We returned in the barracks which was deadly silent, the only sound faint crackling of the hearth. We gathered in the central room, our faces illuminated by the dim firelight. I sat at the edge of the group, my shadowed eyes fixed on the flames.
Xeraniel lounged lazily in a corner, his white hair catching the flickering light. Fenrick leaned forward, his amber eyes attentive. Jean sat upright, his green eyes sharp, while Ana and Luna shared a quiet corner, their expressions curious but patient.
"You're quiet, Modred," Fenrick said, breaking the silence.
I didn't reply immediately. The weight of unspoken memories hung heavy in the air. Finally, I exhaled slowly, my crimson eyes reflecting the fire's glow.
"You all wanted to know about my past, right?" I began, my voice low and cold. "Why I don't trust easily? Fine. I'll tell you. But don't expect to be your typical happy story."
"I wasn't always like this," I said, my tone bitter. "I grew up on the outskirts of the Pantheon's capital, in a small village with my grandfather. My father passed before I was born, my mother remarried into a noble family and she moved with my older sister casting us aside, leaving us to fend for ourselves."
My gaze dropped to the flow, my hands clenching into fists. "My grandfather… he was my world. He taught me how to hunt, how to survive, how to dream. We didn't have much, but we were happy."
I paused, my voice trembling slightly. "And then there was Elise. She was the light in my dark little world. A royal, but kind, warm. We were engaged-a promise of a better future."
My lips twisted into a bitter smile. "I thought life couldn't get any better. I was a fool."
"One day, the Duke's son came to our village for a hunt. He mocked me, called me unworthy of Elise. I tried to walk away, but he attacked. In the struggled, he fell and broke his harm."
My voice grew harder, colder. "That was all it took. Soldiers dragged me from my home that night. My grandfather begged them to stop, but they didn't care. They whipped me in the capital square, in front of everyone I knew. My sister, my brother, Elise-they all watched. And when I begged for help, they turned away."
I laughed bitterly, the sound hollow. "Elise chose the duke's son. My family chose their status. I was nothing to them."
Jean's fists tightened at his sides, his expression darkening. Luna's hazel eyes shimmered with unshed tears.
"They were going to hang me," I continued, my voice shaking. "The noose was around my neck, and I thought it was over. But then my grandfather stepped forward."
My hands trembled, my crimson eyes burning. "He begged for my life. Told the heads of the pantheon it was his fault, he'd raised me wrong. He offered his own life in exchange for mine."
My voice cracked, the firelight catching the tears I tried to suppress. "They killed in my place. I watched them beat him, heard his ribs crack, saw the blood soaked into the dirt. And through it all, he just….smiled."
I closed my eyes, my voice barely above a whisper. "Live," he told me. "No matter what, live. And make them regret ever crossing you."
Unbeknownst to the squad, a figure lingered just outside the room. Aisha, carrying a tray of food, froze in place as my words reached her ears. Her heart ached as she listened, tears streaming down her face.
When the story ended, she stepped inside, her presence startling everyone.
"Aisha?" I said, my voice laced with confusion.
She set the tray down, her hands trembling. "You… you're not alone Modred," she said softly, her green eyes meeting mine.
My expression hardened. "Don't pity me, Aisha. I don't need your sympathy."
"It's not pity," she said her voice firm but gentle. "I know I can't undo what happened. But you don't have to carry this alone."
I turned away, my jaw tight. "What do you know about it? You weren't there."
Aisha stepped closer, her voice breaking. "You're right. I wasn't there. But I'm here now. And so are they."
She gestured to the others, who sat in silence, their faces etched with determination.
"You have a new family now, Modred," Aisha said, her voice trembling with emotion. "People who fight beside you, bleed beside you, die beside you if it comes to that. Don't shut them out."
My shoulders sagged, the weight of her words pressing against the walls I had built around myself.
For a long moment, no one spoke. Then, Fenrick clapped on my shoulder grinning. "She's right, you know. You're stuck with us now."
Jean nodded, his green eyes unwavering. "We're here, Modred. No matter what."
Ana offered a faint smile. "You don't have to fight alone."
Luna wiped her tears, her voice trembling. "And I'll help you control your mana."
I looked at each of them, my crimson eyes softening ever so slightly. For the first time in years, I allowed myself a sliver of hope.
"Maybe," I murmured, my voice barely audible.
The storm began to rage outside, but within the barracks, a fragile warmth began to grow.