Kael could not stop the tears that trailed down his face. It was simply unbelievable, he thought. He wept and wept, until her hands, clasped in his, felt numb. Then the reality dawned on him; Kyra was dead, with over a dozen wounds in her lacerated body.
"She's dead, isn't she?"
"No," answered Ashviel, "she's keeping herself alive with sheer willpower, but I doubt she has up to a minute left."
Kael looked up to Ashviel. "Then we might be able to save her," said he.
"How?"
In response, he brought out a knife and told Ashviel to extend his arm.
"What are you trying to do?"
"Just give me your hand, quick."
Ashviel did as he said, and Kael made a large cut on his palm. If Ashviel had not been in severe pains already, he would have screamed as the dagger went deep to reveal his bones. Instead, he only shifted his gaze between Kael and the drops of blood that spurted out of the gash.
Straightaway, Kael brought the hand to Kyra's lips and forced the blood between her lips and down her throat.
"What are you doing?" Ashviel asked again.
"You don't just have powers to heal faster; your blood can also heal others, provided there's a connection between you two."
"A connection?"
"Yes, and in this case, it is the friendship between both of you. The healing power gets stronger as you get stronger, and as the connection between you and the person deepens," he said and made another cut on Ashviel's other hand as the first seemed dried up already.
"Wait,' Ashviel said as he suddenly realized something. " How do you know all these?"
"Master Vauxall told me," he said, not minding to use the alias they had formed for their master.
"You said there was nothing to tell me."
"I suppose I forgot," Kael said plainly, "but I assure you Ashviel, there isn't much to know."
"Just tell me all there is, please."
"Not now, we save Kyra first."
Kael went on working, and Ashviel hoped that whatever it was that Kael was doing would work. A third cut was made, and he began to feel dizzy after losing so much blood. Already, he had lost so much from the fight with the bald headed mage, and as Kael worked on his hand, he felt his consciousness fading away.
"You know, it would be faster if you were the apotheosis and not me."
"What does that mean?"
"The connection between you both is strong, ever since you met at the academy."
"What are you saying?"
"Oh c'mon I know that there is more than friendship between you two. More like something bordering on love."
Kael raised his head sharply. "Really? You would bring that up now?"
"I know, my head is not clear," answered Ashviel, "but it is just to keep me from fainting. I doubt the whole think would work if I go unconscious."
"That's true, whatever you do, do not faint. If you go into the plane right now, she might die."
"You should have said that earlier."
"I'm sorry. And Ashviel?"
"Yes?"
"I do love Kyra."
"That's beautiful," said Ashviel. "Now slice this vein."
"Are you sure?"
"If it is to save Kyra, then I'm more than prepared. She's my friend too, don't forget."
"Thanks man," said Kael, and made another stab.
As he brought the arm closer to Kyra, she suddenly opened her eyes.
"She's awake!" he ululated wildly. "Quick, drink up."
As if by instinct, she took a last noggin of Ashviel's blood before her head cleared.
"I'm alive," she said, and tears filled her eyes.
"I'm glad you made it," Ashviel said, struggling not to faint.
In that dark night, and amidst a sea of blood and a heap of corpses sat three friends, all beaming with watery eyes.
"Thank you," Kyra said and then locked her two friends in the warmest of embraces.