Since I was little, my parents decided every aspect of my life. They never allowed me to play with other children or interact with my classmates.

Both were important figures in the Kirche, and thanks to that, we lived quite well, better than the average family in the region. They had always wanted me to follow in my mother’s footsteps.

When I finished high school, they sent me to another village to become a nun. It wasn’t something I was excited about at all; most of my friends stayed to study what truly interested them, like livestock farming, fencing, carpentry, and other things. I was the only one who had to leave town to pursue a dream that wasn’t even mine.

By the time I was fourteen, I was already taking care of myself. I cooked my own meals, washed my clothes, and did everything on my own.

I started hanging out with a group of girls who could be considered the "popular" ones at school. The oldest of them was Aveline, a natural leader; then there was Thalena, who didn’t stand out much; and finally, Rowena, who was only a year older than me and shared a close friendship with Thalena.

We often skipped classes to go anywhere other than school, breaking the dress code and other minor rules.

One day, while sneaking out of class, we discovered a peculiar spot in the grass on top of a hill. It was unusual to find anything out of the ordinary, but what we saw there certainly was: a sturdy metal plate embedded in the ground.

This intrigued us greatly, and the next day, during the class change, we decided to do something about it.

—We should get something to open that plate. If there’s metal there, it’s no coincidence. There must be something hidden, for sure —Aveline said.

—There must be sharp enough tools in the office to open the plate —Thalena replied, playing along.

—But how do we get them? —Rowena asked.

—Girls… girls…—

I tried to interrupt them, but they wouldn’t listen. Being the youngest in the group, I was almost like a ghost; I had no voice or vote. My ideas and thoughts practically didn’t matter.

The girls kept talking, completely ignoring me as they devised a plan to break into the office, which, due to my size, involved me as well. Even though I didn’t want to participate, my protests were ignored.

The plan was simple: during the guard’s shift change, the girls would distract him. He was young, and according to Aveline, it wouldn’t be hard to keep him busy for a while. Meanwhile, I, being the smallest, would crawl into the office through a ventilation duct.

We set the plan in motion. The guard, a cadet in training, wasn’t hard to fool, and within minutes, the girls managed to lure him away. One of them came back to help me climb up and squeeze through the grate.

Inside, the office was larger than it looked from the outside. There were objects I had never seen before, and as I explored, I found a sword. It seemed to be the sharpest thing there, so I passed it to my friend through the grate. However, I knew it wouldn’t be enough to cut through the metal plate, so I kept searching for something more useful. But time was running out.

Then I saw a book hidden among other items. Its title, The Nature of Life and Its Secrets, caught my attention. Just as I was debating whether I should take it, my friend warned me:

—Hurry up! Someone’s coming, and it’s a soldier! —

Grabbing the book, I got out as fast as I could. We barely managed to escape with the sword and the book.

We had agreed to meet at the plate once we had what we needed, so we hid our loot in a nearby bush and went back to a class that would be relatively easy to skip.

When the time came, we slipped out of class and gathered at the plate. We retrieved the sword and the book from the bush, and the girls started trying to open the plate while I flipped through the book, looking for anything that might be useful.

—This sword is supposed to belong to the sacred knights! —Aveline shouted, trying to wedge it in—. How is it possible that it can't cut through a simple metal plate!?

Ignoring the racket they were making, I continued reading the book. At first, the texts were similar to our class lessons, until I reached a different page. It had what looked like a cover stained with dried blood and was covered in scratches.

When I started reading the chapter, I was astonished by its content and called the girls over to listen. I began reciting some of the passages that shocked me the most:

—“Place your faith carefully, for leaders are not to be trusted; do not trust the Kirche, which hides secrets under the veil of sanctity. The truth lies hidden, and yet it is visible only to those who dare to look. You are not alone in doubting your leaders, who with so many lies have dared to deceive you. You are not the only beings under the firmament; all races are equal in worth and essence. The choice of whom to believe in and whom to trust… is yours.”

