Warm Eyes | Hyunchan ✅

XXVX [Last Embrace]

Hyunjin had never felt more at peace than he did in the days leading up to the attack. After all the chaos and pain they had endured, he and Christopher finally had time to be together, to just exist in each other's presence without the looming threat of death or betrayal. They spent their days quietly, rebuilding their strength and discussing plans for their next move against the king, who still lusted after Christopher's heart core. But for once, Hyunjin allowed himself to feel some hope-a hope that maybe, somehow, they could escape this cycle of bloodshed.

One afternoon, after running some small errands in the nearby village, Hyunjin returned to the cottage, humming quietly to himself. It had been a peaceful day, and he was eager to get back to Christopher. He pushed open the door, expecting to see him resting or perhaps reading by the fire. Instead, he froze.

The scene in front of him was one he never could have prepared for. The soft light of the afternoon sun filtered through the windows, casting long shadows across the floor. In the middle of the room lay Christopher, his body still and broken, blood pooling around him. His chest had been torn open-his heart, the very thing the king had been after, was gone.

Hyunjin's mind went blank. He couldn't process what he was seeing. Christopher's lifeless body, the gaping wound where his heart had been ripped out, the cold, still air of the cottage that had once been their sanctuary-it didn't make sense. This couldn't be real. Not now. Not after everything they had been through.

"Christopher?" His voice trembled, the word barely a whisper. He took a step forward, his feet feeling like lead as he moved toward the body. "Christopher... no..."

His hands shook violently as he knelt beside Christopher's body, reaching out to touch him but hesitating. The coldness of his skin confirmed what Hyunjin didn't want to believe-he was gone. Truly, completely gone.

A sound behind him-a guard moving in for the kill. Hyunjin barely had time to react, his body moving on instinct as he dodged the incoming blow. Rage flooded him, his mana surging as he spun around, casting a spell that left the guard lifeless in an instant.

He didn't stop. Another guard lunged at him, and he dispatched them just as quickly. His magic was fueled by fury, his movements mechanical as he tore through each of the king's men, one by one, until the cottage was littered with their corpses.

Then, in the center of the room, stood the king. His face was a twisted mask of triumph and malice. The sight of him only ignited the fury in Hyunjin's veins.

"You," Hyunjin growled, his voice low and dangerous. "You did this."

The king sneered, holding up Christopher's heart, still pulsing weakly in his hand. "You're too late. With this, I'll have the power of eternity."

Hyunjin's vision blurred with rage. Without hesitation, he gathered the last of his strength, casting a deadly spell that tore the king apart in an explosion of light and sound. When the smoke cleared, the king's body was no more-only ashes remained.

It was over. But the victory was hollow. Christopher was gone.

Hyunjin collapsed beside Christopher's body, his breath shallow and ragged. Tears streamed down his face as he pulled Christopher into his arms, cradling him close. He buried his face in Christopher's hair, shaking with sobs.

"I'm sorry," he whispered, over and over. "I'm so sorry... I should've been here. I should've protected you..."

He felt the weight of Christopher's hand, cold and heavy, as he held it in his own. The reality of his loss crushed him, making it hard to breathe. For so long, he had fought for them to have a future together, only for it to be ripped away in the cruelest way possible.

"I should've been here," he repeated, his voice cracking. "I wasn't fast enough... I couldn't protect you..."

Minutes felt like hours as Hyunjin clung to Christopher's body, unwilling to let go. He had lost everything-everything that had mattered. His reason to fight, his hope for a better future, the person he loved most in the world-it was all gone.

Desperate for any solution, for any chance to undo this, Hyunjin closed his eyes and called upon the devil. The same devil he had sold his soul to, the one who had granted him his dark powers in exchange for his eternal damnation. The air around him grew cold as the devil appeared, his laughter filling the room.

"Oh, Hyunjin," the devil purred, circling him slowly. "Back again so soon? And here I thought you'd be enjoying your lover's demise."

Hyunjin glared up at the devil, hatred burning in his chest. "Bring him back," he demanded, his voice hoarse from crying. "There has to be a way. I'll give you anything-just bring him back."

The devil's grin widened, showing sharp teeth. "Oh, but his heart is gone, my dear. There's no life without it. You know that."

Hyunjin clenched his fists, his heart aching. "There has to be something. You have to know some way."

The devil laughed, a deep, mocking sound that made Hyunjin's blood boil. "You humans truly are amusing. So desperate, so willing to sacrifice yourselves for love. But, perhaps there's one way, though I doubt it will bring you any comfort."

Hyunjin's breath hitched. "What is it?"

The devil leaned in closer, his voice dripping with malice. "Sacrifice your life, and maybe-just maybe-your god will hear your plea. But that's not up to me. I'm not in the business of mercy."

Hyunjin didn't hesitate. "I'll do it."

The devil blinked, seemingly taken aback by the conviction in Hyunjin's voice. Then he grinned, his amusement evident. "Oh, this is rich. You've already sold your soul to me, and now you're begging for mercy from a god? Do you think they'll even listen to you?"

"I don't care," Hyunjin said, his voice steady despite the tears running down his cheeks. "I don't want to live in a world without him. If sacrificing my life will bring him back, I'll do it."

The devil's laughter echoed through the room, but Hyunjin ignored him. He knelt beside Christopher, his heart breaking as he looked at his lover's peaceful face. Christopher had never wanted a death like this-he had always longed for a peaceful, human end, not this violent theft of his life.

"I'm sorry," Hyunjin whispered, holding Christopher's hand tightly. "I'm so sorry."

With a final kiss to Christopher's hand, Hyunjin closed his eyes and prepared himself for the sacrifice. The devil watched in fascination as Hyunjin's mana began to surge, his life force ebbing away as he poured everything he had into his final act.

As the light around him began to fade, Hyunjin's thoughts wandered. He realized with a painful clarity that there was one thing he had never known, something that now felt tragically important in his final moments.

Christopher's real name. The one that had been so similar to his own.

The thought lingered in his mind as darkness took over, a bittersweet smile playing on his lips.

In his final breath, Hyunjin let go of everything, the world around him fading into nothingness. He had given everything for love-his soul, his life. All he had left was a quiet hope that, somewhere, somehow, they would be together again.

And then, there was only silence.