“I… am your father.”

Immediately, the group around the table groaned in unison.

“Really?” Parvati rolled her eyes. “This old twist?”

Xiao Chen tapped his finger on the table, annoyed. “I was expecting more than a stupid Star Wars reference, you know.”

“Come on, let them finish first.” Nazrin glanced Quinn, sitting in the spot of the dungeon master. “There’s probably more going on.”

Quinn returned a grateful look at Nazrin, then continued, “Signis coughed, laying limply against the wall. Nokrin gazed at his father, shocked, puzzled, and furious.

“‘You’re lying!’ barked Nokrin. ‘My father is a righteous Harper! He’d never kill innocents, no matter the circumstances! He’s nothing like you!’

“‘Is that so?’ Signis said, smiling weakly. ‘I guess I shouldn’t have worried the spell didn’t work’

“‘What are you saying? What spell?’”

“Excuse me.” Xiao Chen lifted his hand. “Isn’t the cave supposed to be crumbling? Shouldn’t they be having this conversation after they’re out of danger?”

Panic smacked right into Quinn’s face. “Uhm, it’s uh…”

“Eh, we can ignore that.” Parvati waved her hand. “Movies and shows do this stuff all the time anyway. Besides, I’m interested in what Signis has to say.”

“Even though you thought the twist was lame?” Xiao Chen raised his eyebrow.

“It’s their first time DMing, so I’ll ignore it. Quinn, continue.”

“Uhm, okay.” Quinn nodded before inhaling and speaking in a gruff, weak voice,

“‘A memory alteration spell, of course,’ said Signis before he coughed again. ‘Tell me, how much do you remember your ‘father,’ hmm? Do you remember his name? His face? His voice?”

Then, Quinn switched to a young, noble voice. “‘N-No, but it’s normal! He died when I was a young kid! Anyway, I don’t believe you!’”

Again, they switched back to the gruff voice, “‘Even though your memory is better than anyone you met?’ Signis grinned. ‘I know you had suspicions whether your memory was altered at least once in your life. You’re just that kind of kid.’

“‘So what?’ snapped Nokrin. ‘That doesn’t prove anything! I--’

“‘Search your feelings, my son. You know it to be true--’”

Xiao Chen groaned, “Okay, now you’re just directly ripping off Star Wars--”

“Shut it!” Nazrin and Parvati shot a glare at their friend in unison.

If you stumble upon this narrative on Amazon, be aware that it has been stolen from Royal Road. Please report it.

In response, Xiao Chen lifted both his hands in resignation and leaned back against his chair.

Quinn cleared their throat, resuming,

“‘You’re just wasting my time.’ Nokrin lifted his sword, his hands trembling. ‘It’s time we end this, once and for all.’

“‘Do you still have the owlbear doll I left you? The one with a poorly stitched beak.’ Signis winced but retained his smile.

“‘H-How…’ Nokrin’s arms froze as he stared at the dark knight in disbelief, visibly shaken.”

As Quinn spoke, they grinned at Parvati. She, in response, did a fist pump, delighted that her theory about the origin of the doll was correct.

“‘It was my first and last gift for you, my son. Time was running out, so I couldn’t complete it perfectly in time.’”

“‘Then why?!’ Tears gathered in Nokrin’s eyes. ‘Why did you tell everyone you were the one who killed my father? I know you weren’t the one who killed those villagers, so why did you lie? Why did you leave?’

“‘Because it was the only way I could protect you.’ Signis coughed with blood. ‘The townspeople despised me for marrying your mother, even more so after she died giving birth to you. When calamity struck the village that day, I saw an opportunity to spare you the scorn that the people there bore toward me. I didn’t want you to live in a world where your very existence is disdained by others because of me, so I did what I thought was the best.’

“‘You could’ve done it in another way!’ Nokrin stabbed his sword into the ground. ‘Have you any idea how much I mourned for you?’ How much did losing my father destroy me? If not for my new companions, I would’ve… I would’ve…’

“‘Did you think you were the only one suffering? I thought of slitting my throat after I left you.’ Choking on his voice, Signis pulled out the amulet from under his armor, holding it tightly. ‘A life without you and your mother was a life I'd rather not live. The only reason I didn’t take my own life is because I couldn’t risk having people discover the truth. I had to keep living as the Butcher of Swinford, so no one will ever doubt your story.’

“‘Why didn’t you tell me the truth yesterday, then? We could’ve--

“‘Could’ve what? Cleared my name? I had killed too many over the years for the sake of protecting you, my son. I didn’t even want to tell you the truth, but I could see the anguish on your face. I know you would’ve spent the rest of your life wondering if I was your father, and… I couldn’t resist facing you as your dad once more.’ Signis snapped his amulet from his neck and tossed it to Nokrin. ‘Take this, and leave. The cave will collapse at any moment now.’

“‘No! I won’t let you leave again, not after I’ve found you!’ Nokrin grabbed the amulet and turned to the rest of you, tears running down his cheeks. 'Help me carry him out!'

“Before any of you can say a thing, Signis spoke up, his voice even weaker now. 'No, Nokrin. This is where I meet my end. I deserve this after all the blood I've spilled. Besides,' he smiles faintly, 'I can't have the Perfect Knight be seen saving a villain like me.'

“'I don't care! I will--'

“Suddenly, Signis blasted Nokrin and his sword away, and a boulder dropped onto the spot that Norkin was standing on just a second ago.

“'Dad!' Nokrin tried to lift the boulder, but it was too heavy.

“‘I’m glad… to be able to hear you… call me Dad again…’ Signis then drew his last breath as more rocks fell from the ceiling.

“Nokrin grabs his sword with one hand, clutches the amulet with another, and races out of the cave with you three.”

“Wait, what? There’s not even any obstacles on the way out?” Xiao Chen frowned.

Quinn lowered their head. “I-I was thinking we can do that next week. I-I need to leave in a few minutes…”

“It’s fine, Quinn.” Nazrin gently patted Quinn’s shoulder. “You did well, considering you came up with that whole sequence last night.”

“I think we could’ve rolled for saving Signis. My character probably could’ve reached him in time.” Parvati shrugged. “But eh, it wasn’t too bad.”

“Too ‘cinematic,’ and the resolution was kind of boring.” Xiao Chen stood. “But, still, not too shabby for your first run. Just make sure our campaign ends well next week. Still got a few loose ends.”

Quinn beamed and nodded. “T-Thank you.”

“Pack up quickly, then. You don’t wanna be late.” As Nazrin spoke, he also stood and began to clean up the table.

The others followed suit.