[F04 - SP] <<The Night's King>>

[Bahr 0]

Spoiler

• LEVEL: 36
• HP: 740 / ENERGY: 72
• EVA: 3 / MIT: 48 / ACC: 3 / DMG: 15
  
  HOME BUFFS
  » RESTED
       ➥ -1 EN FOR THE FIRST TWO TURNS OF COMBAT
  » RELAXED
       ➥ +10 TO OUT OF COMBAT HP REGENERATION
       ➥ FULL ENERGY REGENERATION AFTER TWO POSTS OUT OF COMBAT
•  
• SKILLS
• EXTRA SKILLS
  » DISGUISE
       ➥ FREE ACTION
       ➥ +1 EVA UNTIL START OF YOUR NEXT TURN
            ➥ COOLDOWN: 3 TURNS
  » MEDITATION
       ➥ POST ACTION
       ➥ RECOVER AN ADDITIONAL 10 ENERGY - GETTING HIT BY AN ATTACK BEFORE YOUR NEXT TURN REDUCES ADDITIONAL ENERGY RECOVERY TO 6
            ➥ COOLDOWN: 3 TURNS
  
  COMBAT SKILLS
  » PARRY
       ➥ POST ACTION
       ➥ REDUCE FINAL DAMAGE OF NEXT ATTACK AGAINST YOU BY 50% (ROUNDED DOWN) AND NEGATES STUN/PARALYSIS EFFECT OF THAT ATTACK
            ➥ COOLDOWN: 2 TURNS
            ➥ 5 ENERGY CONSUMED ON USE
  
  WEAPON SKILLS
  » TWO-HANDED STRAIGHT SWORD R5
       ➥ +7 DMG WHEN TWO-HANDED WEAPON IS EQUIPPED
  
  ARMOR SKILLS
  » LIGHT ARMOR R3
       ➥ +12 MIT 
  
  MODS
  » LIGHT ARMOR MOD: ATHLETICS
       ➥ +1 DMG
       ➥ +20 HP
  
  SWORD ARTS
  » [X2 AOE] BLAST
       ➥ 2 ENERGY +2 PER TARGET HIT CONSUMED ON USE
  » [X2] STRAIGHT
       ➥ 2 ENERGY CONSUMED ON USE
  » [X3] SCOOPED
       ➥ 3 ENERGY CONSUMED ON USE
  » [X4 STUN] LIGHTNING
       ➥ 7 ENERGY CONSUMED ON USE
  » [X4] CYCLONE
       ➥ 4 ENERGY CONSUMED ON USE
  » [X5] BACK RUSH
       ➥ 5 ENERGY CONSUMED ON USE
  » [X6 STUN] FIGHT BLADE
       ➥ 9 ENERGY CONSUMED ON USE
  » [X7] ASTRAL HELL
       ➥ 7 ENERGY CONSUMED ON USE
  » [X8 AOE STUN] TEMPEST
       ➥ 8 ENERGY +2 PER TARGET HIT CONSUMED ON USE
  » [X12] CALAMITOUS TRAGEDY
       ➥ 12 ENERGY CONSUMED ON USE
  » [X13] GALAXY DESTROYER
       ➥ 13 ENERGY CONSUMED ON USE
  » [X12 AOE] CALAMITY DISASTER
       ➥ 13 ENERGY +2 PER TARGET HIT CONSUMED ON USE

INVENTORY
ARMOR
» [EQUIPPED] "COAT OF THE BLOODEDGE" - LIGHT ARMOR (T1 - PERFECT)
     ➥ +3 EVA
» [EQUIPPED] "HERO'S HAKAMA" - LIGHT ARMOR (T2 - PERFECT)
     ➥ +36 MIT
     ➥ RECOVERY 1

WEAPONS
» [EQUIPPED] "SCARECROW'S SICKLE" - TWO-HANDED STRAIGHT SWORD (T2 - DEMONIC)
     ➥ +6 DMG
     ➥ BLEED

FAMILIAR
» [EQUIPPED] SWINE BAJESUS R3
     ➥ +3 ACC

BATTLE READY ITEMS
» T1 POTION OF UNCOMMON QUALITY (3)
     ➥ HEALS 40 HP
» T1 THE WORLD'S MOST ELUSIVE HOT DOG (1)
     ➥ +2 EVA

After another long day, Bahr found himself nestled within the confines of a quaint little tavern on the fourth floor that went by the name of Long Barrow. Why not White Rabbit, you ask? Well, is it really any of your business?

