Joseph sat on the edge of the bed that night, thinking. His mind was blank, yet his stomach was a massive ball of guilt. He felt like he betrayed several people and didn’t know how to word it. Lilim slept in the bed, she was smiling that devil smile while Joseph contemplated his life decisions. Part of him wanted to blame her, to call rape on this event and make himself some sort of victim. However, he hated that part of him. He chose to sleep with her, he chose to let it get that bad, and he chose not to stop. He simply couldn’t call the victim card. He remembered back to a simpler time, right after the summoning.

…Ten days after the summoning…

“You improved boy. Quite a lot.”

The captain cheered Joseph as he battled the Prince. Prince Leo was like a lion, moving quickly even with the off balanced blade. Jackson, who was watching from the side, could tell he wasn’t holding back. Joseph dodged an attack and moved to counter. Jackson first thought the prince had done a faint, but the look of surprise on his face told him different. The Prince twisted in an extreme manner to avoid the heroes strike, then skipped back several steps to ready his blade. The Captain laughed, being one of the few men who actually fought in real combat, it all looked like a joke to him.

“Prince don’t leave yourself so open. Did you forget he’s a hero? And you boy, why are you holding back? Go for the kill when you get the chance.”

“Kill?”

Joseph repeated the word, not truly taking in the meaning. He’d heard it said many times since coming to this world. They’d have to kill; they’d need to kill to save the world. He never truly thought about it, but now for some reason it felt real. He was holding a weapon, training to use a weapon, that could kill someone with ease. The only thing that could do more damage was magic and a gun. Jackson wasn’t blind to his friend’s blight; he had already come to terms with the fact they were to kill. But Jackson also knew how ignorant Joseph was. He didn’t have the will to do what Jackson could.

“Come on man, what you think war was?”

Jackson whispered to himself. He couldn’t help but lean forwards. Joseph’s little harem was cheering him on from the side, and several knights joined them. They liked the idea of someone putting the prince in his place. Considering both the hero and the prince held the country’s hopes and dreams on their backs, they had to be equals. Princess Lili then stepped into the room, watching the hero and her brother fight. Her innocent and pure face made Joseph harden his resolve.

He thought of everything Jackson had taught him over their few training sessions. He thought Jackson easily beat him with simple movements. He then remembered how Jackson told him to control the fight, and how that changed the flow so easily. It was chess, and he needed to think ahead. Joseph lowered his blade, showing an opening. It was right for his neck, and his blade tip was touching the ground. Jackson laughed to himself, not thinking the prince was so gullible to take that obvious bait. He stopped laughing when he did. Jackson couldn’t watch as Leo was sent flying into the wall.

“Wow.”

“Wow.”

“Great boy, you broke the training sword.”

Joseph had indeed snapped the blade. He applied a little too much force to the blade as he used it like bat, his enhanced strength and speed breaking thought the prince’s attack, knocking him flying. Several of the heroes ran towards Joseph, giving him high-fives. The prince pulled himself to his feet and moved towards Joseph with a stern face. After a tense moment, he held out his hand.

“Nothing less from the man called Hero.”

Joseph grabbed the hand, shaking it. The Princess smiled while the harem cheered. Jackson got to his feet and went to leave the room. He gave Joseph a quick smile before doing so.

…Present…

The sun was breaking over border town, and the light-struck Gypsy. She moaned in pain, regretting drinking so much.

“My head.”

Barbara brought her some bread, and water that the Madame instructor her to give once Gypsy awoke. She then took a seat next to her friend and watched as Gypsy choked it down.

“She knows this doesn’t help. Goddess, how much did I drink last night? Why am I asking you? Jackson, you lucky bastard! I bet he’s having a great time on his little job. Probably picking up some stray. Why are you stroking me?”

Barbara had started to stroke Gypsy gently, trying to help sooth her. This wasn’t helping, and Gypsy continued to fail to make her stop. After a while, she gave up, and hid her eyes from the ever-growing light.

