"Come on, he's over here!" someone shouted from a distance away, pointing at Yoh's still figure and calling out to the people behind him. There were more than ten people following the one in front, who was none other than Faust VIII. A gasp could be heard as the group neared Anna and Yoh, finding both of them laying still, one of them for sure was dead. Careful not to step in the greatpuddle of blood that surrounded a two-foot radius, the group of shamans got close enough to Yoh and Anna for Faust to examine them.
Faust soon discovered that the loss of blood from Anna had killed her long ago, and the deathly look forever etched upon her face told him the same thing, but Yoh... no one was sure what had happened to him. He seemed to be merely unconsious, though the blood loss and burns that he had indured were sure to have killed him. But, remarkably, he had survived.
Faust and the others carried Anna and Yoh back to Funburi, Yoh still laying unconsious in Rio's arms. Once back at the Inn, the group took time helping Yoh and trying to wake him up. They also burried Anna, though they were going to wait for Yoh to come to, it was taking too long, and they had no time to waste. They all felt bad for Yoh, having to lose two of his friends and the love of his life in only a short period of time. So many people had died that week, and all because of a careless mistake.
It took almost a full day, but eventually Yoh's eyes flickered open, drinking in the light that came through his bedroom window. He wondered for a moment whether this all was a dream or not but, as he tried to sit up abruptly to go train outside, he realized that it was not. The pains in his chest were almost unbearable, and he knew by the bandages and wrappings all around his body that it had all happened, that it was real. That also meant that what had happened to Anna was real as well, though Yoh was hoping more than anything that one of his friends, perhaps Ren or Horo, would come into his room and announce to him that this was all a joke or something along those lines, and that Anna was waiting for him outside. He would have given anything at that very moment to here her cold, cruel voice calling out his name, even if it meant that she was back to normal. Normal, Ice Queen Anna was better than no Anna.
Yoh struggled for a moment, trying as best he could to stand, but after several failed attempts he soon discovered that he could not. Faust came in to check up on him again, and found him laying back on his bed, eyes open. But there was something different about him, about his eyes; they were lost looking, almost... empty. He had a miserable look on his face, and an occational tear slid down his face. He felt lonely without her, though he tried to convince himself that he did not need her, he did, and he always had. It was like his life was empty and pointless without someone to share it with, and that someone had been her. He felt as though he, too, had died with her, though death would have been almost welcome compared to how he felt now.
The day went by slowly, as though time had frozen just so Yoh could have some time to think about what he was to do next. He knew that it was pointless to do anything now that Anna was gone, but he was letting his friends down by refusing to get out of bed. The only thing that kept him going was his promise to Horo long ago: I'll make your dream come true when I become Shaman King. He had promised so many people so many things, and this was how he repayed them? By not even trying anymore?
Yoh knew it was time for him to go on with his life. His only goal was to become Shaman King, but Anna... her dream was to be the Shaman Queen, and Yoh could hardly bear the thought of not having her beside him when he showed that all of her training and his determination had paid off. But he was not doing this to become the Shaman King; no, he was doing this to make the dreams of everyone he had promised to make real come true, and that started with Anna. Even though she had wanted to become the Shaman Queen, she had also wanted Yoh to be the King. That was her last wish, and Yoh would fullfil it no matter what happened to him in the process.
Yoh slowly got out of bed and walked to the door leading into the hallway. Her room was right across from his, and he could just barely see into it as he walked down the stairs to the next room. Don't worry Anna, Yoh thought as he passed her dark room, knowing that the light in it could never come back, I'll become the Shaman King for you. And even if I die trying, at least that will be when I finally get to see you again. And Yoh left the Flame Inn, telling himself that he would never return there. Not without Anna.
