"I'm disappointed in you, Mansay."
Ales stared wordlessly in shock as Mr. Dark held up Barbara's limp body. The sorcerer held her tightly by her chin, his gloved fingers digging into the sides of her face. Her body hung lifelessly, dangling a few feet above the ground. Her helmet and axe were long ago abandoned. The sight made Ales feel sick. Silent tears rolled down his face. Ales normally tried not to show any signs of weakness in front of his master, but this time he couldn't help it. He choked back his sobs and fell to his knees. If there was one problem the barbarian had, it was that she tended to over-estimate her strengths. But to think that she could defend herself against Mr. Dark, armed with nothing but her axe and boundless confidence... There was no way she could have won.
"I thought you were smarter than this. I truly did." The sorcerer growled. In any other context, Ales would have simply been glad that his role model said he was smart. "Did you honestly think that she could have loved you?"
"Sir-"
"Silence!"
The hand that held Barbara seamed to threateningly pulse with magical energy. Ales shrunk back, not daring to say another word. "I figured that you, of all people, would have known this already. But seeing as how you have clearly proven me wrong, allow me to explain something to you." Mr. Dark's voice was as eerily calm as ever. "Love is a waste of time. It accomplishes nothing, and has no purpose but to distract you from your work."
"Now, this would have been disappointing enough on it's own." He continued, anger subtlety growing in his voice, "But you just had to fall in love with this..."
The sorcerer held Barbara up by her hair, glaring at her in pure rage.
"...This unkempt brat. This disorderly, savage, vile thing, who has the nerve to call herself a princess."
Ales felt a new emotion building up inside of him, on top of all the fear, misery, guilt, and pain he was already feeling. I was an emotion he couldn't remember ever feeling for his master.
Anger.
"Tell me: Does she mean more to you than me? Than your work? Than success?" Mr. Dark went on, "Was it worth it, Mansay?"
With every word, the unfamiliar rage grew in Ales heart.
"You don't understand, sir..." He managed
"ENOUGH!"
Mr. Dark forcefully threw down Barbara's body, hitting the tiled floors with a loud, sickening Smack!, making Ales cringe. He wanted to pick her up and hold her, protecting her from any further harm, but his fear kept him anchored where he was.
"I understand just fine!" The sorcerer roared, losing his temper. "This beast was simply trying to lead you astray! She has been feeding you nothing but lies, not the least of which being her love! To think that she could love you... That anyone could love you... You make me sick!"
A moment of silence passed, with Ales simply staring at Barbara's motionless body.
"She's still breathing." Mr. Dark said, his voice once again disturbingly emotionless. "Take her to the dungeons. Once she regains consciousness, I want you to kill her."
"Wha-"
"Trust me, Mansay. I'm doing this for your own good." Mr. Dark interrupted, "One day, you will understand. For now, I will hear no excuses. She is weak enough now that even someone like you should be able to finish the job. For your sake, and her own, you will not disappoint me."
Mr. Dark turned, walking away. For several minuets, Ales simply sat there, still trying to fully comprehend everything that happened. He had no idea if he could go through with this, but if he didn't, Mr. Dark would surely torture them both. Soon, he stood up, his legs shaking. He bent over Barbara's limp body, lifting her up bridal style, giving her one last kiss on her forehead. It was the last time he would be able to hold her, and she was cold and unconscious.
He would never again feel the soaring feeling her got in his chest when she kissed him. He'd never be able to crawl into bed with her at night after a long day of work. He'd never hear her sweet voice, or see her cute smile. He'd never again feel her arms around him, or hear her adorable laugh... and it was all because of him...
Suddenly, all the sorrow built up inside him seemed to come spilling out at once. He stopped in his tracks, clutched her tightly and wept.
"This is all my fault. I'm so sorry, Barbara. I'll always love you..."
