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He nods but it’s more a reluctant jerk of his head. I can see the conflict within him, torn between his duty to protect me and his own reservations about the plan. I squeeze his hands tighter, silently urging him to trust me.
As we make our way back towards the entrance of the lighthouse, the weight of my decision presses down on me with every step. Doubts and fears creep into my mind, but I push them aside, focusing on the task at hand. Cove, Reef, and Bhodi are waiting for us inside, unaware of the revelation I’m about to drop on them, and they will need me to be steadfast in my decision.
I am. I have to be.
As we enter the lighthouse, the three of them turn towards us, their expressions shifting from curiosity to concern as they catch sight of my tear-streaked face. Cove steps forward, his voice filled with worry. “Malia, what’s wrong? What happened?”
I take a deep breath, steadying myself before speaking. “Listen, everyone,” I begin, my voice trembling slightly. “I’ve made a decision, and I need you all to hear me out.”
Reef furrows his brow, his eyes narrowing suspiciously. “What kind of decision?”
My gaze shifts between their faces, searching for a trace of understanding. “I’m going to sacrifice myself,” I say, the words heavy on my tongue. “It’s the only way to fulfil the prophecy, to save both of our worlds from the Shikari.”
Cove’s eyes widen, and he takes a step closer to me, his voice filled with disbelief. “Malia, you can’t be serious!”
Bhodi’s voice trembles with anger. “You can’t just decide this on your own! We’re a team, Malia!”
Tears stream down my face as I meet their gazes, my voice unwavering despite the quivering in my heart. “It’s my life, my decision to make, Bho. I’ve thought long and hard about this. The professor and I have discussed it, and we believe it’s the only way to ensure your success. You never know, it might even bring your queen back.”
“I don’t want the queen back. I just want you,” Bhodi insists stubbornly.
The room fills with a heavy silence as the words hang in the air. Each of them struggles with their own emotions, their conflicting desires to protect me and to find an alternative solution. I turn to the professor, silently pleading with him to speak up.
He clears his throat, his voice steady but filled with sorrow. “I understand your hesitation, but Malia is right. The prophecy points to her sacrifice as the key to our victory. We must trust in the greater plan, no matter how difficult it may be.”
Cove’s shoulders sag, his eyes flickering with a mix of resignation and anger. “I can’t believe this. I won’t let you go through with it without a fight.”
Reef steps forward, his steps shaky but his voice determined. “There has to be another way. We can find it together.”
“There’s no time left,” I tell them sadly. “I can’t risk the Shikari attacking us again. I won’t lose you the way we lost Reef. What if I couldn’t bring him back? What if this magic that I have no idea how to wield or control fails me? How would I live without you?”
“How willwelive withoutyou?” Cove counters.
I give him a soft, sympathetic smile. “You’ll have each other.”
Bhodi’s gaze softens, and he reaches out to gently touch my arm. “Malia, please reconsider. We can’t lose you.”
Their love and concern wash over me, and for a moment, doubt threatens to engulf me. But deep within my heart, I know this is the path I must take. I draw strength from their presence, even as tears continue to fall.
“I understand your objections,” I say, my voice filled with gratitude. “But please, trust me. Trust that I’ve thought this through, and that this sacrifice is necessary. We’re running out of time.”
The room falls silent once more, the weight of the moment hanging heavily in the air. Slowly, one by one, they nod, their expressions a mix of resignation and unwavering loyalty. They stand by my side, united in their acceptance of my decision.
“When do we do it?” Reef eventually asks.
“It has to be during a full moon,” I tell him gently.
“But that’s—” I nod at Bhodi’s outburst.
“Tonight? I know.”
“No. It’s too soon. We won’t be ready in time,” Cove protests.
“The professor will arrange everything. We can do this. Wearedoing this. Tonight.”
“Malia, it’s too soon.”
“It has to be.”
