Powers Against The World

The week had remained somber within Port-O-Bea, as despite the capture of what remained of Appleridge, were the costs of their people's lives. Out of the original twenty-five thousand or so of the original army that had originally enlisted, only nine thousand remained, with about three thousand new recruits from capture territory or Reserve Guards that willingly decided to switch sides. How could such a group continue onward, no one had a clear answer to it. It was just the reality of the situation.

Ula could feel the dread in the air, as she rarely moved about in the hospital itself. Every single second that was possible for her, was spent with Jamal. No matter what, she kept watch over him as the machines continued to keep him alive. Any sign would have done wonders for her, but none had appeared. Nothing to reassure her of anything positive.

Even in her thoughts, she couldn't truly have peace as a knock alerted her of a visitor. Calling for them to come in, a pair of doctors entered after a few moments. They could see that lack of rest Ula had over her face, as she remained silent.

"Hello, Miss Mere. Before we tell you what we came here to say, is there anything you wish to ask us?" one of the doctors started.

"No." Ula replied, a lack of emotion or energy with the sole word.

"Very well," the other doctor nodded, "But as you probably have been told, after a week of no sign of change, the option to end life support is officially allowed."

The men could hear a sharp intake of a breath from the woman, although she didn't answer back. They knew how hard of a choice this was, but to prolong Jamal's suffering wasn't something they wished to have continued.

"Since you are the closest to him, we have to ask if you consent and willing to do so." they asked, as they waited for several long seconds in the quiet room save the machines.

"I-," Ula managed to sputter out, "I just can't yet."

"Understandable. You'll have the daily option to decide whenever you are ready. But before we do leave, we need to conduct a few more tests and inform you of his current condition. You'll have to step out of the room for this."

Nodding slightly, Ula lifted herself up, as she took one last look at Jamal. His body had not moved an inch since being here, and wouldn't change when she came back in. She already knew that, as she took a sigh while exiting the room.

With the door closing, she looked both ways in the hallway, seeing a few staff members move about in the space. Otherwise, it was silent as it could be, and did little for her mood. Sliding down against the wall, Ula pondered all the things that led up to this moment. Everything in this world was cruel since Youden came into their lives and ruined every possible bit of her future, as she believed. If she hadn't joined the Academy through her family's peer pressure, maybe this would have never happened to her. She wouldn't have had to leave the country, be wanted by Youden himself, or live in constant fear of being killed. And even with all the incredible people she'd met, it would mean absolutely nothing once they were all dead. It just couldn't get better.

"Hey, Ula?" a familiar voice had her swivel her head to see Alice moving towards her.

Compared to the first time she saw her, the other woman looked to be much more awake and happier than ever. That was good for her, as Ula couldn't help but crack a sliver of a smile.

"Are you alright?" Alice stood over her, "I know it's been hard and all, and I want you to know I'll be there for you."

Ula took another sigh, as she looked into Alice's eyes. Their eye contact never broke apart as they both could sense the mood. No words had to be exchanged for that truth to be answered.

"I-" Ula wanted to start, but couldn't finish, "I'll be honest, I'm not fine at all. My life is ruined."

"No! Don't say that now!" Alice began to wave her hands frantically, "We gotta think positive."

Ula didn't even respond to the words as the silence returned to the air. Both women couldn't truly believe the other, but what choice was to be had? The only good thing to come out of it was the door finally opening, and the pair of doctors coming out.

"Miss Mere, we'll need you back here privately." one of them announced, before turning towards Alice, "Privately."

Nodding, Alice gave Ula a tap on her shoulder and a brief blessing before moving away. Ula shrugged herself up from the ground, not knowing what more to expect. The doctors kept their emotionless expressions, as they made space for her to enter.

Once inside and the door closed, the men could watch Ula staring down at Jamal and a long set of words set aside on the stand next to him. They had to tell her their findings, but it wouldn't improve the situation.

"Miss Mere," the doctor closest to her started, "We've conducted the usual daily tests and found no improvements there, which unfortunately is the least of our problems."

"What do you mean?" Ula couldn't even turn to face them, "Tell me right now."

Noticing her tightly clenched fists, the other doctor cleared his throat before asking, "Before we say so, you might want to drink some water first."

"No."

"Very well then," the other doctor nodded for the one closest to her to tell her the news.

"I suppose I have no choice." he sighed, "We've done an additional test for any detection of brain waves, and we're shocked to see no signs of any activity."

Ula didn't say a single word, as out of all things was this something that she didn't want to hear. No activity? Like, nothing going on in his brain? She couldn't process what they truly were implying.

"I don't understand," she muttered, as she moved her head enough for them to look into her eyes. "What's happened to him?"

"Um," the man took a deep breath before continuing, "I'm sorry to be the first to tell you this, but Jamal is clinically brain dead. Without brain function, the only thing keeping him alive is the machines. He'll never wake up again and once the machine is taken off, he'll officially be deceased."

Not a sound pierced through the air, as the machine was the only thing functioning. The conclusion that the doctors could only come up with had to be enough internal trauma that the best of their healing couldn't reach in time. It seemed to be over before anyone could do anything from the jump.

"I wish we could have done more, Ula. I really do." the one furthest away shook his head, "But we gave it our all."

They could sense the intense glaze from her, as the doctors didn't waver in the slightest. They were used to reporting such news, but to one of their strongest fighter's fiancee was going to be heartbreaking. She was strong, they had to admit, as most would have broken down instantly upon the news.

Ula herself had nothing more to say, as she took a deep breath. Before the doctors could ask for anything, she took a seat right next to Jamal, as she looked at him once more. His chest continued to move up and down with the machine's help, but that was it. No more stories, no more new experiences with their kids, just like that, his candle was extinguished.

Almost instinctively, she caressed his cool hands into hers, as she didn't even realize massive drips of water were rolling off her face. Ula tried to wipe them off, but it was of no use. It only made things worst as she moved closer to Jamal.

"Please," she cried out softly, "Wake up. Wake up for me. Don't go out like this."

"Ma'am," the doctor nearest to her started.

"Get out of here. Right now." Ula didn't turn around, a hint of aggression in her voice.

"Very well," the professional pair nodded, "We're still required to tell you that whenever you are ready for the cessation process, let us know immediately and we'll make the experience as quick as possible."

With those words, they left the woman alone with Jamal, as they closed the door softly. Once they were gone, Ula couldn't contain her pent-up emotions as she began to cry even harder into the blanket over Jamal's skin. So many situations similar to this have happened to him, and this one time he could not beat death again. All she could do was pray for a miracle to happen, any sign that showed he was still there. Just one was all she needed, or everything he put for this world would be for nothing.