My name is Sai.
I used to be happy.
I had a complete family, friends who always stuck around, and a small village in the southern lands—quiet, hidden, far from the chaos of the world. We lived simply, but it was warm. I thought that was what life was meant to be.
Until that day.
The day I killed everyone.
I don't know why. I don't know how.
All I know is—when I came to my senses, everyone in my village was already dead.
I stood in a pool of blood.
My hand gripped a bloodstained knife.
My legs gave way, my body trembling…
And in front of me—my little sister's lifeless body.
"I-I... I did this..."
I collapsed to my knees.
I broke down.
All hope left me.
With shaking hands, I raised the knife.
"I HAVE TO DIE—"
But someone grabbed my hand, stopping me.
I froze.
"Who are you?!" I asked, shocked.
He looked at me calmly.
"I don't even know who I am," he replied.
After that... everything's a blur.
All I remember is—he stayed by my side.
He never spoke of himself,
but he listened to me, stayed with me, and kept me going.
He wasn't just a friend.
He became my closest companion.
The reason I kept on living.
We became adventurers.
Together, we roamed the world.
Until that day, in the Forest of Fortres—
a place untouched by humans, filled only with orcs and wild beasts.
We ventured too deep.
Surrounded.
Too late to retreat.
He stood before them—
creating an opening so I could escape.
"I'll hold them off. You have to go, Sai!"
"B-but—"
"Don't die. If you die… everything we've done is meaningless. I'd regret ever saving you."
I wanted to stay.
I wanted to fight beside him.
But I ran.
I ran as fast as I could, leaving him alone on the battlefield.
And in that moment...
"I'M SORRY, HARITH!"
Yes. His name was Harith.
And I only remembered it…
when he was already gone.
He gave me life…
But I left him behind.