**Chapter 9. The Fallen Warrior**
Chapter 9. The Fallen Warrior
A small, white-haired boy lived in a village overshadowed by Yussia. Since childhood, he had felt like an outcast in his own family. His family consisted of a father, a mother, and a younger brother. Strangely enough, they treated the older one like worthless trash because of his complete hopelessness.
His father came from a special lineage — born of Grolph blood — and believed his son would be incredibly gifted and powerful. But because the boy was very weak, the father couldn't understand what was wrong. Right after the child was born, he thought the boy wasn't his and that the mother had cheated on him. But when they went to the hospital, and the doctors confirmed that the child's energy matched his father's, the man was shocked.
Something impossible had happened — the boy hadn't inherited the Grolph power or its legacy at all. He was as ordinary as they come… maybe even weaker. From the outside, it looked as if God Himself had snatched the light from the child and refused to let another prodigy be born.
Until the age of three, they more or less took care of him, sometimes showing faint glimpses of attention. But the shadow cast over him was so dim that he felt like he was in a mineshaft. Occasionally, someone might light a torch — but it would die out just as fast as his future.
As soon as the duckling turned three, the newborn swan shattered the last bone in his wing. The family had a second son who perfectly inherited the father's genes. From that moment on, the patriarch flat-out refused to acknowledge his eldest.
⸻
— Veikh. Age 10 —
Once again, coming home, the now grown boy was met with rejection from his mother. Instead of green apples, he brought yellow ones. A small thing, perhaps — but since they were for his younger brother, the mother went into a fury the moment she saw them.
Rushing into the dark house and entering his brother's perfectly clean and neat room, Veikh said:
— Mother, I got the apples! I hope I'm not late. I'm sorry I took so long! I ran as fast as I could… — the boy pleaded with pitiful eagerness.
— Hand them over already! You're so slow, Veikh. It's awful. Why couldn't you have been born a Grolph like your brother!?
— But Mom… I really tried… — He stood there, looking at his mother sitting on the bed, then glanced at his brother.
To his sincere surprise, Veikh wasn't the kind to hold a grudge against his brother. He loved him with all his heart, despite the disdain from both his family and the boy himself. He constantly tried to befriend and bond with him, like a tightrope walker seeking balance — but there was none to be found in their relationship.
— VEIKH! That's the wrong kind — too firm! You're a useless little core! Can't you use that worthless brain of yours just once!? — His mother stood up and slapped him with all her strength. The sound was like a spark — short and sharp, like a power surge. His head hit the wall from the force of the blow, but the boy stood up. His head spun so badly it felt like someone had launched him from a catapult.
Looking at his mother, the child said:
— I'm sorry, Mom… I'm sorry, little brother. I'll run and get new ones, just please… don't hit me…
Finally regaining his senses, he looked at his seven-year-old brother and saw pure joy on his face — like he'd been gifted a new toy or candy.
— I love it! I love how he fell! He went all "BOOOOM!" Ah-ha-ha-ha-ha! — The little sadist was already taking pleasure in others' suffering at an early age.
— I'm glad I could please you, — Veikh said with a smile.
— What are you waiting for? Go! Get to the market! — his mother yelled, heading back to her bed.
— But what about… money? — Veikh looked confused.
— Figure it out. You screwed up — now fix it! Bastard… Why aren't you like your little brother? Why do you always make me so anxious? You're a disgrace to our family. You're like a devil without horns — a pathetic imp!
— Alright, Mom. I'll try to figure something out…
Veikh left the house and ran toward the market. After hitting his head on the wall, it was hard to coordinate while running, but he gave it his all. Running as if through a desert, he grew more and more exhausted. Reaching the market, he spotted the apples his brother had wanted. The problem was, the stall was in an alley.
Entering it, he waited for the vendor to turn around and grabbed a few apples. But the moment he tried to make a quick getaway — like rainwater down a gutter — the hand of "justice" caught him instantly. A massive man grabbed Veikh by the shirt and flung him to the ground like a bowling ball. Luckily, the ground was dirt, not concrete.
Landing, he looked up at his assailant.
— I'm sorry… My mother told me to get apples, but she didn't give me money. I just need a few… three, please…
— You tried to steal and still have the nerve to open your filthy mouth!? You dirty animal! — The man stepped forward and kicked the boy in the chest. Not with full force, but enough for one of Veikh's ribs to clearly crack.
— Stop… please… don't…
Finally, the man even spat toward Veikh — hitting him right in the hair.
