He didn't understand what she saw in that monster. But she said that he had helped save her from him before she'd left. He couldn't imagine why she would ever want to see that monster again.
And if he knew what he knew now, he'd say the same thing about her. She didn't deserve to be stuck with a monster like him. But he still wondered if he'd done the right thing in taking her with him. He'd promised her safety, a home, and a happy ending. She could've stayed, married someone nice, and settled down with him. He could've lived happily ever after with his princess. But he'd chosen her instead. Perhaps if she'd told him how important he was, he could've changed his mind. Maybe then he'd still be alive.
With one last deep sigh, he placed his hands on the sword. This time, he was ready.
"Let's begin!" He declared with determination clear in his voice.
"What are you doing?" a voice interrupted him.
Startled, he looked up to see the woman standing near a nearby boulder. With her dark brown hair tied back into a loose bun, she wore a simple black dress, and her feet were bare. The light from the sun reflected off the silver cross hanging around her neck.
"I'm getting rid of this," he replied quietly.
"Why do you have it?"
"My sister... She wanted to keep it safe for me."
"So your sister gave this to you?" The woman asked skeptically. "Why would she do that?"
"To remind me I shouldn't trust people I meet. To remind me that I don't need to rely on anybody for anything. I guess that's my legacy."
"Well that's ridiculous! Why does it matter whether you believe in them or not? Everyone can't be saved!" she shot back angrily.
"Of course everyone can be saved! It's in our job description! We're heroes! Just like Batman! And I won't let some damn old sword stop me."
She frowned slightly. "But why would someone give you this?"
He shrugged and turned his attention back towards the sword. "Don't worry about it, alright? It's my problem, and it'll stay my problem."
As she watched him pull the blade from its holder, she decided she didn't like him. Something about his attitude annoyed her, and she wasn't sure why.
"You're a fool if you really believe that," she replied, turning her head and beginning to walk away.
Her comment seemed to bother him even more than her attitude bothered her. He clenched his fists tightly. He wasn' t sure how she could possibly say such things after everything that happened. He couldn't imagine how much it must hurt to lose everything and everyone that you love. But he supposed that she was entitled to her opinion. It wasn't his fault he didn't listen to her when she first spoke. Besides, what could anyone do if she refused to listen? There was nothing they could do. She was the one who had to listen to reason.
When he had first met her, he was convinced of her ability to do whatever it took to protect the people of her village. But seeing her side of the story made it clear to him that she didn't deserve that title. If anyone should've been given that title, it should've been him. If anything, it should've been him that she saved.
"Where is she?!" He yelled angrily.
The woman stopped walking. She slowly turned around and glared at him before she stormed away again, not giving a single bit of acknowledgement.
It seemed like there was nothing more to talk about. But he still kept staring at his sword. He had to find a way to end this curse once and for all.
Chapter 3
Chapter 4
A little more time passed with the sun starting to rise. The woman had left about an hour ago. She told him to leave the sword here. It wouldn'