The forest loomed ahead, dark and menacing. His soldiers were tense, their weapons at the ready. They waited for his command, trusting him implicitly.
Finally, he took a deep breath, squaring his shoulders.
"For our kingdom!" he yelled, his voice echoing through the ranks. "For victory!"
With a roar, they charged forward, their weapons raised high. The battle had begun.
But Ciel couldn't let her people get killed without fighting. She was one of the seventh guardians of the enchanted forest after all.
She was on the front line with the other guardians. Her brown eyes gleaming magically as she gets ready for the battle, her heart heavy of guilt, regrets and responsibility.
She should have killed him last night after pushing him off the window. She shouldn't have been so gullible that kindness and care could change a cruel person with a thirst for power.
In the heat of battle, Raphael fought valiantly. His sword swung with deadly precision, cutting down enemy after enemy. He was relentless, his rage fueling his strength.
But amidst the chaos, he spotted Ciel. She was fighting bravely, her magic glowing brightly around her. His heart pounded in his chest, a strange mix of fear and admiration coursing through him.
"Stop!" he shouted, his voice cutting through the din of battle. "This ends now!"
He dismounted his horse, throwing his sword aside. He held up his hands, showing them he was unarmed.
"I want to speak with Ciel!" he yelled, his voice echoing through the forest.
The battle stops and the silence reigns. All gazes were now on Ciel and on the King.
Unlike him, Ciel keeps her weapon in hands as her gaze, that was much harder than what Raphael used to see her with, falls on him.
"Oh, so now you remember my name. But I have nothing to say."
She walks slowly towards him in an angry and threatening way.
"You had multiple chances to stop everything. I spare your life many times. I even healed you. When I see how you thank me, I don't want to do anything for you anymore."
Raphael sighed, running a hand through his messy white hair. He knew he had messed up, known he had made mistakes. But he had hoped… Well, he wasn't sure what he had hoped.
"I know I've done wrong," he admitted, his voice choked with emotion. "I've treated you poorly, Ciel."
He stepped closer, reaching out to cup her cheek. His thumb brushed away a tear that had escaped, his touch gentle.
"But I'm asking for your forgiveness," he continued, his voice barely above a whisper. "I don't deserve it, I know that. But… please."
Her gaze softened against her will. She closes her eyes in a sigh before looking back into his bloody eyes.
"I wish I could," she says, her voice softer than what he could have expected, "but now I know I can't trust you."
She rests a hand on his, her thumb gently stroking the skin of the back of his hand.
"If I ever forgive you, you will still try to conquer my realm and kill my people."
Raphael nodded, his heart heavy. He knew he deserved her mistrust, her anger. He had earned it, after all.
"I… I can't deny that," he admitted, his voice choked with emotion. "My ambition has blinded me."
He stepped back, releasing her.
"I'll leave," he said, his voice strained. "But know this… I'll remember you, Ciel. Always."
"Wait-" she stepped closer, couldn't let him go like that. Not in the middle of a battle. Not without knowing his real intention.
"Don't leave just now. If you do, your soldiers will just keep killing us."
King Raphael sighed, his heart heavy. He knew he should leave, knew he should put an end to the bloodshed. But he also knew that his soldiers would not listen to him if he tried to call off the attack.
"I… I can't control my men," he admitted, his voice strained. "They'll fight regardless of my orders."
He reached out, gripping her hand tightly.
"But I won't let them harm you, Ciel," he promised, his voice strong now. "You have my word."
Ciel raises an eyebrow, unable to believe that a King couldn't control his men. If he couldn't with an order, it would be because they know he would be insincere.
"You keep lying. You simply don't want to stop it. You want to conquer us anyway, don't you?"
She sighs as she rests her forehead against his.
"But I know a way to end all of this for sure."
King Raphael frowned, his heart pounding in his chest. He knew what she was suggesting, knew the implications. But he also knew there was no other way.
"Do it," he murmured, his voice choking with emotion. "End it. For both our sakes."
He stepped back, releasing her.
Ciel's gaze locks with his as tears fall on her cheeks. She nods slowly before planting a soft kiss on Raphael's lips.
"I wish it could end another way. But I can't let you destroy my people." She whispers between his lips.
King Raphael closed his eyes, bracing himself for the blow. He knew what was coming, knew there was no escape. But he also knew he deserved it, that he had brought this upon himself.
"Goodbye, Ciel," he murmured, his voice choking with emotion. "I wish things could have been different…"
As her magic enveloped him, he fell to his knees. His eyes opened, meeting hers once more. His lips curved into a sad smile.
"Farewell, my queen," he whispered, his voice barely above a whisper.
At his words, she feels like wanting to give up, wanting to believe in him once more, hoping he was now strong-willed enough to stop the war by ordering his men to stop. But she couldn't make the mistake of believing him twice.
She starts crying as she gives Raphael the last blow to end his life knowing that a war ends when one of the leaders dies.
Pain engulfed him, burning through every fiber of his being. It was agony unlike anything he had ever experienced. But as he felt his life slipping away, as darkness crept closer, he saw her face, her tear-streaked features. And for the briefest of moments, he felt peace.
Then, there was nothing.