I carve one diagonal line down the fabric of the realm, then another on the opposite side. The newly added exit flutters, revealing a differentnight sky beyond. My arms tremble from bone-deep fatigue—my magic depleting with every tear I make. But I don’t stop.
It is not my destiny that fuels me but my love for Sunny. It is my duty to save my people, but I have to fight for every life because Sunny will grieve even a single loss. I fall to one knee but push back to my feet. I can’t stop, even if my body gives out.
For my people. For my fated love.
I will not lose a single life.
I don’t let myself think about my other so-called destiny. I have work to do. I swing my axe but miss the mark. Thrown off balance by the momentum, I stumble and fall to the ground. I use my axes as my crutches and get up again.
I rip another exit in the fabric of the realm, and I do it again and again, until I can’t lift my axes anymore. But with a hoarse roar, I swing my axes once more and slash open one last exit. Then I crash down on my knees, barely hanging on to my consciousness.
I don’t know how long I kneel there, but then two strong hands lift me up by the arms. My head feels too heavy to lift, but I raise my eyes to meet Jihun’s.
“I will see you in the Mortal Realm, Your Majesty,” he says with a break in his voice. Hailey and Cheyun linger close behind him, worry saturating their expressions. When I don’t answer, he shakes me once. “I will see you in the Mortal Realm, Ethan.”
“Just go.” I jerk my arms free and turn to walk away.
“Promise me, Ethan.” He grabs me by the shoulders. “Promise me that I will see you and Sunny in the Mortal Realm.”
“I ... I will try.” I blink, as though waking up from a dream. “I’ll try, Jihun.”
“Good.” He presses our foreheads together, his hand heavy on the back of my head. “I will wait for you, Brother.”
“Thank you.” I pull him into a hug, my arms tight around him. “Thank you for everything.”
“Everyone has gone through,” Hailey whispers huskily.
“We have to leave, Jihun.” Cheyun untangles him from my arms and takes his hand in hers. Then she reaches out and squeezes my arm. “It’s been an honor, Your Majesty.”
“The honor has always been mine.” I nod solemnly at her.
Cheyun leads Jihun away from me, with him glancing over his shoulder every other second, then they step through a jagged exit together.
“Stay alive, Ethan.” Hailey wraps her arms around me. “Bring her home to us.”
“I will try,” I say again.
Hailey bites her bottom lip to stem her tears and follows Jihun and Cheyun into the Mortal Realm.
Then . . . everyone is gone.
Thank gods I could do this much for Sunny. Because my other destiny can go fuck itself. There is no way in hell I would ever kill her—even to save her from herself.
The End of Days
Fire burns everywhere. Rivers run dry. Trees wither. The earth hardens and cracks. The very life forces of Mountains, Sky, Water, and Underworld feed the fire. Together they are infused with all the colors of light, and a blinding white gi—full and wild—is born.
The goddess of Light stands in the midst of the fiery ruin with her arms spread wide. Her snow-white hair billows around her head as though she’s floating in water. Her eyes are closed, her expression serene, as though she is soaking in the warmth of the winter sun.
Suddenly, she opens her eyes, and white fire burns in them. Her face hardens even as tears stream down her pale cheeks. She clenches her fists and screams, a piercing sound of sorrow and defeat. White light bursts from her chest, wrenching her arms and legs apart in the shape of a star.
“Sunny,” the King Foretold yells as he runs toward her. “I’m here.”
“Is everyone gone?” Her voice echoes through the air as the fire lights up the night with an eerie white glow.
“Yes, we evacuated everyone to the Mortal Realm.”
“Good.” She closes her eyes once more, and the king sees a glimpse of the female he loves. “That’s good.”
