Shenyo's vision wavered, and went black. His body slumped against hers, his hand slowly falling away from her wound. Only through sheer force of will had he kept his body operating. As he relaxed everything simply gave out, and he slipped into the darkness despite his desire to see this through.<br/><br/>---<br/><br/>Shenyo's eyes slowly opened, his hand raising instinctively to block out the light blinding him from high above. It took a few minutes for him to sit up, not entirely sure where he was. What had happened last? Where was he?<br/><br/>Still struggling with the sun, his body shifted and his other hand brushed against something cold. Looking down made his breath catch. But slowly, eventually, he let it back out. His hand stopped trying to block the sun as he gazed down on her. She looked peaceful.<br/><br/>"Even after all of that..." He spoke softly, a hollow tone to his voice. "...You won't let me follow her?"<br/><br/><em>Don't be so weak.</em>The darkness replied.<em>She would have died in time. As with all the others. We are meant to go forward. We <strong>will</strong> go forward.</em><br/><br/>Shenyo winced as the words hit his heart. There was nothing to say in response. Raising himself up, he picked her up into his arms and walked to the water's edge. Very gently, he laid her on the top of the water.<br/><br/>"I'm sorry Lydia. But I don't regret our time together, even with the way it ended up. I hope where you are, that you finally find some peace. You won't be hunted anymore."<br/><br/>With those short, final words, he let her go. He turned away as she floated away with the current, allowing nature to take its course. He had saved her from a fate worse than death, but could not save her from death itself. It was impossible for him to do that for anyone, for the very act of being near him was a death sentence regardless of his feelings or intentions.<br/><br/>His eyes narrowed as he looked to the road leading back into the city. "We'll hunt down every last one. No matter where they try to hide." His tired legs pushed him forward. "For Lydia."<br/><br/>---<br/>The End