The years seemed to flow past so quickly these days. Some days I was alone for months at a time, exploring vast ruins and fighting ancient beasts with naught but my spear and my wits to guide me. Other times, I joined the army, working as a ranger to guide those alongside me towards victory. Even more, sometimes I'm no one; a voice in the wind simply passing through.

I've fought vampires, demons, sky whales, angels, boxing rabbits, even a guy who called himself a god once. I've seen cities, stars, wars, ghosts. The world itself has been against me before. But this place, whatever it was called?

This one was weird. Really weird.

I mean, I helped some person from what appeared to be a brigand of some disposition stealing their things. They had a knife and what looked like a gun, so I beat them down and offered it back. People ran away, saying some weird stuff about vigilantes or dangerous criminals. Maybe it was the sword, but I think it was discrimination. I mean, all of these weird people fly and run about, dressed in tight and colorful outfits. When some kid in spider tights saves a little old lady from a dude on a flying thing, they throw a parade! But for me?

Nothing.

At least, before no one cared. Not until I managed to put on this outfit, to dress right. To look the part. No one gave Zyla a chance to help out, or even acknowledge me. Like a bit character in a play, they simply treated me as something that would be gone in a day. Simply dust to be thrown out when another of these super criminals attacked anew.

But then I put on my jacket, pulled up my tights, and slipped on my goggles. This time I came in, I broke a few bones and left a lot of bruises. No one died today. No one got hurt. Well... No one who mattered anyways. Pretty sure beating up the criminal was part of the job description. I was gone in a flash, this time literally, and took a seat high up on a building. Simply taking a break, listening. And you know what I heard?

Thanks. People telling each other about the new fox on the block, the person who showed up from nowhere and saved another. Someone questioning what she could do, who she was, why she showed up now. But above all, they were grateful to have another pair of eyes watching the city they called home, protecting them from those who, from so high above, see them not as people, but ants. The darkness from above, held back by the few who would shoulder the burden for the others.

Today, I felt unbroken.

Today, I realized it. I'm not just a fox, or a wanderer, or alone. I may be all those things, and so much more. But here?

Here, I am a hero.

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The first Stormwave picture I got, and a good one! The outfit has changed a bit, now it's the tall socks and bodysuit style from the previous look. That one will be the standard, but I still love this for the jacket

Shoutout to the great artist,  falkeart

Stormwave, is as always, me