A darkness consumed her vision; nothing could break the silence that had covered the young elf.

  Bugs grew quiet, and it felt like the winds stopped blowing, the rustling leaves came to a sudden halt. She couldn't even hear the retreating cries of flying songbirds.

  Slowly, her senses started to return. The first thing she felt was something warm running over her cheek and a slight, almost metallic smell invaded her nose.

  'What is that smell... it's making my stomach churn.'

  The cry of horrified voices made her heart race, causing her face to grow tighter, hiding her behind the blindfold of her own making.

  Trying to open them, a sliver of light slid through; her eyes fought against her mind's commands. Forcing the thin line of light to expand, the world slowly became colorful once again when the light pushed the darkness away.

  There standing before her. With golden brown fur mixed with dark scales, its paw was soaked red and blood painted the ground. Azure blue eyes ran up the beast's powerful forelegs leading to its large, sturdy, scar-covered body. Jet-black strips ran along its back. Its dark mane hid its neck, making it look even larger. She could barely see its long, thick, reptilian tail, that was longer than the rest of its body.

  However, the part that left her petrified was the monster's face. A scar ran over its right eye and the snarling expression showed off a pair of twin saber-like fangs. Its dark blood-red eyes stared into her sky blues, piercing into her soul. The creature licked its lips, eyeing the young elf as nothing more than another meal. She was drawn to the large golden dagger-like horn, a crown that made its identity clear.

  'Th... that's a LigerHorn!'

  With a shaken hand Lucina drew Eden's Dawn, she got back on her feet to face the beast.

  'But why does it look so different from the ones in Roy's book?'

  Blue flames enveloped the wooden blade; she stared it down. Even its low growl shook her.

  'Wait Red, Roy... where is everyone!?'

  Her view of the beast shifted when quiet whimpers finally started to reach her ears.

  A part of her was relieved to find the horrified stares of Roy, Ardee, and Jason. It was a sign they were ok, but their quivering gaze wasn't solely on the LigerHorn. Following their gaze she found a red trail that stained the grass.

  'Bl... Blood?'

  Dark red streaks painted the ground like it was leaving a trail. Her eyes followed the path, the bright red spots became larger and darker. The trail only continued, passing by a slashed bloody arm guard and a shoulder pad. But the horror only grew as she reached a final deep, dark red pool.

  Lying on the ground, the only sound that emitted from him was painful groans while he clutched his arm.

  "Red!"

  Blood stained his cheek the same dark color and the vambrace that was once worn on his right arm and shoulder guard were gone, reduced to metal ribbons.

  Gripping the deep laceration that ran the course of nearly his entire arm. It started just below his elbow and ran up to his shoulder leaving a deep bloody gash that stained his bright red shirt to a pasty dark red while blood continued to slowly flow from the wound. Watching him try to get up, the blood that flowed down his arm landed in a bloody puddle. Rippling with each steady, rapid drop.

  The smell of iron was the only thing she could smell as something wet ran down her cheek.

  "Huh?" Her hand instantly rose and felt a wetness on her cheek. Finally feeling the substance that dampened her cheek, widened blue eyes reflected the blood that now stained her hand.

  'Thi...This isn't mine.'

  'Its...

  'Its...

  If her heart wasn't running before now it felt like it was sprinting, gripping her chest, she felt her heart racing in her throat. Her guard fell.

  That single moment of distraction was all it took.

  "Remember Lu, never take your eyes off an opponent."

  An almighty roar that shook the forest was unleashed. Her gaze shot back to its origin, the beast charged. The action stripped her eyes away from the blood-marked hand.

  Its speed left little time to react, its blood-colored eyes locked with hers.

  'Come on! Why am I shaking? Why won't my body move?

  Her mind ran at a rapid pace, ignoring the beast's roar. A blood-dying scream echoed throughout her mind, and sky-blue eyes were stuck in a long-distance memory.

  Time seemed to freeze as the beast charged the motionless elf. It pounced; its predatory mass flew at her. She could only watch as the beast came closer. The only action her body took, not wanting to see the end. Her eyes slammed shut.

