The Third Prince Of Darkness

Chapter 203 Save

Ethan's POV

What is the purpose of life? Most people who attempt to answer this question are not entirely honest. But when night falls, and one is left alone, there is no choice but to be truthful with oneself.

Some people search for a higher purpose, while others claim it's simply happiness. But there's no definitive answer. Perhaps the confusion surrounding this question is not life's fault, as often blamed, but rather the individual's. After all, for someone to ask, "What is the purpose of life?" they must first feel a void or a lack in their life. If such a void doesn't exist, how logical is it to search for meaning?

In my opinion, the most meaningful aspect of life is the presence of people who love you. Yes, it's a cliché and a simple goal, but unless I betray myself, my view is unlikely to change. Among those who love and value me, there was one woman who held a special place in my heart. Luciana…

Since my into this world, she was the one who loved and cared for me from the very beginning. There's no need to elaborate on how deep our bond was. Perhaps I wanted to protect her more than anyone else in my life. As her fragile body tumbled down the throne's stairs, I could feel the frantic beating of my heart, which I had thought had long turned to stone.

Seeing that delicate body, lifeless beneath her silver hair… it was the last thing I ever wanted to witness. Words fail to describe the feelings that overwhelmed me in that moment. It was as if everything within me—my past, my future, my entire being—shattered in an instant. When I held Luciana's lifeless body in my arms, the world seemed to stop.

"No, this must be a dream," I whispered to myself, my voice trembling and barely audible. But no matter how much I tried to deny the truth, the cold reality in my hands forced me to face it.

As I cradled her in my arms, her silver hair no longer glimmered like it used to; her pale face no longer radiated her energetic smile.

After losing Emilia years ago, I had made myself a promise: I would never repeat the mistakes of my past—I would protect the ones I loved. But now, I was forced to confront the possibility of losing person who truly mattered to me.

"Marsiel! Get over here, now!" I yelled at Marsiel, who stood frozen behind me.

Shaken from his stupor, Marsiel rushed forward, climbing the golden stairs to where I stood, his gaze falling upon the woman in my arms. He knelt down immediately and began muttering something under his breath.

Marsiel's eyes were filled with worry as he looked at Luciana's pale face. His trembling hands rested on her forehead. "Ethan, step back a bit, please," he said, almost in a whisper. His voice was a mixture of resolve and fear. Reluctantly, I took a step back, my eyes never leaving Marsiel's movements.

He remained silent for a moment, taking deep breaths to steady himself. Then he lowered his hands to Luciana's chest and began casting a spell. A soft, golden light radiated from his fingertips, gently enveloping her body. The warmth of his magic filled the room, but the concentration etched on his face made it clear that this healing spell was no simple task.

"Her body is very weak," Marsiel said, wiping sweat from his brow. "The magic is working, but it seems she's been poisoned with something incredibly potent."

I turned to the servants nearby and shouted, "Is there an antidote for the poison she consumed?"

The servants exchanged terrified and bewildered glances before one of them stammered a reply:

"Y-Your Excellency… There is no antidote. Her Majesty specifically chose this poison because it has no cure. That way, no enemy could reverse its effects."

I teetered between rage and despair. My gaze snapped back to Marsiel. "Isn't there any way to save her? I can't afford to lose her."

Marsiel took a deep breath, shaking his head slowly. "Ethan, I'm doing everything I can, but this type of poison… Without an antidote, we need to buy her more time to strengthen her body. Right now, I can only slow down the process."

The golden glow emanating from Marsiel's hands was beginning to dim—his energy was clearly waning. Panic swelled within me. "Then let's do whatever it takes! If you need more power, I'll give it to you!"

"That… might work, but I'm not certain. If I had enough mana, I could attempt it."

Marsiel's hesitant words only fueled my anger. If there was any way to save Luciana, I would find it. "Mana, you say?" I asked, locking my gaze on him. My voice carried a mix of determination and desperation. "Tell me how much you need—I'll do whatever it takes."

