A/n

Here is the next chapter, again the story in general overall has not change, but details have, so enjoy the story!

Chapter 21: Skills vs Tactics

-Neutral pov-

The idea that time appears to change its flow when one is waiting for something to happen is one that comes around time and time again. It is a perception-based idea, but that doesn't make it any less valid of an idea to the mind. Usually, when an individual dread an oncoming event, time flies by quickly, whereas it is the opposite when the event is anticipated. Hence where the sayings like "a watched pot never boils" come from and those like it.

-Saber's pov-

It's official in my mind that events were playing out to not be nice for those I'm around, so Huston, we have problems. One of those issues was that I was one of the few that saw the potential problems that were inbound. I seriously wonder as I have at times, is there such a thing as common sense in the Dragon Realm, or at least what humans would view as common sense? The evidence that I've been seeing and getting are in agreement that there is little if any common sense and little caution or paranoia. At realizing this, I couldn't hold in a sigh and Seth looked over at me curiously, "Saber are you okay? What is wrong," he asked.

My gaze flicked over to Seth only to find that everyone in our traveling group plus those who were here now, were all looking at me. "Am I okay you ask, yes I am doing just dandy which is a way to say fine. What is wrong, this whole situation in my view, but that is complicated that I don't think I can find words for right now." I paused for a moment coming to a decision, then continued, "You know what, I'm going for a walk to get some fresh air to clear my head."

Telling them what I see as problematic wouldn't do much, they wouldn't understand, and I couldn't explain to them in a way that they would. They were blind to the signs that I was seeing trouble that was coming and coming soon. The dragons saw the apes as enemies, but also as dumb creatures that weren't capable of much intelligence. I wouldn't disagree with the view for the majority of them, but the monkeys were not the same and they seemed to be the ones calling the shots. So, to get peace of mind, I turned and walked off from everyone to get fresh air and time to think.

-Spyro's pov-

I watched as Saber walked off along with everyone else here and I was left to wonder things about him once again. It is nice to see Saber and I am happy he came all this way to find Cynder and me. But I feel there is more to him leaving than clearing his head as he said, yet I could not figure out what. Plus, he also carried himself differently than before, it was just slightly different, but I could see it. Now the question was why? Had something happened, I hope not by the Chronicler's wisdom that he had been hurt or something of that sort. I turned to Seth and the other thinking perhaps they might have an idea, "Hey Seth, did something happen to Saber recently," I asked.

Seth did not meet my gaze, nor did the other either which made me think something had happened, what I could not begin to guess. Cyra then giggled though there was a tone of nervousness in it, "Oh well he had an argument that," she started.

However, Seth almost immediately clamped her maw shut with his forepaws, "Cyra do not mention that," he hissed.

Cyra nodded, but this was more than just odd, "Seth, Cyra what are you hiding? Whatever it is it cannot be that bad, can it," I remarked.

Seth once again did not meet my gaze, "Well Spyro, if you want the story you will have to ask Saber yourself," he answered.

This just made me more curious about what was not being said, what could have happened to Saber that Seth would not talk about it or let Cyra do so?

-Saber's pov-

My walk had taken me to a hill that overlooked the village and the approach to the village. I decided that this spot was as good place as any as I was alone, and no one was likely to come by here for a time. This would give me the time to think and get a perspective on looming events as they were for there was a great deal to consider. The events of the last few days had really made me think about the reasoning behind the said chain of events. The apes had attacked Spyro and Cynder while they were on their way here unknowingly. That event suggested that the apes knew that this village was here so, therefore, the rumor of the village existence was used as bait or an incentive to draw a group here to find this place.

The Guardians had wanted the rumor checked, of course, it was too good to pass up or appeared to be. That a village of many dragons that survived the war was something to be noted from what I've learned. It comes from the fact that the dragon race was very low in the population department, most likely due to the war with this Malefor character I've heard mention of from some. So, the Guardians were trying to look into ways that the dragon race could increase its numbers. I can understand that mentality, the more there are, the better chances you have of surviving, simple logic.

This Malefor dragon was supposedly defeated by Spyro and Cynder, but I knew little other than that. From what Spyro had told me, Malefor had been a purple dragon like himself but had made choices that put him at complete odds with the rest of the dragon race. Yet, something within me cries that there is more to the story with Malefor, but I couldn't say what. It came from a part of me that makes itself known from time to time, the best way I can describe it. I just felt there was more to Malefor than others had said about him, it was almost instinctual.

