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That's it. Hero was going to take the plunge, not literally like before... Much of his relationship with his mother was jilted and broken. While she was lucid more often than not, those times of Darkness (as he thought of them as) were difficult to deal with. She would go through depression like no one else he knew - pining for the one buck that forever held her heart. But he was gone now - long gone, and the offspring they had were also gone. It seemed that Hero was the only one that ever came around, and the last time was long before he started on his Quest, barely even with his eyes open, it seemed. But he wanted to grow up, to change, to be a better kimeti before he saw her again.

His Quest was anything but finished. And despite some bumps, bruises, and hurt egos - he felt he had little to show. It seemed that he wasn't that much help to others. Sure, he tried - and never would stop - but sometimes it felt all was for naught.

Where had he gone wrong?

He received a talisman for protection and success (and that was broken), he got a Blessing, he helped others... it seemed so much was against him right now.

Hero mulled in his own thoughts as he traveled to the area his mother so often stuck around. For once, it didn't take him long, even though he had to look very closely.

Hero had drug Heart Shatter out of the water, worried she was trying to drown herself. Her glowing eyes had shot open, and when they saw him, she started screaming - screaming like he remembered, surprising him that he could even recall. It was filled with sorrow and loss, pain and suffering. It was the screaming that drove him away at such a young age.

"Mother, it's me! Mother, stop! Mother, it's Hero!" He pleaded with her, trying to shake her away from the Darkness.

He didn't even see Adventure come up behind them. The caiman, ever so helpful, came forward and bit a fur-covered limb.

Heart Shatter's scream took another turn, a physical harm assaulted her. The doe blinked, and her eyes cleared. The doe blinked again. The face before her was not an attacker - not one of her dreams made flesh. She knew this face. Her mind worked in overtime as she tried to piece together the last few moments and blend them with the moments of the past. "Hero?"

Hero sighed in relief, for once thankful of Adventure's brutal yet effective methods. The caiman huffed and found another - quieter location to rest in. Leave it to the little one to solve the problem....

"Yes, Mother, its Hero." The buck nudged his mother's shoulder tenderly. If he didn't care for her once and awhile - he was sure no one else would. And the bucks she goes after now were more interested in a temporary endeavor, not her thoughts and cares.

Heart Shatter was still trying to grasp the situation. She hadn't seen Hero for so long - at least she was sure it was quite awhile ago. Who knows how long she was raving and reliving memories. Or were they nightmares? "What... are you doing here?"

Hero sighed, regretful that it was a valid question. Gone were the days he could just show up and she would welcome him in to her embrace. "I...miss you... I've been thinking about you a lot and how I have failed you as a son... I spend my life now trying to help others... and yet, I cannot seem to help you."

Heart Shatter, smiled, touched by her son's words. "Oh, Hero. You have been doing well despite my illnesses that stricken me. It is wonderful to hear that you think so highly of your dear old mother. But you must have come for something more than just a visit. What is it?"

The buck could not help but grin. She had not had much time to know him in the past, but it seemed he wore everything on his shoulder. "Well, you see, I broke something special to me. It is a charm that is meant to protect me. A doe made it, and some birds undid it." As he spoke, Hero went to where the shell was lain and brought it over.

Heart Shatter was careful as she unbound it and revealed the pieces, all jumbled together. She looked up to her son with regret. "I cannot fix this. But I know someone who might. Have you heard of Never Idle?" the doe doe continued when he shook his head. "Well, he can make things. You should take it there and see if he can remake your charm. He's a Legendary with extraordinary ability!"

Hero gazed with genuine awe, anxious for the chance at meeting another. "Where can I find him?"

Hero listened with a focused mind as Heart Shatter gave him the directions. She wove the pieces in his long hair as well, and prayed to the MotherFather that they would stay.

The buck walked off again, his mother standing in the slight breeze - her flowers fluttering. Even though he was walking away, Hero swore he would return again.

"Good luck, Hero."