It feels as though every bone in my body is cracking and screaming in pain. I've never felt such immense agony in my life - more than any emotional suffering I have ever had to endure.

"Let her go... I am begging you," Darian can barely say the words as my body goes limp. I can't move, I can't speak... I am completely immobilised. All I can feel is the pain that I cannot express.

"Letting her go is exactly what I will not do," Agnis cackles and I hear the thrumming of footsteps. "It seems we have guests... how exciting," I can only imagine the glint in her eyes and I want to scream for them to turn around. Just turn around and leave.

I try to scream but it comes out as more of a whimper and tears stream down my face. A coughing fit takes over my body as I feel something rising in my throat at a rapid speed.

My head turns to the side at its own accord as something warm begins to pool in my mouth and run down my cheek. I catch a glimpse of crimson and my heart almost stops.

The blood flowing out of my mouth makes it hard to breathe as I continue to cough.

An audible creak sounds when the doors of the meeting hall are burst open - the noise so loud I am surprised that the doors didn't break off of their hinges.

I just about move my head to the side to see who it is. As soon as my neck moves another whimper leaves my lips... it feels as though someone has stabbed my neck multiple times.

Looking towards the doors, I just about see Manin and several guards following his lead. "You have committed high treason... if you think that you will get out of this untouched you are mistaken," Manin spits and points an accusing finger.

"Your bravery is honourable but what will get you killed," Agnis turns to face them and the guards begin charging towards her - swords pointed. "You should have listened... you have such a pretty face," with that,  every single guard drops to the floor due to a mere a blink from Agnis.

I screw my eyes closed as I watch Manin drop to the floor and force the image out of my mind. Gods, this isn't happening. More tears flow down my cheeks and I try to settle the aching in my chest. He's not dead... he can't be.

When my eyes open slightly, my eyes meet with Darian's. The defeat on his face is evident and I feel myself slowly slipping into the darkness. His loss of hope only means one thing...

You need to hold on... please just hold on, Darian's voice is clear in my mind and I revel in the feeling of hearing his voice. I let his voice be my tether... the tether that keeps me from closing my eyes and floating away to another land.

I'm trying, my voice is so clear and composed compared to how I feel. Something else snaps in my body and I can't help the scream that rips through me. Agnis stands in front of my view, blocking me from seeing Darian.

"Letting you two lovers have your goodbyes would be too generous of me..." Agnis trails off and lets that awful condescending smile take over her face. I wish to the heavens that someone will just come and take down this despicable woman.

I love you... god I love you so much but I refuse to let you go, Darian's voice speaks and I close my eyes. This is the end I knew that we'd get. I knew that we wouldn't survive this... that Agnis' power had grown too strong. All I know is one thing: that I love him and that I need to tell him.

I love you... but I have to let you go, I can't hold onto the tether of his voice any longer. Something else snaps in my body and I scream so loud that more blood pools in my mouth. A sob escapes my lips and I get ready to pass over to whatever is beyond this life.

A huge light fills my vision, so bright it almost blinds me and I am sure that I am crossing over to the other side. Large gusts of wind flood through the room and Agnis looks as though she has seen a ghost. My eyes meet with what almost knocks the breath out of me. 

Anith, the goddess of light, is standing before me - not in my dreams or when I am dead but in full form in front of my very eyes. "You have defied the power of nature... you have messed with the balance and now... you are sentenced to death," Anith speaks, her voice echoing.

Agnis is forced to drop to her knees and she glares at me. "You have done this and you will pay," Agnis spits and something forever unrepairable breaks in me. Whether it is my heart or my neck everything doubles and I find the feeling of breathing incapable. 

Everything moves in a blur as voices become muffled. I want to call out for Darian to say that I love him and that I don't want to leave him but... I physically cannot.

"What you have done has caused a great imbalance in the underworld and your death shall be a painful one. You've had the intention of murdering a chosen one... for that, you must pay," Anith says as her hands ball together.

"Do your worst you bitch," Agnis spits and Anith smiles brightly before pressing her hands against Agnis' head. Agnis screams and screams until she can't anymore. I watch every bone in her body snap in half and her mangled body drop to the floor. I imagine that I look similar to her. 

"Mother Agnis' death shall restore the balance of nature. No witch shall ever meet such power for the rest of eternity. I'm afraid that my time here has run out but Agnis will be punished for the rest of her life on the other side. I'll see you both soon," and with that Anith disappears. 

As soon as Anith has gone, I feel the darkness swallowing me and the silence peaceful. Before my eyes close completely, I notice Darian's hands become unbound and him rushing towards me. 

Although, all noise ceases to exist.