Asher felt like a knife had pierced his own chest as he watched the life-force slowly drain from Serah. In fact, the pain currently tearing his heart apart was probably much worse. For several seconds he was frozen on the spot, his mind having trouble catching up with this distressing reality. Then he rushed to her with renewed frenzy. His power seemed to have considerably amplified and he managed to easily push back all those who stood in his way. He reached her side and cautiously held her in his arms. Her strength had now completely waned, her body alarmingly still in his hold. Then he detected her faint pulse, but it was rapidly getting weaker.
"Hold on, Serah." He murmured to her, his voice tight. "I won't let you die." Even as he said the words, he realized how slim her chances wer
