The battle was fierce, two armies stood on opposite sides. Watching their leaders engage in an exhausting battle that would decide the fate of the kingdom. On one side was a young man with spiky black hair adorned in golden armor was locked in combat with a large rugged man whose body and armor were painted with scars. Their swords clashed, neither one willing to give an inch. The sound of metal clashing against metal echoed across the battlefield. When one would slash, the other would block. If one trusted, the other would use their sword to rotate to the side. The battle seemed to have lasted for hours, wounds painted their bodies and the young hero's armor had lost its luster. It was worn down, chipped and broken from the prolonged battle.

  All heard another clash of blades on the battlefield. But unlike the prior clashes, this one signaled that the end was near. The young man was starting to tire.

  He was losing ground.

  "HAHA, is this the best the Great Roy can do? Was your title nothing but a tall tale, did you let it go to your head, boy?" Goliath taunted, putting the weight of his sword against the blade of the young man, forcing the boy's tired legs to shake and buckle forcing him to fall to one knee.

  "That title means nothing to me!! What matters is keeping those close to me safe, protecting my home!!" Roy cried. He tried to push back with all his remaining might. But despite his efforts to make the blades move, not even an inch moved in his favor.

  "Is this the end? Did I fail?" He wondered as countless thoughts of failure spawned in his mind.

  Just as Roy was about to lose all feeling left in his body, as the pleas of those he fought alongside with, turned into an orchestra of voices, each one drowning out the other trying to cheer the young man on, a soft yet firm voice echoed in his mind. The image of a woman with long black hair and violet eyes, her cheeks flushed as her hands held his.

  "If you go, you'd better come back alive, because if you don't... I'll follow you, I don't care how many lives it will take and when I find you, I'm gonna hit you. So please promise me that you won't—

  "Ayra, I made a promise to you and that's a vow I won't break." His words were quiet. So quiet even the gentle breeze easily masked his words.

  "What was that trying to beg for mercy, haha. If you're trying to beg for your life, you're gonna need to speak up" Goliath laughed, gloating about his approaching victory over the boy.

  The young man felt strength from an unknown source filling him with renewed power and with this newfound strength, he started to force himself to stand, pushing Goliath back. This action caused the large man to stagger and in a panic, he tried to bring his sword down, aiming to cleave the boy in gold in two.

  But in that moment, Roy's sword was glowing as he made an upward diagonal slash and it ran through both the sword and battered armor of his opponent, slicing the blade in two and leaving a bloody gash across his body. The sheer force of the strike forced Goliath to step further back, and from the sudden force caused him to lose his grip, sending his sword flying. As the broken blade landed, embedding itself in the dirt, Goliath could only see his end. In that moment, that single second of time Roy gripped his sword with both hands and as he held it above as he—

  "And then Roy gathered all of his remaining magic and strength into his sword and then he sent a slash of golden light at Goliath, vaporizing him and ending the war right Mom."

  A five-year-old Red jumped off the scarlet redhead's bed holding a small wooden sword, mimicking the actions the hero did in the story. His red eyes were shining, smiling happily as he imagined the final battle of his favorite story. The boy wore simple clothing: a light gray shirt and blue shorts with brown shoes.

  "Yes and then the young hero returned home, married his beloved Ayra and lived happily ever after." Lyn said in a soft, calm voice. This only caused the boy's face to grow brighter.

  It's July 22nd, it's a warm summer afternoon as white clouds could be seen traveling across the open sky. Closing the book, her obsidian gaze returned to her son, watching Red do battle with an imaginary enemy, mimicking the actions of the story. Slashing, striking, thristing, blocking, her eyes followed each movement, the sight only caused Lyn to smile at his actions as her hand ran across her enlarged stomach.

  Watching as he swung widely, her gaze moved away from the boy, traveling across the white painted walls of her bedroom. They were decorated with family photos from her wedding day, the memory of Achilles in a suit, stuttering as he tried not to bite his tongue off as he spoke. Red's first birthday, how if she didn't feed him, the cake would have been more of a fashion statement than food. Her Flamerite, along with a painted photo of the day she forged her ring 'FlameHeart' and her knife 'Sunset Ember.'

