Tragedy of the Greatest Heroes

Chapter 10: Savior

Violet woke up, her bed was warm and the blanket on top of her was the perfect weight. She wanted to just keep her eyes closed, just rest. She was exhausted mentally after meeting with her father.

Several minutes later Violet sat up in her bed and opened her eyes. She looked down and saw herself in a hospital bed with a hospital gown. She felt around her stomach and chest and found that the injuries her father had dealt to her had been healed.

Looking around the room her eyes were instantly drawn to a large window to her left. Outside the window she could see a large city outside, a few miles away, the skyscrapers shining brightly surrounded by small buildings, and bustling traffic swarmed on the ground. People passed each other like ants, an innumerable number of them, each with their tasks in mind.

“So you’re finally awake.”

Violet turned around startled. She hadn’t noticed earlier, her attention drawn to the cityscape, but Mark was sitting to her right, in his bed, in a hospital gown, with a book and an apple. He smiled softly at Violet, his face bringing Violet great comfort. Unlike her father, Mark's comforting smile was genuine.

“Just so you know, you’ve been asleep since yesterday. Including today there are two remaining days left before the second section.”

‘How could I have slept for so long? Were my injuries that severe?’

Violet was no stranger to bad injuries. While training for the AGH application she had suffered numerous ones. But none of them had caused her to sleep for such an extended amount of time. Violet sighed and for a moment sat in silence. Mark continued to eat his apple. Violet recalled her experience. Her father was enraged, more than he had ever been. In fact, Violet believed she might have died by his hands that day. Not to mention, her head injuries had caused her counter to go up.

‘... Oh, my counter. I should check where it’s at.’

Violet immediately performed a self-assessment on the counter, hopefully it wasn’t too high.

63%

Violet subconsciously shook her head. It was an entire 10% higher since the last time she checked. At the very least though, it wouldn’t reach 100% today. Then she could reset some of it by sleeping.

Turning towards Mark she decided to ask him a question. From what she remembered, he had been called to the Principal for a private conversation. What happened that caused him to end up in the hospital?

“Mark…”

Violet had forgotten something very important. She was socially incompetent.

“Uh… Um I…”

As Violet sat there, slightly panicking, and unable to find her words, Mark spoke up.

“You want to ask about my injuries right?”

Violet quickly shut her mouth and nodded vigorously. Swaths of hair flinging up and down from the movement. Luckily Mark had said her question for her.

“Well Violet, while I was returning from the Principal's office I hit my head on a low-hanging door. At the time I was on a light jog to make it back to breakfast so I hit the door with a lot of force. I ended up unconscious and fell down the stairs behind the door. Now I’m here.”

Violet ended up chuckling a bit at Mark's story. The thought of him rag-dolling down a staircase after hitting his head on a ceiling was just too amusing to her.

Mark looked back at her fondly. His face was soft, and his smile small, but his eyes held such a deep joy. Violet couldn’t help but think of what Mark's life was like. What kind of life did one need to have to possess such a happiness?

Knock, Knock, Knock

From the other side of the door, Mark and Violet heard two familiar voices.

“Hey guys we came to check up on you!” Vivian exclaimed.

“We brought you guys some food for lunch,” Roland said.

They opened the door and walked into the small hospital room where Mark and Violet were kept. With them was a small cart with plates of food. There were all kinds of food like lobster, steak, scallops, sushi, asparagus, cauliflower, and more.

Violet felt her mouth water as she realized just how hungry she was. She hadn’t eaten since the night before yesterday. Her stomach growled noisily, allowing everyone to realize Violet's hunger.

Everyone turned to stare at Violet for a moment. Hearing her stomach make such a noise was not something they expected from a main family member of the Woos’. Then Vivian began to laugh. It wasn’t a large laugh but it was filled with a mischief that quickly spread. Soon Roland joined in, then Mark, and then Violet. They all laughed at the embarrassment of the moment.

Vivian and Roland gave Mark each a plate, a tray, and a set of utensils for them to eat. As they enjoyed the meal Roland and Vivian updated them on some information.

The rankings currently had Mark, still at first, now at 135 points. However, someone in second place was rapidly approaching, having gained 50 points in a single day, placing them at 74 points.

Roland on the other hand had been able to make it into the top 10 applicants with his points and was currently at 8th place with a total of 11 points. He had earned some more following the closing door incident.

Vivian had made a lot of progress on the leaderboard, moving up almost 20 places to 42nd at -28 points. She wasn’t in an optimal spot like Mark and Roland but she had a decent chance at making it to the top 20, which would grant her consideration for acceptance at the end of the application.