However, the fact of the matter is dragons had been unable to change the population problem very effectively due to the ratio of dragons to dragonesses, which were around twenty-five to one. So, the Guardians could not afford to ignore such rumors, that was obvious, but their response is one that I disagree with for two reasons. The first was if the apes knew of this village, I would expect them to come and keep coming until they destroyed it, more so since there were few adult dragons here. The other point that worried me more than the other was the battle that Spyro had described that Cynder had been hurt in. If Spyro and Cynder had indeed been the targets, then why only injured them enough that traveling a long distance would not be possible for them for a while. If they were not the real targets, then who or what were the intended targets?

Assuming that it's the latter, perhaps it's to stage an attack on Warfang, that is possible. Nonetheless, to do so effectively they would either have to have a very large force or somehow infiltrate the city from the inside. I can't say for sure what is coming, but nothing I can predict with the apes sounds good for anyone but the apes. It was clear that there were facts that I was missing at this time, but I didn't like the way this was going.

As I was doing my consideration, I happen to glance up and look out over the approach to the village and saw a sight I didn't like at all. There were masses of apes making their way towards the village itself from a distance away, and I doubt they were coming to make nice. "Oh come on, is one freaking day of not having someone or multiple creatures trying to kill me too much to ask? I am still healing for goodness sakes," I growled in frustration. I sighed to myself, "Not outside Warfang for even a week and already attack number two is about to happen. Why Lady Luck, why do you hate me so? What did I do in since getting here to piss you off enough for you to want to kill me? Normally you just like using me for entertainment value, not this!" I growled to myself, "My luck just SUCKS!"

That my horrendous bad luck rearing its ugly head was something I have come to expect, a fact in my life. But as I took a second glance at the force approaching and took a double take. The way the force was organized was different than previous times I had encountered the apes, rather they were organized as an army is expected to be, which the apes didn't show the intelligence to be very capable of. If apes were using tactics now, that presented problems of an entirely new kind which I say monkeys were likely responsible for. It would be better if I warn everyone ASAP so a defense can be mounted.

I turned to head back to the village when my danger sense went off as if screaming. I was about to roll out of the way when a hard impact hit my mid back. I stumbled forward a few steps before regaining my bearings and turned around to see one of the monkeys from yesterday. "Fascinating, your reaction and recovery time is better than even that of the cheetah tribe and they have excellent reaction and recovery time on average."

It was the male one from the other day Shiek I believe he said, and his face was still as apathetic as it was before. It had been fairly obvious from my chats with Mara that the Silent Killers had rank for lack of a better term so that the apes had to do what they said. Knowing that meant that the monkeys had to have an amazing tactician among them. I had definitely not forgotten this monkey from yesterday at least, "So, it is you again Shiek. I really can't say that it is a pleasure, because I would be lying chimpy," I snapped back.

His facial expression had not changed one bit at all in the whole time I had faced him, "Witty banter… amusing," he remarked. "Still, I have been looking forward to this encounter with you again."

Well, he certainly didn't look amused or excited to me, "Oh I just bet you have. Well then no point in wasting time chatting, let's fight," I stated.

I took a defensive stance, not drawing a weapon, my fist would serve me in this fight as would my martial arts skills. Silent Killers can't be underestimated, Mara proved that to me so, I would need to be on guard with this monkey or this would end very badly for me.

"On that idea, we can agree," Shiek replied and then launched himself at me his hands pulled in close to his body.

I instantly recognized the fighting style of a hand-to-hand combatant, which I had guess with this monkey before. So, matching him with my own fists would be the best way to do this, and he moved forward making a vicious downward chop and I was able to redirect his attack path from my face. Yet, at the last second, he lashed out, so I took a small gash on my lower chest. It was now apparent why he had no visible weapons, Shiek didn't need any for he knew some kind of martial arts or close quarters hand to hand combat.

We were now facing one another again, but now in the opposite directions, with Shiek's back to the village and mine to the plain in front of the village. I knew that I needed to get past Shiek, the best way would be to pin him somehow, but that would be no small task. I then thought of an insanely stupid idea that just might be crazy enough to work in this instance. I rushed forward at Shiek in an attempt to grab him, "Such simple stupidity for you to think that such obvious attacks can," he was saying.

Shiek had jumped up in the air to avoid my attack, I, however, jumped up at the same time he did and shouted, "KAMIKAZE!"

