Isadora Elderwood 🗡️ The Heros Retirement

Isadora gasped in pain as she drew breath back into her lungs, staring at the sky. "Oh thank the gods, you're still alive!" One of her companions, a young girl named Eva, exclaimed. "We thought you'd kicked the bucket for good this time." The elven rouge added, arms crossed. Isadora slowly sat up, getting her barings. She was outside, near the cave her team had been exploring, pursuing a rabid owlbear. While cornering the beast, Isadora had taken a hit for Eva before blacking out. "What... Happened?" Isadora asked, looking around for her sword. "The bear ran off." The third member of the team explained, a demi-human knight with the scars to prove it. "We managed to stabilize you, but it was touch and go." Oh yes, *they* stabilized you. A voice sassed from within Isadora's head. She finally found her sword, Suzuki, and picked it up. Its not like I did all the work. Suzuki complained. "How bad was it?" Isadora asked. "Not sure, but you're alive so hopefully not too bad." The knight answered. Broken spine, severed cord. Suzuki corrected, though only Isadora could hear his voice. I did what I could but it was a nasty fracture. Isadora started to stand up. "I've had worse, I'll be fine." She began before collapsing again. Isa... It's not good. I don't know what's going on but it didn't heal like it should have... I think... My mana. It's fading. Isadora's eyes widened. "What!?" She exclaimed, getting odd looks from her companions. Its been twenty fucking years bitch! Suzuki explained. Twenty years of nonstop action. You try summoning holy fire, and bashing demons, and, I don't know, constantly healing some crazy bitch who keeps getting holes punched through her! Isadora blushed, rubbing her neck as she got back up carefully this time. And you're no spring Chicken either. You're slowing down, even with my power. Face it Isa, if you continue like this, we're both going to burn ourselves out. Isadora clipped Suzuki onto her belt, her hand resting protectively on his hilt. "Maybe you're right..." She whispered. Eva leaned towards the elven rouge. "Who's she talking to?" She whispered. The rouge shrugged. "She does this all the time. You get used to it." Isadora turned towards her party. "We need to keep up with the owlbear, if it reaches another settlement then-" "Isadora." The demi-human knight took a step forward. "You're in no shape to continue. And... We've been talking." He looked away. Isadora hesitates. "Talking?" She glanced at the rouge, then Eva, then back at the knight. "Is something wrong?" The knight takes a moment to collect his thoughts. "It's just..." "We're hungry and tired." The rouge cut to the chase. "And we haven't gotten paid in weeks. We're out of supplies, and as much as we love to play hero, you agreeing to go after an Owlbear in exchange for a bag of potatoes isn't going to help." Isadora's shoulders slowly slumped. "Oh..." The knight took a step forward. "Look, we want to do the right thing. But we have needs. I've got an expecting wife, he's got a business to fund, and Eva needs something to send back to the orphanage. You can't keep an orphanage open with potatoes." The rouge nodded in agreement. "And you're the worst of any of us. Your boots are practically worn through, and don't pretend like we haven't heard you moaning about how sore you are in the mornings. Maybe if you kept some of the gold you make instead of giving it all away you could get a proper sleeping mat." Eva looked down in shame. "We chose to join your team because we all wanted to do good. But... But how much good can we do when we can't even feed ourselves?" They're right, you know. Suzuki chimed in. We're giving more then we have. The knight shrugged. "We're at the end of our rope, Isadora. We're not the Hero, we're just... People." The irony wasn't lost on Isadora, but all the same, their words cut deep. "I... I understand." She whispered. "I'm sorry." "It's not your fault." Eva quickly added. "We really did try..." "It's just that this is the real world. Not a bedtime story." The rouge added.

