Point of View: Tharok
I refused.
I would never accept something like that.
I took a deep breath and looked him in the eyes. I'm sure he won't like my answer.
After this… I probably won't get a good ending.
But… contrary to what I expected, he smiled.
A calm smile.
—You're brave, Tharok… Very brave.
I didn't respond.
—Tell me… why don't you want to accept? Isn't there something you desire?
I had to answer. I couldn't remain silent in front of him, even if I wanted to.
—Yes… There is something I desire… But not if it means going against my principles.
He slowly nodded.
—Then let me understand… Are you willing to sacrifice yourself for others? —Even for people you don't know?
—Yes.
That was what my mother and grandfather taught me.
The strong must protect the weak.
The strong do not use their power to destroy.
We were protectors.
He remained silent for a few seconds.
Then he asked softly:
—In the same way you sacrificed the lives of your mother and grandfather?
My breathing stopped.
What…?
No.
That wasn't true.
—You're wrong, I—
—Don't lie to me.
At some point, he had moved closer.
I never saw him move.
His hand covered my mouth before I could react.
My eyes widened.
The killing intent in his gaze was terrifying.
—You can lie to yourself if you want… —But don't lie to me.
A chill ran through my entire body.
His black eyes seemed to pierce through me.
—Don't do it again.
He slowly removed his hand and stepped back a few paces.
My breathing was unstable.
—I know exactly what you're thinking, Tharok.
His voice was calm.
Too calm.
—"If only I had been there…" —"If only I had gone with my mother…" —"If only I hadn't been helping other tribes…"
Each word struck harder than the last.
—"Wouldn't they still be alive now?"
I pressed my lips together.
I couldn't answer.
Because… part of me asked those same questions too.
Every day.
All the time.
—They would be proud of me…
It was the only thing I could say.
He tilted his head slightly.
—Are you sure?
—Yes.
He snapped his fingers.
Several screens appeared around us.
My body tensed.
The images floated in the air, surrounding us.
—Then let's verify it.
I looked at him in confusion.
—How could you possibly know something like that…?
He smiled.
Then slowly stepped closer.
—If I wish to know something… —Very few beings are capable of stopping me.
His face stopped inches from mine.
—And you are not one of them.
I can't even imagine something like that.
—Fragments of the past will appear on these screens. —Yours… and the people you love.
Point of View: ????
It's almost done.
I just need to push him a little further.
Tharok stared fixedly at the screens.
He's intelligent. Far more intelligent than others on this planet.
But he's still young.
Far too young to face someone like me.
I pointed at one of the screens.
—Watch carefully… and tell me who you recognize.
The image began to move.
Two women were fighting back to back against several creatures.
Both were injured.
Both were protecting each other.
But then…
One of them smiled.
And stabbed the other in the back.
Once.
Again.
And again.
The wounded woman opened her eyes in horror.
She tried to turn around… but it was already too late.
The other kept driving the dagger into her without stopping.
—This is for standing in the way of my future. —You are an obstacle for Tharok… and for me.
More blood.
More stab wounds.
—With your death… he will finally awaken.
The woman collapsed to the ground.
She tried to crawl away.
Tried to resist.
But she was too badly wounded.
The other simply watched her bleed out.
Abandoned.
Alone.
Before dying, her lips trembled.
—Son… —Be careful of Sara…
The light faded from her eyes.
And she died.
—No… no…
Tears began streaming down Tharok's face.
—Mother…!
His voice was broken.
—It's a lie! —That's a lie!
The pain in his eyes was unbearable.
But he couldn't look away from the screen.
He simply couldn't.
—I'm not lying, Tharok.
His body trembled.
He wanted to stand.
Wanted to destroy the image.
But he was too badly injured.
I continued speaking.
—Now look at the second image.
Another screen lit up.
Tharok appeared on it.
Smiling while carrying supplies for another tribe.
A huge backpack rested on his back.
He looked happy.
Proud.
—Does this scene seem familiar to you?
He clenched his teeth.
He didn't answer.
—When you returned to your tribe that day… —Didn't you ever think this?
I slowly approached him.
And whispered beside his ear:
—"If only I had gone with her…"
—"Wouldn't she still be alive now?"