The Fall of a Prince

The Prince's Defeat

It was calm when I entered the place. No sound of striking blades, nor any voices. The only thing I heard were the flames flickering in torches around the wall. Those were the only light source. I looked around me and quickly closed the gates, so nobody could enter. The battle seemed to be over. I descended from my trusty steed and took a deep breath.
The questions reappeared in my mind.
'Where is Xander, or Corrin? What happened? Why is it so quiet? Should they not be fighting? What about Lady Elise? Is she okay? Is Xander okay? Why can't I see anyone? Did Xander lose? Where have they gone? How should this continue?'
I trembled and couldn't hold my voice back. "Xander...!!", I screamed desperately into the void, hoping and internally praying that he would answer. My voice echoed to the walls and back. But at the end, there was just...

...Silence.

I ran through the room, searching for any signs. I wanted to scream again but stopped myself when I saw....him...
"Xander...?", I whispered. I slowly approached him. He was lying on the ground and his back was leaning against the wall. His eyes were closed and blood covered his upper body. "W-what...no..!", I could barely hear my voice.
'The best knight in Nohr...was defeated...!'
While my eyes were getting used to the darkness, I turned around and noticed something else.
"...Lady Elise...?"
She was lying beside Xander, a huge spot of blood covering her from the chest to her belly. A big wound was its origin.
'This cannot be the size of Corrin's sword...This cut is definitely larger...'
I laid my eyes on Xander's Sword, Siegfried. It has lost its shine and was full with blood stains as well.
'No...this can't be...Xander...did you kill her..? Your own sister? How...?'
At this moment, I couldn't hold back my tears anymore. I let out a loud sob and curled into Xander's arms. I pressed my head against his chest. I didn't care if I get stained by his blood, I just wanted to stay with him. I nuzzled against his neck, breathing loud, mixed with my sobbing. Tears were running down my cheek, wiping a bit blood from my face. He was still breathing, but it was very weak and it was not possible to save him.
"A-alice....", a soft whisper rang out. I immediately sat up. Xander has his eyes slightly opened.
Xander...
"X-xan- I mean...Lord Xander..I...", I struggled my sentence and let out another sob. "Stop with the formalities...we talked about this...remember...?", Xander interrupted me. I nod, wiping my tears from my face. "There were so many...things I wanted to show you...", he continued but couldn't suppress a cough. "Shhh...don't talk, please...", I murmured and softly hugged him. Tears came up again and I start sobbing. I didn't want to lose him. There was something I needed to get out of my chest. I had to tell him now, or else, it will be too late... "Xander, I...I love you...", I instantly said, my eyes pressed together. "What...?", Xander replied. "Oh..." And his eyes closed again.