The chanting, spread like a wildfire, filling the harbor. It was as if the harbor had come to life to speak to all who had gathered.
It spoke only one word, over and over again. "Raghav!" "Raghav!" "Raghav!"
Kanah looked at the people raising his right hand, the chanting began to die down as more and more people stopped.
He chuckled turning around, looking up at the snake. "What is your name?"
The snake lowered itself in the water to be slightly below Kanah's eyes. "My name is Serna. I am the mythical beast that guards the Ancient waters and I am the daughter of the dragon king."
Kanah slightly tilted his head, gesturing Serna to come closer. She leaned forward as Kanah whispered something to her.
Serna closed her red eyes and backed away from the harbor. She was then surrounded by a blue glow. The people nearby stepped back but Kanah spread his hands out. "Do not fear. She will not harm anyone."
Serna began growing, until she reached her previous size. Then she looked at the entire city with her five heads. One facing north, one facing west, one facing east, one facing north-west and the last one facing north-east.
She then closed her eyes as the glow spread around her, entering the city. "I shall return this city to the condition it was, when I emerged five minutes ago."
As she opened her eyes, the broken windows began to repair themselves, the broken ships and their cargo began to appear out of the sea. Ships and docks were rebuilt.
Kanah looked at the western harbor as it was rebuilt and the war-ships were once again docked at the military port.
As the process finished, Serna looked down at Kanah. "I have done, that which was asked of me. I repaired all the structural damage and I have revived those who died. All save for one, his soul was beyond the reach of my powers. I shall leave now." Serna then disappeared in a flash of blue light.
Kanah smiled, turning around. The white glow around him fading away, he looked at the people, some talked among themselves and some approached him, holding his hands.
"Thank you, Raghav." "We survived because of you." Kanah greeted all of them with a smile. "It was my duty as the hero to safeguard you all and that is all I have done."
He raised his head looking at the people around him. "You do not have to thank me for anything. I am glad, that you are safe.
He then turned his head to the western harbor, dropping his smile and clenching his teeth. Before turning back to the crowd, smiling once more. "The disaster is over and you are now safe."
The crowd cheered and celebrated. Until a voice tore through the cheering. "Stop pretending!" Kanah and the crowd turned towards a building in front of them.
Kanah chuckled, looking at the hooded man, standing on the roof. "I was wondering, when you will get back up." Shin looked down at Kanah with a grin on his face, he then spread his arms addressing the people.
"Ladies and Gentlemen. The man before you is not Raghav Suryanshi." Kanah crossed his arms, looking at Shin with an amused expression. 'Is that what we are doing?'
Shin pointed at Kanah. "This man is Kanah. He was born nineteen years ago in Rine, during the night of the comet. He is not a hero summoned from another world, like that idiot, hauled up in the castle. Kanah is a hero born in this world. He is the real Hero!"
The crowd turned to Kanah with wide eyes. He lowered his arms and looked at each person with a troubled smile. An elderly woman walked forward, using a cane as she reached for Kanah. "Is this true?"
Kanah's face saddened as he nodded. He then stepped forward placing a hand on his chest. "It is true, that I happened to be born the night the comet passed. It is true, I share appearances with Raghav."
He turned to the left, gesturing towards the soldier. "When you mistook me for him. I was happy, because I know. I am not the one who will save Paneria, I am not the one who will lead us against Evil. Raghav can do that and I believe in him as does our King. I did not wish to stand in his way, by making the people believe in someone who is not their savior."
He looked at the people with a gentle slime. "I am not the Hero of Prophecy. I am but a farmer from Rine. I can't save this world, he can." He then closed his eyes, before looking at the people with a newly lit fire in his eyes. "I promise this to you, I shall not hide away, I will fight when the time comes. I will be there."
Silence filled the harbor. Until one man walked forward, pointing at Shin. "Please don't talk ill about Raghav, just because he is from another world. He has committed himself to save our world. What does he stand to gain from all of this?"
The man looked around at the people, who were all silent. "Nothing! He stands to gain nothing, yet he has promised to help our world. I believe in Raghav, I also believe in the man in front of us. This is no coincidence, but a message from The One."
Shin crossed his arms as he chuckled. "What are you trying to say?" The man placed a hand on his chest as he closed his eyes.
