I slashed my sword wildly, dipping and dodging Kalob's attacks. Out of the corner of my eye I saw Nate casting a shield spell over himself as Kaleb attacked.

"Hey look at me idiot!" I shouted to distract Kalob from Nate as I charged him with my sword, but Kaleb only tossed me aside with a dark glint shining in his eyes.

"You'll have to try better than that!" Kaleb taunted as I hauled myself off the dirt.

"We'll end you, one way or another." I hissed before I charged him again, only for him to dodge with supernatural speed. Kaleb smiled.

"Really? I find that very hard to believ-" I didn't let him finish his sentence, a blow finally connecting with his shoulder.

"Fool!" He shouted, swinging his staff in my direction, knocking me to the ground again.I grunted as I hauled myself up to a stand when a bright flash of light struck Kaleb. Behind me I saw Nate smile.

"Got him." Nate declared, his voice caked with exhaustion. I noticed Nate was pale and shakey, as well as being soaked in sweat.

"Nate-" I began to warn when Nate's legs gave out from under him, sending into the mud. Kaleb strolled over him, drawing his staff.

"What an idoit! You think you're going to get away with your life?!" Kaleb laughed as I stood there frozen, dread hanging over me. "No one who challenges me gets away alive." Kaleb growled, raising his staff. Nate only laid there, staring up at Kaleb weakly as Kaleb started mumbling the words of a spell I knew well.

I rushed forward in haze, jumping in front the inky black light that would have killed Nate. I staggered for a moment before collapsing onto the ground, the world above me swirling in a dizzing blur. I was in a whole another world of pain, it felt like something was eating me away from the inside. I groaned as Nate looked down at me in shock.

"Nyia! Nyia no!" He moaned. I groaned and clutched my chest. I felt something hot and wet under my fingers which I immediately recognized as blood.

"Great..." I mumbled, the effort to speak turning my vision red around the edges. Nate gave me a firce shake, holding my shoulders with an iron grip.

"Nyia, you can beat it! Please Nyia, I don't want to lose you!" Nate begged me, tears beganing to streak down his blood-stained face, his voice cracking with departion. I shook my head.

"Nate, I'm sorry, but you'll have to carry on without me."
I mumered quietly, the pain in his face breaking my heart. At least there was no physical pain anymore.

"Nyia! Nyia look at me!" Nate instructed, giving me a shake. "Nyia!" Nate's voice sounded miles away, a bright white light began tint the edges of my vision.

"Nate, do me a favor... don't blame yourself for this. It's not fair for you to live your life regretting something that's not your fault. " I mumbled to Nate as he gave a grieving nod. "Good. I guess I'll have to say bye now... bye." I mumbled, the light closing in on my vision, Nate's face faded away til only the light's brightness was left.