Alfeo's Resolve!

Alfeo watched the king saunter off and out of view. Alfeo teetered at the doorway, he could see several cots in the healing center and in one of them was the familiar shape of his master Arnold. Alfeo wanted so badly to run to his master and hightail it out of here with him in tow, if he was truly recovered then it would be no trouble, yet he remained rooted to the spot standing just on the threshold.

Alfeo thought back to all his lessons. He was born with a Core Skill and a warrior’s skill at that. Most people would have paid to have him in their state reserve. If he had, had parents then they would have sold him regardless of his own wants.

Despite his powerful skill, he was unwanted. People were afraid of his transformation. Image was definitely something people valued, at times even more than money or strength.

The only person who wasn’t even mildly wary of Alfeo was the gatekeeper, Arnold. He was a gatekeeper in name only since no one hardly ever came through the west gate since it was farthest from the noble quarter and the quality of people was on the lower side. He also rarely actually stayed put at the gate. No one seemed to care weather he showed up or not. A lieutenant came by about a once a month to do an “inspection” that seemingly consisted of drinking and gambling together.

Alfeo could recall looking at the man apathetically. One particular night Alfeo took shelter in a barn and watched the bar from across the street. The warm candlelight undulated as people danced across the dilapidated wood floor. The creaking, hollering, and clapping could be heard from across the way.

Arnold and the Lieutenant shuffled out of the bar clinging onto one another.

“Some protector you are, Arnie!” The red faced soldier laughed.

“Nadia can take me and my coin any night, my friend.”

“So, you let her win.”

“I would never stoop so low. But, if she remembered my generosity on some cold winter night…”

“Scoundrel.”

Suddenly Arnold turned to look at Alfeo.

“You’re the Red Giant.”

“You have a reason for giving us such a scathing look, boy?” The lieutenant barked.

“I look how I look.”

“Leave the kid alone, he ain’t done nothin’ to you.”

“And we haven’t done a thing to him, and yet he thinks he can be so condescending. I’m a lieutenant in the Royal Guard, urchin.”

“Should I judge you differently because you have a fancy title? You’re just as hopeless as the supposed gatekeeper.”

The Lieutenant smirked, “Do you know the prerequisite for admittance into the royal guard?”

The temperature began dropping. Alfeo noticed the Lieutenants eyes had begun to glow bright blue.

“Whoa, easy there. Don’t do something you might regret.” Arnold warned.

“This boy doesn’t seem to know his manners. I was thinking it might be a good idea to educate him. I’d appreciate it if you’d butt out. Or do you want to start comparing military records?”

Ice began forming on Alfeo feet and his fingertips began turning blue.

“My Core Skill is Ice Mage. It’s child’s play for me to freeze my enemies where they stand.”

“Hey!” Arnold shouted at the mad Lieutenant.

Alfeo’s life had been short and altogether meaningless. At the time he had been considering ending it or leaving to live like a monster in the woods. Death awaited him in either scenario. He greeted his ending with unequivocal freezing indifference.

“Hey!” Arnold grabbed the Lieutenant’s shoulder, “I’ll do it!”

He could feel his breath beginning to sting his nose and lungs, purple spots dotted his vision and it became harder and harder to move.

“I…Hey, kid! Fight! Fight goddamnit. You’ve got power! Use it! Fight!” The words echoed in the dark and into Alfeo’s ears.

“Core Skill Activate: Red Berserker King!”

Alfeo’s body swelled, it’s color changing from frostbite blue to savage red. He now towered over both of them, power pulsed through every fiber of his being.

“He’s a monster! I must-” The lieutenant didn’t have time to finish that thought. He flew backward propelled by the strength of a punishing red uppercut. He flew straight through the wall of the bar he’d stumbled out of moments ago and then out the opposite wall, landing in a mangled heap on the ground.

Alfeo looked down at his fist and then at Arnold. Alfeo expected Arnold to be looking up in horror or on the verge of fleeing with his shattered cohort. Instead, Arnold was looking at Alfeo with… respect, admiration even.

“Don’t look at me like that.” Alfeo yelled.

“I look how I look.”

“I’ve done something. I have to leave. It would be best if I left. If the king learns that I…”

“And what if he didn’t? There are many hooligans that live along the way here, perhaps he just disappeared.”

“But everyone saw him here, and they can see me, and I doubt they missed him flying though the wall.”

“Who’s they? The 5 drunkards at the bar? Nadia? I lose money all the time, I’m used to losing. What’s a few more coins from my purse?”

“I’m a monster.”

“I see no monster here. I see a scared little boy who was defending himself.”

“It’s better if I leave, even if-”

“I will stop you there. Do you want to run? Is that what you truly want? That’s not what I want. I want you to try a little harder.”

“What do you mean?”

“Ask me to train you.”

“But” Alfeo looked around at the people exiting their houses and the bar.

“My day to day is so busy. I’d need to move some things around of course. It’s a hassle, but It’s my duty to protect the people of this small outskirt. I don’t see a monster. I see a scared little boy who needs to learn how not to be. Just ask for some help. Okay?”

“Will you train me?”

“I accept.” Arnold smiled up at Alfeo.

Five years passed and now the master Alfeo had begun to look up to was about to be separated from him. He knew that eventually they might have to go down different paths but it couldn’t be like this. His master told him to fight and taught him how to follow through. It would be a badge of shame if Alfeo were to just bow his head and let the princess have her way.

Alfeo steeled his resolve. It was time to fight.