Goldberg,
Morale: Power wielder type, power: Royal Gold.
An ex-hero who was once loved and seen as a role model by the people of I.O.A city and the state itself. He was everywhere, billboards, product advertisements, talk shows, you name it, every child's dream, I mean, why wouldn't he be, when ever crime and villains arrive, BOOM!!- a bright golden light would shine like a flare at night, letting everyone know, Goldberg is here, Goldberg is near, and all crime should clear.
During his prime, he achieved a level of power that almost made him a national hero. But for some unknown reason, he quit being a hero.
No press conference.
No certain reason.
News of Goldberg's resignation was quite a shock to the First World. The media called it Missing Gold. For those weeks, theories spiraled: sickness, Secret mission, disillusionment. Some heroes went out of their way to even look at him, and when they did, they claimed that he would attack first or warn them to leave him alone.
And soon, an underground community Hunter line was formed—an Online community of people who dedicated their time to tracking Goldberg's whereabouts. Usually, in a group chat with blurry photos, shaky videos, and half-glimpsed reflections caught on security cameras, debating whether the pictures and videos could be him, and where exactly he was.
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Finally, from a distance, a convoy of armored trucks and helicopters zoomed forth.'Thank goodness, we're saved!' One guard cried out, 'The heroes are here.' They arrived, forming a defensive arc around the shattered Iron wall. The symbols of departments three and five on each truck.
The heroes began their rescue operation, carefully hauling wounded guards off the shattered wall, their boots walking with haste upon a golden field. That night hung heavy over the ruined field. Smoke curled lazily from broken turrets.
Goldberg stood apart from them, further out. The coat swayed faintly in the wind. Dozens of hordes-once snarling, mindless horde- now stood motionless, statues of gold. A graveyard of gilded terror under the moonlight. As he watched the heroes performing their rescue. ''Goldberg, a woman with ruby red hair, called running towards him, dressed in heavy knight armor, dark blue cloak trimmed with gold at the edges, fell behind her.
'' Sir, wow, it's you-Goldberg.., it's an honour. Thank you for saving the guards while we made our way here.''
She offered her hand for a shake. ''I'm Alicia... sorry, no. I'm Aveline Valor. M-mana magician.''
'' I'm not here to do hero work.'' Goldberg said.'' Do me a favour, and leave me alone.''
Valor hesitated, her hand hung awkwardly before it dropped. Oh, I see...'' he murmured.
Immediately, the ground trembled.
Thmmmmmm-
A deep, low tremor rolled beneath their feet.
'' Department Three,'' Valor said, voice tight as she tapped his comm. Click. '' This is Valor. What is going on?''
static hissed back-shhhhh- ksshh. Then a voice broke through, trembling but clear. '' Valor, this is department three mission control. Our satellites are picking up seismic activity...Its massive
Valor: Where!?
Dept 3: On the field!!
THMm..THMM..THMM! Another tremor struck. At a far-off distance, the field cracked open, fine fractures racing like lightning, and the ground exploded. Tearing through the field, debris and dirt flying everywhere. From within the chaos, a calamity pulled itself into the world, rising higher and higher until its grotesque frame towered nearly thirty meters above the field.
All sound ceased immediately.
At the top of this monstrosity were two torsos fused awkwardly together, each with a hollow pore in the chest region, and a hundred arms attached to its body, swaying independently and unnaturally, like it was dancing. It was unlike any calamity they had ever faced.
''Everyone eyes here!!'' Valor called, her cape snapping behind her. The Hero troop of Departments 3 and 5 gathered around her, their faces hardening as they looked up at the nightmare towering over the plains.
'' Listen, we don't have time to freeze, we need to do something fast,'' she said, her voice trying to calm the heroes. Most of them were not at that level of strength to fight something like that; in fact, most of the heroes were recruits.
Split into groups of two. I need new recruits on the left and older heroes on the right from both departments. The new recruits must evacuate the guards, leave quickly, and call for proper reinforcements.''