  Two bodies slid across the floor when they collided. The grip grew tighter; her heart almost came to a stop. Her eyes slammed shut like clams guarding their insides, waiting for fangs to pierce her.

  But that pain never came.

  Slowly, one eye opened with the other following suit, seeing herself lying in the grass.

  "Huh?" But rather than being under the razor-sharp claws of the beast, her body was being held.

  "Red?" Blue eyes could only stare at the wound, leaking blood covered his arm.

  "Red, I—

  "You, ok?" Despite the gash that marked him, his voice had a calmness to it.

  She couldn't respond. Her mouth moved, but before any words could come out. Roy, Ardee, and Jason screamed when the beast acted. Watching it charge, it was like everyone was trapped under a spell that prevented them from moving...

  ...except for one.

  Feeling Red's touch leave, watching in mere seconds he slashed at the beast forcing it to stop its advance. Withdrawing for just a moment to size up the challenger before it.

  The pain from the action pained his face, trying not to wince from the rapid movement.

  Lucina could only watch the two locked eyes. Two pairs of red, one filled with desperation and protection, the other simply looking for a meal. Her mind and body cried to help him face the threat.

  But the fear, the sight of the blood trickling down his arm. A reminder that if it wasn't for him she'd be...

  The sudden exhale drew her attention to Red. He started to walk forward, placing himself between them and the beast.

  Even with shaken legs, she stood up and with a hoarse voice, she forced the words out. "Red, we'll take it toge–

  "Lucina, I need you to do me a favor." His voice was firm on the surface like he was trying to cover up something. She couldn't respond quick enough as he kept going. "Get Roy and the others out of here."

  "But, I—

  "When I go, run past me, and don't stop until you get them back to the castle."

  "You can't! We can wi–

  "Just go! We don't have time to argue about this!" He didn't even try to face any of them, even now the vocal facade was already starting to slowly break. His body was shaking. He kept his focus solely on the beast before him, keeping his sword pointed at the monster. "The top priority right now is getting them out of here!"

  Fear had taken hold of her, struggling, tripping over her words. She couldn't speak.

  "If you think I'm leaving you, you're even dumber than I thought!" Roy cried out, cutting off the elf. Ardee and Jason both flinched at his outburst.

  But still, he didn't turn to face them, keeping his crimson gaze on the monster before him.

  "Roy, I have a job for you." The only part of him that moved was his eyes and blade as he followed the beast. The only thing they could hear was his breath start to calm. "I need you to make sure everyone gets back safe for me, ok?"

  The redhead and the elf watched each drop of blood fall from his arm. The small echo was the only constant sound they heard; it only served to fill each person's eyes with doubt, something Red didn't have to see.

  They could hear his jagged breath start to become steady when he turned, flashing them with a warm crimson look.

  "It'll be alright." A calm smile took over as he spoke. "After all, the prince always beats the monster, right?"

  That expression was the last bit they saw before the only thing they could see the back of his wavy brown hair. There was no going back now.

  "Lucina, look after my brother. Now... GO!!"

  Watching he rushed in. His opening slash was dodged by the beast, and the following thrust was avoided.

  Sky blue eyes could only follow the movements of the early clash horrified. Watching Red slash at the beast while trying to avoid its flesh-severing claws and bone-shattering tail. Even when he blocked each blow, his whole body shook as the force knocked him off balance and forced him back.

  Trying to grip her blade, the shaking in her hands wouldn't stop and her body did something she never thought she would do. Betrayed by her panicked legs and her memories...

  Red's swing was stopped when Breaker was caught by the beast's fangs. Screaming over the guttural roar. "LUCINA! Get them out of here!"

  Grabbing a protesting Roy, and gathering the two others.

  ...she ran.

  The LigerHorn tried to change its focus to the retreating group. Only to feel a sharp cut run through its checks.

  Flinching at the pain, the cut opened its cheeks exposing the rest of its teeth, turning its focus back to the one who was getting in its way.

  As they ran Roy was the only one who looked back as he was dragged away, the image of his brother battling the beast got smaller and smaller the further they ran.

