How Does a Moment Last Forever

I Wasn't Ready To Say Goodbye

Summary: Everything was going to plan: the world was about to be saved, Belos was almost defeated, and Raine and Eda had a date secured for their wedding. But that all changes when a sacrifice needs to be made.

Angst Warning: ANGSTY

Mature/ Trigger Warning: Self-sacrifice, major character death, watching a loved one die, self-loathing, death, depressive thinking

"There has to be another way!"

Raine gently took my hands in theirs as the storm worsened around, my hair flying in every direction and the bottom of my dress twirling and twisting around my legs. I whimpered, shaking my head; no, I couldn't lose them. I couldn't let them do this. I couldn't. Their eyes filled with pain. Sadness. Longing. Love. Raine wrapped their arm around me and brought me closer, closing the gap between us until we were practically touching, our faces only inches apart.

"No, Eda. You know this is the only way," Raine whispered miserably, voice breaking and their bright green eyes filling with tears. "This has to be done."

"Raine-" I began, blinking fast. They couldn't do this, they just couldn't. I couldn't imagine a life without them in it. A world without Raine Whispers was a world I didn't want to live in or ever see. Raine dropped my hands, placing their own on my shoulders, closing whatever gap was still in between us. They pulled me in, giving me a kiss before pulling away.

"Goodbye, Eda. I will always love you, no matter what," Raine took a step away from me, turning their head so I couldn't see their tears but they weren't quick enough and I saw a few before they fully turned.

"Rainestorm!" I sobbed, shaking my head again. "Don't do this to me!"

"I'm sorry, Eda."

I reached out to them but Lilith suddenly grabbed me from behind, wrapping her arms around me and holding me back. I thrashed wildly in her grip. I couldn't let Raine do this. I couldn't let them sacrifice themself for the greater good. There had to be another way, I knew there had to be. Lily kept her strong grip on me as I fought and thrashed and struggled. I ignored her pleas to calm down, to stop fighting her. I wouldn't stop, not until Raine was safe and sound.

Raine made their way to the weakened Belos. All they had to do was perform the final spell; the spell that would not only kill Belos and destroy the machine that would destroy all realms out there, but also kill Raine. I trashed even harder against Lily but it was no use. She wasn't going to let me go.

"Raine!" I cried and they paused, briefly. They didn't turn to look at me and probably took the second pause to calm themself. "Raine!" They still didn't look at me. I had stopped fighting in Lily's grip and she seemed surprised but she was no idiot. She kept her grip strong, ready if this was just a trick and I would break from her grasp the moment she loosened it. I had to try another approach. "Let me do it!"

Finally, their head snapped towards me, feet away from Belos. "No!"

Lily was shocked as well and nearly dropped me in surprise. I took this as an opportunity to move towards Raine but Lily was fast and grabbed me again before I got too far. I huffed out in annoyance. So close yet so far. Raine was still staring at me, their eyes wide and scared even with Lily gripping me like no tomorrow and giving me no hope, or chance, to escape.

"You can't," Raine whispered, shaking their head.

"Why not?" I asked, knowing that even just talking to Raine was buying me time.

"Because," Raine growled and I flinched despite myself, shocked at their sudden harshness. "You have a family." I opened my mouth to protest but they cut me off before I had a chance to say anything. "You have the kids. They need you, Eda. They need you to be alive and well. They don't want anyone else. Besides," they take a shaky deep breath but continue to keep their eyes trained on me. "With Belos gone, you'll finally be able to live your life without unnecessary hate or prejudice. You'll finally be able to be happy."