Hellbound Heart

Chapter 399  Light and Darkness - Part 17

Far across from them, in the midst of a massive crater they both created, Zeke and Gav stood. One of Gav's wings was severed, its blood still dripping onto the ground, while Zeke leaned heavily against Gav, a sword protruding from his back.

"Took you long enough," Zeke said, a weak smile playing on his lips as blood dripped from his mouth.

Gav, still shrouded in darkness, remained silent, his head bowed.

"Don't look like you're the one defeated here, Gav," Zeke continued, coughing up more blood. "Stand tall."

Gav's grip tightened on his sword. He struggled to speak. "Why did it have to be like this, Zeke?"

"Sorry, there is no other way but this," Zeke replied.

Gav sucked in a shaky breath.

"What do you want me to do after this?" Gav finally spoke again, but this time, his voice and eyes were emotionless.

"Be a good king," Zeke smirked weakly.

"Bullshit," Gav retorted.

"I'm serious," Zeke insisted. "I think there's still a tiny hope for this world. Maybe it just needs a sane king. So don't go mad and stay sane as long as you can. If you do that, the sun might actually shine in this world of darkness." n/o/vel/b//in dot c//om

"I don't believe there's any hope left here. But since I don't have anything else to do from here on, I guess I'll listen to your dying wish," Gav said, his tone resigned.

"Good," Zeke whispered, a faint smile crossing his lips.

A soft smile tugged at the corner of Zeke's lips. "No. Don't concern yourself about my family. Concern yourself with yours from now on. Find a way to remember them, at least for now."

Zeke coughed again, his breathing growing more unstable. Gav pulled away carefully to look into Zeke's eyes. "Any more you wanted to say?" Gav asked.

"Tell those generals of ours not to cry," Zeke said, a faint chuckle escaping his lips.

"Anything more? Don't you have any… instructions I need to do… for your wife and… son?"

A soft smile tugged at the corner of Zeke's lips. "No. Don't concern yourself about my family. Concern yourself with yours from now on. Find a way to remember them, at least for now."

Gav's eyes widened in realization. "You…"

Zeke's smile turned devilish. "You can take this sword now, Gav. Then bring me to the ruined Apache Castle and… just… lay me there on the ancient altar. That's… all."

Gav's jaws clenched in determination. With one swift move, he pulled the sword that was pierced right through Zeke's heart.

Zeke fell, but Gav caught him, cradling him gently.

"Thanks… Gav…" Zeke whispered, then his eyes closed as he took his last breath, a peaceful expression settling on his face.

Gav dropped his bloodied sword, and one by one, the generals approached, followed by the soldiers and monsters. No one made a sound.

Surrounded, Gav swept his gaze across them and stopped when he met the generals' eyes. "Your Liege told me to tell you this: 'Don't cry,'" Gav said loudly, causing the duo to widen their eyes before they buried their faces in their palms.

"There will be no funeral or anything. I don't think this is the end for this powerful creature just yet, so save your tears," Gav continued, causing everyone to instantly lift their dropped heads.

"W-what do you mean, Your Highness?" Ruka asked, his voice trembling slightly.

"I mean that… I just don't believe this is the end for him. Zeke's not the type to fall so easily like that."

Everyone was stupefied. They all had the same thought: 'So easily? You really called his fall 'easy'?'

"As per his wish, I will be bringing his body somewhere." Gav then made eye contact with Ruka and Archer again. "I'm leaving everything to you both for now until I'm back."

Without waiting for the generals' response, he disappeared along with Zeke.

…

Gav's journey to the ruins of Apache Castle, with Zeke's body in his arms, was swift. He moved fast, not stopping or resting even for a moment. Despite the stone-cold expression on his face, a storm of emotions raged inside him. He had not realized he'd killed Zeke until he woke up from his senses. He had lost himself midway during their intense fight. And by the time he regained his senses, his sword was already protruding from Zeke's body.

Something in him wanted to go mad. Something in him wanted to destroy. Just destroy. Anything. Everything.

But then Zeke had spoken those words. Gav could only think about one thing: this had to be planned. Otherwise, Zeke would never die without saying anything about his beloved wife and son. He was certain of that, at the very least.

He still hated the way Zeke moved and did things without giving him a signal. He should've known better, knowing the kind of man Zeke was. But still… he should've at least given him a tiny heads-up about what he was about to do. But there was nothing. Nothing at all!

As Gav neared the ruins of Apache Castle, his mind raced with thoughts of what Zeke's plan could be. He refused to believe that this was truly the end. Zeke had always been one step ahead, always planning, always thinking. He was certain he already anticipated this.

He took a deep breath as he finally entered the gates of the ruined Apache Castle. The weight of Zeke's body in his arms felt heavier with each step he took. He walked slowly through the midst of the standing statues, their silent, watchful eyes seeming to follow his every move.

As he approached the altar, an eerie stillness filled the air. The place was too quiet, too empty. Doubts began to creep into his mind. Had his realization been wrong? Was there truly a plan here, or was he clinging to false hope?

"Damn you, Zeke," he muttered, gritting his teeth. "You always have to do things your way."

He shook his head. No, he reassured himself. This was Zeke. There had to be something that was about to happen here. Maybe someone would revive him. Yes, this was Zeke, after all. He did not need to second guess. Zeke was not the type of man who would die just like that.

Gav moved towards the altar, and ever so gently, he placed Zeke's body there.