“You... are God?” I asked in complete disbelief.

   “That is what they say", he replied with a loud laugh.

   My entire body began trembling as every memory of the past returned like a bottomless pit.

   Within seconds, the melancholy faded, transforming into the only feeling that had allowed me to survive until this point... rage.

   With my eyes fixed on his face, feeling nothing but vengeance in my heart, I stood up, completely ignoring any pain or injuries I carried.

   “Ky... wh-what are you...", Fyie tried to speak, but her words failed to come out.

   I took the first step, ready to fight... ready to tear his head off... when something pulled me back to reality.

   Fyie gently grabbed my shirt, as if she wanted to make sure it was truly me standing before her. Still trembling with hatred, I turned toward her.

   She was sitting there, looking at me... looking at the man who swore to protect her at any cost... who promised to love her under any circumstance…

   She was looking at me... with fear.

   At that moment, I understood what I had done.

   She could see what I felt, and I had forced her to bear the weight I carried. Fyie did not deserve to see the result of my entire past… did not deserve to feel the burden of my sins… and she did not deserve to see the monster I was.

   Taking an unsteady step backward, I moved away from her, making her release my shirt.

   I widened my eyes, and my breathing grew heavy as I tried to control what I felt. We stared at each other for several moments, and noticing my weakness, she finally spoke.

   “Ky... it’s alright... there’s no battle here", she assured me.

   “I... I’m sorry", I apologized, unable to control what I felt.

   My mind, filled with pride, longed for the vengeance now so close, but my heart, overwhelmed with anguish, shattered at the thought of giving fear... to the one I promised love.

   Unable to look into her eyes any longer, I turned my back to her and faced the mysterious man once more.

   Keeping my gaze away from her, I managed to calm the storm within my chest and finally form a sentence.

   “You... helped us?”, I asked the man while staring at the ground.

   “Yes... I drove the demon away", he answered.

   “Drove him away?”, I questioned.

   “Unfortunately, yes... That monster was powerful. I could not erase him, but he certainly no longer possesses the same strength as before", he continued.

   Gathering a moment of courage and control, I looked directly at the giant before me. His eyes, never opening even once, only deepened the mystery surrounding him.

   After everything I had gone through... everything I had seen... I could not simply trust a creature calling itself ‘God.’

   “How did you save us?... The beast’s attack consumed us. We should have died in that instant", I asked, still suspicious.

   “I can feel your doubts, my child, but there is no need to worry. I possess extraordinary healing abilities, and I was able to save you during your final breath... I believe Catherine’s eyes should be proof enough", he answered, turning toward her.

   “What did you do?”, I demanded, raising my voice.

   “I did what I could... I tried to heal her eyes... though the result was not entirely favorable", the man replied, while pointing toward her face.

   “Heal?... You... can help her?” I continued, shocked.

   “I tried while both of you slept, but her eyes conceal a terrible energy. Every time I focus on healing them, something resists and sinks deeper into them... almost like a curse", he explained.

   “But the color change is a good sign?”, Fyie asked worriedly.

   “I would say so. My energy is affecting your eyes. The color shift is merely a side effect, nothing harmful. I will need time, but I believe I can restore the light you lost, my child", he concluded with a warm smile.

   I looked at Fyie, who seemed happy at the possibility of seeing again, yet, at the same time disturbed by the horrifying past tied to her condition.

   I remembered everything she had told me about her past and gently took her hands. They were warm, and for a moment I hesitated, feeling my heart skip a beat while looking at her.

   “Fyie... I’m sorry for earlier... but you don’t need to be afraid now. I’m by your side, and I won’t leave again", I said calmly, hoping my feelings would fully reach her.

   She smiled with what seemed like relief and pulled me into her arms, giving me a hug I would never forget.

   In a single instant, I saw everything I had gone through. My emotions and my past, which had consumed me more with every passing second... were no longer there… I felt nothing but peace.

   The warmth our bodies shared through such a simple gesture expressed to the world everything we felt for one another.

   “I don’t think this is the right moment for us to talk... you both have gone through far too much, and I still need to finish some preparations... So, I will send you back home and return for you in three days. Until then... rest your minds", he finished.

   As the pillar spoke, a great sword emerged from the air into his hand, and with a single slash, he opened a tear in space, similar to the one he had arrived through.

   “You may go...", he said, pointing toward the portal.

   We walked hand in hand toward it, but for a moment, I stopped and looked directly at him.

   What happened to me... what my father did... what that God represented to me... I would never forget.

   But... if what he said was true... if he could help Catherine… then I had to believe him.

   Even if my heart burned, or my mind shattered apart... I would help her.

   “Thank you...", I said, with one final look, expressing genuine gratitude for his efforts and wishing, from the bottom of my heart, that I was not wrong to trust him.

   After crossing the portal, we found ourselves back at our home, exactly as before.

Everything was in its place, from the chairs to the morning sunlight touching the living room floor... yet somehow, everything felt different.

   And even so... we felt better.

   “I think we need a bath", I said with a smile.

   She looked at me as if searching for something. Her hands rose toward me, and I tried to hold them, but they moved slightly higher.

   Fyie touched my face with both hands and pulled me closer. I stared deeply into her eyes, once white, now carrying a captivating multicolored glow.

   Our breathing synchronized, and I could feel the warmth of her skin reaching me. Our lips drew closer, and like magnets, they met, conveying every hidden feeling through a single touch, a single emotion... a kiss.

   There, I felt her fears, insecurities, regrets... and anguish.

   There, I felt her relief, her joy, her peace... her love.

   We spent the rest of the day together, sharing secrets and emotions that could only be entrusted to one another.