The first citizen lingers, watching the other drift. There is fondness there. Affection, quiet and patient.
The second citizen returns. Thoughts sharpens, emotions draw inward, settling into focus.
“Enjoying yourself?”
“Immensely,” comes the reply, pulsing with satisfaction.
“Care to describe your experience?”
A flicker of amusement. “I’m following three different lives.”
Interest sparks, “Do I want to hear about them?”
“My main one, my hero, he’s achieved more than you’d believe. I won’t trouble you with the tale.” There’s a spark beneath the words. Pride.
“Alright. The other two, then.”
“Those two are different, I follow them only as support. The first began in a ruined city. No past. Keeps stumbling into trouble. Built for it, I suppose. Now he’s part of a crew, lower slums of the same city. They planned a rescue. It fell apart.”
“Why?”
“A cult caught sight of him. Thought he was a legend reborn. Took him to their sanctum.”
“A legend?” A pause. “He wouldn’t happen to be your hero, would he?”
“Maybe.” A flick of humor. “He fits the part.”
“And the last one?”
“Mercenary. Sent with a band to scavenge some ancient ruin.”
“Sounds familiar.”
“She’s different. Now she commands the ruin. It listens to her.”
That holds the first citizen, for a beat. “How?”
“Let’s keep the mystery.”
“Fine. What now?”
“She has goals. The others follow.”
“I’m intrigued. Keep me in the loop.”
“Always.”15Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡGzvSrARXna
