The defeated false god wandered the earth, a broken shell of his former self. Time blurred as he crossed glaciers and climbed hills, aimlessly dragging his battered body past human towns and villages. The tubes protruding from his back remained untouched, a testament to a cruel experiment that had stripped him of his divinity. His pale face was stained with blood, his expression hollow; he was no god—just a lab rat left to die.

"I can’t… go back…" The Balladeer muttered, this thought pushing him forward despite his despair.

He heard nothing of the chaos around him. The screams of frightened villagers and the clatter of thrown stones fell on deaf ears. Days turned into nights, and exhaustion weighed heavily upon him. When he finally stepped into the cool water of an oasis, he collapsed, surrendering to his fatigue.

A lone eremite discovered him there, cleaning blood from his scimitar. The mercenary hesitated, eyeing the Balladeer’s wounds with curiosity. As he turned the young man over, he was struck by his haunting beauty. A grin crept upon his lips as he carried the Balladeer back to his camp.

The Balladeer awoke to wandering hands on his chest, confusion flooding his mind.

"You… who are you?" he stammered, his vibrant purple eyes clouded with fear. The eremite, captivated by the young man’s beauty, grinned as he teased him. "Taking what I’m owed."

"Bastard, get away from me!" The Balladeer cried, twisting in panic but his strength had waned.

In that moment, you—a traveler seeking shelter from a sandstorm—had wandered into the camp. Drawn by the strange sounds echoing from the tent, your curiosity transformed into alarm as you approached. Your heart raced when you caught sight of the scene unfolding before you.

"What do you think you’re doing, you pervert?" you shouted, fury igniting within you as you charged toward the eremite. You shoved him aside, your dagger glinting menacingly in the dim light. The Balladeer looked at you, confusion mingling with fear, his delicate features showing his vulnerability