Brandished night, weighty mist crawling about, past the vestiges along the dock, Akli squeezed Haza’s arm, the two ran. Blood approached the opposite end of the lighthouse. The tide ebbed, waves shallow, the chance of any spilling wave growing was unlikely. Dropping into a small row boat, Akli could feel the shift, this was the moment he needed. Rocking back and forth as Haza clung to her coat.

  Damn, rowing is…a lot…harder than I thought. Akli’s shoulder’s burned, triceps and back incapable of using their full potential as his grip weakened.

  “We’re almost there…I think. Having fun…?” Akli asked, looking behind himself. The light in the distance being his guide.

  “You don’t need to pretend…” Haza muttered.

  “I know… This will be the last we ever interact. So let me make the memory a good one.”

  “Your friends wouldn’t be where they are…if it wasn’t for me,” Haza said as she curled deeper into herself.

  “You said I would be your savior, a Saint. I believe in you as much as you believe in me. This was the best choice, was it not?”

  “But—”

  “Forget it. My life was gonna be rough no matter what I did. Who really knows what the future holds? Besides you, of course.”

  Taken from Royal Road, this narrative should be reported if found on Amazon.

  “You lied…?”

  “Of course, but it was more a half-truth if you think about it. I can’t see no fate like you put it, even when I tried to trick myself into the possibility. Perhaps I am just a fool who wanted to go on an adventure. Think about it, what guy wouldn’t want to risk his life for a princess begging him to travel across the country?”

  “You’re crazy…but I already knew that,” Haza smiled.

  “That’s the look. Here, early gift, happy birthday,” Akli said as he tossed her a conch shell. “Prettiest one I could find on that lousy beach. Same place we met. I like to collect lots of junk, and I thought it apt to give a princess something pretty.”

  “You didn’t even clean the thing…thank you.” Akli, you truly are the one who will save this world. This line, surely I’ve done all I can.

  “Seems we’re gonna pass the lighthouse. Help me light the lantern, it’ll be dark from here…huh? What’s with that look?” Akli stared at Haza’s tearful face. She quickly hugged him. “Ey, I know…enough. Man, we should have celebrated much earlier, maybe bought a cake, or something.” If only the others…Val would know what a little girl would want. “Alright, let go—”

  “I’m scared, even though I know it’s coming, I’m scared. I’ve seen it thousands of times…the happiest I ever would be could not fix what would occur. I’m sorry…”

  “What are you saying?”

  “…” This was the only way. Haza tightened her hold, shivering as tears streamed down her face.

  “Seriously eno—” Blood, the taste of blood. The white film of brain matter sliding down his broad nose. The grip of a corpse is an unyielding one. Turning his head to the west, Akli opened his eyes towards the bright light above shadowed by dried blood. Chattering teeth trembled violently as Akli’s skin became cold. “Haza?” As if struck by a blizzard, he froze. “Someone…help me…please…no more…”