SWNOVELXO Chapter 21: Heros comeback
Torvin then led them to the back of his house, where his main furnace was, burning with live embers as usual. "Someone help me here. We need to move this forge to the side," he said, standing beside the stone and metal structure, signaling for someone to pull from the other side.
Zamir quickly helped Torvin. With a combined effort, the two men managed to move the heavy furnace, revealing a small metal hatch on the dusty floor. Quickly, Torvin opened it with a key he had grabbed earlier, revealing a long stone staircase leading down into the darkness.
He then went up the wooden stairs that led to his house. Moments later, he returned escorting his family: his wife, her face pale with worry, and a little girl of about three, who clung to her father's leg. He guided them to the hatch. After a moment, with his family safely below, Torvin poked his head out. "Alright, you can come in," he exclaimed, descending through the hatch.
The group began to descend calmly. Arthur was the last, closing the heavy metal hatch above them, which muffled the sounds of the city's chaos.
Down below, Torvin took an unlit torch from the wall. "Lend me your flint, Zamir?" he asked, holding out his hand.
"You still remember I always carry one," Zamir replied, handing it to his friend.
Torvin smiled, and with a few quick movements, produced a spark that lit the torch, illuminating the path. "Alright, follow me," he exclaimed, gesturing with his head for them to follow.
They all began to walk through the basement, with only the torchlight to guide the way. It was a narrow, damp, and quite dusty corridor. Finally, they reached a reinforced oak door. As soon as Torvin opened it, a considerably large room was revealed.
It was a survival bunker. There were numerous shelves filled with canned and dried foods, easily a stock for more than a year. In one corner, an artesian well with a hand pump guaranteed an endless supply of water. There were also first-aid kits, bunk beds, and a large double bed. The environment was surprisingly comfortable, with a beautiful black carpet that stretched across the entire room. This construction was designed for extreme survival and would be the perfect refuge.
Torvin's wife was already settling their daughter into one of the beds. "Alright, everyone. My family stays here," Torvin said, his voice now softer.
He turned to the group, and an excited glint appeared in his eyes.
"As for you all… I'm going to show you my beauties."
Torvin led them to a more remote corner of the room, where a large, dark wooden chest, reinforced with iron straps, was covered by a cloth. He opened it with a loud creak.
What was inside made everyone hold their breath. It was their old adventuring weapons.
"I can't believe you kept all of this…" Shapira whispered.
Torvin took a long straight sword from the chest. Its leather sheath was visibly worn, the mark of being held so often.
"You fixed it?" Shapira asked, her fingers tracing the weapon's contours, nostalgic.
"I fixed it some time ago. It took quite a while; it was in a deplorable state," he replied with a slight smile.
"I was planning to give it to you for your birthday, but circumstances have changed."
Next, Torvin took out a longbow, made of a dark, flexible wood, with runes carved along its body.
"My old friend…" Zamir exclaimed, taking the bow with reverence. "I never thought I'd use you again…"
Zamir ran his fingers over the runes with a fondness Arthur had never seen in him. For Zamir, it wasn't just a weapon, but a mural of memories from his adventuring days.
Finally, Torvin looked at Arthur. From the bottom of the chest, he pulled out a pair of leather bracers reinforced with silver plates, which seemed to emanate a faint protective aura. "They were Dante's," Torvin said, his voice low. "He used them to protect himself in close combat. He would be happy to know they are protecting a new companion."
Arthur took the bracers, feeling a weight that went beyond the metal. It was the weight of a promise, of a story he was now a part of. He fastened the bracers to his forearms, and they adjusted perfectly.
Finally, leaning against the wall, he grabbed a large shield, along with a small one-handed axe.
"My old equipment," Torvin exclaimed, nostalgic. "I may not have the same strength as before, but it will be an honor to be your shield again," he concluded, feeling confident and ready for battle.
Shapira sheathed her sword, Zamir slung the bow over his shoulder, and Torvin held his axe firmly. They looked at each other, a silent nod passing between the three. They knew what had to be done.
"The catacomb is at the edge of the fields, near the mountains. It's a good walk, and with the Reapers on the loose, it won't be easy," Shapira said, taking the lead. "Stay alert. We don't separate for anything."
They went up the stairs, leaving the safety of the bunker behind. Torvin gave one last look at the door leading to his family, his expression hardening with determination. Together, the four of them left the forge, back into the dangerous streets.
Together, they advanced through the streets, eliminating a few Reapers that disappeared into dust with each strike. The team was on its way, towards the edge of the fields. Coincidentally, it was the same place where Arthur was supposed to hunt his slimes.
Shapira went ahead, guiding the way she knew so well. Zamir and Torvin followed right behind, with Arthur in the center of the group.
After a few hours of walking, eliminating some Reapers, they finally reached the entrance: a majestic purple portal, carved into a mountain, exuded a sinister aura. It was surrounded by overgrown grass and moss that made the atmosphere even more frightening. They all looked at that place with a mixture of nostalgia and fear.
"This is it," Zamir said, gripping his bow tightly.
"We all go together. There will be no mistakes this time," Shapira exclaimed.
Just as the adventurers were about to enter the catacomb…
BOOM!
A huge explosion threw them back. The entrance of the catacomb simply displayed a strong purple light, causing a massive roar that shook the ground.
Arthur was on the ground, coughing a little and trying to understand what had happened. They were about to enter, but everything had exploded? As he slowly got up, wiping the dust from his eyes, he could see four figures in front of him, emerging from the smoke of the explosion. The boy tried to see through all the dust, and when he finally could, he was in disbelief.
"Well, well, long time no see," said Alden, one of the heroes, as he looked down with disdain at Arthur on the ground.
Arthur couldn't believe it. His suspicions were confirmed. The three heroes were indeed involved in this, and Solara was there too.
The boy got up, furious. "I knew you were involved in this! Do you know what you've done?" Arthur shouted, clenching his fists.
Kaien, the group's leader, took a step forward.
"We were just leveling up. What's all the stress about?"
Arthur couldn't believe his coldness.
"You miserable, stupid bastards! You left the portal open! The Reapers destroyed the fields! Many people died, you know that?"
Alden approached Arthur with a furious look.
"Watch your mouth, you useless trash," he exclaimed, holding his sacred weapon, an ornate bow.
Arthur smiled, not backing down an inch.
"Need I remind you how I left you terrified that time? Want a repeat performance, you little coward?" he retorted with a proud smirk, his hand on the hilt of his uchigatana.
Alden bit his lower lip, hatred coursing through his veins. He was about to draw an arrow, but Kaien placed a hand on his shoulder, stopping him.
"You seem to care a great deal, Arthur, for someone who rejects the title of hero," Solara said calmly, signaling for Alden to back down.
Arthur felt those words like a stab. It was true. Why did he care about this? After all, it wasn't even his world. But he couldn't let himself be defeated.
"It's a burden I carry. A title I didn't want, but have now accepted. And you, even though you like the title, don't seem to be honoring the name 'Hero'," he retorted.
"We didn't know about this, Arthur. We left the portal open to come back today and finish leveling up. But rest assured, the portal has now been closed. You and your little team can stand down," Kaien said with contempt, glancing at Arthur's companions.
Shapira, Torvin, and Zamir got up, positioning themselves beside Arthur. They were ready for battle, even knowing that victory was almost impossible. They would not hesitate to help the boy.