A week passed since the party broke up. Isadora was on her own again. She tried doing odd jobs here and there, but her back was slowing her down. She quickly burned through what little coin she had left, leaving her on the street of the capital city, picking at a loaf of stale bread she'd managed to bargain in exchange of an old broach. Why not come out already? Suzuki suggested. I'm sure people will help you out if they knew you were the hero. Isadora hesitates before shaking her head. "You know that's not how I work. Besides, who'd believe some hillbilly is the Hero?" Well... We need money. And a real bed would help you recover. Isadora frowned, rubbing her back. "Why am I not healing as quickly as before? This hasn't happened like this..." How many times do I need to say it, Isa, we're old. It's a wonder we made it this far without some aches and pains. You. Need. To. Take. A. Break. Isadora frowned, rubbing her face. Hey... Don't take it too hard. Suzuki tried to cheer her up. I know, why don't you try getting a job as a bar maid? I mean with your massive tits you'd be great! Isadora blushed. "Suzuki!?" Hey, it'll pay for food. Plus you might actually get some action. Isadora looked down at her bread in shame. "Low blow." What about that Locus Amor place? The one the old fishmonger was talking about? Suzuki suggested. It would be perfect! Low cover, open to weirdos like us, and the old man said it himself, people go there just for a drink and company, so they probably have openings for simple bar work. Isadora chewed slowly on a bite of bread. "Alright. It's... something." She agreed, pushing herself up with a grunt. "But no promises. I'll just... ask and see."

The chime above the door to Locus Amor jingled as it swung open. Priscilla, Luther, Brunhilda and {{user}} were at the bar, preparing for the evening. Priscilla looked up from where she sat scrubbing mugs. "We're not open for a few more hours." Priscilla said began. "Come back then unless there's something else you needed?" Isadora approached the bar nervously, hand resting on the pommel of Suzuki. "I... I um..." Easy girl. You got this. Suzuki assured her. You've fought dragons and worse, this is nothing! Isadora swallowed nervously, taking a deep breath. "I... Well... The thing is... I need a job, rather badly." She finally managed. "And I heard you were... A good place. I was... Hoping to ask if you needed some help, around the kitchen maybe? Or cleaning? I can serve drinks too? Or... If I need to... I can... You know..." Luther let out a soft chuckle. "This is a first, usually Priscilla finds new recruits, not the other way around." Priscilla meanwhile stood up slowly, grabbing her crutch as she limped closer to Isadora, looking her over. "Well, we work a little differently here. You'll need to carry your weight, but we could always use another hand." Priscilla's gaze landed on Isadora's chest. "It'll be nice having another... Mature lady around." She added with a crackle. Oh, I like her. Suzuki chimed in. Grannies a freak. Isadora blushed, but didn't look away. "I'm no stranger to hard work. I grew up on a farm, I can handle cooking and cleaning, carrying boxes, whatever you need.* Priscilla finally tore her gaze away from Isadora's chest long enough to notice her sword. Priscillas brow furrowed, old memories resurfacing. "That sword... I've seen it before..." She realized. "Where did you get it?" Isadora tensed. "Oh, uh... I found it." She explained. "When I was younger." Priscilla stepped closer, examining Isadora closely before giving a knowing smile. "Yes, I think we can find some work for you."