—What the hell? —Aveline, the eldest, said—. Wasn’t this supposed to be interesting? There’s nothing here we don’t already know. The Kirche is garbage, isn’t it?

—Hold on, there’s more. It sounds important —I replied, refusing to be interrupted.

—Well, I hope there’s something in there that can help us open the plate. I really want to see what’s inside. —

I continued reading aloud:

—“To all who seek the truth, these pages will reveal the way. For countless ages, you have been taught that elves and their magic are offenses before the Almighty, that they are children of darkness itself. But here lies the falsehood of such words. For power itself is a divine gift, a blessing granted to all. It resides in every being: in animals, plants, humans, and elves alike. They have merely learned to harness this energy, while humans have chosen to fear it, shun it, and condemn it. From this fear springs the hatred that has been instilled in you. And here, in this chapter, lies the hidden knowledge of this energy: with it, you may rise with the semblance of a god, even as mere mortals.”

While I was reading, the girls kept arguing and making comments, but I could barely take my eyes off the book. There were so many interesting things about how to use this “energy” and how it could help us.

—What a load of crap, but I'm not surprised —Aveline said with disdain.

—Yeah, we always knew it was a sham. Rising up like god-like figures without actually being one, of course, how not? —Thalena commented, playing along.

Rowena looked around thoughtfully and asked:

—Hey, doesn’t it seem strange to you that there’s a metal plate so close to the school?

While they kept discussing, I found a chapter that could help us cut through the plate. It talked about how to enhance the sharpness or “power” of an object by imbuing it with energy, but it required specific knowledge about using this “energy.” We spent hours learning how to do it; for the younger ones in the group, it was easier to grasp what was needed. In the end, we managed to use it, and it felt beautiful and natural. I didn’t understand why the Kirche feared and rejected it so much. Now we just had to open the plate.

The plan was for Aveline to wield the sword to cut a hole, while the rest of us imbued the sword with energy to sharpen it and allow it to penetrate the metal. There was just one problem: if there was nothing beneath and the plate was just a slab buried by time, the punishment for stealing a knight’s sword, a forbidden book, and skipping class would be pretty severe.

After several attempts, Aveline shouted:

—It worked! Girls, it worked! —

A loud crash echoed, and when we opened our eyes, there was a hole in the ground. We had done it. We jumped for joy at our success.

—So, do we go in? —Aveline asked.

She was the first to climb down, helping us each descend one by one. Inside, there was almost no light, but thanks to the book, I knew how to create a light sphere, and we used it to illuminate the way. We walked down a seemingly endless hallway, and the girls kept chatting about various things.

—This better be one hell of a treasure after all the trouble we’ve been through —Thalena said.

—Yes, you’re right. —

Aveline turned to me, her tone apologetic.

—Hey, Meliora… I’m sorry.

—Why? —

—You know, for not considering you enough. Honestly, we wouldn’t be here without you; thanks to your help and the way you are —she looked at me with a smile and a hint of regret—. Thank you.

I couldn’t remember the last time I felt something like that, a warmth in my chest that made me smile again. When we finally exited the tunnel, we heard voices. We were facing a long staircase, and we decided to go down toward where the voices were coming from.

When we reached the bottom, we saw two soldiers in black armor. It wasn’t just any armor; it was completely black and seemed to absorb the light. They wore straps holding their belts, and in their hands, they held something long and metallic, which they carried like a sword, but it was strange and unfamiliar to us.

Somehow, the girls managed to deal with the guards. I didn’t know they knew how to fight. They left the bodies on the ground, and when I passed by, I was startled by their masks: they were unsettling and gave off a sense of fear.

We kept moving toward the tunnel’s exit, and I turned off the light sphere to avoid alarming anyone. When we emerged, we found ourselves on an elevated platform. With more clarity, it looked like an underground base. Soldiers marched and shouted:

—Loyalität und Sieg! —over and over.

