Warning: Takes place during NEXT and contains spoilers.
They were going to lose.
That much was clear. No matter how hard they fought, no matter how much magic and strength was used, Gaav was just too powerful to best.
The fact that he was still alive after taking the full force of a Ragna Blade was proof of that.
And now, as her mouth filled with blood, and she staggered to the ground before Gaav, all Lina could focus on was, we're going lose. We're going to die…
The worst part was that hers wasn't the last blood that would be spilt that day. She had to watch as Gourry and Zelgadis each took turns facing down – and being beaten – Gaav while she tried to recover her strength.
Why isn't it enough? Why can't we beat him?
Why are we even fighting this battle?
Do we all have to die before it ends?
Will we bathe this valley in our blood before our victory?
Lina felt herself trembling, dragging herself towards the fight, calling out her friends' names in desperation. She could taste the blood, feel the precious amount of energy she had leave her, but all she could see was red, and all she could hear was the screams of her friends.
It has to stop.
IT HAS TO STOP!
And suddenly, thankfully, it did. Amelia's sharp bell of a voice rang out, and the bloodbath ceased.
For a moment. Always a moment. Always fleeting.
But all Lina could think of was, it has to stop…