Before they even landed, Zarek already felt that something was off. He could feel that the Godsfall Tear was trying to pull Priya away from him.
He had very vague information about the specifics of this Godsfall Tear. All he knew for certain was the reward waiting at the end and how to ensure that it was triggered, but other things? He was completely in the dark.
Godsfall Tears where people were separated at the start weren't rare, but they also weren't the majority either.
However, Zarek refused to gamble with Priya's life so early on, at least not until he could teach her how to protect herself.
Although she would be on a level playing field, and even have a small advantage, he couldn't have planned out every detail of his future just to lose his woman at step one.
That was unacceptable.
He felt her slipping away from him, and a pulse of energy was about to force her out of his control.
'Dammit.'
Zarek's mind raced. Unfortunately, his stats weren't nearly as great as they had been near the end of his past lives, so his ability to analyze a situation was far slower than he was used to.
However, experience won out.
'I'm sorry, babe. Don't kill me.'
Zarek pulled out the last weapon he had hidden, a small pen-dagger. Before Priya could react, he stabbed it right through her chest.
Priya's eyes widened in disbelief. She was still holding onto Zarek tightly, the feeling of falling catching her off guard along with everyone else.
The last thing she expected was for the man she trusted with her life to try and kill her.
Zarek could barely catch a glimpse of her eyes, but he felt his heart breaking when he saw the pain and despair within them.
'I'm sorry… I'm sorry…'
If it was up to him, Priya wouldn't suffer a day in her life… but he knew that that was impossible. In fact, this would hardly be the last time she suffered.
But he swore in his heart of hearts that one day he would be strong enough that she would know nothing but happiness.
…
Priya's mind was swimming. Pain, fear, despair… hurt…
She couldn't see much but a blur, but she could hear a voice whispering in her ears.
It was the voice of a man she trusted with her life… but it was also the same man that had just thrust a dagger into her chest.
"Feel the energy, Priya. Focus. I know you can do it."
Feel the energy? What did that mean?
"Survive!"
If you wanted me to survive, why the hell did you stab me?
"Focus, Priya!"
None of the words seemed to be getting through. Her thoughts were warped by her own depression and confusion.
"Dammit, do you know how much work it's going to take to find another girlfriend as pretty as you?!"
"Another?!" Priya suddenly coughed out a mouthful of blood as she spoke, half enraged and still half confused.
"FOCUS!"
Priya seemed to finally regain half of her senses.
That was right, she was dying… because she had been stabbed in the chest by Zarek of all people. What the hell?!
"THE ENERGY, PRIYA!"
Energy? What was he talking about?
That was when she felt it. On the verge of death, her body seemed to have sensed a sixth sense that she had somehow never felt before… and yet simultaneously felt as though it had always been there.
Her skin suddenly became a sponge, and the great pain she had been feeling dimmed somewhat.
"Yes, just like that. Now direct it at your pain."
Priya was already subconsciously doing that, but with Zarek's words, she did so more intentionally.
The pain started receding even faster.
Ten or so minutes later, she felt herself stabilizing somewhat, and her vision had finally cleared enough to see vague outlines. It still wasn't perfect, but it was far better than the vast blurs she had been looking at before.
In another long while, maybe as much as half an hour, the pain had finally dulled to a throb. She found that her mind was a bit tired, like she just wanted to sleep for an eternity.
Her body felt light all of a sudden, like someone had just picked her up and hitched her to their back.
"Go ahead and sleep. I will handle the rest."
Priya rested her cheek on Zarek's shoulder, ironically feeling quite relaxed. But she still found herself grumbling as she caught the vague shadows of the world.
"… Don't let me catch you, Zarek Ashford… how could you… do that to me…"
Priya was faintly holding onto her consciousness, just enough to see that their surroundings were actually littered by corpses, both beast and human alike.
Had Zarek killed them?
It was only now that she realized her boyfriend was huffing for breath, but he still firmly attached her to his back, unwilling to let her go for a moment.
"I had to make the world think you were a lost cause. It's a bit of a loophole that people learn in the future. If you 'kill' one of your teammates, you can avoid the Godsfall Tear investing in them.
"The bad news is that you won't be able to get any rewards from this Godsfall Tear. But the good news is that you can stay by my side and be protected."
Priya snorted like she was in a half-drunk state. "What good 'protection'…"
Her grumbling made Zarek smile.
The truth was that he had stabbed her to keep her safe, but it was also for another reason… he had done his best to train her in subtle ways in this fourth life, but there was only so much simulation could help.
She needed to get used to pain and death as quickly as possible. The best way to protect her for now wasn't his own strength, because it would take time before his plan could bear fruit.
The best way to protect her was for her to become strong herself.