The guide

I know my purpose. Like the reaper who ferries souls into the afterlife, I too am a guide, impartial on all accounts. Good and evil have no meaning to me, yet I must guide those who happen across me to their destinies.

I have met many whom the world praises as heroes and many whom the world reveres as villains. Each encounter was a new experience demonstrating the diversity of life.

In front of me, I see two identical paths, but they lead to two very places. When someone arrives here at this crossroads, it is my duty to help them see which path they must follow. This does not change, even now.

Meeting two humans at once I will say is a first. They look at me, both appearing to be weary from their adventures.

"Excuse me, do you know, which way, we should go?" asks the male in between shallow breaths.

His eyes seem kind. Even without peering into his soul, I can see his virtue. He has slain many monsters to get here. He seeks only to bring peace and protect those who cannot protect themselves. He wants to be the hero he wishes he'd had. Despite this main goal, he has a seed of pride, secretly hoping for the recognition that comes with his great deeds.

"Hello? Are you okay?" the female asks with a tone of genuine concern despite her own exhausted state.

Like the male's, her armor is damaged and worn out. My eyes turn to hers. She is filled with kindness as well, similar to her lover. She shares the same goals, but she too has a seed of sin. She harbors an anger at the world for how it has wronged her, but she underestimates its depth.

Finally, I speak to them. "Each path may look the same, but they will lead to very different destinations," I tell them, my voice monotonous, and my face void of any expression. "Tell me, what is it you seek?"

The female answers first. "We need to get to the nearest town, just to stock up on supplies."

"I see. Let me rephrase," I say, clarifying my question. "You have both clearly been on many quests. What is your main goal? What drives you both."

The male answers now, proud of the reply he's come up with. "We will gather more allies and eventually take down the demon king!"

I don't acknowledge his enthusiasm. "I see." My gaze turns back to the female. "And you?"

She hesitates for a second, but answers, "To make the world a better place."

"Very interesting," is all I say in response. I already know the path that each of them must take. I point to the male. "Your destiny is on the right." Then I point to the female, startling her slightly. "And yours awaits you on the left."

They seem to not like my answer. They both ask what I mean and why I suggested they split up. I think for a moment, deciding how to handle this new situation. I've never had to explain my reasoning before. "The paths you must take are determined by forces beyond your understanding," is my response, albeit somewhat cryptic.

The male frowns, clearly displeased. "But why should we split up? We've been through everything together. We're stronger as a team," he says, justifying his persistence.

The female nods in agreement, her expression mirroring his concern. "He's right. We've faced countless challenges side by side. Why change that now?" she asked, obviously hoping for a real answer.

I pause again, considering their words. "The greatest challenges are often faced alone. That is how you will each grow into who you are meant to be," I offer them. "Trust me, you will both meet each other again."

After saying their goodbyes, promising to meet up in a certain town a bit later, and a tender loving kiss, they finally heed my instruction and split off. But what I failed to mention was that the next time they met, it would be on a battlefield.

Which side will be the hero is anyone's guess.

Thank you for reading! I'm curious to see who you think became the hero and who became the villain, so comment what you think.

I do have an answer to that (comment if you want it) but wanted this to kind of show how no one is completely good, and anyone can be a villain no matter how pure they seem, and by extension, that the opposite is true too.
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Stay safe, and remember, trust is earned, not given.