We Can Be Heroes ...?

32

Princess Raethea awaited them and, as they approached, she held out her hands to them, almost pleading. All four of them stood in a semi-circle around the princess, anticipating what she had to say and, for some reason, she didn't speak immediately, only turning to indicate the pillars of light that stretched up toward the cavern roof. The columns of light now had traces of colours. Yellow, white, black, red, green and blue.

"Adventurers, your path has been perilous, but you have emerged unscathed. Behold, the key to earning the Scourge of the Dead and the terrible cost that will incur should you fail in this task." The princess returned her hands to her waist and furrowed her brow, inclining her head. "My father was a distrustful man and created this protection that only the bravest souls can fathom. Know that it changes depending on your inner truth and requires four keys to unlock."

"Convenien'." Patting his chest, searching for something, Dave sat on the ground, taking out his tobacco pouch. "I su'ose if one o' us 'ad died, i'd require three."

"Or we'd be fucked to complete the quest." Mila moved to the pillars of light, taking a good, long look. "Right. See what she has to say to us and don't do anything ... stupid."

Jova had moved to the nearest column to her, reaching out to touch the pillar of yellow light. A flash and a resounding bang echoed around the space and Jova flew through the air, away from the column. Landing on her back, smoke trailed from her body and Shion saw her health bar reduce. She ran across, laying a hand on Jova's chest and passing healing energies into the twin.

"I would not recommend touching the wrong light." Jova tried to lift her head and fell back down. "I think I'm just going to lie down for a minute. Oh, and ouch!"

The ever present scowl on Mila's face deepened as she looked to her sister, then turned away, shaking her head. Dave gave a little chuckle as he placed a fresh rolled cigarette in his mouth, lighting it and then returning to his feet. He blew smoke toward the column nearest him and it trailed up, dissipating in the light. Both he and Mila touched an arm each of the princess and became immobile.

With Jova beginning to recover, Shion reluctantly left her on the ground, moving to the princess and reaching out for her shoulder. Everyone else became indistinct, as though looking at them through a fog, but the ghost of the princess became more clear, turning to address Shion. Again, she held out her hands in a pleading fashion.

"You must take care, for standing within the wrong light could have the most dire consequences." That little piece of information came a little too late for Jova, but the princess continued, unaware that her warning would have proven more helpful earlier. "The magic contained here searches deep within your soul to find the truth of yourself. Black for evil, white for paragon. Yellow for selflessness, blue for introspection. Red for primality, green for sustenance. Choose wisely, adventurer, for your life and the souls of my people are in the balance."

The world returned to focus and she found the others examining the lights. All except Jova, who had recovered and now stood before the princess, hand clasped to the breast of the ghost, unmoving. She never failed to take any chance to be inappropriate. Shion already had an idea what colour she should use. The very act of being a healer meant she had to choose selflessness over selfishness. A healer gave of themselves that others may live.

As Jova began to move once again, she headed straight toward the white column of light, determined to step within and only stopped by Mila a fraction of an inch before her booted foot touched the column. Clearly, Jova thought herself a paragon of virtue. Something Shion doubted anyone else would agree.

"Wait! If there was a column for stupidity, that would be yours. Fuck me!" Mila dragged Jova away and waved her hand to Dave and Shion to join her. "Do we all have an idea of which column is which? I think I'm red. Primal, relating to beasts, I should think. Shion, you're obviously yellow. Jova, you are not, I repeat, not white. Never in a million years. Dave?"