Monster?

The palace, ever vigilant of power that lay beyond its control, soon turned its gaze toward Reina. Her growing wealth and influence, coupled with her fearsome reputation, made her an unsettling figure. Stories of her dark presence in the forest, her sharp negotiations with the envoys, and her mysterious ability to move freely through the cursed woods spread far and wide. The villagers whispered that Reina was no ordinary human, a rumor the palace was quick to weaponize.

Whispers became allegations, and soon tales of Reina being a witch or demon took root. The palace fueled these rumors, painting her as a malevolent force who manipulated the forest's darkness and dabbled in forbidden powers. These claims resonated with the villagers, who had long regarded Reina with suspicion and fear. The stench of blood that sometimes wafted from the forest became proof of her alleged crimes, and her aloof demeanor was twisted into evidence of her wickedness.

But the palace knew that to truly act against Reina, they needed more than baseless accusations—they needed Ivor. The "angel" of the village was loved and trusted, and his alignment with the palace would legitimize their claims. The envoys approached Ivor, framing their agenda as one of protection and justice. They warned him that Reina's growing power posed a danger not only to the village but to him as well.

"She has no love for the people here," they said. "Her actions only serve her own interests. You've seen how she hides in the forest, avoiding the community. Do you really think someone like her won't turn on you one day?"

Ivor, still trusting in the palace's authority and motivated by his desire to protect the villagers, felt torn. He knew Reina was fierce and unyielding, but she had never directly harmed him—or anyone in the village that he could prove. Yet, the seeds of doubt planted by the palace began to take root. Their warnings about her supposed evil, combined with the villagers' fear, weighed heavily on his mind.

Finally, Ivor agreed to side with the palace. He believed their actions were necessary to keep the village safe, even if it meant standing against Reina. However, in the back of his mind, there lingered a flicker of guilt. Deep down, he wondered if he was betraying someone who might not truly be the monster they claimed she was.

Ivor walks into the forest with heavy steps, his golden hair dim under the canopy of darkness. The villagers had watched him go, their faces a mix of hope and fear. No one dared follow.

Reina is waiting for him in a clearing, seated on a fallen tree. The air smells of blood, and the shadows seem to coil around her like living creatures. When she looks up, her black eyes burn with a mixture of anger and exhaustion.

"So, they finally sent their golden boy to kill the monster," she says, her voice dripping with mockery. "How predictable."

Ivor hesitates, the light in his heart flickering under the weight of doubt. He had been told that Reina was the cause of the villagers' misfortunes, that her growing power endangered them all. But standing before her now, he can't deny the faint memories of the girl she used to be—the one who mocked him but never lied, who took what she wanted but never pretended to be kind.

"You've hurt too many people, Reina," he says, though his voice lacks conviction. "This has to stop."

Reina laughs, a sharp, bitter sound. "Hurt too many people? Look at yourself, Ivor. They've drained you dry, and you still smile like an idiot. Do you really think they love you? They don't care about you. They care about what you can do for them."

Ivor clenches his fists, struggling to hold onto the image of her as a villain. "At least I try to help! All you've done is prove them right about you. You're exactly what they say you are—a monster."

Her expression hardens, but for a moment, a flicker of pain crosses her face. "Maybe I am," she says quietly. "But at least I'm not blind."

They clash—Reina's shadows surging like a tidal wave, Ivor's golden aura blazing in response. The forest trembles under the force of their battle. Despite his strength, Ivor finds himself outmatched. Reina's anger fuels her, and she brings him to his knees.

But when the final blow is within her grasp, she hesitates.

"I can't do it," she mutters, stepping back. "I can't kill you."

Ivor looks up at her, his face a mixture of confusion and relief. "Why?"

"Because you're the only one who ever believed I was anything more than a monster," she says, her voice breaking. "Even now, I think… maybe you were right."