Please inform me of any particular "plot holes" you may find. I know this is just a fanfic but I like my stories to be accurate, and I don't want people to get confused in any way, really. Sorry if you don't like it, but whatever floats your boat. Also, this will have a sense of "love-triangle" between Sparrow and the only other attractive male characters in the game, Garth and Reaver.

I don't particularly like Reaver, but I think that many people who write fan fiction of him tend to make him out of character. Which seriously pisses me off. =_= Garth has his own problems. Have you found a good romance story featuring him as a love interest? I think not. I read one good one, but before anything could happen—plot twist—Garth kills her believe she's a Spire guard.

… To that particular author, if you're reading this, I have a deep despise for you. _

Enough of this, though. All current characters are owned by Lion Head. I own nothing but the idea of a story.

Chapter One

Sacrifices Were Made

Well, that's the end of the story, isn't it?

Poor little "Sparrow" is left with nothing but the haunting memories of her past and the clothes on her back that conceal the deep scars, left there for reminders of those specific memories.

The scar on her chest would remain forever, to keep that chapter in her life memorable. So she can remember the sight of her dead sister, the sound of Lucien's voice when he stated his apologies. That look in his eye, as our little Sparrow stared into the gun's barrel, terrified and above all traumatized. That little scar marked that particular unfortunate night.

Though, upon leaving Oakfield, she couldn't help but wonder in the end if it was all for the best. Sure, Lucien killed thousands to remake the Spire… but sacrifices were made for a better tomorrow. Then again, Sparrow didn't think kindly to the thought of obeying such a man. In the end, maybe he finally met Helena and Amelia… though with his actions, it's quite doubtful. So many people suffered during the last ten years. So much pain on one person shoulders, so much events. Despite her age, she felt her life was… shorter than it really was.

Well, with the people who once died now roaming about in Albion once more, what was left for little Sparrow…? She didn't have a family left, no wealth at all… Her heart swelled with pain, just as her eyes swelled with hot water. That's right. Her small family that she had, and her little dog as well… They were all dead. How can Reaver live like this? How could he trade a village for his own immortality, especially his wife…

Speaking of "Hero's," wonder how Hammer will adapt to such a dramatic change in life style… Surely Garth is glad to be home… No doubt Reaver is prancing about, trying to snuff out all that amuses and interests him. Strange… Everyone seemed to have a destination, but poor… little… Sparrow.

Where would Sparrow go, with no home to really call "home"? Sure, she could start over. Sparrow could seduce some rich wealthy fool, have him propose and she could settle in his home, but there was a problem… The pain in her chest, it feels like she was taking a third shot from Lucien's pistol. No, it hurt far worse than that, and it was… For when your heart is bleeding with no sign of stopping, you almost wish something could put you out of your agony.

That pain and agony would change into misery and hate…

Sparrow left Oakfield that day, not uttering one word to a soul as she walked an aimless path. What was there left to do? She saw no interest in buying Lucien's castle… She didn't want to go inside. The memories were already fresh in her mind, thanks to her dreams. Besides, she didn't have the money. She didn't have the money to buy any wealthy home anywhere… She didn't want to buy anyone's property. Not even her own property, which her husband and child used to live in.

Drinking was always an option, but she never quite had a taste for it. Eating? No, she didn't know why, but food seemed disgusting to her right now… Never quite one for whores either. It should be between the one you love with all your heart.

That brought a sore ache to her chest as she walked on. She couldn't believe her family was really dead… yet at the same time, hearing it from that devil himself… As if he didn't kill enough people, his hand shot the furry creature that was her companion, through thick and thin. His hands, they destroyed everything they touched… or maybe not. If she could get there before it began to rot, maybe she could burry her old friend's body. A proper burial.

It was that thought that made the sickness inside of her boil over. Little Sparrow fell to her knees, crying into her hands uncontrollably. She was alone in the world. Albion held so much gratitude towards her; yet reviving those who died in the making of the Spire had cost her the option of reviving her family… Her small family, and her companion as well.

