They've always called me a hero on paper, but sometimes that's the only part of my life that actually seems heroic. I've worked all over the world, from Paragon to the Rogue Isles. I've even been involved in Praetorian operations on the occasional basis. I've worked with all sorts of heroes, rogues and vigilantes. Though I will never officially admit to working alongside declared villains, I will admit that they are handy in a pinch, especially against threats of world ending potential.
There's always one thing in common though, regardless of your alignment. All of us have big stories to tell, moments that have defined or destroyed more than a few capes. Some end in glory, others in tragedy, and more than a fair share end with nothing more than regrets. It was because of one of these that I found myself drowning my sorrows in a King's Row bar.
I had lost track of how much I had drunk, when I heard the door open behind me. The footsteps came up behind me and then stopped. I had just raised my tenth (or was it the eleventh?) glass to my lips when this massive hand plucked it from my fingers and tossed it against the wall. When I noticed that the crowd was rushing out the door, I turned around and caught the glare of Statesman.
"What do you think you are doing, Lestock?!? You cannot do this city any good sitting in here drinking your sorrows away. You are a hero! Act like one!"
I scoffed, having a good head of steam, and courage fortified by no small amount of drink.
"Just what do you think a Hero is, Cole? Are we meant to put our lives on the line ever single day for people who just take us for granted? People who always think that we will be there to save them? Not everything is so black and white! You were never willing to do whatever it took to keep this City safe. You're nothing more than a coward. How many lives could have been saved if you had just killed Recluse when you had the chance? Did you even stop to consider the collateral damage a crashing Rikti ship could cause? You're no hero! You're a thug in a cape!"
"So we are to throw away our principles then? Get rid of honor and integrity? We are examples to the people, we have standards we must live up to!"
"To hell with your standards, Cole, and to hell with you!" I brought up a fist and swung it at him, only to connect with empty air.
"You are not like this. Do you think you are the only hero who's ever failed? Do you honestly think that I have never felt the guilt and regret you feel now? I may have god-like powers, but I am still a man."
I swung at him again, and thought I was about to connect cleanly, when my fist passed right through him. Confusion crossed my face until my mind caught up with my eyes.
"Failure never defines us unless we let it, Lestock." Statesman said, as he faded away. "You stopped Wade, and the cost was indeed high, but that is the price we pay as heroes. We are not beholden to the people, we are beholden to ourselves, to do what we believe is right, and to leave the world better than when we came into it. I do not blame you for my death, nor does Shalice. If you seek forgiveness, know that you have it, but if you seek absolution, know that you can never find it fully."
I sputtered and blinked, scarce believing this phantom before me.
"You are a hero. You do what you must to keep this world safe, just as I once did. Our methods may have differed, but our hearts are the same. You know what you must do."
The spectre of Marcus Cole faded away completely, and I turn back to the bar, where the bartender looked at me with a smile on his face.
"Pardon me, but you're not the only hero to have gotten a visit like that. I think in his own way, he is still looking after this city, by protecting the souls of its protectors. The only question is, what are you going to do about it?"
I placed my money on the counter and turned to the door, not answering. I took a few steps and then paused, thinking, then spoke.
"I think........ No. I know what I'm going to do. I'm going patrolling."
FINI
Wherever they put Infinity.