The only light in the room came from a screen of shifting colours, a quiet kaleidoscope flickering across the monitor. Leonidas Hawkins—Leo to everyone else—sat hunched forward with a small, satisfied smile on his face.

  The expression vanished the moment he glanced at the clock. Already?

  What followed was the same as every night, though it still brought a flicker of disappointment. Time to shut it all down and get some sleep before work. It was one of his only refuges from the work he had, a quiet pocket of freedom in a life that no longer offered many.

  Leo worked for a small but profitable company as one of “the IT guys” as everyone called him. The job paid well enough to justify staying, even if he dreaded going in most days. It wasn’t about passion, it was about purpose. He was there so his younger sister Natalie could go to university and follow her dream to become a doctor.

  Their parents died in a car crash, just after Leo’s eighteenth birthday. Natalie had been fifteen at the time, young, terrified, and suddenly without a family. Leo didn’t hesitate to step up, because there was no one else. He’d made himself a promise that day: whatever it took, she would be safe, happy, and never have to carry the weight that he did.

  But university wasn’t cheap. Especially not the one she’d managed to get into, which was a prestigious program halfway across the country. She was brilliant and kind, the type of person who saw someone in pain and moved, without hesitation. She was going to make a phenomenal doctor one day and Leo would make sure she got there.

  Removing his headset, Leo stretched his arms overhead, groaning in that deeply satisfying way that was best left unheard by anyone else. He shut down his computer and double-checked his alarm. Being late was the last thing he needed.

  He dropped onto his cheap, lumpy mattress and stared up at the empty ceiling. Sleep didn’t come easy most nights. Not without a little help from imagination.

  And so, he let his mind drift like he always did, into worlds far from this one. The worlds similar to those from his games, filled with magic, danger, and best of all, freedom. Where he could choose his own story and escape this monotonous reality he lived in.

  At least in these stories, the monsters could be slain. Not just worked for.

  An alarm wrenched him from his sweet dreams. Leo groaned and cracked open his still-weary eyes, staring up at the same ceiling that greeted him every morning. He sighed.

  His fantasies had remained fantasy.

  Silencing the alarm, Leo dragged himself to the bathroom. The mirror greeted him with a familiar face; short blond hair in a wavy unkempt style, fair skin, and blue-grey eyes that were still fogged with sleep. He stood just over six feet and was in good shape, more out of habit than vanity.

  He brushed his teeth, dressed, and grabbed his gear in a well-worn rhythm. No time to waste if he wanted to get a quick workout.

  Outside, the cold winter air bit at his cheeks. It wasn’t quite six yet. The sky was still a sleepy grey, the kind that made the whole city feel half-awake. The streets were quiet as Leo made his way towards the gym, hands tucked into his jacket pockets against the morning chill.

  Leo walked with his usual quick pace, his breath steaming in the air. He didn’t mind the cold. Or the heat for that matter. Natalie used to yell at him constantly about how freezing the apartment was, while he walked around in shorts and a t-shirt. It drove her mad. She hated the cold.

  The gym came into view. It wasn’t anything fancy but it did the job, tucked between two buildings like it was hiding. One of the perks of living here was definitely convenience. Gym and work were both within walking distance. There was no need for a car, no wasting money on maintenance or overpriced fuel.

  The gym Leo liked to frequent was a quirky place. Not quite a traditional gym, and not quite a dojo either. It didn’t have a flashy logo or modern branding. In fact, the building barely looked like a business at all. No signs, no slogans. Just a plain exterior and a door he’d almost walked past the day he found it.

  He’d been looking for a place to train, somewhere quiet and still open. A place to get stronger. Maybe it was stupid, a leftover childhood fantasy, but he liked the idea of being the sort of person people could rely on—someone's hero, if it ever came to that.

  The inside of the gym was pristine, almost reverent. A smell of bleach lingered in the air. Sparring mats stretched across the floor, lined with heavy bags and reinforced dummies. One wall held a rack of wooden and metal weapons, many of which Leo had never seen before coming here. They were displayed with the same care someone might give portraits of their children. He was fairly sure at least one of the swords could cut steel, judging by the way it gleamed in the light.