  ————

  The sound of gasping breath and rushing steps filled the woods while they fled. Having long since left the sight of battle, his final cry still echoed in their minds. Their feet refused to let up, and their hearts pumped rivers. The sound of the beast's roar and a boy's cry grew distant. They forced themselves to move forward but the rush started to fade.

  Only looking straight as they ran, none of them bothered to check their surroundings as they continued, a young foot was caught by an root that broke the surface. A redhead slid across the grass.

  "Roy, are you ok?" He didn't respond to Lucina's call out, ignoring her call his gaze fell to his scraped knee that started to bleed.

  "Hey, come on we need to go Roy. I promised Red I'd get you back safely."

  Still, the boy didn't move from his spot.

  "Come on, we need to hurry!" Adree panicked, all she wanted was to run and hide in her mother's arms. "If we don't move that thing will come for us next!"

  "Yeah, we need to run before that thing catches up." Jason joined in. The pairs' voices reflected their fears.

  Roy shot a glare at them. "What do you mean before it catches up!? Red will, he'll–

  "You saw that thing you think he can win?" Jason glared back.

  "YOU TAKE THAT BACK!"

  "Hey. calm down, both of you. I'm sure Red will make it back after all he is my rival." Her words sounded as if she was trying to reaffirm the idea to herself, rather than comforting their worries.

  There was a quiet pause until he spoke. "Sorry Roy, I... I'm just terrified."

  But to the redheaded boy, those words fell silent as his eyes changed looking back to the direction they just ran from before falling to his knee.

  A little boy's cries echoed from a park and tears fell from his face.

  "Come on Roy, it isn't that bad. It's just a scrap."

  Just shaking his head in protest, a young Red's words did little to stop those tears. Roy held his scraped knee, crying.

  He could only hear a tired sigh and through tear-blurred eyes, Roy watched Red turn his back to him and got on his knees. "Come on, let's go have Mom take a look at it."

  It didn't take long for Roy to find himself on Red's back, being lifted off the ground. As they started moving through the park, Roy just smiled while he was carried back to his mom.

  Lucina saw the trace he was in, calling out to him trying to break him from it. "Roy, are you alright?"

  Numerous memories like that flashed before him. Whenever he was scared, Red was the one he went to.

  The one who he would read with.

  The fun they shared.

  The one who, no matter how late or early it was into the night would let him sleep with, if nightmares haunted him.

  This novel's true home is a different platform. Support the author by finding it there.

  That's who he wanted to be like, the one he wanted to follow in the footsteps of.

  Not some larger-than-life hero.

  No great legend.

  Nor a proud warrior.

  So in that moment, that single moment a decision was made. He ran, he ran ignoring the cries of the elf to return. Racing back to the one he wanted to be like.

  ——

  The fight between the crimson-eyed boy and LigerHorn continued to rage on. With each clash between the two, one thing became clear.

  This wasn't a heroic tale of a clash between a hero and a beast.

  It was a fight to prolong the inevitable...

  ...a fight for survival.

  'This thing it's a lot stronger than I thought!' Looking himself over, he could see that his clothing was slashed in several places revealing freshly made wounds that were skin deep at best as more of his remaining armor had been chipped and cracked.

  It was surprising that it hadn't fallen apart.

  'It's strength,

  'It's speed,

  'Everything about it outclasses me!'

  Narrowly avoiding the LigerHorn's embrace as it tried to catch him in a death hug. Red charged back trying to slash at the beast only for the pain in his arms to surge. 'Ignore it, keep your concentration!'

  That slight delay gave the beast enough time to move to the side, avoiding the sword's blade,it readied its next attack.

  His eyes traced the beast only to see it lunging at him. Rolling to the side, dodging its pounce but before he could act its tail followed up the attack. He was barely fast enough to block with Breaker. Groaning when the blow slid him across the grass.

  The beast growled and it lowered its head, aiming its golden horn lunged at him. Tired legs forced his body, sidestepping the attack, fighting off the pain in his arm. Gripping the blade with both hands, he countered with a slash of his own on the monster's side, cutting into its flesh.

  A bloody streak splattered on the ground, hearing the beast groan in pain, Red saw an opening and charged.

