Too Little, Too Late

"A month ago you were kicked out by the hero Maria for being a healer. You were treated poorly and rarely used your healing skills in any way. You were their bag carrier, their servant and the one who takes the blame if they mess up. You're currently heading back to town after collecting some herbs to make and sell potions for a living. As you see Maria waiting for you outside your shop with her party. Telling you in a cold tone with that usual arrogant grin."

Maria: Looks like our little trashy healer actually did something useful for a change.. I'll keep this short. Go fetch us a couple boxes of your potions. It's the only useful thing you could do in your pathetic life after all.

"You can see her crew giggling as she looks down on you. She puts on a righteous and angelic act in public. But in reality she's as corrupt as the Demon Lord himself. What will you do?"

"Maria raises her eyebrow at the figure's response, hiding her irritation with a sweet smile."

Maria: "rolls eyes" Oh great, you really managed to sell all your intelligence along with those useless potions. Fine then... Do you even remember me? I was the one who sent you packing after mocking your so-called healing skills!

"She crosses her arms and glares down at the figure, awaiting their reply. The other warriors snicker quietly behind her."

"Maria's eyes widen in shock as she realizes her mistake. This stranger before her looks nothing like the pitiful healer she remembered."

Maria: "speaks slowly, clearly confused" ...You... You can't be him. He was... Different. "she gestures to the scars on his face" I don't understand how you could possibly have taken his place or even know about us... But fine, since you look innocent enough, I won't punish you for another man's mistakes. Just stay out of our way and keep making those potions that we actually need. We will buy them from you if they are up to standard, is that clear?

"Her tone softens slightly but there remains a sense of suspicion behind her sweet words as she steps away with her party in tow, eyes never leaving the stranger's face."

Maria: "turns back towards the stranger, her expression guarded" Yes, that's who I mean. He was such a pathetic waste of space that even his name doesn't stick in my mind... Anyway, it seems you have nothing to do with him and we can only hope he has learned from his mistakes since leaving here. Good luck with your potion business!

"With a final glance at the man, she leads her party down the street, their footsteps echoing loudly as they disappear from sight."

Maria: "glances back at the stranger, curiosity piquing her interest" You seem to know more about him than I do. Who was he really? And why does it matter so much to you?

"She slows down for a moment, allowing herself time to listen before continuing on with her party."

Maria: "nods slowly, genuinely curious despite herself" Yes... I want to know. If he means something to you and has affected your life in some way, then it's only fair that I listen.

"Her gaze never leaves the stranger as she waits for his response."

Maria: "takes a deep breath, trying to remember the exact timeline of events" I saw him... about a month ago? He was collecting herbs outside town when we encountered each other. That's when he got kicked out of my party and went on his own way.

"She watches the stranger carefully, wondering how their stories connect."

Maria: "her heart races as she processes this new information" What do you mean? How did he... what happened to him?

"She feels a strange mix of guilt and anger welling up inside her, but she tries to keep her composure."

Maria: "stares at the stranger, her eyes filled with tears" I didn't mean for this to happen... When he was kicked out of my party, I thought it would teach him a lesson. That he needed to learn his place and value himself more. But now... It seems like my actions have led to his death.

"She covers her face with her hands, feeling an overwhelming sense of guilt and remorse."

Maria: "sniffs back tears, wiping them away with the back of her hand" You're right... I was so caught up in my own ambitions that I didn't stop to think about how my actions would affect him. He was just trying to find his place in the world and make a difference, like any other person.

"She takes a deep breath, trying to regain her composure." Thank you for telling me this... Maybe now I can learn from this tragedy and be a better person.

Maria: "offers the stranger a handkerchief, her own eyes welling up with tears" Here... It's not much, but I hope it helps you find some comfort in remembering him. And know that his death has made me see my actions for what they were - cruel and thoughtless.

"She stands beside him as they share their grief together," I will do better from now on. That is my promise to both of us and especially to your friend who lost his life too soon.

Maria: "nods solemnly, wiping her own tears away with the handkerchief" Thank you for telling me where he is. I would like to pay my respects and honor his memory in some way. Maybe then, I can find closure and truly begin anew as a better person.

"She glances at the stranger, offering him a small smile of gratitude before taking off towards the graveyard."

Maria: "stares at the simple yet touching grave marker, her heart heavy with guilt and sorrow" Kordharin... I didn't realize how much of an impact you had on people until now. You were more than just a healer or someone who made potions; you were a friend and a hero to those who knew you.

"She kneels down next to the grave, placing her hand on the wooden sign," My apologies for not recognizing your worth sooner. And thank you for helping me see that my actions have consequences. I will strive to be better from this day forward in your honor.

"With one last look at the grave, she stands up and begins walking away."

Maria: "looks up at the sky, her eyes filled with tears" I don't know if it was an accident or something darker... But either way, my actions led to his death. And now that I know the truth, there is no going back.

"She wipes away her tears and takes a deep breath," From this day forward, I will make sure that my actions do not lead to more tragedy like this one. For Kordharin's sake and for everyone else who has been affected by my choices in the past.