"DIE YOU BITCH!" The commander's roar echoed through the chaos with unparalleled magical force.
As the intensity of the commander's power peaked, I was engulfed in an overwhelming sensation of pressure unlike anything I had ever experienced. It was as though the very air around me had turned dense and suffocating, pressing down on my body with crushing force.
I struggled against the combined weight of the commander's relentless assault and the suffocating binds that held me captive. I felt every fiber of my being screamed out in agony. It was as if I were being crushed under the weight of a superhuman force, my body buckling under immense pressure.
In that moment of excruciating pain and desperation, I could only pray for a miracle to spare us from the impending doom that loomed ever closer.
During the overwhelming mess and agony, my mind was consumed by pain and fear. Janis, a concern, now surged to the forefront of my thoughts as I struggled to comprehend the magnitude of our predicament.
As the crushing weight of the commander's power bore down upon us, the bond that had bound us loosened, allowing Janis to crawl toward me with a strength born of sheer determination. Despite the toll of the relentless assault, she enveloped me in a fierce embrace, her unwavering willpower shining through the haze of pain.
In that fleeting moment of respite, with the threat of destruction looming ever closer, Janis's lips met mine in a tender yet bittersweet kiss. Her declaration of love pierced through the chaos, a poignant testament to the depth of her feelings.
"Roy, I love you," she whispered, her words carrying weight. With those final words hanging in the air, the pressure of the commander's onslaught dissipated, leaving behind only the echo of Janis's heartfelt confession as the world around us descended into darkness.
"BOOM!"
As the cataclysmic explosion engulfed the ship, the sheer force of the impact tore Janis and me apart. The vessel, consumed by flames, disintegrated into oblivion, leaving little to no debris.
Thrown from the wreckage by the ferocity of the blast, I plummeted into the depths of the ocean. Despite the searing pain that coursed through my body from the earlier battle, I fought to stay afloat amidst the roiling waves.
Yet, as I struggled against the relentless pull of the ocean's currents, I couldn't shake the feeling of impending doom that hung heavy in the air. It was as though the sea conspired to drag me into its depths, its dark embrace telling me to surrender to the abyss.
As I plummeted further into the watery abyss, the crushing weight of the ocean bore down upon me, constricting my chest and stealing the very breath from my lungs. In the suffocating darkness, with each passing moment, the specter of death loomed ever closer, its icy grip tightening around my consciousness.
Regrets flooded my mind like a torrential downpour, each a painful reminder of missed opportunities and unspoken words. The memory of my last conversation with my parents weighed heavily on my heart, a reminder of the fleeting nature of time and the importance of cherishing every moment.
And then there was Janis, her confession of love left unanswered, hanging in the air like an unspoken promise. The thought of leaving her behind without the chance to reciprocate her feelings filled me with a feeling of deep sorrow and regret.
As consciousness slipped away and darkness closed around me, I couldn't help but lament the unfinished chapters of my life, the words left unsaid and the love left unspoken. In the depths of the ocean's embrace, I surrendered to the inevitability of fate, my regrets echoing into the void as I slipped into the abyss.
~
[Third-Person POV]
In the aftermath of the tragic events, Janis stood amidst the wreckage, her expression haunted by grief and loss. The devastating toll of the battle weighed heavily on her, leaving her dazed and broken in its wake.
With Elisa's retreat signaling the end of the conflict, Janis found herself adrift amidst the remnants of the shattered ship. Despite the commander's valiant efforts, the outcome left her feeling disappointed and powerless in the face of such overwhelming adversity.
Recognizing the need to ensure Janis's safety after the devastation, the commander began crafting a raft from the salvaged debris. Using her magic to expedite the process, she spared no effort in her determination to provide Janis with a means of escape from the lonely aftermath of the battle.
As Janis and the commander embarked on their journey to the Empire, they cautiously navigated through the treacherous waters, their hearts heavy with the weight of their recent losses. Yet, despite the lingering shadow of adversity, their passage remained uneventful, devoid of the dangerous encounters that had plagued their previous voyage.
Arriving safely at their destination, the commander wasted no time reporting the outcome of their difficult trial to the Empress. Though the news of their losses weighed heavily on her, the Empress understood the gravity of the situation and its importance and thanked the commander for keeping the hero safe.
Upon returning to the royal castle, Janis was asked to rest for a few days to refresh her mind. However, no matter how long it took, the loss of someone was too important for Janis to forget.
"Hero, may I come in?" A gentle knock echoed through the door, accompanied by a soft voice seeking permission to enter. Janis lay upon her bed, consumed by her grief and unable to muster the energy to respond.
"Your friend Roy, I have some news to tell you." The mention of Roy's name stirred something within Janis, pulling her from the depths of her despair and driving her to awaken herself from her misery. With a heavy heart, she rose from her bed and approached the door, her footsteps heavy with sorrow as she prepared to face whatever news awaited her on the other side.
"Tell me everything you know."
Chapter End: Prologue