I jolted awake, beads of perspiration clinging to my forehead, the remnants of the nightmarish dreams still haunting my thoughts. My eyes darted around the room, seeking solace in the familiar surroundings. As I caught my breath, I noticed Rowan sitting nearby, a concerned expression on his face.
Rowan spoke softly. "Bad dream?"
I nodded, attempting to shake off the lingering unease. "Yeah, it was... intense. Eldoria felt like a twisted nightmare, and everyone." I hesitated, the memory of the distorted figures of my friends still vivid in my mind.
He stood up and sat next to me in bed. He had an eerie expression on his face. "I can understand. I can't even stand that awful empire."
I looked at his face; sadness was written all over it. My visions of my nightmare disappeared as I thought of my friend. The once cheerful boy whose smile and antics brightened the world was now in his downest of times. I placed my hand on his shoulder and said, "Hey, Rowan, are you okay?"
Rowan bit his lip to release all the frustration and sadness around him and said, "Magnus, I don't want to go back home. I like this place better. I hate the empire."
I tightened my grip on his shoulder, offering a silent gesture of support. I carefully said, "Is it because of your father?" I saw his fist clench. It spoke louder than his silence.
Rowan's eyes reflected a mixture of pain and defiance as he nodded. "Yeah, it's my father. He never understood why I wanted to use a bow. He always wanted me to be a swordsman like him, to follow in his footsteps."
The clenching of his fist mirrored the unresolved tension between father and son. I sympathized with Rowan's struggle, knowing that familial expectations could weigh heavily on one's sense of identity.
He then recounted a heartbreaking tale that was buried in his soul.
Rowan's voice quivered as he revisited the haunting memory, reliving the details with painful clarity. "I mustered the courage to share my passion for archery with my father, believing that he would understand. But when the words left my lips, his eyes hardened with disdain. Without uttering a single word, he delivered a blow that echoed not just in the physical realm but resonated with the shattering of my dreams."
The room felt heavy with the weight of his anguish as he continued, "That day marked more than a physical assault; it marked the fracture of our father-son bond. But the pain didn't stop there. My entire family, once a source of warmth and support, chose to ignore me. It was as if I had become an invisible presence in my own home."
Rowan's gaze seemed distant, lost in the painful nostalgia. "I was an outcast in my own family, a shadow they preferred not to acknowledge. The once lively conversations around the dinner table ceased, replaced by a deafening silence that mirrored the void within me."
Rowan turned towards me and gripped my shirt hard; his voice was trembling.
"Why does everyone favor only swordsmen? What's wrong with choosing a different path? I love the bow; it's a part of who I am. But they treated me like a traitor for wanting something different, something that didn't fit their narrow expectations."
His shout echoed in the room, a release of the pent-up emotions that had been suppressed for far too long. The pain etched on his face revealed the depth of the wounds inflicted by those who should have supported and understood him.
I hugged him and said, "I am sorry. I should have been there for you."
Suddenly, Anna banged open the door and shouted, "Then stay here!" Her face looked earnest, and she wanted to protect him.
He looked at Anna pitifully and asked, "Can I?" He loosened his grip around my shirt.
I nodded, releasing him from the hug, and said, "Of course, Rowan. You're welcome to stay here as long as you need. But before that, we should teach your dad a lesson. No one should treat their child like that."
Anna's eyes lit up with determination as she added, "We won't let him get away with hurting you, Rowan. The novel didn't release you from your scars. But we will do it."
A small laugh escaped Rowan's lips, a genuine expression of relief mingled with the newfound sense of support. "I never thought I'd have friends ready to stand up for me. Thanks, guys. It means a lot."
We placed our hands together and shouted in unison, "For the greater good!"
-------------------------------
The sun dipped low on the horizon, casting a warm, golden glow over the city park. Trees adorned with autumn leaves rustled in the gentle breeze, creating a symphony of nature's whispers. Meandering pathways stretched before us, inviting an evening stroll through the serene setting.
I wore a casual yet stylish outfit—a comfortable blend of jeans and a deep blue button-down shirt. Alina, always exuding a touch of elegance, adorned herself in a flowing dress that mirrored the hues of sunset, the fabric gracefully trailing behind her as we walked.
