I always knew that it wasn't supposed to be me.

I grew up in the western province of Marqa, in a small coastal village with not much to it's name bar a cozy tavern and a rickety old apothecary.

And of course every sleepy village has its pride and joy. Ours was Albert Roth. My best friend.

It wasn't hard to be proud of him. After all, he was strong, kind, adventurous - everything that I was not.

I don't even know why he wanted to be friends with me.

Maybe he was just being nice.

Still! As much as I could stand here moping about how Al is everything that I'm not - I quickly learned that bitterness isn't a good look on me. Or anyone, for that matter.

I couldn't help reminiscing. After all, Al was turning eighteen in a few days. He always said that his eighteenth birthday was the start of his adventure.

More than anything… it was the start of my life alone. Without him.

And no, I'm not bitter.

I'm not anything, really.

I stopped being anything a long time ago.

…

The stars were lovely tonight, I noticed.

Albert and I had always loved admiring the stars together. Even on days like this where it was cold and dreary - we would make a point of trekking down to our secret place and just sitting and talking and...

...It was there, even, where Albert had first displayed his power.

See, while our village is quiet and quaint and a certain degree of homey - it didn't stop wild beasts from roaming the outskirts.

I, being the weak one, the scared one… probably smelt of fear.

I remember it so clearly. My breathing hitched. The low, feral growl of something that was larger than life, bearing down its toothy maw upon me. Its breath stank of rotten flesh and there, with its figure looming above me…

There was Albert.

So, so small in comparison, but at the same time he felt so large. The beast reared back it's head to attack, and just before it could, Albert jumped in the way.

"No!!!" He yelled - and I could only watch in horror as Albert's face was slashed by its terrible claws.

It was my fault I had thought to myself. My best friend was going to die because of me.

But just as the thought left my head… Albert's body had engulfed itself in a blue-tinged light. It was faint, yes, but when Albert raised his arm… When Albert swung at the beast with the strength of a thousand men…

I owe Albert my life.

I probably owe Albert a new eye, too.

And what do I even have to show for it? Nothing. I'm so weak that standing for a long time is even a struggle. I'm shy and awkward, and I'm no good at anything except being the best friend of the strongest guy I know.

And the worst thing is… Albert just doesn't care that I'm weak. He doesn't care that I can't do the things he can. He's so kind and I… I don't want to lose him.

.

.

.

.

.

"Ricky!"

I looked up from my bed with a start as my door opened to reveal my happy mother and my equally happy best friend.

"Albert? What are you…"

Albert had an almost mischievous look on his face.

"We gotta celebrate! It's our birthday, after all!"

I frowned in confusion. "Yours isn't until Tuesday… and Mine was two months ago-"

"Nonsense!" Albert exclaimed. "You got sick on your birthday - but now we can celebrate them both together!"

See… This was the kind of person Albert was. A level of generosity that I don't even know if I possess… and an extreme level of energy that I definitely wish I had.

I could feel my cheeks heat up asI tried (and failed) to fight off a smile.

"You're insane, y'know that?" I shook my head in disbelief. Albert just let out a laugh.

"You know it!"

I watched closely while Albert shut the door behind him and came to sit at the end of my bed. A position that we'd grown familiar with, as… Well, I tended to be bedridden - especially lately.

Even that time Albert got his scar… He piggybacked me home, even with all that blood over his face.

He was silly and loud and boisterous… But he knew when to be serious.

It's… what I liked about him. What I still like about him.

"So, Ricky… I asked your mum and she said it's alright, but…" Albert looked restless. "I want you to come with me."

My breath immediately hitched. I felt my heart begin to beat in my chest a thousand times faster than it should've been.

"But… Albert, I'm basically bedridden half the time. There's no way…"

"Fear not, oh small one!"

I gave him a playful glare. "I'm only a few inches shorter." I said pointedly, and folded my arms. Albert poked his tongue out in response.

"I've been thinking about it."

I couldn't help but smile at the thought of him thinking about me. I Just hoped my cheeks weren't as red as I imagined they were.

"I know I said I want to become an adventurer, but…" Albert made a move to scratch his cheek. "I don't want to do it without my best friend. I, uh… I brought you this."

Albert pulled a bag off of his shoulder and set it on the bed. From within, I could see something wooden. On pulling it out, I realised…

"I know you don't like to use things to help you walk, I just… I really want you to come. And I know if you could you would." Albert paused. "Plus… What would I do without the brains?"

Either Al could read minds, or my face was a lot more readable than I'd intended it to be, because he immediately gave me a reassuring pat on the shoulder.

I paused for a moment, biting my bottom lip in thought. "Are you sure I won't hold you back…?"

Albert just gave me the biggest grin I think I had ever seen and shook his head. "Nope! Plus… I can be your legs, and you can be my other eye!"

I couldn't help but smile at that.

Despite fear beginning to bubble inside me… I knew that with Al - I'd be safe. Everyone would be safe.

And you know what?

"...I'll do it."