Sky Forever

Chapter 26: In the Midst of Battle

Blood poured out of Ryder's mouth as The Immortal Guard wrenched the sword back out of his chest. I was in shock as I saw Ryder collapse to the floor. I couldn't hear the battle anymore, the only thing I could hear was my own heartbeat.

Amber had fallen to her knees, sobbing. The Immortal Guard said something, but I wasn't listening. I was just staring at his bloody sword.

Suddenly, the world was loud again. Full of fighting and death. I could hear the Guard cackling with sick laughter.

Then a sudden determination rushed through me. A determination to avenge Ryder, to protect Amber, and most of all, to kill an immortal man.

Without even planning my attack, I launched myself at the Guard, screaming. He brought his sword up, but I brought my bow up to meet it. The bow snapped in two, but in that instant, I was past the sword and at his face. I kneed him the groin. He bent over groaning. I kicked the sword out of his hand and pushed him back into the house behind him. He fell over the threshold and landed with a crack onto a wooden chair.

I picked up the sword and I followed him into the one room building. Then, without thinking about it, I plunged the weapon straight through his head. It exploded once again. I left the sword stuck in the ground where his skull used to be and walked back outside. I slammed myself into one of the weak wooden pillars holding the roof up. It collapsed and part of the roof went with it. I kicked another one and another one, until the roof was completely caved in.

Somewhere under the wreckage, little bits of brain were trying to find their way back to their body. But it would take them a while to get through the carnage of the roof. It would buy us time at least.

I walked back around, not quite believing what I'd just done, to see Amber on her knees next to Ryder. I joined her.

"Is he...?" I was afraid to ask.

But, as I said it, he opened his eyes and looked up at me.

"Not dead yet..." He croaked, almost smiling.

I knelt next to Amber.

"You're not going to die!" She said, through tears.

He smiled at her, but it seemed painful to him. He looked across at me.

"Ja...Jared..." He mumbled. There was blood covering his chin and his chest wound was horrific.

"Yeah?" I replied.

He reached out his hand to pat my leg, "Please...take care of her..."

I knew he meant Amber, "I will, buddy. I will." Tears were forming in my eyes.

"You two...are great together..." He said.

I smiled sadly. I looked at Amber, who was crying. I placed my hand on hers.

"And...you..." He mumbled at Amber, "You'll...you'll need to take care of him too..."

She nodded, "Of course."

Teardrops were running down my cheeks now.

"Also...one last thing..." Ryder croaked.

"Yeah?" Amber asked.

"Fix the old girl." He said, meaning the System Uncontrollable, "It'll take...a while but it'll be worth it..."

I wiped my face.

"I...know I've only known you a couple of weeks..." Ryder said to me, "But...all we've been through...you've been a good friend..." He turned to Amber "and you've been like a sister to me. Always protecting..."

"Don't go." Amber cried.

Ryder laid his head back and looked up at the sky. The flaming orange and blue sky, full of smoke from war. It was almost beautiful.

Then, in the midst of the battle, where we were all sat on the dirty street of the City of Ashes and Gold, surrounded by ash, dust and ruin...

...Ryder Jones died.