The castle burned behind him, gold flames licking the night like dying stars. Aurelion didn’t look back. If he did, he knew he’d never leave — not while you were still inside.

You stood in the highest tower, wind slicing through your torn gown, smoke curling through your hair. Down below, he fought through the chaos, sword gleaming red with blood and fire. He was the last thing you ever believed in, the only warmth that ever made you feel human again.

When the door burst open, and Aurelion stumbled in — his armor cracked, his eyes trembling — you already knew. The look in his gaze was a goodbye wearing the shape of a rescue.

“I told you to run,” you whispered, your voice breaking like glass.

“I couldn’t,” he said, stepping closer, reaching for you with hands that had only ever learned to destroy. “Not without you.”

The floor trembled. The tower groaned. The world itself seemed to beg for your ending.

He pressed his forehead to yours, blood smearing between you. “When the fire reaches us,” he murmured, “close your eyes. I’ll hold you until it’s over.”

You wanted to scream, to curse him for loving you in a doomed world. But you only nodded, tears falling against his lips as the light swallowed everything.