He slowly regained consciousness and became aware of his surroundings. He was once again in the bleak chamber, lying on the stone slab he was all too familiar with. After trying to get up again, he realised he was bound to the slab as he was before. He noticed a tear rolling down his cheek even as he heard the popping and jumping of hot coals, and the controlled breathing of his captor. "You are facing death," said the armoured man. "why do you fight? Is it to prove you are courageous and not afraid to face the afterlife?" It was the man on the stone's turn to speak.
"Courage is not the lack of fear. Courage is the bravery to face your fears with determination."
"Then show me how brave you are."
His final thought before he felt the obliterating pain of the steel was of her, the beauty in her features obscuring all else.
