"Greetings. My name is Seraphel du Marquin, [Princess] of Calanfer." The red-haired woman motioned to her dark-haired companion. "This is 'Cara'. We'd like to ask you a few questions."

"Hello. My name is Kevin." What's the correct term to use when speaking to an actual princess? Your majesty? Your highness? I can't say 'My princess'. "Uhm, it's nice to meet you?" Shoot. I ended that with an upward inflection.

"Kevin, is it?" The teenager with the ponytail saved me from any more failed diplomacy checks (figuratively speaking). "Have you ever heard of Ireland, Haugeland, or The United States of America?"

I looked at her for a moment before several things clicked into place. SHE was the 'companion' Ser Dalimont had mentioned. Of course, it made more sense when I thought about it. The other 'vanished' people from Earth Iota had been transported to this Earth also. It was far more likely that one of them had already befriended Seraphel before I'd even arrived. Was there a 'Cara' on the list? I'd have to check my Inventory to be sure, but I don't think there was.

"I recognize Ireland and the United States, but I'm afraid my version of Earth doesn't have a Haugeland." I paused for a second. "Or at least I've never heard of it."

Seraphel and Cara looked at each other before the princess turned to her knights. "Please exit the room. We have confidential matters to discuss." The three knights saluted, bowed, and then left the room.

Once we were alone, Cara looked back at me. "A mage? How did you get a spell-casting class? How long have you been here?"

I blinked. "How did you know Ser Dalimont thought I was a mage?"

"He sent me [A Subtle Sign]." The princess crossed her arms and sat down in one of the over-stuffed chairs. "Answer the questions."

Huh. I was expecting a 'if you'd be so kind' or something. Eh. Whatever. I turned to face Cara. "First." I held up a finger. "I don't have a mage class. What Ser Dalimont mistook for magic was a personal ability I already possessed before coming here. Second." I held up another finger. "The only class I've gotten since arriving here is 'Wanderer', and I can bet you can guess how I got it. Finally." I held up a third finger. "I've been here for a little more than eight days." I turned to the princess. "Are you satisfied?"

"Peculiar." She muttered. "He's telling the truth." She looked up towards Cara. "I thought you said that your world doesn't have magic."

"It doesn't." Cara replied before turning to me again. "He's either lying or he's off his rocker."

"You're right in that my skill only picks up falsehoods. It doesn't tell me the unvarnished truth." Seraphel rolled her eyes and put her hands on top of her head. "You're not the first person to point out that it's more like 'detect deception' than 'discern truth'. However, do you think mere words would be all it would take to convince Dalimont? Give him more credit than that."

Cara glared at me. "More likely he pulled some 'Connecticut Yankee in King Arthur's Court' BS."

"Alright, that's enough." I looked at Cara. "Before you call me crazy, you might consider that magic does exist on Earth and is just hidden."

"Oh yeah? Like in Harry Potter?" She scoffed at me. "Get real. You can't hide stuff like that in this, or rather, in that day and age."

"Fine, you want proof?" I teleported behind her. "Did I do that with mirrors? Do I have a body double somewhere?"

Cara spun around. "What the-" She looked back over he shoulder before poking me with her finger. "Do wanderers get skills like that?"

Seraphel stood up and moved beside her. "No, at least not until high level, but you can say that about most classes."

I resisted the urge to sigh. "Let me explain." I looked at Cara. "I'm from a different Earth than you are. We call my version 'Earth Bet' and yours 'Earth Iota'. We detected something strange happening on Iota, and I was sent to investigate. I was teleported here, just like you. I think some friends of mine were brought along, including my little sister." I turned to the princess. "That's actually what I wanted to speak with you about. If I'm going to find her, I'm going to need to know about this Earth and a way to travel."

Both of them looked shocked, but Seraphel recovered first. "How fascinating. Your 'Earth' has magic?"

I shook my head. "Not exactly. We have people that have superpowers, but I wouldn't call them magical."

"Superpowers?" Cara raised an eyebrow. "Like comic book characters?"

Right. Cara's version of Earth didn't have any parahumans. "Well, yes. We call them parahumans, but a lot of people modeled themselves after comic books." Or Cauldron and the PRT nudged the population along that path for reasons. "Including me. You can call me 'Pixel', if you want to go by my cape name."

"What's a cape name?"

"What's a pixel?"

