As Seren approached the house where Lyra was held, one of the soldiers ahead suddenly screamed and fell. His foot had slipped—he had fallen into the hidden tunnel where Zirelda had been waiting.

Zirelda leapt from the darkness like a shadow. She swiftly wounded the fallen soldier and, in just a few deadly steps, brought down the next two with single, precise strikes. There was no mask on her face—only death itself.

With short sword in hand, she charged toward Seren Valinea, her gaze locked—and assassins moved in around her like wolves in the fog. Seren was frozen. She couldn’t scream, couldn’t run. The blade was just moments from piercing her chest.

And then—

“I won’t let it happen again!” Nujah’s voice tore through the silence as he charged with all his strength. He rammed into Zirelda from behind, knocking her to the side. With one quick move, he kicked her sword away and pinned her down with all his might, trying to stop her from moving.

At that moment, the General and his forces arrived, having cleared the surrounding ambushers. He quickly pulled Seren away and shoved her behind the A Division shield wall.

But then—Cassar appeared behind Nujah and drove his spear deep into his back.

“The price of betrayal... is death,” he said coldly.

Nujah collapsed to his knees, searching for Seren with dimming eyes. Blood spilled from his lips; his breath turned shallow.

The General roared:

“A Group! Protect the Prince and the children! The rest—WITH ME! Kill these bastards!”

The soldiers erupted into a furious charge. Cassar ruthlessly cut down three men to clear the path for Zirelda. She lunged forward for one final strike at Seren.

But the Shieldbearers surrounded her, shouting:

“Three... Two... One!”

With each count, they stepped inward, tightening the space. At “One,” came the final command:

“NOW!”

From every angle, spears pierced through the narrow gaps and into Zirelda. She let out a choking scream, dropped to her knees, and collapsed.

Cassar pushed forward, cutting down three more. As he stepped toward Zirelda—

The General stood in his path.

“You’ll die by my hand, Cassar.”

---

Cassar swung his spear from above—The General sidestepped just in time, dodging the deadly arc.

The General countered, slicing Cassar’s arm with a short blade.

Cassar grunted but didn’t slow; he slammed his shoulder into the General, sending both crashing into the stone.

Regaining balance, the General swept low with a strike, forcing Cassar to leap back.

Cassar tried to spin his spear—but the General kicked his knee, forcing him to stumble.

In one swift motion, the General slid inside Cassar’s reach, slamming him to the ground.

And with one final thrust, the General drove his spear through Cassar’s chest—deep, silent, and final.

---

The battlefield fell quiet. The General cast a brief look at Cassar’s crumpled form, then turned toward Seren and Nujah.

Seren rushed to Nujah’s side, her steps stumbling through the blood-slick stones. He lay twisted on the ground, his breathing shallow, chest rising in painful spasms. She fell to her knees, cradling his head in her lap. Her hands trembled as she brushed the blood from his face.

Seren (whispering, voice cracking):

“No… no, stay with me… I’m here. Don’t close your eyes, please…”

Nujah coughed, a harsh, gurgling sound. Blood spilled from the corner of his mouth, dark and thick. He tried to speak—twice—but only managed a rasp.

Nujah (choking, faint smile):

“Your voice… still… the best sound… I know…”

His hand, shaky and cold, reached for her face, fingertips grazing her cheek as his eyes fluttered. She held it there, pressing his palm to her skin as tears rolled freely.

Nujah (forcing breath, low):

“Could’ve used… more time… with you…”

Seren (through tears):

“We had enough… because it was us.”

He gave a weak chuckle that turned into a violent cough. Blood splattered his chin.

Then—his gaze sharpened for one last breath. A flicker of mischief, of defiance in his eyes. He gritted his teeth, forcing the last of his soul into a whisper:

Nujah (blood dripping from his lips):

“Those two maniacs… they’re yours now, Princess.

I trust you.”

And with that, his body slackened. The last breath left him.

Seren didn’t scream. Didn’t move. Just held him in her arms, her tears the only sound left in the burning silence. But deep in her heart, she carried that final promise—etched in blood, and love.

---