#sad stuff

[awakeningnostalgia]

Peaky Blinders

THOMAS SHELBY

[luvismenu]

Something Stupid — Kim Taehyung One-Shot

navi ,, m.list ,,

warnings: ANGST. unspoken love, one-sided love, co-workers, Taehyung's POV, tae doesn't speak much, he's just a little sad guy. lowercase intended.

wc: 3.6k

pairing (well not really): quiet taehyung x fem!reader

a/n: apology one-shot for discontinuing the art of love 😞 (worst kind of apology ik but idc huhu suffer w me <3) i teared up writing this. don't let this flop i swear 🫵🏼

November 21

a year ago.

it was the day i met you.

it was your first day at work. you were glowing, so full of excitement, and so happy to be starting your dream job. i could tell from the way your eyes lit up that you were ready for this, ready for everything.

i remember how i welcomed you, and you looked at me, and you smiled.

“thank you! i’m ___, nice to meet you.”

there was something in the way you smiled that made my heart skip. it was simple, but it made me freeze for a moment. i couldn’t help but stutter.

“i-i… i’m kim taehyung, nice to meet you too…”

you nodded, still wearing that bright smile, and then turned to greet the others. and i just stood there, watching you.

i didn’t realize it at the time, but i couldn’t stop stealing glances at you. the way you came in every morning, the way you greeted everyone with a bright “good morning!” and how you always wished everyone to have a great day, no matter what.

even though we barely talked, even though you never really spoke to me much, it still made my day. just seeing you, hearing your voice, feeling the warmth you radiated. it was genuine, simple, but it made everything feel a little better, a little easier to bear.

November 28

you baked cookies, and handed out small bags, each tied with a neat bow. you didn’t miss anyone in the office, not even me. you made sure to thank everyone for making you feel so welcome.

everyone was happy to receive them, and so was i. but i overheard a few people talking behind your back, saying you were trying too hard, that it was all a little much.

but when i looked at you, all i could see was that you just wanted to fit in, wanted to make everyone around you feel comfortable. i saw it in the way your eyes shined, even though they were tired, like you were trying to prove something.

your dark circles told me you probably stayed up all night baking those cookies. i wanted to tell you how much i appreciated it, how i felt like you didn’t need to push yourself so hard. you were perfect just the way you were.

“i hope you like them, mr. kim! let me know if you prefer chocolate cookies, i have those too!”

but i couldn’t bring myself to say it.

“these are fine…”

December 10

the office holiday party was approaching, and the excitement was tangible. decorations were put up, and the air smelled sweet. everyone was talking about their plans, about what they were wearing, about who was bringing what dish.

and there you were, always the one to make sure everything was perfect, organizing the little details, ensuring no one felt left out. you were always so kind, always so giving.

i watched you from across the room, helping the others with the setup, your smile lighting up the entire space. you seemed so at ease, so comfortable in your role, but i could still see the exhaustion hidden behind your cheerful demeanor. the way your shoulders dropped slightly when you thought no one was looking, the way your eyes would gloss over for a second before you’d catch yourself and smile again.

i wanted to say something to you, tell you how much i admired your strength, how much i wished you’d let yourself rest, how i’d do anything to make things easier for you.

but i never did.

instead, i just kept watching, my words trapped in my chest, my heart pounding every time you passed by, hoping maybe, just maybe, you’d catch a glimpse of the way i looked at you.

"mr.kim, can you pass me the tape?"

“yes,”

December 25

i was walking to a store. christmas had never been anything special for me, but today felt different. i wanted to get you something, something to show you that you matter to me. that you’re someone special.

i found a little keychain; red flowers. when i first saw it, it reminded me of you. so bright and beautiful. i thought, “maybe you’d like this.”

as i walked out of the store, the cold air hit me. it was christmas, so the streets were packed with people rushing around. but i wasn’t in any hurry. i just wanted to buy you something, to let you know how much i appreciated everything about you.

then, i saw you.

a figure i recognized, standing by the candy store, looking at candy canes. the world seemed to slow as i watched you. you were wearing a soft, fluffy coat, a muffler wrapped around your head, your hair dusted with snow, your cheeks flushed from the cold. you were smiling at the candy canes like they were the most magical thing in the world.

