The wind howled across the barren field, the stench of blood thick in the air. Leon’s arms trembled as he cradled Garrett’s limp body, feeling the warmth of life slowly fading from his friend. The weight of Garrett’s sacrifice, the blood seeping through his fingers, left a hollow ache in his chest.

He had fought beside Garrett for months—trusted him, learned from him. But now, he was gone. Taken by the very war they had sworn to win.

Elena knelt beside him, her face pale but determined. She placed a gentle hand on Leon’s shoulder, but he barely felt it. His mind was clouded with grief, with rage. It didn’t make sense. Garrett had survived so many battles. Why now? Why him?

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"We’ll bury him," Elena said softly, her voice barely audible above the wind. "He deserves that much."

Leon shook his head, his vision blurred by tears. “He deserved to live.”

Elena’s eyes filled with sorrow, but she didn’t respond. She knew there were no words that could make this right. None that could ease the pain of loss.

The rest of the rebels gathered silently around them, their faces etched with grief. Lyra, Sorin, and the others stood vigil as Leon finally laid Garrett’s body on the cold ground. They all knew this war would take its toll, but losing someone like Garrett—it was a blow that struck deep into their hearts.

As the cold night wore on, Leon felt something shift inside him. He had promised Elena he wouldn’t let the war change him, but how could he keep that promise now? How could he stay the same when the people he cared about were being torn away from him?

The kingdom’s selfishness, its cruelty, had already taken so much from him. And it would take more.

"I swear..." Leon whispered, his voice low and trembling. "I swear I’ll make them pay for this