Elias frowned, frustrated at her statement. He sheathed his sword and kept his stance open.

“You can’t be doing this. Not at the very end of things. Not when we are so close to the end. Together. We can work together. I know that you are worried about losing me. I know, but you shouldn’t let fear guide your actions. We should finish this together.”

Alice's eyes, once fierce with determination, softened as she looked at Elias. His plea echoed in her heart, stirring a conflict of emotions. She took a deep breath, her gaze drifting back to the sea, the next step in her journey.

"You don't understand, Elias," she said, her voice barely above a whisper. "Every step I take, every breath I draw, seems to bring pain and loss to those around me. It's like a curse I can't escape. I cannot... I will not let that happen to you."

Elias stepped closer; his expression resolute. "Alice, we've come this far together. Your pain is my pain, your fight is my fight. We are a team, and it's not just about fighting battles or facing the corruption. It's about facing our fears, and our pain, together. You don't have to carry this burden alone."

Alice looked at him, her eyes glistening with unshed tears. "Elias, I've seen too much death, too much loss. I can't... I can't bear the thought of your life on my conscience too. It’s not fear. It's a pattern, a curse that follows me. Everyone who gets close, who tries to help, they... they end up hurt or worse." Her voice trembled, a mix of determination and despair.

Elias took a step closer, his expression softening. "Alice, you're not cursed. Yes, you've faced unimaginable losses, and I can't pretend to know all your pain. But pushing people away, and isolating yourself is not the solution. We're stronger together. I chose to be here, to fight alongside you. It’s my choice."

Alice shook her head, tears brimming in her eyes. "I can't, Elias. I can't bear the thought of losing you too. You don't know what it's like, to be the one who survives, always. It is time for you to leave. You should get back to Thunderstruck and my horse. They won’t be safe otherwise. Take Thompson’s things back to his father. You can do that at least for him.”

Elias gazed into her eyes and reflected on his feelings. He could see her determination and felt her anger and sadness that had mixed with his own. Feelings of uncertainty bubbled up within him. He was at a crossroads, exhausted, he spoke.

“Will you allow me to help you one final time then? There are many broken boats out there and a few more were destroyed in the battle. Let me make sure you get out to sea before I go.”

“That is acceptable.”

Elias searched for words to convince Alice while he searched the beach for materials. They both were silent while working. The parts of the boat came together slowly. Each time he thought over what might convince her he stopped and started all over again. He had already spoken much of what he thought might convince her, but nothing had stuck. Now he took the time to be with her and help her one last time before she left.

Elias worked with quiet diligence, his hands moving skillfully as he pieced together the remnants of the boats into something seaworthy. Alice, though distant in thought, assisted him, her movements methodical and precise. As they worked, the silence between them grew comfortable, a tacit understanding passing between them. Elias occasionally glanced at Alice, noting the resoluteness in her posture, the unwavering focus in her eyes. He realized that this might be the last time they worked together, the last time their paths aligned in this shared purpose.

As the morning stretched into afternoon the boat was ready. It was a modest vessel, cobbled together from the wreckage, but it was sturdy and sea-ready. Alice ran her hand along the side of the boat, her touch gentle, almost reverent.

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“This will do,” she said softly, her voice tinged with a melancholy that mirrored the dying light."

Elias nodded, stepping back to admire their handiwork. "It'll hold up. You'll reach your destination, Alice."

Alice turned to him, a sad smile touching her lips. "Thank you, Elias. For everything. You've been more than a mentor; you've been a friend."

Elias felt a lump form in his throat. "You're going to do great things, Alice. I believe in you, cursed or not. You have a strength in you that I've rarely seen."

Alice looked out to the sea, her eyes reflecting the vastness of the ocean. "I hope you're right, Elias. I really do."

Then, with a deep breath, Alice stepped into the boat, her hand lingering on the edge. "Goodbye, Elias."

Elias watched as she pushed off from the shore, the boat gliding smoothly over the water. He watched until the boat was a speck against the vast ocean. He turned away from the ocean. As he walked back through the desolate streets of Dawncoast, his mind turned to his journey, to the promises he had to keep, and the life that awaited him beyond the haunted memories of this place. Elias knew he needed to gather the horses quickly. With one hand on his bag, he started jogging.

He retraced his steps and exited out of the destroyed outer walls of the city. The path was quiet except for the noise made by him. No creatures decided to come out and bother him. The fort wasn’t too far away, but Elias wasn’t to check in on the horses soon. If he was lucky he would find them wandering around the cleansed area that Alice had made for the two horses before they had left.

Elias's pace quickened as he neared the fort, anxiety gnawing at him. The thought of the horses, Thunderstruck, and the others, possibly in danger or worse, spurred him on. His boots kicked up dust along the path.

The fort loomed ahead. Elias's eyes scanned the area, searching for any sign of the horses. His heart lifted as he spotted Thunderstruck and the other horse grazing near a patch of green, miraculously unharmed. They seemed calm, undisturbed by the desolation surrounding them.

"Thunderstruck!" Elias called out, his voice a mix of relief and joy. The horse lifted its head, ears pricking at the sound of his master's voice. With a gentle nicker, Thunderstruck trotted over to Elias.

Elias patted Thunderstruck's neck affectionately, his hand running over the horse's sleek coat. He then turned his attention to the other horse, offering it a gentle stroke as well. "Good, you're both alright," he murmured, his relief palpable.

He quickly set about preparing the horses for the journey. He adjusted the saddles, checked the hooves, and made sure they were well-fed and watered. Elias knew that the journey ahead would be challenging, especially without Alice. Her absence weighed heavily on him, a constant reminder of their parting words.

With everything set, Elias mounted Thunderstruck, the familiarity of the saddle bringing a small comfort. He looked back at the fort one last time. Then, he urged the horses forward, setting off toward the northwest.

The terrain was rugged and unforgiving, forcing Elias to take a longer, more circuitous route. The valley, now an impassable barrier, lay to his right, its depths shrouded in mystery and danger. The path he chose was less traveled, winding through dense forests and over rocky hills.

As he rode, Elias's thoughts wandered. He replayed his last moments with Alice, her words echoing in his mind. Her determination to face her destiny alone, despite his pleas, left a hollow ache in his heart. He admired her strength, her resolve, but couldn't shake the feeling of loss, of a journey left incomplete.

The sun began to dip below the horizon, casting long shadows across the path. Elias knew he needed to find a place to camp for the night. He steered the horses off the path, finding a small clearing surrounded by trees. It offered some shelter and a chance to rest.

After setting up a modest camp, Elias sat by the fire, the flames casting a warm, flickering light. He fed the horses and then tended to his own needs, eating a simple meal of bread and dried meat. The solitude of the night enveloped him, the crackling of the fire and the occasional rustle of leaves the only sounds in the vast silence.

As he gazed into the flames, Elias thought about the journey ahead. He had promises to keep, and people to return to. Yet, part of him yearned to follow Alice, to continue their fight against the corruption together. But he respected her choice, her need to face her destiny alone. He looked back toward the path he had carved through the forest. Elias felt an uneasiness in his heart. He replayed their conversations in his mind. The words echoing in his head. The path forward still felt unclear. He hoped that Alice was alright.