Scene 1: Struggling in Silence
Days had passed since that terrifying night when Anther's world had fallen apart. He and his sister Lily had taken refuge deep in the woods, hidden from the reach of Ironclad's guards. The grief hung heavy on him, and anger simmered beneath the surface, directed at the one person he had trusted—Elliotte.
"Why did he do this?" Anther muttered to himself, his fists clenching as he glanced at Lily, who was lying weak and pale on the forest floor. "If it weren't for him, we'd still be safe." He felt a painful, gnawing resentment toward his friend, convinced Elliotte's betrayal had led to his family's ruin.
Lily stirred weakly, her body thin and frail. She hadn't eaten in days, and it showed. Anther bent down, brushing the hair from her face, struggling to keep his voice steady.
"Lily, hang on. I'll find food, alright?" he whispered, trying to sound hopeful. "Just… stay here. I'll be back soon."
She nodded faintly, her eyelids heavy with exhaustion. Anther's heart tightened as he turned, a silent vow forming in his mind to keep her safe, no matter what.
Scene 2: A Kingdom's Guilt
Back at the palace, Elliotte walked the empty hallways, haunted by memories of Anther. He hadn't seen or heard from his friend since that night, and rumors whispered that no one had survived the raid. A sick feeling churned in Elliotte's stomach, an awful certainty that Anther, too, was gone.
"It's my fault," he whispered, pressing a hand to his chest, where the ring his father had given him seemed to burn with accusation. "If I hadn't… if I hadn't told him, maybe they'd still be here."
His father's cold words echoed in his mind—"Commoners are unfit for such power." A sense of betrayal struck Elliotte, the realization that his father's actions were as ruthless as any other tyrant's. But what pained him most was that Anther, his closest friend, had suffered because of his trust in him.
Scene 3: The Silent Rejection
While Elliotte wrestled with his guilt, Anther had entered the market square in Fortis, desperately seeking food for Lily. His face was hidden beneath grime and exhaustion, his eyes scanning the streets warily. He moved door to door, knocking and asking for help.
"Please, just a little bread," he begged at one doorstep. "My sister is starving…"
But each door was shut in his face. Some people looked at him with pity, while others turned away, avoiding his gaze. The world felt cold and unyielding, and Anther's heart hardened with each rejection, his view of humanity darkening.
Finally, he stopped at the end of a row, his strength and hope nearly spent.
Scene 4: A Stranger's Mercy
As he sat in defeat, he felt a hand rest gently on his shoulder. Looking up, he saw a tall man with a rugged, compassionate expression.
"I don't have food," the man said quietly, "but here." He held out a small pouch filled with Glints, the kingdom's currency.
Anther stared, surprised and grateful, taking the money with trembling hands. "Thank you, sir. I swear I'll repay you one day."
The man gave a quiet smile. "No need, son. Just take care of yourself and your sister."
With a sense of renewed hope, Anther bought a loaf of bread and rushed back toward the woods, clutching the food that would ease Lily's suffering. He thought about his promise to the man, feeling a sliver of gratitude amidst his anger and despair.
Scene 5: The Final Loss
The forest was still and quiet as Anther sprinted back, his thoughts focused on Lily and her bright smile when he would give her the bread. But as he neared their hiding place, a chill ran down his spine. The clearing was silent—too silent.
Anther slowed, his breath catching in his throat as he caught sight of Lily lying on the ground, her eyes closed, her body still.
"No… no, Lily!" he dropped the bread, kneeling beside her, his hands trembling as he tried to shake her awake. Her skin was cold, her lips pale. "Please, Lily, wake up! I got us food… please…"
The weight of despair crushed him, and he could feel his world breaking apart. He clutched her lifeless body, unable to hold back the tears that streamed down his face.
The bread lay forgotten in the dirt beside him, as empty and cold as he felt inside. The world fell silent around him as he cradled her, his heart breaking with every sob that escaped his lips. His mind screamed in anger and anguish, all of it directed toward Elliotte—the friend who he felt had abandoned him and brought this curse upon his family. "Elliotte…" he murmured bitterly, his voice hoarse. "You did this…" The resentment surged through him, feeding his desire for vengeance against the one he once called friend.
Scene 6: An Oath of Vengeance
In the depth of his despair, he felt a hand rest on his shoulder. He looked up, his vision blurred with tears, and saw the man who had helped him in the market. The man knelt beside him, his expression filled with sadness and understanding.
"It's alright to cry, son," he said gently.
Anther collapsed into the man's arms, sobbing, the pain of loss pouring out of him. The man held him, letting him release the anguish he had kept inside for so long.
"What's your name, son?" the man asked softly.
"A-Anther… Anther Ashford," he whispered.
The man nodded. "Anther, my name is Marcus Reeds. I'm here for you, and I'll help you find your way."
Anther looked up, feeling a flicker of hope for the first time since that night. Though his heart was shattered, and his soul darkened by anger, he knew he was no longer alone.
As the sun dipped below the horizon, Anther stood beside Marcus, the man who would become his first ally. But in his heart, the vow had already formed a promise to make Elliotte pay for all he had lost.