ACT I - The Beginning
That day, and for the first time in his life, Titian Salvadore knew true fear. He didn’t just feel that exhilarating mix of excitement and anxiety surge through his veins; he breathed it in too, in shaky breaths that rested on his tongue with a metallic tingle, as the buzzing in his ears intensified. Under the evening airglow accentuated by the greenery of the forest, Titian stood paralyzed - as if it were not just seconds ago that he’d rushed to the scene after hearing the shrill scream of a young child in trouble.The stout-hearted side of him he believed existed had emerged the moment he realized someone out there was in need of help - his help. He had always assumed he could do it. All he needed was the ample opportunity and he would rise gracefully to the occasion, or so he thought. He could no longer say the same having come face-to-face with a ferocious monster almost twice his size. It stood on its hind feet, displaying its massive width enfolded in thick black fur stained with a contrasting crimson. The black horns rooted in the left of its head and forehead glimmered in the nightlight, along with those hooded bloodshot eyes that came to rest on Titian, as if daring him to make even the slightest movement. Its carnassial teeth crunched down on what was left of the dog he assumed belonged to the kid quivering and crying not too far off.The kid, his mind chided him, but his body stayed put. His cowardice overwhelmed him to the extent that he could only watch as it approached them for its next meal. At that moment, Titian thought his life would flash before his eyes. Instead, a silver scythe flitted into vision and the gruesome roaring of the beast pierced the air when that gigantic blade sliced through its thorax. As it thrashed around in pain, the wielder of the weapon - a golden-cloaked individual with a guild’s insignia burnt onto the back of their hand - quickly rescued the little boy and pushed him into Titian’s arms, ordering him silently to run for it before they charged back into the battlefield.Titian had darted off the second his senses returned, but though his savior’s person had remained hidden underneath the cloak, he would never forget those oceanic orbs and what they made him feel. Maybe it was an after-effect of that menacing magic they’d been shrouded in, but shivers shot down his spine anytime that scene replayed in his head. In the days that followed, he was lost in never-ending daydreams of what could’ve been, what could’ve gone wrong, and what could’ve been done right.He had awakened to a new truth: that he was a weakling and a coward; that he had lived and had nothing to show for it; that he could be something more. It was humiliating to recall how useless he had been that night. Yet surprisingly a feeling other than embarrassment had nestled in his chest. He might not have the strength and bravado like that Good Samaritan that had spared his life or like many other heroes in legends told, but he wanted to at least try to satisfy this newfound yearning that pushed him to make a man of himself.Though he might lack that strength and that much-needed bravado, he would help others in his own way. It was an oath he later swore not only to himself but to the members of the Lionheart Guild, who would become his comrades for lifeThe Guild had been like a story that had never come to being before and as though the Universe had heard his oath, it had delivered it right under the nose. When word got out that the Guild was looking for additional brave men, that opportunity arose. Titan had resolved to do whatever it took, but he had no idea it would happen so quickly, and his despair had grown when the interested men would have to demonstrate their power on a battlefield.Not having enough strength and the days still away, he had decided to learn how to fight. On the very day, he had also gotten the same feeling as that day and it took great confidence to face his opponents. He had been surprised when he passed it all.The Guild gave him the option of joining them to join fellow adventurers on quests, help people and earn a name for himself. As nice as these were, he was only looking to help others and joined the Guild, swearing an oath alongside the new members.Above all, the Guild stood for communication and helping others, which Titan vowed to do honestly. The name also brought forth attention, good or bad because there were those out there who stood against good. Their quests weren't anything easy as there were to come into face with monsters Titan never knew existed.He remembered the animal from that night and occasionally wondered if he'd made the wrong decision, but remembering that he hadn't done anything then only bolstered his conviction. He also didn't need to worry about how to survive as there was the never ending resources because the Adventurers were mostly supplied with food, shelter, and gold as their way of earning their keep.To break the oath was a strong offense as it was what the Guild stood for. As Titan didn't think he had achieved anything yet, he didn't intend to break it.It was difficult to deal with people from all over the world, each with their own peculiarities, but Titan remained unfazed. He knew he could work effectively with others and he did.He made friends and these were the people with whom he traversed the road less traveled, as the Lionhearted, unlike many others that prioritized the fame, affluence and puissance attained through conquest, desired a selfless spirit born from the courage to be kind. To be honest, it was a path reserved for those who were just crazy enough to wear their hearts on their sleeves, bearing that weird and often-mocked insignia with pride.This is the story of Titian Salvadore and of his quest, neither for wealth nor for power, but for a life that would be lived for others. For him, that was what it meant to be a true hero.
