Lewis was never a man of many words. When we were together, he was often silent, watching with a soft gaze.
But today, when I couldn’t give him any response, he surprised by speaking more than usual.
I didn’t know where he was driving, yet in that mont, a strange calm washed over . Even if no one else could hear , even if it felt like the world had left behind, I still had him.
He was my everything.
"Elena," he said quietly, "you used to be afraid of . Maybe it was because I didn’t smile much. After we started being together, I didn’t want to scare you, so I practiced smiling on my own."
"I’ll never forget the day you walked into the Hales’ cold, lifeless attic, holding your dress. You looked so beautiful, like a little fairy."
"Every ti you ca to the Hales, I watched you from the shadows. I felt so small, like a worm in the dark, too far from soone as bright as you. When I saw how close you were getting to Julian, I decided to leave, to let you be happy. But when I saw you again, the light in your eyes was gone. It hurt. I wanted to take you away, but you didn’t even see anymore."
"Elena, since you disappeared, I’ve cursed myself every day. I should have taken you with . I never want to feel the pain of losing you again."
When the car finally stopped at the base of Mount Spiritus, realization slamd into . I looked at him, panic rising in my chest.
"Lewis, no! Don’t go! It’s too cold, you can’t do this!"
Lewis kept his gaze fixed on the empty night ahead. "Elena, I’m not afraid of spirits or gods. The only thing I’m afraid of is losing you."
"You once prayed for liora’s protection, and she got better."
"You also prayed for Julian, and he got out of the earthquake fine."
"Even if it’s only an old legend... if it can bring you back, I’d give up anything. Even my legs. I’d do it without a second thought."
He stepped out of the car, and I rushed to follow him. Though it was early spring, the night still carried a biting chill. The snow on Mount Spiritus fell heavier than anywhere else, and the cold felt sharper at this height.
Lewis bowed and prayed every step of the way, just as I had done once before. His devotion was undeniable.
"Lewis, don’t kneel! Get up!" I shouted, my voice shaking.
He couldn’t hear , but I knew he could feel my urgency, even if he couldn’t answer.
"Elena," he said softly, "you used to pray for others. Now, I want to pray for you."
My chest tightened until it hurt. How could soone be this kind? Why, Lewis? I didn’t deserve this at all.
He knelt with complete devotion, his voice clear and unwavering.
"O gods above, if you hear , bring my wife, Elena, back."
"O gods above, grant her a life free from worry."
"O gods above, give her peace and happiness."
Snow piled up quickly on him, even covering his long lashes in a thin layer of frost. The mountain wind howled through the valley like a mournful animal’s cry.
But Lewis didn’t stop. He kept standing, then kneeling again, over and over.
I stared at the distant mountains with bitterness in my chest. If there were gods, they should punish people who treated life so carelessly. They shouldn’t take the lives of kind people.
I closed my eyes, and the mory of the basent crashed into so many young souls trapped, treated like animals. What had we done to deserve that?
Lewis’s legs had been injured before, and fear gripped as I watched him push himself. I begged him to stop, to take care of himself.
I hated how helpless I was. If I could shield him from the cold, even a little, that would have been enough.
But I couldn’t. All I could do was follow him and watch his desperate prayers.
His determination was stronger than I ever imagined. He stayed on his knees, refusing to give up.
Then he started to look terrible. His knees were bent awkwardly, and it looked like he couldn’t stand up straight anymore.
"Carl!" I cried, my heart breaking. Was he okay?
Under the weak glow of a streetlight, Lewis seed to notice . His tired eyes flickered with a faint light.
"Elena," he whispered, "I knew you were here with ."
"You idiot!"
He lunged toward , and I rushed to et him.
Then we both forgot I had no physical form.
Lewis stumbled and fell into the snow, and my heart ached even more.
"Carl, I’m sorry," I whispered quickly. "It slipped my mind. Does it hurt?"
Even in pain, he looked at with tenderness, reaching out to touch my face.
"No," he said, "not at all."
I tapped his body in frustration. "You idiot. How could it not hurt? If you keep this up, I won’t follow you anymore."
In panic, he reached out to grab my hand, willing to clutch at nothing just to hold on.
"You’re my wife," he said urgently. "If you’re not with , who else would you follow?"
I swallowed hard, then snapped, "Fine, fine. I’ll follow you... even in death "
"Elena," he cut in, "stop talking like that."
His dark eyes held nothing but love. "Elena, as long as you’re here, that’s all that matters."
"Carl..."
We shared a long, silent look, but the mont broke when an elderly voice spoke behind us.
"Mr. Hale, we’ve been waiting for you."
I turned quickly. Through the snow, Grandmaster Clearheart stood tall and still, his figure firm as a tree. His eyes looked like they could see beyond everything.
Could he see ?
Had he known about all along?
Lewis seed to find hope in seeing him. He struggled to rise, but his knees gave way and he almost collapsed.
"Carl..." I reached out without thinking, wanting to help.
"I’m fine, Elena," he murmured, forcing himself up. He limped slowly toward Grandmaster Clearheart.
"Grandmaster," he said, "please help find a way."
Grandmaster Clearheart didn’t look at him. Instead, he turned to , sighed, and shook his head. "A karmic connection, Mr. Hale. Why do you keep doing this? I told you, if you keep going, you "
My stomach dropped. What was he trying to say? Had he warned Lewis before?
Before I could think, Lewis cut in. "Grandmaster, if it will save my wife, I’ll give up half my fortune "
"Mr. Hale," Clearheart said, calm but firm, "you know money can’t buy life."
"Please," Lewis whispered. "I beg you."
Grandmaster Clearheart sighed again. "Fine. Co in."
Lewis followed him into the temple, and I hurried after them. Clearheart led him toward a side room.
Just as I was about to enter, Grandmaster Clearheart paused and looked at . "Ms. Morrigan, wait here."
I froze.
So he really can see .
Before the door closed, I heard his voice, barely a whisper.
"Mr. Hale, if you want to change your fate, you must "
Must what? Must what?
I rushed forward, but the mont my hand touched the door, an invisible force stopped cold.
Carl... what are you doing?
I clenched my fists.
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