Episode 3 Part 1 Sneak Peek #34

This will be the last sneak peek for a while! The Veyer branch is complete, which means I am starting the editing process and will be headed into coding soon. This is from the end of one of the variations of Veyer's branch, where the MC has to make an important decision. 

Some conditionals:

• Aeran's romance is flagged and has relatively high approval
• MC trained with Cenric
• MC does not feel guilty about their tryst with Veyer

Ashani strides to the grove’s edge, coming to a halt beside Aeran. Their dark hair ripples around them like a cloak, moving with a will of its own against the breeze. He stiffens, caught between the desire to move out of the way and the need to hide his discomfort. There is something daunting about the melusine’s presence—their calm approach, the ancient composure that comes from more years lived than you can comprehend. Their quiet, commanding authority has silenced any further bickering or conversation. With their arrival, there is nothing left to wait for.

You approach the edge, one hand resting on the hilt of your sword, Veyer lingering at your side. You raise your head, staring upwards at the tower, Aeran a dark shadow in your peripheral vision. His bow, Taraniel glows on his back, the silver-white Alassar reflecting the dappled sunlight. He tugs absently at the bracer on his forearm, the one piece of his original equipment he did not discard after departing Rona. The reddish-brown leather stands out against the black, its finely crafted designed embossed with Artanisian motifs. You would recognize it anywhere. It was Varyn’s gift to him upon his induction into the Order—from one remaining Wayfarer archer to the last.

Does he miss her as much as you miss Cenric? You know nothing of her whereabouts, of course, but at least he has the hope that she is somewhere out there. Aeran’s relationship with Varyn has always been different from other Wayfarers. You didn’t think much of it as an apprentice, but looking back on it now… There was something that bound them together in a way that went past master and apprentice. While you were chosen by Cenric, Aeran was entrusted to Varyn. There was never any question about who would train him.

Too much has happened in the past twenty-four hours, you can barely keep your head from spinning. How did it come to this? No matter how furious you are with him, you can’t rid yourself of the deep ache coursing through you—mind, body, and soul.

Two years. Two years since the dusty outskirts of Karth, two years since he dragged himself through bloodstained salt and sand to enter your life once more. The joy and relief you felt back then… Not only that you finally, finally had confirmation of another survivor, but that it was him.

And now circumstances may force you to lose him forever.

1. He doesn’t deserve your forgiveness. He never will.
2. You can’t do this any longer. If you need to take the first step to make amends, then you will. You have no other choice.

1. He doesn’t deserve your forgiveness. He never will.

The thought is savage, but you feel strangely tranquil now that you’ve made your peace. He is not the friend you thought he was. He is not the man you thought you loved. Perhaps a part of you will always love him, in a way, but that love has become rank and rancid, rotting away to reveal the sickly core within. Any compassion you may have had for him has eroded away, consumed by bitter loathing.

The only solution is a clean break.

The way forward is clear. Finish the job. Retrieve the Astrial. This will be the last you see of Aeran Kellis.

Continue.

2. You can’t do this any longer. If you need to take the first step to make amends, then you will. You have no other choice.

Your heart clenches as you come to your decision. You won’t apologize for Veyer, but the truth of the matter is that they are not the cause of this mess, they are simply an addendum. You and Aeran have both made mistakes. And though you were ready to sink deeper into anger and loathing, now you find yourself exhausted. Seeing him here, confronting him…

You feel numb.

Perhaps you’ve been too harsh on him. He has treated you unfairly, yes, but whatever happened to him at the Spire has left him deeply scarred. You can’t push him on it, you understand that now.

You can’t lose him. Not like this. You love him. And while it could be that the time for the two of you has passed you by, you’re not prepared to let him go.

Continue.