They were finally seeing light at the end of the tunnel, in the literal sense of the term. After walking for a few hours in this long corridor of stone below the mountains, the frigid air of Dreikheim met them.
"We'll take a long break there," Saki said as she walked in front, never leaving Luka from the corner of her eye for too long. "You need it."
"I'm fine," Luka groaned, but he was dragging behind. "I'm just a little bit tired. I need to go home and find a way to—"
A sharp crack echoed as Saki's boots slammed the stone floor. "No deal!" She turned around with her arms crossed. "You're going to rest. You're clearly in no condition to do this, whatever it is you want to do."
Luka exhaled sharply, frustration flashing in his tired eyes. "Saki, I don't have time for this. There's still—"
"There's still nothing," she interrupted, voice firm but not unkind. "It's over, Luka."
"There's a war brewing," Luka continued nonetheless. "If I stay holed up and do nothing, I'll die."
"And you'll die if you keep going like that," she sighed. "What do people expect you to do? You think you can end this war by yourself? "
His gaze fell to the ground, voice softening. "I thought…"
"You could make a change? Maybe," she chucked softly. "But you're just a regular guy, Luka. You've been through a lot already, and I don't think you should keep going."
"After seeing you," he said, lifting his eyes to hers, "I thought having succubi on our side was possible."
She paused, her expression gentling. "Yeah… I figured."
"There's this guy out there," he continued, his voice cracking, "who can send me back to this world, manipulate time too. There's a war threatening humanity. I can't just…" He faltered, swallowing hard. "I can't do nothing and pretend everything's okay."
Saki's arms uncrossed, her hands falling to her sides as she studied him.
"Would you two lower your voice?"
"Ah!" Saki turned around with a yelp, her eyes meeting the familiar dragonkin: Granbell.
"You're gonna attract goblins if you keep yelling," he sighed, placing a hand over Saki's mouth before she could protest. "Come on. Let's get out of here."
He cast Luka a glance—barely a glance, really, considering Luka hardly reacted. "You too, weakling."
"Hmm!" Saki growled and trashed around in his hold, shooting him an offended glare.
Luka barely acknowledged him, his thoughts too tangled to care. But he followed anyway, trudging toward the tunnel's exit.
The biting wind greeted them first, sweeping through the open air. Then, as their vision adjusted, Dreikheim came into view—a quiet village, blanketed in white. Smoke curled from chimneys, the scent of burning wood mixing with the crisp mountain air. Small houses with thick wooden beams dotted the landscape, their roofs heavy with snow. The village was filled with life, the villagers all working at the forge, at the farm, or even at chopping wood at the sawmills, a peaceful haven compared to Sominium Vale.
For a moment, Luka simply stood there, taking it in. The world hadn't stopped. Life continued.
Granbell broke the silence with a scoff. "Well? You gonna stand there freezing your ass off, or are you coming?"
Luka exhaled and took a step forward.
He felt tired. Terribly tired.
But the village was there, inviting him. Now that he thought about it, this place was beautiful, more so than anything he was used to seeing.
Not the kind of beauty that Eran was, no, just a simple beauty of a community living together in this harsh environment.
They descended the stone steps, boots crunching against the fresh snow. Luka hunched deeper into his jacket, shielding his face from the biting wind. The morning sun crept over the horizon, its golden light reflecting off the snow, blindingly bright. He raised an arm to shield his eyes the best he could.
As they made their way through the village, they passed an elderly woman bundled in thick furs, taking a leisurely stroll. She smiled warmly as she caught sight of Granbell.
"My, hello there, Granbell," she greeted, voice light with amusement. "Escorting a young lady?"
Granbell snorted, his scaly face barely hiding the slight blush dusting his cheeks. "Just bringing these two idiots to the Jarl's house," he muttered, finally releasing Saki from his hold.
Saki huffed, dusting off her clothes with a glare.
Granbell ignored her, giving the old woman a nod. "After that, I'll do my morning inspection of the tunnel."
She chuckled. "Stay prudent, lad." Then her gaze flicked to Luka and Saki. "And give my regards to the Jarl, would ya?"
Granbell smirked. "Yeah, yeah."
With that, they pressed on, the Jarl's mansion looming ahead—an imposing structure of dark wood and thick stone, built to withstand the unforgiving cold. Snow clung to its high roof and its dragon statue, and the faint glow of lanterns flickered through the frosted windows.
