Freya's smile widened slightly, and despite the frailty of her body, her spirit still shone in her eyes. "You always were the strong, silent type… but this is a bit much, don't you think?"
Magnus's heart twisted. It was just like Freya to make jokes and tease him even in her current situation. Her acting normal in this moment made everything even harder.
He took a hesitant step forward, his expression threatening to crumble as he watched her struggle to sit up straight.
Freya tilted her head, her smile fading as her expression softened.
"I'm not going to be here much longer… are you really going to just stand there? Or will you be by my side?"
Magnus's eyes widened, and before he knew it, his legs carried him forward. He crossed the distance between them in a heartbeat and knelt beside her, his large hand gently cupping her delicate one.
She was cold to the touch, and it sent even more fear into his heart.
Freya gave him a teasing smile, squeezing his hand. "You know, you're as stiff as a statue sometimes… I always thought I'd be the one to break you in the end," she whispered softly, her tone filled with humor, even though she was as weak as a twig.
Magnus lowered his head, his hand trembling as he clutched hers tighter, but he made sure not to apply too much pressure.
He couldn't hold back anymore, and his voice broke with the emotions he had been burying for so long.
"I… failed you."
Freya's brow furrowed slightly, her voice quiet but firm. "How?" she asked gently, her thumb brushing against his knuckles.
"I wasn't there," Magnus whispered, his voice cracking. "I should've been there. I should've protected you. It's my duty and I failed."
Freya let out a soft, tired laugh, her fingers tightening around his hand as she shook her head weakly.
"Magnus… you were there. You were fighting to protect our family. You were battling someone who wanted to destroy everything we built… You did protect me, us."
Magnus's eyes met Freya's, seeing her once bright eyes dimmed significantly. His jaw clenched tightly as he tried to hold it together.
He couldn't break now, not in front of her. Not when she needed him to be strong. But the weight of it all—the thought of losing her—was unbearable.
Freya's gaze softened further as she looked into his eyes. "You've always been a protector, Magnus… but even you can't stop everything. You can't be everywhere at once. Don't blame yourself for this."
Magnus lowered his head, his other hand clenching so tightly that his knuckles turned white. "But I should've done more. I should've saved you."
Freya's smile returned, though it was softer, more bittersweet. "You've done more for me than anyone else ever could. You've given me everything, Magnus. I don't need saving… not from this." Her voice wavered, but she held his gaze firmly. "What I need now… is for you to be here. With me."
Magnus's heart twisted in his chest. He had faced countless enemies, fought battles that shook the world, but none of that compared to the battle he was fighting now—the battle of watching the one person who had always grounded him slip away.
It was painful. More painful than anything he had ever felt in his entire life.
Freya's hand moved to his cheek, her touch featherlight. "You're the only one who ever saw me, Magnus. Really saw me." She smiled through the pain, her eyes glistening. "We've had a good run, haven't we?"
Magnus closed his eyes, his hand tightening around hers. "The best," he whispered hoarsely.
Freya let out a soft breath, her hand slowly falling from his cheek. "Then let me go… and hold me while you do." Her voice was barely above a whisper now, her strength fading with each passing moment.
Magnus's heart shattered as he gently pulled her into his arms, cradling her fragile form against his chest.
He pressed his forehead against hers, his breath shaky as he held her close. "I love you," he whispered, his voice cracking as he spoke.
Freya smiled, her eyes fluttering shut as she nestled into him, her hand gripping his tightly. "I love you too… more than you'll ever know," she whispered softly, pausing before adding, "And my grandchildren… tell them I'll always be watching over them. Make sure they know I love them with all my heart."
"I'll tell them every day," Magnus promised, his voice breaking under the weight of his emotions.
Freya smiled, her breath shallow. "Now promise me, Magnus… after I leave, you're not just going to shut yourself off. Promise me you'll try to bond more with Avalon and the family. Promise me you'll continue living your life."
Magnus felt the weight of her words pressing into his heart, and for a moment, he couldn't respond. He held her tighter, feeling the warmth of her fading form.
She had always wanted what was best for him.
Finally, after a pause, he whispered, his voice cracking slightly, "I promise."
Freya let out a soft, contented sigh, her grip on his hand loosening slightly. "Good… that's all I need to hear. You've always kept your promises…"
Magnus immediately felt her grip weaken, her breathing slowing. His arms tightened around her as if he could somehow hold on to her longer, but he knew… he knew this was the end.
Only now did he understand how hard Freya had been fighting to hold on, all these days. She had been at the very edge, yet she hadn't complained, hadn't shown her suffering.
Instead, she had treated him with love, even when he had avoided seeing her, too afraid of the pain it would cause him.
And now… she was gone.
As her final breath left her lips, Magnus clenched his teeth, holding her tighter, the weight of his world collapsing around him.
"I-I'm sorry," he whispered, his voice barely a breath as tears streamed down his face. He had been a coward, and now the pain of that failure crushed him.
Outside, the world fell silent. In Sector 3, the people went about their day, unaware of the tragedy that had just unfolded.
But soon, they all turned their faces to the sky as thick clouds began to gather overhead.
At first, it was just a few drops, but soon enough, an intense rain started to pour all over Sector 3. People stopped whatever they were doing, each one placing a hand over their heart.
They didn't know why, but every single person, whether an elementalist or not, felt the profound sadness in the air.
It was as though the entire sector was mourning alongside Magnus.
Freya Ravenstein, the quiet heart of the Ravenstein family, was gone.