Filro: Strums a melancholic tune "Look who decided to crawl back. Miss me, or just lost?"
Vargas
Just lost. And, uh, sorry about your... your sister.
Filro: pauses, his fingers trembling slightly as he sets the harp aside Lost? You think that's all it was?
Vargas
What else would it be?
Filro: stands up abruptly, anger simmering beneath the surface You have no idea what it was like, Vargas. The pain, the loss...
Vargas
I’ve been told. But tell me, did you seek her out beyond the river?
Filro: takes a deep breath, trying to steady himself No, Vargas. I didn't seek her out. I couldn't.
Vargas
Why not? Because she was dead? Or because you were too cowardly to look her in the eyes one last time?
Filro: narrows his eyes, his voice filled with a mixture of hurt and defiance Cowardly? Is that all you think of me?
Vargas
That’s two questions.
Filro: crosses his arms, his voice dripping with sarcasm Oh, well, since you asked so nicely, let me enlighten you.
Vargas
Go ahead.
Filro: takes a step closer, his voice filled with conviction I wasn't a coward, Vargas. I was heartbroken. She was my little sister, the only family I had left.
Vargas
So that’s why you stopped singing. It’s not just because of the war.
Filro: sighs, his shoulders slumping slightly Yes, Vargas. That's why I stopped singing.
Vargas
So, what happened?
Filro: pauses, his gaze distant as memories flood back We were celebrating her 16th birthday, Vargas. The night was supposed to be filled with laughter and joy.
Vargas
But?
Filro: voice cracks But a dark sorceress cursed us, Vargas. A curse that tore us apart and left her vulnerable to the enemy.
Vargas
I’m sorry.
As Filro opens up about the past, Vargas begins to realize the depth of the sorceress's malice and the true extent of the curse's impact on both him and his sister.
Vargas
Sorry, isn’t it a bit vague?
Filro: sighs deeply, avoiding eye contact It's... complicated, Vargas. The curse was designed to exploit our weaknesses, to tear us apart from the inside.
Vargas
How did you survive?
Filro: pauses, his voice barely above a whisper I survived because I made a choice, Vargas. A choice to fight against the curse, to find a way to break it.
Vargas
Did you?
Filro: looks down, his voice filled with regret No, Vargas. I didn't find a way to break the curse. I couldn't.