A/N: Thanks for all the reviews. Sorry for making you wait for an update, but I wanted to take a bit of a break from writing. Anyway, hope you enjoy the latest installment of "When the Light Fades".
Chapter 3: Fighter
Why Red Mage! Why did you do it? I would've gladly gone before you! I just… I just wanted to be near White Mage when it all ended. Wait a minute. Maybe… maybe that was his intent all along. I remember telling him once that I wanted to ask White Mage out on a date once but I was too afraid to. I wonder if... that has to be it. Thank you Red Mage. Thank you for giving me this last chance.
Crying? Poor White Mage. I can feel her resting her head on the back of my armor, crying her eyes out. This is just too much for her. First she had to watch Black Mage die, then Red Mage. As bad and conceited as this may sound, I almost wish that she would die first so she wouldn't have to go through the grief of losing her last friend. Almost wish. Perhaps I'm being selfish, but I'd much rather have myself go first so I wouldn't have to watch her die. Doesn't matter one way or another. I've already decided on my course of action: if this thing wants White Mage, he'll have to get through me first!
But first, I have to tell White Mage what I've been meaning to tell her for quite some time now. How can I do that though? Can I really just come out and say that to her considering the condition she's in now? If I do, it may end up just making things harder in the end. But… if I don't do it now, I'll never get another chance. I know Red Mage sacrificed himself for us, but I just can't… gah! What should I do!
Oh my god, I think this is it. It looks like it's our turn now. Huh? What are you smiling at you bastard? And what are you… looking… at. Oh no. He's looking past me, most likely at White Mage. Wait, now he's looking at me again. Now back at her. Back to me again! What's he doing? Is he challenging me? What a sick mind. He wants to see me squirm even more by trying to get up and protect her. Of course I know what he's getting at, but it doesn't matter. I'm a dead man anyway. If I can't tell White Mage how I feel, then perhaps I can show her.
Fighter struggles to stand up, bringing his shield and Excalibur with him as he does so.
"White Mage, I won't let him take you without a fight. I promise."
Can't believe I actually managed to stand up. Must be running on nothing but pure adrenalin now. All this damn armor and equipment feels so heavy now and my body aches all over. How can I even hope to fight this thing, let alone attempt to defeat him? Why did I even bother asking? I already know the answer. Simply put, it's for her. I have to at least try! Oh crap, here he comes!
Chaos launches a wave of energy at Fighter. He manages to block to block the attack which in turn may have dissipated the energy but also disintegrated his shield
Damnit! Worthless piece of crap! I'll never win like this!
I have to attack him now with everything I've got!
Fighter rushes Chaos amidst White Mage's cries of protest. He swings at the great beast, only to have the ancient blade shattered by a powerful counter-attack used by Chaos before Fighter's blow could ever land
What! No this… this is impossible! He even managed to destroy Exca-augh!
Fighter is knocked to the edge of the platform but not quite over it
White Mage… I'm so sorry. I've failed you. If only I was a little stronger. What's worse is that I never got to tell her what I wanted to. Ever worse than that, he's going to kill White Mage while I just lay here. This… no, damnit! I have to do something! I can- huh? What's this?
A blade laying near the edge of the platform catches Fighter's eye. He grabs it and examines it
This is… Masamune? This was Red Mage's sword! He must've dropped it before he fell! Red Mage… this is twice you've helped me. I still have a chance now. I can't screw up this time. I've got to save White Mage!
Masamune in hand, Fighter struggles to his feet once more and sees Chaos preparing to attack White Mage
"GET AWAY FROM HER YOU FREAK!"
Letting loose the mightiest battle cry he can muster, Fighter rushes a seemingly surprised Chaos and drives the blade deep into the abdomen of the great demon
"Ha! Take that you piece of crap! I've still got enough in me to do some damage to you! Eat th-augh!"
As Fighter withdraws Masamune, he is stabbed in the gut by the great tail of Chaos and lifted into the air, spraying a great amount of blood all over
Gah! I can't believe this! All this effort for nothing! I don't even care about the pain now! Too frustrated with myself to give a damn one way or the other. I couldn't even protect her in the end. No… maybe I'm wrong. As long as I have this blade I can… urgh… still fight.
In a last valiant effort, Fighter swings Masamune at Chaos' tail, cutting it in half and freeing himself from being slung around any further, leaving Chaos to stomp around and flail about in pain. It's too late for Fighter though, having lost too much blood through the sudden piercing and withdrawal of the tail. White Mage struggles over to him and wraps her arms around him
So this is it… I'm finally going to die. Everything is so dark now. I can't really see anything except for White Mage's beautiful face hovering not far above my own. Oh White Mage, please don't cry. It breaks my heart every time I see you cry. I'm sorry I couldn't do more for you in the end. I still didn't… oh man, it's getting so dark. This is my last chance.
Fighter grips White Mage's small hands tightly and smiles weakly up at her
"White Mage, I l-… lo-… love y-you. I h-hope I get to g-go up to heav… heaven w-with y-…you…"
Farewell brave Fighter. Rest assured, noble warrior, for, even in death, you will be with the one you love. Now only White Mage remains, making the next chapter also the last. Thanks in advance for any and all reviews!
