Forged Legacy

“What happened?” Hannah asked, finally noticing the tears streaming down Julian’s face.

“I… Harvey,” Julian stuttered.

“The leader almost got me,” Harvey interrupted. “Apparently, Sarah was his sister, and the big one blindsided me after I crushed her into the ground. Before I knew what hit me, I was face-first in the dirt. Then he kicked off my helmet and was about to put a flaming sword through my neck when Julian saved me.”

She looked down at him with a somber expression before dismounting Buttercup and helping him to his feet. Julian stayed kneeling, struggling to catch his breath as he brought his raging emotions back under control.

“That was too close,” Julian sniffled. “I was so focused on finishing the first skeleton that I ignored the leader disengaging.”

“It’s ok, Julian. Really,” Harvey urged. “It’s not your job to save me.”

“Yes, it is! I’m the Born Protector. The Emberheart Vanguard. Everything I’ve done here has all been to make sure I can keep myself and my friends alive until we finally get back home. Caring more about killing that skeleton than protecting you almost got you killed!” Julian shouted.

“But it didn’t,” Hannah interrupted. “He’s alive! That’s what matters!”

“Exactly,” Harvey added. “The skeletons are dead, and I’m still here, all thanks to you.”

“That’s not true,” Julian rejected. “Your arc charges let me take out the first one before the others could help, and you killed the ice mage all by yourself.”

“Ok, fine, I helped, but I was also fighting tired and relying on potions to keep me going. Normally, I would’ve held back, but I was confident knowing you were there to back me up if things went wrong,” Harvey admitted.

“We all have our roles to play if we’re going to make it out alive, and I can’t afford to lose sight of mine again. Hannah’s the hunter blowing up the big guys. You’re the tactician creating the conditions where we actually have a chance to win,” he asserted. “Me? I’m the shield. I hold the line so the rest of you can focus on killing those undead bastards.”

“Nobody expects you to do that alone,” Harvey replied.

“I do! I’m the god damn Defender of Veils End,” he snapped, tearing off his gauntlet and pointing to the Mark depicting a stone tower tattooed on the back of his hand. “That means something to me. From now on, if the Undead want to get anywhere near you, they’ll have to get through me.”

A brilliant light burst from Julian’s right arm, shining through the steel like it wasn’t even there. It continued for over 30 seconds, and Harvey could tell Julian was fighting back searing pain. When it finally abated, Julian removed his armor and peeled back his clothes to reveal a new tattoo on his forearm.

The Born Protector mark was gone, replaced by an intricate depiction of Julian clad in steel, shield raised high. Golden fire poured from its face, forming an unbroken barrier around a sea of faceless figures standing behind him.

“Is that?” Hannah asked.

“An Imprint,” Harvey interrupted.

A screen appeared in front of him, and they all gathered to read it.