Just then, a booming voice gets our attention. "Who do we have here?"


    It''s Wallace, the barbarian from Arroyo, who got upset at me for supposedly stealing his mission. He approaches our table with three of his companions standing behind him.


    He strides over to Eldrin, placing a rough hand on his shoulder. "Well, well, look who we have here," he says mockingly. "What are you doing here?" Aldric and Talin watch, unable to speak.


    Eldrin hesitates, looking down at the table, but I chime in. "We''re here for the dungeon, just like everyone else."


    Wallace turns to me, growling. "I''m not talking to you," he snaps before refocusing on Eldrin. He snatches Eldrin''s mug and gulps down the ale, then sneers. "So, you found some suckers to join your pathetic group, huh?"


    Then he narrows his eyes at me. "Hey, I recognize you now. You''re the bloke who stole my quest. Why did you team up with these losers?"


    I remain calm and reply, ignoring his snarky question, "You owe Eldrin for his drink."


    Wallace chuckles darkly. "Excuse me?"


    "You heard me," I say, meeting his gaze steadily. "You owe him for his drink. Now pay up."


    Wallace lets go of Eldrin''s shoulder and gets very close to me. "I didn''t quite hear that. What did you say?"


    I stand up, Wallace towering over me. Eldrin insists, "Ryu, it''s fine. You don''t have to do this."


    But Wallace cuts him off, "You stay out of this." Then he starts laughing. "Or else what?"


    He reaches forward, as if to nudge at me but in the blink of an eye, I grab Wallace''s arm and with a swift motion, slam his face into the table. Drinks spill over, and I bend his arm behind his back. Wallace grunts in pain and shock.


    His comrades start to step forward, but Apollo is already standing, sword drawn. They freeze, eyes wide with fear at its towering figure. The guild hall goes silent, whispers spreading through the crowd.


    I lean close to Wallace''s ear. "Now you owe us all for the drinks. Unless you want to lose that arm, I suggest you pay."


    Wallace quickly reaches into his pouch and tosses a handful of silver coins onto the table with his free arm. I release him, and he scurries away, clutching his hurt arm, his comrades following him.


    The whispers continue for a moment before the usual chatter resumes. I sit back down and Eldrin lets out a sigh of relief. Then the waitress returns to our table, her eyes wide with admiration. "What you just did was amazing," she says. "No one has ever stood up to that bully Wallace before."


    I turn to her, a modest smile beneath the shadowy void. "Someone had to. Bullies only understand strength."


    She starts picking up the knocked over mugs and wiping away the spilled ale with a cloth. "I wish there were more adventurers like you," she says. She then leans close, whispering, "You know, my shift ends in thirty minutes if you''d like to share a drink with me." She gives me a meaningful look before heading back to the kitchen.


    Eldrin thanks me, and Aldric, stunned, remarks, "That was incredible, Ryu. I''ve never seen anyone move that fast."


    The waitress soon returns with more drinks for everyone, flashing me a smile before attending to another table. We raise our mugs, clashing them together in a toast, and drink deeply.


    ?????


    The next morning, I awaken in a cozy bedroom, the soft light of dawn filtering through the curtains. I lie under the bedsheets, wearing only my hood, which still conceals my face in shadow. As my eyes adjust, I see the waitress from the previous day finish getting dressed. She flashes me a warm smile, her eyes twinkling with a playful glint before she heads to the door.


    She opens it and almost bumps into Aldric, who stands there about to knock. "Excuse me," she says with a polite nod before slipping past him.


    Aldric watches her leave, a mix of curiosity and surprise on his face. He then turns to me, only to quickly look away when he sees me getting dressed and donning my armor. "Everyone else is waiting for you in the dining area," he says, his voice slightly awkward.


    I nod, fastening the last of my gear. "Thanks, Aldric. I''ll be right there."


    After a quick breakfast, the five of us headed towards the dungeon. As we walk, Talin sidles up next to me, a mischievous grin on his face. "So, what happened last night with the waitress?"


