Winterberg Brain Rot

A chained ring

"Ethan! H-holy shit! Ethan! Ethan, WE DID IT. " There you see him, standing in the ruined grounds. A bright, excited smile was plastered on his face. If he had a tail, you know it would be wagging. He always reminds you of a dog. Loyal to the ones he trusts. Happy to get your approval. Always waiting for something exciting to happen as long as it was with you.

'We did it. Heh. Yeah, we did. Karl. I'm-' You started to think. Suddenly, your legs felt weak and your headlight and dizzy. One Karl turned into three. You could barely register that he was coming closer.

"Ethan, what's wrong? Ethan? ETHAN GOD DAMN IT." His voice is louder than usual. You don't like that it sounds worried. You like that announcer voice he has. The one that seems like he's hosting a show and you're the audience. A special show just for you.

'I'm sorry, Karl.' Finally, you finished that thought. You crack your eyes just barely. You see, he gives you that worried look. Your "heart" breaks at the sight. No, it doesn't suit him. Not at all.

"Ethan. Open your eyes. You can't rest now! We still have to leave the village. Ethan, you idiot, open your fucken eyes. " You can't feel your body, but you can feel him shaking you. Something wet drips on your face. You slowly open and close your eyes. It's so heavy and hard to keep open.

"Take care of Rose for me. I-i'm so sorry. I can't show you the world." You croak softly. You raise your hand to his cheek and smear a tear in an attempt to wipe them from his face. Your eyes continue to open and close slowly and painfully. It's not painful for you, though.

"Don't you dare say that, Ethan? You fucken dumbass, C-come on. We h-have to leave." Your ears are ringing slightly, but you can hear his voice crack. He's barely keeping it together, but you can tell he's desperate. The ring you gave him dangles from his neck. A sort of ease overcomes you. The last time you saw it, it was on his shelf. You honestly thought he hated it.

"I can't, Karl. I can't feel my body. Hell, I can barely open my eyes. Please. Leave. See the world with Rose. " You knew this was going to happen. We knew you weren't going to last long. Not after your heart was taken by the witch. You knew, and yet you didn't tell him. You couldn't handle it. It was too much for you. You are so awful. Keeping this away from him. It saddens you knowing that you can't show him the world. That you can't watch Rose grow up to be the beautiful woman she'll be.

The last wish. Your last wish is to know if it is enough. If everything you did was enough, Were you a good dad? Were you a good partner to them both?

"No, no, no, nonononononononononononononononononononononon Get up. Get up right now, fucken. ETHAN!"

'I'm sorry, Karl. I'm so sorry, Karl. I love you. so much ' You feel beyond tired. When was the last time you slept? Just a few minutes wouldn't hurt, would it?

---

"Hey, Duke? Do you perhaps have a metal chain and ring?" You ask the man who has helped you since the beginning of this whole mess. This might be the last time you see him. You hold back some tears. He might be a slight asshole, but he's still a good man. You'll miss him.

"Whatever for Mr. Winters?" The man smiled playfully. With that jolly smile, you always see him with. You wonder if his face ever hurts from smiling so much. You could never do it.

"I want to give Hesinberg something. He's been super helpful and nice to me." A slight blush creeps on your face as you think of the lord. He may smell, but you've grown attached to him. smell and all. You might even say you love him.

"As a matter of fact, I do. The question is, do you have the money? " In fact, you do. You spent so much time grinding and gaining money and some. You hold up a small bag. The lei inside jingles around.

The Duke hands you a shiny silver-like chain with a black metal ring attached to it. You take it carefully and examine it. The ring has a beautiful diamond in the middle. You smile happily and give the duke the money. He counts the money and you continue to examine the ring.

"Mr. Winters, it seems you have some extra money left over." You pocket the ring and glance at the man. You shake your head and turn to the exit.

"Keep it. I won't need it." The statement had more meaning to it, but you feel as if there is no need to explain yourself. The Duke is a smart man.

"It has been a pleasure to work with you, Mr. Winters." You can hear the true meaning behind it. You really will miss the man.

"You as well, Duke. See you on the flip side. Or maybe not." You're positive he can't die. You continue to walk to the room where Karl is. You remember, he is preparing to start the plan. You won't leave until dawn, so you have time to give him the ring.