THE MOMENT
Astra could hear the music; but, she wasn't listening. She sat in the saloon that evening feeling a little lost. She'd successfully defeated the Dark Lord's general, but it felt empty somehow. She, and her partner Ben, had put up a tough fight and barely won by virtue of the villain retreating. But, he was still alive and presumably recovering and Astra couldn't help but feel he'd almost let her win. She was confident when the fight started; but, it didn't take too long before she was trying her best and barely surviving. She'd suffered a few wounds, and Ben even more. Her best friend was stable and recovering in the doctor's office while Astra sat alone pondering what to do next.
The band played to the merriment of everyone else while she pondered her new Ability. She'd been collecting Abilities here and there from monsters and as rewards for favors; but, this one was different. She earned a 'Talent Tree' after the Dark General fled, and it seemed like a bigger upgrade than any of the other skills she'd been using. She had things like Tornado Shot that harnessed wind into a dense, destructive bullet, and even a modifier Ability named 'Attack Die' that let her roll a magical dice for extra damage. But, the Talent Tree allowed her to modify a single one of her other Abilities even further, making it more powerful on a permanent basis. The more she replayed the fight in her mind, the more she convinced herself she hadn't actually won; but, instead was given the win in order to be given the upgrade. She didn't know what it meant if that were true, and that was what bothered her the most. The summoned hero was lost in her thoughts and didn't realize the music ended until Hector sat down before her.
"You're a hero!" he smiled. "Why the long face?" Hector was more or less Astra's age, and they'd chatted on occasion. But he wasn't an adventurer and she spent most of her time out of town.
"Just worried about Ben," Astra didn't lie as much as she omitted information. She was worried about him despite the doctor's reassurances he would make a full recovery. But, the doctor wasn't a vet and Astra still had that minor doubt.
"That big ol' wolf?" Hector chuckled. "He's a beast, and that handsome boy is more human than some of the people I've met. If I can give you a piece of advice, I genuinely believe he wouldn't want you worrying about him like this," Hector said. And, Astra couldn't help but nod with a smile.
"Thank you," she said.
"But, boy, I know what it's like to care," he said. "So, I get it. But, in general, try not to waste time worrying. I don't know how being...," he gestured at her with both hands. "... a summoned hero works. But, not one of us knows what the future holds. There may come a day when you have to go on without Ben. That day, and all the days after,... you'll regret the time wasted worrying."
She wanted to fight back against the idea itself; but, she knew he was right. She met Ben by chance and they became instant best friends. She was always assuming that she would one day return to the world she came from, and she knew she would do whatever was needed to take Ben with her. But, the possibility did exist that it might be impossible. Instead of entertaining or arguing with that thought more than she had to, she changed the subject.
"You've lost a good friend?" she asked.
"The best," Hector nodded. He moved his hand over and gently touched his violin. "I never met my mom; but, Old Joe did his best to look out for me. He even taught me how to play," he said. "Ran away from home early on and met the oldest man you'll ever see," he smiled warmly as he described his father figure.
"His face was nothing but wrinkled leather with thin, stringy pure white hair," he chuckled. "He was going so bald; but, somehow he had full, thick and bushy white eyebrows. That old man always looked surprised, and with all his hair cotton-white, it looked like he had reason to be. And, I'll tell you. He could move like the wind, even at his age."
"I'm sorry to hear it...," Astra offered sincere condolences. "..how long ago..?" she wasn't sure what happened, so she didn't finish the question. But, she'd asked enough.
"A few years now," Hector nodded. "He was gone from my life as easily as he came into it. I didn't get to have him around for long; but, it was enough. And, I've gotten pretty good with this hunk of wood," he tapped the violin again. "I think he'd be proud. But, like I said..., every day after you'll regret time wasted worrying. I was young, so it couldn't be helped; but, these days...," he said.
"Whenever I practice, or up there for the crowd. It always happens. Playing the violin and I remember him. Where is he now? I hope it's a good place," Hector said. "He was there when I needed someone the most, then gone again, I guess as soon as I didn't need him; just like an angel. I'm inclined to think Ben is your angel," he said.
"And, so, from experience, I'm giving you the best advice I've got. Not a day goes by that I don't wonder about Old Joe," he chuckled with an almost somber tone. "Where did he come from?" he shrugged. "Where did he go?...," he sighed and smiled with obvious affection at the memory. "Where did you come from Cotton Eye'd Joe."