Birthplace of Heroes

In a quiet forest valley, Magen Village's occupants scurry about doing the thousands of things villagers must do to live. No one has time to think about taking a break or having the luxury possessed by those living in large cities.

Magen Village is typical in that regard, but this ordinary Village has a secret. It is the birthplace of heroes. Some of the world's greatest heroes began their journey in this sleepy Village. The world, however, is entirely unaware of the contributions Magen Village has made.

Lach Dingar is a young villager who, like many his age, dreams of taking up the mantle of hero. Bringing justice to the world, protecting the innocent, defeating evil, and standing up for what's right are the qualities of a true hero!

Today, the young men of the Village are working hard to take care of the farms. Running with buckets of water, he softens dry, cracked earth to help a newlywed couple dig posts for the fence going up on their new homestead.

At sixteen, Lach was filled with vigor and ambition like his friends. The only thoughts he has is about being chosen as the next hero.

"The Oracle said a new hero candidate would be selected this year! I hope it's me, but no one is clear about what it takes to be chosen.

Somehow, I need to hide my fear. If anyone ever found out how much of a coward I am, there's no way I could become the next hero." A depressed sigh escaped Lach's mouth.

"Lach! You are almost done with the fence; the lunch bell just sounded."

Turning around, Lach saw his best friend, Ubaid, casually walking toward him.

"Ubaid, I was so focused, I didn't even hear the bell!"

"Focused? What were you focused on? Don't tell me another snake came out of the hole again. I've never met anyone so scared of grass snakes! HAHAHA"

Panic set in over Lach's face.

"Shhh! Quiet, Ubaid, what if someone hears you? If anyone finds out that I'm cowardly, there's no way I can become a hero candidate. So don't destroy my dream before it has the chance."

"How do you suppose you can hide your cowardice from anyone? Everyone already knows." Ubaid laughed at his friend.

"Listen, Ubaid; they only know I'm a person who carefully considers things before I act. There's a difference between being careful and being a coward."

"I don't get it; if you're such a coward, why do you want to be a hero?"

"Because...it's my dream." Ubaid gave Lach a skeptical glance.

Thinking to himself, "I really can't tell Ubaid that..." Before he could finish his thought, a sudden cry erupted from the forest.

"HELP!"

Both Lach and Ubaid were concerned by the cry and began to move.

"It's the Linder brat again; somehow, he got out and wandered into the forest again. I need to save him," Lach cried out as he heard the frightened cries for help.

Lach and Ubaid start running to the forest, but Ubaid slows his running and eventually stops. Lach was already moving through the trees. Watching from a distance, he intently inclined his head toward the forest.

"UGANDAAAAAA!!!!"

Ubaid started laughing as he heard his friend's trademark battle cry. But it was his trademark crybaby cry. It was a word that had no meaning as far as he knew. He didn't know why Lach also yelled it when he was about to do something crazy.

If he didn't guess wrong, the Linder brat was already in Lach's arms, and tears and snot were flowing down Lach's face.

Laughing as he waited for Lach to return, Ubaid's laughter produced tears when he saw his friend running with the bored Linder kid in his arms.

"Save me, save m Ubaid, it's coming, HELLLLLLLLLP!"

At that moment, a nine-foot-tall Tiger Wolf crashed through the trees roaring after Lach as its snapping jaws drew closer and closer. Seeing the beast, Ubaid stopped laughing and elegantly removed an arrow from his quiver and placed it on his bow. Aiming, he let the arrow fly. The arrow seemed to explode in might until it pierced the skull of the Tiger Wolf. The creature crashed to the ground, dead.

Lach collapsed before Ubaid while the Linder brat jumped out of his arms to look at the massive creature's corpse. Lach was panting for breath in between sobs and snot. He was completely pale and sweet poured from him, watering the ground.

Seeing nothing of interest, the Linder brat ran off to find something else to do. Ubaid looked at his friend and sighed.

"Are you sure you want to be a hero? You don't have the demeanor of one."

Looking at his best friend, the terrified young man swallowed and shakily responded in a whisper.

"I'm sure?"

"HAHAHA," Ubaid laughed unrestrainedly.

After Lach recovered, the pair walked to the center of the Village, where everyone ate lunch. Still recovering from his frightening experience, Lach sat at the first table he came to. Everyone pretended not to notice Lach as he sat weakly. Eventually, his head slammed onto the table as if his body finally gave up. Trying to contain the giggles and laughs, the other villagers started turning red.

Ubaid went to the cook and got a plate for Lach and himself.

"What happened this time?" The cook asked Ubaid, unable to contain his curiosity.

"The Linder brat riled up a Tiger Wolf."

"That sounds about right, here; I'll give him an extra meatball for valor." The cook laughed as he scooped a little more food onto Lach's plate.

"And here's your meatball for killing the thing."

Ubaid walked back with lunch for Lach and himself. He placed the food next to Lach, who started sniffing the air before he raised his head slightly to look at the food.

"He gave you an extra meatball for valor," Ubaid informed him. With that, some strength returned to Lach, and he sat up. Then, he stopped as he looked from his plate to Ubaid's.

"But we have the same number of meatballs."

"I got an extra one for getting your lunch." Ubaid grinned as he handed utensils to Lach.

"Thanks for killing that thing," Lach said as he blushed slightly.

"No problem, you had your hands full with the Linder brat."

"Hey! Are you talking about Oodie?"

"Sorry, Mr. Linder!" Lach and Ubaid responded together.

"He is a brat; thanks for saving him again, boys." Mr. Linder got up and disposed of his trash before returning to work.

After their lunch, Lach and Ubaid returned to their work. Unfortunately, as the sun was going down, the Village's emergency bell started sounding!