1 I Didn’t Betray You!

"Bastard… Prick…" Trying to crawl farther away, Keino haphazardly turned onto his back as he crawled, spitting any insults he could think of as he clutched the bleeding hole in his abdomen. "What's the- What's the point in travelling together, fighting together? If you're just going to stab me in the back once it's al-" Keino wretched, coughing up blood.

Dropping his helmet at his feet, Riel's expression was solemn as he slowly stepped towards his once friend. "What's the point? We ate the same food, slept in the same places, laughed at the same jokes and cried at the same sorrows." Riel adjusted his grip on Light's Bane. "It's been two years since we were summoned to this world, two whole years, how could you betray us!"

"I didn't betray you!" Keino stopped crawling backwards as he hit something.

"Don't lie to me Keino… The Church has told me everything, about how you've been a spy for the Lich. How you've been passing him information for years, almost since the very first day!" Clenching his teeth, Riel turned his head as his body began to shake. "You're the reason Cara's dead."

Hearing Riel's words, Keino attempted to sit up. "Why would I ever-"

"Shut your mouth!" Bringing his sword up, Riel stopped as it was an inch from Keino's throat. "A traitor like you has no right to speak to the Goddess' Chosen Hero."

Keino sighed, "And what about me? Am I no longer a Hero?"

Riel flinched backing away slightly, "Y-You were a great Hero, without your summons, we would have died so many times… That's why I don't understand. Keino, explain, why!?"

"Because I haven't-"

The Hero's party burst into the throne room. "Do not listen to him, sacred Hero." Anastasia, the party's Priestess, rushed to Riel's side. "Please, do not listen to the pleadings of this traitor." Glaring at Keino, she put a hand on Riel's shoulder. "He will say whatever it takes to get into your mind. Cast him down into the Hells with the abomination he serves. Where they both belong."

Keino spat blood on the floor as he looked up to Anastasia. "You lot took your time, what's wrong, didn't want to get your hands dirty."

Anastasia's cheery demeanour, turned to a venom-filled gaze. "We could not step into this room due to the Lich's miasma of stolen, corrupted divine energies. You should know that traitor." Covering her mouth, she snickered. "Not that you were worthy of such power." Turning to Riel, Anastasia seemed like she might jump with joy. "To think you not only defeated the Lich, but you also defeated the corrupted hero. You will be known all across Kyriaki for what you have done today. I'll make sure of it."

Riel blushed, rubbing the back of his head. "Oh no, I was just doing what I had to do."

Keino grimaced as Anastasia pressed herself against Keino's arm. "You're so gullible, you've always believed pretty girls too much."

Riel's grip tightened on Light's Bane as he steeled his heart. "I will carry out the Goddess' will. Even if it means-"

Keino's fingers twitched.

[Activate Skill: Ursa Major S-Tier]

A grizzly bear composed of starlight appeared behind Keino, Riel's sword clashed against Ursa Major's paws.

"Come on now, you didn't expect I'd go down without a fight- huh-"

Light's Bane was enveloped in a red hue, causing the edges to distort for a moment before white fire erupted from the blade's edges, shearing through Ursa Major's paws. Ursa Major let out a howl before disappearing. Riel's swing continued, cutting a gash across Keino's body.

Collapsing onto the floor, Keino couldn't help but chuckle. "Why the hell are you so damn strong, Riel. What gives you the right to be able to cut through an S-tier summon like it's butter… What kind of power did the Goddess give you…"

As Riel was about to speak, Anastasia touched his shoulder. "Great Hero. You should put this traitor out of his misery, then we can simply return home, and you will be greatly rewarded for all you have done for this world."

"... Ok." Bringing his sword over Keino, Riel avoided his eyes. "Rest now." Stabbing down, Riel's sword pierced Keino's body and the object behind it and into the floor.

About to pull his sword out, Keino grabbed Light's Bane by the edge, blood dripping from his fingers down the length of the blade. "Rest. I will never rest, I'll come back. I will never rest as long as that Church stands!"

