“Let me go, I have to save her!” Theodore screams his guts out, despite the strong arms of Luke holding him back. Her sight, her last smile... she was using her life to protect him, to protect everyone here. Theodore’s hands helplessly knocked on the window, hoping somehow he could use something to take her back from the blade of death. Yet there she was, dazzlingly, peacefully sleeping in a crimson bed made of blood. A bloody flower blooms on her chest.

Soon, the sobbing tears become waves of laughter. Raising his head, he laughed, laughing at how ironic his life was as the fountain of tears soaked the blouse. All those years learning medicine, to be able to save countless lives... But in the end, what’s the point of that if he is not even able to protect those he loves? Why is he even worth saving? Falling to the ground, Theodore held his head. His eyes are wide open while he laughs drily. “That’s right, all of this... is just a nightmare. If I wake up, they will still be there… Lily still be there…”

But this is real… All of this is real.

Flows of tears quietly fell down the green eyes. Gently, Cecil kneeled down, holding trembling Theodore in her arms. Caressing his auburn hair softly, just like he used to do while she was in fear, telling the words he used to comfort her, “It’s alright. We all loved you like a brother, a father. To protect you, we could do anything, just like you have saved all of us,” she smiles in tears, “so please live for us.” Slowly, her words broke down the final defense barriers left in his mind, Theodore crying out loud in her embrace. Luke quietly watched the two, he wanted to apologize... To tell all the truth, but… He is scared to face… To lose them. The death of them was all his fault. “Theodore, I need you to stay here.”, Cecil whispered just to get an astonishing look from Theodore. “I can’t let their sacrifices be in vain.” Her teary eyes shine with bravery, making him unable to hide. “You can’t do this to me," he yelled, “you can’t”. Theodore struggles to stand up, trying to escape. Within a burst of emotions, Cecil slapped Theodore hard, “Wake up Theodore, is this what you taught me? What about the others, you abandon them?” Theodore’s cheek blushed red from the slap, a wave of pain somehow dragging him back from the edge of madness. She’s right…they still need him…more than ever.

“Please be safe”, Theodore patted Luke’s shoulder with all trust, “Protect Cecil for me.”

Look at the two figures soon to disappear into the gate of death. He sighs. How pathetic I am….

Hands in hands, in front of them, is the front door. Just a few steps away are the cruel enemies, yelling in battle cry. Cecil can already sense their deadly wills from here, her hands trembling in fear. She is no different from Theodore, scared of losing the person she loves, scared that today might be their last day… For a moment, she just wanted to hold onto this hand and run far away from this place. Though selfish and cowardly, at least no one would take him from her. But deep down, she knows, both of them won’t let that happen. She owes them too much, and either does he. Lowering his head, the chestnut eyes look at his muse dearly, a soft kiss quietly resting on her forehead, on her hand. “Could you stay here and wait for me?” He whispered. “You know I won’t agree, the bright green eyes look at him with full determination. "Please, Cecil, I’m scared…of losing you.” he lowered his shaking voice, the hand holding hers tighten. Placing her hand on his heart, she can feel his insecurity, the fear of him. Coping his face in her hands, she smiles, “Remember your vows?”, “Whether it is happiness or death, I will be your side forever, not even death can separate us.” They rest their head on each other… Together, they open the door to the truth…

“Will you trust me?” He asked.

“Always.”

Before them, is the brutal scene of a tragic battlefield. Closing her eyes, Cecil can still see their happy faces, their peals of laughter under the warm sunlight... and the tender gaze of Lily. Opening those eyes, now they are nothing but lifeless corpses lying on the cold ground. Bitterness raised her throat, inviting tears to fall. No, she can’t do that. The attention poured on the man arrogantly smiling at them, playing with the gun in his hand, the same one taking away her Lily. The flame of war, of fury, burned in her every cell. She has to make him pay for this bloody prize. Still holding Cecil’s hand, Luke coldly points the sword at Arioch. The emerald eyes closely observe the two of them, amusingly asking, “Finally revealing yourself, Luke?”

Why?

Cecil’s eyes are wide open in surprise. Why he knows Luke?... Why they shared the same eyes? Thousands of questions run through her mind, exploding in her heart. Replying to her with only his silence. Noticing Cecil's puzzled look, Arioch excitedly continues, “So that’s the reason why… You two are lovers. I never expected you would be this wicked, Luke.” How ironic his voice is when calling them like that. “You foolish girl, you know nothing.” What is he saying? “This is all their plan to come here, digging for information for my father, King of Hyram.” No this can’t be real… “The man you loved… is nothing but a traitor.” No…No… She looks at the quiet Luke with confusion in Arioch’s laughter. Such shows like this are what Arioch enjoys the most. What could be more fascinating than crushing others’ hope and love in these hands? Letting go of Luke’s hand, the crimson hair hide away her expression. Luke, on the other hand, not said even a single word. Anything said at this moment will be useless. The chestnut eyes still maintain the piecing on the enemies. The truth has been revealed… whatever her decision is, he will compromise. Though he is ashamed of hiding it, all his feelings for her are real.

This book was originally published on Royal Road. Check it out there for the real experience.

He loves her all his life.

