Legacies

"I'll carry on your legacy." I promised. I wouldn't fail him.

I couldn't believe it, my fiancé had to go. I looked around the room, everything broken and messy. Those bastards took him by surprise.

"Now, be careful, and be cautious. People can be very unpredictable, and we have to account for that. You have to account for that. I don't want to go, Sumara, but I have to. The assassins said I had to, or you and our friends could be in danger. King Beckette sent them, and he always gets what he wants. If I could stay here with you, I would. But there's too much at stake. Someone has to stay alive to keep the tests going." Said Rei. I sighed, and nodded.

"I will. I love you Rei, don't die on me." I said, hugging him tightly. He hugged even tighter, and then let go.

"I love you, too. I'll probably be gone for a few years. But when I get back, we'll get married, ok? I promise. Cross my heart and hope to live," He said. He handed me one of his wands, and one of his hex blades. "Here, in case you ever need them. But I have to go now, so this is goodbye." He said, giving me one last hug before he left to fight a war in a world full of magic.

Four Weeks Later

I was constructing a machine for practice, when I heard a knock on the door. When I opened it, nobody was there. But on the ground in front of my door, there was a letter. It bore the crest of New Monochrus, the country Rei was helping in the war. Maybe he's being let off early?

I read the letter out loud to myself, barely managing to contain my excitement as I opened it.

"Dear Sumara Young, we regret to inform you that your significant other, Commanding General and Head Tactician of the Imperial Army, known by the name of Rei Miyamura, is…dead. He was...slain in battle thirteen day ago, and…and was given a p-proper burial. We’re sorry for any sorrow this m-may cause you. Sincerely, Cerelia Wesley, King’s Assistant."

I couldn't believe it. Rei, my Rei...was gone. The letter fell out of my hands, and I fell to my knees, sobbing. We were going to spend the rest of our lives together. We were going to be happy, and keep our tests going. I need you, Rei. I don't know if I can do this without you. If I can live without you. I stood up, and I saw a photo of me and Rei working on our first test together. I looked over at the table, and saw the device that I was making a few moments ago. I had learned everything from him. Without him, I wouldn't be here. I picked up the device. It looked like a piece of metal rope, but it was much more deadly than that. I activated it to see if it would work, and it began to get smaller and tighten. It needs to go faster, but that's for another day. Looking at this device, it reminded me of one of the last things I said to Rei before he died. I went to the mirror, photo in hand, and wiped my tears. Rei wouldn't want this. He wouldn't want anyone being sad for him. He'd want everyone to act like nothing happened, like he was a stranger. I just know it. I look in the mirror, and make my promise again to Rei.

"I'll carry on your legacy." I promised. I wouldn't fail him.