"I feel it in my heart, that Kanah and Raghav are one and the same. I believe that they represent two sides of the same coin. They are both heroes, who have helped this kingdom and its people in their own way. If the Duke were to be punished, we would have lost our leader, the man who took care of this city for nearly two decades, if it were not for Raghav."
He then gestured towards Kanah with both his hands. "And this city would have been lost, if not for Kanah."
The crowd, including Shin began clapping for the man. Once the clapping stopped Shin pointed towards Kanah. "Well said. I agree with this man. Kanah, the reason I could not let you lie is because Raghav is a man of Honor and truth. He would have not accepted the praise for something he did not do. I understand why you would not want to take the credit, but it is rightfully yours. You may not think of yourself as a hero. But you are one today."
Shin spread his arms. "People of Marne. Yesterday, we celebrated Raghav. Today we celebrate Kanah, the man who saved this city."
The crowd turned towards Kanah, they swarmed him lifting him on their shoulders. They began to chant his name. "Kanah!" "Kanah!" "Kanah!"
Kanah looked at the people with a solemn look, before he began to smile, he laughed and waved at the people as they all cheered for him, a wave of joy spread throughout the harbor.
The old man looked at the entire event, from a distance. His black eyes focused on the scene unfolding before him.
The celebration went on for a few minutes before a carriage came through the crowd, stopping before Kanah. The people lowered Kanah as the doors to the carriage were opened by soldiers escorting it.
Hert stepped out of the carriage and turned towards Kanah, extending his hand. Kanah shook Hert's hand with a smile on his face.
He then turned to the crowd. "Citizens and guests of Marne, I, Hert Lambda, the manager of the Reid Estate. Have come to inform you that a raven has been sent to Rine."
He glanced at Kanah from the corner of his eyes. "Lord Galreid, shall set foot in this city before noon. He will address the incident in a gathering at the theatre. For the time being, I kindly ask that you all return to your homes and inns."
Hert then gestured to the soldier by his side. "The valiant soldiers of Istreid shall stand united with the brave adventurers." He finished gesturing towards an adventurer.
"They will aid you to the fullest extent of their abilities. If you have been separated from your kin, kindly notify them so that, you may be reunited with your loved ones."
He then bowed slightly to the citizens. They all looked at Kanah, who nodded, gesturing the people to leave. Soon everyone was escorted by the soldiers, until Kanah, Shin, Hert and the soldiers accompanying him were the only ones left behind.
Shin jumped down from the building walking towards Kanah. "How did I do?" Kanah jabbed him in the stomach lightly. "It was bad, I mean where was it even going. We had no direction, but I think it could work."
Kanah turned towards Hert. "What do you think, Sir?" Hert stroked his chin with his left hand, while keeping his right hand folded behind himself.
"From what I gather of this incident, the two of you, enacted this charade to garner support for Raghav."
Kanah and Shin nodded. "That idiot has the social skills of a rock. He arrived in this world at the last minute, saved the Duke and punished the man responsible. All great deeds, but that motherfucker forgot the most important aspect that a person of such importance must follow."
Hert narrowed his eyes as he looked at Shin. "Master Kanah, am I to assume all your friends are this vulgar?" Kanah chuckled, shaking his head. "Just this one. Go a Shin."
Shin turned to Hert with a smug. "That moron forgot to maintain a good image, he makes a public appearance with the king. Then he was gone, no one has seen him since, he is locked up in the castle. Doing god knows what. So I thought, I will do some publicity for him."
Hert glanced over to Kanah who shrugged his shoulders. "I mean the cat was bound to get out of the bag. Raghav would have denied it, the moment someone asked him. So I thought, it's best if we can use it to form a narrative that brings the people together. The prophecy is believed in each and every part of Paneria. If suddenly there were two candidates, to fulfil that prophecy. People will be divided. I do not want that to happen."
Hert hummed in response. Kanah then looked up at the sky as he sighed. "I shall return to the estate and prepare everything for the Duke's arrival." Kanah looked back down at Hert as he nodded. "Goodnight, sir." "Goodnight to you too."
Hert then boarded his carriage and left the two friends all alone. "So? What now?" Kanah yawned. "I am going back to my family and sleeping. I was out of Mana at the end."