The dragonkin pushed against the heavy stone doors with a grunt, the hinges creaking as they swung open. A wave of warmth rolled over them, the scent of roasted meat and burning logs filling the air.
Luka stepped inside, nodding slightly as he muttered a barely audible, "Thank you."
Granbell snorted, nostrils flaring as he pressed the door shut behind them to keep the heat in. "Speak louder, boy," he grumbled, though there was no real bite to his words.
He gestured for them to move further inside. The hall was spacious, its walls lined with shields, axes, and furs. A large hearth blazed at the center, casting dancing shadows across the stone floor.
Near the fire, Jarl Härvaar Drai sat at a long wooden table, his powerful frame relaxed as he shared a meal with his daughter, Frida. He tore a chunk from a thick loaf of bread, his sharp blue eyes flicking up as the newcomers entered.
A grin spread across his weathered face. "If it isn't the two travelers!" He laughed heartily, rising from his chair with surprising ease for a man of his size. "Glad to see you both in one piece!"
"Glad to see you too, Jarl," Saki replied with a polite nod and a small smile.
"Don't get too comfortable, succubus." His hand rested on the hilt of his stone-forged sword, his golden eyes locked onto her with wary distrust.
"Relax, Granbell," Härvaar sighed, waving his hand off. "If they're back, it means everything is fine, right?"
He then looked at Luka, his face frowning deeply. "Or not, apparently."
"Honestly, you shouldn't worry about succubi anymore…" Luka muttered, his eyes avoiding the Jarl's.
Härvaar's frown deepened as he studied Luka. The weight behind the boy's words was unmistakable. He gestured toward the table.
"Sit," the Jarl said, his tone gentler now. "Warm yourself. Eat."
Luka hesitated for a moment but then gave a small nod, stepping forward with weary limbs. Saki followed suit, though her eyes flicked to Granbell, still standing stiffly by the door.
Frida, the Jarl's daughter, offered them a small smile as she pushed a wooden platter toward them. "Freshly baked," she said. "And the stew is still hot."
Luka sat heavily, wrapping his hands around the bowl of stew, letting its warmth seep into his fingers. He hadn't realized how cold he was until now.
Härvaar leaned forward, clasping his hands together. "Now, tell me, boy. What happened in the Ark?"
Luka's grip on the bowl tightened. The memories were still fresh, so fresh he hadn't recovered all the mana he had used yet. But he knew he couldn't avoid the question forever. He took a slow breath, gathering his thoughts.
"I failed…" he said finally. "I thought I could rally the succubi to fight against Kaeris but…"
"They said no," Granbell snorted with a chuckle. "Of course they would. These creatures are the worst."
"And they're all dead now," he added, his gaze dropping to the fire—
A sudden wave of nausea took over him, the fire reminding him of the charred corpses everywhere.
Luka dropped his head, closed his eyes and took a deep, shaky breath. His throat tightened, and he swallowed hard, fighting the sudden urge to vomit. The warmth of the stew in his hands only seemed to make the coldness inside him more unbearable.
"Are you okay?" Frida said urgently as she leaned to look at his face. Right, you aren't…"
Before he could respond, she quickly stood and rushed to the door behind her. "I'll get something—just stay right there!"
Granbell, meanwhile, blinked at the revelation, his expression shifting from indifference to surprise. His shoulders tensed as he looked between Luka and the fire, trying to process what had just been said.
"Dead…?" Granbell blinked at the revelation, his shoulder tensing. "Hey, what do you mean by that?"
Luka's stomach churned again, and he could barely meet Granbell's eyes.
"Give him a break, Granbell," Härvaar interrupted, his voice surprisingly soft as he rushed to Luka's side. The Jarl placed a firm hand on the boy's shoulder. "He's clearly not okay. Succubus, what is going on?" Härvaar turned to Saki, his frown deepening.
"It's… complicated," Saki hesitated, feeling the tension rise in the room as Granbell approached her.
Frida came back quickly with a small flacon of potion in her hand, and she quickly set it up on the table. "Drink this, you'll feel better."
"What is this…?" Luka looked at the liquid in confusion, hesitating.
"Don't whine and drink!" Frida urged, her impatience growing as she unscrewed the flacon. Before Luka could protest, she pinched his nose and forced the potion into his mouth.
