You've Lost

"Nghhh…" Waking up, a groan left William's lips. Sand had crawled down his tunic and the palms of his hands were searing hot. He lifted a hand to his face, squinting through the sunlight, and went wide eyed. The Arcane Enforcer Handguards were scorched, his flesh nearly black. His chest rose and fell in fast panic.

'How long have I been out?' His head throbbed. 'Ngh...it feels like hours...my body is aching all over.'

William tilted his head to the side and saw Max. Unconscious? Dead? His heart raced and he picked himself up despite the sounds of war in the backdrop.

"H-hey, Max. Come on. Wake up." The Templar's helmet was half torn, his remaining face having lost a layer of skin. William shook him, desperately trying to wake him up. He didn't have healing spells and since he wasn't awake, the System regeneration wasn't kicking in either.