Aria lay on the damp, gray ground. She was in terrible pain; indeed, her wound had grown enormously. And her tunic had turned from blue to a deep red. But it didn't matter; all that mattered was finishing what she had started.
"Link..." she said with difficulty.
The young boy with golden hair raised his wet eyes to her.
"You have to hurry, you... you mustn't waste your time..."
"But Aria, I... I don't want to abandon you here... I don't want you to leave... I beg you, don't die." He began to cry, a completely natural reaction for a child his age.
"We can still save you! If we get back to the surface, we can... We can surely heal you! There's st-"
"It's over, even if you manage to get me back up there, it will already be too late." Aria placed her cold, red hand on her dear friend's cheek.
"You and Tetra must leave as soon as possible or you'll stay there too. Link, before you go, I want to thank you for having me..." She began to cough, and blood violently flowed from her mouth. But as if that had never happened before, she continued.
The young man grabbed his friend's hand, and despite his uncontrollable sobs, said, "It's me who thanks you..."
The king took the boy's hand to signal that it was time to leave. And Link and Tetra left, crying for their friend.
As the place began to fill with water, Aria, in horrific pain, patiently awaited her death. Until then, despite her young age, she had managed to gain perspective on events and hadn't shed a single tear. She refused to admit her fears.
Footsteps were suddenly heard, and a shadow appeared in front of Aria.
She tried to get up but fell again, and was caught by the black-haired woman.
"Come on... don't push yourself, sis, I think you're already in bad enough shape as it is."
I... What are you doing here?"
"I couldn't leave you alone, my friend."
"Don't worry about me, I promise I won't die."
A silence fell, and at one point Aria began to tremble in Kri's arms.
"Kri... Can I confess something to you?" she asked.
"Anything you want, Ari..."
"I'm scared of dying, I don't want to die... I'm so scared, I'm in so much pain, I want to go home... I... I can't take it anymore."
Tears began to stream down Aria's face.
"Krigia, I promised myself I wouldn't cry, but I'm too scared..." she finally whispered.
This sentence sounded like a confession. Krigia hugged Aria tighter, and with a slightly clumsy movement, held back her tears.
Don't worry, little sister... I promise I'll put an end to all this... You won't have to go through this anymore... I promise... I swear..." Krigia spoke in a shaky voice, again, again she would see her die without being able to do anything.
"Krigia, I want to go home..." Aria finally said with a last breath.
The sound of Aria's crying suddenly stopped, leaving Krigia alone in an almost oppressive silence. The tears finally fell. She held Aria's body tightly against her.
"We'll go home, I promise."
