"Y-you can't trust me? The hell does that mean!?" Cain shouted, his voice raw with desperation.
"You know exactly what I mean." Clair said calmly as she pushed back her chair and stood up.
"WAIT!" Cain jolted to his feet as well, his hands trembling. "Please, Clair, I'm begging you—I-I have nothing left." His voice cracked and his eyes watered. "Nothing… You're all there is…"
Clair's gaze softened for just a moment, but she quickly caught herself.
"Cain… I'm sorry."
She turned to leave, picking up her shield as she walked away.
Cain stood frozen, watching her go. Then, in a last plea, he called out— "Are we even rivals still!?"
Clair stopped mid-step. Her fist clenched and her nails dug into her palm. Tears started to form, but she pushed herself forward, taking another step without muttering a word…
However as she went to take another step a sudden surge of magic flared behind her. Instinctively she turned—.
"PSHHHHT!"
A thick blast of dark purple mist traveled directly at her. "GAH!!!" Clair raised her shield just in time, the mist slamming into its surface. The mist engulfed the entire tavern as screams erupted from the patrons.
Cain still stood at the table, his hand outstretched, a satisfied smirk on his face.
"CAIN, WHAT THE HELL ARE YOU DOING!?" Clair's voice rang out.
"Shut up." His tone was eerily calm. "Who do you think you are walking away like that traitor?"
A look of fury twisted Clair's face. "Traitor? You—" She broke off, suddenly coughing hard into her sleeve. When she pulled it away, she saw specks of blood.
Her eyes darted up to Cain. "What spell is this?"
Cain grinned. "What, you can't handle a little poison?"
Clair's heart dropped. "Y-you bastard…" Clair then brought her hand to her sword and tightened her grip on it as she lunged forward.
She swung straight for his neck, but Cain twisted to the side, dodging by a hair. Before he could recover, Clair bashed her shield into his chest, Cain guarded with his arms but was sent flying backward. His body crashed through the tavern wall, he landed outside with a heavy thud.
Soon the poisonous smoke followed him out through the gaping hole, spilling into the street. This was then followed by more screams of horror. Clair stood alone amidst the tavern, her breath ragged.
With the mist cleared, her eyes scanned the place. Moments earlier, the tavern which had been full of cheerful chatter was now silent. Bodies laid slumped over tables and sprawled out on the floor, blood trickling from their mouths.
Clair stomach sank, but knowing she had no time to spare she turned away and quickly ran through the hole in the wall, stepping out into the street. Cain stood in the open, with a lazy grin.
"That hurt," he mused, massaging his arms. "You nearly broke them."
Clair's teeth clenched so tightly her jaw ached. She trembled, her hands gripping the hilt of her sword so tight it felt as if her palm would soon bleed.
"Every person in there is—" Her voice cracked. "You—!"
Cain shook his head slowly, his greasy hair swaying with each motion.
"No, no, no… you killed them." His smirk widened. "If you hadn't been so stubborn, if you had just accepted my offer, none of this would've happened."
"…" At this point Clair felt as if her very being was on fire, chills of rage covered her entire body. Her sword quivered in her grip. Then with a roar, she charged.
(Andthus,Rion'sadventurecontinues…)