Ash in the air, circling in my lungs. My face smeared in the dirt. Chanting, hushed in whispers, calling to me from the ground. I cracked my eyes open, the luminous haze blurred my eyes. A thin purple glow, something akin to smoke and light. A bitter taste on my tongue.

Scattered armor across the street, the bodies of the soldiers, fallen where they stood. No source of the sound, the wind howling through the streets. This is it, this is the end. There was no running from the truth. No running away.

My limbs struggled to rise, my hands around the dagger. My strength used up. I could move a finger, steal a breath, nothing that could stop these steps. Left with an impossible idea, one last chance.

Gloria pivoted me towards the mirror, the circle standing upright. "No more games, Alex," her voice tired, echoed. The ethereal light cutting through the haze, it pierced my soul. The chanting came from it, building with the swirling sea of souls. Weighted and weightless, like sinking quicksand. Drawn by the sound, we stood before the circle. I can't do this…I can't do what needs to be done.

Then watch the world die.

Sweat dripped down my forehead. What a terrible choice. What a terrible fate. That rusted key, still in mind, spinning past my nose. A taunt, a daydream, a chance to wipe away all consequences. What a pathetic hero I am.

A heartbeat, faint, steady, hidden behind the roaring whispers. Is it really mine? Or someone else's? Something comforting about it, reminding me that I'm still alive. Maybe this moment is my redemption...

Hands shaking, Gloria stood before the gateway. "Here we are..." she breathed. "Every step, every measure, all for this." A smile slipped across her lips. "One strike and the world comes crashing down."

One strike. The words burned into my brain. A sick irony, laughing in my head, poking at my pride. I swallowed back the taunts, inching for just a sliver of control. I could never get enough to free my arm...but my voice was unguarded.

The knife in hand, Gloria swiped it back, readying her swing. Every second ticked at a painful speed. The blade swung back, the knife falling towards the surface.

I managed a whistle, a sound that barely escaped my lips. A couple clumsy notes, hardly a song. It was enough to pull my arm along, turning the trajectory of the knife. The dagger flew back in my direction.

"Alex!" Gloria cried. The blade sliced deep into my chest, the handle sticking out. I gagged, stumbling back. "What have you done…" real shock in her voice, "Alex?"

My legs gave way, collapsing to the floor. Breathing shallow, the blood pooled in my lungs. Gloria trying to stand, my limbs didn't move. Her voice frantic in my head, "We have to finish this, we have to! I-"

My vision blurring in and out, spots dotting over the sky. Gloria's soul standing over me, her hand over her mouth. "Alex…"

I laid my head back, blood pooling over the stones. "...I'm...not getting up." Tears streaked my vision, I couldn't breathe.

"Do you know what you've done?" Her eyes whelming up with tears. She shook her head. "You don't know what you've done."

"Please..." The pain burned in my chest. I shut my eyes, the tears slipping down my cheeks. "..just stay with me." Silence, deafening silence.

Gloria stepped closer, her fists clenched. "I'm not going to leave you..." Her lip quivered, anger still clenched in her jaw. "I promise."

The haze lifted, cold wind chasing away the ashy air. Shivers running across my skin, I kept my eyes on Gloria. I reached up to her face, my fingers falling through. "I ruined your life," I whispered.

"You didn't ruin my life." Gloria loosened her shoulders.

"I did," I coughed. A small break in the darkness, stars bleeding through. "If I hadn't helped Carrick-"

"You remember that first night we met?"

"I could never forget."

"How many foreign princes did you cut in front of, just to steal a dance with me," she laughed, eyes brightened. "I've never felt more special to anyone." She pressed a kiss on my temple. "When my world felt the smallest, you made me feel like the sun."

"Gloria…" my voice trembled. I want to go back, erase everything after that moment.

She shook her head. "Don't say anything, just dream...think of dancing. I wish we could dance again." Her ghostly fingers brushed along my temple. Her smile, lighting up my world.

She wiped my tears, the streaks staying. Invisible fingers tracing my cheek, I could almost imagine they were real, that she was really here holding me.

"We can dance in our minds," I hushed.

She sniffled back a tear, resting her forehead against mine. "We just have to imagine," her voice cracked, eyes closing. "We're under the stars...there's candlelight and music...and you-" she stopped, choking on sobs. "...you take my hand...and-"

Tears blurred my eyes, my throat dry. "I spin you across the floor...my steps are clumsy, and awkward, but you're too polite to object."

She wiped her eyes. "You're dancing is wonderful, and you never miss a beat."

A weak laugh, the ache growing. "And my eyes never leave yours…not ever." My breaths growing shallow, I struggled to pull them in. A desperation, the pain roared as I hyperventilated.

"Alex, don't struggle." She kissed my forehead again. "It's okay to let go."

"...I wish things were different. I wish-" I blinked up at her eyes, her finger caressing my cheek. "I don't want to go…" I whispered.

"Do you mind if I sing to you?" she asked. I shook my head, fighting to keep my eyes open. She stared down with warm eyes, her sweet angelic song, shaking away the misery.

The pain leaving with her song, my grasp on consciousness slipped.

Life draining like the blood from my veins, a sick smile stuck across my face. One last exhale, one last heartbeat, one last note of the most beautiful song I've ever heard. I was gone.