"Taya, didn't I warn you to always guard your back?"
Orig's words echoed as he fell to the ground, his body shielding her from the bullet meant to end her life. The sight of him collapsing, blood soaking through his clothes, left Taya paralyzed. The greatest warrior in the history of the Seven Kingdoms of Rose was now lying before her, gravely wounded.
The news of Orig taking the bullet for her spread through the battlefield like wildfire. Taya, consumed with grief and fury, fell to her knees, tears streaming down her face as she desperately tried to stem the blood flowing from his wound.
"My lady, the reinforcements have arrived. They'll enter the battlefield in five minutes. Can you hear me, my lady?"
But Taya could barely register the words. Her ears were ringing with a deafening sound, her mind spiraling into chaos. Orig, barely conscious, struggled to open his eyes. His gaze found her pale, stricken face.
