I felt my chest tighten and my heart pound even harder. I gulped from my sudden response, I didn't know what had possessed me for a moment for me to utter those words out loud. But I felt my body grow cold and stiff. Mulan kept looking in my eyes with her serious deep-brown eyes, not saying a word. We stood staring at each other, I saw her step forward, her eyes wandering from my lips to my eyes, until we suddenly heard a familiar voice. Phillip's voice. Mulan and I both jolted away our attention was now toward his voice, it was close but seemed so far away. Mulan and I immediately rushed to his calling voice. We checked every vase until we came across a very old looking vase. Its handles were broken off and seemed dust had already engulfed the beautiful paintings around the vase. I couldn't believe my ears, Phillip's voice was calling out from this very vase. I looked toward Mulan who carefully took her sword out, "Stand back Aurora..." her magnificent sword seemed like it gleamed in the cave. I took a few steps back, glancing toward Mulan as I inched away from the vase Mulan... Mulan's countenance became very serious as she lifted her sword. Her eyes wavered toward me a bit then back at the vase. I began to see the sadness in her eyes, surrounding her. Before I could interfere, she swung down hard into the vase. The sword seemed like it was deflected by some strange magic, because the vase glowed of white and blue as she tried to keep her sword down. A powerful wind picked up as she kept her sword in place, I could see her struggling just to keep her sword down. A blinding light shot out, looking away, I heard the vase shatter with pieces violently flying all around. I heard a few small stray pieces fall near my feet, but never touching me. I heard a deep breath and as I opened my eyes I saw Phillip standing in front of me. Alive. He looked all around himself then up toward me. I felt a big smile come across my face as our eyes met, what seemed like the first time in ages. "Phillip!" I called out as we both came forward in an embrace. "Aurora," He whispered under his breath as his arms squeezed me, "My love, Aurora." I closed my eyes knowing he was really here, but at the back of my mind I felt something strange. But before I could even think twice about it, I heard a groan call out from behind the both of us. I quickly pushed Phillip away and saw Mulan staring at the both of us with the most peculiar countenance. Then I saw it. Her body shook with fear as she looked down at herself. Shards if the vase penetrated her thick armor. She covered her chest and abdomen with her arms and as she moved her hands away, blood drenched her hands.
"Mulan!" I shrieked out as her sword fell from her hands. The steel screeched against the cave floor, and I saw her fall to her knees. My hands immediately reached for hers for comfort. Blood dripped from the front of her body, her hands shook so badly I couldn't even keep them still with my own. "Phillip!" I yelled feeling the tears rush from my eyes. "We need to get her out of here!" Phillip quickly picked her up with all his might. He rested her on his back, carrying her like a child. I quickly grabbed her sword and rushed out with them. "How long will it take to our kingdom?!" Phillip asked panicking. Mulan began to speak but her speech was so garbled that I heard myself respond for her, "If we hurry, 3 hours!" Phillip looked at me with astonishment, but moved forward without a second thought, "East yes?" I nodded as he quickly walked on. I was right behind him and Mulan, all I could think about was what had happened and why she didn't say anything earlier. I felt the tears pour out as I saw Mulan, for the first time, defenseless and vulnerable. I walked a bit behind Phillip, wrapping my hand into Mulan's. I felt her fingers weakly cling onto mine. I looked toward her and saw her eyes glued to me, those eyes that were once filled with so much sadness were now looking empty and helpless. I mouthed toward her, "You'll make it." I saw her barely give a smile before it slumped away. You'll make it Mulan! Don't worry! I felt even my own words faltered.
