I looked up and saw Martin Al-Sham dropping his smoking pistol to the ground. Next to him were the bodies of the two other Templars and the body of Ben Yehuda. Suddenly, Martin kneeled to the ground and started to cry.
"Michael and James were good friends, and yet I killed them." he said.
"Why did you choose to save me, if I may ask?" I inquired.
"Well, I guess I just wasn't a major fan of unity through genocide. My main reason for staying in the Templar Order for twenty-odd-years was to find Keila Eisenstein and to show her the tattoo that I was bestowed by the Zetans." Martin replied and kneeled beside me. "How did you survive getting shot multiple times?" Martin asked.
I got up on my feet and studied the enchanting and mystical alien crystal. It had stopped glowing, and it looked dull, like a regular uncut sapphire. "I must have been saved by the healing powers of this Zeto crystal," I replied.
"The crystal seems to be drained of its energy," Martin replied with a hint of disappointment in his voice.
"It will re-energise in due time, at least we saved it from being stolen by evil men today," I replied.
"Yes, that's the main thing. Do you need help removing those bullets?" Martin replied.
I studied my torso. All the bullets had penetrated one centimetre deep with the back of them hanging out from my body. They would leave me scarred as a reminder, but I would survive. "I'd rather remove them in a medical centre. Removing the bullets here, without the chance of getting immediate stitches and disinfection, could be lethal," I said.
"There is medical equipment in the Templar safehouse, that I can use to stitch you up." Martin replied.
I contemplated my options. Martin Al-Sham was a murderer, and there was no guarantee that he wouldn't try to kill me to steal the Zeto Crystal for himself. Then again, if that was his goal, why wouldn't he try now? I decided that seeking his help was my best option and spoke. "Thank you, Martin. Can I borrow your robe? I don't want to walk there looking like a messy pinboard, riddled in holes and bullets.".
"Sure, here you go," Martin said and handed me his robe.
Before we left, I sat down next to Simona's dead body and whispered softly to her. "I am so sorry for dragging you into this. I am sorry for failing you and causing your death. I am sorry that I couldn't be the lover you needed," I said grievingly.
It might have been my mind playing tricks on me, but when I studied her beautiful face, I could see a hint of a peaceful smile, as if she was happy with her end on Earth. After this, I got up and left the room without looking back.