Noah was fidgeting with his pendant, he still maintained extremely quiet as we walked through the dangerous mountains in-search for a shelter, The sound of stones crunching, the sounds of footsteps, and the sounds of winds rustling through the calm, yet intense atmosphere.

I suddenly saw a gigantic cave in the distance, filled to the brim with stalagmites. I pointed and shouted out loud.

" AY! OVER 'ERE! ”

I pointed to the cave, as my leather and chainmail armor was filled to the brim with snow, Evian sighed and smirked.

” Thank god! Because these gosh darn snowflakes are hurting my precious, perfect porcelain skin! ”

I chuckled with her, before we gone inside. Suddenly, Stalagmites fell, and then a contraption was activated, sending spikes off the ground cave exit and entrance.

Evian was annoyed after the stalagmites fell.

” Damn it! BITE ME YOU DUMB STALAGMITE! ”

Evian then gets the stalagmite that almost fell on her, then snapped it into pieces.

Noah was more quieter, and said in a shivering and whispered tone.

” U-Uhh.. I-I.. Think.. ”

I completed the sentence, jumping Infront of Noah

” For you to shut up, Evian! ”

I'd say whilst smiling, holding my boiling annoyance inside my brain.

Noah seemed seemingly nervous after getting locked in the dungeon, which means his powers were getting weaker and weaker by the day, And we suddenly got on a 2-way intersection inside the cave.

Evian was annoyed at this intersection as she looked at both paths before groaning.

” Great! Just, Split up! I'll be with that nervous sand mage. ”

Noah then says.

” Oh.. Really? Thanks. Name is... Noah. ”

” And sorry I've been acting weird. I just have guilt of something I've done. ”

I questioned Noah and said.

” What is it? Ruining Vale? ”

Noah's eyes widened, but he just groaned and launched a angry sigh at me.

” NO! UGH. Just. You wouldn't listen, or understand. ”

I then looked at Evian seriously before saying.

” Hey. Can I go with him instead? He is... Just more comfortable with me. ”

I said with a stern expression, yet my tone had desperation. Noah nodded to Evian, as if saying "just-accept-it"

Evian just shrugged before saying.

” Right. Just go with that sand mage, See ya'! ”

She then cartwheeled and proceeded to dash the other way, Me and Noah also went to the left pathway. The sounds of the stone crunching echoed through the caverns, water dripping, and the occasional crunching of fallen stalagmites.

I spoke to Noah, who seemed still uneasy.

” Listen, You can talk to me. I won't judge, Just spill it. ”

Noah seemed even more uneasy, which made me seem confused. I patted  his back, before nodding.

” It's okay, it's okay. Just calm down. ”

I continued to brush his black hair perfectly and gently. He seemed to calm down a little bit.

Noah smiled gently before saying.

” Thank you. I just wanted someone to just comfort me... Your my true best friend. And I hope we can defeat the Empyreans... Together. ”

I'd tug a smile, and hug him.

” Well... We've gone through worser times like this, right..? It will all be fine at the end, where we will retire together. ”

[ Back at Emperor Wuzar's Palace ]

Emperor Wuzar had an extravagant Chinese palace, filled to the brim with beautiful decorations, delicate, cherub statues and red terracotta walls. There were also guards embracing through the palace everywhere.

He opens a door, which reveals his son, Efurius sitting at the bed. He sharpens his signature weapon, Sharp, dual daggers. His appearance had black, long hair. I mean, You can confuse him for a woman. He also wore a red, hanfu robe, with perfect white skin.

Emperor Wuzar came in and said.

” Son, I have a mission for you. One of our spies had tracked down the location of  Noah, The sand gemstone holder. So, What I want you to do is to just ambush them in the Deadbone Mountain range. We'll drop you off via. Airship, Prepare your weaponry. ”

Efurius nods in understanding, before quickly preparing his leather armor, and wore a robe and mask to conceal his identity. He then responded to the grandiose emperor.

” Ofcourse. I am ready. ”

Wuzar gestured one of his guards to guide Efurius to the airship. The guard nodded, and then Efurius followed the guard in an organized manner.

They went onto the Palace Gardens, where they see a airship parked in an organized manner. There were also 10 trained guards accompanying him, all bowing down in front of his presence.

The airship's engines bursted to life, the engine roared swiftly, and it would land for take off. Efurius waved goodbye to Emperor Wuzar, But Wuzar gave a simple, serious nod against him.

The airship floated onto the air, its engines roaring out smoke and it would now do its
final safety protocols before leaving.

[ Back in Noah and Glenn's POV ]

I talked to Noah more, giving him words of advice, comfort and peace. Until we reached a gigantic, underground ravine.

