The night felt colder than before.
Snow continued falling quietly from the sky, covering the forest in a silent white blanket. The torchlight from the soldiers flickered between the trees, casting long shadows on the snow-covered ground.
Lira held Asha's hand tightly. Her fingers were trembling, but she refused to let go.
Around them, the soldiers slowly moved closer.
Each step they took crushed the fresh snow beneath their boots, creating a slow, terrifying rhythm in the quiet forest.
Asha looked around quickly, searching for even the smallest chance to escape.
But there was none.
They were completely surrounded.
The leader of the sect watched them with cold eyes.
"To think two women would shame this village like this," he said with quiet disgust.
Lira gathered the courage to speak.
"We didn't shame anyone."
Her voice shook, but she continued.
"We only loved each other."
The man's face hardened.
"That is exactly the shame."
Asha stepped forward slightly, placing herself between Lira and the soldiers.
"Your faith talks about kindness," she said angrily. "But all I see is hatred."
One of the soldiers scoffed.
"You dare lecture us?"
Asha gripped the dagger in her hand.
"If protecting the person I love is a sin, then I'll gladly be a sinner."
The leader slowly raised his hand.
"Enough talking."
The soldiers lifted their swords.
For a brief moment the world seemed to stop.
The cold wind moved softly through the trees.
Snowflakes fell gently through the air.
And two hearts beat desperately against the cruelty of the world.
Then the attack began.
A soldier rushed forward with his sword raised high. Asha reacted instantly, blocking the strike with her dagger and pushing the man backward.
Another soldier lunged from the side.
Asha turned quickly, kicking him in the chest and sending him crashing into the snow.
For a moment she fought like a storm, moving fast and striking with fierce determination.
But the soldiers were trained fighters.
And there were too many of them.
A sword slashed across Asha's arm.
Blood immediately stained the snow.
Lira gasped.
"Asha!"
"I'm fine," Asha said quickly, though pain burned through her arm.
Two more soldiers attacked at the same time.
Asha blocked one strike but the other blade cut across her back, forcing her to fall to one knee.
The soldiers began closing in again.
Lira ran forward desperately and grabbed Asha.
"Please stop!" she cried toward the soldiers. "You're going to kill her!"
One soldier grabbed Lira roughly and pulled her away.
"Stay back!"
Lira struggled desperately.
"Let me go!"
Asha's eyes widened as she saw Lira being held.
"Don't touch her!"
She forced herself to stand again and rushed toward them, ignoring the pain in her body.
But before she could reach them, another soldier stepped forward and thrust his spear.
The spear pierced through Asha's side.
Everything went silent.
Asha froze for a moment, her eyes widening in shock.
Then blood slowly began to spread across the white snow beneath her.
Lira screamed.
"Asha!!"
The soldier pulled the spear back, and Asha collapsed onto the ground.
Lira broke free from the man holding her and ran toward her.
She dropped to her knees beside Asha, lifting her gently.
Blood covered Asha's clothes and slowly soaked into the snow.
Her breathing became weak.
Lira's tears fell onto her face.
"No… no… please don't die…"
Asha tried to smile.
Even now, with death standing beside her, she wanted to comfort Lira.
"Hey… don't cry…"
"You're hurt… we need to stop the bleeding…"
Asha shook her head weakly.
"I know… it's too late."
Lira held her tightly.
"Don't say that!"
Asha slowly raised her hand and touched Lira's cheek.
"You're always so kind."
The soldiers watched silently.
For them, this moment meant nothing.
Just another punishment.
Just another sin erased.
Lira pressed her forehead against Asha's.
"Please stay with me…"
Asha's voice had become very soft.
"Lira… if there's another life after this…"
Tears kept falling from Lira's eyes.
"Yes?"
"I hope I find you again."
Lira nodded desperately.
"You will… I promise you will."
Asha looked at her with gentle eyes filled with love.
"In every life… I will still choose you."
Her hand slowly slipped from Lira's face.
Her breathing stopped.
And the forest became silent once again.
Lira felt the world collapse around her.
"Asha…?"
She shook her gently.
"Asha… wake up…"
But Asha did not move.
The snow continued falling quietly.
The love that had warmed her heart was now gone.
Lira let out a broken cry that echoed through the forest.
The soldiers stepped forward again.
One of them grabbed Lira's arm.
"It's your turn."
Lira didn't resist.
Her tears had stopped.
She looked once more at Asha's lifeless face.
And strangely, she felt calm.
Because even though the world had taken everything from her…
Her love had been real.
And no one could erase that.
She closed her eyes as the soldiers raised their swords.
Far above the silent forest, snow continued falling from the dark sky.
And on that cold winter night, two lovers died beneath the snow.
But their story…
Was far from over.