The Cursed Extra: Bloodline of Sacrifice

Over time, Arthur became a pillar of the village, always the first to lend a hand and the last to ask for anything in return.

Caspian saw moments that showcased Arthur's quiet heroism:

Helping an elderly man repair his roof during a storm.

Teaching the village children to read using his mother's old books.

Sharing his harvest with families who had nothing to eat.

Arthur's kindness was boundless, and the villagers adored him for it.

Caspian's heart swelled as Arthur met the love of his life, a spirited woman named Eliza.

She was the only one who could match his determination and wit, and their love story was one of stolen glances, shared laughs, and a bond that deepened with each passing day.

They married under the village's ancient oak tree, with the entire community celebrating their union.

Eliza and Arthur worked side by side, building a life of happiness despite the hardships they faced.

A year after their marriage, Eliza died in childbirth, along with their unborn child.

Arthur was shattered.

Caspian felt the suffocating grief, the emptiness that consumed him as he stood by two graves—his wife and child buried beneath the same earth he had once nurtured.

Despite his pain, Arthur continued to live for the sake of others.

He became the village's protector, standing against bandits who threatened their peace and rallying the community during times of crisis.

Even when his body grew weary with age, his spirit remained unyielding.

Caspian watched as Arthur, now an old man with silver hair, sat on his porch, watching the children of the village play.

He smiled, though his eyes carried the weight of a lifetime of loss and sacrifice.

"I've done my best," Arthur murmured, his voice tinged with both pride and sorrow. "I hope it was enough."

"I miss you Eliza,"

The memory fast-forwarded

Arthur lay in his bed, surrounded by villagers who had come to bid him farewell.

Each face bore a look of gratitude, their lives forever changed by Arthur's kindness.

"You were more than enough," one of them said, tears streaming down her face.

Arthur smiled faintly, his gaze fixed on the ceiling. "Ma… Pa… Eliza… I'll see you soon."

With those words, he took his last breath.

The village mourned him as a hero, a man who had lived not for himself but for the good of others.

...

The memory dissolved, and Caspian found himself back in the church, his chest heaving and his eyes wet with tears.

Arthur's life had unfolded before him, a story of resilience, kindness, and quiet strength.

"He didn't deserve to suffer so much," Caspian whispered. "He deserved a better ending."

Then his vision blurred once more.

The golden hues of the church dissolved into shadows, and a new world materialized around him.

This time, the scene began in a quaint and bustling market square.

Children ran barefoot across the cobblestones, merchants shouted over one another to advertise their wares, and the smell of freshly baked bread filled the air.

In the midst of it all, a young man stood at the heart of the square, his eyes bright with ambition.

He was no more than twenty, with unruly dark curls and a contagious smile.

Caspian watched him navigate the chaos, weaving between stalls with practiced ease.

The man's name was Elias

Elias was a blacksmith's apprentice.

His master, an old and gruff man named Garret, often barked orders, but there was an unspoken fondness between them.

Elias had no family, having lost his parents to war when he was a child.

Garret had taken him in, not out of charity but because he saw the potential in the boy's nimble hands and sharp mind.

One fateful day, while delivering a set of horseshoes to the nearby manor, Elias encountered someone —a girl.

She was sitting in the garden, sketching flowers with delicate strokes of charcoal on paper.

Her hair was the color of sunlight, cascading in loose waves over her shoulders.

She was not the type of person Elias expected to meet—a noblewoman named Amy.

When she looked up, their eyes met.

She smiled, and something within Elias shifted.

"Are you the blacksmith's apprentice?" she asked.

"Yes, my lady," Elias replied, bowing awkwardly.

"Do you make swords?"

"I help, but my master does most of the work."

Her laughter rang out like a melody.

"You should take credit for your efforts, apprentice."

From that day, their paths crossed often.

Amy would find excuses to visit the forge, pretending to inquire about repairs for her family's estate.

Elias, despite his nerves, found himself drawn to her warmth and wit.

As the months passed, their friendship blossomed into something deeper.

They began meeting in secret, their connection growing stronger with every stolen moment.

Elias worked tirelessly to save enough money to buy his freedom from Garret, who had no idea of the budding romance.

One evening, as they sat by a quiet riverbank under a canopy of stars, Elias made a promise.

"I'll build a home for us, Amy," he said.

"A place where we can be together, away from the rules of your world and mine."

Tears glistened in her eyes as she placed her hand over his.

"I believe in you, Elias. I always will."

Their love was not without challenges. When Amy's family discovered their relationship, they were furious.

She was locked away in her chambers, forbidden from seeing Elias again.

Undeterred, Elias continued working, pouring his heart into every swing of the hammer.

He earned his freedom and used his savings to purchase a plot of land on the outskirts of the village.

Eventually, Amy defied her family and escaped.

They married in a small, humble ceremony.

Life was hard but beautiful.

They built their home with their own hands, a cozy cottage surrounded by wildflowers.

Elias expanded his trade, becoming a renowned blacksmith, while Amy cultivated a garden that became the envy of the village.

Years passed.

Their family grew, with the arrival of a spirited daughter named Lilia and a mischievous son named Rowan.

Caspian watched as Elias taught Rowan the art of forging, his hands steady despite the creases of age.

He saw Amy and Lilia tending to the garden, their laughter carrying on the breeze.

Elias and Amy's s love remained as strong as ever.

Every evening, they would sit together on the porch, reminiscing about their struggles and triumphs.

"Do you ever regret leaving everything behind?" Elias asked one night, his voice soft.

"Never," Amy replied, leaning her head on his shoulder. "You are my everything, Elias."

Time took its toll.

Elias's once-strong hands became frail, and his steps grew slower.

One winter morning, he fell ill and never recovered.

Caspian found himself in their bedroom, watching as Amy held Elias's hand.

Their children stood silently by the bed, their faces etched with sorrow.

"I wish we had more time," Elias murmured.

"We've had a lifetime, my love," Amy replied, her voice steady despite the tears in her eyes.

As the light faded from Elias's eyes, he whispered his final words.

"Thank you… for everything."

Amy pressed a kiss to his forehead, her tears falling onto his cheek.

Caspian felt his heart ache as he witnessed their final moments.

He had seen their love, their struggles, and their joys.

He had lived a lifetime with them, and now, he felt the weight of their loss as if it were his own...