Chapter Text
“Luka, Live with love. Embrace the pain, the frailty, and the moments so unbearably shameful. Forgive yourself. Again and again endlessly… because everything begins from there.”
These were the last words he ever heard her speak before she collapsed.
Luka stared at the women before him, blood slowly seeping out from beneath her disheveled form. Hyuna had sunk to the floor where she would sleep eternally, never to be awoken.
An unfamiliar feeling washed over him. Tears pricked at the edges of his eyes as he blinked.
The world around him was nothing but a mere blur. His gaze a tunnel with only focus on Hyuna’s lifeless body. Luka felt his breathing grow unsteady. The sharp lights from the alien stage only blinding him further. He could not process. He did not process. Everything was too real. Or maybe none of it was at all.
Meters behind him, a pink haired lady was hunched over the body of the latest victim. Pure agony laced her pale face, the tears did not stop, the pain did not falter. She looked broken.
In her arms she held a boy with silver hair, no, perhaps blue? Or maybe green? Luka couldn’t tell from this angle. From memory, the boys name was Till. He was also his latest opponent, well used to be.
Till was a feisty one. He was known to be rebellious amongst the rest. It was a miracle to Luka the rookie even made it this far in, although once he found out he would be the opposition, Till’s fate was already sealed. It had been from the very start.
Despite this, Till had continued to fight until the end. It was… somewhat respectable he supposed.
The lady with pink hair, Mizi as he remembered, her wails filled the air. Screams so agonising that members of the rebellion turned their heads towards her cries. It was understandable, she had lost everything. Everyone dear to her was taken..
…
Hyuna… Her life was stripped bare, the carcass which remained unmoving beneath him was a painful reminder of her fate. Yet the words rung around his head, the ones she decided to express whilst staring death in the eyes.
He had always felt a connection with Hyuna, one he had never felt with another human being. The way his heart fluttered when he stared at her determined expression. No matter what she did, or how she did it, the fire had always shone bright.
When he spotted her in the crowed, he had felt like a little kid again. Playing in Anakt Garden with Hyuna and her brother, Hyun Woo. The laughter filling the air whilst he sat against a small tree in the middle of the vast plains, quietly observing.
Luka was never an overly extroverted child. He preferred to observe the others, attempting to ignore the constant hunger that burned deep within him. Hyuna made him feel safe, she made him feel something that no one else ever has. And he cherished it, praying that one day they would meet again.
And they did, just not on his terms.
Before he knew it, a smooth metal object pressed against the back of his head. He heard the click as a was gun loaded. Luka stared with a distant look out in front of him, gaze still buried strictly onto Hyunas form. He barely registered the cool metal threatening to take his life in any moment.
He also barely registered the yell from benind.
Luka forcefully tore his gaze away from Hyuna as suddenly the scene had changed. Previously weeping, Mizi stood with a fierce expression. She had one hand on the rebels gun and held it firmly. Her eyes met his own yet they held no pity, no mercy. The agony and rage was still presented on her face, yet she held a strong stance despite her circumstance.
“Hold your fire.” Her voice rung out in the silence.
Luka just tilted his head enough to see what was occurring before him. His tear stained skin glistening beneath the lights. He glanced towards Mizi, a look of confusion barely noticeable, concealed by the distant haze.
The masked human who pointed the gun, glanced towards her with a distasteful glare. However, he did not protest further.
Mizi was well respected among the rebels due to her connection with Hyuna. They certainly weren’t the closest of friends, but comrades. Ultimately, comrades hear eachother out, and if she has something to say, then they will listen.
“We shouldn’t kill him.” She spoke firmly and morals unwavering.
Muttered complaints and confusion spread throughout the rebellion, before hushing once again as Mizi spoke up.
“He deserves to die for what he’s done… I want him to die.” She spared a slight glance to Hyunas body. “But we can’t. It’s not what she would want.”
“This isn’t the time for-“ one man started.
“Are you all blind!?” She yelled, silencing the man in his tracks. “Did you not see the sacrifice Hyuna just made, to keep him alive? No ordinary bond would ever go that far as to sacrifice yourself for someone you despise.”
She stepped closer to the gun, and her grip tightened.
“Don’t kill him.”
At once, Luka felt the cool metal disappear from his head. He blinked with wide eyes and turned slowly, hands fallen to his side as he stared at the people in front of him. Specifically, the girl he had faced off against in Round 5.
The man holding the weapon looked on high alert, which he couldn’t blame of course. However, the real problem was the one who saved him. He continued staring, brain unable to muster up any words. Luka wasn’t even sure if he should be speaking at a time like this.
The uneasy silence was broken again by a loud crash from the back. Clearly, they were running out of time to get away.
Luka watched as the group hustled on the stage, moving quickly and efficiently. He couldn’t understand why she had refused to let him be killed, after all, the only thing he’d brought into her life was pain. All of her friends currently dead, and he knew for a fact most of it was his fault. He’d never found himself caring quite as much as he did in this moment, they were all just competitors to him, right? There was no way he could-
Mizi grabbed his arm tightly, yanking him along until they hit a jogging pace. Luka felt himself confused by the behaviour for a second time before realisation hit. Were they taking him with them?
Despite his own silent protests, he didn’t fight it. Not like he could anyway. Lukas body was far too weak for defence, in fact as they continued running with the rest, he could feel himself becoming fatigued due to his complete lack of fitness.
Air began feeling harder to take in, his breathing light and quick. However, no matter his struggles, Mizi continued on, keeping up with ease.
Luka’s brain whirled, he had no clue what was truely happening. Maybe they were saving to kill him for later? Maybe they were planning torture? But he’s pretty sure he hadn’t done anything that awful to deserve it. In fact, they would have been better off getting rid of him when they had the chance..
In his own hazy mind, thoughts spiralled further, yet he continued as much as he could onward with the group.
Hyuna, is this what you meant? He narrowed his eyes in remembrance of her final words.
Is this where it begins?