Edit: Sorry guys, not sure what's happening. Trying to re-upload in the hopes this time the chapter is actually available...?

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The Purity of Sin

Eighteen

Keith wasn't sure how long he ran for.

All he knew was that it was not long enough.

But he couldn't help it. His legs were trembling and refusing to take another step and he felt like his lungs were going to heave out of his chest at any second. Black spots were dancing across his vision and he was afraid that he'd wind up stumbling over the cliff edge if he kept going.

That, and he could feel his back was damp with more than cooling sweat from his jog and Lance's breaths had grown shallow and weak on the back of his neck.

He all but collapsed to his knees, gasping out an apology to Lance at the thud, but there was no further movement indicating Lance was even aware of what had happened.

Keith hurried to disentangle Lance's limp arms from about his neck and then hoist the the other boy so he was leaning up against Keith's chest, offering what body heat he could as he pulled the last few strips of bandages free from the pouch.

There weren't nearly enough to cover all of Lance's wounds, so Keith made the decision to use them on the most fatal injury of them all and pressed a wad to Lance's nearly sliced open neck.

That garnered a reaction as dull eyes flickered open and reflexively pulled away from the newest source of pain.

"Sorry," Keith mumbled, but he did not relent the pressure. Lance was far, far too pale for him to do anything but and the fact that he might watch him just slip away only made him press harder. He wouldn't lose Lance. Not now. Not when they were so close.

Grabbing the rest, Keith secured another compress to the front and tied them on. Tears were glistening in the corners of Lance's eyes and Keith instinctively brought up a thumb to wipe them away. Lance leaned his head into the touch and Keith found himself cradling Lance to him.

It wouldn't be long at all now until the Mackans found them, but until that moment Keith was going to do all he could to provide any comfort he was able to do so to the dying boy in his arms.

The moons had nearly finished their trek across the sky. That meant in about an hour they were supposed rendezvousing with the others, based on his estimates. Keith sent a silent prayer that they would feel something was wrong when the two weren't there on time - because while Lance may have generally no sense of urgency, Keith was stickler for deadlines - and they'd come even sooner than the two hours leeway he had factored in.

Keith glanced about where he'd stopped his exhausted jog, looking for some sort of cover. But the cliff top was flat for as far as his eyes could see. He was going to have to make their final stand out in the open.

And it was almost time. Despite all the distance he'd put between them - at least two miles, he had to say - he could hear the telltale scritch of claw on stone and unlike last time it wasn't muffled down below. It was right here, coming across the cliff.

If he could hear them then Keith knew that there was no doubt the Mackans could likely see them, two protrusions on an otherwise flat landscape. And that meant any second now spells could be flying their way.

He had to get up. He had to fight. But his body didn't want to do that. He found his arms tightening around Lance, shoulders hunching over to more fully cover him.

"I'm so sorry, Lance," he whispered, words muffled against Lance's hair. He had to move though. He had to or they were going to die right where they sat.

He shifted so his hand was free and heart clenching he gave two distinctive taps to Lance's forearm. Part of him hoped Lance was too exhausted and in too much pain to remember what that meant. That he could rest peacefully there while Keith… while Keith did what he could to prolong their lives.

But it was not to be. Lance's eyes fluttered open again, exhaustion and pain being overtaken by fear. Terror. 'No,' mouthed near bloodless lips. 'Keith…'

Keith hated the sting of tears that warmed his eyes. He turned his head down, burying it back into the dark locks and giving Lance one last tight embrace.

"I'm so sorry," he near whimpered as he pulled away, ghosting his hand through Lance's hair, pressing down as if to say 'stay.' He withdrew his knife then, channeling it into a sword. The extra weight had him near dropping it as his weakened and exhausted arm shook.

His heart broke as behind him Lance raised a trembling hand in his direction, seeking contact. Keith stayed out of range, widening it instead, as he prepared to face the rushing army.

After a few seconds Lance lowered his hand and Keith saw his name on Lance's lips again and more tears trickle down mocha cheeks. He resolutely turned away, swallowing down the lump in his throat. "I'm so sorry," he whispered again.

He couldn't afford any distractions. He had to fight, had to protect Lance until help arrived.

If it arrived in time. He shook that out of his head, eyes making out robed forms now. This was it. One way or the other it was going to end and Keith had promised Lance that they were going to go home.

He would do all he could not to break that promise.

To his surprise, despite the fact the Mackans clearly saw him by now, not one spell was fired his way. Instead, they were lining up nearly ten abreast about twenty yards away. He supposed as alone and exhausted as he was, they remembered that he had killed a number of them now. They were wise to be cautious and Keith was grateful for it, for the few extra minutes.

