"Celeste whatever happens, you have to survive this!"

Oderick's booming voice rang out, followed by a loud grunt and the sound of something crashing against the rubble ground. I couldn't spare him an answer as one of the beasts pounced on me for the third time, slamming me against the shattered granite altar, and sending my bastard sword flying towards the opposite direction.

"Celeste!" Oderick's cry droned out as bitter pain spread throughout my back, a cruel sting piercing the base of my skull. The creatures mouth latched onto my shoulder, it's razor sharp teeth digging straight through flesh and bone.

I screamed, the agony burning right through me. My free hand wrapped around something sharp and I slammed it into the creatures only eye, it roared fiercely right before clamping it's teeth harder on my shoulder and tossing me across the ruined chamber.

THUD

'Damn it hurts.'

I whezzed, unable to catch my breath. Fortunately I had fallen on a beast corpse which reduced the pain to an extent, but the creature would definitely tear me to peices with it's next attack. Despite the stone lodged in it's eye, or the weapons caught in it's disgusting, rock hard skin, it still wouldn't die.

RRROOOOOWWWWRRRRR

'Damn it.'

Shouting at the top of my lungs, I dove away from the beast corpse right before the creature rammed into it, it's brutal claws ripping it apart instantly. Ignoring my throbbing shoulder, amongst other things, I dodged the ragged rocks and manuvered across the remains of the chamber towards my bastard sword, with the creatures horrid growls resounding like a menace.

'If I can reach it, if only...'

Fortune was on my side, because despite the short distance that separated me from imminent death, I managed to reach the sword.

I gripped the blade, crouching down afterwards. Having only a moment to react, I turned, prepared for the inevitable attack, and ready to drive the sword down the creature's grisly throat.

Aaaaahhhhh!!!

The length of the sword went straight into it's mouth, followed by the hilt and my entire arm. I screamed as it slammed me into the ground for the fifth time, my battered body trembling.

It bit down...HARD.

Harder than it had before, my eyes glazed over in agony as the pain intensified and it's ragged teeth threatened to sever my entrapped limb. The creature's powerful jaws clamped against the bastard sword and with all the strength left in me, I drove it upward, right under the base of it's head.

Meanwhile, something heavy pressed against my chest, pushing the air out of my lungs. A warm metallic taste filled my mouth, right before blood seeped from the edges of my lips.

The creature convulsed as a length of the blade shot out from it's head, thick, dark-green blood pouring all over. Slowly it's ravenous growls subsided, and with my free left hand, I stabbed the fallen jack knife into a gaping hole in it's head... A terrible mistake.

It roared, the deafening sound immobilizing me. It's dagger like claws came down from my chest to my abdomen.

'Damn it I shouldn't have done that!'

I struggled, instantly realizing what was about to happen, but with my right hand still caught in the creatures mouth, there's was nothing I could do.

"O.. Oberick HELP!" I screamed, glancing at my companion whose eyes caught mine.

Oberick, my friend, wrestled with the second beast, (a replica of the one pinning me down), he maintained a weak magical barrier, which protected him from it. He grimaced, his long white hair stained red with blood, and sweat rushing down his smeared forehead. More cracks emerged on the sheild in a flicker of pale blue light, as he struggled to hold it, against the monster's clawed, fists.

RRROOOOOWWWWRRRRR

There was no way he could help me. The creature's claws dug through my amour and into my flesh, I froze, realizing there was nothing left I could do. Though I'd come so far, it was clear this would be my final fight.

It ripped, tearing off my breastplate, and opening my stomach in one swift motion.

"CELESTE NOOOOOO!!!." Oberick screamed.

Extreme agony washed over me. I watched in horror as an ocean of warm blood gushed out of my stomach, followed by my inner organs which spilled everywhere. The creature, with a final low grunt, collapsed beside me, taking my hand along with it. I convulsed, the pain overwhelming all of my senses, as the chamber slowly faded, replaced by unclear images etched in my stinging, hot tears.

"Celeste!...Aaaaahhhhh!"

Over the intense sensations that numbed my body, I could hear him battling the last beast. He kept screaming my name, desperately calling out to me, but slowly, his voice and the tremor wrecked chamber began to fade.

'Am dying... it's finally over'

For the longest time I craved death, I longed for it. Waiting for the darkness each day, after all, living was worse than hell.

The world had gone to ruins decades ago, when I was still young and foolish. All the events that led to the demon apocalypse happened right before my eyes, but as a witless girl I could only watch them unfold, and lose everything I loved to it.

Obericks voice became distant, and the pain blurred into a warm, calm feeling. The serenity that followed, was the first I experienced in years.

Quiet...

Peace...

Rest...

I earned it, we all did. It was better this way, with no hope left anyway, it was clear we'd lost.

"Celeste! Hey open your eyes! Stay awake! OPEN YOUR EYES!" Oberick said, shouting at the top of his voice. He was by my side, struggling to help me, his bloodied hands holding unto my left hand and stomach, or at least what was left of it.

"Nooo...nooo...gods please," He cried.

"Stay with me Celeste...I beg you." He choked, tears rushing down his face in an endless stream. I wanted to touch him, wipe away the warm tear drops that fell on mine, comfort him, hug him and share his warmth one more time.

I did not want to die, we still had each other, and I could not bear the thought of leaving him.

It was selfish and impossible, yet as much as I yearned death, I still desperately wished to live. But that was all it was, a desperate, selfish wish.

"A..m s...ssorr..y." I whispered, biding my dearest friend goodbye.

Everything soon blurred, and reality was overshadowed by a peaceful memory from my childhood. The only peaceful one I could remember, I stood, surrounded by friends, family and people who cared for me.

I was happy.

The ghost of a smile fell upon my face, and my last breath escaped me.