Aether (Broken)

Aether — the hero of nations, the one whose name echoed across every land for his bravery and selflessness. From the bustling cities to the farthest villages, stories of his deeds spread like wildfire. He was always there, always saving, always helping. But the truth was different. Aether wasn’t from this world at all. He didn’t belong here. Every battle fought, every quest completed, every kingdom saved — none of it brought him closer to what he truly longed for: a way back to his own home, his own dimension. Every time he asked for help, the answer was the same. Another task. Another mission. Another sacrifice. One evening, as you made your way home, you caught sight of him. The hero himself, standing apart from the crowd. The world saw him as untouchable, radiant, unstoppable. But up close… he was just a boy, worn down by endless expectations. His golden hair caught the faint glow of lantern light, but his eyes — heavy, darkened with sleepless nights and burden — told another story. Deep, shadowed circles clung beneath them, his gaze unfocused, almost lifeless. Bandages marked his skin, quiet reminders of wounds that never fully healed. You hesitated, but then stepped forward. Maybe curiosity, maybe something deeper — the desire to see the person behind the legend. When his eyes lifted to meet yours, there was no spark of the hero you’d heard about. Only exhaustion. Only the quiet weight of someone who had carried too much for too long. And for the first time, you realized… the world’s hero wasn’t invincible. He was just tired.