That day, and for the first time in his life, Titian Salvadore knew true fear. He didn’t just feel that exhilarating mix of excitement and anxiety surge through his veins; he breathed it in too, in shaky breaths that rested on his tongue with a metallic tingle, as the buzzing in his ears intensified. Under the evening airglow accentuated by the greenery of the forest, Titian stood paralyzed - as if it were not just seconds ago that he’d rushed to the scene after hearing the shrill scream of a young child in trouble.The stout-hearted side of him he believed existed had emerged the moment he realized someone out there was in need of help - his help. He had always assumed he could do it. All he needed was the ample opportunity and he would rise gracefully to the occasion, or so he thought. He could no longer say the same having come face-to-face with a ferocious monster almost twice his size. It stood on its hind feet, displaying its massive width enfolded in thick black fur stained with a contrasting crimson. The black horns rooted in the left of its head and forehead glimmered in the nightlight, along with those hooded bloodshot eyes that came to rest on Titian, as if daring him to make even the slightest movement. Its carnassial teeth crunched down on what was left of the dog he assumed belonged to the kid quivering and crying not too far off.The kid, his mind chided him, but his body stayed put. His cowardice overwhelmed him to the extent that he could only watch as it approached them for its next meal. At that moment, Titian thought his life would flash before his eyes. Instead, a silver scythe flitted into vision and the gruesome roaring of the beast pierced the air when that gigantic blade sliced through its thorax. As it thrashed around in pain, the wielder of the weapon - a golden-cloaked individual with a guild’s insignia burnt onto the back of their hand - quickly rescued the little boy and pushed him into Titian’s arms, ordering him silently to run for it before they charged back into the battlefield.Titian had darted off the second his senses returned, but though his savior’s person had remained hidden underneath the cloak, he would never forget those oceanic orbs and what they made him feel. Maybe it was an after-effect of that menacing magic they’d been shrouded in, but shivers shot down his spine anytime that scene replayed in his head. In the days that followed, he was lost in never-ending daydreams of what could’ve been, what could’ve gone wrong, and what could’ve been done right.He had awakened to a new truth: that he was a weakling and a coward; that he had lived and had nothing to show for it; that he could be something more. It was humiliating to recall how useless he had been that night. Yet surprisingly a feeling other than embarrassment had nestled in his chest. He might not have the strength and bravado like that Good Samaritan that had spared his life or like many other heroes in legends told, but he wanted to at least try to satisfy this newfound yearning that pushed him to make a man of himself.Though he might lack that strength and that much-needed bravado, he would help others in his own way. It was an oath he later swore not only to himself but to the members of the Lionheart Guild, who would become his comrades for lifeThe Guild had been like a story that had never come to being before and as though the Universe had heard his oath, it had delivered it right under the nose. When word got out that the Guild was looking for additional brave men, that opportunity arose. Titan had resolved to do whatever it took, but he had no idea it would happen so quickly, and his despair had grown when the interested men would have to demonstrate their power on a battlefield.Not having enough strength and the days still away, he had decided to learn how to fight. On the very day, he had also gotten the same feeling as that day and it took great confidence to face his opponents. He had been surprised when he passed it all.The Guild gave him the option of joining them to join fellow adventurers on quests, help people and earn a name for himself. As nice as these were, he was only looking to help others and joined the Guild, swearing an oath alongside the new members.Above all, the Guild stood for communication and helping others, which Titan vowed to do honestly. The name also brought forth attention, good or bad because there were those out there who stood against good. Their quests weren't anything easy as there were to come into face with monsters Titan never knew existed.He remembered the animal from that night and occasionally wondered if he'd made the wrong decision, but remembering that he hadn't done anything then only bolstered his conviction. He also didn't need to worry about how to survive as there was the never ending resources because the Adventurers were mostly supplied with food, shelter, and gold as their way of earning their keep.To break the oath was a strong offense as it was what the Guild stood for. As Titan didn't think he had achieved anything yet, he didn't intend to break it.It was difficult to deal with people from all over the world, each with their own peculiarities, but Titan remained unfazed. He knew he could work effectively with others and he did.He made friends and these were the people with whom he traversed the road less traveled, as the Lionhearted, unlike many others that prioritized the fame, affluence and puissance attained through conquest, desired a selfless spirit born from the courage to be kind. To be honest, it was a path reserved for those who were just crazy enough to wear their hearts on their sleeves, bearing that weird and often-mocked insignia with pride.This is the story of Titian Salvadore and of his quest, neither for wealth nor for power, but for a life that would be lived for others. For him, that was what it meant to be a true hero.
