The Thean Tale

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I fight the overwhelming need to pass out as my knees give way and I sink to the ground. Blood pours out of my stomach and thigh in rapid rivulets. I should be panicking at the loss of blood, but worse has happened to my body than four deep cuts. Unfortunately, it doesn't mean that I'm in any less pain. Spots cloud my vision and my head spins as I try to move, but I still notice Lucian drop all notion of escape and run toward me. He drops to the ground the moment he reaches me and helps me sit upright. I use his arm to turn and face him.

"You've got to help me up. I have to kill it if we're going to get out of here." My voice stays unexpectedly unwavering considering the condition I'm in.

He looks towards the beast, which surprisingly hasn't moved at all. "No."

"No?"

"No, I'm not going to help you up."

I frown. "Well, then I'll help myself up."

I grit my teeth and place my palms on the ground, steeling myself to any pain I'll be experiencing as I get up. I push off the ground, but stumble and fall back down. Lucian rushes to steady me, grabbing my shoulders.

"See what I mean?"

"You weren't implying anything of the sort."

"You're. Too. Weak. And now you're too stubborn to accept that."

"Your point is stupid. I'm going to kill it because I have no other choice."

"Look at what it's done to you! Do you think it won't do it again? Do you think it won't kill you?"

"Yes, I do. Lucian."

"Well, then I'm still not going to help you up."

"Don't. What do I care?" My palms press against the ground again and this time, I lift myself off it. I do teeter a little as I move towards the beast, but it's in a condition as weak as mine. I notice it in its heavy breaths and small whimpers. I take one more step towards it when a hand grabs my elbow. I turn.

"Tell me what you need me to do."

"I don't need you to do anything for me. You've made it perfectly clear that you refuse to assist me. Don't do anything because you're obligated to."

He narrows his eyes. "What do you need from me?"

I sigh. "That piece of rubble over there? The one about as large as the beast. See it?" He nods. "Well, now that you've so kindly offered your assistance, you're going to help me get onto that boulder and take it down."

"You need a boost, basically."

I nod. "Basically."

". . . You're going to die."

"Your confidence in me is astounding, Lucian." I roll my eyes.

"I'm serious. This is a very bad idea."

"Thank you for your concern. But you lost your right to worry about me a long time ago."

I see his jaw tighten. Oh, dear. I went too far. But I'm not wrong.

He struggles to keep his face expressionless, but I see the hurt in his eyes. "I can give you an optimum lift. I've got the numbers for it."

"Perfect. Are you ready?"

"As ready as I'll ever be," he sighs.

We move as per his direction towards the rubble and I stand away from him. Before running at him, I realise I might have to do something about all the blood pouring out of me. So I tear off the bad sleeve of my jacket – the one ruined by lizard acid – and fold it twice over, fastening it to my stomach with the help of my belt.