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The deafening sound of munitions fire reverberated through the hold of The Leviathan, piercing the air with a deadly symphony, threatening to overwhelm Jun’s concentration. He stood at the back of the hanger, arms raised in focus as he layered spells on top of his allies, a shield to slow bullets, bull's strength and enhanced speed. This was normally something he could do easily on one target, but today he’d doubled up and had twinned the spellwork onto the heavy hitters in the team, Brian Styles and Star. It was taking all his focus, and he felt the magic straining within him, but if they failed here, it would mean death.
In the midst of the firefight, chaos reigned as the empowered Star and Brian Styles charged through their assailants like angry rottweilers. Star’s gauntlets punctuated the gunfire with deafening thunder as he pummelled the pirates who’d dared try to steal their ship. Together, their coordinated assault and calculated strikes were testament to their battle-hardened expertise and they made progress in pushing the pirates back. Star yelled a fierce war shout as he caved in another skull.
To Jun’s left and right, Frey and Fizzy provided much needed cover, using their laser rifles with deadly accuracy. The pirates were faltering under the barrage of the two big hitters cutting through their forces, but slowly, they were beginning to realise that trying to take down Brian Styles and Star was not going to work. They needed to either retreat… or disrupt the spellcaster.
The magical strain was nearly too much. Jun’s vision was tunnelling slightly, but he held onto the grip of the spells. Not much longer and Brian Styles and Star would clean up and they’d be safe. He felt the impact of each bullet hitting the shield, and he gave it much more energy. Normally the spells could last only a minute, but he’d pumped more power into it, his mind fully focussed, leaving his body vulnerable. He trusted that Fizzy and Frey would look after him, as he looked after Brian and Star.
BANG.
Jun jolted as a large impact struck him from the side. His hold on the spells faltered slightly but he maintained focus. But then Fizzy's voice pierced through the chaos, a desperate cry for help.
“FREY!”
Jun’s attention returned to himself and found that he was on the floor. A body lay on top of his and a mop of white hair covered the face. Frey! His face was buried in Jun’s chest and he lay unmoving. Jun struggled to comprehend what had happened, but then he saw red blossoming through the back of Frey’s jumpsuit. Blood.
Fizzy was staring at the blood on Frey’s jacket, but a roar from Star had her refocusing her laser rifle. She fired with reckless abandon. Jun knew he couldn’t drop the spells on his allies, the subsequent backlash would leave them in danger, especially when there were a half a dozen pirates left, but Frey had been shot!
“Frey!” Jun cried, as his partner lay unmoving on him, Frey had clearly pushed him out of the way of a bullet, taking it for himself. Jun put shaky hands on the wound, feeling hot and slippery as he tried to put as much pressure as possible. The bolstering spells in his mind faltered as he felt the turmoil of decision. He could heal Frey, but then Star and Brian Styles could get hurt. He could keep the spells up, but then Frey was dying…
Distantly he could hear his allies, fighting with renewed vigour to neutralise the remaining threats. The crackling energy of blasters and the dull thuds of hand-to-hand combat echoed through the ship, each moment crucial.
Frey lay on Jun’s legs, his breathing shallow, hands lying limp by his side. His jumpsuit was now a gory red as the wound pulsed blood. Too much blood. His face, turned to the side, once a vibrant pink complexion, was pale, and his lips had lost all colour. His eyes creased in pain as he stared to the side.
Jun's eyes welled with tears as he took in the sight, his voice trembling with a mixture of fear and determination.
"No, goddamnit Frey," Jun whispered, his voice filled with an unyielding resolve. "I can't lose you. Not like this.” He made his choice. “I’m sorry.” and he let the spells go.
Beyond the makeshift barricade he heard Star’s warshout cut off with a sharp gasp of surprise. Jun felt a stab of guilt, but had to trust that they’d be okay with Fizzy’s support. Frey would not be okay.
With a quivering hand, Jun reached out and placed it on Frey's back, his fingers tracing the contours of the man who he’d become so close to. The man whose smile lit up his day.
The man who’d taken a bullet for him.
The man he… loved?
Jun dipped into his magical wellspring to pull healing energy out and direct it into Frey. This was something he did often, his teammates often bore cuts, bruises, scrapes in their day to day. But the magic did not come. He’d spent it all.
“No!” Jun growled in frustration. Beneath him, Frey’s breathing became fainter.
There must be something he could do! He couldn’t lose Frey. Then Jun had an idea.
Drawing upon the wellspring of his own life energy and the depths of his magic, Jun began channelling his own life essence into Frey's wounded form.
At first, nothing seemed to be happening. Jun felt a strain as his magic pulsed through his fingers, but the wound remained open, more blood coated his hands.
Frey's eyes drifted closed.
No. NO. It wasn’t enough. Jun gave it more. Poured more life energy into it. His veins felt hot, and his chest felt hollow, empty, but he gave it more. Frey wouldn’t die. Jun wouldn’t let him.
A warmth spread through his fingers, and a thin strand of light connected from his tips with Frey, transferring the life energy needed. It wasn’t enough. He was still going to lose Frey.
Jun grunted in discomfort. Frey’s eyes opened in both concern, his voice strained as he called out to Jun. "Stop... no stop, it's killing you." Jun was heartened, was it working?
He refused to give up, his determination unyielding. It wasn’t enough yet.
The strand of light grew, spreading a web across Frey’s back, evolving into an intense, blistering heat that consumed both Jun and Frey. Jun felt sweat drip down his face, as the hollowness in his chest began to spread to his limbs, but it wasn’t enough yet, Frey still wasn’t out of danger. He saw white veins of magic crawling across his hands, his body weakened as he willingly poured his life magic into the one he... loved.... He loved Frey.
Through the haze of exertion, Jun managed a soft smile, his gaze fixed upon Frey's lips, pleased to see the pink tinge return. "I won't let you go," he whispered, his voice filled with a mixture of exhaustion and affection. "You're worth it." His hand trembled as he cupped Frey's cheek, thumb stroking the skin softly.
As the last remnants of Jun's life energy poured into Frey the wound began to close, his breathing steadied, and colour returned to his cheeks. The life force that Jun had willingly shared with him had done it. He’d saved Frey.
Yet, as Frey's strength returned, he realised the toll it had taken. He gently clasped Jun's trembling hand, his voice was filled with anguish and gratitude. "No, why did you do it"
Jun's body slumped, his breath shallow and laboured, but a serene smile graced his lips. "I did it, Frey. I saved you."
Positions reversed, Frey twisted so Jun was lying on the floor instead. Tears streamed down his face as he held Jun close, his voice choked with emotion. "You idiot, Jun. I can't lose you either."
In that moment, Jun's eyes fluttered closed, his strength depleted. He had given everything he had to save the one he loved. Frey held him tightly, and sobbed. The firefight raged on, but in that corner of the ship, time stood still.