As we ambled along the winding paths, exchanging light banter and enjoying the tranquility of the park, we spotted a familiar figure in the distance. A friend from my childhood, someone I hadn't seen in years, stood beneath the shade of an old oak tree.
My friend waved at me with a seemingly innocent smile on his face. As we approached, memories of our shared past surfaced, along with the lingering shadows of betrayal. Alina, unaware of our history, greeted him with a friendly smile.
"Hey, Magnus! Long time, no see," Ethan exclaimed, his voice carrying a practiced tone of warmth.
I forced a smile, though the memories of past deceits lingered in my mind. "Yeah, it's been a while. This is Alina, a friend."
Ethan extended a hand towards Alina, his eyes gleaming with a hint of mischief. "Nice to meet you, Alina. I'm Magnus's oldest friend. We go way back."
Alina, ever perceptive, greeted him politely, "Nice to meet you too. Magnus has mentioned you."
Ethan's eyes flickered towards me, a subtle challenge hidden in his gaze. "Oh, has he now? I hope he's said good things."
I chose not to engage in the subtle game he was playing and redirected the conversation. "So, what brings you here? It's been a long time."
He shrugged nonchalantly. "Just passing through. I thought I'd take a stroll in the park. You know, relive the old days."
As we continued walking, his presence cast a shadow over the once serene atmosphere. I couldn't forget the rumors and lies Ethan had spread about me, leading to a cascade of misfortunes in my life. Yet, I maintained composure, not wanting to let past grievances taint the present.
Alina, sensing the tension, attempted to lighten the mood. "Magnus has some incredible stories from his past. I bet you two have had some wild adventures together."
Ethan chuckled, a hollow sound that resonated with hidden agendas. "Oh, we sure have. Magnus, remember that time we..."
He began recounting a shared memory, a story that conveniently omitted the part where he had betrayed my trust. I listened silently, contemplating whether to confront him or let the past remain buried.
Alina shot me a questioning glance, sensing the unease. I nodded subtly, indicating that I would address the situation when the time was right.
As we continued our stroll through the park, the air thickened with unspoken tension. Ethan's attempts to gloss over our tumultuous history grated on my nerves, and I couldn't let the charade persist.
I took a deep breath, breaking the facade of casual conversation. "Ethan, we need to talk. About the past."
His eyebrows lifted in feigned surprise. "The past? Magnus, I thought we were past all that. Water under the bridge, right?"
I shot him a pointed look, my tone firm. "No, Ethan, we're not past it. You know what you did, the lies you spread, and the rumors that ruined aspects of my life. I can't just pretend it never happened."
Alina, sensing the gravity of the conversation, fell back a few paces, giving us the space to address our unresolved history.
Ethan sighed, attempting a dismissive smile. "Come on, Magnus, it was just a bit of fun. Everyone gossips."
I shook my head, frustration bubbling beneath the surface. "It wasn't just gossip, and you know it. Your lies had consequences. It affected my relationships and my reputation. I had to pick up the pieces of the life you helped shatter."
He leaned against a park bench, crossing his arms defiantly. "You're being dramatic. People forget. It's ancient history."
I took a step closer, my voice steady but laced with emotion. "Forgetting might be easy for you, but I had to endure the fallout. I lost friends, opportunities, and trust. You can't just dismiss that."
Ethan's eyes darted around nervously, sensing the seriousness of the conversation. "Look, Magnus, I was young. We all make mistakes."
I couldn't suppress a bitter laugh. "Mistakes? What you did wasn't a mistake. When my father disappeared, you spread false rumors about my family about how my father ran away with some woman."
Alina, observing from a distance, maintained a watchful silence.
Ethan's mask of nonchalance cracked, revealing a hint of defensiveness. "Fine, maybe I went too far, but can't we move past this? I'm different now."
I sighed, the weight of years of resentment pressing on my shoulders. "Ethan, it's not that simple. You can't undo the damage, but you can acknowledge it. I need to know why you did it."
He hesitated, avoiding eye contact. "I don't know, Magnus. I guess I was jealous, angry. You always had everything, and I wanted to see what it felt like to take something away from you."
My fists clenched involuntarily, but I forced myself to stay composed. "Jealousy? That's your justification for ruining someone's life? You need to understand the impact of your actions."
Ethan looked down, his facade crumbling. "I messed up, okay? I messed up big time."