Chapter 2: Sorrowful Defeat

The sun beat down on the land as the hours dragged on from morning to early afternoon. In the heat of the day, the only sounds that were heard were those of clashing blades.

Draco watched as the three Zeke clones circled around him, running at top speed, seeming to never tire. "Damn it, where is their weakness?" Draco thought as another clone broke rank and gave him another gash on his armor. "Shit, I knew I should have gotten this stuff repaired before we left the last town."

"Outta my way!" the girl shouted as she leapt at Tira and aimed a kick at her head. Tira ducked below the attack and, slamming her ring into the ground, swung through the hole and kicked the girl above her. Pulling the ring out of the ground, Tira swung up above her opponent and threw the ring at her. The girl turned to see the ring just in time. Reaching into the small pouch on her back, she pulled out a long bladed chain. Giving a quick snap with her wrist, the chain snapped into a sword, and she knocked the ring aside just in time. Landing on the ground and catching her ring, Tira stood up and smiled at her enemy.

"Ooh, you're good." Tira said as she stared at the girl, her maniacal smile getting wider each second. "Come on, you're not going to run away, are you?" she asked, her voice echoing a mother teasing a child.

"No, but I will assist you to the Underworld." The girl said. Tira's expression hardened as she raised her ring and rushed her enemy.

"I'll cut your heart out!" she shouted as she neared the enemy.

"Not if I take yours first." The girl whispered.

"Damn it." Draco said as Zeke landed another cut. "Damn it." Zeke knocked his sword away. "DAMN IT!" Zeke knocked Draco to the ground.

"Sad. And I thought that you would be more of a threat than this." Zeke said as he rested his katana on his shoulder, his clones fading away. Draco got to his feet and retrieved his sword.

"Don't underestimate me!" he shouted as he raised his sword before him. Suddenly the blade shattered as Zeke and around twelve clones struck at once. Draco saw time slow as he fell backwards. His sword fell in pieces to the ground, the stub and handle in his hand. Zeke and his clones rushed in from all sides, each one wearing the same look of triumph.

"Damn."

Tira turned at the sound of steel impaling flesh. Terror filled her senses as she saw Draco hit the ground, dozens of sword wounds covering his body, blood pouring from each one. Tira felt new sensations suddenly; she felt scared, alone, and broken. Dropping her ring, she ran to Draco as Zeke turned to face her.

"Out of my way, you bastard!" she screamed as she slammed her fist into Zeke's face, throwing him aside. As Zeke crashed into the trees, Tira knelt over Draco. "Draco!" she shouted, and the warrior opened his eyes.

"Tira…" he whispered as looked up at her. His eyes widened slightly. "You're crying."

"You stupid fool!" she shouted, the tears flying off her face as shook her head. "What will Nightmare say? What will he do? What will I do?"

Draco smiled as his head rested against the ground. "Nightmare…I guess death was another way to break free of you." He whispered as his eyes closed.

"Don't you dare die! You here me Draco? Draco!" Tira screamed as Draco's breathing ceased. Biting her lip, tears streaming down her face, Tira broke down and cried, her head on Draco's body as she sobbed uncontrollably. Behind her, Zeke walked out of the trees, pulling twigs out of his leather armor.

"Insolent witch." He said as he stepped up behind her, his katana raised over her head. "You may join him."

The chop of the sword was heard throughout the forest.