Shin nodded. "You should be thankful for that burst of Omniurja. It is not every day one gets to witness the pinnacle of the Primordial Forces in action. I wish I could actually use Necroshade to the extent that you used Omniurja."
Kanah chuckled. "Do not lose patience, it's just been two years and you are already at the rank of a master, give it time and you might be able to use the full capabilities of Necroshade." Shin flashed his eyebrows. "I hope so." Kanah chuckled, gesturing towards Shin's left wrist. "You have a timepiece? What time is it?"
Shin licked the edge of his lips as he looked at the analog watch on his wrist. "It's nearly 10:00 P.M" Kanah extended his hand to Shin, who shook his hand as both spoke in unison. "Goodnight, brother."
They laughed and walked their separate ways as Kanah reached into his pocket and pulled out a small metallic ring, with small needles with balls, sticking out from it. He held it above his head under a street lamp. 'What are you? A problem?'
"For someone else to deal with." He then pocketed it with a smile as he jumped forward, dancing his way through the harbor.
In an hour, he stood by the inn's door, his hand resting on the handle, shaking his head, he opened the door and was greeted by a lobby filled with travelers and sailors.
They looked at Kanah and at one another. One man spat his drink on his friends face. "That's the Hero!" Kanah smiled walking in. "Gentlemen, I would appreciate it, if you could be as you were. I've had a long week."
The men nodded as they talked amongst themselves. Kanah walked towards the reception where Geneva stood, looking at Kanah. "Welcome back, Hero. Anything I could do for the savior of this city and this inn."
"The news did travel fast." Geneva nodded as she leaned on the counter. "It was funny, because most of us could neither see nor hear, what happened on the northern harbor, after you defeated the beast. But one of guests, happened to be there, he came back and recited the entire incident to us. Once I heard your name, I made the connection."
Kanah chuckled. "You're smart. Anyhow, I shall go see my family." Geneva nodded. "Of course, thank you for placing a barrier on this inn. A lot of people were able to find shelter here." Kanah smiled, walking away. "It was the least I could do."
He climbed up the stairs and turned left, heading straight for the suite. He knocked on the door and heard rushed footsteps from the other side, getting closer to the door, until it swung open.
And something collided with him, holding onto his right leg. "Did I scare you Maya?" "Hmmm." Kanah patted Maya on the head as he looked forward. "Mother."
He tilted his head with a gentle smile on his face. His mother placed a hand on his face. "I am proud of you. Geneva told us what happened out there. I won't lie, I knew it was you." She then gestured Kanah to enter. He smiled picking up his sister in his arms. "A mother's instinct?" She nodded.
The three stepped, making their way to the sitting area. There sat Peter in utter silence. He looked at the three and motioned his wife to go to her room. Mata nodded and lifted Maya out of Kanah's hands much to the girl's resistance and took her to her room.
Kanah stood still, looking at his father, his hand held in front of his waist. Peter looked at Kanah. "I heard you fought that beast and saved the city." Kanah nodded, "Yes Father."
"Was it difficult?" Kanah gently shook his head. "No Father." Peter gently nodded. "Good job. Go to sleep. We search for ships tomorrow." "Yes Father."
Kanah bowed slightly and went to the room were his grandfather was sleeping. Peter looked down at the table, his lips curling into a smile.
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The sun peeked over the mountains and projected its glow on the city of Rine.
Raghav stood at the edge of the garden on the castle's roof. He wore nothing save for a white towel tied at his waist, he had tucked back his wet hair. Water dripped from his chest hair down to his waist.
His black eyes looked at the rising sun, pouring water towards it from a copper globar water pot, held over his head.
Once the water was emptied, he brought the pot down to his chest and closed his eyes and bowed to the sun.
A roar entered his ears as he opened his eyes and turned to the left. In the distant sky a dark blue wyvern, the size of a small cabin, made its way towards the castle.
'A wyvern? At this hour?' Raghav turned towards the glass floor at the center of the roof. He walked towards it standing at its edge. Through it he looked down into the throne room.
Where he could see, Galreid kneel before the King. The King reached forward hugging him, once they separated Galreid ran out of the room.
Raghav narrowed his eyes, turning towards the entrance to the roof. 'Something's wrong.'