As the words came out of Fabian's mouth Nina covered her mouth to keep from screaming. Why did he do that? Then it hit her. He loved her. In those few and precious moments she had left with Fabian Nina realized that she loved him back. He was willing to sacrifice himself so she could be saved. Time seemed to slow down as Nina turned to Fabian. Squeezing his hand, she looked into his eyes and her message was clear, I understand…thank you. But Senkhara's eerie voice shattered the lovers' moment.

"I accept. But why do you volunteer and not her?' she floated closer to Fabian and creepily stroked his face.

Without thinking, Fabian turned with terrified eyes to Nina and their gazes locked.

"Ah…young love," crooned Senkhara. "But will you be a useful servant?"

Fabian gulped, "Y-Yes."

"SPEAK UP BOY!" she shrieked.

"Yes, I will," Fabian's voice was clearer this time.

"Take my hand, and become my servant…forever," Senkhara commanded as she outstretched her hand.

Fabian had forgotten he was holding Nina's hand. Letting go of it, he leaned into Nina and whispered, "I love you."

With these simple yet powerful words he leaned in even closer and kissed her. The kiss did not last long but it did not matter. In those last few seconds nothing mattered but their love. Fabian tore away from Nina and took Senkhara's hand. The two vanished together leaving only a wisp of black smoke behind.

Afterwards, Nina was in shock. She lifted her fingers to her lips. Had Fabian just kissed her? She could still taste him on her lips. Even the scent of his cologne lingered. But he was gone. The crushing reality of his absence began to sink in. Nina's world slowly came crashing down and tears started to roll down her face. She covered her face with her hands and did not care that she was sobbing. Nothing else mattered now because the person that she loved was gone and would never come back.

After a few minutes Nina's despair turned to fury.

"SENKHARA!" she roared. "SENKHARA I REFUSE TO LET YOU KEEP FABIAN!"

Pounding on the walls in rage she cried, "SENKHARA!"

Her wrath did not last long however, "I-I need him," she whimpered.

This was true. Nina needed Fabian. She could not imagine living without him. Thousands of questions ran through her head as she asked herself how she would survive without Fabian. How would she tell the rest of Sibuna? How would she find the mask? How would she deal with life? How would she stay sane and happy? How would she go on?

But she knew Fabian would want her to find the mask for Sibuna, for Gran, and for herself. Fabian would want her to continue the search without him and be brave. Nina decided she would find the mask for Fabian. She would beg Senkhara to give Fabian back once she found the mask. She allowed one last single tear of sorrow for Fabian before continuing her quest, now for Fabian.

"Why do you cry, Chosen One?" Senkhara's voice echoed and Nina looked around but no one was there.

Nina sank to the floor in misery. Senkhara was malicious but that last was the cruelest one Senkhara had ever said. How dare Senkhara mock her!

"Shut up! Just shut up, you aren't me and you cannot even imagine my pain right now," said Nina bitterly.

"You can't be so sure about that," a familiar voice rang out. Fabian watched as her sadness became a mixture of surprise and confusion. He remembered her first day at school. He had found her crying next the phone and once again he saw that same vulnerable girl he had fallen in love with last term and was still hopelessly in love with.

"FABIAN!" Nina cried and she ran into his outstretched arms and the two embraced each other tightly She bombarded him with questions. "Why did she let you come back?" "Are you staying?" "Are you okay?" "How?" "Why?"

Fabian hugged her harder, "I will answer everything in a moment just let me hold you."

Nina silently agreed and the two lovers held each other. When they finally broke away Nina asked, "So tell me…why did Senkhara let you go?"

"Apparently Tutankhamen killed her lover and she heard you screaming after we left," he continued, "She remembered how she felt when the one she loved was gone and let me come back."

"So Senkhara does have feelings!" cried Nina, extremely surprised about this. Maybe that's why she killed Tutankhamen. She would have to research that later, because all that mattered now was Fabian.

"I know, wow! Now there's something else important I have to tell you," Fabian took a deep breath and began, "Nina Martin I am completely and utterly in love with you and I never want to lose you again. Will you be my girlfriend?"

Nina's face broke into a huge smile and Fabian grinned hopefully, "Is that a yes?"

"Of course it is," Nina grinned.

Fabian could only grin back and throw his arms around Nina, pick her up, and spin her around. When he set her down Nina turned to him and they kissed. Not the fireworks or start of something new kiss but the unforgettable and memorable kiss. Afterwards, they both kept smiling at each other with goofy grins. It was one of the happiest moments of their lives.

Then they started to walk back to their home, where they belonged to tell their friends everything. Like before, they still had their minds set on finding the mask. But now they had a new purpose, to find the mask for each other, to find the mask for their love. That would keep them going even when times got rough. They belonged to each other and they were stronger that way.

Before they reached the end of the tunnels Fabian asked Nina, "You meant it when you said that you need me?"

"I've always needed you Fabian," she answered in return and reached down to hold his hand.

Her simple answer was all he needed to hear. The two lovers walked back holding hands with grins and memories that would never be forgotten.