I slammed into him and tightened my grip on him by wrapping my legs around him (No not in a perverted way, Saber is NOT gay) and gripped him as hard as I could. We went spinning through the air from the momentum of the impact of our collision and went rolling down towards the village hitting the ground and then bouncing back up in the air then repeating this as we went. I only used my legs to pin Shiek so that my arms could be free to hit him. I used my fists to do just that, I hit him whenever we not about to hit the ground and Shiek was doing the same to me.

-Seth's POV-

After Saber had left and we had talked to Spyro a bit, Cyra and I went looking for him but once again Saber had somehow just disappeared or vanished. If it means the same thing then I like the sound of vanish myself. Our first attempt to find Saber didn't work, and so Cyra, Ruben, Sarana and I were now walking with Spyro and Salena towards the other side of the village. I felt then a cold tap on my upper spines and turned my head to see Cyra's tail blade was the cause. I turn to Cyra with a look of annoyance, how does she do that with her tail, and better yet why? She knows I don't like her doing that and that it annoys me, "What is it Cyra and would please not do that with your tail," I said.

"I was just wondering where Saber went," she mused. "I would have thought he would have met back with us?"

I sighed as I agreed with her, "I do not know Cyra, I am wondering the same thing, but I am sure wherever he is right now, he is just fine."

It was not a second after I had said this when a loud crash was heard from a little ahead of us. We all looked ahead to see smoke and dust coming from a house, then one of the house's walls exploded outward. Out of the haze of smoke and dust came what looked like a ball of fur and cloth. There was noise coming from the ball that sounded rather familiar, "|That all you got fur-ball!"

"You will die here!"

The ball hit the ground hard and the cloth and fur seemed to split apart to have Saber appear closer to us and one of those odd apes on the other. What did Saber call them, 'monkeys' I think though the term does not make sense to me? I looked at Saber, he was breathing hard, he had scratches and gashes in a couple of places. The monkey as I looked at it was the same one from the day before that had ambushed us and beat Cyra and me.

-Saber's pov-

I had to admit it had been a long while since I had fought like I was in an anything goes free for all brawl. I had forgotten how much work they required as the only rule is the last one standing is the winner. Due to that one rule, the goal can be obtained by ANY means necessary that tends to make these types of fights fun normally. Yet, when this type of fight is to the death it isn't so fun and that's what this fight was. This monkey was clearly making this to death, so this was more a pain than fun. The one rule had changed slightly, it was now the first to die or retreat loses! "I got to say fur-ball you are not half bad," I remarked.

"I could say the same of you," Shiek returned.

"Saber," called a voice.

The voice I just heard could only belong to Seth, but I could not afford to take my eyes off Shiek for a second. I very much doubt I would be standing if I did, rather it could get me killed and I would like to avoid that outcome. "I am fine Seth, I need you to get as many dragons that can fight to the entrance of the village. There are about to be unwelcome visitors and lots of the stinking hairy apes that is for sure," I shouted.

"What about you Saber," exclaimed Spyro.

Simply amazing, Spyro is hurt and should still be in bed and he is still worried about me, then again I am basically doing the same exact thing. That is just how Spyro and I roll apparently, "I will be fine Spyro, do not worry about me. I would love to join you right away however, I believe that I will be busy for a while, so I will join up with you when I can," I returned.

Shiek came at me again and I was ready for him for I flipped forward and over him, grabbed him as I went. I swung him around as I was flipping and threw him down hard into the ground. "Do you mind, can you not see I am having a conversation! Not that I think you care," I snapped at Shiek, then shouted towards the others, "Spyro and all the rest of you, go!"

Shiek chose that moment to uppercut me in the chin just as I finished telling Spyro and the others to go. And while I was in the air Shiek ax-kicked me in the chest which sent me slamming into the ground. I let out a pained gasp as I realized that Shiek could hit hard, I will give him that! I was still able to hear the sound of many paw falls, which I hoped meant that the others had gone to defend the village. I focused back up just to have enough time to roll out of the way as Shiek's fists hit the ground where I had been. I got to one foot and one knee having steadied my breathing as best I could before I would get to my feet and continue.

