Ryan was pulled back just as the paw dropped to crush him. He did lose a few strands of crimson hair, but he was not harmed.
Ryan stared at the crushed concrete slabs that the heartless had crushed. "Wow," Ryan gasped.
Someone leaned against his back. Ryan felt paralyzed as their spines touched. Electricity created a bridge between their souls, and for an instant, Ryan forgot everything. The battle didn't seem to exist anymore, the death of his dear friend faded like the shadows at dusk, and the world seemed to stop dead.
"Do not turn around," a voice sounded from behind him. It was a girl, the way her shoulders were aligned on Ryan's back, he knew she was shorter than he was. She also smelled of strawberries, but it was subtle, like she didn't mean to smell that way.
"Ryan," she whispered, her voice was milky smooth, a like a perfectly tuned orchestra playing in harmony. Ryan felt his heartbeat faster and his breath catch in his throat. Ryan also wondered how she knew his name.
"Ryan, abandon your sorrows, abandon your fears, for they spread darkness, they feed it within your heart. It will grow until it cannot be stopped."
The girl sighed. "Abandoned these and summon the weapon you need most."
"The keyblade…" Ryan said softly. He dared not to move his body; he wanted this moment to last.
"Yes," she said gently, "but if you do not, then you will die where you stand."
She moved away slowly, Ryan tried to protest, he wanted to learn more, but his body and voice seemed to act on their own.
"We are connected you and I," she said gently. A breeze with her strawberry sent swirled around him, then the electricity was gone.
Ryan quickly turned around, but she was gone. Nothing was left, except for a small buzz of pleasure and knowing in the back of his mind.
Ryan some how knew he would see this mysterious person again. This feeling was odd to Ryan, but knowing that he had a purpose, made him feel strong.
"Run, Kid!" Leon shouted. Ryan was violently thrown back into reality. The heartless was temporally confused by Ryan's quick movement.
Ryan stood there, he didn't think he could summon the keyblade again.
"No," Ryan mumbled. I can't give up; I have to move forward.
"Kid just RUN!" Leon bellowed.
Ryan turned to Leon, Leon's face showed surprise as he saw the intensity in Ryan's eyes. "I am sorry, but this battle has just gotten started, and I will not run."
Ryan turned to the heartless; it had crouched down, like it was ready to pounce. A ring of shadows orbited the heartless; it was preparing for the final attack.
Leon looked fearfully at the heartless. He tried to stand, but fell over in pain.
Ryan calmly started to walk towards the heartless. He knew the closer he got, the deadlier the attack would be.
Abandon your sorrows…"This is a battle, no time to feel sorry about the past," Ryan said fiercely to himself. The sadness of Lynxad's death disappeared and was replaced with a fierce feeling that could only be felt during the heat of a battle.
The heartless roared violently, it rattled the windows and sent little clouds of dust from the walls.
Abandon your fear…"Fear? Nothing will scare me!" Ryan yelled. His right arm tingled and Ryan smiled in satisfaction.
The heartless pulsed with shadows; it was now ready for an all-out attack. Its paws seemed to have been lit with a ghostly shadow fire, and flames harmlessly licked the heartless's body.
The heartless jumped.
Ryan's right hand glowed.
The heartless roared, bearing its pearly white fangs.
Ryan jumped. The white light had lengthened, but it wasn't a solid blade yet.
A slash.
Both landed silently on opposite sides of the alley.
The air was tight and still. An eternity pasted, but no one dared to move.
Thick red blood spewed from Ryan's left side, he dropped the keyblade and grabbed his wound. Blood ran through his fingers, and dropped like rain to the ground. The white keyblade disappeared, once again.
Ryan turned around to face the heartless, but there was a smile set upon Ryan's face. The heartless trembled then disintegrated into darkness.
Ryan's blood ran to fast out of the wound. Ryan tried a simple healing spell, but this battle had taken to much energy.
Ryan breathed heavily; dark blood ran from the corner of his mouth and dripped down onto his crimson hair, staining it.
Ryan fell to his knees and coughed up blood that had entered his lungs. The world started to spin and darkness invited him into endlessness.
Ryan fell forward. He tried to lift himself up, but his strength was leeching away with the blood.
Ryan tried to force away the unconsciousness that threatened him. But Ryan knew he couldn't win this battle.
Ryan's body suddenly became cold and ridged.
No, I won't die. Not here, not now, Ryan repeated in his mind.
Then, darkness took him.