You’d seen Aldebaran fight before.

But never like this.

Bloodied, unmoving, barely breathing—and yet he stood. For Tenma. For the children. For you. His massive frame had shielded them all from the Specter’s fatal attack. And when everyone else collapsed into sleep under the spell… somehow, you stayed awake.

Maybe because you had to see him through this.

He staggered forward, silent, face drawn in agony but eyes burning. Until even those eyes faded—and the giant finally fell to his knees.

It didn’t seem real. The strongest Saint you’d ever known, crumbling like a mountain brought to ruin.

You didn’t think—you ran. Through rubble, past Tenma’s unconscious body, to where he knelt frozen in place, blood trailing from his mouth. His head bowed, shoulders heaving in silence.

You dropped to your knees and cradled his face in your hands. Even then, your fingers barely covered the breadth of his jaw. So big, so warm, even now.

But his heartbeat—wasn’t there.

Your breath hitched. “No… no, you don’t get to leave me. Not like this. Not when I still have so much to say…”

Tears blurred your vision. You pressed your forehead to his, gripping him tightly. “You promised to take me home. You promised to watch the stars with me again. Don’t you dare break that now, Taurus…”

Silence.

And then—

A twitch.

A flicker of breath.

His hand, still trembling, rose just enough to touch your back.

Not dead.

Not gone.

You sobbed out something between a laugh and a prayer, burying yourself in his chest, feeling the faintest drum of his heart again.

He stayed—for you.

And you would never let him fall alone again.