The light of Yeomla’s life force pierces through my eyelids. I bury my face in the crook of Sunny’s neck, even though her skin burns like smoldering coal. She is protecting me from Yeomla’s divinegiso it doesn’t burn me. But she doesn’t know that I can still feel the searing heat down to my bones.
I grit my teeth against the pain and hold her as though my life depends on it. Because it does. She is my life—my beating heart.
“Shh,” I murmur when she whimpers quietly. “You are so strong, Sunny. I am in awe of you. You can do this.”
“Ethan ...” Her head thrashes weakly against my chest.
“I’m right here.” I tighten my arms and curve my whole body around her. “And I’m not going anywhere. Lean on me, baby. I got you.”
I don’t know how long I hold her like that, but it’s almost over. I can tell by the way the tremors jolting through her body gradually calm. But my eyes spring open at the twin cries of agony, my heart thumping wildly.
Yeomla’s shocked gaze meets mine before dropping to his chest ... and the sword tip protruding from it.
What the fuck is happening?
“S-Sunny?” I stutter when she moans and grows limp against me.
“Wh-what have ... you done, Yongwang?” Blood dribbles down the god of Underworld’s chin.
“It would not have worked.” The god of Water stumbles back from his old friend, staring down at his bloody hands. “It would never have worked.”
“Why?” I shout as I hike Sunny up by the waist, arching my back to bear more of her weight. “Why, you fucking coward?”
“I had to stop this madness once and for all.” Yongwang’s voice rings shrilly. “I will never give up my divinity.”
“Sunny, listen to me.” Yeomla’s reedy voice resonates with divine power as he places a trembling hand on her shoulder. “You can still absorb my gi. Let your Yeoiju take what it needs. I will hang on until it is done.”
But the light of her Yeoiju dims little by little until there’s ... nothing. And her head flops forward.
“No, Sunny,” I cry, frantically holding her upright in my arms.
The god of Underworld crumples to the ground at her feet. “You m-must live, child.”
“Stay. Please.” I rock our bodies back and forth. “Please, stay with me. I love you, Sunny. I love you so much.”
At first, I don’t hear it past my rough, panicked breaths. But a low hum vibrates in the air, growing louder and louder still.
She’s fighting.
“That’s it, sweetheart.” I crush my lips against her temple. “Fight, Sunny. Come back to me.”
“Ethan.” It’s more air than sound, but I hear her loud and clear.
“I’m here, Sunny.”Please gods.“I’m here.”
A sound like the buzz of a thousand bees fills the air. I grind my teeth together and hold on to Sunny. Then ... a crystal clear chime disperses the buzzing.The song of the Yeoiju.A sob slips past my lips when I feel Sunny’s body vibrate with its power.
Her chest expands on a heaving breath, and white light spreads through her, even to the tips of her fingers.Gods, the heat.My body writhes against the burn, and my eyes roll back from the pain, but I don’t let her go.Never.
Then she growls deep in her throat, and white light flares from her eyes. Yeomla’s mouth opens on a silent gasp, and his body seizes on the ground.
“Y-yes, ch-child,” the god of Underworld says in a wet gurgle, blood leaking from the corner of his mouth. “Take it all.”
“Impossible,” Yongwang whispers. “This is not possible.”
“Ethan, you can let me go.” Sunny’s voice resonates through the air, as soft as a breeze and as strong as a mountain. When I reluctantly drop my arms to my sides, she addresses the god of Underworld. “I hope you find peace, Lord Yeomla.”
She thrusts her chest forward, her head tipping back, and his body levitates off the ground until he is suspended in the air.
