Brother of the Last Hero

A short time ago, my brother failed to save the world. He was the last of a long line of great heroes of the Nyktos Empire and he was expected to defeat the darkness that haunted our world for centuries. But he didn't. He wasn't even one of the lucky few that survived the final battle. And so, the world ended with him.<br><br>What's left now are just a handful of cities in the hinterlands of the once great Empire and the shadow of his legacy. While it's not so bad to live in the shadow of a hero... but I never get to leave the shadow of his failure. And so, I will set out on my own journey to change the course of history and prove myself in the world. I'm not sure where I'll go or what I'll do but I'll show them one thing: I may be the brother of the last hero, but I am not the last failure of the Nyktos bloodline.<br><br>No one failed to notice the way father looked at me. And I never failed to imagine how he must have looked at my brother when he was alive. But that was a long time ago. I can feel his eyes on me and I can see the sadness in his face. He didn't say anything though. He was a good father and he knew I was hurting too. He himself lost a son and the world. But he still took the time to put his arms around me.<br><br>"You don't have to be your own man just yet," he said. "You are still young."<br><br>"I'm not?" I asked him. He was being sincere and I didn't want to fight him but I couldn't help it. I was barely younger than my brother was when he was called to fight. "How young?"<br><br>"Whatever you want to be," he said. "Just stay home for a while longer."<br><br>There was no staying home. No matter how much he wanted otherwise, I had to do something and I had to do it now. While I still could. For myself and for the world. I thought of all the cities that were left and the people that were there. Almost everyone I had ever known had been taken by the war and I couldn't help but wonder if that was my fault. But if I could make a difference, then maybe I could bring them back. Maybe. <br><br>Most of all though, I thought of my brother and the weight of his failure. If I couldn't bring anyone back, then I had to make up for his loss and set the world right. I wasn't sure where I would go or what I would do but I knew I would set out. And so, I made up my mind to leave and begin my journey. With one last look around, I took a deep breath and went back upstairs to begin packing.<br><br>I moved quickly and silently, trying not to bring attention to myself as I did so. I didn't know how long I had until my father discovered my plan. I got my things together and made my way down to the back stairs. I knew the house well and I knew the best route to go. I kept expecting some sign or clue that he discovered my attempt to leave but there were none.<br><br>I made it through the back door, into the city and inside the city gates without incident. And so, with one last look at the home I may never see again, I set out on my journey. I didn't know what was waiting for me out there. But whatever it was, I was ready.<br><br>&#x200B;<br><br>\*\*\*\*\*\*~~~\*\*\*\*\*\*<br><br>This is obviously an opening to a longer work. It's based on a character I developed in one of my world building exercises and I'm going to start working on a story around him. It introduces a post-apocalyptic world and a hero with an interesting backstory and motivation. Let me know what you think of the opening and if you'd want to keep reading.<br><br>I welcome any and all feedback about the story, particularly what you think of the world and character and if you'd keep reading. There's still plenty of work to do but the story is one that I'm very excited to begin.