However, Shiek's tail shot out from behind him and wrapped around my neck in a chokehold. His tail felt like an ice-cold vise around my neck and I was having trouble breathing, and that only made it harder to focus. One thought came firmly in my mind, get the tail of this monkey off my neck by whatever means necessary. I focused hard and managed to get electricity to come to my right hand. I grabbed his tail and sent the electricity through it, the effect was immediate with Shiek's tail jerked back as he felt the shock of electricity.

I was able to breathe again, and I took deep breaths to calm down for that had been way too close. I looked back at Shiek who was getting up again, "Didn't your mama teach you to keep your hands and other limbs to yourself?! Actually, I very much doubt she did, so never mind," I said flatly. I was starting to get angry, not just at the fact that this battle was getting bad but that this seemed to be becoming a norm for me. I do not like this norm at all, it was more than just annoying the more it happens. Shiek had gotten back to his feet and faced me again. "Why in the hell do I get drawn into these kinds of situations? I cannot go anywhere without someone or something trying to kill me. Yet no one else has to deal with this crap but me, it is just so freaking unfair," I exclaimed, "So, who has it in for me?"

I outright admit I am jealous of others for having lives that are more peaceful than mine. As much of an optimist as I am, even I have my limits to what I can take before I snap. It was then I felt a familiar feeling as I had before now. OH YES, time to turn the tables with something he has no information on! I have by this time learned that particular strong emotions for whatever reason give me the ability to use the elements. Whatever this one would be, it was triggered by jealousy and I started to feel a cold tingle around my right hand. I glance down and see a glowing blue mist surrounding my fist. I smile for this was going to be good, Shiek rushed at me again, "This is where you meet your end," he stated.

The punch I sent Shiek's way as hard as I could was neat, and I felt the connection of my fist to his gut. There was a blast of cold air and mist from the contact and Shiek flew into a house across the road going through the door. "Chill out monkey butt, or better yet let me hit you some more to help you with that," I shot back.

Hello ice element, I have plans for you, yes, very wonderful plans indeed hee hee hee. That puts my elemental count up to five in total, five down and likely three to go if things keep going the way they are. I decided I needed to take this up a level, so I brought out my grapple shot to play with. Shiek burst through the roof of the house I sent him into and was aiming for the house across the road behind me. However, I would have none of that now, so I turned and brought up my left arm and grapple shot the claw at Shiek. "COME HERE," I yelled.

My grapple shot flew from me, then caught and held Shiek before retracted back to me with the monkey. Shiek was struggling in the vise grip of the claw that held him, "Lookie lookie I caught a monkey," I snickered.

My newest tool was proving it would have many uses and how versatile it was right now, and I was liking that. I was about to use it as one would an old-fashion ball and chain with Shiek playing the part of the ball. Yet, I never got to work on that idea, "Saber is that you," asked a voice.

A chill ran down my back as that voice sounded very familiar and I turn to see a black dragoness wrapped in bandages. Oh dear, this is not the best position to be caught in, especially with the viewer not knowing what had happened before this. I gulp at seeing her with me in this odd situation, "Oh uh, hey Cynder, how are you doing," I questioned hesitantly.

"What are you doing here Saber," Cynder asked.

I was about to answer her, but my decision to take my attention off of Shiek came back to haunt me when he chose that moment to hit my left hand and in doing so releasing my vise claw. He then proceeded to hit me with a roundhouse kick sending me through the wall of the house I was standing next to. And let me tell you, going through stuff isn't as painless as movies make it look at all. The wood hurt to crash through and being stopped by a mattress was less painful, still was a hard stop and those are unpleasant.

Once I had stopped and gotten my head out of the stuffing material it had been buried in, I shook it to help the clearing of it. As I did so, I heard I assumed Shiek striding in a different direction than towards me, making me think he was going towards Cynder and she's not in the condition to fight. I needed to come up with a plan to prevent Shiek from doing anything to Cynder. Wait, hold on, I could do that! Back at the dojo years ago, some of the guys and I had gotten interested in the game of Chess, and that's when I started to see the value of tactics. We had the thought what if you cross moves in chess to moves in martial arts, and we actually came up with a system. The idea was that each piece had different attributes that can translate to a type of martial art move. The opponent wouldn't understand what chess moves meant, so it can effectively surprise an opponent I can say. It took months to actually get it to the point that we could say that we had done it completely, still, we had been successful, and I think the idea could work here.

"I see that Exis had done her job with the extreme efficiency like she normally does," Shiek was saying, "but she has left things unfinished, rare as it is for her."

"What do you mean," Cynder questioned.

