Toward Death

"Good morning."

Though the night still lingered, the moonlight, partially hidden by the clouds, found its way through and illuminated one side of Aaron's face as he sat on the log, smiling at her. Teyat also noticed the faint orange light of dawn creeping up from the east.

The night was slowly turning into morning.

'Good morning...'

These words passed through Teyat's mind as Aaron greeted her with a "Good morning," even though it was still night. She responded to the greeting with a smile.

"Oh, Aaron, good morning to you too."

Aaron's smile persisted as he casually placed his hand on the log, inviting Teyat to sit beside him.

"Care to sit?"

With a warm invitation, Teyat accepted, walking over and taking a seat next to Aaron.

They both sat with small, forced smiles. A strong wind blew harshly against them, tossing and whipping their hair around in the gust.

After a brief silence, Teyat broke it.

"Did you stay on watch all night?"

Her gaze was still fixed on the ground.

"I slept a little, but yes, I kept watch all night. And you? Did you sleep well? Was your bed comfortable?"

"Yes, it was comfortable."

Aaron, still smiling faintly, glanced at her.

"I'm glad you slept well, but why did you wake up so early? As far as I know, you love to sleep."

"Oh, well, I had a bad dream. A nightmare from my past."

"If it would make you feel better, you can tell me about it."

Teyat placed her left hand on Aaron's shoulder and smiled, showing her white teeth.

"Stop worrying about me. Have you considered handing the watch over to me? You look tired, your eyes show it—you need some sleep."

Aaron chuckled softly.

"Ha ha, no need. I'm used to sleepless nights. But thank you for thinking of me."

"Your choice, you're welcome."

'I'm sorry, Aaron, but I have no choice but to kill you.'

Before sitting down next to him, Teyat's plan was to convince Aaron to hand over the watch and get him to sleep, then escape. But if that didn't work, she had another plan: to kill him using her "Void Arrow" ability. But with a nullified arrow, lacking manipulation and sharpness, could she still kill him?

Teyat took a deep breath, stood up from her seat, and moved in front of Aaron.

Aaron looked at her in surprise and saw a hand extended toward him. It was the hand of the one who would soon share information and soon after be the one to end his life.

He didn't refuse the friendly hand offered to him, and he shook it in return. Aaron stood up, and Teyat released his hand. She pointed in the direction of the rising sun.

"My nightmare completely ruined my sleep. And since you don't seem to want to rest either, why don't we pass the time talking, my friend?"

A smile spread across Aaron's once surprised face.

"Sure, there were things I wanted to tell you anyway."

"Then let's walk and talk."

'I'm going to kill you, Aaron. I'm sorry, but I'm not remorseful. Because I want to live. Even with the burden of a legacy I never wanted and don't even know the nature of weighing on my shoulders, I still want to live.'

•

The two bandits slowly walked toward the rising sun through the trees.

As they walked, Aaron broke the silence with a calm tone.

"Where's your sword? Did you leave it in the tent?"

Teyat chuckled awkwardly.

"Ha ha, yes, I left it in the tent. What about your sword? Didn't you bring it?"

Aaron smiled.

"No, after all, we're in this forest. We rarely encounter danger here. Other than the Lord, there's nothing here that poses a threat to us or to the other bandits."

Teyat was surprised by this and asked the question that came to her mind.

"What do you mean? Is the Lord a threat? And isn't it possible for one bandit to kill another?"

"The Lord is always a threat. And no, because the command placed in our minds prevents us from killing each other. Even if we think about it, the result would be our own death. The command in our minds ensures that."

"I see..."

'It looks like killing you will be easy, Aaron. Because I have free will. But you don't.'

As they continued talking, the soft sound of a nearby stream could be heard. Peaceful and calm, the sound reached them clearly from where they stood. Aaron's gentle, pleasant voice spoke again.

"Ah, I really love that sound. It reminds me of freedom and tranquility."

He paused for a moment, then continued speaking.

"Teyat, there's something personal I want to tell you. May I?"

Teyat responded warmly.

"Of course, I'd love to listen."

'I'm sorry you're about to share something personal with your killer.'