If you must know, he was committing to a bit of that good ol' fashioned avoidance. While his most recent run-in with Lessa seemed to have been handled amicably, he felt like the pair needed some time apart. She had a way of cracking him open like an oyster, and it wasn't really a comfortable feeling. That, and the fact that almost getting her killed hadn't really sat well with him. One day he was addicted to combat, and the very next he abhorred it as a gruesome display of animalistic vitriol and barbarism. Just what had she done to him!? Many people in Aincrad had left their mark on Bahr, but hers was perhaps the most profound.

[Bahr 0]

Still, staying idle and avoiding combat was only going to make him run stagnant. He had been hearing whispers on the fourth floor regarding a fortress in the far north, where the mountains were tall and the forests ran thick. Evidently there was a powerful mob of some sort in hiding there, an Ice King whose power had claimed the lives of countless foolish enough to enter its den. Apparently, the Long Barrow was the place to get information about this monster, and should Lessa have engaged alongside him, Bahr feared that she may have encountered the same near-death experience as before - or worse. After all, the rumors whirling around this king seemed oddly similar to those he had heard of the Lich King. If Lessa heard of such a mob and recognized that Bahr planned to fight it, he ran the risk of her demanding to tag along. And he couldn't have that.

No, it was for the best if she didn't catch wind of this. And perhaps it was for the best if Bahr went it alone this time. He really hated the fact that he seemed paralyzed by the idea of combat now, and perhaps a challenging encounter would help to stir the pot a bit.

[Bahr 0]

It seemed that Bahr was looking for a grizzle fellow that went by the name of Joramun - or, at least, that was what he had been told. Luckily, one such man seemed to be in the tavern that day, drinking silently in the isolation of a corner table and not talking to anyone or even looking around. He seemed lost in his own thoughts, the strong silent type with no need for idle chatter. Despite his status as an NPC, Bahr respected the attitude. This was his kind of company.

He sat down across from the man with his own mug of beer. "Joramun?" he inquired, taking a sip from his mug. 

"It depends on who's asking," was the blunt, deadpanned reply.

"I'm looking for this Ice King I keep hearing about. I've been told you're the man to see for info." Another sip of beer, and another flicker of the eyes. Joramun's expression didn't change at all.

[Bahr 0]

"Why bother? Everyone who fights the damn thing dies. Even my wife, the most powerful woman around these parts, couldn't stand up to that creature's might. What makes you think you would be so fortunate?" he asked before taking a few large gulps from his mug and slamming it down on the table.

"Maybe I'm up to the task, maybe I'm not. But, if you're not going to, wouldn't you like for someone to avenge your wife?" was the cold response, fired back as soon as the man stopped talking. A grin crawled across the NPCs face, and he regarded the Crimson Marauder with what almost seemed like newfound hope. There was a twinkle in his eye, a long lost glimmer of adventurous spirit he hadn't felt in years. He took another swig of his beer, eyeing Bahr the entire time. Only it wasn't a swig. This time he downed the entire remainder of the mug, allowing the liquid to pour directly down his throat without so much as a second thought.

[Bahr 0]

"Fine, I'll tell you," he relented with a grin as he slammed the mug back down on the wooden table. "What you're looking for is actually a creature known as the 'Night's King.' I say 'creature' because, while it's humanoid, it's far from human. It's a legendary undead monster that resides in a fortress made from ice and stone, whose pale skin matches the snow that coats its frozen throne. You'll find it in the highest mountain, where most others wouldn't dare to look."

Okay - so not much more info than Bahr already had. Still, it was good to get as much information as possible before setting out. 

"You've been a great help, Joramun. My name is Bahr, and I'll take care of this thing for you. If I never come back, find a woman here by the name of Lessa. She's blonde, attractive, and sometimes wears far too little clothing for this climate. You might catch her wearing a cape that floats. Tell her I hope she finds a way to move past whatever is holding her back."

"You can count on me. Now go!"

[Bahr 0]

What a miserable floor. Seriously, what were the developers thinking when they made this abominable wasteland? Wisps of wind permeated his clothes, sinking the cold into his skin and setting his teeth on edge. The journey to the mountain was long and arduous, and Bahr muttered curses to himself virtually the entire way. But with perseverance, and a little luck, he eventually managed to find something that looked like what Joramun had described. He would need to thank the man later for his input, but also curse him for not warning Bahr to bring warmer clothes.

