“Then came a time of peace when both the first hero and first demon god died. But a successor came. The second demon lord walked around the world while the grandfather of life was missing leaving his sons and daughters to fight the new demon lord.”

As Serafina said that all of the girls with pigskin deformed horrible masks began to circle around the fire, twirling and hopping with flowers in hand as the priestess continued this saga.

“With their Father gone,

did their fears dragged on.

Will by four,

Did they outpour,

Snatched by hand,

A second hero was born.”

With another gesture of her hand the me and the boys around me began to stand up and walk towards the fire sword high up and facing the fire no matter what. Of course, I just parroted what they did, making the guy behind me to constantly telling me to keep up with the others and straighten my back. Which I never did.

I felt heavy to go forwards, processing what Neil told me back then. He was right, here I am looking at the burning drake who I enjoyed watching earlier all the while holding my wooden sword up high; playing hero; enjoying this whole ordeal as if dying in front of my mother meant nothing.

I could scarce hear the story of Serafina said. My whole attention was at the raging dancing fire in front of me thinking if is it ok for me to be like this.

“Unlike his father who spun silver lies out of his mouth, his daughter offered nothing but her flower to the new hero.”

All of us kept this act for a few minuets until I faint could see the masked girls giving their flowers to the boys. It was the only attention I could give before I sank my heart and hoped with all my heart that I was in a coma and this is a dream. Because, I couldn't bare the thought of it that I died in front of her and what? I play hero and believe that this woman is a replacement to my lost. Everything feels light and numb, heavy and suffocating.

“Elfien! Your sword is burning!”

I heard two voice in sync behind me.

Whipping my head up the tip of my sword was a blaze. Dropping the sword I stepped on the embers before it could consume more of my sword.

After doing so, I looked back where the voices came from.

The girl on my right; a small white rose in hand, and a horrid mask, more horrible than the normal masks of the girls around. Yet, despite of that I could see a familiar clear blue eyes staring at the girl on my left. Said girl was wearing no mask but wore a recognizable blue cloak. On her hand was small bottle with, I can guess, are withered flower petals inside.

She too was staring at the girl on right with surprise.

I could hear a lot of loud murmurs and loud comments about me.

Until this was the prominent sentence I could hear; everyone was shouting this:

“The third hero is born!”

“The third hero is indeed born!”

“Hahaha!”

“May I present to you the third hero!”

Everyone around me cheered as Serafina said in a laugh. The crowd whistles, laughed, and clapped their mugs while the guild members and Lord Magnus laughed hysterically at me.

“What's going on!?”

As I looked around the two girls ran off in their separate ways.

Before I could react I was lifted up in to the air where Neil, Allan, and Roland with ropes and laughter as if the brawl didn't happen earlier.

My hands were roped around a pole and was carried away slowly while the townsmen, Lord Magnus, Neil, Allan, Roland, Serafina, the nuns and monks sang a song about a third hero.

Like a pig on spit I was carried and put to spot near the place where I watched the story of the first hero. Additional carve logs of women crying was placed besides me and sewn crown was given to me.

“Hail! The third hero! ”

Serafina cried.

And everyone, including my friends said this with a tone of jeer and fun,

“The third hero means the dense idiot, by the way.”

Loudly said Allan under the deafening jeers.

“How!? I don't even know those girls!”

“Exactly!”

He replied with a laugh. I still don't get it, but this much attention was too much for me to the endure and soon many were commenting on my cheeks turning tomatoes and face sinking deeper.

“Ah, my poor son a third hero. Haah,”

My head turn quickly shot to that sigh as if my heart and mind ordered it. She still has her black armor on her albeit only a chest plate and some metal boots. She was holding a breadbasket as she took a knee in front of me.

“But this just a festival, I'm sure you'll find a suitable wife one day. Here,”

Taking of the restraints of my hand she dug something out of a breadbasket.

“Happy birthday, Elfien.”

She said giving me a small pie that when I took a bite it was sweet and a zesty flavour of apple danced around my mouth as I felt hunger again and ate heartily that small pie with bitter sweet chewing.

“Don't cry what I tell you about crying in front of a girl?”

Chuckling she began wiping off the emotions of my eyes. Yet, the onslaught of relief and guilt didn't rest my eyes never before did I feel so much emotions in me that forces me to cry while being happy and sad at the same time.

