clel3ra_: Sorry for making all of you wait for so long...I finally have the time to upload a new chapter!!so enjoy,everyone!

Connor waits anxiously in the empty lot of land surrounded by abandoned buildings. Observing his surroundings, he is aware of how odd it seems that he would be in such a deserted area of the Grey Ring territory. But it does not make much impact on him. He had left Soren a note, asking him to go there 2 hours after noon. It was crucial that Soren came. It is the only way, he thinks to himself.

The only way…..

Suddenly, Connor notices a lone figure walking towards him. He instantly recognizes that stride, that physique and relief floods through him. Thank god, Soren did not meet Night Blade on his way , Soren arrives a mere 2 meters before him and a look of confusion across his face. As he opens his mouth to question Connor…

Connor raises his hand to stop him and snapped his fingers.

Six men came out from the buildings around them and encircled the two men. "Night Blade asked me to make sure you were caught. You made a mistake by interfering with their business that day." Connor spoke calmly. Soren glanced at the men around him, shock in his hazel eyes. "Did you really think you could escape without paying the price? But I'll be kind…" Connor smirked. "….I'll make sure that you won't be killed."

With that final word, Connor looked at his men and gave a nod, giving them silent permission to carry out the reason they were gathered here. Connor stepped back and stood there as the men attacked Soren. To others, it may seem like he was smiling and appreciating the show. But the truth was…..

It took his full power to resist killing those guys or killing himself.

He watched Soren fall to the ground after one of the men landed a punch to his stomach. A spray of blood across the hard ground. Connor closed his eyes momentarily when he heard a resounding crack, willing his tears not to flow out. Oh god... Connor felt his heart split bit by bit while Soren struggled to escape. Connor's heart pleaded, please…please... no more...no more...He reverted his eyes unable to take the sight any longer. Unfortunately he could still hear. He heard the sound of ribs being broken and at that moment nearly lost his control.

"Enough..." He whispered, failing to find his voice.

They were unable to hear him and Connor saw a man ready to fracture Soren's arm.

"Enough." Connor commanded.

The men immediately withdrew and Connor ordered them to wait in the car. They were out of sight when Connor was about to walk away, but then he heard a ragged gasping voice,

"Connor."

Connor closed his eyes and tried not to turn but he couldn't help himself. He turned and his eyes briefly locked with Soren's. Before he could utter another word, Soren's eyes closed and he was unconscious. It was then that Connor saw the scene before him. A sight that will be etched in his mind for the rest of his life.

Soren was curled like a ball in a pool of his own blood. His arm at an odd angle and cuts on the surface of his skin. A shell of the man he once was.

And it was all Connor's doing.

Connor had never hated himself more. He hated the fact that he was the head of Grey Ring. He hated Marcus for making him do this. He hated the life they had.

Why? Why must it be like this…?

Why couldn't he have been a normal person, allowed to love like every other human being…?

But life was never fair. Staring down at Soren, his mind flashed to the image of those hazel eyes staring at him just now. Soren did not say a word but the expression in his eyes spoke volumes.

Why………

Connor's eyes were fixed to Soren's face. I'm sorry. But it was the only way.

If he had protected Soren or showed any kind of weakness, Night Blade and the other societies would have immediately tried to overtake Grey Ring. His followers were loyal to him to death. The other societies would kill them mercilessly. This would mean sacrificing hundreds, possibly thousands, of lives. And he couldn't live with that on his conscience.

It was the only way I could make sure that you weren't killed.

The injuries to Soren weren't permanent. Enough for Night Blade to see that he had done as he promised, but he had paid the ultimate price. He could never be with Soren now. Connor would not be able to forgive himself for what he had done. He covered his eyes with a hand, taking a deep breath, sobs threatening to rake through him.

Goodbye.

Connor turned to leave and as he rounded into a corner, he came face to face with grey eyes, hair as black as the darkest of nights…

And a smile carved on a pair of lips.

"Hello, Connor."

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clel3ra_: I had considered making this the last chapter..but then it would be those cliff-hanger ending with loads and loads of questions, wouldnt it? So what do you think? Is this the end of the story?