My Dark Heart: Ryan's tale (a Destinies Intertwined, Riku x Oc sequel)

Chapter forty-one: Defend Her Till The Worlds Goes Dark

She barely spared Ryan a glance. Her staff began to glow. Ryan's body did the same, almost in response, and he crumpled.

"Ryan!" Shira recognized this spell-- Ryan's energy was being drained all over again. He couldn't breathe, couldn't move, couldn't do anything to stop it. She dropped down next to him, putting an arm around him as if it would slow things down.

"Make it stop!" Shira begged. "Leave him alone, please! I'll do anything... Just make it stop."

"...I... hate this..." Ryan grunted as he forced himself to move. He was trembling all over from the effort it took, but it wasn't going to stop him. "You said you'd do anything... Don't you get it? She's using us... As long as I'm... at her mercy like this, you-- you won't be able to make your own choices,"

Shira caught him as he slumped forward. Ryan slowly lifted his head to glare at Maleficent.

"Stop it already! Shira has all but cut ties with you... but you had to stir up more trouble... and get her caught up in it again! Just go away, you monster!"

"Ryan..." Shira sobbed. Even while having the life drained out of him, Ryan chose to defend her. Why...? What does he see in me that's worth defending?

Even now, he stood blocking an incoming attack. Bandages were torn off, wounds were exposed again. Still, he did not falter.

He felt his legs give out from under him as the world began to darken. Shira was at his side again, pleading to Maleficent, and Ryan hated it.

"Do not report back to those two. You are to stay here, with him."

I can't breathe...! "Shira--"

"I'll do it. Just stop!"

The spell went away immediately. The exhaustion was still there, but at least Ryan could breathe.

"We're getting out of here... Rachel and Riku will find us... and put a stop to whatever plans you have! They will... I... know..."

Then darkness swallowed his consciousness.

Rachel and Riku continued to wait. It was dark out now, but there was still no sign of Shira. They hoped she'd just gotten lost, but it didn't seem likely.

"If she's not back by morning, we'll set out for the next world." Rachel decided. As much as it pained her to say so, they didn't have much of a choice. They'd cleared the area-- Ryan wasn't in this world.

Shira... I don't want to leave you behind. Please, hurry!

When Ryan opened his eyes, he was tied up again, only this time, he felt another presence in the cave.

"You back yet?"

"...Shira..." 

She was sitting next to him, free of any ropes or chains. Shira hugged her knees to her chest, "Maleficent said... if I try to untie you and help you escape, she'll--"

She didn't finish what she was saying, but it got the message across.

"I'm going over there. I have to step away-- not being able to do anything to help you is driving me insane."

"Wait!" He called. Shira turned to look at him.

This is your chance, Ryan. Don't chicken out now!

"Once this whole thing is resolved... if I make it back... Do you want to come live on Destiny Island with me!?"

Shira's breath halted.

"You'd love it there. The sea is beautiful, the breeze is nice, and it's almost always warm!"

"Will they accept me...?"

"I'll make sure of it. And once I'm out of here and feeling up to the task, I'll show you around myself! What do you think? Does that sound okay?"

That lump in my throat is back again, Shira thought, I can't talk, my voice will break and... Ugh, you idiot! That doesn't matter right now, just answer his question!

Shira swallowed the lump in her throat, took a deep breath, and said.

"That sounds perfect."