The small town sits quietly in the moonlight. Sounds only came from the creatures rustling in the forest to the east. A cool blue light bathed the town, with only the small flickers of torches lighting the streets. The orange glow danced against the blue, fighting across the walls, across the dirt roads, across the conventional night. In a matter of seconds, the orange won.

A large explosion erupted from the east. Trees burning in the forest and now in the town when flaming logs crashed into the wall and nearby homes. Young Jack shoots out of bed at the sound of the explosion. He stares out his window at the fire spreading in the distance, until his father burst into the room grabbing him by the arm and tossing him onto his shoulder. Dragged out, barely seeing through the blanket he was draped in. Smoke still found a way to his nose and water streamed from his eyes. The feeling of his skin getting warmer frightened him, but the sound of everything around him was by far the scariest. The sound of the initial explosion was nothing compared to the fright of townsfolk running, the loud commands as people tried to take control of the situation. Jack didn't know fire itself could crackle so loud.

His dad placed him on the street, and turned back to see his house was joining the orange. "Stay here. I am going back for your mom!" his dad exclaimed while already running into the burning building.

"Nooooo! Dad!" Jack screamed as a hand had held him back. "Help! Someone help. Help please! Get him back! Anyone! Please."

"It's too dangerous." Arms wrapped around his shoulder and pulled him back. A long paused followed the deep breath. "We aren't heroes. He will be okay."

Jack didn't know who was holding him, but his eyes were glued to the wooden walls of their home, just waiting on his dad to burst through the flames. He didn't expect to see it come crashing down first.

***

Jack's eyes flew open, and he was already sitting up in his bed. Hands gripping the mattress ends as tight as he can, sweat running down his forehead. It was the same nightmare that haunted him many times in the past but hadn't plagued him in a while. He wondered if anything special was going to happen today, anything good, really hoping it wasn't an omen. A chill shook him from thought, followed by a deep breath. His eyes shift to the window, a clear blue sky. The little salamander scuttled across the window ledge before it spit fire onto a mantis, swallowing the roasted insect. Jack stretched his arms and takes one last deep breath. The sound of the town is bustling. Another day begins and it looks to be a beautiful one.

Jack hurried through his morning routine and rushes down the stairs. He moved quickly through the house only to come to a sudden halt. Turning to his left, he lights an incense next to the one already burning. He clasped his hands together and bowed his head in front of a painting of his mother. He smiled and continues out to the workhouse. The clanking of metal is already at work.

"Dad, did you eat?" Jack exclaimed while bursting the door open. His father sat at the anvil in his wheelchair pounding the red-hot metal into shape.

"Yea and I left some on the table for you," his dad replies as he looked up to see his son smiling with the toasted bread hanging from his mouth.

"Just making sure."

Jack tied a blue cloth across his forehead to stop the wild brown hair from overtaking his face. He slid on black knee height boots over his black pants. The blue long sleeve shirt that was folded before his elbows, revealing a black undershirt running to his wrist, was his chosen outfit. He was slim without much muscle, but it made sense given his mornings normally started out with two slices of toast if he had any at all.

"What is the order of the day?" Jack questions as he picks up a wooden box from the corner.

"Just the weapon and armour we finished repairing has to go to the camp. When you get back, we will finish the work for the tavern."

"Don't strain yourself old man. I'll be back in a minute."

***

Jack quickly ran through the town dodging townsfolk and obstacles with grace. The soft dirt forcing him to drive every step into the ground just a bit harder. The jingle of metal on metal as his cart of crafts fought every micro hill and valley on his path.

"Mr. Sidra!" the voice boomed across the sky. Jack tumbled to the ground, his shoulders tensed up as he sits there contemplating if to run off. He dreaded turning to face the creature that tried to get his attention, Mrs. Nevadere, standing on the porch of her building. She was a tiny, frail old woman that was always hunched back and only stood a couple feet off the ground, but that little body contained the voice of the thunderstorm when ready, and the look on her face explained a storm was coming. He wondered what could have gotten her upset this morning. He prayed it wasn't about the books he was supposed to return weeks ago. "Don't worry I am not calling for you about the books you haven't returned yet," she said to a shocked Jack. Older people really understand things.

"Mrs. Nevadere, you startled me." Jack put his cart to the side and walked up the stairs. "How can I help?"

"Sorry sorry," Mrs. Nevadere said, slowly creeping beside him with her walking stick guiding her. "Where are you off to today?"

