John's POV

John and the others were climbing up the mountain. Last night they decided to camp then climb the mountain early morning. John climbed beside Riley who was struggling beside him.

Riley panted, "I hate climbing mountains."

"At least you get rewarded with a beautiful view," John replied, looking down, "Hopefully."

Ever since their last talk, John and Eileen avoided each other. George who was climbing on his other side glanced at Eilene who didn't seem to have any trouble.

"What happened between you guys?" George asked, "What did you do?"

"Why don't you ask her," John muttered, "For once, I didn't do anything."

It got silent after that as they continued to climb. They stopped to catch their breath on a ledge then Dwayne led the way through a rocky, path. Walls were on both sides of John as they continued Suddenly, Dwayne stopped.

"Up there," Dwayne whispered, pointing up.

John followed his gaze and saw a huge eagle perched on top of a dead tree which was hanging from the cliff. He was surprised that tree didn't brake since there's a massive eagle sitting on it. He saw a silver chain tied around the eagle's neck.

"There's the Copper Falcon," Zoey said.

"And this time, we're getting it," John whirled around and gasped.

Behind them was Drina and a couple more Conquerors that had the same amount of people as his team.

"Drina," Eric muttered.

Everyone pulled out their weapons and summoned their Spirit Animal. John called out Rusty who finally entered passive state before the climb. Before he knew it, the place was filled with slashing weapons. He found himself fighting with a man with a dagger. Though John was thought how to fight with a sword, the man was very experienced and fought viciously. He spotted Rusty fighting with the man's Spirit Animal, a coyote. Every time John slashed, the man easily blocked or dodged it and tried to counter strike. John barely escaped the dagger as it sliced the air where his head was. Suddenly, the man slid his legs under his making him fall back. The man raised his dagger but then, Rusty had managed to scare the coyote away and bit the man's arm ferociously. With the man distracted, John quickly got back up and kicked hard.

"Get the Copper Falcon," he heard Eric yell, who was fighting a burly man with a huge battle axe.

John spotted George already running towards the eagle who was perched on the tree, watching the battle with a glint of amusement. Suddenly, another Conqueror tackled him to the ground as they rolled dangerously near the cliff. John's fear rose and he started running towards George who was struggling to get the Conqueror off. Just when the Conqueror was about to push him off the cliff John had reached them just in time and kicked Conqueror hard. The Conqueror fell off the cliff followed by a cry of terror.

"Thanks John," George said, getting up, "You saved my life, twice."

Just when John was about to reply, he heard a familiar voice shout his name.

"John, look out!" Eilene warned who was too far.

Suddenly, John was lifted off the ground and into the air. Huge talons pierced through his skin and he yelped in pain. The eagle carried John farther from the mountain. He looked up and spotted the Copper Falcon dangling inches away. Suddenly, the eagle let go his grip on John but he somehow managed to grab on to the eagle's leg. The eagle screeched, trying to shake John off and began to fly faster. John held on tight and closed his eyes cause it made him sick. He spotted the mountain again as the eagle flew closer. John took a deep breath, he knew what he had to do. John kept holding on as they neared the mountain.

"Wait for it," he muttered, "Wait for it."

Just when they were a few meters from the mountain, he jumped from the leg and aimed for the Copper Falcon. He snatched the Copper Falcon off the neck of the eagle and he started falling down. He fell down until he landed hard on his side, rolling until he came to a stop. John groaned in pain, his body was aching everywhere but the Copper Falcon was clutched tightly in his hands. He looked up to see a blurry figure looking down at him. At first, he assumed it was Eilene but when his vision cleared, it was Riley.

"John, are you okay?" Riley asked, concern showing in her eyes.

John slowly sat up, wincing, "Yeah, i'm fine."

He spotted Eilene fighting with another Conqueror just a few meters away. Just then, another Conqueror had sneaked up from behind her.

"Eilene, watch out!" he yelled.

He was too far go reach her on time but Dwayne wasn't. Just when the blade was about to strike Eilene, Dwayne had pushed him down the mountain. The Conqueror Dwayne had been fighting, took the chance and stabbed Dwayne on the back. He fell down hard, in pain. Eilene had just knocked another Conqueror off and had hit her staff on the Conqueror.

"Everyone, fall back," Drina commanded and glared at Eric, "You may have won this battle but I swear if you don't get out of my way, i'll kill every single one of you!"

Drina ran away, the remaining Conquerors following. Everyone gathered around Dwayne who was bleeding terribly. His chimpanzee was curled in a ball beside him.

"It's okay Dwayne," Eric was saying, "You'll be fine."

"A wound that deep?" Dwayne managed a weak smile, "Everyone had their time and I believe my time is now."

Everyone looked at him sadly, he could see tears forming on most of their eyes.

"Promise me to take care of Chad here," he went on, "and promise me that when i'm gone, you would finish your quest to saving Erdas."

"We'll finish the quest," Zoron reassured him.

Everyone watched as he smiled at them for one last time, closed his eyes and then his breathing stopped. Chad made a sound that sounded like a cry of grief. Tears were rolling down Hope's cheeks. Everyone's eyes were wide with shock and grief.

"I can't believe he died," Riley whispered.

Eric's head hung low. Then he stood up and looked at them. There was grief and sadness in his eyes but also determination.

"Many more of our allies will fall," Eric said, his voice strong, "but as long as we keep going, there is always hope."

Did you expect to see Dwayne die? (Well not exactly see but more like read) Please vote and leave a comment on what you think. Stay tuned for the next chapters!