"But the hero before you had defeated him by himself, why would you need the help of several kingdoms?" Commander cage asked.

"The demon king is watching me, he has been commanding raids to occur whenever I’m alone. How long has it been since you’ve gotten a raid before this one?" Incus looked at Queen Evecles, pointing at her to do something about the moat surrounding the kingdom walls.

With a sigh, Evecles did a swishing motion and the gates descended into a bridge.

"So that’s how it opens." Incus placed her hand over her chin.

Walking inside the Kingdom, the people gasped in horror.

"The water has taken over the path..!" Shouted a voice.

"Worry not, I will work on draining it. Just focus on finding anyone that hasn’t been evacuated and clean up the rubble." Evecles nodding at Commander Cage,

"I will be assigning you all into groups, accompanied by a knight." Commander Cage raised his voice, "Form into groups and tens."

Running around, the people looked for someone they knew.

"We just need to find five more people I suppose." I commented, but Alleus and Vertere gave me a strange look.

Oh right, how could I forget... they’re dead.

Grimacing, I waved a dismissing hand.

"Never mind, let’s just blend in as knights and stick by Incus."

The both of them nodded awkwardly.

Once the groups formed, Commander Cage nodded.

"Good, now I will be assigning you a location to scout but make sure not to stray too far from the group. If you encounter any danger, immediately call for help... don’t be a hero." Commander cage tightened a fist before snapping his fingers.

Knights clad in armor then appeared and stood in front of the groups.

Lining in front of Commander Cage, he began pointing where they will be headed to.

"Cage." Queen Evecles said softly, catching the commander’s attention, "Would you be a dear and inform the others."

"Your orders, my will." Commander Cage bowed, taking a few knights along with him as they walked towards the other gate of the kingdom.

Following Incus, she was picking up the large pieces of rubble and stacking it in a corner.

"Great job kiddo." Incus patted a boy’s head who was helping Incus carry rocks that were evidently much smaller.

"I’m going to become a hero when I grow up!" The little kid flexed his small biceps. 𝑓𝓇𝘦ℯ𝘸𝘦𝑏𝓃𝑜𝘷ℯ𝑙.𝑐𝑜𝓂

"Make sure that you excerise a lot then." Incus chuckled.

"...Stop laughing damn it." I slammed my fist on a wall, which made the wall crack.

***

As we followed Incus, she walked into an alleyway.

Following her, she then paused.

"So you’ve continued to follow me." Incus summoned a hero sword and lunged at us.

Wincing, I unsheathed the Fire hero’s sword, blocking the attack.

Suddenly a line appeared across my chest which began seeping with hot blood.

"Stand back!" I ordered Alleus and Vertere, looking over the pain.

Damn it, another arbritary writing?

"So you’re the caring type... when we first met, you seemed indifferent about the lives of other people. Focusing only on your own growth." Incus scoffed.

"Shut up!" I scrapped Incus’ blade to the side and punched her across the face.

"You don’t know what I’ve been through." Grimacing I continued throwing multiple punches at her, "Just die damn it!"

Catching my fist she kicked me back.

Stumbling to balance myself, I winced.

"Ha, how funny. Truly how much a man can change." Incus smiled eerily.

Lunging at Incus, I used my martial arts and threw a combination of attacks.

Dodging every attack, Incus yawned.

Grabbing her by the wrist, I pulled her forward... but she wasn’t budging.

Shit, she’s too strong.

She then grabbed my wrist.

"Are you trying to do something like this?" Pulling me down towards her, Incus dug her knee in my abdomen, her tunic clothes ruffled.

"Argh!" I spat in pain.

Collapsing to the ground, I tried standing up.

Kicking me on the side of my ribs, Incus sent me slamming into a wall.

"Ring!" Alleus shouted, before lunging forward at Incus.

With hazy vision and my cheek rested on the cold and most ground, I watched as she vanished around Incus .

Despite standing completly still, Incus was deflecting every attack.

The clashing of their blades hitting against each other formed sparks in the dark alley.

"Hydro prison sphere!" Water then imprisoned Incus, stopping her breathing.

Leaping forward, Vertere stabbed the water sphere with his hand.

"Freeze!" The water prison the froze.

"Let’s get out of her sight for now—" Alleus helped pick me up but the sound of Ice shattering resonated throughout the alleyway.

Tilting our heads, Incus emitted a killing aura but the choking aura quickly disappeared.

"Anyways, don’t worry about me killing you. I just wanted to see how much you’ve improved until the last time we’ve met... and it looks like you’ve gotten stronger." Incus then walked patted my back as she walked past me but paused for a moment after looking around.

"Strange, you seem to be missing one." She rubbed her temple, attempting to remember but she then snapped her fingers.

"Ah right, the archer. She was quite the experienced beauty, is she helping out with the rubble?" Incus asked.

Alleus gripped the side of my abdomen.

"Yeah, she’s busy helping out." I hesitantly nodded.

"Well that’s good to know, you shouldn’t be slacking either. But if you’re going to continue to follow, I won’t shout." Incus then left the dark alleyway and stepped into the beaming light, her hair waved.

"Ow ow ow, let go alleus, you’re pinching me." I winced in paint.

"Oh sorry, I didn’t notice." Alleus let her hand go.

Taking myself off her, I lead the charge to follow after Incus.

"I’m getting sort of hungry, do you guy’s have any food?" Vertere rubbed her stomach.

Rummaging through my pouch I shook my head.

Alleus however took out a box of chocolate.

"I forgot I had these but we can snack on them." Alleus opened the box and extended it.

"Make sure to save two." I commanded in a low tone.