Violet on the other hand had been asleep for an entire day and had done nothing in the morning yesterday like the other three. She was left in 102nd place with -79 total points.

Violet breathed out a tremendous sigh. She still had several days left in the application but she desperately needed to get more points. No matter how influential and powerful her family was there was nothing they could do that would make AGH change the scores.

‘That’s assuming they would even be willing to help me.’

After her father's meeting with her, Violet was certain that the relationship with her family had become more strained than ever. At this point, the chances that they would offer any assistance to her were low, even if she begged for it.

The stream of information from Roland and Vivian continued. Skipping over less important parts, they found some very important information about the other applicants.

“There are currently exactly 200 applicants right now. About 75% of them are Low B-Rank and the other half is largely Mid B-Rank.” Roland said.

Violet nodded understandingly. Such a ratio made sense, it was considered genius level just to get to Low B-Rank at this age, the fact that the majority were Low B-Rank served as a testament to how difficult it became to climb ranks the higher one went.

“However,” Vivian said “there are 3 High B-Ranks among the applicants. We weren’t able to find out who they were but there’s no doubt that they’ll be one of the most dangerous opponents for us moving forward.”

‘Us…’

Violet pondered this word for a moment. They hadn’t known each other any longer than a day, in fact, less considering Violet was unconscious for most of the time they knew each other, but Vivian already considered them a team.

‘Also 3 High B-Ranks. That’s going to be a problem.’

With a member of the Woo main family, a son of the Nordt family who was also in the top ten, and the current first-place applicant, Mark, this group of theirs was going to be a massive target. They would likely draw the attention of the High B-Ranks. If that happened, it would take at least two of the group to fight against them.

“Well, that’s all we have,” Vivian said. “Mark, the nurse wanted us to tell you that your treatment should be done now. You’re being discharged. Violet, unfortunately, you’ll have to spend a few more hours in here for the healing to take full effect.”

Violet nodded. It was regrettable since she wouldn’t be able to get any points this way, but she didn’t have any ideas on how to get them anyway. This would give her some time to think in peace about what to do.

About 30 minutes later Mark, Roland, and Vivian left the room. Mark had left behind his book for Violet to read if she wanted to.

Violet grabbed the book and looked at the title, “Mysterious Vigilantes” it said. Vigilantes were a controversial group of people, to say the least. While they usually did the work of a hero, they were often cruder with their ways and far more punishing, often maiming or outright killing villains for comparatively mundane crimes. On top of that many of them had turned to Villainy over the years. But their benefit was undeniable. While heroes were forced to follow strict protocol and keep in line with laws, vigilantes had no restrictions. As such, they often worked in tandem with heroes in situations where legally heroes were in a rather gray area.

Violet put the book down on a table next to her. She wasn’t interested in reading at the moment, instead, she looked outside through the window and began to brainstorm. If she wanted to be accepted to AGH then Violet would need to build up her points, the only question was how.

Soon Violet lost herself in a trance. Ideas floated in and out of her head, some unique and some not, some good and some bad, but all of them were considered. Soon enough Violet found that the sky had turned orange and the sun had begun to set.

Violet sighed. She wasn’t able to come up with ideas that didn’t require an event happening beforehand. She could just be a nice person and attempt to look out for flaws in the facility but those didn’t give enough points.

‘I feel stuck…’

For a moment Violet merely looked through the window at the setting sun. Streaks of orange and red tore through the blue sky. Shadows lengthened to overwhelm the light on the ground, swallowing up the cars and pedestrians beneath them. Buildings glimmered with a brilliant orange as they reflected the sun and sky. It was a truly beautiful sight.

Knock, Knock, Knock

Violet turned around to Roland entering the hospital room. Unfortunately, Mark and Vivian were absent.

“Hey, Violet. Mark and Vivian are making some dinner right now to celebrate your discharge. The nurse said that you can leave now and I just came to let you know.”

Roland smiled. While he didn’t have Mark's overwhelming warmth and joy, Roland’s smile brought a comforting security. Not that Mark didn’t provide security, but it just felt different.

‘If I had to put it to words, Mark makes me feel comfortable like I won’t be judged. But he doesn’t make me feel safe. Roland makes me feel like that somewhat.’

Violet pondered as to why this was for a few moments. Was it Roland's height? He was a fair bit taller than Mark, about 6’ 0. Perhaps it was his voice? Mark’s voice possessed a childlike tone that made one feel an infectious joy while Roland had a much deeper voice. Or perhaps it was because Roland also came from a famous psychic family. Perhaps Violet believed subconsciously that Roland shared some experiences with her coming from such a family. Although the Nordts were known to be a very kind family, unlike the Woos. While Violet brainstormed, Roland decided to ask a question.

