Chapter Text
Four Days Later
My limbs were numb. My mind was hazy, empty. My side stung, but the pain was there. Suddenly, as I took a deep breath, tried to replenish my lungs, a sweet familiar scent reached my nostrils, an addictive perfume I knew too well. I reached for it, and a soft cheek rested against mine a few seconds later. It whispered in my ear, words I could not decipher.
I tried to open my eyes, tried to see more than the blurs of green through my broken eyes. I felt happy despite the dull feeling of pain very much still present. I smiled, easing my desire to die so I could end the pain. I wanted to reach for that person, but all my limbs were heavy. Soon, fingers slid up my neck, stopping under my chin. The slender fingers lifted my face, as if their owner wanted me to look him in the eyes. I couldn't. My eyelids were heavy, painful. Suddenly, I heard a voice. I recognized the tone way too well. It reached me in the crevices of my heart, in the dusty places of my mind.
"You look like you got badly hurt, Lone Love~"
I gasped, as if called to consciousness again. "Jae-Ha!", I called, hoping I could reach him, despite the awful dream.
I opened my eyes to reality, coughing it all out. I looked around, suddenly very much awakened. I hadn't said the words... I hadn't called his name. But my mind and my heart still wanted him more than I could admit.
Yona's POV
Yona was looking over the festivities going down below. The soldiers were partying. Their last night of fun before the grand war.
"It's a banquet before the big battle. The Tully Tribe always has one to boost morale", Kuelbo explained. She didn't say anything. "I'm takin' the Green Dragon and the other Lady along with me to war, but that yellow-haired man... what kind of powers does he have? Doesn't seem very strong"
"...Zeno doesn't have any powers. He doesn't even fight in battles"
"It's true that we have no intel on him, in battle or otherwise... well, whatever. I'll know once I throw him onto the battlefield"
"Hold on, Zeno really doesn't...", she started, but got cut off.
"An army of over 10 000... finally, we've made it here", he realized, taking it all in.
"...Why do you want the Four Dragons? Your people are all loyal to you, and you have this grand fort here"
"They're symbols...", he took a few seconds' break. "A while ago, there was a woman in the Tully Tribe called the Goddess of War"
"The Goddess of War..."
"My older sister. She was a good woman. Beloved by my father and the people, she was respected as the Tully Tribe's Goddess of War. While she led the tribe, we were invincible"
"Where is she now...?"
"Dead", he spared her a look, then culminated in his dark memories. "After marrying the Emperor of Kai... They said it was an accident, but... there was no corpse. She was probably murdered by those Kai bastards. After losing his symbol, my father became a despondent husk of himself. To hell with that. I'm going to let my people - no, the whole world... know that I, the King, am alive. The Four Dragons' power keeps everyone united during battle. That is why I want them. But even more than them. I'm interested in you and the other Lady", Yona was taken by surprise. "You two are pretty similar... to my sister, the Goddess of War. You embody her mind, her leadership. She embodies her strength, her power"
"We are...?"
"Like how strong-willed you are, and your general air", he reached a hand to her cheek. She did not slap it away. "I'm going to have you be the Tully Tribe's new Goddess of War. If you accept, I'll treat you kindly", she looked up at him, and when his hand fell away, she looked down, unbothered. "Oh, but first... who's that "Monster like lightning"?", she raised her head in surprise, just as Lone had done. "That Green Dragon said... that if I touched you, a monster like lightning would come and tear open my throat... if the Lightning Girl didn't do it herself first. He doesn't mean an actual monster, right? Your lover?"
"....No", he didn't seem impressed. He turned away.
"...Whoever it is, he doesn't seem like somebody I can force to surrender easily. Guess I'll have to kill him. And if that Lightning Girl doesn't calm down and can't earn my trust, it'll be the same for her", Yona kept her calm. His words did not reach her.
"Hak... and Lone can't be killed by anyone", he turned his head, smiling.
"Hak... huh", he threw her over his shoulder. "We set off tomorrow. It's time to sleep"
"I don't want to sleep next to you anymore...! Just put me in the cell with Lone and the others..."
"Come on, I'm not going to do anything for now. Got no interest in kids. Well, give it a couple years, and you seem like you'll be a fine woman", he walked off with her, as Gobi stood behind, frowning.
Lone POV
The Badum Badum of drums echoed through the walls. Until, suddenly, the door to the cell clanked open.
"Get out", he ordered us. I painfully got to my feet, offering them my wrists. I stood to the side, Zeno, Jae-Ha and Yoon following me.