  As her gaze continued to wander, she couldn't help but think that every day since this red-eyed boy came into her life felt more and more life a gift. She could have wandered the walls for hours if it wasn't for a sudden cry.

  "Hey Mom, you think I can be a a hero like the people in those stories?" His eye shined crimson while his cheeks were a rosy red as he waited for an answer.

  She couldn't resist. Pinching his cheek, making him wince. "Of course you can, but you're going to have to work really hard."

  "I will, I'll be the hardest worker ever!" He cried out, only to take off running out of the room and down the hall, leaving Lyn to watch as he vanished.

  "As energetic as always. But I wouldn't have it any other way."

  The rapid echo of footsteps quickly made their return as Red reentered her room. A new book was thrown onto the bed as he tried to climb his way on. Flopping down next to her, he just smiled.

  "Can you read this one now?"

  The Rise of Roland, a book that was more history than heroic tale. The story was the first brick that led the creation of Ielos and its history. With a smile she opened the book as she got ready to read the first page.

  "I'll become stronger than you and Dad. I'll go traveling all over, beating monsters, exploring dungeons and ruins and woo a bunch of girls."

  "Heh, I'm sorry, what did you say?" Baffled at what he said, she didn't even turn the first page.

  The boy threw a confused look at her. "I wanna be a hero?"

  "No that's not what I meant. Where did you learn about wooing girls?"

  "Grandpa told me. He said that wooing girls is a part of a man's heroic journey." Innocent naivety was reflected in his eyes as he answered without any hesitation. "What does wooing mean?"

  Lyn fought back her laughter, only to have a yawn over as she ran her hand through his wavy brown hair. "It just means making friends."

  "Then I'm going to woo a lot of girls."

  While she was laughing, a stern voice echoed. "Igneel, what on earth did you teach my grandson?"

  The pair turned to find that just outside her door a brunette with obsidian black eyes was carrying a bowl as she yelled at a familiar old man who's faded rusted red hair reflected his age. Dressed in casual clothing, where an empty, limp right sleeve hanging at his side.

  "Oh come on Hellia, I didn't say anything like that to the boy. I just told him what those people did. If you're going to blame anyone, blame the books, not me. I only answered his questions."

  The sound of the one-sided scolding only caused Lyn to laugh. But one of them was unable to read the room as he cried out. "Grandpa, you're back!"

  Red cried out as he almost leaped off the bed, only to be caught by the one-armed man and found himself placed on the man's shoulder.

  "I thought I told you not to tell anyone that boy?" His gruff voice was answered with a toothy smile from his grandson.

  "You know how he is, Father. Red can't keep a secret." Lyn's comment only made her son puff his cheeks and turn away from her. "So how was the meeting with Rustage? I hope the trip wasn't too boring."

  "Well, the meeting itself was uneventful and the trip there was ordinary. I wouldn't bother you with the details right now, I might put the boy to sleep."

  "You know those meetings wouldn't take so long if you just used the Travel Ring and made a portal to and from." Hellia scoffed at Ignnel's complaint.

  "But using that ring makes travel so... dull. I don't mind using it for longer trips, but for Rustage, it's barely a week to get there and back. After all if I just used that ring I'd get stagnant and this way I can take a few of the guards out of the city. And if I didn't walk there..." This time Igneel turned his head to Red as he spoke. "I wouldn't have ran into a Minotaur on my way back."

  "You fought a Minotaur! Did you win?" Staring at his grandfather with wide eyes. Eagerly waiting to be told the story.

  "What do you think, boy? Do you think I'd lose to a brainless monster, I knocked the beast head off with a single strike." He said, raising his left hand igniting his fist. This statement got Igneel few different reactions, one of admiration from his grandson, an annoyed groan from his wife and a tired laugh from his daughter. "Hey Lyndis, why don't I take this brat off your hands for a bit?"

  "Sure I don't mind, it'll be good for him to get outside rather than being cooped up in here with me all day."