Around us, there were large humanoids, metal boxes with wheels, long tubes, and those strange metal swords carried by the soldiers. In another section, people dressed in elegant suits and hats seemed to be waiting for someone. Suddenly, they shouted something, and we saw a figure enter.

At that moment, all the uniformed people snapped their legs together and raised both arms in a kind of salute, pointing toward the sky. When we saw who had entered, we were left speechless.

—That’s…—

—Director Wolff, —Aveline murmured, with an expression I had never seen on her. It was a mix of anguish, fear, horror, terror, and disgust all in one look.

—W... what is he doing here? Who are these people? —I asked, perplexed.

—I don’t know, but we have to get out of here right now. —

—You’re right. —

We stood up to leave quickly, but then Thalena slipped, and the noise echoed throughout the cave. We froze, panic enveloping us. I helped her up, but at that moment, something pierced her head.

We both fell to the ground. The deafening sound left me dazed as I saw, kneeling, Thalena’s face drenched in blood, her eyes wide open, like those of a fish, reflecting utter terror. I heard a buzzing that grew louder and louder until it suddenly stopped.

The girls, seeing that I wasn’t moving, grabbed me forcefully and dragged me, forcing me to run.

—Meliora! —Aveline shouted at me—. React, we have to get out of here!

We ran as screams and alarms echoed through the cave, and lights started turning on. When we reached the stairs, we saw several soldiers running toward us, but we managed to be faster.

We rushed up the stairs, and as we neared the hallway we had entered from, Elewyn tripped and got caught on a step.

—Meliora, help me! —she shouted desperately.

—Come on, Elewyn, we have to go! —

I tried to free her leg, but it wouldn’t come out.

—It’s stuck, my leg won’t come out! —

Aveline touched my shoulder, trying to pull me away from there.—Tenemos que irnos, Meliora. —

—No! Elewyn is still trapped, we can’t leave her here! —

—Exactly, you can’t leave me here! —Elewyn cried, clinging to my hand.

—Sorry, Elewyn, but it’s about surviving, you saw what they did to Thalena. —

—No, you can’t leave me here. Come back! —

Aveline grabbed my arm and pulled me away while we heard her shouting that. I couldn’t look back, knowing what we had just done.

—Because...—

—Because there was no other option! —

—But...—

—Don’t stop! We’re almost there! —

When we reached the end of the tunnel, we heard Elewyn’s heartbreaking screams. They tore at my insides.

—Alright, just climb up, you go first, I’ll lift you. —

—Okay.

I climbed to the top of the hill where we had made the hole. I was finally out of that hell.

—Come on, grab my hand! —

I extended my hand to Aveline to help her up, but just as we were about to grab each other’s hands, I saw Aveline’s eyes bulge. There was a boom, and at that moment, blood splattered directly onto me. A lot of blood. When I wiped my eyes to see better, I saw half of Aveline’s body on the ground, and at the entrance of the hall, a soldier with a strange smoking weapon.

The first thing I thought after that was “run,” but my legs couldn’t take it anymore. I started to crawl backward, trying to flee as fast as I could before they did something to me. A buzzing started to rumble in my head, louder and louder.

I felt dizzy, no longer knowing where I was going. I just tried to get as far away from there as I could, the last moments of my friends flashing through my mind. I didn’t want to end like this.

I began to lose strength, felt very sleepy, and started to see the soldiers getting closer. I was scared, but there was nothing I could do.

I was losing consciousness little by little. Was this the end for me? Please, no.

Just as I was about to lose consciousness, someone stood in front of me. They had long, pointed ears. How strange. In the end, it didn’t matter who they were; everything was ending for me here.

I woke up in a familiar place. The buzzing persisted in my ears, though with less intensity. I heard a voice, but I couldn’t understand what it was saying. I sat up in the bed I was lying in and saw several people around me, all nuns. I looked at my hands with a mix of disbelief and frustration. Why am I still alive? Why me? Why not Aveline? Why not Thalena? Why not Elewyn? Why do I have to be the one still alive, like a fool and a coward who couldn’t do anything to save my friends?