Veikh stood up minutes later and slowly limped home. Clutching his rib in agony, he walked slower and slower. It was like a wounded duckling. Returning home, he pulled two apples from under his shirt. Beaten, filthy, and stinking, he held them out to his mother, who stood waiting by his brother's door.
— Mom, I tried so hard… here you go, — Veikh said with a smile, looking up at her.
— Well, at least you're good for something. But next time you show up with only two apples, don't expect to sleep in this house. There's a nice bench outside — just for you.
— Okay… I'll do better…
Turning his gaze, he trudged toward his room — and saw what he always saw: a grimy little space crawling with spiders, flies, and other insects. But the worst thought that struck Veikh was:
"I came back, and she didn't even care how I looked. She doesn't even consider that maybe child services or the police could take me away. That would be like slaying a wild animal… I'm completely worthless to them."
Suddenly, his father walked in and looked at Veikh. Scanning him, he grew furious — though he tried to hold back. He spoke to his "son" — or whatever he considered him:
— Don't disgrace my family's name. You may be a pathetic failure, but you still carry our surname. Your mother drew you a bath. Go, and stop embarrassing me.
— Of course, Father… as you wish, Dad.
— Don't call me that. You're a counterfeit.
— Yes, I'm not worthy of such generosity…
As soon as his father left, Veikh got his things ready. He went to the room they called the bath. Still feeling that sharp pain in his chest, he carefully got into the tub so the water reached his waist.
"Cold… unbearably uncomfortable… but I understand why. Little brother first, then me. No hot water left. Too bad I'm not a Grolph… A constant reminder to my family that the impossible can happen — not inheriting the father's power at all… I really was born without talent. Have there been other cases where a child didn't inherit anything from their lineage?"
All of this went on year after year. Only his mother and father became more aggressive and more full of contempt towards Veikh. When he moved into high school, things got way worse. Over the years of schooling, the poor boy went through so much — from harmless teasing to the point where he was thrown naked into the girls' locker room, where he got beaten to a pulp. The level of madness had long since crossed every line imaginable. Veikh was locked in a world where torment was the rule.
One day, when he turned 16, he decided to apply for military training, hoping to serve in the army someday. He couldn't stand the atmosphere at home — everything in his life felt like a tightened noose of suffering he couldn't escape. His father had no problem with the decision, hoping the boy might finally show at least some results. His mother, on the other hand, tried to talk him out of it. In that final month at home, she suddenly started trying to "improve" their relationship — because deep down, she knew: if her older son left, she'd be stuck taking care of the younger one herself, the one who surpassed Veikh in almost everything… except for two things — energy control and intellect.
Especially the second one. Veikh really stood out next to Grolph. He read books all the time, was passionate about literature and history. He was also focused and hardworking. Every morning started with energy control exercises. At school, during breaks, he would do physical training — whenever he wasn't getting bullied. And at the end of the day, Veikh would sit and read up on techniques, trying to learn something new. Rarely, very rarely… something worked. By age 16, he only knew a few basic techniques and could summon spiders — useful for gathering intel or attacking enemies unseen.
When his mother realized that the white-haired boy truly wasn't going to stay, she nearly lost her mind. That final week was unbearable for the teen: his mother wouldn't stop tormenting him with questions, always trying to provoke him emotionally. More than once, she asked:
— "Don't you think I should've cut you out of my stomach before you were even born?"
— "Why is your brother a normal child, and you're just a walking trash chute?"
And so on. But Veikh held on. The only thing running through his head was:
"Just hold out… it'll be easier soon…"
⸻
And so, at 16, Veikh arrived at the army base. Dressed in a uniform tailored just for him — quiet, careful to the extreme, trying his best to avoid any incident that might bring back memories of group bullying.
He was assigned to the infantry — the main combat force of the country. The strongest warriors always came here, because the power developed through training in this division was blinding.
After passing all the formalities — psych evaluations, physical tests, general prep — he was placed into a youth training course for three months. His physical stats weren't great, and besides, he was still only 16.
Coming before his new captain, he stood like a drawn string, upright and precise in front of the desk, where the leader sat reading his file.
— "Veikh. Sixteen years old. Height, one-eighty. Weight, sixty-three kilos… You're skinny."
— "Not much to eat in the village, sir."
— "Fair point. Let's see… mental state — stable. Okay, okay… So, what's your motivation?"
— "It's written there, sir."
— "I want to hear it from you."
— "My family wasn't exactly loving. I decided to become a man on my own… and protect the homeland!"
— "Alright then. Someone'll take you to your barracks."
