Chapter 5 - Whatever means necessary

When I came to, the first face to greet me was Grace’s. I was healed, maybe it was she who dragged me out of the town. “Was that you who took me here?” I asked.

“It was me.” Another voice rang out as a senior cat demihuman walked out of the crowd. His priest's robes identified him as Grace’s father. “Frankly, I thought you were dead…and because of the tattoo, I hoped. If it weren’t for Grace, you would be among the bodies.” He spoke grimly; he was always so soft and kind. Everyone was, for that matter, except…

They were all staring at me with a look of hatred that burned far brighter than any fire.

“Why? Why is everyone looking at me like this? I didn’t start the fire.”

Grace shook her head. “Nobody thinks you did, but the person who caused it. Someone saw him talking to you. Besides, you got the mark of a Hero…everyone thinks the person who did it, was targeting you.”

I felt sick. Was the fire because someone wanted to kill me? Someone chose to torch an entire village to the ground just to take me down. “Mother? Father?” I looked around. I hoped they were alive. Someone, if any, to take my side.

Grace’s father shook his head. “They didn’t make it, they’re among the bodies…it seems they were slain personally by our not-so-friendly arsonist.”

I could hear the voices of the villagers.

“He’s one of them, the Goddesses' executioners.”

“Where’s mommy? Where’s daddy?”

“Oh my husband…he’s dead…he’s dead!”

It wasn’t my fault. It couldn’t be, I didn’t do this, and I certainly didn’t ask for this. Yet, I couldn’t deny that this happened because I was here.

“The second rule, in order to achieve victory, you may use whatever means necessary. The only limits are what is set to your imagination.”

The voice of the Goddess rang in my ears as if she had been saying it right now. Whatever means necessary.

“I understand then. Someone killed everyone because of me. As long as I’m here, all of you are in danger. I know when to leave…” I simply looked down, kicked a nearby rock, and armed myself with my trusty sword and shield. I turned to leave.

“Wait! Stop! Don’t blame yourself!” Grace ran towards me. She grabbed onto me. “Come on, guys, you all know he didn’t choose for this to happen.” She tried to cheer me up.

“Grace.” I looked back at her. “You should stay back with your family, rebuild the town. Even if I’m innocent, nobody here is safe as long as I’m alive. People will try to hurt them, that is why I’m going to leave.” I firmly rejected her. My voice sounded colder than I intended.

“I’m sorry. But maybe we’ll meet again, or maybe not. You’re better off without me around anyway.” I shook her off of me then and there, and walked off.

“That’s right! Get going!”

“Never come back!”

I ignored the voices. Though it was hard not to.

I left Lakewest behind.

I followed the main pathway, trying not to think about the scene I left behind, before reaching a crossroads. I stared at the sign in confusion, wondering where to go.

To the west was Astora, to the east was the Astora/Windhelm border, and slightly northwest was Oren.

I felt something in my chest pocket. There was some blood on it, but it was the recommendation for the Heroes Guild. Argus’ signature taunted me, a reminder of that night and the scars it etched onto my psyche.

I couldn’t help but think of that Black Knight after that. My fear and sadness were turning slowly into a deepening fury building up within me. I gripped my sword and shield instinctively. He did this, he hurt everyone, and he is the reason why I’m hated. Why everyone in my home village rejected me.

“I’ll kill him, whatever means necessary. I’ll kill him!” I shouted into the open sky. I was too angry to feel sad, if I cried over my fallen friends and family who was going to avenge them. I wiped a stray tear off my cheek and moved forward. I can cry when this is all over. Yet I still felt that profound emptiness and desire for revenge.

Astora would be my destination.

It took a week on foot for me to make it to Astora. I got by on drinking riverwater and eating fruit from the trees, and stealing from local farms.

The city itself was spectacular. The streets were lined with vendors and merchants wearing all kinds of strange clothing. People of all kinds, dwarves, elves, and demi-humans alike. Every building towered over the sky, yet it wasn’t like that in Tokyo or Earth cities. In this world, they were mostly stone houses built on top of each other; they swayed dangerously, but other than that, they seemed to be sturdy.