  'If I can just pierce its back leg, then maybe I can make a run for it!'

  'No, I need to buy them enough time so they make it back safe!'

  But before he could seize the opportunity and attack the feline's flank, its tail slammed into his stomach. Sending him flying back, crashing into one of the many large, sturdy trees.

  "Gah!!" Not only air but blood was knocked out of him.

  It took everything he had to not let go of Breaker at that moment.

  'Come on, don't quit!' Falling to his knees he stared down the beast. 'You can't give in!'

  But it left no time for its prey to recover. Swinging its paw, it smashed against the tree felling it.

  Red had barely avoided the strike. Putting distance between the monster, he heard the tree hit the ground.

  The earth shook from the impact. It was yet another display of the monstrous power the beast held. Swatting down yet another large, sturdy tree like it was a toothpick.

  Turning its attention back to the crimson-eyed boy it continued the assault. Doing his best to evade or block each strike from the beast. Even trying to retaliate with his own strikes they were both looking for an opening.

  Then using its horn like the blade it mirrored the boy's actions. Their blades made an unexpected clash as the horn met steel.

  'No...'

  The force sent Breaker flying, plunging itself into the earth below. With his blade lost, his blood ran cold, his eyes went wide.

  With an opening made, the monster's paw swiped at his chest. Its claws ran across his chest, cutting through the metal and the leather that was attached to his scabbard like it was paper. The move was so quick, that he barely had time to register the pain from the blow that launched him across the ground. Broken metal joined him in his flight.

  Hitting the ground, bouncing across the forest floor, like a stone over water. Grass and dirt-stained his blood-soaked clothing. Blood marked his path before another tree stopped him and fell prone.

  The crack from the impact left the bark damaged, and an indent in the tree marked the spot of the collision. Groaning when he tried to get back on his feet, a searing pain shot through his body. His mind screamed with each subtle movement as he forced himself up. 'Come on get up! You have to get up! You made a promise!'

  The pain surged throughout his body. Placing a hand on his chest, only to see that it was now highlighted with his blood. His body shook from the rapid beating of his heart. Blood and sweat fell to the grass below. His body felt like lead, his mouth felt dryer than cotton and the taste of iron painted his tongue. Feeling blood dripped down his chin, watching it fall onto the ground below. Even gathering a single breath felt like a battle all on its own as he struggled to get back up. His body felt broken with each ragged breath.

  Everything started to grow quiet, while the ringing in his ears only grew.

  "Come on hero boy, are you really gonna let that take you down?"

  "Shu.. up... Raiden."

  As if the sudden arrival of that voice forced him to respond. The words "Get Up" repeated on a loop.

  'This... isn't my limit!'

  Forcing his body to act, he slowly rose as if to prove that he could, his scream even made the beast hesitate.

  Against all the screaming pain that filled his body. He got back on his feet, clutching his chest, locking eyes with his opponent...

  'Come... on. One foot... in front of... the other.'

  'This doesn't matter... you have to win... you can't let this thing get to them!'

  Each step only got harder and harder, with each slow movement, small embers fell from his hand.

  ... only to collapse.

  The only thing to cushion his fall was the grass below him.

  His eyes felt heavy, watching a blurry LigerHorn slowly approach. Almost like it was gloating its victory over its fallen meal.

  'So... is this it?'

  'This can't be my limit.'

  'Right?'

  'Who am I kidding... Who was I going to save... I can't even save myself.'

  The thought that they got away was the only thing that brought some sense of calm to his racing heart. However his eyes grew wet as thoughts of his family and friends filled his mind before the dam broke.

  'I'm sorry Mom, Dad, Grandma, Grandpa, everyone.' As his fading red eyes locked with the beast's bloody reds his mind began to wander as images of Lucina, Ash, Arthur, Hector, and Fir all surfaced.

  "Huh, come to think of it..." A few more words managed to escape his lips. "... we never came up with a name for our group."

  Shifting his head through the soft grass, so that his eyes could look at the sky before gray clouds started to overtake its beautiful color. It only served to remind him of them both, their blue eyes and her blue flames.