    I raise an eyebrow under my hood. "Well, Talin, when a man and a woman really like each other—"


    Talin cuts me off, sounding quite annoyed. "I know that happened between you two. I don''t need a lecture."


    I chuckle. "Then there''s no need for me to tell you anything more."


    Eldrin laughs heartily, while Aldric looks a bit disappointed, his shoulders slumping slightly. Seems he took a liking to her.


    We soon reach the dungeon itself. The structure has a large wall around it, its stone walls covered in intricate carvings and moss. As we approach a large wooden gate, I notice twenty-five other adventurers standing before it, turning in slips of paper to the gate guards, who let them in group by group.


    Among them, I spot Wallace and his comrades. They each carry large, full sacks over their shoulders, one of them slightly bulging in a peculiar way. I sense a faint but distinct feeling of distress coming from within those sacks, making me narrow my eyes in suspicion.


    Eldrin steps forward, handing our dungeon pass to the gate guard. The guard scrutinizes it, then looks us over before nodding and putting the pass away in his pocket. He gestures for us to enter.


    As we step through the gate, the atmosphere changes immediately. The bustling noise of the town fades away, replaced by an eerie silence. The air grows cooler, and the light dims as the entrance to the dungeon looms before us, an ominous maw of darkness waiting to swallow us whole. We exchange determined glances, each of us mentally preparing for the challenges ahead and so, we step into the dungeon, ready to face whatever lies within.


    We step into a large, dimly lit room, its vastness emphasized by the echoes of our footsteps. Purple torches, flickering with an eerie glow, dangle from the walls, casting long, shifting shadows that dance across the ancient stone. The light they provide is faint, giving the room an almost otherworldly feel.


    Multiple sets of staircases lead down into the depths of the dungeon. Each one is flanked by carvings of mythical creatures and runes that glow faintly in the torchlight. Eldrin glances around, his eyes taking in the labyrinthine design. "Each level is like a labyrinth," he explains, "with various rooms and halls. We''ll need to stick together and stay alert."


    I nod, but my attention is already fixed on Wallace and his group, who are descending the staircase furthest to the left. There''s something about their behavior, and the bulging sacks they are carrying, is setting off alarm bells in my mind.


    The other groups begin to disperse, choosing different staircases and vanishing into the shadows. Soon, it''s just the five of us left in the large chamber. Talin and Aldric look around, uncertain. "Which staircase should we take?" Aldric asks, glancing between the options.


    ?????


    Without a word, I head towards the staircase Wallace and his group took, my determination evident in my stride. Apollo, ever vigilant, falls in step right behind me.


    Eldrin, Talin, and Aldric exchange confused looks. "What''s he doing?" Talin whispers, a hint of frustration in his voice.


    Eldrin sighs, a look of resignation on his face. "Let''s just follow him. He must have a reason."


    Reluctantly, Talin and Aldric nod, and they fall in line behind us. We descend the staircase, the flickering torchlight growing dimmer with each step, the air growing cooler and more oppressive. The silence is only broken by the sound of our footsteps and the occasional distant drip of water echoing through the stone corridors.


    I move forward, navigating the labyrinthine halls with purpose. The distressing feeling I''ve been sensing turns into a palpable fear, the quiet pleas for help echoing in my mind. I can sense four of them, faint but present. We round a corner and find our path blocked by a horde of monsters. They resemble oversized rats with glowing red eyes and sharp claws.


    Apollo and I draw our weapons, my sword swishing in the air as I charge forward and slash through the creatures with ease. Apollo''s blade cuts a swath through the horde, the rats falling with gurgling screeches. When they die, they drop small purple crystals, but we ignore them, pressing on.


    Eldrin, Talin, and Aldric follow, their expressions puzzled at my determination. "What''s driving him?" Aldric mutters, his voice barely audible over the clash of battle.


