'I love you. Fervently, desperately, and passionately. So, don't cry, my love. I am here for you.'
Something had changed in the air, and [Name] was not the only one who felt it. This heavy, thick sense of foreboding befell him. Lucian was still nowhere to be seen or heard. He hasn't even reached out through their mental link, although the sense of loss has suffocated [Name] in the sleepless night.
Here [Name] was, in the bleak light of the morning, eating his breakfast quietly. There was no peace in the castle. There was constant activity and the places he wished to disappear to now always occupied.
Time had trudged by slowly, and [Name] felt that he was reaching the end of his time here.
He continued slowly, once again, the motions familiar. [Name] walked through the halls again, and though they were different halls, they were the same.
••••
[Name] has gone through this process of entering a new world, creating connections again and then leaving them – the characters and the story themselves have continued and rewritten. The characters themselves have closure as they know that he is dead. [Name] is plagued by guilt in those final moments. He had seen the torment on their faces when they witnessed his death.
He had accepted that he was to die in all his worlds and that there was no point in connecting with other people.
••••
Darnados had felt quite different – there was something in his gaze at [Name] and seeking the other's company. Small lingering touches, longing gazes with whispered words and exchanged prayers between him and his Gods.
A melancholy which shrouded [Name], something bitter about the way he wished Darnados happiness or luck – he was not insincere. Darnados felt the sincerity through [Name]'s actions and words – but the uttered words seemed like bile when [Name] spoke them.
Darnados recalled a conversation he had with [Name]. It was a conversation that left him frustrated and angry. Darnados' anger came from the lack of answers. [Name] was the reason why he was frustrated. In addition, with the fact that Michael was becoming a downright pest. Resorting to other underhanded tactics to bed [Name] or have [Name] taken out of the Imperial Palace. There were also other schemes from the Priestess and his sister. However, with [Name]'s help, they failed every time.
"Are you a seer?"
"No," [Name] snorted, "Why'd you think that?"
"Because you always seem to have an idea on the matters of the Court. An idea of whatever turmoil everything is going to happen or brewing."
"Do you have roots in magic?"
"Your Priestess thinks so," came the answer in a wry tone.
Darnados rolled his eyes and ground his teeth together as he pondered over the answers that prompted more questions than answers.
[Name] laughed, throwing an arm around Darnados, "Loosen up a little more – everyone has their secrets, and maybe one day," [Name] dragged them down the hall and towards one of the conference rooms, "One day, I will share some with you."
[Name] pulled away and poked Darn between the eyebrows, "Don't frown so often. You'll get more lines that way," tone light with a warm smile, his eyes were sadder.
"I just wish you could let me in."
Before [Name] could get another word in, Darnados walked through the doors and entered another meeting with other diplomats from the other realms.
••••
While it seemed that [Name] could predict many of the other incidents that would happen – it seemed he was blind to any aggression directed towards him. Even though he was always in the shadows, he allied with Darnados, and that was enough to bring forth powerful opponents who wished to strip Darn's throne and kill his people.
In the dimly lit halls of the cathedral, a whirlwind of emotions consumed Darnados as he rushed to the [Name]'s side. His heart pounded in his chest, torn between fury and love that burned like an eternal flame. The sight of the [Name], weak and bleeding at the mouth, pierced his soul, amplifying his distress.
'[Name].'
'Lucian? You're back?' [Name] couldn't keep the bitterness out of his tone.
'You're dying.'
'I know the story had gotten out of control.'
'It's alright, Host. Your objective was to make this unfinished world finished and better and to push the prince to power.'
Kneeling beside him, Darnados' trembling hands reached out to gently cradle their face, his touch a mixture of tenderness and possessiveness. "[Name]," he whispered, his voice shaking with a turbulent blend of vexation and fondness. "How could this have happened?"
[Name]'s eyes fluttered. The poison fought the magic in his blood, causing extreme agony as it felt his bones were liquified. His weakened gaze met Darnados', and their eyes dimmed with pain and bewilderment. "Darnados... it hurts..." they managed to utter, their voice barely a whisper.
A tear escaped Darnados' eye as he realized the weight of his unspoken emotions. With a surge of courage, Darnados began to speak. He confessed, his voice filled with longing and regret. "[Name], please know I love you with an intensity that consumes me."
As [Name]'s strength waned, their lips formed a faint smile, a glimmer of understanding shining through their pain. "Darnados... you fool," they murmured, their words punctuated by laboured breaths. "You loved a dead man."
'How did I do this time?'
'You did well, Host – meaning you can get back on track to rebirth!'
"[Name]?"
[Name]'s eyes flickered to Darnados. Black spots danced around the edges of his vision, and [Name] reached a hand out slowly to pat the other – trying to calm the other down.
"You don't look like an Emperor-to-be," [Name] huffed out, "All teary-eyed..."
His hand fell a little, and Darnados caught it, feeling how cold [Name] had become. Darnados wiped his tears away, trying his best to control himself and called out for the guards.
"Is there any way to cure you?"
He was only answered with silence, cradling the corpse of someone he loved.