i stopped, not sure if i should approach. i had the keychain in my hand, clutching it tight. my heart raced at the thought of finally giving you something, of finally telling you how much you mean to me.

i thought, this was it.

but then, i saw him.

someone else, someone taller, someone who looked like he belonged with you. he walked up to you, took your hand, and smiled at you. your eyes lit up when you saw him.

i froze.

my stomach twisted when he leaned down and kissed you. i watched you smile against his lips, and i could see the happiness in your eyes.

i stood there, completely still.

the moment i’d imagined for so long, the one where i’d finally be brave enough to talk to you, to give you the gift and the words that had been stuck inside me. but it wasn’t for me.

it was for him.

i turned away, my grip loosening around the keychain. i don’t know why i thought you’d feel the same way. i shouldn’t have been surprised, but it hurt. it hurt more than i could have ever expected.

as i walked, i bumped into someone. the sudden jolt made the keychain slip from my hand, and it fell to the ground with a soft clink.

in a panic, i reached out, my hand stretching toward the tiny flowers that had somehow come to mean so much to me. but the crowd was relentless, people moving quickly, oblivious to anything but getting to their next destination.

someone stepped on it.

then another.

and another.

the red flowers, so beautiful just moments ago, was crushed underfoot. pieces of it scattered across the pavement, the petals breaking apart with each step

i stood there, helpless, my fingers trembling as i watched it all happen. i wanted to scream, to shout, to stop the world from moving so fast. but all i could do was watch the remnants of the flower.

i should’ve known.

you were too perfect.

too perfect for someone like me.

January 23

"mr. kim?"

i looked up, surprised to hear my name. it was you, standing there with a soft smile on your face.

“yes, ms. ___?”

you smiled again, this time a little warmer.

"you can call me ___," you said gently, as if you were giving me permission to speak to you like a normal person.

i nodded, too nervous to say anything else. i wanted to tell you that you didn’t have to call me mr. kim, that taehyung was fine, but the words never left my lips. they got stuck somewhere in my chest.

“me and my friends are going out for lunch, and i wanted to invite you too,” you said, still smiling.

"m-me?" my voice caught, the surprise clear in my tone. i couldn’t understand why you’d want me to join you. i barely ever spoke to you outside of work, and i could never bring myself to be as casual as everyone else.

“you always work alone, well i am sure you prefer it that way..” you chuckled. “i don’t know, i just thought you might enjoy spending time with us.” you looked at me with those hopeful eyes, as if you were waiting for me to say yes. as if you genuinely wanted me there.

it felt like the moment when i first met you all over again. everything became still. my heart raced in my chest, and i could feel the weight of your gaze on me.

i could’ve said no.

i could’ve come up with some excuse.

but i didn’t.

"that would be nice," i managed to say, the words barely above a whisper, but enough for you to hear.

you smiled again, and for a brief moment, it felt like the world was just you and me.

February 12

"you know, i like your quietness, mr. kim."

we were walking together, you had invited me to lunch, and you mentioned you had something you wanted to ask me.

"oh..." was all i could manage to say.

you glanced at me, your eyes catching mine for a moment before you looked away, your smile barely noticeable. i felt a little flushed, a little nervous under your gaze. i quickly looked forward, trying to focus on anything else.

you chuckled softly, your voice breaking the silence. "you remind me a lot of my boyfriend," you said, the words casual, like they didn’t carry the weight they did in my mind.

"oh..." i stammered. so it was your boyfriend.

"do you like him?" i asked without thinking. it was a stupid question.

you laughed, a soft, light sound that seemed to come from somewhere genuine. "i wouldn’t be dating him if i didn’t."

my heart sank just a little.

of course, you liked him. why would i even ask? but i couldn’t take it back.

when we finally reached the restaurant, you led us to a quiet corner, and i sat across from you, feeling a strange mixture of comfort and tension. you looked at me, as if expecting something.

"i thought you’d prefer it like this," you said.

and i did. it was peaceful, calm. just like you.

"so!! the thing i wanted to ask you about," you started, leaning in slightly, your voice lowering in a way that made me pay attention to every word. "it’s valentine’s day soon, and i really want to get something cute for my boyfriend."

"oh..." i said again, my voice barely above a whisper.