    Eldrin shrugs, picking up a few crystals. "I don''t know, but he seems to know where he''s going."


    After dispatching the monsters, we continue through the winding corridors. The pleas for help grow more desperate in my mind. Another horde of creatures blocks our path—this time, they''re skeletal warriors wielding rusted swords and shields. They too fall quickly to our blades.


    "He''s relentless," Talin observes, watching me with a mix of awe and concern.


    We cut down the last of the skeletons, the clattering of bones echoing in the narrow hallway. I push forward, Apollo close behind. The others hesitate, then abandon gathering the crystals to follow us.


    The halls are a maze, but the pleas guide me. We encounter more monsters: giant spiders with venomous fangs, small goblins wielding crude weapons, and shadowy figures that dissipate into smoke when struck. Each one falls swiftly, but we lose Eldrin, Talin, and Aldric in the chaos. I don''t realize this until Apollo and I dispatch the fourth horde of monsters. Suddenly, one of the signals dies, and I sense death. My pace quickens.


    We stop before an ominous-looking door. I push it open, revealing a great hall smaller than the one we first entered. A large hobgoblin stands in the center, its eyes glowing with malevolent intelligence. Behind it are doors similar to the ones we stepped through earlier. The floor is littered with bloody remains, gruesome and indistinguishable, but I can make out the form of a small child among them.


    The hobgoblin charges. I pull out my Malorian Arms 3516 and fire. The blaster shot hits the hobgoblin in the face, and it collapses, dropping a larger purple crystal. The doors behind it creaks open.


    As I holster my blaster, Eldrin, Talin, and Aldric catch up, breathless. "Ryu, wait!" Eldrin calls out, sprinting ahead and blocking my path.


    "What''s up with you?" Eldrin demands, his face flushed.


    I look past him, my eyes fixed on the open doors. "I can sense someone in dire need of help."


    Eldrin frowns. "Ryu, we''re in a dungeon. People get hurt here all the time."


    I shake my head. "This is different. The cries for help are from small children." I point to the bloody remains. "That was one of them. I sensed it from the sacks Wallace and his group were carrying."


    Eldrin and the others exchange glances, then step aside. "We need to stick together," Eldrin says, his voice firm. "We''re a team."


    I nod, my resolve unshaken. "Stick close."


    We press on, moving through the labyrinth with a sense of urgency. The cries for help echo in my mind, spurring me forward. We pass through two floors, cutting down various monsters at a relentless pace. Each floor brings new challenges—giant rats, venomous snakes, shadowy wraiths, and more goblins. The distress signals grow stronger, more desperate, and I can feel another sense of death along the way.


    We descend to the seventh floor, reaching a large chamber, the entrance to the boss room. Purple torches line the walls, casting an eerie glow. The air is thick with the stench of decay. In the center of the room, a giant spider queen looms, her massive form covered in bristling hairs and her multiple eyes glistening with malice. Hundreds of her offspring skitter around her, their legs clattering on the stone floor. They are feasting on the body of another child, the sight turning my stomach.You could be reading stolen content. Head to Royal Road for the genuine story.


    Apollo and I charge forward. The spider queen screeches, her offspring swarming us. Apollo''s blade slices through the smaller spiders, his movements precise and lethal. I focus on the queen, my sword cutting through her thick legs. She rears up, venom dripping from her fangs, and strikes. I dodge, slashing at her underbelly. Her screech of pain reverberates through the chamber.


    Behind us, Eldrin, Talin, and Aldric fend off the offspring. Talin''s daggers flash, cutting through the smaller spiders with ease. Eldrin casts fire spells, burning them to ash, while Aldric''s sword cleaves through their ranks. The room is a cacophony of screeches, clashes, and spells.


    The spider queen lunges again, and this time, Apollo and I strike together. My sword pierces her heart, and Apollo''s blade severs her head. She collapses, her body twitching in death. The remaining offspring scatter, only to be cut down by our companions.


