[** Under the willow tree **]

Galahad finished reading the chapter for the second time, feeling a bit nervous. 'Why is he taking so long?' He stood up. "Maybe something happened. I should check on him." He was about to go when he heard a cracking sound. He looked around. It didn't sound like a broken branch. His eyes fell on his pouch as a dim purple light was coming from it.

He opened it, seeing the crystal from Mephiles' body was crumbling. A cold sweat overcame his body. "Mephiles!!" he shouted, running out, looking frantically around. He caught his head. "I have to calm down!" He took the crystal, poured into it his own power and tried to find the dark hedgehog just like the last time.

To his horror, he noticed his traces are weakening. He found the one of the thickest and followed it, hoping he picked the right thread. After long minutes, he arrived in front of a cave that was easily overlooked as its entrance was just half of the meter height and located in a small gorge. "Mephiles!" he shouted and one bright red spot appeared in the darkness.

'Galahad...' thought weakened dark knight as his eyes widen. He felt a touch and soon he noticed his knight. 'You... found me... No... I didn't want to...' His hand was picked and pressed on a soft cheek. '... for you to see me like this...' But he still couldn't stop a small smile to appear on his face. 'But I'm glad... I could see you for the last time...' His consciousness drifted away.

[** Unknown time later **]

Mephiles body was weak... and his eyes have been opened for some time... but his brain was too sluggish to react and work. He was watching greenery ceiling of the willow tree. He felt a presence next to him. He had no will to check this person. Everything to him felt so foggy... so distant.

He noticed a motion next to him and into his field of vision came to a familiar face. "Mephiles!" He hugged him. It was Galahad and his body was trembling. He was also dress-less, only some flowers remained in his quills. "Are you...? How do you feel?" He lifted his torso.

Mephiles was watching him, before speaking: "Light..."

"Are you hurting?" He petted his cheek.

"No, I just feel light..."

"Are you hungry? I'll bring you something to eat. Please, wait a bit." He lightly kissed him on lips, before spurting out. Mephiles noticed Galahad is completely naked, and as he was exiting the willow room, he used his power to bring himself the underwear.

The dark knight continued to lay, starting to slowly think. 'Am I... still alive? Was my death postponed?' He sluggishly lifted his hand, looking at it. It was full of cracks and he was missing two fingers. 'He must have been scared to death... when he found me.' He realized it wasn't a dream neither an illusion.

He tried to lift his body to elbows, but he soon gave up. He had no strength. 'How can I explain it to him?' While he pondered about this part, his knight returned having a big bowl in his arms.

"I'm sorry, I had no idea what I should pick so I brought a bit of everything." The bowl was put down next to Mephiles and he helped him to sit up, putting a lot of pillows behind him to support his body.

The bowl was full of fruits, meat, sausages, bread, and vegetable. He found as well pieces of smoked fishes or different kinds of nuts. Mephiles tried to take an apple, but Galahad stopped him. "No, just rest, I'll feed you." He manipulated his power to cut or dived the food into small pieces, to make chewing easier.

Mephiles slowly ate and no one said a word. After few pieces, he tried to speak, but Galahad was first: "I'm so glad!" he was crying. "I'm so glad you are alive!"

The crystalline hedgehog moved his hand, trying to get up when he felt something... he stopped dreaming about a long time ago. He touched his stomach. "Am I...?" He looked at him.

Galahad was blushing. "I'm sorry, I didn't know what to do when I found you like that!" The tears turned his vision blurry. "I... I looked into your mind! I learned it from the diary. I thought it may tell me what's happening with you!" He took the dark knight's cheeks in his hands. "All I saw were chaotic thoughts... but among it... I don't even know why I decided to do it... But it seemed if I give you a child it will save you."

Mephiles rubbed his stomach, looking at it, before looking at Galahad. "But why?" The Crystallian was confused. "Why did you do it? Why going so far for me?"

"I love you," he said with a firm voice. "I don't know how else to describe it. Knowing I won't be able to see you anymore... It hurt so much... It was unbearable... It was tearing me apart!" He shook his head.