Aerith took Tim’s hand in hers and held it to her merger chest as if to pray. Mana condensed around her and though his blurry eyes Tim watched sigils rise from his body. They floated out and pierced through the veil before falling back down on him. As sleep took him the last sensation Tim felt was Aerith’s lips on his hand.

Tim was in a coma for three days. He spent another eight days in a magically induced slumber. The guild spared no expense on providing him continual medical treatment. Even Aerith provided a few spells when no one was looking.

On the bedside table sat three rings. But Tim’s hands were still bandaged and he couldn’t use them. Today he was awake and was looking in the mirror. He wore a loose-fitting white robe and a new wage-slave collar was around his neck, adorned with four gold chevrons and two silver. Apparently, he got a massive promotion. Although it was hard to tell though damaged eyes.

According to the doctors, it would only take a few more treatments for his eyes to regain their clarity. His hand wrapped in bandages, which would take a bit longer. But the oddest thing about the healing is that even his dusty brown hair had grown back.

Sitting nearby was Hoban who was busy going over the details of the past few days. “So now that you’re caught up on the basics of your health, let’s get on to the real news. And this is the real secret. You’re a hero.”

“Um, but I…”

“No, not that kind of hero. I’m talking the legendary kind. At least there is a good reason to suspect it. And I think your friends are too. Oh and that reminds me they have a message for you.”

“Could you read it for me?”

“Sure,” Hoban unfolded the paper. “Hey Timmy, we’ll be back soon! We had fun and wiped out some stragglers that were trying to escape south. What was up with the weird sky? I bet you did that LOL. Look forward to seeing you soon. Hearts and knives Mac. What’s this ‘LOL’ mean?”

“Oh, nothing. Just slang from our homeland.”

“Yeah, your homeland. I think I understand what you really meant when you said you weren’t from here. You were summoned here, right? A legendary hero brought across worlds by the gods.

“Uh?”

Hoban took a deep breath and furrowed his brows. “I really wish they allowed wine in here. So the following information I’ve been given permission to discuss with you. I, er, we, um, certain people believe that this is the ending of the third age.”

“What’s this Third Age? I don’t follow.”

“Let me start again. So the story that we are telling the public is that the demons summoned a monster and lost control of it. You’re the hero that managed to bring it down. But a few of us suspect that was the first sign of the Akkorokaumi.”

“Akkorkaumi?”

“Heralds of the end times. Destroyers. Devourers. We are in the Third age of Laihar. Maybe there are even more ages then that, but that’s as far back as elvish records go. At the end of every age, the Akkorokaumi come. They devour everything. Forests, oceans, mountains, even the sky isn’t safe. After the world has shrunk and the Akkorokaumi have eaten their fill they leave. Then the races can begin to repopulate and grow the world again.

“Heroes are given by the gods to each tribe of Laihar. Each race gets its heroes to protect the chosen few through the transition of the world age. The heroes sacrifice themselves to protect the few who will remain. You fought one of the Akkorokaumi. You were brought here across worlds. You are a hero.”

Tim had kept the secret of his summoning, and that of his friends, secret. But then again the cranky old guild master Kubo was able to figure it out. Maybe so did Hoban, or maybe Kubo told him. But what really irked Tim was being called a hero. That was outside of his expectations and felt wrong. Like there was too much depending on him. So rather than with surprise, Tim responded incredulously. “A hero?”

“Yes, without question a hero. Resistances were always brought to bear. Millions died, from each tribe. Some even went extinct. According to the Stone Tree, at the end of the second age, only twenty-seven of my tribe survived. But no one has ever killed one of the Akkorkaumi. Until now that is.

So, the real question is, how did you do it?”

“I really don’t know.” Tim was still light headed and weak. He really couldn’t process what Hoban was talking about. Monsters and fighting were not his specialties. In fact, it terrified him, the fight against the Akuma had left him more traumatized than he realized.

Tim knew the chain of events that transpired. He remembered how he modified the weapon. But something felt off still. Was the overpowered inferno really what killed it? He tried to think about it but his mind refused. It had put up a wall to allow time to heal too.

“Then you best start thinking up some answers, there are a few important people who will want to know what happened. I’m sure the emperor himself will want a report. But for the time being relax and rest. You are a hero that saved the city from the demons. Remember that.”

Hoban and Tim talked until lunch arrived. Tim’s lips pulled down at the corners as he looked at the bowl of mild rice soup and some plain steamed vegetables. “Maybe we can go out to get some decent food?”

That morning the head physician released Tim to have outings. He was in a huge medical facility in the N1 district, famous for attending to lesser nobles and rich merchants. After changing into a new guild uniform he headed to the exit with Hoban in tow.

The white steps from the hospital were lined with flowers and letters of gratitude. Only a small path wound through the flowers. Tim picked up one of the cards, but his eyes were still too damaged to read it. With a sigh, he slipped it into his pocket.

They walked unsteadily to the central plaza in front of the Erraat Administration building. Small carts were selling foods and fruit. A young man ran up to Tim excitedly. He was in the typical white and gold uniform of the city and around his neck a wage-slave collar with the Byakko symbol of the country.

“Are you the enchanter?” He asked carefully.

“Yes?”

The man took Tim’s bandaged hand gently and shook it. Tears formed at the corner of his eyes. “Oh, thank you, thank you so much for stopping the demons!”