"don’t take me wrong, but like i said, you remind me of him. you’re a lot like him. quiet, calm. so maybe you could help?" you leaned in a little, and i could feel my face getting warmer.

it felt strange. unsettling. like a weight pressing against my chest.

"i don't know, ms. ___—"

"you can call me by my name," you reminded me, your voice soft. it made me feel even more unsure of myself.

"___, i think you’re asking the wrong person... i-i’m not good with stuff like... valentine’s day," i stammered, my gaze shifting away from you. i couldn’t meet your eyes. the words felt wrong, awkward.

you studied me for a moment, then leaned back in your chair. "that’s okay, mr. kim," you said, and there was something in your voice that made me feel even worse.

what if you were just trying to make small talk? what if i had ruined it? what if you were just being kind, as always, and i made it so... uncomfortable?

"b-but you like to bake, right?" i suddenly said, not really thinking. "so... that’s a good present, i guess. i mean, i would love it. i mean, they were delicious! so.." i quickly added, flushing slightly at how ridiculous it sounded.

your smile returned, this time wider. "that sounds nice!! and i am glad you liked them" you chuckled, and for some reason, the sound of it made me smile too.

just then, your phone rang. you excused yourself, your voice light as you answered the call.

"oh, excuse me," you said, and i nodded in response, trying not to listen too closely.

"hey, honey... oh, i’m just with a colleague right now.” you chuckled. “i miss you too, joon"

it must’ve been him.

i didn’t mind.

i couldn’t. i just sat there, watching you, wishing this moment could last a little longer, even if it meant nothing more than a colleague relationship. even if it was just fleeting moments like these.

and as you spoke softly to him, my smile faded slightly, but the warmth remained.

February 14

valentine's day.

i hated this day.

but that morning, i couldn’t help but notice you. smiling to your coworkers, your friends, as you handed them small boxes of what i guessed were chocolates, all tied with a bright yellow bow.

even though you weren’t smiling at me, just watching you made me feel warm. it softened the bitterness of the day, just a little.

by afternoon, i was at my desk, buried in work as usual. i didn't see you approach, but i felt the air shift when you stood infront me.

“mr. kim?” yourvoice was gentle, like you always were.

i looked up, startled, and you placed a small box with a purple bow on it in front of me.

“happy valentine’s day,” you said, your smile soft but genuine. and just like that, my heart skipped a beat.

you turned as if to leave, but i couldn’t let it end like that.

“___,” i called out, my voice catching in my throat. you stopped and looked back at me, waiting.

“you can call me taehyung,” i said, the words coming out almost too quietly.

you smiled again, that same warm, reassuring smile. "taehyung," you nodded, as if it were something important.

it was.

to me, it was.

June 13

it was the day you were transferring to a different city.

it was the last time i saw you.

you were a little emotional. there were tears in your eyes as you bid goodbye to your coworkers.

i didn’t expect you to talk to me. i stayed at my desk, silent, watching everythin

it was sad.

hell, it was heartbreaking.

then i saw you walking towardsme, and for a moment, i froze.

“taehyung, i—” you started, your voice soft, hesitant. you looked down, a little sad. “i wish i got to spend more time with you.”

that’s when everything around me shattered. again.

“i regret not becoming a good friend of yours,” you said, your voice wavering, “i… i tried.”

you looked up, your eyes glistening.

“you’ve always been so quiet, so reserved,” you said, letting out a nervous laugh. “i guess i never knew how to reach you. but i wish i had.”

i wanted to say something, anything. but the words got stuck in my throat, just like they always did.

“i hope… you’ll let someone in someday,” you continued, your voice growing softer. “you’re a good person, taehyung. i hope you know that.”

i felt my chest tighten, my heart aching with every word you spoke.

you turned around to leave, taking a few steps, and something inside me broke.

i love you.

you froze for a moment, then turned back to face me, confusion etched across your features. “did you say something?” you asked, your voice tentative, uncertain.

i said it. but it was all in my head.

i hesitated, my chest tightening. “you are a good friend, ___.”

your eyes widened slightly, and for a moment, we both just stared at each other. your gaze held something i couldn’t quite place.

was it surprise? sadness? relief?

“thank you, ___,” i added, trying to steady my voice.

your lips curved into a soft smile, one that reaches your eyes. the smile i love.