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At that moment, some soldiers entered. I didn’t fully understand what they were saying; the buzzing distracted me, but it seemed like they were arguing with the nuns who were by my side.

Suddenly, I managed to catch a few words:

—... We want... to talk... about them...—

—Who?—

—You know, your friends... Aveline, Thalena, and... Elewyn? Yes, exactly, her. —

Hearing their names startled me. The buzzing in my ears suddenly increased, pain filled my head, and my thoughts became blurry. My vision blurred, and I felt a strong nausea. I tried to hold it in, but I couldn’t. I vomited... blood. I looked at it in my hands, horrified. I panicked and screamed, though I didn’t know how loud it was. I tried to get off the bed, but I fell to the floor, and the impact knocked me unconscious.

Then I had a strange dream. I saw a world plunged into chaos, engulfed in flames, the land gray and full of holes. People screamed and cried in different languages, a desperate clamor. I didn’t know what was happening, but the terror I felt was indescribable.

In the middle of that desolate landscape, a silhouette appeared. It seemed vaguely familiar, and an indescribable warmth emanated from it. Seeking comfort, I approached and embraced it. In that moment, I woke up again in the room. I don’t know why I dreamed of that, but somehow, it gave me comfort. Now, when I think about what happened, I don’t feel as bad, and it seems like the symptoms are lessening. The only thing that continues to increase, though not by much, is the buzzing in my ears.

Several days passed, and I remained bedridden. Slowly, I regained enough strength to walk, though, in reality, I had no desire to go anywhere or take a walk.Un día, entraron a mi habitación un padre y un soldado. El soldado era bastante joven, probablemente de mí misma edad, mientras que el padre parecía un poco mayor que nosotros. Ambos se acercaron, aparentemente para hacerme algunas preguntas.

—Hello, Meliora. That’s your name, right? — greeted the priest with a somewhat strange smile, forced and uncommon.

I remained silent, looking down.

—My name is Enzo, nice to meet you, — he said, extending his hand with his peculiar smile. I didn’t respond to his gesture. He seemed to not mind and continued.

—Well, the soldier next to me is named Lucian. —

—Nice to meet you, Meliora! — Lucian said with a sincere smile, almost childlike. I lifted my head and, with effort, managed to whisper:

—A… pleasure. —

—Well, Meliora, — Enzo continued, —As you know, the Kirche is investigating everything related to what happened that day — hearing this, the buzzing in my ears intensified — I know this topic affects you, so if you don’t feel ready, you don’t have to answer the questions. —

The buzzing calmed down a bit.

—We believe those people who were there will try to silence you, so the Kirche has assigned you a bodyguard, and that will be Lucian. He will take care of helping you with anything you need and will accompany you wherever you go. —

—If you need anything, I’m here to help, Meliora, — Lucian said with a smile that conveyed calmness.

—Thank… you, — I replied, still having difficulty speaking.

To be honest, I didn’t see anything positive about all of this.

Days and months passed, and my relationship with Lucian improved. At some point, I told him everything that happened that day, although I left out the part about the mysterious person who saved me.

Over time, I became fond of Lucian. I considered him a great friend, and he helped me with everything I needed; of course, I also tried to support him. I began to take school seriously; after everything that had happened, I wanted to be an example for the girls in training who were preparing to become nuns. My goal was for them not to feel alone and to have someone to rely on.

Lucian and I had the habit of taking walks through a forest near the school, where he now also resided. We had Enzo’s approval, who would soon become the father and leader of the village and who had also become a great friend.

On one of those walks, we decided to venture deeper into the forest to enjoy nature. Suddenly, a gust of wind passed by us, and an arrow grazed me. Surprised, I quickly turned to see what was happening, but in the blink of an eye, Lucian was already in front of me, pointing his sword toward an empty spot in the air. Or so I thought.

