Read [Part I] and [Part II] of this story here.
I collapsed on the ground in pain as I felt some liquid climb up my throat. Blood gushed out of my mouth. I pressed down on my chest where the arrow end protruded to stop the flow of blood. Aadhira was in tears, pressing down on my hand as well.
"Help him!" Aadhira commanded the men.
"You dare to violate the Temple of Khe Ram," the one who must be their leader said. "No one has ever come out of this cave alive."
"Please help him," my proud princess begged with tears in her eyes. She never begs anyone and I couldn't help but smile. I could feel my life slipping away but was relieved that Aadhira made it out alive.
I raised a trembling hand to pat her soft, smooth cheek. Our societal status was meaningless at this point. My blood smeared her face. She frowned through her tears. "Don't you dare die, Viraj! I need you," She whispered.
I noticed the seven bald-headed men spread out and surrounded us. "Who are you people?" I asked as more blood trickled out of my nose.
The leader smiled slightly. "We are the Guardians of the Temple. Many people foolishly come here in search of the spring of life and beauty but what they don't know is that it's cursed." He squatted on his heels, placed his hand lightly on my shoulder and all my pain vanished.
"You fought valiantly to protect the princess and made it out alive because you took her place in death…the arrow was for her," he revealed to my chagrin. "The Temple always knows those who covet the Spring."
"What?" Aadhira exclaimed. She covered her mouth and looked down. It was the first time I'd seen her look remorseful. "Please save him, I beg you. My father is rich. I'll pay you all the money you want."
"We cannot, Princess Aadhira," the leader said glaring at her. "Every life that goes into this temple in search of the Spring must die. You are alive because he loves you. No amount of money can save him now," he declared solemnly.
Then he took his hand off my shoulder and the pain returned in big waves. I groaned and held on to the princess tightly.
"Viraj, I am so sorry. This is all my fault…" Aadhira said, her face pale and drenched with tears. I gripped her hand tightly in mine.
"A-a request please," I forced the words out, glancing at the leader of the Guardians.
"Just one, young man."
"Swear to me…you will return the Princess unharmed to the p-palace."
The leader looked at me pitifully and then his face became stern when he turned to look at Aadhira. "You have my word." He inclined his head.
"Viraj, Viraj…!" I must have blacked out for a second because Aadhira shook me.
"My Princess, I-I…"
"Shhh," she placed a finger on my lips. "Forgive me, Viraj. My ego and stupidity cost me the one man who ever cared for me. Say you forgive me."
I smiled. I was going to raise my hand to pat her cheek and tell her the one secret I had always kept from her —I loved her…but found myself walking amid a field of colourful varieties of flowers.
It was daytime all of a sudden. The sky was blue, the sun was shining brightly. I was not in pain anymore.
I could hear beautiful singing in the distance. I walked towards it, wondering how this world could look so beautiful.
The end.
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