Invisible talons tore into her body, already maimed by fears that had come to life. Through the pain of burns, bruises and a horrible empty feeling within that she didn't understand, the cold grip continued to creep through her mind. It was the least painful sensation... but the most noticeable.
Something rock-hard struck her jaw and she was thrown to the ground, gasping, hands clenching into fists. She was dimly aware that she'd dropped Runeblade... that she was weaponless.
Right on cue, the bodiless voice whispered, "You fear death."
"Nooo," Rynn moaned in despair. She'd never feared it before. But here, where it seemed a very real possibility...
...and where fear was reality...
Rynn tried to stand and failed, knocked down by the darkness. "I'm not afraid!" she shouted, her voice cracking.
The shadows laughed.
"You are a liar."
The darkness shifted...
"This isn't happening, this isn't real," Rynn whispered desperately, eyes shut.
"If only it were so," Arokh's voice rumbled from nearby.
"No, you don't understand, it's not real!" Rynn moaned. She folded in on herself, hands clenching around grass that crumbled at her touch. "I'm not afraid!"
There was a moment of quiet.
"I am," Arokh said softly.
Rynn looked to the red dragon quickly, eyes opening. He was lying stretched out on the ground before her, on the wind-swept summit of Mount Tibor. His fiery eyes were dull and half-closed, watching her sadly, his wings splayed out as though he lacked the strength to fold them.
"No, Arokh, don't give up!" Rynn pushed her aching body over to him, her vision swimming with the pain. "Don't die!"
The massive jaws curved into a small smile. "Don't think there's much choice in the matter, my friend."
"Where are you hurt? I'll heal you!"
"Not even the mightiest Archmage could heal a stolen soul." He managed a slight nod at her shock. "He took mine too, Rynn..."
"Then how..?"
"...are we still alive?" Another half-smile. "I'd explain my theory if I wasn't so sore. No point... now..."
"Stay with me!" Rynn shouted. "I forbid you to die!"
"Not fair..." he muttered. "Can't help it..."
She stood up, bracing herself against his strong neck The wind and rain lashed her body, stinging like acid against her burns and lacerations. Wild energies flashed across the sky above her like a mad whirlpool of cloud and lightning. "Where is Navaros?"
"...gone..." Arokh said softly. "...took Drakan's soul... took Runeblade... left..."
And now she was feeling the dragon's deathly lethargy seep into her bones. The determination drained from her like water. All she wanted to do was lie down and close her eyes. There was nothing left to fight for, and no chance of winning.
She sat down in the curve of his neck and drew her knees up to her chest. There was nothing left... but to wait. From the feel of things, it wouldn't be long.
"You're truly not afraid?" Arokh asked.
Rynn turned her head slightly to look into one of his eyes. "Not when you're here."
He watched her silently for a second, then smiled. "Then we will face it together."
"Together." She leaned back against his neck and watched the storm rage. "As always, Arokh." More softly... "Head high..."
"...without fear..." she whispered, letting out a long breath.
She didn't draw another one.
The darkness swirled away from her like vultures abandon a skeleton that's been picked clean. A black shape detached itself from the shadows and bore the body away...