Prologue: Why?
"Why?"
The question was echoing through my head now as I carried her in my arms. There were many things I had done in my life that people would question me for, but none I would question myself for. I always lived by the motto 'do what you want, lives more fun that way'.
And yet…Why?
We had won, Arihman trapped away in the tree of light, and his corrupted minions vanquished. The victory however was a hollow one, when we beat Arihman, cast the final blow, I had lost more then I had bargained for.
Elika, she had to sacrifice her life to seal Arihman away. I should have realized it sooner I suppose, evasive answers, shifty glances, and a tired physique after every healing. In retrospect it was obvious to see what she had planned, and as I glance down at her in my arms, I couldn't help but feel happy, a joyous, unregulated, euphoria, to see her chest moving in a steady breath again; too see her alive again.
000
'He has undone it! '
There was no way to hide from the truth, no way to run, Arihman was free once more. Her prince had undone all the hard work they had gone through, every fight, every death defying risk, everything; all for nothing.
"Why?" I couldn't help but ask him as I awoke, I had to know, must still know.
I had accepted my death, knew it was inevitable, for the world to live, I must die. A fair exchange if I do say so myself, though it was cruel of me not to tell my prince. My prince, when had I started to refer to him by such a name, though now that I think on it, he never has told me his real one.
My thoughts are a mess, coming quickly one after another now, but still as I gaze up at him, as he carries me across these desert sands, and the sky darkens, I still have to wonder…Why?
000
I could feel the darkness coming now, I could hear that monsters roar, but I didn't look behind me, instead I looked down once more. I looked down at Elika, the princess of the Ahura, and a warrior like no other, and with darkness approaching rapidly from behind I smiled at her.
"Don't worry princess, I've got you."
She gazed up at me with her cream colored eyes and asked, "Will we fix this?"
I can't help but smile at her question, even though I had seen it coming, it is nice to know that not even death can change her one track mind.
"We will fix this, I promise."And then…
And then I ran.