Point of View: Tharok
A full day had passed since Sara came to see me.
But my mind was still a complete mess.
The silence of the dungeon only made everything worse.
I lowered my gaze.
My wounds were still burning.
I whispered painfully:
—In the end… she was murdered because of me.
The more I thought about it, the more things started making sense.
I had always felt like something about Sara's story didn't fit.
That my mother died trying to save her and several other warriors during a dungeon raid.
That it had all been an accident.
But…
Did I really want to uncover the truth?
Because doubting that story meant something else.
It meant suspecting Sara.
Suspecting that members of my own tribe had tried to kill my mother.
I shut my eyes tightly.
Sara's words were still carved into my mind.
"I never loved you."
"You betrayed me first."
My chest hurt.
And the worst part was…
I could understand part of her pain.
I murmured slowly:
—I can understand it, Sara…
My voice sounded broken.
—I understand why you did this to me.
Tears began falling down my face.
—And I'm sorry…
I was an idiot.
I saw nothing.
I didn't want to see it.
I always chose to believe everything was fine.
Because it was easier.
Because I didn't want to lose what I had with her.
I breathed shakily.
—Maybe you never loved me… but I truly loved you.
Now that my memories had returned clearly, many things finally made sense.
Sara always insisted that I should take my father's place.
Back then, we even argued about it.
I could still remember her words.
"Why settle for so little?"
But I never understood why she obsessed over it so much.
—Why did she think I would harm my own family…?
I would never have done something like that.
Never.
But even while trying to understand her…
There was still something I couldn't make sense of.
I slowly opened my eyes.
—I can understand wanting to kill me, Sara…
And I truly did.
After everything she told me…
Pretending not to understand her resentment would be stupid.
I disappointed her.
I destroyed the future she had imagined.
I could understand that.
But there was something I could never accept.
My voice hardened slightly.
—Why kill my mother…?
She had nothing to do with us.
Nothing.
I clenched my teeth.
I could forgive her for trying to kill me.
I could even forgive her for using me as a shield to escape the dungeon.
I looked at the wounds covering my body.
Now everything was obvious.
When we left the first dungeon, I wasn't this badly injured yet.
Sara must have dragged me all the way here while using my body to protect herself from the rock monsters.
That was why my injuries were so severe.
And then I remembered something else.
The contract.
The alliance had given me a different one from everyone else.
At the time, I didn't think much about it.
It only stated that I had to accompany Sara and protect her.
And on top of that…
I wasn't allowed to communicate with anyone outside the mission for several days.
Back then, I didn't understand why.
Now I did.
My gaze darkened.
—They wanted to isolate me…
To make sure I couldn't ask for help.
Everything had been planned from the beginning.
I slowly looked around.
Darkness.
Silence.
Loneliness.
That was all surrounding me.
Then I remembered Sara's final words.
"Someone gave me the opportunity."
My breathing grew heavy.
—Who were you talking about…?
I tried to think calmly.
Who could have helped her kill my mother?
Only two names came to mind.
Only two people could have done it.
The first…
My father.
But I immediately shook my head.
—No…
He would never do something like that.
Then I thought about the other person.
And my heart sank.
—Marek…
My best friend.
It had to be him.
There was no one else.
I slowly lowered my head.
—Did you betray me too…?
The silence gave no answer.
Then I thought about my father again.
He was probably already searching for me.
Worried.
Trying to find me.
I sighed sadly.
—Forgive me, father…
My voice barely came out.
—I don't think I'll see you again.
I only hoped he was safe.
If they were capable of doing this to me…
Then maybe he was in danger too.
Suddenly, I heard footsteps approaching through the tunnel.
I slowly raised my head.
I didn't think it was Sara.
She made it clear we would never see each other again.
Then a voice echoed through the darkness.
—Wow… she really left you in pieces.
I recognized that voice immediately.
My heart tightened.
—Did you come here to mock me, Marek?
Point of View: Marek
I was surprised to see him in such terrible shape.
Sara had truly unleashed all her fury on him.
I let out a slow sigh.
—She wasn't very kind to you, my friend…
He lifted his gaze.
His eyes were filled with exhaustion.
And pain.
—You still call me friend after doing this to me?
I frowned slightly.
—Doing what exactly?
His answer came instantly.
—Don't pretend to be innocent.
—This was your plan.
For a moment, I stayed silent.
And then I understood.
I couldn't help but laugh.
—You really think I planned all of this?
I grabbed my stomach as a bitter laugh escaped me.
—That's too much even for me.
He didn't respond.
He just stared at me.
I sighed and shrugged.
—I helped. I won't deny that.
—But this wasn't my idea.
And I had no interest in explaining anything else.
I only came here to see him one last time.
Nothing more.
I had already gotten what I wanted.
I turned around, ready to leave.
But then I heard his voice behind me.
—I treated you like the brother I never had…
My foot stopped.
Silence filled the tunnel for several seconds.
Then I slowly turned my head.
My calm expression disappeared.
And I answered coldly.
—I also considered you my brother.
My eyes locked onto his.
—But you took Sara away from me.
I saw his expression change.
And I continued before he could speak.
—You always knew I loved her.
My voice became more bitter.
—But that never mattered to you.
I slowly clenched my fists.
Because that wasn't the whole truth.
The truth was far worse.
Tharok always had everything.
Talent.
Strength.
Respect.
Recognition.
Everyone admired him.
And yet…
He also ended up with the person I wanted.
A hollow laugh escaped me.
—I guess you never noticed that either.
I didn't want to keep talking.
There was no point anymore.
I turned around and continued walking toward the dungeon exit.
Then I heard his voice one last time.
—My father will discover your betrayal…
—He's probably already looking for me.
This time, I actually had to hold back my laughter.
Poor idiot.
He still understood nothing.
I slowly shook my head as I walked away.
And when I finally stepped out of the dungeon…
A figure was waiting for me outside.
The tribe chief.
Tharok's father.
I bowed respectfully.
—Sir.
—Your son has awakened.
He slowly nodded.
His expression was completely cold.
—Good…
Then he walked toward the dungeon entrance.
—It's time to finish this.
I watched him disappear into the darkness of the tunnel.
And I murmured to myself:
—This is where your story ends, my friend.
I felt no guilt.
Not really.
Because in my mind…
He betrayed me first.
I looked up at the dark sky above Frostfang and slowly closed my eyes.
—Those were good times…
My voice barely came out.
—But they're never coming back.