Souls End

Wilhelm took a seat by the fire, his face etched with a deep sadness that Marcus had never seen before. The flickering flames cast shadows across the room, dancing over Wilhelm's furrowed brow and weary eyes.

"You were never meant to know," Wilhelm began, his voice barely above a whisper. "But the world has a way of forcing the truth into the light, whether we want it to or not."

Marcus sat across from him, his heart pounding in his chest. "Tell me, Wilhelm. Tell me who I am."

Wilhelm's gaze met Marcus's, and for a moment, he seemed to hesitate. Then he sighed, the weight of years pressing down on him. "Your name is Marcus Fontaine. You were born in a village called Montclair, far from here. A village that no longer exists because of a war that should never have reached it."

Marcus's breath caught in his throat. "Montclair? I've never heard of it."

"Few have," Wilhelm said, his tone bitter. "It was a peaceful place, untouched by the war, until the day the Germanian army marched through. They left nothing behind but ashes and memories."

Marcus felt a knot form in his stomach. "And my parents? Who were they?"

"Your father, Lucien Fontaine, was a blacksmith from what I saw in your house," Wilhelm said, his voice heavy with sorrow. "A good man who risked his life to protect you. Your mother, Emilia, was as kind as they come as she begged for you to be left alive. They loved you more than anything. They fought to protect you, but... they couldn't."

The room fell silent, the weight of Wilhelm's words hanging heavily in the air. Marcus struggled to process the revelation, his mind reeling with the sudden knowledge of a past he had never known.

"What happened to them?" Marcus finally asked, his voice barely audible.

Wilhelm looked away, unable to meet Marcus's eyes. "They died trying to save you.I killed your father. Your mother begged for your life. In the end, they gave everything so you could live."

Marcus's hands clenched into fists, his nails digging into his palms. "And you? So were one of those soldiers."

Wilhelm nodded slowly, his expression one of deep regret. "I was. But when I saw what was happening, I couldn't be a part of it. I took you, hoping to give you a chance at a life they wanted for you,a life far from war and pain."

Marcus stood abruptly, his emotions a whirlwind of anger, grief, and confusion. "You raised me in a lie. You let me believe this was my home, that you were my father. How could you do that?"

"I did what I thought was right," Wilhelm said, his voice firm but laced with pain. "I tried to protect you. I knew the truth would hurt you, but I believed it was the only way to keep you safe."

Tears threatened to spill from Marcus's eyes, but he held them back. "I deserve to know who I am. You can't keep me in the dark anymore."

Wilhelm nodded, his expression resigned. "You're right. You deserve to know everything. But you must understand, knowing the truth will put you in danger. The world outside this village is harsh and unforgiving. Once you step into it, there's no going back."

Marcus took a deep breath, steadying himself. "I don't care about the danger. I need to know. I need to understand who I am and where I come from."

Wilhelm rose to his feet, placing a hand on Marcus's shoulder. "Then we'll face it together. I've told you everything I know. And when you're ready, we'll find the answers you seek."

The fire crackled in the hearth, its warmth a stark contrast to the cold truth that had settled over the room. Marcus knew his life had changed forever, and though fear gripped him, a spark of determination ignited within him.

He would uncover the secrets of his past, no matter the cost.

The room felt cold, the flickering candle casting long shadows across the walls. Marcus stood still, absorbing the weight of Wilhelm's words. His mind was a whirlwind of emotions,confusion, frustration, and a deep sense of loss.

"I've always thought I knew who I was," Marcus said quietly, his voice barely above a whisper. "But now, I'm not sure of anything."

Wilhelm leaned forward, his hands clasped together, eyes full of regret. "I've told you all I know, Marcus.Your parents were ordinary, good people, caught up in something tragic."

Marcus's jaw tightened. "Then why the secrecy? Why hide the truth from me?"

Wilhelm sighed deeply. "I thought it was for the best. To protect you from the pain of losing them in such a senseless way. Your parents wanted you to have a normal life, away from the tragedy that took them from you."

The weight of Wilhelm's words pressed heavily on Marcus's shoulders. He felt a surge of frustration but also a deep, gnawing sadness. There was no grand conspiracy, no hidden destiny,just a boy left to piece together the remnants of his past.

"I can't stay here," Marcus said firmly, his eyes meeting Wilhelm's. "I need to know more about where I come from, who I am. I need to go to Francillion. Maybe there, I can find the answers I'm looking for."

Wilhelm's expression softened, though his concern was evident. "Marcus, Francillion is a long way from here, and it's a difficult journey. Are you sure that's what you want to do?"

Marcus nodded, his resolve hardening. "I have to. I can't keep living in the shadows of the past. I need to see Francillion for myself, to understand the life my parents had, and to find my place in it."

Wilhelm stood, placing a reassuring hand on Marcus's shoulder. "If that's your decision, I'll support you. But we'll need to prepare. We'll head to the Capital of Germanica tomorrow, get the supplies we need, and then… we'll set out for Francillion."

Marcus felt a flicker of hope amidst the uncertainty. "Thank you, Wilhelm. For everything."

Wilhelm gave a small nod. "We'll get through this together. One step at a time."

As the candle burned low, Marcus stared out the window into the dark night. Francillion was far, but his path was clear. He would uncover the truths that lay hidden there, even if they were buried in the ashes of the past. Tomorrow, their journey would begin, and with it, Marcus would begin to forge his own destiny.