"Why?" She thought to herself as she wept. "Why try living? What is there to live for?"

The one reason she got up and walked on, was the fact that she was a hero… even thought she hated being what she was. She didn't know where she belonged. She wanted to go home, but no one was home. There was no place to go to dry her eyes. Everyone she's ever loved… is gone.

She was a hero. The blood ran through her veins. It roared in her ears, and trembled within every fiber of her being. The only way she could die now, is if someone fought her bravely and one. That's the way for warriors, that's the way for Hero's…

As hours turned into days, she came closer to her destination. Bower Lake, where her last closest friend had died. He should get a proper funeral, for everything he's done. Sometimes, little Sparrow ran. She ran in hopes she'd get there before any maggots or monsters did, but soon her legs gave in, and she'd be forced do sleep where she fell… because even If she did have the money for an inn, she wouldn't sleep there anyhow. No, no, she didn't want anyone else to wake up to her sobs and cries. Her pillow would be just as wet as her cheeks by the time morning would come.

She had a lot of time to think as well. For instance; Garth… Would he really come about to seeing her? It was doubtful, because obviously, he wouldn't know where to find her. If she didn't know where she was going, neither would anyone else… except maybe Theresa… but our Sparrow had a strong feeling that no one would be getting visits from her for quite a long while. That would mean, no one would be visiting the little Sparrow for quite a while.

It was so difficult to fight, let alone hold a reason to. When bandits or hobbes or anything of evil nature came about, she was surprised and ambushed… but disregarding all the pain their guns and swords gave her, she did prevail victorious, before walking alone.

Fail. All attempts of "flourishing" fail. Failure wasn't a good friend of hers. She tried to recreate that which Lucien took away from her in the beginning. A family… One middle-classed man, who will remain unnamed, and a little girl who was so young and naïve… So innocent and ready to venture forth into the word, and eager to be like her mother, a hero…

Where did it all begin? That's just what she was asking herself. She knew very well that Lucien, if any luck at all, would remain as a stranger… but no. It began with a music box. No, it began with Rose and her wish to live in the castle. Not only that, but that trader who sturred a crowd with the words "magic." Sparrow remembered quite well.

"There's no such thing as magic."

"We live in grim times indeed, if the young does not believe in magic. Most children your age would believe in it."

Sure, Theresa's eyes were bad, but ignoring that… maybe she knew all along. We should've just used those five gold pieces for food… If only we had done that instead, because it would've been better than just taking that box and getting Lucien's attention. Of all the people in Bowerstone Old Town, it had to be two beggars. It was Theresa who started it, she was the one who planted that seed in Rose's head.

That fateful night… The guards, if they knew what they were doing, they would've kept "Lord Lucien" from murdering innocent lives. Garth would've done the same as well… Then again, a for some reason, something in the back of her mind told little Sparrow that it wasn't so… People say many things, and many people speak lies, and are corrupt… much like Lucien and his promise for a New Kingdom without chaos.

All those years at the Gypsy camp… All the pain she went through, and all the hate that was bottled up inside. She did so much for so many people. Yes, Sparrow's strength was propelled by her pain, and her grief became her Will… but what was to become of her hate that had been mauling over inside? It swarmed inside of her, like a raging sea storm.

Eyes of pain, haunting blue and gentle, fell upon her dog as she finally reached the odd tower at Bower Lake. He hadn't moved from where he fell, and her strong defense crumbled. Her eyes, which were reddened and stung at every attempt at glances and stares, began to burn. Her pain doubled over, as well as her stomach. The sight of the corpse in front of her made her give a silent cry and she fell to her knees, reaching out to touch the possibly diseased fur and feeling the hard body beneath the skin that had made him as solid as a rock.

He gladly gave his own life, in attempt to protect little Sparrow from certain death. He deserved more than a funeral or burial. He did so much, but what was there to give back now?

A sweat came over her as she brought her knuckles to the stone that was underneath her. She wanted him to imagine him as simply sleeping, but it was not to be. She couldn't deny wanting to hold him, but he was far too expired. If she tried, surely he'd break in two within her arms.