I figured those questions were mostly rhetorical in nature, and waited for them to center themselves. The princess flopped into her chair again, while Cara paced back and forth.

"So let me get this straight." The former resident of Earth Iota spoke as she moved. "YOUR Earth is aware of what's happening on other Earths, noticed that I and apparently other people have been effectively kidnapped, and you were sent to save us?" She stopped and looked at me.

"Well, to be honest, we didn't know what exactly was happening. So I was just supposed to investigate." I held up my hands. "Of course, getting everyone safely home is a priority."

"And can you do it?"

"Well, no, not exactly. I might be able to make something that could return us home eventually, but I'm not sure if I can incorporate 'magic' into my tech." Although, Tinkertech is sorta like magical-tech, just with Shards instead of 'magic'.

"Tech?" Cara narrowed her eyes. "So you're like Iron Man?"

"Who?"

The teenager rubbed her temples. "Rich guy. Built a suit of armor for himself. Fights aliens and shit."

"I guess?" I scratched the back of my head. "I am pretty rich nowadays." Although I left all my finances in real-Dragon's hands. She could put the money I'd made as a superhero to better use than I ever could. "I do have a suit of armor. I've also fought aliens." I mean, the Shards counted right? Not that I ever fought an actual Shard, but the Endbringers sorta count, right?

Cara blinked. "No shit?"

I shrugged. "It's more complicated than that, but I doubt you want to hear my life's story."

Seraphel motioned to Cara, and the other girl moved near her and bent over. Some sort of effect surrounded them. Ears of Babel was able to make out some parts of what they said.

"xxx xx trust xxx"

"x dont xxxxx xx xxx skill xxxx xxxx xx xxxxxxx xxx truth xxxxx xx x superhero? xxxx xxx"

"You're xxxx sure? xxxxxxxx xxx surprised."

"xxxx, xx world xxxx xxx xxxxxx xxx run xx xxx only xxxxxxx out xxx xxxxxxxxxxx We've xxxxx xxx powerful xxx corrupt"

"xxx?"

"xxx, xxxx x SUPERHERO. xxxxxx, x big deal. xx xxxx telling xxx truth xxxxx xxxx, xxxx that xxxxx xxxx xxxx xxxxxxxx and xxxx xxxx xx"

"how xxxxxxxx xxx superheros?"

"xxxx range xxxx xxxxx xxxx xx beat xx gangs xx xxxxx xxxx xx destroy xxxxxx"

"really?"

"xxxxxx, x mean, xx xxxxxx xx xxxxx tell xxx xxxx story xxx see xxx xx xxxxx"

"x agree."

The distortion stopped, and Seraphel turned to me. "Actually, I think I'd enjoy hearing your story very much, but we have more pressing issues right now." She stood up. "So your real class is [Superhero]?"

I shook my head. "No. Earth Bet is like Earth Iota in that regard. People don't get classes." Well, ever since Shard-Dragon took over, things were heading in that direction. I wonder if that was what happened here too.

The princess smiled. "But you'll be able to help us with the undead army, correct?"

I nodded. "I should be able to. My power's been a little... off since I arrived here, so I'd want to do some tests first."

Cara groaned. "Right, we got Tony Stark without his suit." She let out a sigh. "At least there's an Earth out there that's got its act together."

Who's Tony Stark? I'd always been more interested in real superheros instead of comic books that had been written before I'd been born. Also, I felt like I should correct her impression of Earth Bet, but that also felt, I dunno... mean? Cruel? Also, things WERE significantly better than they were a few years ago.

While I was thinking, a smile slowly spread across Seraphel's face. "Superhero Kevin-"

"You should just call him 'Kevin', or 'Pixel'." Cara interrupted. "'Superhero' is a general term, and isn't used as a form of address." She frowned. "At least on my Earth. I don't know about his."

I shrugged. "Either is fine with me, but saying 'superhero' does sound odd."

Seraphel did a small curtsy. "Of course, please excuse my faux pas. Pixel, you said that your little sister also was brought here, and that you're looking for her?"

I blinked. "Yes. We were standing next to each other one moment, and the next I was in an empty field. I don't have any proof that she was brought here too, but I can't overlook the possibility."

"Wait, your little sister?" Cara tilted her head. "You don't look that old. How old is she? Do you normally bring children along on your adventures? Like sidekicks? You know, like Robin?"

"Uhm..."

