ALEKSEI'S POV
I don't know where it all began. Perhaps it started the day I met her, saw her at the birthday party, the moments we shared during missions, or when I tended to her wounds, or that night when that despicable bastard laid a hand on her. I was livid, desiring to set the world on fire and bring her into my world, now utterly destroyed. I vowed to protect her, but after dealing with the Zyair guy, I returned to my world without any recollection of her. Yet, she vanished after the incident on my birthday. I apprehended the individual behind the black magic on my Queen, only to discover it was Mr. Hwang. The only way to return to Winter’s world was by obliterating my own, and so I did. I destroyed the world I grew up in just to see her again, only to witness her being assaulted by that vile individual.
Who cares about my world when those I trusted betrayed me. Let it all perish. I don't care. However, every action has consequences.
Days turned into weeks, then months, and eventually another year. I kept my distance, staying ten feet away from her, observing her gradual recovery from the trauma she endured. There were moments of panic, but her brother was there to comfort her. If only I could slow down time, I would, but my powers were waning, just like me.
“Aleksei! Lucian!” I smiled as she waved at us. She appeared joyful, reveling in outdoor activities that I didn't particularly enjoy.
“Why are you always by my side, man? Join in the fun!” Even Lucian attempted to usher me away from him. “I dislike you. Keep your distance from me,” he moved away from me, but I quietly followed him.
“She'll drag me into that field. I'm not keen on playing football.”
“If you're not interested in football, then kindly stay far away from me,” he glared at me. “You're acting strangely,” he remarked.
I sighed and took a seat on the bench nearby, letting him move away from me.
“Lucian! Aleksei! Join me in playing! Come on, guys!” she seemed irritated, but I just smiled at her. I couldn't let her know that I was slowly fading away... dying.
“Not now, Winter!” I heard Lucian shout. We couldn't play because Alistair was keeping an eye on us.
“I'm going to kill you, Lucian!”
“Winter, let those two be. They know nothing about these matters.”
Then she turned to her brother, appearing as annoyed as always. "It's your fault too because you never allow them to get close to me! You're always hovering around me, I'm tired of seeing your face!"
I watched as they argued. I wished I could express my feelings to her before I faded away.
Days passed by in a blur. Last year, with Lucian's help, I covertly eliminated the grandmaster of the crimson organization, so I no longer had to worry about Winter's safety. I did everything in secret to ensure her well-being. I was willing to go to any lengths for her because I knew that when the time came for me to no longer be in her world, I could rest assured that she would be safe.
“Master Chen.” She smiled at our visitor, her katana master who had taught her since she was young.
“My favorite student,” the old man gently tapped her shoulder. “Oh, Alistair. It's good to see you again.”
“Likewise, Master Chen. Please take a seat.”
Suddenly, the old man fixed his gaze on me. “You. You're an unusual one.”
“I am aware.”
Then he turned to Lucian, who was holding the cats on his arm. “And you. People are after you.”
“I am aware, old man.”
The old man chuckled before taking a seat across from Winter and Alistair. Lucian and I stood together, keeping a distance from the siblings. Ten feet away from her, just as we had agreed upon a year ago.
“I'm glad you are no longer alone, Winter.”
“I have never been alone, Master Chen.”
The old man slowly nodded his head.
“What brings you here, Master Chen?” Alistair inquired.
“Hmm, I am considering retirement as I am growing old. I want the two of you to take my place as a katana master in China.”
The room fell into silence.
“I don't think that role suits us, Master Chen,” Alistair stated.
“Why do you think I am here, hmm? What do you say, Winter?” the old man then turned to her.
“I...I want to do it.”
“See? Your sister is interested, Alistair. I will give you two months to come to China,” he stood up and glanced at me again. “Tell her. Time is moving.” 
When he finally vanished from our sight, Winter glanced back to where I was standing. “Tell what?”
I shook my head. Now is not the right time to reveal my feelings to her. “It's nothing.”
