The Guarded Princess

LXX

 "Hakuyuu!"

Hakuyuu widened his eyes as he felt the warmth of someone nearby, long, silky, golden hair spanning across his vision. He looked up and saw someone appear in front of them and Hakuryuu, too, turned to see who it was. The sound of a sword piercing into flesh could be heard and Hakuyuu widened his eyes in alarm as blood stained the pure, white dress that she wore, the blood trickling down onto the floor. The mages stepped back in alarm, wondering who it was that had stepped in.

"Begone!" Lucy ordered, her eyes widening as a tint of gold could be seen in them.

They perished into black dust and though it was an illusion that Hakuyuu and Hakuren had forged themselves, it felt too real. She panted and turned around, a soft smile settled upon her lips as tears fell from her bright, relieved eyes. Hakuyuu stared at her and as she dropped to her knees, he reached out to catch her. She looked so familiar yet so different but he felt that he knew her from somewhere for she looked far too similar to someone; someone he held dear and close to him. Lucy grinned and that one smile gave it all away. Hakuyuu widened his eyes upon realizing who she looked so similar to.

"Lu...cy...?" he uttered, not believing his eyes.

Lucy smiled and compared to the child Lucy that he knew, the Lucy that had appeared before him was much more mature but there was still a tint of pureness and naiveness in her. Lucy stared at him with eyes of pensiveness and reaching out a hand to stroke his cheek, she wrapped her arms around him as tears continued to fall down.

"It's over, Hakuyuu," she said and he widened his eyes. "It's all over so you can stop now."

The illusion that had been built up began to crumble and Hakuryuu who had stood there began to fade away as well. The pool of blood surrounding Hakuren also began to draw back into his body as the wound and blood on Lucy faded. Everything turned once again into a black void, leaving their bodies glowing as the only light. 

"The thing that you have to do, it was done," she said, slowly letting go of him. "Ren Gyokuen is no longer there nor is Al-Thamen. It's over, Hakuyuu, Hakuren. There's no need to put yourselves through all this suffering all over again."

Tears silently fell down his face as he was reverted back to his normal appearance. Hakuren sat up and looked at her.

"It's all over?" he asked.

"Yes," Lucy smiled.

He broke down with a smile as he covered his eyes with his arm. "So it's all over. It's really over," he gave a huge sigh as tears rolled down endlessly. "Thank the heavens."

Hakuyuu stared at her. "Then is Hakuei and Hakuryuu...?"

"Yes," she smiled. "They're all safe and alive. Kouen became the Third Emperor of the Kou Empire and they're all living in the Kou Empire together. It's all over!"

Hakuyuu's eyes gleamed as he slouched, beginning to break down. "I see. So everything's over," he gave a relieved smile.

Meeting Lucy's eyes, he reached out to her and took her hand, thanking her. Hakuren, too, gave a smile to her but Lucy could see the regret in their eyes. They didn't want to leave just yet. They were glad to hear that Al-Thamen was no longer here and that Hakuei, Hakuryuu, Kouen, Koumei, Kougyoku, Kouha, and all the others were alive and well but they didn't want to part from this world yet; they wanted to see them and experience more. It was just too sudden and short.

"I guess this is the end, huh?" Hakuyuu gave a conflicted smile.

Lucy trembled with sadness as she clutched their hands. "No. Don't leave yet," she said. "I don't want you guys to leave yet."