The descent from the Frozen Peaks was gruelling, but Drakar and Elara pressed on, their spirits buoyed by the acquisition of the Ice Lance. They made camp in a sheltered cave, the flickering fire casting dancing shadows on the walls.
As they rested, the fatigue of their journey caught up with them. Drakar leaned back against the cave wall, his thoughts drifting to their next destination. Elara sat across from him, her fiery hair glowing in the firelight.
“We’re getting closer,” Elara said, breaking the silence. “Just one more relic, and then we can stop the Dark One.”
Drakar nodded, staring into the flames. “Yeah. Just one more.”
A heavy silence fell between them, filled with unspoken thoughts and memories. After a while, Elara spoke again, her voice hesitant.
“Drakar, there’s something I need to tell you.”
He looked up, sensing the seriousness in her tone. “What is it?”
Elara took a deep breath, her eyes meeting his. “I’m a descendant of the Riordan family.”
Drakar’s heart skipped a beat. The name Riordan sent a shiver down his spine, bringing back memories of a dark chapter in his past. The Riordan family was partially responsible for a massacre that had occurred when he was a child—a massacre that had left him powerless to help those he cared about.
“The Riordan family,” Drakar repeated, his voice tight. “They were involved in the massacre of my village.”
Elara’s eyes filled with pain. “I know. And I’m sorry. I didn’t know how to tell you. My family’s history is tainted with that bloodshed, but I’ve never condoned their actions. It’s one of the reasons I chose this life, to distance myself from their legacy.”
Drakar felt a storm of emotions raging within him, threatening to erupt. But as he looked at Elara, he also saw the vulnerability in her eyes, the genuine remorse.
“Why are you telling me this now?” he asked, struggling to keep his voice steady.
“Because you deserve to know the truth,” Elara replied, trembling. “And because… because I need you to know that I’m not like them. I chose a different path. I chose to fight for what’s right.”
Drakar took a deep breath, his mind racing. He wanted to lash out, to let his anger consume him. But he also knew that Elara had stood by him through every trial and had fought alongside him with unwavering loyalty.
“I need some time to process this,” he said, his voice softening. “It is a lot to take in.”
Elara nodded, understanding. “Take all the time you need. I hope you can see me for who I am, not just for my family’s past.”
As the night wore on, they sat silently, the fire crackling between them. Drakar’s mind was a whirlwind of conflicting emotions, but he knew one thing for sure—Elara had become more than just a companion. She was someone he trusted, someone he cared for deeply.
And despite the shadows of her past, he couldn’t let that go.
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