  "I always did like the color blue."

  Ignoring the LigerHorn's approach, Red just simply watched the clouds start to cover the sky.

  'If only...

  'I wish...

  'I wasn't so weak.'

  The beast watched him and roared before making its final charge.

  In that moment his eyes fell shut, turning away from the world of color to a back void as the sound of the beast charging became mute.

  That was...

  "GET AWAY FROM HIM!!"

  ... until a voice broke the silence.

  His eyes shot up just to see a bolt of flame race towards the LigerHorn, forcing it to leap away. Watching a blast of fire infused with lighting separated the two combatants.

  While the beast snapped to the flames' origin.

  A weak voice escaped him. Crimson eyes followed the lingering embers as he tired to force his body up.

  "Roy? Wha... What are you doing here!? I told you—

  "And you're an idiot if you think I'd listen to that!"

  The monster growled and charged the young boy. He cried out, sending a volley of sparking rays of fire to meet the beast, but the flames did little to stop it. IT just powered through. Rather than run, Roy just stood there calling out the spell again and again.

  Red could only watch in horror. Struggling like a baby to get up, all he could do was watch the LigerHorn closed the distance.

  'Come on, run. Get out of here, you can't beat this thing, so please, just...

  Running through each blast of flame like it wasn't even there, before leaping at the redhead prince. Reaching out his body felt hot. His hand had a numbing burn and growing embers started to fly off.

  Images flash by like was he turning the page of a book. Like a clock going back in time, each image showed them getting younger and younger.

  Until they ended up in a small bed where a newborn had just fallen asleep. Holding his finger.

  "ROY RUN!!!"

  A blur of blue and white moved like the wind. Blitzing towards the monster, grabbing Roy, a pair of blue fiery orbs blasted it.

  A calming wave washed over his body as Lucina appeared, seeing Roy in her grasp. He could only watch her turn to confront the beast. The fear in her sky blues had been painted over with a look of fury.

  Her blade was soon covered in blue flames, almost like when his mom and grandfather would ignite their blades.

  Darting at the beast she slashed, cutting its flesh as it tried to swat her down like a bothersome fly. Only to be met with both slashes and blasts of blue flames that only seemed to infuriate the beast further.

  Each time her eyes caught a glimpse of his bloodied body, her flames grew. The light of blue flames and the sound of a wooden blade clashing against monstrous flesh filled the empty noise. But when the new contest started, his vision faded and darkness took over.

  —

  The darkness of the void made it feel like he was floating. Not rising, not sinking. Just floating. There was not heat or freeze, it didn't feel like anything. It was a strange existence.

  'What is this place?' Slowly his eyes opened up to the void. Looking around for a moment, a strange light from above was the only thing that illuminated the area. It was blinding, but even as the light rained down, his hand couldn't move to cover it.

  'I don't know why, but it feels comfortable here.'

  Just existing in this strange plain felt comforting, in the nothingness that embraced him.

  But this solitude didn't last.

  Before long, an entity bathed in a blinding light descended from above. Taking him by the hand. An unknown pair of hands effortlessly pulled him up. He was met by a woman dressed in white with brown hair and soft morning blue eyes greeted him as she brought him to his feet.

  To say she looked happy to see him was an understatement. Unable to hold herself back anymore, she pounced him. Even if he wanted too, Red couldn't stop her advance, she was too fast, wrapping her arms around him. Her chin rested on his shoulder.

  Her hand moved up his back and to his hair as the embrace continued. Slowly he tried to match her embrace, only to have her hold grow tighter.

  Her warm, calming presence felt... familiar. The ease at which she held him was odd, it was like she had done it before.

  'Why do I feel so... so light?'

  Looking over himself, he was left in shock. His wounds had disappeared. The gash on his arm was gone, and the claw marks on his chest just like his arm were nowhere to be seen. All of his wounds were gone like they never existed. Even his clothing was fixed.

  "Hey, what did you do?"

  She didn't answer him, simply giving him an amused smile at his reaction. Grabbing his hand yet again she led him towards a door that opened to a vast field.

