“Filthy bastard,” a laboured voice cursed. “You’re no different from that tyrant of a father.”Stravos slowly glided down until his boots pressed into the wet, muddy soil. What was peculiar was that the liquid beneath his feet was not rainwater; it was a mixture of his blood and the mud beneath him.Golden blood trickled majestically down his battered body, spilling from his cuts and bruises. Its faint glow illuminated the wounds scattered across his body, making the sight of his own blood almost impossible to ignore.“Did you really think we’d let you live?” another voice asked.Stravos's fingers tightened around the broken hilt of his sword as his eyes slowly moved across the people surrounding him. Who would have thought that the people he trusted the most would be so quick to turn their blades against him?He had given everything. He had betrayed his own father and helped bring down the tyrant who had ruled over them all, only to be branded no better than the man he had helped des

When he got there, the people camping were battered and bruised, looking as though they had just come from a terrible battle. Their clothes were torn, their weapons were either damaged or lying nearby, and even from a distance, Stravos could see several injuries that had been poorly treated.They weren't looking too bright at the moment.Stravos slowed his pace as he approached, his eyes moving from one person to another. His own clothes were tattered, remnants of his own battle, and dried blood still clung stubbornly to parts of his green tunic.He wasn't any better than them.Walking curiously toward them, he started waving his hand while approaching, making sure they could see him clearly. He kept his movements slow, especially when he noticed the two armed men immediately straighten their backs despite their exhaustion.They were two girls sitting on boxes, two men standing guard, and a funny-dressed elderly man tending to their injuries. The elderly man wore strange clothing that

Stravos returned to the group, his leather armour covered in dust and his breathing still slightly heavier than usual. The moment Gus noticed him approaching, the old merchant stopped what he was doing and looked past him toward the canyon.“Where's the monster?” Gus asked, wiping his hands on his clothes as he stepped forward.“Back there,” Stravos replied, pointing over his shoulder with a tired expression. “It won't be bothering anyone anymore.”For a moment, nobody said anything, and the others exchanged uncertain glances. Caspian was the first to break the silence, looking Stravos up and down before asking, “Wait, you actually killed it?”Stravos raised an eyebrow at him. “Did you expect me to bring it back alive?”Caspian opened his mouth, then closed it again, apparently unable to find a suitable answer. Iris turned away with a small laugh, while Lila shook her head at the exchange and Soren continued studying Stravos with an expression that was difficult to read.Gus, however,