A/N: I'm sorry once again for the late updating, but I'm going through a really, REALLY rough patch and inspiration has literally disappeared. Still, I can't leave you all in the sidelines, so here's another short update in the meantime.

Disclaimer: Apply the usual here.

XXI

Iron Will

He would never let any harm come to her. Even as he lay on the floor, he could not allow such thing.

But his entire body ached, and so did his soul. There was no way he could lift himself up in time to avoid such a catastrophe. He could barely twitch his fingers to see if they were still responsive, but breathing seemed to be the only thing he had left to do to survive. He watched, breathing shallowly, as his father walked up to her… The only thing he had left was about to be destroyed.

And he would never allow that.

Fear made her tremble; she was shaking from head to toe, despair in her eyes. She was lifting her arms in self-defense, unable to do anything against her attacker… her father.

I can't let this happen! Despite his mind's screaming, he was only able to lift himself up to his knees. The metallic taste in his tongue made his nausea get worse, and he almost lost balance if it wasn't for the immediate surge of strength that coursed through him.

He'd yanked at her hair, her braid undone, her thighs visible under her night-gown as he grabbed at its hem. She was crying out, begging for mercy that would not come, struggling to free herself… but to no avail.

Even though his chest hurt, even as he hugged his belly with a groan, even though his throat was raw from his own painful screaming, Daniel yelled out and charged. His shoulder connected with his father's side and she fell, eyes bloodshot from all the crying and her body shaking even more violently. No wound or ache would stop him now, not even the greatest amount of blood.

He was deaf, his heart pounding in his ears, threatening to burst out of his chest. But Hazel would not stop crying. So he held her close, hugged her tight against his chest, and then lifted her up in his arms, his body searing with pain.

He'd done it: he'd avoided the catastrophe. And yet, a feeling of fear still lingered.

But even if threats came his way, Daniel did not look back.

A/N: By the way, Charlotte, thanks a bunch for the reply^^