Well this is an extremely complicated and involved problem.
Here is is what I would do faced with these questions
Would you risk your quiet, comfortable way of life by resuming your old role as a community leader if there was a chance to stop an old enemy from hurting a group of strangers?
I would ask myself is my commitment to this couse worth it? If it was I would have no doubts. How much does saving these people mean to you? would you be going in for them? Or just to spite the person that hurt you?
- Knowing that it would overshadow everything except earning a living,
Once again it's the queston of commitment. If it is worth pouring your entire being into it than have no regrets and never look back. If it isn't if there is any doubt, it's quite simple, don't.
- Knowing that you will be facing someone who shattered your heart and walked away once before,
Do what you feel is right for you, do it it spite of them. That is the greatest revenge you can have. Or, hard as this sounds. Forgive them, and take away the power they have over you. This person is indirectly manipulating you. It seems like you hold onto the pain. When you forgive them you take away all the power that they have to hurt you. And I'm not some holy-roller either. I may be young but this I have experinced.
- Knowing you may not be able to protect the innocent who, no matter how hard you try.
You can never save all the innocent. But if you don't try you'll never know how many you could have saved. And how many more are lost for it. It sounds cheesy but it is true.
Taln, You do what you feel is right. And whatever decision you make. I promise I'll back you up 100%. And I think I speak for all your friends on JF
and probably elsewhere.