ACT I
The Beginning
That day, and for the first time in his life, Titian Salvadore knew true fear. He didn’t just feel that exhilarating mix of excitement and anxiety surge through his veins; he breathed it in too, in shaky breaths that rested on his tongue with a metallic tingle, as the buzzing in his ears intensified. Under the evening airglow accentuated by the greenery of the forest, Titian stood paralyzed - as if it were not just seconds ago that he’d rushed to the scene after hearing the shrill scream of a young child in trouble.The stout-hearted side of him he believed existed had emerged the moment he realized someone out there was in need of help - his help. He had always assumed he could do it. All he needed was the ample opportunity and he would rise gracefully to the occasion, or so he thought. He could no longer say the same having come face-to-face with a ferocious monster almost twice his size. It stood on its hind feet, displaying its massive width enfolded in thick black fur stained with a contrasting crimson. The black horns rooted in the left of its head and forehead glimmered in the nightlight, along with those hooded bloodshot eyes that came to rest on Titian, as if daring him to make even the slightest movement. Its carnassial teeth crunched down on what was left of the dog he assumed belonged to the kid quivering and crying not too far off.The kid, his mind chided him, but his body stayed put. His cowardice overwhelmed him to the extent that he could only watch as it approached them for its next meal. At that moment, Titian thought his life would flash before his eyes. Instead, a silver scythe flitted into vision and the gruesome roaring of the beast pierced the air when that gigantic blade sliced through its thorax. As it thrashed around in pain, the wielder of the weapon - a golden-cloaked individual with a guild’s insignia burnt onto the back of their hand - quickly rescued the little boy and pushed him into Titian’s arms, ordering him silently to run for it before they charged back into the battlefield.Titian had darted off the second his senses returned, but though his savior’s person had remained hidden underneath the cloak, he would never forget those oceanic orbs and what they made him feel. Maybe it was an after-effect of that menacing magic they’d been shrouded in, but shivers shot down his spine anytime that scene replayed in his head. In the days that followed, he was lost in never-ending daydreams of what could’ve been, what could’ve gone wrong, and what could’ve been done right.He had awakened to a new truth: that he was a weakling and a coward; that he had lived and had nothing to show for it; that he could be something more. It was humiliating to recall how useless he had been that night. Yet surprisingly a feeling other than embarrassment had nestled in his chest. He might not have the strength and bravado like that Good Samaritan that had spared his life or like many other heroes in legends told, but he wanted to at least try to satisfy this newfound yearning that pushed him to make a man of himself.Though he might lack that strength and that much-needed bravado, he would help others in his own way. It was an oath he later swore not only to himself but to the members of the Lionheart Guild, who would become his comrades for lifeThe Guild had been like a story that had never come to being before and as though the Universe had heard his oath, it had delivered it right under the nose. When word got out that the Guild was looking for additional brave men, that opportunity arose. Titan had resolved to do whatever it took, but he had no idea it would happen so quickly, and his despair had grown when the interested men would have to demonstrate their power on a battlefield.Not having enough strength and the days still away, he had decided to learn how to fight. On the very day, he had also gotten the same feeling as that day and it took great confidence to face his opponents. He had been surprised when he passed it all.The Guild gave him the option of joining them to join fellow adventurers on quests, help people and earn a name for himself. As nice as these were, he was only looking to help others and joined the Guild, swearing an oath alongside the new members.Above all, the Guild stood for communication and helping others, which Titan vowed to do honestly. The name also brought forth attention, good or bad because there were those out there who stood against good. Their quests weren't anything easy as there were to come into face with monsters Titan never knew existed.He remembered the animal from that night and occasionally wondered if he'd made the wrong decision, but remembering that he hadn't done anything then only bolstered his conviction. He also didn't need to worry about how to survive as there was the never ending resources because the Adventurers were mostly supplied with food, shelter, and gold as their way of earning their keep.To break the oath was a strong offense as it was what the Guild stood for. As Titan didn't think he had achieved anything yet, he didn't intend to break it.It was difficult to deal with people from all over the world, each with their own peculiarities, but Titan remained unfazed. He knew he could work effectively with others and he did.He made friends and these were the people with whom he traversed the road less traveled, as the Lionhearted, unlike many others that prioritized the fame, affluence and puissance attained through conquest, desired a selfless spirit born from the courage to be kind. To be honest, it was a path reserved for those who were just crazy enough to wear their hearts on their sleeves, bearing that weird and often-mocked insignia with pride.This is the story of Titian Salvadore and of his quest, neither for wealth nor for power, but for a life that would be lived for others. For him, that was what it meant to be a true hero.