Dark Matrix

Across the frozen wasteland, the trail of ape corpses led one way, while the nestlings were in the other direction, their icons safely within the Nymph's forest. Ophelia wasn't with the others, and I could already guess which way she went. 

Did she sacrifice herself to lead the ape king away?

The mere thought made me heated.

Why did she do that when I explicitly told her to go to the Nymph if she needed help.

Just why?

I recalled her cheerful smile when she told me to come back quickly, and my mouth became dry, suddenly overcome by a wave of bitterness and guilt. 

I knew she didn't trust the Nymph and just went along with her because of me, but I didn't think she would take on such a risky matter on her own, because she was afraid of what the Nymph might ask of me in return.

It wasn't supposed to be like this – I should be the one protecting her.