  There a blonde man stood with eyes that matched the color of the woman's hair standing over a fire watching a black pot. Letting go of Red's hand she entered, happily running to his side. Turning back she waved for him to join them.

  A warm breeze escaped from the door as it passed over the pot, carrying the scent of cooking meat, vegetables, and fresh bread to his senses. If the smell wasn't enough, once the blond-haired man took notice of the boy, he waved to him, showing off that he had more than enough food and even a spare bowl.

  The smell alone was too tempting and the growling of his stomach grew and pushed him to join the pair when his foot almost entered.

  "Hey..." A childlike voice echoed through the void. "Are you sure that's the way you want to go?"

  Turning to face the voice there was a child whose appearance looked like the pair in the field, but his eyes were red. He was pointing to another door, but this one was different.

  There before him was a jet-black door, engulfed in flames, and on the other side was a blurry image of a battle between an elven girl and a feline monster, as a scarlet-haired boy watched. The sight pulled him away from the warm field.

  "They need you. You know that right." The boy's voice continued to echo, reverberating throughout the void.

  Looking at the child before him, his finger guided dull red orbs towards an open charred door.

  The other side was blurry, but slowly the image started to become clear; it only revealed that a battle continued to rage on. While the monster's fur burned and cuts marked its body, it still carried on the fight.

  But its elven opponent grew tired, her movements slowed, struggling to keep up. Her injuries only slowed her down. And the scarlet-haired boy could only watch with terror-filled eyes. His gaze wasn't staring at the door but at him.

  Only to watch it slam shut.

  "Roy! Lucina!"

  The sight made the dull orbs regain their color.

  Reaching out towards the flaming door. A burning, tearing pain spread through his right arm and the gash reappeared. The same feeling ripped across his chest and the clothing that covered those areas was torn.

  The boy disappeared, leaving Red alone in the void with those two doors.

  Reeling back from the pain, gripping his chest, it felt as if his heart was going to burst out of his chest. His breathing started to fill the void.

  The only sounds that could be heard were the crackling of fire in front of him, the gentle windy breeze behind, and the dark void where a beating heart echoed.

  As fear took hold of him, he retreated from the sensation, but while the burning pain left the injury remained.

  Two paths were placed before him.

  To run towards the burning door, to the violent clash. Or, to cross into the warm, peaceful field behind him.

  "Choose." A Voice called out, grabbing his attention. "You have to choose."

  Looking around trying to find where the voice was coming from. Only to see the two options that lay before him.

  He could feel his body and mind fighting against an adamant soul on which path to take, with neither being able to take control.

  "Choose!"

  "I don't...

  Heartbeats shook his body.

  "Choose!"

  "Please stop...

  His legs grew weak.

  "Choose!" "Make a choice!"

  "Stop it! Stop talking!"

  "Do you want them to die!"

  "Are you that weak?!"

  The voices didn't stop, repeating on a loop. The sound surrounded him, forcing him to his knees, covering his ears trying to stop the noise.

  The void only grew darker; the cold start to overtake him.

  It got colder, darker as the voices echoed. The darker it got the closer the voices got.

  "Shut up, go away! I can't think!"

  It got colder; it got heavy. Like gravity tripled in force.

  The voices only got louder, drowning out his. Soon, all he could do was whimper in response.

  As he lost himself, unaware that something was slowly drive away the cold and darkness. Soon warmth embraced took its place.

  Looking back, it was the woman from before and all she did was lift him back up to his feet.

  When his mouth tried to open, it was quickly silenced when a finger was placed over his lips and simply hugged him once again. Her grip was tight, almost suffocating, but comforting all the same as it drove the voices away.

  Letting himself relax in her hold, a large hand found its way onto his head. It was the man from the field, he was just ruffling his hair with a proud grin.

  No words were spoken between the group, they simply enjoyed the moment. Every time Red tried to speak one of them would silence him.

  But crimson eyes changed from two before him to the burning door.

  'I know I should go, but it's so warm here. These two feel so soft, it just feels right. So why, why is it so hard to choose?

  His heart wanted to stay, but his soul told him, no screamed for him to fight. The two fought for control.