Two silver-robed figures, the Elder Mackans he'd observed before, came to the the front, and the female spread her paws placatingly in front of her. Keith didn't lower his sword, recalling all too clearly how Lance had done the same and then they'd fired upon them without warning.

"Red and Black–"

"You can't have him," Keith interrupted her address, wincing at the rough sound that came out of his throat. "You can't have him," he repeated, clearer, and planted his feet firmly.

"Red and Black Paladin," she tried again. "I come to you as an Elder of the High Council. There has been enough blood shed here and I do not wish to see any more." There were some murmurs behind her of discontent, but none interrupted. "Please, turn over the sacrifice and–"

"His name is Lance," Keith growled. "And you can't have him."

"You may leave freely," she appealed. "We promise to let you go peacefully. We will not seek revenge for our fallen kin. Please. Just-"

"I said no," Keith snarled, taking a protective step back in case any of them dared tried to sneak around.

"We need him. Without his sacrifice we cannot—"

"You should have thought about that earlier," Keith snapped. "Before you tried to kill us. Before you tried to sacrifice him."

"Please," she pleaded. "Please, I beg of you. We will all die if he is not sacrificed." She gestured widely at the assembled Mackans alongside her. "The Purity of Sin must be completed."

Keith followed her paws, seeing amongst the robes of green a few speckles of brown. Initiates. Children. He'd be condemning them to death, if the Mackan's words were to be believed.

But he pressed his lips into a firm line and shook his head. Lance was far, far more important to him than any of these aliens, especially ones who had gotten themselves into this mess. And he would always put the life of his own family first, no matter the consequences.

"So you refuse to take Elder Simone's generous offer," the other Elder said, voice hard and Keith's eyes narrowed in response. "This is your last chance, Red and Black Paladin. Surrender the sacrifice and we will let you go," he scowled at the words as though it pained him to say. "If you do not, we will engage."

"I think I already made myself clear," Keith said more calmly than he felt, adjusting the luxite blade in front of him. "You're not getting my brother."

His word had the intended effect as a ripple of surprise seemed to make its way through the crowd and looks of unease were exchanged. He'd seen how they addressed one another and how much kin meant to them. If there was any chance at appealing to them this would be it.

The female elder sighed then, and Keith was surprised to see sadness flicker across her features. "I am sorry it must come to this, Red and Black Paladin. But I must protect my kin."

"And I have to protect mine."

"So be it." Her paws were suddenly bathed in a soft purple light and all around her the other Mackans' paws lit up with their own magic.

Keith shifted his weight, waiting to see which Mackan would make the first move.

He knew his best bet would be to go up close and personal as right now they had the easy advantage of lobbing spells at him and he would be hard pressed to defend. Attacking outright was in his nature and he knew instinct would take hold even above the exhaustion.

But he didn't dare leave Lance. The Mackans would no doubt surely use his distraction and spirit Lance away and down the cliffs. It was not honorable, but neither too had been his own fights against them.

Such was the game of war. There was no honor here. Only life or death.

And Keith was not going to hand over Lance's so easily.

He would wait for them to attack first, he decided. Deflect the spells until then and once they got closer he could rush them and start taking them out, one by one. He'd do it all night if he had to.

The Elder was the first one to launch a spell, a glimmering purple light that soared like an arrow. That seemed to be the cue as all across the way spells started to come his way, accompanied by growls and shouts that lit up the night sky in a deadly display.

Keith gritted his teeth. Just like training with the gladiator. Only with more deadly consequences.

Luxite fortunately was able to reflect the spells, although he wished he could redirect them more accurately then letting them ping off to the side. Let the Mackans have a taste of their own medicine.

Within the minute though he realized this strategy of dodging and blocking was not going to work. While he did have the advantage in that the Mackans were aiming higher on him so they did not strike Lance – they too seemed to realize that Lance was not doing well and a hit could very well take him out – he could not keep defending like this. His arms were aching from the force of the strikes and he could feel what little energy he had left draining.

He needed to attack, not defend. It was the only way.

He risked a quick glance over his shoulder. Lance had tipped over and was lying down, facing Keith's direction, blue eyes highlighted by the spells sizzling overhead. His right arm was trapped beneath his body and he was likely too tired and in too much pain to free it, while his left was extended out, as though still trying to reach for Keith.

But there were no Mackans behind him, using the flurry of attacks to sneak up the cliffs. Keith didn't know if that would hold. But if he didn't go on the offensive then it wouldn't matter because he was going to be overrun.

Decision made, Keith rolled under one spell and jumped gracefully back to his feet, adrenaline making up for the exhaustion. He ducked another, reflected an orange beam back, and then he was running forward.

