Heroes of Inertia

Chapter 6: Matter of Family

Our adventurers have been traveling for quite some time to Muto village. At dusk they set up a little camp sight to stay the night. In the middle of the night Nicole awoke feeling slightly uneasy. She looked around not noticing any immidate danger. She soon realized that a certain goggle wearing Doofus was missing. She soon looked up and saw his leg draping off a tree branch. Nekro sat in the tree staring at the stars. "Proud of me yet, mom?" Nekro said with a tear running down his face. "I'll keep them safe, no matter what." Nekro said Most likely speaking of his brothers. Nicole didn't know what to do, leave him be? Comfort him? Make fun of him for being a secret cry baby? Nicole climbed to the branch where he sat. "Who ya talking to?" Nicole said in a worried tone. Nekro jumped a bit and quickly lowered his goggles over his eyes trying to hide his tears. "N-no one! W-why are you awake?" Nekro replied clearly trying to hide his tears. Nicole slowly raised his goggles and tears quickly ran down his face. "Tell me your tale child." Nicole said feeling sympathetic with the boy. "Well, unlike my brother's, my mom didn't leave before I was born. She left when I was 5. So I actually had gotten to know her before she left. She was always so kind and courageous. I don't know why she left but, she did. At least when my brother's moms left they hadn't gotten to know them, and thus never bonded the way me and my mom did. So when she vanished it really hit me hard. Like an anvil falling directly on my heart from an 85 foot drop.  So I vowed to protect my brothers with my life. Even though they can both hold they're own in combat it's still scary ya know? Having family fight along side you is a blessing and a curse." Nekro said his tears not stopping. Nicole threw her arms around him, tears forming around her eyes aswell. "I don't know what it's like but, I can tell it must be hard. Losing so many moms and having to keep your siblings safe while also being heroes? That's a lot on your plate! And I'm not sure you have the appetite for that meal." Nicole spoke gently. Nekro weakly pushed her away. "No. You don't have to feel sorry for me. It's a burden that I have to take on. It may be difficult but, my dad used to say 'With great power comes great responsibility'." Nekro said wiping his tears onto his jacket sleeve. "No! You don't have to fight this alone! That's why you fight along side your family! So that you can share the weight of the burden and make it lighter all together!" Nicole said tears beginning to stream down her cheeks. Nekro wiped them away. "I guess you're right, but can I ask you a question?" Nekro asked looking up for the first time during the conversation. "What?" Nicole said with her cat ears down. "Why do you care? Just earlier today you smacked me and my brother through a door." Nekro said slightly confused. "Well, your perverted side may be ultra annoying, but this side of you. The real you, is actually a pretty sweet guy with a big heart."  Nekro smirked. "Oh really?" Nekro said with a devilish grin on his face. "Don't ruin the moment Doofus." Nicole said glaring at him. "So you admit there was a moment!" Nekro stated still smirking. "Just shut up." Nicole said as she leaned in and kissed his cheek. Nekro.exe had stopped working by then. Nicole jumped down from the tree. "Get some rest." She said sitting back down. Nekro leaned back against the tree trunk, speechless.