Polux stared at the bone-wrapped mirror before him. Shakily scratching at his forearm. A habit he’d picked up when an Impi javelin nearly pinned it to his chest. It had healed. Eventually. But the itch of it had a way of coming back when he was worrying.

  And he was. Worrying that is.

  The damn gate before him wasn’t supposed to make a man worry. It was an opportunity. He knew that.

  He did.

  And after a few more moments, he jerkily stood up, startling a half dozen men that looked no more certain than he felt.

  Enough already! Do or don’t. Only he had to stop worrying at it like a loose tooth.

  He strode forward. Forcing himself to look confident. To feel confident.

  Or at least try to.

  He picked up speed, no room for second thoughts.

  No backing out.

  He was sprinting as he hit the gate.

  And bounced off.

  Rolling away and holding his bleeding nose, pain and disbelief fighting for dominance as he staggered to his feet and stared at the offending gate and even more offending blue window.

  The tale has been taken without authorization; if you see it on Amazon, report the incident.

  What the hell did that mean! He was level 19! His levels, stats and skills were maxed dammit! This shouldn’t happen. It shouldn’t be like this!

  Not again. He stumbled back to lean against the wall, a tear fighting its way free of his eye, and as much as he wanted to blame his nose… it just wasn’t so.

  He wasn’t ready. And no matter what he did, that just wouldn’t change!

  What personal realization!? What moment of growth!?

  Fuck! He slammed a fist against the wall, blood and water mixing on his bruised face.

  Why?

  ___

  Crispus dodged sideways, cursing, as a falling log scattered a shower of red-hot sparks in his direction. Wincing as a few burnt right through his light sleeves and into his arm. Staring at the burning forest ahead of him, searching for a route that wouldn’t end with more burns spotting his precious hide!

  It wasn’t supposed to be like this. He was destined! A great man if he was just given a chance.

  He started forward then flinched back again as a gust of wind launched flickering red flames into a great fan of heat and light.

  Dodging from side to side as he futilely searched for a perfect route. Never noticing how the clouds of smoke closed in with every dodge.

  Until there was nowhere left to go.