Chapter 3

Keagan stood in front of the worn-out door of the run-down building, his heart pounding with excitement. He hadn't seen his younger brother, Josh,  happy in a long time and today he planned to make it happen. He raised his hand and knocked on the door, eagerly awaiting Josh's reaction.

The door creaked open, revealing Josh's tired face. His eyes widened in surprise as he saw Keagan standing there, a bright smile illuminating his face.

 "Keagan?" Josh asked, his voice filled with drowsiness.

"Hey little bro," Keagan replied. Tension built up as Keagan stood face to face with Josh who had no clue what was going on. Keagan finally pointed to the end of the house, and tucked underneath an overgrown bush stood a shiny new bicycle, its vibrant colors contrasting with the dull surroundings. "Happy birthday, Josh! I know it's a little late for that but a promise is a promise"

Josh's eyes lit up as he beheld the beautiful gift. He couldn't believe it. Being homeless had made it difficult for them to celebrate special occasions, but Keagan had managed to find a way to bring joy into their lives.

"How... How did you manage to get this?" Josh asked, his voice filled with wonder and curiosity.

Keagan grinned mischievously. "Let's just say I stumbled upon a stroke of luck," he said, keeping the truth about his newfound abilities and the system a secret for now. "But hey, it's your celebration, and I wanted to see that smile on your face."

Josh's face beamed with gratitude. "Thank you, Keagan. You're the best brother anyone could ask for."

Tears welled up in Keagan's eyes as he wrapped Josh in a tight embrace. The hardships they had faced since their childhood came flooding back to him. They had both been adopted separately by their foster father, who provided a loving home until tragedy struck. After their stepfather's death, their stepmother's true colors were revealed, and their lives took a turn for the worse.

Their stepmother had fallen into a downward spiral of drug abuse, and her violent boyfriend had subjected them to unimaginable torment. It was a nightmare that lasted until Keagan graduated from high school and decided it was time to escape with Josh, determined to protect him from any further harm.

Keagan released his brother from the hug and wiped away his tears, mustering a smile. "Come on, Josh. Let's get you ready. Wear your sandals; I'm taking you shopping for new clothes. We're going to make today the best day ever."

Josh's eyes sparkled with excitement as he nodded, slipping on his worn-out sandals. Together, they stepped out of the rundown building.

As they made their way down the street, Keagan admired the look on his brothers as he rode his bicycle, feeling a renewed sense of determination. He vowed to protect and provide for Josh, to make up for the lost years, and to create a brighter future. The world may have been cruel to them, but they would persevere, side by side, as brothers should.

Keagan and Josh walked out of the clothing store, their arms filled with shopping bags. The sight of their new clothes brought smiles to their faces, and Keagan couldn't help but feel a sense of pride for being able to provide for his younger brother. As they made their way down the street It was almost lunchtime, and he had another surprise planned for Josh.

"Hey, Josh," Keagan said, turning to his brother. "How about we go to that restaurant we've always wanted to try?"

Josh's eyes widened with excitement. "Keagan? But isn't it too expensive?"

Keagan grinned. "Don't worry about that. Today is a special day, and I've got it covered."

They took their shopping and clothes back to the house and stuffed them in a drawer hidden beneath the rotting floor of the house, where none would dare think to look for new clothes. They left and finally arrived at the entrance of the restaurant, a lavish establishment known for its fine dining. However, their entrance was met with resistance. The guards eyed their casual attire and dismissed them.

"Sorry, sir, but I'm afraid we have a dress code for entering the restaurant. You're not properly dressed for fine dining," the guard explained, his tone firm.

 "I understand your concern, but you see, today is a special occasion for my brother and me. We've been dreaming of eating here for a long time," he said, his voice sincere.

The guard raised an eyebrow, clearly unswayed by Keagan's words.

 "I hear that all the time young man. But this place is not at your level of expense, and we can't just let anyone in," he replied, his voice tinged with skepticism.  Keagan persisted, inquiring about the price of a reservation. 

 " A reservation requires a deposit of $500, I doubt you have that kind of money to waste here since this is not the kind of place you frequent," the guard said in a demeaning tone.

“So if I pay the 500 will you let me in?”

“If you pay?...  Look kid, I'm in no mood for your pranks today so either you walk away from here or I can escort you out,” the guard said firmly, tightening his jaws in a show of intimidation.

Keagan reached into his pocket and pulled out a wad of cash that stunned both the guard and his brother as well. He began counting the bills with a steady hand without missing a beat. Keagan continued counting the money until he had the required amount. He handed the cash to the guard, his expression unwavering.

The guard stood there, momentarily stunned by the turn of events. He blinked in surprise, then quickly composed himself. He took the money and spent an absurd amount of time examining them to check whether they were legal bills or counterfeits, but he could not see any blemish. They were legit.

 "I... I wasn't expecting that. Alright, let me arrange a table for you. Please wait a moment," he stammered, his tone now softened.

After a moment, he came back and ushered them in, still in disbelief. As they walked past the judgmental gazes of onlookers, whispers floated in the air, suggesting that Keagan must have obtained the money through illicit means. Ignoring the gossip, Keagan and Josh entered the restaurant, finding a table by the window. The atmosphere inside was elegant, with soft music playing in the background.

Keagan ordered a feast of their favorite dishes, wanting to make this meal a memorable experience for his brother. As they savored each bite, their laughter filled the air, momentarily erasing the hardships they had faced. However, their moment of joy was soon interrupted by the arrival of unexpected guests.

The bullies from Keagan's workplace swaggered into the restaurant, their eyes widening in surprise at the sight of him and Josh. Their taunts began, cruel and mocking, aimed at belittling Keagan and reminding him of his perceived place in society. The hurtful words stung a bit, but Keagan refused to back down.

