Brandon's point of view

It wasn't until Feather was sleeping soundly late that evening that I decided to sneak out of our room.

The house was quiet as I made my way up to the roof.

I was met with a cool breeze of air as I walked across the roof. With an agitated sigh, I sat down.

Is she ready to start training?

..... I mean.....

Once we start.....

Well..... it would send her closer to the Wall of Flesh.....

If anything... the training would just jumpstart her journey....

She'll go out more often....

She won't need me anymore....

It's.......

It's what I have to do....

Sebastian was right....

I am just a sacrifice.

A meaningless sacrifice only meant to guide the hero in the right direction.

Nothing....

But...

A

Sacrifice.

"Nice night, isn't it?" I heard a voice say.

I craned my neck to see Ki, staring at me.

He sat down next to me.

Normally.... I would be confused as to why he was here.... but I've learned and accepted the fact that he'll just come and go as he'd please.

"I just wanted to drop by.... see how you're doing." He shot me a knowing glance.

"I'm doing well..." I whispered to be met with a wry laugh.

"Don't lie Brandon. I know that you're absolutely terrified for Feather to do any major training," Ki said, an amused tone in his voice.

"You care about her too much." His eyes met mine.

I sighed,"I know..... and.... compared to the other heroes I've trained... well she's....... lacking...."

Ki scoffed.

"Compared to other heroes in other dimensions, She's practically a bunny!" The way the words rolled so easily of off his tongue made me angry.

"Brandon..." Ki paused,"When you two are training.... you'll have to make Feather so much more stronger...... The other heroes.... well... if she even does so much as engaged in a simple argument, she would get completely obliterated."

"Why are you telling me this?" I growled. He has no right mind to talk about Feather that way.

Ki shrugged.

"I'm just looking out for her. You know Brandon... she'll need to be strong. We both know that she won't just need her power for this world. The day will come... she'll meet others" Ki said in a simple tone.

"It's not your job to worry about her." I hissed under my breath.

Ki chuckled.

"Yeah, I know Brandon. It's your job. Too bad you're not doing it right." Ki countered, smirking at me.

He looked up towards the rising sun.

"Well. Looks like I'll be on my way. Have fun with Feather. Bye Brandon."

And with that, he disappeared in a mist of blue particles.

Part of me wanted to scream.

I wanted to hurt him to what he said about Feather.

Just as I was about to let a slew of insults spring forth from my mouth, I spotted Feather walk out of the house and into the grassy clearing.

Her cutlass was in her hand and she had a confused expression on her face.

She must expect me to already be out here.

How cute.

Trying not to direct attention to me, I quickly slipped back into the house.

A few minutes later, I emerged with my bow and quiver, along with Feather's old silver sword.

Feather was sitting on a rock, watching the sun rise from behind the horizon.

So many things could be running through her mind...

So many ideas shining in her soulful eyes.

I wonder if she's thinking about me.

I quickly scolded myself.

Stop it. You're here to train.

Don't let your feelings get in the way any longer.

I perched myself on the edge of the roof and readied my bow.

I aimed it at the rock she was sitting on and drew it back.

Once this arrow was fired....

Once it landed squarely on the rock..... her training would begin.

After this moment.... things would be different.

After this...... she'll be different. She'll be stronger.

She will fly.

For too long... she's been held back. Been held back because of me. Because I never wanted to let her go.

I loved her too much.

Once the arrow flies....

I have let go.

I've let go on my grasp for her love.

Not quite my love itself, But the urge to believe that we could be anything more than friends.

I will have let that go.

I've let her go to be the hero she's meant to be.

From this point on....

I will do my best to lead....

My emotions no longer matter.

I'm selfish.

I'm just a sacrifice.

She won't care.

The only thing she should be focused on is her job.

Her role to be a hero.

I will teach her to accept her fate, just as I have accepted mine.

As soon as I let go....

I will no longer clip her wings.....

I will let her take flight on her destiny...

And she will fly.

Just as a tear rolled down my cheek, the air spiraled through the air and landed on the rock with a painful crack.