Aulus

The day I became "me" was the day I almost died. I was just a cub back then, trying to survive on my own in the Lantis Mountains. When the howls of demons tore through the night, there was nowhere to run, so I curled up and awaited death. That is, until a roaring flame cut through the darkness, revealing the hero who saved me—Aulus. With the War Axe on his shoulder, and his mane burning as hot as his temper, his roar was fiercer than any demon. With one swing of his axe, he smashed those demons to pieces before they could even make a sound. No fancy tricks, no hesitation. He just fought. After it was all over, he escorted me back to the Gleaming Marsh. On the way, I kept looking at that War Axe. I even tried to lift it once, but it wouldn't budge at all. I was expecting to be laughed at, but he just glanced over and said this: You'll be able to lift this War Axe when you've become a hero. Deal. Later, I found a stone and fashioned it into my own axe. It was crude, but at least I could swing it. At first, the Leonin warriors thought I was crazy—this cub running around all day with a stone axe, growling, and trying to set his fur on fire to look like Aulus. It never worked out. All I managed to do was singe my hair off a few times. The elders told me to take it easy, but I didn't listen. I dragged them to spar with me whether they wanted to or not. One, two... ten... Eventually, the lecturing stopped because no one could beat me anymore. But winning against them felt empty. What I really wanted was to hear Aulus say was: You've become a hero. So, I left the Gleaming Marsh to prove myself to Aulus.

When I saw Aulus again in the Lantis Mountains, I couldn't believe my eyes. He was retreating from the front lines with a group of villagers. When he saw me, there was no joy in his eyes. You shouldn't have come here. The village had already been overrun by demons. Instead of fighting, he was leading the people away from the battle. This was not the Aulus I knew, the one who charged into hordes of demons by himself. Are you scared?! I roared at him. Get lost. But I wasn't backing down. If you're still the Aulus I know, then fight me! If I win, the War Axe is mine, and we hack our way back to retake the village! He stared me down, then suddenly grinned. Deal. I got thrashed. When I crawled back up, all I could taste was blood. I shouted at his back: I will be back! He just waved his hand, as if shooing a fly.

To hone myself into a warrior, I retraced Aulus's old path. I nearly froze to death in the biting cold of the Northern Vale, and was buried for three days and nights under the Agelta sandstorms. I have no idea how he managed to survive such conditions. On the battlefield of the Moniyan Empire, my superior officer said I was too green for the front lines, so I flipped his tent. Later, when I pulled him out of a pile of corpses, he couldn't say a word. The veterans in camp told me a Leonin had once done the exact same thing. People kept mentioning Aulus's name along the way. They talked about the countless lives he's saved, about how he transformed from a reckless, lone warrior into a "Guardian of the Border"—I never realized just how many depended on his strength. The burden he carried was heavier than I could imagine. But I can't accept it—not him, but me: I'd been chasing his shadow all along. His answer was his alone. Why should I walk someone else's path? I had to find my own way.

When I returned to the Lantis Mountains, Aulus was gone. This was not the old Abyss, and demons were sweeping across the border. I learned he had stayed behind by himself to cover everyone's retreat. A villager told me he left a message: If that kid comes back, tell him I'm sorry. Sorry? What does he mean "sorry"?! I haven't kicked his butt yet! I haven't shown him that I'm strong enough to wield that axe! How dare he run off to die alone! I grabbed my stone axe and rushed toward the border. When I found him, he was covered in blood, but he had held his ground without giving even a single step. Still fighting, still yelling with that foul temper—his fiery mane burning as bright as ever. As a group of demons charged at him, I came in from the flank, sending my axe into one of their skulls. What are you doing here?! he roared. Shut up! I roared back, even louder. I'm here for our fight! Don't you dare die on me now! I fought with everything I had, but after slaying dozens of demons, my axe finally shattered. Then... I'll use my teeth, my claws... whatever it takes! There's no retreat! This is the path I chose! Catch! A familiar roar tore through the chaos—the War Axe hurdled through the air and right into my hands. The flames burst forth, fiercer than anything I've ever felt. The Leonin crystal on the blade resonated with the rage burning in my chest. Gripping the handle, I felt not just my own rage, but the fighting spirit that had always burned within Aulus. The flames pulsed down my arms. This time, it didn't burn me—my fiery mane roared in the wind, just like Aulus on that night!

By the time the battle was over, it was already day. He walked up and punched me in the chest. It hurt, but I just grinned; that fist felt like it was hammering something home. This axe is too fierce for me; it doesn't suit me anymore, he said. I'm gonna find something else to swing. When I do, I'll come back and beat you. I won't lose. We'll see about that. Later, the border squad arrived to check on Aulus. He sat down against a charred rock, eyes on the burning War Axe in my hand. All that ferocity suddenly vanished, replaced by a look of relief. The road ahead," he said, "I'll leave it to the kid. He didn't give me a chance to speak. He lifted his chin at the departing squad, signaling me to go with them. What are you staring at? Get lost. His tone was fierce, just like when he chased me away back then. But I understood this time. I didn't say another word. I took the axe, turned, and left with the squad.

On the road, Brody asked for my name. I thumped my chest and answered with a roar: Aulus! No, I wasn't trying to be him. That was the name I had given myself that night, when the roaring flame saved a scared cub. Aulus was a hero's name.

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