Luka gagged slightly at the bitterness of the liquid, his eyes watering, but he couldn't escape it. He swallowed, the potion burning as it went down his throat. For a moment, his world swam in dizziness. It felt like a punch to the gut, but after a few moments, a strange warmth began to spread through him. The nausea ebbed, and the tension in his body started to loosen.
"What the fuck was that?!" Luka rasped, his voice hoarse from the burning sensation lingering in his throat. He glared at Frida, half frustrated, half confused, as he wiped his mouth with the back of his hand.
Frida didn't flinch at Luka's outburst. Instead, she simply gave him a knowing look. "A healing tonic, mixed with a bit of numbing agent. Helps calm the stomach and ease the mind," she explained matter-of-factly, wiping her hands on her apron. "You'll feel better in a few minutes, just breathe."
Granbell's gaze softened slightly, though his usual gruffness returned quickly. "So, about these succubi…"
Luka let out a slow breath, trying to steady himself. The potion was working, but it wasn't enough to take away the memories and the acrid smell coming with them. "I killed them all. They were about to unleash a massive mind control spell over Sora."
"As if I would believe a weak guy like you did that!" Granbell growled, his head slamming ojn the door. "Was it Hazuki Ryuuji? The demon hunters? Or are you just bullshiting?"
"Calm down, Granbell," the Jarl ordered. "Luka," he turned to the young man, his face grave. "Are you telling the truth?"
"He is," Saki replied sternly, her arms crossed. "If you want, you could take a look at the Sominium Vale. It's in ruins."
Granbell's eyes flickered, but he wasn't backing down. "What if you're lying?" he retorted, narrowing his gaze.
"Why would I lie about their destruction? Luka is more than capable of doing it, and he proved it."
"Enough!" Frida's heel cracked sharply on the stone ground. "Don't argue in here, it makes my head hurt."
She turned, pointing at Granbell as she stood with her arms crossed. "And you," she said, her voice biting, "remember Wrimbo? It doesn't take a strong man to destroy a country. You really think a settlement of a thousand succubi couldn't be wiped out with enough preparation? I could believe it."
"Frida, my dear," Härvaar began, his tone a soft protest, but Frida silenced him with a glare.
"Don't start. "This man went there, and he came back. And just look at him!" She gestured toward Luka, her eyes hard. "His face is enough to tell you he's not lying. He can barely speak!"
Granbell's gaze shifted between Luka and Frida, and after a long pause, he finally lowered his eyes, his lips tightening. He didn't have a comeback, not for this. It was a look that only warriors could understand—the kind of face you made when you knew a battle had taken more from you than you could ever admit. And it wasn't something Granbell was about to challenge any further.
"Please, don't argue over that." Luka let out a shaky breath, avoiding their gaze. "It's not something important, really…" he said, almost biting his tongue as the absurd words left his mouth.
"If you say you did it but not the demon hunters, then…" Granbell ground his sharp teeth together. "Alright," he sighed heavily, uncrossing his arms. "But I still don't trust any of you. I can only think of one way you did it, and it's probably in the most dishonorable way possible."
With a final, discontented click of his tongue, Granbell stormed out of the room, his tail flicking irritably behind him, leaving behind a lingering silence.
Luka let out a quiet breath, his chest heavy. Frida's gaze softened slightly as she turned back to the group, her arms uncrossing, though the hard edge in her eyes remained. "Don't mind him. He's just pissed off." Her voice was still sharp, but there was a hint of understanding beneath it.
The Jarl, watching the exchange with a grave expression, cleared his throat softly. "Anyway, if what you say is true, it means we won't have to fear the succubi for a while. You can rest here in the meantime. But…"
"If you have any work needed to be done, we can do that," Saki proposed with a gentle smile.
"Thank you," the Jarl chuckled. "We gladly give hospitality, but I would prefer it if you could help in return. Especially if you're thinking of staying for a while."
Luka felt a weight lift off his shoulders at the offer. It wasn't much, but for now, it was enough. "We'll help however we can," Luka replied quietly, though his mind was still tangled with the lingering image of what he had done.
"For today, you can rest," Frida smiled warmly, placing a loaf of bread in front of Luka. "Eat up, rest plenty, and you'll feel better."
"My daughter is the best healer in the region!" Härvaar said proudly, a broad grin lighting his face as he clapped Frida on the shoulder. "Well, she is the only one in the region too."
