Exchange of Hearts

Chapter 9

Our fight almost felt like hours. I was breathing hard and so tired, I couldn’t raise my sword any higher.

“Aaw… Tired already?” he asked with fake innocence. “Well, let me take you to bed.”  He swept his legs across my feet and I fell to my back.  

“Why me?!” I shouted.

“Oh, you really don’t know?” he placed his sword tip to my chest. “You own the most special heart here in this world. Your heart is so pure that it can bring any kind of creature into life. I exchange your hearts in order to revive Terras, my beautiful beast and bring destruction into this wretched world.”  

Then, he kicked me so hard I went flying to cliff nearby. So close, I managed to hold on the ledge with one hand. He casually walk over.

“Besides, it’s very priceless for a demon to corrupt an angel. “ He smiled wickedly. He lifted his right foot. I just waited for his final step, just then his eyes went big. He stared at the sword tip sprouted in his chest. “What?!” Behind him, Atrom twisted his sword making him screamed in pain. Then, Atrom let go of the sword and kicked his back. He screamed my name as he plunged into the darkness of the pit.

Atrom fell on his back exhausted. I pulled myself up. I went beside him and saw clearly how badly injured he was. He was so pale. Painfully, he reached for my hand, “You know why I released you?” I shake my head in response. Tears started to flow. “When I looked at you there, you reminded me of my sister.” He smile faintly. I’d never seen him smile before. Her sister. Was she the one I saw on his picture at his office? ”Promised her that it’ll be okay but I failed to protect her.” His eyes were looking at the distance. “Don’t want to repeat that.”

Without leaving his side, I look around frantically to find anyone but he stopped me. “Don’t worry about me. You already done something for me.” He gave me another warm smile. “What?” I managed to say. “I felt her bravery again.” He reached for something on other side and revealed the golden dagger. “Be brave, Elafros. Follow your heart.” Then, he closed his eyes and had his last breath.  

I can’t believe it. He was gone. He died because of me. Now, the innocent defenseless people are killed one by one. Because of me. Because of this thing inside me. It’s time to finish this.