In a matter of seconds, a figure appeared exactly where Lucian was pointing: a person with a bow in hand and Lucian’s sword threatening their neck. They weren’t human. They had pointed ears and very light hair… it was an elf.

—Lower the bow, — Lucian said in a serious voice and with a serious look. I had never seen him like this.

—Come on, there’s no need for violence. I’ll lower it right now, — the elf responded casually.

—Isn’t there? You were the first one to shoot! — Lucian replied.

—Oh, really? — said the elf sarcastically.

—Yes. —

—I was just joking. I wanted to check if she wasn’t a warrior. —

—Does she look like a warrior to you? Look at her, she’s a nun. —

—I had to make sure. —

It was then that I recognized him. It was the same elf who had saved me that time.

—Lucian... —

—What’s wrong, Meliora? —

—I know what I’m about to say sounds crazy, but please, Lucian, lower your sword. —

—Ah, so now you recognize me, Meliora. Is that right? — said the elf, with a faint smile that strangely comforted me.

—What are you talking about, Meliora? Have you gone crazy? — Lucian didn’t take his eyes off Thailon, still in a defensive stance.

—Trust me, — I replied urgently. —There's something I never told you about what happened that day. Do you remember when I said I couldn’t see who saved me before I passed out? I lied. I did see, and it’s him… it’s this elf. —

—Nice to meet you, — the elf intervened, giving a slight bow. —Allow me to introduce myself: Thailon Valandil. —

Lucian slowly lowered his sword, though he still maintained a cautious stance.

We spent the rest of the day talking with Thailon. There was something fascinating about him, as if he had always been destined to cross paths with me. He explained many things about his village and his world, and although Lucian still remained distrustful, we started building a more cordial relationship.

Over time, the three of us became friends. Our relationship strengthened as the years passed; Lucian completed his training as a soldier, and I finished my preparation as a nun. We would meet with Thailon whenever we could, though, to be honest, I was the one who most often found excuses to escape and see him. I often asked Lucian to cover for me.

My relationship with Thailon evolved into something deeper… something loving. Enzo would often send me on missions or tasks, and whenever possible, I would use those moments to be with Thailon, with Lucian’s help.

One day, after several years of knowing each other, Thailon proposed to me. To be honest, I didn’t know the customs of the elves, but that didn’t matter. I loved him deeply, and without hesitation, I said yes.

We agreed to celebrate the wedding during a long trip that would last six months: two months there, two months back, and two months of stay. It was during those two months that we prepared the ceremony, which turned out to be as beautiful as I had imagined. I had no one else to invite except Lucian, my closest friend, who stood by my side on that special day. The chants and dances were magical, and that day became one of the best days of my life.

However, upon returning, I had to hide my ring because if anyone saw it, they might accuse me of heresy. Being a nun and marrying was forbidden.

The first years of my marriage to Thailon were wonderful. He taught me many things: how to defend myself, the customs of his people, and how to better control "energy." They were years full of learning, love, and unforgettable moments.

Thailon and I had often talked about starting a family, and we both wanted a child. The opportunity came during an assignment I was given with Lucian. It was a trip that would take about two years, and the proximity of the destination to the elven territory made it perfect for trying to have a child without raising suspicions.

Thanks to the support of the elves, the pregnancy and birth went smoothly. It was a beautiful girl, whom we named Kiomi Valandil. However, I knew I couldn’t care for her myself. In the monastery, that was unthinkable. So, we entrusted her upbringing to Lucian’s family. Although I couldn’t be with her all the time, I promised to visit her whenever I could.

Those days of happiness were brief, as if they were a mirage in the middle of the desert. I knew it was only a matter of time before my secret was discovered.

One day, Enzo approached me while I was enjoying a rare moment of rest.

—Meliora, we need to talk. —

—Yes, of course. Tell me, what’s going on? —

His serious tone and penetrating gaze made my heart race.

