Lang was never able to pry the reason why Liliana said those words.
But the decision was final.
So she kicked them out of the castle and back to Zaruki's cave, instructing them to spend the rest of Lang's brief life together while she turned her attention to preparing for the end of the world.
Zaruki and Lang stood frozen at the entrance of the cave, neither stepping forward. They didn't know how to feel. They had returned to the place that had once been their first home—memories of when they first met properly surged despite themselves.
This was their burden. Liliana had no obligation to help them.
Zaruki sighed as he looked down at the person in his arms, smiling gently. His embrace was firm, but his eyes betrayed a trace of helplessness.
"She hates it when I say this," he murmured, "but she's a good person."
Lang blinked, then chuckled. "Careful. I can't save you if she finds out."
"We should be safe. We're thousands of kilometers away. I'd be worried if it were less."