“thank you, taehyung,” you said softly.

you gave me a small nod, and then, with one last lingering glance, you turned to leave again.

i stood there, rooted in place, watching as you walked away, your figure growing smaller with every step you took.

i wanted to chase after you. to call out to you.

but i didn’t.

instead, i stayed silent, clutching the words i couldn’t say louder in my chest, where they would remain forever.

you disappeared around the corner, and with that, the last piece of you i had left slipped away.

and all i could do was whisper, too late for you to hear.

“i will miss you.”

November 21

today.

the day that started everything.

it’s strange how vividly i remember it, even after all this time. it feels like it was just yesterday when you walked into the office for the first time, bright eyed and full of energy, ready to take on the world.

i miss you.

a lot.

i don’t know where you are now. i don’t know what your days look like, or how you’re living your life. i don’t know if you’re happy, if you’re struggling, or if you ever think back to those days.

but i know one thing for sure. you’re strong.

no matter how tough things get, you always find a way to smile and keep moving forward, like nothing can hold you back. you don’t dwell on the past, don’t let it weigh you down. you just... keep going.

maybe that’s what i admired about you the most.

maybe that’s why it hurts so much now.

because you were always moving forward, and i was always staying behind.

i think about you every day. the way you smiled, the way your laugh lit up even the dullest corners of the office. i think about how you never seemed to falter, even when things were tough.

but i also remember the small things. the moments when you were quiet, staring out the window like your mind was somewhere else. the way your hands trembled slightly when you were overwhelmed but still tried to keep it together.

i wish i could’ve told you then how much you mattered. how much your presence alone changed everything for me.

but i never did.

and now it’s been so long, and i don’t even know if you remember me. if i was just another face in your story.

maybe i was.

but you were everything in mine.

“hey, taehyung, can you get these copies for me?” jimin’s voice broke through the quiet hum of the office.

“yeah, sure,” i said as he placed the stack on my desk.

he lingered for a moment, his teasing smile creeping onto his face. “you look happy today,” he said, raising a brow. “thinking about someone?”

i looked down, avoiding his gaze. “someone…”

he doesn’t miss a beat, his eyes catching something around my neck. “nice necklace you got there. what is it?”

i held the pendant gently, a faint smile tugging at my lips as i showed it to him.

“uh... a red piece?” he guessed, leaning in to get a better look.

“it’s a flower,” i muttered, my fingers brushing over the broken piece of petal.

he squinted, then tilted his head. “that looks like a piece of broken glass.”

“it is,” i whispered, my voice soft as i stared at it. “beautiful, isn’t it?”

jimin gave me a look, clearly confused, but he didn’t press further. “right, okay.. uh i’ll see you later,” he said, walking away with a shrug.

i closed my eyes, clutching the small, shattered piece in my hand.

even now, i couldn’t forget you.

your eyes.

your laugh.

your cookies.

your smile.

how could i ever forget you?

i would keep you in my heart, even if it hurt. forever.

i hope you’re happy.

i hope you’re smiling the way you always did, bright, warm, as if the world didn’t weigh on your shoulders the way it did on mine.

i hope whoever stands beside you now knows just how lucky they are. i hope they see you for everything you are. your kindness, your strength, the little quirks that make you... you.

and i’m glad

truly glad that..

that day...

i didn't go and spoil it all by saying something stupid like..

i love you.

📜 permanent taglist:

@lovieku @deluluisdasolulu @ddanasjk @onlyforyoukook @diamondjeon @nnybtitts08 @lil0u0 @butnotmontana @fr0ggieth1nk @minimoninini @whoa-jo @lola75111 @iswearimover5feetall @rispwr @genevieveeeee @kookoo-kachoo @junecat18 @iheartchanelle

@internetrando64 @jkvias @134340-kr @mar-lo-pap @fluttershypoo @kyuupii @https-mei @jungkookmyoneandonlybaby @beigerin @nikidream24 @winterbeartaehyungbestboy @jaykay-world @jmscaffeine @libra04

[ribbondee]

New TADC headcanon:

The last interaction between Kinger and his wife before her abstraction was... a fight.

When he finally went to her room so he could say sorry, it was too late.

