Lying their on the solid ground felt good, even though my body was pained. My arms felt to heavy to move, while my legs simply refused to work. My head throbbed relentlessly. Though my body pained, the cool ground felt safe and comfortable. I struggled to refuse sleeps innocent embrace. Unwilling to allow myself to fall into a dreamed filled coma.

"How can I go on?" I mumble aloud, hoping that someone could hear me. With my left hand, I reach for my right side. I flinched when my hand found the gash. Pressing lightly on the wound, a scream flees my mouth, pain overriding my senses. "Perhaps I should sleep," I whispered, hoping anyone would disagree. Before my eyes closed forever, I reached up and removed the glove hiding the mark.

There it was displayed so vividly. Despite the pain, I smiled. How foolish the goddesses must have been. How foolish the world is to think I could do anything. He was a commoner who was content with his lot in life. What dreams I had of adventure seemed impossible, they should have remained such.

A violent cough painfully wracked my body. Each limb exploded like Powder Kegs. A great deluge of blood poured into my mouth, the taste sickening me. Slightly sitting up, I leaned over and spewed the blood out.

"Not much longer now..." I whispered

As I embraced the sleep that tugged at my drowsy eye lids, a series of images flashed before my eyes.

Me as a child playing with wooden swords...

Rusl taking me on as an apprentice...

Protecting Collin from humiliation...

Collin...

Collin's memory danced through my mind. He had always looked up to me. But why? How could anyone look up to me? Then Malo's memory joined Collin's. Even though he was not fit for battle, he found more then enough ways to help the world. Then Talo's memory found its way into the mix. I always had to make sure Talo wasn't mean to Collin. He also looked up to me... but why? Beth's cute face, joined the other faces. She was like a little sister... I am glad she turned her affections towards Collin. Soon the memories of my friends, turned into an image of them standing infront of my house, Epona grazing in the background. But a face was missing...

My body exploded with pain, but her face joined the others... Illia. The sight of her, even if it was just a image, shielded me from the pain. While my body dissolved into nothingness, I smiled. This is the image I would want to see one last time... Then a warmth spread through my body.

The reason I fought... The reason I kept going despite the pain... was for them. "How could I forget?" I asked aloud. I savored the feel of the ground against my back. Slowly I rose from my spot. I stood their swaying, unsure if I had the strength to move.

I found my sword laying their undisturbed by its owners pain. I took in a deep inhale, and with my right hand I clutched the swords hilt, and then with my left I held my right arm. Making up my mind, knowing that I couldn't die, I staggered forward. Pain rippled through my body with each step. The sword slowly slipping from my grasp. Slow at first, but soon I picked up speed. Running through the pain towards the dark castle looming ahead.

I prayed I could just get their before it was to late...