The sound of shattering air echoed through the battlefield as Leo's eyes ignited crimson. Magic shimmered wildly around his hand, condensing into a single bolt that tore through the wind and shot toward Prince Velco.
A flash—then a voice.
"Your Highness!"
One of Velco's men leapt before him, taking the full brunt of Leo's attack. The man's body exploded into light and dust, but Velco remained unscathed, his smirk cutting through the smoke.
"Where did he come from?" Leo hissed, his gaze snapping to the shadowed edges of the cliff.
Velco's grin widened. "Looks like I have the upper hand now."
Leo turned slowly, and his heart sank. The hilltop was no longer theirs—five hundred men surrounded them, blades gleaming beneath the dying sun.
"Damn it," Leo muttered.
The first wave lunged. Leo raised his hand and released a shockwave of pure energy, sending men flying like leaves in a storm. The air cracked with the sound of magic; dust and blood mixed with the scent of scorched earth.
Velco's voice cut through the chaos. "Kill the queen!"
Leo's head snapped around. "No—!"
Before he could move, more soldiers crashed into him, pinning his arms. Two broke through the line and rushed toward Eva.
Eyan's eyes widened as panic clawed through him. He lowered himself over Eva, shielding her with his body despite the potion that kept his muscles half-locked.
"Move!" one of the men shouted. "We need to kill her!"
Eyan's voice was sharp, low, and deadly. "If you've got guts, then make me move."
The first soldier drove his sword into Eyan's leg. Blood spilled, but Eyan didn't even flinch. The second stabbed through his arm, twisting the blade.
Eva's cry broke through the storm. "Eyan!"
He looked down at her, a faint smile curving his lips. "Don't cry… I don't feel a thing."
The men yanked their swords free, stabbing again—one in his shoulder, one in his other leg.
"Eyan!" Eva's tears spilled faster.
He laughed softly, the sound rough but calm. "Why are you crying? I'm not dying."
Their blades rose once more—
Then a single flash cut through the air.
A blinding light tore them apart, slicing clean through their bodies before they even realized they were dead. The men fell at Eyan's feet, lifeless.
Leo stood a few steps away, chest heaving, his body cracking like glass. "Get away from him!"
He gasped, the sharp pain in his chest stealing his breath. His knees buckled. Blood dripped from his lips as he fell to the ground.
"Leo!" Eva's voice was frantic.
Velco chuckled, brushing the blood from his mouth. "Congratulations… You killed all of my men." His eyes glimmered with malice. "But it looks like you've reached your limit."
Leo lay on the ground, clutching his chest, gasping as his body fissured with glowing cracks.
"Now die," Velco whispered.
He grabbed Leo by the collar and dragged him toward the edge of the cliff. Rocks tumbled beneath their feet. Leo struggled, clawing at Velco's wrist, but the prince only laughed.
"Don't struggle," he hissed, pressing his boot against Leo's shoulder. "No one's going to save you."
Eva's heart stopped. Her vision blurred with tears. She slid out from beneath Eyan's arm.
"Eva—where are you going?" he rasped.
"I need to save him," she whispered, panic choking her.
Her eyes darted around, desperate—until she saw Eyan's sword lying near his hand. She snatched it up, her trembling fingers tightening around the hilt.
"Let him go!" she screamed.
Velco turned his head slowly, sneering. "And what will you do if I don't?"
Her voice quivered. "I'll kill you."
Velco's grin widened, cruel and cold. "Didn't I already tell you? You can't kill anyone."
He leaned closer to the cliff, pushing Leo further. "Now just stand there and watch your son die."
"Stop!" Eva's heart pounded violently against her ribs. The world dulled—the wind, the screams, even her breath. Only Leo's terrified eyes remained clear in her vision.
Her body moved before her mind could. She ran.
The air split with a sharp CLANG—then a wet, metallic THUD.
The sound of steel cutting through flesh.
A burst of blood splashed across her face.
Velco's eyes widened, the sword buried deep in his chest. His mouth twisted, blood spilling over his lips.
Eva's hands trembled around the hilt. Her breath broke into sobs.
Velco staggered, somehow still standing. His hand shot out, gripping her throat.
"Ahh—!"
"Eva!" Eyan's roar thundered across the cliff as he forced his broken body to move.
Velco dragged her backward toward the cliff's edge. Leo, still on the ground, watched helplessly as his vision dimmed.
Then—light burst from Leo's trembling hand, striking Eyan squarely in the chest. The potion's hold shattered.
Eyan's strength surged back. He pushed himself to his feet, blood dripping from every wound.
Velco's strength failed. His body slumped, and he fell—dragging Eva with him.
