The Dragon King's Heart

The intrusion of a sudden presence surprised both of the women. The familiar aura of the person jolted them onto their feet. 

"Marius? Marius!" Margaret gasped in shock as she went over to confirm her suspicions. 

He was covered in wounds and bruises, with blood trickling down his lips. 

"Who... who did this to you?!" Margaret cries as she cupped his face. 

Laina was stunned. Thorne, who had been hiding in the shadows came forward upon seeing Marius. He looked down at him, shocked by the condition he was in. Laina hovered her hands over Marius, ready to use a healing spell. 

"No, Laina. Conserve your energy," Margaret stopped her, "Let me do it,"

"I'll help," Thorne volunteered. 

With their combined strength, they were able to stop the bleeding. Marius slowly opened his eyes. As soon as he caught sight of Laina, he grabbed hold of her wrist. 

"Laina... they've trapped Dante. He... he...," he winced in pain as he tried to speak, "He's trying to come to you."

That was all he was able to say. Laina widened her eyes in shock, uncertain of what to make of the information. She turned to the one person who might know more. 

Thorne.

As soon as their eyes met, she knew he was hesitating to tell her the truth. 

"No lies, Thorne. I only want the plain and simple truth," she said carefully. 

Thorne looked deep into her eyes. His eyes were filled with sorrow and agony. He wanted to stay by Laina's side for as long as he could. After all, that was the task Dante had assigned to him in the first place. It took everything in him to keep the truth from Laina. 

But he knew he had to let her know what was going on. There was one more thing he had to do too. 

He was going to help her. 

"Marius is right, Dante is currently trapped in his quarters. He does not have the strength to break the barrier spell that had been cast," Thorne explained, "And..."

"And? Speak, Thorne!" Laina said with urgency, "I need to know everything."

"He's fading. The effects of the curse are beginning to act up again as well. It does not look good."

Laina slumped her shoulders, shocked by the news. She looked down at her hands. She thought she was able to buy them more time, but in the end, it still was not enough. Now both of them were Worlds apart and they are never going to have a chance to say goodbye. 

Time froze at that moment for Laina. 

Memories of the past, the moments they shared with each other replayed in her mind. Every moment. Good or bad. She remembered them all. Their last moment together was the most vivid. 

Dante had proposed to her and she had accepted. 

But one thing weighed heavy on her mind. She never got to say how she felt about him. 

She never got to tell him how much she loved him. 

"No. It cannot end like this." Laina muttered beneath her breath. 

Thorne saw the fire that was lit in Laina's eyes. He caressed her cheek, feeling the warmth of her skin pressed against the palm of his hand. 

"That's what I've been waiting to hear," Thorne whispered to himself as he gave Laina a smile. 

The sky was lightening up. The sun was about to rise. It was the dawn of a new day. A day they would likely remember for the rest of their lives. No one knew what to expect. But Thorne had already predicted his demise. 

This was the last day of his existence. 

As the sky turned from blue to orange, Thorne leaned in and kiss Laina on the cheek. He had never dared to do so before. But knowing that this was the final time he would get to see her, he had to take that leap of faith. 

"Thorne... what..." 

"I'm sorry, Laina. But I'm afraid I will have to disappoint you." he said solemnly as he got up on his feet, "I'm afraid I won't physically be able to continue on this journey with you.

I'm sorry but this is where we say goodbye."

Laina furrowed her eyebrows. She was confused. 

"Thorne, what are you..." 

A spell circle lit up beneath Thorne's feet. His entire body began to disintegrate. Laina realised what he was doing but she didn't understand why. She tried to stop him but she coudld not step into the spell circle. 

"Master... Dante does not have enough strength to break through the barrier. But if I give up my form and return to him, it might just be enough..."

"No! It doesn't have to be like this!" Laina yelled as she collapsed onto the ground. 

"It would also buy some time for the both of you." Thorne explained with a smile, "I'm sorry. I could not stay longer, Laina.

For what it's worth, it was an honor to accompany you thus far. All the best, Laina."

With his final words, Thorne closed his eyes. He left with a smile on his face, turning into rose petals as he dissappeared before their eyes. Though they had not have much time together, he had still become a part of their lives. 

Laina clutched her heart as she looked at the rose petals that were left behind. She reached out to pick them up, hoping she would at the very least be able to retain a piece of him. But a gust of wind blew past her, causing the petals to dissipate into thin air. 

Laina's vision began to blur as tears welled up in her eyes. For the first time in a long while, she cursed her fate. Why did the people closest to her always have to be out of reach? What had she done to deserve all of this?

"I knew I could find you here," a voice rang out from a distance away. 

As if they did not have enough troubles already, Cordelia appeared before them.

"I don't have time to deal with you," Laina spat as she got back up to her feet, wiping the tears from her eyes.