— "Permission to leave, sir!"
— "Get out of here, patriot…"
Veikh saluted and walked out. As he stepped out of the tent, he saw a sergeant. The man motioned for the rookies to follow. As they walked toward the barracks, Veikh looked around — the army felt intimidating: so many tents, a huge number of exercise areas, even a field for magic training — this was a place where weapons were forged out of people.
Once at the barracks, the sergeant spoke up:
— "Guys, meet the new recruit! And don't even think about pulling any hazing crap!"
Veikh stepped inside, eyes scanning every detail like someone with a magnifying glass held to his face. He saw a few guys and walked up:
— "I'm Veikh! From the village of Valto. Came here to get stronger. Nice to meet you."
A guy sitting across the room came up and shook his hand:
— "Name's Fink. Welcome."
— "Nice to meet you, Fink! Would you mind explaining how things work around here?"
— "Sure! Listen up and remember. First, I'll tell you about the military hierarchy in general, so you've got the basics down."
Weih's Story
He started listing ranks, not only in the junior course:
King, Marshal, General, Major, Lieutenant, Captain, Warrant Officer, Sergeant, Corporal, Private.
— So this is how the system works… Alright, it's more or less clear. Thanks for explaining the hierarchy. What about us? What's our schedule? — Weih asked, looking at Fink.
— Well, don't freak out now, haha. We wake up at 5:30. Until 8 AM, we do all the basic stuff — exercises, breakfast, uniform, and so on. At 8, classes start, focusing on energy control, lasting until noon. Then lunch. After lunch, one hour in the library or just rest.
— Then you have four hours of physical training. Dinner, cleaning, and finally sleep.
While Fink explained all this, Weih was very surprised — at home, he spent maybe an hour a day on energy control, not four.
Weih went to his bed and lay down calmly, not yet realizing what a paradise the next three months would be. No one bothers you or hits you — it's like being freed from chains.
At first, he felt very tired and weak in the evenings, but after a month, he gained about seven kilograms, which made him stronger and more enduring. When he graduated from basic training and earned the rank of Private, he was recommended for Sergeant.
When he joined the adult, full army, he felt awkward — as if someone wanted to burn him with their gaze. But the commission was moderate, and based on their check and recommendations, at sixteen, Weih got the rank of Sergeant.
Many were unhappy that a guy their age or even younger would command them, but they obeyed. Four years later, he became a Lieutenant.
One day, visiting his native village, he saw a wounded dog on the road. Jumping off a cart, he ran to the animal and picked it up. The dog looked terrible: broken leg, half-bitten ear, bruises and wounds all over.
They were almost home when Weih shouted down the street:
— Is there a medic here!? Please help this animal!
At first, his parents came out — father and mother — then a young female medic appeared. She was incredibly beautiful and looked like a real soldier: in uniform, but only about 155 cm tall, fragile-looking, with expressive features and a very pleasant face.
Seeing her, Weih immediately knew she had real medical skills. He ran up to her, nearly crying:
— Let's get him inside, Lieutenant. Poor dog… What kind of monster could do this?
— I don't know… He was lying there helpless… Completely defenseless.
The girl took the dog home, and Weih sat on a bench in the yard. Suddenly, he heard his brother's voice and his group:
— That dog was very weak. We played with him a bit, and he was already done for.
A true rage and hatred overwhelmed Weih. He stood up and headed toward his brother. His eyes changed — glowing fully purple. This eye would save his life many times in the future.
— Is that you, brother? I thought you went to the army, not the circus.
— Shut up. I have a question — was it you who hurt the dog a hundred meters from home?
— Let's say it was me. So what?
— Here's what I'll show you — what I learned in the circus!
For the first time in his life, Weih attacked someone at full speed. His brother didn't even see the move or the strike — he was thrown thirty meters and rolled on the ground like a ball.
Weih stood over him and said:
— No one has the right to decide the fate of others. No one has the right to ruin it. If you do it out of selfishness and for pleasure — you are the weakest Grolf in history. You don't even deserve the name.
— And you're not even a Grolf! Don't you dare teach me! You're a disappointment to our parents. The day you were born reminded them of a mistake.
— But I'm a human. And that's what matters…
Weih looked at his parents standing at the door, their faces showing strange emotions. He thought maybe he should go inside, but the girl appeared first.
— How's the dog? — he asked.
— He's okay. The ear won't fully heal, but I did everything I could.
— I want to take him with me… if you don't mind?
— No problem. What's your name?
— Weih. And yours?
