2 PROLOGUE

He rolled to the side, cuddling himself to compensate for the burning in his stomach. But that only tore open the wound on his back, sending fresh wave of pain, which caged his body, traveling through every part. He wanted to scream, but the metallic fluid in his mouth, covered his throat, trapping what little air was left within his decaying body. He coughed twice but wished almost immediately that he hadn't, for a more excruciating sensation coursed through from his ribcage and seemed to engulf him. If only he had listened to the warnings of the brothers...

Lifting his head, his eyes scanned the scene. Smoke rose in huddles, mixing with the soot and blending with the dark cloud. Screams of anguish caroused the sizzle and frizzle of the burning flames. Screams of men and Jivers alike. Screams of his friends. People that had placed their trust in him. People he had let down.

Biting down the anger and bitterness, Kenna rose to his feet. Each attempt made him want to scream, but he gnashed his teeth instead, afraid to lose the little strength that was left in his bones.

"Ken," Someone shouted.

Kenna turned sharply in the direction. The smoke fogged his vision at first, but it danced away, revealing a silhouetted figure walking or trotting towards him, it was hard to tell at the moment. But the voice. That voice was familiar.

"Kenna," The voice called again, "Ken...oh no"

The clattering of metal on the face of the stone floor, followed the hasty feet as she made her way towards him.

Despite the friable fluid nature of his strength, he couldn't help but smile. Yes, he remembered now. How could he forget? They had come here together. They had come for this purpose. Maybe God made them for each other too.

Her face seemed to glitter with the ember glow of the fire, which seemed to be singing away as they eat anything they touched. It was a relief to his soul. That face had been his strength. It was worth a thousand lives.

"You are alive," Ada said.

His sword clattered on the marble floor as she hurried into his arms, rapping and holding him as if eternity and peace were the cloaks they wore.

Kenna flinch and jerked back, grunting with pain as he held his back. She had touched the burning area in his skin. She had touched the very place where the Jiver's sword had pierced his side.

"What?" She asked, but her bright eyes widened when she saw the slurry greenish fluid on her hands, "No, this cannot be," She said, walking towards him to have a look on his side.

"Don't worry, it's nothing. Have you seen the others?"

Ada ignored.

"No, no. This is not happening." She sobbed.

"Hey," Kenna whispered, cupping her face with his right hand. The skin was still as smooth as ever. Even with the heat of battle, the harsh weather, and the fire. Her beauty was still dazzling like the sun in the morning.

"We made this promise together. Right?"

Ada lifted her eyes to look at him. Kenna's heart sank when the first tears dropped from her eyes and rolled down the chocolate skin.

"It was a promise to live. A promise to save our world. But this...this is not what we fought for. Everything is lost. We have lost, Ken. We have lost."

The tears kept pouring as she sobbed.

"Come here," Kenna pulled her back into his arms. The warmth of her skin sent a chill running from his spine to the back of his brain. Nothing mattered as long as they were soaked in the comfort of each other. The world could burn for all he cares. Let Draco and his Jivers rule. This comfort was all that matters. This comfort was his world. Was his forever.

"We tried. We just have to let light play its part."

"Ken," Ada screamed and pulled away, "Was that supposed to make me feel better? You are dying for goodness sake."

Ken's lips parted with a small smile. Even in her sadness and agony, that baby's beautiful looks were still immortalized on her face. He could stare forever. He just didn't want to miss any detail. He wants to keep everything in his mind. In that large space in his heart. The space she alone has a key to.

"This is not about me, it is about you and the people out there. It's about the world. We must set things right. That's our only chance."

"You are not making any sense, Ikenna. Am I the only one seeing the chaos surrounding us? The brothers are dead. Our friends, and everyone who ever set out on this mission. We are the only ones standing, for how long I cannot say."

Ken's smile widened. She had not called him Ikenna since they got married. That name was their past. It was the past they had left behind. Left behind? No, this was all familiar. It's happening again. Yes, he could feel it, deep down. But this time, it was his turn to save her. This time, she will not have to risk her immortality or her life for him.

"I wish I can draw your face in my memory," Ken said.

He pulled away from her. Doing so was a torment, for he wanted to remain glued to her until forever becomes the song they sang. But that would only jeopardize their world and everything they stood for. It would only lead to their death. No, she must live. She must live for him.

"You are still not making any sense," Ada said.

"I am sorry my love. But I have to do this." Kenna said, and rested his hands on the scabbard, strapped behind him. "I have to do this" He repeated and tried to pull out Ife, his dagger. But to his dismay, the dagger was...gone.

"You always underestimate me, Kenna. You forget I know you too well," Ada said.

Kenna swallowed, looking at her with a wide mouth. On her hand was Ife, his dagger.

"How did you?" Kenna wanted to say but the words got stuck in his throat as Ada rushed forward and drove the blade into his stomach. So great was the impact that all the dagger went into his stomach, without any trace.

"I love you, Ken. I love you so much." Ada whispered into his ears.

A new wave of pain course through Ken's body as he held the spot where the dagger had been buried in his stomach. He tried to pull it out, but the blood that was already oozing made it impossible for him to draw out the dagger. He cringed instead, falling on his knees, choking in his blood.

"I love you so much," Ada said.

Kenna tried to lift his head to meet her, but the curtain of his eyes was already shutting down on him, taking away the light and clothing his world with utter darkness.