So this was what dying meant.
Alarms blared as smoke filled the cabin and Keith was trying to shake the spots from his eyes and the metallic tang of blood in his mouth. They wouldn't be able to take another hit like that.
Around him, on every screen warnings flashed and targets flew into vision. There were so many, filling the space around him. There wasn't going to be an escape. Keith coughed from the thick smoke flowing in from the electrical fires in his ship and his vision temporarily blurred. He clung to consciousness, but barely.
Now might be the time to slip away. To let go. He was in pain, and his Lion was damaged. Maybe he'd made the wrong choice. He'd bitten off more than he could chew. Keith laughed a little laugh to himself. His fingers relaxed from the controls. One more hit was all he needed. One more hit and it would be over.
Get up.
Keith felt the pulse in his mind. It wasn't just words, it was a force, pushing him.
Get up.
He wanted to resist it. He was tired.
How dare you. We've come this far.
Get up.
Red. Her fiery personality burned at the back of his mind, her temper clawed at his thoughts.
I chose you. I gave to you. We've come this far, you and I.
Keith sighed as his vision swam, and a blast of plasma fire glanced off of his failing shields.
Get up!
Keith groaned. His numb body was sliding down in his seat. He was fading away.
Fool child! I'd bite your disobedient neck if you were outside me now! I haven't given you my bonded self for nothing! All that I am, all that you are, we are together. And that will not be broken by our foes!
Get up!
Keith could no longer feel his own breath in his chest. His gasps came as a slow rattle in his ears.
Live! I demand it! Fight! I'll not go down shaking and baying in fear! I'll claw and thrash and spit fire until my last! I demand it of you! Fight! Get up!
Will. Her will was still strong, stronger than ever. She would never give up, not under any odds. That was what Keith loved about her. She would never abandon him, or their cause, no matter how bleak.
We will go down fighting. And this enemy will know that we were never theirs to demand submission.
Keith gripped the controls a little harder.
We, your chosen bonds, who have seen more than human eyes can see and lived more than human lives can know, we chose your spark.
Keith hauled himself up in the seat as sweeping pain rolled throughout his spent body.
I chose your flame of will.
Keith's bayard materialized in his hand.
You brought us hope for the future!
The deafening screech of the alarms filled his ears as another round of plasma fire was headed straight for him.
For once in ten thousand years we had a chance! Freedom is within our grasp and I will not stop, I will not lower my head for an instant until our enemies lie torn and helpless before us! I will not let you stop! I will not stop! We will never stop fighting!
Keith jammed his bayard into the socket and turned it fully, and the cockpit flared with a burst of energy. Guns formed on the outside of his ship and took aim, waiting on the both of them to fire.
You, my chosen son; heir to my body, speaker to my soul.
Time seemed to pass in slow motion as blinding light surrounded him.
I chose you.
And I chose well.