The Hero Returns

⭑ · · ᯓ 𐃈 ᯓ · · ⭑

“We’re here!”

“Hey, Issa, where is ‘here’, exactly?”

Felix and his young tour guide stood outside a small building in one of the city’s poorer neighborhoods, well-hidden from the main stretch. In fact, a ‘building’ might be a generous way to describe the place. It more closely resembled a patchwork shack, with netting covering the windows instead of glass.

“This is Nana Jubilee’s shop!” Issa exclaimed. “I was playing with the other kids here this morning.”

“And this will help you remember why you know me?” Felix asked. “Why don’t I just tell you my name? That might bring something to mind.”

Felix remembered the reaction he got from all the other prisoners at the mere mention of his first and last name.

“No way, hints are cheating!” Issa crossed her arms, pouting. “We’ll follow my feet!”

“Don’t you mean, retrace your steps?”

“Yeah, that.”

“Oh dear, if it isn’t Issa, what brings you back so soon?” A frail old woman opened the wooden door of the shop with a creak and a smile. “And who’s your handsome young guest?”

“That’s what I’m trying to remember, Nana Jubilee.” Issa pointed up at Felix. “I know him, I do! I’m just having a hard time remembering…”

The old woman who Felix had learned was named Nana Jubilee studied him with her kind eyes through worn spectacles. Her back was hunched beneath the quilted blouse she wore, and her arms were folded behind her.

“A familiar face, you say?” She didn’t sound like she had come to any realization, but she lightly chuckled, leaning closer to Felix. “The children don’t have many safe places to play these days, so I try to keep an eye on them. Feels like I woke up one day, and the whole city had just…”

“Changed?” Felix smirked. “I know the feeling. This is the first time I’ve been back in… longer than I can really remember.”

“Oh?” The old woman went back into her shop for a moment before coming back out with something in her hand. “Here, take this, young man.”

The old woman handed Felix some kind of balm; it looked to be medicinal. At first he was confused by the gesture.

“Wait, this is…”

The old woman simply pointed around her neck area. Felix followed her gaze to his shoulder, touching it to be certain. His fingertips came away stained red, a sign that his wound had opened up again without him noticing. There wasn’t enough blood on his shirt to be obvious, but even so.

“You take care now, Issa dear. My joints are getting sore, so I think I’ll go lie down for a spell.” The old woman said. “I hope you can remember.”

“Yep! See ya, Nana Jubilee.”

“Hey.” Felix was still stunned, but he held onto the balm like it was something precious. “Thank you, Miss.”

Though she didn’t utter another word, her gentle smile said everything she had intended. The truth was, the interaction had brought back a memory of her own, but some things were better left for people to discover themselves.

. . .

“The next spot was… here! I think.”

“Move along, citizens.”

Felix and Issa had come to stop briefly in front of the Eastern water fountain, but no sooner than the moment they did, they had attracted the attention of the guard patrolling the area.

“Meanie…” The young girl stomped out ahead of Felix in exaggerated fashion, making him hold back a laugh. “Say, Mister, I was wondering…”

“Hmm?” Felix gave her his attention. “What’s that?”

“About that angry bird lady from before,” she continued, her tone unchanging. “Is she your mistress?”

Felix nearly choked on his saliva from the speed at which he sucked in air to deny the claim, sending him into a coughing fit. Issa stopped walking to check and make sure he was alright. He waved her off as she tried to pat his back.

“…No, she’s a good friend.” He struggled through his answer at last. “And who taught you that word?”

“My mama said that opposites attract, and that’s how she found papa.”

“We’re certainly different, but that’s beside the point. Kite is… my traveling companion.” Felix said after a moment’s thought. “And right now we’re just trying to get our freedom back.”

“Bo-ring!” The little girl teased.

“Well… I guess it would be to a kid.”

“I’m not a kid, I’m six and a half!” She declared. “I lead, and the younger ones follow.”

“Is that so?” The smile returned to Felix’s face. “Then might you tell me where you were leading us next?”

“Oh… Right.” She sounded less sure than before. “Wait, I’ve got it!”

“You remembered who I am?

“No, silly, the next place I went this morning!” She corrected him. “Let’s go!”

. . .

