[BL] Guardians of Fate
Chapter 91 - 21: An Unexpected Savior [5]

Chapter 91: Chapter 21: An Unexpected Savior [5]

A stunned silence fell between them the next moment. Ardyn seemed to realize what he had just said, for even he seemed shocked that such words had come out of his mouth.

For what seemed like an eternity, they just stared at each other, forgetting the physical pain and their current situation for a moment.

"Sorry," Ardyn fumbled, a guilty look coming over his face. "I... I didn’t mean—"

Luke finally found his voice once again. "...No, I’m the one who should be sorry," he said softly, reaching out with a trembling hand to press it against the side of Ardyn’s head. Almost instantly, his fingers glowed with healing magic, and the mark on his forehead also shone a vibrant blue.

Even though he only had a little magic left, if he could ease his Guardian’s pain just a tiny bit, it would be enough.

He watched the way Ardyn’s eyes went wide. The latter’s mouth parted, as though he were about to say something.

Luke shook his head. "You shouldn’t speak anymore. I know it’s difficult for you."

What followed was another beat of silence, tense and unnerving. At this point, Luke had no idea how much time had passed. They had probably been in the same position for about seven minutes now. Such an effort would tire them out quickly if it continued like this.

At that moment, the sound of shifting debris reached their ears, startling Luke.

Ardyn pushed back desperately, jagged rocks piercing his palms and drawing blood. But it was all so strange. Instead, the pain was like a dull ache in the back of his mind. It was as if only adrenaline was coursing through his body. He couldn’t feel anything but a pure determination to protect.

Meanwhile, Luke was frankly surprised that his legs or even Ardyn’s back hadn’t been crushed yet. Not even a single sharp stone rested on his body.

What in the world was this power?

Luke watched warily as the debris shifted again, as if things were suddenly about to move in a domino effect. It didn’t sound good, but at least the ceiling wasn’t going to fall on them. Maybe.

He was beginning to feel afraid but hopeful at the same time, as if he could sense that everything was going to be all right.

There might still be a chance of survival.

From what he had observed so far, it was as if an invisible barrier surrounded the two of them, preventing anything from getting through. Some of the stones were still floating in the air, though there seemed to be fewer of them than before.

Is it... like gravity manipulation? Or space and time manipulation?

Maybe a combination of the two?

Luke stared closely at the symbol on Ardyn’s forehead. The crescent moon mark had never looked so beautiful before.

Focus.

"Do you think you can get us out of here in one powerful attack?" Luke asked carefully.

"I—how do I do that?" Ardyn asked uncertainly.

"Focus on the energy within you and connect it to the rubble around us," Luke explained. "Picture it in your head and reach out with every bit of your senses. Every piece of rock, every obstacle in our path."

Ardyn swallowed. "O... Okay. I’ll try."

"Once you channel that magic, imagine pushing away the pile of rubble above us with your mind. Can you do that?"

Ardyn took a deep breath. The mark on his forehead glowed brighter, and the air seemed to shift a little, as if a powerful energy was beginning to accumulate in the cramped area.

But just as it seemed to be building up, the energy suddenly dissipated, and the rubble remained unmoved. Some stones, though still suspended in the air, seemed to shake a little in place.

"It’s okay," Luke said softly. "You’re doing great. Just concentrate a bit more."

To his surprise, Ardyn shook his head, more sweat dripping down his brow. "I... I can’t. I think... I think I’ve reached my limit."

As hard as it was to admit, he really did feel drained. He felt as tired as if he had been awake for days without a second of sleep.

But with exhaustion came panic, for he knew that if he gave up now, they would surely be buried alive.

So much for promising his Summoner that he would protect him no matter what!

"I—I can’t hold out much longer," he stammered. "No, no. This can’t be. I don’t even know what I’m doing. I’m—"

"It’s okay. It’s okay," Luke reassured him in a gentle tone. "You still saved me. I’m grateful."

Ardyn’s face twisted in despair. "But—"

"If we die together—"

"No, we won’t die!" Ardyn suddenly said, eyes narrowed in fierce determination. "Like I said, we’re not dying here. Not here, and especially not

Luke was startled by Ardyn’s sudden strong tone, especially after witnessing the growing exhaustion on the man’s face this entire time. "You..."

"I haven’t even met you yet," Ardyn said, voice tinged with desperation. "We haven’t even gotten to know each other yet. I don’t want to die without knowing what it’s like to be with you!"

Luke blinked, his heart racing once again.

"I..."

At that moment, an icy breeze interrupted Luke’s words.

Even though the sensation wasn’t anything explosive, it still caught their attention because since they were trapped under the rubble, they could feel the heat of the sun hitting the debris, making the atmosphere stuffy. In addition, the air was so stifling in the confined space that it was difficult to breathe.

But this gust of wind was different, carrying with it an icy undercurrent. It was as if winter had suddenly arrived in the middle of a hot summer day.

"...Huh?" Ardyn said before the debris cracked and groaned the next moment.

To their surprise, the weight lifted. They could feel it, especially Ardyn.

Suddenly, the weight on his back wasn’t so heavy anymore, and it felt as if the stones were getting lighter and lighter. There was also the sound of cracking and shattering in the distance, as if it was happening right outside the pile of rubble.

But Luke was barely aware of the sounds, his world reduced to the pounding pulse in his ears and Ardyn’s unwavering eyes that held him in place. At that moment, all that mattered was the two of them, right there, the sight of each other taking the breath out of their lungs.

Soon, daylight pierced through the tomb, and Luke gulped the crisp air hungrily, relief filling his expression as he belatedly realized that they had been saved.

It was truly a miracle. He had never expected anyone from the outside to have witnessed them being buried under the tower’s rubble.

The relief was so overwhelming that tears welled up in the corners of Luke’s eyes.

When the debris finally cleared, Ardyn painstakingly turned his head to look at their savior. The bright sunlight shone through, momentarily blinding him.

Ardyn’s vision slowly adjusted, and then he saw a man there on his knees, wearing a black cloak with the hood pulled back. A man so familiar that the memory of him tugged at the remaining traces of Ardyn’s sanity, nagging at him to remember.

A man with... orange hair?

Ardyn slowly opened his mouth to speak, voice hoarse.

"...Leon?"

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