Of Heros and Villains

The Betrayal

Lightning set the world alight, draping the night in a fleeting guise of day. 

Thunder boomed as though it sought to eclipse the rain. Bursts of light came through the window, casting the room in a momentary glow. But she couldn't hear the roar of the thunder over the ringing in her ears. The sound sought to rival the screams outside her door, her world was falling apart just beyond. 

 She knew what he was, knew the truth he kept hidden just behind those star bright eyes. She chose to ignore it. 

 She chose wrong. 

 "How could you," she whispered. 

She couldn't trust her voice to speak any louder. Not when it might break and shatter her resolve. Not when he might hear a note of betrayal in it. 

 It was her own fault that things ended up like this. She was the one who fell.

 She knew the consequences of coveting a future with someone she knew she shouldn't— couldn't have. 

 She resolved to look at him, to force an answer out. But when she looked up, she was secretly thankful that the darkness had stolen most of the light in the room, leaving them in a faint glow. 

"How could you," she asked again. Though her voice had risen, it was destitute of stability. It sounded as broken as she felt. He said nothing. His silence left them both surrounded by the dulling clamor of thunder and rain. A crack of lightning joined the chorus, lighting the room as it flashed into existence. Lighting their faces. She saw the look in his eyes now. 

The stars were gone, replaced by a steeled resolve. She would find no regret. She would get no apology. Something about that drove her over the edge. How could he do this to her and feel nothing? How could he just stand there? After every thing? After every promise of change, every promise of trust, of–of love? 

She pulled herself from her thoughts, deciding to take action instead. She was swift in her attack, but her raging emotions robbed her movements of deftness. The obsidian blanket of the room did nothing to hide her advance. He blocked her with ease, ducking and pivoting to avoid her blows. They fell into a rhythm: she struck and he avoided. They seemed in tandem with the cadence of the rain beyond the window. Each thrust and block aligning with each spark of lightning and blare of thunder. 

Just as her patience began to run thin, she saw an opening. She crouched low, turning as she did and sweeping his legs out from under him. It was her mistake as he took her down with him. 

They were a tangle of limbs on the floor as each one sought to gain the advantage over the other. After a moment she managed to pin him down, losing her focus as she reached for her dagger. He took the opportunity, pinning her instead beneath him, both of her wrists bound in one of his hands. She struggled to escape his grasp, but his hold only seemed to tighten. They stayed like that for what seemed like an eternity, strangled in the defining silence. 

Once she caught her breath enough to speak, she asked her question again. No longer caring if her words were laced in emotion. She just wanted an answer. 

Instead of answering he simply pulled her to her feet. She thought his silence would over take her again, but then, he spoke. 

 "Because," he began. His voice was low, ragged, as he caught her gaze. "I couldn't see you destroy yourself." 

 Fury took root in her chest once more. He ruined her plans for that? "You...you robbed me my restitution because you seek to prevent my destruction?" 

"Yes." 

Her voice rose. "You ruined the years of my life I spent planning because of your selfishness? Because of your inane desire to keep me safe?" 

"Yes." 

She felt the tears leave her eyes, she did nothing to stop them. Not even when the traitorous lightning allowed him a perfect view. 

 "You had no right!" She was all but yelling. 

"I know." His voice remained even. 

"It is my life to use as I please. It is my life to sacrifice," she affirmed, noting the way he flinched at the declaration. 

"I- I know," he replied. 

His agreement only exacerbated the fire in her chest. She reached for her dagger. He made no move to stop her as she pressed the blade to his throat. 

"Do what you must," he said. 

She deepened her pressure on the dagger, but he did not abate. Keeping still even as she threatened to draw blood. With a growl of frustration she threw the blade to the floor, the weapon's clatter echoing in the room. 

"I hate you," she whispered. 

"No, you don't," he corrected.

It was his first comment of opposition, and it was true. He stepped forward, taking her in his arms. She did not resist as he drew her into a tight embrace, she simply cried into his chest. There was no use in her denial. Every moment between them that lead up to now had been a blatant admission. 

It was her own fault that things ended up like this. 

 It was her own fault that she fell in love with the hero.