The portal behind me fizzled shut with a soft whoosh as my boots hit the familiar sidewalk of Iris Town.
No screaming sky.
No glowing weapons.
No destiny trying to throw hands.
Just… sunset.
Purple-orange clouds stretched across the sky like the world finally unclenched its jaw. A breeze rolled through—cool, calm, almost polite. I stood there for a second, dusted myself off, nudged my cracked shoulder pad back into place, and started walking.
Everything looked the same.
But better.
Brighter. Like Iris Town had just exhaled after holding it in for way too long.
"Yo! Don! That really you?" Old man Vek yelled from his porch, newspaper in hand—front page, my face on it. Of course.
"Heyyy, Mr. Vek!" I waved back, immediately almost eating pavement. Humbling experience.
At the playground, kids slammed into the fence like I was a zoo exhibit.
"IT'S KING LENS DON!!!"
I laughed, tossed them a lazy salute.
"Still just Don, guys. I'm only king on Saturdays."
"CAN YOU FLY?!"
"No, but I can fall with style!"
Absolute comedy gold. They lost it.
Mrs. Lenu paused her sweeping as I passed the bodega. She didn't say anything—just smiled, proud, and nodded. That somehow hit harder than the cheering. I waved back, tried to stay cool, immediately tripped again. Balance is optional, apparently.
People watched from windows. Waved from balconies. Honked from cars. Some held little flags. Others just smiled like, yeah… we saw that.
A few clapped.
I didn't expect it.
Didn't need it.
But yeah—
I felt it.
And it was everything.
When I reached my house, I turned around one last time. Kids from school. The ice cream cart guy. Jax the mailman gave me a thumbs-up like I'd just passed the hardest exam of my life.
I lifted my hand, waved once, and said,
"Love y'all. I'm goin' to bed for the next five years."
Door closed.
Silence.
Peace.
I dropped my gear by the door—clank, thud, hero starter pack officially retired—and zombie-walked down the hall.
That's when I saw it.
A small box near my room.
Something inside it shifted.
I froze.
I stepped closer… and there he was.
Kai.
My fluffy, snowball-sized Hric rabbit, curled up like a loaf, red eyes half-lidded, ears twitching in his sleep. Completely unbothered. Living his best nap life.
Taped to the box was a note.
"Left your furry friend — Olsen"
…Oh.
My chest pinched.
I crouched beside the box, watching Kai breathe, guilt sliding in real quiet. I really left him. In all the chaos. All the worlds-ending stuff. Rookie hero mistake.
"Sorry, buddy," I whispered.
Kai yawned, adjusted one ear, and went right back to sleep. Zero judgment. Iconic behavior.
I wanted to overthink it. Apologize more. Spiral a little.
But nah.
I was done. Cooked. Exhausted beyond comprehension.
I stood up, shuffled into my room.
Posters? Still crooked.
Bed? Still dangerously soft.
Me? Mentally on 2%.
I face-planted onto the mattress, pulled out my phone, and sent a voice message to the group chat.
"Yo. I got crowned. Gave a speech. Cameras almost melted my face. Prince nearly died backflipping. Starla hugged me like a teddy bear. Oh—and Dreadixz? Gone. Toasted. We win."
Send.
Pause.
"…Also I tripped during the speech. It was heroic. Don't judge."
Send.
I stared at the ceiling for a bit. Sniffed my arm. Made the ancient warrior decision.
"Shower or sleep…"
Sniffed again.
"…Shower."
Fifteen minutes later, steam filled the room, my hair damp, my soul slightly rebooted. I cracked my neck like an old man with wisdom to drop and flopped back onto the bed.
Wrapped in blankets. Lights low. World quiet.
Before I crash, just this—
I started out a 12-year-old kid full of doubt. Thought I was weak. Thought I needed fame just to be left alone. Being a Hero? That was terrifying.
Eclitsic. Celestia. The battle. None of it was easy.
But I made it through.
I was scared the whole time.
And I still kept going.
This—is just the first step….