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Scene 9: The Courage to See Differently
At the southern edge of Skyperion lies Southwind—a barren, desolate island where villagers struggle to survive. Kalan frequently visits to help the people here, but there's only so much he can do. His usual method is to hand out basic supplies. Still, their hardship continues, and more and more people come each day, hoping for handouts.
When Kalan heard Akira speak of empowering through knowledge rather than simply giving things away, it struck a nerve—like a painful jab to his heart. It was as if all his good intentions were somehow wrong. Though a flicker of frustration sparked inside him, he kept it behind a smile and invited Akira to sit at Southwind's scenic overlook.
Kalan said without turning to Akira, his gaze locked on the distant horizon,
"Akira, take a look out there. What do you see?'"
Akira glanced at Kalan, then slowly swept his gaze forward, silent. Kalan began to wonder what was taking him so long, until his younger sister voiced the question for him.
"Why the long pause, Akira?" Keela asked, unable to hold back her curiosity.
Sitting to Akira's right, Mirelle leaned in, turning toward the others on his left.
"He's processing," she said with a playful glint. "Give him a second—I'll buff his concentration. Maybe he'll think faster."
The others waited. Mirelle gave him a concentration buff, and at last, Akira spoke.
"What I see… is selfishness."
All three of them recoiled at his words. Before them lay nothing more than a scattering of dry floating isles at varying altitudes—nothing that looked particularly "selfish."
Kalan frowned, a hint of irritation in his eyes.
"What do you mean by that?"
Keela grew anxious.
"How could you say that about the people? They're struggling!"
"I think… I get what he means," Mirelle said quietly, still looking ahead.
"Oh? Then let's hear it," Keela replied, her brow furrowing.
Mirelle began to explain.
"Kalan keeps giving them things, and because of that, the villagers have become dependent. They've stopped trying to survive on their own. They just extend their hands and expect more. And as word spreads, more and more people come just to beg. But what happens if Kalan suddenly stops giving?"
She paused, letting the silence speak.
"They might turn on him. Out of anger. Out of desperation. They might hurt themselves for attention, cause riots, steal from others just to survive. Isn't that… selfish?"
Kalan turned to Akira.
"Is that what you really think? That they're taking advantage of my kindness?"
Akira responded calmly.
"Not exactly. It's not like they mean to. But they've been coddled for too long. They've received so much… they don't know how to fend for themselves anymore."
Kalan was still upset.
"So you're saying… if it were you, you'd give them knowledge instead of goods?"
"You mean like that whole 'teach a man to fish' thing?" Keela asked, catching on.
Akira nodded. Kalan looked to Keela, who gave him a gentle smile and explained further.
"Imagine we just keep giving them food. They eat, they use it up, and it's gone. But if we teach them how to find their own… even if we're not here, they won't starve."
Kalan went quiet for a while, deep in thought. Then, with a heavy sigh:
"Sigh… I see what you two are getting at. I was wrong. I just… wanted to carry on Mother's work."
Akira looked at him, puzzled. Keela took over the explanation.
"His mother—Lady Eliona—she was a pillar of this society. But we lost her during the Skyfall… when ancient ruins rained down from above. That same place where Mother and Grandpa Gryp used to be. The place you just visited."
Akira nodded slowly.
"I understand now. I'm sorry for your loss."
Kalan gave a faint, bittersweet smile.
"It's alright. It's been a long time. I just wanted to help people… to honor her legacy. But all my powers… they're made to harm, not heal. So all I could do was hand out supplies. And look at them now—so used to it that they don't even try anymore. Heh."
His dry laughter made Keela frown.
"You always blame your powers… say they're too dangerous, that you lost Mom because of them, so you refuse to use them. But now look—those greedy nobles mock you for being weak when you're actually one of the strongest people I know!"
Mirelle bowed her head.
"Wait… even the Thunderbow Princess says you're crazy strong? Now I really want to see it for myself."
Kalan looked at the three of them with a chuckle.
"Alright then. I'll show you."
Mirelle's eyes widened. Akira watched quietly. Keela beamed with excitement.
"Wow, you guys are in for a treat. Watch closely, okay?"
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Kalan scanned the area and spotted a rock about the size of a soccer ball.
