Crimson Moonlight

XXXVI. Sacrifice

☆🎧Playlist- "Let the world burn"

by Chris Grey

The injury came swiftly and unexpectedly during the chaos of the climactic battle. In the dimly lit warehouse, Sunghoon fought with all the grace and power of a seasoned warrior, his every move precise and deadly. But the ancient vampire we faced was unlike any other—a creature whose strength and speed defied everything we had encountered before.

Sunghoon held his ground, clashing with the vampire, but in a sudden, brutal strike, the enemy found its opening. With blinding speed, the vampire lashed out, its razor-sharp claws slicing through the air and into Sunghoon's chest. The sound of tearing flesh echoed around us, and I froze as blood splattered across the floor. His defenses had been breached, and the injury was severe.

"Sunghoon!" My scream barely reached him as he staggered back, momentarily stunned by the force of the blow. Blood soaked his clothes, staining them crimson. I saw the pain in his eyes, a grimace passing over his face, but he didn't falter.

Despite the agony, Sunghoon pushed forward. His movements became more deliberate, each strike calculated, but I could see the toll the wound was taking. Every breath seemed like a battle, every step a struggle. Yet, he fought on, his eyes flicking toward me even as he held his ground. I knew what was driving him—his need to protect me, no matter the cost.

But as the battle raged on, Sunghoon's strength began to fade. The blood loss sapped his energy, and I could see the exhaustion setting in. The ancient vampire was relentless, sensing weakness and pressing the attack. I wanted to run to him, but I was locked in my own fight, my heart racing in fear for him.

And then, in a blur, the final blow came. The vampire struck with unrelenting force, sending Sunghoon crashing to the ground. A cry tore from my throat as he collapsed, unconscious and vulnerable.

In that instant, time seemed to slow. I saw his face, the way his body lay still amidst the debris, and panic gripped my chest. No. Not now. Not him.

We won the battle, but victory tasted bitter. Sunghoon lay unmoving, and I rushed to his side, my hands trembling as I knelt next to him. "Hoon?..." My voice was barely a whisper, choked with fear and desperation. I touched his face, feeling the warmth still there, but it was fading fast. "Stay with me, please."

His eyelids fluttered, and a faint groan escaped his lips, but he was slipping away, his strength drained from the wound. I pressed my hands to his chest, trying to stop the bleeding, but it felt like trying to stop a river with my bare hands.

"We need to get him to safety!" One of our allies shouted, urgency snapping me back into motion.

Together, we carried Sunghoon from the crumbling warehouse to the waiting car. I sat beside him, my fingers entwined with his, silently pleading for him to hold on. Please don't leave me. Please.

Back at the bookstore, we laid him on a makeshift bed. The space was filled with the flicker of candles and the scent of herbs. The librarian moved quickly, his ancient knowledge guiding him as he tended to Sunghoon's wounds.

"He's lost a lot of blood," the librarian murmured, his voice heavy with concern. "But he's strong. He'll pull through."

I couldn't move from Sunghoon's side. My heart ached as I watched his pale face, my hands never leaving his. "Please be okay," I whispered over and over, as if saying it would make it true.

Hours passed, every second feeling like a lifetime. The silence in the bookstore pressed down on me, broken only by the occasional stir of wind outside. I stayed awake, unwilling to leave him, my mind filled with the image of his smile, his strength, his unwavering presence beside me.

Finally, as the first light of dawn crept through the windows, Sunghoon stirred. His eyes fluttered open, and my heart jumped in my chest. I leaned in, barely daring to breathe. "You're awake," I whispered, emotion thick in my voice.

His lips curved into a faint smile. "I told you," he rasped, his voice hoarse but filled with warmth, "I'm not leaving you."

Tears welled in my eyes as I kissed him softly, cupping his face in my hands. "You scared me," I admitted, my voice trembling. "I thought I lost you."

Sunghoon's hand lifted weakly, brushing a strand of hair from my face. "I'm sorry," he whispered, his fingers lingering against my skin. "But I'm here now."

Relief flooded through me, and we sat in quiet understanding. The battle had nearly taken him from me, and the fear of losing him still gripped my heart, but in that moment, none of it mattered. He was here. We had survived.

Hours passed as Sunghoon slowly regained his strength. I watched over him, tending to his wounds as best I could, while the librarian provided the healing remedies we needed. As the sun rose higher in the sky, the weight of what had happened began to sink in. The battle was over, but the war was not.

"We have to keep going," Sunghoon said firmly, his voice gaining strength. "We can't let this setback stop us."

I shook my head, my heart aching with the thought. "No. You're injured. We're not moving until you heal," I insisted, my voice firm despite the emotions swirling inside me. "I'm not losing you, Sunghoon."

For a moment, his eyes softened, and he reached for my hand, squeezing it gently. "Alright," he agreed softly. "But we won't stop. We'll be ready for whatever comes next."

Despite the darkness still looming, I felt a glimmer of hope. We would face whatever came next—together.

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