Chapter 6: Birth of the New Hero

"The life of inner peace, being harmonious and without stress, is the easiest type of existence." -Norman Vincent Peale

__________________________

|ROLAND|

Now just where in the world are we? My wife and I were sent by Brother Michael to an unknown forest, but it seems peaceful here. I don't sense any danger.

"Hey Dear, where do you think we are?" Hmm... Even I want to know that. Brother Michael says that this is a vacation but I don't see how this makes one.

"Even I have no idea, shall we take a walk?"

She agreed to my suggestion and the two of us walk hand in hand.

Damn, this is our first day as husband and wife! I'm getting nervous for some reasons!

"Are you okay? You're sweating." I touched my forehead and noticed a few drops of sweats that made me feel embarrassed.

Why am I reacting this way?! This is degrading for a Hero such as myself!

"I-I'm just a bit nervous. This is our first day as a married couple after all." She just chuckled and hold unto my arm tightly.

"Calm down okay? It's just me, no need to feel embarrassed, I'm your wife afterall." God... Thank you for allowing me to be the husband of such a kind lady like Azrael...

"You're right. Let's keep going."

We walk for a few miles and noticed a log cabin near the river. We take a look at it and saw a signage at the door of the cabin.

"What does it say?" I took the sign board and read it to her.

"It says here that, 'this cabin is yours, enjoy your time together.' I think it's from Brother Michael. I can feel a bit of his divine presence in this cabin."

"Is that so? Shall we go in?" I nod at her and before we could enter, I noticed a magic circle at the door. Maybe they sealed it so noone could enter except us.

As the two of us entered the house, I felt a strong amount of divine magic. It seems like they blessed this house for us, it's fully furnished and peaceful here. I also saw a map and where this cabin is located, it's area is not small, but just big enough of one family, I wish I could thank them enough for this wonderful gift.

"So what shall we do now? It's getting dark." I looked at my wife who's standing beside the table with her hands in her waist.

We still haven't eaten yet since we came here so, I think I'll look for food first.

"Why don't we go outside and light a fire? Then I'll look for some food. We can even sleep there if you want." Yes, it might be weird but camping outside isn't so bad right?

"Sure let's do that. I also want to enjoy the starry sky with you tonight." She said then smile at me. Her smile never fails to amaze me, it's as beautiful as the Orion stars.

She went out first while I carry the cushion, pillows, and blanket that was in the bed and take it outside for us to use later.

Instead of hunting, I decided to fish near the river instead, it's faster that way and it's easier to cook.

After I manage to catch some fishes, I skewer them with the sticks I made and place it near the fire and wait for them to be cooked.

While we are eating, she looked at the fish she's eating as if she's reminiscing.

"This is just like the first time we met, huh?" She asked out of the blue. Well she's correct, we did this when we first met.

"Yeah, that time, I still can't believe that you're an Angel."

"And now, we're a married couple." I can't help but to smile. Even I didn't expect to be married to one of the greatest beings in the world.

"You're right."

She leaned her head on my shoulders while our hands intertwined. I took a deep breathe and look at the bright moon, and wished for this day to last forever.

"I wish we could stay like this forever." I kissed her forehead and squish her hands a bit.

"Worry not Azrael, I will protect our peace." Though she is stronger than me, it's still my duty to protect this world and her.

"And I'll be the one to protect you." I stared at her deep emerald eyes. It's like a vacuum forcing me to draw near her.

"Hey, what do you think about having a half angel half human child?" She chuckled a bit and winked at me while showing her seductive smile.

"Want to give it a try?"

She lean towards me even more and pushed me in the cushion. A feisty one isn't she?

"I'll accept your offer, Mr.Hero."

I hold her face and a deep kiss connects both of our lips. I feel so hot. My heart is racing and I'm starting to loose control. I just go with the flow, and let both of our bodies express our feelings...

*Few months later*

"9,996... 9,997... 9,998... 9,999... 10,00!" Damn! That was tiring! I finally finished my daily training routine after swinging my sword 10,000 times!

I wiped my sweat and drink some water. There's no mission for me this past few days, I wonder when will I fight again.

"Right, time to improve my magic power-"

"Ro-kun! You idiot son of mine, where are you!?" Why in the world is Father shouting like a mad man? It's so early in the morning!

Well, I have no other choice but to respond to his call or I'll receive another senseless beating.

"What is it Fath-Ouch! What was that for!?" Why the hell did he just smack me?! I still haven't done anything wrong!

"Your wife is giving birth, you fool! Hurry up and look for a midwife!" Oh she's just giving birth-

"She's giving birth!? Why didn't you tell me earlier!" Damn! What am I supposed to do!?

"Don't worry Azrael, I'm coming!"

I quickly run to where Azrael is, and I saw her laying in our bed looking like she's-wait? Why is she so relaxed? I thought she's giving birth?

"My wife, I thought you're giving birth? Father is panicking." She looked at me with her innocent looking face as she continues to eat some nuts.

"Yes, I'm giving birth. I told father not to panic though. Have your found a midwife yet?" For someone who's giving birth, she's so calm like it was nothing. As expected of my wife.

"Oh, I'll look look for one."

"Faster! I'm excited to see our child!"

"R-R-Right away, my wife." She's crazy... I, too am excited to see our child but, is that what giving birth supposed to look like?

Instead of thinking about it, I just looked for a midwife in the capital and take her with me. After a few minutes, we arrived at our house, so I asked the midwife to assist my wife on giving birth.