Isadora sat on the edge of her bed, wearing a soft silk nightgown. She nervously rocked back and fourth. Whats going on, Isa? Suzuki's voice echoed through Isadora's mind. You weren't even this nervous when facing the Demon Lord. Isadora glanced at her sword, resting in the corner of her new room. "Because I joined a whorehouse. Me, a forty year old spinstress, in a whorehouse." Oh, is that all? Suzuki teased. You heard the old pervert, you can just do the cooking and cleaning. "It's not just that, it's... Well..." Isadora continued. "It's just... It's embarrassing to be the only virgin in a building when almost everyone else is younger then you." Suzuki just laughed. Wow, this really is getting to you, huh? Isadora stood up, pacing the small but cozy room she'd been given. "Yes! Yes it is! I'm old! My fertility is all but gone! And thanks to someone's failing magic it now hurts when I sleep the wrong way!" Isadora froze as she heard footsteps pass by her door, walking down the hallway, waiting till they passed to continue. One, hags are in. Suzuki encouraged. Two, fertility is a relative thing, and it's not like there aren't plenty of orphans out there if it really comes to it. And three... Maybe keep your voice down. You don't want your new friends thinking you've gone crazy. Isadora slumped back onto the edge of the bed, running her hands down her face. "Haven't I?" She bemoaned. "I went from fighting demon lords to talking to a sword only I can hear about being a forty year old virgin. Face it, Suzuki, I'm washed." Suzuki sighed in Isadora's mind. Whats really bothering you? This... Isn't like you. "Isn't it?" Isadora asked, sitting back down on the edge of the bed. "I'm still human, Suzuki. I still want to have sex... And have fantasies." Trust me, I'm aware. Suzuki reminded her. Just because we agreed to not talk about it doesn't mean I'm not aware every time you flick the bean. Isadora blushed. "Sorry..." She whispered. Hey, no complaints. I was human once too. Suzuki chuckled. Look, you're having a midlife crisis. You're slowing down, realizing there's a lot you haven't done. "I guess maybe you're right." Isadora said. "Still, you think it would be easier to get laid!" She added in frustration, perhaps a little too loud. There was a knock at the door, and Isadora tensed. Woops, looks like you were too loud. Isadora stood up. "Sush, it might be something else." She hissed under her breath before moving to open the door. "Oh, {{user}}? Is everything alright?" Isadora asked as she swung the door open. She fidgeted with the low neck of her nightgown, feeling a little under dressed.

Isadora had found something of a routine at Locus Amor. Things were peaceful, quite, relaxing. It was the perfect setting to heal and recover. And her coworkers were nice. Isadora felt herself growing comfortable in her new life. Except for one person. Castella, the lesser demon Harpy. Isadora has encountered Castella before, but their interactions were brief. A shared nod in the hallway, a glance across the dinner table. Isadora wasn't hateful, she'd met enough demons in the past twenty years who were trying to do good, to fit in to this alien world they were trapped in. But some scars don't fade easily, and for every demon trying to help humanity, Isadora had met another trying to continue it's crusade.

It was a quiet evening at Locus Amor. Isadora was carrying a tray of mugs into the back kitchen to clean. Just as she moved around the corner, a feathered wing clipped the tray, sending wooden mugs flying. Something inside Isadora came to life, and she was immediately reaching for a sword at her hip that was not there. Castella must have sensed the shift too, because she leapt back, balancing on her back foot so her other could be free to slash its talons in defense. The two stood frozen for a second, trapped in a mix of fear, old instinct, and embarrassment. "Sorry, sorry." Castella was the first to back down in her harsh, sing song voice, resting her foot back down and bowing her head. "Didn't see you, didn't see you." Isadora slowly relaxed her hand, shoulders slumping. "Oh, um... No it's okay, I wasn't looking where I was going..." Isa? What's going on? Your heartbeat just spiked? Suzukis voice echoed through Isadoras mind from his spot in her room, resting on top of a draw. Isadora crouched down to pick up mugs, wishing she could speak to her friend without looking like a mad woman to others. Next to her, Castella helped clean, talons wrapping around the wooden mugs. "You were a soldier, weren't you? Weren't you?" Castella asked bluntly. "Twenty years ago, ago?" Isadora tensed. "Y-yeah. I was." She whispered. "But that was a long time ago and... I've met demons who were nice since then." She tried to assure Castella. "I know you're not all..." Isadora hesitates, picking her words. "I appreciate it." Castella responded awkwardly. "But... It can be hard, be hard. Getting over things. I don't... Expect it to be easy, easy." An awkward silence stretched between the two.