    We press on, moving through another five floors. The monsters grow stronger—orc brutes, winged harpies, and more shadowy wraiths. The sense of urgency heightens, and another sense of death hits me like a punch to the gut. We reach the boss room of the twelfth floor, stepping into a cavernous chamber.


    An undead skeleton mage stands at the center, its eyes glowing with a malevolent light. It is surrounded by a legion of skeleton warriors, their bones clattering as they march. The mage''s skeletal fingers weave dark magic, summoning more undead to its side. By its feet lie the bloody remains of another child, a gruesome reminder of our mission.


    Apollo and I charge once more. The mage raises its staff, casting bolts of dark energy. I deflect them with my sword, closing the distance. Apollo engages the skeleton warriors, his blade cutting through their brittle bones. Eldrin, Talin, and Aldric join the fray, their weapons and spells adding to the chaos.


    The mage''s magic is potent, each spell sending shockwaves through the chamber. I dodge and weave, my sword deflecting his attacks. With a final leap, I strike, severing the mage''s staff and slicing through its spine. It collapses, its legion of skeletons falling lifelessly to the ground.


    We stand amidst the carnage, the room silent save for our heavy breathing. The sense of loss is palpable, the sight of the child''s remains a stark reminder of our mission''s urgency. We gather our strength, ready to press on, determined to put an end to this nightmare.


    Upon inspecting the child''s remains, I notice its distinct features—pointed ears and a long, slender tail amidst the torn rags and blood. Eldrin, catching his breath, kneels beside me and murmurs, "A beast person. This child is a beast person." His voice is filled with sorrow and anger.


    "Why would Wallace bring beast folk children into this dungeon?" I demand, my voice barely containing my rage.


    Eldrin looks up at me, his eyes dark with concern. "It is believed that certain beast folk have the ability to commune with monsters."


    The thought makes my blood boil. I push forward with renewed determination, Apollo at my side, as we descend through two more floors. We cut down various monsters—giant rats, venomous snakes, and shadowy wraiths—our pace unrelenting. The cries of the remaining child echoes in my mind, urging me onward.


    ?????


    Finally, we reach the boss room. Before us stands Wallace and his group, facing a giant snake. The snake is immense, its hood flaring as it hisses menacingly. In front of Wallace stands a young girl, her appearance heart-wrenching. She looks about seven years old, with golden hair, sapphire-blue eyes, and animal features. Her cat ears twitch in fear, and her tail curls around her trembling form. Her face is smeared with dirt, and her body is covered in bruises, clad only in rags. Tears stream down her cheeks as she stares at the snake, petrified.


    Wallace, growing impatient, roughly pushes the cat girl towards the snake. "Tell it to stand down!" he snaps. The girl stumbles, hitting the ground hard. The snake''s eyes fixate on her, its jaw wide open as it prepares to strike. She cries out, huddling in a fetal position, but nothing happens.


    She looks up, eyes wide with terror, and sees the snake frozen in mid-air, its jaw open but unable to move forward. It struggles, letting out a loud, frustrated hiss. Confusion spreads across Wallace''s face and his comrades''. Wallace turns, spotting me with my arm raised, holding the beast in place. With a swift motion, I fling the snake to the right, its body slamming into the stone wall with a resounding thud.


    Wallace''s face contorts with anger. "It''s you!" he snarls.


    Ignoring him, I focus on the child, extending my hand. With a gentle pull, I bring her into my arms. She lands softly against me, her eyes wide with shock and relief. "Are you okay?" I ask her gently.


    The girl looks up at me, her eyes brimming with tears. She buries her face in my chest, sobbing uncontrollably. I notice a metal collar around her neck, pulsating with red runes. The sight fills me with a cold fury.


    Eldrin, Talin, Aldric, and Apollo stand by, their expressions a mix of shock and determination. Wallace and his group tense, ready for a confrontation. But in this moment, my focus is on the trembling child in my arms.


