Julius spent the entire night at Arthur's bedside. Sleep never touched his eyes, nor did peace settle in his heart. With his fingers tightly interlocked, he whispered prayers—desperate, pleading words spoken under his breath. It was as though each uttered syllable was an attempt to keep death from drawing near. He remained in that state for so long that he didn't even realize when sleep finally overtook him in the chair beside the bed, Arthur's hand still trembling within his own.
With the first gentle rays of dawn, warm light poured in through the half-open window, falling softly upon Arthur's pale, peaceful face. His eyes fluttered open, though his gaze was still unfocused. The white ceiling and stone walls of the Academy's infirmary were unfamiliar to him. Birdsongs drifted in from the garden outside, mingling with the sweet scent of flowers resting in pots on the windowsill, creating an atmosphere of calm serenity.
It took a few seconds for him to notice Julius—the sleepy boy slumped in a chair, head tilted forward, still clutching Arthur's hand in his own. Arthur offered a faint smile, and warmth bloomed in his chest. In his heart, he thought:
*He must've stayed all night... Probably didn't sleep a moment. I should let him rest.*
He slowly closed his eyes again and drew in a few deep breaths. The air was clean and comforting. In that moment, simply being alive felt like a miracle. For a brief time, he allowed the pain and fear to slip away and let the sound of nature carry him.
But the peace didn't last.
A soft knock echoed from the wooden door. Arthur turned his head toward it, assuming it was the doctor coming to check on him.
The door creaked open, and a familiar face entered the room—a girl with golden hair and a gentle smile. It was Sophia. Her eyes sparkled with both joy and relief as she hurried toward his bedside.
"I'm so glad you're okay," she said, standing beside him. "I thought something terrible had happened to you. Anous told me this morning what you were like last night... I was really worried."
Arthur shifted slightly in bed. He gave her a faint smile and said quietly,
"I think I just pushed myself too hard these past few days. I still don't really know what happened. I haven't even spoken to the doctor yet. All I remember is passing out, and after that... nothing. I just don't want to stay here any longer. Classes are starting in a few hours, right?"
Sophia's expression turned serious in an instant.
"You need to rest, Arthur."
She paused for a moment, her gaze drifting toward the window. When she spoke again, her voice was heavier.
"But... classes have been canceled for now. Word came this morning—last night, several people were crucified. Not just at the Academy... even in the capital itself. The Headmaster has suspended all instruction until security can be guaranteed."
Arthur stared at her in disbelief.
"The entire capital? Not just the Academy?!"
Sophia nodded solemnly.
"Yes... dozens are dead. The news is everywhere. People are walking the streets with fear in their eyes."
For a moment, Arthur's eyes widened. Horrific images suddenly flashed through his mind—crucified women, wounds carved into their bodies with knives, the thick stench of blood in the air. He felt his breath catch in his throat.
In a low, strangled voice, he said,
"Last night... I saw it. The bodies of the women nailed to crosses. Words—unreadable ones—had been carved into their skin with blades. The whole place smelled of iron... It was terrifying."
Sophia's eyes widened in shock.
"You were there? I can't believe it... Who do you think could be behind something like this?"
Arthur turned his gaze to the distant horizon beyond the window and replied grimly,
"I don't know\... But if these attacks are spreading throughout the capital, it has to be the work of a cult—something organized. Maybe even demonic. Until we know more, we can only guess."
Sophia nodded slowly. A heavy silence fell between them, filled with fear, confusion, and scattered thoughts.
But then, something seemed to spark in her memory. A soft smile touched her lips, and with a hint of playful mischief, she said:
"Oh—right. Last night, when I fainted... you carried me back to my dorm, didn't you? Thank you, Arthur. That was really kind of you."
Arthur smiled back—warm and sincere. He turned away from the window and met her gaze.
"Don't mention it... It's just what anyone would've done."
For a brief moment, they looked at each other. In their eyes passed something unspoken—an understanding, a quiet respect, and perhaps the earliest stirrings of something deeper. Their smiles met in a tranquil silence... as sunlight streamed through the window, casting its golden glow on that short, but precious, moment.
Julius's eyes snapped open. At first, his gaze was confused and unfocused. But the moment he saw Arthur sitting upright and alive beside him, he threw his arms around him without hesitation—as if life itself had returned. His voice trembled with joy.