Seraphel turned to her companion. "Cara, please let me finish." The princess turned back to me. "As I was saying, the Eternal Throne of Calanfer would be most pleased to offer its support in reuniting you with your family. We are knowledgeable about Terandria, as well as the other continents. We would be happy to assist you, and hope that you can assist us in turn."

I raised an eyebrow. "Assist you how?"

The princess bowed her head, and clasped her hands below her waist. "The different countries of Terandria have warred and allied with each other over the centuries. There have always been plots, intrigues, disasters and wars throughout our history. However, right now there is a single country whose expansionistic tendencies cannot go overlooked! Ailendamus's hunger knows no bounds. They are willing to commit any number of atrocities to further their own agenda!"

To the side, Cara glowered. I couldn't tell if she was upset with Seraphel, or with the country she was talking about.

The Princess continued. "Ailendamus is the largest nation on this continent. This is because they wage war and constantly conquer their neighbors. At this time, they are larger than any other three countries combined!" Seraphel held up a hand. "Now, if this were all, it would be one thing. Nations rise and fall. Kings come and go. No, the issue is the depths to which Ailendamus will sink!"

Seraphel paused, and wiped a tear from her eye. "You see, it was just a month past that I lost my dear fiancé. It seemed so strange that such a healthy man in the prime of his life might fall ill and die. In fact, it was not the first time such misfortune had befallen me personally. If it wasn't for..." She stopped and looked away.

I miss my notifications. Seraphel seems sincere, but it would be a lot easier to take her story at face value with my power providing a deeper insight.

Cara moved next to her and patted her on the shoulders as she led her back to her seat. The teenager spoke. "A [Witch]. Like from our fairy tales." She looked at me. "I won't say her name, because that's how things work here." Cara looked down at her friend. "The witch cursed Seraphel. Made promises. Offered her... so many things. I, I managed to drive her away." Cara hung her head. "A lot of good people died." She stopped, seemingly lost in thought before she looked back up at me. "There was one thing, one promise the witch had made. She claimed to be able to give us proof about Terrin's murderer. The thing is, if you know the solution, it's a lot easier to put a puzzle together. We wouldn't have been able to find the clues without knowing the answer."

"It was Ailendamus!" Seraphel raised her head, and her bloodshot eyes locked onto mine. "They hired the Necromancer that now seeks to overrun our city and kill every single man, woman and child. It was none other than my previous fiancé, Raganest du Ecte. It was his plan that killed my beloved. His pawn that now threatens us all! But it was my..."

"Seraphel." Cara sat down next to the princess and grabbed her hand. Seraphel smiled, as the teenager once again took up the story. "The Ailendamus Baron used his knowledge of Seraphel against her. I minor thing, but it allowed him to plan the murder of her fiancé." She sighed. "And all it cost him was a little girl that he turned into a walking bomb."

The silence hung in the air, as none of us had anything to say. I'd witnessed more than my share of atrocities, but it wasn't the sort of thing you could compare. I didn't know if she was telling the truth, or why she was being so forthcoming. I suspect that Cara said something during their aside that led to Seraphel sharing her history with me. I wonder what her ex-fiancé's version of events is.

After composing herself, Seraphel continued. "You see, that is the future that awaits Terandria. That is why I seek your aid." She shook her head. "All I know of your worlds is what Cara has told me. I do not know if you can truly help us, but I choose to tell you my story so that you know the truth. As much as it pains me to say it, Calanfer is not a mighty nation. By refusing the [Witch]'s pact, I have also failed my country." She shook her head. "There is no proof. Not any more. There's nothing I can do except grasp at straws." She looked at me with a gaze of pure determination. "No matter what, Ailendamus must be denied Noelictus! Though I am no longer of this country, I will not let it fall to the people that murdered my fiancé!"

Cara stood up. "You probably don't know this, but Noelictus provides a significant amount of food to the rest of the continent." She gave a short laugh. "Apparently death magic is good for both raising undead, and making plants grow." She shrugged. "Who knew?"

I nodded. "I see. You think that the undead army is designed to wipe out Noelictus's population, and give Ailendamus an easy victory."

Seraphel shook her head. "Not only that. I fear Ecte's plans run deep. Ailendamus will likely use the situation as a Casus Belli regardless. Noelictus must hold off two armies one after another if it is going to survive!"

...