  "But Mom, you were going to read Rise of Roland to me and Roy." Crossing his arms he started pouting.

  Lyn's face went white with the look of betrayal.

  Igneel tried to hold back his laughter.

  Hellia looked at them confused.

  It took Red a few seconds to realize what he said, his hands slammed over his mouth.

  "RED!! You promised you wouldn't tell!" Lyn cried out. "Who else did you tell?"

  Disappointed at her ruined fun, she watched as he bent down. "I didn't tell anyone else. It was an accident, honest."

  "It's ok, but no one tells Achilles." She couldn't stay mad at him for long, even if she tried. "Now go have some fun with Grandpa and Red, I love you."

  A smile returned as Red perked up. Igneel slowly started to walk away as he carried his grandson outside, retelling a watered-down version of his encounter with the Minotaur and how he vanquish the flow with a single blow

  Leaving them alone, Hellia made her way over to her daughter's side placing the bowl on the night stool. It was filled with sliced apples, pears, cantaloupe with blueberries and strawberries littered all over. "You look tired dear."

  "Yeah I'm a little tired, I've been reading to Red all day. We've gone though A Hero's Venture, The Defiant Dwarf, Dragon among Men and you didn't hear this from me even Like a Fairy. I think it might be personal favorite for him. But as you can see, its just one after another with him." Even tired a smile painted her face.

  "Sounds like hes been pretty demanding."

  "I don't mind, its not like he's been asking for aanything unnecessary. After all I enjoy reading to them." As she spoke her hand still rubbed her stomach. "After all, I think he's just as excited as me to meet him."

  Thoughts of the near future filled her imagination of a young boy following his soon-to-be-older brother's every footstep, setting an example for him to follow. She couldn't wait to watch Red live the life she wished for when she was his age. Although one troublesome thought soon made its way through the hundreds of pleasant glimpses of the future she imagined.

  Stolen content alert: this content belongs on Royal Road. Report any occurrences.

  Seeing the smile on Lyn, Hellia couldn't help but share the smile that her daughter had. "So why Roy? I know Red loves that story, but please don't tell me you're picking that name just to make him happy."

  "No, honestly that's not the reason, but seeing Red's excitement when I told him was just a bonus. To be honest I love that story too and I want him to grow to be strong and kind, so I figured what better way to help set him on the right path by giving him a name like that. I can't wait to hold them both."

  Hellia could only smile seeing her only child this happy, how could she not her family was growing and she was going to have another grandchild.

  "Well, pretty soon you'll have your wish granted."

  "I can't wait for them to meet. I just hope they get along.

  "I'm sure they will."

  "Do you think they'll like the same stories? I hope they don't get into trouble." Lyn seemed to have forgotten about the world around her as she rambled on wondering how she'd prevent any harm from coming near them.

  Hellia couldn't help but smile at the troubled look that painted her daughter's face as she tried to think of ways to keep her sons safe. "You've really grown up haven't you."

  "What?"

  Hellia simply placed her hand atop Lyn's head as she spoke.

  "You've grown up. I remember when you threw caution to the wind; you were quite the firebug. If I recall, didn't you use to say "Who needs a plan when you can set it on fire." Right?"

  "Come on Mom, I wasn't that bad."

  "Lyndis dear, you set the park on fire.... twice."

  Lyn could only give a nervous laugh. "Come on, I was only eight and I was still learning to control my magic."

  Hellia only gives her daughter a blank stare. "Lyndis, the second time it happened was when you were fourteen."

  "Hey I put it out on my own that time. Give me some credit."

  The pair could only stare at each other until they both broke out in laughter as they went down memory lane.

  "So how did you deal with... you know, having a firebug like me?"

  "Simple, I didn't. I just tried my best as I know you'll do your best with Red and Roy when they start learning."

  "Thanks, Mom."

  Hellia watched as Lyn's eyes tried to stay open even as she leaned back into her bed. "Now get some rest, I'll come back to check on you later."

  With a tied nod, one pair of obsidian black eyes watched as the other closed, falling into a the void of sleep.