  Their eyes, blue and brown, locked with his red. The pair couldn't stop smiling at him, while the woman was constantly in contact with him. The man looked him over, his height, his physique. Even without words Red could tell he was comparing the two of them.

  He looked happy, more like proud of what he saw as he flexed his arm muscles in response. The women laughed at the display, tapping the man's arm.

  Soon he found himself trapped in their combined embrace again. 'Honestly, this feels nice.'

  As their hold on him got tighter, the further he sank into it. But his gaze didn't stay in one spot. Falling to the charred door, something pushed him.

  Looking back, only found that those two had pushed him. They pushed him away, in the direction of the charred door.

  Forcing him forward. His soul took control of the moment and forced him to take another step.

  And another...

  And another...

  And soon he was walking.

  Looking back, their smiles didn't fade or falter. They simply waved him off. Their hands pointed from him to their hearts.

  Each step that followed became easier as he grew faster, going from a slow walk to a sprinting run. And his gaze changed from looking back to what was ahead of him.

  "Thank you."

  The wounds that previously painted his body started to reappear with each step, his clothing regained their damage, but still, he kept going. He didn't stop running even when the blood began to flow from the opened wounds once again. With each step, the void started to become lighter.

  His hands grew hot. Small embers started to form small flames that only grew with each step he took. Memories filled his mind, painting the void in their imagery.

  The days when he and Achilles would fish or just have a simple spar.

  The night Lyn gave him his first flame and the days when her encouragement seemed as limitless as the horizon.

  How Hellia would read to him as a child, when his mother couldn't.

  The way Igneel would answer his questions no matter the time or how numerous they were. Even the odd ideas the old man tried to push onto him.

  Maryan's harsh demeanor always hid her caring nature.

  The first quest he went on with his friends, how they fought to protect a small family trying to make it into the city market, and the joy that followed its completion

  Morgen's teasing, older sister-like nature.

  And so many more memories of the people he knew flashed before him, painting the black walls of the void like picture frames.

  Hector, Ash, Arthur, Fir, everyone made an appearance... Even Raiden.

  But the two that stuck the most were memories he shared with a small newborn who grasped his finger and a girl who took his hand.

  Each memory, both good and bad, painted the dark void like the pages of a picture book.

  'All of them, they're people I want to keep safe. People I want to protect.'

  The charred door grew larger the closer he got until he arrived. The flames on the door grew with each step; it looked like the gate to hell.

  As they flickered and danced, their motions were mirrored in his eyes.

  Reaching out, he grabbed the doorknob. Heat against his hand grew along with the flames that ran up his scarred arm.

  "We love you, now and always."

  "Give 'Em hell!"

  Turning back, he gave the pair one last look. The woman seemed to be pouting as she swatted his chest for the language he used, but the man just laughed before they came together to meet his gaze. Pride and joy dominated their faces as the two clung to each other, but even from this distance, the smallest hint of sadness could be seen.

  They didn't stay long before entering the door, returning to the golden field. The woman looked back once more before the door closed on her smile.

  Returning to the door before him, his grip nearly broke it when it turned. Just as he was about to open it.

  "And what do you think you're gonna do? Become a toy for that thing again?" The voice appeared again.

  But this time, when he stopped, he didn't try to look for its origin. He already knew whose voice it was ...

  "You're just gonna end up getting yourself killed."

  ... it was his.

  "I mean, look at yourself, a bloody tattered mess of a weakling, who can barely make a flame on his own. You said it yourself. You're weak."

  Even the voice's echo sounded like it was whispering right into his ear. Still, he didn't turn to face the voice. But with each word, Red, he just smiled and the knob turned until a click echoed in the void.

  "Heh. Yeah, maybe I am weak." The figure was taken back at his sudden moment of laughter. "But... When he flung the burning door open, those sparkling embers gave birth to bright, roaring, red-hot flames and a determined smile. "...If I keep acting like this, there's someone out there who said she'd beat that part of me out."

  Stepping through the door, that voice that shared his sound protested, no, screamed at his decision, but was ultimately ignored. However, those voices rang out again as he marched through.

  ""Go do your best!""