Chapter 12a: Tragedy
With both of my friends gone, I faced the monster alone. Its massive head loomed over me: Onyx blood dripped from its wounded eye, and its salivating maw blew hot breath against my skin. It growled deep in its throat, and I took a step back, deeply frightened by my opponent. I was pathetic, I was weak. I couldn't harm a fly. I screamed in terror as the horrible teeth drew ever closer, helpless to my fate.
Then, I remembered: I remembered who I was. I remembered the first day I had come here; how Alistair, my blue-eyed knight, had rescued me from my own ignorance. I remembered all the time we spent together, the laughter, the tears. I remembered the competition between him and Zevran, who had captivated me from the moment I had met him. The night he had serenaded me, and how his voice had struck a chord in my very soul. These things made up who I was. Not the things I was before I came to this world: To my home.
I flashed back to the task at hand. With the speed of a desperate woman, I darted to the dragon's side, unsheathing my dual swords. I nimbly dodged its snapping jaws and massive talons, using its large and sturdy body to my advantage. I used its elbow as a stepping stool to its back, and I leapt forward, landing in-between its shoulder blades. It roared in frustration and clawed at my legs and sides, but I was determined. With a vengeance, I struck my blades into the base of its neck, twisting them cruelly. The dragon shrieked horribly and clawed at me with a fury, lacerating my flesh and making my blood flow freely. I roared in agony but continued to sink the blades deeper, feeling them grind against the monster's bone. Finally, the monster lost control of its body, its spinal cord severed. Its head, then neck, then torso fell forward, and I was thrown to the roof, all strength spent.
I attempted to raise my head, to see the light of the fiery sun one more time, but I was much too weak. I closed my eyes and felt my wounds: They were deep, and my blood was quickly staining the stone around my body. My breathing grew labored, and I sobbed. Not in pain of the body, but pain of the soul. I had lost the two people who had cared for me so much: And Alistair… no, I did not want to think of him in death. Instead, I thought of his eyes, and how his emotions were so easily seen, from mirth, to sadness… to love. I grimaced as the salt from my tears mixed with my injuries: If only he had known my feelings as well.
In that moment before death, I heard the angels calling my name. I smiled, relieved to be joining my friends up above. They told me to open my eyes, to wake up. I was confused: Wake up? Isn't this heaven? They insisted, and I thought I heard anguish in their voices. I frowned, and did as they said.
The light was blinding, but as my vision focused I could see the most beautiful faces in the world hovering above me. I sobbed and smiled, lifting my arms weakly and stroking their rough faces. Eyes of emerald and eyes of sapphire filled with tears. Alistair held my hand and kissed it firmly, while Zevran watched the blood flowing from me sadly. I tried to speak, to tell them I would be alright, but in my heart of hearts I knew they would never believe that lie. Instead, I decided to say my goodbyes, as agonizing as they may be. I winked at Zevran and said that he would never find someone to put up with him as I did. He laughed in pain and conceded that he wouldn't. I turned my head to Alistair and tried to sit up: He noticed and cradled me in his arms, his tears flowing freely now. I held one of his hands over my heart, looking at him with all of the emotion I could muster. He stared at my hand, and then his anguished eyes met mine. He choked on despair and said, "I love you: Always."
He lifted my face to his, and his trembling lips met mine: but it was too late. I heard a cry of agony and heartbreak. Then I woke up.