A few mobs popped out as he examined the entrance to the fortress. The names above their heads indicated that they were Frost Wights, and they were about as brittle as they looked. Bahr effortlessly cleaved through all four of them with a single stroke of his blade, and one by one they all transformed into clouds of blue pixels.

Spoiler

Encounter: Frost Wight 1
HP: 100 | DMG: 120 | MIT: 25
Critical Bonus - 50 DMG (MD9), 60 DMG (MD10)

Encounter: Frost Wight 2
HP: 100 | DMG: 120 | MIT: 25
Critical Bonus - 50 DMG (MD9), 60 DMG (MD10)

Encounter: Frost Wight 3
HP: 100 | DMG: 120 | MIT: 25
Critical Bonus - 50 DMG (MD9), 60 DMG (MD10)

Encounter: Frost Wight 4
HP: 100 | DMG: 120 | MIT: 25
Critical Bonus - 50 DMG (MD9), 60 DMG (MD10)

Spoiler

Bahr: HP: 740/740 | EN: 72-19=53/72 | DMG: 15 | MIT: 48 | ACC: 3 | EVA: 3

Bahr used [x12 AoE] Calamity Disaster, -12 EN

Frost Wight 1: HP: 100-192=0/100 | DMG: 120 | MIT: 25 | ID: 123212 | BD: 9, Crit for 16x12=192 DMG | Frost Wight 1 defeated | -2 EN
Frost Wight 2: HP: 100-180=0/100 | DMG: 120 | MIT: 25 | ID: 123213 | BD: 6+3=9, Hit for 15x12=180 DMG | Frost Wight 2 defeated | -2 EN
Frost Wight 3: HP: 100-180=0/100 | DMG: 120 | MIT: 25 | ID: 123214 | BD: 4+3=7, Hit for 15x12=180 DMG | Frost Wight 3 defeated | -2 EN
Frost Wight 4: HP: 100-180=0/100 | DMG: 120 | MIT: 25 | ID: 123215 | BD: 3+3=6, Hit for 15x12=180 DMG | Frost Wight 4 defeated | -2 EN
-19 ENERGY TOTAL ("RESTED" HOUSE BUFF REDUCES ENERGY COST BY 1)

 

[Bahr 0]

"Wow. That was a lot easier than I thought," Bahr remarked as he watched the clouds of pixels dissipated into oblivion. They barely even classified as obstacles, as far as Bahr was concerned. That being said, he knew better than the underestimate the boss. That was exactly what had gotten Lessa in trouble the last time he took on a quest like this.

Speaking of, Bahr had noticed he gleaned no pleasure from dispatching the mobs this time. Usually, dispatching four mobs at once was an exhilarating experience for Bahr, filling him with a sense of satisfaction and sending dopamine surging through his veins. It was almost a bit frustrating that he got nothing out of it this time. Perhaps it was due to the fact that Lessa had come so close to the same fate only days beforehand. But why should Bahr care? What stake did he have in something like that? The thoughts passed through his mind like clouds past a mountain as he idly fiddled with the grip of his blade, preparing a Parry for later.
 

Spoiler

Bahr: HP: 740/740 | EN: 53+3-5=51/72 | DMG: 15 | MIT: 48 | ACC: 3 | EVA: 3

Bahr activated Parry, -5 EN

 

[Bahr 0]

Countless others had come and gone from his life. He had watched the health bars of so many other plunge into near nothingness before. He may have reacted at the time and done what he could to save them, and luckily, nobody's health bar had ever reached zero in front of him save for Zayne's. But none of them had had the same impact on Bahr as Lessa. It pissed him off. Not only the fact that somebody he barely knew had such sway over his mental state, but because it was patronizing toward her to believe that she could have actually died. 

With everyone else who had ever come so close, Bahr had always had the sense in his head that everything would be okay. That nobody would actually die, and they would all sit around at the pub afterward and drink and laugh about the whole experience. But with Lessa, it had been different. She had locked up, failed to move, and almost ended up dead for real. He had the very real fear that she would not come back from the experience. Luckily, that hadn't been the case.

