Never More Alive by soapbox_solo38 (Fight or Flight Challenge)

[soapbox-solo38.livejournal.com]

Title: Never More Alive
Author: soapbox_solo38
Rating: PG-13
Character: Teyla Emmagen
Summary: And it went on, until she was all that was left standing between eternity and the Devils that sought to claim it.

“Umph!” With only a faint exclamation, the Shricker toppled over and hit the rough floor, the flickering firelight illuminating his surprised expression. She drew her knife out of his carcass with a swift yank, ignoring the thick, black blood that ran down the silver blade and onto her hand.

The momentary lull in her desperate struggle for survival made her achingly aware of each injury, every pain that had been inflicted upon her already battered body. Fire burned in a shallow cut running the length of her calf; bone-deep bruises throbbed with each heartbeat; the dagger-wound below her right breast stung as sweat trickled into it. Numerous scratches and blotchy discolorations made their presence known, wearing away at her determination.

She concentrated on breathing, her chest rising and falling with her gasping breaths, sucking in the smoky air that was barely enough to keep her conscious, let alone still fighting. If she lost her balance, released her fragile grip on control and spun into madness, all that had led up to this would be for nothing. That, by itself, was enough reason to continue the fight.

Wiping a bead of sweat out of her eyes, Teyla licked her cracked lips and scanned the room for more assailants. They wouldn’t let the reprieve last long; their efforts to wear her down and gain the entryway she guarded were predictable, and, as much as she hated to admit it, successful.

Come dawn, she would be dead.

Her pulse had scarcely begun to slow from its racing pace when the fire flared and more twisted shapes entered, their rank stench overwhelming the scent of blood that lingered from when a sword-hilt had smashed into her nose.  Too many, this time; it was an all or nothing gesture, driven by the knowledge that what she protected would soon be out of their reach.  Far too many, this time; she would die if she stood her ground.

What was it her Lantean friends had quoted once, before they had been crushed under the heel of the Wraith? “He who turns and runs away, lives to see another day”?

If she fled, this world, this future, would not be worth seeing… and she would not be able to live with herself.

Baring her teeth, the Athosian watched them approach through her bangs, and snarled with death-joy.

“Come.”

They came.

 

Comments

[ceitie.livejournal.com]

This story should be sad, but Teyla is just so vibrant in it, so defiant and awesome that it ends up being something else entirely.

[soapbox-solo38.livejournal.com]

Teyla's such a powerful character, writing her was really different; she's just not the kind of person to take things lying down, or give in. That was the kind of feeling I was trying to get across, and I'm glad it did. Thank you!

[ulnagar.livejournal.com]

Bravo! Superb!

[soapbox-solo38.livejournal.com]

Thank you!

[hajimebassaidai.livejournal.com]

I love the sheer life force that flows through Teyla in what is obviously her final moments. She comes across as so very vibrant even though she is fighting to the death, fighting to protect something/someone with everything* she has!