"You've already seen my sound-nullifying spell. It can block noise, interrupt enemy spellcasting, and if left too long, even cut off air."
He glanced at Mirelle, whose wary eyes made it clear she was on alert. He narrowed his gaze before continuing.
"And then there's another spell… one I've never used anywhere else. It's too dangerous. See that rock? I'll hit it about ten times."
Kalan raised both hands and made two X-shaped gestures in the air. A soft burst of wind kicked up some dust around the rock.
Mirelle squinted.
"What was that? Looked like wind magic… I saw it move twice, but nothing happened. Just stirred some dust. That's what you call dangerous?"
Keela chuckled lightly but said nothing. Kalan simply smiled, clearly pleased with the effect.
Akira stood, walked to the rock, and placed his hand on it.
Crack—crack—crack.
The stone began to crumble… slowly breaking down into neatly sectioned fragments as if sliced by an invisible grid. Mirelle gasped.
"Wait, what!? That looked like ordinary wind magic!"
Akira ran his hand across the ground behind the rock, then picked up a shard that looked like a chunky, oversized French fry. He examined it thoughtfully and spoke in a quiet tone.
"A cut this clean… You said wind magic, right Mirelle? But could it be… vacuum?"
Keela gasped, covering her mouth in admiration. Kalan raised his brows, impressed.
"Heh. As expected of the Third Hero. You figured it out in one try… Yeah. It's a vacuum spell. And because it's this dangerous, I never wanted to use it. I was afraid it might hurt innocent people."
Mirelle looked at Akira with genuine surprise and newfound respect. But Akira was still idly spinning the stone shard in his hand.
"Lord Kalan… do you think a kitchen knife is dangerous?"
Kalan tilted his head, thinking for a moment.
"Well… if used by an adult properly, it's just a kitchen tool—for making good food for your family. But if a child uses it carelessly, then yes, it can be dangerous."
Akira offered the stone shard to him.
"Now, let's say this shard is a knife. It's safe in the hands of a chef. But what if it ends up in the hands of a villain?"
Kalan flinched slightly.
"Whoa… yeah, that'd be chaos."
Akira kept holding the shard.
"Exactly. Whether it's a kitchen knife, a holy sword, your vacuum spell, or even just this rock—what makes it dangerous or not… is who wields it, and why. To create? To protect? Or to destroy?"
Kalan was speechless. He took the shard from Akira, examining it closely. Then, using two fingers, he mimed sharpening it like a carving tool. The shard transformed into a flat-tipped piece resembling a simple woodcarver's knife. He pointed it forward.
"It's all about how you use it, huh… Got it. I'll remember that. Thanks… Hero."
Akira smiled.
"Giving people courage… that's part of a hero's job too, right?"
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Mirelle smiled brightly and teased him.
"So… since when did you start calling yourself a Hero? You usually deny it every time."
Akira scratched his head.
"Well, everyone keeps saying it. And apparently the rumors have spread everywhere. I can't exactly run around the whole world correcting them, right? So I figured I might as well make use of them."
Keela giggled.
"Making use of a rumor that you're a Hero? What would that even look like?"
Kalan looked puzzled.
"Wait—so… you're not a Hero? After everything you've done?"
Akira and Mirelle shook their heads. Kalan's eyes widened.
"Wow… If I hadn't heard it from you directly, I wouldn't have believed it. Still, Hero or not, I think you deserve the title. I mean… look. You just gave me the courage I needed."
Keela laughed softly.
"Heehee… I think he's suited for a lot of titles, actually."
She covered her mouth and giggled, cheeks rosy and eyes squinting in delight.
Kalan narrowed his eyes, staring at his little sister.
"…Something tells me the title you're thinking of isn't 'Hero,' is it, little sister?"
Mirelle seemed to share the same thought. To steer the conversation away, she turned and pointed behind them.
"Speaking of courage… that little girl over there looks fierce. So small, but so bold."
The others turned to look. A mock duel was happening in the distance. Kalan stood up.
"That sparring match looks fun. Let's go check it out up close."
And so, they walked toward the practice field—unaware that the words spoken today would ripple far beyond their imagination… shaping the future of Skyperion, and even Arcadia itself.
Because sometimes, the most ordinary words have the power to change someone's fate forever.