A Different Hero

Mom's Tale

As you know, already, Megan, I lived with my parents, sister, and brother in a manor in Alfenda.

You didn't get to meet my sister, Megan. You would've loved her. Rosalyn was always there for me...she comforted me when my parents didn't know what was going on.

Rosalyn looked very different from me. She was blonde with green eyes, like our father, your grandpa.

Then there's my brother. He's, I'll be honest, sickly. He was pale with silver hair, and he never went out into the sun. That must've been what made his angles sharp and his appearance frightening.

We lived together fine, until the eve of Christmas Day, when we decided to go out to a little party. I'm sure I has a good time, but I don't remember. Everything was fine, until Rosalyn got food poisoning, and we had to go home.

Outside, the snow chilled me through my thin dress, and we were struggling to walk home in time before we froze. I remember seeing the house in the distance before it happened.

"Hello, family." said the voice I'll never forget.

My father turned around with a flourish. "Leave us alone! I have children!"

"Like I care. I have a grudge." said the voice. The figure stepped out of the shadows.

He had black hair, brown eyes, and dark skin. The combination formed the impression he would be kind, but that's obviously not the case.

"Please, what did he do?" my mom wailed.

The man pulled out a knife. "Everything."

It happened so fast. We were all there, but then my parents fell to the ground, blood seeping out of their chests. I didn't see where my brother went.

"S-spare the girls! Spare the girl..." said my father, before passing away.

The man next went for Rosalyn, knocking her down in an instant. He turned to me next, for Simon had vanished somehow.

I tried to move, but I couldn't. Three people I love had just vanished before my eyes.

I managed to do it. I ran for my life. I didn't stop until I finally broke and cried for a long time.

My brother, I saw him in the blizzard. He had scurried away when we left the party, so I knew he would be fine.

But...no. He didn't come to me. He ran away.

I remember laying there forever, until finally my aunt found me. She took me to her humble home in Raneem.

When I grew up, I searched desperately for my brother. He was the last of my family, the only one who knew what I felt, what I still feel. I never found him.

Back in Raneem after five years of searching, I grew strong and became a woman.

I met your father. He brought a smile back to my face, as long as he lived.

Megan, the rest you know, the rest you've suffered through and endured. I come back and find you standing strong. I love you. We will face this together.