PHASE 49 - WHAT MAKES A STRONG HERO

Helena died.

We foolishly believed that we can change her fate. For the second time, I failed to save a friend. Whenever I somehow manage to save a life, another will come and give us deadly spoilers. The death flags keep coming. I try, and I fail. That is an endless loop that I got myself into.

What’s worse is that Diadem and Lironeo/Void Wolf; the two serial killers escaped. And that was all my fault. I can’t control my powers. I almost killed Tiara, Amy, and now Heushac due to me losing to my own wrath. I may be strong enough to destroy the enemy, but it doesn’t have any use if I murdered my allies in the process.

Okay, I’ll try to stop being a wishy-washy person. But I’m a human too, you know? You can’t prevent me from giving a crap every time someone dies. Especially that Helena has somehow created her own space inside my heart.

That tomboy, telling me that I’m his second little brother… If only I said something about her being my dream sister… I may have returned the favor...

I remembered a flashback of her voice.

“Heushac will be put on your care, Alaric. So take care of him.”

I can still return that favor by honoring her last wish to me. I should keep Heushac safe, whatever the method, whatever the cost. Nevermind him being a Gate Guardian. His safety comes first.

And I… I will work on my true vendetta goal alone. I can’t have anymore person dying on my command.

<>

The next day is Saturday. Since there is no class, I decided to pack my things up. I will go back to my home in Mirose Grande. My mission here has already forfeited. I didn’t see Heushac dying in my anyway, so I have no reason to stay.

Suddenly, the room opened. It was Amy, with several of her golden bed hair appear like a spring. She was still in her pajamas, and she’s holding a toothbrush in her hand.

“You’re already leaving?” She crossed her arms.

“Yes.” I zipped my bag close, and that made me ready to go. I looked at the blonde runt with a forced smile. “You probably should, too. The signs interval is three weeks. That’s a short time to spend with your family. Because you-”

I didn’t have the courage to finish my sentence. My toes and hands are trembling because there is still a part of me that denies the incoming doom.

“I’m going to die, right?” Amy bowed as she continued my line. “So you still believe in your ? Didn’t you forget that you managed to save Tiara’s life from her horrifying death? How about Heushac and Mr. Kent? They didn’t turn into charred corpses, is it not? And your last ... Do you still believe that Tiara will become a Cursed Guardian and torment you for eternity? Can she really do that?”

I went to her and held her wrist. It was so tight that my hands may leave a mark, but I have to awaken her from the truth!

“You don’t know how my looks like, so don’t act like you have all the answers!” I shouted. When I realized that my tone is unexpectedly high, I lowered my voice. “Details may be altered, but the result will always be the same. And whenever I try saving anyone, it turns worse. It always ends up me hurting my friends.”

Amy kept her mouth shut and bowed. She should know that whatever logical argument she formulate, she will never convince me.

I grabbed my bag and went out of the room. But as I was about to exit the house, Heushac blocked my path.

“Hey, I didn’t tell you to leave,” he said.

“You’re not calling the shots here, baby boy,” I said.

“I do. This is my house. My rules. So if I’m telling you not to leave, you stay here.” Heushac glared at me with his fiery blue eyes.

“What’s the purpose of me staying?”

“Nothing. But still, you’re not leaving.”

“Try to stop me, you stink weakling.” I made a smug and then proceeded on the exit.

But then, he grabbed me to the shoulder and smacked me on the face! That right hook was so powerful that I almost fell to the ground, but I can handle it! Tiara’s punches are way more painful!

“Damn you!” I stood up and returned the same punch which made his cheek crumpled. But he maintained his balance by taking several steps backward. “You hit like a woman!”

“Why are you acting like you have your period! I’m not letting you walk away!” Heushac spits blood from his mouth and then glared at me with an unbreakable will. “You still have to teach me how to fight!”

This time, I finally snapped. This guy hurts my head the most! I grabbed his collar and slammed his back on the wall. “You’re really an airhead, are you? Can you at least use your brain for once!? You’ll end up dying! Helena was right to keep you in a cage, so that you’ll be safe forever!”

“I don’t want to be in that cage forever!” Heushac then used his left to punch my cheek. “I won the gamble, so I will become a Gate Guardian like you! I want to have the power to protect the remaining precious people in my life!”

“You’re too weak to become a Gate Guardian!” I made a one million percent full power smash straight to his face, which made his back fall to the ground! “This is not a game, you idiot! People die for real! And Eidolons never ran out! You’re not suited to fight evil monsters for the rest of your life!”

“I...I’m fully aware of that…” Heushac wiped the blood on his nose via his wrist. “...And that’s the reason why I want to become stronger!”

All of a sudden, he stood up and made a tackle that kept me pinned on the wall!

“You’re so hard-headed! Didn’t you know that this is hell we’re getting into?! Your big sister died for your safety, and now you wanted to throw your life away!?”

“That’s where you’re wrong, Ric!” Heushac gritted. His grip on has loosened as I noticed that his eyes are now soaked with tears.

“I...I always wanted to become strong like my sister. At first, it was just my admiration, but slowly, it became a colorful wish. A wish to save someone, and to lose your own life in the end. It’s what my sister calls honor of a hero. And I know in her heart, that she has no regrets.”

“An honor of a hero, huh…” I muttered. “Are you willing to risk it all? A life of endless fighting, for the sake of others around you?”

Heushac stood tall and looked at me in the eyes. His blazing heart and will of iron can be seen on his soul, which awes me.

“Yes. Even if that life will be filled with hypocrisy… I’ll strive to become a strong hero!”

Heushac slammed his chest.

“I want to become a Gate Guardian.”

Heushac presented me a wooden box from the back pocket of his jeans. He carefully unsealed it and when he opened it, colorful lights went out. It revealed three red diamonds in a size of a potato chip, and I am certain… They are all Weapon Gems.

“My sister left this on my cabinet a day before we had our kendo match. It must be a surprise gift for me after that day. It’s clear that she entrusted me with her swords, so I want to use it!”

“...Heushac…” I was fazed away by his determination. That bravery, sense of honor, and extreme willpower. He has the complete mindset of an ideal Gate Guardian.

Truth to be told, the way he’s thinking right now, he’ll be more qualified to wield a special power, maybe more than I do. All I think about is my revenge to Diadem, but he’s different. He just keeps his mind uninterrupted and he’s just looking straight, and to only one goal. He will never yield. Because he has the will of iron. He wants to continue his sister’s legacy, to become a greater hero filled with unheard glory.

I made a deep sigh. And then I patted his shoulder. “...Fine. I’m not leaving, you clingy bastard... And I’ll teach you everything so that you can live upon your childish delusions..”

“Bro…” Heushac smiled as he offered a bro-fist.

I was about to bump fist with my friend, but suddenly, somebody grabbed us on the nape of our necks and forced us to crash on each other’s foreheads!

“Stop fighting, you two!” Tiara shouted.