[Bahr 0]

He shook his head. Enough of this nonsense. Pining over some woman who hadn't even had the good sense to dodge in the middle of combat against something that could take her down in three shots. He barely even knew the woman. He didn't know her. They had spent a collective few hours in one another's presence since they met. There was absolutely no reason for Bahr to feel so guilty about what had happened. There was no reason for him to fear for her well being and place himself in the line of fire for her. There was no reason for her to be on the forefront of his mind, infecting his every thought and distracting him from the task at hand.

But he had. And he did. And she was.

"Damn it..." he muttered to himself, looking toward the cave and steeling himself for the fight ahead. This time, there was no Lessa. There was nothing else to worry about. Just Bahr and a hopefully ludicrously powerful boss to shake him from this stupor he found himself. One could only hope.

[Bahr 0]

As he stepped into the throne room, he felt some sort of ominous power wash over him. It seemed that the Night's King had some sort of debuff active that weakened any who entered its chambers. How cheeky.

"Ahhh, so that's how you've killed them, isn't it? You've made them too weak to take you down," Bahr called out, the eye sockets of the Night's King flashing red as he did. It slowly stood from its throne and grabbed its sword before silently walking forward, its eyes fixated on Bahr. "Clever. Very clever. But you can't expect that to work forever, can you?" he jeered, the Night's King continuing to silently wander forward.

Without another word, Bahr flashed forward, putting himself within striking distance of the monster within the span of a single second, smashing the pommel into its face and forcing it to double back. Virtual blood began to seep from the freshly inflicted wound, but Bahr still didn't find himself amused.
 

Spoiler

Encounter: Night's King
HP: 450 | DMG: 300 | MIT: 50
Critical Bonus - 85 DMG (BD9), 100 DMG (BD10)

«Weaken Area»
(Passive)
Players facing the Night's King within his throne room receive a variable debuff to their base damage. If their base damage is above 12, it will automatically be reduced to 12. If their base damage is below 12, no change will occur. The bonus damage from charge is nullified as well, although the effects of the skill’s mods are not.

Spoiler

Bahr: HP: 740/740 | EN: 72-9=63/72 | DMG: 12 | MIT: 48 | ACC: 3 | EVA: 3

Parry active
Bahr used [x8 AoE Stun] Tempest, -8 EN 

Night's King: HP: 450-62-24=364/450 | DMG: 300 | MIT: 50 | ID: 123217 | BD: 10, Crit for 14x8=112-50=62 DMG | STUN INFLICTED | BLEED INFLICTED | BLEED INFLICTS 24 DMG | MD: STUNLOCKED | -2 EN
-9 ENERGY TOTAL ("RESTED" HOUSE BUFF REDUCES ENERGY COST BY 1)

 

[Bahr 0]

Bahr's blade began to vibrate with white-hot intensity, but then it petered out. It seemed that Scarecrow's Sickle was yet again hellbent on defying him. Oddly enough, he didn't care. 

"You know, usually I get a real kick out of fighting mobs like you. But do you want to know something strange? I'm not getting that vibe this time. I should be shaking in my boots, riding the thrill of fear and quivering with anticipation. But I'm not. And it's all because of this stupid girl..."

The Night's King did not respond. Somehow, however, it had a knowing look in its expression.

"Yeah, you get it. I'm sure that at some point in your hollow virtual existence, something has gotten to you. Or, at least, I hope so. Maybe not. You are just lines of code, after all. But I'd still hope that you were programmed with something more than just 'kill, kill, kill.'"
 

Spoiler

Bahr: HP: 740/740 | EN: 63+1-2=62/72 | DMG: 12 | MIT: 48 | ACC: 3 | EVA: 3
CD: 5 (No extra energy recovered this turn)

Parry active
Bahr used [x13] Galaxy Destroyer, -2 EN FOR MISS

Night's King: HP: 364-24=340/450 | DMG: 300 | MIT: 50 | ID: 123219 | BD: 1, Miss | BLEED INFLICTS 24 DMG | BLEED EXPIRES | MD: 2-3=-1, Miss

 

[Bahr 0]

And that's when it hit Bahr like a ton of bricks. That's all he had been doing for the past several months. Kill, kill, kill. Nothing more, nothing less. He had become enraptured by the sensation of dominating his foes, rendering them to dust beneath the might of his sword. He was no more complex or 'good,' than the mob before him, despite his best intentions. So what was it about Lessa that changed that in him? How had she altered the formula? What about her had jarred him from that mental state?

