The sky was covered in darkness, and the amount of monsters from the Abyss seemed to be growing with every battle.

"Chief Amina", I exclaimed as I rushed up to her. "We managed to clear out the last of the monsters!"

"That's good", Chief Amina said.

"Is there an updated battle report", a warrior asked.

"No", Chief Amina replied sadly. "From what I've heard, the Scions of the Canopy have been hit very badly. The Abyss is probably trying to make it harder for them to keep everyone updated on the current situation."

When I heard this…I suddenly felt a pit in my stomach.

Kinich. Please don't be dead.

"There is no time to worry about the situation", Chief Amina stated. "We should try to catch up with the last evacuation group and head to the stadium."

"Incoming", one of the warriors suddenly exclaimed.

I then turned around, and saw a fresh batch of Abyssal monsters appear.

"More", I said in dismay. "Are they ever gonna stop coming?"

"Chief Amina", one warrior started. "You should join the evacuation group! We'll take care of these guys."

It seemed like Chief Amina didn't want to leave us behind, but she ended up giving in.

"Very well", she said. "Everyone, please be careful."

With this, Chief Amina ran off, and the rest of us turned to face the monsters.

"Alright everybody", I started, trying to bring up morale. "Let's show these guys what happens when you mess with the People of the Springs!"

With this, we all charged into battle. However, it didn't take long for warriors to begin being wiped out. Before I knew it…I was the only one left…and monsters from the Abyss were closing in on me.

Is this it for me? Am I going to die here? But there were so many things I still wanted to do. I…I never got to ask Kinich…

Before I could finish this thought…one of the monsters suddenly jump at me!

"No", I exclaimed as I tried to shield myself and closed my eyes.

"Behold the power of the almighty dragon lord, K'uhul Ajaw", I suddenly heard a familiar yell out.

I then looked up, and saw Ajaw take out the monsters in his large dragon form.

"Mualani", I heard another familiar voice exclaim.

I then looked in front of me, and saw the person I had just been worrying about.

"Kinich", I exclaimed in relief.

Then, I got up and rushed up to Kinich. As soon as I got close enough, I grabbed him and pulled him into an embrace. Becoming overcome with my emotions, I could no longer hold back my tears.

"I heard the Scions of the Canopy got hit badly", I revealed. "I…I was so scared that you had…that you had…"

At this point…I had reached my physical and emotional limit…and my legs gave in.

"Mualani", Kinich exclaimed, before grabbing onto me and holding me up.

"Kinich…when is this going to end?", I asked. "I've…I've lost track of how long we've been fighting. So many people have died, and I…and I…"

Just as I felt I was about to break down completely…Kinich cupped my face with his hands, and gently placed his forehead on mine.

"We've all been through a lot, and have had to witness a lot of despair. But…we have to keep fighting. We can't let all the lives that have been lost be for nothing."

After letting what Kinich said sink in, I nodded my head.

"You're right", I said. "We can't give up now. We have to keep fighting!"

"Can you guys break this up", Ajaw exclaimed as he suddenly came up to us. "Unless you forgot, we're in the middle of a war right now!"

"And that's especially why it's important to take a moment to rest whenever you can", Kinich stated, before looking back at me. "But Ajaw's has a point. I need to get back out there. Even as it becomes harder to do, I must try my best to keep people updated on the situation as much I can."

With this, Kinich turned around, and I remembered what Chief Amina said earlier.

"The Abyss is probably trying to make it harder for them to keep everyone updated on the current situation."

When I remembered these words, the pit in my stomach returned. Uncertain about what was going to happen, I suddenly called out Kinich's name, which got his attention.

"What is it, Mualani", he asked, suddenly worried.

"If we both manage to make it out of this alive…will you…will you go on a date with me?"

After I asked this, Kinich looked at me in shock.

"A…date", he asked.

"Are you kidding me", Ajaw exclaimed in annoyance. "You're asking now of all times if Kinich wants to go on a date with you?!"

"I never worked up the courage to ask him before", I revealed. "And…I don't know if I'll get the chance to ask him later."

"We don't have time for this", Ajaw exclaimed, before looking at Kinich. "Kinich, please just reject her so we can get going!"

"Ajaw", Kinich exclaimed angrily.

I then looked down at my feet. But a moment later, Kinich walked up to me…and put his hand on my cheek.

"Kinich", I said as I looked up at him.

"Mualani, I'd be honoured to go on a date with you."

"Really", I asked in shock.

"Really. So you'd better not die on me, okay?"

When I heard Kinich say this, I suddenly felt my strength to fight come back.

"You got it", I exclaimed. "Kinich, let's both make it out of this alive, okay?"

"Okay", Kinich replied.

"Oh great", Ajaw exclaimed in dismay. "Now look what you've done! You've given him another reason to live!"

"Deal with it, Almighty K'uhul Ajaw the jerk dragon lord", I stated.

"Why you little…", Ajaw started.

"Ajaw, we don't have time for this", Kinich said.

"Why you…", Ajaw started.

"I'm heading off now", Kinich said to me.

"Okay", I said. "And Kinich, please stay safe, okay? I'll never forgive you if you die on me before we can go on our date!"

"I will", Kinich said. "And please stay safe too, Maulani."

With this, Kinich turned around, and left.

Then, I put my hand over my heart.

Please don't die, Kinich.