"Ahh!"
Eyan lunged forward, catching her wrist just as she slipped over the cliff.
"Eyan, don't let go!" she cried, fear flooding her voice.
"Don't worry," he gritted through his teeth, blood sliding down his arm. "I've got you."
The rocks beneath him crumbled. His wounds burned, blood dripping onto her hand.
He pulled with everything he had left, dragging her up. They collapsed together, breathless, shaking.
Eyan wrapped his arms around her, his body trembling. "You're safe now…"
Eva's whole frame shivered as she clung to him. "Eyan, I—I was just trying to save Leo… I didn't know what else to do. I—"
Her voice broke. "I killed him."
He held her tighter. "Don't think about it. If you hadn't done that, he would have killed Leo. You did what you had to."
Slowly, the trembling in her hands began to still.
Eyan brushed his thumb along her cheek. "You good now?"
She nodded weakly. Together, they stumbled toward Leo.
Eyan dropped to his knees. "Leo, are you all right?"
Eva lifted his head onto her lap. "Leo…?"
His breathing was shallow, his body covered in glowing cracks. "No…"
Panic rose in Eva's chest. "What do we do now?"
Leo's voice was faint. "Mother… Father…" He looked between them with glassy eyes. "I might not make it."
"Leo, don't say that!" Eva sobbed. "We'll save you."
He smiled weakly. "Mother… don't. There's nothing you can do now."
"Leo!"
A soft voice called his name. "Leo…"
He turned his head weakly. "Elena…"
She ran to him without hesitation, falling to her knees beside him. "I'll save you!" she cried, reaching out her glowing hands.
But Leo caught her wrist before she could release her power. "No—Elena, you can't," he said, his voice trembling. "If you use your power… you'll die too."
Tears streamed down her face as she shook her head. "Brother…"
Eyan and Eva exchanged a glance. "Brother?"
Eva's voice trembled. "Leo… you have a sister?"
Leo coughed weakly. "It's not like that, Mother. She's not my sister."
He looked at the girl through half-lidded eyes. "Elena isn't human. I… created her with my magic. So I wouldn't feel lonely."
Eva's heart ached. "But you said you were not alone."
He began to cry, his body shaking. "I lied, Mother. I don't have anyone. After you left… I was alone in that world."
Eyan's eyes darkened. "What about Luca? He was with you, right?"
Leo's tears fell faster. "No. He's not."
Eva's breath caught. "What happened to him?"
Leo's voice cracked. "Mother, I lied… Uncle didn't just sacrifice his magic to make the wish." His lips quivered. "He also sacrificed half of his life too."
Eva's hands flew to her mouth. "What?"
Leo's voice trembled with pain. "Grandfather died when I was three. When I turned ten, Uncle Luca left me. A year later… Aunt Aranel died too."
Tears poured down his face. "In the end, you left me too.
"I don't have anyone, Mother…" His voice broke into sobs. "To tell you the truth, I don't want to live anymore."
Eva shook her head violently. "Don't say that!"
"Mother," he whispered, "after I'm gone… take care of Elena for me."
"No!" Eva screamed, clutching him tighter. "You're not going anywhere!"
"Mother, please…" He smiled faintly, already fading. "She was born from my power. After I die, she'll vanish within a week. So until then… keep her by your side."
Eva's tears fell silently. She nodded.
Leo looked at Eyan. "Father… please take care of her."
Eyan's eyes were wet. "I will."
"Mother, Father… can I hug you both one last time?"
Their cries broke as they pulled him into their arms.
Leo's body was warm—fading—but warm. "I always wanted to feel this warmth…"
Eva wept into his hair. Eyan's arms tightened, holding their son as if he could keep him from vanishing.
Leo looked up weakly. "It's time to go."
"Leo, don't—please don't go," Eva begged, clutching his hand.
He smiled faintly, though tears streamed down his face. "Mother, don't cry. I'm not leaving for forever."
Half his body had already turned to light.
"I'll come back to you."
He looked at Eyan one last time. "Father, say something—"
But Eyan was crying too hard to speak.
Leo broke into a sob. "Mother… help me. I don't want to die."
"Le—Leo!"
Her scream tore through the air as his body turned completely to dust.
"Leo!" Eva's voice cracked. "Leo, come back!"
Eyan caught her as she collapsed, sobbing uncontrollably, her hands clutching at the fading particles of light drifting through the wind.
"Eva," Eyan whispered, voice breaking. "Get hold of yourself…"
But his own tears fell freely as he held her.
Together, they wept beneath the darkening sky,
as their son disappeared in their arms.
----
---