Point of View: Tharok
I was an idiot.
How did I fail to notice anything?
How could I cling to a lie for so long?
The man I called father stopped walking.
Then he turned around and answered coldly.
"I am not a coward."
His words sounded ridiculous to me.
I looked at him with contempt.
"I've met many people like you during my travels."
My voice was hoarse.
"Beings without morals.
Beings capable of doing anything to achieve their goals."
Our gazes collided.
Just by looking at his face…
I could already see what he truly was.
My hatred kept growing.
But not only toward him.
Toward myself as well.
How could I ever seek recognition from someone like him?
How could I admire him?
How could I fail to see what he really was?
I stared directly at him.
"You are a coward."
His expression hardened.
But I no longer cared.
"You didn't have the courage to face my grandfather, so you used Marek to poison him.
You didn't have the courage to face my mother, so you used Sara."
His voice exploded with anger.
"I am not a coward."
My smile turned mocking.
Finally…
Finally, cracks were appearing in that mask of superiority.
"Then why did you never approach me?"
He fell silent.
That was enough of an answer.
I burst into laughter.
"Hahahaha…"
Then I understood.
Something clicked inside my head.
My eyes narrowed.
"I'm sure you arrived before Sara and Marek… didn't you?"
His expression darkened even more.
My contempt deepened.
"You used them to test me.
You wanted to make sure I was completely defenseless before showing yourself."
His hands began to tremble.
I could clearly feel his killing intent.
And even so…
He never approached me.
I laughed even louder.
"Hahahahahaha…"
Using every bit of strength I had left, I forced myself to take a step toward him.
My body screamed in pain.
My wounds split open even further.
The chains restricted my movement.
But I didn't care.
I wanted to see him react.
And it worked.
He stepped back.
My eyes filled with contempt.
"And you still dare call yourself brave?"
I was right.
He feared me.
Even now.
Even wounded.
Even chained.
Even without Origin Energy.
I commented coldly,
"You're pathetic."
That completely shattered his mask.
His body trembled with rage.
But he never advanced.
Never got closer.
He didn't dare.
I smiled slowly.
"You don't know what my second art is…
And that terrifies you."
I never showed it to him.
I always made sure to hide it.
I didn't want to threaten his position as chief.
I didn't want others to start comparing us.
He only knew one thing.
That I possessed two arts.
And nothing more.
"Just like with my mother and grandfather…
You don't dare face me directly."
My voice grew heavier.
"That's why you want to use the abominations to finish the job for you."
He finally responded.
"And what does it matter if you know?
In the end, you'll die anyway."
Then he turned around and slowly began walking away.
He could have left much faster.
But he wanted me to see it.
He wanted to enjoy watching me unable to stop him.
Then I realized something else.
My expression darkened.
"You want to make sure I can't revive in Dalaran."
He didn't answer.
But he didn't deny it either.
The system had already explained the limitations of the resurrection altar.
The altar captures the soul before death and creates a new body.
But…
Abominations devour souls.
They consume them to evolve.
I whispered coldly,
"You want them to devour my soul before the altar can recover it."
Silence was his answer.
If the system intervened to save me…
It would break its own rules of neutrality.
Slowly, I lifted my gaze toward the dark sky filled with stars.
Snow fell gently.
I closed my eyes.
Images of my mother and grandfather appeared in my mind.
Their smiles.
Their voices.
The warmth with which they always treated me.
And then…
The pain returned.
I whispered guiltily,
"Forgive me…"
I clenched my teeth.
"I wasn't able to see the truth."
That was my true sin.
Not being weak.
Not failing to protect them.
But loving that man so much… that I refused to see what he truly was.
My breathing slowly stabilized.
So did my thoughts.
And when I opened my eyes again…
There was no doubt left inside me.
Only hatred.
Only fury.
Only the desire for revenge.
I watched Rogan's back disappear through the falling snow.
And I whispered,
"I will fulfill your final wish, Mother."
I would avenge my grandfather.
And her as well.
I didn't care about the price.
I didn't care what I had to sacrifice.
Even if I had to destroy myself to achieve it…
I would do it.
I continued staring at his retreating figure.
"I was an idiot…"
My voice was low.
Heavy.
"An idiot who refused to accept the truth."
But that would end here.
My eyes filled with such intense killing intent that even the air seemed colder.
"I will kill you."
I tightened my grip on the chains.
"No matter what I have to do.
No matter what I have to sacrifice.
I will kill you."
Then I raised my voice.
"Father!"
Rogan stopped.
I smiled slowly.
A cold smile.
A dark smile.
"Don't you want to know what my second art is?"