With his sword held up high, Morvran slowly walked towards the man that had introduced himself as Tully.

As the leader of the gang he seemed little impressed by Morvran, who had killed half of his thieves while setting the camp on fire. With a broad grin, Tully let his sword dance through his fingers as if it was nothing but a toy. The blade was rusty, getting injured by that could have caused serious infections. It would have been better to shoot him from a distance.

But Morvran had no arrows no more and even if, his arm would have been too weak.

Letting out an angered sound, the general showed his teeth.

"Where is the (Y/G)? The one you dragged into the ruins.", he asked, not letting Tully out of sight.

Grinning even broader, he raised his eyebrows and tilted his head.

"Do I hear fear in your voice?", he asked, mockingly. "Was that fucker your lover?"

Frightened by the choice of words, Morvran's eyes widened. For a moment, he let down his guard, revealing the fear in his eyes.

"Why was?"

Unmoved, Tully shrugged.

"Was badly injured. Probably bleed out by now. I guess there won't be a happy ending for the two of you."

With a loud laugh, he jumped forward and wanted to bury his blade in the generals flesh.

But he jumped back, blocking the hit with his own sword, turned around and hit. The blade cut through the soft flesh at the side of Tully's rib cage.

He screamed, twirled around in anger and wanted to hit again.

Morvran jumped back, forgetting about the corpse and tripped. Almost falling, he stumbled back and tried to regain his balance but Tully rushed forward, grabbed him by the collar and tore him down.

Threatening, he held the sharp blade onto Morvran's throat.

"Any last words, pretty boy?", he asked in a mocking tone.

Swallowing thickly, Morvran closed his eyes.

"I pray for you that my little stray is not dead yet.", he answered.

The words took Tully by surprise. Confused, he tilted his head and frowned. And that was his mistake.

With one mighty thrust, Morvran raised his sword and punched it through Tully's chest. Blood poured out, covering his face.

With a scream of surprise, Tully fell back, pressing both hands onto the massive wound that the sword had left in his chest. Coughing, he gasped for air. Fear was shimmering in his eyes. His hands were shaking, as one lest breath left his lips.

Breathing heavily, Morvran got back on his feet, wiping the blood from his face as if it was poisonous. The urge to vomit crawled up his chest but he pulled himself together and swallowed that feeling. His hands were shaking as he picked up the sword from the ground.

Never before he had seen so much blood. Never before he had been the one that was covered in it. The sweet yet metallic smell crawled into his nose like a perfume that burned itself into his brain. He would never forget this smell.

Looking back one more time, he checked if all of the three men were truly dead.

Then he rushed into the ruins, calling your name.

The sound of a door opening filled your ears. Weak, you tried to open your eyes but couldn't. They felt so heavy. Breathing was painful. The blood that was covering you had cooled down, causing a cold feeling to crawl up your back.

Was this how death felt like?

Why was it so cold?

And why did it feel so lonely?

The tiredness had already pinned you tightly to the ground, as a warm feeling suddenly appeared on your skin.
Still blind, you tried to tilt your head.

"(Y/N).", a soft voice said.

It sounded like an angel was talking to you. So soft and loving, yet filled with worry.

You couldn't nod, nor did a single word left your lips. You just lay there, trying to keep on breathing.

"Gods, you look terrible. Come on, let's get out of here.", with all the caution he had to offer, Morvran picked you up from the ground. "Stay awake for me. Please stay awake until we reach the village."

His voice was shaking. It sounded like he had tears filling his eyes.

Your head felt heavy. Unbearably heavy. As he did the first step, a deep breath escaped you. It hurt your chest. It was like a thousand needles picking your lungs. Fire was burning inside your body.

Trying to whisper, your lips moved. Again, a breath escaped you.

"Morvran.", you managed to get out.

Filled with worry, he looked down on you.

"Yes?"

"I love you."

Suddenly, he stopped. With his eyes wide open, he looked down at you. Tears were running down his cheeks.

"Don't say that.", he begged with a shaking voice. "Don't say it now. Not like this. Tell me later. Wehen we Are safe and sound. If you say it like this it sounds like a goodbye."

A soft, but weak smile appeared on your face. With all of your last strength, you managed to reach out and touch his cheek. Wiping away the tears, you let your head fall against his shoulder.

He felt like an angel. Everything in his presence felt so peaceful and loving. Even death felt like a warm light shining down on you.

Somewhere in the distance you imagined the vices of angles singing.

"I love you, Morvran Voorhis.", you whispered again, smiling peaceful.

Strengthless, your hand slipped away, falling into your chest.

Shaking, Morvran tried to hold back the tears, while pressing you against his chest.

"No!", he cried. "No, no no! (Y/N)... don't leave me like this."

Without thinking, his legs began to run. As if the devil was chasing him, he ran out of the ruins and up the hill. The village wasn't far. It would only take a few minutes to reach it.

But deep down inside he knew that there were no minutes left anymore. Not even seconds. It was already too late.