The Exemplar

[Atelos]

A week had past and Atelos' wounds were beginning to heal. He had served for the Dwarves for a while, helping train their troops and doing whatever he possibly could to help the Dwarves. While his mind started to clear, due to Hades has been shutting up recently, he felt not at home. Borin and Atelos were in his lodgings, sharing a pint and talking like the always did. Atelos was deep in concentration, while Borin was going on his story.

"So then the troll came and I…"

Borin's voice trailed off and he began to peer at Atelos.

"Are you alright?"

Atelos snapped out of his trance of thought and looked up at Borin.

"Yes…yes I'm alright."

Borin got up and comically tried to pat Atelos on the shoulder, but the Spartan's shoulder was just out of reach. Atelos saw the Golden Beard's arm try to pat his shoulder and he pushed the hand away lazily. Borin almost seemed disappointed.

"Yes I'm alright. I just don't feel like I belong here."

Borin was just sitting back down on his seat and he seemed to nod his head in understanding.

"Well Spartan, I hope you know that you have paid your dues and we will always accept you as one of our one here."

Atelos was rubbing his hair and looked up at the Dwarf. There was a sincere look in his eyes.

"Thank you my friend."

Atelos got up and let out a laugh.

"I think I'll be going then. I have unfinished business elsewhere."

Atelos knelt down to give Borin a hug.

"I'll see you around."

The spartan released from his embrace and patted the Dwarf on his head. He let out a sigh and pushed the door open. He knew he had to return to Darkshire. He had a duty to serve.

The Spartan had treaded over the icy landscape that had almost killed him in the start of the quest. After a couple of hours he reached the portal to The Pale Moors. He looked at the mountain range that was behind him and left the Icy Kingdom for a Darker One.

Atelos was transported to Darkshire…and he felt the change from the frosty nipping of the air on his skin to the heavy darkness that tainted the air. He took a deep breathe of the musky air, Good Ol' Darkshire.

Why did you bring me back to this place of musk and taint? This is no place for a God, I CONTROL YOU!

The Spartan chucked.

You no longer scare me Hades. If you can control me, take control now.

Silence…

I will have control of this body. The voice grumbled and trailed off.

The Spartan was satisfied with his control over Hades, he just can't let his emotions get the better of him. He frowned, he knew thats when Hades could take control.

He headed back to his old Garrison, somewhere where he felt like he did something good. He headed inside the large building that was quite Familiar to him. He entered to the main room. New faces were around and Atelos figured this was the new batch of recruits. Most had heard of the feats that the Sorcerer and the Spartan did but none of the recruits even bothered to look up from the door, too enthralled with their own conversations.

The door opened from another room and a familiar face appeared. Shang Tsung appeared with a sly grin coming out of the room, touching the medal that ornated his uniform. Shang looked up to see the Spartan with a black Dragon's skull protruding from his right shoulder.

"Hello Shang it's been a while."

Atelos shook hands with Shang and noticed that the Sorcerer was making quick glances at his deformed shoulder. Atelos chucked.

"I'll be sure to tell you later."

"Alright, well the commander needs to see you. Nice having you back Spartan." His coy grin returned and he exited the building.

Don't know what that's about…

Atelos entered the next room with the commander looking at a map of The Pale Moors. He seemed startled by the sudden reappearance of another person.

"Oh hello Atelos. Nice to have you back. I heard you had some inner troubles, I hope you found the answers that you needed. Anyways I need to give you this."

The commander turned to his desk and opened a little wooden box. Inside was a single pin that looked identical to the one Shang was wearing.

"This is a symbol of your allegiance and service to Darkshire. It makes me proud that people like you serve and help us in this time of need. Thank you for your service."

The commander walked over to Atelos and pinned on the Darkshire pin. He patted Atelos on the shoulder and looked Atelos in the face.

"You are dismissed Atelos, you are free until I call for you again."

"Thank you sir! I will not let you down.

Atelos exited the room with his new pin. He was a contributor to this town and he genuinely wanted to make it a better place. He was ecstatic that he was able to do a good deed for this town and he would do anything to protect it.

He exited the garrison and took a deep breathe of fresh air. This is where he belonged.