Elias clenched his fists, his heart sinking. The system's words, though vague, carried a weight that he couldn't ignore. As much as he wanted to return to the palace with Aedric and Selene, he couldn't shake the feeling that the system was right.
Taking a deep breath, Elias turned to the pair. "I'm staying," he said, his voice steady but pained.
"What?" Aedric's eyes widened in disbelief. "But we came all this way for you!"
"I know," Elias said gently. "And I'm grateful. Really, I am. But I… I have to stay. There's something I need to do here."
Selene frowned, her eyes glistening with unshed tears. "What could be so important that you'd stay in a place like this?"
Elias hesitated, unsure how to explain. "It's… complicated. But trust me, it's for the best."
Aedric stood abruptly, his fists clenched. "No! I don't accept that!" he shouted. "You're my servant, Elias! You're supposed to be with me, not stuck in this stupid temple!"
