Aurel looked at Sam. Her breathing was heavy and her chest heaving. The rain covered her face, disguising tears that were either from pain or relief.
"Aurel," Sam called softly.
The bush moved. Aurel slowly crawled out, his body still trembling, his face deathly pale. His gaze fell on Sam - the man's body was covered in wounds, his shirt torn and wet, blood dripping from his arms and temples. But he stood. He was winning.
"Are you okay?" Aurel's voice was soft, almost drowned out by the sound of the rain.
Sam nodded weakly, then his knees gave way. He fell to the ground, groaning softly.
Aurel rushed over, her hands trembling as she touched Sam's shoulders. "You, why are you doing all this? You could die."
"Because you're important," Sam muttered. "And because Victor should know, we'
