Hypocrite

Perspective : Thor Gild

[1 hour earlier]

From a distance we could hear metal clashing against each other. Suspecting it was a certain someone, that we had been not very particularly keen on searching, we traced the sound.

Gradually, the darkness within the deep chasm subsided while the clash and the eerie hissing sound grew louder, giving the impression that we were approaching the outside or somewhere nearby. As we arrived at the scene, we encountered whom I had suspected: Brandon and Robin. However, with an un suspected guest —the fiend responsible for this mess, that enormous centipede.

The clashing noises reverberated through the air as Brandon's sword clashed with the numerous limbs of the centipede. It was a sight to behold, witnessing his sword emanating a deep violet aura. I had never seen him that serious before, except for one other time.

It was when I first talked to him, after that party, due to an misunderstanding he was kicked out.

It was the same night Conrad got stabbed.

{ Past}

Marcus and Robin, standing beside Brandon, asked, "

Sir... we're grabbing some food... what would you like?".

Brandon, seated on the roadside bench, replied, "Whatever you both feel like."

"Just get me what you're having."

Marcus responded,

"Got it."

They then headed towards the nearby food stall, engaging in conversation along the way.

Marcus said,

" That woman over there? I didn't really like her."

Robin asked,

"Why is that?"

Marcus replied,

"She seemed stuck up, acting as if she was superior to everyone else."

Robin agreed, saying,

"Yeah, I agree. And that guy who kicked us out was also a real dick."

Marcus added,

"But, honestly, our mentor had it coming."

Robin cautioned,

"Shh... let's not say that too loudly. He might overhear us."

As I approached Brandon, he remarked,

"Those two... I can hear them, you know."

I responded,

"Quite a unique pair you've got there."

Brandon replied with a sigh,

"Huh, tell me about it."

"When I found those two, they were cowering inside a hole."

"Yeah, those two are always inseparable, always together."

"They are innocent... They just call me mentor, and follow me around"

"I am well aware that you are here to punish us, punish me . Just please, leave them be."

"It was all my fault".

I was confused by his assumption that I was going to punish him or something.

"What are you talking about?"

I asked in confusion.

He replied,

"Aren't you here because of that noble lady I just pissed off?"

I chuckled and replied,

"Noble? She's an adventurer."

He countered,

"With her complexion, she could easily pass for a noble."

Noticing the commotion, in the guild.

Brandon asked,

"What's all that ruckus about?"

I replied,

"Unfortunately, one of our fellow adventurers got stabbed".

Brandon nodded, saying,

"That's why, you don't get drunk like that ... you either end up like me or end up like that".

I responded in a serious tone,

"Don't make light of that, It's not funny".

He quickly apologized,

"I am sorry".

He asked,

"So, what's your business with me?".

That's when I introduced myself, saying,

"Back there, I didn't get a chance to introduce myself... No matter, my name is Thor Gild."

He replied,

"Thor Gild sounds familiar... You're one of those nomads, aren't you? The ones who believe in the hard way of life?"

I clarified,

"We are called ascetics, actually."

Brandon with a keen sense of sight, he said,

"Back there, you were defending that girl as if your life depended on it".

"Could have sworn, You were here to take a shot at revenge".

I replied,

"Well, you've got it wrong."

Curious, Brandon asked,

"So, what's the matter? Did she steal your heart?"

I responded with a hint of sentiment,

"Something along those lines."

Brandon nodded knowingly and said,

"Knew it... I haven't seen a guy that serious unless it's for love."

As we conversed, Brandon opened up to me. He expressed deep remorse about the incident, blaming himself heavily. He was drunk at the time, and I understood all too well the allure and side effects of alcohol.

But he also kept teasing me about Regina, which I admit was quite wholesome.

He remarked,

"Must be nice to have a special someone in your life."

I could sense a tinge of jealousy in his voice.

Choosing not to dwell on his hidden emotions, I replied,

"Since you're here at Ustrax now, it's only a matter of time before you find someone whom you'll hold dear to your heart."

He responded,

"Thanks... But I don't deserve that."

Curious, I asked,

"Why? ... What did you do?"

Brandon hesitated before replying,

"You hit right on the mark. I'm just not that comfortable telling you."

Realizing the sensitivity of the situation, I said, "Ohh... sorry for prying. But letting it out can sometimes make you feel better."

Brandon replied,

"Yeah... maybe someday."

I responded,

"You know what, I just met you, but Arngrim tells me that you are a kind person, often misjudged due to unsettling circumstances."

He retorted,

"That pagan god of yours."

Understanding his skepticism, I said,

"I'm going to share something with you that has been weighing on me for quite some time, so you can feel comfortable opening up to me about your own burdens."

Brandon replied,

"You really don't have to do that. And besides, I can't say for sure if I'll ever feel ready to talk."

I said,

"No, you've got to listen. Now it's more about me than about you."

I was determined to support this man, as our brief conversation had made me reassess my initial opinion of him.

Continuing, I said,

"So, since you seem to be familiar with our culture..."

He interrupted, answering simply,

"Yes."

Continuing, I say,

"Then you must know, us ascetics dedicate our entire lives to worshiping the great lord Arngrim. We forsake all worldly desires."

"We only mate with individuals who are chosen by our god himself. Considering I belong to a distinguished family from our clan, who have devoted generations and generations to serving Arngrim."

"My father, my grandfather, and his grandfather before them have poured their blood and souls into worshiping Arngrim."

With a somber tone, I added,

"However I am a disgrace".

