What This Old Man CAN Do

"HAH!"

I'm gasping for air. My body convulses with life as my eyes are blinded with awakening. This isn't the pleasant trickle of light from the window. This is the harsh scorching of direct sunlight on this aged corpse of a man.

"I'm alive…"

My arms and legs slowly remember how to function. Once control has returned, I pull myself into a sitting position. My hand brushes against the dark mask fragment that put me here in the first place.

"I'm never putting that thing back on again!"

Part of me wants to take the little object and throw it as far as my arm is capable. I want to, but that would be foolish. After all, I still need it.

In the distance, combat is still raging between those stubborn brats and the deadly demons. Not much time has passed since I had attempted to wear the mask, but time is what I can't be wasting. After all, somebody has to run over there and drag those kids home in one piece.

"Seriously…"

It took a memory long forgotten from my past for my eyes to open. In my fear, I was prepared to run away and let the world claim its next victims. I was willing to throw away both my purpose and my pride. For what? An extra few days of wandering aimlessly with nothing left?

"It took hearing my old man's advice to get myself acting proper…"

The mask fragment continues to vibrate with energy in these hands aged nearly 40 years in this rotten world. As much as it pains me, I have to give my gratitude to the King of Calamities. He gave me the kick in the rear that I needed.

"Maybe that's what it means to get older, finally taking that advice to heart!"

The irony of it all makes me laugh aloud to myself.

I knew the answer all along. This guilt that has plagued me since the moment I turned my back should have given me a reminder. That one last grab for the strength I needed was the confirmation. This isn't about some duty to the country or this King. I want to be here. I want to be standing there surrounded by demons helping the young ones escape. After all, that's what this old man is for.

"My goodness, these kids really are a lot of work!"

A young man striving to be his own ideal by protecting the people, a girl trying to find her footing in an environment where only the best can shine, these stories have filled me with so much anticipation. They have futures that I could never imagine. Just the idea of watching these rising stars light up the night sky is some of the most excitement I've had in this average life of mine. It would be a real shame if a little foolishness put all of that to an end.

Then there is the boy who can't see the path ahead. His loss is far greater than even my own, and that has driven him into a spiral of violence that will never be satisfied. That single-minded rashness is something I can relate to all too well, at least in my memories. A young boy can only see the world one step ahead of him, and somebody has to be there to show him what could lie further beyond. Else, he may run out of time and live to regret it.

"Alright…"

I prepare my body and mind, stretching out the last bit of trepidation in my heart and cursed magic in my bones.

"Time to drag these brats back from whatever stupid things they're doing!"

It doesn't matter how much they complain, I'm bringing them home. Revenge and dignity can wait until after a long night's rest.

"This time for sure…"

My words come out with no real recipient in mind. Perhaps they were to the people I had almost forsaken, or even the people long gone by now. Though, the only one who absolutely needs to hear it is me. I lost sight of my purpose once, but I will not let that happen again. I don't have enough time in this world to make the same mistake twice.

"Let's do this!"

Placing the mask back into its pouch, I walk back to the group of shaded horses. They don't pay any mind as I unload my luggage back to the pressed grass it had originally sat on. With my spirits at an all time high, I take a deep breath and start running through the trees. That was the goal.

"Ah…"

Unfortunately, I don't make it further than a few paces from the camp. As I tried taking a step into battle once more, my empty hands left me feeling a little awkward. I may not be experienced in the art of modern warfare, but going in with just my fists doesn't sound like a great idea. To make matters worse, my only weapon was left behind.

"That's what I get for turning tail…"

Not that I could have shot that bow anyways. That only leaves me with one choice.

"Let me see what we've got in here…"

With my opportunity to make it back in time wearing away, I quickly dig through all of the bags. They all keep their personal luggage close, so this is my first time seeing the things they find necessary to carry.

"There's nothing I can use here!"

I suppose I shouldn't be surprised that anything useful in combat would have already been taken into the battlefield. There are rations of course, notes from parents, and some basic survival supplies. Other things like maps, books, and coins aren't going to be much use either. These kids really know how to travel light.

"There's gotta be something…"

I know that my bag has nothing useful, but I decided to check anyway. Considering that it was filled with mostly foodstuffs and the items to prepare them, there isn't much to find. Or, so I had originally believed.

"This…is better than nothing."

Maybe I should have purchased the hatchet back at the shop, but this will just have to do.