The final straw was the fall of the city of Sargen.
Elian and his friend arrived there on the king's orders. The city was suffering from a rebellion. The common people had risen up against the nobility, accusing them of tyranny. The king had ordered the suppression of the uprising, and two of the kingdom's greatest warriors were tasked with carrying out this order.
But when they entered the city, Elian saw the truth. These were not just bandits or mercenaries. These were families, the elderly, women, and children. People driven to desperation. They had not risen for power—they were fighting to survive.
"We shouldn't interfere," said his friend, seeing the confusion on Elian's face.
"They're dying, and you're telling me to stand aside?!"
"We are the king's sword, not judges."
Elian did not reply. He turned and walked toward the rebels.
He did not allow them to perish. He destroyed the king's forces that came to suppress the uprising. He brought down palaces, dismantled the system. He saved the weak, but became an enemy of the powerful.
The king declared him a traitor. His allies turned away from him. His friend...
"You've gone too far, Elian," his friend's voice was firm, but it carried pain.
"I did what was right."
"You destroyed the order. Now the whole world will rise against you."
"Let them."
Sargen fell. But with it, Elian fell too. He was no longer a hero. He had become cursed.
---
They fought amidst the ruins of the city. Their swords clashed, shattering the air with the sound of steel and magic. A thunderous strike released a wave of energy, destroying the remains of the buildings.
Elian burned with rage, while his friend stood before him with cold determination in his eyes.
"You leave me no choice," said his friend, gripping his sword tightly.
"Choice?! You chose to stand with them!" Elian shouted, surrounded by a dark flash of magic.
They charged at each other for the final time. Their blows shook the ground. But suddenly, his friend made an unexpected move. His blade pierced the ground before Elian, and chains of light erupted from beneath his feet.
Elian felt his body bound by magic. He tried to break free, but the barrier had already closed.
"What... is this?!" he jerked, but could not move.
His friend took a step forward. There was pain in his eyes, but his voice remained firm:
"You've become a threat. You know this."
"Why did you betray me?!" Elian's voice shook the air. It was filled with not only rage but despair.
His friend remained silent. He traced the final runes in the air. His lips moved, but the words could not be heard. The magical pattern flared, and the barrier tightened.
The last thing Elian heard was silence. His friend stood before him, but now there was an insurmountable chasm between them.
"You... will pay for this..." he whispered through the fading light before the barrier completely consumed him.
Thus ended
the story of the hero. And the story of the fallen began.