“That’s right, he was just playing with you.”, Arioch acts sympathy but it soon turns into a maniac giggle, “Kill him, destroy him… he deserves that.” A sharp silver blade pulled from her pockets. That’s right… just like that…amuse me. The cold wind blew away her crimson hair, creating a deadly dazzling scene. Through the curls, the green eyes burn with fury. Yes…burn him, burn it all with that flame of revenge…

“You,” she points the knife at Arioch, “Shut your filthy mouth.”

Throw a glance at Luke, she warns, “You have lots of things to explain”. A smile carved on Luke’s face, kissing her hand, “ Willingly.” The duo launched forward in unison, to the swarm of enemies. Luke, who had mastered the techniques of the sword, skillfully took the lives of Hyram soldiers while shielding them from being shot. Cecil, on the other hand, mastered the art of deadly poison, with small daggers drenched in toxic surrounding her hips, she promised a silent, yet painful death for her prey. One by one. Who will be the next target? Luke harmonized with Cecil. Within each slice of Luke, appears Cecil slips through to throw a poisonous dagger. One row to another row. They had pierced through layers of soldiers who protected its general - Arioch. Certainly, the enemy was completely caught off guard. Frightenly, he pulled out the gun just to realize he has run out of bullets. Pulling the sword, he was able to dodge the attacks just in time. Hands in hands, Luke and Cecil force the culprit to his end. Right when victory is in sight, Arioch wickedly throws the dirt on the ground, covering their sights, having a chance to have the upper hand.

“Luke!” She yelled. The moment Arioch’s sword is about to slice through Luke’s chest. A powerful force suddenly appears, and knocks out Arioch from far away, just in time to save Luke’s life. The dark hair flew in the wind, revealing the dark eyes. In his bandaged hand, a sharp dagger shines dangerously. Both of them fall into surprise, for that person is none other than Reid, the one who just returned from the dead. Though days in bed have weakened him, his sword lines still bear terrifying power and confidence. With no sparing moves and mercy, he attacks the weak spots of Arioch, successfully leaving that man in a deadlock. “You dared to kill them, to kill Lily.” The sharp blade points at Arioch’s neck. “You left me with no choice,” Arioch clenching his teeth.

“Burn this place down.” He shouted

…

Finally calming himself, a determined tone shines through all the sobbing earlier, “It’s time to evacuate the rest!” He continues, “And Sheritre, please take a lead to the South entrance.” After exchanging a quick nod, she gathers all the remains to search for patients and children. “You two, follow me.” Altogether, the teamwork harmonized, with some of the doctors and nurses opening the treatment rooms to avoid any attention from the opponents, then leading them through the hallways, across the kitchen, and to the backyard. Near the end of the path is Amber, along with a couple who are waiting. As they thought they were going to escape, a crackling sound appeared... Is it fire? A soldier then ran up to Sheritre, in a frightened voice, said, “They are burning the whole place down! W-”

The door to freedom is now completely consumed by fire, with several logs falling down, and it is blocked. “Quick, move back.” That is the only viable way to escape, Will they all go to die? In the moment of life and death, Sheritre has thought of something. An idea lit her eyes. “Brook and Monroe, can both of you reassure them while I go.” Though they left in confusion, she was already darting through the fiery hallways. In the end, she could reach Theodore, who was on the third floor. “Doctor, the back entrance was blocked…” Tears escaped uncontrollably.

“Be still, there is another way. Please lead them to my office, there is a passage under the closet.” She shouts out loud, “Come with me!” The flow of people running for their lives to the Doctor’s office. Trying their best not to alert, the crowd finally did. Barging through those doors, Sheritre, in a calm tone, “There’s a secret path under that closet!” Thankfully, with the help of several soldiers, they successfully pushed the obstacle to reveal the opened hole. The end of the dark tunnel is a blinding light. What greets the survivor of the mansion is the mysterious figure with braided strands and a decent scar on the right eye. She realizes that he is the enemy, about to scream for help. “Shh”, he put the finger on his lips, “Come with me.”

Soon, fire chased up to the highest floor, ripping into every corner. There is no time to waste, he needs to get out of this hell now or never have a chance to see the sun again. But when he got to the staircase, he heard a voice yearning for life, “Help, help me please!” He realizes someone, unfortunately, struck behind, unable to escape. Racing with time, he darts through the piles of debris and intense flames to the source. The sight of a little girl meets his vision, yet on top of her thighs is a wooden pillar. Wasting no other seconds, he approaches the girl, calming, “I’m here. I will get you out.”

He tried to lift the crossbeam, yet fate’s laughing at the man. No matter how much he pours in efforts, the log stays unmoved. The girl, despite everything, screamed in agony, with tears gushing out before evaporating under the increasing heat. The whimpering of pain slayed his heart open. Just like his past. Powerless. No, he will not let her die meaninglessly. What lies ahead must come inevitably. Crack… Crack. The ceiling started to rupture. Theodore got close to the innocent girl, stroking her hair gently despite all the burning heat. An assuring tone spoke, “You will be okay… You will be okay… I promised.”

…

Creeking...

Groaning..

And collapsed...

Another promise he couldn’t keep.