The Crimson Heart had glowed even brighter. And Athena was lifted from the ground. Suddenly, the Seven Fates and the Blood Altar burst through the door to the canteen.
Fortunately, the necklace gave the very first blow, pushing away Sooha. But unfortunately, Athena fell down to the ground, unconscious. Not even her wings could save her.
And then…there was a thud. Heli shouted Athena's name.
Knowing that his only love was gravely injured, Heli removed his blazer, and unbuttoned his white-collared shirt.
Then, his big brown wings spread out and nearly pounced on Sooha; Sooha defended herself and shielded herself by crossing her wrists, making a strong breeze.
But Heli flapped his wings, saving himself from the blow.
Hearing the thunderous explosion, Athena arose from the ground, with her wings stretched all the way out.
She rushed up the unconscious Sooha and broke the Crimson Heart off from her neck, then threw it to the ground, resulting in another explosion.
Sooha fumed with anger.
"Do you puny little fairies think you can DEFEAT ME?!?!"
Her voice echoed through the walls of the canteen. And then...a horrible creature suddenly formed as it was consuming the body of Sooha herself.
It was a battle now between Sooha and Athena.
Fall back! Draw her to the rocks, thought Athena, focusing on the creature.
Swish! Bang! Grunt! Crash! Clash! Roar! Aaaahhh!!! Ouch!
These horrendous noises had filled the air completely. Athena ducked attack, parried blades, spun the stone necklace, and then pounced on the creature.
Suddenly, the creature stabbed Athena with the remains of the Crimson Heart. Heli noticed this. He shouted her name again.
Athena groaned in pain.
"I'm sorry Heli."
And then...she breathed her last.
For Heli, it was the final straw. He and the creature battled.
Swish! Bang! Grunt! Crash! Clash! Roar! Aaaahhh!!! Ouch!
Heli fell down to the ground. But he lifted his head up at the creature.
"Athena hasn't been avenged yet!"
He then leaped high into the air. He swung the Crimson Heart in a circular motion; once it shined a blinding light, he threw it right at the monster.
There was an explosion. And then, the creature disappeared. But the Crimson Heart landed on Athena, who was still injured.
The girl was still breathing. There was still time. But she was grievously injured, perhaps mortally so. She laid there, still as the dead.
But Heli knew she couldn't give up on him, or any of her friends.
Don't think that she is dead, she will be alright!
He skidded the final meter on his knees. He lifted the Crimson Heart. He noticed Athena's pale white features on her face.
There was blood on the top of her hair. Her eyelids were bruised and had erescents. Heli struggled to fight his tears.
And then, a spark bursted out of the crystal.
"There is still time to save her majesty the Princess. You must carry her up to her quarters. I shall explain every other detail up there."
Heli then raced up the stairs with Athena arms around his neck. As he bursted through the door to her room, he quickly set her down on her bed. But he was unsure what to do.
If I heal her, will I be damned? Will I be punished by the Devil himself? Is the magic of this majestic pendent tainted with a blessing or a curse?
The spark bursted out once again and recited a line for Heli to repeat:
"Carry the one that has been severely fractured;
Defeat the disabled that attempted harm;
Vilify the wicked that maltreated its victim;
From above, the wicked shall receive their just reward!
Heal!"
Heli recited the same lines that the necklace instructed him to say.
The spark turned into tiny sparkles of light, shooting off in arcs like flames of a fire.
At first, it did not appear to work.
She’ll die if I don't help. At least if I recite it one more time...there shall still be a chance.
Again, Heli recited the poem one more time. His voice began to break.
"Pull yourself together," he whimpered, "You must be strong!"
But he didn't feel such strength. Heli felt like someone whose depth was taken away. He then cupped his hands on Athena's face. He then tried not to cry.
Your body is tricking you and your mind! Just ignore it! Don't let it harm you!
He then said the final word in the poem.
"Heal!"
The little sparks danced around Athena. They then traveled inside her wounds, treating them like how a trained nurse would.
"Come on, Athena," whimpered Heli, "You can do this! Be strong for me!"
As sorrowful he was, Heli bent down to Athena's face.
"You can do this! Please don't die! Wake up!"
Heli cupped Athena's face again.
"Come on, please! Stay with me!" he sobbed.
Now, Athena had a healthy appearance. She still remained unconscious. Heli sobbed even harder. He knew that this was the end for him and Athena.
"Even though it was a year already…you still had to return to your home in the underland."
Heli immediately wiped away his tears.
"I love you, Athena!" he whispered.
Suddenly, Athena's eyes fluttered open. Her vision was at first a bit blurry. But then…as her vision cleared…she found Heli laying right beside her.
She smiled and caressed his head, coughed and shuddered, flexing her hands, arms, feet, and legs.
Heli noticed her rebooting body and was shocked.
It worked, he thought.
"Heli," Athena choked as she chuckled, "You've saved me, healed me…haven't you?"
Heli dried his tears, as opposed to laughing while crying.
"I mean," he said, "You know me…I just can't live without you! My whole life desires for you!"
"And so does mine!"
Heli then leaned down and kissed Athena's rosy lips, now flushed with the magic of the Crimson Heart.