I could only nod in return; my breaths were short and very audible as I struggled not to trip over the thick tree roots or headfirst into a tree. My focus was solely on the mission. We couldn't fail, not when we were so close!
My steps faltered but I caught myself; a black, ghostly orb flew by my face and missed my companion by mere centimeters.
"Don't let them get away!" A voice commanded from behind us, followed by a chorus of menacing laughter.
I sneered and whipped out an orb from my tattered, black messenger bag. The object in question was pale yellow at its center, with the blue shining ominously against the bleak night.
"You want some of this," I taunted, "come and get some!"
I hurled the glass orb to the ground and it shattered. Immediately, a shock wave pulsed through the ground and pierced the trees. The surprised cries of our pursuiters turned to rage.
I smirked triumphantly, but continued running. As much as I'd love to stick around and toy with them, my mission took priority. We couldn't pass up this golden opportunity, we may never get another chance as perfect as this one again.
"Huff.. huff... We-we made it," I slowed to a jogging pace and rested a hand on his shoulder, panting heavily.
Even I wasn't used to this much stress on my body, despite putting it through so much my entire life.
A lighthearted, high pitched giggle broke the silence.
"I see you made it! I was almost worried they got to you, tee-hee~"
"They're right on our tail," I scoffed, "I used a Petrify orb to keep 'em at bay.. For now anyway."
"We musn't waste any more time," my partner growled impatiently, "let's hurry onwards."
He offered me his claw, "you ready, partner?"
I grinned ear to ear, and tightly grasped my hand in his.
"I was born for this, buddy. Of course I'm ready!"
In the distance, angry shouts echoed from down just below the plateau we were standing on.
"Good luck you two," the female voice said, "I'll close it as soon as you're through, so don't worry about this end. Focus on your mission, you only get one shot at this. The future depends on you, both of you!"
Our eyes gleamed with resolution, any hints of fear gone unnoticed.
We stepped up to the swirling, turquoise energy and gripped each others hands firmly. Then, we leaped into the center of it, refusing to even so much as peek behind us.
The energy flowed in all sorts of directions, the turbulence, while zooming us forward, was simultaneously tugging us apart.
"Hold on, just a little longer!" He screamed, his voice being drowned out by the rush of the forces guiding us.
All at once, the turquoise energy around us darkened, though he hadn't seemed to notice yet. I kept my eyes peeled for the source, until I felt dread seep through my veins, sending icy chills down my spine.
I whipped my head in time to see a giant, black void heading straight towards-!
I gave my partners arm a hard tug and switched positions with him, successfully getting him out of harms way.
Unfortunately, that placed me directly in the attack's path.
The Dark Pulse attack struck home, and I could feel my grasp, and my consciousness, start to fade.
"Wha-what? No! Hang in there!" He encouraged, but it was too late.
My hand slipped and we let out dual cries of distress as we were thrown in separate directions.
"Waaah!"
Then all was dark and silence filled my mind.