"Why do you always storm out on me?" he asked, breathless from running after me. "Why do always make me storm out on you?" I countered. "Touché." He admitted. "I am perfectly capable of training. I was hit in the head okay? I'm fine. It's going to happen just like it happens every time we train or fight someone. I'm going to get hurt. But, when it's real…you won't be able to turn it off. Then what?" I demanded. He looked a t the ground for a moment. "Okay, I see your point. But, you should see mine too. I mean, geez Gwen, you need to be more careful. You may not have very many restrictions as to what you can do and for how long, but you need to rest more and make sure you don't strain yourself." Kevin argued. I sighed, because I saw his point…a little. "Fine. But you have to leave the decision up to me. It's still my body." I compromised. He smiled and nodded, "And what a fine body it is." He muttered. My eyes widened in pretend shock and I hit him on the shoulder. That was one of the last normal days I would have for a long time.
The next morning at 3 a.m. I was riding in the car with Kevin and Ben in response to a distress call from a warehouse. Apparently, Charmcaster and the knights were making trouble again. I had called Ben after practice the previous day and Kevin and I told him everything. He took it well, so when the call came in and Kevin asked me to stay, Ben insisted I come. I never thought I would be so grateful to Ben. "Okay. No funny business. Just in and out." Ben informed us. We both nodded, somehow knowing that it wouldn't be that easy. We heard a crash from the building as we pulled up. "Be careful you twit! Those are fragile!" the voice mad chills run down my spine... Charmcaster. I saw Kevin glance at me in concern before focusing straight ahead again. We stepped out of the car and Ben started fiddling with his watch. We snuck around the corner to scope out the setup. The knights were loading crates onto trucks that were pulling away at astonishing rates. "What are those?" I whispered. "Only one way to find out." Ben replied. Then, he slammed his hand down on his watch, "Big Chill!" he yelled. 'What a dork.' I thought. "Let's go!" Kevin urged. I put up a shield around us and started shooting manna as fast as was possible. "Ahh. Gwenny…so nice to see you again." She smirked. I smiled right back, "Right back at you." I shot a bolt at her, and she blocked it easily. "Is that the best you've got?" She taunted. "I haven't seen you bring anything my way." I taunted right back. Her smile faded, and she shot a bolt back at me. My shield held firm though. Out of the corner of my eye, I saw a knight about to shoot Kevin in the back. I shot a bolt at him and received a smile from Kevin. "I've got your back." I assured him. I felt Charmcaster shoot another bolt at me and I turned back to give her my undivided attention. "I think we've come to a bit of a stand-off don't you?" I asked. Her glare turned even fiercer and she began shooting bolt after bolt at my shield. I had to admit it was making my shield weaker and weaker by the second. I focused most of the energy into my hands and shot one huge bolt at her. The result was pitiful. She blocked it with a wave of her hand. "Just tell me what're in those crates!" I yelled up to her. With that, she smiled and stopped shooting at me. "Well, if you must know…eggs." She laughed. "Eggs?" I asked, completely off guard. She laughed again. "Gwenny. Let me explain. Basically, these eggs are going to a planet called Grathus. They will then be given as a bribe to the ruler. He will then, in turn, come down to earth and destroy it." She couldn't stop laughing. Then, her laughing ceased. "I wish you could be alive to see it. But, sadly, your days are numbered. As are your seconds." With that, she made a large bolt and prepared to strike me with it. I pushed my shield up around me and let focused my remaining energy on a bolt to counter hers. They connected with a loud clashing noise and I felt my energy fading fast. I held strong until I heard her cry out in pain, and then I did the same. Slowly, everything faded to black.
I opened my eyes and saw an old man standing in front of me. He smiled at me and offered me a hand to help me up. I took it gratefully, and looked around to see only white light surrounding me. "Am I dead?" I asked him. He smiled wider and spoke in a voice as wise as the universe was long, "Not quite yet my child." "Is Kevin okay? And what about Ben? Where are they?" I asked quickly, starting to panic. "You're friends are back on earth. I took you out for a quick chat." He smiled again. "About what?" I wondered aloud. "You are a very strong, brave, and kind young woman. The exact kind of person that I like to see among my children. I have watched your kindness and determination save many lives…and for that others regard you as a hero. You give all of yourself and ask for nothing in return. And because of that…I have decided to give you a choice. You may go back and keep living…but you will continue to suffer, and you won't have this choice if you should almost die again. Or, you could come with me…and live in heaven. If you should die you will go directly to heaven. It's your decision my child." I hesitated for a moment. It should have been an easy decision. I might die anyway, so why go through pain. I should have just chosen option two, but then I thought of Kevin. "Can I ask you something?" I mumbled. "The answer to your question is yes." He smiled. I smiled as well and looked at him. "I guess you know my decision then." I told him. "I am so proud of you. Not many people would have chosen that." With that, he kissed my head and pushed my eyes closed. I opened them quickly again, and saw I was back at the warehouse. "GWEN!" Ben shouted from the other side of the building. I stood up, and felt a large surge of power. Looking at Charmcaster lying unconscious on the floor, I put her in an energy bubble and shot her right off the planet. Then, I turned to the rest of the knights and blasted them all at once while protecting Kevin and Ben with shields. I took a deep breath, close my eyes, and felt my feet lift off the ground. I sensed all of the trucks that had left the warehouse and smashed all of the eggs inside them. I let my eyes snap open and I slowly descended to the ground. I looked at Kevin and ben who were both staring at me with wide eyes. "Who wants to go get a smoothie?" I asked, laughing. Kevin raced over to me and lifted me up, wrapping me in his arms. "You…are…incredible" he exclaimed between kisses. "We thought you were a goner." Ben admitted. I smiled easily, "You can't get rid of me that easily." Ben laughed and turned away saying, "Like we could get rid of you at all." He pretended to gripe. "Tennyson…prepare for the beat-down of your life." I warned, running after him with Kevin close behind. "Come and get me." he challenged. As we ran out of the building, laughing and fighting, I thought everything was going to be okay…I was wrong.