Trying to calm herself, she picked up his solid and hard corpse and walked down. Down, down to the beach, then back up the hill. The hill that over looked the whole entire Bower Lake, and she couldn't help but hate herself all the more half way through the grave digging. She couldn't ever think of a better place. How pathetic could one "Hero" be? Her body trembled as the sweat became worse, and she thrusted the spade deeper into the soil. Her reason for existence was gone. The day she left the Spire for good was when she received a note from "The People of Albion," and funny enough… she didn't care to read it.

Making a statue in her honor was all they could do, so it did not surprise her when there stood a statue near where her old home used to be. The home she and her sister once slept in, the only home they had before the music box… before Theresa tricked Rose into buying that evil trinket… The statue showed Sparrow standing tall and proud, but she did not give it another glance. Instead, she looked forward with eyes of pain and determination… Shunning all of Albion with a cold shoulder.

There was nothing that they could make with their bare hands that would make her happy. Not anymore…

As the hero lady the corpse down in the deep hole, she stared down from the surface, seeing his golden fur no longer shining with life brought from the sun. The sun was setting, it could not reach… This would be her friend's last day. If only he could see the blue beautiful sky once more… if only he could see the dazzling sunset that made the lake glitter with gems of all sorts of warm colors…

Sparrow almost forgot something.

Reaching in her small bag, she brought out a rubber ball. It was old, and worn out, but still quite good and capable of bouncing. She let the ball roll out of her hand and fall into the grave. He loved that ball almost as much as he loved the one he was loyal to. Another pang, and she bit her inner cheeks.

She had to stop crying… At least until the burial was complete. She'd never get it done if she was blubbering like a girl the entire time. Sniffling to keep everything in, she brought the spade into the loose dirt and cringed as it showered on the faithful dog. Damn, she felt so horrible for doing this… If only he was playing dead, but his stiff body made it obvious that he was not going to return to her. Ever.

A suddenly in hale of breath made her unsteady for a moment as she planted a thick stick-like-branch to mark the grave. It was a pre-cry type of breath that was so sudden it startled herself. Taking out the collar she placed on him the moment she found it—the minute he found it—she looked at the grave and found that this would be as good as it could ever get. This was the best she could do.

Tying it in a knot, she prayed that it wouldn't be going anywhere, forever… because she probably wouldn't be around to keep someone from stealing it. Warm tears ripped through her dry eyes again as the pain stabbed at her heart, piercing her… like a bullet. That was what haunted her; the sound of Lucien's bullets. The sound of a gunshot would forever remind her of him, even though he clearly left his mark… Not just once, but twice.

It was Theresa's fault. That's all that could be said. It was too late now, though. She'd never go back to that Spire. She didn't want to. What would that hag do with the Spire anyway? Sure, she could call it home, but it was useless now.

Regardless, Theresa really was the one who pushed Lucien. "The fortune-teller? I merely listened." She tipped him off, some how. Maybe not at the time, but maybe during Sparrow's childhood… Remembering the sight of her from when Sparrow was young, to when Sparrow was now, she realized that witch had not aged one bit. She was an enchanted woman that was for sure.

She had to think good thoughts though, and couldn't let the reality of the world bring her down… She did gain some things. Gratitude of Albion… Best friends with the strongest woman around… On good terms with Garth—even if she hated him—and had connections with the immortal and selfish Reaver…

But they're all gone. They seem to have goals and things to do. What could little Sparrow do? It's almost like everyone just left her behind.

"The world is yours to enjoy."

Sure it is… What's there to enjoy? Loneliness? Maybe for some, but Sparrow desired something more… What was this now? She was feeling… such regret… for her wish? For her choice?

Yes… She desired her family more than anything else. Rose, or her companion at least… but no. This was not to be. She had to live with it, and hope that somehow, she'd end up going to the same place as her sister, her family. Though, she didn't know. She didn't know if there even was an afterlife—and above all—she didn't know what the future had in store for her.