“George, we’re out of firewood. You and your dad need to collect some today, ya hear?” 

A boy no older than 17, wiped the sweat from his forehead with the towel around his neck. His stiff dirty blonde hair pointed, unbothered by gravity. 

“Yeah ok- I mean, yes, I’ll get right to it. I just need—”

“George! I need some help!”

The young man paused, his eyelids pressed tightly together for a moment.

“In a minute, Anna—”

“George, could you help me out with this bucket? My arms hurt.”

“Can’t you just-” George caught himself. “I’ll be right there, Ash.” He answered, defeated.

The house was chaotic. Everyone was doing something and there wasn’t a moment of rest. But for them, this was the norm. For them, this was life. But the busiest among them all was a lanky 17 year old boy named George. Be it good natured or plain stupidity, George could never say no to those who asked for his help. 

George was running here and there, helping his younger sister, Anna with the pig pen, and immediately rushing to help carry the wooden buckets overflowing with water. 

Still, he did it all without complaint. 

“Now, since when were you kids old enough to be bossing around your older brother like this? George already has enough on his plate, ya hear?” Stated a man who looked like the splitting image of the three siblings. Or the three siblings were the splitting image of him.

“Yes dad…” Both of them said unanimously, in a lax sort of way since both of them also knew that they wouldn’t really be punished if they did it again.

“Now, where’s my welcoming hug from my lovely, c’mere you.” The man said as he lifted the woman who also closely resembled the three siblings. Or the other way around. 

“Put me down, Richard!” She said indignantly, her face flushed pink. “I demand you to put me down at once! Ya hear?!!”

“And I promise I won’t until a kiss is planted on my face, ya hear?” He replied, teasing her to no end. 

Against her will or she secretly also wanted it. The woman planted a quick kiss on her husband’s cheek and then immediately covered her face mumbling. 

“I swear, it’s been twenty years and you’re still pulling stuff like this.”

The man must have heard her since he immediately let out a hearty laugh. Gently letting her down from his arms. 

“Can you blame me? Joan? I feel like I’m the luckiest man alive.” He exclaimed proudly.

“Now,” he paused, sounding serious all of a sudden. “What’s this about firewood? Didn’t we have enough?”

“We’re already in the autumn, you numbskull.” She said, slapping her husband’s arm, her ears still bright red.

“Oh…” He paused again. “I suppose you’re right!” He let out another hearty laugh. “What would I do without you?”

“Starve and die, now go, hurry, shoo, get going before it gets dark, you big oaf!”

It wasn’t long before father and son took off for the forest. The yellow and red leaves crunched under their feet as they walked the beaten path. The critters of the forest had already begun singing their songs. The earthy smell of decaying leaves mingled with the crisp, cool air of autumn winds. 

On the way, they passed a merchant caravan heading to their village. Carts full of things George could only imagine. Important carriages were accompanied by knights riding beside them on horseback. And then there were those in the rear. People bearing the emblem of the adventurer’s guild. A triangle etched with the images of an eye, a heart, and a fist. 

The city must be filled with loads of them. People who travel all across Leonis. Imagine the stories they must have.

George never brought it up, nor was he ever going to, but he had always hoped that one day, he would be able to visit the city. His birthday was coming up soon and Dad promised he would take him to the city once he’s a man. 18 years is more than old enough to be considered a man right?

“Merchants, am I right? They think we don’t know that they are ripping us off. Still, something is better than nothing so there’s that.” George’s dad went on.

“I mean, what makes them think they could sell us, hard working village folk junk that couldn’t be sold in those big fancy cities? Well, folks in the city could read and write, and well, they are better looking than us but you know what they say. Don’t judge a book by its cover-”

“What’s wrong son? You look like you’ve got a lot on your mind. Want to talk about it?”

“No.” George said plainly. “I’m just tired. I could eat too.”

There was another long pause. George knew his dad wasn’t buying it but what else could he do? Tell him that he wants to visit the city and leave the world he knew behind? He can’t do that, it’s his duty as the eldest to always be there no matter how tiring it gets. 

Eventually, the father and son duo finished collecting as much firewood as they could carry. They were just about to head back when George heard the faintest sound of a woman’s voice followed by a loud thud. 

“Dad, did you hear that?”

“Hear what?” His father looked at him with a puzzled expression. 

“I heard a woman.”

“A woman? Around these parts? You’re scaring your old man, George.” He laughed a little but stopped seeing his son’s serious expression. “You’re serious?”

George nodded.

“Someone might need help, I’ve got to-”

“Wait, George, something isn’t right.”

“So? We can’t just leave someone out here. You taught me that we should always help those in need.”

“I know son, I know but… I’ve just got a bad feeling about this.”

“That’s it? Someone might be seriously hurt and you’re just going to leave them because of a gut feeling?”

“Look, we’ll come back later. I’ll ask around and see if anyone might be up for searching.”

“No.” George dropped the bundle of sticks cradled in his arms. “Someone needs help and I can’t just leave them.”

George took off. He knew the forest like the back of his hand. He could save her. He could be a hero. He’s got what it takes. He isn’t like the docile villagers. He isn’t like the old fools who gave up on their dreams. He belonged in the city. He’s meant to be a hero like the adventurers. 

As George ran deeper into the woods. The pungent smell of burned leaves wafted his nose. The trees were bent and broken in all sorts of ways. As if something huge had crashed down. 

His heart began to beat with excitement. 

‘This must be what an adventure felt like.’ He thought. 

His thoughts began to blur as he jumped and navigated through the foliage. He could feel his heart beating in his throat as sweat began to pour out into his wool tunic. 

He had never felt so alive.

What would he say when he rescues the poor lady?

‘Don’t worry ma’am, it’s going to be alright now.’ 

No, that wasn’t it. 

‘Fear not, your savior is here.’

That’s too much. 

‘You called for a hero?’

Yes, that’s the ticket. That’s a cool thing to say right?

George continued to think of cool things to say, once he saved the lady. Who knows, it could become his catchphrase if, no, when he becomes a hero. 

George ran and ran until he found himself in a clearing lit up the starlit night and the rocky lunar moon.

He had got so caught up in his head that he didn’t even consider a plan. The best thing he could think of right now was. 

“Hello?” He blurted out into the darkness. 

“Don’t fear ma’am, you called for a hero?” He declared boldly into the woods only to be met with a hoot from an owl. 

Right. What was he expecting? He had probably just imagined the woman’s voice and the loud… thud. 

‘Hang on…’ 

This clearing was unnatural. Everything was charred and burnt to a crisp. How could… No, what could even do this?

Before he could finish that thought. He found himself staring face to face with two large slanted red eyes, hovering in the darkness. It blinked as he blinked. It then rose 7 feet, no 8, no 9, wait 10?!!

It continued to rise until its head peaked over trees where he could clearly make the distinct outline of a huge scaly lizard. Wait, that's… it couldn’t be. They are just myths. Surely he was just hallucinating. 

But on the off chance, he was of sound mind which he probably wasn’t, he could have sworn that was a… dragon. 

“A human?” Its voice boomed effortlessly. 

George’s stomach did a lurch as the dragon broke into a toothy grin.