—There’s a rumor going around the monastery. They say a nun has been neglecting her duties, that she secretly married… and had a child. Do you know anything about this? —

For a moment, I felt the blood drain from my face. I had to force myself to stay calm.

—No, of course not, — I replied, trying to sound convincing.

—Good, I hope so. Now listen, Meliora. I don’t want to see you out of the village ever again, and I don’t want any of the other nuns to leave either. Your little games are over. We’ve identified a scapegoat, so if something like this happens again, the consequences will be very severe for you. Understood? —

His gaze was colder and more terrifying than ever.

—Y...yes. —

—Good, I hope this peace remains intact. See you, Meliora. —

When he left, I collapsed inside. What did this mean? Did it mean I couldn’t see my daughter again? I had barely been with her for two years… and now they were taking her from me.

From that day on, I had no choice but to stay. Lucian, on the other hand, was still able to leave, so I asked him to inform my family about my situation. But I couldn’t see them again unless they came.

Years passed. Eight, to be exact. During that time, Thailon found ways to bring Kiomi to the village on rare occasions. Seeing her, even for a few moments, gave me the strength to keep going. But those moments were brief and spaced out, like drops of water in an endless desert.

One day, some kids arrived at the village. One of them, a young boy with completely white hair, was accompanied by another little girl. There was something about them that immediately caught my attention. The boy seemed to be the same age as my daughter, Kiomi.

Enzo asked me to look after the children while they woke up. I cared for them with all my heart. Having Kiomi had taught me how to care for children of that age, and they were no exception.

The boy woke up first. He said his name was Zein Ravenscroft, a strange name, if you ask me. The girl, much younger, couldn’t speak, but according to Zein, her name was Lyra. It seemed odd, but we believed him.

For the next two years, I took care of them as if they were my own children. I felt that they filled a void in me left by my separation from Kiomi. I loved them so much that I dreamed of them meeting one day. It was like having a second chance to be a mother.

However, that affection and peace wouldn’t last.

One afternoon, while I was doing my chores, I noticed smoke coming from the church where the children, Lucian, and I stayed. When I got closer, my heart stopped: everything was engulfed in flames. But they weren’t ordinary flames; they were purple, bright, and unnatural.

I ran toward the entrance, trying to get in to save the kids, but an explosion threw me back. The door slammed shut, and the fire began to move strangely, as if it had a life of its own. In front of me, the flames began to take shape, molding into a humanoid figure.

—Hello, — it said with a mocking voice.

—Who are you? — I asked, my voice trembling.

—I don’t know, really. This is the first time I’ve come out. But don’t you think this place looks better like this? Wrapped in flames…— A malicious smile spread across its burning face.

I didn’t know how to react. That thing wasn’t human, that was clear.

—Ugh, I’d love to stay and play with those coming this way, but my master is about to wake up. And he keeps me asleep. —

—Who is your master? — I managed to ask, though I could barely breathe from fear.

The creature leaned toward me, whispering in my ear:

—The one you’ve cared for so much. Zein. —

My mind froze. Zein? It couldn’t be. He was a Blessed child. That meant purity, not... this.

I ran to the room where Lucian was already trying to control the situation. The demon, or whatever that creature was, began to shrink, slowly fading until it entered Zein’s body.

"What do we do now?" I asked, desperate, feeling how reality was collapsing around me.

—Hide him, — Lucian said determinedly. —We need to get him out of here. You have to take him. I’ll deal with Enzo. He must have seen everything. —

—No, I can distract him longer. You need to take him to protect him, — I quickly responded.

—But... —

—Don’t say anything. This is what I have to do. —

—Alright. I’ll take him to Thailon. When you can, come with us. —

—I will. —

We separated after that brief exchange. Lucian left through the back with Lyra in his arms, while I searched for something to try and control the fire. I needed more time for them to escape.