Needless to say Kinger blames himself for his wife Abstracting.

[nicolegmattos]

I won’t cry alone about this (sorry 🥲)

[teaboot]

Guys I'm on the last episode of Trigun 1998 right now and I am dead serious please for the love if God do not watch this unless you are fully prepared to ugly cry with gross noises, snot, wailing, the whole nine yards, I swear to christ almighty they hooked me in with the space cowboys premise and dropped my guard with goofy slapstick "lmao 90's anime cringe" flailing wacky silly crap and then they tore my goddamn heart in half. I feel like I just got stabbed. I feel like I just got back from a funeral. Im covered in tears and my eyes swelled up. I hate myself. Fuck

[nelapanela94]

In case your voice comes back. He tosses and turns and bangs awake from his sleep. Takes a deep breath, rubs his incomplete hand down his clammy face. Another day goes by. A day just like the previous one, copied in carbon paper. What is the meaning of the hours? He wonders. He reaches for the ring laying on the nightstand, squeezes it in his palm as if to weld it into his skin. Because the caresses were not enough. Levi curls under the covers, reenacting that last embrace and feels for those who have not lost the ability to cry.

[beautiful-vs]

Hi…….

[euniexenoblade]

It's a crazy feeling to think about how I have made hundreds of people realize they're trans and transition. And that's a low ball park estimate (lol) that's like, relatively verified from people telling me so. Just a crazy thing to realize/remember that I've had any kind of inspiration on just one person, let alone that many.

[overwatch]

I lost over 20kg and got an eating disorder after nearly dying cancer + surgery + chemo. Today, after 4 whole months of chemo, I finally got my first (government issued oncology) psychology/therapy session.

This is the same therapist who saw me for like 20 minutes when I was on a wheelchair and dying in January.

So she sees me and I don't remember her, and she's sure she knows me, stars bringing up my case, my session, my mom pushing me on the wheelchair to that session, etc.

She says I look so different, because I lost so much weight. Then she adds "at least there's a good side to this story, am I right?"

It's been a few hours and only now am I rethinking the conversation. And how fucked up what she said was. Add in that she's a medical professional responsible for the mental health of cancer and dying patients.

I miss my body so much. My curves. My titties. My ass. How supple I was. I am but a scarred corpse, in mourning, and yet. Fatphobia is so culturally acceptable here that it just slips so freely out of their mouths the moment after they greet me.

[waste-land-babey]

"but when i'm sick and tired

and when my mind is barely there

when a machine keeps me alive and i'm losing all my hair

i hope you kiss my rotten head and pull the plug."

[deltamb3r]

Today I offer you sad Lambert

Tomorrow? who knows

[awakeningnostalgia]

Peaky Blinders

"You've got enough trouble oi? The whiskey and the smoke?"

[neophytepagan]

for caecade ask... I'm curious if u have any thoughts on arcades ending when hes sold to the legion. Caesar mourning him for months after is so insane to me augh

suicide and death warning....

of course a lot of the shipping aspect of it is reliant on this scenario, which ultimately ends in tragedy rivaling the greeks. its both very poetic and bittersweet. intentionally so. arcade is always running from everything in his life, and even in bondage he finds a way to escape. I sometimes toy with the idea of turning it into more of a cleopatra thing, the parallels are more ... intense since cleopatra was julius caesar's lover. But arcade going out of his way to make his suicide as gruesome and painful for himself as possible just to one up caesar one last time? Thats intense. He went out of his way to hurt Caesar, Arcade KNOWS in this ending just how much Caesar cares for him in advance. He knows taking himself out of the equation will devastate him. And after years of being caesar's slave, its much more of an impulsive thing. Something pushed him over the edge, out of the complacency he's gotten into in order to protect himself from reality. And i really like to imagine when Caesar finds him with the life draining out of him, too weak to move or struggle, Arcade is smiling, letting out a breathy laugh while Caesar is in utter disbelief. Because hes won. Hes going to be free now and caesar cant do anything. Caesar's screaming crying trying to press down on his organs and keep him alive — you cant leave me. everyone fucking leaves me. And caesar has his his bloody hands on arcade's palid cheeks when he goes limp in his arms

[pudurosado]

Pray

[wierdpersonononelikes]

