My vision was blurring, and my legs felt so heavy. Screams in the distance. Shrieks. I couldn't get past the blinding agony pounding through my skull. With a groan, I collapsed. Cool grass brushed against my face, thunder echoing the cries of the innocent. After such blood was spilled, I didn't mind death. I craved it like a starving man craves a feast. But I knew it wouldn't come. Like a fitful sleep, I'd wake up. I barely managed to turn over so I could stare at the night sky, my fevered panting clouding my vision, which slowly waning. Rain fell; it crackled as it touched my skin. Anger coursed through me, causing the air to charge with lightening. I failed. How many more times would I fail before I succeeded? Pain. "Aaric!" my name. Footsteps, so many, so frantic. 

   "What the bloody hell is wrong with him?"

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   "His head was struck with something!"

   "A spell..." I could feel her panic. Crying. No. Please don't cry. I couldn't see anymore, couldn't look at her. A warm hand gripped mine; her hand. 

   "What did that bloody witch do?!" A deep male voice.

   "That wretch! I'll tear her fucking apart!" More sobbing.

   "We only just found you again. Don't leave us again. Don't leave me." I'm sorry. I'm sorry. I don't want to leave. "I'm begging you. Aaric." The voices were becoming muffled in my ears. I tried to claw my way back. 

    "Don't. Don't cry." My voice was hoarse. "I'll be back."

   "Aaric." One last sob. Then... Silence. My head was numbing. My body started to lose feeling. Then, I started to forget her. But peace. I felt peace.