— Elvina. Lieutenant Weih, — she smiled.
They both laughed. After that, the girl invited Weih for tea. They talked mostly about the dog. They agreed Weih would take the dog back when he returned to the army.
Elvina looked so charming and light, but even with her weak magic sense, Weih felt a real fire burning inside her. Strong and determined. This was what attracted him — it felt like his first love.
After their talk, he left and headed home. His mother opened the door first:
— Get out of here! You hit your younger brother! What kind of family member are you now?!
But soon his father pushed her aside and faced his son. His gaze was piercing. It was funny — this was exactly what Weih lacked in childhood: any kind of fatherly attention.
If a torch goes out, it's useless. Only by lighting it again and again can it keep burning.
— Well done. You proved you deserve our name.
— Keep that to yourself. I never needed a name or a family. All I ever wanted was your attention.
— So you wanted me to play with you? Pamper you? Some sappy nonsense?
— But you shouldn't have ignored me either. As a father, you failed. Your youngest son is a selfish egoist. Your wife is paranoid, foolish, and arrogant. The only one who truly achieved something is me. The one nobody believed in. I didn't need your genetics. I didn't need you to teach me. I didn't need anything!
Every day I woke up at five thinking I'd become better. So one day I could come and say: this isn't me — the fake. This is you — the fake father. I'm twenty now, and I've already surpassed you. I'm a lieutenant in the Yussia army. What have you done? A pathetic sergeant. With your genetics… a loser.
— Forget what I said. I don't want to see you.
— Don't pretend to give me up. I was born an orphan. So, goodbye.
Weih turned and checked into a nearby hotel. Every day he visited Elvina, spending time with joy in his eyes. One day, the dog got much better. At the sight of Weih, it felt safe and calm.
On the last day, Weih came to Elvina and knocked on the door. She opened and smiled:
— Hello, Lieutenant Weih! Are you leaving today?
— How many times do I have to ask you not to call me "Lieutenant Weih"? Yes, today we leave. The general is gathering troops for the next war. Our squad must be ready in two days.
— Isn't that secret information?
— When I'm near such a wonderful person like you, I don't think sharing it's a problem. I might be dead soon.
— Don't say that, Weih! You'll survive. Soldiers say you're the fastest warrior in all of Yussia.
— They exaggerate. I heard something about you too. A ruthless lady mastering three elements: water, fire, and even sound. That's impressive, Colonel.
— Actually, controlling them is hard… I just recently mastered sound. It's a delicate magic.
— Can I come in? We have about ten to fifteen minutes left.
— Of course! You came for Luke. Watch him — he's mischievous. I think he doesn't belong in the war…
Weih went inside and sat on the living room sofa. The colonel sat next to him and looked at him.
— I won't take him to the battlefield. Only to the barracks. It's not safe to leave him here. What if my brother attacks him again?
— I could stop him!
— Sorry… though you're older and more experienced, and you've mastered more elements, my brother grows faster than others. Sooner or later, he'll surpass you.
— Then it's better for him to be with you.
They both started petting the dog, who jumped onto their laps, connecting them with his movements. Whenever one part slipped, he jumped back and balanced. They laughed, looked into each other's eyes, and suddenly fell silent.
At that moment, they realized their feelings. Elvina made the first move — Weih followed. Their lips met, tongues entwined slowly and tenderly, as if they had mastered the element of lava.
Suddenly, a bell rang.
— I have to go, Elvina. Bye. I'll come back for sure.
— As you say, Weih… And you too, Luke. Come back alive.
After parting, Weih went to the cart waiting for the lieutenant. Sitting there for about ten minutes, he looked only at Elvina's house, with the dog on his lap, feeling calm. Saying goodbye to the girl who seemed like his first real success was painful. Smiling softly, he waved to her, and she replied silently:
"No matter what it costs, I'll come back and make you happy, Elvina."
As the squad left, a group of soldiers gathered around Lieutenant Weih — five men lively discussing the mysterious girl. Their voices were excited, with hints and teasing. Weih sharply stopped them:
— Stop chatting. This is the army, not a school. Get to your places.
He was reserved in personal matters, especially love. Young but having experienced deep feelings, Weih treated it with reverence — so strong that even a hint of talking about her with strangers seemed wrong.
A few days later, back at the barracks, his first priority was to set up a place for Luke, his dog. He built a spacious, comfortable kennel and fed him as well as an officer's ration. Despite common opinion that dogs don't belong in war zones, Weih was steadfast. Some subordinates lost respect for him, thinking affection for an animal was weakness. But no one dared say it out loud. Weih was known as a fair but strict commander, with steel hidden under his calm exterior.
