Heroes

Part 1: Tony Degray

The outside world was hot and dry, even in the mornings. The blue star in the sky seemed to melt the lands, but it always spared the water that the world of Leben didn't have much of. This world was peaceful, and it always will be for people never lost their faith and kindness towards others.

"Tony, Tony! Get your ass up!"

Tony woke with a headache, and glared at his little sister. What a hyperactive sister he raised, but nevertheless, he loved her more than anything since each other was all they had. "What have I told you about cussing Mary."

She shrugged, her rose like fluffy cheeks lifted into a smirk. "To never cuss when you're around."

Tony smiled and flicked his sisters nose. "Very funny. No cussing period." As he got up, he could hear the villagers' children playing outside the window. Laughter, cheer, joy surround the air. That's why he swore to protect the people of Blau Village. Life was endless there.

Mary lifted up an envelope and shoved it in his face. "This is from all the children. Weihnachten is coming up. They asked for the same mother load of gifts like before."

Today was the first day of winter, but it never snowed though. The children always asked Tony for gifts. He would craft dolls, wooden swords, and even teddy bears for the children. He would give them his life.

Tony took a step out of the shack him and his sister lived in. His black hair fell in his face, almost covering his eyes, but it wasn't long enough to. He never knew who he got his genes from, especially is royal blue eyes.

Tony and Mary never grew up with their real parents, but an old, wise man raised them. The old man was a Warrior Priest. It's in tradition that if the warrior of the village grows too old or too weak, they will adopt a child and raise them. That was Tony.

"Tony Degray. I chose you because I trust you will protect the people from harms way. Are you up to the task?"

Tony looked up at the old man. "Yes sir. I am ready."

The old man smiled. "Excellent. Take care of Mary... I love you son."

"I love you... father. Farewell."

That was 3 years ago. Now he's 16, but he still raises his little sister, that just turned 12. He dreams of the old man coming back home. Sometimes he wonders why he left into the Natur Forest, but he doesn't want to think to much into it. Tony has always been the type of positive person. That's why he protects the village as a Battle Mage, the hardest skills to teach a child combined.

As he walked across the pavement, the children started to gather up and cheer for him. All the villagers' come out to join their children and greet Tony.

Tony smiles. "Thank you all. I wouldn't honestly be here if it wasn't for all of you. We shall have a grand feast! Gather your children, grab your beloved, and dance the night away with all of your heart and might!"

The village cheered.

Marry looked up at him with a pouted face. "Are you leaving again."

Tony nodded and knelt in front of her. "I'll be back before you know it. I promise." He kissed the top of her head and ventured off into the forest, leaving Mary to miss him. Every day, Tony traveled to Village Grün to meet up with his closest companion.

As he walked, he listened out for the creatures. He's not one for having excellent hearing, but he is known for his speed. Others in different villages have their own Natural Power as well, but he only grew up alongside one village to know of another Natural Power.

"Hey Tony."

Tony looked ahead in astonishment since he was in his own head for a long period of time. He smiled at his companion who was face to face with him. "Greetings Cole."

"Man you don't gotta be so fancy around me", Cole teased.

"You know me my friend. Anyways, what brings you out into the forest."

"Was gonna visit you. But now it seems that we both are puzzled."

Tony studied their surroundings, realizing he was nowhere near the Grün village. "I suppose you're right. I got so caught up in my head I lost my sense of direction."

"I'm pretty sure you lost more than that." Tony glared at Cole who laughed. "Anyways, Abby asked for a real sword, so, if possible, would you mind giving her a dagger. I'm gonna make her day."

Tony nodded. "I'll give her a dull one for saftey." As he reached into his pocket, he noticed an unusual smell, and that's when he saw a black flake fall before his eyes. "Ash?"

Cole looks at him strangely. "What are you talking about?"

"FIRE!" And as Tony turned around towards his village, his nightmare became reality. He watched the flames rise up over the trees and into the bright blue sky, that now turns into an ashy blue-grey.

"I'll get my people to help", Cole yelled while heading back towards his village.

Tony ran towards the screaming and crying of villagers. Once there, he found the whole village burned to the ground, but there's one more scream. He ran towards it only to find his sister, Mary, ignited in flames. He knew there was nothing he could do. If he saves her, she'd live as a cookie in pain forever, and he wouldn't want that for her. So he watched, as his little sister cried for mercy and slowly cooked in the flames.

Now with everyone gone, he knew he has failed. Emotions he had never felt before started to boil up inside of him. With one breath, he whispered into his burnt little sisters ear. "I'm sorry". He burst into never ending tears and screamed his lungs out to the heavens, blaming them for the death of his sister and the village he knew as family.

After all his emotions have been released, he got to his feet and started walking back into the Natur Forest in search of Cole's village, since that was the only other place he can call home. His light armor weighed heavy now, but he fought the urge to fall, and continued walking, hoping there was still hope ahead of him.

The trees around his village were blackened, either burned or darkened by the black smoke that surrounded the area. The fire calmed once he left. What was strange was how it didn't spread throughout the forest. It only burnt down his village, but wildfires don't just calm in minutes and stop. The burn as much as they can. It's as if something held the fire within the area.

Tony shook his head, removing the thought out of his mind and not allowing himself to think anymore of that. He continued on his way to his friends, for what else did he have left.