When I stepped outside, I saw a scene that chilled me to the bone: Zein was facing Enzo, and both were ready to strike. Without thinking, I stepped between them.

—Stop! What are you doing? Instead of helping people, you’re threatening each other! —

—Meliora... — Zein could barely hold back his tears, his face filled with fear and confusion.

—Shut up! — Enzo shouted, his voice resonating like never before. It was the first time he had spoken to me like that. —Stop protecting that demon, damn witch! —

—Witch? — I murmured, incredulous.

—Exactly, witch. I always knew that your marriage to that elf, even while you were still in training, was a sign. And now you come to protect this demon! —

—Don't you dare involve them in this! — I yelled at him with fury. I couldn’t let Thailon or Kiomi be dragged into this chaos.

Enzo didn’t seem willing to listen to reason. His gaze was filled with hate, and his posture was threatening. Without wasting any more time, I grabbed Zein in my arms and ran toward the burning building.

—What are you doing? — Zein asked, clearly confused and scared.

—Shh. Listen to me carefully, — I whispered, trying to calm myself. —They won’t leave you alone until they kill you. I need to buy time. In the kitchen, under the table, there’s a hatch. Use that passage. It will take you to where Lucian and Lyra are. Got it? —

—But... what will happen to you, Meliora? —

—I said, do you understand?! — I shouted, but quickly tried to soften my tone. —Don’t worry about me. I’ll be fine. I’ll catch up with you later. Now go. —

Zein nodded, though his expression made it clear he didn’t want to leave.

—Alright, — he answered reluctantly.

I watched him disappear through the hatch, hoping he would be safe. Now, all I had left was to buy time and face Enzo.

—Arrest her! — Enzo shouted, pointing at me authoritatively.

The soldiers lunged at me, but I wasn’t going down without a fight. My blows barely managed to get through the hardness of their armor, and every hit made my hands hurt more and more. But I didn’t stop. I knocked down five of them before exhaustion caught up with me, but it was useless. For every soldier that fell, more arrived.

I couldn’t keep myself standing anymore. My body wouldn’t respond.

—Surrender, Meliora! — Enzo shouted with disdain. —It’s pointless to resist the will of the Almighty. —

—You don’t govern his will," I spat, panting. "You only watch over your own interests. —

Enzo burned me with his gaze, his face overflowing with hatred.

—You have no right to say that. Arrest her already! —

After a violent struggle, the soldiers managed to immobilize me. They tied me to a post and piled straw around me. Despite everything, I kept my head held high.

—Meliora Valandil, — Enzo said theatrically, as if enjoying every word. —By the supreme authority of the Kirche, you are condemned to die in the fire for your crimes of heresy and treason. —

—Pff, you look so ridiculous reciting that, Father, — I replied with a bitter smile. —You would have been better off as something else. —

The fury in his eyes intensified.

—Burn her! — he ordered with a gesture of his hand.

The fire slowly spread through the straw, the heat drawing closer to my feet. But even in that moment, I felt no fear. A strange calm washed over me. I knew I had fulfilled my purpose. Zein and Lyra were safe. That was all that mattered.

As the flames grew, my thoughts turned to my daughter, Kiomi. Would I ever see her again? My heart ached with pain as I imagined her face. I wish I could have hugged her, played with her one more time, bought her things, kissed her forehead like when she was a baby. But that would no longer be possible.

I looked up at the sky, and through the smoke and flames, I thought I saw a light. It looked like a distant flicker, as if someone was watching me. Maybe it was Zein, waiting in the distance, trying to find me.

I closed my eyes and let the memories of the last two years fill my mind. Thailon, my love, thank you for everything you gave me. Lucian, you were always my best friend, my rock. Girls, soon I will join you. Forgive me for everything. Zein, Lyra... please, go on and live freely.

With my last breath, I spoke the words I had kept in my heart until the end.

—Thank you... for everything... —

And then, the flames engulfed me completely.