"So when put to the sword, now you reveal your true colours." Riel let go of his sword. Standing tall, he scowled at Keino. "I'll be ready for you if you somehow live. Just like in those stories you loved to read."

Feeling his strength leave him, Keino's arm dropped to his side. "Oh fuck off."

Keino's vision dimmed, no strength to use a skill. He closed his eyes, his body slumping against the corpse of the Lich.

----

Sobbing filled Keino's ears. "I can't believe they would do that, those animals." A woman's voice.

Whilst there was a ringing in his head, Keino took comfort in whatever the soft thing his head was resting on. Groaning, he opened his eyes.

A young woman, not much older than himself. Tears running down her cheeks dropped onto his face.

"Do you mind?" Keino lifted a hand to block the tears. "That's annoying."

"Lawrence!" Wrapping him in her arms, the woman tightly squeezed Keino smushing his face against her chest. "You're alive!"

"Alive-" Keino quickly tried to sit up, only to smack his head into the woman's chin.

"Aww, Lawrence, be careful-"

Keino put a hand up to shush her. Looking at their surroundings, he had to squint. The walls and ceiling were stone, the only light dimly shone from the metal fence that also served as the door. They were in a cave. Half a dozen other people were with them. Two men, one woman, sat on the far side of their cage. A woman tightly held onto her son. One man lay on the floor, not moving.

Confused, Keino turned to the woman. "Where's the Hero, did he put us here?" Keino glanced at the dim light before turning back. "Where is here?"

Cocking her head to the side, she put her hands on Keino's shoulders. "Law-ren-ce." She spoke slowly. "I, think, you, have, a, concussion, you, should, lie, back, down, on, my, lap, and, rest."

Keino scowled, pulling away from her. "I'm not concussed woman! Who even are you, why do you keep calling me Lawrence?"

"Oh, Lawrence. How hard did they hit you," Before Keino could react, the woman grabbed him, bringing his head back into her chest. "That you don't recognize your big sister, Lauri."

"Big sister? I don't have a-"

Smushing his head into her chest, Lauri rubbed her cheek against his hair. "I was really worried, Lawrence. Those goblins dragged you away, and I could hear them beating you up. Then, when they threw you back in here you weren't breathing, I thought I had lost you... But you're back!"

"Goblins… Get off!" Keino grabbed Lauri's arms, trying to make her let go. "Why are we some goblins prisoners? And my name isn't Lawrence!"

Lauri didn't stop her tirade of affection even as she spoke, "How hard did they hit you that you don't even remember how we got here? A week ago we were travelling with a caravan trying to get to Dayenu, but we were attacked, and now we're here and stop pretending you aren't my baby brotherrr, you're hurting my feelings."

Keino tried to fight back against Lauri, "This is an awfully big prison for just eight people, what happened to the rest of the caravan?"

Keino's attempt to escape only caused Lauri to squeeze harder, "They've been picking people seemingly at random… No one's returned after being picked…"

Realizing Lauri was stronger than him, Keino gave up trying to fight back. 'Thinking about it. Something is off,' Holding his hands up to his face, Keino squinted even harder. 'I thought it was just because of the light, but. These aren't my hands… This isn't even my voice… I can't even fend this woman, Lauri off… Oh, I'm in someone else's body.'

A voice sounded within Keino's head. 'Now he gets it.'

Jumping up, fists raised, Keino looked around the cage. There was no one.

"Lawrence wha-"

"Did you hear that? Somebody said something." Keino looked at the other people in the cage. "Did any of you hear that?"

"Enough." Keino shuddered hearing Lauri's voice. "Sit down." Keino immediately sat down. "Lawrence, I don't know what's gotten into you, but do not drag anyone else into it. Leave these people be. Do you understand me?"

Keino nodded. "Yes miss."

"Good, now put your head here."

Keino shuffled closer to Lauri, doing as she instructed, Keino rested his head on her lap.

Keino squinted as Lauri began stroking his head.

'Wait, why am I doing this?'