NEW NEHAN CITY - CAPITAL OF NEHAN KINGDOM - EARLY MORNING

Gayne rose from a nightmare, drenched in sweat and hyperventilating. The usual. Another day meant another cycle of remembering the day his life changed. Luckily, he was used to feeling terrible.

Where am I?

Gayne struggled to remember the events that led to him being… Where exactly? It was a small room, with white walls and not much else to distinguish it from a prison cell for the mad. His injury had been taken care of, with great care at that, and he barely felt any pain at all. The two women he met saved his life. The life of a stranger. Not that it mattered when both his hands and feet were tied to the bed. Of course, the respite lasted but a breath before the realization hit him. He had woken up in the one place he hated and hated him in return. A place he’d sworn to never return to.

“Squawk…”

Gayne winced. A flash of pain reminded him of the freshness of his wounds.“Blueberry? Why are you in a cage?”

A man in a white coat stepped into the room. His hair was a collection of brown and white patches paired with a ruffled mustache that was clearly in need of emergency grooming.

“That’s an easy question to answer, Gayne Rosenford. He’s in a cage for the same reason you’re tied to that bed.” The doctor grimaced in disgust. “Bold of you to come back here. Did you forget you’re a wanted man?”

“Let the bird go. He’s not mine.” Gayne pleaded. A futile request, he knew as much. He hoped that some part of the doctor would spare him some mercy and at the same time, allow him to keep his promise to Nira. It’d be nice to not mess something up for just once, he thought.

“Unlikely given the only reason you didn’t die an embarrassing death outside the gates is because of that bird. Besides, if you feel that strongly about him all the more reason to keep him in there.” The doctor poked at Blueberry’s cage. “He’s cute.”

Blueberry fought back against the doctor’s revolting display of affection with a tender peck that tore the skin off his finger. “Fuck!”

Gayne sighed. This was the worst. As if he couldn’t be any more depressed, now he had to deal with a third-rate villain. “What do you want? Money? There must be a reason you haven’t turned me in yet. Or did you just want an audience for your mediocre monologue?”

The doctor’s wry smile turned into a scowl. “I guess even monsters have a will to live, huh?”

A will to live… A rare feeling that hadn’t come around to visit Gayne in years. Why did he fight back? It’s not like the days to come would be any easier. He’d have to find a way out of Nehan all while avoiding the murderous intent of any that set their sights on him. He’d need to find a way to make money, again, after his failed attempt at raiding Jarr’s temple that almost ended with his demise. A cycle of emptiness that he questioned and repeated like a puppet dancing to the whims of destiny. Even then, he wanted to live…

The doctor wrapped a cloth tight around his finger. “I don’t want anything from you. But they do.”

A tall woman clad in form-fitting, yet heavily-layered armor slid past the doctor. A Maga Knight, one that Gayne did not recognize. The knight’s strong build stood out even underneath the layered body armor. Her presence alone spoke volumes and her voice served to confirm it.

“Gayne Rosenford, you are hereby under arrest for the charges of over a dozen counts of murder. You will fall under the custody of the Maga where we will determine your fate.” She stated in a matter-of-fact tone that carried a slight edge. The knight looked down upon Gayne like one would on a monster. “Thank you for filing the report, Dr. Lorian.”

“Anything to help put away scum like him.” The doctor handed her Blueberry’s cage as two other soldiers came inside to take Gayne away.

As if dreams weren’t enough, fate had arrived to remind him of the horrendous acts a father would commit for the sake of their children. Gayne found silence to be the only proper response given the truth behind the charges. It mattered little, if at all, the reasons he used to justify them. No one cared about the why behind the blood he spilled. No one cared that he did it all in the name of protecting his family.

Nobody cared about it then.

Nobody cared now.

Everything was different… And yet it was all still the same.