Then she looked at her brother again. “Can you leave us two alone?”
“No, that's not going to happen.”
“Alistair, please. I'll be fine, nothing bad will happen.”
“I won't change my mind, Winter. It's a no. Go to your room.”
“I am no longer a child. Stop treating me like I need your protection.”
“Winter. Go to your room. Now.”
She glared at him before storming off to her room and slamming the door.
“Is there something I need to know?” Alistair turned to me.
"Can I eat first?" Lucian interrupted.
"No, you stay. You," he pointed at me. "Be honest with me. Do you love my sister?"
That caught me off guard.
"I've noticed how you look at her. Answer me, Aleksei. Do you love her?"
I heaved a sigh. “Yes, I love Winter.”
“Then marry her so I can be at peace.”
I shook my head. "No, I won't."
"Are you serious?" I could hear the disappointment in Lucian's voice.
“Why not?” Alistair looked furious.
“I’m dying…” I simply replied.
“What?”
“Oh, crap.”
Alistair stood up and approached me, while Lucian stood beside me.
“You're not joking.”
“You're not going to tell her.”
“I have never joked about this, and yes, it's best to keep this matter away from her.” I didn't want to cause her any pain. The last thing I wanted was to hurt her.
“She deserves to know, man. You have to tell her.”
“If you truly love my sister, you must not keep secrets from her. That's my advice.”
More days passed, but I lacked the courage to inform her. I feared that I would cause her pain.
“You guys have been acting strangely these past few days,” Winter finally spoke after a long silence at the dining table.
“I'm going to get Ichi and Dreamer,” Lucian mentioned before leaving.
“I have something important to attend to. I'll catch up with you later, Winter,” Alistair said as he glanced at me and then left.
“What's going on with them?” Winter asked me.
I shrugged, “I don't know,” and I stood up, cleared my plate, and placed it in the sink.
“Aleksei,” she called my name, and I turned to her.
“Hmmm? What is it?”
She looked at me with curious eyes and sighed, “Nothing,” then she stood up and left me alone.
As the days turned into weeks, all my powers had vanished, and I grew weaker with each passing day. I experienced glitches that worsened over time, so I stayed in my room, keeping my distance from them, especially from Winter. I had only two hours left in this world where I didn't belong. I spent my final moments locked away, knowing my time was almost up.
“Hey, man. It's me again, Lucian,” I heard a knock on the wooden door outside my room. “Aren't you going to come out? You are scaring us.”
I simply gazed at the sunset outside my window. A tear rolled down my cheek.
“Open this door, Aleksei,” I heard her voice. I didn't move. I didn't want her to see me in this state. “Get me my katana, Lucian. If he won't open, I’ll break this door.”
Minutes later, I heard the door break behind me. I heard footsteps approaching and stopping behind me.
“I'll leave you two to talk,” Lucian said before I no longer felt his presence in the room.
“Aleksei,” she whispered and stood before me. “You... you're glitching.” She was about to touch me but stopped mid-air. “Why didn't you tell me? Look at me in the eye, Aleksei.”
I sighed and met her gaze. Her palm gently touched my cheek. “I'm sorry, Winter,” was all I could say to her.
She shook her head and sat beside me, tears welling up in her eyes and slowly streaming down her cheeks. “No... don't... don't apologize. There's nothing to apologize for.”
I held her hand that was on my cheek and looked into her eyes. “Let's get married in another life, spend our last breath until the end, together. I'll wait for you and I'll find you. I promise you that, Winter Chu,” another tear dropped from my eyes.
She nodded, “See you in our next life. I promise I'll wait for you.”
A smile formed on my lips as I slowly closed the gap between us and kissed her.
“I love you, Aleksei.” It was the last thing I heard from her before I faded from her world.
жжж
Author's note: Oh my bad! It wasn't originally in my plan to actually kill Aleksei but sometimes you'll realize that your own character is already in control. It's really awful, but Aleksei wanted me to write it down, so I did. Wish granted, my dear character.