Which was a gigantic dead end, so we had to go back. Until... The sounds of airships roaring through the air, shattering the ceiling above us as debris of stones smash and hit us.

Noah shouted as he held up a wave of sand to block in the rubble, before we began to run, suddenly. Before we knew it, tons of guards were chasing after us like it's the Olympics.

The running continues as we had to navigate through treacherous landscapes with falling boulders, huge crevices and gaps that will make us fall in at any moment. I could hear war drums playing as we ran, probably inside my mind. But I just don't know!

Finally, We were suddenly cornered. We have no choice but to fight for our lives. The rumbling and falling of stones lightened above us. Yet I gripped my sword tightly as Noah uses his sand magic obtained from the sand gemstone, creating a whirlwind of sand as it suffocates through the knights.

They gasp for air as they cough, they slowly suffocated internally. I took advantage, and I charged swiftly at them. Making a spinning strike, I'd also get Ruko out from my bag, his small little scaly dragon form still strong and obliviant.

The dragon begins to spew out some barrages of fireballs, the guards quickly tried to dodge, but some attempts were futile, and they'd get knocked back. I took advantage and launched a swift wave of my sword, ending their lives. Their blood contained sand as I slowly pierced through their armor. The guards fell down as they choked, creating a huge thud echoing throughout the air.

We gasped for air, Noah seemed more stressed as beads of sweat, he once remembered the trauma he inflicted. Trying to save someone, but it all failed and harmed an entire city instead, Noah gasped for air, his hands holding his chest as he had beads of tears washing through, he was gasping for air and he kneeled down. His eyes filled to the brim with sorrow.

He then kneeled down, he was at his most vulnerable state yet. Ruko tried to comfort him.., clawing his skin and shaking him. But it was futile, he was having an anxiety attack about a trauma...

I comforted him, Patting him in his back and muttering
..
” Don't let it get to you, don't let it :, Stop!.. ”

I brushed his hair, trying to  comfort him. I'd now try to make more gestures for him, trying to slowly comfort him. But it was futile, I guess I have to leave him alone.. I'll give him space. Everything that works.

I left him, and gone with Ruko. Suddenly, A cloaked dual daggered person came in and swiftly launched a barrage of shurikens, spinning around twirling in the air as it hit Ruko directly in his chest and pinned him against the stone wall.

” NO! NOT HIM, NOT HIM..! ”

I shouted, as I charged headfirst at the assassin. But his movements were agile and he attacked me from behind. But I managed to block barely with my sword. Whatever this battle is gonna be, it's gonna be intense. Our weapons collided together, creating sparks floating through the air, we relentlessly hit eachother. Blow after blow, As we swiftly jumped and dashed to avoid attacks with ease and finesse.

My stamina was running out as the fighting ensued. I then pulled out an attack by stepping on his foot, he groaned in pain, And then I launched a swift blow into his face. The person groaned in pain and launched multiple swift attacks at me with his dual daggers, suddenly. Blood was bursting out of me quickly then I could react. I fell to the floor, and gasped for air.

Suddenly, Noah came back up and then swiftly used his sand magic to send waves of sand, hurling against the assassin. He groaned in pain before another barrage of sand balls is sent to him... I wanted to help, but the injuries are too much.

I was gasping for air. I saw Noah thumped to the floor, My vision became blurry, and then... I was about to faint. I guess this'll be my final goodbye... Suddenly. I just woke up before I knew it. My injuries was healed... But lying next to me was... Noah.

He had an entire hole in his chest, shaped like a gemstone. I touched my chest and realized... Noah transferred the Sand Gemstone to me.. And sacrificed his entire life to that dumb assassin... Just for me..?

No.. This can't be! Why would he do this?! I deserved to die, NOT HIM! Why does everything have to end so fast? Just in the blink of an eye.. Why.. why..?! WHY?!..

I'd now hold Noah's body in my hands, my eyes weren't even spewing out grief anymore. Sorrow fulfilled me like a waterfall, I muttered to myself.

” Why?.. JUST WHY NOAH?! WHY. ”

I said, punching the stone floor, My fists were clenched together, I screamed loudly as I saw Noah's dead body. I bashed my head to the wall, crying and dripping tears. It just happened so fast... Why did it have to end like this?... We promised. We promised...!

I just sat there, grieving my loss. My eyes were full of tears from grieving, there was nothing I could do... I held his Nunchucks in my hand and gripped it tight. I didn't react anything. It just hit me. Fast as lightning, I looked at Ruko. Barely breathing as he still was pinned to the wall.

I quickly took him in and tried to bandage the wound with all I could, I can't let another of my friends die! Why do I always get unlucky..!

” NO, NOAH... RUKO! JUST DON'T DIE ON ME LIKE THIS! DUMMIES, DUMMIES! ”