"Excuse me, sire?" Gregory called out to Oliver.

Oliver turned to face him. "Yes?"

"I couldn't help but notice your attire," Gregory said, gesturing to Oliver's uniform. "What brings a city guard out here in the grasslands?"

Oliver knew he couldn't tell Gregory the real reason. "...Camping... I'm camping and... uhm... scouting the area to ensure that no one is lost and in danger like you," he answered with a falsified claim.

Gregory nodded. "Oh. I had no idea guards had such a busy schedule. I always thought they just stood in one place and... just stood and guard stuff," he stated.

"...Uhm... I... huh... I used to think the same thing. But as it turns out, there's more to being a guard than just standing motionless like a soulless block of ice," Oliver chuckled, trying to play along. Oliver then asked Gregory, "And what brings you out here all alone?"

     Gregory's face twisted into a frown as he closed his eyes halfway. He lowered his gaze to his lap and clasped his hands together. A trembling sigh escaped his lips, causing Oliver to feel worried and concerned.

"Greg... are you okay?" Oliver asked, noticing the sorrow in Gregory's glistening eyes.

"It's..." Gregory paused, his voice shaking with emotion. "It's just... so... tragic..." he murmured.

Oliver placed a warm, comforting hand on Gregory's shoulder. "I'm here for you, whatever it is," he said softly. "You don't have to face it alone." He insisted, "So... if you will... may you tell me what happened to such a gentleman like you...?

     Gregory closes his eyes and takes a deep breath. He narrates his memories, reliving the experiences as vivid flashbacks flash in his mind's eye. Meanwhile, Oliver listens attentively, his eyes fixed on Gregory's face.

     The memory takes Gregory back to that fateful night when he witnessed his dear friend, Oliver, trapped and helpless. Tears loaded in his eyes as he recalled the heart-wrenching scene. He had pleaded with his father, Cal, to let Oliver go—but to no avail. The weight of his failure had crushed him, leaving him devastated and grieving.

     When Oliver had escaped, Gregory dashed after his father, desperate to see whether his friend was safe. When he reached the door, he saw Oliver running away in the distance unharmed. A surge of relief flooded Gregory, and a smile spread across his face that reached his ears.

Gregory's face lit up with a grin as he cheered, "Go, Oli!" His voice was full of thrill and pride, watching Oliver hasten away.

     However, Gregory unknowingly triggered Cal with his words. And before he knew it, his father grabbed him by the collar. He felt his father's grip tighten as Cal pulled him closer with a piercing glare.

Cal raised his voice and yelled, "So, you're taking Podeshire's side now!?" His menacing stare bore into Gregory, making him feel like an ant.

     All Gregory could feel was a mix of fear and his father's intense anger. Cal then released his grip on his collar, letting him go. But it wasn't an act of mercy, for Cal's intention was more sinister.

     Cal punched Gregory, and his fist landed on Gregory's stomach, causing him to double over in excruciating pain. Crashing waves of nausea hit Gregory as he struggled to maintain his balance. As he was about to collapse and fall, he caught a glimpse of his father's knee hurtling towards his face. Then, the world went black as he lost consciousness.

     The world around Gregory became dark and eerie, and he lacked the strength to open his eyes. He lay on the cold grass, feeling helpless and alone. Despite his efforts to regain consciousness, he remained trapped in a state of unconsciousness, unable to flee from the surrounding darkness.

     After what seemed like an eternity, Gregory flickered his eyes open as he bolted upright, sitting on the cold grass. As he looked around, he saw the dawn breaking. The last time he had seen the surroundings, it was dark, but now the sun was rising in the cloudy sky, painting the horizon with a warm and soft glow.

     Gregory lacked the strength to stand as he sat on the grass while gazing at the sky. He noticed fluffy grey clouds blanketing the atmosphere. Slowly, he turned his head to the east, where he saw small streaks of sunlight piercing through the clouds, casting a golden glow across the landscape.

     Gregory quickly shook his head, his eyes scanning the environment around him. His heart slipped through his ribs as he realized he was alone. His head wandered, hoping to spot someone, but no one was in sight. The realization hit him like a ton of bricks, learning that his father had abandoned him.

"Father...?" Gregory whimpered, his voice barely above a whisper, as he scanned the surroundings, hoping to spot his father.

     Taking quick, shallow breaths, Gregory attempted to stand up on his feet. He winced in pain and had to clutch his stomach as he struggled into an upright position. Once standing, he looked around again, his eyes wide and scanning the area, confirming that he was indeed all alone and abandoned.

     Nothing was in sight but the same mansion that was abandoned like him. Although he was alone, he wasn't sure if his father had left him. He took a deep breath through his nose and began to explore, his eyes darting around as he tried to find clues.

     Gregory took small, shaky steps as his stomach and head throbbed with pain. Each step worsened the pain, causing him to grimace in agony. He stopped for a brief moment, rubbing his fingers against his forehead. Despite the pain, he knew he couldn't give up and forced himself to continue moving forward.

     As Gregory reached the mansion's porch, the dizziness that had plagued him began to subside. However, his scowl deepened, and his brows furrowed as he realized the household was dead silent. Despite his hope of finding someone, there was no sign of life.

"Father?" Gregory called out for the last time, hoping for a response as his voice echoed through the empty halls.

     Gregory's call echoed throughout the empty mansion, but there was no response, learning that he was alone. He took a few more steps as his eyes scanned the hallway until he reached an intersection. Without hesitation, he turned left and approached the doorway at the end of the hall.

     Entering the room, Gregory met the area with destruction and despair. The wooden floorboards were cracked and splintered, scattered haphazardly everywhere, as a wall of sturdy soil erupted and burst through the floor. Thick thorns, summoned by Oliver, still circled a corner of the room, a menacing reminder of what occurred last night. And lying on the ground was the same rope that tied up his companion.

     Taking slow and careful paces forward, Gregory made his way through the gaps in the wall of hard soil. He approached the same pillar where his friend had been tied up earlier and knelt in front of it. Gregory then bumped his head on the pillar, causing tears to gush down his face.

     Gregory leaned in and brushed his head against the cold surface of the pillar as his tears fell. He then grabbed the rope lying in a messy pile on the floor. Picking up the frayed ends of the rope, his mind raced with thoughts of using it to end his suffering. He began to loop the rope into a noose, and his hands shook with fear and uncertainty.

"Oliver..." Gregory whispered as his body trembled with deep emotions.

     As Gregory looked around the room, his eyes fell upon a few warm, fiery copper hair strands scattered on the floor, unmistakably belonging to his dear friend, Oliver. Memories of their time together flooded Gregory's mind. His heart felt heavy, and he struggled to hold back tears as he battled the overwhelming sorrow that threatened to swallow him.

     Gregory's eyes locked on the noose that he had made, and disgust struck him as he clenched his teeth. He threw it away from him and stood up, backing away from the rope. His eyes then lingered on the copper hair strands that belonged to his beloved friend. Sighing, he turned and walked out of the room.