Xenudah's breathing was heavy and ragged, his vision was blurred, and his eyes watered as his fists shook.
No! This wouldn't do. His family must be protected! Someone had to help them! He must be strong for them. He couldn't let them fall to that. He had too much to live for…to fight for.
"Kymi! Shiren! Hold on!" Xenudah cried out, his voice cracking and quivering as he rushed to where his wife and daughter were. He stood in front of them, arms out, ready to fight the Oni for his family. He wouldn't stand back. Not until he knew they were safe. Not until he knew they would never leave him. That they would never leave each other.
He closed his eyes and took a deep breath.
I will not fail you…
As if on instinct, he unleashed a dark indigo beam of energy at the incoming Oni legion, but they blocked it with their weapons.
Xenudah scowled. So this is how it ends? No matter what I do, they keep coming for us. The thought made him nauseous. He felt a lump form in his throat, and tears prickled at his eyes. "I love you, both of you. I know I haven't been there for you very often lately, but I promise, when we get out of here…when this is all over…I'll make things right. That, I swear…"
Xenudah's heart ached. How could he have been so selfish?! All this time, he'd only thought about himself, and he'd hurt his family. They deserved better than him.
But they needed him. And he needed them.
Xenudah steeled himself and turned back around, facing his foes once more. It would take far more than one Oni to defeat him now.
He had people to protect, friends to save. He had his family, and he wouldn't allow those bastards to stop him from doing what needed to be done.
His mind raced through scenarios, trying to come up with something he could use to get past them when an idea struck him. He knew that it could potentially work…he just had to make sure the odds were in his favor.
Pivoting on his heels, Xenudah sent another wave of energy at the Oni, only for the wave to be blocked by one of the warriors. He grinned. This was going to be fun.
He charged at his attacker, striking out again. Another wave hit its mark, knocking the warrior back a few steps. Then another. Soon the Oni were reeling, unable to withstand Xenudah's onslaught.
It was almost too easy.
With a growl, Xenudah unsheathed his sword, infusing it with energy and then slicing at his foes with deadly accuracy. More Oni fell before him, and with every step he took towards the others, more bodies laid dead or wounded on the ground.
Two warriors fell before him, the others along with its leader fleeing from the scene.
Xenudah sheathed his blade, panting heavily.
"I'm here now…" His words sounded hollow even to him, his voice weak and shaking.
He heard some wind flapping in the distance and looked up to see his father on his elemental dragon.
"Xenu..." Yakunan whispered upon landing and dismounting. "Come, my child..." He wrapped his arms tight around his weakened son.
"D-Dad...?" Xenudah's voice cracked.
"Oh, Xenudah..." Yakunan cooed. He could barely see Xenudah's face, as it was buried in his chest.
Xenudah could feel the warmth radiating from his father's body. "Without you... I...I..." Xenudah sobbed.
"Shhhhh..." Yakunan whispered. "I'm right here. I will protect you."
"You've always protected me..." Xenudah sobbed, pathetically. "I'm sorry," he choked. "I misunderstood..."
"It's okay," Yakunan told him. "I'm here. And I'll always protect you from this point forward."
Xenudah sobbed weakly in his father's warm embrace. He felt his chest become heavy again as he cried so hard. His father tried rubbing his back, but he just cried harder. "I was so angry with you…"
"I know," Yakunan said, rubbing his back soothingly.
"I didn't mean it... I never want to lose you again..." Xenudah said, sobbing harder. "I don't want you to hate me..."
"I don't hate you," Yakunan whispered, lifting Xenudah's chin up gently, before pressing his forehead against his son's own. "I never did. I love you more than you'll ever know."
Xenudah was crying so hard at this point. "I'm so sorry, Dad."
"Shhhhh," Yakunan whispered. "Don't be. It's okay."
Xenudah buried his face in his father's chest again, crying and gasping. He could barely hear anything, but he could feel his father's warmth. "I don't want to lose you either." He sobbed. "All I ever wanted was to be with you. But the darkness–"
"Shhhhhhh… I get it… I get it… You're going to be alright, Xenudah," Yakunan said, brushing his fingers through his son's hair. "You're going to be alright. I promise I will protect you from this point forward."
Xenudah nodded, taking a deep breath. "I love you so much, Dad," he sniffled.
"I'm right here," Yakunan consoled. "You will never lose me again. I am your father, and I will always be here for you. I promise."
Xenudah nodded. He went on, sobbing uncontrollably. "I'm so sorry..." Xenudah's voice cracked. "I'm sorry for everything."
"Shhhhh… Oh, Xenu..." Yakunan whispered. "You don't ever have to be sorry about anything. I love you, and I will always protect you from this moment forward. Come on. We can talk more later...but for now, let's get out of here."
Xenudah weakly nodded, gesturing for his family to follow him to board his father's dragon. Once they did, the creature took off. It flew higher and higher into the sky, leaving the burning village behind.