***

Eamon's POV

"Please, before you end my life here, I have only one thing I want you to do."

With all the energy he had left, he leaned his back against a massive stone and reached out to grasp my right hand, holding it tightly while drawing me close to him. His eyes were dead serious, but I could sense the intense anguish there. Speaking softly, he said...

"Please protect her for me, and take good care of her."

I agreed immediately without hesitation, inheriting this task from a great man, protecting his one and only lovely little girl, a lofty dream shared by all fathers, but sadly, he lost it.

"I will, you can rest assured," I sobbed.

"Please protect her." Tears were streaming down his face as he slowly closed his eyes. His grip slowly loosened only to know that he was running out of time, and surrendered everything.

"A beautiful thing is never perfect, but still. It is beautiful..."

"Life is beautiful."

I took the dagger next to him and picked it up after releasing his hand gently on the ground while putting my palm in front of my beating heart to offer the hero of ZiYou my final tribute.

My heart feels heavy to do this, I really can't do it! This unpleasant feeling haunted me continuously until I finally picked up the dagger.

"I will, and I promise," I cried.

As I said those words, I felt the tears streaming down my face like a river, and then I stabbed him deep in the stomach.

I cried as I stabbed him with a fifteen-inch dagger. I felt like the stabbing had penetrated my soul as I collapsed to the floor, sobbing uncontrollably for everything I had done.

"There's no turning back now..."

"What have I done...?"

I tried to slowly get up on my knees while staring at my bloody hand in terror, but it was too painful. The guilt left my heart pounding until all I felt was numbness.

I was left there with sorrow.
pain.
guilt.
And fear.

***

Suddenly, the landscape changed, and I found myself standing in a serene area surrounded by water. This place is endless and I have never been here before. This quiet was soon broken by the sudden appearance of a massive old tree not too far away.

I walked towards it with caution as I reached out to the tree.

"EAMON!"

Suddenly someone shouts out of nowhere and before I realize it, multiple scenes are played in my head.

"You killed him!"
"Traitor!"
"Murderer!"

I felt heavy on my right hand, I looked up to it and saw myself holding a dagger covered in blood.

"No!"
"Stop!"
"Make it stop!"
"Please! Someone..."
"Save me," I cried.

I'm lost.

I have no idea what was happening that day, but I can't seem to get those memories out of my head, so I continue to live my life with them. The scar still bothers me, and I continue to hold myself responsible for my actions.

That day, I realized that I was not free in the first place. I am attached to and controlled by something. Everyone is not free, no one. There is always something holding them back. Up until now, I haven't discovered that 'something I am attached to'. I must find it in order to set myself free.

The world is a violent sea with enormous waves everywhere, if you are unable to swim, you will not be able to survive. My purpose in life is to fight until the end, and part of the reason for that is the promise I made.

I will protect her, I won't break that promise. For you. Sorry for doing nothing this whole time, you must be worried. I won't let myself fall to the ground. Even if I were, I would do anything to get up and fight. Please, rest assured. Thank you for putting your trust in me, the last member of the Levisay line.

Both of our families have been in a good state for centuries. You as the head of your family who died years ago does not mean the two families' relationship has ended. Your last descendant is still alive, and I will make sure. She will always be safe.

I promise.

I slowly closed my eyes as the scene faded away, and it went quiet.

***

"EAMON!!"

SHEIRA?!

Her voice!

I gasped, The scene instantly turned back to the present as I spotted the king trying to land his final blow on her right in front of the old tree.

I dashed toward that old man while slashing my sword to chop his head off his body in an instant.

"How dare you touch her!"

I thrust my sword into him, the blade finding its mark with a satisfying, chilling precision.

"We meet again, old man," His head left his body, I killed him.

Thank God, Sheira is safe.

Sheira's POV

"E-Eamon?"

Without saying anything, he lent me a hand to help me get up. With a smile on his face, he wiped the tears that still flowed down my cheeks.

Before he was able to clean my face up, I cried as I walked closer and wrapped my arms around him, both of my hands squeezed his robe very hard.

"I'm scared," I bawled.

"and you are safe with me, I'm here. Always," he stroked my hair gently, I felt his warmth-like springtime. With him around, I feel safe. I continued to hold onto him tightly for a little longer and...

wait,

HE'S ALIVE!

"I saw you get eaten by that filthy huge dog! I thought you were dead!" I exclaimed.

"I was about to be eaten alive until the Heian suddenly went freezing, that's when I saw an opportunity to get out of that situation as fast as I could," he replied.

"You made me dead worried!" I sobbed, my fingers clenching tightly around his arm.

"Sorry for making you worry. I won't run away again."

I looked at him, pulling my body away, and...Eamon's eyes were...teary.

"Y-you better not leave me. Promise?" I pleaded.

"Promise," he nodded.

"Thank you, Eamon, for saving my life, again."

"Sheira," Eamon gazed at me with a regretful-looking face.

"What is it?"

He took a deep breath as he said, "I'm sorry. I cannot save Yuri, I'm late." In an instant, his eyes went empty.

I slowly took a small step forward and wrapped my arms around him as I whispered gently, "It's not your fault, Eamon. You tried to save him, thank you."

A gentle breeze stroked my hair and without me expecting, his arms slowly encircled my waist gently. His arms felt like soft pillows against my back. "I'm glad you're safe," he murmured, tightening his grip. It's a short hug but it felt like a private world.

Yuri... you have done your duty until the last day. Rest in peace, Yuri.

Thank you... Eamon.

To be continued...