only one who wouldn't accept that decision… was Arlette.
His teacher.
His guide.
The woman who had trained him from the beginning.
And so, chapter two doesn't begin with a battle…
But with an argument. ಠωಠ
Arlette stood before Steve, her eyes blazing with rage and fear.
Arlette: I won't accept your resignation! I refuse! —her voice trembled, not only with anger, but with something deeper: the fear of losing him.
Steve tried to soften the moment with a weary smile.
Steve: Come on, Miss Arlette… —he saw her shake her head repeatedly— Alex is waiting for me at home. He said if I'm late for our sibling anniversary… he's going to punish me with badly cooked food —he added with a touch of drama, as if humor could save him from the inevitable.
"And seriously… I don't want to see tadpoles in my soup or bread that looks like squid ink," Steve thought.
But Arlette wouldn't budge.
Arlette: Steve! —she slammed her fist on the table, making the papers rattle— You've become famous! You're on the most-viewed scrolls in the world! And now you decide to give it all up?
Steve lowered his gaze, calm.
He took a scroll from his backpack and unrolled it slowly.
It was his resignation.
The words spoke for him.
Steve: Just sign here —he said, pointing to the blank space.
Arlette crossed her arms, refusing.
But when she saw Steve sigh and turn away, she slammed both hands on the table.
Arlette: Why?! —her voice cracked— You're the guardian of your people! If you need more training, I can hire better specialists, I can help you become stronger, bigger…
Steve spun around.
His voice exploded.
Steve: That's enough! —the shout cut through the air— I don't want to be a fighter and a guardian at the same time! —Arlette was silent, frozen. —I just wanted to know what it felt like to be watched by millions! I wanted to experience it… not get trapped by it! —Her voice broke— I don't want my body to suffer from future conditions that not even magic could cure!
Arlette didn't reply.
She just stared at him.
Impressed.
Hurt.
She hadn't seen him like this in years. And at that moment… she understood that Steve wasn't running away.
He was protecting himself.
And she…
She was only afraid of losing the only student who had ever made her feel seen.
Arlette: You're wrong! —Arlette exclaimed, her eyes blazing— Those wounds can be healed by people like us!
Steve listened, but his face filled with confusion.
Did people who could magically heal a human body really exist?
He thought of witches…
Yes, they had potions.
But they were also known for betrayal. For death.
For broken pacts.
No, he didn't see it as possible.
Arlette: You're just worried that your body can't endure any more than it already can! —Arlette insisted, her voice trembling.
Silence filled the office.
They stared at each other.
Eyes to eyes.
Past against present.
Steve took a deep breath.
Her expression turned serious.
Cold.
Steve: Will you sign… or not?
Arlette didn't answer.
She just looked at him.
And in that instant, Steve understood there was nothing more to say.
Steve didn't wait for an answer.
His gaze remained firm, his decision already made.
He turned, walked toward the office door with a slow but determined stride.
And then…
CLACK!
The door slammed shut with a sharp, resounding thud, as if the very air itself were splitting in two.
It wasn't just wood against frame.
It was an emotional slam.
A sound that left Arlette alone with her silence, with the echo of a resignation she couldn't stop.
The rumble lingered in the tower.
As if the building knew something had broken…
And that it would never be the same again.
She slumped back in her chair.
The parchment remained on the table.
Unsigned.
Unanswered.
She placed a hand to her forehead.
Thinking.
Feeling.
Losing.
Steve, stepping out of the tower, inhaled deeply.
The fresh air caressed his face.
And for the first time in a long time… He felt free.
❦ ════ •⊰❂⊱• ════ ❦
After walking about 10 minutes away from the tower, Steve heard someone approaching from behind him, quick footsteps drawing near.
He turned to see who it was and saw Arlette arriving.
Arlette: Steve!
She arrived exhausted and slightly out of breath. She had run from the tower to where Steve was.
Steve: Huh? —confused by Arlette's presence.
Arlette: You forgot your parchment in my office —she hands it to him.
Steve immediately took the parchment, still confused and with one eyebrow raised. He opened the parchment and saw that it had Arlette's signature on it.
Arlette: It wasn't easy to accept. But here you go, I've accepted it.
Steve turned slightly to continue on his way, but stopped when he heard Arlette's voice calling his name.
