"You'll Be Left Alone Here."

"You'll be left alone here."

Hero didn't even look back. Seemingly not hearing him as she looked for arrows on the ground.

Villain stood at the other side of the room, gripping the rusty dorknob.

"This is hopeless."

She made no indication that she heard him. Only threw a chair that stood between her and a single, glinting arrow.

She then moved next to the arrowslit, trying her bow with it. Not sparing him a glance.

"Do you have death wish? Hero, they have spears and axes and torches- This whole town will turn to ashes."

She kept watching the window. Her posture tense and her breaths shallow.

"Her-"

"Then go,"

Her voice came out as a whisper.

"I am not stopping you."

To that, he found himself to be at loss for words. Because somehow, she did. His nerves urged him to run away, but he could only stand there watching her.

He knew that running away is what he needs to do now.He knew that these bastards marching here will take no prisoners. He knew Hero will not move from where she stands, prepairing to delay the mob for as long as she breaths. Ready to give her life for a chance that the townspeople will manage to get away.

Curse her tenacious soul.

She slightly tilted her face towards him. But in moment they locked eyes she seemed almost... surprised. As if she didn't expect him to still be there.

"You do not have to stay."

She said softly, fully looking at him now. She was battle-ready, but her rich walnut eyes shone with something softer. Will this be the last time he sees them?

"No."

She frowned, studying him carefully.

"Hero, please, this is crazy. How many do you think you'll take? And for WHAT?"

He gestured outside, where panicked families ran away as fast as they could.

"For som- some FOOLS who brought hell upon themeselve?"

"What did they ever do for you? What could possibly ever make you face an army for them!? Th-"

"But you are still here, too."

Hero's voice turned almost hopeful.

Villain looked aside. He should not be here. Maybe he was the crazy one.

"Some things in life are worth protecting. Even from an army."

He didn't even look at her, but could tell that she said it with a smile.

"I know you had it rough, we both had, but can you not imagine this?"

He dared looking back at her. Her eyes stayed steady on him.

"Having something you will fight for until your last breath?"

The way she said it was filled with purpose and hope and... and maybe even...

Before he thought of it, he took out his sword and stepped closer to her. She turned to face him, a relived smile on her features. Her shoulders relaxed when he gently touched her cheek.

A first wave of rushing warriors could be seen from the arrowslit.

"I can, actually."