    The snake remained motionless, slumped over in the corner of the large chamber. I turn to Eldrin, entrusting the trembling girl to him. "Watch over her," I instruct, stepping forward to confront Wallace. But before I could take another step, a piercing shriek cuts through the air. I spin around to see Eldrin holding the girl tightly, a wicked dagger pressed against her throat.


    ?????


    "You take one step closer, and I''ll slit her throat," he snarls. Talin and Aldric draw their weapons, their eyes cold and unfeeling. "Drop your weapons," Eldrin commands, and Apollo and I comply, dropping our swords to the ground. Apollo even discards its shield.


    "Why are you doing this?" I demand, my voice steady. Wallace and his group cackle behind us, their laughter echoing off the stone walls.


    Eldrin''s charming demeanor vanishes, replaced by a cold, calculating gaze. His lips curl into a sneer as he steps closer, his voice dripping with venom. "Because you ruined us," he says, his tone sharp and bitter. "I remember you. Whatever you did—the mind spell you used—it wore off. You must think you''re so clever, but I''ve dabbled in mind spells myself. That little trick of yours had little effect on me."


    He pauses, relishing the moment before continuing. "Breaking Talin and Aldric''s enchantments? Child''s play. You see, we owe the guild a lot of money now. And that fancy armor you and your friend are wearing? Our armor was a loaner from the guild."


    Aldric steps forward, his usual cheerfulness replaced by a cold, ruthless expression. His hand tightens around his sword hilt as he speaks. "We''ve lost everything—our reputation, our rank. For that, you and Apollo must pay."


    Talin stands slightly behind them, his face twisted in bitter anger. His knuckles are white as they grip his weapon tightly. "No one wants to work with us anymore," he adds, voice shaking with resentment. "You ruined us."


    My gaze drifts toward Wallace, who leans casually against the dungeon wall, a sinister grin stretching across his face. "And Wallace?" I ask, narrowing my eyes at him.


    Eldrin''s eyes gleam with malicious delight as he chuckles. "Wallace gets a fair share of the spoils, of course. You didn''t think he was just along for the ride, did you?"


    I nod slowly, piecing together their plan, my mind working through the betrayal. "So, you brought me to this dungeon, formed this camaraderie to earn my trust, and knowing that I can sense things, you lured me deep into this dungeon using these children as bait to kill me. No one would suspect a thing. Very clever."


    Eldrin smiles triumphantly, his confidence swelling at my acknowledgment of their scheme. "Exactly, Ryu. You''re smart."


    "But why?" I ask, my voice calm, though anger simmers beneath the surface. "Why go through all of this? I admit I screwed you over and for that I am sorry. That''s why I decided to help you, team up with you, replace your equipment. You got back what you lost."


    Eldrin throws his head back, laughing mockingly. "Oh, don''t take this personally, Ryu. You''re just a means to an end. You''re not the first adventurer to cross our paths in this dungeon. So many terrible things could happen here. You know how it is—people die all the time in dungeons like this. Accidents, bad luck, traps. Your death would be brushed off as just another adventurer who couldn''t hack it."


    Aldric sneers, stepping closer, his eyes gleaming with malevolent satisfaction. "No one will miss you. No one will even question it."


    I feel my jaw clench as I stare at each of them, their faces twisted with greed and vengeance. They believe they''ve won, that I''m just another victim in their long line of betrayals. But they don''t know who they''re really dealing with.


    The silence stretches, thick with tension.


    "There''s just one flaw with your plan," I say, my composure unwavering.


    "And what''s that?" Eldrin asks, his grin widening.


    "In my line of work, trust is a luxury I can''t afford. I never truly trusted you or your crew from the start. So if you think you''ve caught me off guard, I''m afraid you''re sorely mistaken."


    In a blink, I raise my arm and turn my hand. Eldrin cries out in pain as his arm bends and snaps in an unnatural direction, the dagger clatters to the ground, and the girl breaks free, running to me and clutching my side.