Joseph left the room, and headed down stairs. His head slightly bothered him, but it was not quite a hangover. Kevin and Franklin were both passed out, several of the girls asleep on their arms. Joseph, being in a bad mood, moved over to them and placed his fingers between their ears. He snapped his fingers as loud as he could, and the group jumped to their feet. Kevin and Franklin lost their footing, and both tumbled to the floor. Joseph shook his head as he started to leave.

Joseph watched as Scarlet and the Madame moved to help the girls, who didn’t seem to appreciate his wake-up call. One even gave him the finger as she moaned in pain. Scarlet turned to Joseph, slightly red in the face.

“You’re the hope of the nation, right?”

“I don’t know about the hope. The Prince also shares that title.”

“So modest. Reminds me of the old stories. Back when I was but a little lass with big dreams.”

The Madame gave a smile as she recalled her youth.

“They say, these lands used to have names. Tell me dear, do you know why the countries lost their names? Why names are so rare?”

“No, no one talks about it.”

“It’s the same reason we don’t say the Prince’s and Princess’s and queen’s names. Shoot, we even try to hide the king’s. Words have power, and names have even greater power. All it would take is someone learning your name, and a simple spell could destroy you. Imagen a spell like that, but on an entire nation.”

“I never thought of that. I thought people were… um…”

“Lazy? Don’t look so down. We all think that at some point in time. How much of our myths do you know?”

“Nothing. We only been here a few months.”

“You’re hunting the Berserker right, why don’t I tell you about it.”

“Berserker! Please.”

“This is an old tale, back to when the countries still had names. The world was said to be a very different place, instead of four countries there was hundreds. Every little city or town claimed to be independent. They built armies, allied with neighbors, and rode out on long campaign trying to get a few feet. Dark times. Well, you see there was a city in the heart of the continent. Small, but very powerful. They say the people there mastered magic on a level we can’t even understand. So powerful that the entire continent banded against them.”

“Even though they hated each other?”

“A common enemy can do that. Word spread of a massive attack coming for them. An attack on all sides. The greatest witches and mages of that city made a plan. Firstly, they gathered the seven greatest fighters into one arena, and promised the one to walk out godly power. They sent in every manner of beast, and the warriors fought and killed and turned on each other. In the end, a single warrior dyed red was left. Some say he was but a boy, others say he was a demon’s spawn. The magic users took the warrior and infused him with the darkest of powers and bound him to an armor.”

“He’s the Berserker? Someone from this time pasted?”

“No, let me finish. He never became the Berserker. But legend does say that he single-handily defeated all the attacking armies. What happens next is a mystery.”

“What happened?”

“The birth of the beast. Some say the armor couldn’t stop fighting, even after its master died. Started killing the people it once protected, turning the city scarlet. Some say it was looking for something. Others say it was just a mad golem. Whatever it was, that powerful nation fell three days after their hero’s death.”

“So, what does that make the Berserker?”

“My father had a theory. He was the real historian, going to dungeons and reading up on myths and such. He believes the Hero had children. And that the armor wanted them. He used to have this map he’d pull out; it showed the layout of that city and he had drawn the believed route the Berserker took. It looked like it was chasing something alright.”

“How can you tell? It was just a map.”

“Because how it moved through the city. Checking every house, every ally, the sewers and shelters.”

“Sounds to me like it just wanted to kill everyone it could.”

“Then why stay in an area for several hours, going through the same spaces over and over again. It was looking for something, all we can hope is that it didn’t find it.”

“Didn’t?”

“The beast is savage, and wild. But it keeps to itself. It only attacks if an army gets to close, only attacks warriors. What does that tell you about it?”

“I don’t know?”

“You’re a terrible hunter. You can’t hunt something you can’t understand. You can’t out think it, and you can’t beat it.”

“Then what is your point?”

“Don’t use that tone with me young man.”

“Sorry. Sorry, it’s just… the Berserker killed a friend of mine.”

