Koji had failed her. He would not be forgiven, he could not be forgiven. She had died because of him.

The dark man, with skin like rich soil, had looked her straight in the eyes and drew up his sword. Koji let out a cry, hurled his katana and watched as it flipped end over end for the dark man. The sword landed in the ground with a sharp ting a foot behind the dark man as he pushed his blade into her, smiling as she breathed her last breath.

Koji’s whole world fell away at that moment. His life had taken a leap off an impossibly high ledge. He rushed the dark man, running with tears in his eyes. The dark man dove to the side and raised his sword to attack. Koji rolled backwards and grabbed his sword from the ground.

In one deft motion Koji had pressed the blade into his gut and out the side of his abdomen.

“My love,” escaped his lips as he collapsed into his own entrails.

The dark man sheathed his blade and left as Koji’s words vanished on the wind.