Alpha Instinct

Evelyn felt Leonard's gaze and let her personality come through. "Okay, hop on, and I'll guide," she said.

She climbed on the horse, sitting behind him. With a firm grip on the reins, she gently nudged her heels, urging the horse to stride forward with assurance.

The journey back to Gothia was slow and silent. Leo, exhausted and in pain, leaned back against Evelyn, seeking support. Her breath on his neck was uncomfortable, but he felt strangely safe. She, in turn, guided the horse carefully, attentive to Leo's every move.

The silence between them wasn't awkward but one of mutual understanding, born from the tragedy they had shared. Evelyn didn't know Liam, but she understood the pain of loss.

As they rode, Leo was lost in thought. The image of Liam, smiling and full of life, mixed with that of his mangled body. Guilt gnawed at him. He cursed himself for his weakness and for his inexperience. If he had been stronger and faster, maybe Liam would still be alive. He wondered: How many more would have to die in front of him without him being able to do anything?

She felt Leo tense up, but she didn't say anything; she just remained silent. She knew there was nothing that could be said to ease his pain at that moment. He needed time to process, to accept, and to find his own way through grief.

Despite the little contact Leo had with him, Liam was a very warm and innocent person. Leo truly saw him as a younger brother for being so dependent and playful.

When the walls of Gothia appeared on the horizon, a mix of relief and apprehension washed over Leo. Relief at being back in the safety of the city, apprehension about what the future held. He knew things wouldn't be easy. Liam's death, Fleshripper's escape, the completed but nearly failed mission... all of this would have consequences.

As they approached the south gate, they found a desolate scene. Dozens of Neumonds gathered in front of the gate, their faces etched with pain and exhaustion. Many were injured, some on stretchers, others leaning on their companions. The atmosphere was thick with the scent of blood and mortality. It was the image of failure, of loss.

When they saw Leo and Evelyn, the murmurs ceased. A tense silence fell as they approached. Leo felt the eyes on him, a mixture of pity, curiosity, and perhaps accusation.

One of the guards approached, his face grim. "You're back," he said, more as a statement than a question. "We heard about the attack. We lost many."

Leo nodded, unable to speak. He swallowed hard, his throat dry.

"The mission..." he managed to say, his voice hoarse. "Was it a success?"

The guard sighed. "We eliminated most of the gnolls, but the named one, Fleshripper... he escaped. He's injured, but he escaped."

Leo clenched his fists. Fleshripper. The name echoed in his mind, a promise of revenge.

"Four of ours didn't come back," the guard continued, his gaze lost in the crowd. "And now... one more." He looked at Leo, and a flicker of recognition crossed his eyes. "You're the boy from Besen, aren't you? The one who survived."

Leo nodded again; the words caught in his throat: Survivor. That's how they saw him. But at what cost? Was he just another survivor again?

He distanced himself from the crowd, seeking a quiet place to ponder the intricacies of the situation. The mission achieved its goals, yet the cost was steep. Liam was dead. And Fleshripper, the monster who killed him, was still on the loose. The pain of loss mingled with the rage of frustration. He needed some time alone.

"Leo." Evelyn called his name, her voice soft amidst the chaos. He turned and saw her, her face expressing a mixture of concern and... something more, something he couldn't decipher.

"I... I need to go," he said, his voice almost fading away.

"I understand," she replied simply. She let him go without a word, without any question. She just watched him in silence.

Leo walked away, feeling Evelyn's eyes on his back. He craved to be alone; he required time to sort through his thoughts. He wandered through the streets of Gothia, the memories of the battle swirling in his thoughts. Liam's face, Fleshripper's axe, the fire, the blood...

Leo rested against the bakery wall, the chill of the stone pressing into his back. He shut his eyes, attempting to banish the lingering visions. He needed time to himself to gather his thoughts. He needed to plan his next steps.

After a while, he took his canteen, drank some water, composed himself, and went to the guild. He needed to report the mission and receive his reward. And most importantly, he needed to apologize to Ashton for Liam's death.

Upon entering the Guild House, Leo was greeted by curious glances and whispers. He ignored them, heading straight for the counter. Silica wasn't there, so he was attended to by another employee.

After reporting the events of the mission and receiving his share of the reward, around 10 gold coins, Leo thought: 10 gold coins was all the boy's life was worth? What a joke...

Leo headed to Ashton's workshop. The familiar sound of the hammer hitting metal guided him there.

Upon entering, he saw Ashton working on a piece of armor, his face focused. Liam wasn't there. The young blacksmith's absence was a bitter feeling of loss.

"Ashton," Leo called, his voice choked with emotion.

The old armorer turned, surprised to see him. Then, understanding dawned on him, and his face darkened.

"He... he's gone," Leo said, the words coming out with difficulty. "I'm so sorry."

Ashton sighed heavily, his shoulders slumping. He approached Leo and placed a heavy hand on his shoulder. "I know, kid. I'm sorry too."

"I wasn't able to keep him safe," Leo admitted, his eyes brimming with tears at last. "I pulled him into this mission, and now he is gone."

"Don't blame yourself, Leonard," Ashton said, his voice hoarse. "Liam made a choice. He wanted to be an Equalizer; he wanted to fight. He knew the risks from the start. Only the gods know how many clients we've lost already."

"But he was just a boy," Leo sobbed. "He had so much potential..."

"And he showed it," Ashton interrupted firmly. "For you to feel so guilty, I bet he saved your life, kid. So he died a hero."

Leo was silent, struggling to hold back tears. Ashton's words offered a bit of solace, yet the weight of guilt remained heavy.

Ashton guided Leo to a secluded area of the workshop, away from the public eye, where two swords stood elegantly on an easel. They were unlike anything Leo had ever seen. The blades were crafted from a dark metal, nearly matte in appearance, yet possessing a faint luster that appeared to draw in the surrounding light. The hilts were crafted from a substance resembling bone, yet they possessed an oddly smooth feel. They were magnificent, masterpieces of forging.

"Liam made them for you," Ashton said, his voice thick with emotion. "He hid them. He said it was a surprise. He wanted you to have them when you got back from the incursion."

Leo approached, his hands trembling. He ran his fingers along the edge of one of the swords, sensing an unusual energy flow through him. They were the perfect swords—light, balanced, and sharp as razors.

"He believed in you, Leo," Ashton continued. "He saw something in you that no one else saw. He knew you would become a great warrior after the battle at the south gate."

Ashton felt a single tear escape, and he swiftly brushed it aside with the back of his hand.

"They're made of Frosteel, the best steel a human can produce. Only rare metals are better than that," Ashton explained their importance.

Leo took the swords, feeling their weight in his hands. They were Liam's swords, the young blacksmith's last creation. A farewell gift, a reminder of a friendship cut short.

"I will honor his memory," Leo said, his voice firm and determined. "I will become strong, strong enough to protect the people I care about. I will hunt down Fleshripper and make him pay for what he did."

"I know you will, kid," Ashton said, placing his hand on Leo's shoulder. "And I'll be here to help in any way I can."

Leo nodded. He turned to Ashton, his eyes burning with determination for his future.

"Engrave the names," Leo requested, his voice firm. "On one, 'Smiling.' On the other, 'Absolution.'"

Ashton agreed, and a heavy but meaningful silence fell over the workshop. The sound of the hammer, once so familiar, now seemed to echo the pain of loss and the promise of revenge.

After leaving Ashton's workshop, Leo decided it was time to confront his past. He took his savings, bought supplies, and set off towards Besen, the village where it all began.

He needed to see with his own eyes what had happened. He needed to face the ashes of his former home. Maybe then he could have a revelation and finally start to move on.