One month later

No-one's perfect. Not even someone made of rocks. Not even when they save someone from suicide. But, that just... is. Imperfection is humanity.

So, Anvil acted that way more imperfect and weak than he normally was. He had to in order to help people. I can't love, nor kill, but I can help anyone, he thought. So, I must.

He saw Glory cornered by Fierceteeth and sighed. But first, another beating. Man, will people be scared if I show myself. "Oi, knock it off," Anvil said as he pulled on Fierceteeth's hood. she grabbed his shoulder, flipped him around and brutally punched him in the nose as Glory ran down the hallway.

"Maybe you should, if you don't want a cavity!" Fierceteeth said as she gave Anvil another punch in the gut. He experienced this every day when he helped kids. His Australian accent definitely wasn't helping. he was getting sick of it. But then again, he's seen more than his fare share of blood and war, so it could be worse.

As Fierceteeth threw another punch, Anvil ducked and ran off, hoping to lose her in the crowd. he heard her roar with fury and look around, walking in the opposite direction. He sighed. she would get him back eventually, but for now, he was safe. Looking around, Anvil found his class, entering with an emotionless look. 

"Good morning," Mrs. Blaze said as Anvil entered the room. She had gold hair, pale skin, and dark eyes. she taught algebra in Pyrrhia High, and she was very bright.

"G'day," Anvil said as he passed her. He usually said very little in public places. It was challenging, even with his vast magical power, to keep his massive stone body hidden within the dimensions of a weak, thin person while speaking in a more high-pitched, accented tone then his own. Maybe even I need some practice, he thought, then felt foolish for thinking. He was the most powerful being on earth! He didn't need practice!

He sat through algebra. Listened to Blaze. Turned in his homework.

But when lunch came, Anvil became the Stone Umpre.

Not immediately, of course. As Anvil, he ran down the hall to the library, faster when he heard Fierceteeth coming after him. He went through the doors, around the corner, and into the school's wiring.

Ha, the Stone Umpre thought as he sprawled his pure energy body across the school's camera network. I see everything. sitting on a digital throne in a small, digital room, the Stone Umpre, with his combat model, kept watch of the school. Keeping a red eye on the cafeteria, he searched the tables for a particular person: Darkstalker Smith, the secret criminal threat. As the Stone Umpre read some news, the should-be-arrested man did nothing to his peers, other then talk and laugh. The warrior felt disappointed.

He had been looking for a reason to lock Darkstalker up since Anvil had gotten to the school. Even outside of the cameras, he was watching to see if he did something that related to that one faithful night. The night of a death threat.

Even so, after lunch, Anvil stepped out of the library. Secretly being the Stone Umpre, he didn't need food. He always stepped out of the library with no book, no empty lunch tray, no nothing as he headed to his history class. He always aced this. Having been alive for fifteen hundred years, he knew almost everything about the medieval ages. not exactly everything, but considering he had served a secret kingdom for nearly a hundred years, he knew quite a lot.

After school, Anvil slipped into the electrical circuits again and went to Glory's apartment, where he was hunkering down. sitting down when he got there, he simply waited for Glory.

"you'r secret keeping skills were a hint sloppy today," the Stone Umpre said as Glory passed him. she didn't jump when he spoke; she was used to it by now. "Are you okay?"

"Yes," Glory answered. "Why would it matter?"

"I am worried about your well being. And, if my cover were blown, it would collapse the lure I am depending on."

"What lure?"

"You."

"Me?"

"Yes - Morrowseer will eventually come for you, and when he does, I kill him, anyone he is with, the world is more safe, job done!"

Glory laughed at that. "You know it won't be that easy." She walked out of the room.

The Stone Umpre followed. "And you know I can do it. You know I can."

"Maybe I do, but better safe than sorry."

"That doesn't change change anything. Are you okay?"

"Yes, yes, I am."

"Okay."

Silence followed. "Soon," the Stone Umpre said after a long moment. "He'll come soon."

"Oh really?"

"Really." More silence. Then, the Stone Umpre realized something. "Who did you tell?"

"Just my most trusted friends."

"Will they keep it secret?"

"Yes."

"Good. If word got out..."

"It may be the end of us," Glory finished, stepping out the door.

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Whoo! Chapter 1 done! And in record time for me - 800 words, 3 conversations, and a mini history class in 4 days! thank you for reading. Byeee!