No time to think. The Night's King was coming in, and Bahr had been too lost in thought to worry about avoiding its attack. He jammed the tip of his sword into the ground and shoulder checked it at the exact moment the Night's King's sword came sailing through, deflecting a large portion of the damage but still taking a gash across the arm in the process. He swiveled in front of the Scarecrow's Sickle, reaching his hands back over his head and grasping its handle, slamming the sword down forward over his head and delivering a cut of his own into his adversary.
 

Spoiler

Bahr: HP: 740-168=572/740 | EN: 62+3-13=52/72 | DMG: 12 | MIT: 48 | ACC: 3 | EVA: 3
CD: 6 (2 extra energy recovered this turn)

Parry is activated, final damage against Bahr this turn reduced by 50% (rounded down)
Bahr used [x13] Galaxy Destroyer, -13 EN

Night's King: HP: 340-106=234/450 | DMG: 300 | MIT: 50 | ID: 123220 | BD: 8+3=11, Hit for 12x13=156-50=106 DMG | MD: 9, Crit for (300+85-48)/2=168 DMG

 

[Bahr 0]

Still nothing. Not a single molecule of pleasure. The taste of combat had been ruined for him. Despite the excellent feat of swordplay he had just executed, he got absolutely no enjoyment out of it. The Night's King came back in with yet another strike, but Bahr spun on his heel to avoid the strike, using the momentum from the spin to slice his own blade clear through his opponent. Still, nothing about the exchange excited or invigorated Bahr. He almost felt disgusted with it, his body only reluctantly agreeing to the movements.

What the hell was going on? This was the sort of thing that would have filled him to the brim with joy. He should have been loving every second of this. Instead, it was repulsing him. Why? Why had one person had so much of an impact? What spell had she cast on him to make him this way, with only the thinnest of convictions behind his strikes?
 

Spoiler

Bahr: HP: 572/740 | EN: 52+1-13=40/72 | DMG: 12 | MIT: 48 | ACC: 3 | EVA: 3
CD: 5 (No extra energy recovered this turn)

Parry cooldown: 1/3 turns
Bahr used [x13] Galaxy Destroyer, -13 EN

Night's King: HP: 234-106=128/450 | DMG: 300 | MIT: 50 | ID: 123222 | BD: 8+3=11, Hit for 12x13=156-50=106 DMG | MD: 4-3=1, Miss

 

[Bahr 0]

How he longed to return to it. How he wished he could find enjoyment in it. But he couldn't. No matter how much he willed it, no matter how much he wanted to, he did not want a part of this. His usual frenzied rage had been replaced by a cool and calculating machine instead. Every attack was issued with surgical precision. Every dodge conducted with carefully plotted footwork. It was almost bizarre to witness himself being so efficient. He had never felt a need for such finesse.

Another dip and weave, another attack delivered. Its health was a mere shred at this point. One more attack would do it. This foe was strong, for sure, but it attacked with the same blind rage that Bahr had used himself countless times before. Hit thing. Thing gets hurt. It was a philosophy that he had shared with the mobs of this world for so long. Kill, kill, kill. There was no reason for anything else. So, again, what was it that had changed?
 

Spoiler

Bahr: HP: 572/740 | EN: 40+3-13=30/72 | DMG: 12 | MIT: 48 | ACC: 3 | EVA: 3
CD: 7 (2 extra energy recovered this turn)

Parry cooldown: 2/3 turns
Bahr used [x13] Galaxy Destroyer, -13 EN

Night's King: HP: 128-106=22/450 | DMG: 300 | MIT: 50 | ID: 123223 | BD: 4+3=7, Hit for 12x13=156-50=106 DMG | MD: 3-3=0, Miss

 

[Bahr 0]

She made him feel human.

It was all he could think as the delivered the final revolting slice into the creature. He watched as the final inches of its health bar depleted completely, the husk of the creature bursting into a cloud of countless polygonal blue fractals that dissipated into nothingness. No joy. No pleasure. No dopamine. Just the relief that it was finally over.

Human.

How strange it had been that he hadn't recognized it before. Every day, he went through the motions. He woke up, maybe shot a message or two to friends, and went out to slay monsters or complete quests. When people talked to him, he responded. When a friend needed his help, he was there. When someone needed to be protected, he would set everything else aside and do it.

But that didn't change the fact that he hadn't felt human through any of it.
 

