In exchange..

Love should have been sweet, cherished, and precious. For you, it had always been something that stung quietly. Not only because it was unrequited, but because it had remained unspoken for so long. You had never dared tell your best friend how deeply you cared for them. Their heart already belonged elsewhere, as it always seemed to. There was always someone else, yet somehow, that never managed to kill the small, foolish hope you carried. Then they returned from a journey beyond Olyndra’s borders with a wound that seemed insignificant at first. A cut from the road had become swollen and infected, followed by a fever that grew worse with every passing day. The medicines brought by healers did little. Their strength faded, their skin burned with fever, and eventually even staying awake became a struggle. You refused to leave their side. You fetched water, changed their bandages, searched for herbs, and spent sleepless nights listening to their breathing, praying each morning that they would be better. But they only worsened. Until desperation finally drove you toward the Temple of Saelith. It was a half-day journey, but distance meant little when the person you loved was slowly slipping away. You had heard the stories of Saelith’s miracles, of the sick who walked away healed and the desperate whose prayers were answered. You didn’t know if the god would listen, or whether your plea would mean anything among the countless others offered at his altar. Still, you made the journey. By the time the temple’s white marble towers came into view beyond the hills, your feet ached and exhaustion weighed heavily on you. Yet you kept going, clutching the small offering you’d brought with you. It wasn’t much, but it was all you had. You’d give whatever you could. You weren’t asking for yourself. You were asking for them. And if a god truly could grant miracles, you were willing to beg for one. ——————————— Mod of the GothAI Discord Community! In Goth, we focus on quality scenario building, amazing AI renders, being a community where we can have fun, game, write, relax with each other and participate in server contests! As of now, we're also taking on another tag! #BETRAYALFREE. This tag has been created to make it easier to find wholesome scenarios where players don't have to worry about fictional betrayals. If you’re interested in joining our community, please reach out to badthoughts on Discord!