The water was cold.
Dark.
Hungry.
Suho sank.
His body was broken. His lungs burned. His vision was fading to black at the edges. He couldn't move, couldn't fight and couldn't breathe.
Is this how I die?
The thought floated through his mind like a dying ember.
Is this how it ends?
After everything—
After all those years—
After all that training—
After all that pain—
I die here.
In the dark.
Alone.
His mother's face appeared in his mind. Her smile. Her warmth. The way she used to brush his hair back from his forehead when he was sick. The way she hummed while cooking his favorite meal. The way she looked at him like he was the most precious thing in the world.
"Get up, my son."
Her voice was soft. Gentle. But there was steel beneath it.
"Get up."
I can't, Mom.
"You can."
I can't—
"You promised me."
The words hit him like a physical blow.
You promised me.
You promised you would live.
You promised you would survive.
You promised—
His eyes snapped open.
