SWNOVELS Chapter 53
Fenris stroked her hair gently. “I feel the same way about you. But we have to think beyond ourselves. The fate of the entire world hangs in the balance.”
They stood like that for a long time, drawing comfort from each other’s presence. When they finally separated, both felt drained but somehow lighter, as if the act of confronting their fears had lessened their power.
The next morning, they resumed their journey with a renewed sense of purpose. Though the specter of the coming sacrifice still loomed large, they found themselves able to talk more openly about it. They shared memories of their adventures together, laughed over past mishaps, and spoke of their hopes for the future even if one of them wouldn’t be there to see it.
As they neared the nexus point, their discussions took on a more practical tone. They went over the details of the ritual, making sure they understood every step. They also began to consider the aftermath – how the survivor would explain what had happened, and what they would do to help the world recover from the averted catastrophe.
On the eve of their arrival at the nexus, they made camp at the base of a towering cliff. The air hummed with latent energy, a sign that they were nearing the convergence of ley lines. As they sat by the fire, Lyra pulled out the journal that Archivarius Thorne had given her in Thornhaven.
“I’ve been thinking about something Elara wrote,” she said, flipping to a dog-eared page. “She said, ‘In choosing to give my life for the greater good, I feel more alive than I ever have before. It is not the end of my story, but the culmination of everything I’ve strived for.””
Fenris listened intently, his expression thoughtful. “She sounds like she had found peace with her decision.”
Lyra nodded. “That’s what I’ve been struggling to find. Peace. Acceptance. The idea that this sacrifice isn’t an ending, but a fulfillment of our quest.”
“And have you found it?” Fenris asked softly.
Lyra was quiet for a moment, considering. “I think… I’m getting there. The thought of leaving you still tears me apart. But when I think about all the people we’ll be saving, all the lives that will go on because of what we do…” She trailed off, her eyes distant.
Fenris took her hand, squeezing it gently. “I understand. I’ve been grappling with the same feelings. The enormity of it all is overwhelming, but there’s also a sense of… I don’t know, rightness? Like this is what we were meant to do.”
They fell into a companionable silence, both lost in thought. As the fire burned low, Lyra spoke again, her voice barely above a whisper.
“Fenris, I need you to promise me something.”
He turned to her, his expression serious. “Anything.”
“If… if I’m the one who makes the sacrifice,” she began, her voice catching slightly, “I need you to promise that you’ll live. Really live. Don’t spend the rest of your days mourning what might have been. Go on adventures, fall in love again, make the world a better place. Let my sacrifice mean something.”
Fenris’s eyes shimmered with unshed tears. “I promise,” he said solemnly. “But only if you make the same vow to me. If I’m the one who goes through with the ritual, I need to know that you’ll go on. That you’ll use that brilliant mind of yours to help rebuild and create a better future.”
Lyra nodded, her own eyes wet. “I promise.”
They sealed their vows with a kiss, pouring all their love and sorrow and hope into the embrace. When they parted, both felt a sense of calm settle over them. The decision of who would make the ultimate sacrifice was still unmade, but they faced it now with clear hearts and united purpose.
As dawn broke, painting the sky in hues of pink and gold, Lyra and Fenris packed up their camp for the last time. The nexus point lay just beyond the ridge, their destiny awaiting them.
Hand in hand, they began the final leg of their journey.
As they crested the ridge, the nexus point came into view a shimmering vortex of energy at the center of a circle of standing stones. Lyra and Fenris paused, taking in the sight of the place where one of them would make the ultimate sacrifice.
“Are you ready?” Fenris asked softly.
Lyra squeezed his hand, her voice steady as she replied, “As ready as I’ll ever be.
Whatever happens, Fenris, know that I love you. Always.”
“And I love you,” he answered. “In this life and beyond.”
With a shared nod of determination, they descended toward their fate, the weight of destiny heavy upon their shoulders but their hearts unified in purpose.