2 Last awakening

''Ah!'' Unconscious Leto suddenly woke up and shrieked in pain as his body convulsed.

Immediately, his stomach churned. He puked mouthful of black blood. Disgusting brown worms could be seen crawling inside it. Bitter feelings emerged in his heart, as he knew he didn't have much time left...

He could vaguely hear his father's anxious voice.

''Drink this.'' Another familiar figure was standing by his side. He heard her soft, concerned voice and instinctively knew what had to be done.

After consuming the great dose of painkillers, he gradually calmed down, but the unbearable pain of worms gnawing at his flesh and organs couldn't be erased completely. It was unbearable.

''Son, my son! Forgive your useless old man!'' Gile cried as he embraced his thin body.

Leto felt warmth seeping in his heart. He felt lucky to have such a caring parent.

''I can't breathe.''

''Ah, sorry, are you alright? did I hurt you?'' Gile was startled as he quickly distanced himself and shouted concernedly.

Leto laughed hollowly, which appeared worse than crying.

He had been bedridden for 3 months, so his appearance wasn't what it used to be.

His hair was gone. His pupils were pale blue, while his irises - bloodshot. His skin was sickly pale and wrinkled in some places. His skin had peeled off in some areas, as it had rotten. His body gave off the disgusting, unbearable stench.

He put up with the constant pain and headache as he stood up from his bed.

''What are you...'' Gile was horrified as he saw his sudden actions.

''I want to shower. Don't worry, I feel somewhat better. I can manage it myself.'' Leto tried to show his sincere smile.

In truth, he was lying. He didn't feel any better, much worse even, but he wanted to have a bath.

''You can't do that. Sara! Come here this instant!'' Gile denied resolutely, following which he called someone loudly.

Young maid entered the room. She appeared a little frightened.

''Go, help him bathe. He's weak, so take care of him well.'' He reminded sternly.

''Leave it to me, master.'' The girl bowed hurriedly.

''Don't exert yourself.'' Gile couldn't help but to advice his son in worry.

''Haha, it's just a bath.'' Leto dismissed his words and disappeared with the maid.

''Lean on me, young master.'' The maid wrapped her hand around his to help him walk.

Leto was aware, she was secretly disgusted with him, but he couldn't care less.

He felt he would die soon.

His vision was blurry, as he couldn't see as well as before, but still, he absentmindedly observed the halls which smelled like childhood, the familiar fluffy carpet underneath him which he used to walk on barefooted, the ornamented walls, which gave the palace rich and exquisite feeling, the portraits of ancestors which hung on the walls, large chandeliers, which gave off pale blue light...

They felt so ethereal to him now. In comparison to life, they were just meaningless decorations. He walked slowly, feeling his vitality drifting away, similar to how old man feels the death approaching.

Leto sighed in regret. He didn't want to die, but it was inevitable at this point. He had accepted his fate now.

He allowed the maid to take off his clothes. He couldn't do it on his own, anyway. She accompanied him in the bath.

She said nothing, only silently and carefully washing his body. Sometimes, the weak sound of water splashing could be heard.

Leto was absentminded, as he felt so cold.

The coldness was seeping in. He couldn't find the strength to move his fingers. His thinking was also getting sluggish.

For the first time, the torturing feeling of worms gnawing at his body disappeared, but he couldn't feel happy at all.

He was frightened. He subconsciously knew what was happening, but he didn't dare think about it.

Leto slightly shifted his eyes, staring at his slumped down, thin hand, while struggling to move his finger.

It moved, but only slightly, probably half a millimeter, or even less, or it might have even been his imagination.

The light dimmed from his eyes.

*Splash

His body powerlessly fell into the water, like a puppet with strings cut.

''Young master! Young mas...'' A terrified, muffled shriek of the maid entered his ears and then...there was nothing.