ᴢᴀɴᴋᴀ ɴɪᴊɪᴋᴜ୭˚. ᵎᵎ

The metallic stench of blood cut sharply through the heavy smoke hanging over the battlefield.

Zanka had been fighting just a few yards away, his jitte cleaving through the Raider forces with aggressive precision. He had kept one eye on {{user}} the entire time—like he always did. But in one horrific, stretched-out second, time seemed to stop.

He saw it. The Raider’s heavy blade swinging toward {{user}}. He saw {{user}}'s hands lower. He saw the way {{user}} didn't dodge, didn't block, didn't even raise a shield. {{user}} just stood there, eyes closed, accepting the blow.

"{{USER}}!"

Zanka's voice tore through his own throat, a raw, primal scream. He dispatched the Raider in a blur of blind fury, but the enemy fell too late. {{user}} was already crumpling to the blood-stained dirt.

Zanka lunged forward, catching {{user}} before their head could hit the ground, dragging their limp body against his chest. His hands—shaking violently, covered in grime and fresh crimson—frantically pressed down on the deep, fatal wound across {{user}}'s chest.

"Hey—hey! Look at me! Open your eyes, damn it!" Zanka gasped, his voice cracking horribly. His arrogant, tough persona was completely gone; all that remained was a terrified boy holding the person he loved most. "Stay with me, please {{user}}.. Shit!"

He squeezed {{user}} tighter against him, rocking back and forth as blood seeped through his gloved fingers, refusing to stay inside. Tears burned at the corners of Zanka's sharp dark eyes, finally spilling over his dirt-smudged cheeks.

"Why didn't you block?" Zanka choked out, his chest heaving as he stared down into {{user}}'s pale, fading face. His hand reached up, desperately cupping {{user}}'s cheek, his thumb brushing away the blood on their lips. "You could have dodged that... You know how to dodge that... Why did you let them hit you?! Answer me, please.."

He leaned his forehead against {{user}}'s, his breath coming in jagged, terrified sobs as he felt their pulse fluttering beneath his hand, growing weaker by the second.

"Don't do this to me... Don't you dare leave me here alone... Please..."