The walk felt endless.
The sun beat down on us, and somewhere along the way, I found myself drifting in and out of awareness. My body was moving, but my mind kept slipping.
Too much had happened.
A new world.
Bandits.
Magic.
A talking ring.
A new companion.
And now, somehow, I was marching toward the headquarters of the very people I planned to challenge.
Normal people would call that insanity.
I called it progress.
Before I could ask Robin how much farther we had to go, a sharp voice cut through the air.
"Stop right there."
I looked up.
A wooden guard tower stood ahead, barely held together by old beams and rusted nails. Three bandits stood at the top, crossbows aimed directly at us.
One wrong move, and things would get messy.
I stepped forward.
"We're travelers."
The bandits said nothing.
I gestured toward Robin.
"We found someone trying to make it home."
Robin stepped ahead of us.
The moment the guards recognized her, their weapons lowered.
"You may enter."
The gates opened.
And I finally saw it.
Compound City.
I had imagined something larger.
Something intimidating.
Something worthy of fear.
Instead, I found misery.
Dilapidated homes.
Broken roads.
People sitting in the dirt.
Children wandering barefoot.
Smoke drifting from weak fires meant to cook whatever scraps people had managed to find.
It looked less like a city and more like a wound.
One of the guards hurried down from the tower, pulling off his helmet as he approached.
The moment he reached Robin, he dropped to his knees and embraced her.
"Robin."
His voice broke.
"Thank God."
Robin smiled for the first time since we met her.
"Dad."
The man held her tightly before finally standing to face us.
"Thank you."
His eyes moved between Erin and me.
"Thank you for bringing my daughter home."
I nodded.
"It was nothing."
He looked around nervously before lowering his voice.
"There's something you should know."
My expression hardened.
"What?"
He leaned closer.
"Hagen has been selling children."
My hand tightened at my side.
"To slave traders."
Robin looked away.
"To fund his power."
I felt anger rising immediately.
"What kind of monster does that?"
The man gave a bitter laugh.
"The kind who calls himself our leader."
Before I could answer, I noticed movement nearby.
Several bandits were staring at me.
Watching.
Judging.
One of them stepped closer.
"Nasty human."
I looked at him.
"Can I help you?"
He sneered.
"Your kind always causes problems."
I closed my eyes.
Breathed.
Not here.
Not yet.
Robin's father quickly stepped between us.
"How about we continue this at my home?"
I nodded.
"Good idea."
He lifted Robin into his arms, and we began walking deeper into the city.
As we passed through the streets, I saw more of the same.
People with hollow expressions.
Homes barely standing.
Poverty everywhere.
And then…
I saw it.
A large house sitting atop a hill.
Perfectly maintained.
Clean.
Bright.
Untouched by hardship.
I pointed.
"Whose house is that?"
Robin's father followed my gaze.
"Hagen's."
Of course it was.
I stared at it.
While the rest of his city suffered, he lived like royalty.
Typical.
Robin's father finally turned toward me and extended his hand.
"My name is Robert."
I took it.
"Ren."
"It's a pleasure."
I smiled.
"Likewise."
Robert looked toward Erin.
"Your wife?"
I nearly choked.
"No."
Erin looked away immediately.
"We're not…"
I rubbed the back of my neck.
"She saved me. I owe her."
Robert smiled knowingly.
"Of course."
I decided not to correct him further.
Robin laughed from his shoulders.
That made it worse.
We kept walking.
The deeper we went, the poorer things became.
Eventually, Robert stopped in front of a small house.
Calling it a house felt generous.
The roof had partially collapsed.
The front door barely hung on its hinges.
The walls leaned in ways walls should not.
He pushed the door open.
"Welcome."
I stepped inside.
One bed.
One small chest.
No table.
No chairs.
Nothing.
Robin climbed onto the bed.
Robert stood silently.
"Not much."
I wanted to say something comforting.
Anything.
But every sentence felt wrong.
"As long as you're together."
That was all I managed.
Robert nodded.
Erin suddenly spoke.
"I have an idea."
We all looked at her.
"Robin and I can go for a walk."
Robert looked hesitant.
"Would that be alright?"
Robin immediately perked up.
"Yes."
I removed my sword from my back.
Then handed it to Erin.
Her eyes widened.
"You're giving me your sword?"
I smiled.
"We're in enemy territory."
She took it carefully.
"I'll keep it safe."
"I know."
For a moment, we just looked at each other.
Then she turned away.
"Come on, Robin."
Robin took her hand.
The two of them disappeared outside.
The door closed behind them.
Silence.
Robert sat heavily on the bed.
"I hate this."
I sat down on the floor.
"Hagen?"
"Life."
His voice cracked.
"I hate living in his world."
I looked around again.
And then I noticed a picture.
Robin.
And a woman.
"Your wife?"
Robert's eyes followed mine.
He smiled sadly.
"Yes."
"She was killed when Hagen took power."
I stayed quiet.
He continued.
"We were not always poor."
That surprised me.
"There was a leader before him."
Robert looked at the picture.
"Chief John."
I almost laughed.
"That's a very ordinary name."
Robert actually smiled.
"He was an ordinary man."
Then the smile vanished.
"And a good one."
"What happened?"
"Hagen happened."
Robert's jaw tightened.
"My wife used to leave the city and gather supplies."
His hands trembled.
"She fed people."
"She kept this place alive."
His voice cracked again.
"Hagen had her executed."
I said nothing.
"He cut off her head in front of everyone."
Silence filled the room.
Then Robert continued.
"And Chief John?"
He laughed bitterly.
"He was giving a speech."
Robert touched his own neck.
"One shot."
"Magic bullet."
"He died where he stood."
I looked down.
A memory surfaced.
A soldier.
A friend.
His head gone in an instant.
My hand moved to my chest.
"I understand."
Robert looked at me.
"My sister died too."
The words felt heavy.
"A hostage situation."
I swallowed.
"She died in front of me."
Robert's expression softened.
For the first time, neither of us felt alone.
"I'm sorry."
"You too."
We sat there quietly.
Two strangers.
Bound by grief.
Eventually, Robert stood and opened a small chest.
"There's something you should see."
He handed me a black box.
Inside were photographs.
Two pictures.
One with a mask.
One without.
I stared.
"That's Hagen?"
Robert nodded.
Blue hair.
Blue eyes.
Massive build.
He barely looked human.
"He looks…"
I searched for the right word.
"Like a monster."
Robert laughed.
"A demon, if you ask me."
I could believe it.
Robert suddenly stepped forward.
"Let me help you fight him."
I looked up.
"No."
"Please."
"You have Robin."
"I have revenge."
His voice was firm.
"I need this."
I stood.
"You could die."
"So could you."
Fair point.
He dropped to his knees.
"Please."
I sighed.
Then pulled him back to his feet.
"Fine."
His eyes widened.
"But."
I pointed at him.
"You live."
He nodded immediately.
"I promise."
I extended my hand.
"Then we have an alliance."
Robert smiled.
And shook it.
"Let's end Hagen."
I smiled back.
"Let's kick his ass."