“Um, Violet?”

Violet regained her focus on Roland, his face was now serious but not unfeeling. There was clear concern in his eyes for Violet. A complete contrast with Violet's father, who held nothing but contempt and rage.

“Violet, I wanted to ask… how did you get injured?”

Violet looked at him puzzled for a moment. She expected the nurse to tell them.

“The nurse told us not to ask you and wouldn’t tell us anything. But… your injuries were so severe. I just need to ask.”

Roland's voice displayed a sense of worry for Violet. His body language, almost fatherly, as though trying to plead with a daughter to share her problems.

Violet smiled at him. But she couldn’t tell. It could potentially put Roland in danger if she knew of her family situation, even if he was from the Nordt family. After several seconds of silence and deliberation, Violet formulated a sentence and potential responses and her responses to those responses to ensure the conversation would go smoothly.

“Roland, nothing happened it’s alright.”

“Violet, your injuries were horrifying. Your bodyguard abandoned his post to grab help! When you got here there was blood all over you. You had internal bleeding, your ribs punctured some organs, your skull was cracked and you suffered a severe concussion.”

Roland looked at Violet now, his face a strange mix of concern and anger, as though he wanted to intimidate Violet into telling the truth. But she couldn’t tell him, she didn’t want anyone else to get hurt. She couldn't tell him…

“Roland. I’m sorry but I’m serious, nothing happened.”

“Stop lying, Violet. You might not know this but you’re a terrible liar. I can see it in your eyes… You’re scared. Please, Violet, tell me. What happened?”

Violet looked into Roland, his eyes desperate and pleading. What was this? Why was he so desperate to know what happened to her? Desperate to know what happened to someone he barely knew?

Roland came up to Violet, kneeling on the ground, and grabbed one of her hands, placing it in between both of his. He looked at Violet, his face full of desperate determination.

“Violet… when we first met at that New Year's party all those years ago, I told you a story. You probably don’t remember it. The story was about a boy who was trapped by his family. They meant well, and they loved him. But he was suffocated, he was going down a path he didn’t want to travel.”

Roland's eyes now began to tear up. Violet could feel his hands tighten slightly, providing a warm, firm, secure grip around her hand. She practically felt his heart through his hands, flowing out into emotion.

“I asked what would you do if you were that boy.”

Violet now began to remember that day. Roland had come up to her and told her this story and that question. She had pondered it for a moment. She felt a connection with Roland, for her life too was suffocating.

‘At that time, I told him…’

“Be a hero. Because nobody would refuse their children a role so righteous as a beacon of hope.”

Violet spoke this aloud to Roland who nodded his head. His eyes were about to overflow with water.

“Yeah. That’s right. Violet, you saved me that day. Please let me return the favor.”

Violet felt her heart beat harder, and she began to feel her emotions sway. Why did she feel this way? Why was Roland so desperate to help her? Violet began to tear up herself a little.

She realized it. This was the first time in so long, that someone had so desperately wanted to help her. The first time in so long that someone had shown her care.

“Violet, I can see it in your eyes. Every second, you’ve experienced so much pain. Even now, I can see your eyes shake and widen in fear. Please Violet, just tell me… You’re safe here, I promise, nothing will hurt you here.”

Violet felt tears begin to stream down her face. A place safe? From them? Violet couldn’t even imagine such a future where she could be completely free from her family, but she knew it would be a paradise. And Roland was offering it to her.

‘Can it happen? Can he free me from this life?’

Violet looked Roland in the eyes. Her flawless face was ruined by the streaming tears and red eyes as she cried. Could this be the moment she had been waiting for all this time? Where she just needed to take the next step?

‘I want to tell him. I don’t want to live like this. But I can’t let him get hurt.’

As though he could read her mind Roland smiled at her. He wiped a tear off her face and looked at her fondly, clasping her hand with his again.

“Violet, don’t worry about me. Just focus on you.”

With those words, Violet completely broke down. She told him everything. The suffering she had faced at the hands of her father. The torture, the beatings, the sleepless nights. The way she was treated at home, was so horrible that she was forced to leave her family. How her father asked her to spy on Mark. All the while Roland held her hand and listened carefully.

A few minutes later, Violet had finally finished her rant. She breathed heavily, no longer crying. Her hair was frayed in all directions from her constant shaking and her hospital gown was soaking wet with tears.

Then, Roland stood up and wrapped Violet in his arms. He hugged her tightly, his warm breath running down Violet's neck. Together, they once more began to cry, as the sun fell beneath the horizon and the stars sprinkled the sky.

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End of Chapter 10