The void around Alina shimmered, the stars above pulsing with a rhythm that matched the artifact's faint glow in her hand. Kael's presence beside her was both a comfort and a torment. She could feel the warmth of his hand in hers, the steadiness of his grip, but his eyes—those deep, sorrowful eyes—told her everything she needed to know. He didn't want this. He didn't want her to sacrifice herself for him.
But what choice did she have?
"Alina," Kael said again, his voice softer now, almost pleading. "There has to be another way. We've come this far together. We can find another path."
Alina shook her head, tears spilling down her cheeks. "You don't understand, Kael. The artifact... it showed me the truth. This is the only way to break the curse. If I don't do this, you'll die. And I can't let that happen. I won't."
Kael's jaw tightened, and he stepped closer, his free hand cupping her face. "Then let me bear the cost. Let me be the one to lose everything. I can't watch you do this, Alina. I can't lose you."
Alina's heart shattered at his words. She wanted to give in, to let him take the burden from her. But the artifact's whispers in her mind were relentless, a constant reminder of the stakes.
*The stars have chosen you...*
*The fate of the world rests in your hands...*
*You must choose...*
She closed her eyes, taking a deep, shuddering breath. When she opened them again, she met Kael's gaze with a resolve that surprised even herself. "It has to be me, Kael. The artifact... it's tied to me. I'm the only one who can wield its power. And if I don't, the curse will consume you, and Veyron will destroy everything. I can't let that happen."
Kael's expression crumpled, and he pulled her into a tight embrace, his arms trembling as he held her. "Alina, I can't—"
"You have to let me go," she whispered, her voice breaking. "You promised."
Kael's grip tightened, and for a moment, she thought he might refuse. But then, slowly, he released her, stepping back with a look of anguish that tore at her soul. "I don't know how to say goodbye," he admitted, his voice raw.
Alina reached up, brushing her fingers against his cheek. "You don't have to. Just... remember me. Remember us. That's enough."
Kael caught her hand, pressing a kiss to her palm. "I'll never forget you, Alina. No matter what happens."
The stars above seemed to brighten, their light intensifying as the artifact in Alina's hand began to glow. She could feel its power surging, its energy intertwining with her own. The whispers in her mind grew louder, more insistent.
*The time has come...*
*The stars demand it...*
*You must choose...*
Alina took a step back, her heart pounding as she turned toward the pedestal at the center of the chamber. The artifact's glow grew brighter, its light filling the room. She could feel its power pulling at her, demanding to be unleashed.
"Alina," Kael said one last time, his voice filled with desperation.
She didn't look back. She couldn't. If she did, she might lose her resolve. Instead, she placed the artifact on the pedestal, her fingers trembling as she released it.
The moment the artifact touched the pedestal, the chamber was filled with a blinding light. Alina felt a surge of energy rush through her, overwhelming her senses. The whispers in her mind grew deafening, their voices merging into a single, commanding tone.
*The stars have spoken...*
*The price must be paid...*
*The choice is made...*
Alina's vision blurred, and she felt herself being pulled into the light, her body weightless as the energy consumed her. The last thing she saw was Kael's face, his expression filled with anguish as he reached for her.
And then, everything went dark.
---
When Alina opened her eyes, she was standing in a field of stars. The ground beneath her feet was gone, replaced by an endless expanse of light and shadow. The air was still, the silence absolute. She looked around, her heart racing as she tried to make sense of where she was.
"Hello?" she called, her voice echoing in the void.
There was no response. Just the endless expanse of stars, their light cold and distant. Alina's breath came in short, panicked gasps as she realized she was alone.
And then, she remembered.
Kael. The artifact. The choice.
Her heart ached as the memories came flooding back. She had done it. She had used the artifact's power to break the curse. But at what cost?
She looked down at her hands, her fingers trembling as she tried to recall the last thing she had seen. Kael's face, filled with anguish. His voice, pleading with her not to go. The weight of his hand in hers.
But now... now there was nothing. Just the stars, and the silence.
Alina's knees buckled, and she sank to the ground, her tears falling freely. She had known the cost. She had known what she would lose. But now, faced with the reality of it, she felt utterly broken.
"I'm sorry, Kael," she whispered, her voice trembling. "I'm so sorry."
The stars above seemed to pulse in response, their light growing brighter. Alina looked up, her breath catching in her throat as a figure emerged from the light.
It was a woman, her form ethereal and radiant, her eyes filled with a wisdom that seemed to span the ages. She approached Alina, her movements graceful and deliberate.
"Alina," the woman said, her voice soft but commanding. "You have done well."
Alina stared at her, her mind racing. "Who... who are you?"
The woman smiled, her expression kind. "I am the keeper of the stars. The one who guides those who are chosen to wield the artifact's power."
Alina's heart raced as she realized what the woman was saying. "Then... it's over? The curse is broken?"
The woman nodded. "Yes. The curse has been broken, and the world is safe. But you, Alina... you have paid a great price."
Alina's breath caught in her throat, and she looked down at her hands, her fingers trembling. "My memories... they're gone, aren't they?"
The woman's expression softened, and she reached out, gently touching Alina's cheek. "Yes. The artifact's power demanded a sacrifice, and you chose to give what was most precious to you. Your memories of Kael, of your journey together... they are lost."
Alina's heart ached at the words, and she closed her eyes, tears spilling down her cheeks. "Will I ever get them back?"
The woman hesitated, her expression filled with sorrow. "The stars do not give back what is taken. But know this, Alina: your sacrifice was not in vain. The world is safe because of you. And though you may not remember, your love for Kael will always be a part of you."
Alina's breath came in short, panicked gasps as she tried to process the woman's words. She had known the cost. She had known what she would lose. But now, faced with the reality of it, she felt utterly broken.
The woman stepped back, her form beginning to fade. "It is time for you to return, Alina. The world awaits you."
Alina reached out, her voice trembling. "Wait! Please... is there any way... any way at all..."
But the woman was gone, her form dissolving into the light. The stars above pulsed once more, their light growing brighter until it consumed everything.
And then, Alina woke up.
---
She was lying on the ground, the cold stone of the fortress beneath her. The chamber was silent, the light from the artifact gone. Alina sat up slowly, her head spinning as she tried to make sense of where she was.
And then, she saw him.
Kael was standing a few feet away, his sword in hand, his expression filled with a mix of relief and sorrow. He looked at her, his eyes searching hers.
"Alina," he said softly, his voice trembling. "Are you... are you okay?"
Alina stared at him, her mind racing. She knew his face. She knew his voice. But the memories... the memories were gone.
"Kael," she whispered, her voice trembling. "I... I don't remember."
Kael's expression crumpled, and he stepped forward, dropping to his knees beside her. "It's okay," he said, his voice filled with anguish. "It's okay, Alina. I'm here."
Alina's heart ached as she looked at him, her fingers trembling as she reached out to touch his face. "I'm sorry," she whispered. "I'm so sorry."
Kael caught her hand, pressing a kiss to her palm. "Don't be sorry," he said, his voice breaking. "You saved me, Alina. You saved us all."
Alina's breath came in short, panicked gasps as she tried to process his words. She had known the cost. She had known what she would lose. But now, faced with the reality of it, she felt utterly broken.
Kael pulled her into his arms, holding her tightly as she wept. The fortress was silent, the stars above shining down on them, their light cold and distant.
And though Alina couldn't remember, she knew one thing: she had made the right choice.
The world was safe. Kael was alive.
And that was enough.