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Under the moonlight on an eerily chilly winter night, they stood facing each other, this time as friends and not as enemies. Even the wind stood still like it knew how grave the situation was. It was disheartening, how the moon slowly disappeared behind the clouds depicting their eventual fate, unavoidable as the waves that must go back after crashing the shore. They didn't know it yet, but deep down, where reality wins against hope, they knew how it was going to end.
One was dressed in crimson red and the other in midnight blue, strikingly different yet so very similar. No matter how different they were in status or how differently they walked their paths, they were always better together.
“Am I also one of those people who you wish to save?” Seon Ho asked, vulnerability lacing his words.
“Yes,” Hwi answered without hesitation. There was no doubt underlying his words. He doesn't even have to think twice, it was the truth.
“Let’s go then. Liaodong is the last place I'm making you go alone,” he said and Hwi heard the unsaid apology. But He had forgiven him a long time ago.
It was time that they stood side by side as they were meant to.
They both looked at the horizon painted in purples and oranges, trying to enjoy the moment of peace. They both knew this would be their last dance of steel.
⭑⭑⭑
Swords were drawn, and blood was splattered, yet their efforts were in vain. It was foolish of them to dream about a world where they could make at least half of their fates. They were just pawns in a game played by the ones in power and they were just swords that could be used and discarded at will. No one in power ever kept their promises made to a mere sword.
“It's all over Seon-ho,” Hwi whispered, cradling Seon-Ho's battle-wounded body. He looked pale, kneeling in a pool of his blood and of those he had slain. This was the end. They both knew that they were not going to survive this. But at least they tried, and that mattered the most even though it was like trying to break iron with bare hands, still they succeeded in making a dent.
Their tear-filled eyes locked for one last time and they spoke of all the times they fought each other when they should have spent them together.
“I only looked too far ahead and too high up,” Seon-ho muttered painfully, regret lacing his words. If only he had looked back once.
“My country was just one step behind me.”
✦✦✦
He gasped awake amidst thousands of shards of shattered glass, scattered everywhere, cradling a child's body in his hands. His mind was a bit hazy but he could recognise him anywhere, in any way and at any time.
This time, it was he who held him.
Yeong smiled in relief, feeling his Highness’s faint but strong heartbeat. He was safe and breathing. That was his only duty as a royal guard; to protect his king no matter the cost.
The ceiling of Cheonjongo was ruined from the bullets they shot at it, the beautiful coloured glass was now a shattered mess around him. His black suit was soaked in blood from all the bullet wounds he got defending his majesty.
They were again at the night of treason. His king had run, chasing after traitor Lee to finish the mess he had created, once and for all.
His steps still echoed in his ears, him walking away, leaving him behind.
“From now on, you are the Unbreakable Sword.”
A tear fell down his cheek, remembering the words his Highness had told him 25 years ago when they were still kids. It was fine that he was left behind because he knew the king would restore the timeline after killing traitor lee.
He sighed in relief. Finally, it will all be over. He hugged the unconscious body of the child, of the person who will grow up to be his royal majesty, a little closer. He knew his time was coming to an end.
“Forgive me, your majesty. Take care,” He muttered, looking up at the sky. Stars stood witness to his aching heart.
⭑⭑⭑
His heavy steps echoed loudly in the deathly silent halls of Cheonjongo. He was carrying an unconscious Yeong, his unbreakable sword, who was broken, in his arms. He will not let him die this time. Lee Gon still remembered the warmth of his saviour that saved him 25 years ago, protecting him with his own body. His heart ached with the thought of how much Yeong had to go through because of him and he held his body in his arms a little tighter, in hopes of giving some reassurance.
" I'm here Yeong, I'm here."
Under the silver moonlight, his royal robes of blue fluttered in the wind while the golden flowers that were embroidered into the fabric glistened. Time stood still to the tune of Manpasikjeok that reverberated in the air.
“This time, we will both survive.”
-In every lifetime, they would die for the other if it meant the other could live. It will not matter if one were noble and the other a slave or one were a king and the other a royal guard. Their lives would gravitate around each other as if an invisible thread had bound them together. –
✦✦✦