Then she turned her gaze to the right. ''The rest of us will stay and distract that thing till help comes. Either we destroy that calamity or buy enough time for the hero organisation to come up with something-anything that can kill this thing.''
The heroes nodded sharply. Non spoke back.
Then.
Valor's gaze shifted to Goldberg. Goldberg,'' she called out '' We could use someone like you. Please...help us.''
Goldberg gave no reaction at first. He looked at the crowd staring at him, eyes filled with obvious fear, but they were willing to die to protect the city. In a dull but sharp breath, he answered.
''Not interested.'' And just like that began walking away from them, he had no care about them or their cause...not anymore.
As expected, the heroes exchanged glances- confused, frustrated, silently begging him to reconsider. That was when a deep rumbling voice spoke out.
''For a human, you really are heartless. What did the people ever do to you to hate them this much? They gave you love.''
Goldberg froze mid-step. His shoulders tightened. Slowly-very slowly- he turned his head. ''Which one of you said that?''
A Brown bear stepped forward. ''I did, Sir''
Goldberg's expression hardened '' Watch it, animal. If you know what's good for you. Fate has given you a second chance to be of use to humanity, so I suggest you be a good Panda and know your place. If you don't want me to put you down- I suggest you shut your mouth.''
The bear didn't flinch. '' Funny. From what people say, you're supposed to be the strongest hero this city has ever seen. But look at you now- retired and filthy...''
Goldberg interrupted.
''I like it that way.''
Bear: Are you really going to leave us here to handle this alone?
Goldberg exhaled, long and tired. '' Yes.''
And with that finally over, he turned to walk away.
Valor forward and grabbed his arm, ''Goldberg sir, look at me!'' Valor knew if anyone could help them, it could be him, so she had to convince him somehow. He finally turned, she met his eyes-eyes full of sleep, exhaustion...and something else buried deeper.
''You're the strongest person we have right now,'' she said '' You inspired me to become a hero. Most of us became who we are because of you. Together, maybe we still can defeat it or at least stall it. Please just lend us your strength.''
Goldberg looked at her face, then down at her hand gripping his sleeve. For a moment, something flickered in him-regret, maybe, or memory.... A strong breeze blew in at that moment.
But just like the wind, that flicker blew away.
''I'm sorry, kid,'' he said softly. ''But that's not my problem. I need to get home. I'm tired. And it's safer for everyone here if I'm far away from here.''
''No''
Valor stepped closer, refusing to let go. What are you so afraid of? You saved us from the horde, you're a Hero.''
Goldberg's expression hardened slowly, bitterly. ''Don't ever call me that, Hero?, Saved you?. You think I saved you, you were just lucky I cared to come.''
Valor( in a whisper): What?
''I didn't fight the horde for you,'' Goldberg said. '' Or for your organisation. On their way to the city, the horde stampeded through my farmland. A year of work, destroyed.''
He pressed a hand to his chest- anger trembling beneath his voice.
''That's why I fought. Revenge. Not righteousness. Not heroism, valor. Don't twist it into something noble. I never asked you to become a hero!, I never asked ANY OF YOU!'', Your mistake was making me your reason to become who you are now, a bunch of soon-to-be dead.''
He turned away again. '' Call a nation-level hero for aid. Cause I'm not one of them. I'm sorry, Valor.''
Then he left. Back into the forest.
Valor lowered her gaze, and a quiet understanding flashed on her face.
''That's why they say never meet your heroes,'' the bear said
Valor exhaled a long, steady breath....she accepted. ''Everyone,'' she shouted, voice ringing like steel on stone. Evacuate the guards. The rest of you- with me!''
Order snapped back into motion. A group of thirty heroes from both departments stepped forward, forming a rough line behind her. Non spoke, but their expression and stance said it all. Fear was there, yes-but duty was louder.
Valor stepped in front of them, posture tall, her knightly armour glimmering under the moonlight. With a single sweep of her arm, she summoned her weapon- a massive silver staff crowned with a glowing magic core and two short knightly banners hung on the sides. Fluttering in the wind like a battle-hardened flag[1].
[1] Hello.