  As usual for this time of morning, the place was empty. Bliss. Solitude before work was just what he needed.

  Except one figure was already present.

  Boyd, the owner, and something like a cross between a mentor and a maniac, was swinging a massive double-headed axe through the air with a wild grin on his face. The weapon whistled with every arc, and the gleam in Boyd’s eyes danced between joy and madness. Leo couldn't tell if he was practicing or playing.

  Boyd caught sight of him and halted mid-swing, which was harder to do than Leo knew. He took a calming breath, grounded himself, and gave a nod.

  “Morning, champ. Good to see you again. What’ll it be today?”

  Boyd was built like a warhammer in human form. Maybe six-foot-three, broad as a door with arms. With a ginger beard that looked like it had its own grooming regimen. His bald head shone under the lights, sweat already glistening on his arms.

  “Morning, Boyd. Glad to be here,” Leo said, smiling. “I think I’ll just drill the combos from yesterday. Try to hammer them into muscle memory.”

  “Good lad,” Boyd said with a grin. “Let me know if you need anything. I’ll be with Princess.”

  Leo still hadn’t gotten used to the fact that Boyd had named his giant, terrifying axe Princess.

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  “Okay. Thanks.”

  He made his way to one of the reinforced dummies and got to work, cycling through punches and kicks Boyd had taught him over the many months he had been coming here. His strikes weren’t flashy, but they were sharp and measured.

  He loved this part. The rhythm, the focus, the impacts. It was easy to lose track of time when it was just him, the sound of fists hitting padding, and the fire in his limbs. His imagination quickly took over as he moved. One moment he was fighting a bandit, the next a monster ten times his size. He could almost see it. Almost feel it.

  If anyone else had been around, he would have toned it down, embarrassing himself in public was something Leo genuinely feared. But here, in this space, he could be whoever he wanted. A warrior. A hero. Just for a while.

  Eventually, his body started to protest, and the high began to wear off. He checked the clock and sighed.

  “That’s me heading out, Boyd. See you tomorrow.”

  Boyd, who was now carefully oiling the edge of Princess like it was a priceless artifact, looked up and nodded. “Take care, kid.”

  Leo gave a quick wave and slipped out, the calm lingering with him as he walked.

  Leo approached the office building, watching a few of his coworkers file in ahead of him. None of them acknowledged him, and he didn’t expect them to. As one of the IT guys, he was practically invisible. At least until someone’s Wi-Fi broke or their password locked them out.

  That was fine by him. He didn’t enjoy being here. If it were up to him, he’d still be at the gym or at home gaming. In fact, anywhere but here.

  He climbed the stairs up to the office floor, passing through the sleek, modern layout. Glass-walled rooms and designer desks stretched out in crisp rows. It all looked impressive on the surface, but it felt cold. Joyless.

  At least there were a few people he didn’t mind talking to. The first was already behind her desk, cheerfully greeting each person as they passed.

  Leo approached, trying not to overthink it. “Hey, Erin. How are you today?”

  She looked up and smiled politely. “Hello, Leo. I’m well, thank–”

  A hand clapped down on Leo’s shoulder, hard.

  “Hello you two,” drawled a familiar voice. “Why don’t you give this lovely lady some space, yeah? Wouldn’t want this to turn into an issue.”

  Leo tensed but didn’t turn around. Of course it was Henry.

  “Oh! Morning, Henry!” Erin said quickly, louder than she’d meant to. She was already blushing, her voice carrying the fluster of a teenager with a wild crush.

  Henry flashed a grin at her, completely ignoring Leo. He was the picture of effortless confidence. He had the expensive watch, perfect hair, and a presence that people just seemed to melt under. He was also the CEO’s son. That didn’t hurt.

  Leo managed a tight smile. “Good morning, Henry. Sorry. I’ll go. Bye, Erin.”

  She didn’t respond. Her eyes were locked on Henry, trying to hold his attention for just another second.

