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Finally.
Dan Heng's breath sharpened as the pain finally subsided, his eyes changing it's glow from the bright red and back to turquoise. Phagousa's waters fell back into the sea, dragging Flame Reaver down with it. His body was trembling, and he felt himself stumble back.
"DAN HENG!"
He could hear the three running to him, but only Mydei was quick enough to catch him before he could fall.
"Dan Heng, you… HKS!" The Kremnoan Prince cursed under his breath, gripping his body tightly as he knelt down to allow the Vidyadhara to lay on his lap. "What were you thinking!?"
"…" Dan Heng's breath shook. "He… He was after you… and Stelle… and Phainon…" He gave a small cough, voice feeling sore. "I couldn't… I…"
He couldn't let Flame Reaver take Stelle's life again.
Or take Phainon's life.
Or Mydei's.
"Dan Heng!" Phainon gasped as he and Stelle finally made it to his side. "Oh my Titans… we need to get him to the Twilight Courtyard!
"N-No…" Dan Heng shook his head. "I'm not… physically injured… just…" He swallowed and clung into Mydei. "I… I just need… a rest…"
A lot of rest…
Stelle's eyes widened. "Dan Heng…" She slowly lowered herself to meet his eye level. "Back when you said you used the last of your strength to heal me… you haven't fully recovered from it, haven't you?" Her voice was soft, gentle but it quivered too.
"…" Dan Heng's lips pursed. "…Stelle, you know I shouldn't be able to heal…"
"…" Stelle's lips thinned. "So when you tried to heal…"
Dan Heng sighed. "Yeah… I was drawing energy from… from myself… a lot…" He closed his eyes for a moment before shaking his head. "But it doesn't matter," He coughed a little before shifting his position to face them more. "Hyacine's going to need help… you guys need to go!"
It's a waste of time to be here with me.
"How about you!?" Phainon hissed. "We… We can't just leave you here!"
"I'll make sure he's okay," Mydei volunteered. "And in case Flame Reaver comes back. You two go,"
"Mydei--"
"Phainon," Stelle stood up and grabbed the man's arm. "We need to go. Hyacine is going to need help."
Phainon held his breath. He took back his arm to cross both against his chest. "Mm… fine." He let out a sigh and turned back to the other two. "But once we're done, we're coming back here to get you both!"
"Just go, Deliverer," Mydei groaned. "We'll be fine."
Phainon nodded before the two were off. Stelle gave them a sad look, one Dan Heng recognised clearly as she held out her flaming lance and charged after Phainon.
…
Well, death could never be truly escaped.
"Can you walk?" Mydei asked, shifting his hold to help him to sit up.
Dan Heng shook his head. He attempted to keep himself steady, but he ended up falling back onto his lap. "I'm tired, Mydei…" He whimpered.
"…" Mydei held his breath. "Dan Heng…"
"Y-You should go too," Dan Heng's voice was quivering at this point, the tears pricking his eyes. "I'm too drained to fight… I… I can hardly move…" He let out a dry laugh. "Forcing myself to heal while not being able to really backfired on me…"
"…I can't just leave you here." Mydei swallowed. The tone of his voice was easy to figure out, but the other wasn't having any of it.
"I've been feeling drained since I came here… this is my fault for exerting my abilities till I can no longer move," The Vidyadhara gripped the ground below him with one hand before forcing his other hand to gently touch the Kremnoan's chest. "Please… Phainon and Stelle are going to need help… He clutched the cloth on the other, trying to steady himself. "I can't protect them anymore… especially Stelle…"
Mydei's eyes softened. He held onto the trembling hand, grip tightening slightly. "I'll make sure they'll both make it out of here alive," He assured.
Dan Heng gave a smile. It was a tired, small one but it was a genuine one. "Thank you… Mydei…" He leaned against him before fluttering his eyes closed. "I just… need a rest… a little… bit…"
Mydei held onto his body, closing his eyes and cradling the other as he felt him go limp. His own body began to tremble, feeling the tears pricking the corners of his eyes. His hand went to his neck.
…
No pulse.
…
"Goodbye… Dan Heng."