"I would help you little one if I could but you are both leaking spirit energy and I have no way of stopping it. Not only will he die but it looks as if you will as well.. sigh.. My waters will ease your pain and help prolong your life but not for long. This all I can do for you." The old dragon sighs again while shaking his head.
I feel myself go numb as I replay his words again and again. Die? Fig and I are both dying? "What if we go to the human world? Would that help?" I ask with hope and watch the dragon shake his head again. "I'm afraid not little one.. You said old trees helped you?" I nod my head numbly without really seeing anything.
So this was it? This is how I'll end? I look back down to Fig and my heart breaks "Is there really nothing that can save him?" I ask as tears begin to fall. The old dragon looks at me with compassion and says "No.. nothing can stop this leak. What you had wasn't originally yours to begin with and I'm guessing you overused the power and your human body couldn't take it. Now you are bleeding out.."
My vision completely blurs from the tears as I hold Fig close "How long?" I ask in a small shaky voice. The dragon scratches his head and says "That's hard to say.. I guess that just depends. Like I said, I've never seen anything like you before but I can sense the spirit energy and lifeforce leaking from you both.. you are larger.. therefore you will probably last longer than the little familiar."
I sob and feel as if my heart was breaking into a thousand pieces. How can I just except this? How can I just sit back and watch as Fig dies? I can't! My mind races but when I can't find an answer I feel myself going numb. If this was really it.. I would never see my parents or my friends again.. and Rune.. Oh no Rune.. Another sob rips through me at the thought of Rune.
I can't tell him... I can't let him know. It would devastate him. Is this how people with cancer or an incurable disease feel like when they're told they would die? My heart feels like it's breaking all over again. I don't know how long I sat there but the old dragon's voice pulled me back to reality "I can give you some of my blood and it will help with the pain and prolong your life.. but.. you will have to agree to something in exchange."
My head snaps back to the dragon and a small ounce of hope sparks in my broken heart. "What is it?" I say leaning forward. "If you take my blood you have to return here as you die.. I wish you could stay with your loved ones in your last moments but if you take my blood you will have to return here. My blood will need to return to it's source once the host dies and you will be brought along."
I nod my head in understanding as my mind races. The old dragon is kind enough to buy us time and with that time.. maybe.. just maybe I can find a way to save us. I wouldn't really want anyone I care about watch me die anyway.. to die here.. it's not so bad. I look back down to Fig's sleeping body and try to wake him but no matter what I do he doesn't wake.
I wanted him to be able to decide for himself but it doesn't seem like he'll be able to. I'm sorry Fig.. I don't know if this is the right thing to do or not but it seems to be the only chance we have at the moment and I don't know how much time you have left little buddy.. Please forgive me for being selfish.. I can't lose you.
I look back to the old dragon and steel my heart. "I would be grateful to you if you would do this for us.. Please help us." I clench my teeth and watch the old dragon nod. "It will hurt.. but the pain won't last for long. Brace yourself little one." I hold on to Fig and close my eyes. My heart races as I feel ancient, powerful magic growing around us in the cave. The water begins to wake and waves begin to crash into me. The power spikes and I squeeze Fig's little body. This is it...