Arlette: And one more thing... —she lowered her gaze— I'm sorry for yelling at you, it was immature of me. —She fixed her gaze on the green grass along the path, avoiding Steve's eyes should he turn around.
Steve didn't look directly at her. He only glanced over his shoulder.
Steve: Don't worry, Arlette. I accept your apology, and anyone can react that way when something unexpected happens. Now, if you'll excuse me, I'll be going. I'll see you soon. —His tone was neutral. Calm.
And without another word, Steve continued on his way, and Arlette headed back toward the tower.
•⊰❂⊱•
Arlette walked with her head down, still processing her goodbye to Steve.
But something didn't add up.
The air…
The air smelled of ash.
In the distance, crackling sounds could be heard.
Like wood burning.
Like something that shouldn't be burning… burning.
And then, screams.
Not of battle.
Of panic.
A man ran past her, shoving her as if she were just another obstacle in his escape.
Arlette: Damn it! Watch where you're running, you idiot! —Arlette yelled, furious.
But when she turned around… The world had shattered.
The tower was in ruins.
The trees, blackened.
The sky, gray like a forgotten memory.
The ground still held patches of green… But they were fading, as if life itself had surrendered.
The smell was thick.
Ash.
Death. Something else.
And then she saw it.
A silhouette.
Enormous.
Imposing.
It wasn't walking.
It was floating.
It wasn't a demon.
It wasn't a creature.
It was something worse.
As if a corrupted dream had taken shape.
As if someone else's nightmare had seeped into her world.
Arlette felt the terror… But she didn't back down.
Her legs trembled.
Her heart screamed.
But her soul… Her soul remained steadfast.
Because if this was her end…
She would face it standing tall.
•⊰❂⊱•
Steve entered the village with a determined stride, though exhaustion weighed heavily on every muscle.
His large backpack slung across his back, and his face showed a mixture of depletion and relief.
The guards greeted him from atop the mural, and the villagers offered him smiles, gifts, and words of gratitude for his struggle.
He was loved.
He was respected.
But all he wanted was to get home.
The house was made of thick wood, with hand-carved columns that adorned the entrance like silent guardians.
The oak door had a hidden mechanism known only to him and his sister.
A defense system that protected more than bricks: it protected memories.
Upon entering, the atmosphere was different.
The glass chandelier on the ceiling was off.
The living room was dimly lit.
In one corner, the bookshelf seemed to watch him.
And on the small table, the picture of him and Alex smiling… seemed like a mockery of the moment.
Alex sat on the leather sofa, legs spread, body leaning forward.
In her right hand, a rock.
In her left, an iron sword. She sharpened it with precision, as if preparing a scene.
When Steve entered, she looked up.
Her eyes gleamed with a mixture of amusement and menace.
Alex: You're finally here, brother… —she said, holding the sword up to his face.
Steve swallowed.
Steve: Sister… you're still awake… hehe. I thought you'd be asleep… or busy with your chores…
Alex didn't reply.
She just licked the sword.
Slowly.
Deliberately.
Her eyes fixed on Steve.
And then… teasing.
Alex: Where do I start…? Legs… or arms? —her tone was dark, playful. As if she were enjoying her role as the impromptu villain.
Steve's eyes widened.
Steve: What are you saying?! And don't do that, it's disgusting!
Alex burst out laughing.
He got up from the sofa, put his sword aside, and walked over to him.
Steve, naive as ever, opened his arms for a hug.
But what he got was a sharp blow to the head.
Alex: How could you be so late?! Don't you see what time it is?!
Steve: Ow! Sorry, Alex~ —he said, rubbing his head with trembling fingers.
Alex stopped.
His expression changed.
Alex: Oh... that's right. You just came from a fight... and some medical treatment... —his voice softened— Excuse me, hehehe.
He hugged him.
This time for real.
And he began to rub the spot where he'd been hit, with clumsy tenderness.
Alex: Okay, fine. We'll postpone our anniversary until tomorrow. ... —Steve smiling, with his eyes closed.
Steve: Thanks, Alex. I just want to rest a little. (╥﹏╥)
And in that moment, in that wooden house, among carved columns and smiling portraits…
Steve found a peaceful corner.
Unaware that, far away…
Arlette was no longer there.
❦ ════ •⊰❂⊱• ════ ❦
I had a little fun making this chapter, since the last part made me laugh, hahaha.
Don't forget to vote! >:3