"Father…" Frida's voice turned icy as she narrowed her eyes, her lips curling into a cold, stern line.
"And she's got a bad personality! So you better not anger her, ahaha!" Härvaar chuckled heartily, completely unfazed by the sharp look his daughter was giving him.
She stomped hard on his foot, making him cry out in pain.
"And this idiot doesn't know how to make a person feel better," she replied curtly with a huff. "Excuse him, he was trying to lighten the mood in a poor manner."
"That worked for me!" Saki chuckled, her head resting on her hands.
Luka let out a small breath, shaking his head slightly as he tore off a piece of bread. The warmth of the hearth and the quiet hum of voices around him made it easier to push aside the gnawing exhaustion, if only for a moment.
Frida shot him another glance but said nothing, choosing instead to ladle out more stew into a wooden bowl and slide it toward Saki. "Eat up, too, succubus."
Saki gave a small smirk. "I appreciate the hospitality," she said, taking the bowl in her hands. "Not everyone is this welcoming."
"Well, don't get too comfortable," Frida replied bluntly. "Granbell might be an ass, but he isn't entirely wrong. People here don't trust easily—especially not after everything that's happened in Sora."
"You know what happened in Sora?" Saki asked while taking a small sip of her stew.
"Of course," the Jarl nodded. "We were good friends with the king, until he unfortunately passed."
Saki blinked, then turned to Luka. "Huh… well, behold!" She suddenly gestured toward him with a dramatic wave of her hand. "This is the brave man who drove off Kaeris during the attack!"
The Jarl burst into laughter. "Ahaha! I am willing to believe a great many things, missy, but that is simply too much!"
Luka barely reacted, simply tearing another piece of bread. He wasn't offended. It was unbelievable, after all. Even he wasn't sure how he had survived that day.
Saki, however, leaned forward, resting her elbows on the table. "Oh? You doubt me?"
Härvaar grinned. "Let's just say I find it hard to believe that any man—human or otherwise—could face a demon like him and live."
Saki hummed in amusement, swirling the wooden spoon in her stew. "Well, if I were a betting woman, I'd put a lot of gold on Luka proving you wrong."
Frida leaned forward slightly, scrutinizing Luka with newfound interest. "You really fought Kaeris?"
Luka hesitated, then gave a small nod. "I did."
Frida didn't look convinced. "And lived?"
"Somehow."
Härvaar let out another hearty laugh, shaking his head. "Hells, maybe I should be offering you my throne instead."
Luka exhaled, shaking his head before taking a slow sip of his stew. "I wouldn't deserve it." His voice was quiet, his gaze fixed on the rippling surface of the broth, though his appetite had long since faded.
"Argh, don't beat yourself down," Härvaar chuckled, slamming his shoulder with his burly hands and ruffling his hair. "You're a great lad! Come on, puff out this chest!"
Luka gave a small, tired chuckle, shaking his head as he straightened his posture—if only to humor Härvaar. The Jarl grinned approvingly and took a long drink from his mug before slamming it down on the wooden table with a thud.
"You'll fit in well here, lad," Härvaar declared. "A strong back, a good head on your shoulders—just what this village needs. Though…" he scratched his chin. "You're a bit scrawny in some places. Your hands, for example…"
Frida scoffed. "That's only if he wants to stay."
Härvaar waved a hand. "Details! A man needs rest before making big decisions."
Saki smirked, leaning back with her hands behind her head. "Exactly!" She nodded approvingly. "Luka needs a lot of rest."
Härvaar laughed heartily, nodding. "Aye, rest first! Then we'll see if we can't put some proper muscle on those bones of yours."
Luka exhaled, exhaustion creeping into his bones. He barely had the strength to argue. The warmth of the hall, the steady murmur of voices, and the simple comfort of a meal were making it harder to keep his eyes open.
Frida caught the look and stood, wiping her hands on her apron. "You look like you need some rest. The room you used the other day is still ready if you want. You can stay here for now."
Luka wanted to protest, but the weight in his limbs told him otherwise. "…Thank you," he murmured instead.
Härvaar nodded. "Get some rest. Tomorrow, we talk about work."
Saki stood first, stretching before nudging Luka's arm. "Come on, before you fall asleep on the table."
Luka sighed but obeyed, rising from his seat. He felt the stiffness in his legs, the dull ache of fatigue clinging to him. He barely noticed as Frida led them out of the hall and into the long corridors of the manor.
