Relief flooded Maya’s senses, followed by an immense wave of joy, as she reunited with her beloved beau. Balanced on the tips of her toes, she wordlessly greeted Paul with her silky lips. The duo had been through the ringer together. Side by side, they trained for months, embarked on countless missions, and ultimately fought back-to-back in the “final” battle. In stark contrast to Maya’s royal upbringing, Paul was a cheeky buccaneer with a morally questionable background. Despite their differences, the pair had quickly kindled a relationship. Just as a pirate is drawn to the sea, the Archon of Time was drawn to the Archon of Water (and vice versa). 

	Lost in the fabric of time, the two remained entranced with each other until Paul finally pulled away. Maya moved a hand to his face, gently brushing her thumb against his cheekbone. Her teary aquamarine eyes scanned his countenance as she caressed a scar that trailed down his cheek. The Archon looked as though he had aged a decade, yet he was more handsome than ever. Flushed and glowing, Maya smiled. Everything was going to be alright. Or at least that was how she felt until she noticed the stream of crimson trickling down from Paul’s nose. 

	“No, no, no,” Maya blubbered as she watched Paul’s knees buckle beneath him. Blood bubbled from his mouth, frothing into a pinkish foam. His body hit the ground with a sickening [i]thud[/i]. 

[color=00aeef][i]You could have caught him, you know,[/i][/color] her guardian quipped. Maya stood there with her face contorted by sheer horror. 

	“Don’t need your sass right now, Andromeda,” she yelled aloud. Maya dropped to her knees beside him. Quickly, she positioned the Archon of Time on his side so that he wouldn’t choke on his own fluids. Bright red splotches formed on Maya’s cloak as more blood spilled from his nose and mouth.

The Archon of Water whipped around to face Marcus, “Help me get him to the medbay. Now.”