532 Final reques (1/2)
Next thing she realised was that they were both airborne due to being thrown far enough that someone came hurtling after them in order to catch them so they wouldn't crash against the wall. The man who caught them was Kai.
Kai brought the two towards the place where Abi and the others stood. Riev who was bleeding from his fresh injuries was being carried by Kai, while Alicia hung over Kai's broad shoulders, both arms wrapped around his neck to prevent herself from slipping to the ground. Alex and Zeres had tried to stop Dinah from entering the cavern but the dragon was hellbent in getting herself out of the abyss and into the cavern. Dinah had gone berserk as if she had lost her mind. Any attack wouldn't work on her anymore so all Alex could do was tell Abi and the others to avoid her. However, when he noticed the surroundings, it was too late as Alex saw that Alicia and Riev were in the exact spot where Dinah was going to burst through.
Kai set them down on the ground and it was then that Alicia saw the measure of the damage that was done to Riev – Dinah's claw had cleanly pierced through Riev's back, creating a large gaping hole.
They both knelt on the ground as Riev reached for her. His hands now shook with weakness as he held her, but he still held on to Alicia's shoulders at arms-length, stubbornly not letting go. He was able to straighten up a little when Alicia called his name.
”R-riev…” she called softly, her voice a little shaky, shock and disbelief pooling in her eyes.
He lifted his face with much effort to look at her, but even that little action proved too much for his battered body, causing him to cough, blood dripping down the sides of his mouth.
”Are you okay?” Was the first words Riev asked Alicia after opening his mouth, causing Alicia to bite her lips as she lifted her hands to touch him.
”I'm fine.” she answered. Her voice now a little panicky. ”L-let's see your wound.”
Even with just a cursory glance down at Riev's condition, Alicia could already tell how grave his wound was. Her mind immediately told her she couldn't save him anymore, even if she had strength left to use magic. Because his wound was just too big! It could not even be considered a wound that needs healing anymore. Dinah's large claw literally gouged out a hole in his body. Riev was a vampire and he naturally could heal his own wounds, but vampires can't regenerate like the immortals to survive this – especially an injury such as this one.
”It's okay, queen. You don't need to do anything anymore.” Riev grinned at her.
Alicia's hands visibly shook. Her eyes tearing up even more.
”D-don't say that. Let me –”
”Please…” Riev cut her off. ”Please, listen to me instead.” He begged, coughing again.
Alicia's numb body could only freeze, seeing that look in Riev's eyes. She knew it was hopeless and she tried not to believe it.
”I'm…” Riev smiled. ”I am happy that… this is how I leave this world… protecting someone like you.” He said and Alicia's eyes began to blur, Riev's face no longer clear and sharp in front of her. ”It was… It was fun, fighting alongside you.”
As those words left Riev lips, the tears overflowed and tracked twin clear paths down Alicia's dusty cheek.
”R-ri-i-ev…” she could only utter his name brokenly but the man grinned at her again, as if he was genuinely happy.
”Sorry… I am really happy.” His smile faded. ”I never thought you would cry for me… you're really such a kind woman.”