"While in battle, obey my orders", Kuelbo said, his sword raised toward us. Then, he pointed it at me a little longer. "If you don't, I'll kill this brat over here", Yona had a look on her face that told me she didn't like his proposal. He turned toward a woman. "Yoo-Lan"
"Yes", she responded. He turned toward Yona again.
"While I'm gone, my wife Yoo-Lan will watch over you"
"Wh... You're married?"
"Of course I am", he said it like it was obvious. He turned to his wife. "I'm leaving it to you"
"Yes", she answered, bowing her head.
"Come on", he swished away. Yona approached me and hugged her arms around me. I returned it.
"Kuelbo and Hazara aren't as united as they seem", my eyes widened. "Hazara and his men are pessimistic about the battle. I love you, Lone. Be careful", she backed away and turned. Jae-Ha started to move.
"Jae-Ha...", she called and hugged him as well.
"Yona-cha...", he seemed surprised.
"........ Be careful", she said and moved on to Zeno. I looked to Jae-Ha and we nodded in agreement.
"You too, Zeno"
"Kaaay"
And then Yoon. Their foreheads stuck together, they looked in each other's eyes.
"...Yona"
"I'll be okay"
***
The carriage rattled and rustled heavily, making my wound hurt.
"Yona... told me to run away if I found a chance", Yoon said.
"The lass said something to you too, right, Miss, Ryokuryuu?", I raised my head in his direction. Jae-Ha's pensive face told me he had been thinking about it. Yona had told us the same thing after all.
The man upfront turned toward us and found my eyes then threw a sword in my direction. It was in its sheath. I picked it up and slightly unsheathed it. It was rusted and not well sharpened.
"What a downgrade from my usual weapon of choice", I closed my eyes, hoping for the better.
"Safety measures", the driver explained, not looking back at me. "In case you decided to attack our own"
Kouka, near the border with Sen Province
"Hurry now! Stop your sniffling!", the stomping was harsh and heavy and loud.
"We're finally off to war...", one soldier said.
"Apparently, we're on the front lines... And the Sky Tribe is taking the rear"
"But General Hak is with us!"
"Yeah!", Tae-Jun looked ashamed.
"Don't call me General", Hak stated, louder than the voices, yet calmer. "The Fire Tribe General is General Kyo-Ga"
"Well, yes, of course. I meant, as the General of the Wind Tribe..."
"That'd be Tae-Woo"
"Then what should we call you?"
"Some guys have been calling me captain. Whatever's fine"
"Hak-nyan!", Algira rode up beside his dear friend.
"Hak-nyan?!", the soldier repeated.
"Okay, maybe not that"
Behind them, Ki-Ja and Shin-Ha had snuck into the ranks. Ki-Ja signalled to Shin-Ha to keep it low.
"Listen, Shin-Ha. We mustn't let Hak see us", Shin-Ha nodded. "Surprisingly, when that man worries too much, he takes some extreme actions... like telling us to stay out of the battle. I'm certain he's trying to bear all of the burdens himself. We must watch over him so he doesn't push himself too much", Shin-Ha nodded again.
"The Sen Province army has been spotted!", the drums still echoed, now the steps joined their symphony.
Hazara already looked defeated, while Kuelbo beamed with hope and confidence. The wait was awful. General Kyo-Ga, Tae-Jun, Captain Hak, General Joo-Doh, Advisor Kye-Sook all tensed under the pressure of this oncoming battle.
'For the first time before an enemy', he thought, his heart thumping with so much force. 'My limbs feel numb'
He looked around for the first time. The soldier right beside him was quivering.
'I've fought with Lone and the others against armies countless times. And I've trained plenty of soldiers during my time as General. But I've never led troops into battle'
He pulled on the leather encircling the cloth around his glaive with his teeth.
'These soldiers are depending on me, but Kyo-Ga and Joo-Doh have far more experience leading than I do. It's scary', he thought as he gripped his weapon. He let his head rest on the handle.
'Before I realized it, I'd gained more things to protect than I can possibly hold'
With one arm, he swooped his blade to the sky. Tae-Jun looked to Hak, confused. Ki-Ja and Shin-Ha were looking at him with the same expression. The soldiers around were wondering. He galloped, the horse clopping and turned around toward them.
"...I... am not of the Fire Tribe. In fact, I've fought against you in the past. But more than anything, I can understand wanting to protect your own tribe. And I know that the once desolate Fire Tribe... is finally starting to revive, thanks to the effort you've put in. So I'll swear on this blade, that I will not let these bastards take a single step into our country!!"