The Mackans in the front row let out cries of alarm and Keith felt a surge of guilt mixed with dark pride that he'd put so much fear into them. He felt one spell collided with his shoulder – a cold freeze that had taken both him and Lance out for the count previously.

He shifted his blade into his opposite hand and struck in the direction of the Mackan who had cast it. A scream of agony echoed into the night, but Keith was already spinning his blade into another, arm still numb. Wrong Mackan.

"Do not falter!" he heard the male Elder shout over the din of cries and howls as he tore through their ranks, black blade flashing under the moon. It was a dance. A dark, bloody dance as ichor sprayed and screams turned into music.

He lost himself in it, even as claws raked against his arm and another spell made lightning strike in his veins. He struggled through it, the pain just a backdrop. He had to stop them. He had to stop them all or they were going to kill Lance.

Blood painted his cheeks like a grotesque blush, more still was splattered across his chest. He kept going. He kept going until the sharp clang of metal reverberated up his arm and he was jolted out of rhythm.

A sword. And it was pinning his own down. Keith grunted, throwing his weight sideways to disengage, but the moment of stillness had cost him.

Fire exploded on his back and he screamed, stumbling forward. Another spell struck, but this time he only wheezed as he had no air left to express his pain.

He parried blindly, a startled shriek sounding, before another spell knocked him backwards and he hit the ground with a jarring thump, only barely managing to hold onto his blade.

"Take him down!" he heard over the ringing in his ears.

Bodies pressed in on him from all sides, but through the folds of robes he could see several Mackans breaking away, heading towards Lance.

"No," he gasped, struggling to lift his sword. "No. L-Lance…"

He headbutted one Mackan, struggling to get his feet under him even as more bursts of fire alighted inside his body. He ignored it, fighting to stand. He had to get to Lance. He had to.

But just as he thought he might manage to stand against all the odds, something else pierced through the fog of pain. He choked on the scream that welled up and crashed back to his knees.

Glazed purple eyes looked down, staring uncomprehendingly at the hilt of a sword pressed just above his navel and the furry paw holding it there.

He blinked at it again, trying to understand. Blood was darkening all around the hilt, weeping through his torn under armor and trickling along the silver blade.

Ah. The thought came with a sudden clarity as fire and ice warred inside him and he felt his muscles spasm.

He'd been run through.

He looked up, meeting the amber eyes of the Mackan holding the blade. There was no anger there, no scorn or pride. Just sadness.

"I am sorry," the Mackan rumbled, words sounding like they were coming from far away. "But you should have taken the Elder's mercy when you had the chance."

Keith felt his vision tunnel in past the Mackans then, on Lance just twenty yards away. On Lance, who was lying there, not knowing anything. Not knowing that Keith had failed him.

And he could do nothing but watch as the Mackans descended.

xxx

The silence was too loud. Lance could feel his heart racing and the blood pounding but he couldn't actually hear it.

He groped blindly forward again, hoping upon hope Keith would grab hold of his hand. But all he got for his efforts were cold rock and a new stabbing ache in his chest as the action pulled at the wound.

Lance whimpered silently, resting his cheek on the ground. He felt so dizzy. He was freezing but parts felt too warm, too hot. No matter how much Keith had bandaged him up he could still sense the trickle of blood escaping.

He wondered how much more he could afford to lose. Not much, probably.

Was this how it was going to end then? He gave a mental shake of his head. No. He wouldn't do that to Keith.

If Keith was still there. He whimpered again, pressing his cheek further against the ground. The Mackans were here. And Keith was fighting them. Alone. Alone against probably hundreds and armed with only a sword.

Keith was going to die.

That thought spurred him to try and move, although where he was moving to was beyond him. He could barely move, let alone stand. And what did he think that would accomplish? He'd just as likely crawl off the cliff edge than be of any actual help.

He had to trust Keith. And he did. He trusted Keith with his life.

But that still didn't make this any better. No matter how determined Keith was he couldn't face down an entire army. Not even if he'd been well-rested and equipped with his bayard and armor could he hope to emerge victorious. That was why Voltron was a team. They fought together and had each other's backs.

But not today. Lance tried to blink back tears. He was lying here, useless, while Keith was fighting for their lives. And he couldn't do anything except wait and pray.

He twitched his hand again, desperate to feel Keith's own wrap around it.

And to his surprise something did touch it.

But it was not human flesh.

He jerked his hand back as soft fur brushed against his arm, eyes widening and chest heaving. Another fur covered limb landed on his shoulder and he gave a silent yelp as he felt claws dig in.

