Meanwhile, about 5 minutes later

I was sitting down by the river where Steve and I first met, throwing rocks across the water with a sword of creation laying down several feet away from me.

I knew I probably should’ve kept it close in case I was attacked by something or someone… but I could barely look at it without having a panic attack.

Before, I was just scared of it. But now, after what I did… I couldn’t stand the thought of that sword. The one I used to kill a man. The one I used to… betray my father.

Yet, even worse… during the moment, killing that man… it felt thrilling.

What is wrong with me?

Nothing’s wrong with you, Pemo comforted.

Except for you, Raen replied sarcastically.

Shut it. Rowan’s hurt.

Oh, like you’d care.

You know what? I’m not wasting my time arguing with you. Rowan?

…

I was staring at a bundle of red electricity in the water, forming the shape of a dolphin. The dolphin often symbolizes trust, loyalty, and… friendship.

Right. What a friend I am.

…

What do you mean?

I’m betraying Steve for my father, and not only that, I’m manipulating both of their trust until I can figure out which one is more beneficial to side with.

A case of literary theft: this tale is not rightfully on Amazon; if you see it, report the violation.

No. That is not you.

Yeah. That’s more your thing.

Raen! Shut up!

Pemo cleared his non-existent throat, then said Look. Steve was about to die. You saved him. If you were really that kind of manipulative, you wouldn’t have taken the risk of saving him.

Yeah… I guess.

“Who you talking to son,” my father whispered in my ear.

I jolted up, before backing up from him, and then staring anxiously into his cold, dead eyes.

My father was crossing his arms behind his back yet again as he stared down at the bay-like area, specifically at the battlefield raging on still.

Eventually, though, he turned his head to the right, and saw the electricity-made dolphin.

“Huh. So that’s what you were doing when I killed you,” he mumbled.

“H-huh?”

After a moment, he sighed, then turned back to me and placed his hand on my shoulder.

“Look. I know you killed one of my soldiers.”

…

“R-really?”

Oh shit oh shit oh shit oh shit!

“I’m not mad, honestly… this was actually what I expected.”

“I-I don’t u-understand.”

“Look. I need you to do something for me.”

“I… o-okay, father.”

“I need you to gain Steve’s trust. Make him be willing to risk his life for yours. Then, when he has completely fallen for you… I’m going to ‘kidnap’ you, leaving him all alone again.”

“W-what? ‘F-fallen for m-me’?”

I stepped back in terror.

“He has a crush on you. As you have a crush on him. But unlike you, he denies his feelings.”

I looked down at the dirt, unable to process anything.

“I have to go. Remember this.”

I blinked, and my father was gone. I looked around in every direction, but he didn’t seem to be anywhere.

After a bit, I sat down again, even more weight being put on my shoulders. But, as soon as I was sitting, I heard crunching.

I quickly stood up again, staring at where the sound came from, which was the forest in front of me. After a little bit, Steve came running through the forest, running up and tackling me with a hug and tears streaming down.

“Hey, what’s wrong,” I asked, concerned.

“M-my parents… Issac… they’re all… gone,” Steve sobbed.

…

“Hey. It’s okay. I’m here now. At least you still have me.”

…

After crying into my shoulder and hugging me as tight as bear for several minutes, he looked up at me, still crying, and asked “What do we do now?”

“We survive.”

“Cause no matter what,” I added, words flying out of mouth instinctually.

“We’ll be there for each other. For all time.”

You need to go through some pain to experience true happiness.