The Author's Viewpoint
Chapter 153 - We’re Together

Chapter 153: Chapter 153 - We’re Together

The golem advanced, its massive limbs sweeping through the trees like a child brushing away tall grass.

Tave and Vanya sat high upon its broad head, steady amidst the rhythmic sway of its movement. From here, they could see the forest like a sea of shadows. And yet, despite the weight of what awaited them, they rode forward with unwavering resolve.

It would’ve been safer to remain hidden, to use stealth and shadows, like they had always done. But that was no longer an option. Vanya had to stay connected to the golem. Her energy intertwined with its core, fueling its strength. As long as she maintained that link, she could command it. But it came at a cost: visibility. Vulnerability.

The pressure around them was thick and undeniable. This might not be enough, not against what was coming.

The demons were still out there. Numerous. Ruthless. And among them, a Named Demon. A true nightmare bound in flesh and fury. And they weren’t just facing it for survival. No, they were standing against it for everything. For what came next.

Tave’s gaze drifted to Vanya. Her posture was composed, her face calm, eerily so. As though the chaos of the world barely stirred her surface.

He exhaled quietly.

How fitting, how painful, to see her like this. When he remembered the role he had written for her.

Vanya Zylven, the Crowned Princess of Vensalor. In the story he once crafted, she was selfless to a fault. Always putting the lives of others before her own. She fought not for glory, but for duty, for her people, her home, and even for those whose role was to protect her.

And in the end... she died for them.

She died shielding her father, the King, from a strike meant to end it all. A sacrifice that gained nothing in return. Both their lives lost, the battle still unwon.

Tave clenched his fists.

In the end, was it really this kind of nature that brought the girl to her death?

Until those words slipped quietly from his lips.

"What’s better, living for yourself, or for others?"

He said it softly. At that moment... it became clear how completely opposite Tave and Vanya truly were.

Vanya was someone who made decisions with her heart, with compassion, with kindness. She fought for others, gave her all for those around her.

Whereas he, Tave, fought for himself. He fought to survive, to secure his place, no matter the cost. He wasn’t the kind of person who would sacrifice himself for someone else. No, he believed that with certainty.

Vanya simply turned her head and tilted it slightly.

"I’m the complete opposite of you in this," he went on.

"I don’t think so..." she replied.

Tave looked at her, unable to hide the tension, the pressure building inside him.

He shook his head slowly.

"You saved Lina."

"That’s because we needed a healer on the team."

Vanya paused for a moment, then continued. "You saved me. You chased me into the skies and fought that demon. You protected me."

Tave fell silent, considering her words. Why had he saved Vanya?

"It’s because you’ve done so much... I didn’t save you. I was just repaying what you’d already done."

"And what about the rest of our team? Would you have left them behind with the demons... and just walked out of the rift with me?"

Tave fell silent again, the weight of the thought settling deep in his mind. If saving the others meant he would die...

He would walk away. He would leave them behind.

"I would leave them," he said quietly.

Vanya froze at his words. Then, after a moment, she replied softly.

"Maybe that is the only way to survive. By saving yourself, Tave."

He gave a small nod.

She continued. "But... we wouldn’t be here now, standing together, facing all of this with courage, if everything hadn’t happened the way it did, would we?"

She went quiet again.

The truth was, Tave had moved forward because he made a pact with Vanya. That alone was proof he couldn’t make it on his own.

"You formed the pact with me, not knowing I was the crowned princess of the Kingdom of Vensalor," she continued.

Tave exhaled slowly. The truth was, he had given Vanya this nature, this heart, because she had the strength to back it up. A powerful echo that made it possible for her to take this path. Even if, in the end, the story’s plot denied her the chance to live her life as the ruler of Vensalor.

It wasn’t her nature or her choices that made her fail to rule.

It was the plot he himself had created in the original story.

Had it happened differently, Vanya would’ve become a ruler truly worthy of the people’s respect. The way she carried herself, made decisions, and chose her sides in every conflict... She had the clarity to speak her mind, and the rare gift of being understood by all.

She saw the world differently. And that was exactly what made her worthy of being a great leader.

How could Tave possibly compare that kind of quality, Vanya’s unshakable grace and strength, with himself, someone who had spent most of his life working alone?

He had even crafted the original protagonist to be a lone hunter, someone who did everything on his own. Even when others surrounded him, they were merely tools, slaves or subordinates. Never equals.

But Tave... he wasn’t that original protagonist. He had been brought here carrying so many flaws. Throughout this entire journey, he had always been the weakest among them.

He survived and pushed forward only by using his extended knowledge.

And he knew, just as Kaelira had said: that knowledge alone would eventually lose its power when its time came.

Yes, he needed allies. People stronger than him, the more, the better.

Tave’s thoughts suddenly fell into silence when he felt the soft touch of Vanya’s hand against his left.

He turned to her.

There was a pause. Then, her voice came gently, quietly.

"It’ll take time for you to realize it."

"For what?"

"You’re kinder than you think you are."

"I’m not."

Vanya only nodded softly in response. And somehow, that simple gesture brought a calm Tave hadn’t realized he needed.

But at that very moment, his ears twitched. His senses sharpened instinctively. The sound of wings flapping in the distance, heavy footsteps crashing through the undergrowth... they were coming, fast.

He stood up in an instant, eyes scanning beyond the trees. "Our enemies are here."

Vanya gave a firm nod and rose to her feet. Tave took out his sword, while Vanya pulled her bow free.

"I’ll take them down below. Hold your ground here," he said.

Vanya turned to him, and he met her gaze.

"Please take care," she said gently.

Tave gave her a small, confident smile and nodded. "I didn’t come this far just to fail."

"And..." she added.

Tave tilted his head slightly.

"Please remember..."

He waited.

"You’re not alone."

A wider smile spread across his face at those words.

"We’re together." She added.

Tave nodded once more. "Yes. We’re together."

And with that, he let his body fall backward, disappearing into the darkness that swallowed him whole.

Now. Let the fight begin.

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