Yuki fought fiercely and showed no mercy. Dameon battled by her side, glowering at the enemy soldiers.

"They're everywhere! There are too many!" he yelled, but regardless he continued to fight.

A sword nearly fell upon him, but Yuki thrust her sword in the way. Sparks flashed and Yuki went back to fighting another soldier. The sounds of battle enveloped them. There were screams of fear and pain and cries of triumph, guns firing, swords clashing… Echoes that resounded in Yuki's mind. She shook her head and defeated many soldiers… but didn't make a dent in the balance of power. She sucked in a breath as a spell exploded close to her.

"Be careful!" Dameon instructed, ducking and running over to her.

"I am, Da-…" her breath caught in her throat. She was speechless for a moment as she clung to Dameon. There was an explosion, and there were more nearer and nearer to them…

"They're setting off bombs! Run!" Yuki commanded him. Another detonation rocked the ground, so hard and so fast Dameon had to grab her arm to keep her balanced.

"You run. I have to find your parents… and mine." He dashed off before she could stop him.

Yuki almost ran after him. But something stopped her. A feeling, possibly… maybe impulse or common sense.  So she held her tongue and ran as fast as her legs could carry her. There was a roar and her head snapped up. A huge black dragon was soaring over her. Matt was visible sitting on it. His arm was outstretched and she took it. He pulled her up and she scrambled into position behind him.

 She looked back to see Dameon running as hard as he could. From the height they were at he looked like an action figure. Yuki's scream was lost in the roaring wind as a bomb exploded and Dameon was lost from view. There wasn't a doubt in her mind… he didn't have a chance. She had Matt in an iron grip as she buried her head in his shoulder. The word that comes to mind when anyone saw her must have been devastated. I let him die. If I had convinced him to come with me… Oh… No, Dameon… My Dameon is gone. Dead…

It seemed to take a lifetime to get back to Garden. She jumped off and started to run away. Matt put a hand on her arm gently. His eyes were shaded, but Yuki could tell he was concerned. An unanswered understanding lingered in the air. She pulled away from him at first, yanking her arm away from him. He made no move to stop her. She stumbled back, millions of thoughts exploding in her head.

"Matt…"

"Come on." He said softly, motioning to her. "The news'll be out soon, and when they hear you witnessed so much they'll swamp you. Let's go to the dorms."

Without argument she followed him. He led her to the dorms and into his room.

"Now… tell me what happened." He said calmly.

She burst into tears, feelings bubbling inside her. Matt sat down on his bed and pulled her into his lap with no objections from her. Yuki didn't speak for a long time, just sitting there, head resting on his shoulder. When she finally did say anything, her voice was quiet.

"My friend needed me. My home needed me. So I went and fought for them. There were bombs set off… they killed so many people. I'm probably all alone now… Dameon had to have died, and I doubt my parents could escape that."

"You're not alone."

"I'm not…?"

"You have me."

"Thankyou."

He didn't reply, sitting there thoughtfully, intently, arms around her waist. Neither of them moved until Yuki looked at her watch. The tears had long since abated.

"It's 9 o'clock." She got up and stretched.

"Alright."

"I'd better be going."

"If you ever need someone to talk to, I'll always be there… okay?"

"Okay. Thanks."

"Welcome."

"…G'night, Matt. Sweet dreams."

She waved before walking out the door, shutting it quietly behind her. Yuki made her way quickly down the hall. She had collapsed on her bed before she noticed that there was something in her pocket. She stuck her hand in and drew out a small box. Inside sat his class ring. She put it on, a slight smile on her face, before she submitted herself to the inevitable nightmares sure to come.