Chapter Two- Valor
Soleil walked alone through the woods, unaware yet unconcerned of the many hours that had passed. The fall air had crispened, to the point that the coolness of it tickled Soleil's lungs as he walked. Most of the journey to this point had been made with his eyes shut. Though he had experienced pain beyond that of the average mortal, he found it easy to be at peace, with both himself, and the world around him.
He carried on until the deepest hour of the night, when the new day was born unto the world. It was then that he stopped dead in his tracks, aware of a presence unlike he had ever felt before. He turned to see a man standing behind him, a tall man, clad in a chainmail robe, his auburn hair flowing across his shoulders in the night.
"Is there something I can do for you, stranger?" Soleil asked.
"Brother Maxwell would likely say that you've already done enough for me, Soleil." the stranger replied.
Soleil felt as if he had been punched in the stomach. Who was this man? How could he possibly have known about Brother Maxwell, much less his own name?
"Do...do I know you, friend?" He choked out.
"Well, Soleil, we've never met in person, but we have spoken many times before this morning."
"...Heironeous?"
"It is an honor to finally meet the last of my sons."
Soleil immediately dropped to one knee, bowing to his god, to his guide.
"Rise, my son. Rise."
"I don't know what to say...How do I address you, father?" Soleil asked as he stood.
"Father should do just fine, Soleil. I'm honored that you have gone through all that you have to carry on your brothers' legacy. The Order of the Lionheart is in the best set of hands that there could be, my son."
Soleil's eyes began to water as he reminisced about his fallen brothers, now ascended to the heavens. He lived for them now, if nothing else. As strong as he had been along this long and troublesome road, he almost felt as though he had regressed to less troubling times. He remembered Brother Maxwell's first words to him: 'Punish those who harm or threaten innocents, for it is Heironeous' will for us to vanquish evil from the world.' And now, here he was, applauding Soleil's efforts to revive the very Order that he had created.
"Father, what am I to do?" Soleil asked.
"Continue on your path of righteousness, Soleil. Do not be compromised by the desires of the weak and evil. Above all else, punish those who harm or threaten innocents. Brother Maxwell has taught you well, my son."
"How will I know where to go? How will I know when I've reached the new home of the order?"
"That question, you will have to answer yourself my son. You control The Order's destiny now. You will know when you have arrived. Very soon, you will meet a woman named 'Vex'. She is a very talented artist of stealth, hailing from the mountains to the east of Pandora."
"What part does she play in my journey, father?"
"The path to a world without evil is long and perilous, my son. This woman named 'Vex', as well as others will become your faithful companions, as you will for them. All stories of myth and legend have a beginning, Soleil."
"I understand, father."
The two walked together in silence for some time, Soleil feeling more and more purpose with every step. The will of Heironeous, his spiritual father filled him with a strength he had never felt before. Before long, Soleil noticed he was once again walking alone. He held in his hand a pendant around his neck, a symbol of his fallen brothers. Of the Lionheart. All at once, he paused, his pupils dilating quickly to peer into the black of the night. Although he was cautious and aware, his hand did not reach for the longsword at his back, nor the shortsword to his side. He could feel the presence, but there was no trace of it. He was being hunted.
"...What brings you out this far, this late, traveler?" a voice whispered.
"Simply that, friend. Travelling. Might I ask who you are?" Soleil inquired.
"Who I am is not important, friend. I have been following you for some time now. Who was it that you were talking to earlier?" the voice replied.
"Heironeous." he answered.
"...Heironeous?" the voice asked, though it was no longer a whisper. Though quiet, the voice was decidedly female.
"Yes, friend. Heironeous, God of Valor. He came to me."
"You must be drunk. Have a little too much mead back at the cantina?"
"No. I am the last remaining soul of The Order of the Lionheart, sons of Heironeous himself."
"The Lionheart...From the Republic?" The woman choked out.
"Yes." he replied.
"It's...you."
Soleil paused, remembering Heironeous' words.
"Vex."
"...Soleil."