That moment felt unreal.
Time slowed.
I couldn't understand what was happening. My hand was slipping. My thoughts were racing. My feelings… confusing.
I like him.
But why now? Why at the worst possible moment—on the edge of death?
His grip was tight, trying to hold me, but even he couldn't stop the fall forever.
"LET ME GO!" I shouted, not because I wanted to die, but because everything felt too much.
"YOU'RE CRAZY!" he shouted back, his voice filled with fear—and something else.
My hand slipped even further. My heart stopped.
He looked at me. Deep. As if making a choice.
Then…
"NO," he said, "YOUR TIME TO DIE IS NOT YET."
With one powerful pull, he brought me up like I was weightless. I crashed onto him. Our breathing mixed. Our hearts raced in sync.
I was alive.
I lay on top of him, frozen, and heard his heartbeat. Strong. Full of adrenaline.
Around us, the enemies had turned pale. Their eyes wide. One by one, they ran away like cowards.
He held me tighter. He didn't speak. Neither did I.
Then Alice came running, her voice shaking:
"WHAT A DIRECTION! YOU GAVE US ALL THE TOOLS! YOU ARE TRULY LEGENDS."
I sat up and smiled faintly. "Without him, I would've never made it."
Raiden answered softly, "That's not true. You were amazing."
I couldn't stop looking at him. But Alice coughed slightly, and I blinked, suddenly aware again.
"AHM, YES, WELL, YES..." I said awkwardly.
But reality hit me again. The camp. The women.
I stood up and turned back toward the ravine. I saw the remains of the camp we had been held in. It was silent now.
"Are all the women from the camp free?" I asked Alice, my voice low.
She hesitated.
"Not all of them."
I nodded. "I'll take care of it."
I went to Raiden. "Can I borrow your sword?"
He nodded silently.
I turned back to them.
"YOU TWO STAY DOWN THERE. I'LL BE RIGHT BACK."
Despite the pain from my injuries, I ran into the shadows. The smell of blood was still in the air. The ropes, the broken cages, the marks on the walls—it all screamed of pain.
I found a few women tied to a post. I cut them loose.
"GO TO THE VILLAGE. YOU ARE FREE."
Their eyes filled with tears.
But one of them said:
"Thank you... but the last woman can't come with us."
I felt a chill run down my spine.
She was lying on the ground, unmoving.
I knelt next to her. Blood was flowing from her head. Her skin pale. Her breathing weak.
She opened her eyes slowly, trying to focus.
"Who... who are you?"
I took her hand gently. "I'm... I'm just someone trying to help."
She smiled faintly.
"They stabbed me... because I refused to undress."
My heart shattered.
Still, she whispered,
"I'm grateful the others got away..."
She coughed, and blood stained her lips.
And then... she was gone.
Just like that.
I closed her eyes. "You didn't deserve this," I whispered. "None of you did."
I stood up. The guilt was heavy. Too heavy.
I saw a torch on the ground. The wind blew gently. The fire flickered. I stared at the wooden huts.
And I knew what had to be done.
I picked up the torch. My hand trembled.
Then I whispered:
"Let this place burn."
I threw the flame forward. The fire spread like vengeance itself. The wooden buildings were consumed in seconds.
Screams echoed—not real ones, but memories. So many cries. So much pain.
With every step I took, I felt it:
Time slowed.
Each breath felt heavier.
It felt like… the end of something.
The fire blazed behind me. The night sky lit up in orange and gold.
I climbed out of the ravine. My body aching. My mind numb. I threw the torch aside.
Raiden looked at me.
"You left everything burning."
I answered, "Yes. That's the best thing I could've done."
He didn't question it.
We stood together, watching the flames.
Later, we walked back to the village.
The freed women ran into the arms of their families. Mothers, daughters, sisters—reunited. There were smiles. Tears. So much emotion in the air.
I watched it all in silence.
Then I noticed Raiden, standing under a tree. Alone.
I walked up to him. "Thank you for saving my life."
He smiled. "No problem."
"Are you hurt?" I asked.
He looked at his arm. "Just some cuts. You?"
"A few bruises. Nothing serious... compared to tonight."
I found Alice again. I hugged her.
"I'M GLAD THIS IS ALL OVER NOW."
She looked at me, her eyes glowing. "Will you stay a bit longer?"
I shook my head. "I'd love to... but I have to find my memories. I'm so close now. I can't waste another day."
She hugged me tightly. "I hope you find your way."
I smiled and turned to leave, but she suddenly grabbed my wrist.
"Eloula, you should tell him."
I froze.
"Tell him what?"
She leaned closer.
"That you love him."
My face turned red instantly.
"DON'T SAY THAT SO LOUD!"
But deep down, I knew she was right.
Now wasn't the time...
But that time would come.