Next, they came to stand in front of the baker’s stall. Of everything in the city that had changed, the fragrant smells of fresh bread and pastries remained ever present and irresistible to his senses. He could taste the sourdough from where they stood. Only…

“Why are we standing across the street?” Felix asked, puzzled. Issa clearly had her sights set on the sweets, a little drool running down her chin. “Isn’t there something you want to get?”

“Well, yeah, of course, but we don’t have a lot of money, and stuff...” The girl shuffled her feet shyly. “The kids and I come here just to look sometimes. It smells nice, huh?”

Just to look?

“Yeah…” Felix said. “Wait here a second.”

Felix walked up to the baker’s stall by himself, browsing the selection as he hovered by. He felt his pocket for the bit of loose change he had been left with in case of emergencies, and while this wouldn’t technically classify as one, he still found reason to use it.

Hope Kite doesn’t mind me spending a bit more of her money.

“Excuse me, sir,” Felix called to get the baker’s attention.

“Welcome, mister. How can I help you?” The baker stopped the dough he was kneading and turned his bald head towards Felix. “Everything is freshly baked from the main storefront down the road.”

“Perfect, I’ll get a loaf of sourdough and a chocolate cookie for the kid back there.” Felix tapped his chin, wondering if Kite might want anything. “Better make that two loaves of sourdough, in a bag, please.”

It wouldn’t be warm by the time she got it, but sharing bread had become a bit of a tradition between the two.

“Sure thing, mister. That’ll be five coppers.” The baker twirled his mustache as he looked for his tongs. “Say, don’t you look mighty familiar. Have you been through these parts before?”

“I have.” Felix nodded, handing over the money. “The kid thought she knew me too, and that’s why we’re going around to all the places she’s been today.”

“Is that right?” The baker chuckled heartily. “Now that you mention it, I guess I remember that kid from earlier, and all her little friends. Say, there’s an extra cookie in there; make sure she gets it. No charge.”

“Wait, really?” Felix took the bag of goods from the baker. “No charge?”

“You know… If they came closer to closing time, I’d have more to give. I’ve got a business to run and all, but I can’t sell everything.”

“Huh… That's mighty kind of you.”

“Ah, it’s nothing.” The baker rubbed the back of his neck. “Funny… A knight-in-training used to come by here too. Life was tough for everybody during the war, but he always made time for the kids, even when he looked as busy as the King himself. Really made a name for himself, that one.”

“Is that so?” Felix lingered on that thought.

“Mister?!”

Behind him, Issa was waving a small arm, probably growing a little impatient with his conversation.

“I’d better get back to the kid, but thank you, mister.” Felix nodded. “May the Most High be with you.”

“And you, son.” The baker said before scoffing to himself with a smile. “Hah. Didn’t take him for the pious sort, but that other lad didn’t wear a rosary on his neck either.”

8.2

Issa happily munched on a cookie with a sparkle in her eyes. It was the quietest she had been during their little tour of town, but Felix made sure to tell her to go thank the baker later, and what he had said about handouts if they waited long enough.

She clearly knew where she wanted to go next, so Felix simply followed her lead. They had drifted quite far from where they originally began, so Felix started to wonder how Kite would find the two of them once the time came.

“We’re here.” Issa wiped her mouth of crumbs. “This is the last place I was before I ran into you.”

It was fitting that they would end up in the place where Felix had spent the most time while living in Aberdeen, outside of the Studium. Rising above the surrounding rooftops stood Aberdeen Central Cathedral, the heart of the Church of the Six Divines and the seat of every officially recognized religious order in the kingdom.

“But… it’s no good.” The girl looked genuinely troubled. “I still can’t remember, no matter what I do.”

“If you don’t mind me asking, why are you so interested in finding out how you remember me?”

“At first it was just because I thought it’d be fun,” Issa admitted. “But then you bought me a cookie… and Nana Jubilee and Mister Baker seemed to like you too.”

She paused for a moment, her eyes tearing up a bit.

“If I forgot somebody that nice… I’d feel really bad.”

Felix was torn. On the one hand, he had a mission to focus on, one he had detoured from for far too long already. But he had grown fond of the girl, and he didn’t want to see her feeling down on his account.

As he scanned the towering arches of the cathedral, he flashed a warm smile with a bright idea. It wasn’t simply to prolong the fun and games, but something he had intended to do as soon as he returned anyway.