"I didn't wanted to stay cooped up in my small village, I had this yearning for exploration, I wanted to see and witnessed what laid beyond the walls our camps".

"I wanted to go adventuring".

"But doing so ended tarnishing my Family's legacy".

"And I am forever held back by it, but I will never regret my decision".

"I still see my Grandfather and father's disappointed faces whenever I close my eyes, but I won't be deterred, I will forever carry their teachings in my heart, and I will forever worship Arngrim".

Brandon responded,

"Don't worry, you will come to terms with it eventually. It's natural to have curiosity. However, your mistake is nothing compared to my sin."

I replied,

"Then tell me, I shared mine. It's only fair for you to tell me yours."

Brandon sighed and said,

"Twist my arm, why don't ya?".

" Where are those fools? What's taking them so long?".

" Fine... fine, I'll tell you."

Realizing his hesitation, Brandon continued,

"You may not have the same opinion of me after you hear what I did."

I responded gently,

"That's for me to decide".

Brandon continued,

"You know what an hypocrite is?".

I replied,

"I don't know, a person who cheats .".

He said,

"Close enough".

With a face as if reminiscing something dreadful , Brandon said,

"I am a Hypocrite".

Choosing not to dwell on his hidden emotions, I replied,

"That's quite an bold assessment".

Brandon continued,

"I lived in the outskirts of Alkatash with, my wife Josephine and our cute little angel, Kana".

"If she was alive, she would be yay big."

As he spoke, Brandon emphasized his daughter's height by gesturing with his hand, creating a visual representation of how tall Kana would have grown.

He continued,

"But her dad... couldn't even avenge her. He was a coward, unlike her mom. Who was more courageous than I ever was."

"Our town's name was Alkin. It was a quiet and cozy town, though far from the capital, the air of the capital still lingered there."

"We, the middle class, have always been conditioned to not question but to obey. We believed blindly in what those who are more well-versed and cultured than us said."

"I, too, used to hold those beliefs, that women were filth and should be treated as one".

"Until she appeared in my life,"

He said, tears streaming down his cheeks. "Whatever my beliefs were, she melted them instantly with her radiant smile."

"She made me question those beliefs which I had followed my entire life. My dear Josephine, I married her, and together we had a child named Kana."

"I didn't care about what people told me. Those two were my life, and I vowed to protect them from every inquisitive soul that dared to interfered with our lives."

"But as it turns out, I only thought that in the heat of the moment. I never truly meant it. If I did, they would still be alive."

"Those monsters,"

he gritted his teeth in anger, his face contorted with resentment that I could feel emanating from him in that very moment.

As tears streamed down his face, he uttered,

"He took my daughter. They took my Kana away. It wasn't just her; he took away several innocent Kanas, tearing them away from their parents."

"He defiled them, he violated my precious baby".

Brandon clenched his fists tightly, consumed by anger, as if he desired to strike or even kill the man who had taken his daughter away.

He continued with a tone of frustration,

"Do you know what I did?"

I was left speechless, in awe of his story, rendering me unable to respond.

He said,

"Nothing".

"I did nothing, I was powerless, before those wealthy people".

"Many people spoke up, and I was among them.

However,We were presented with an agreement – forgiveness in exchange for our silence. Those who refused to accept it, were silenced."

"So, fearing those in power, I did the most disgraceful act a father could ever do".

"I accepted their pardon".

"And I had vowed to protect them, when It came to it, I ran like a dog, with his tail tugged between his legs".

"I can't even express, How angry and hate I feel towards myself".

Brandon continued,

"I returned, had an argument with my wife, where I was the rational one and she was the right one".

"We had a fall out, she left me".

"I mean, who would stay with a man that can't even stand up for his own daughter".

"Later she and a few other women were paraded naked around the city, by that same bastard".

"She must have went against him".

"Afterwards they all took their own life".

"She was far better then me, a spineless Coward, who decided to save his own skin".

"I have long lost the right to be proud of her".

Although I initially promised not to judge him or alter my perception of him after hearing his story, I couldn't help but feel a sense of repulsion towards him. However, deep down, I still hold a level of respect for him. It's evident that when he accepted the pardon, he must have wanted to fight for justice for his daughter but ultimately couldn't bear the thought of losing his wife as well. Unfortunately, that backfired , and now he harbors immense self-hatred.

I had a strong desire to bring him comfort, but I found myself at a loss for how to effectively offer solace. I was uncertain of the approach to console him.

Brandon wasn't finished; he continued speaking as he expressed his apology to me. He said,

"Now that you're aware, I feel the need to apologize. Observing your girl enjoying herself and hearing her voice reminded me of my late wife. I resented the fact that she was carefree while my wife had suffered. I started to despise myself once more and became pissed off at her for making me feel this way. I sincerely apologize and kindly ask for your forgiveness, if you can find it in your heart to do so."

Having understood the reason behind his actions, I decided to forgive him.

I responded, saying,

"I have an idea... why not apologize to them? I can help organize a perfect meeting for all of you.' If you're feeling resentful, seeking a genuine apology might bring you some relief."

That's when they returned,

Upon hearing Marcus and Robin's voices, they exclaimed,

"Mentor, we ran out of meat skewers, but we brought some roasted chicken breasts instead." At that moment, I made the decision to take my leave.

I politely stated,

"If you would kindly excuse me, there is a woman in distress whom I must comfort."

Brandon responded with a simple,

"Good luck with that."

And with that, I departed from the scene.