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"..."

"...Where... where am I?" Ethan's voice was barely a whisper, pain lacing every word. "Aghr...Why does every part of me ache so much?"

"Ethan!"

"Father?"

"Ethan, why are you still lying there? Hurry, we need you downstairs! Your mother is waiting for you to help with the guests."

"Father...Huh? "" Ethan's vision blurred as hot tears welled up. He tried to wipe them away, but they streamed down relentlessly, painting wet streaks on his face.

Knock, Knock

"Ethan? Are you still sleeping. I'm coming in."

The door groaned as it opened, revealing another cherished face. "Mother..."

Her eyes widened with concern as she saw him. "Oh, Ethan, my love, what's wrong?" She rushed to his side, pulling him into a comforting embrace.

"My sweet boy," she whispered softly, her hand stroking his hair, "Did you have a bad dream?"

"I...I don't know... I can't remember..." Ethan murmured, burying his face into his mother's shoulder.

"Ethan... "

Knock

The voice was unmistakable. It was the firm yet caring tone of his father. "Why are we still here? I need help downstairs—What's...?"

His mother gently raised a finger to her lips, signaling him to keep quiet. Ethan's ragged breaths were the only sound in the room.

Confused by the situation, With a furrowed brow, Ethan's father took a step closer, his gaze darting between his son's tear-streaked face and his wife's protective embrace. Their silent exchange spoke volumes. His mother gently beckoned him over with a tilt of her head.

Without a word, Ethan's father approached and wrapped them both in his strong arms, creating a cocoon of warmth and comfort around their son. The three of them stayed like that, finding solace in each other's presence, for what felt like an eternity.

"Ethan, It's time to go."

"Just a bit longer... then I'll head to work," Ethan replied, his voice pleading.

"Ethan, you need to wake up."

Ethan blinked, his brow furrowing in confusion. "Wake up? But Father, I'm already awake."

Slowly, Ethan's father disentangled himself from the family embrace. Taking a step back, he gently grasped Ethan's shoulders, positioning him so they were face to face. Beside him, his mother rose, holding onto her husband with a grip that spoke of shared sorrow. Their smiles were bittersweet.

A wave of uncertainty washed over Ethan as he tried to read the expressions on their faces. "Why... what's happening?"

"Ethan..." his mother began, her voice heavy.

"Mother, Father... what's going on? You're both acting so... Huh, M-Mother! Why is there blood on your chest?!"

Terror gripped Ethan as he stared at the deep red stain spreading across his mother's dress. His father's clothes, too, bore similar gruesome marks. The room felt colder, the bright hues dimming into shadows.

A gust of wind seemed to sweep through the room, carrying with it distant voices and memories, blurring the boundaries between reality and dreams. The figures of his parents began to fade, their outlines becoming hazy.

His father's grip tightened, grounding Ethan. "Life is a series of moments, some brighter than others. But this... this is just a moment."

His mother, tears forming in her eyes but her face serene, added, "Don't blame yourself. Don't let it shackle you"

"But... why? What's happening?" Panic surged within Ethan as he tried to make sense of the nightmare unraveling before him.

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His parent's voice, now barely a whisper, lingered in the air.

"No! Please! Stay!" Ethan pleaded, reaching out to grasp the vanishing figures of his beloved parents. Only to find the world around him crumbling, and suddenly, Ethan was pulled back into the realm of the conscious.

"..."

Paralyzed, Ethan's eyes were wide open, tears streaming down his face. He found himself in a familiar setting — his dorm room, lying in his own bed. Yet his thoughts weren't consumed by the sudden shift of location or how he had ended up there. Instead, his mind was tormented by the harrowing events that had transpired.

Clutching the sheets, Ethan sought solace in their fabric, grounding himself against the turmoil of emotions that threatened to sweep him away. Each heartbeat echoed loudly, a throbbing reminder of the reality he was now forced to confront.

Attempting to rise, his limbs felt as if they were weighed down by chains, each link forged from the raw intensity of his emotions. With every ounce of strength sapped, he surrendered to his bed, sinking further into its embrace.

As he lay there, the gentle memories began to wrap around him. The image of his parents, their radiant smiles that once lit up his world, the sound of their laughter, and the wisdom in their words — all played in his mind like a montage of cherished moments. They provided a bittersweet comfort, each memory a reminder of the love that once was and the void that now remained.

