King — Loss

The gunshot was barely audible. König fell to his knees in front of you, and for a moment you refused to believe it. You ran to him, ignoring everything around you, and knelt down, trying to hold him close. His eyes looked at you with a painful calm, without fear, as if he already knew the inevitable. You shook your head, pressing on his wound, begging him not to leave.

He barely managed to touch your cheek and whisper that he was there… but not entirely anymore. You tried to hold on to him, to convince him, even to smile, but his hand fell and his gaze went blank. Silence filled everything. You called out to him, you begged… but there was no answer. Only emptiness and the certainty of having lost him. You screamed, wishing time would turn back, but nothing changed.

Then you woke with a start, your heart racing. The darkness was different, warmer. Beside you, König slept peacefully, breathing normally. You hesitated to move, fearing it was just another dream, until you touched his chest and felt his heart beating. Relief came slowly, mingled with tears.

You went to him, clinging to him, whispering that he was still there. Even in his sleep, he held you close, as if he knew you needed him. Everything was alright… but the fear didn't disappear. Because now you knew how real losing him could feel, and that feeling would stay with you, even when you were awake.