With Honor

He found it strange, the inflicting of colliding situations. Roger Harris was fascinated by heroism; the idea of becoming a hero. If there's something to know, it’s to watch out for HUNTER’S DEN. Named after the hero Basil, Ranked #2. He left the world guessing: What happened to him? No one knew why. Sometimes just thinking about it scared them.

Roger had hunches by instinct—often correct—that it impressed people. The falling out of his team. Bia’s relationship with him. A lot was going with him. It’s always a possibility, he kept in mind about the #1 Team Fallout. Cyber News called it the, Right VS Wrong Case. It gave me the impression that Basil’s judgment is involved. Is there really an invalid ‘wrong’ here? Roger thought to himself, wondering if he’s a Benevolent or Neutral.

There’s so much shrouded mystery in the dark that it’s nuts. Benevolence goes far with heroes. Neutral is a balancing scale between Good and Evil. He sighed, not understanding anti-heroes. Anti-heroes could be the best or worse of people. Each hero or villain included, elaborated on the ranking system. They have to be registered on that list. Others always found a way to make it unofficial.

Roger sat on the long train seat—steel gray and blue—separation into two parts at the middle of the train car. In the Year 2043, the brand trains named Skycraft. Trains running on elevated train tracks. It’s a future for the Asians and Blacks. The Afro-Jap location of Yangzte inspired from the Ying-Yang.

He called it home—the place behind Ying-Yang’s theory. Leveling the light against the dark like a cleverly drawn canvas. Of highlights and shadows to tell the difference. It indefinitely comes together to be a light-dark place of behaviors.

That’s the place, Roger Harris and Mercedes Brown left to see the Sky Train go to a halt. He stood up first and Mercedes followed out the opening train doors. She wore a yellow-daffodil blouse kimono with caramel-brown leggings underneath.

Walking with her, Roger dressed in cerulean-blues and pearl whites. From the scoop-neck collar down to his tight fabric. Together, the duo came two different backgrounds. Both having the brown skin of color—except Roger is a lighter brown.

HUNTER’S DEN

The Skycraft Train Station's exit led them to the first floor. Clean white and green flooring had its scratches and gum stains. Not too shabby to be represented. Their shoes and boots didn’t leave spots; walking outside in the snow gave it footprints though.

Each print in the snow—pressed the size of their feet—digging further down the trail. “Mission Details, Mercedes? As we find Basil?” Mercedes refreshed his memory, boredly. “Missing women in this DEN. Basil’s included. There’s a rumor of henchmen recruits—but what’s the logic of announcing it?”

“Thinking out of their ass over their minds.” Roger quickly pointed out. Some people just gotta be in your face. He thought with sarcasm. “It gives us something to track down their leader.”

She clenched her right fist. Brown eyes reflected annoyance, determined. “Hopefully, it’s the one solving the mission.”

DEN CENTRAL

Roger and Mercedes made it to the, DEN CENTRAL; part of their destination. The home that went up first? A strange Medieval Tavern home for a top hero. But Roger didn’t judge the choice. Only Mercedes did. It’s largely old-fashioned. Fitting the hero himself, no matter how much he made in money.

An auburn haired man, dressed similar to a Viking, walked outside the house. He looked manly, bulky with muscle and a braided beard. The house fitted him well. But does his personality?

He talked to Roger and Mercedes, optimistic about their arrival. His daughter spied on them by his side. “You two going through a blizzard? You might want to stay overnight. It’s blistering cold to travel in these conditions!”

“How can we trust you?” Mercedes asked. He found it a bit stubborn—not knocking off he’s a stranger to them.

“I am Basil! I haven’t been hurled villains in over a decade.” Basil refused to tell his real name. To be stubborn around him seem childish. “You’re welcome to stay. I’ll protect you both—but daughter comes first.”

His daughter Lily walked forward a bit with her father. 13 years old. I heard of the talking woman. She thought and whispered to her father. “I am the reason he no longer does that. Mercedes, you’re far off from home. I respect you in the Cyber News from the Nova Crisis.”

Mercedes was shocked to hear her miracle remembered. That’s the girl he left his team for. Smart move. “Thank you, I felt I had no other choice than to help my home.”

“I think anyone would respect you after that.” Lily admitted

“Why not give us a chance to help?”

Roger Harris agreed. “She's right. The blizzard’s getting worse.” He noted that the snow dropped harder. They managed their way to Basil and Lily. The formerly Ranked 2 Hero let Mercedes’ judgment slide for now—as they all went inside the Tavern home.