"...Father... Mother... No! Their bodies!" A sudden surge of adrenaline propelled Ethan upright. His legs, weak and shaky, threatened to give way beneath him as he stumbled towards the door. It was as if he had been drained of all vitality, every step feeling like he was pushing through deep water. But the burning need to tend to his parents fueled him, a desperate hope that perhaps it wasn’t too late to give them the respect and care they deserved, his last act of devotion as their son.

He had been too late to protect them, a heavy guilt that pressed down on him. But he wouldn't—couldn't—fail them in this last duty. The nightmarish thought of their remains left exposed to the elements and scavengers was unbearable. The Academy seemed like a world away from the village, and every moment he wasted here increased the risk of them being desecrated.

Driven by this fear and a determination to honor his parents, Ethan willed himself forward, refusing to let exhaustion claim him.

As he neared the door, the handle abruptly turned, swinging the door open to unveil an unexpected visitor.

"Ethan! You're finally awake!"

"...Sven?!"

he dim light of the room illuminated the familiar features of Sven, his roommate and the only remaining villager expect for him. Sven's wide eyes sparkled with a mixture of relief and deep concern.

"Ethan! I've been so worried! You've been out for days," Sven exclaimed, reaching out to steady Ethan, who swayed slightly from his sudden stop.

"Sven, that isn't important right now. What happened to...to..." Ethan's voice trailed off, choked with emotion. Sven stepped forward, placing a reassuring hand on Ethan's shoulder.

"Ethan, calm down. I've taken care of it. Everyone... they've all been given the proper rites, including your parents. And... and my father."

Hearing Sven's words brought a faint solace to Ethan's storm of emotions. While the weight of his grief remained palpable, this lone assurance lightened it slightly. Ethan's knees gave way, and he crumpled to the ground, as if the accumulated weight of his worries had finally overpowered him.

"Thank you... Thank you..." Ethan's voice cracked, choked with emotion, as tears streamed down his face and he whispered his gratitude to Sven.

Without uttering a word, Sven understood. He moved closer, wrapping an arm around Ethan, gently lifting and guiding him back to the bed. The bond forged between them over time, and the shared experiences they had endured, spoke volumes more than words ever could.

"Do you need anything? You must be starving. Let me get you something to eat."

"...Wait, Sven. Before that, can you tell me how I ended up like this and why we're back at the academy?"

"...After we got to the village, I found a safe spot for you at the Inn and tucked you into one of its rooms. Over the next couple of days, I buried the villagers and the soldiers to rest, making sure they were given the respect they deserved. On the third day, Professor Eveline, along with a few others, found us. They brought us back to the academy. You've been out cold for nearly five days. We actually returned here just yesterday."

"I see..."

"Regarding your current condition... I believe it's best if the school doctor explains it." Sven said, his face shadowed by a somber expression.

Ethan, catching the weight of Sven's demeanor, understood that whatever ailment he had was not trivial. He chose not to probe further, recognizing he would soon discover the full extent of it. A pang of guilt surfaced in his thoughts, '...Perhaps this is retribution for the transgression of leaving my parents.' he mused, feeling every muscle aching through his body.

"I'll go fetch him," Sven said, rising from his chair and moving towards the door. But just as he was about to reach for the handle, an authoritative voice halted him.

"There's no need for that."

The door creaked open to reveal two familiar faces that carried an unmistakable gravity.

"Mister Alfred and... Principal Spellman?" Sven's voice wavered with a mix of surprise and concern. Ethan's eyes locked onto the two figures, recognizing immediately that their presence meant serious matters were at hand.

"I'm pleased to see you conscious, Ethan Hartfield," the principal intoned.

"Well, this will make things go faster. Both of you need to come with us," Principal Spellman added firmly.

"But Principal, Ethan's only just come to. He needs rest!" Sven protested.

The principal's gaze hardened. "Do not challenge me on this."

Sven turned to Mister Alfred, desperation evident in his eyes. "And you, Sir? What do you say?"

Alfred hesitated, pain evident in his eyes. "I regret this, but my hands are tied. Remember the terms you agreed upon before you left the academy?" His voice was heavy with regret, hinting at a battle between duty and emotion.

"Sven... Help me get up," Ethan murmured.

"Ethan..." Sven's voice held concern. He swiftly moved to Ethan's side, offering support.

"And where exactly are you taking us?" Ethan inquired, meeting the principal's gaze.

"To the Disciplinary Committee's office," Principal Spellman replied with an air of finality.

"You will be trialed for your transgressions," Principal Spellman declared.