Sacrifice…
Do you think it's what makes us heroes in the eyes of those we love?
A hero?
What's the point of it all… and why?
When we sacrifice, we believe for a moment that we've accomplished something great — that we'll be rewarded and glorified as heroes in the eyes of those for whom we sacrificed.
But the truth is the complete opposite…
They won't honor you.
They won't glorify you.
They'll treat you like a servant, as if what you did was your duty from the very beginning.
And even if they thank you at first, with time, you'll be forgotten…
Forgotten and discarded like trash.
Not because you're worthless — but because you were naive.
You threw away all your hopes for something with no identity… something that doesn't even exist.
We chase that title only to feed our pride.
We want to fill the void with an illusion and strive with all our strength to achieve it.
We try to satisfy our spiritual hunger…
Wake up!
Heroism is not the glory the old tales instilled in us, nor what traditions raised us to glorify.
So what's the point of all this?
Why do we sacrifice?
What drives us to act for those we love… or even for strangers?
What's the reason?
Why?
That foolish feeling planted deep within us is what makes us weak.
Emotions are the root of everything.
They control us no matter how strong we become or how high we rise.
There's always something carved deep inside us that we can't explain…
It's what guides us and makes us do what we don't want to do.
We become easy prey to weakness.
We are the source of all the pain we live through without even realizing it…
We are the ones who create our own suffering.
Just like I did.
After the spear pierced through my body, I felt pain devouring every inch of my being…
But all of it faded the moment I saw her safe.
Amidst the raging flames, the deafening screams, the smoke, the suffering, the blood, and the desperate pleas…
I cared about nothing but Elena.
For a moment, I thought time had run out — that I would never see her again.
I fell to the ground in the middle of the battle, my body covered in blood as if it had been made for me.
Elena rushed toward me, tears filling her eyes for the first time.
Her gaze was like a sharp blade, tearing my heart into pieces.
She embraced me gently, and I rested my head on her warm chest for the last time.
Blood flowed from my mouth. Tears welled in my eyes.
In that moment, I wished time would stop…
That I could remain in her arms forever.
I had never feared death.
But when I looked into her eyes…
I feared for her heart to bear such pain.
I held her hands and gazed at her beautiful face — her black hair, dark as the night.
And for the first time since my birth…
I felt weak.
I had always run away from that feeling, until this moment.
She looked at me, tears streaming down her face, her voice filled with deep sorrow:
"My lord… Are you alright? Please… stay with me… Don't lose consciousness. I won't let you die!"
Her words came out in broken fragments from the intensity of her pain, her trembling throat making her voice quiver.
I gave her a faint smile and spoke in a sorrowful tone that didn't want to leave — but to stay with her longer:
"Elena… you have always been, and still are, special to me…"
She looked at me in astonishment.
A faint smile appeared on her face, telling me she understood.
Then her crying grew even more intense.
My heart was like a whale drowning in a sea of blood, burning in the depths of hell.
I slowly reached into my pocket, pulled out a ring, placed it in her hand before her eyes, and whispered gently:
"Today, I was planning to ask for your hand… I brought this ring for you…"
I began to cough, blood spilling from my mouth, my heart tearing like burning embers.
She panicked and said:
"My lord, please… don't strain yourself… I'll protect you no matter the cost… I promise."
When I saw the fear and sorrow in her eyes, I realized that all the power and glory I had ever known meant nothing compared to the sound of her voice.
Everything I owned wasn't worth a single moment by her side.
I gently held her hand and said:
"Elena… take care of yourself for my sake.
No matter how many times I'm reborn, I'll search for you and marry you… every time.
I love you… live for me."
Then I closed my eyes forever.
I heard Elena's scream rise in a frenzy, mixed with her sobs, and felt her warm tears streaming down my face:
"My Lord Valrik , please don't go… Open your eyes… I… I love you too… Please, open your eyes one last time and let me tell you how much I love you… Nooo… I don't want to be alone… What is my life worth without you? You're the one who gave my life meaning and value…"
I felt my body grow cold, and it began to turn to ash as she held me in her arms for the last time, whispering:
"I promise… no matter how many times you are reborn, I will search for you and find you.
I will never forget you, Valrik… I promise I'll avenge you…"
My body faded away, and I sank into complete silence.
I could no longer see or hear anything.
At that moment, I realized I had reached my end —
so I surrendered myself to death.
I thought it was the end…
But it was only the beginning of my suffering…
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-To be continued...-