It didn’t go as we had planned, though I suppose it never does. They all came through too fast, flinging the portal wide and flooding the room with creatures before the three of us were even off our stools. My brother however was already fighting through unopposed, flinging his great sword and conjuring magic like a god. I gasped and looked up at the ceiling. There was something in my ribs, making it hard to breath. My lungs wheezed.

A moment passed, maybe two before I open my eyes again. The wheezing is still there, though I can’t tell if it’s better or worse then before. Why’s it silent? The moment I realize there’s no one around, my lungs rebel and start coughing, loud enough to wake the gods from their eternal slumber. Footsteps nearby and I see a bright white light coming closer. My end? No, it’s Vaticianian, a large white ball of energy engulfing one hand as he walks towards my continuing noise.

“Who are you?” he asks, and I’m surprised he has to, surprised he can’t spot the slave collar wrapped around my neck. His eyes used to be so good, though I suppose I can excuse it, the collar was meant to absorb light, rather then reflect it. Maybe he can’t see because of his light. Typical Vaticianian. Arrogant.

He leans closer and yanks on my identification necklace, unlodging its digging edges from beneath the front of my shirt. It scrapes the skin of my chest as it comes free, but my lungs hurt already and so I don’t flinch.

He stares at it before looking back at my face, I think I hear him whisper my name, but the blood pounding in my ears is loud and he’ll have to speak up for me to hear. The light dims and he reaches to smooth my hair back from my face. His hands shake, the fight has worn him out. Something’s coming.

He says something before turning away and standing. Watching his head turn from side to side, I can guess he’s looking for something, but can’t be sure. Are there more of our attackers out there? His back is towards me and that something that was coming before is moving faster now. I can’t stop it.

There are no words to describe the feeling of what it’s like being possessed, filled with some malovent force that wants to be present in this world but can’t fully realize it’s wishes without the aid of another. It wants my brother. I have to stop it, he’s earned the right to live, or to sleep.

I can still feel a familiar pressure at the side of my leg. My dagger. I reach for it and bring the sharp blade to my throat, but can’t press. It won’t let me press, but I won’t let it win. I drop the dagger, ready for a new approach.

Twisting to turn is a struggle, getting up is even worse. If I walk with the silence of habit it’s hard to tell, but my brother is crouching over something and doesn’t turn when I approach. I was the only one who could ever sneak up on him, a talent wasted now I suppose. Can’t stop now. I have a plan.

I steep close and wheeze a little harder before swinging my fist at him. He’s turned on instinct with his sword pointed up at me before I can blink. Reflex. I suppose it’s also reflex that has the cold metal running through to skewer me before recognition appears on his face and he whispers my name in shock before he’s jumping to stand up by my side. He’s apologizing, though I can’t hear the words. Not much time left. I have to end it before I’m fully possessed. Have to give my brother a chance. I grasp the blade still sticking out of my front and use my remaining strength to tug it further into me. It doesn’t hurt. I must be in shock. From the flustered actions of my brother, he must be too.

It takes me a few seconds to realize I’m closer to the ground then I was last time I blinked. How did that happen? Doesn’t matter. Vati’s pressing something over the empty hole in my chest, the one I can feel leaking. I try to get his attention, clutching his forearms still and staring until he makes eye contact. Not much longer.

His lips move in the shape of an apology again and I shush him, it’s my turn to speak. “Tried to come through me.” I manage to wheeze out and he leans closer to hear, “had to, it was the only way.”

He’s shaking his head now and I have no more breath to assure him with. My vision’s getting murky, but I keep my eyes on his face, watching as my strong brother, the one who I’ve never seen cry since childbirth cries with wracking sobs. I reach for him, I want to say goodbye. I watch his shinning eyes as the darkness grows within my own. Then, like all things in life, I let go.