Myriad Futures (Part One)

Pale took the sealed missive with both hands. 

He stared down at it in thought, slowly comprehending Tycon's order and all the implications it carried. 

"But... we're supposed to be the champions of this Realm," he said. 

Tycon shook his head, "As a Hero, you are champion to all Realms. And considering the circumstances of ours, your efforts would only be wasted here."

"...I don't understand," Pale said. "I... I can't..."

The young man placed his left palm over his mouth. 

It seemed he was still shocked. 

--though, it really shouldn't have been such a surprise. 

Despite Pale's appearance as a half-Elven adult, he was still a child. 

All of them-- they were all children. 

Proper children were supposed to be frolicking in fields, training to join the army, or learning elaborate dances in order to attract a mate. 

--perhaps even all three, at once.