One evening, he took Luke for a walk. As the sun set, a sergeant approached. The dog growled, stepping back, clearly distrusting the stranger.
— Are you sure it's a good idea to reach toward a mouth that might bite? — Weih asked calmly.
— He's just shy, — the sergeant sneered. — What's the point of asking a dumb animal? He doesn't understand us anyway.
— You're wrong. He understands you better than you do yourself, — Weih replied calmly.
But the sergeant persisted. Luke reacted instantly, biting the sergeant's hand. Weih gave the dog a silent look, and Luke immediately let go.
— Don't complain. You saw she wasn't friendly.
— Stupid dog! She doesn't belong in the army!
— It's not your decision. Now go to the medic. Get it bandaged.
The furious sergeant left. His glance at Luke was full of hatred. Luke responded calmly — but in her eyes, he looked like a wolf, though in reality, he was just a jackal.
After a brief preparation, Weich led four thousand soldiers south — to the place where Masstin's troops had captured a small town. This country was poor, underdeveloped, with fractured morals. Their army was notorious for looting, violence, and cruelty. Masstin himself was one of the main enemies of Yussia and Eltwia — they shared a border.
When Weich arrived, the town was already in ruins. The streets were littered with bodies. In the very center, about five hundred Masstin soldiers were holed up. The battle lasted just over an hour. Weich led the attack swiftly, methodically, and mercilessly. The enemy was swept away. Before returning to the barracks, he decided to inspect the perimeter and leave three hundred soldiers in the town — in case of a new attack.
On the way back, he noticed the lifeless body of a little girl by the roadside — barely ten years old.
"Stop the carts," he commanded.
"Comrade Lieutenant, may I ask…" a corporal called out.
"Ask."
"Sorry, but… we all sympathize… Isn't this the concern of those who come later?"
Weich was silent. Then he slowly said:
"No. She has our emblem on her boots. That means she's ours. To die like this… lying on the ground — it's one of the most humiliating ends to life. She deserves more."
All the carts stopped. The soldiers, accustomed to bloodshed, suddenly froze, watching as their commander took a shovel himself and began digging. Silently, without hurry, he removed layer after layer, as if uncovering not just earth — but a soul.
"Forgive me… If we had been here sooner, you might have lived… Forgive me…"
He buried the girl, laying the body down with the care given to the most fragile. Then he stood, looked at the grave, and silently returned to the cart. The squad moved on.
Many soldiers who had previously criticized Weich's attachment to an animal, who thought him strange — that day saw in him not just an officer. But a human. A true leader. And in this pause, for a nameless fallen girl, they recognized not weakness, but strength. The strength not only to give orders but to uphold honor.
On the way back to the barracks, Weich often pondered — was this right? Killing each other without pause, as if that was the meaning of existence. He looked up to the high sky, and in his mind, scenes from a life he once imagined surfaced. A life without war. Where he, happy, lies with Elvina on the bed, gently holding her, feeling the warmth of her breath. And Luke — their dog — joyfully barking, running around the house, jumping on the bed, interrupting them, making the moment funny and alive. These two were the only ones who accepted Weich as he was. Luke and her.
These thoughts shattered suddenly when carts stopped before the barracks. Weich immediately became alert. He sensed something was wrong. Without hesitation, he rushed to the booth he built for Luke. Empty. The dog was gone. Nowhere to be seen in the camp. He closed his eyes, tried to sense him with magic — silence. As if he had dissolved. His heart clenched, palms sweated. The anxiety became tangible.
He rushed to search.
About five minutes later — an eternity by his inner clock — he saw a familiar silhouette in the field, near the place where earlier the sergeant had roughly treated the animal. At first, Weich was glad, but the closer he got, the stronger the fear grew.
He froze.
Luke lay quietly, as if asleep, with his paws tucked under. But something was wrong. His belly was swollen. Thick, dark blood was leaking from his mouth. The body gave off a smell that could not be mistaken — the smell steeped in the very essence of death. Weich couldn't look away. Tears, heavy and hot, ran down his face, one after another, like rain over a devastated field.
He fell to his knees. From the torn belly, barely visible shards of glass protruded. His hands trembled. He carefully took Luke, pressed him to himself, and only then realized: this kind, cheerful dog would never bark again, never run, never jump on the bed, never warm his loneliness with his presence. He felt as if soon his own heart would burst.
He buried his nose in Luke's muzzle. It was no longer sweet. It was quiet. Empty.
