The Celestial Realm was silent. White marble floors, towering pillars, and golden-winged angels… all watched in silence.
Eunwoo stood in front of Yuna, shielding her with his arms spread wide. His voice echoed:
"No one touches her!"
The archangel narrowed his eyes. His silver hair swayed lightly in the celestial wind as he bowed his head.
"Observer angels. Prepare."
The sky trembled. Hundreds of arrows formed mid-air, merging with light. And in an instant… they were launched at Yuna.
Eunwoo screamed: "YUNAAAAA!!"
A light flared in his palms. He summoned his celestial power. All that filled his heart was one thought: protect Yuna.
A golden-white shield formed, massive enough to cover them both. The arrows hit it one by one, shaking with divine seals—but none broke through.
The sky darkened. The archangel raised his right hand.
A flash—Eunwoo's shield shattered instantly.
When Yuna opened her eyes, four angels had already descended upon them.
Two seized Yuna's arms.
Two gripped Eunwoo's.
They were pulled apart. They could no longer touch.
One of the archangels stepped forward and spoke coldly:
"Eunwoo... I suppose we waited for your awakening in vain. The celestial laws are clear. Hybrids cannot enter the Celestial Realm. If Yuna doesn't leave now... she will die here."
Eunwoo's voice was firm. "Yuna isn't going anywhere."
An assistant angel stepped forward:
"Then prepare to face the consequences, Eunwoo."
The archangel commanded: "Take Yuna for the Lightning Punishment."
Yuna's body was pulled forward. But Eunwoo was faster.
"No!" He jumped in front of her. "Take me instead!"
Yuna's eyes widened. "Eunwoo? No! You just healed! You haven't even regained your full strength. I'll accept the punishment. Take me!"
But the angels had already started dragging her away. Eunwoo dropped to his knees. His voice trembled but was firm:
"Please… let her go. I'll take any punishment."
Another angel stepped forward, his voice threatening:
"Eunwoo… this is your last chance. Give up on Yuna. This punishment could kill you."
Eunwoo lifted his head. His eyes weren't dim, but full of resolve.
"I won't give up on Yuna. If I survive… you will accept her. Do you promise?"
The Celestial Realm fell into stillness. Minutes passed. No one breathed, no one spoke.
Finally… the archangel closed his eyes and nodded slowly.
"I accept. But challenging us in this weakened state… could be your end. Do you accept that?"
A tear rolled down Yuna's cheek. "No… you'll die. Please don't accept it!"
But Eunwoo's answer was clear. He locked eyes with Yuna and whispered with eternal peace and resolve:
"Yes… I accept."
The archangel raised his hand.
"Bind Eunwoo with the Chains of Heaven for the 50 Deadly Lightning Strikes!"
Chains descended from the sky, glowing in gold and blue light. They wrapped around Eunwoo's body—arms, chest, legs—sealed with celestial runes.
Yuna's scream shook the heavens: "EUNWOO!"
And then the first lightning bolt descended.
---
The silence of the heavens shattered with every strike. Grey and violet clouds cloaked the sky like a coffin. In the center of the punishment grounds, Eunwoo stood chained, enduring every blow.
Yuna cried uncontrollably. She screamed, struggled to run to him, but two angels held her tight. She was helpless. Her heart breaking. She felt his pain in her soul.
But no one noticed the shadow in the darkness. Hwan.
Invisible. Silent. But he was there.
He heard Yuna's screams. Watched her tears fall. And in that moment... an old memory surfaced. Yuna's smile, the warmth in her eyes… that part of his heart still belonged to her.
But now he knew the truth: this love, this bond, this hope… was impossible.
He took a deep breath. Raised his hand slowly. Whispered a silent spell. A golden energy shimmered in the air—like stardust. The two angels holding Yuna collapsed, their vision clouded.
Yuna was free.
Hwan stepped back. His eyes were wet. He accepted his fate in silence.
"Maybe… in another world, we'll meet again. And then… I'll be reborn as a man good enough for you. Even if it was only a dream, loving you was beautiful. Let this be the final gift… from a half-winged, broken-hearted demon. Goodbye, Yuna."
Yuna didn't understand at first. But the moment she was free, she ran.
She ran like her feet never touched the ground. All she could think about was reaching Eunwoo.
She reached him, breathless.
She slipped through the chains and embraced him.
"Eunwoo," she whispered. "Hold on… I'll save you."
She tried to undo the chains. Whispered spells, traced runes with trembling fingers.
But Eunwoo, still weak, turned to her.
"Don't… it's useless…" he said, barely audible.
"These chains… won't break with magic… They won't release me until the punishment ends… Please, go."
"No," Yuna sobbed. "If no magic can break them… then I'll endure the punishment with you."
Eunwoo looked up at the sky. Another lightning bolt hung above them. His eyes widened. His voice echoed:
"GO! You'll die!"
But Yuna only held him tighter.
And the lightning struck them both.
The ground trembled. The sky screamed. Yuna's body shook violently. But she didn't let go.
Four more strikes.
Three…
Two…
With each blow, Yuna's face paled, her vision dimmed. She felt pain down to her soul.
"Yuna… please…" Eunwoo sobbed now. "Leave… The final one… is the cruelest…"
Yuna was on the ground. Her hands gripped the earth. She struggled to breathe. But she rose. With trembling lips, she held his face. Looked into his eyes one last time. And kissed him.
"I love you… Eunwoo," she whispered.
Then she shielded him with her own body.
The sky ignited.
The final strike fell.
Yuna's body was thrown back. As she hit the ground, the warmth of his lips still lingered. Her consciousness faded. Her eyes closed.
When Eunwoo was finally freed from the chains… he could no longer stand. He dropped to his knees. His gaze fell on Yuna's motionless form. His eyes glazed over. His lips trembled:
"Yuna…"