The chaos surrounding me is hard to look at. Most of my friends, more like family, are wounded and on the brink of death. The monster in front of me is barely hurt. And I myself am on my last legs. I look to my side. My lover, the only one that can keep up with me, is also quite winded. This was supposed to be a nice trip.

Many plans are running through my head. Calculations being made to ensure survival. The more plans I simulate in my mind's eye, the more hope I lose. The possibility that someone, or multiple people, will die soon is high. But I will not stop trying to find a way to avoid that. Unfortunately, it seems the creature won't let me come up with these plans.

The both of us dodge the charge, the attacks the creature uses are simple but effective. Even if an attack is a simple punch, if it has enough speed and power behind it it can defeat you. Most of us found this out today. Hopefully if we survive we can work on the basics to avoid something like this happening again.

I notice the change in stance from my partner. His eyes seem distracted. He seems to have lost hope. I will not have this.

We are now behind the creature, we launch a volley of attacks, but none of them really do the trick. All they do is knock the beast over, but that is good enough for me. I quickly turn to the person next to me. I gently guide their head towards mine and press my lips into theirs. Te kiss is short, but seems to somewhat revitalize them.

"We WILL survive this. All of us."

I know that the chances are slim at best of this actually happening. I know that the final outcome of this battle will most likely involve death on our part.

But I know I can't do this alone. I need my partner to be their by my side. If he loses hope, I will lose hope, then we all die.

I look deeply into his eyes, hoping to have unclouded them. They stare deeply into mine. The previous distractions seem to disappear. My move seemed to have done the trick.

I feel their arms embrace me. But this doesn't feel like a normal embrace. When we normally embrace, I feel happy, ecstatic, love. All I feel now is the foreboding feeling down in the pit of my stomach. A stray thought enters my mind. This hug almost feels like goodbye.

"Sorry, but that's not true."

These words are what is whispered into my ear. The arms that surrounded me are taken away. The warmth that I so dearly love slowly fades away. Those words are running through my mind. I just can't tell what they mean. "What do yo-"

"Miku. Catch."

Torn from my stupor, I see a small item soaring through the air towards me. I snatch it when it's close enough and look at what it is. A small earpiece now lies in my hands. I instantly recognize it. But before I raise my concerns I hear their voice again.

"Keep it warm for me won't you? I love you, Miku."

I look up. Their eyes, though seemingly happy at first glance, have unshed tears in the corners and an undertone of sorrow. Again, they act as soon as I am about to speak, almost as if to make sure I don't say anything.

They look at the monster that had finally managed to regain its balance. I look at where my partner is looking to try to get any hint for what their plan is. That's when I see it. The monster is now situated on the edge of the cliff. The cliff that is so high you can barely see the bottom. I now know what the plan is.

I need to stiop this. I try to raise my voice to dissuade them, but it's already too late. By the time I look in their direction they are already sprinting at the monster. I quickly get up and give chase. I need to stop them.

They are getting closer to the monster, which has seen his advance and put p a defence. I need to stop him.

Hes faster than me. This much is blatantly obvious. I reach out, trying in vain to grab hold and stop him.

I need to stop Cramone.

But I am too late.

Cramone and the creature fly off the cliff before I can reach him. And I am left at the top watching them fall. I sit there in shock, not knowing what to do. I can't even see the small speck they became anymore. I hear no sound of bodies hitting floor. I knew the cliff was high, but how high is now dauntingly obvious as I look down.

I faintly hear Kaito's voice. Something about more viruses coming fast. But I can't tear my eyes away. A hand clamps down on my shoulder and tries to pull me away. I don't know why I'm not moving. But I simply can't. Y mind is slowly shutting down as I stare into the nothingness over the cliffside. I hear arguing behind me, and what sounds like crying and sobbing. I can't tell. After a minute, i feel a sharp pain from the back of my neck, i fall to the side as my vision turns to black.

But even then, all I can see is Cramone's smiling face as he said goodbye.

(Real world)

Miku's point of view

I wake up with a start, strands of my long hair sticking to my face. I take a moment just to sit there and breathe in an attempt to soothe myself. I haven't had that dream in a long time. What could have brought this on?

I take a second to ponder what triggered the memory, but soon stop as early morning grogginess takes over. I yawn loudly and stretch out the kinks in my bones and get dressed.

After the amount of sleep I got last night, I just know today is going to be a long day.