I got the implications that were begin put out and I didn't like what Shiek is implying at all and so help me, I wouldn't let him do Cynder in. I quickly disentangled myself from the rubble and got outside to continue listening, "It is a somewhat a complicated point, but then you dragons tend to only understand a simple thing, not complexities." Shiek turned his head to gaze over at me, "It appears you can be judged otherwise for you have proven yourself to possess higher intelligence like ourselves." Shiek turned fully to face me now, "You could be great, join us and give your loyalty to the Ape King and see your wishes come true," he offered

I looked at Shiek as if he was crazy and, in my view, he was with what he was offering me. He had tried to a large extent to kill me seconds ago and now he asks for me to join the band of Silent Killers. Plus, I haven't liked the three I've encountered thus far, and I don't see that would change if I were to somehow work with them. Besides, I don't follow orders of anyone but my period and that ain't changed anytime in the near future! There nothing that I can think of that can be said or done by another individual that will change that mentality I have.

"It is an interesting offer," I said, "And I may have a different collection of intelligence than dragons, but they have qualities that I do not and those more than makeup for them. You say I could be great, what is the point of being on top when you are and shall remain alone for as long as you are there. I unlike you have learned that the power that one possesses amounts to nothing when it is held by few. When power is used to protect it grows more and I would rather be on the bottom with my friends than on top by myself. So, I must decline your offer and that is my final answer."

"That is a pity, then you must die," Shiek stated.

Cynder looked like she was in a state of panic, "Saber run," Cynder shrieked.

Shiek shot towards Cynder first rather than me, yet I moved forward to intercept the monkey before he reached his target. Adrenaline shot through me and I got just in front of Shiek before I stuck out my right arm, and he tried to evade it but ended out smacking into my arm bracer. I shoved him back and put myself between Shiek and Cynder before racing forward towards the monkey. Shiek rushed at me again to strike me, to which I dropped low gave a spinning kick to kick up dust to reduce visibility. I then moved out of the way and preceded getting to a roof by means of jumping between two walls going from one to another until I got up to the roof. I made little noise in this action so, it was unlikely that Shiek had heard me, but he possibly could.

When I was on the roof, I look down to see Shiek looking around trying to find me showing that I had moved in a way he hadn't detected. Without hesitation, I leaped off the roof executing a flip right after leaping to end out right above and slightly behind Shiek. "Knight to G7," I announced as my knee slammed into Shiek's right shoulder and the monkey stumbled forward. I didn't stop there, the second I touched the ground I launched at Shiek forward again, "Rook to E5!"

I clasped my hands together and swung around once clockwise before landing a heavy hit on Shiek's left side. I then jumped up into the air for the final move for the tactic routine I was going for, "Bishop to B5," I called as I flipped forward and did a double ax kick combined with the element of electricity to Shiek's chest, which sent him flying and slamming into the ground. I landed and stood to look at Shiek who interestingly showing surprise on his face. He was breathing hard from the hits that I had delivered, "That's Checkmate, you lose Shiek," I stated.

Shiek stood shakily on his feet, his face back to the apathetic look, "It would," Shiek said and then coughed. Then he continued, "appear that I have vastly underestimated you, so the victory is yours for today. However, rest assured that I will not underestimate you a second time until our paths cross again."

An explosion of smoke came out of nowhere and when it cleared Shiek was gone though I was standing still after fighting Shiek. That was so for a few reasons, the major one that I have reopened many of my wounds over the duration of the fight. I really should lie down and rest at the very least, but there is still work to be done and I would do so until it was done or I fainted and dropped! I turned to see Cynder still just staring at me, I smiled back at her not exactly sure what to say, "Are you okay Saber? What were you thinking, that ape could have killed you," she said.

I waved my right hand in a dismissive gesture as I was breathing deep and slowly trying to steady myself. "I will be fine Cynder, besides I need to go help out the others. 'No rest for the weary' as the phrase goes," I replied.

I turned to Sparx who was hovering above Cynder, "IC for once make yourself useful and get Cynder back to bed instead of running that mouth of yours."

I then hurried off to the outside of the village, hoping that my body would hold out for the time that was needed. When I got to the entrance of the village to see the battle was still in full swing and without any hesitation, I rushed forward drawing Yubashiri as I went and dived in.

