The forest was quiet.
Not the peaceful kind of quiet, but a stillness that made even the birds uneasy. As Steve and the others moved deeper into the woods, something in his chest tugged uncomfortably. He chalked it up to nerves—after all, this was the first time he was stepping out after the loss of his parents.
"Just keep your focus," he reminded himself, gripping the hilt of his sword.
Lealaine walked beside him, humming lightly. She wore her usual light armor, her twin daggers strapped to her belt. Every now and then, she glanced his way with a smile—soft and bright, the same one he'd fallen for.
"Feeling okay?" she asked, brushing a strand of her silver-blonde hair behind her ear.
"Yeah," he replied, forcing a smile. "It's... nice to be outside again."
She didn't question the lie. Instead, she stepped closer and gave his hand a brief squeeze.
"We'll make some memories today. Something happy."
Steve nodded. Her voice was like a balm to his still-wounded heart.
They traveled with six people in total: Steve, Lealaine, her younger brother Felix—a cheerful boy with a fiery attitude—and three others who were minor nobles from nearby households. All familiar faces. All people Steve trusted.
At least, he thought he did.
The sun filtered through the trees as they reached a clearing where low-tier monsters had been spotted recently—horned wolves, a few goblins, maybe a stray boar. Nothing too dangerous for a group like theirs.
For a while, it was exactly as planned.
Blades clashed, spells lit up the dim forest, and laughter returned to Steve's lips as he guided Felix through a flanking maneuver.
"Behind you!"
"Got it!"
They fought like a unit. The camaraderie reminded Steve of better days—of how his father taught him swordsmanship under the old elm tree. Of how his mother used to cheer for him after every training match.
They would have been proud, he thought, panting after the final goblin fell.
"Good job, everyone!" Lealaine called out, clapping. "Steve, you're as sharp as ever."
"Heh. Still rusty," Steve replied with a chuckle. "But thanks."
And for a fleeting moment, it felt okay.
The pain dulled.
The smile returned.
Maybe he could still live in this world. Maybe, even without his parents, he could keep moving forward—with Lealaine by his side.
But then came the second group.
Not monsters.
Men.
Cloaked, masked, and silent.
Five of them.
They emerged from the treeline like shadows, steel glinting in their hands. The group barely had time to react before two of their own were struck down.
"AMBUSH!" Felix yelled, barely deflecting a strike.
"Protect Lealaine!" Steve barked out, sword already drawn.
Steel met steel. Magic cracked against trees. The attackers were skilled—more than just bandits. Steve's instincts screamed assassins.
He fought like a man possessed, parrying and striking, shoving Lealaine behind him every time an enemy lunged close.
I already lost my parents, he thought, I won't lose her too.
The battle dragged on. One of the enemies fell to Felix's flames. Another was run through by Steve. But the group was exhausted, and they were still outnumbered.
Then—
"Steve!! Behind you!!" Lealaine shouted.
He turned, instinctively guarding her position—
And then froze.
His body jerked as something sharp plunged into his lower back.
What…?
He stumbled forward, breath catching in his throat. Pain exploded in his spine, and his knees buckled. He turned slowly—
There was no enemy.
Only Lealaine.
Holding a blade slick with his blood.
And smiling.
No—not smiling.
Sneering.
"Wh... what?" he gasped.
"You really are strong," she said, voice chillingly calm. "Shame you didn't die in the ambush like planned."
Steve's mind refused to process the words.
No... no, that's not her. That can't be her.
"W-Why... Lealaine…?" he managed to whisper, barely able to stay standing.
She tilted her head, almost pityingly. "You're too naive. Too soft. You let your guard down... even now, protecting me. You're pathetic."
"Is... is this a joke?" he coughed, blood dribbling from his mouth. "Why... would you—?"
"You were supposed to die with your parents, Steve," she interrupted. "But you survived. That ruined everything."
What... does she mean...?
He stumbled back, trying to breathe. The others weren't fighting anymore. Felix was nowhere in sight. The forest was silent.
Too silent.
"What are you talking about...?" he gasped. "We... we were going to be together... you said..."
For the first time, her smile faded. Her eyes narrowed.
"That was just convenience," she said coldly. "You were a stepping stone. That's all."
He took a shaky step toward her—his sword falling from his hand.
"I loved you," he whispered.
She didn't flinch.
"You were never worth it."
And with that, she shoved him.
Right off the cliff behind him.
The fall was long.
Wind rushed past his ears, louder than his thoughts, louder than his heartbeat.
Pain roared in every bone as the world blurred.
And yet—
He didn't die.
He landed hard, somewhere between jagged rocks and moss-covered earth. Blood pooled beneath him. His vision flickered. His body refused to move.
The sky above was gray now.
Cold.
Indifferent.
"Why...?" he murmured, tears finally spilling.
The girl he loved.
The life he chose.
Gone.
"Why did it have to be her...?"
The pain wasn't just in his back.
It was in his chest.
His heart.
And as darkness closed in, a single thought burned like fire.
I trusted her more than anyone.
And she destroyed me.