Fate's Reluctant Heroes

Moving On Together - Alphonsus

Alphonsus and Susan were waiting by the benches towards the center of the city as the sun slowly went down. Alphonsus was sitting patiently while Susan kept looking up at Alphonsus and fidgeting.

“Hey Al,” Susan started, “why did you offer to take those guys out to dinner tonight? I know they helped, but you could’ve easily taken down that guy if you used your abilities.”

Alphonsus looked down at Susan and looked excited, “Did you see exactly what happened last night? The shorter boy with blonde hair, he had some kind of light ability. He is of age for the prophecy and showed up in this place like the prophecy said he would. That boy must be the hero of light!”

Alphonsus looked off into the distant streets, “I would bet everything I have that the hero is him!”

Susan looked flabbergasted as it dawned on her. “We’ve only been here a little bit; I can’t believe we’ve found him already. It would make perfect sense if he was the hero! The way he rushed in to save us, his abilities, he would be the perfect fit!”

Alphonsus nodded happily and saw a trio of boys coming over. He stood up and called out to them. They waved at him and walked over with the dark-haired boy coming forward.

The dark-haired boy called Nero said, “We would like to eat somewhere nearby. We plan on leaving tonight to head west as soon as possible.”

Acacius added in, “But only if that is okay with you guys?”

Alphonsus noticed the packs that the boys were carrying, and he felt frantic. The boy he believed to be the hero of light was leaving almost as soon as he had met him. “

That is perfectly fine with me,” replied Alphonsus with a smile.

Susan was only half-listening and then perked up when they began to discuss where to eat.

She quickly said, “I know just the place, follow me guys!”

The group walked to a tavern that sold exquisite lamb chops. They sat down at a table and ordered their food and spent the evening joking laughing. Except for Nero.

Alphonsus glanced at him several times and tried to measure him. It seemed like Acacius and Nicolas would do whatever this guy would say, so Alphonsus needed to convince him that it would be beneficial to let Susan and him tag along.

The talking slowed and Alphonsus decided to start making his proposal, “If I may add, I would really like to go west with you boys.”

Nero looked at him very suspiciously and the other two were curious. Acacius asked, “Why would you want to go with us? You don’t even know where our destination is.”

Alphonsus had thought about this and responded, “You are right, but I am currently on a mission to a small village out west, and there is a strong possibility of danger. I would like to hire you guys to come with Susan and I. There would be a lot of money and prestige in it for you, if you guys would be willing to accompany me.”

In truth, Alphonsus had only picked up this mission yesterday hoping he would be able to travel with them as much as possible.

Nero looked at him and after a while said, “No, we cannot go with you. We are busy with our own mission.”

“Then how about this,” Alphonsus countered, “you guys can accompany me and aid me in my mission and I will accompany you for yours. It will be an act of thanks and I will not partake in any of the rewards. How does that sound?”

Acacius and Nicolas both looked happy and excited and took Nero away to talk to him. Susan looked at Alphonsus, “What will we do if they won’t go with us?”

They need to come with us, there is no other way.. No matter what, we need to go with them.” He had a hint of desperation in his voice.

The three boys walked back over and Acacius and Nicolas were smiling. Nero looked at Alphonsus with disappointment and said, “We will go with you, but you must come with us on our mission, and we will be paid half of whatever you make on this mission.”

Alphonsus was visibly relieved, “Done.”

They shook hands and after paying for the meal, walked out the door and to the edge of the city. Susan and Alphonsus picked up their packs along the way. They passed the desolate outskirts of the city and soon were on their way to a village out west. 

Ch 17: The Problem In The Village - Acacius

Acacius was tired and sore. He hadn’t really had a chance to rest after the beating he received from Nero. However, he could feel his powers slowly growing and becoming easier to control.

Nero trained and taught him more and more each night, and eventually, he had a breakthrough.