I had no idea where it was, however. I decided to approach a nearby woman. She shrieked and ran off People gave me suspicious looks. Then I realized it was because of the ‘1’. The brand deems me evil in the eyes of everyone here. I found a bum nearby who didn’t look all too scared of me.

“Excuse me, do you know where to find the Heroes Guild?” I asked, offering some coins I totally didn’t pick up off the ground earlier.

“Hehe, some money! It’s just around the corner, hard to miss it and all with the big sign. Sword and shield.” I tossed him the coin, thanked him, and went on my way. Some people looked at me a bit differently.

My destination was right before me, a big sign featuring a sword and shield. It was plain as day to where anybody could recognize it. Though I probably wouldn’t if the insignia wasn’t on the paper Argus gave me.

I walked inside, swinging the door open as I went to the receptionist. She looked to be a sweet young woman; however, she seemed shocked when I walked in. “I would like to sign up for the Heroes Guild.”

“Don’t answer him, Collette.” A crooked-faced man in armor stood up and faced me. Likely referring to the blonde-haired woman running the counter.

“So.” He began, he got up close to me, so close I could smell the beer on his breath. “What’re the goddesses executioners doin’ in these-” He hiccuped “-halls a’ heroics.” Finally finishing, he burped right in my face. I waved and gagged. I always hated the smell of beer, especially the ones sold around here.

“I’m here to sign up. I already said so…you see, I have my recommendation right here.” I showed him the paper, signed undeniably by the legendary Argus. The man’s eyes looked like they were about to pop out of his skull. Collette seemed to be equally shocked.

“You mean the GREAT Argus himself gave you the ok? The slayer of the Dragon King himself?!” He stood back in shock as he read the paper. “F-fine, you’re in then.” He seemed to sober up fast. “Names Brent. Brent Woodward.” He pointed a finger at his chest. “Only the greatest senior adventurer in the guild, eh, Collette?”

Collette seemed to nod her head in agreement, though it sounded like she was just humoring him. “Of course, you’re second in line for running the whole guild branch after all.”

With Collette’s approval, he seemed to glow a bit.“See! That makes me your boss, now how about I show you the ropes and get you yer first job?” He waddled over to the nearby board and tore off a slip. He led me to the job board, eagerly accepting the responsibility as my guide, though I think he just wanted to show off to me and Collette.

“Here you go. Read what it says, do the job, and come back with proof, and ya get paid. Of course, here are some starting expenses and even some armor. Be careful, many idiots get killed for a fraction of the price.”

I looked over the job description. ‘My husband went to visit the town of Oren and has not been seen since. It has been a week, and I am worried sick. Can someone go check it out and see what happened to them?’ - Sarah. Attached was a drawing of the man. A stout face in his thirties, with greasy brown hair and small beady eyes. The reward was only a measly one hundred coins.

“Isn’t it normal to be gone for a lengthy period when on a trip?” I asked, a bit hesitant as to the importance of the job.

“Yeah, which is why nobody will do it, besides. The girls are poor as shit, so if nobody does it, the job sort of gets discarded.” I needed some money badly, but I had a weird feeling about this job. As if some intuition of mine deemed it important to accept the job.

“Fine, I’ll take it. I just have to go to the village and find out what happened, easy enough.” I boasted.

“Hah, that’s what they all say!” Brent laughed. “Try not to get killed on the way there!” I was then waved off. Something told me I was being patronized. Still, no need to dwell on it, I did have a job to do after all. Maybe as I do these jobs, I will find more information on the Black Knight.

As Brent left, Collette seemed to be considerably amazed. “I think he’s taken a shine to you. He’s usually pretty lazy, but this is the most I’ve seen him bouncing around in one day. Good luck with your job.”

With all said and done, I left through the gates I had just earlier come in from. Setting off on yet another journey.

Remaining participants: 98/100.

Game status: In progress.

Razan Hamada Status: Alive.