No! No no no no! Where was Keith? What happened to Keith?

He felt sick as another paw joined the one on his shoulder and then he was being lifted from the ground, tipped back to sitting.

He flailed out his left arm, connecting with rough cloth, but more claws wrapped about his wrist then, holding the limb immobile. A silent scream was torn from him, pain and fear and horror all rolled into one, and he kicked out weakly with his legs, encountering only air.

Where was Keith? A sob ripped up his throat and the tears came unbidden. Because if the Mackans were here then that meant… that meant…

'Keith!' he wailed out, not even noticing the agony as the scream tore at his ravaged throat. 'Keith!'

Keith couldn't be dead. He couldn't. Another sob sent his chest aching and more furred paws were there, grabbing at his arms and lifting him further still.

Lance felt numbness start to settle in as his arms were bound behind his back, for all the actual resistance he was putting up.

Keith was dead. His breath hitched. Keith was dead.

Lance had all but killed him himself.

His head drooped, the adrenaline driven by fear fading and leaving him trembling and dizzy and more exhausted than before.

It was over.

All of the struggling, the fighting, the tears… None of it had mattered. In the end they'd lost. Keith was dead. Lance was about to be. And when their team arrived… all they would find would be corpses.

His heart broke, picturing Hunk's grief as he cradled bodies to him. Of Pidge, losing even more brothers. Of Allura, blaming herself and wearing that guilt for the rest of her life. Of Coran, who had lost so much already.

And yet he could do nothing to stop it. He couldn't do anything at all.

Lance took a trembling breath as he felt himself being fully lifted into the air now, paws digging into his shoulders and his legs and waking sleeping wounds. But the pain was nothing compared to the shattering inside his chest.

'I'm sorry,' he whispered into the silent night, feeling the last of his tears make their way down his face. 'I'm so sorry.'

xxx

Keith saw the moment Lance gave up, the same moment the first suns rays pierced against the sky. He went limp as the Mackans lifted him into the air, holding him by his legs and his shoulders. Grief was etched into his face as surely as scratch marks. Crystal tracks streaked down his face and those ocean eyes closed tightly.

He saw all of this as he knelt on the ground, sword still inside him and blood bubbling up around the wound. Sound and pain vanished as his vision narrowed to only see Lance and nothing else.

He didn't know what he could do. He was pretty sure he was dying himself.

But he wasn't going to let it end like this. He said they'd end it together. Not this. Not separated and scared and alone.

If… if they were both going to die here then… then they were going to die together.

Like true brothers-in-arms.

Keith shifted his right hand, fingers still death-locked around the luxite blade. He let out one last breath, focusing.

And then he moved.

He surged to his feet, dragging his sword in a sweeping arc that cut without mercy through the Mackan holding tight to the embedded sword.

His left hand closed about the now freed hilt and he pulled. Pain unlike anything he'd ever experienced choked him and he wavered for the briefest of moments, vision darkening.

No he hissed at himself. No time for weakness or pain. He had to get to Lance. Before… before it was too late for either of them.

He pulled the second sword free with a squelch and wielded both blades in a flurry, clearing out the immediate ground around him as Mackans fell to his swords or scattered in panic and fear. He wasted no time.

He didn't care about taking them out. He didn't care about the pain as spells collided into his back as he freed himself from the horde and stumbled into clear space.

He just had to get to Lance.

The Mackans holding Lance saw him coming, but their hands were full. Keith sliced his commandeered sword into one's leg while the luxite blade took off the head of the other.

Lance fell, hitting the ground with a bone-jarring thump and Keith saw the wail of agony erupt from him.

Keith dropped his swords and flung himself across Lance, covering the other boy's body with his own. He could feel the trembling and shaking and Lance's eyes were open again in disbelief and he mouthed 'Keith?' as tears spilled from dull eyes.

Keith could feel himself fading now, copper clawing up his throat. All he could do was wrap his arms tightly about the thin shoulders and bury his head in the crook of Lance's neck, bloodied bandages pressed against his lips.

"I'm here," he whispered, feeling his own tears hot against his cheeks.

There was yelling going on behind him and Keith felt claws dig into his sides, trying to pry him off. He clung tighter. Lance's heart was racing under him and Keith knew his was too, even as he could feel it struggling.

"I'm here," he repeated, voice breaking. "L-Lance…"

The Mackans were becoming more insistent now and Keith could feel his strength vanishing. Still, he held on. He wasn't leaving Lance's side. Not until they'd both breathed their last.

Neither one of them was going to face death alone.

The ground rumbled and jerked and Keith wondered what kind of attack they were trying now.

