Something about Bartimaeus saying Nathaniel's last words for him because Nathaniel was too weak to do it himself makes me a little very insane. Not only the last thing he heard was Bartimaeus saying his own name, the last words he said aloud was his own name utterd by Bartimaeus, for him. It was a message from Nathaniel to Nouda — an overly dramatic, heroic message — and Bartimaeus made sure he receives it as it is, as if it was Nathaniel in his own might who said that with no additional commentary Bartimaeus otherwise loves so much. Nathaniel didn't ask for this. Nathaniel couldn't force him to do anything.