"Be careful who you mention your real origins to. A secret is only as strong as its weakest link." Seraphel warned me before placing a hand on the door. "Even my [Knights] think that you and Cara are from a distant land. I trust them, but telling them knowledge that could only hurt us is a pointless risk."

She opened the door and called her knights back in before having one of them take out a map. Noelictus looked pretty big. Big enough that I should've been able to match up its coastline somewhat. Alaska? I guess if there were some pretty major changes. I knew practically nothing about geography. This world must have deviated from Earth a loooong time ago if the continents were different.

I frowned. "Do you have a map of the world?"

Ser Godard, the tall knight, shook his head. "As emissaries of the Eternal Throne of Calanfer, we are not called upon to visit other continents apart from Terandria as a matter of course."

"Unless someone like the King of Destruction appears again." Dame Labelle, the female knight, interjected. "If someone like that once again sets his sights across the oceans, then we would be fools not to take up arms against him."

"As potentially disastrous as that might be, I do not think it is prudent to focus on other problems considering the issues we have laid at our doorsteps." Ser Dalimont circled an area of the table that the map didn't cover. "This is Ailendamus's lands." He pointed to a spot on the map. "As you can see, there is only one pass though the valley that an army might traverse. Ovela has sent out scouts here, here, and here." He placed intricately carved figurines on the map. "While our lady no longer holds any official position in Noelictus, we have been kept abreast on the situation." He pulled out a dozen skeletal markers and carefully positioned them. "These are the locations where undead were reported last week." He then pushed them one by one. "And here's where the latest sighting are."

Seraphel frowned as she looked at the map. "I am no [Tactician], but it is plain to see that they are gathering north of Afiele." She traced a path with her finger. "That gives Ovela a clear path to reinforce us."

"That 'tis true, your highness." Dalimont nodded. "It is indeed a stroke of good fortune that they are not gathering to the south. If that were the case, I do not know if Ovela's troops would be able to aid us at all."

"I think that is the point, Ser Dalimont." Labelle frowned. "If the [Princess] has correctly grasped Ailendamus's plans, then nothing would be more beneficial for them than for Ovela's army to be trapped in another city."

"Tell me about the undead." I interjected. "What strengths and weaknesses do they have? What attacks can they bring to bear against a flying opponent?"

Ser Dalimont rummaged though a pile of scrolls before finding the one he was looking for. "Ah, the latest reports have encountered zombies, skeletons, ghouls, and crypt lords." He looked up. "We've already discussed zombies. Skeletons are similar. They are faster and tougher, but usually physically weaker. Ghouls are zombies that retain some measure of cunning, speed and agility. Crypt Lords are larger zombies that have been fused together. They can command their mindless brethren, and have them perform basic tactical maneuvers."

"Don't forget the spit." Godard added.

"Oh, yes, my apologies." Dalimont continued. "Crypt Lords possess poisonous black blood that they can spit great distances."

"And they control other undead?" I was confused. "I thought a necromancer was behind this."

"It is common practice for a [Necromancer] to control a crypt lord, and have them control the lesser undead." Labelle informed me. "There's a limit to how many undead a mage can dominate. In order to control an army, they must offload as much direct control as possible."

I grunted. "So there's a limitation."

Dalimont continued. "Thankfully this is true. Where was I? Oh yes, ranged attacks. Several skeletons have been reported to possess bows and arrows. the grave lords cannot spit far enough, are are too few in number to be an effective ranged unit."

I nodded. "So I should be able to fly over there and kill them from the sky."

Ser Dalimont laughed. "Yes, perhaps if you were a Named Adventurer! Even one of them would tire against such numbers." He patted me on the shoulder. "Do not fret. The Hunter's Guild possesses the finest monster hunters in the world! Even The Necromancer would fear facing them if he were still alive!"

"'The' Necromancer?"

"A really powerful necromancer that lived a while ago." Cara added. "He attacked somewhere."

"He rampaged across Terandria for more than a hundred years, Cara." Seraphel said. "He died in Izril, but he shall forever be the shame of Terandria and Calanfer." She fell silent and nobody else dared speak for a moment. "Enough on that." She turned to me. "Do you really think you can inflict damage on the army without risking yourself?"

I stroked my chin. "Probably. I'm packing a lot of firepower."

"Fire power, Mage Kevin?" Dalimont tilted his head. "Are you skilled with fire magic as well?"

"What can you do without your armor?" Cara spoke at the same time.

