Chapter 93: Before the End

The days had turned into weeks, then into months, as Jin's world became smaller and smaller. His life was now nothing but moments spent with Lia. He had given up everything—the battles, the powers, the celestial burdens. None of it mattered anymore. All that mattered was her.

The house they lived in was grand, yet empty—filled with nothing but the sounds of their shared moments. He spent every second by her side, making her laugh, listening to her stories, and reminding her that she was not alone. But the inevitable truth was clear: Lia's time was running out.

Each day, her condition worsened. She could no longer walk. She needed help with the smallest tasks. Her once vibrant spirit was now encased in a fragile body, slowly succumbing to the weight of time. And yet, even as her body betrayed her, her eyes still sparkled with the same longing, the same dreams they had shared so long ago.

One afternoon, as Jin helped Lia into a chair, she looked at him with a weak smile. "Jin…" Her voice was soft, almost a whisper. "I've been thinking. If I could have one last wish…"

Jin knelt in front of her, brushing her hair away from her face. "Anything, Lia. You know I will do anything for you."

Her eyes sparkled with the light of a thousand dreams. "I want to marry you, Jin. I've always dreamed of it. I want to be by your side… forever. I want to be the mother of our child, to hear 'grandma' from our little one, and when we're old, we can sit in the park and talk about how we met."

Her words broke him, but he smiled through his tears. "I'll make it happen. I'll give you everything you've ever wanted."

The next day, Jin came to her room, holding a delicate wedding dress in his hands. The dress was a symbol of her dream—a dream that, now more than ever, he would make real. He helped her dress in it, his hands trembling as he secured each piece. Lia's face was pale, but her smile had never been brighter.

"Jin…" she whispered, as he gently picked her up in his arms. "This is my dream. Let me have this moment."

He carried her to the car, his heart aching with every step. They drove in silence, the world outside passing by unnoticed. Jin's mind was consumed with her, with the fleeting time they had left. When they reached the church, the world felt like it had stopped. The sun was setting, casting a golden light on the building as if to mark this moment for eternity.

Inside the church, the priest stood before them, ready to perform the ritual. As he began, his voice steady, Jin could feel the weight of the moment settle in. His eyes were fixed on Lia, who was trembling in his arms. Her hands shook as she held onto him, her tears glistening in the soft light.

Inside the church, the priest stood before them, ready to perform the ritual. His voice was calm and steady as he began, the sacred words reverberating through the space.

"Dearly beloved, we are gathered here today to unite this man and woman in the bond of holy matrimony. Jin and Lia, the love you share is a gift, a bond that transcends time, a love that shall remain steadfast even as time fades away."

Jin's heart raced, his gaze fixed on Lia, who was now trembling in his arms. Her hands shook, but her eyes were full of determination—she wanted this, and for her, he would make it real.

The priest continued, "Marriage is not just a union of two people; it is a promise of companionship, support, and love, through both the good times and the bad. And so, we begin with the vows. Jin, do you take Lia as your lawful wedded wife, to love, honor, and cherish, in sickness and in health, for as long as you both shall live?"

Jin's voice was steady but filled with the depth of his love. "Yes, I do."

The priest nodded, then turned to Lia. "And Lia, do you take Jin as your lawful wedded husband, to love, honor, and cherish, in sickness and in health, for as long as you both shall live?"

But Lia's hands trembled as she slowly pulled away from him. Her breath hitched, and she gazed up at him with tears streaming down her face.

"I can't, Jin," she whispered,

The world seemed to stop. The priest's words faded as Jin's heart broke. He held her hands tightly, trying to steady her. "What is it, Lia? Please, don't say that…"

Her voice breaking. "I wanted to stay by your side. I wanted to be the mother of our child, to hear 'grandma' from our little one. I wanted to grow old with you, to sit in the park and talk about every single moment we've spent together. But I can't."

Jin's heart shattered in that moment. Her dream, their dream—everything she had hoped for was slipping through their fingers like sand. The world outside seemed to blur, and the silence between them was deafening. He reached for her hands, holding them tightly, as the tears flowed freely.

"I… I'm sorry," Lia choked, her voice soft but full of regret. "I wanted to give you everything. I wanted to be with you, to live a life… but time… time doesn't allow it."

Jin held her close, his lips trembling as he kissed her forehead. "Lia, you gave me everything. Your love, your heart. And I'll cherish it forever. I'll remember every moment, every second. You don't need to apologize."

Her hands, so weak now, rested on his chest. "Sing for me, Jin. Sing for me one last time. Please."

Jin's voice cracked as he began to sing the song that had been with him since the first time she spoke of her dreams—the song that would be their final memory together.

---

Song: "Before the End"

I see the fading light in your eyes,

A love that's fading, we can't disguise.

The clock is ticking, time slips away,

But in these moments, I'll make you stay.

(Pre-Chorus)

I know you're slipping through my hands,

But I'll hold on tight, I'll take a stand.

No matter how the world may bend,

I'll cherish you before the end.

(Chorus)

Before the end, I'll hold you close,

Every heartbeat, it's all you know.

Though the stars fall from the sky,

I'll stand beside you, I'll never ask why.

In these last breaths, you'll feel my love,

Before the end, we rise above.

(Verse 2)

Tears may fall, but I won't let go,

I'll keep you warm when the winds blow cold.

This path we walked, it's ours to keep,

And even when you're gone, I'll never sleep.*

(Pre-Chorus)

I know you're slipping through my hands,

But I'll hold on tight, I'll take a stand.

No matter how the world may bend,

I'll cherish you before the end.

(Chorus)

Before the end, I'll hold you close,

Every heartbeat, it's all you know.

Though the stars fall from the sky,

I'll stand beside you, I'll never ask why.

In these last breaths, you'll feel my love,

Before the end, we rise above.

(Bridge)

Though the pain may tear me apart,

I'll carry you in my heart.

In every memory, you'll still remain,

A love that won't fade, even through the pain.

(Chorus)

Before the end, I'll hold you close,

Every heartbeat, it's all you know.

Though the stars fall from the sky,

I'll stand beside you, I'll never ask why.

In these last breaths, you'll feel my love,

Before the end, we rise above.

(Outro)

And when you're gone, I'll never forget,

The love we shared, with no regret.

Before the end, you'll always see,

In my heart, you'll forever be.

---

As the last notes of the song echoed in the church, Lia's body went limp in his arms. Jin held her, his heart shattering as he felt the warmth of her soul leave. Her breathing slowed, and the faintest smile crossed her lips, as though she had finally found peace.

Her hands, once trembling with hope and dreams, were still now. Jin's tears fell freely, his body shaking with grief as he held her tightly, his voice breaking as he whispered, "I love you. I'll never forget you."

He kneeled, holding her close, his tears mingling with hers. "I failed you, Lia. I couldn't save you. I couldn't give you the life you dreamed of. But I'll carry your love with me. Always."

As the last breath left her body, Jin remained there, kneeling, cradling her in his arms. The world had taken her, but her love would never fade from his heart.