Kyle sat in the centre of the Hero's training ground. Out in the open of the field he had the mana forge propped in front of him. Though he was alone, the security leading in and out of the compound had doubled. The incomplete Hero's armour laid about on the dirt beside him and piece by piece he began to add it to the forge creating an incredibly complex array of strings to fill most the field. With practices steps Kyle walked about them inspecting and at times plucking against the strings, pulling them to new places.
"It's always been amazing to watch you do your work," Riften spoke from beside him. His presence had been completely hidden but Kyle didn't react at all.
"You should watch me cook," Kyle continued to play the strings at ease with his presence, "That will give you a real surprise."
"I still can't believe that," he smirked. "Last time I ate something you cooked I got food poisoning."
"Then let me make it up to you as thanks," Kyle finally faced him and smiled sweetly.
Riften however shuddered, "Okay that was way too nice for you. No offence but if you've forgotten, now is the point you would usually throw something at me."
Kyle waved his hands and the stretch of strings that ran across the field folded away and disappeared. "I'm sorry."
"For what?" Riften looked at him genuinely confused.
"I remembered a few things and...."
"Oh you mean when you killed me and tried to take over the world?"
"I didn't go that far!" Kyle threw a piece of the Hero's armour at him.
Riften nimble caught the metal pauldron, "See that's better. Also apology not accepted. Why? Because I already accepted that literally a thousand years ago. I get you're just remembering things but try stick in the present."
"Sorry...."
He rolled his eyes, "And there you go again. Have you eaten? Because you know what they say, you're not yourself when you're hungry. I'm always good for another bite."
Kyle's stomach rumbled as he realised he hadn't eaten for quite the long time, "Well now's a better time than any to try my cooking right?"
"On second thought I'm fine."
"Seriously it's one of the few things I'm proud of," Kyle folded his arms.
"Well then, I can't not comply," Riften bowed grandiosely.
"We might as well eat at the Garden. I owe the children for being gone a while. Let me just pack-." A thud and rumble crossed his heart and seeing Riften also react, the two faced each other, "What was that?"
"I don't know but it felt powerful."
"And it's coming this way."
Kyle snatched a sword from the training ground and together with Riften ran towards the exit. As they reached the compound it was evident that they weren't the only ones to feel the powerful wave of energy as the walls had been dyed in red light declaring an emergency. An announcement blared through the compound's speaker system.
"All Guards to emergency positions. Prepare for assault. This is not a drill. I repeat, prepare for assault. This is not a drill."
Riften and Kyle entered the main walkway which overlooked the large training ground of the Hero's Guard. The members within were busy scurrying to their positions, many of them hastily trying to grab what weapons and armour they could.
"Estile do you think it's Philius?" Riften asked as they jumped from the catwalk and into the centre of the training field.
"Probably," he frowned. "This might his way of keeping us in check. Even if they're just shards those fragments have enough power to create monsters."
"So, do you have a plan?"
"Give it something to hunt," Kyle released his mana causing the air around him to whip into a fury of wind. His hair began to glow as he declared his location to whatever their enemy was.
Riften smiled and melted away into the shadows. When whatever came, it was going to face the brunt of both their might.
A single minute passed as they felt the powerful energy streak towards them without care. From what they could sense it was pushing through the compound at break neck speeds and easily ignored any of the defences that were put in its way. Then all too soon it sprang out from the catwalk above and straight towards them. Kyle raised his sword high, intent to end it in one strike but as the humanoid shape rapidly approached he froze.
"Arv-," Kyle couldn't finish as Riften launched from his hiding place. Daggers drawn he was going straight for the blind spot and as Kyle had intended only moments ago, was keen to end the fight in an instant. The result however surprised the black haired man as the figure he attacked not only dodged but also counter attacked with a powerful kick. Riften took the heavy blow and smashing to the ground bounced several times. The figure changed target to Riften and moved to finish him off.
"Arvel wait!" Kyle yelled causing both the men to halt.
"Arvel?" Riften who was back on his feet stared in disbelief.
"Riften?" Arvel as well stared back even more shocked. "What the hell is going on here?"
"You just attacked us that's what," Riften dusted himself off.
Though very much still trying to process the situation, he prioritised Kyle who had lowered his sword, "Estile you're safe right?"
"For now yes," Kyle replied.
The flaxen haired man collapsed to his knees, "Thank god for that. I thought I lost you again."
Riften stared at his old friend and laughed, "Despite the fact that you barged in without any regard and just belted me to the floor I get you."