They walked into one of the larger buildings in the town. Jack's shoulders finally relaxed as he smelled the old pages of the books lining the shelves. The fragrance was a mix of dust and vanilla, and it always caused his lips to curl into a smile. Today there was also the smell of ink drying in the air. Mrs. Nevadere was probably transcribing documents moments before.

"A trip to the military base is on the schedule for today."

"Miserable soldiers. I say it every day, but it has already been 6 years and they do nothing but walk around entitled. The rotten Sovalan Empire and their strict governance have drained the small villages for too long. A bunch of leeches they are, and I am stuck here writing reports on their exaggerated heroics. If I was in my prime, I would have driven them out of this town already," Mrs. Nevadere said. Her fist and head shake in sync.

"Now now Mrs. Nevadere, they aren't harming anyone really, and they have their hunting parties to fend off dangerous animals. I think it is pretty heroic. Also, our ledgers have been growing greatly since they came to this town," Jack replied. He had a wicked smile on his face while rubbing his palms together.

The old woman gasped before scuttling backwards in a dramatic show of fear. "Have you turned to the dark side Jack? What would your kind mother think if she saw this?" she said as she whacked him across the head with her cane.

"Join me Mrs. Nevadere. We can be villains together." Jack continued on, slowly walking forward in a menacing fashion.

Mrs. Nevadere dropped the act and her face sunk. She was lost in thought for a moment. "She really was a sunlight that always shined across this town, and you remind me so much of her. It's already been 11 years since she left us." Jack dropped the act as his cheeks glowed red. "Uh hmm. Speaking of that compassion, I called you in because I want you to drop these books to Mr. Ace. He asked for them, but they weren't here until today and we both know that I can't climb that hill, and well you know the townsfolk wont. Please and thank you Mr. Sidra."

"Excuse me." A strange soft voice from outside the door caught their ears. The door slowly creaked open to a girl with dark ashen grey hair tied in a bun with one clump gracefully falling over the left side of her face. She wore strange clothing, something that looked like it took time to craft, but the strangest artifact was the seven-point star that pinned her other bang from mirroring the other side. Her eyes were sharp, but didn't seem dangerous, and a deep violet iris sat in the centre of them. "I am sorry for the intrusion. I would just like to ask a few questions if you two can spare the time."

"Enter dear." Mrs. Nevadere welcomed and pulled out a chair. "What can we do for you Miss—"

"Stella, my name is Stella madam," she said while bowing and quickly taking a seat. She reached into a small bag draped at her side. "I was wondering if you have seen anyone who looks like this." She held out a sketch of a younger her. Mrs. Nevadere and Jack closely examined the paper and Stella.

"No Miss I can't say I have," Mrs. Nevadere said. Stella shifted her gazed to Jack.

"Ummmm... I haven't. I am really sorry. She looks like you and I don't think any grey hair traveller has passed through this town recently," Jack nervously responded. His eyes darting back and forth, afraid to see her eyes display disappointment.

"Well." Stella chuckled awkwardly. Her sight was unable to fall on anything. "I don't know if she really looks like this, but anyone even slightly resembling would be a big hint. Please send a message to this address if you see anything."

"How do you not know what they look like?" Mrs. Nevadere questioned. Stella's eyes dropped, and Jack's elbow nudge almost toppled the old lady.

"I just know her name is Luna. She is my sister. Four years younger than me. We were split up not long after she was born...after our parents died, and I heard she was taken by bad people." The tone is Stella's voice changed. She blankly looked upwards at the stack of books. "I don't know if she is doing well or what is going on or if anyone told her she has a sister, but I really want to see her."

Stella paused to see Mrs. Nevadere and Jack eyes glistening with tears and their bottom lips almost swallowed their noses. They were holding each other's hands and simultaneously mumbled about how incredibly tragic that must be.

"It is a bit of a sad story, huh?" Stella softly said in a tone that seemed to comfort them.

"Mhm." The pair shook their head.

"I got a bit carried away. I'm really sorry, today just felt like a reminder of how difficult the task might be but have no fear!" Her finger pointed to the sky and her eyes stared off to the distance with confidence, but it didn't take long before they softened once again. "I will find her. I have to. I really appreciate your time, and I apologise for the long story." Stella took a stand and headed for the door. "Don't forget me please!"

"I hope you find her!" Mrs. Nevadere bellowed in her gorilla monster voice, this time with a slight tremble. Stella backed away with an awkward grin. The door shut.

"That must be terrifying. There are scary people in this world." Jack looked at piece of paper Stella left. "I wish I could have helped her."

"That sounds like you." Mrs. Nevadere collected the books and handed them to Jack. "You know...there are heroes in the world as well. She will find her sister."