  ——————————————————

  The grandson and grandfather pair could be seen as they made their way to the courtyard of the Riser Mansion. The late afternoon sun was starting to meet with the horizon as the shadows from the brick-walled fence casted over the ground and birds returned home to roost in the trees and bushes at occupied in both the front and backward after a long.

  The pair simply talked about what they did for the past few days. Red barely noticed that the sun was getting lower as he told his grandfather what he'd missed when he was gone during his visit to Rustedge.

  "And a few days ago Maryan played hide and seek with Arthur, Ash, Hector and me, before she left. Although it wasn't very fun when she was it because she found us super fast." His pouting was amusing to his grandfather. "And if that wasn't enough it took us hours ro find her when she wasn't it."

  "Ha, what did you think would happen? She is Ielos' Hidden Viper after all, just be happy she let you kids find her at all."

  "Hidden Viper of Ielos? Wait, is she a hero? Can you tell me her story?" The boy asked excitedly as thoughts of his caretaker being like the people in his books raced through his mind.

  Caught off guard by the boy's question, Igneel tried to think of an excuse to avoid the subject. Then it hit him. "You know Red, Maryan doesn't like to talk about her past but when you're older and ask nicely, maybe she'll tell you."

  "Ok." His pouting continued until another thought took its place. "Hey, can you tell me how you lost your arm?"

  "That's a war story, not a story suitable for a youngster like you, I'll tell you when you're older."

  "Older, but I'll be seven really soon." Disappointment filled his voice causing the boy to stare at the ground.

  Igneel took notice of this, tried to think of something to say to cheer the boy up. After finding the right words to say he spoke.

  "So have you thought of a name?"

  "A name?"

  "Yeah a name for your blade once you make it. Have you thought of one?" Reaching for his waist, he unsheathed a sword with a bright crimson red blade and a deep black handle.

  "Of course there's Flame Devoure, Inferno Slasher, Fire Master and—

  The old man could only laugh at the childish names the boy continued to call out, with each one becoming just and bombastic as the last. "How do you come up with so many funny names?

  "They're not funny, they're supposed to be cool! After all, every hero has a cool name for their weapons."

  "You don't say?"

  "Yeah, I mean doesn't your sword have a cool name?"

  His low chuckle continued. "Yeah, I guess Defiant Flame here has a cool pretty cool name." He couldn't help but laugh, it was like looking through a mirror into the past. It reminded him of his younger days. "So Red, would it be ok if I asked you something else?"

  "Sure, Grandpa. What is it?"

  "Why do you want to be a hero?"

  This question made the boy pause. It was the first time he was asked why. "Because hero's are... cool?" He didn't know how to answer. His chin resting on Igneel's chin. "I don't know, I just thought they were cool and I like the idea of helping people."

  The pair just stood there. Watching as the sun started to paint the sky an orange color as it started to set. But the pair didn't have to time to think it over further as another voice called out.

  "Well, look who was waiting for me, hope I didn't make you wait long."

  The pair turned to the direction of the proud voice that broke the silence between the two, only to see it belonged to none other than the Red's father, Acillies. The boy, seeing who it was, leaped off Igneel's shoulders as he ran towards him.

  "Welcome home Dad. How was the meeting with Thorin and Sigurd?"

  "It was good, although it would have been better if I had my little buddy with me."

  "Then why didn't you bring me? I wanted to see Diana and Astera." Red was a little disappointed that he hadn't seen either of them lately. They were really good family friends.

  "Well that's simple. When I left you were still asleep and I didn't want to wake you or Lyn up. Plus they weren't there."

  Disappointment grew in him learning that they weren't even there.

  "So how are the young ladies doing? Hopefully, there hasn't been any trouble with either Greenvaile or Ozrio." Igneel spoke up, joining their conversation.

  "Nope, nothing to report at the moment. Their kingdoms don't seem to be having any issues for the time being. But I do have a message to deliver." This time he turned to address his son. "I was told that Astera and Diana are sending their best wishes to your Mom."

