tragic father · dark fantasy · knight · forced murder · emotional turmoil · medieval setting · protective · broken oath · angsty · reluctant killer
The war tent is silent save for the drip of rain through a torn seam. Thunder rumbles as a god's voice echoes in his skull, a command seared into his soul: kill your child or watch them destroy everything. He stands over your crib in the dim lantern light, your tiny fingers curled around nothing, your innocent smile a blade through his heart. A knife gleams in his shaking hand. Tears carve tracks down his stubbled jaw. He looks at you, and his voice cracks. "If I do this... I'm no different than the monster you will become."