This is the saddest chapter in the whole book, but more to come after this (it isn't over yet).

Chapter 7

Final Words

Elizabeth felt weaker than she ever had before, but she knew that she'd helped her friends survive. Her body swayed slowly, feeling the side-affects in her own body. Takuya, arriving first, caught Elizabeth before she fell to the hard ground. Elizabeth gazed into Takuya's eyes.

"Takuya, you're alright," Elizabeth mumbled weakly. Takuya checked Elizabeth's arm to discover that her body was indeed shredded on the inside as he had predicted.

"How is she?" Anna asked after arriving second. Her friend must've just been tired, which would explain her friend's collapse. Takuya slowly shook his head side to side. Anna inhaled sharply as Yugi arrived at the scene.

"What's the matter?" Yugi asked curiously, watching Anna and Elizabeth. Anna turned to Yugi and sobbed into his chest. Yugi looked at Takuya, then Elizabeth, and back again. Takuya gulped once before explaining.

"Her body…is…beyond repair. Her muscles are torn apart, and her heart is also tearing to pieces. Once her heart tears completely…she'll…be…gone." Takuya nearly spat the last word, beginning to cry himself. Yugi tried to compose himself, but still looked shocked at the new revelation.

"Why…are you all crying over me? I'm still here, aren't I?" Elizabeth asked in a raspy voice. The three friends gazed at Elizabeth in awe.

"Elizabeth, you need to-" Anna began.

"I'm fine, really, I am," Elizabeth intervened, her voice still weak. Takuya gave a half smile.

"That's my stubborn Elizabeth," Takuya joked. Elizabeth laughed a little at the joke, the others still crying. Elizabeth slowly placed her lips onto Takuya's, and then fell back into his arms. Elizabeth gazed from one friend to another, smiling.

"This…isn't the end, you know," Elizabeth assured the others. They stared blankly at her.

"W-what do you mean?" Takuya asked, confused.

"T-there really is no end…in life, just…beginnings," Elizabeth replied softly. Anna and Yugi nodded in agreement.

"But…but I'll…I'll miss you so much," Takuya choked out. Elizabeth's hand lingered over Takuya's face and began stroking his right cheek.

"My love for you will never die. It's always with you," Elizabeth looked at Yugi and Anna, giving them a gentle smile. They couldn't help but wonder where Elizabeth's strength came from.

"You guys…are my close friends. Our friendship…will transcend time…and find you again," Elizabeth reassured them. All Anna could do was nod her head slowly, tears welling up once more. Yugi looked at the ground, not wanting to see Elizabeth's pain any longer. Elizabeth smiled once more before going unconscious.

"No, she can't die, s-she just can't," Takuya muttered, crying his heart out over Elizabeth. She loved me, no matter what I did, Takuya thought to himself in private.

"Elizabeth," Anna mustered through her trembling lips. Yugi couldn't say anything, tears finally falling from his eyes. Anna crumpled into Yugi's arms once more, weeping ever harder. Was this really the end of Elizabeth?