I watched as my wife give birth to our child. To be perfectly honest, I think I'm even more nervous than my wife who's giving birth right now, I'm sweating like crazy as if I trained for a whole week without stopping.

After a few moments, I heard a soft crying voice coming from my and Azrael's child. I didn't even realize that my tears are falling from my eyes nonstop...

I... I am... I am a father now...

My tears began to flow even harder, I can't control it anymore...

"Congratulations, it's a healthy baby boy." The midwife said and hand over our child to my wife.

"Come here, Dear. Look at our son." Said my wife who's also in tears due to happiness.

I kneel beside them and let my son grab my finger. His hands is so small. I... I don't know what to say...

"Welcome to the world my little one..." I kissed his forehead and looked at my wife. "Thank you, Azrael." I said and kissed her in the forehead too.

"What would be his name?" Father asked. I still haven't think about it, but it must be something special.

My wife hold my hand as smiled at me. "His name would be what his father is fighting for all this time. Peace, honor, truth, and valor... his name would be."

"Shin Sasaki."

__________________________

*Thirteen years later*

|SHIN|

"Come on son! Your guard is wide open!" Urgh! Dad is indeed super strong! As expected of the Hero of the Light!

"Hold back a bit, Dad! Are you trying to kill your own son!?" He's swinging his sword like there was no tomorrow! Does he think I can handle his brute strength?!

"Worry not my son! A wooden sword won't be able to kill you!" And he still has the guts to laugh after swinging his sword at me without even holding back!? Does he know how many times I thought I was going to die because of the force coming from his strikes!?

Since when I was seven years old, I've been learning swordsmanship under Dad and Gramps' guidance. The both of them are strong and I learned a lot from their teachings, Uncle Lionheart also teaches me whenever he's around and he's pretty strong too! I learned a lot from him.

But when it comes to magic, Mom is my mentor, she's strong when it comes to magic manipulation, and she's atleast a hundred times scarier than Dad. Despite having a beautiful face, she's very ruthless.

I still can remember back when I was ten. She got mad at me and Dad for coming home late because of training without eating dinner, not to mention our clothes are very dirty. When Dad saw Mom, he was covered in sweat and his knees are shaking because of fear. Even I thought I was about to pee on my pants when she started shouting and scolding us while her right hand is on fire and the other is frozen. Me and Dad thought we're about to be cooked and then frozen to death.

To be honest, Mom is still a mystery to me, she's strong and I wonder how did she manage to become that strong. I asked Dad, uncle Lionheart, and gramps about it but they said Mom is special. They also said that I have more uncles and aunties on my Mom's side but they're all busy at the moment.

My little sister, Aria, is also learning magic from Mom but she said she's not interested on holding a sword yet she wants to learn how to handle a spear, so Mom is also the one who teaches her that. Dad said that Mom is also strong when it comes to those kinds of weapons.

Me and dad continued to spar for a few minutes when he said that we should take a break. At last! I can rest my body even for a moment!

The two of us sit on the ground but I was the only one catching me breathe! Damn it! It looks like I'm the only one who's out of breathe! Dad is indeed strong, it pisses me off! But I still love and respect him very much.

"You're getting stronger aren't you? You can't still land a hit on me but you're getting there." I looked up and took a deep breathe.

"I still got a long ways to go though."

"Come on son, you'll get there soon. You've got much more potential than I do. Maybe someday, you'll become a fine hero just like me, or even better." He said and gave me a big and warm smile. My old man is not just strong, but also has a big heart, I wish I could be like him someday.

"Dad, how did you become strong? What does it mean to become a hero?"

He just looked at me with a smile and messed my head.

"You know what son? Being a hero is not as simple as it looks. It takes courage, strength, pride, and most importantly, Love." He said and show me the crest of the hero that was carved in his shoulders.

"This is the crest of the hero. This is the proof that you have what it takes to shoulder the duties and responsibilities to become one. Strength isn't the only thing that makes a hero strong, you must have this." He added and pointed at my chest.

"Love will always be your guide so you won't be astray. Wield your sword for justice. Honor, love, and justice will sharpen your sword. Because if you wield it for revenge, hatred, anger, and wrath, it will become dull and you will loose sight on what is right."

His words carved deep into my soul. I will live by the sword, the way my father told me. He will be my inspiration and determination to become a great Hero.

"Come, let's eat before your mother gets angry again, it'll be a hell to pay when she gets pissed." I chuckled a bit because it might indeed happen.

"Let's go, Dad, Mom is scary when she's mad."

__________________________

|ROLAND|

"Are you sure that's your final decision, Dear?" Azrael asked while she's resting her head in my arms.

"Yes my wife, I think it's time for me to let go of my status and live a peaceful life with you, father, Aria, and Shin."

I've already decided to retire as this country's hero, I think I've already fulfilled my duty for the Kingdom of Enthopia. I'll leave everything in the hands of the future generation.

Shin is still not strong enough to become the next hero, he still needs to grow. And I also decided that it's time for me to withdraw in the battlefield and live a peaceful life with my family.

"If that's what you want, then I won't stop you. Just remember that I will always be by your side." My heart always feels at ease whenever Azrael say those words, I know I can always count on her.

"Thank you my wife, tomorrow, I'll ask for the King's presence, and ask for retirement."

"I see... Then we should take a rest now, you have to wake up early tomorrow. Goodnight." She said and kissed me before going to bed.

Peaceful life after retirement, huh? I'm looking forward to it...

__________________________

End of Chapter 6.