Chapter 216 The One Who Always Protect You
The sky remained shrouded in an oppressive gray as Fitran's lifeless body crumpled to the earth, overwhelmed by a torrent of helpless sobs that echoed in the stillness. Rinoa quickly reached for her beloved, who no longer resisted the relentless pull of gravity that forced him downward. His eyes were closed in eternal rest, his breath ragged and shallow, and his pulse seemed to vanish beneath layers of concealed wounds, as if trapped in an abyss of darkness while the world around him faded into an indistinct blur. Each scar that traced his body not only marked his physical form but also carved a deep chasm into his soul, telling a bitter tale of powerlessness and despair.
"Fitran!" she cried, her voice trembling, but the only response was the soft rustling of leaves swaying gently in the breeze and the tranquil flow of the river, as if it too mourned his departure.
Rinoa's arms trembled with tension as she gathered Fitran's body, struggling against the suffocating weight of her grief. She couldn't bear to leave him lying there—on the damp ground that still cradled the painful traces of their shared past. Summoning every ounce of her remaining strength, Rinoa dragged and carried Fitran toward the riverbank. Across the way, the forest stood in solemn reverence:
Forest of Redemption
A hallowed place believed to mark the delicate boundary between destruction and hope. Its towering trees stretched upward, capturing an eerie golden light that seemed to dance even in the absence of the sun, evoking profound feelings of inner torment. The leaves rustled softly, whispering in a language akin to prayer, as if beckoning them to remember the nature of forgiveness hidden within this forsaken world.
Rinoa sank to her knees at the riverbank, her heart heavy with profound sorrow as she laid Fitran upon a mound of twisted roots that formed a natural altar. It was as if nature cradled his body in a gentle yet painful embrace, imparting a palpable silence that resonated deeply within her. She gazed quietly at Fitran's face, her eyes tracing the jagged scars that marred his once hopeful visage. These were not ordinary injuries; each mark and blemish was a testament to his suffering, narrating stories of battles fought against shadows. These wounds were echoes of a fierce internal struggle, the scars of a conflict older than magic itself, fracturing his very essence. Each scratch served as a vivid reminder of the relentless battle between light and darkness, illustrating the turmoil that raged within him, raising haunting questions about existence and sacrifice.
"You're forcing yourself again..." she whispered, her voice heavy with sorrow as she tenderly caressed Fitran's cold temple, as if attempting to capture the elusive fragments of hope that had been lost in the overwhelming darkness enveloping his vacant soul.
As her tears fell softly onto the ground, they created a small pool of grief, yet none could rouse Fitran from his dark slumber. With her heart brimming with hope, Rinoa turned toward the enigmatic forest, seemingly attuned to a faint whisper that resonated gently from within its depths.
"You know, this forest is called 'Forgiveness'... But who can forgive us, trapped in the shadows of sin, Fitran?" she sighed, her tone steeped in longing. She clasped Fitran's hand tightly, as though fearful of losing an integral part of herself to the encroaching night that surrounded them.
"If you don't wake up... I will step into that forest myself, pleading for forgiveness for both of us," she declared, her voice resonating with courage and unwavering determination, as if she could summon the very essence of hope itself.
Suddenly, a gentle breeze wafted from the direction of the Forest of Forgiveness, carrying with it a refreshing and calming aroma, reminiscent of early morning dew and blossoming wildflowers. Fallen leaves danced joyfully around them, swirling like an unwritten poem that painted a vivid tapestry of hope in the air. A soft, ethereal light emanated from the roots of the ancient trees, flowing like a tranquil river towards the ground, reaching out to Fitran and igniting a flicker of hope deep within his weary soul.
Rinoa turned, her eyes wide with awe and disbelief, as the world around her transformed into a canvas of possibilities.