text: [Themes: fantasy, fantasy]
  
  You dropped your sword to the ground and extended your hand towards the monster.
  
  "I'll change your mind about humans, I'll show you just how great we really are! While I'm at it, I'll show you what it's like to have a friend. What do you say? Wanna shake on it?"
  
  The monster stared at you inquisitively before grasping your hand with it's fingers and shaking gently.
  
  You spoke for hours about all kinds of things. You told the monster about your village and the people who live there. You told it about the expectations that were always pushed on you. You brought up your father and all of his feats. You told the monster about how you always thought he was an invincible warrior and loved him dearly, but he always smelled of blood which made you sick. You confided in the monster, feeling strangely comfortable.
  
  The monster began to tell it's own stories as well. The stories of battles it had survived, the humans it had known, and the wars it had seen with it's own eyes. The monster cried often thinking about all the death and sadness in the world. You thought about how admirable that was.
  
  Minutes turned to hours and hours turned to days. You went to the cave everyday to visit your friend. You talked about life and played silly games. You never learned the monster's name since it didn't have one for you to learn in the first place so you decided to name it yourself. You affectionately addressed them as Koletis.
  
  Four months passed by after becoming friends with Koletis. The other villagers started whispering all kinds of ridiculous rumors behind your back every time you left the village. You didn't blame them, they had no idea where you were going and you had no desire to tell them.
  
  One day while you tried to leave your house, your mother stopped you at the door. She demanded to know where you go everyday.
  
  Your mother was a quiet, distant, and broken woman. She hadn't always been broken, but she had always been distant. Growing up she was more like a caregiver rather than being a mother, and as far as you were concerned your father was your only real family. However, you still loved her and would easily die for her if it ever came down to that. The fact that she had asked you where you venture off to, and in such an insistent way, caught you completely off guard. Was this her way of trying to build a relationship with you?
  
  > Lie
  You decided against letting your mother know. You made some excuse about a friend from a nearby village and she didn't pry you any further than that.
  
  You begin walking your usual path when two unfamiliar faces begin walking towards you. They are dressed quite strangely and it piqued your curiosity.
  
  The faces belonged to two young girls. The first looked about your age with flowing, honey colored hair. The second girl looked identical to the first but she must have been a few years younger judging by her stature. Sisters, you assumed.
  
  "Hello there!" the older girl greets you with a smile. "We are travelers looking for someone... you seem like a local here. Can you help us?"
  
  Travelers are rare, but you don't see the harm in helping two innocent looking girls. After a short introduction you learn their names. Poppy is the older sister, 13 years old just like you. Marigold is the younger, 8 years old. Their smiles were bright and spoke with you with such radiating kindness that you've never experienced in your village. You must admit that they did have a weird smell to them, but you assumed it must be because they're not from here.
  
  "Please do not judge us... but this 'someone' we are looking for is actually a 'something'... are you familiar with any gray beasts with long horns around here? We were told this may be a good place to check. We were told he is super friendly and we've always wanted to befriend a monster!" Poppy said shyly.
  
  Koletis?
  
  You grinned to yourself. You were glad that you weren't the only one who knows there is such a kind monster out there!
  
  What should you do?
  
  > introduce them!
  You decided to take Daisy and Marigold to the cave so they can befriend Koletis.
  
  During the walk, you bragged about how amazing your friend was.
  
  "We can't wait to meet him!" they smiled sweetly.
  
  Upon arriving, you excitedly poked your head through the entrance of the cave. "Koletis! I have some friends to introduce you to!"
  
  Koletis smiled at you, but something was off about his smile. He almost seemed a bit...solemn. Poppy and Marigold followed you into the cave.
  
  "Hello sir! We've heard a lot about you!" they beamed. "Wow, you're even uglier than we imagined!"
  
  Your smile quickly turned into a frown at that comment. "Hey..."
  
  Before you could finish your sentence, you were interrupted by shrill laughter. "When we were hired by the village to kill you because this incompetent fool couldn't do it we didn't think it would be THIS easy!"
  
  Your heart sunk into your gut. Your ears anxiously throbbed at the word 'kill'
  
  Koletis' smile remained.
  
  I always knew humans would cause my death
  
  So I will savor this last breath
  
  My friend, can you leave us be?
  
  Can you live your life, and forget about me?
  
  Tears filled your eyes. "What do you mean forget?" you yelled "Why are you giving up so easily? Kill them!" You wailed and begged. But of course, that isn't in his nature after all.
  
  You balled your fists before being held back by the younger sister. She was surprisingly strong. She must have been raised to be a true 'warrior'.
  
  To your surprise, as Marigold dragged you outside of the cave, some of the villagers were waiting for you there. You screamed and begged, but your words went right through them. Were they even really there? Or were they just empty husks?
  
  One of the villagers put his reassuring hand on your shoulder. "Don't worry buddy, you can always get the next one." he said to you with a smile.
  
  The sound of a pained scream echoed through the surrounding area but only for a moment. Marigold and Poppy exited the cave as quickly as they entered, except this time their golden hair was soaked with red.
  
  "That was easy!" they laughed in unison. "He didn't even put up a fight!"
  
  Everything was over as quickly as it began. One by one the villagers left you behind. The spectacle was over for them.
  
  You were left alone outside of the cave to grieve. You couldn't believe that you brought your best friend's murderers to him. You stayed there and cried until you passed out from the exhaustion and couldn't cry anymore. That night, you had a dream of starring at your blood stained hands.
  
  You were nothing more than a flawed human after all.