Ava strode toward the gates of Athens, the ogre's head slung over her shoulder. Her band of soldiers marched behind her, battered but victorious, their spears held proudly erect. They passed beneath the high arch of the city's gateway and proceeded along the crowded main street. Men, women and children looked up and, recognizing Ava, began to cheer. Ava ignored the jubilant bystanders and kept up a steady pace, her stony gaze fixed on the road ahead.

“Now for the difficult part,” she muttered under her breath.

Drawn by the cheering, more and more people flocked to see the hero of Athens and soon Ava was being followed by a large, excited and ever-growing crowd. Ahead of her, citizens stepped out of their homes to throw coins, flowers and handfuls of grain at her feet.

“Hail Ava, the ogre slayer!” cried a man in the crowd and the cheer was soon taken up by dozens of others.

Eventually, and with a massive crowd at her back, Ava arrived at her destination: The Agora. Located on a high hill in the center of Athens, the Agora was a large open space where markets and meetings were held. Around its perimeter were numerous buildings, some housing shops while others were used by the city council. Ava couldn’t help smiling as she saw Alydynes, the elected ruler of Athens, standing at the edge of the Agora, waiting to greet her with a smile on his wrinkled face. The crowd behind her fell quiet as Ava walked up and stood before the consul. She held up the ogre’s head, then knelt and laid it at Alydynes’ feet.

“I thank you, Ava, daughter of Aven and Heros,” Alydynes said, still smiling. “All of Athens thanks you for ridding us of this beast.”

“I am honored to serve my beloved city,” Ava replied simply, still kneeling.

The crowd broke into roars of applause, clapping and cheering. “Hail Ava the ogre-slayer! Champion of Athena! Savior of Athens!”

Ava was about to rise and depart when a clear voice broke through the clamor. “Ava for consul!”

The cheer was taken up by the whole crowd. “Ava for consul! Ava for consul!”

Seeing the look of shock on Ava’s face, Alydynes raised his hands and shouted above the crowd. “Peace! Peace, people of Athens! Our hero wishes to return home and take a well-deserved rest, so let her depart in peace.”

Heeding the consul’s words, the crowd began to disperse; though slowly and somewhat reluctantly.

Ava rose to her feet and gave the old man a grateful smile. “Thank you, Alydynes.”

“No need,” he replied kindly. “It’s not easy being a hero. So many expectations.”

Ava glanced over her shoulder to see Narsus and the other soldiers waiting nearby. She gave Alydynes a brusque salute before turning and hurrying to rejoin her soldiers. As Ava ran up, she noticed the foul look on Meramis’ face. The woman fixed Ava with an angry stare, causing a short, uncomfortable silence.

“They could've spared some praise for us!” Meramis broke out angrily. “And what of our comrades who fell in battle? I don’t hear anyone cheering for them.”

“I couldn’t agree more,” Ava replied with a wry smile.

“Oh, you’re so full of humility,” drawled Meramis, ignoring the disapproving looks from her fellow soldiers.

“Just be glad she didn’t accept the promotion to captain,” Narsus put in flatly, “then you’d be screwed; talking like that to a superior officer.”

“And you can shut your pedantic face,” snapped Meramis before storming off without another word.

Ava sighed wearily, then looked around at the remaining soldiers.

“You all performed excellently today,” she told them. “Go get some rest.”

The group dispersed as they left the Agora and headed for their barracks.

“Meramis’ behavior was unacceptable,” Narsus said as he and Ava walked together through the streets. “Don’t let it get to you, she just wishes she…”

“You don't have to tell me, Narsus,” Ava replied tiredly. “Look, I  wish she were in my place as much as she does. Anyone would be better suited to this role than me.”

“Ava, you’re a hero,” Narsus insisted, “and well worthy of such a title. Of all the people, I’m glad you’re the one gifted with superhuman power.”

“It’s just that I don’t want to be a hero,” complained Ava. “I may have superhuman strength but when it comes to acting like a hero it’s just that, an act. First, I face the adoring crowd, then someone like Meramis comes up and tells me exactly what I’m thinking: why don’t they give me a break and let someone else have the spotlight? Does anyone actually care how I  feel about being a hero?”

“I do,” Narsus replied quietly.

Ava glanced at her friend, feeling comforted by his kind smile. She smiled and shook her head.

“I'm sorry, Narsus,” she said apologetically.

“You don't need to be, I understand. If it were me, I'd just tell people how I felt instead of playing along with them.”

“I don't know why but I feel like being the ‘hero of Athens’ is as much a part of my duty as defending my city from its enemies. That’s why I put up with all this nonsense.”

“If you don’t have too much work tonight, would you like to take a relaxing walk along the seaside,” Narsus suggested with a warm smile.

“That would be wonderful, Narsus,” Ava replied gratefully, “thank you.”

“You're welcome,” Narsus said as they arrived at the barracks, “you deserve a break.”