Spoiler

Bahr: HP: 572/740 | EN: 30+3-13=20/72 | DMG: 12 | MIT: 48 | ACC: 3 | EVA: 3
CD: 6 (2 extra energy recovered this turn)

Parry cooldown: 3/3 turns
Bahr used [x13] Galaxy Destroyer, -13 EN

Night's King: HP: 22-106=0/450 | DMG: 300 | MIT: 50 | ID: 123224 | BD: 7+3=10, Hit for 12x13=156-50=106 DMG | Night's King defeated

 

[Bahr 0]

His sword clattered to the ground and he fell to his knees, eyes hollow and mouth agape. A stray tear escaped his eye and slithered down his cheek, immediately soaking in the cold of the chamber and freezing in place upon coming to a rest at his jawline.

Ever since the first day.

Ever since he killed Zayne.

He hadn't allowed himself to feel human.

He was undeserving. Unworthy. Why should a murderer get to feel human? Why should someone who has taken the life of another get to have a life of his own? He had felt alone - so incredibly alone. And he had grown to accept that as something normal. To accept the fact that, despite his company, he would look back on his life and see that he was alone the whole way. Not lonely, necessarily. At least not all the time. But alone, wholly and completely.

[Bahr 0]

Like most others, he was a seeker, a mover, a malcontent, and at times a stupid hell-raiser. He was never idle long enough to do much thinking, but he felt somehow that some of the players were making real progress, that they had taken an honest road, and that the best of them would inevitably make it over the top. He lumped himself in with this crowd. At the same time, he shared a dark suspicion that the life they were leading was a lost cause, that they were all actors, kidding themselves along on a senseless odyssey. It was the tension between these two poles - a restless idealism on one hand and a sense of impending doom on the other - that kept him going. And so he continued along, mindlessly. Kill, kill, kill. It was all he had allowed himself to know.

And then Lessa came along, right at the same time it was all fracturing. Inserting herself into his life without so much as a second thought or worry. Uncaring about his checkered past, a genuine warmth and care beneath the cold front and exterior she had set up for herself. In a way, they had done it to each other. There was no stopping the tide of their involvement in one another's lives. The foolish might even call it 'fate.'

[Bahr 0]

It was the timing. The realization that he was not the killer he thought he was, with her somehow there at the right place and time to offer her support to a complete stranger. She had literally helped lift him to his feet during a time when his entire life was disintegrating all around him. She had shown him a care and compassion he didn't know how much he had desperately needed at the time, despite her best efforts to hide it. She had treated him as a human during his most vulnerable moment, and that sensation was far more intoxicating than any adrenaline-induced fit of rage could ever hope to be. It was now that compassion and human connection that he craved.

Admitting it to himself was a strange gauntlet of torture all its own. He had believed himself to be a hardened killer for years. He hardly had any room for anything else. And sure, he would joke around and make friends and go on social adventures, but he knew that he was the outcast all the while. Even someone like Kityuisa, who he viewed as a sister, felt like she was worlds away. Somehow, Lessa existed in the same space as Bahr, and he could feel it.

[Bahr 0]

Shakily, he stood to his feet, recovering his sword and giving it a twirl before sheathing it against the small of his back. The rolling thoughts that were barreling through his skull hadn't yet ceased, but he couldn't tolerate the cold any longer. He needed to make his way back to town and warm up, or he would soon find himself frozen and permanently affixed to the ground where he had knelt. Hell, he could have even become the next Night's King.

No. That chapter of his life was behind him now.

Things were going to get a lot more complex moving forward. There was going to be a lot more thought put into things. He probably wouldn't be able to fight as ferociously as he had before. He may have possibly even been disqualified from the Frontlines. But hey, at least he felt human. For the first time in a long time.

[Bahr 0]

When he finally made his way back to town, he was comically cold. He wasn't even shivering any longer. His muscles wouldn't allow him too. Instead, he stiffly shambled along with each step, grasping at whatever was nearby to keep himself upright. The denizens of the town looked upon him with concerned expressions, but none of them did anything help. Why would they? He was, after all, one of the pariahs of this world. Even if he didn't deserve it.

Some of them were probably hoping he wouldn't have come back at all.

But that was fine. Let them think whatever they wanted to think. Bahr wasn't a killer. He wasn't a killer. And that felt so liberating to admit to himself. There was still the matter of grieving over his best friend, but he had done that song and dance before. There was no need to repeat the past. Yes, Zayne had died, but for the first time since that had happened, he felt ready to accept it.