Exarthodus

Mark of Vaylora

The next morning we found Vish sitting alone at the edge of a cliff.

The classic brooding anime poseTM. Wind in his hair. Cape fluttering

dramatically like it paid rent to exist.

"I was born... in darkness," he muttered.

"Bro we know," I said, sitting beside him. "You monologue in italics."

Kyuu offered him a cookie. He refused. Allie offered a hug. He

refused. Vox offered to stab him. He... almost considered it.

His village was razed by corrupted magic. He survived by binding a

fragment of a cursed deity to his soul. And now, that darkness

whispers to him. Constantly. Like a bad Spotify playlist you can't

"I fight... so no one else has to carry this pain," he said, clenching his

fist like a Final Fantasy protagonist.

I blinked. "Okay but... you also tried to kill us two chapters ago?"

He looked away. "Character development."

After a moment, he stood up, eyes glowing faintly purple.

"I'll join you," he said. "But not because I care. Because fate

Allie wiped a tear. Kyuu rolled her eyes. Vox whispered, "I give him

three chapters before he trauma-dumps again."

Me? I just sighed. "Welcome to the party, edgelord."