    "Apollo, protect her," I shout. "Keep her safe!"


    Apollo acknowledges, swiftly moving to a corner of the chamber, shielding the girl with its body. She watches the scene unfold, her eyes wide with a mix of fear and awe.


    "Kill them!" Eldrin yells, clutching his broken arm. Talin, Aldric, Wallace, and his comrades circle me. Apollo stands guard over the girl, who watched, terrified.


    They charge in, their weapons gleaming with murderous intent. Wallace''s comrades are a rough-looking bunch. One wields a heavy mace, another a pair of curved daggers, while the third clutches a spiked club. Wallace himself, towering over the others, swings a massive axe with lethal precision.


    I dodge to the side just as the mace-wielder''s strike misses my head by inches. With a swift motion, I summon my sword to my hand, the hilt sliding into my grip effortlessly. The dagger-wielder is next, his twin blades aiming for my torso. I parry one and deflect the other, the clash of metal echoing in the confined space. The spiked club comes down hard, but I roll away, coming up behind its owner and driving my sword through his back. He lets out a gurgled scream before collapsing in a lifeless heap.


    I whirl around just in time to face the others. The mace-wielder swings again, and I catch the handle of his weapon with my sword, twisting it free from his grasp. A quick slice across his throat, and he falls, blood gushing from the wound.


    The dagger-wielder is relentless, his blades a blur as he dances around me. Our movements become a deadly rhythm, but I match him strike for strike. He lunges again, and I sidestep, slashing his leg. He stumbles, and without hesitation, I drive my sword into his chest. He gasps, eyes wide with shock, before crumpling to the ground.


    Wallace bellows in fury, swinging his massive axe with terrifying force. I raise my sword to block, the impact sending a shockwave through my arms. His strength is overwhelming, but I am faster. I dodge his next swing and counter with a slash to his side. He roars in pain, his swings becoming more erratic. I duck beneath another wild strike and drive my sword into his heart. His eyes widen in disbelief before he collapses with a final, pained grunt.


    The girl watches from the corner, her fear slowly giving way to awe as she sees me effortlessly fend off the attackers.


    Talin and Aldric, witnessing their comrades fall, rush at me with renewed fury. Talin wields a pair of daggers, his movements swift and lethal. Aldric, armed with sword and shield, charges in with disciplined ferocity.


    Our blades clash, sparks flying between us. Talin''s daggers blur with speed, but I parry each one, anticipating his strikes. Aldric''s sword slashes at me, but I block it with my blade, countering with a swift kick to his chest, sending him staggering back.


    "You''ve improved," I say, genuinely impressed with their skill.


    Aldric snarls, his face twisted with rage. "Your training will be your undoing!" He lunges at me again, but I sidestep and slash his leg. He grunts in pain but doesn''t falter.


    The fight turns in my favor. I slam Talin back with a powerful blow, sending him crashing into the stone wall. Aldric comes at me one more time, but with a quick twist of my wrist, I disarm him, sending his sword clattering to the ground.


    "You don''t have to do this," I say calmly, keeping my sword raised. "After everything we''ve been through, you still want to go through with this? You can still walk away."


    They exchange a glance, their faces hardening with bitter resolve.


    "You destroyed our reputation," Talin spits, his voice dripping with venom. "We''ll never forgive you."


    I sigh, gripping my sword tighter. "So be it."


    They charge at me again, but this time, I don''t hold back. Aldric rushes in with his shield raised, aiming for a bash. I sidestep, driving my sword into his chest before he can react. He gasps, blood bubbling from his mouth, his eyes wide with shock as he crumples to the ground, lifeless.


    Talin''s daggers flash toward me, but I am faster. I catch his wrist, twisting it until he drops his weapon with a pained grunt. Seizing the moment, I drive my sword through his heart. His eyes widen in disbelief, a final breath escaping his lips as he collapses, motionless.


