CHAPTER 59: AN ETERNITY OF NOTHING

Seamus thought he would reach her in time, but the only thing that met his hands was her bloodied body as she collapsed into his arms.

His knees buckled, and he fell to the ground, clutching her as though she were the most precious treasure in existence.

Because she was. She was the one person he failed to protect, the one person he failed to love enough.

"Viviane..." His hands trembled, his eyes wide in disbelief at the sight before him.

"Seamus, you came to find me." Viviane smiled, her golden eyes shining brighter than he had ever seen, even through the pain.

"You can heal again, right? You’ll be fine, just what you supposed to be!"

He tried desperately to stop the bleeding, fumbling with her shattered core as if he could piece it back together with his bare hands.

"I’m sorry, Seamus... I don’t think I can..." Her voice was gentle but hoarse, every word pulled from the edge of her strength.

"No, no! You lie! I know you are still angry with me, Viviane! Cursed me, kill me, put my head in the jar like you said once to me!" he shook her body gently, "Anything! Anything! I just want you to come back to me..."

Her gaze lingered on him, soft and unyielding. She lifted a trembling hand to caress his face. "It’s okay. I’m glad you don’t hate me... and that you’ll be the last person I see."

"Viviane... please. I lied, I never hated you. I never meant any of the cruel words I threw at you."

His whole body shook, his vision blurring as his heart splintered apart knowing that she was serious, that she was now dying, and that nothing he could do.

"Don’t cry. I hate seeing you cry." She tried to take a breath, but blood choked her words. Still, she smiled faintly.

"It’s just like the end of our favorite movie... sad, but I know you’ll move on and find a better girl than me."

"There is no one better! Nothing can replace you, Viviane!" Seamus pressed his forehead to hers, his voice breaking. "My heart only yearns for you."

He had come here to save her, to hear her voice again, to hold her while she still lived—not for this. Not to see her one last time.

He wanted to curse Isolde, whether she was real or only a shadow, but before he could, Viviane’s hand pulled him close.

She kissed him for the last time. His tears ran down her pale skin, washing away the blood, mingling with the remnants of her warmth. It felt endless, a kiss long overdue, and he never wanted to let it end.

But even the best things end. Nothing lasts forever—not even eternal creatures, not even the most intimate kiss.

"I love you, Seamus. I love you, Seamus. Forever is short... but it’s all we need." She gave a soft laugh, her breath faint. "You are the sun in my darkness. Thank you, my beloved."

Her golden eyes slowly dimmed, like the flame of a candle sputtering out.

"Viviane! come back! I’ll trade every drop of my blood, my memories, my name, just open your eyes!!"

He wounded his own hand as the blood came out and dripped into her mouth, maybe then she would wake up again, maybe his blood could save her!

But nothing, she just lay there with eyes closed, a smile on her face, so peaceful while he was here shattered to pieces.

"Viviane... come back to me. Come back..."

But she was gone. Forever.

Seamus held her lifeless body, sobbing as he begged every god, every being who might listen, to undo what had been done.

But just as the world had abandoned Viviane, so too had it abandoned him.

.

.

.

Seamus didn’t know how much time had passed. He just kept holding her body, refusing to let go, refusing to accept her death.

Then, as his eyes blinked rapidly through tears, the darkness lifted. The vision of the Labyrinth of Dream faded, and reality returned. There she was—Isolde—leaning against the window, arms crossed, as though untouched.

But his grief did not fade with the dream. Neither did his fury.

Seamus laid Viviane’s body gently on the ground, then stood and bolted forward. His speed startled even Isolde, who barely had time to react before his hand clamped around her throat.

"Give me back my love!" His voice was raw and hoarse, his eyes burning red as the sun itself bled into a crimson moon.

[⚠ Sagacitas surge detected!]

[Warning: unstable emotions will expose your true power.]

He didn’t care. His grip only tightened. Her feet lifted off the floor, dangling helplessly, yet her smirk never wavered. She stared into his fury as if daring him to crush her.

"YOU KILLED HER! YOU KILLED YOUR OWN DAUGHTER!" His roar rattled the room.

"No..." Isolde rasped through the chokehold. "It was your words... your abandonment. Don’t you remember what you told her? She gave up because you told her you hated her."

His eyes widened. The memory seared back to him: his cruel words, the way Viviane let the monster pierce her without resistance.

His grip faltered. Was she right? If he hadn’t said those words, would Viviane have fought harder to live?

No. He couldn’t let himself be deceived again. He knew this was her game.

Viviane would never have been in that position if Isolde hadn’t tortured her, hadn’t broken her down, hadn’t unleashed that monster. This wasn’t his guilt to carry alone.

"Don’t twist this! Don’t you dare! What do you want from me, Isolde? My blood? Fine, take it! But tell me, why did you kill your own daughter?!"

With a snarl, Seamus slammed her against the window. Glass rattled as Isolde grimaced, but her smirk still lingered.

"Self-defense. She tried to kill me first, remember? Did you expect me to stand still and let her?"

Seamus’ teeth ground together. His grip pressed harder. "Then you’ll die with me!"

Her lips curved into a sharper smile. "And throw away your chance to resurrect her?"