[Book 2] Gate Guardian - Song of the Frozen Soul

PHASE 87 - THE SINS WE HAVE TO PAY

PHASE 87 - THE SINS WE HAVE TO PAY

I thought it was all over.

Blood dripped and flowed to Rikkun’s bare abdomen. I can also hear the rippling of the blood that fell to the floor. The windows have been partially sealed by the blood, but they let a speck of the moonlight pass through.

“Tiara… stop…”

My eyes opened wide when I realized the voice of the man I love. I realized that the knife did not tear my chest; it tore my boyfriend’s hand. She caught the edge of the knife with his palm, and now he’s suffering due to the pain I just inflicted.

“...Rik...kun…” My tears continued to flow non-stop. I felt my strength leaving my body as my shoulders went down. I immediately let go of the knife.

Rikkun removed the knife that has been stuck on his bleeding hand, threw it to the floor, and then proceeded to hug me tight. He caressed me with his bloodied and injured hand as if I’m a trembling puppy who is scared of the fireworks.

“This… This is not the way, Tiara. You don’t have to kill yourself.” Rikkun’s comforting whispers was music to my ears.

“But… But…” I stuttered. “I killed a lot of people… Innocent people… I killed my family… I killed my friends… I almost killed you… My existence in this world is extremely dangerous to you and everyone else...”

I can feel a faint smile on Rikkun’s face. There’s no sign of disgust in his actions and words. He dipped his snout to my neck as his hug to me became tighter, never wanting to let go.

“Then that makes us one of the same,” Rikkun said. “Don’t you remember? I am Aeternos. I have killed a lot of innocent people. I will kill a lot more. No matter what the timeline, the blood of the dead will forever be in our hands. That is our sin. But death is not the proper way to atone for it.”

“R...Rikkun…” My jaw trembled as I let out a loud holler. “Rikkun! Rikkun! I’m sorry! I’m so sorry!”

Rikkun gently rubbed my head with his other uninjured hand.

He cares a lot. He’s treating me like fragile jewelry that makes his hug the most comfortable protection in the whole world. 

With him here, I’ll be safe. As long as we have one another, we are safe.

“I’m sorry too, Tiara. It was my fault too.” Rikkun whispered. “I already had the <Presage> back then. I saw in my dreams that something will go wrong once you assimilate Necross. But we didn’t have a choice. I can’t afford you singing the <Song of Time> again. This is the price to pay to save this universe.”

“Rikkun… you…”

“Yes.” Rikkun abruptly answered. 

He pulled his face away and stared at my cursed eyes. His emerald eyes twinkled as if they are amazed at my irises’ beauty. Even though I could see my pitiful disgusting reflection on his eyes, I know that he still loves me no matter what I do.

“I knew that you are the shadow all along. I saw it. I saw everything. I know how it will end, but I did nothing. I… I…” Rikkun’s voice cracked. “... I don’t know what to do.”

The man of my life unleashed tears from his eyes. We’re both crybabies at this point, trying to comfort each other with their own version of sweet words. We are just licking each other’s wounds and pretend that everything will be okay after this.

“<Aethernus>,” Rikkun whispered, and his wounded hand was immediately coated with cybernetic gloves. In this way, he can stop the bleeding immediately.