“In that case, why don’t we go inside for just a moment?” Felix suggested. “I’d like to offer a prayer for a dear friend.”

“A friend of yours?” She asked as Felix nodded. “I guess we can…”

Though she didn’t sound sure it would help, Felix had a hunch it might. As they walked into the grand cathedral, the ancient architecture took Felix’s breath away as if it were the first time he was seeing it. Huge stained glass murals lined the walls, faithfully depicting each of the six divines and their magic affinities.

“Woah…” Issa twirled around, equally impressed by the size and scale of the nave, a main room where a service might take place. “People really meet in here?”

“Uh-huh.” Felix nodded, gesturing toward the altar at the front of the room. “Followers of each divine have their own day of the week to meet, and then one for all to rest. There are no services today, so we can pray freely.”

“You’re well-educated, young man, that’s right.” A man emerged from a room to Felix and Issa’s left. “I’m Deacon Andrew, welcome to Aberdeen Central Cathedral.”

“Thank you for having us, sir; we’ll be but a moment.”

“No, no, please take your time.” The Deacon assured them that there was no rush. “However, might I ask which of the divines you have come to offer a prayer to?”

“The Most High, and to my father,” Felix replied. “May I use the altar?”

“A devoted son, then.” The Deacon smiled. “By all means, child, the central altar is yours. I will prepare the ceremonial incense.”

At the center of the sanctuary, towering above the main altar, stood the Most High, cloaked in brilliant light. One mural beside it, a seventh, however, had long since been painted over grey to match the cathedral’s brick walls.

“The incense has been lit, children. May the Most High hear your prayer.”

When he smelled the incense burning and heard the retreating footsteps of Deacon Andrew, Felix tented his hands together neatly at chest level. His prisoner’s cuffs clinked as he did, noticeable in the quiet.

“Most High… If he has truly returned to You…” Felix began a prayer for safe passage for his adoptive father into the afterlife. “Thank You… for letting him become my father. Dynas.”

Issa, meanwhile, fidgeted around with her hands, not quite sure what to do with them.

It was only after a few moments of looking forward that she finally decided to glance up at Felix, but as she took note of his posture and pose, hands pressed together and a tear rolling down his cheek, did she realize something.

“Most High, receive his soul into Your keeping… Lumen.”

Wiping away the tears with his sleeve, Felix finally noticed the pair of eyes monitoring his face. Issa looked like the gears in her head were finally turning again, which made Felix chuckle.

“Close to a breakthrough?”

“I think so, but I really didn’t go anywhere else today.” She tapped her chin thoughtfully.

“To be honest, Issa, I should probably start looking for my friend.” Felix knelt down, laying a hand on her shoulder. “We were supposed to head to the castle district together, so that’s where I’ll start looking.”

“Oh…” Even Issa, as young as she was, realized she couldn’t justify taking any more of the man’s time. “Then, can I come with you just until you find her?”

Felix hesitated for only a moment before smiling.

“Alright, and then straight home before it gets dark, understand?”

“Yep!”

. . .

The sky had taken on an orangey hue, similar to the color of Felix’s eyes as evening began to set in over the city of Aberdeen. Where shops and stands ruled the day, the warm and inviting glow of taverns and inns beckoned in the night.

It had grown later than Felix had hoped, and even when Dynas was in the midst of his rule, it was rare for the castle to entertain important guests at such late hours, much less escaped convicts. Even if he was Dante’s brother, Felix loathed to impose himself on others.

Still, he figured he would meet Kite wherever she was, and decide if they wanted to rent a room and try in the morning. There was just the matter of finding her…

“There you are!” a voice called from above, like an angry angel. “I’ve been looking everywhere for you two!”

Kite dropped gracefully in front of them from who-knows-where, making Felix instinctively step back, one hand already reaching for the axe slung across his back.

“Did I scare ya?” Kite grinned. “I was running along the rooftops to get a better view when I spotted you leaving the cathedral, and I tailed you for a bit before I got bored.”

“No…” Felix let out the breath he’d been holding and relaxed. In truth, she’d startled him badly, but he was far too embarrassed to admit it. “I’m starting to see why wallets go missing around you; I didn’t even notice.”

“Excuse you.” Kite placed a hand over her chest. “That’s called talent, buddy.”

