“You promised me, Magnus!
You said you'd stay until your leg was healed. How could you just leave like that and abandon everyone, abandon me and Father? I was so happy you were here. I thought we would finally do something together for once. You visit so rarely, and when you do, it’s always just for a short time because you’ve got new missions again. Do you have any idea how terrible that feels for me right now?"

He cried uncontrollably, and yet still managed to sound reproachful. I could see the hurt in his eyes, and suddenly it hit me how deeply I must have disappointed him.

It was true, I didn’t visit often. But when I did, my uncle always said that Dante lit up like a firefly and seemed genuinely happy. The little one had been through a lot in the recent weeks. Constantly surrounded by worried adults talking about how bad things had gotten, not enought food , outbreaks of disease, and the bear that might find them all.

He had to leave his home not knowing if he’d ever see it again. And he kept helping with the hunts, only to come back frustrated because they never caught enough.

He was still just a child. He should be enjoying life.

Then I showed up, made promises, helped him laugh again, only to vanish the same night. And now I had nearly shot him, too!

God, what kind of cousin was I?

By now, my own eyes had started to tear up, overwhelmed by his words and filled with guilt. I pulled him into my arms and sobbed,
“I… I’m sorry! I’m so sorry, Dante! I just wanted the bear to finally leave us alone. It’s not fair that you have to live in that bunker, constantly worried, especially you. You’re just a kid. I wanted to end it, once and for all!”

The boy looked up at me with wide, tear-filled eyes, and to my surprise, he laughed through his sobs and clung to me even tighter.

“Oh Magnus, you don’t always have to be the hero. What would I do if you weren’t here anymore? You could’ve ended it all after your leg healed, too.”

A crooked smile spread across my face now as well. I gently ran my hand through his hair before releasing him from my tight embrace.

“But that would’ve given the beast time to attack more villages, or worse. I could never forgive myself for that. Besides, dear cousin, don’t you still owe me an explanation why youre here?''