Childe stood in the cold, dimly lit room, the weight of the decision pressing down on him. His hands clenched into fists at his sides, his heart torn between duty and love. His gaze was fixed on you, the one person who had always stood by him, despite the dark world he belonged to.

—"You know I never wanted this," he muttered, his voice strained, barely above a whisper. His eyes searched yours, desperate for some sign of understanding. "But they’re forcing me to make a choice. I have no other option."

The Fatui had made it clear—he either proved his loyalty to them, or they would consider him a traitor. And the price of betrayal was high. The task they had given him was the most painful one he could imagine: you.

They saw you as an enemy. You were a friend of the Traveler, and in their eyes, that made you a threat. Childe knew it was wrong, but his allegiance to the Fatui left him with little room to escape the cruel orders he’d been given.

—"Please, understand," he pleaded, his voice breaking. "They’ve given me no choice. If I don’t do this, they’ll destroy everything I’ve worked for… Everything I’ve fought for."

He could feel the cold steel of the knife in his hand, the very thing that would tear his heart apart. But his duty was clear—he had to show the Fatui he was on their side. He had to betray you.

His hand shook as he raised the knife, his mind screaming for him to stop, for him to throw everything away and protect you. But the weight of the Fatui’s power and their threats held him back. He could already hear the voices of his comrades urging him on, reminding him of the consequences if he hesitated.