Marsiel hesitated for a moment, as though deciding how to phrase his next words. Finally, he said, "Ethan, your mana is incredibly strong, but if you push yourself too hard during this process, it could severely damage both your body and your soul. However, it seems we have no other choice…"

"Forget that," I interrupted him. "If you can save Luciana, the consequences don't matter to me. Just tell me what I need to do."

Marsiel hesitated again, but when he saw the resolve in my eyes, he finally nodded. "Alright. What I need now is for you to channel your mana into my magic. But to do that, you'll need to fully open your mind to me and trust me completely."

"Open my mind? I've never done this before," I said, but my hesitation was brief. "Fine. I'll do whatever it takes."

Marsiel paused the magic momentarily and turned to me. "Place your hands on either side of Luciana's body. Concentrate and allow me to direct the flow of your energy."

I did as instructed. The coldness of her lifeless body beneath my fingers stabbed at my heart like a knife. Closing my eyes, I took a deep breath. Opening my mind to Marsiel was no easy feat. Memories of the past swirled in my thoughts—ghosts of mistakes and regrets clouding my focus. But a voice inside me, perhaps the desperate urge to save Luciana, urged me to push through.

"Good, just like that," Marsiel said, her voice calm and steady now. "Feel the flow of your Mana and release it."

I took a deep breath, summoning the energy within me. The Mana surged, spreading through every corner of my being like a wave of warmth. Marsiel resumed her spell, her hands placed firmly on Luciana's body, drawing my Mana into her magic. The golden light that filled the room grew brighter and more intense.

"You have a strong energy flow, Ethan, but you can't maintain this for long. We must be careful," Marsiel warned.

At that moment, Luciana's body twitched slightly. Hope surged within me. "It's working!" I exclaimed, but Marsiel quickly tempered my excitement.

"Not yet. This is only the beginning. To truly save her, we need to push the Mana further."

I strained, forcing more energy out, but the effort began to take its toll. My vision blurred, and every breath felt labored. Then I saw it—Luciana's chest rose and fell faintly.

"She's breathing!" Marsiel whispered, though her voice was still tinged with concern. "But it's not enough. The poison is still coursing through her veins. We need more time."

"I'll give more!" I said, but Marsiel intervened sharply.

"No! If you push any further, you'll completely deplete your Mana and suffer irreversible damage!"

I hesitated, torn, but as my eyes fell upon Luciana's still-lifeless form, all doubts vanished. "I will do whatever it takes to save her. If this is the price, so be it."

Marsiel paused, her expression conflicted, before nodding silently. "Very well, but you must bear the consequences of your choice."

I refocused, drawing out every last fragment of Mana within me. The golden light in the room now blazed, nearly blinding.

As the Mana continued to flow, a crushing pressure built in my head. My eyes burned, and my body grew weaker with each passing second. It felt as if molten fire coursed through my veins, my body struggling against the overwhelming burden.

Marsiel's voice became distant, like a faint echo. "Ethan, stop! You can't take any more of this!" she shouted, but the haze surrounding me muffled her words. The only thought driving me forward was the desperate desire to see Luciana breathe again—to bring her back.

A sharp, searing pain shot through my eyes. My hands remained firmly on Luciana's body as I felt something warm trickling down my cheeks. Blood. My eyes were bleeding. My breaths came in ragged gasps, my chest constricted as if crushed under an unbearable weight. The agony consumed me, but I refused to falter.

"Hold on... just a little more..." I muttered, trying to summon what little strength remained. Through my bloodied vision, I saw the golden light intensify further. Luciana's breathing grew steadier, more rhythmic. A faint glimmer of hope shone, but my body had reached its limit.

My head grew heavy, my muscles failing one by one. My vision darkened as I collapsed to my knees and fell to the ground. Marsiel's voice called out, distant and frantic. "Ethan! Stay with me!" she cried, but I could no longer respond.

The pain surged one final time, piercing through me, and then there was silence. Total, all-encompassing silence. As my eyes closed, only one thought remained etched in my fading consciousness:

"Luciana, I gave everything to save you... I hope it was enough."