-Spyro's pov-

I was fighting alongside Seth and Salena, yet no matter how many apes we bring down more just take their place. This battle was getting messier by the minute and I could not understand how the apes were having so much success at this. It was almost like they knew where to hit and where we were weakest which had not happened before now like this. Then there was a screech from the apes, I glanced over to see a large number of them climbing over each other to get away from something. That something turned out to be Saber I realized as he walked into view. Saber was using his sword cutting one ape after another. I am once again impressed at how he can make it look so easy to fight against ridiculous odds. Saber ended on next to me before too long, "Hey Spyro, Seth, sorry for being a little late, dealing with issues that cannot seem to wait, they had no patience," he commented.

Seth uses his tail blade to smack down an ape, "Glad you made it," Seth replied.

I agreed with what Seth had just said, I was glad Saber was here, "So you have not finished cleaning up yet? I would have thought you would be done by the time I got here," Saber posed.

I smiled at Saber, "We are working on it."

Salena blasted a group of apes with her ice breath and then looked at us, "Enough chatting for the moment, focus," she commanded.

I nodded and looked over to Saber in time to see that his sword looked like it was glowing a light blue and I could hear a hum coming from the blade as well. Saber then proceeded to swing his sword downward and when it hit the ground, ice appeared and spread out from there. The apes that had contact with the ice, had ice begin to build and form on them until it encased them. I could only stare at Saber in shock for how did he just do that? He had just used the ice element, yet he is no dragons and Saber even said that humans do not have the ability to manipulate elements. I glanced at Seth and Cyra who did not look very surprised at Saber had just done. Is there something I am missing here?

Once the battle had ended, it was discovered that no one had died, but there were a lot injured. I sighed in relief, I was still hurting from the ambush that Cynder and I were in, so maybe it was not a good idea for me to go out and fight. I really needed to get back and to the bed, I had left and get some rest. However, Saber had some explaining to do before that happened as he had done things that should not be possible. I found him walking next to Seth and Cyra, I approached them, "Saber we need to talk," I said.

-Saber's pov-

I was chatting with Seth and Cyra about my fight with Shiek when I saw Spyro walking up to us. Normally, I would have no issue with talking to Spyro, but right now my condition was getting to the point that I wouldn't be able to ignore it for much longer. I could already feel the blood flowing out of my open injuries, so I would likely faint due to blood loss soon and drop without a choice. It would be better if I were to get to a bed before that event happened, yet before I could head that way, "Saber we need to talk," came the voice of Spyro.

I turned to face Spyro and smiled though it was forced as the pain from my previous wounds was done being ignored and were pulsing and it was really starting to hurt. "Spyro, I would normally love to catch up and I agree we really need to. Nevertheless, I do not know about you, but I am beat. I need to find myself a place to catch some 'z's if you know what I mean and that is sleep," I stated.

I was beginning to feel pain as I was breathing as my breathing was starting to become labored slightly, a sign that my condition was quickly careening downhill! "No, we need to talk now, it cannot wait," Spyro insisted.

I could understand that Spyro wanted to talk, but does it have to be right this second?! I don't know how much longer I would be able to stand. Seth spoke up then, "Spyro calm down, I think we could all use some sleep. That battle was rough and draining," he remarked

Cyra nodded in agreement and I totally felt where they were coming from and was about to say that when the pain hit me harder than it had been. The voices of the others became murky to the point I really couldn't understand what was being said. As my brain began to register the pain from the injuries that I had gotten from my fight with Shiek and it took a large effort to stay standing. When you add the wounds that I had reopened in that said fight, it only made things worse. I just about blacked out with the first wave washing over me and it was not nice at all! I was feeling light-headed, I would guess from the blood loss I have had up to now. A glance down at my shirt front to see on both sides below my ribs growing red marks proved the point.

Maybe going from the battle with Shiek… to the fight with the apes wasn't such good thinking as far as my health was concerned. The second wave of pain crashed into me like a freight train and I stumbled backward a few steps. Yes, I do believe I have been pushing too hard as of late and I was paying the price. My vision swam and became unfocused before I vomited up a small amount of blood and lost my balance. Well, looks like my borrowed time on standing in my condition is up was the last thought I had as my legs began caving. As I fell forward, I heard a voice calling something, but I couldn't comprehend what it was, and I kept falling until I fell into the warm embrace of black nothingness.

A/n

And that's where chapter 21 will leave off, hope you're liking the rewrite please some of you take the time to write reviews, thank you for reading this.