“Right.” Felix scoffed. “So… should I assume the lack of bruised knuckles means your ‘talk’ didn’t happen?”

“I see you’ve graduated from Kite’s school of snark, but the key is moderation, Felix.” Kite wagged her finger as they resumed walking. “But to answer your question, no, the scullion skipped town. Damned coward.”

She took on a bitter gaze, looking ahead.

“I see…” Felix nodded. “Next time, then.”

“Well, look who’s still hanging around.” Kite glanced down at Issa before looking back at Felix. “You adopting the squirt or what?”

“Not quite.” Felix chuckled. “Said she’d follow me until we found you.”

“And find me, you did.”

“Mission accomplished!” Issa exclaimed, her excitement devolving into a stretch and yawn. “…Sleepy.”

“I won’t lie, I’m beat too.” Kite stifled a yawn of her own. “Maybe we should think about turning in soon.”

“Maybe.” Felix agreed. “Hey, Issa, we’re gonna—“

The castle district came into view beyond the final row of buildings, interrupting Felix’s thought. White stone stretched toward the drawbridge, blue and silver banners bearing the crest of the Human Magic Kingdom fluttering in the evening breeze.

Issa had skipped a few steps ahead of the others, reclaiming more energy in a second wind than the adults ever possessed.

“It’s the castle, come on! Let’s hurry before the sun sets!”

“Hey, wait up—“ Felix sighed. “Ah, better go catch her.

Kite only shrugged, exasperated, not speaking a complaint.

Issa rounded a corner and stopped dead in her tracks, a flock of white birds flying overhead. The little girl’s mouth fell open as her finger rose with a tiny tremble.

“Mister…”

Excitement betrayed the low tone of her voice.

“I remembered.”

Felix and Kite caught up a moment later. She spun around so quickly to meet them that she nearly tripped over herself.

“I remembered! It’s you!”

Felix and Kite followed her finger instinctively. On either side of the drawbridge stood two towering statues. One depicted an elderly Archmage King Dynas, scepter planted proudly before him. The sight initially elicited a sad smile.

But the other…

A broad-shouldered young man rested both hands atop the pommel of a great axe with a purple jewel in its center, his gaze fixed toward the horizon. His hair was slicked back, his cheek featuring the same scar, and he had a pair of unmistakably sharp-but-kind eyes.

Felix was no longer smiling. The stunned silence between them lasted a few moments before Kite finally broke it in her most careful fashion.

“…You don’t happen to have a twin?”

“No.” Felix never looked away. “…I don’t.”

Felix put one foot in front of the other as he walked up to the base of the great statue. His hand came to rest on a well-maintained plaque at the bottom, beneath his likeness. Whatever hope of coincidence he’d clung to shattered in an instant.

“In honor of the Hero who freed humanity from the Mad God.” He began, his voice flat. “For ten years of sacrifice. Hero Felix Atlasse.”

His gaze empty, Kite placed a supportive hand on his back.

“…”

He wasn’t shocked; Felix wasn’t a fool. He had seen the pieces falling into place for days. Eyes that recognized him but couldn’t quite make the connection, his very name bringing a whole prison to the ground. But his heart, his heart knew from the beginning.

A decade… More…

Who was that man, Felix thought. But another idea came to mind.

“The storyteller said you disappeared.” Issa folded her hands. “Where’ve you been?”

Why did you leave us?

. . .

Felix opened his mouth. However, nothing came out.

How could he explain ten, eleven, possibly an even greater number of years he couldn’t remember?

As Kite attempted to offer him a word of encouragement, a trumpet sounded from beyond the courtyard.

The drawbridge fell, clattering down on the ground between the two statues. Two lines of royal knights in brilliant silver and blue armor came walking across, stopping to make a tunnel around Felix and Kite.

Felix met Kite’s eyes. However, they weren’t seized by the knights. Instead, a man walked down the middle to greet them with a scroll in hand. After clearing his throat, he called out.

“By decree of His Majesty, Archmage King Dante Valerian…”

There would be no turning back now.

“…Sir Felix Atlasse, and guest, are hereby invited to an official audience.”

This was it, ready or not; this was what they came for. Talk of heroes, memories, and duty would have to wait.

Felix prepared himself for a family reunion, with nothing short of his—and Kite’s—freedom hanging in the balance.

“You two, please come with me.”