I chose to ignore the knight and turned to the teenager. "I never said I didn't have my suit." I un-Inventoried my old armor around me. "I'm always prepared." I didn't trust these people just yet. While I thought they were being honest with me, that didn't necessarily mean I understood the whole picture. Still, I thought they deserved a little reciprocity.

Besides, a literal army of the dead was a pretty black and white situation. There was no way I was going to stand aside and let people die when I could do something about it. That meant, that my would-be-allies would see one of my suits sooner or later.

Everyone took a step away from me and muttered various exclamations.

"I say!" Godard spoke first. "Is that an artifact?"

"I have never seen anything like it!" Lebelle added.

"Amazing." Seraphel muttered.

"You look like a video game character." Cara pointed at me.

I shrugged. "That's why my cape name is 'Pixel'."

...

After showing them my costume, the group wanted a demonstration. I agreed. Obviously, I wasn't going to show them everything, but I figured flight and lasers were fair game. Those were what I was planning on using against the undead, so there was no reason to hide them. For now, Lebelle had a bow and arrows that I wanted her to use against my suit.

I mean, I knew that Gamer's Body and Resistance: Physical was working for me, but it did make sense to test the suit. "Here." I handed it to Godard. He nodded and strolled down the long hallway and draped my suit over a bust of someone who was doubtlessly important or rich. It was oddly nostalgic to see the video game armor I hadn't worn for a while again.

"It is a most peculiar suit, Mage Kevin." The tall knight spoke as he came back. "From its appearance, I was expecting a hard and rigid substance. Yet, despite what my eyes told me, the texture was smooth and flexible. Only the helmet feels like metal"

I shrugged. "It is the nature of it."

Dame Lebelle moved in front, while Dalimont stood behind us and kept an eye out for servants. Apparently the princess didn't trust the staff of her late fiancé.

One arrow after another struck my suit. Each one made no sound until they fell to the ground. Once her quiver was empty, Lebelle and Godard walked down the hallway together. She retrieved her arrows, while he picked my armor back up.

"Remarkable." Godard rubbed my outfit between his fingers. "I see nary a scratch on it! 'Tis a shame that it takes a [Mage] to wear it."

"Aye, you speak the truth." Dalimont glanced over his shoulder at us. "Yet for all a [Warrior] could accomplish with such a suit of armor, it was clearly made for spell casters."

Godard nodded. "You have the right of it. The flexible material is suitable for those that are unaccustomed to wearing traditional armor. Imagine if it were a dress instead! Such an artifact would be perfect for protecting our Highness!"

"More likely it would be put to use defending a [King] or [Queen]." Seraphel said from the side. "A deterrent it might be, and a powerful force to prevent a kingdom from falling into ruin, but that's clearly not its purpose."

Godard nodded again. "Your are of course correct my highness. As a solid piece of work, it leaves no openings to exploit. This feature requires magic to bypass. Yet, even if a [King] did use another item to don this armor, to not show ones face is too steep of drawback!" He paused for a second. "Unless there was a [Masked King] class one could acquire. I know of no such thing, but it should be possible."

Seraphel rolled her eyes. "Enough with the speculation. You'll make our new ally think that you harbor thoughts of absconding with his treasure!"

All three of the knights gasped.

"I would never!"

"On my honor, such a thought never crossed my mind!"

"Our words might have been spoken in haste, but base thievery is anathema to a [Knight]!"

"I know that." Seraphel scolded them. "Mage Kevin comes from a foreign land. He is a stranger that we must treat with care."

"You are correct, my highness." Ser Godard bowed to me. "Please forgive my speculation for causing you any distress, Mage Kevin."

"Mine as well." Ser Labelle bowed. "Our tongues worked without restraint, and we are lesser for it."

"Know that I will not allow any harm to befall you or your possessions as long as I draw breath." Ser Dalimont bowed also.

"It's quite alright." I Inventoried my armor from Godard's hands. "I am the only one capable of using it. A thief wouldn't be able to do anything even if it fell into their hands." At least not without staying out of my Inventory range. My Crafted items also wore out like all Tinkertech, so any benefit would be temporary anyways.

Ser Lebelle held her arrows up and examine each of their tips. "Look! My arrowheads are not dulled in the slightest!"

Godard bent over and peered at them. "So they aren't!" He straighted up and brought a hand to his chin. "It does make sense. They did not pierce or cut their target, so they in turn were not damaged."

