Aldoria: Am I a hero...or not?

{{Forest Near Valor Town – Afternoon}}

Kael took a deep breath as he stepped out of the portal, the swirling magic fading behind him.

The scent of damp earth and crisp leaves filled his lungs. The familiar rustling of trees, the distant chirping of birds… this was home.

His eyes scanned the area. The forest near their town.

He wasn't far.

Kael adjusted his bag and began walking.

{{Town Gates – Valor Town}}

From a distance, a knight stationed at the watchtower spotted him. His helmet clanked as he leaned forward, eyes wide in disbelief.

Then, without hesitation, he reached for the warning bell.

The sound echoed through the town. A sharp, urgent ringing.

But today, it did not signal danger.

Today, it signaled a miracle.

The boy thought dead.

Kael Valor had returned.

The town erupted into chaos. Murmurs turned into shouts, shouts turned into cheers. People abandoned their tasks, rushing toward the gates.

And then, Kael saw it.

A figure running toward him, faster than any of the others.

The moment he recognized her, his chest tightened.

"Mother—!"

She crashed into him, arms wrapped so tightly around his body that for a moment, he thought she might never let go.

Her body trembled, tears streaming down her cheeks.

"My son… my son…" she whispered, her voice breaking.

Kael held her back just as tightly. "I'm home, Mother."

Then, a familiar voice called out.

"Our little brother is home!"

Kael barely had time to turn before Selene rushed at him, embracing him just as fiercely.

Tears fell freely between them as she clung to him, her warmth grounding him in reality.

"Idiot," she murmured. "Do you know how much we worried?"

Kael exhaled, his grip on her tightening. "I'm sorry… I'm really sorry."

{{Valor Town – Streets}}

By the time the emotional reunion ended, Cassian stood before the gathered crowd.

His voice carried across the town. "My once-missing brother has returned!"

The cheers erupted like thunder.

Kael looked around, feeling the weight of it all. The people… his people… they were happy.

As the commotion settled, Garrett and Freya approached. Unlike Selene and their mother, their faces were calm, unreadable.

But Kael knew them.

The flicker of relief in their eyes, the way their shoulders loosened slightly… they were glad.

Garrett clapped him on the shoulder. "You're alive."

Kael grinned. "Tch. You doubted me?"

Freya folded her arms, smirking. "You're still standing. That means you didn't disgrace our name."

Kael chuckled. "Glad to know you missed me."

But beneath their teasing words, he felt it.

The unspoken relief.

And something else.

They could feel it.

His aura had changed.

{{Valor Manor – Evening}}

Kael walked through the grand halls, greeted by servants and maids who once whispered about him behind his back.

Some had treated him as the mischievous, prankster son. Others had dismissed him as the weakest of the family.

But tonight, they looked at him differently.

With respect.

As he entered the dining hall, his mother cupped his face, eyes scanning him worriedly.

"You look thin," Kael murmured.

His mother frowned. "You're one to talk."

She sighed, wiping away her lingering tears. "But never mind that. Are you alright? What happened to you?"

Cassian raised a hand. "We'll have a feast tonight. Let him eat first, then we can talk."

Kael nodded, appreciating the gesture.

But before the feast began, he turned to his brothers and sisters.

"Where's Father?"

A pause.

Cassian, Garrett, and Freya exchanged glances.

The same thought passed between them.

They had sensed it too.

Kael was different. His aura… his presence… had changed.

Garrett finally answered. "He's hunting monsters. Keeping the kingdom safe."

Kael frowned. "Even now?"

Freya sighed. "You know how he is."

Kael nodded, though part of him wished he could see his father immediately.

{{Dining Hall – Feast}}

The feast began, the dining table filled with dishes Kael had missed dearly.

Between bites, he began telling his story.

How he was snatched by a Wyvern.

How he was saved by a man.

How he was trained for months.

Then, he said his name.

"Lucien."

The reaction was instant.

Cassian and Garrett stiffened. Freya's glass nearly slipped from her hand.

Selene was the first to speak, eyes wide.

"Lucien?" she repeated. "You mean Lucien the legendary Aura Warrior?"

Kael blinked. "Wait… you know him?"

Selene nodded. "Not just me. Everyone does."

She took a breath, explaining.

"Lucien is said to be one of the strongest swordsmen in the world. Some claim he's a warrior who has long surpassed his limits. His aura… it is said to shine like a brilliant silver."

Kael's grip tightened around his fork.

So his master was that well-known?

Cassian exhaled, leaning back. "Well… that explains it."

Kael frowned. "Explains what?"

Garrett smirked. "Your change."

Freya crossed her arms. "Your aura. It's different. Stronger. Now we know why."

Kael chuckled, rubbing the back of his neck. "Well… I guess I had a good teacher."

Cassian nodded. "Good. Then tomorrow, we'll see just how much you've improved."

Kael met his brother's gaze. "You want to spar?"

Cassian smirked. "Unless you're afraid?"

Kael grinned. "Not a chance."

{{Kael's Room – Night}}

After the feast, Kael entered his old room.

He stood there for a moment, taking it all in.

The familiar scent of wood.

The moonlight filtering through the windows.

The bed he once thought he'd never see again.

"…I'm really home."

Then—

A warm presence.

A tight embrace.

Kael stiffened. "Sylvia?"

The maid buried her face into his chest. "You're alive…"

Kael hesitated, then patted her back. "I'm fine."

Sylvia nodded, then quickly stepped away, her cheeks red. "I-I'm sorry!"

She bowed and excused herself, leaving Kael slightly bewildered.

But before he could dwell on it, a soft knock came from the door.

Kael turned.

His mother.

She entered, closing the door behind her.

She sat beside him, brushing his hair back like she used to when she was worried for him.

"Are you really alright?" she whispered.

Kael smiled. "Yeah, Mom. I am."

Tears formed in her eyes again, but she quickly wiped them away.

She exhaled, standing. "Then rest, my son. You're home."

Kael watched her leave, then lay back on his bed.

He closed his eyes.

For the first time in months…

He slept in his room, inside his home, surrounded by the people he love..