Chapter 24 - The Light

Fayra screamed and pushed on Mando as he fired his weapon. The blast missed the droid and began bouncing from one wall to the next. Mando kicked Fayra's feet out from under her and let her fall to the floor. He slammed himself down on top of her, using his elbow he shielded her head. She screamed as the ricochet sent sparkes flying everywhere.

Mando grunted as his body lurched. Then she felt a warm liquid soak her side. Mando's breath heaved.

"Manny?"

He groaned, and fell off her onto his side. Fayra sat up, shocked at the sight before her. Blood was everywhere all over her, the floor and still pouring from him. The blast hit him in the stomach, leaving a burned puncture. "Manny!" She pushed him to his back. "Manny!" Another mark burned in his abdomen. The blast shot right through him, in the perfect spot his armor wasn't protecting.

He was breathing but rapidly. "Kit." he muttered.

"Kit?"

"Belt." He said, forced through heavy breaths. Mando felt himself weakening rapidly from the blood loss. She searched his belt.

"Okay." She had found the medical tool she had seen him use before. But Mando went limp and his head fell to one side. She dropped the tool grabbing his helmet. "No!" She screamed. "Stay awake. Tell me how to use this."

Mando's vision blurred, he never believed this would be how his life ended. He imagined a more glorious one, going down fighting. He never thought it would be like this, looking at such a beautiful woman before him. Her auburn hair fell around her. He could see she was frightened and shaking. Those blue eyes wide. He supposed she was right, he should have taught her to fly, now she'd die too.

"Don't die." she demanded. She jerked at him and then pieces of his armor coming off, clambering across the floor as she threw them to the side. He felt the cool air hit his chest as she pulled his tunic apart. He knew if she removed his helmet he wouldn't be able to stop her. Inside his head, he begged her not to. Instead, she climbed on top, straddling him. He almost regretted not taking her offer.

"Manny?"

He couldn't answer her, it was too late.

"Just hold on."

Mando watched in helpless silence as she clasped her hands in front of her. Was she going to pray, he thought. Fayra closed her eyes and bowed her head. He could have laughed, but didn't have the strength. Praying was no good now. Mando began closing his eyes, to let the already creeping darkness take over.

Then a bright light pierced through his eyelids. He opened them to see Fayra's skin shining like a star. As the seconds ticked by her skin grew brighter, Mando wouldn't have been able to watch if it wasn't for his dark visor. She raised her head and opened her eyes. The sky blue irises were gone and replaced with a stark white light. They shone as light illuminated from them. Fayra pulled her hands apart revealing a white ball of light hovering between them. She slammed her palms on his chest. Mando felt heat radiating through his entire body. He shuddered, then something he felt something pulling at him. Then stretching.

"Stay with me, please." She begged as she grew so bright Mando could no longer see her form, just an outline. A blinding white light took over her entire body. A loud rumble filled his ears. He could no longer take the light and was forced to close his eyes. But, he could feel her body trembling on top of him. Her thighs squeezing his ribcage and her hands pressing down hard on his chest. He felt his strength returning. He reached up running his gloved hands up along her thighs to her waist. He squeezed her tightly, almost afraid she would implode or disappear if he didn't hold her in place.

"Fayra!" He yelled. He wasn't sure she could hear him over the rumbling.

Suddenly the light disappeared. Fayra's back arched as she threw her head back, screaming. She began falling backwards. Mando shot up, catching her in his arms. He twisted their bodies in unison. Fayra now under him, he gently lowered her to the floor. He was relieved to feel her legs still gripping at his sides. That meant she was alive, though he couldn't feel her breathing. He moved a hand to her head and lifted her face to his. Her eyes popped open. Her back arching once more, as she took in a deep, gasping breath.

"Fayra?" He gently called.

She smiled weakly when her eyes focused on his visor. Blood streamed from her nose, eyes and ears. She was shaking uncontrollably. Then she closed her eyes. Her hands fell from his chest and her legs slowly slid from his sides as her strength gave in.