  Leo turned to walk away, jaw tight. He’d gotten used to it, mostly. The way Henry pushed him around, needled him, mocked him. The way people laughed along like it was harmless. Starting a fight with the boss’ son would be career suicide, so Leo did what he always did since he was a child. Shoved the rage down and kept moving.

  As he started to walk away, Henry’s voice rang out behind him.

  “Hey everyone!” he called across the office. “We’re going out to eat tonight at Asano’s, my treat. Be there or you’re fired!”

  Laughter followed, the usual mix of amusement and that weird pressure people seemed to feel around him. He was half-joking, of course. But with Henry, people always showed up just in case he wasn’t.

  Leo didn’t laugh. He just kept walking.

  He made his way to his desk and dropped into his chair with a sigh.

  “Morning, Thomas,” he muttered.

  Thomas looked up from his dual monitors. “Good morning, my Kouhai! You know, you could just start calling me Senpai.”

  Leo grimaced. “Yeah, that’s not happening. I already get made fun of enough around here without dragging anime into it.”

  Thomas laughed. “You should embrace it, like I do.”

  “Maybe when I’m also in my forties.”

  “I’m thirty-five.”

  Leo smirked. “Exactly.”

  Thomas scoffed in mock offense, then leaned back. “So, did you finally beat the third boss?”

  “I did,” Leo said, brightening a little. “His second phase was brutal.”

  They fell into easy chatter about games and anime, and for a little while, the tension faded. It was one of the few parts of the job Leo actually looked forward to.

  The day dragged like molasses.

  By the time lunch finally arrived, Leo stayed at his desk, pulling a packed sandwich from his bag while most of the others went downstairs to the office cafeteria. He preferred the quiet. No small talk and no chance of running into Henry.

  He decided to call his sister.

  The phone rang once before she picked up. “Hey Leelee! What’s up?”

  Her voice was cheery and light. It brought a small smile to his face. Reminding him why he did what he had to.

  “Hey, Nat,” he said. “Just checking in. Wanted to make sure you’re doing okay… that you've got everything you need.” His voice came out tighter than he meant.

  There was a pause.

  “Mmhmmm,” she said slowly. “Okay. What’s really going on?”

  He chuckled lightly. “How do you always know?”

  “A woman’s intuition is unmatched, dear brother,” she said smugly. “And a younger sister’s is even greater. Now spill it.”

  Leo sighed and told her about Henry. About the forced dinner, the comment he’d made in front of Erin, and everything that had been piling on lately as it all came out before he could stop it.

  “What the heck? That’s awful!” she snapped. “Screw the dinner. He can go eat a dick.”

  Leo laughed softly. “Yeah, I wish. But it’s not worth the fallout. I just have to get through it.”

  As he spoke, Henry appeared behind him without warning. Leo didn’t even have time to react before the man’s hand came down on his shoulder, hard.

  “Hey, Leo,” Henry whispered, just loud enough for the phone to catch. “Hope you enjoy dinner tonight. Erin and I will be having a wonderful time together. Don't you dare leave early or you'll regret it.”

  People started returning from their lunches, looking over at the two of them being so close.

  "Oh! Sorry man! Didn't realise you were on the phone. Enjoy your lunch." He gave Leo a knowing look. "Don't go spoiling your dinner."

  Then he was gone. A light chuckle echoing out from behind him.

  Leo sat there for a while, silent. The phone was still pressed to his ear, but neither of them said anything.

  Then he heard it. Quiet sobbing on the other end that broke him out of his stupor.

  “Hey now… Nat, don't cry,” he said quickly. “I’m okay. I promise. One day, he’ll get what’s coming to him. And when that comes? I’ll enjoy every second of it.”

  She sniffled and took a shaky breath. “I’m so sorry. This is all my fault. You have to work there to pay for my school and my accommodation, and—”

  “Natalie,” Leo interrupted gently. “It’s fine. It really is. It could be so much worse. You’re worth it, I promise.”

  Another pause.

  “I gotta get back to work,” he said softly. “But I’ll call you later, alright?”

  “Mhm… bye, Leelee. I love you.”

  “I love you too.”

  He ended the call and sat in the silence a moment longer, trying to ignore the heat that burned behind his eyes.