With a new page emerging, let us embark on a new adventure. Let me tell you the story of the wanderer who chased after a ghost.
Are you ready Lily?
I am Tomas, a humble wanderer. I have travelled across the Empire of Lithanica, I have bested the Sword Saint Matthew, I have conquered the dungeon of Nostia, and yet, I had let the love of my life slip right through my hands. So that's why I have come here to forget it all. Bartender, grab me you're finest wine. I've got a story to tell ya.
In my hometown, I had met the girl who I wanted to spend the rest of my life with. She was as beautiful as a flower, and as fragile as one too. She had the personality of gold, and a heart of steel; When anything was in her way, she would overcome it with the largest smile on her face. But the curse was unrelenting, before I had realized what had happened, she was already bedridden. Her name was... Diane.
"I'm sorry you had to see me like this." -Diane
"Don't say that! What happened to you!" -Tomas
"I'm alright. I'll be fine in a day or two, so don't worry about me." -Diane
Lying in her bed, she gave me a weak smile. It was the smile she gave every time she lied. I felt powerless, I felt confused, I felt hurt. She was everything to me, but she had never considered telling me any of this.
"Don't lie to me! What happened to you. I swear I'll save you!" -Tomas
"...I was cursed by a powerful witch. She said the curse was unbreakable. Ah but don't worry! I just need to rest once in a while, I'll be full of energy after a few days." -Diane
It was that smile again; she was lying. I had known her for my entire life, how could I not know. But even still I pretended to believe her.
"You promise?" -Tomas
"Of course! I swear on my life." -Diane
I wanted to believe her. I hoped that I was just imagining thing. The days passed as quickly as watching a lantern run out of fuel, with each passing day forcing me to wake up from my hopes. It had been a week, and she hadn't been out of her house even once. I was going to figure out the truth one way or another.
"Tomas... Why are you here?" -Diane
Diane was lying in her bed, somehow looking paler than before. She also looked thinner than a twig. I couldn't believe that she had become like this. It must have been someone's fault, I had thought.
"Are you alright? Have you been eating? Is someone hurting you?" -Tomas
"If you have nothing to say, then you can just go." -Diane
"Diane, please tell me the truth! What is wrong with you. I swear I'll help you. So please-" -Tomas
"Shut up! I don't need your pity. Coming here like you actually worried. Where were you the last week! You're actually so fake. What do you even know. You're just pretending that you cared to fulfill your sense of justice, when in reality, you don't care at all. You just here to make yourself feel better when I die. Ah wait, I mean... Never mind." -Diane
I was angry. I had never heard her snap like this. What did I do to deserve it? For a moment I considered running away, but I couldn't move. I was worried that she had become someone else entirely. I was scared of her. I didn't want to lose her, but I couldn't help but feel like I already had. My throat became tense and my chest tight, it felt like I was suffocating. I wanted to say something, but I didn't know what to say. But I had to say something.
"You're actually stupid. Who said I didn't care about you?! You are everything to me. From the very beginning, I was in love with you. I never came last week because I believe in you. I trusted you, and your words. Did you think that I would suddenly hate you, that I would suddenly change if you told me about it? What were you afraid of?! Here you are saying you don't want my pity, but what are you doing asides from pitying yourself! Please Diane, you can trust me. I be here by your side. Please tell me everything." -Tomas
I realized it now. I realized too late that she had already told me everything already. I was a fool. The most effective lies are always the truth.
"If you have nothing else to say, then leave." -Diane
But in that moment, I though I still needed to know more, I thought I finally had gotten to her.
"Diane, please I-" -Tomas
"JUST LEAVE ALREADY!" -Diane
At the moment, I couldn't stand it anymore. I silently left her house. I'm sure that if I had stayed, she would've finally let her guard down. I'm sure that if I had come visited her after this day, she would've opened up to me. But no matter how much I tried, the soft cries that I would hear as I approached her house always stopped me dead in my tracks. I couldn't bring myself to meet her again.
I left the town. I was mad at Diane for not trusting me, I was frustrated at myself for being so powerless, I wasn't able to breath in the town I once called home, so I ran away. In my delusions, I had believed that Diane just using me. That she somehow was the reason that I hated myself. So I spent my travelling the empire, drinking my sorrows away. I became an adventurer.
Throughout the years, I took on many commissions, participated in raids, and bested all who entered the arena. Never once did I form a party. I stayed with a few people here and there, but nothing ever lasted. It was about one year I had run away, that I received this letter. I'll leave it with you, as a gift. I don't need it anymore.
See you, ____.
How do you like this story?
OGLM YOTU'O S KOQWRW TOAPZ. YWAN QPADQAFI DK E KOQWRW TOAPZ!Y
Hahaha, sorry about that. I'll try to find a better one next time.
hmph
H XTRO SR BWDGMGQL TOMYA. SKK ZSPU AOMQKFA EYF AM TME.
Your wish is my command.