Tim didn’t know what to say. He felt guilt more than anything else. He was just trying to save himself. The salvation of the city had only been a byproduct of his selfish actions. Ignorant of his feelings a crowd gathered to thank him. A song started to rise up among them. One made popular by the bards at the expense of the empire to spread falsified information.

As the crowd sang Tim felt woozy. The lightheadedness had returned. Maybe it was the healing or the mental trauma, but his feet were no longer steady. Thankfully, Hoban was by his side. Tim leaned on his friend. Together they returned to the hospital under the roar of applause.

The next day there was a carriage waiting for Tim outside the hospital. He was only going a short distance away, but the attention he’d gather was too great. As he gazed out the window he wondered if this is what celebrities felt like. He pulled the card from his pocket. Everything was still blurry, and the speed didn’t help. Tim’s stomach started feeling sick. But before he lost control over his breakfast he arrived at the Contract Office.

Beyond the wide thick red carpet, a receptionist greeted him. “Welcome to the Contract Office, how may I help you?”

“Is Mr. Dongbao Sano available?” Tim asked.

Tim spent the remainder of the day behind closed doors. Tim returned for the next two days. It was on the evening of the third night that his business had finally concluded. Exhausted, Tim returned to the hospital for his nightly treatments.

It was another week before Tim was cleared to be discharged from the hospital. Every night, in his dreams, his plans formed. Between treatments, he took carriages throughout the sprawling city. They were busy but refreshing days. Slowly he found his body and his mind healing.

The morning of his release Tim flexed his hands. They were still a little swollen and painful, the skin still fresh and pink. He eased Form back onto his finger and thought he heard a sigh of relief. He gathered the rest of his belongings in his satchel and headed to the front. As Tim walked out he was met with deafening fanfare. Trumpets blared and the gathered crowd roared. Tim wondered if this noise was really appropriate in a hospital zone.

Awaiting Tim was a burly man with a familiar face. “Give a wave to them, will you?” Asked Rin. “They came just to see you.”

With a sheepish grin, Tim waved at the throng gathered before him. They roared in response. Flower petals rained down upon the area. After a few moments of adoration, Rin guided Tim to the awaiting carriage. From inside the back Rin looked at him sternly, and gruff as always “Goin’ to see the old man now.”

Ume Hino was the first to notice as Tim walked into the guild reception building. Ignoring her customer she leaped to her feet. “Tim!” With that word, the office went into hysterics. Everyone rose to their feet and gave applause. People whistled. Some adventures banged their shields and yelled.

“Hi, Ume.” Tim waved as he walked by. She went red all the way to her ears and nearly fainted. If it wasn’t for her friend Mai, Ume would have crumbled on the spot. But Tim didn’t notice as he headed for the staircase eager to get away from the adulation. Rin followed behind with his hand on his sword hilt.

After a few knocks, they entered the office of guild master Kubo. Tim stifled a grimace as he remembered his last visit here. Kubo cleared his throat and motioned for Tim to have a seat. Tim sat, and Rin took to his usual spot leaning on the wall.

“Thank you for your service, Mr. Nelson. It is regrettable that I must do this, after the sacrifice you’ve already given us, but I need you to tell me exactly what happened. And be honest, this is an order.”

Tim didn’t flinch like he once did. In fact, he was expecting this, and he viewed it as a good opportunity to get information as well. So he laid it out according to his plan. He first detailed the overall events; the war, the breach, the creature, even the death of Tanabe.

As expected, Kubo followed up with questions about the creature itself. Tim responded in detail. He described how it came from the breach and wasted everything it touched into nothingness. As Tim talked he carefully watched Kubo’s weathered face contort. That verified everything Tim needed to know.

They lastly went over the method Tim used to defeat it. Tim detailed the overcharging of plates and increasing the overall mana flow in the central shaft. He did leave out the bit about mana absorbing plates. Instead, he said the weapon required a tremendous amount of power. More than any one person is likely to have.

Kubo went over his notes and finally looked up at Tim. “Based on what we believe is happening you will become exceptionally busy in the future. That is why I have granted you a promotion. Starting tomorrow you will…”

“About that,” Tim cut him off hastily “I don’t really want your promotion.” Although, I do appreciate the thought. But I have plans of my own. You see I’m not going to be sticking around long enough to fight the Akkorokaumi for you.”

Dumbfounded, Kobo and Rin stared as Tim slid his thumbs under his wage slave collar. With a quick motion, he stretched it out and up over his head. Earlier, Tim had used a piece of steel to line the inside of the collar. It was only through the combined effort of Shape to push the steel out and Form pulling the collar he was able to get it off.

As Tim placed the discarded collar on Kubo’s desk Rin tried pulling his sword free, only to find it stuck inside the scabbard. “What did you do?” Rin yelled as he fell forward with a thump. Unable to take a step he looked down to see his feet stuck in the floor.

Kubo frantically pressed the button on his desk as his fearful gaze darted between Rin and Tim.

“Oh, please. I’m not going to hurt you.” Responded Tim with a dismissive wave. “In fact…” Tim took out a new collar from his satchel and placed it around his neck. It was a dark gray band with a mithril emblem on the front, the symbol of a gear and the letter ‘T’ adorned the front.

“As chairman of the newly founded Engineer’s Guild, I’d like to make you an offer.”