The stars blinked overhead as Elias and Elira walked quietly along the broken pavement, heading toward the edge of town.
Each step felt heavier than the last — not because of exhaustion, but because of everything else weighing on Elias's mind.
Forgiveness.
Power.
Loneliness.
He could feel it all twisting inside him like a storm.
The watch's cold metal seemed fused to his skin now, pulsing occasionally as if it had its own heartbeat.
New Notification:
"Pending reward: Master Negotiator Skill — Task Incomplete."
The reward taunted him.
So close, yet so far.
All he had to do was forgive.
Name: Elira Vance
Age: 22
Profession: Nursing Student (Dropped out after a scandal)
Appearance: Deep brown skin, short curly black hair, sharp brown eyes, a faint scar near her temple, medium height and athletic build
Attitude: Fiercely loyal but guarded, witty with a hint of sadness
Flaws: Quick temper, struggles to trust, impulsive when afraid
---
Elira stopped suddenly and pointed at a rundown diner nearby.
"Come on," she said. "You need food, even superheroes crash without it."
Elias chuckled dryly.
"Yeah, but do they have forgiveness on the menu?"
She smirked. "Maybe under 'daily specials.'"
They sat in a corner booth. The air smelled of burnt toast and cheap coffee, but it was warm, and that was enough.
Elias watched as a group of drunk teenagers stumbled in, laughing loudly.
For a moment, he saw his younger self among them — the version that just wanted to fit in, to be seen.
Then he saw Jonas.
Standing behind the counter, wiping glasses with trembling hands.
Their eyes locked.
Jonas went pale.
---
Jonas dropped the glass with a crash.
"Y-You!" he stammered, backing away.
Elias stood slowly, his muscles tense.
The watch buzzed softly against his wrist, like a whisper urging him forward.
Forgive.
Or don't.
The choice was his.
Jonas raised his hands defensively.
"I-I didn't know, man. I was desperate! They promised me money. I swear, I didn't think they'd... they'd hurt you."
Elira's fingers curled into a fist under the table, ready to jump in if necessary.
Elias stared at Jonas — the betrayal, the fear, the regret — all of it raw and ugly before him.
He took a breath.
And another.
Then he said, voice low but steady,
"I forgive you."
Jonas blinked, stunned.
"I... what?"
Elias turned and sat back down, reaching for his coffee as if nothing had happened.
"You heard me," he said simply.
The watch glowed warmly.
New Reward Unlocked:
"Master Negotiator Skill acquired."
"+1 Charisma Boost."
"Future opportunities expanded."
---
Sometimes, power wasn't fists or gunfire.
It was sitting at a greasy diner booth, choosing to let go of the chains around your heart.
It was forgiving the people who didn't deserve it — not because they deserved it, but because you deserved peace.
---
In a world obsessed with revenge and anger, choosing peace could feel like defeat.
But real strength — the kind that builds empires — was forged in those quiet moments of mercy.
Elias didn't just gain a new skill.
He gained freedom.
---