"For what…" he breathed out.
His body shook. A scream burst from his chest by itself, without permission, tearing into the sky. The field filled with the sound of loss — wild, unbearable.
And at that moment — something happened.
Lightning struck from the sky. Weich should have felt pain — but felt nothing. Instead — a strange sense of unity. His mind, torn by grief, seemed to dissolve into the elements for a moment. The lightning did not burn — it accepted. He didn't even understand what happened, but at that second, something new awoke inside him.
Luke's body began to crumble to ash, melting in his hands like snow under the spring sun.
He pressed against the vanishing face and whispered, with a trembling voice, tearing himself apart inside:
"Luke… Luke… Why?.. Why? You were so noble… kind… wonderful…"
He sobbed. Truly. And the sky, as if responding, rumbled again.
"L-u-u-k…"
In a state of deep emotional shock, he stood for another hour, staring at the ashes, crying, not believing what was happening. Then realization came — he understood who was responsible for the tragedy. Rising fiercely, the young man headed to the kitchen where the soldiers were eating dinner. Finding the sergeant, Weich approached and slammed his fist down on the table — it shattered to pieces.
"Lieutenant! What are you doing?!" someone shouted.
"Did you throw glass at Luke, you scum?!" Weich growled.
"No…" the sergeant muttered uncertainly.
"Liar! I can tell when a man speaks the truth!"
"That… that mutt should never have been in our barracks! What kind of lieutenant lets himself be led by emotions and keeps a beast on the battlefield on a leash?!" the sergeant snapped angrily.
"The best lieutenant in the world!" shouted a voice from the crowd.
"Yes! We saw with our own eyes how he personally buried the poor girl, risking punishment!" supported another.
Weich felt a sudden warmth. Soldiers, once just comrades-in-arms, suddenly felt respect for him. For a moment, he almost forgot his loss… but then remembered. His gaze hardened again, and he looked at the traitor.
"For betrayal and disobedience of orders, you are dismissed from service, sergeant. All your titles, ranks, and honors will be stripped from you. Your selfish existence will fall. I will destroy your life as you destroyed another's."
"That's unfair!" the sergeant shouted. "Why is some pathetic mutt more important than a sergeant?!"
"Because you're not a sergeant," Weich replied coldly. "And you should never have had that rank."
He turned and left.
⸻
The war lasted another whole year. Weich, with remarkable ease, repeatedly crushed the enemy forces, breaking their faith and hope. When he returned, he was met with news: they wanted to promote him.
But he acted unexpectedly — he voluntarily laid his badge on the table and refused service.
The general didn't understand the reason. He decided to talk to him personally. They sat facing each other in silence.
"Why do you want to leave? Lost faith in the country? Or are you just bored with the war?"
"I never lost faith," Weich answered calmly. "I just want to return to the only person who still waits for me. My beloved…"
He blushed slightly as he spoke.
"I see… You know, lieutenants aren't let go so easily," the general said.
"I know. But still… I just want to see her face once more."
The general was silent for a moment, then rose:
"You are a war hero. I can't publicly refuse you. The people would talk if I went against you. And the war is basically over. Alright… pack your things. You leave tonight."
He extended his hand with a smile. Weich shook it. That same evening, he rushed towards his native village — to Elvina.
⸻
"But what will I tell her… Luke… forgive me. I couldn't protect the one who embodied our love…"
Arriving at Elvina's home, he didn't wait. He ran to the door — it was open. He entered and began looking around. The girl wasn't there. Suddenly, he felt her energy — weak, barely noticeable.
The source — an amulet lying on the floor. Such amulets were worn by female warriors to maintain their energy. Weich poured his into it… and the amulet spoke.
"Element of sound… but why?.."
Answers began to come by themselves. He heard her voice — familiar, warm, trembling:
"Forgive me, Weich… You were right. Your brother grew up… became stronger than me. Yesterday he threatened me: said he would capture and hold me hostage — as if to retaliate for some blow.
All I want to say… I loved you. Quickly, suddenly — but there wasn't a day I didn't feel like the woman waiting for her husband.
That kiss… Keep it forever in your memory. I will keep it too. I hope all is well with you and Luke.
And… I hope you find this amulet."
"Brother…" Weich whispered. "You're a bastard…"
He collapsed to the floor, clutching his head and screaming. The emotional blow was too strong. He lost consciousness.
He woke in a hospital — with the amulet in his hands. Looking at it, he whispered:
"I will find you… I will bring you back… I will avenge you."