“It has killed many fiends of many people. The Berserker isn’t a hunter, it not the monster that the kingdom wants us to believe it is. This Berserker simply wants to exist. Before you hunt it down in this vengeance of yours, think about what I have said.”

The floor boards creaked from the second story. Madame Julia, Scarlet and Joseph all looked up. On the landing was Barbara, listening to the story. Her golden eyes seemed saddened. The Madame gave her a warm smile. Joseph got another look at the shirt she was wearing. Dark green, no designs, but the style was modern. The left sleeve was town and dyed red, and the rest of the shirt was ripped and torn to shreds. A cut in the stomach, several holes littered the stomach. It was stained, dirty, but Joseph knew it could only belong to one of the Heroes, and he guessed which one. Barbara turned away, retreating back to Gypsy.

“Wait?”

Joseph started to move; dozens of questions buzzed in his head.

“There you boys are!”

“Should have guessed you’d all be here.”

The girls entered the establishment, looking disgusted.

“Boys, the back entrance is that way. It leads to the ally. I recommend getting some nice new clothes and a lot of flowers, maybe something gold for them. I can only get you about a minute at best, so start running.”

“But her shirt!”

Joseph pointed after Barbara, needing to ask her the questions in his mind. Franklin gripped Joseph and started to drag him. Kevin leaned in, whispering.

“You may want to run right now!”

“What but her shirt?”

“May I remind you your cheerleaders are here, and that you and that Lilim disappeared for a long-time last night.”

“Shit!”

The three boys took off running. The girls couldn’t even react. Angela shook her head, while the other two just had their mouths hung open.

“Do you girls want a drink?”

“Could you guys be quite!”

Gypsy screamed from the room. Every sound hurt.

“I’ll make him pay for putting this stress on me. Taking some job when the heroes are asking about him.”

Gypsy pouted into her pillow, cursing Jackson. Jackson was not enjoying the little job he’d taken and was panting. He took the last healing potion and downed it in one go. When the last of the red liquid disappeared down his throat, he tossed the glass container against the side of the crater he was in. His cape was partly burned off, and his arm was a dark red. He had received several burns, and the healing potions were the only things keeping him awake. The one upside, the fire had changed the healing paste. Burned to a crisp, it now sealed the wounds without the risk of poison. The Dragon was over him, preparing to attack again.

Jackson looked to his broken dagger, wishing it had a bit more life in it. He strengthened his body and gritted his teeth as he jumped to his feet. The false leg started to cave, taking too much damage. He used the old magic to give it strength but knew it could only take a little bit more of a beating. He’d need to apologize to John next time he saw him. Magic didn’t seem to work on the dragon, his dagger broke against its hide, and it only got angrier with every attempt Jackson made. He had never wished for the Berserker so hard in the past few weeks as he did then. It was just like the Wurms. Jackson was simply too weak to fight such monsters.

“Come on then you ugly lizard! Come on, I’m not running! You don’t scare me! Kill me if you can!”

The Dragon flapped it wings, still building up its next attack in its mouth.

“I said come on! Come on, come on, come on! End, it already! Please just end it. God, I sound like my father. I guess I’m more like him then I liked to admit. Just a horrible person. What choice did I have? Come on ugly, get on with it!”

The word of the Berserker came back to him. SAME. Jackson hated the waiting; he was remembering everything. SAME. Jackson didn’t want to admit it, he wasn’t a monster. SAME. He just wanted the dragon to continue the fight. SAME. He wanted it to be over so badly. SAME.

“I am not the same as him! I will not be the same. Is that what you meant? We are the same, we’re both monsters! Screw that! SAME! SAME! Why that word?”

The Dragon finished charging and took aim. The entire forest was consumed in a bright light as the Dragon attacked.

“I am not the same as you! I am not my father! I have a choice!”

A card appeared in Jackson hand just as the light was about to reach him.

“Huh, Arcana zero, the Fool?”