  Red simply thought about the words, until a question appeared in his mind. "Wait, you can send people wishes?"

  This caused the two men to laugh at the boy's question.

  "That's not—

  "AAH"

  A scream of pain silenced Achilles as it stole the attention of three causing them to have the same thought filled their minds.

  'Lyn/Mom.'

  ——————————————————

  The sound of three pairs of foot steps echoed though the hallway of the medical wing of the estate. While Achilles and Ingeel were moving at a rapid pace, Red however was running ahead of them. Until they all noticed Hellia at the end . Just as Achilles was about to speak another fear filled voice entered the hall before he would utter a word. "Grandma is Mom ok? She wasn't in her room."

  His crimons eyes looked at her, only to have her bend down and run her hand through his hair. "Everything's fine Red, she's ok. We just helped move her here." Her attention quickly changed to his father. "Achilles you should go to her side." She said, trying to calm him down.

  He didn't have to be told twice or wait another second, Achilles rushed to the door room to Lyn's side to give her comfort during this time. Red tried to follow but Achilles turned as hand was placed on his shoulder stopping him from following. "Sorry but right now what's going on behind that door is something you don't need to see at the moment."

  He was left standing there unable to move, he watched his Dad enter the room, getting a slight glimpse of Lyn in pain. Her groans echoed in the room as she was gripping the bed sheets was all he got to see before the door closed on him, blocking his view of the other side.

  "Mom."

  For what felt like hours, they waited,

  and waited,

  and waited.

  Each passing second felt like a minute, each minute felt like an hour. The sun soon started to fall, letting the moon take its place as the bright warm sky changed the to a cool darkness that was painted with glistening stars. Hellia and Igneel were both calm given that they have gone through this before and they both knew Lyn was strong, she'd be ok.

  However Red couldn't share the same sentiment. The poor crimson-eyed child couldn't stay still as he heard Lyn's low cries and groans echo from the other side of the door, each time her painful noises reached his ears only made him worry further. His fear didn't go unnoticed.

  "Hey Red." Igeenl spoke to the boy as he sat down next to him, leaning against the wall he placed his hand on the boy's head. Red just turned to look at him. "You have a big responsibility now you know right."

  "What?"

  "You're gonna be a big brother from this moment, do you know what that means?"

  "That I'll have a little brother?" He answered, not fully understanding the question. He could only think about his mom.

  Igneel simply smiled at the boy's direct answer. "It means that from this moment on, that child will view you the same way you see those heroes in the stories you like. And you know what those heroes do right?"

  "They protect the people close to them and help others, right?"

  "That's right. So from this moment on you're gonna have to help your parents. Because from now on you have someone to protect." His normal gruff loud voice has been replaced by a soft yet firm one giving the boy some comfort.

  "But everyone, even you keep saying I'm too little and should wait till I'm older for stuff like that." Disappointment and confusion filled his voice from this new, contradictory advice. His voice was low, he didn't know what to do.

  "That's true but one day you'll meet more people. People, who you want to protect even give your life for. It was like that for me when I met your Grandma, the day your mother came to this world, when a scrawny boy tried to rob me and the day I met you." He said messing with the boy's hair, reminiscing about the past.

  'People I want to protect.' Those words echoed through his head."Is that how you lost your arm? Protecting people."

  The old man could only sigh, ruffling the boy's hair, chuckling at his grandson's bluntness. "Yeah that's how I lost my arm. I'm still not gonna tell you the full story, you're still too young for that, but I'll tell you this. I'd give up much more if it meant keeping you and everyone in Ielos safe."

  "Why?"

  It was a simple question and to many others they would just assume it was the ramblings of a child who would just ask why with no rhyme or reason. But to Igeenl he knew what that question meant after all it was, it was the very same one he asked long ago.

  "Because that's what a leader does. A leader will give anything to make sure that those who follow are safe. After all, while it's true, the strong often rule over the weak. It's those who are truly strong who protect the weak, guide the strong. They forge a path that both the weak and strong alike can walk down."

