Spear of Justice wrote:Knock, knock.
Rowan approached the doors, feeling a sense of dread gripping his heart. King Haden was close behind him. The knock that sounded could mean two things.
One; the Hellborn had vanquished humanity's heroine, and they had come to say "game over".
Two; Acacia had done the impossible.
In either case, the battle was over. Peace would come in the form of salvation or death. Rowan pushed open the doors, hardly daring to look.
"... It's over." It was the familiar calm voice, her voice. "It's over, and humankind will live on."
Relief washed over him. Emboldened, he finally looked, and immediately wished he hadn't. The Commander kneeling before the gate looked like a victim out of a horror movie. Crisscrossed with scars, uniform in tatters, a stray arrow sticking out of her neck. This was Rowan's first day on the job as a medic, and already he was dealing with the undead.
"Oh my god." Rowan could not handle this alone. "King Haden!"
He heard rushing footsteps behind him. Soon, the king emerged and stood by his side. Rowan clung to King Haden's arm to steady himself so he wouldn't collapse.
"I'm here." Haden's voice was calm but terribly worried, like a father trying to comfort his wounded child. "Oh, Acacia... what happened to you?"
"Do not worry about me." Acacia held something out. With a closer look, Rowan realized it was a person. He recognized the tangled blonde hair, the face beneath the wounds... It was his friend Ondine Malaya. Although Rowan was overjoyed she was alive, he felt terrible just seeing the state she was in. Barely clinging to life.
"Take the girl," The Commander insisted. "There is still time."
Rowan stepped forward, knowing he had to fulfill his responsibility. Acacia had done her part. As horrified as Rowan felt, he could not let his emotions interfere with his duty. He took Ondine into his arms and began to walk down the corridor at a brisk pace. As the only doctor left alive, the burden of her life or death rested alone on his shoulders.
Behind him, he heard the fading voices of King Haden and Commander Acacia.
"... You're a good woman, Commander. Thank you for all you've done.
"It was my duty."
"You did well. Now please, come with us."
"No. I cannot."
"No? But... You're hurt. We can help you."
"I am sorry. You cannot save someone who is already... already..."
"What is wrong?"
"Ah... take my pulse."
"..."
A pause. There must have been silence, judging from what Acacia was implying. To confirm Rowan's suspicions, when Haden spoke again, his voice sounded resigned and strained with grief.
"I understand. Could we at least make you comfortable somehow?"
"... Father..."
For a second, Rowan could swear he heard pain in her voice. He almost thought he imagined it. As she continued speaking, her voice returned to normal. There was no mistaking her calm and steady baritone for anybody else.
"I want to see the sunflowers... one last time."
"I will take you there."
