Seven Gates of Heroism

Chapter Three

I walk around the boardwalk, walking on the sidewalk and looking out at the sea. I eventually step onto it. The wood creaks as I walk to the steps. When I stop at the first step, I take off my shoes and socks. Leaving them at the steps, I walk closer to the sea. I stop just before the waves reach me, the crashing providing good catharsis to my ears. I have time to think. I hear the sand crunch behind me as Rachael follows my tracks until she's next to me. I sigh heavily. I close my eyes. "It's not fair you know. My dad wasn't bad, he raised me, tried spending time with me, insisted we play games or go for runs. I just didn't understand why he made me leave school." I say.

"So you dropped out? When?" Rachael asks. I open my eyes looking out as far as the water goes.

"I left when I was a junior, I had a year and half left. I didn't get it. I stopped talking to him for a while, upset he took me from my friends. Now I'm seventeen and an orphan." I say. A tear comes down my face, "I lost what I had left, now I wish I understood. It hurts that I didn't think it was for a good reason. I'm glad I at least kept up his training." Rachael tries to come hug me, I put my hand up stopping her. "I'm fine, I'm just aggravated." I squat down a little. "AND HE DOES THIS TO OTHER PEOPLE!? WHY? Does he get off on it!? What the hell?" I ask repeatedly.

"That a question I've heard a dozen times before." Rachael adds. The sand under me begins to compress under me, as if becoming solid ground. The force emanating from me becomes a strong air force both crushing the sand and pushing out from me all around. I clench my fist, feeling anger boil inside of me.

"This is bullshit, he has to be stopped, no one can call this living if you just live in fear the more popular you become. I have to stop him. I will stop him, this system can't be! People have so much to live for." I demand.

"Please do then kid, everyone in this city would welcome you back with open arms. You'd certainly be a hero." Her last word, hero rings in my head. A hero? I don't know....That's what dad was, wasn't he? Why else did he have me leave school and train so much?

"Why not be a hero? It's fun getting all that praise and stuff from helping people." a female voice says.

"That is nice and all, but that was my dad's thing. I'm not sure I was ready for this!" I think to myself.

"Are you okay?" Rachael asks me walking up to me and putting a hand on my shoulder. I feel something welling up inside me as the sand continues to get crushed under me tripping Rachael.

"If you want to get revenge on him, we got you!" another voice shouts out.

"We do not kill as heroes, Marcus." A'liet says.

"Marrel!" Rachael shouts.

"I need time, but I think t-taking on Rock is my duty. He needs to stop ending lives." I think.

"You are correct, but we don't have much before he kills half of humanity, if not more." A'liet comments.

"That's it, I'll be a hero. Someone who doesn't let shit like this fly. I'll stop him. At least that's what I've come to." I say turning around to look at Rachael. She tries to stand up from almost falling.

"Y-your gonna have to leave the city, go far." Rachael adds. Looking out past the sea and around us. "We have no idea where he is. We have a clue of how to find him though." I look at her in surprise.

"What's the clue?" I ask.

"He seems to lead a cult like faction named the Amalgonists. Find them and you'll get some information." Rachael explains. "Don't forget to come to the mayor's office before you skip town." Nodding at her, I walk back to the boardwalk. Rachael merely watches me as I walk away. I put my shoes on my feet and hold onto my socks.

"I gotta go get ready!" I shout back her she looks away from me and watches the waves. She walks up closer to the ocean and pulls out a flash and pours it out. I think it's for my dad. "Goodbye again dad." I say walking back home.