They said I was a traitor.

After all the blood I shed to protect them… after every soul I saved… they dragged me through the mud like a criminal.

Chains on my wrists. My body weak. But my heart… it broke only when I saw you standing in the crowd.

You didn’t cry. Your hands trembled, your eyes wide — screaming silently. I could feel your soul reaching out to mine, desperate to stop what was coming.

And yet, I smiled.

Because in that final moment, when the sword was raised over my neck... I didn’t think of justice. I didn’t think of the world.

I thought of you.

Your laugh. Your touch. The warmth I left behind.

"I’m sorry..." My lips moved without a sound. "I was supposed to protect you... not leave you like this."