I still love you

(Hey its me again so I have some news but at the end of the story and yes it's another sad one I know but I just like making agnst I think it would fit for it IDK but here is a playlist i msde some songs are in Spanish so sorry 😅)

It has been a week since you saw larissa she decided to cut things off it was sad depressing how could she just stop this after 4 years she was everything to you and you thought you were her everything I guess after her ex roommate morticia started to talk to her and flirt i guess everything went downhill, you two had a fight because of her she was taking larissa and larissa didn't try to deny it. Today you had to go to nevermore being a teacher wasn't easy and after Larissa breaking things off was going to be hard to keep yourself calm but it was going to be okay. When you got there you didn't saw larissa it was good but you forgot there was a meeting and you had to walk yourself to the conference room and when you open the big door you saw larissa sitting in the head of the table and you sat on the opposite side of it and you two were the only there so you took your phone out and you felt her gaze it was intoxicating you still loved her you wanted to cry but you couldn't. Finally more people came to the room and the meeting started. After the meeting everything went fine. You saw Larissa sometimes and ignored her and that's how the rest of the week went. Something you didn't like was that you had to go to the apartment you shared. She was living somewhere else but you could still smell her scent and when you lay in your bed you imagined her laying next to you. On Friday night you went to a bar . You had a couple of drinks and you were going to head when you saw her kissing Morticia. It shattered you and you felt broken. She had already broken up with you but you still felt betrayed. Tears started to fall and you then realized that she was looking in your direction as she kissed Morticia you left and went to buy more alcohol. you went home and started to drink until you were knocked out because of all of the alcohol.

(Sorry I apologize for bot writing the story i said i was going to write it just the story im basing mine is having a down hill because sad things have been happening to the main character so yeah snyway i now it's veen so long sorry about that I been "busy" yes and no most if yhe times I'm lazy and don't kbow what to write 😅😅)

[black-suns-rim]

Shattered Cyrstal - The shattering

Short story. This may become a series, so let's say this is part 1.

Warning: death, graphic imagery

Everything's a blur...

"Ugh.. everything hurts... what happened?" The large figure tried to get up. He winced in pain and held his side as he slowly sat on his knees. He held his head as his ears rang loudly through his head. He looked up to see the quart room, once white and gold, now in a red light. The stone pillars that were once decorated now were broken, chipped and cracked. Stone fragments laid on the ground along with the statues of past Light Priests.

His eyes slowly began to focus and the ringing in his ears ceased. "No... no, no, no..." Stone shards rained down from the sky as he got up, grunting in pain, ducking for safety. "The crystal..." He didn't believe what he saw. He had to look again. He had to see if his eyes were telling the truth. Peeking out from his safe cover, he saw it; red, violently spinning and shooting out shards. The same shards that were falling from the sky. The crystal that once was made of pure light, it was no more.

He leaned his back up against the pillar he was hiding behind, "this can't be... how?.." He noticed something odd amongst the broken stone as he was trying to recall the events that happened before this. He squinted his eyes to try and see more clear. His heart sank as he realized what he was staring at and then all his memories came flooding back to him. The events became clear in his mind before he was knocked out.

The screaming, he heard it now, all around him. His senses were heighted as his heart began to thump within his chest. A Light Priest was crawling on the floor, injured serverly, trying to get to cover when a shard fell from the sky and hit them. He witness the Light Preist get Impaled and turn to stone. He gasped as he looked around in panic. Remembering everyone who was in the quart room with him before the crystal shattered.

"Alef! ALEF!?" He left his safety as he desperately called out, "ALEF! MY SON! WHERE ARE YOU!?" He winced and limped, taking cover when he needed to. The shards were shooting out of the reddened and broken crystal in timed periods. "ALEF!" He called out once more. He traveld closer to the crystal where the shards became more frequent, "ALEF! AL- Alef...? Alef!" He ran to the stone body that bore his son's clothing.

"No, no, no, NO, NO!" His voice cracked and shook as he fell to his knees at the small cold stone statue body. He picked it up, "No! My Alef! This can't be! My boy..? No... my Alef..." He held the stiff body in his hands as he began to weep. His son was small enough to fit in his hands, but was larger than any other child of the kingdom since he was of royal blood.

