Hero's choice

            The final blow was delivered. The beast, large and terrifying, roared in pain as he fell backward.  This large monster shook the ground as he fell then let out one last breath before dying. The tremors caused by the beast were felt across the land and instead of being afraid, the people rejoiced. They knew that after years of hardship and fear, they could now live in peace.

            A boy around sixteen stood over the body of the beast, sword in hand and gasping for breath. He was burnt, bleeding and covered in dirt, but he was alive. The boy dropped his sword, it fell forward and stuck into the ground, making the location of the final battle. The boy shook as he walked, the day was saved, he completed his training, found the magic sword, traveled the land, all for this one moment. He was relieved and happy it was over, but in a way a little sad too. As he walked toward the town he wondered what he was supposed to do next. His family had been avenged and the land was saved. Did he keep on fighting? Spending the rest of his life returning to this moment. Or was he supposed to settle down, start a family and say goodbye to the glory and praise that came with saving the world.

            When a young boy sets out on a journey with an adventurous spirit and a map, with the sole purpose of defeating a great evil, he doesn’t need to think about choices. But now its over and he has all the choices in the world. He was a boy who grew up too fast and thrust into battle. He was still a kid, but acted like an adult. If he went back to being a normal, goofy sixteen year old would people be shocked that the savoir of the world is acting like a kid? Or if he started a life and a family would it be strange for a kid to have his own house and kids of his own? The boy was the only one destined to wield the magic blade and slay the beast, but what about the rest of his destiny? Are heroes even supposed to live past their desired purpose?

            The Boy was very troubled as he walked into town. These questions haunted him and his head swirled. Fighting a monster was easy compared to making tough life decisions. He snapped out of his deep thoughts as the crowd cheered on his arrival.

“The hero has returned! He saved us all!” people in the village shouted.

            That night, there was a party in his honor. The boy drank wine with the adults, he danced with the children and ate with the village elder. He was trapped between worlds, but enjoyed each one in its own way.  During the party The Boy saw a girl about his age. He smiled at her and she blushed. Being a hero had its benefits.

            The night slowly ended and morning stretched over the land. The Boy woke up, he was in rough shape from all the fighting and then he drank too much wine at the party. He wished he could sleep for days. He got up out of bed and left the inn he slept at. It was still early and The Boy wanted to make a decision before anyone had a chance to talk to him. He wanted the decision to be his and not influenced by the first person he met in the morning. He stood at the gate to town, ahead of him was the unknown, a life of traveling and fighting for the good of the land, behind him the town and a life of being praised as a hero as he lived his life and settled down.  If he traveled, he would have the adventure he wanted, but he would be alone and always in battle. If he stayed, he would be celebrated for past glories as he raised his family and worked like a normal villager. The third option would be settle down on his own. His life would be quiet, no fanfare and he could do what he wanted without expectation. He thought very seriously about either becoming a traveler, a hermit or a town hero.

            Then the town elder walked up behind the Boy and put a hand on his shoulder. “Whatever you choose will, you have my support. So what will you do now?” The elder asked.

The Boy didn’t answer, he just stood staring out at future.