The bullies continued their taunts, Keagan's anger rising with each insult.

“Look who we have here, do you bring along your brother to beg for food?” he mocked.

"I have as much right to be here as anyone else," he retorted, determined to stand his ground.

"Did you find some leftovers on someone's plate? Scavenging for scraps?" one of the bullies sneered.

"That's enough. We don't need your insults. Just leave us alone," Keagan responded, his voice quivering with anger.

But the bullies persisted, mocking him and his homelessness. Their words stung, and Keagan felt his patience waning.

"You think money and fancy clothes make you better? True strength and character come from within," Keagan shot back, his voice trembling with emotion.

The bullies laughed, taunting him to make a move. Keagan took a deep breath, trying to calm himself.

"I won't stoop down to your level. Violence won't solve anything. But know this, I won't let you harm my brother or anyone else. Besides, at least he doesn't lick his boss's boots to get promotions like you lowlifes!" he declared, his voice firm.

“What did you say to me, you little shit!” 

“You heard me! Or are you stupid to understand what I said?” Keagan retorted, confident in his newfound strength.

One of the bullies threw a punch at Keagan, trying to catch him off guard. Fueled by anger and adrenaline, Keagan instinctively caught it mid-air, his grip tightening with a strength he never knew he possessed. The bully's face contorted in pain as Keagan squeezed his hand, his fingers audibly snapping under the pressure.

The restaurant fell into stunned silence. Gasps and murmurs filled the air as the other patrons witnessed the unexpected display of power. Keagan's eyes flickered with a mix of defiance and regret. He had succumbed to his anger, forgetting the consequences that could come with his newfound abilities.

The system activated, its voice ringing in his ears. "Warning! You are in violation of the hero code. Further acts of aggression may result in a deduction of hero point attributes."

Keagan released his grip, allowing the bully to stumble back, clutching his broken hand in agony. The fear in the bullies' eyes was palpable now, their arrogance shattered. But Keagan understood the importance of restraint and control. He knew he had to be better than those who had tormented him.

Suppressing the lingering fury, Keagan turned away from the bullies and walked towards his brother. He could see the mixture of admiration and concern in Josh's eyes. Placing a reassuring hand on his brother's shoulder, he whispered, "Let's go, Josh. We don't need to be here."

Together, they walked out of the restaurant, leaving behind the shocked onlookers. Keagan's heart pounded in his chest as he battled conflicting emotions. He had stood up for himself and protected his brother, but he wondered if he had also jeopardized his path toward becoming a true hero.

Outside the restaurant, Keagan hailed a passing cab and helped Josh secure his new bike in the trunk. They settled into the backseat, and Keagan directed the driver to their rundown house on the outskirts of town. The familiar route seemed somehow different now as if the world had shifted beneath their feet.

As they arrived at their humble abode, Keagan instructed Josh to not ride his bicycle in the neighborhood as it was a dangerous place. He assured his younger brother that he would be back soon, promising to take him to the park the next day so that he would ride it all day. 

He stepped back into the cab and it took him to his workplace, a place he dreaded for so long. Being overworked just to earn a meager pay, one that was not even enough for a meal for two people. With a determined look in his eyes, Keagan stepped out of the cab and watched it drive away. Time was ticking. The system reminded him that he had only five hours left before his scheduled meet-up with Emberlyn for their first daily task. He couldn't let the events of the evening deter him from embracing his newfound role as a hero.

Taking a deep breath, Keagan walked towards the entrance of the building that housed his workplace. It was time to confront his past, to sever the ties that bound him to a life of misery and oppression. The bullies might have once held power over him, but now he was ready to reclaim his strength and forge a new path forward.

Keagan pushed open the doors of the office, ready to face the consequences of his actions. As he walked into the manager's office the weight of his past grievances, the years of being mistreated and undervalued, fueled his resolve. This was his moment to reclaim his self-worth.

The manager looked up, startled by the resolute expression on Keagan's face. There was a brief flicker of recognition, a glimmer of realization that something significant was about to unfold.

Without hesitation, Keagan spoke "I'm quitting," he declared, each word laced with weight.

The manager's eyes widened in astonishment. He tried to interject, thinking there was no way he would carry on with his resignation, knowing full well the status of his life.

“You can't quit, you need this job. otherwise, where else would you find a company that can hire you without a college degree, or a home for that matter, stop this nonsense and get back to work,”

"No!" Keagan continued,  "I've endured enough. This workplace has been a toxic environment, where my efforts have been taken for granted and my well-being neglected. I deserve better."

The manager faltered, searching for words to salvage the situation. But Keagan had reached a point of no return. 

"I won't allow myself to be mistreated any longer. You've overworked me, underpaid me, and turned a blind eye to the bullying that has tormented me day in and day out. Well, no more. I'm reclaiming my dignity and my right to a better life."

As his words hung in the air, a silence settled in the room. The weight of his decision was palpable, the impact reverberating through the walls. The bullies, witnessing this grand gesture of defiance, took a step back, their arrogance crumbling beneath the weight of their guilt. Keagan turned on his heel and walked out of the office. His footsteps echoed with purpose, resonating with the echoes of his declaration.

“Get back here you fool! Where do you think you are going? How do you expect to feed your poor brother without a job!” the manager yelled, thinking he would talk him into coming back, little did he know that Keagan’s decision was final.

As he made his way toward the exit, his former colleagues watched in stunned silence. The atmosphere shifted, the once-oppressive environment now tinged with a sense of unease. Keagan's grand exit became a testament to his resilience, a beacon of hope for others who had endured similar hardships.

"Only four hours and twenty-six minutes remain until the start of your first daily task. It is advisable to prepare yourself accordingly. Allow me to provide recommendations on where heroes, hero guilds, and organizations typically acquire their equipment. Best of luck, Spectral Guardian."