*****

The night dragged on as the story fair was at an end. Entertainers played music in slow beats and the free ale was served through out the town, much the chagrin of O'Brian and his men. May was still in her black armour telling me that she got a bunch of apple and sugar as one of the requested payment. That's why she was late, with the help of some nuns that remained in the far off church's mill, they made me an apple pie.

She sat besides me as we watched the boys of my age dance with the girls that offered their single flower earlier. It was a kind of courtly love as May explained it, or as I like to think as a public display of affection or public announcement of being lovers, and Elfien has two. That all aside, it wasn't just them who danced on the romantic beats of the musician's strings, flute, and drums. Many of the crowd stood and danced with their partners, lovers, and guards too albeit they only did it a few minuets though before returning to a static position. Lord Magnus took his wife to their own dance, Edmund was missing, Neil got some of his own random fair maiden while many young maiden asked for Allan and Roland's skill on the center floor but they turned it down.

“Care to have a dance?”

Serafina asked and offered her hand at May.

“It's only once a cycle do I get to enjoy a night like this.”

“No,” Replied May standing up, “Even if its for old time's sake.”

She then took my hand to the epicenter of the merry festivity. Where, I saw Serafina with a fading smile in contradiction to May's brilliant rising smile as she stole me away. We twirl and twist around like everybody. Some of the girls rested their head on their hero's chest as they matched the beat of the slow beat music.

“Did you have fun?”

She said which I gave no reply and just stared down... Attempting to hold all the topics I want to say out... That she is not my mother and I am not Elfien.

“Elfien, are you mad at me?”

She said softly. No, I replied in which she asked why can't I look at her.

“I-I... The steps, I don't know them, and I don't want to step on your... Sabatons.”

Was about to say shoes until I saw those metallic solleret gleam.

“Then don't look at them, besides I don't know them either.”

Guiding my face to her our eyes locked as she told me we'll dance real slow as she hold me close. It's alright, I can step on her boots, give it a try it will be alright. She said as she guided me. I have danced before, but unlike Erika, Mary, or Jeanne this was the closest I could get to a woman, this is considered too much skin ship if I were to dance back home.

Even though I was the guide, I found myself being whisked around even when I pour my strength to return my title as lead of this dance.

“Come on, don't just let a woman lead you!”

In silence, I did my best but I was pulled and twirled around by her whims as she told me how I always wanted to learn how to dance so that I can teach a merchant girl to dance.

“But, I always forbade you to dance and kept you at home.”

I did not saw those sad eyes! I never saw it!

The first song ended and every dancer ended with a hug and a kiss on the forehead. When the music grew live and the dancing renew with great adrenaline and beat did we left.

“Why so early? The night of festivity has only just began.”

Asked Serafina to the stretching and yawning May.

“Indeed, the festivity just began, tomorrow morning is the busiest for sure. Everyone is free to go home now, get some sleep, ok. It will be a busy day for you and me Sefarina.”

“I see. I bid you farewell then until tomorrow.”

****

Upon arriving at the inn both of us stood in a bit of a wary when three figures. I could see no harm on these people but not until our lamp revealed those modern stylized ninja outfit, and then the girl in the middle whose blue hooded cape I remember well.

“What business do you have here adventurers? This Inn is fully booked, you can check the other Inns in town square. Though, I recommend the forest since they will likely say they're also full.”

Said May in a bit of rough tone until she saw the blue hooded girl step forward.

“Evening Mrs. May.”

She squeaked as she remove her hood to be seen.

“Wendy? Is that you deary!?”

With a shy nod and an apology for the late intrusion.

“No, no, no. You should have greeted me sooner!”

May then caught the girl with a warm hug which she replied with acceptance.

“Oh, I miss you. I knew you would come early but not this early, so that explain these adventurers here in this town. You sure they're trustworthy?”

“Yes, they're good and proven worth the gold I paid.”

While the two was hugging I noticed the ninja girl covering her already concealed face.

“Wait, you're the one who...Agh!”

“Elfien!”

The blue caped girl suddenly exclaimed as she jumped on me.

“You're back! You are really back!”

“Oh... that's the kid you kic...Oww! Why always the ribs!?”

“Haha, yes he's back and the goddess did this for me.”

Said May as she joined the hug.

“May, and um...”

I tried telling the two if we can continue my suffocation inside rather than on the street.