****(POV)

I'm swirling a little ball of acid above my hand. Life is weird sometimes. Very weird. I remember it like it was yesterday. It went a little like this…

****

"Careful!"

Then I see him enter the portal leading directly to the Abyss Devourers. Surviving this is clearly impossible. His wolf doesn't seem that worried. She simply looks at it seemingly awaiting him turning back.

Except that a few seconds later, it instantly closes. This is weird, even I that don't know a single thing about the topic realize that it should have stayed open a little longer.

Wolfie seems lost for a second, surprised. I can hear her …sigh? Then she simply lays down on the ground apparently intent on sleeping there until he comes back. What will happen to her should he never come back?!

With the portal gone, the blue dome is slightly illuminating the aftermath. We have survived. This continent is safe. But none of us feel remotely happy. I can see all the villagers kneel toward where he disappeared in a show of respect.

One of them murmurs:

"I have no clue what he did but he closed the portal somehow. Everyone, listen up! From now on this man is a hero of the Village of the End! He gave his life so we could accomplish our mission! He decided to sacrifice himself for the cause! Remember it!"

No way in Hell! He sacrificed himself willingly?! Did we see the same scene?! He sleepwalked into it!

Then again it would be awkward to admit the truth. It wouldn't sound as heroic.

I slowly lower my head too. He may have done it for the wrong reasons, but he did save me nonetheless. However, I'm not sure he died. A little voice tells me I will see him again.

For all, we know he could be having the time of his life on the other side. Okay, no. That one is impossible. These are Abyss Devourers after all. But it wouldn't surprise me if he was somehow holding out on the other side.

It may be ridiculous, but I truly hope he does come back, this man who somehow thinks of me as a weakling. A man looking down on a rank 4 Akresh's follower is quite rare. There always was something special about him.

He always dared to look at me in the eyes. He wasn't scared of physical contact with me either. Ah, he was a bit disgusted and so was I. I mean I was in a princess carry from a naked guy for a part of our journey after all.

I can see the dwarf crying.

"*Sob* If only we had hurried a little more, he would still be alive. It was all my fault! I'm sorry my friend! I'm truly sorry!"

I go next to him. Then I pat his back.

"Iron Hammer, no need to cry. Sure you killed a great man and one that Forgar himself took notice of but don't worry, mistakes happen. It's normal."

He starts crying even more…I just said that it's fine to make mistakes too!

That is when I hear voices. Voices loud enough to cover the lamenting of the dwarf. There seem to be people on the other side of the barrier.

"How do we take down this blue thing?"

*Tap Tap*

"What do you guys think this is?"

"Please, clearly some defensive measure. We just need to take it down to get our target."

"Should we try magic?"

"Pretty sure if we hit it enough it will break eventually."

*CLANG CLANG! *

I can hear them relentlessly striking the barrier in the background without success obviously. How are these guys so loud? Don't they know the concept of a surprise attack? Is their target the village? I look at a villager.

"You often get visitors like these guys?"

He simply shakes his head looking puzzled. So much for a moment of silence for a hero. It got broken pretty damn fast. Still, now what should we do about it?

My friend gave his life to protect this village so obviously, I will…joke I don't care one bit. Actually, I'm pretty sure the villagers are able to defend themselves since most are rank 3. Doubt anyone would expect such a remote place to have that kind of power.

I'll watch whatever happens unfold for now. But! I do something before that. I go and grab myself some beer and snacks. This is the true way to enjoy a show after all. The dwarf looks at me angrily.

"You're just going to eat and drink?!"

"I mean, the party kinda stopped with the creatures' invasion. Now is as good a time as any other, to be honest.

"Y-you!"

"Please, he would have agreed I bet. Plus I'm pretty sure he's still alive anyway."

As soon as I say this line, he becomes quiet. Then the way he looks at me changes. His gaze is now filled with pity.

"Hey, why are you…?! I'm not in denial I swear he's alive!"

"Of course he is, of course."

Now even the villagers are acting the same! Has the dwarf forgotten the guy can resist my acid and swim in lava?! What more proof does he need?!

Actually, no. I think I know where the issue lies. It is a cultural one I believe. Whenever Abyss Devourers are mentioned, I see them become tense. They were doing that even before we fought some.

They turned out to be pretty weak and easy to kill but their fear still remains. It is one ingrained in their conscious and subconscious. All their lives, they have been reminded of the danger of these creatures and automatically overestimate them. At least that's what I believe.

I believe that guy wouldn't be phased by anything. Not these creatures, not even the gods themselves.

I still remember how casually he was calling Akresh the acid dude. Still, it's pointless to try and change their minds. I have no certitude. Just a gut feeling that he's okay.

Then there are more screams outside.

"Guys look this way! There is another group incoming! Be ready! Stop hitting the barrier, for now! Turn around, defensive position!"