Everyday Heroes

 by Trace Evans / Hiro Rai Sing (ID #: 10950)

As many of you know, the collaborative fiction is going to be resuming in March. There are already many stories in the forums about the various heroes and villains played by the community in-game. Many of these are great stories and worth a read. Some of my favorites are the interviews written by our very own Mark Alan Bisanz, where he highlights a particular hero in each segment.

Some may recall that I was quite the prolific writer back in the SHC forums, however, that has not been the case here. There is only one story I have written here that I am proud of, and it was written under my Harlequin Rogue persona. Mark has inspired me, and I aim to remedy that in the future with a series of one-off short stories.

I would like to start a series of collaborative stories called "Everyday Heroes" that, while being fictional, will be based on, or inspired by, real acts of heroism. Unlike other writings in the forums, these stories will not be about superheroes or supervillains. And while super-powered beings might take part in the background, the premise of the series will be based on or inspired by the heroics of real, everyday people with no powers at all. These heroes won't have super strength or invulnerability or anything else like that. They will be regular, flesh and blood people who are just as vulnerable as anyone else.

Sure, we all like reading about superheroes battling mad titans or thwarting the superhuman villain that can wipe out a population with the snap of their fingers, and who have powers to match. But I'm inspired by the real heroes of our world; the soldier who rushes into the line of fire with no special invulnerability to protect him or her, so they can save a fallen brother; the EMT that exposes themselves to unknown biological dangers to save the life of someone who is bleeding on a sidewalk; the cop that puts him/herself between a victim and an abusive spouse; the bomb tech that puts his life on the line to stop a terrorist plot; the firefighter that rushes in to save a family's child before going back in again to save the dog; the everyday person who's job isn't even to help anyone, but runs in still when disaster strikes, to lend a hand wherever they can. They may not have powers, but that's what makes them the real heroes. They risk themselves more than Superman ever could. And sometimes, they sacrifice everything in their attempts to make the world a better place.

If you are one of those people or know someone who is, or have a story of heroism from your life that you're proud of, or seen someone you know act heroically, I want to hear from you. I want to tell a version of your story that fits within the Heroes Rising universe. So let me know by contacting Trace Evans or Hiro Rai Sing on the player's page or Facebook, that you would like to collaborate, and let's help inspire others to acts of heroism when the opportunity arises in their real lives as well.

I get that many of you who match the description above might be hesitant. Humility is a quality shared by many of those with the heart and mettle required to be truly heroic. I ask, just this once, put your humility aside and let me tell your story. If it inspires just one person to be the hero they truly can be, it will be worth it.

Sometimes, God sends us Angels. Sometimes, He asks us to be one.