In the dark forest of Neper, burnt out in the blood of green and red, lay a human in broken armor, covered in hopelessness. His failure to contribute to the ongoing war had cost him everything—his family, his kingdom. His eyes, void of light, reflected death itself, a fate he seemed ready to accept.
But—
He was a noble. How could his arrogance allow him to die without spilling a single drop of blood in revenge? He carried the blood of the Zenith family, known for their toughness, and the great achievements of his ancestors echoed in his mind. He had drawn inspiration from them, admired them, and now, they would be disappointed in him. He could not die without doing anything.
With a deep cry, "HaaaaaaaH!" he tried to stand, using his sword and a tree for support. His body trembled, but he forced himself up. "Why is this happening to us?" he exclaimed, his rage fueling him. Yet, as he took a step forward, he collapsed into the muddy ground.
His leg was snapped, the other crippled. He could not walk anymore—it was hopeless.
But as he tried once more, he heard his heartbeat slowing. His life flashed before him: a childhood of mediocrity, a life spent merely surviving. He had done his duties, completed the tasks given to him, all while watching others accomplish feats he could only dream of.
Yet, he had never felt hatred. Never felt jealousy. He had simply accepted who he was.
"How can a human be so cruel?"
"We trusted you."
"I trusted you."
"HaaaaaH!" He bit his lips, forcing himself to rise, only to fall again.
"If I can't kill you… then what is the meaning of this rage inside me?" He lay staring at the forest canopy, the leaves blotting out the sky.
Pressing a hand over his heart, he whispered:
"What should I do with this rage?"
"HaaaaaH..."
"God, please... I will do anything, everything you ask. I only beg for justice—for the injustice done."
"I want him to suffer. No—I want him to endure pain so great that he pleads for death but is forced to suffer even more." His face showed no emotion but hatred. No feeling but anger.
As his eyes grew heavy, his desire for revenge only deepened.
"Uooah—" With a final cough of blood, he died.
His despair, his rage, his plea for justice—ended.