"Ah... AHHHHHHHHHHHHHH!!", they screamed, a loud agonizing war cry. "RAHHHHHHH!!! LONG LIVE CAPTAIN HAK!"
The tremors, the calls made shivers travel down many spines. But, most precisely, Joo-Doh and Kye-Sook. The screams were deafening. Hak was ready to lead these soldiers into battle.
"...Let's go", Hak said.
The trumpets sounded. Each side prepared their weapons.
'On that day through these hands I received your strength. First, I'll scatter these armies. Just wait. I'll be there soon'
Left Flank-Joo-Doh led cavalry
He held my head in his hands. He whispered his next words.
"We'll see each other afterwards, Lone. Don't die"
It broke something in me... to hear those words. As if it confirmed something in me, in my heart, my mind. But I don't know if I could keep my promise. I watched as Jae-Ha kicked into a soldier's head, knocking him out or killing him, I couldn't know. He thudded to the ground. General Joo-Doh stood before him, shocked and afraid. Jae-Ha looked destroyed. Zeno lifted a horse out of his way, earning him a loud cry for help. And then, he threw the horse with the soldier still on it.
And I bolted away, searching for Hak. Jae-Ha and Zeno had to take care of Shin-Ha and Ki-Ja. And I needed to take care of Hak... for Yona. I arrived near him and he was swinging his glaive around. I had to fight my way through, using the sword to my advantage. I only hit so it gave bruises or knocked them out. I stood, bloody, before my best friend. Another piece of my heart broke at the duty that awaited me. If I didn't kill him, he would kill me. It was either him... or Yona...
I would rather die than allow that to happen.
"Hak-Nyan!", Algira screamed, as en enemy reached his side. A soldier swung his sword, hitting Hak in the side. He fell to the ground, off his horse, but I still stood, not far away. I couldn't do anything. I grit my teeth.
"Kill him!!"
"Kill him!!"
Algira and Vold stepped in, replaced what should have been my job.
"Hak-Nyan!"
"Captain Hak!!"
"Kill him!"
A man stood before him, his sword raised over his head.
"I assume you're a famed warrior of Kouka... I'll have your head!!"
He had exploded. He had let his rage, his courage consume him. I smiled. I had no chance. He finally noticed me, blood sliding down his face, along his neck, into his clothes. He turned toward Tae-Jun. He was shivering.
"A... are you... Hak...?"
"Hey. You shouldn't be here on the front lines, Lord Tae-Jun..."
"Hak, you... your wound! Is it okay?"
"It's just a graze. I've managed to cool my head a bit. I can't go off and die in a place like this. Moreover, I've got a fight to settle", he said, turning toward me. "What's going on with the other units? Isn't the General's cavalry running behind?"
"Yes, evidently some problem came up on General Joo-Doh's end. As a result, our strategy is starting to come apart. My brother's cavalry is struggling", Tae-Jun explained.
"I've got the gist of it"
"What do we do... is there any sort of counter we can make?"
"Counter, huh...", he thought, looking back at me. "Tae-Jun"
"Yes?"
"It's only a matter of time before Kyo-Ga's cavalry falls apart. Have the right flank's infantry move according to what I'm about to tell you"
"U...understood"
His next words were unknown to my ears. "Algira, Vold, you two go too"
"Wh-?! But, what about the line here?", Algira asked.
"I'll take care of it. This plan requires soldiers strong enough to penetrate their defences"
"Understood!", Vold agreed.
"Hak-nyan, this is crazy. Without us here to help..."
"One more thing. Once you've broken through their cavalry, head straight to Hazara's castle. I'm counting on you to help the Princess"
"...Then! Let's meet up at Hazara Castle!", Algira shouted. "Let's go, Tae-Jun-Nyan!"
"Right!"
He finally turned toward me.
"Now then. I hope you don't mind me making you wait. I had serious business to take care of... Lady Lone"
"Not at all", I said with a smile, even if something in my heart broke yet again. "I understand leadership duties might be overwhelming sometimes"
"So, what are you doing here? Are you here to help us?", I lost my smile, let my pain, let the shadows of my soul hide my eyes.
"I am here on orders from Kuelbo"
"To take your sweet time while he plays behind my back?"
"It's either I kill you or Yona dies", he lost his playfulness.