“Hey, guys come look!” Acacius exclaimed excitedly. Nicolas, Susan, and Alphonsus came running over from the small camp they set up. He held a bright ball of light in his hand. The light was very difficult for others to look at, but was comforting to Acacius. Nero was actually smiling, but it still looked creepy to others.

“Congratulations, Acacius,” Nero said, “you have added a little more offensive ability to your light powers. With that, you can shoot it out of your hands and it will burn anyone it touches.”

Acacius was extremely excited and let the light burn out. He used his will to bring the light back into his palm.

Nicolas was excited as well, “Dude! That is really cool, I can see that coming in handy for a fight later on!”

Alphonsus smiled, “Congratulations, Acacius, I can see you become better every single day!”

Nero scoffed, “Don’t get a big head Acacius, you are nowhere near the level of immense power users. Nicolas doesn’t even have powers, but he can use the abilities in his equipment much more than you.”

With that, Nero walked back to camp and sat on a log. He closed his eyes, seemingly going to sleep while sitting up.

Nicolas moved next to Acacius. “Don’t mind him, man, you are making incredible progress. Just a couple of days ago you learned how to strengthen parts of your body to make them super strong.”

Acacius looked downcast, “He’s right though, Nicolas. I can only strengthen one part at a time, and even though I am making progress, I have no idea what an immense power user looks like.”

 “Don’t worry man, you still have time. We should reach the village tomorrow, and we can help Alphonsus with his mission, and then we have an extra hand with ours. Plus, Alphonsus has told me a little bit about himself. Did you know that he was actually the old Supreme Knight of Faton?

“He knows a lot about power users and equipment. Plus I’m sure that he has a ton of experience with this kind of stuff.”

Acacius perked up a bit, smiled and nodded, acknowledging the good luck they’ve had running into him. They went back to camp and rested for the night, for they knew it was going to be a long day tomorrow.

The next morning, the group packed up and left, soon stumbling upon a poorly made wooden wall with a ragtag bunch of twenty or so men on top of it.

They held farming equipment, and only one had armor and a sword on him. The one with armor stood forward and called out to them. “Hold! I am Alex, a sergeant of Faton. What business does your group have coming out to this village?”

Alphonsus called back, “We are here to answer a call for help! Is this village still in trouble? We have come to help!”

The sergeant looked relieved and called out for one of the farmers to open the gate. The wooden gate creaked open and the sergeant went down to meet them. The group walked through the gate and the farmers immediately closed it behind them.

“We are so glad you are here!” said Alex, “This village is in desperate need of your help. I have rallied all those who are able to fight and we have constructed a wall, but there were only fifty or so who are able. We are beset by a creature called a vampire.”

Nicolas, Susan, and Acacius had confused looks on their faces, so Nero explained, “Many of those mythical creatures you’ve heard of are real, and are actually just power users with special transformation or unique powers.

“A vampire is a blood-type power user and is very unique. This could be an easy or difficult job depending on the age of the vampire. A vampire can grow stronger with age or by killing people and taking their blood.

“Either way, a vampire can go from a weak power user all the way to an immense one if they live long enough. They have enhanced bodies with the ability to control corpses. They grow more powers as they age and consume people. They can be VERY dangerous.”

The sergeant nodded in agreement. “I am not sure about all the details of powers, but this vampire is not one of the strong ones. However, he still can very easily overpower the villagers here.

“He has been attacking every night with corpses. He seems to be testing our abilities to defend, and we’ve lost ten already, only leaving us with forty men left.”

He looked towards the group, “It is beyond the abilities of the people here to fight with that vampire.”

Alphonsus nodded, “Get the farmers who can still fight together on the inside of the wall. Susan, you go with them as well. The 4 of us will stay outside the wall and fight the horde of undead, hopefully drawing the vampire out. Move quickly, as it is almost sunset.”

Alex nodded and gave the order, and the rest of the farmers quickly moved. Susan shot a worried look at Alphonsus, then ran with the farmers.

Acacius, Alphonsus, Nero, and Nicolas stood outside the gate. Alphonsus took a deep breath. “Get ready boys, this will be a good fight.”