"It is getting late, and I should like to retire for the night. We can resume our discussion and your presentation on the 'morrow." Seraphel looked at Dalimont. "See to it that Mage Kevin has suitable accommodations. Also start spreading the appropriate rumors around the palace."

I frowned as I followed the knight. "What rumors?"

"Nothing untoward, I can assure you." He replied back to me. "It's just that her Highness's position is rather... unstable at the moment. If it wasn't for the more pressing business, the other Noelictus lords and ladies would have already seen to her dismissal." He sighed. "Without her fiancé, there's nothing for her here. According to local tradition, she is still an outsider."

"So she didn't gain any of his lands or wealth?" I assumed he had both of those.

Dalimont shook his head. "'Tis not the way of things I fear."

"And the rumors?"

"That you are a foreigner, come to try and win her highness's favor." He stroked his mustache. "You see a rumor is most effective if it hints at impropriety. It wouldn't do to imply that you are a childhood friend. Too wholesome. It wouldn't spread. However, if you give it just enough bite, then people won't be able to wait to pass it on." He smiled at me. "When people learn a secret, they stop looking."

I furrowed my brow. "Should I be worried?"

"Of knives in the dark? Or poisoned food?" Dalimont chuckled. "I should think not. It is not the Noelictus way to do things. Killing your opponents is seen as bad form." He leaned towards me and whispered. "I personally chalk it up to all the death magic. Over the years there must have been an aspiring noble or two that killed someone and failed to dispose of the body in time."

I grunted. "I suppose that makes sense. Even if it's a one in a hundred chance, people will still worry about the possibility in the back of their mind."

Dalimont slapped me on the back. "Precisely. And with enemies at the gates? Nobody would turn away a high leveled individual."

"Then why not tell everyone I'm a mage?" I asked.

"Because they would keep on digging." Dalimont shrugged. "I'm sure nothing would come of it, but high level spellcasters tend to have wondrous items on their person, and greed darkens even the most noble of hearts..."

"Ah."

We stopped at a door. "Here we are. While it is a servant's quarters, I hope it will suffice."

The door swung open to a room twice as big as my old bedroom. "It will be fine."

"Be sure to lock the door. No undead should defile these halls, but it is tradition in these parts for good reason." Dalimont bowed. "Then I shall take my leave and see you on the 'morrow."

I looked around the room. It was nice. Still, an ounce of precaution was worth a pound of cure. I un-Inventoried a spy camera and placed it in the corner of the room. Then, just to be sure, I stepped outside and put another one in the hallway. Back inside, I lowered the thick wooden bar that was attached to the wall by the door.

...

Half and hour later, there was a knock on my door. Ears of Babel let me understand the wireless signal my cameras were emitting. The one in the hallway showed a familiar face standing outside my room.

"Enter." I called out.

Cara poked her head in. "I'm not disturbing you am I? You're not building an arc reactor out of spare parts or anything?"

I shook my head. "Nothing like that. Can I help you, Cara?"

"Actually, I want to hear more about your Earth." She stepped inside and closed the door.

"What about it?"

"What's it like having actual heroes?" She sat down in one of the chairs. "In my world they're popular wish fulfillment. We have movies and T.V. shows, but none of it is real." She paused for a moment. "I guess what I'm asking is, did superheroes really make things better? If you came to another version of Earth just to help, then that means that your world actually has heroes in it." She shook her head. "I mean real heroes and not just assholes with power."

Oh man. THAT was a hell of a question. I could make up a lie. Feed her PRT propaganda. Or I could tell her about how things had improved recently with Dragon in charge behind the scenes...

Of course, that would require explaining faaaar too much about Shards and Entities. I wasn't comfortable telling her about that. On the other hand, I didn't like lying. Honesty might not always be the best policy, but it should be the default.

"Things aren't perfect. In fact, things were steadily getting worse for pretty much my entire life." I couldn't read her expression, but I kept on going. "In fact, we came really close to disaster, but over the last year or two things have improved dramatically." I need an example. Someone who truly is heroic. That seems to be what Cara is fixating on.

"I think the best way to understand my world is to tell you about one of its most famous heroes. Her name is Dragon. She has crippling agoraphobia brought on from nearly dying when Newfoundland was sunk beneath the ocean." I think Dragon's true tale is much more inspiring, but that isn't my secret to tell. I'll have to settle for her cover story.