You wake up in a cold sweat with light pouring through the window to your room. With your eyes wide open, unsure of who can even hear you you state:

“I need to get out of here.”

“Yeah, I'd suggest we go train. Gotta get back on the horse, as you humans say.” Kara comments. She is lazing in the rooms one chair near the window.

“No no. We have to get out of this town. I can't do this anymore.” You utter hastily while sitting up.

Kara is surprised, but immediately understands. “Gotta say, the home-town discounts on everything are nice, but you're probably right. That's a pretty mature decision.”

You exhale deeply, falling back into the bed. “Can we do what I wanted to do from the start? I want to travel. Help people.”

Kara stands up and climbs onto the bed to lay beside you. She stares at you. “I'm here to train you, not to solve all of humanities problems.”

“You can just observe, then, while I focus on being an adventurer.”

“I don't think you should do that either.” She says flatly. You had been staring at the ceiling, but with that you turn to look into her golden eyes.

“You're serious. You don't think I should be trying to help people? That is what becoming a hero is all about.”

“That's what you think it's about, but every time humanity gets a new hero it's borders expand and it's at the expense of everyone else.”

“So what do you want? Why are you even training me if you don't want me to become a hero? Why are you here at all?” You spout that flurry of questions in frustration, turning onto your side to face the woman who does not seem to have faltered at all in the face of the inquisition.

“I'd rather you be everyone's hero.” She responds simply.

“That's the idea. You're just cynical. Heroes unite everyone against the demons, leading all races into a golden age on the continent. Those are the stories.”

She stares at you, keeping the same serious air she has had since laying down. “My people used to be considered demons.”

“What?”

“Elves, too.”

“Wait wait wait-”

“Before that, you killed each other and called your human rivals demons. Demon isn't a race, it's just a word you call your enemies.”

You turn onto your back and cover your face with both palms, groaning. “What do you want me to do?”

“It's not really fair, I'll admit. I'm asking you to choose between being a rich human hero that's handed everything you could ever want, and doing something hard and unrewarding that you should know is right.”

“That's not even a choice.” You mutter.

“I know.” Kara smiles widely. “That's why I'm glad I found you.”

“Are you sure you want to leave?” Fiona asks with a definite hint of sadness. Where before you were sure it would be because you are leaving her to the wolves, now you know that she is simply sad to see you go. Because the wolf has her under his arm and she looks content to be there. Sam's other hand is clearly at his mother's lower back as she smiles down at you.

“It was going to happen, eventually. I was ready to say goodbye when you left the first time and I think you're even more ready now.” Your mother says, wiping one eye. She turns to look at Kara.

“Especially now that you've found someone.” With that statement Kara winks at your mother who giggles.

“Don't worry about us. The town is going to change a lot for the better while you're gone. Everything is going to change.” She looks at Sam lovingly. “The port, the mines and Chesharidge are growing closer together. We're sharing resources. We're investing and being invested in. It's exciting.”

“Great.” You say flatly, completely disinterested in all of that. You let out a light exhale and unclench your fist to offer your hand to Sammead. He happily removes his hand from your mother's ass and shakes yours.

“Take care.”

“Don't worry. I'll be sticking around, unlike her first man.” He grins. Marrien jabs him in the ribs.

“Ow! Sorry, sorry. Stay safe, kid.”

You nod and choose not to say anything after that. You hug your mother, then your sister and turn to leave. You don't turn your head. You do not want to watch the three of them turn around to be guided into the house the moment you leave. Forgetting you immediately. As if sensing your bitter thoughts, Kara looks back and smirks.

“They're still waving.” She comments. You gulp, a lump forming in your throat.

“Thanks.” You decide to believe her.

“Anytime, Hero.”

“I'm still going to become an adventurer.” You say after a very long, heavy silence. You had both been walking for a little over an hour.

Kara looks at you, one of her crimson brows raised. “Yeah?”

“But I'm taking what you said to heart.”

She nods slowly. “I knew what you meant.” After a bit of thought she adds.

“I think it's good experience so long as you don't have a... National Treasure, you described me as?” She smirks.

“So long as you don't have that stepping in whenever you're in danger. Besides, I think you're good enough to hold your own at this point.”

You look down, getting a bittersweet feeling. “So I guess this is-” Your head is thrown back as you feel a heavy flick from one of her fingers.

“Gaah! Ow!” You scream.

“Your training isn't done! What the hell are you thinking, idiot!? I'm going to leave you alone while you only know what you know about my people's magic?” She takes a deep breath.

“I'm just not going to interfere in your business. As far as you or anyone else should be concerned, I'm just your bag carrier. Or something.”

“Or something?”

She looks at you calmly. “Well, what are party members going to think if I hang around you and do nothing but spend my nights with you and look pretty.” You blush deeply.

“Exactly. I don't really mind, but you're a bit sensitive to that sort of thing.”

“Are you sure about this?” You ask.

Kara rolls her eyes. “If it were up to me we'd walk into the jungle and wouldn't come out for ten years.”

“Ten!?”

“But it isn't.” She gets ahead of you and stands in front to poke you in the chest.

“You are the boss.”

“Huh?” You blink.

“Wait, what?”

“You're carrying out my will. A hero for everyone. So long as you're following that path I'll do whatever, or go wherever you want.”

“That's-”

“Don't get the wrong idea. It's all so I can continue training you.” She returns to your side, giving you a wry smile.

“That's all?” You ask playfully.

“You need a bit more experience to match that confidence, 'youngin'.” Kara teases. She grows a bit serious and asks.

“When we reach the port we can go wherever we want, but I'm sure you wanna hit the frontiers if you're looking to be an adventurer.” She pauses to think, then adds.

“North or east?”

You know what those options entail. The north is the buffer between the 'demon's and the Nations of Man, Elf and Beast while the east is a near endless trek into the foreign and unknown. The source of wonders and terrors and stories. Where the demons are a known evil, the east is the point on the map where the only information you have is 'here be monsters.'