    Despite his injury, Eldrin manages to cast with his good arm. He hurls a fireball at me, but I raise my hand, stopping the flames in midair. With a flick of my wrist, I send them back toward him. Eldrin screams as the fire scorches his robe, but he retaliates quickly, launching a blast of ice in my direction. I roll to the side, narrowly dodging it, and throw a knife that embeds itself in his shoulder. Eldrin grunts, yanking the blade out.


    Reaching into his pouch, Eldrin retrieves a small glass bottle filled with glowing green liquid. He pops the cork and downs it. Instantly, his broken arm contorts back into place, the knife wound sealing shut. Fully healed, he casts more spells in rapid succession. Fireball after fireball comes my way, but I deflect each one, sending them back toward him. He screams again as the flames lick at his robes.


    In desperation, Eldrin casts a lightning spell. The crackling energy surges toward me, but I focus, absorbing the energy into myself. With a surge of force, I send it back at him in a violent wave. Eldrin shrieks in agony, his body convulsing as the lightning courses through him. He collapses, smoke rising from his charred robes.


    Eldrin, battered and broken, begins crawling away from me, his breath ragged and labored. I approach him, my steps slow and deliberate, my gaze fixed. He turns onto his back, glaring at me with hatred. "You''re a monster," he spits, his voice trembling with fear and desperation.


    I reach for my lightsaber, the cold hilt familiar in my grip. With a snap-hiss, the yellow blade ignites, bathing the room in a harsh, eerie glow. Its hum fills the air, an electric reminder of what''s about to happen. I take a step closer to Eldrin, the once confident mage now crawling backward, eyes wide with fear and defiance.


    "No, Eldrin," I say, my voice calm but carrying an unmistakable edge of cold fury. "You''re the monster here. You and your friends chose this path. You''re responsible for the deaths of those children... for all of this."


    Eldrin''s face contorts in a mixture of pain and disbelief as he glares at me, struggling for words. But I continue, my tone shifting to something softer, more sorrowful. "You could''ve been better. You could''ve stopped this before it began. But greed and power... they blinded you. All of you."


    The yellow blade hums steadily as I stand over him, looking down at the man who had once fought by my side, who had pretended to be my ally. There is no triumph in this moment, no victory. Only the grim weight of inevitability.


    "I feel sorrow for you," I whisper, my voice low but carrying the depth of my emotion. "For Aldric, for Talin... for the choices you all made. In another life, perhaps, we could''ve been comrades, fighting for something greater than ourselves."


    I raise my lightsaber, the glow casting long shadows across Eldrin''s terrified face. His breathing becomes shallow, erratic, but he says nothing. In this moment, the reality of his fate is written in his eyes. He knows what comes next.


    "But you sealed your fate the moment you betrayed not just me, but those who trusted you, those who depended on you. I wanted to believe there was still hope for you... but you proved otherwise."


    With a swift motion, I plunge the blade into his chest. His body jerks, his eyes widening in a final moment of shock and agony as the lightsaber burns through him. The sound of his last breath is drowned by the sizzling hum of the blade. Slowly, his form crumples to the ground, lifeless, as the light leaves his eyes.


    I deactivate the lightsaber, its yellow glow vanishing with a sharp hiss, leaving the chamber in near-darkness, save for the soft flicker of torches along the walls. The only sound now is the quiet sobbing of the girl in the corner and the faint echoes of what just transpired.


    I stand there, staring down at Eldrin''s body, feeling the weight of what I''ve done. There''s no satisfaction in this victory. Only a hollow ache. "Perhaps in death, you''ll find the peace you never sought in life," I murmur quietly, my voice tinged with regret.


    Stepping back from the body, I turn toward the girl, her tear-filled eyes fixed on me. My heart clenches at the sight of her fear, the innocence caught in the crossfire of men''s greed and ambition.


    I clip the lightsaber back to my belt, taking a deep breath. "It''s over," I tell her softly, my voice no longer cold, but filled with a quiet resolve. "You''re safe now."