NEHAN CASTLE DUNGEON - THE NEXT DAY

Another morning, another headache. Such was the norm for Gayne. This time, however, it was not the usual nightmare but a voice. A familiar voice at that. Not a nightmare then.

“You have a visitor, Rosenford. Make it quick.”

A visitor to see him? He couldn’t think of a single soul in Nehan that would engage in any sort of civil conversation with him. A rain of insults and violent threats, yes, but anything other than that would be a foolish dream to hope for.

“You have a lot of nerve getting arrested and proving Nira right.” Lio stepped into the light that spilled from the small opening in Gayne’s cell.

His eyes widened with both wonder and confusion. “Lio? Why are you he-- Oh…” They had come for Blueberry, of course. He hung his head knowing that he failed the one thing he was asked to do.

“I’m so sorry. This is not what I planned for.” Gayne returned his gaze to Lio and found a familiar look in her eyes. Eyes filled with judgment. She knew. She knew why he was condemned to this prison.

“Is it true? The crimes they say you did?”

Gayne saw no virtue in lying to her. “They are.”

“That’s… Sickening.” Lio winced in recoil. “But… Is that the whole story? Their leader, Evia, made it seem like you’re a serial killer with no remorse. Hard to believe that of someone that has that look you have right now.”

“What look is that?”

“Someone with no will to live.” Lio mustered a soft smile. “Let’s just say I have some experience with similar people.”

“Telling you would change nothing. Why bother listening to me anyway? My life is forfeit come tomorrow. It’s not like you came here to save me.”

“That is true. I’m here to commit a crime, potentially. Not my idea, but that’s just how it goes with Nira.” Lio chuckled. She leaned in closer. A gentle warmth replaced the judgment she held before. Gayne couldn’t understand why she bothered to come here. It became clear to him that she was not like most people. This elf had a kind, compassionate soul. A treasure rarer than even the secrets of the world. He almost felt envious of Nira. Perhaps if he had someone like her alongside him, a friend to talk to, things could’ve been different. 

“Still, wouldn’t it be nice to tell someone the truth before you die? Who knows, you might feel a little better. Imminent death notwithstanding.”

A useless endeavor, he thought.

“That… would be nice.”

…

Lio left after he finished his story. She hardly spoke, and he wasn’t sure if she believed his words. That part didn’t matter as much to Gayne. He was content with the small respite she had given him. Perhaps that was her intent all along. 

Gayne wondered what it would be like to follow their adventures. A human with a Hain arm and an elf from Maari. The limits of their adventures tied to the extent of their desires, a strange way of life that he had never considered until now. The thought both lifted his spirits and crushed him. He couldn’t remember the last time he ever wanted to do anything. For the last three years, his life had been filled only with needs.

He needed to drink water.

He needed to eat food.

He needed to earn money.

A mundane routine he did… For what?

Gayne Rosenford did not want things. The last time he wanted anything, the world took it away from him. Wanting something was new. Wanting something was… Invigorating. 

If only it had come sooner.

Tomorrow, he would die. He would die a death of a criminal of the lowest denominator. A public hanging of which the likes Nean hasn’t seen in over thirty years.

It’s been too late for a long time. Death would be a mercy, wouldn’t it? At least then I wouldn’t be all alone. Right, Jae?

The hours dragged on for centuries in the silent emptiness of his dungeon cell. No food nor water to be found. It was no surprise they wouldn’t even pretend to put up a front. There would be no trial for him, only ‘justice’.

He laughed at the irony of it all.

THE DAY OF GAYNE’S EXECUTION

The Maga Knight Commander, Evia, banged on his cell. “It’s time, you scum.”

“Evia, was it? I—”

The knight struck Gayne’s jaw with the back of her fist. “Do not call me by name. You are not a guest. You are a criminal and today—” She smiled in a way those who dole out justice did when it was time to punish the wicked. A righteous smile of someone who thought themselves to be on the right side. The side of justice.

“Today is the day you die.”

TO BE CONTINUED IN PART TWO.