The Scarlet Hawk and The Black Knights (Mina)✔️

48: Epilogue

Previously...

"Brothers.....no..." Balmong gritted his teeth and held both Sarom and Maleom's hands with his own. "We should go back to the main lair now, we sh-"

"No, no don't do that. We'll die before we get there anyway." Maleom breathed out and rested his head. "Let her be, let her fulfill her purpose and let her do what she believes it's right. B-besides....I..I think our time as blind followers are done for, Balmong. I-I can finally meet my wife and my child now." he chuckled, tears leaving his eyes while his lips shook.

"I'm glad you'll find your happiness soon, Maleom." Balmong nodded with a thin smile and rubbed the dying Black Knight's shoulder. "I'll be sure to join the both of you soon enough, my friends." he assured them.

"You stay here for a little longer, Balmong." Sarom chuckled and patted their leader's shoulder, smiling weakly. "Explore the world freely on your own will without having to bear the burden of being a Black Knight and serving The Horn, my friend. When you're done and ready to join us, we'll have a nice drink together." he stated, and with that, the two Black Knights let out their last breaths, closing their eyes shut as their chests stopped heaving. Balmong pursed his lips and closed his eyes, taking a deep breath in and out, letting his two friends rest in peace while Mi Na could only stand still in awful silence.

Balmong stood up and turned to look at Mi Na. His face wasn't furious nor scared at all. He just seemed normal and unbothered.

"Do what you think is best for yourself, Mi Na. You still have the chance to redeem yourself and save everyone else unlike me." he sighed and proceeded to take his sword, throwing it to Mi Na as the lady caught it. "I'm entrusting my sword to you, guard it, and use it to defend those you love." Balmong smiled and grabbed a dagger from his pocket.

"W-what're you doing?" Mi Na raised her eyebrows and moved closer to the Black Knight, but he gestured her to stop. Balmong took a deep breath and moved the dagger up, aiming for his chest. "What about their request?? Y-you promised them to explore the world freely on your own will!" the lady objected.

"You're wrong. I have in fact explored the  world freely on my own will, with my two friends whom I call my brothers. I have nothing else to lose now except the horrible life I have lived, and so I shall now find peace and join those I loved." Balmong smiled and looked at Mi Na. "Protect the ones you love with your life, Mi Na. Your family, your friends, anyone dear to you. The fate of the very world lies within your hands at this very moment." he sighed deeply with his eyes closed and pulled the dagger hard to his chest, the metal blade piercing his chest as blood started leaking out of his mouth. Mi Na gasped at the sight of the suicide he committed and watched as Balmong fell to the ground, snowflakes starting to fall on his face and his fingers just like how snow had covered his two dead friends.

"Thank you." Mi Na shut her eyes in sorrow and gratitude, taking Balmong's and her sword as she walked away from the three lifeless Black Knights alone in the snow. She walked to the tree where she felt Momo's presence, and gently caressed its branch, resting her forehead against it. "I have one thing to do now." she stated and opened her eyes wide, turning into her hawk form as she flew away.

What Mi Na had not realized was that Yeolgu had seen the entire scene unfolding the whole time before his eyes, and so the young boy rushed to his father's dead body, crying in pain and agony as he hugged Sarom's lifeless form, bawling his eyes out. The anger grew in his chest and he gritted his teeth, veins starting to show themselves in his arms.