"And you chose her"
I pursed my lips, tightening my grip on the sword. "You tell me", I whispered as I sprung into a run. I jumped high above him, making his eyes go wide. My rusty sword knocked against his glaive and I landed on the ground before him. I saw his legs shake under him.
"You've got balls making me think I've got chances to beat you to this", I gritted my teeth, hiding the pain butchering my heart.
"I'm not, Lone"
"Stop lying!", I said, and retracted a little, before pounding down once again in a short amount of time. I remembered the wound he had gotten. "We're both injured and I've been surviving longer than you. Who do you think is the strongest, Hak?"
"You've been stronger than me for longer than this, Lone", he pushed me off and my feet slid against the ground.
I twisted and hit over and over again. "Don't spit lies you don't mean, Hak, it's futile"
He countered my hits, but decided to defend himself instead. "Fight. me.", I said, searching for his determination.
"How did we end up like this, Lone? How did we end up fighting each other, instead of fighting back to back like we used to? How can we let a King from another country ruin this?", he took me by surprise and I let it affect me. He pushed me back with full force. I almost fell to the ground, but caught myself back up. It hurt me, deeply. He attacked me then. I had no choice but to defend.
"If I don't listen to him, Yona will die!"
"Why would you still try to kill me?! Why don't you fight it? We're best friends for fuck's sake, Lone. What are you doing?!"
"I am fighting it!", I howled, reaching a searing pain deep in my lungs. "I don't want to kill you. That's why I am not. I could have attacked you earlier while you talked with the others! I could have killed you there and then! But I did not do it", I let my sword fall to the ground.
"What are you doing?", he seemed alerted, alarmed.
"There's another option, Hak... for Yona", I raised my arms by my side, offering myself to him.
"No. I will not kill you, Lone"
"I'm already dying, Hak. It's only to make it quicker", I detached my clothes, letting my sleeve fall off my shoulder. The white cloth still rolled over my breasts as I discovered the wound at my side. The white bandage was black now. "Infection. I can't survive this, Hak, and you know this. Even I can't. Kill me. Or injure me enough... for Yona"
He was crying now. I put my clothes back on, wincing lightly. The adrenaline was still coursing through my veins. I picked up my sword again.
Hak POV
"Give him a reason to come to the front lines. If it's not me, it's him. He's searching for you"
His eyes felt puffy. She lay down by his side, unconscious. He had been swinging around for the past few minutes, hoping her heart was still beating. He had been killing and injuring more than he could count, for Yona... for Lone.
'What would Jae-Ha say about this?', because he mattered. To him, he held Lone's entire heart in his hands. He knew he was everything to her. For a long time now, he had been, but she had only just realized it recently. He had looked at her closely, hoped he'd see something.
He had seen everything.
She loved him. No matter what she said, she held him dearly to her heart, more than she would admit, but he had seen it. He had felt her love through his own habits, his own hope. But now... if she did not fight... there would be no happy ever after. Jae-Ha would not hear the words he had been longing to hear, only because of him. He escaped a guttural scream, swinging and swinging and swinging and swinging.
Killing and
killing and
killing and
killing.
For Lone. To avenge her. Her courage and everything she is. But as long as she breathes, as long as she can still live. But in the end, he had her blood on his hands. It was his fault. Why did Yona and him get to have their ending, but Jae-Ha had to suffer through losing a woman he thought didn't love him. He cried still.
"Yo!", he turned slightly.
'There he is'
"You Hak?"
"Look! It's the King of the Tully Tribe..."
"Lord Kuelbo...!"
"Did you say Kuelbo...?!", Tae-Jun screamed. "Hak! That's the enemy's commander! Hak!! Oh, no! Is he not hearing anything anyone says?! Are his ears as dead as his eyes?!"
"Hak! Captain Hak!!"
"So you are Hak. Then lemme ask. Is Yona your woman?"
"Hah?! Don't snap me out of it with a ridiculous joke like that, you piece of shit!!!"
"He can hear, Lord Tae-Jun", Heuk-Chi announced.
"Ying Kuelbo! Were you the one who kidnapped Princess Yona, Lady Lone and the Green and Yellow Dragons!", Tae-Jun shouted.
"And Yoon, too", Heuk-Chi added.
"What...?!"
"He kidnapped the red-haired Princess, the Dragons and the Undying Girl?!"
"Our guardians, the red-haired Princess, the Dragons and the Girl...!"
"We won't forgive you!!"
"Return them!!"
"They are the Gods of Kouka!!"