But the angry shouts behind him turned to screams of fear and pain and the claws grabbing at him suddenly vanished.

And then there was a roar.

Keith pulled his face free of Lance's neck, almost not believing what he was seeing as more Mackans screeched in alarm. Because planted above him, massive metal paws on either side, was the underbelly of the Green Lion.

The Lion roared out again, a bright blast of light streaking just above the heads of the Mackans and sending them to the ground. Keith watched, feeling like he was dreaming, his hands not releasing their embrace around Lance.

He saw Hunk descend out of the belly of the Lion, but he was having difficulty with distance as one second Hunk was yards away and the next he was crouching next to them, concern and fear practically radiating from him. All Keith could do was blink. He had the fleeting thought that he hoped the larger Paladin didn't pass out at all of the blood.

"Oh God man, oh God. What the…" Hunk was mumbling, even as his hands were gently pulling at Keith and the swordsman allowed himself to be manhandled away from Lance. "Keith…Holy cheeseballs. L-Lance… oh my God."

Hunk's mumble turned more urgent. "Pidge! Pidge get down here!"

A few ticks later the girl dropped out of Green's underbelly, the Lion still shooting blasts at the cowering Mackans and her size was keeping any retaliatory shots at bay. The sound was dizzying and Keith's vision spun.

Keith stared in her direction, unblinkingly. Shock, he realized after a few ticks as Pidge was suddenly next to him and hauling one of his arms about her small shoulders and swearing up a small storm. He was going into shock. Or dying. Or both.

"Get up," she snarled, although there was no bite to it. "Come on Keith. I can't carry you!"

That got him moving. Sort of. He managed to plant a shaky leg and Pidge heaved him to standing.

"L-Lance," he stuttered. He couldn't leave without Lance.

"Hunk's got him." And true to her word, the Yellow Paladin was scooping Lance into his arms, although the other boy was fighting back as much as he could with his arms bound behind him.

"Lance," Keith repeated. He needed to go to him. He needed to let him know this was safe. He was safe. They were being rescued.

"Keith!" and Pidge's voice was sharp with fear. "We need to go now."

But Keith planted his shaking feet. He wasn't taking another step until Lance was reassured that Keith hadn't just been picked off again by Mackans.

"Hunk!" she snapped, "Get over here!"

The Yellow Paladin did so, holding the squirming Lance to his chest. "He won't stop fighting," Hunk cried. "He's hurting himself!" As he spoke rivulets of blood could be seen running down Lance's neck and chest.

Keith took a stumbling step towards the two and Pidge moved with him, the only thing keeping him upright. He reached out his free left hand and wrapped it around Lance's bicep and squeezed.

Lance's eyes widened and his mouth formed a tiny 'o' of surprise. And then without warning his eyes rolled back in his head and he went completely limp in Hunk's arms.

"Okay, move, move, move," Pidge ordered, nearly dragging Keith now. He dazedly wondered how they were going to get into the Lion, whose opening was nearly twenty feet above their heads, when Pidge activated the boosters on her jetpack.

Keith groaned as they were suddenly airborne and all of his weight was dragging on the arm Pidge had secured about her neck. But it was only for a few ticks and then they were landing on the cold metal of Green's loading bay, Keith's heart in his throat, and Hunk was up a second later with Lance cradled in his arms.

"Go, girl!" Pidge yelled. "Go!"

And with a roar and a jolt the Green Lion took off into the sky.

xxx

Author's Notes:

So how about that? Looks like a rescue did happen this chapter. Y'all can put down the pitchforks now, kay? It certainly came right down to the wire though, didn't it? That's some timely arrival there as I don't think our boys were going to last more than a few more minutes. But hey, they were going to go together. *wipes eyes* That's some wild determination by Keith there and for all of you clamoring for Keith!whump (as though the emotional wringer was not enough), here you go. Impalement. One of my favorites :D

Thank you so much to all of those who dropped a comment last chapter. I super appreciate it. Shout outs to: Justanangryfangirl, Sealure, hobbes101, skiewrites 2.0, Guest, Subtle Shenanigans, wingedflower, Genni C, geekyglamour413, MandyRaccoon, An Amber Pen, Adrianna Agray, Wolf of the Demise, chocolate monkey, TheFullmetalBitch, HarleeT, migrane, Pfeh, Wolfwind97, dragoscilvio, Alexa, TheTheoryofFangirling, imagine forevermore, LishaChan and PaintedWings45!

As always, please do leave a review below. Reviews are a reader's best way to say 'thank you' and authors really do appreciate them. Share your favorite scene, line of dialogue, what made you cry, hopes for what is coming, etc. Thanks much!