When Virgil is stuck at the bottom of the well, Ruby begins addressing him as “Bayani.” This is a Filipino word that means “hero.” More precisely, Bayani refers to a person who performs a selfless act of courage on behalf of another. While Virgil would never consider himself to be a hero at the beginning of the story, he demonstrates that he is one by risking his own life to save Gulliver. The novel traces Virgil’s progress from a fearful little boy who is afraid of everything to one who stands up for himself.

Even though Virgil thinks of himself as a grand failure, his first real act of courage lies in contacting Kaori to help him meet Valencia. When Kaori orders him to collect five stones, Virgil doesn’t take the easy way out and search in his own backyard. He enters the somewhat scary woods to find what he seeks. He demonstrates true heroism by trying to retrieve Gulliver from a place that terrifies him. At the bottom of the well, the boy is confronted by two illusions conjured by his own imagination. Pah represents his all-consuming fear, while Ruby represents his tiny spark of hope. Although most heroes battle foes in the outer world, Virgil is confined in a place where no external action can be taken.