"The Dragons, the Princess and the girl are mine now", he announced. Hak attacked him, destroying the small carriage he was in. Kuelbo jumped out with no problem whatsoever.
"Who's yours, again?", Hak threatened. Kuelbo unsheathed his sword.
"Didn't you just say she wasn't your woman? Thunder Beast"
"Stop treating her like a thing", he attacked again. Kuelbo didn't jump this time, he received his next attack. "You hurt my best friend. Where are the Princess and my allies?"
"Your-... Princess?", he started, then hesitated. "You just called her Princess, right?"
"Hah?"
"That woman refused to let me call her "Princess" when I tried. Why?"
"Hah?! How the hell should I know?!"
They continued to spar, exchanging mechanical blows.
"Oh, and also. Where is that dearest Lightning Girl that I sent to kill you?"
"She failed", he said, letting him see her bloody body on the ground. Blood sprayed from her already wounded side.
"You killed her?"
"No"
"Then, I'll bring her home, get her healed for good. She is a great ally, a strong one"
"That's if you can take her from me"
Kuelbo raised an eyebrow, receiving another strong hit.
"Seems like King's just a title, huh?", Hak triggered him.
"After taking down so many of my men, and the presumed strong Lightning Girl, you've still got some spunk. Thunder Beast. That makes you worth killing"
"Believe it or not, Lone is stronger than I am. She survived worse than me and longer than me. She went through death more times than you could count. She would beat me in peak condition"
"Whatever! More reason to heal her back on her feet. Moreover, your head seems like the best souvenir I could bring back. Yona'd probably lose all her lingering attachment towards Kouka, too", Hak slashed his blade in two pieces. Kuelbo was taken by surprise.
"Don't use her name like you're close"
"She's the one who told me not to call her Princess in the first place!"
'That's true', he thought.
"Actually, I can't believe that you, a King, obeyed the orders of a Princess from another country! How the hell does that talk go?!"
"Her begging "Please, call me by name", right?"
"There should be an incredible battle unfolding before our eyes, but...", one of the soldiers said.
"Is your head on straight, old man?! The Princess prefers prim guys!"
"What?! Screw that! What a child!!"
Hak lost balance. Lone lifted her head and pushed herself up.
"Now!!", the enemy screamed.
"Take him down, Lord Kuelbo!", but even Lone refrained. The look on his face froze the blood in her veins. She felt fear for the first time in a long time. The look on his face... the pure rage. Kuelbo jumped away.
"Lord Kuelbo...?"
But he took his composure back.
"Let's go...!"
"My Lord, news...!!!", he turned around.
"What is it?"
"Our left flank's cavalry is on the bring of collapse!! Before long, Kouka's cavalry will be headed toward the center infantry...", Kuelbo was completely and utterly shocked. "Right here!!"
"Damn it", he spat out. "Reform your ranks! All troops retreat! Bring the dragons! Take the Lightning Girl back!"
But Hak was concentrating on something else. He smashed his glaive to the ground, making the rocks fly.
"You're not going anywhere"
"Hold it, Tully Tribe!", the soldiers from the Fire Tribe launched.
"Return the Dragons!!"
"Return the red-haired Princess!!"
"Give us back our Lightning Girl!!!"
Kuelbo slashed away the enemies. He cracked their bones and slashed their lives away.
"Give them back!!", Tae-Jun howled.
"That woman..."
"There are no citizens of Kouka worried about me"
"There are, aren't there? A whole army of 'em", Hak stood, barely able to plant his feet. "Well, she's a good woman. It'd be weirder for people not to adore her", Hak attacked him again.
"We agree on something, King of the Tully Tribe"
"Hate your own kind, huh... Thunder Beast", he slashed his blade across his chest, cutting through skin. Blood sprayed and Hak fell to the ground.
"Hak!!", Tae-Jun called.
"Lord Kuelbo!"
"Hurry, bring the King!!"
"Shit..", Hak let out, trying to get up again.
"Don't move, you're hurt...!", Tae-Jun let out.
He lifted his head and realized Lone was no longer by his side. They had stolen her away from him. He could have saved her had she stayed with him. He could have saved her. Now, she's going to have absolutely nothing there. It's going to be raided, if the plan goes well... she's done. His eyes widened. A tear fell on his cheek at the terror that took possession of his heart.
"What's wrong, Hak?", Tae-Jun asked him.
Hak looked down at his own hands, as if he could see the blood he had taken from her.
"I killed my own best friend"