The Five [COMPLETED]

Part Twenty-Eight

The figure rolled, and I nearly screamed as I realised who it was.

It was Matthew. He had come to save me.

After all this time, he was still loyal to me.

"No!" I cried, instantly moving to his side. Dragon Eye seemed too stunned to move.

Matthew stared into my eyes with a love that could never be spoken. "Sky -" his voice got cut off as he retched up a mouthful of blood.

"It's okay," I told him, feeling myself begin to hyperventilate with panic and despair. "You'll - you'll get through this. I'll, I'll take you back to Mira and the tribe! I -" 

A single finger gently laid across my mouth, quietening me. Matthew shook his head quickly, tears filling his eyes. "No, Sky."

"What do you mean, 'no'?!" My mind spun. "You can't die! I -"

"No." Matthew's chest shuddered as he took in another breath. "You can survive this, but I can't."

"You can!" I was holding his face, lifting his head; willing him to understand. "We both know you can! You - you can't leave me!" My voice rose to a wild screech that echoed around the battle arena. 

Matthew's gaze was tender; kind as he stared into my eyes. "You can survive it," he repeated. "I know you can. That is all I want." He weakly lifted a hand and placed it against my cheek. Giving a small cough, a trickle of blood streamed from the corner of his lips. "You don't need me."

"I do! I won't be able to live without you! I'll - I'll commit suicide if you die!"

"You've suffered so much," he continued. Looking apologetic, he added, "I told you I was sorry before I betrayed you. You didn't understand what I meant, then. Now you do." Matthew gave a weak smile before his face crumpled, just like it had on the night before the battle. Before all of this began. He started to cry bittersweet tears. "You never truly loved me."

"I did!" I stroked his cheek, wiping the tears away. "I always have."

Matthew shook his head. "No. Not anymore." With a mixture of pain and acceptance, he whispered, "You love Kai."

His bold assumption shocked me. I started shaking my head profusely. "No . . . that's not true -"

"It is. You know it is." Matthew took in a shuddering breath. "You don't need me anymore. You can find your own place by your own strength alone . . ." His gaze became more intense, and he looked like the warrior I'd known and loved for so many years. "Be brave, Skylar. Lift the sword out of me and strike him down. Avenge my blood!"

I closed my eyes and felt my own tears making an appearance. "I will," I whispered. "I will, if it's the very last thing I do."

"Good," Matthew said. I watched his breathing became shallower. My heart twisted as I leaned over and gave him a final kiss. I knew our love would die within that kiss. I relished in the feeling of how well his mouth fitted mine. A pang of sadness filled my chest as I realised that after this, I would never get to kiss him again. 

So I pressed a little harder, tried to put everything I could never speak into words into that kiss. And he did the same.

When we pulled away, I took the jade stone he'd found me out of my pocket and into his hand. "My gift to you," I whispered.

Matthew seemed calmer now, and his eyes shone. "Thank you," he whispered. "For everything." He closed his eyes, and sighed contentedly. "I love you."

My voice was strangled as I tried to hold my anguish back. "I love you, too."

I watched as Matthew folded his hands over his chest, taking in a final breath. As he exhaled, his body became still. My breath shook, hundreds of emotions swirling through my veins and making my stomach churn. The most prevalent of all was pure rage.

I hated Dragon Eye for doing this to me. I hated him for making my boyfriend betray me. I hated him for driving the rift between us all. I hated him for every single act he'd ever committed, good or bad.

And I knew I wanted him dead.

So, I wrenched the sword out from Matthew's chest, blood boiling. Turning, I let out a howl of fury and rushed at my opponent for what I knew would be the final time. 

Everything slowed down as I swung the sword over my head. I watched as an emotion came across Dragon Eye's face, only for a moment. But I had seen it. 

Fear.

My whole body thrummed with anticipation and egearness. Once I'd killed him, this would be over. It would all be over.

The sword made contact with Dragon Eye's heart.

I stared straight into his eye, feeling no mercy at all as I twisted the sword, earning an agonised cry from my half-brother, who was now spluttering. "Goodbye, Dragon Eye," I spat.

He continued to struggle, but only for a few moments. Surprisingly, a look of peace came across his face. It seemed he had accepted his death, and, laying down with eyes closed, he waited.

He never moved again. 

I stood, lifting my chin. I could almost hear Matthew whispering to me in the darkness, Thank you. 

"You're welcome," I whispered back, knowing he would never hear me. 

I looked back at Matthew's body and again felt a pang of anguish, the exhilaration of battle gone. Yes, I had won - but the price to pay for it was the highest I could ever offer: the life of the one I loved.

But - he had chosen to give himself up for me. Underneath all the distrust and anger I held towards him, I'd still held something akin to affection for him. I knew he would always hold a place in my heart.

I closed my eyes, feeling like I had both gained and lost something. Then, I turned, and slowly walked out the room, leaving his treachery behind forever.