It had been about twenty minutes, and Samus and I had gotten more and more exhausted as the searing air blasted us. She eventually removed her helmet and wiped away the sweat on her forehead. Her hair was stuck to her face and damp from the perspiration, her cheeks red as she panted. Her locks left wet spots on the Jovian Steel whenever they dripped.
I was leaning against the wall, my eyelids drooping. I could hardly breathe without choking, and since my body was hardly with any water from being scorched (besides the sweltering, which I wasn't able to use), I could not form ice that would cool us off. The heat increased, skyrocketed, and built up till I couldn't stay awake anymore.
Sooner or later, I fell unconscious.
The hall was a plain shade of cream, with high walls and a sturdy, echoing floor. I found myself on my feet in the middle of it as it stretched in every direction as far as the eye could see. So far, I was alone.
A familiar person strolled by me. Gandrayda, with her swinging hips and proud smile, issued me to follow her down the corridor. I did so, and walked alongside her.
We entered a chamber that was occupied by Ghor. Except, his body was fused with his larger, bulkier battle suit. He stood facing a large throne, unmoving, but gave me a small grin as he watched Gandrayda and I walk into the room.
The three of us lined up single file, awaiting the commands of a suited figure that sat and watched quietly. I recognized the large shoulder pads, the pointed chest armor, and the three pronged, blue glowing eye slit in the helmet.
"Rundas," Dark Samus said, and I stepped forward out of orders. I had no choice, I had always listened to her eagerly. "You have failed me."
My eyes widened. "What? How?"
"You did not complete the task that I issued to you. Did I not say for you to attack Samus Aran?"
"But I did as you told! We battled and you saw it! The fight was extensive!" I spluttered, trying to convince her that I had obeyed. Very intently.
"You thought you did. But," she sat forward, her gaze boring into my soul in criticism. "you did not."
I approached her, pleading. "How can I make up for this, mother? I'll do whatever I can!"
I could sense her smile wickedly, for I could not see her face. "If you wish to please me, Rundas, then you will aid Chromia in Samus Aran's destruction. After you and your companions defeat her -which you MUST- then bring her body to me. I plan to have good use for it. Only then will you renew your promise to me and be respectable in my eyes." Dark Samus leaned back in her chair, resting her head on the back of the throne.
"And when your aim is succeeded?" I asked longingly.
Our master chuckled. "The Fate of the Galaxy rests in my hands."
I jerked suddenly awake, taking in a sharp breath. I ended up coughing so hard it seemed I was barking, and I saw blood on my hand when I took it back after covering my mouth. I smeared it on my right thigh, hallucinations beginning. I watched the Jovia melt with dripping sounds, but as soon as I blinked, the vision disappeared.
Samus moaned, and I looked down to see her wet head resting in my lap. Her helmet was where she sat before I dreamt, and she breathed in and out softly and quietly. I stroked her sopping hair, running my fingers through it. Samus relaxed once I touched her, and made herself more comfortable. Well, as comfortable as one could get in scalding conditions.
How long had we been sitting here, together? It seemed like it had been a night. But Jake wouldn't extend his time to that feat just to steal abilities. If I were him (which I'm so glad I'm not), I would've gotten those powers, and bolted to wherever my enemies were hiding. And he knew where we were.
Why didn't he come?
I stopped petting Samus, and laid my head against the wall. I immediately took it back, for it burned a small section of my skin. The bounty hunter in my lap raised her hand and mumbled, "No... keep... doing 'at... 'undas..." she was so fevered she couldn't talk straight.
I gently turned Samus over onto her back, her eyes closed. I parted her mouth slightly, hovering my fingers above her lips. I let ice form at the ends, which melted instantly when they contacted with the dry air. Cold, refreshing water drizzled down my fingers and onto her sandpapery tongue. She swallowed and gasped, slightly opening her eyes.
Samus whimpered for more water, sitting up a little. I calmed her with my other hand on her collar bone, lowering her back onto my lap. She gladly drank the half pint of water that poured down my fingers, not realizing that it was my last bit. "I'm sorry, that's all I have," I said softly, my voice apologetical. "I wish I could give you more..."
Samus, suddenly gaining her senses back, opened her eyes fully, more life and energy in them than before. She sat up, looking at me, her face worried. "Rundas... You're pale..." she reached up and cupped my swollen cheek in her armored hand.
I shook my head. "It's nothing," I croaked, smiling slightly. "I'm just glad you're okay."
She looked down to my leg. "Is that... blood?"
Nodding, I said, "Don't worry, it'll-" I heaved, cutting off my own speech and spitting up more blood. I tried to stop it with my hand, but the gush was great enough to surge through my fingers and drip down my arm. Most of my gore covered the ground. "-stop." I finished with a gurgle.
Samus looked shocked, an emotion that wasn't common on her face. "Is it because you're dehydrated?"
I shrugged. "It isn't too bad-"
"Too bad?" she echoed, her voice rising. "You just threw up blood! That seems pretty bad to me! Why didn't you give yourself some of your water?"
"Because of you. I hate seeing you hurt," I said, watching her eyes widen.
"But I wasn't-"
"Yes," I interrupted. "You were. I didn't want you to suffer so I helped you instead of myself. Besides, I'm bigger than you are, plus I have a longer time period before I die of dehydration. I had to save you first." I smiled, making my point. "The greatest bounty hunter in the galaxy can't die because I was too selfish."
"Thank you," Samus breathed after a pause. She looked like I had done the nicest thing for her. "Rundas, I have to tell you something..." she laid her head on my shoulder, sitting next to me.
"I-" we both said at the same time. "No, you say it..." Samus muttered.
"Ladies first." I said curtly, she taking a deep breath.
"I've never told anyone this..."
"Why?" I asked, turning my head down to her. "Is it a secret?"
"Not exactly... This is just a first for me..." "Well? Say it!"
"Rundas... Remember when we were on Olympus with Gandrayda and Ghor?"
I nodded.
"Well... When I first saw you... I felt... strange..." I frowned. Was that a bad thing? "But it was a good kind of strange..." Relief. "I had butterflies in my stomach and I felt hot...
"And when you saved me from Ridley... It finally clicked..."
I leaned towards her. "Yeah?"
Samus looked up to me with her gorgeous blue eyes. "I love you."
