For what we strive

𓇢𓆸 𓆤 𖧧 𓋼𓍊 𓆏 𖧧 𓍊𓋼 𔓘

"𝕍𝕀𝔾ℕ," called Mima Roosan, drawing the attention of Vign, who was engrossed in conversation with a fellow fae. With urgency in her voice, Mima approached him, holding his arms. "It's time. Go seal the library." Vign nodded in acknowledgment. "Yes, Mima," he replied, understanding the gravity of the situation. As he moved to fulfill his duty, Melody caught sight of him and hurriedly followed. Catching his hand, she drew him to a momentary stop.

"You should go with them. You should leave now," Melody pleaded, concern etched across her face. Vign, perplexed, looked at her. "Without you? No," he insisted, locking eyes with her.

"Get yourself to Port Moradoon. I'll evacuate with Philo and the men; we'll meet there," Melody suggested. Vign, torn by the possibility of parting, responded, "Unless we don't. Unless the Pact catches up with you, and I never see you again." Tears welled up in Vign's eyes at the thought.

Melody tenderly placed her hand on his cheek, and as he leaned into her touch, tears rolled down his face. "Please... please don't leave me," he implored. Melody, her heart breaking in tandem with his, started to tear up herself. "I won't, and here's my promise." She handed him the completed bracelet, the beads chosen with care, and Vign's eyes widened as he realized the significance. Blushing slightly, he looked down shyly. "It's to show you how much I love you," Melody confessed. Vign lifted her chin, kissing her with a profound depth of emotion. "Come with me," he urged, pulling away to rest his forehead against hers. "Where?" Melody asked.

"It doesn't matter where, as long as we have each other. We can go east, over the mountains, across the Gulf to Ignota," Vign proposed. Melody, contemplating the possibilities, questioned, "What about Philo?"

"We can visit him, but please, come with me," Vign pleaded. Melody's heart warmed, and she smiled warmly, nodding. "Yes, yes, I'll come with you." Vign beamed with excitement, pulling her close for a passionate kiss before pulling away. "I'm going to go seal the library," he said, handing her the thread with the beads. "Meet me in the Garden of Stones." Melody nodded, her smile undiminished. "I'll see you there. I love you, Vign." Vign kissed her head affectionately. "I love you," he affirmed before flying off to the library, leaving Melody smiling. Unbeknownst to Melody, Philo had been there, hidden behind the wall, listening to their heartfelt exchange. As he walked away, a whispered apology escaped his lips, "I'm sorry, Melody."

An alarming horn pierced the air, echoing through the surroundings as Pact airships ominously approached. Melody, reacting swiftly, rushed back inside and urgently declared, "Pact airships! Pact airships! Take cover!" Her voice carried a sense of urgency, prompting the fae and men to seek shelter. Philo, instinctively realizing the imminent danger, ran towards Melody to usher her to safety.

Meanwhile, Vign hurriedly entered the library, sealing the doors as the airships neared. The blaring horn prompted a flurry of activity among the fae, with indistinct shouting filling the atmosphere. Some fae, armed with fire bottles, prepared to confront the approaching enemies, while others scrambled to collect their belongings. Winshaw's voice cut through the chaos, emphasizing the importance of protecting the cipher logs. Fae soared into the air, ready to defend, but their efforts were met with swift retaliation. The faeries were shot down mercilessly, and Melody, witnessing the horror, urged the fae to hasten their evacuation. However, chaos ensued as rockets struck buildings, and bombs rained down on the people.

The impact of an explosion sent Melody sprawling to the side, but Darius quickly came to her aid, helping her up. Philo, determined to maintain order, sought out Mima and relayed urgent instructions to her. She nodded, understanding the gravity of the situation, and swiftly flew off to deliver the message to Vign.

Vign, standing amidst the Garden of Stones, gazed up at the approaching airships, the distant screams haunting his ears. Mima, bloodied and worn, reached him, holding him with hands stained by the grim reality of the battle. In a whispered voice, she conveyed the devastating news in his ear. Vign's world shattered, his heart breaking into pieces. He cried out in anguish, unable to comprehend the loss that had befallen him. Mima held him, preventing him from flying off in his grief. "No!" Vign screamed, the agony reverberating through the air. "Melody!"

ଓ༉‧.⭒ֶָ֢⋆.

Philo rushed to Melody's side, horror etching his features as he saw her bleeding from a head wound, supported by Darius. Urgency filled the air as Darius informed Philo, "Your men are halfway down the hill. We have to ride."

Melody, however, shook her head defiantly, her focus elsewhere. "No. No, I have to go to the Garden of Stones," she insisted, her determination unwavering. Philo, concerned for his sister's well-being, implored her, "Melody." Before Philo could complete his sentence, Melody interjected, "No. I have to go; he's waiting." Philo, gripping her shoulder, met her gaze. "Melody, he is not," he said solemnly. Confused, Melody looked at him, only for Philo to deliver the devastating news. "Melody, Vign is dead."

In disbelief, Melody uttered a shaky denial, "No... no, he's not." Philo, with a heavy heart, pulled her into a hug, murmuring, "I'm sorry." The weight of the truth settled in, and at that moment, Melody's ears rang. The world around her seemed to shatter, and her mind spiraled into chaos. Philo attempted to comfort her, calling out her name, but his words were lost to her. Melody, teetering on the edge of an emotional breakdown, started to hyperventilate. The reality of Vign's demise became too much to bear. Philo, witnessing her distress, desperately tried to reach her. However, Melody's vision blurred, the edges of her consciousness fading away. Overwhelmed by grief and shock, she succumbed to the encroaching darkness, as unconsciousness embraced her.

Philo and Darius swiftly mounted their horses, the urgency of the moment propelling them into motion. Philo carefully cradled Melody's unconscious form, ensuring her safety as they rode away from the engulfing destruction. The echo of hooves against the ground was swallowed by the distant chaos of war. Above the turmoil, Mima and another fae woman took to the skies, carrying Vign in their hands. The male fae, shattered by grief, clung tightly to the bracelet, a tangible reminder of the love he had lost. However, the weight of sorrow proved too much for him, and he lacked the strength to join the flight. His heart and mind were entangled in the moments he had shared with Melody, and as he sobbed, a wish emerged: to have saved her or, failing that, to perish alongside her.

Simultaneously, Melody, though unconscious, shared a similar sentiment. In the recesses of her mind, she longed for a different outcome, one where the moments with her beloved Vign didn't end in tragedy. As they rode and flew away from the devastation, the interconnected wishes of two hearts echoed in the somber air.

𓇢𓆸 𓆤 𖧧 𓋼𓍊 𓆏 𖧧 𓍊𓋼 𔓘

By: SilverMist707

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