  Silence fell over Red. It felt like the weight of the world was just dropped on him. While his grandfather's words gave him an answer, they also left many new questions in its place.

  "Hey Grandpa, how did you get strong?" He asked, hugging his knees.

  "Well sometime after my vow I went on a journey for a few years, visiting different places, experiencing different things all over Keltic. Those experiences made me the man I am. Your parents had a similar journey."

  His words started to calm the boy as his left arm moved from the boy's head and reached around him, pulling him closer.

  "Grandpa... how do I meet people like that? People I want to protect."

  "That isn't really something I can tell you."

  "Then how will I know who those people are?"

  Igneel simply paused trying to find the answer to a question that even he didn't know how to answer.

  "Honestly I don't know. I just know that when you find them you'll know."

  He honestly didn't know how to handle that answer; if anything it left him more confused. And this didn't go unnoticed. While the change was subtle both Igneel and Hellia took note of it. Trying to help him find an answer only served to make the boy's mind race as he wondered who those people could be.

  Igneel wanted to find a way to help him get his mind off the topic. Then it hit him."You know Red, one of those people could be your fairy." Igneel couldn't help but tease the boy. "You just have to find her."

  The simple mention of the main character from 'Like a Fairy' caused the boy's face to match his name's sake as he buried his head between his knees. This made his grandparents laugh at the sight as Igneel continued.

  "Who knows, you are my grandson after all, so once you're older the girls might just flock to you. You might be able to built every man's dream of a har—

  "I think that's enough of that mister, don't you go filling his head with nonsense like that." Hellia stepped in, ending that train of thought. Her warning was clear, if he ever tried to say something like that again. Let's just say she would make even the most fearsome dragon look like a harmless gecko.

  So silence fell over them once again. The only thing that could be heard was the passing of time as they waited for the delivery.

  "I wanna be strong just like Mom, Dad and you, Grandpa." His voice broke the silence, smiling as he hugged his knees. "And when I'm older I want to go on a journey, have my own adventures and meet the people I want to protect"

  "You will, someday you will."

  ——————————————————

  Time continued to slowly crawl along. Things had calmed down, to the point where the once panicked Red had fallen asleep. Leaning against Igneel, who hadn't moved from the boy's side, just kept his arm around him.

  Then there was the cry of both pain and relief echoed from the room, shortly followed by one of a new voice. These sudden noises pulled the boy from his short slumber. Soon, moments later the door opened and it was Achilles, he had a happy smile on his face and simply waved for Red to enter. Following his father's command he got up and followed his dad as he guided him into the room, making his way to the bed where he saw his mom holding a new life wrapped in a soft, white blanket. During this moment Red didn't notice when he was lifted off the ground, Achilles had picked him and placed him on the bed next to Lyn.

  "Hey Red, I'm sorry did I worry you? There's someone here I know you've been wanting to meet." Her voice was calm and soft like a gentle summer breeze on a bright sunny day, it was a perfect contrast to her tired expression, there was an ever a slight loss of color on her face given the ordeal she went through.

  She shifted her arms slightly so that Red could get a better view. The newborn had light patches of bright scarlet red hair, his face was slightly pink and his eyes were closed, he looked calm. It was a peaceful sight that Red would burn into his mind.

  At the sight, Red could only reach his right hand out slowly, carefully extending his index finger wanting to touch his brother to try and form a physical connection. He was unaware of his grandparents who quietly entered, smiling as they watched the scene.

  As he got closer his nerves were starting to get the best of him, causing him to stop just mere inches away from making contact, but before he could pull back. A small hand reached up and gripped his finger. The grip wasn't strong but it was there and the eyelids began to move, revealing to his family his royal blue eyes but they only had one object in view. In that moment, both a visual and physical connection was made, the newborn formed his second connection. Red didn't know what to do, but he knew what to say.

  "Nice to finally meet you Roy, my name's Red. I'm your big brother."

  A small giggle was what he got in response and with that the Red, whose birthday soon approached received the greatest gift he could have asked for. Today he had been given a goal, a dream to chase and most importantly.

  The first someone to protect.