Stone Village Ruins- III

This building was vastly different from the others. It was bigger and more artistic.

There were four pillars that supported the roof.

Well, now there were only two left.

"We have to be careful, if those pillars broke, then we would surely die." I cautioned.

"Indeed, but first take a look at the back." Robert spoke a little incoherently.

I shifted my focus from pillars to the wall behind. It looked like something violently entered from there. The whole wall was broken in the middle.

"Looks like the door was not damaged because of this."

Whatever it was, that entered here, surely had a grand entry. We slowly started approaching the surroundings.

There on one of the remaining pillars, was a deep claw mark.

The mark was around 3 feet long. There were three deep slashes.

I surely don't think this was a beast we had ever seen. It must be an apex predator of those times.

I was thinking of why there were no bones present of anyone.

I had thought they might have relocated, but now it is quite clear that they perished.

As for why no bones were left. Well, that beast must have been quite hungry to even eat the bones.

We surveyed the surroundings. There really was nothing here.

A big disappointment. Too big of a blow.

While walking I felt I stepped on something.

I bent down and picked it up. It was round & too well preserved.

I don't know from what it was made, but even I, a layman could guess what it was.

A coin.

A coin from bygone era.

Well, useless.

"I found this, Robert."

"What is it?"

"Well, maybe a coin or something else don't know. But this must be made from a valuable ore.

Even stones have deteriorated, but this coin is still in pristine condition."

"It is quite valuable. Isn't it?"

"I think so."

"S..r.." Robert muttered something vague.

"What did you say?" I was distracted in examining the coin, fully focusing on it.

"I said, I am SORRY."

After hearing this, I knew something was wrong, I was about to turn around, but I felt a sudden hit on my back.

I went flying forward and landed with a thud.

A painful cry escaped my lips.

I gathered my strength and turned around and was met with the sight of Robert of crying while muttering sorry continuously.

"What are you doing, Robert?" I screamed furiously. My innards were hurting as hell.

"I…I am sorry, I have to kill you."

Why?

WHY?

"Why, Robert why? I don't think for a mere coin, you are betraying me." I practically screamed at him.

I was angry, truly angry.

The real reason for my anger was that this piece of fucking shit betrayed me.

Expecting them to betray is one thing but to actually get betrayed is another.

And that too from this fool.

"No, no, I. I didn't betray you for this. I would never. Cayne, I..I want to be the leader of this group, I want to be famous.

All my life people have looked down on me, for my lowly status. I WANT to raise my status and prove everyone that the past me of Earth doesn't exist.

I want to be a leader, not your subordinate….

'Bullshit. You can become leader by killing me. Where is fucking such a good deal.'

…. and Jia said that if you are not present, I can become the leader.

If you are alive, I will always be beneath you." Robert spoke with a jealous and determined look.

Hearing this, my eyes rolled at the back of my head.

'Shit, that Jia fucking used this fool. Can't believe it. Too stupid, dammit.'

Even at this grave moment I felt pity for him as a man, 'I don't know about anything else, but you will always be beneath me in intelligence, Robert. She was right.'

But,

I can't die like this. I have to do something.

I looked towards Robert.

"Robert, Jia is using you. She was in a relationship with Steven, and will surely ditch you as well, please don't listen to her." I tried persuading him.

"No, Jia is not like that, she was forced by Steven before. She has already told me that I will be her only one." He said with a soft look in his eyes.

'Idiot.'

"Robert, if you will kill me now, then you would go back alone, others will surely doubt it, they will never accept a betrayer as leader. I..I am willing to give my position to you, if you will let me live." I proposed to him.

"I will…will kill everyone here, then tell others that the lion killed us in fight." He spoke in a determined tone.

'Maniac.'

I have to try something else.

"Robert, you remember what we had promised each other. We had promised that we would survive in this world together. We would find our families, don't you remember.

You have to honour your promise. You have too."

At this moment I was practically begging him.

He just heard it and once again sobbed.

"I am sorry, I am really sorry. I promise that I will find your family and protect them with my life."

'Who the hell wants you to protect them?'

"I have to kill you. Sorry." Robert spoke in determined tone.

"Farewell, Cayne."