I Will Fulfill the Role of the Villain

I opened my eyes to find myself inhabiting the body of Luke—the rival and designated villain who competes with the protagonist, Theo, for the position of Commander-in-Chief in a war-torn fantasy world. Since fate had cast me into the role, I resolved to fulfill it properly. “It seems to me that principles, or the duties a soldier ought to uphold, mean nothing to you.” Even when Theo misunderstood him, Luke carried out his role as the villain without complaint. And in the end, after playing his part to completion and securing Theo’s happy ending, Luke abandoned everything, retired from the army, and walked away. He planned to live freely now, unshackled by anyone’s interference, determined to write a story of his own. At least, that was the plan… “Why go this far? I’m no longer a soldier—and let’s be honest, you and I were never even on good terms.” Yet somehow, he found himself crossing paths with Theo again. And not only that—the man clung to him with a persistence utterly unlike his usual self. “I want to know you better.” The words made no sense, nor did they have anything to do with the questions Luke had asked. The protagonist had sought out the villain—only to say that? To claim he wanted Luke’s help simply because he wanted to know him better?