When they arrived at the same room they had used the other day, Luka didn't hesitate to step inside. The small space, with its low ceiling and stark furnishings, looked more like a holding cell than a guest room. The cold walls, the lack of warmth in the decor—it wasn't comforting, but at that moment, Luka didn't care.
"Hehe…" Saki giggled impishly, her tail wiggling behind her. "More sleep together…"
"Don't even start," Luka sighed heavily as he kicked off his boots and sank into the mattress.
"Well, if you need anything, don't hesitate to ask," Frida said with a soft smile, her voice low but sincere. "I am still curious about that confrontation with Kaeris you talked about, so I'll ask for confirmation from the new queen. You wouldn't mind, right?" she added, her gaze turning sharp as she smiled wickedly at Saki, who straightened at the mention of the queen.
Luka, barely able to keep his eyes open, muffled a response from where his face was buried in the pillow. "Say hi to Morgann," he mumbled, his voice thick with exhaustion. "Tell her how much of a failure I am. And how much she was right."
Frida's smile faltered for a moment, her expression unreadable. Saki let out a soft chuckle but didn't respond, instead sitting down on the edge of the bed and stretching her legs out. "Wait, you talk about her Majesty on a first-name basis?" the alchemist blinked. "You really know Morgann Sora?"
"Yes, he does. He even saved her life, and me too!" Saki beamed up before sinking into the mattress as well.
"Well, I'll be damned," Frida chuckled. "I'll still check, but if that's truly the case, we are more than glad to have you here. Now, excuse me, I shall take my leave."
"Bye!" Saki waved her off as the heavy wooden door closed behind her, leaving Luka and Saki in the quiet room. The silence settled in, save for the occasional creak of the building or the soft sound of wind against the stone walls.
Luka's exhaustion pressed down on him like a weight, but he fought to stay conscious, listening to the faint murmur of Saki's movements as she shifted beside him.
"Hey, you okay?" she asked softly, poking him with her finger. "Not sleeping are you?"
"Why are you still here…" he mumbled.
"Eh? Are you serious right now? Don't tell me you want to kick me out of the room!"
"I'm asking why you keep following a monster like me."
"A monster is someone you can't understand," she replied with a fanged smile, her fingers poking his back over and over again to annoy him. "Come on, come on, let's talk a little. You just woke up a few hours ago."
"I don't wanna talk."
Saki pouted, resting her chin on her hand. "Aw, come on. You slept through the whole night before, and now you're ready to pass out again? What are you, some kind of hibernating bear?"
Luka exhaled heavily, shifting slightly but keeping his face buried in the pillow. "Maybe I am."
Saki giggled, her tail flicking behind her as she continued poking his back. "Then that makes me the annoying bird pecking at you to wake up. C'mon, just talk to me for a bit."
Luka grumbled something incoherent.
Saki leaned closer. "What was that? Couldn't hear you."
He turned his head just enough to glare at her with one eye. "I said, I don't wanna talk."
She stuck her tongue out. "Well, I do."
"I fucking destroyed your homeland!" he snapped, his voice cracking and his eyes tearing up. "How can you—Why do you even follow me in the first place? None of this makes fucking sense!"
Saki's smile faded, but not in shock or anger. Instead, she tilted her head slightly, her expression unreadable. The playful glint in her eyes softened, replaced with something far more thoughtful.
She let out a slow breath, then flopped onto the mattress beside him, staring at the ceiling. "Yeah. You did."
Luka's jaw tightened. He sat up, gripping the blanket in his fists. "Then why—"
"Because," Saki interrupted, her voice calm but firm. "I'm a monster far worse than you."
Luka scoffed. "As if. You wouldn't even scare a puppy."
"And you still don't take me seriously," she muttered, giving him a side-eye. "But I'm not lying. I'm the worst monster you've ever seen."
Luka crossed his arms, staring at her. "Go on, then. Enlighten me."
Saki let out a soft chuckle, then rolled onto her side, propping her head up with one hand. "You see, unlike you, I don't have any excuses."
Luka blinked. "What?"
"You destroyed my homeland because you had no choice." She flicked her tail lazily behind her. "I, on the other hand? I did things because I wanted to."
A chill crept down Luka's spine. He wasn't sure if she was messing with him or if she was actually serious. "Saki…"
"Mm?"
