Rain is where tears wash away.

Hideo is running around the forest. it is raining intensely. there are around four people behind him running fully armed. Hideo is unsure of the reason of his recent popularity. 

Hideo falls on the ground. his leg seems to be injured. is hard for him to stand up. one person kicks him from behind. Hideo's face falls on the mud. he drags himself around. his body is too rusty to properly defend himself.

from the shadows a person takes down all four of the pursuers. the shadow stays hidden as he observes the fallen hero drag himself in the mud. a man of a broken body. a man of a broken morale unable to save his dignity.

finally, Hideo stands up. he washes his face with the rain. there are tears rolling that get mix-up with the intense rain. he tries to pretend that there is nothing wrong. there is a deep sea of sorrow clouded by a mist of regrets. such a pitiful sight to see.

"The name is Gallan Hoemann. my master told me to be your guide." there is a hint of resentment and touches of annoyance in his tone of voice.

with a shallow smile Hideo shows how grateful he is for the help. the two men continue with their journey trying to get out of the immense forest. there are creatures at every corner. there are even more people trying to find the disgraced hero. is hard to tell what kind of fortune awaits at the end of the road. things are unclear.

Too many bandits trying to take credit for taking out the disgraced hero. Too many to count and none even worthy of a small mention aside from the brief inclusion to the many struggles in the way.

Hideo holds the old Katana tightly. there is some hidden rage knocking on the door. some anger desperately trying to get out. Hideo looks at Gallan. he tries to trust the boy, who was sent to help by his old friend.

the moment the rain stops, Hideo's final tear falls to the ground. Hideo takes his shirt off. Hideo gets on his knees. there is a second of pure silence. then Hideo laughs like a maniac. it took a while for the smell of blood, flesh, and nature to combine into one single filthy smell.

the moon is bright in an imperfect neon yellow color that denies the night of peace. an intense color claiming the madness of the soul while embracing the torture of the heart. that is the kind of moon Hideo gets to observe tonight.

hidden between shadows. in the shades of nature stands Gallan Hoemann. his features are blurry as he refuses to expose himself. he couldn't allow for his ego to walk in the nude. after all it is the men of recognizable names, the ones who don't get to die old. 

for the time been there are no more pursuers behind their trail. every other person walking exposed to the dangers of the forest, are either lost or fighting for their lives. only a fool or a capable person would dare to step inside such a dangerous continent. and Hideo happens to be an extremely powerful capable fool.

the wind becomes aggressive and insensitive. the weather starts to feel colder by the minute. Hideo walks half naked. he seems to enjoy the weather.

"I truly don't get it." there is some resentment in the tone of the younger man who stays hidden.

"Hmmm.  don't get what?" Hideo's voice sounds arrogant, but he is actually curious to know.

"How can a person become such a celebrity. it feels like the world runs around you. everyone hates you or resents you. and even so, there are people who respect you. people who admire you. people who wish to be you or have you. everything for the past decade and a half, has been about you, and just about you. I don't get it."

"It is simple, really. I am just that powerful. I don't mean to brag, especially in front of the younger generation. but I am, I truly am just that powerful."

"Sir. you just got beaten up and almost killed by some nobody."

"I am rusty. that is all. I just need to get back into shape, and I will be kicking rocks up and down. you may not believe it, but I am the most powerful man in the world." there was a touch of self-hatred as Hideo pronounces the word 'powerful.'

"If you are so powerful. when did you became that pitiful shameless coward? what kind of power makes you run away, leaving your friends behind to die." there is no hatred in his words. he is just announcing what everyone else wants to know.

"I am incredibly gifted, so much power. and even so, I am so weak and fragile."

for the rest of the night both men stayed quiet. the scenario was picturesque. two men in a magical forest like that of a fairytale. the sounds of the wind, the calm peaceful notes of some melancholic insects, the echo running through the forest. it was quite the image. the moon denied its splendor to most parts of the forest. and it made sure to illuminate the right parts allowing for certain areas to glow with a touch of magic.

tears come out of Hideo's eyes. he feels hurt, deeply hurt. he feels ashamed to be in front of such a beautiful view, when most of his friends are dead. wherever he goes, the guilt of been the Hero who ran away will always be there, as a chain dragging him to the depths of despair wrapped in the blanket of anguish as he is consumed by his personal hell.

nobody, absolutely no one will ever know what kind of torment tortures his mortal soul. nobody will ever be there to tell the tale of his sorrows and regrets. and as much as it hurts. he knows that no matter the circumstances, the outcome will always be the same.

his friends dying as Heroes. him surviving as a traitor. and the villains winning. 

but this time it's different. this is a different world. there are plenty of locals from this world that are on the same level or superior to his dead friends. for once they have the opportunity to win the war against the invaders.

Hideo falls on the ground. His body has the strength to keep moving without stopping for hours to come. His mind is too weak to move a single muscle.

Gallan just stands at the distance feeling distrust towards the person he is supposed to guide and follow. He wonders how come that his capable master told him to follow such a pathetic person.

Hideo turns around. He puts his arm around his eyes. He wants to cover his face. Hideo tries to avoid anyone from witnessing him at his worst.

Gallan can’t stop for the hero. He walks around the forest. He observes making sure they aren’t followed right now. He is too tired and irritated.

Hideo finally stands up. He excuses himself for his childish behavior. Hideo waits for his shadow to return for him. He then gives up and continues walking.

Gallan returns. The two of them keep walking silently for the majority of the dark night unable to decide what to do or how to do it next. Gallan feels superior to the fake hero in front of him.

Gallan asks for war stories. He wants to know more about the Fallen World. Gallan is curious about a planet that is gone. A world he never had the fortune of ever knowing. 

Hideo refuses to talk about the past. He can’t bring himself to talk about something that hurts him to just think about. His hands shake whenever he thinks about the past and the ones who didn’t survive.

“You don’t need to say anything to me.” Comments Gallan as he feels slightly guilty after observing the reaction of Hideo.

The road feels heavier and longer. 

“I didn’t like them at all. I believed myself to be superior to them. I couldn’t tolerate anyone inferior to me ordering me around. My ego was superior to my power back in the day.” Answers Hideo smiling.

“Then? Your ego is still superior to your ability as a hero.” Comments Gallan.

Hideo feels offended. He wishes to say something to him. He then stops himself from speaking. He just remembers the worst times. He can’t bring himself to remember the good times.

The two of them continue to walk consistently with some arguments in between. The night gets darker. 

Hideo feels weird. He can’t smile naturally unless he remembers his old team. The time he spent fighting alongside a team he trusted with his life.

The wind blows cold and cynical. The battles to come will be the definitive detonation of all the hidden resentment.

"The world no longer belongs to us." whispers Hideo calmly.