Humanity's Hero Of Despair

The morning sun rises over Mistfall, casting a golden glow in the village.

The devastation left behind by the war is still very much visible. The fallen trees, the burnt roofs, and the ash-coated paths are a cold reminder of what happened. But this morning, something is different. Yesterday, we were all still wallowing in despair. A new sense of purpose seems to fill the void.

I join Ivy on the first floor. We step outside of my house, ready to face the villagers. Ready to take on the world. Many of the villagers are already awake, gathering tools and preparing plans to rebuild the village. It is astounding, but I guess it makes sense because they all went to sleep at a reasonable time. I glance at Ivy and blush slightly.

I got little sleep, considering I keep thinking about how she said yes to a date. She notices me looking at her and tilts her head. My eyes immediately look in the opposite direction. That was a close one.

"Good morning, Lord Lotus!" one villager shouts as they pass by my house.

Thank you, villager, for saving me.

"Good morning! Would you please tell everyone to meet me here?" I reply to the villager. The villager nods at me and runs off to tell everyone the message the Lord of Mistfall gave to him.

Since Mistfall is a relatively small village (despite it being in one of the largest forest areas), it doesn't take long for everyone to find my house. Many of the locals knew me before I joined Keeper Academy. Others know me because of my promoted noble status.

Everyone gathers around the front entrance of my house, eager to hear what I am about to say.

"Good morning, everyone! Thank you to everyone who helped put out the many fires yesterday and made the community safe enough to still live in. Today, we will focus on rebuilding people's houses so you don't have to sleep in tents. We will continue to clean up debris around the village and set up lookouts to make the community safer. Thank you, everyone, for chipping in on this effort. It means the world to me," I finish announcing to everybody.

The villagers cheer softly, their tired faces lighting up with some renewed hope.

From the youngest child to the oldest person, everybody seems motivated to help the community. Ivy and I join everyone in the effort to restore everything. People give us tools that I've never used before, but I am happy to try them out.

I could just lay back in my "mansion," but being proactive in my community is important. I want to let everyone know how much I care for them. How much I want Mistfall to be an oasis of peace again. We walk to the heart of Mistfall and get to work.

We start with the simple things. We gather materials and take down broken beams. Ivy levels the ground properly with her earth magic where some homes had been destroyed. She summons soil, re-grows plants, and makes things look pretty. Her magic has matured a lot.

Since my mana is still very depleted and needs time to regenerate, I just help people out the old-fashioned way. My dark and fire magic can't be that useful either in this situation. I haul broken wood out of people's homes. I help chop the wood, which will make for some wonderful fire in the winter.

I run over to a small fallen tree and try to lift it up by myself. Apparently, my dark magic doesn't help me much in that department. It's not like I can use my magic anyway right now.

"Lord Lotus! Let us help you with that," a few villagers shout out from behind me. Together, we all lift the tiny fallen tree out of the rubble and move it out of the pathway.

As we continue to work throughout the morning and afternoon, the villagers share stories about Mistfall. Tales I only heard fragments of from when my dad and mom were alive. Mistfall is looking like its usual self again. This time, though, it looks even better. Not just the structures, but the people.

Ivy and I move between families, trying to help everyone out that needs it.

Each family seems happier after we leave once we have fixed their house. It's as if we are also restoring memories and spirits. A memory of Justus winking at me surfaces to my mind. I hope his spirit will rest in peace.

As Ivy and I get done with the last family that needs help, they stop us before we can fully leave the premises. This last family is composed of two older members of the community who are widely respected. I even know the names of these two since I was local while growing up. The Mistfall locals call them Grandpa and Grandma as a sign of affection.

"What is it, Grandpa George and Grandma Agatha?" I ask them softly as they raise their hands to let us know they want to say something before we leave.

"Nico, Lord Lotus, we have known you since you were a kid. We still remember the days you visited us before you left for Keeper Academy. Now you have grown up to be such a good young man. We wanted to let you know the other villagers, and we have left a surprise for you at your house," Grandma Agatha tells me as she kisses my cheek and hugs me.

We say our goodbyes and leave to go back to my house. By now, it is almost evening again. The houses are all in good enough shape to sleep in, and many of the pathways and trees have been fixed. It is a very productive day, and I think everyone would be asleep by now.

"What do you think they left me?" I ask Ivy.

"It could be anything, maybe a custom-made present like a souvenir?" Ivy responds while shrugging her shoulders. "It's nice they did something for you, though. You deserve it."

"Thanks, Ivy. If anything, though, you deserve it as well, whatever it is, for all the help you did to restore Mistfall. All the villagers, even if there aren't many of us, really like you," I tell her while smiling.

We both laugh as we arrive at my house.

I am shocked at the sight.

All around my cabin are beautiful flowers and plants springing forth. The stairs look dusted, and it simply looks like a new house to me. There is a brand-new wooden fence around my cabin as well. It helps protect the garden. I turn to Ivy in surprise.

"Did you have to do anything with this?"

"Nope! They all planted those flowers and plants themselves. My guess is they took some of their unharmed flowers from their houses and came together to make a little garden for you," Ivy says cheerfully.

I open the door to the wooden fence, and we walk through. The smell of fresh flowers fills the air as I crouch on my knees to smell them. One flower is a rose. I pluck the rose from the ground and hand it to Ivy.

"This is for you. In a garden full of flowers, I would choose you," I say before I can process it. Ivy takes the rose from my hand and smiles. She grabs my hand with her own and races up the steps of my house. We shut the door quickly behind us as the lights are turned off.

Today is a good day.