People were starting to gather at a major, wide, plaza of the city. The place was more decorated than those around it. The hedges were cut straight, the fountains all danced with water rising several feet, empty stalls were placed at the corners which I presumed would be filled later on with whatever foods or products.
People had already crowded the area, and I hesitated to push into them while I stood at the edge. However, at this rate I wouldn’t be able to see anything. I pulled in my hood, preparing myself to push into the crowd. If I had to be honest, I didn’t like the crowd. A bit claustrophobic to be somewhere in the center of it all. Not that I was one, I just didn’t like tight crowded spaces. They smell, sweaty, hot, and noisy.
As I took deep breaths, it was then that the people started loudly murmuring amongst themselves. Judging from their eyes, they seemed to be bright and excited. It would seem word had reached that he was close.
“He’s really coming to the plaza?”
“I’m so excited to see him!”
“It’s been a while since I’ve last seen him.”
“I hope he looks at me.”
“I’ve come from afar just to see this hero.”
“Yeah, me too. I wonder if he’s as great as the rumors say.”
“Aren’t all heroes great?”
“Just confirming the rumors.”
It was then that I could hear loud cheers coming from a distance. Hearing the same thing, the surrounding crowd only grew more excited. As the cheers grew closer, I felt a heavy weight in my chest. I was actually nervous, and… afraid. I didn’t expect I would even feel this way… so pathetic. If my heart would still be beating, it would be racing right now.
Gathering the courage I needed, I took a step forward. The cheers got nearer and louder.
“There he is!” Someone shouted from nearby.
I squeezed through the crowd. My face winced as I moved through. “Excuse me.”
“Hey now, be careful.”
“Sorry…” I said.
And then, the people around me started cheering, raising and waving their hands. Their voices were so deafening that I was tempted to cover my ears. However, going deaf was not something I had to worry about.
“Hero!”
“Lord Cyrus!”
“Notice me, Lord Cyrus!”
He was getting close. I pushed through a couple of people, it was a bit harder because they were so excited and distracted. Eventually, I arrived at a spot where I could see a bit of the plaza’s pathway. There was still a bit of crowd in front of me, but this was enough for me to see a bit. If only people would stop moving their heads around!
I shifted my head around and often tipped my toes just to see.
And then, a moment later, I froze in place.
Cyrus…
I slowly took a deep breath as my mind went blank. He was now older than last I’ve seen him. He seemed more mature now. And his smile… It was less cocky than I expected. No, this time, he seemed like a normal person, bearing a genuine smile. He seemed so different that it baffled me.
But even so, I was instantly reminded of everything that was done to me. I couldn’t help but glare at him. I took in deep, quick breaths, clenching my skirt involuntarily. All kinds of emotions swirled within my mind — anger, hatred… and there was also fear and a great amount of anxiety. My ears were ringing, deafening. The memories of that time flash all over my mind. The betrayal, my suffering. Everything came rushing down all at once.
***
Cyrus, the hero, the Lord of Endguard, waved his hand to his people with a friendly and genuine smile. The streets were filled with his subjects, and some tourists. Seeing the warm reception he was receiving, it warmed his heart. He glanced at his knights, who were keeping the perimeter around him secure, keeping the people at their distance. As much as he appreciated their passion, they just have to maintain control of the crowd.
Not only that, they had to consider his safety. He just couldn’t randomly run into some random people. Even though he was a hero, they just couldn’t ignore the chance of someone that might attempt to attack him. Even though Cyrus believed he was powerful enough that he could defeat just about any hostile, he couldn’t be too careful. He was not a mere hero anymore, but the leader of this city. People rely on him.
He looked around the plaza, then to the tall buildings around it. He had truly achieved something to be proud of. It was this place. With the help of everyone, he made Endguard into a prosperous city. Where everyone had a decent life.
It was not always easy, but he saw through it.
It was way different before, even worse during the war. During the war, most of the city was toppled after the demon army’s assault. It was hell. Countless perished, homes burned and destroyed. And he couldn’t have done it without his people’s help.
It’s looking to be a good festival.
Everything was going to be smooth, he would make sure of it. Everyone deserved to enjoy their utmost.
He noticed a small girl, whose hand was being held by her mother, extending a flower in her hand towards him. Smiling gently, he walked towards her and kneeled on one knee. The girl’s eyes widened brightly at the hero before her, seemingly shocked that he got up close.
“Hello there.”
“H-Hero! This, this is for you!” the little girl said with eyes full of adoration.
