TOTCF content because my brain go brr

I refuse to leave, I refuse to forget

A golden cage held a little black raven.

The door was closed, but unlocked.

Every few days, the sly cat pushed the door closed and the bird snuggled into the paw, enjoying the attention. Sometimes the sly cat would stumble and leave the door open. The raven obediently closed the door when he did. The raven liked the cage. The cage meant the cat would return.

Even when the cat no longer came around. Even when the cat no longer fed the raven. Even when the doors and walls rusted away. Even when the cage eventually stopped existing.

Even when he forgot how to fly. His claws and beak sharpened to be useful for the cat. He refused to leave. He refused to forget.

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"Choi Han, I am sorry." Alberu spoke, his body leaning against his. He was wounded and struggling in pain. His eyes flickered over to his knight's with remorse.  "I am a bad king. I have failed you."

"Don't say that Your Highness. I can heal you." Choi Han spoke desperately, looking for his healing potion. He was scared.

"I have ruined you. You shouldn't have been involved. I wish I could've given you the life you deserved, instead of pulling you into this mess."

"Your highness, you can't die here. Let me-"

"I wish I was better to you. Better for you. Because I know in my heart. If we met again. Like this. My selfish heart would do it again."

"Your highness-"

"Call me Alberu."

"Your highness..."

"I am glad. I am glad to have met you. I am glad to have befriended you. I am glad to have loved you. My life feels less meaningless with you in it. Feels like there was more worth to it. I am sorry I have to die here. In front of you."

"Your highness. You always believed in me. Don't you want me to heal-?"

"I used you. To further my goals." Alberu shook his head, letting out a laugh. 

"I don't care. I will let myself be used if it means you found me useful. I am sorry I was only good as a pawn. I wish I could've been the piece you needed." Choi Han kneeled down to let Alberu rest on the floor. 

"Han. I couldn't have asked for anyone more sincere than you. You were more than useful. I didn't put you in every battle, on the front lines because you were *replaceable*. I brought you into every battle because I trusted you. You became sentimental." Alberu coughed out, and Choi Han could feel him weigh down more and more. 

He desperately poured the healing potion. But it was useless. 

"Your Highnesss. Alberu..."

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"Henituse."

"Henituse don't leave me."

"Henituse please."

"I'll be going to a better place, don't worry. I guarantee it." Cale snickered. His arms and legs felt crushed. He was in complete pain from having the bodies crush him. He was happy. He was going to see his mom again. He made the deal to swap bodies with whoever it was, and he was now relaxed. He just hoped Choi Han would be okay without him.

"Stay here with me." Choi Han didn't understand what he meant, and his hands were tight on his clothes. He held him closer to his chest. He wanted to save him. He wanted to save one person. One person more.

"I'm sorry. I'm sorry for beating you up that day. I'm sorry for holding onto that grudge for so long. I'm sorry I was so cold to you. I'm sorry it took me so long to tell you this. I'm sorry I didn't tell you I forgave you years and years ago. I'm sorry I wasn't there for you when your family died."