He was out in the open and the shards fell on him, but he ignored the pain. The adrenaline was high and he didn't believe what he was holding to be his son, "This can't be you?... no, you were here! You were here..."

He held the stone body close to his chest, not wanting to believe it was him. But he still weped. The shards pelted him for a while before someone began to shout for him.

"MY KING? MY KING!" He didn't hear the strained small voice over his weeping and the sound of the shards hitting the ground, the pillars, the statues and so on.

"Oh my Alef, my sweet Alef..." He kept repeating.

"MY KING!" The small voice became louder as it came closer. He heard the voice and recognized who it was.

"He's dead..." He choked back tears, his voice not loud enough for them to hear.

"My king?..."

"HE'S DEAD! My little boy! My Alef, he's gone!" He cried out.

The small figure stood behind the hunched over king. They stammered, trying to speak and hearing how heartbroken he was, "King Resh, we need to get out of here. It's not safe."

Another figure appeared behind him, limping with a large battle spear in his hands, using it as a crutch, "My King, Lamed is right. It's not safe here, we need to get out."

"Tsadi... Lamed... where are the others?..." He turned to face them. He saw the both were injured, Tsadi more than Lamed.

"They are out of the storm and safe. We tried to rescue as many as we could while you were knocked out. We didn't know if you would even wake up..." Tsadi hesitated, "Alef... he refused to go to safety... He... He saved as many as he could. Your son was brave... and a true leader."

"My king, you're injured, we need to leave before it gets any worse." Lamed pleaded. Resh was silent as he held onto the stone body of his son. The giant king stood up to his full height, gripping his side under his cloak as he did so. He looked down at his two friends. The shards came down again, hitting his back. This time he felt it and grunted in pain.

"With the rest of my strength, I will get us out of here." Resh tucked away the small stone body of his son into one of the many pockets. He picked up Lamed and Tsadi as if they were just toddlers, and with what little light magic he had left, the king charge up his cape. As if his cape were a pair of wings, he used it to shoot up into the air like a bird.

The light magic he had left was enough to keep them in flight until they were able to reach safety, where the other injured were taken. King Resh landed, stumbling before letting go of Lamed and Tsadi. He felt light headed and his vision faded to black before he fell over. When his body hit the floor, the ground beneath everyone shook.

"MY KING!" Tsadi yelled, "GET A HEALER OVER HERE, NOW!" Tsadi went up to Resh. He noticed strange dark shards coming out from the king. He didn't like the look of them. At least 3 healers ran over to the king to come to his aid.

Tsadi backed away as the healers began their work. He sat down on a stone bench and held his head. Lamed sat right next to him and placed a hand on his arm, "you should get looked at, you are far worse than the others."

"I won't be looked at until everyone else has been taken care of. Including you." His tone was soft but stern.

"As you wish..." She left and went to any available healer. Tsadi watched as the many healers frantically went forth and back to as many as they could. People were howling from sorrow and loss, others cried from pain. It heart is heart to hear all the pain. He spotted the other Realm Elders being treated which somewhat put him at ease.

Tsadi stood up and limped his way to a healer to be looked at. Daleth had watched Tsadi arrive with Lamed and the King before he had fainted from the injuries he obtained. Daleth's arm was broken and placed into a sling that hung from his back. The old Realm Elder slowly made his way to Tsadi and sat right next to him as he was being treated. Tsadi took notice of Daleth but didn't say a word. They sat together in silence as they watched the healers bring in an extremely large transportation boat for the king.

"Who knew this would happen..." Daleth broke the silence.

"Yeah... How are the twins, Teth and Ayin doing? Any bad injuries?"

"Broken arms, legs, ribs and concussions. The twins had to be sedated because they wouldn't stop moving while the healers tried to work on them." Daleth coughed and winced.

"Figures. They are young and don't know how to deal with pain like we do." Tsadi glanced at the old man while a healer was stitching his arm up.

"They could learn a lesson from you about dealing with physical pain." Daleth stood up.

"They could. But they wouldn't have the patience like I did when I went through my training."

"True. Take care, Tsadi. I'm going to aid the healers." Tsadi nodded as Daleth left. He looked up to the mountain the crystal was kept on. A violent storm was forming around it and he had a horrible feeling this was only the beginning of something far worse.