Dexter had begun to walk faster. Every step he took was one step closer to Saracen, and that was all that mattered to him. He followed Valkyrie's instructions as she guided him through the halls. Her speech was slower than usual, and the effort of talking was making her breathless. The magic-use was beginning to take a physical toll too. Maybe, if she weren't so injured, she would have more energy, and more magical stamina. Not only that, every step Dexter took was beginning to hurt her, and she was losing balance. "Dex-" she gasped, "Slow down-" Dexter obeyed, slowing down. He hadn't noticed how much Valkyrie was sliding off of his back. Valkyrie clenched her jaw; the pain was spreading through her entire body. She cried out, and in response, Dexter stopped abruptly.

"God. I'm so sorry," he said, "I'm getting ahead of myself."

"I can't stay awake for longer," Valkyrie said sluggishly.

"You have to, Val, until we find a healer."

Valkyrie frowned, "I'm losing too much blood."

"Focus on the pain, okay? You're going to be okay."

"No, the medical wing is too far, and the remnants are in our way."

Dexter whispered, "No. Listen to me, Valkyrie, you're going to be okay."

Valkyrie shook her head, "Let's focus on finding Saracen. He's in worse shape than I am."

"I'm not going to prioritize him over you," Dexter insisted.

"Don't be silly. He's your best friend."

"But I love you, too!"

"But not as much as you love him," Valkyrie maintained.

"That's not true-"

"Dexter," Valkyrie interrupted, "It's okay. I know that you love him a lot more than you pretend to." Dexter widened his eyes. These words hit him; he did not just love Saracen, he was in love with him. Although, he never told anyone. Especially not Saracen. He wouldn't risk losing his friendship. "How did you-?" he started.

"My gaymeter is fantastic," Valkyrie joked.

"Hey!" Dexter frowned, "You're going to have to give me some context!"

Valkyrie shrugged, "I see the way you look at him."

"That's a bit cliche."

"Maybe, but it's true! You look at him like he's the only other person in the world, and you're always so sensitive when it comes to his well being." Valkyrie said in a light-hearted manner, but Dexter still frowned. An embarrassed blush had risen into his cheeks.

"How many people know about this?"

"I don't know. Me and Tanith… Skulduggery might know. He's a smart man, so I wouldn't be surprised if he'd figured it out."

"...Do you think Saracen knows?"

Valkyrie thought it over for a moment. Ultimately, she shook her head, "No, I don't. Whatever it is that he knows, he does not know this."

"But, do you think he likes me like that?" Valkyrie opened her mouth to speak, but a beam of energy flew by, stopping her. Dexter cursed, and swerved out of the way. This sudden movement sent a surge of pain through Valkyrie's body, and she cried out. Dexter dropped Valkyrie between a pile of corpses, blocking her from the energy strikes. Though, he had no time to put her down gently, and her already broken leg bent backwards. She yelped, and tears swelled in the corners of her eyes. She turned her head to watch Dexter, but she could not see much beyond the wall of corpses. Dexter leapt out of the way of an energy beam, and ran forward a few steps before having to dodge another. He was progressing slowly; the remnant-possessed sorcerer was better at long-ranged attacks, apparently, and kept its distance. The remnant did not win the host-jackpot. He didn't know how to fight, and his aim was below average. His lack of skill alleviated some of Valkyrie's stress. Most likey, this remnant was on the upper floors because the fighting was on the lower floors. Another beam shot by her. She waited, the tension building greater and greater as their fight continued. Then, a blast of energy smashed into the wall beside her, and debris crashed onto the floor, nearly landing on top of her. "Valkyrie?!" she heard Dexter call, concern clear in his voice. He wasn't able to see beyond the wall of corpses, where he dropped her, so he had no way of knowing if she had been crushed or not.

"I'm fi-!" she started, but another pile of debris fell beside her, "Wait, no! Not fine!"

"Hold on! I'm coming!"

The sanctuary had been built to withstand magical attacks. Of course it was, in a place full of sorcerers, there were bound to be some incidents. Except, now that the defenses were down, the sigil-protected walls became mere normal walls. And the ceiling was caving in.

"Dexter!" Valkyrie called, "We need to go now! What the hell is happening?1" Magic was shooting everyone, out of control. Valkyrie forced herself to sit up; her body was coursing with all kinds of pains. She peaked over the wall of bodies. Dexter had gotten up close to the remnant, and though it still lacked skill, it's magical arsenal was bigger and stronger. Energy beams shot out faster than any other energy-thrower that Valkyrie had met. She didn't have much energy left. This, she knew, but she also knew that if she did nothing, the remnant's magic would continue as it was- uncontrollable and untamed. She reached out for the remnant, but she was too weak to pull it out. Still, her magic seemed to have a small impact, for the remnant screeched and writhed in place. Dexter used this to his advantage. He ran for Valkyrie, having no time to fight the remnant. Another beam smashed into the ceiling above her. Just as a large piece of debris began to fall above Valkyrie, Dexter seized her and threw himself out of the way, and they fell into a synonymous roll, tumbling out of the way. He lifted himself and scooped her up, "Tell me where to go."

Valkyrie groaned, weariness was getting the better of her, "Turn left. 3 doors down." As Dexter began to run, he peered around the corner. Three doors down, the walls were still collapsing. Yet, if Saracen was in there, he would go there too. He dashed around the corner, dodging the increasingly faster-falling rubble. Valkyrie was falling in and out of consciousness. The blood-loss was becoming too much, as was the magical overuse. Dexter leaped into the third room.

The walls continued to crumble around him, and dirt had gathered in his eyes, making them sting. He laid Valkyrie's body down. Her skin was pale, clothing torn, and blood covered the majority of her body. She was in a dreadful state. Dexter looked around the room- there were two men, laying face-down in a pool of blood. Then, he saw Saracen, covered in blood and cuts, whimpering.