"Shine, get up!"
I mumbled something even I couldn't comprehend. "Why?"
"It's morning."
I groaned. "We're in the fucking arena, Hero! Who gives a shit what time it is?"
Hero scowled at me. "I'm hungry, yet we have no fucking food."
I frowned, confused, but then it hit me. "Shit. We left the supplies."
"There's been no cannons, so we can assume they're safe with Dazzle," Hero grunted.
I sprang to my feet and brushed off some of the nature that clung to my clothing. "How do you feel?"
Hero paused, and then slowly got up, wincing as he did so. "Sore. But I'm ready to go."
"Good," I replied, slinging the medical kit over my shoulder. We headed towards our campsite.
I was cautious, on the alert, but Wagen and Angus seemed to have moved on. Probably searching for us.
"Would you slow down?" Hero growled.
"No! There's a chance that they could get to Dazzle before we do, and that's not going to happen!" I snapped impatiently.
"Period," said Hero between deliberate coughs.
I ignored his immaturity and strode on. "We can't be far, because I recognize that clearing. We passed it on our way to the amphitheatre."
Hero didn't answer, and just started whistling.
"Shine?" I stopped. That wasn't Hero's voice.
"Dazzle?" Hero replied. Dazz emerged from the trees. He was in an awful state, with bloodshot, bulging eyes and an unnaturally pale complexion. He reminded me of a corpse. I shuddered, but immediately rushed over to him. I hugged him tightly. "I'm so glad you're OK."
"You look like shit, man," said Hero sympathetically.
Dazzle managed a wry smile, returning my embrace. "Dude, you don't seem so hot yourself."
If only I'd noticed the malevolent flicker in his eyes.
"Ran into some pigs," Hero chortled.
"Have you seen Wagen or Angus?" I demanded. "No, they haven't passed by here," Dazzle replied. "The supplies are fine."
I released a relieved gust of breath and strode over to our campsite. It was just as it was yesterday, before we'd left.
I was about to set to preparing a meal, when Hero cried out.

My heart dropped to my stomach, and I whirled around.
Dazzle was pinning Hero to the ground, holding a knife to his throat.
I froze.
"It's your fault she's gone!" Dazzle wailed. "You should be dead, not her!"
"Dazzle, no!" I exclaimed.
Dazzle's head snapped up, giving Hero an opportunity. He shoved Dazzle off of him, drawing his sword. "It isn't anyone's fault, Dazz!" I insisted. "Ashlar sacrificed herself to save us! It was her decision, and she wouldn't want this!"
"How would you know what she wants?" Dazzle screamed in my face, his features contorting manically. He'd gone mad. He'd lost his mind. This wasn't my Dazz.
I reached up and grabbed two handfuls of his auburn hair, forcing him to stare into my eyes. "Dazzle, you know I'm right. You know she wouldn't want us to turn on each other because of her choice. She did it so we could live, and you'd be dishonouring her!"
Before it happened, I knew that it would. There was no other way. I had no other choice.
Dazz's face softened, and I saw Hero coming up behind him, sword raised. "Shine, I'm sorry."
I stared steadily at Hero, and two big, hot tears trailed down my face. "Don't be sorry, honey. It's going to be OK."
I held Dazzle so tight, crushing him to me, breathing in his familiar scent and sighing when it reminded me of home. I didn't want to let him go. Not ever.
Hero came closer. I did nothing.
Dazzle rested his forehead on my shoulder, silent.
I squeezed my eyes shut. Hero ran Dazzle through with deadly precision, plunging the sword in just enough so that it was a lethal blow, but so that it wouldn't hit me.
Dazz's frame jolted, and he slid from my arms and onto the ground, wearing an expression of disbelief, astonishment and pain.
I knelt down beside him. "Dazz-"
He cut me off. "No... don't apologize. I left you with no other choice."
I was sobbing now. "There's always a choice."
"Not now," Dazzle rasped, giving me an agonized grin. "Not in my case. I'm going to her now, Shine. I'm going to be with her forever."
He reached for my hand, and I grabbed it. "Don't cry," Dazzle whispered. "I don't want that to be the last thing I see. Show me your beautiful smile, Shine. So I know that the angels are waiting for me."
I managed a laugh, despite my sorrow. "You had to play one last card."
Dazzle smiled, and laid down his head. "Naturally. Live long, Shiney. Live for me."
There was a moment of silence, and Dazzle heaved his last breath.
BOOM!
Hero didn't quieten me when I started screaming. It felt as if time itself had stopped, parting from this world along with my best friend. I struggled wildly as Hero dragged me away.
"We have to get out of the way, Shine!" he shouted. "They're coming to collect him."
I continued to fight him, but my thrashes turned feeble. Hero let me lean into his chest and cry.

I cried until I had no more tears left to produce, and Hero didn't go anywhere. Dazzle's words didn't leave me. Live for me.
"We're going to end this," I said, my tone glum but firm. "Today."
Hero smiled grimly. "Good to know. Do you have any idea where they could be?"
I shielded my eyes from the sun's glare. "Yes, I do. In fact, I know exactly where they are."
Hero frowned. "What? Where?"
"See where our villa used to be?" I said, pointing. "There's a green jacket hanging on one of the walls that wasn't there before."
Hero saw it, and grinned. "That jacket belongs to Wagen."
"Indeed," I confirmed. "Let's go and pay them a visit."