"Sorry about that," Arvel looked at him. "I felt a sudden lurch in my heart so I rushed here as soon as I could. I thought you were trying to kill her."
"Like I could even if I tried," Riften rolled his eyes and offered his hand.
Arvel took it and was pulled closer. The two faced each other for a moment in silence before clasping each other in a powerful hug.
"God you've changed," Riften messed his hair. "You look so old I barely recognise you."
"And you look the same as usual you sly bastard!" Arvel did the same back. "Where have you been all this time?"
"Lost for the most part," he laughed as they separated. "It's good to see you."
"And I you," he was moved to tears. "First Estile and now you as well. It feels like I'm in a dream."
"Yeah I heard what you've been through. You really did your best."
Arvel nodded, "I tried...."
Kyle had to interrupt the two, "I'm happy that you two are having a moment but we really should take this somewhere else." He gestured around them where dozens of members of the Hero's Guard were pointing rifles towards them with others prepared to charge at a moment's notice.
Valandus among them called out tentatively, "Kyle are we good?"
"We're better than good," he raised the thumbs up.
"Thank the Hero because I really want to take a nap." Valandus raised his arm, "Okay everyone false alarm, let's pack it up!"
*
In the private room belonging to the Hero, Arvel sat with his head in his hands. Together with Riften and Estile, it was only the three of them. Outside however were quite a few waiting.
"I... I can't believe so much happened," his body tensed in frustration. "If I had known- no I should have checked but I-."
"Arvel it's not your fault," Kyle said trying to ease his pain. "You purposely stood back so they could grow without a Hero. We all know what happens when you rely too much on one person."
"But those children... all those lives."
"The blame isn't yours Arvel," Riften began and sighed. "If anything it's mine. If I hadn't gotten lost in the fog all those years things could be very different."
Kyle folded his arms and leant against the nearby wall, "We can't blame ourselves now. We failed the world once already and we can't do that again. Let's focus on what we can do right now."
Arvel looked up and nodded, "You're right. From your story it looks like I missed a lot these past few days. That Councilman Tombre can't be left alone. A lot of the research he stole was part of what I conducted back when I was the Hero. Those shards and what they're truly capable of, things could get very bad very quickly."
"Could he make another false God?" Riften asked.
"Yes," Arvel replied bluntly. "Unfortunately by now he'll already be past the boundary line. With the fog like it is, the chance we find him is slim. Those shards he took are part of something much bigger than even the false gods we fought."
"What do you mean?" Kyle asked.
"They're the physical accumulation of a true god, the Sleeping God, and they give control over demons."
Riften turned his head in attention, "Hang on, if they're so powerful why didn't you use them?"
"Because they were too dangerous. Anyone who used the shards became crazed with power and very quickly went out of control. In the end we sealed them away."
Kyle continued to ponder, "So just how much damage could he do with the shards he has?"
"With what was stolen, not enough to become a false god, but he could find more."
"But that's basically impossible isn't it?" Riften said, gesturing. "If it was that easy to get more, the Church back when we fought them would have swamped us with false gods."
"Not quite," Arvel shook his head. "Back then the Church ultimately wanted us to win but under their conditions." He reached into his pocket and pulled out a small orb. There was no denying what the black sphere was. "It's surprisingly not that hard to find them when you know how."
Kyle's eyes froze on the object in Arvel's hands, "How?"
"The fog is basically a part of the Sleeping God and in certain places where the concentration is greatest, with enough effort you can get one of these." He held up the orb, "This is why I was out in the fog but in its current state, its basically just a super dense energy source. To create a false god or something even greater, he'll have to complete a ritual and the only place he could do that is a holy sight of the Sleeping God."
"Then that means...."
"He'll head to where we made our biggest mistake." Arvel stood up and heaved a heavy breath, "The problem is how we get there. It's a long journey and without the proper equipment we'll just get lost like Riften did."
"Right...," Riften looked downcast as he pondered his own thoughts. "Well we can't stay cooped up here forever. I've got a kid to feed and there are quite the few people who want to shake your hand Arvel. Oh glorious Eternal Hero saviour of our world." He flourished a bow.
"Shut it," Arvel gave him a light push as he moved for the door. "You are right though. It's time to face this."
As they exited the room and walked out into the Hero's training ground, a small crowd were waiting and among them almost all of the Church Council. Kyle stood back as Arvel approached them. There were still quite a few members who knew him personally, including Eloi, and many had tears in their eyes while the upper echelon of the Hero's Guard could hardly believe their eyes. Quietly Kyle snuck away.