I've seen how much he needs you,

how much you need him.

You're like two sides of the same coin.

- from Merlin

She didn't count on ending her career by being captured by vampires. But then again, no one did. They all knew the risks – being killed or captured on the battlefield – but as something abstract. Something that happened, but to others. Not to you.

Well.

Kyali ran, her feet pounding on the pavement, her sweaty hand clutching tightly onto her weapon. The day was sweltering hot, and all the dodging and attacking and running certainly didn't help. Neither did the black layers of her uniform. They clung to Kyali's skin miserably, the sweat and heat making her itch like mad, and she would have scratched the eczema rashes on her legs and ankles bloody had she not been occupied with staying alive.

The cries and screams of her comrades still echoed in her ears. What was supposed to have been a routine scouting mission – securing the area, watching for any Horsemen of John, and cutting down any that appeared – had turned into a run-in with a group of vampires. There was at least one noble among them – she didn't give herself time to look, trying to avoid their freakishly fast attacks and do what she could to defend her comrades – and by then, it had nearly been time to go back, everyone tired from both the heat and from fighting several Horsemen. The five of them hadn't stood a chance.

In the time it had taken to spot the vampires, draw their weapons, and blink twice, two of Kyali's comrades were already bleeding on the ground. The remaining three had formed a defensive circle around the fallen (but still alive and groaning), but it was clear that they were hopelessly, hopelessly, outmatched.

She didn't remember all that had happened next. It was blur of dodging and slashing and running. Finally, with a bleeding wound in her side, she called out to her comrades.

Run! Go! I'll lead these ones away!

They couldn't understand her, of course, but hopefully her gestures, which included physically shoving another girl out of a vampire's path, and tone of voice got the message across. Maybe, she had thought, just maybe, she would be able split the vampire's numbers among them, and give the rest of her comrades a better chance. Which was stupid, she reflected now; vampires were several times faster than humans. Just how far from her friends could she lead them, before she was caught or killed herself? A few feet, if that. Kyali blamed her heat-addled brain.

So, she had run. Willed her reluctant legs to turn and carry her away from the battle, away from her comrades' screams, (please don't let them die, oh please!), off of the strip of space between buildings that served as this ruined city's "street." She had thought she heard a vampire bark something, but she had paid it no mind.

Footsteps had come after her speeding form. The sounds had been too heavy to be those of her friends. (Good. It worked.) A whoosh of wind behind her and she'd turned, reflexes kicking in and blocking a sword from cleaving her in twain. Kyali had jumped backward and slashed at the vampire with her own weapon, which he easily, far too easily, dodged. His two companions had joined in, (two more, that makes three, makes five minus three, makes two against four for them, good it worked! Makes three against one for me crap I'm screwed!) taking swipes at her that clanged against her weapon or barely missed shearing another slice into her flesh.

They were toying with her.

So be it. Let them play. She didn't care, as long it gave her friends better odds (But what about you?! Ah, dodge!)

(Shut up, voice in my head.)

Though in this situation, she was grateful for her demon, despite what it put her through. The wound in her side that she had gotten in the initial fight was healed, even if the energy it had sucked out of her (do not use that word around vampires; bad brain, bad!) had not been replenished. She did not have the strength to call up her demon's full power. Now she had to focus on not getting another wound in her side. Or anywhere else.

She was running on pure adrenaline, and that, too, was quickly leaving her. Kyali blocked one vampire's sword lunging for her torso and back-flipped over the vampire who made a slash at her back. She landed on her feet and instantly turned, swinging her weapon, which came into contact with a vampire's with a ringing clash. She pushed against it and used the leverage to make a long jump backward, before rotating her body and sprinting.

Turn. Block. Slash. Jump. Run. Repeat.

She had no idea how long this had been going. Much shorter of a time than it felt like, she was sure. She swerved around the corner of a building, grateful for the small shadow it cast – a reprieve from the sun. Breathing in labored gasps, Kyali came to a stop. Her legs shook, just barely keeping her upright, and she was hot…so hot….

Exhaustion and heat stroke took its toll. Sweaty left fingers lost their grip on the weapon in their grasp. The blade fell onto the concrete with a clang. Kyali followed after. She collapsed to her knees and fell forward, landing on her back, her weapon laying to her right. Colors of the sky and buildings above blurred together, everything felt fuzzy and muted, and the pavement felt so comfortable….

I…can't go anymore. Please….

The sound of several pairs of slow footsteps filled her ears. Maybe, it occurred to her dazedly, that was the vampires' plan all along: to run her down until she was exhausted. Not that they needed to, with their overpowering strength and speed. But that wasn't the point, she supposed.

The footsteps got closer, then stopped. Blurry faces of the three vampires looked down at her, and she could hear muted voices talking. After a few moments, a fourth set of footsteps approached – the noble, or at least one of them, if the difference in clothing colors was anything to go by. The new vampire joined in the conversation. She couldn't understand what they were saying, but she did make out two words, spoken by the noble.

Humans.

Dead.

No…please…no….

Tears filled Kyali's eyes and dripped down her cheeks, not having the strength to wipe them away. Her vision grayed, and before her eyes slid closed, she thought she saw a fuzzy mass stoop toward her.

Then she was gone.