**

Well, It's not like i regret anything.... If anything, I'm happy....'

Ryuji Sora, a Tall man, 6"2' in height, wearing a red japanese royal garb, Is walking with a limp, using his sword to support himself. His face, Feet, Hands, sword, and his clothes, everything covered in Blood. Some blood is dried on his hands, Showing how long of a battle he must've fought.

He raises his head to see the people of his country, teary eyed as they gather in front of him after a group of little boys noticed him approaching. He looks at Mothers carrying babies with tears in their eyes..... There are emotions of relief, But also sadness. Men are on the verge of crying. He could feel the extreme emotions of respect they felt for him.

The Kids saw him as the very embodiment of Heroism.

But that's not what he was interested in.

His eyes kept going here and there, as if finding someone specific among the crowd, when his eyes suddenly fall onto a beautiful girl, Her hair black, Eyes Purple, Reflecting the sunlight as if they were the most beautiful wisteria flowers in the world.

Her face is extremely red, eyes swollen up from crying, clenching her heart, she runs towards Ryuji.

"Ryuji...." Her voice is extremely sad, She's crying even as she just says his name. She immediately tugs to his garb and hugs him, Still being mindful of his injuries.

"Let me treat you, Ryuji. Please..... Come with me fast...."

The beautiful lady, whose name was Sakura, tries to grab his hand, But her hand only grabs empty cloth there.

Her face immediately turns to one of extreme sadness. Her lips curl down and she starts crying furiously, feeling pity for her husband.

"Sakura.... Leave it.... I'm not gonna live for more than a few minutes...."

Sakura glares at him with a sad but angry expression at the same time, and after a few seconds, Bites her lower lip, tears still rolling down her face, Her nose running.

Ryuji chuckles a little to see her nose running. He lifts his arm up with all the strength he has, but loses his balance. He's caught by Sakura, who looks like a little girl who didn't get the candy she wanted.

He sighs with relief and slowly rubs her nose, Cleaning it.

He puts his face against Sakura's face, Bending down to reach her level, resting it there. His face slowly turns a little sad.

"I'm sorry, Sakura.... I couldn't fulfill my promise of being with you forever...."

Sakura unexpectedly kisses him, her face red with embarrassment, Ryuji's face bewildered with surprise.

After a few seconds, she takes her lips off his, and as if scolding him, she says, "Don't be a fool.... Please.... You're with me.... Even when i can't see you, right?"

Ryuji slowly smiles, hugging her face softly, sighing with a calm expression, "Yes, My sweetheart. I am."

Both of them stay in each other's embrace for a few seconds.

Why is everyone sad for this man? Who is he? Why is he on the verge of death?

To know these answers, We'll have to go a few months back.

A mysterious army from the west, Known as "The Pale Ghosts of misery". Their real name was something else, but this is the name the people of this country knew them as.

They were pale, Almost white and wherever they went, destruction followed. They kidnapped people, Sold their organs, Trapped women and children, and brainwashed the strong ones to become a part of them.

Noone knew their origins. They appeared suddenly, with numbers they never expected for a new group. Some say it's an army of criminals sent by the west to take control of their country as a whole.

They divided their forces and attacked villages and cities, slowly taking over different parts, piece by piece.

The reason the people couldn't hope to fight back was because their country's Forces had just decreased so much after the last war that the only way they could hope to defeat them was if they collected their forces in one place, and attacked them with all their might.

But leaving the other places devoid of security was too great of a risk to take.

And that was the reason, This group felt it was so easy to take over this country bit by bit.

Ryuji Sora, along with his "5 swords", the name of the group of elite warriors like himself, His best friends, went to fight the army of hundreds, over the course of 19 days.

It was an unmatchable feat. And all of them gave up their lives in making that happen.

Ryuji Sora is the only one who is still breathing, But not for long.

He knows his time is numbered. Everyone is basked in the greatness of his presence. His presence alone brings warmth to people's hearts.

As everyone is clenching their hearts, Ryuji Sora walks a bit further, Taking support from his wife. He staggers a little, but soon regains his footing.

"Everyone. Today, is the day we've shown them this place is beyond their grasp. This territory, is beyond what they can hope to control. While me and my dear friends fought against them, the enemy doubted a lot of times if an army of thousands was stopping their movements. And now, they certainly believe it.

Now, You don't need to be scared of being captured, plundered, or being exploited."

Everyone looks at each other, their hearts filled with relief, happiness, and also sorrow.

But Ryuji isn't finished.

"But.... I believe you wouldn't just stop worrying. I am sure, when the time comes, More capable samurai will come out, and protect the place."

Ryuji looks at one young man in particular. The man looks down, a little awkward.

After a while of observing the rest of the crowd, "I know.... When the time comes, even the ones of you that aren't a samurai, will become one, and protect each and everyone else among yourselves."

And as he turns back to look at his wife, gives her an ethereal smile, and asks, "Will you give me the honor of taking my final breaths in your lap, Love?"

Sakura, tears still rolling down her face, gives him a small smile, and sits down on the ground.

The crowd looks at the heartfelt scene, some people gripping their clothes, some people gritting their teeth and some people turn their heads away, Unable to look at the sad scene. Ryuji was close to every single one in this town. Since he wasn't a hero just because he was a fearless warrior. He was a hero because he had talked to every single person in the town, and talked to them, heart to heart, and did his best to end their problems.

Using the last amount of strength left in his arms, he uses his sword to lower himself slowly, and lays down in his wife's lap. Closes his eyes, tugging to the cloth like a kid hugging his mother, and sleeps.... Forever....

Sakura's eyes well up. And she cries. She cries endlessly. Her tears falling on Ryuji's face, Feeling the weight of the situation, just realising what just happened.

That day, Not just Ryuji, But everyone in the city cried, Their Hero, Their Hope, and the main Character of this story.... Was dead.....