End of story I will never write -
“Do it now!” the adventuring party yelled.
They stood before the nearly-defeated villain, urging their bard to use the magical weapon to end the enemy and send them all home. But, the bard hesitated. Hands gripped the magical weapon tight. The blade never wavered, but neither did the Bard move.
They asked, “What are you waiting for?”
The villain laughed. He smiled and asked, “What are you waiting for? I won’t repent for what I’ve done.”
“I know,” agreed the Bard.
“You,” said the villain, looking the Bard in the eyes, “did always know me the best. So, you can tell when I am lying. Hear me, Bard. They want to go home and leave you here.”
“No,” shouted the party. “He is lying to you!”
The villain continued to stare the Bard in the eye.
“What are you waiting for? An invitation?! Kill him!” shouted the party.
The Bard smiled at the Villain and said, “I know. I know I will be left here.”
The party ceased their baying and looked at the Bard with questions in their eyes.
“And, I know there is nothing waiting for me back home,” continued the Bard. “Even if there was, I would gladly make this sacrifice.”
And with that statement, the Bard moved. The Bard was quicker than the party which tried to stop them and finally understood the Bard's sacrifice. The villain was struck down. The party was sent back to the realm they came from. The Bard watched them disappear in a shimmering light and smiled at how much they cared for them. As the Villain, breathed his last, he looked at the Bard.
“Yes,” said the Bard, “I promise will not leave you. You won’t ever be alone.”
The Villain smiled and died.
It is said the Bard buried him under the split tree they and their companions arrived under. The bard continues to live in this world in a small cottage by the forest’s edge. They continue to keep their promise and remain in this world until the end.












