Days had passed since Jake had been injured. Nathan was still haunted by Marco’s eyes, they were so cold and dead as he rammed his cutlass through Jakes abdomen. Marco had fallen through the mirror with them, but quickly died as he was separated from Grim. Teresa had explained later that zombies like Marco could not be separated from him, unlike Brad who had been brought back as the living dead. A zombie would be a mere puppet that had no true thoughts, emotions, or life, where Brad’s soul had been sealed back into his dead body.

Nathan walked quickly down the streets, hands jammed in his pockets trying hard not to relive Jake’s screaming as Rocko seared his wounds shut with Kaminari. He shuddered, jogging up the steps of Rogue Island’s only hospital, traversing the hallways quickly to Jake’s room.

Sophie was curled up, asleep in a hard seat breathing softly. She had been there the most aside from Nathan. Watching over Jake with worry.

Nathan smiled sadly, grabbing a spare blanket from the base of the hospital bed and draping it over her sleeping body.

He turned back to Jake. His friend gaunt and pale, tubes and lines in his arms and nose. Nathan knew if he pulled back the sheets he would see a livid wound, sealed together by angry burns. It was a wound that perplexed doctors, but one they treated nevertheless.

Now here they were four days later, and Jake still hadn’t woken. Nathan sighed, pulling up a chair, throwing himself down into it. His fingers slid over his blades; Akarui and Yami, hidden beneath his cloak. He never went anywhere without them now.

“You worry for your friend?” said Julian simply, appearing beside him, watching Jake with strange intensity.

“Of course I do!” Nathan said sharply.

“I would worry for him too… These wounds are bad” Julian stated lovingly.

“It is not his time to die,” Nathan growled at the angel, ignoring his passing comment.

“And how would you know that Nathan Cross? Have you been conversing with The Creator upon these matters?” he questioned gently, his blue eyes watching Nathan sadly.

“No I have not!” hissed Nathan, conscious of both Jake and Sophie sleeping. “I know because I am not ready to lose Jake,” he retorted, staring daggers at Julian.

Vex appeared, laying in the bed next to Jake, “Julian can save him… If he doesn’t… your friend will surely die,” her smile was beautiful and evil as she trailed a finger across Jakes pale cheek.

Nathan’s head snapped around and glared at Julian, “Is this true?”

Julian smiled sadly, “Loss is a part of life. You need to learn this Nathan. I have a feeling you will lose a few more people before you see this mission out.”

“I can get used to that later. I don’t want Jake to die now!” he argued, turning back to his unconscious friend.

“The boy has decided,” Vex laughed, “He wants to rescue his friend…”

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“Yes! I do!” Nathan said excitedly.

“Just remember, there are two sides to every coin…” Julian replied, shooting Vex a perplexed look.

“What do you mean?” Nathan asked, staring at Julian.

“You can heal him.” Julian said, seemingly annoyed at Vex for mentioning it. “With the power of Akarui. It will not be easy though,” The angel confessed, “Jake is destined to die here. Saving him will alter the course of destiny and change many lives, some for better, some for worse.”

Nathan gulped.

“However this is your decision Nathan. Will you save your friend no matter what the cost?” Julian murmured, regarding Nathan through glowing eyes.

Nathan hesitated for only a moment before his hands went to Akarui pulling the white blade from its sheath. “I have to. What do I need to do?” he asked seriously.

Julian shook his head sadly, slowly fading from sight, “Fill him with light.”

Vex giggled, “I do like you boy. You make my life interesting!” she disappeared instantly after saying her piece.

Nathan stared at the spot Julian had stood for a moment. Fill Jake with light what does he mean?

Groaning, he stepped over to his friend. Jakes skin was almost grey and Nathan stared at him. Jake’s breath, laboured and shallow beneath the oxygen mask.

“How am I supposed to do this?” he groaned, eyes darting from his sword to his friend.

He shrugged, visualising Jake filling with light, but there was nothing.

Growling he shook his sword. “Work damn it,” he growled, but felt silly as the cool steel was unresponsive.

Nathan concentrated again. This time picking up Jake’s hand, shuddering at the cool flesh. He dug deep within himself, searching for his power.

He felt Akarui respond to his call, the white blade lighting up within his hand. Light… He thought. I need light. Power flowed through him, filling him, illuminating his soul.

He opened his eyes but Jake was still as gaunt as ever. He felt Jake’s limp hand, almost dead in his.

He pushed the light inside him, somehow directing it at Jake. He almost wept with relief, feeling the light being sucked at greedily. “It’s working!” he croaked victoriously.

He watched in amazement as Jake began healing before his eyes. His skin lightened, a healthy flush colour filling his cheeks. The gaunt look disappearing along with the dark circles under his eyes. Ripping back the sheet Nathan watched the angry scar faded, leaving smooth skin, with no sign of the previous damage.

Sighing in relief, he went to remove his hand, but panic set in as he couldn’t. It felt like his hand was glued to Jakes, the light that Jake sucked at began to quickly dull inside of him.

“Let go Jake!” he pleaded, trying to pry his hand from his friends. “Sophie help!” he cried, startling the woman from her sleep.

“What is going on Nathan?” she asked, staring at their clasped hands.

“I can’t let go, the healing is too much!” he moaned, body beginning to feel weak as the light continued to flow from him, “He needs to let go!”

Sophie’s eyes began to glow bright green and she gasped, staring at their hands.

“You are feeding him life Nathan,” she whispered, “It’s like my tree, except, my tree took nutrients from the earth. You are the only thing powering this.” she said in amazement, leaping forward to rip their hands apart.

They were held fast. It appeared Nathan wasn’t going to be able to let go until Jake awoke.

“Try wake him,” Nathan pleaded, sinking into a chair, his hand held up purely by Jake’s grasp.

“Wake up Jake!” Sophie cried, shaking him hard by the shoulders, he remained emotionless. “Please!” she screamed, alerting the nearby nurses to the dangerous situation.

They burst in the room with wide eyes, taking in the scene.

“Get away from him!” they instructed, and Sophie obeyed with teary eyes.

“You too,” they commanded Nathan, but he couldn’t move.

“Is that a sword?” one of them screeched.

“Call security,” the other mumbled, sending Sophie into hysterics.

“You can’t,” she cried, “Can’t you see he can’t move?”

Apparently it didn’t matter, security was radioed.

Sophie rushed towards Nathan, tears sparkling on her lashes. “Stay awake Nathan!” she begged, placing her hands on his shoulders, his other hand grasped Akarui tightly. His eyelids drooped and Sophie began feeding him a small amount of life from Shizen, glowing beautifully around her wrist.

“Stay with us Nathan…” she whispered, watching him fall away from the world.