Isalda moved at high speeds, Jisvo's arm hanging over her shoulder. He clung tightly onto her, blood staining her black cloak.
"Just… hold on, Jisvo. I'll find someone, I don't care. We'll get you fixed up in no time, I promise-"
"… Isalda."
Isalda stopped moving for a moment.
"What is it?"
"I was going to tell you to take me to some body of water, but this seems fine."
The duo happened to stand in front of another large lake. The moonlight beamed off, rays of light shining and illuminating the previously dark crevice of a forest.
Jisvo released himself from her back, stumbling.
"Jisvo! What are you doing?!" Isalda yelled out, in fear of him wasting time. She quickly held him by the waist, stopping him from falling.
He trudged over toward a large rock that was etched into the ground in front of the lake.
"Jisvo… what are you…"
"My whole body hurts like hell. Fuck, you would need a saint to heal injuries this deep. Even then, wouldn't a scar form?" Jisvo laughed at the thought, bitterly.
Isalda stared at him. She stood in front of him. She wanted to take him to a place where he could be healed.
She suddenly reached over to grab him.
"Stop joking around, Jisvo. I'll take you to a healer, even if I have to break all your bones-"
Jisvo grabbed her hand, holding it to his chest.
"You wouldn't do that, Isalda. Besides, I want to talk to you, while I still can."
"About what?"
He could visually be seen thinking about something, his eyes staring at the sky. They dropped down a lit up. His eyes met hers, a grin slowly forming on his face.
"You remember when Old Aeul?"
"The elf advisor for our fencing classes? Yeah, I do. But why do you mention that now, Jisvo?"
"He suddenly came to my mind. He slipped on that banana peel that was conveniently placed right in front of him, as he walked."
Isalda stared at the ground, giggling softly as the memory replayed in her head. Her lips parted to speak.
"Hehe… and you got in trouble for it."
"Even though it was you who did it."
Isalda giggled a little harder, sighing afterward.
"You had a troublemaker side in your youth, Isalda. And everyone thought you were all good, amazing, and great."
"I guess that's true. Troublemaker is harsh. Maybe I was just a kid who wanted to have a little fun?"
"…"
"And having fun with you… It was really easy."
Jisvo's eyes wandered again. He spoke.
"I think the day after that, when I was watching the fireworks festival through the detention window, it was then that I truly realized."
"Realized what?"
She stared at him, their eyes meeting. And as their eyes met for a second time, Isalda felt water pushing at her eyeballs.
The tears came first, and the sob came after.
She cried for two reasons. One was because of his inevitable death. The scar was deep. He would die very soon. The other….
She collapsed into his chest.
"You bastard… m-making me think about the past like that…"
"I'm sorry. There are so many more stories we can talk about. Like how you found out you were allergic to oranges, or when we had to help Ailmer get dressed for a date. And then… after the war, we can talk about all of this."
"J-Jisvo… you're the most cruel person e-ever… more cruel than anyone that I've ever known. You can't leave me here. No way. Not after-"
Jisvo's bloodied hand reached the back of her head, patting and stroking softly.
"Did I ever tell you about all the things I wanted to do with you, Isalda? If I tell you now, I fear that you'll feel even more sorrow, knowing we could never do those things. I'm really sorry."
"Jisvo… why the hell are you apologizing?! Instead of apologizing, push through, live! There has to be some way… somehow…".
Isaldas' words faded. She looked up at him with glazed eyes.
Jisvo's eyes closed, and his mouth opened. He didn't stop stroking.
"I don't know why I said we would talk about this after the war. You won't see me again, Isalda.
"I'm satisfied. When I felt your warmth, as you carried me, I was grateful that you were alive. Safe and sound. It feels like you even got faster. And dying right now with you in my arms…
"I'm satisfied. With it."
"Shut up…"
"All these years knowing you, I'm really glad. Really. All of those memories, I wouldn't trade them for my life."
"Stop… talking like that, Jisvo.. you coward!"
"It might be unfair to say this right now, but… I love you, Isalda."
"…"
"You're crying so hard, yet I'm the one with two slash wounds on my back. Isn't that ironic?"
She dug her face deeper into his chest, her tears staining his already tattered clothing. She looked up at him, with a face of pure sadness.
"Don't bury me in this wretched battlefield. Bury me by the shore. Or in the mountains."
At that moment, it felt like it was only two people left on earth. Jisvo and Isalda. So close, their wounds touching each other. All those sounds of nature were blocked out.
He opened his eyes once more to look at her again.
Beauty… like the moon.
A smile crept across his face. His eyes closed again.
I want to open my eyes. See her expression for the last time. Haah… I'm far too tired. When I wake up… I'll see that expression.
"Jisvo…"
Closer. They moved closer and closer together toward each other
Chuu..
Their lips met in a kiss.
Isalda… smells really good. If I weren't dying, this would've been a really romantic thing. A kiss, basking in the moonlight.
She pulled away slowly, her arms still wrapped around him. His eyes remained closed.
Isalda tapped him once. Then twice, shaking him vigorously.
Realizing, her tears flowed silently.
"I… love you."
She responded. But Jisvo didn't hear it.
"You… fucking… bastard. You're the worst, Jisvo."
Lying on that rock, the solemn moon shines its rays of light gracefully upon his pale face.
"We were supposed to live the rest of our lives together."
"…"
"What am I supposed to do now?"
It was undeniable.
Jisvo was dead.