He hesitated. "…What did you do?"
Saki's smile widened. "Wouldn't you like to know?"
He didn't like that answer. He didn't like the way she was looking at him either. It wasn't the usual playful mischief—there was something unreadable lurking beneath the surface.
"Saki," he said again, slower this time.
She hummed, tilting her head, then sighed. "Well, I could tell you… but then you'd probably start treating me differently."
She then lowered her head, her gaze distant. "And I'd hate that."
"Is it about the man you killed?" Luka asked finally, the gears in his brain turning.
She had mentioned that man during their stay at the Sominium Vale, didn't she?
Saki's tail stilled. Her playful energy dimmed just slightly, like a candle flickering in the wind. For a moment, she didn't respond, her emerald eyes studying him with an intensity that made his stomach twist.
Then, she grinned. "Oh? You actually remembered that?" She sat up and stretched, arms raised lazily above her head. "Didn't think you were paying attention."
Luka narrowed his eyes. "That's not an answer."
"I won't tell you, sorry," she sighed. "I wanted to talk about you, not me."
"Well I won't tell you anything either," he sighed as well before resting on the pillow.
Luka sank back into the pillow, the rough fabric scratching against his cheek as he turned away from her.
Saki let out a dramatic huff, flopping back onto the mattress beside him. "You're annoying, you know that?" she muttered, folding her arms below her chest. "It's clear you're not going well, so—"
"I know, I'm annoying to everyone."
She clicked her tongue, a sharp, exasperated sound. "Don't go all depressed on me, Lukaaaa."
The whine in her voice hung in the air, half-teasing, half-pleading. Luka didn't move, his face still buried in the pillow, trying to sleep. The room was quiet save for the faint crackle of the hearth's echo down the hall and the soft rustle of Saki shifting beside him. Her tail flicked against the blanket, a restless little tap that grated on his nerves.
"Stop it," he mumbled, muffled by the pillow.
"Stop what?" she asked, feigning innocence as her tail poked his leg again.
"That." He swatted at it weakly, missing entirely. "Just… let me sleep."
"Not until you've accepted that what you did wasn't wrong."
"I accept it, fine," he said without missing a beat, clearly not hiding his exasperation in his tone.
"So, I'm still your friend?"
"I don't even know why you followed me in the first place, even after all this time."
"Because I like you," she teased, poking his leg again. "I'm finally doing a road trip with a friend instead of alone."
"You were alone for a long time?"
"Yes…" she rolled to the side, her eyes closing slightly as if she was seeing a long memory. "For a very, very long time. And when I tell you I understand what you're going through… I mean it."
She paused, then sighed again, giving him one last poke for good measure. "Anyway, sorry for prodding. I just wanted to know you better—remind you of who you were, maybe. Guess I pushed too hard. Sleep well, okay?"
He wanted to believe her apology, to let it smooth over the raw edges of his guilt. But the ashes of Sominium Vale still clung to his thoughts, a gray shroud he couldn't shake. He'd razed a settlement and ended countless lives—succubi or not, they'd been living beings. And here was Saki, one of their kind, lying next to him like it didn't matter.
The mattress creaked faintly as she shifted, curling onto her side to face him. He could feel her eyes on him, even through the dark, but he kept his own shut, feigning sleep. Maybe if he ignored her long enough, she'd give up.
"You're not fooling me," she murmured. "I know you're still awake."
He grunted, a low sound of defeat. "What do you want now?"
"For you to stop hating yourself," she said simply. "It's exhausting to watch. Do you think your parents would like it if they saw you like this?"
Luka's heart tightened at the mention of his parents.
His mouth went dry as he thought about his mother's face, the one that had always been full of love and pride. What would she say if she saw him now? If she knew what he'd done?
"Don't talk about them," Luka muttered, his voice barely more than a whisper.
"You're still that same person," she said gently, breaking the silence. "The one who saved me, who tried to save the people at the castle. To me, you're some kind of hero, Luka. Don't let what happened change that. Don't let it change you."
Change me?
Who am I, even? Hero? What is she talking about?
I am just a guy who tries his hardest not to lose it here. I just saved her because I had no other way to survive.
And yet, he wanted to believe her.
But he wasn't ready for that.
Not yet.
"Just… leave me be," he said quietly. "Please."
"Then good night, Luka," she whispered, closing her own eyes.
And once more, she weaved a good dream for him.