He received the flower. “Thank you so much.” Gently, he patted her head. “Are you excited about the festival?”
“Yes, yes, I am!”
“Awesome. There will be a lot of food for you to eat. You will be able to eat as much as you want.”
“Wow!”
With a wide smile, he nodded and stood up. Walking around, he extended his hand and touched the hands of the people. And with that alone, the people were pleased. Although he had to admit, he was a bit shy about it. Sometimes, the people’s adoration was a bit too much.
But then, as he looked around, he suddenly froze in place. His breath was stuck in his throat.
“Lord Cyrus?” his knight called as he stared at him, puzzled.
Cyrus saw something — no, someone. He suddenly felt cold as he took a deep breath. What he saw was a visage he tried to forget, one he tried to shove into the deepest parts of his mind. But after the brief moment he saw her face, the crowd covered his line of sight. When it cleared, she had disappeared.
His eyes blinked subsequently.
It can’t be…
His lips trembled.
For a moment, he was certain it was her. She looked different, but that face, he remembered it very well. The eyes, the shape of her jaw, the nose, everything…
He suddenly stepped into the crowd. “Excuse me, let me through.” He rushed for the spot of where he thought she was.
“Lord Cyrus, where are you going?!” his knights chased after him.
Heavily breathing, anxiety building up in his heart, he arrived at the supposed spot. But she was not there. He looked around, sharpening his senses, but there was nothing. Could he have been mistaken?
Did I imagine it? No… It can’t be her. There’s just no way.
She was gone. That was for certain. He surely made a mistake here.
A knight placed a hand on his shoulder.
“Is something wrong, Lord Cyrus?”
“Huh…?” He noticed the confused crowd. “... N-No. It’s nothing.” He forced a smile and greeted the people.
There’s just no way it was her.
And the face he thought he saw was not the completely same face as her. Yes, he was certainly mistaken.
***
“Hah… Hah… Hah…” I ran back behind a building in a small alleyway, and leaned on the wall, breathing heavily.
I closed my eyes. My knees felt so weak, and I slowly kneeled to the floor and covered my face.
I started sobbing. However, there were no tears. If I was still human, I might have been crying lots of tears. All the bad things that happened, the thoughts, the memories, came rushing back; it was overwhelming.
“Mmm…”
Seeing him shook me to the core.
I don’t want to see him. I don’t want to see any one of them…
The terror was too much.
I hugged my knees like a child and hid my face. My hands were trembling. Everything was terrifying…
“Seriously? You’re acting like this?”
Shut up.
“I expected more from you.”
Shut up.
“Are you seriously going to act like a weakling?”
…
“Oh, boohoo. Please, spare me from this embarrassing sight. Get up!”
You don’t understand.
“I understand, I understand very well! We are one! I know your mind, your thoughts, your heart.”
…
“You’re supposed to be stronger than this, and you get all weak just seeing one person that betrayed you?! Look at me!”
I slowly raised my eyes and saw myself looking coldly down at me.
“I refuse to be absorbed by someone like you. Isn’t your goal to make them all pay?”
I didn’t expect to see her this mad, seeing my utter weakness. They normally wouldn’t care about how I was. No, this one was not the majority.
Yes…
“Then stand up! Don’t let a little fear hold you back, you look pathetic.”
But…
“But? Seriously? A but? If you’re gonna stop now, what’s the point of pushing yourself out of that cave, hm?”
I…
“Is that hero really greater than the torment we inflicted upon you? That is insulting.”
No… He is not greater…
“Then what are you doing sitting down like this?”
I lowered my head. Indeed, my goal was to make them pay. What was I doing backing out now?
I clenched my fist. I shouldn’t let this fear hold me back from what I wanted. What I fought for. The past could not affect me now. The memories… were just memories. They may haunt me, but I must not let them prevent me from stepping forward.
And thus, I slowly stood up. I closed my eyes.
I have to clear my thoughts so I can think.
It was then a young man ran down the street in front of me. He suddenly stopped in his tracks when he noticed me. I looked at him, it was a young man around my age. Brown hair, dark green eyes, and light brown skin.
He narrowed his eyes as he looked at me. And his eyes widened. “It’s you.”
I frowned. I didn’t know him, but he seemed to know me. This was not exactly good.
“It’s really you! D-Don’t you remember me?” He walked towards me with a wide smile.
I didn’t know him, so I didn’t answer.
“You don’t remember me? You gave me some bread years ago. I was still a kid at that time.”
My eyes widened. “You’re that kid…?”