Chapter 22: Leave out all the rest
The battle truly seemed to be settling as Quentin, Dawn and I reentered the commons. The smell of rotting consumed the room as several bodies littered the floor. The few squids that remained standing were heavily wounded but still fighting. They were few in numbers, allowing the recruits to easily overpower them. The only exceptions were the officers. The crowd of recruits surrounded the two lines forming in the center. Sky stood in front of Ty, Mitch, Ian, and Jason. Across from them, their clones.
"You're out numbered and out matched," announced Sky, motioning to the growing crowd. "Give up."
"We will kill you first," his double promptly replied. The cut I'd made on his face had torn more, more of his face turning blue and scales. Only one of his eyes had shifted in color. His glasses were shattered.
"As much as I'd like to see you try," chuckled Sky, looking to those standing behind him. "I don't think you can do it…"
"Killing one of you will make all the difference," offered Ty's double. Under the thin hair over his face was his true skin, disgustingly peeling off, even the scales were flaking off.
"And killing youwould end everything," snarled Mitch's clone. I was surprised he had made a comeback after the beating Mitch and Jerome had given him, along with Ashley's well placed shot. I could see the blood staining his clothes dark. Snarling, he bared sharp teeth.
Sky chuckled lightly, grinning. Pulling out his golden blade, he readied himself. He pointed the tip forward, toward his mirrored self.
"Come and get me."
The two lines charged. Quentin and I pushed through the crowd, trying to offer any assistance. I could feel Dawn clinging to my shirt back, trying to stay with us. I couldn't imagine what was going through her mind. Everything must seem so clear for the first time, like a fog lifting, but what would I know. What if she was still under control? What if this was all an act? Quentin grabbed my wrist, pulling me through the last cluster of recruits to the front line.
The teams had surprisingly split up, refusing to take on their double. After watching the two versions of Mitch fight it out, this was probably to avoid a stalemate. Ty verse anti-Mitch. Ian verse squid TrueMU. Jason against Ty. Mitch easily dealing with the evil Ian. Only the two Skys faced each other, blades clashing, in the center of the conflict. I could see the blood seeping from Sky's hastily patched side. He's wound reopened.
"Adam!" called out Dawn, stepping forward. I pulled her back. I wasn't sure what she was thinking, jumping in.
Sky looked up a moment, meeting her eyes. I could see him smile lightly. He knew. She smiled back, tears starting to roll down her cheeks. They were connected again, reunited. The double took advantage of this distraction, swinging his blade across Sky's chest, cutting open his suit and quickly drawing blood. Sky let out a yelp, biting down on his lip as he stumbled back. Dawn gasped, struggling against my defense.
"Pay attention!" ordered the double, taking another swing. Sky blocked the blade but the double kicked forward, knocking Sky down. The golden blade scattered across the floor, barely staying within reach.
"Adam!"
Everything seemed to slow down. Dawn broke free of me, running forward. I reached out for her but she moved faster than expected. Sky reached for his blade, eyes turning away for just a moment to reach. The double raised his dark sword and brought it down sharp. Sky spun around, blade in hand to block but it was already too late. Dawn had already stopped the blade. Even the clone seemed shocked by her sudden appearance and the newly placed blade in her chest. She gasped for air softly, falling to her knees. No one moved. No one spoke. It was as if time stood still for that moment.
"Shame," mumbled the clone, grabbing the handle of his sword. "I mean no disrespect, my queen, but to give your life for these air breathers…"
"Why you son of a…" Sky snarled, holding onto Dawn as she slowly fell downward. "Dawn…stay with me…"
"Nothing personal," remarked the clone, again raising his blade. "All part of the plan…"
There was twing, a quick brush of air, and then the stifled gasp as the clone acknowledge the arrow now lodged in shoulder. He lowered his weapon, reaching around and pulling the arrow from his shoulder blade. He spun around, snarling fangs. With another twang, another arrow lodged into him, this time directly into his forehead. He choked a little, dropping his sword. Another arrow, this time in the chest. The clone stumbled back.
I watched the crowd part as another arrow flew. I should've known who it would be and yet I was surprised to see Ashley step forward, readying another arrow. Her face was stone, staring forward, no emotion and yet her eyes burned with a fire of anger, the like I'd never seen. She fired again, adding another arrow to the clone's chest. His eyes were glassy as he took a step forward. He reached out as if looking for aid before completely collapsing. Blood began pooling. For extra measure, Ashley fired another shot.
Silence fell again. All eyes were either on Ashley, the dying clone, or Sky as he held Dawn. No one moved for a moment. Eventually, Ty stepped forward, kneeling by Sky and placing a hand on his shoulder. Sky bit his lip, mumbling softly down to her. She was smiling, looking up at him. She raised her hand, brushing his cheek. Quentin stepped past me, going to Sky's side, and I blindly followed him.
"Dawn…please," whimpered Sky, hand tightening around hers on his cheek. "I just got you back…"
"Shh," she hushed him. "It's okay…"
"I can't lose you again…I need you."
"I don't think…you've needed me…for a while…"
"Please…"
"Adam…" her faint smile faded as she looked up at him. "He's coming…something big…"
"I know. I know…Please hold on…" He looked up at Ty. "Do we have anything? Potions? Apples?"
"None left," whispered Ty. He looked away. Sky turned back to Dawn.
"Don't worry." She smiled again. "I know…you can do it…"
I could see her eyes drift, looking around. For a moment, they looked directly as me as she repeated herself. You can do it. Her breath with labored but growing softer. Sky pulled her closer, tighter. There was so much blood between the two of them. I'm surprised Sky hadn't passed out yet. More important things so worry about.
"I love you…" Sky sighed, kissing her on the forehead.
"I…" Dawn's voice was soft, hardly heard. Her mouth moved but I heard nothing. Her hand slowly fell. Her breathing stopped. Silence.