Shock can render one speechless or cause them to expel a world-shattering screech. Thus, while I was stunned into silence, Rebecca's horror was reflected in one horrible scream that made my hairs stand on end. Though Marisol had produced similar signs of distress, they were not as powerful, as emotional as the one's leaving Rebecca's mouth.

After all, it was the man that she loved who stumbled and fell when a hard object hit him. He was the one bleeding profusely from a head wound, and that seemed to be the biggest shock in Rebecca's short life.

In comparison, I was utterly lost and senseless. I am afraid I have to admit that while the two women rushed to his aid, I stood frozen, observing the blood trickling down his face and into his eyes.

It seemed as if a river of blood was flowing down his face and soaking his shirt. It was such a jarring sight to behold, especially when it happened to one of your closest companions.

What finally allowed me the freedom of movement was the danger I perceived approaching the two women who were focused on helping K, not on eliminating the oncoming threat.

"No, no, no. K, please, you have to be okay." Rebecca sobbed as she tried to use her shirt to wipe away some of the blood from his face.

"I am peachy," K said in a daze.

"Marisol, I need some assistance," I said, raising my hands and willing the light to shine forth once again.

"You need to put pressure on his wound to stop the bleeding. Head wounds bleed a lot; it's not as serious as it seems." Marisol said.

"Marisol! Rebecca! If you do not assist me in my endeavor, we shall all fall prey to these humans." I exclaimed, barely holding off the humans and objects that were rapidly approaching.

"You go. There isn't much anyone can do for K under these conditions, and I think I know what needs to be done," Rebecca said.

Giving K one last look, Marisol bobbed her head in agreement and rejoined her light with my own. Even after what had occurred, our lights danced in perfect harmony with each other, the same way our hearts beat as one.

It was an empowering feeling. However, I was convinced that we needed more help. Furthermore, I was certain it would not arrive since K was hurt and Rebecca was sobbing profusely, cradling his head in her lap. She used all the cloth she could find to prevent him from losing more blood, but it was evident that she was becoming desperate.

"It's all my fault. I am so sorry. I should have... If I just...you wouldn't be hurt." Rebecca stuttered.

"Shh, it's okay. It's my fault for having a big head. Easy target, you know." K said jokingly, although he could barely prevent his voice breaking in pain.

"You don't understand. I am to blame." Rebecca said, attempting to calm her breathing so that she could voice her words well.

"The same way Shawn hid things from Marisol; I have been hiding something from you. I didn't think it mattered enough to share, but now I understand how wrong I was." Rebecca said.

For the first time since I made K's acquaintance, he remained silent. However, I was uncertain if the reason behind it was his inability to express his thoughts or the pain in his head, preventing him from doing so.

"I think Shawn was right. That for this thing, whatever it is, to work we need to be completely honest with each other. At least when it comes to the big stuff since we all have the right to hide a few secrets." Rebecca said.

I was vexed at Rebecca for stalling when Marisol and I were barely keeping the enraged humans at bay. However, then I recalled that I had done the same mere moments before. Thus, I could understand better than anyone how hard it was to bare one's soul, to share one's deepest secret with someone.

"What... is... It?" K asked, his eyes struggling to stay open.

"I've been married before. I was young and foolish. I believed that he loved me. However, after a few months, I learned what kind of monster I married.

"Though he appeared sweet and caring, he was in fact a terrible person who sought to control me in every aspect of my life. Things got so bad that a few times even police had to interfere." Rebecca admitted lowering her gaze.

"He hurt you?" K asked, his voice mightier than mere moments before.

"Yes. It was mostly emotional abuse, but things got so bad that even after I moved here, I found it impossible to trust people. It was as if my brain couldn't get used to the idea that there are people in the world who wouldn't hurt me, who would respect me, the way you did, the way you do." Rebecca said.

"That's why I was so hesitant to start a relationship with you, with anyone. Because I felt broken and ashamed. Yet, your love has helped me grow and glue back together all the broken pieces of my self-confidence, my self-worth." Rebecca added, wiping away her tears.

As I was contemplating what had been said, I started considering what I formerly declared: 'No legacy is so rich as honesty.'

The events that occurred that day validated my words more than anything until now did.

Had I not liberated the power that resided in Marisol and myself by the sheer act of honesty? Could the same not be expected to happen to the two whom I loved as if they were my own kin?

"Help me stand up," K said.

"But you are hurt." Rebecca objected.

"Please," K said.

As she supported him, he slowly rose up from the ground, slightly wobbling, he took her chin in his hands and started kissing her as gently as if she were made of glass. It was a kiss that spoke more than words ever could tell. It spoke of devotion, gentleness, and adoration.

As their lips connected in a gentle embrace, a glow started forming around them. Initially, it was just a glimmer of light, but then it spread until one enormous sphere of light, of love, engulfed both of them in its golden protection.

"Let's do this," K said as they floated towards us.

Then they both closed their eyes in concentration. In response, the protecting bubble that surrounded them transformed into an enormous ball that they thrust upon the humans. When it reached them, it burst into colorful dust and joined Marisol and mine's lights, sprinkling all the humans with flakes of magic.

As a consequence, they glowed for a brief second, upon which they left unaware that they were attempting to achieve anything.

However, before we could rejoice at our victory, we came to the realization that four beings still stood where they had been when the battle for our lives first commenced. The monsters were not defeated. They were merely weakened.

"What are we supposed to do now? Can't this magic thing come with an instruction manual?" K said much more animated than mere moments before.

"Nothing is ever that easy. Everything requires some effort. It's like the way we built trust with each other. It takes time, and we had to build on the connection that we already had." Rebecca said.

"The question remains, what steps are we to undertake to defeat enemies that are far greater than our physical strengths combined?" I inquired.

"They might be stronger than us, but you forget that they can't hurt us, which gives us a big advantage. Now that their minions are gone, we are the ones who have the upper hand." Marisol said.

As I considered her words, the monsters themselves commenced their approach. If it hadn't been for the powerful magic preventing them from relishing their anger, I am confident they would have exterminated us swiftly. As it was, they appeared to be deep in thought, undoubtedly pondering the best way to cause our demise.

"You are naïve if you believe that you, mere mortals are capable of defeating us," the witch said, hatred coating her words.

"Maybe not, but there is nothing you can do to us either," K said though some amount of blood continued to trickle down his forehead.

"By our own hands, no, we cannot harm you," the devil said.

Subsequently he proceeded to smash his hands upon the ground. As he did so, the deep roots of trees that no longer were, burst forth through what K taught me was 'asphalt' and swiftly darted towards us.

"However, we can allow nature your people destroyed to take its revenge," the devil said with glee.

That was when the dance between the violent roots and ourselves began, a deadly dance that I was not assured we could all survive.