"Thank God... Thank God you're alright... Thank you... Really, thank you..."
Arthur smiled, his voice dancing on the edge between humor and calm reassurance.
"You thought I died? Really? I've got way too much to do for that, idiot!"
Julius's composure crumbled. Tears streamed down his cheeks as he clung tightly to Arthur, his voice shaking.
"I thought I lost you... I was really scared, Arthur..."
Arthur held him even tighter and said,
"I'll never leave you, Julius. I promise you that."
Julius only nodded, wiping his tears with the back of his hand. A genuine, heartfelt smile spread across his face—one born from relief and hope. Sophia, who had been silently standing nearby, smiled softly at the sight.
Arthur glanced between the two of them and asked,
"By the way, where's Anous?"
Julius replied,
"He went back to the dorm last night. Said he'd come visit you today."
Arthur let out a quiet sigh and lowered his head.
"I see... Alright."
A few moments passed in silence before Arthur asked,
"Did the doctor say anything about my condition? Why this happened to me?"
Sophia and Julius exchanged a glance. A heavy silence fell over the room—one thick with things left unsaid. But Arthur was too perceptive not to notice.
With a steady, serious tone, he continued,
"You can tell me. I'd rather hear it from you than from the doctor."
His eyes locked onto Julius's.
"I'm ready. Tell me."
Julius held his breath, closed his eyes, and after a painful pause, finally spoke:
"The doctor said... you've developed Crimson Death. It's a condition that sometimes happens when people push beyond their human limits... both kids and adults."
Arthur lowered his head—not in shock, not in disbelief. It was as if he had already known. Then, he looked up at the ceiling and gave a faint smile.
"The same illness Lord Maldreus's father had... A pain that burns you alive day after day, just to teach you the value of life."
Sophia and Julius lowered their heads. Words failed them.
Arthur went on,
"Maybe I have a few years left... Either I'll die, or I'll come back stronger than ever."
Sophia spoke softly, her voice heavy with sorrow.
"Arthur..."
Arthur turned to her and asked,
"Do you know why humans fear death?"
His question startled both Sophia and Julius.
Sophia hesitated, then answered:
"Maybe... because they don't know what comes after?"
Arthur slowly shook his head.
"No. People aren't afraid of death itself... They're afraid of losing what they've gained. Knowledge, memories, power, money, family... The real fear is loss—not death."
A thick silence blanketed the room. Arthur smiled—a bitter, quiet one.
"Tell me—what do you think I have that I'd fear losing?"
He paused.
"Nothing."
Sophia and Julius had no response. They were so deep in thought, they'd forgotten the passage of time.
Still seated, Arthur turned his gaze back to the window. This time, it was Julius who broke the silence.
"But... you have us. Isn't that enough?"
Arthur didn't turn around. He simply said,
"Please... leave me alone for a while. I need to think."
Understanding the pain behind those words, they quietly said:
"Alright. Get some rest. We'll come back later."
Sophia and Julius left the room in silence and closed the door behind them.
In the hallway, Sophia turned to Julius and said,
"Don't be upset. He's going through something difficult right now. He didn't mean it that way. Just give him a little space."
Julius said nothing. He only nodded a few times, still caught in the echo of Arthur's words.
Back inside, in the dark and quiet room, Arthur continued to stare at the window. He whispered under his breath:
*"On a winter's night... standing at the edge of life and death..."*
He clenched his fists. He was trying to hold back his rage, but a strange, cryptic smile spread across his face. He covered his face with his palm—and began to laugh. A laugh laced with bitterness and fury.
The patients in nearby beds, stirred from sleep by the sound, glanced at him with alarm and concern.
In the midst of his laughter, Arthur rasped,
"Is this my last chance? To protect the one thing I have left?"
A moment later, harsh coughing wracked his body. Blood splattered across his hands. He stared at the crimson stains and murmured,
"No... I don't think so..."
The coughing returned, fiercer and more violent. A doctor rushed in, quickly administering a series of calming potions. He gently eased Arthur's head back onto the pillow.
"Let him rest a while..."
Then, turning to the nurse, he added:
"His condition is still unstable. He can't be discharged yet. I've spoken to the administration—until he's stabilized, he won't be allowed to return to classes."
The nurse nodded respectfully.
And Arthur, in the dim quiet of the room, slowly closed his eyes.