There was nothing.

No sign of recognition, just contempt.

She, no, it (I had to accept that my friend was gone) just flew above me, its attention focused on me.

It didn't even pay attention to the sight we once admired in friendly silence or while contemplating life.

The cliff had a perfect vantage point overlooking the ocean.

It allowed a magnificent bird perspective of the crystal clear ocean and the golden light of the sun reflecting on it.

I could inhale the salty smell of the ocean and feel the gentle breeze on my skin.

Finally, I knew what I had to do, and a strange calmness came over me.

I took the animal carcass that from my bag (I prepared it in case my first plan didn't work) and I was luring the bird with it.

Luckily for me, the raven was eager to comply.

I stood there on the edge of the cliff, dangling the animal carcass as the raven was swooping down to snatch it.

I gathered all the power I could summon.

When the raven was closest to me, I flew towards it and clutched it firmly in my arms.

We went over the cliff together, in a tight embrace.

Letting go of my power, I only used my physical strength to keep the raven from flying away.

As a consequence, we were both falling down to our deaths as the sharp rocks under the cliff awaited our fall.

I could say that I was heroic and that I was not afraid.

That would be a lie.

I was terrified.

My heart was breaking.

I was sobbing loudly. It would not only be my death, but I would be killing any chance of getting my friend back.

That was when I reminded myself that my friend was gone, and I was only killing a monster who replaced her.

The feeling of righteousness started spreading through me.

"Now you shall die a painful death for killing my friend and all those innocent people!" I screamed.

One moment later we both got crushed on the rocks, me on top of the raven.

It was instantly dead, but I lived long enough to see that I had accomplished my goal.

There were probably other efficient ways to do it, but I thought I deserved the horrible fate for not stopping all the bloodshed when I had the chance.

As life was draining out of me, I could hear a peal of distant laughter and the terrible words:

"I lied.

There was a way to save her. You could have saved your friend.

Now you shall die with the knowledge that not only did you kill the raven, but with it, you killed your best friend and damned her soul to Hell, to me!" the demon laughed excitedly.

I could feel a pain that had nothing to do with the fact that I was dying.

The pain was in my heart.

It was for killing my friend when I could have saved her.

Worse than dying was the knowledge that I gave up when I could have saved us both.

I learned the lesson of never giving up too late.

As I was dying with the sound of crashing waves in the background, I was horrified with the knowledge that it was my fault.

"Never give up on life!" I sent the thought out to the world as I drew in my last breath and was devoured by darkness.