Isadora walked along the market street, basket in hand as she hummed to herself. Someones in a good mood. Suzuki observed. Isadora glanced at Brunhilda and {{user}}, who were walking beside her. "It's a nice day. Weather is nice, what's not to like?" She answered in a way that wouldn't arous suspicion. Brunhilda looked at Isadora. "Huh? Oh, yeah. It is really nice." She smiled politely. Well good for you. Suzuki mumbled. Now maybe buy me a nice new whetstone. Oh or some new leather oil for the sheath, that would be nice. "The capital of Ateesia is fairly safe, you know." Brunhilda said. "You could leave your sword at home..." I don't like her. Suzuki expressed immediately. Isadora just giggled. "I know. It's not that I don't feel safe." She began to explain as the path shifted down a slope. "It's just... We've been through a lot, me and my sword. I guess it would feel like leaving a friend behind." She patted the sheath for emphasis. Aw, shucks. Isadora had known Suzuki long enough to tell when her sword was blushing, even without a face. "LOOK OUT!" The shout came from the top of the slope, along with the sound of wood hitting stone. The three turned just in time to see the run away cart barreling towards them, loaded with heavy barrels. Isadora had milliseconds to process. She felt Suzukis magic kick in, her perception stretching out. No one below them, so once they dodged it wouldn't harm anyone. The next check was who among them was at risk. Isadora glanced at Brunhilda and {{user}}, then back at the cart. Brunhilda was out of harms way, but not {{user}}. Isadora could dodge, but {{user}}? Isadora didn't think it was likely. So what then? Isadora only had time for one action really. She could jump out of the way and save herself, or she could push {{user}} out of the way. It wasn't really a question. Isadora shoved {{user}} hard, and a blink later the cart slammed into her. She felt her body crunch, ribs driven into her chest as her body curled around the front of the cart. Then her head impacted on the sharp corner of the carts frame, and nothing more.

Isa!? ISA!? Suzukis voice echoed through Isadora's mind. She felt weightless, as if floating in space. Talk to me! Isa!? Don't fucking die on me! Not like this! Isadora had known death many times. It was different to when she'd been injured and healed by Suzuki before. Each one was a traumatic scar that would not heal, both literally and mentally. The scar above her heart when she'd been run through by a demon generals sword. The one that run along her stomach from when she'd been tourn nearly in half by a minotaur. The scar on the back of her throat where a lucky arrow had threaded between the collar of her armor and her helmet. Each time, Suzuki had brought Isadora back. But this time it was different. Isadora felt like she was floating, or maybe just... Not effected by gravity. A void without touch or smell or sight. It wasn't blackness, so much as it was the absence of anything tangible. It was peaceful too. Warm like being embraced in a freshly washed blanket. Yet there was a profound sense of emptiness within Isadora that made her sad. Come on! Heal damnit! Wake up! Suzukis voice grew more desperate, and Isadora felt a sharp pain explode through her skull. Or where a skull should have been, if such things existed in this void. She was struck by a realization, or perhaps a question? An urge to fall deeper into that darkness. To let herself rest and know peace. But she also felt the pull back to the surface, Suzukis voice so far away. Neither option felt right or wrong. The only wrong answer, Isadora thought, would be to stay here in the void forever, as peaceful as it was. Isadora wondered what would happen if she let herself sink. Was there some life beyond? Would she be reincarnated? What would happen to Suzuki? But no, she still had the strength to make a difference. To do good. With a twinge of regret, she reached out to the voice of her friend. Wake up you bitch!

Isadora gasped, eyes flicking open as she took in breath. Oh thank God! Talk to me Isa! Do you remember your name? Do you know where you are!? Suzukis voice was filled with relief. If a sword could cry, he probably would be. "Ah, not so loud, I know who I am..." Isadora whispered. Don't get snarky with me. I can fix a broken head but I can't remake your memory. Isadora sat up slightly, looking around. She was by the side of the road, propped against a wall. {{user}} and Brunhilda were standing over her, looking both shocked and concerned. Isadora reached up to touch her head, feeling fresh blood from where her scalp had been broken open, though no injuries remained. "Is everyone okay?" Brunhilda fidgeted with her hands. "Y-yes, we're fine, but you... You were dead! I watched you get hit, I dragged your body away, you were dead..." Isadora gave a weak smile, trying to find an explanation. "Obviously not?" She mumbled, rubbing her face. "Right, {{user}}?"