My Answer To Your Confession

---Indigo---

"Lio…" I knelt next to Lionel. My trembling hands brushed away the stray bangs covering his eyes and took his face gently. I ignored the sticky blood that immediately covered my palms. His skin was clammy and cold. "Lio, it's Indigo. I'm here. Look at me, Lio, please."

His eyes remained closed. I couldn't even detect a breath. As Rachel hurried over and took his wrist to feel for a pulse, with Aaron standing grimly behind her, I burst into tears. "Lio, I never gave you my response."

After the intense battle with Lord Victor and after seeing Aaron and Katherine's tearful separation, I knew what my response was, to Lionel's confession of love by the campfire so many weeks ago. My heart knew all along, but I didn't have the time and emotional capacity to accept it. I was unsure, and to some extent, I was afraid. Lionel said he would wait. But now, after everything that had happened, he would never hear my answer.

"Lio, you came into my life when I was at my lowest point. You have been nothing but supportive and understanding, and you helped me heal. Without you, none of this would have been possible. I don't think we could have made it here if it wasn't for everything you did." I cradled Lionel's limp body in my arms. Rachel was using her healing magic, but Lionel remained lifeless. I cried harder.

"You taught me how to smile again. You showed me what happiness was. I didn't realize it at the time, but now I realize that I need you in my life. I've become so accustomed to your presence, your smile, your gentle demeanor. Thinking of you kept me going when I was captured by Lord Victor. You came to save me, but I didn't come save you." I buried my face into Lionel's shoulder, seeking the warmth that used to be there. "Lionel, I like you too. This is my answer. I want to ride side-by-side with you again across Crystallea; I want to stay up late discussing battle strategies with you; I want to sit with you and look up at the stars.

"Lionel, I like you. I gave you my answer. You said you would wait for my answer, and now I have my answer for you. Why won't you look at me and answer me?" I didn't care that an entire platoon of soldiers were standing awkwardly by the doorway and watching me cry. I ignored the sad look that Aaron no doubt had on his face. Aaron might have been my sky in the beginning, but Lionel was the ground, and I didn't know how much I needed him until he was gone.

I suddenly understood how Aaron felt—how devastated he was, how heartbroken he was, and how there was a pain greater than any physical torture Lord Victor or anyone else could inflict on us. I understood, but I wished I didn't.

A faint breath tickled my ear. Then a familiar voice said softly, so quietly I almost thought it was my imagination, "There's no one else I want to spend the rest of my life with than you, Indy."

I pulled back. Lionel's dark brown eyes were open and focused on me. He was smiling weakly. "Lionel!" I wrapped him in a tight hug. "Lionel…You scared me so much; I thought—I thought—"

"I'm sorry for worrying you, Indy. But I'm okay now." Lionel patted my back.

"You're still very weak and covered with wounds that need to be treated, but I've managed to pull you back from the gate of death." Rachel stood up with a tired smile. "Welcome back, Lionel."

We separated, and Lionel thanked Rachel gratefully. He looked at Aaron; something unspoken passed between them, and Lionel nodded once, solemnly, as if thanking Aaron. Aaron remained silent.

"I'm assuming that the battle is over? Is Lord Victor dead?" Lionel asked me.

I nodded vigorously. "Yes. We defeated him. He's dead and gone for good. We won, Lio."

Lionel's face burst into a brilliant smile. I found myself smiling as well. He began to struggle to his feet, and I helped him up slowly. "Aaron said you sealed yourself in. What happened after they left? It must've been difficult to fight and kill so many Evils alone."

"It was tough, yes, but I managed. I'll tell you the story later." Lionel leaned against me for support. His eyes swept over the room. "Where's Katherine?"

Rachel looked to the ground. Aaron closed his eyes and turned away, but not before I saw tears sparkling in them. His hands were fists by his side. Lionel turned to me, his brows creased with concern and confusion.

"Katherine sacrificed herself to kill Lord Victor," I said quietly. Lionel looked stunned. For a long time, no one said anything. Finally, Lionel sighed.

"We were going to duel properly after this," he murmured. He shook his head sadly. "Let's get out of here first. Then I think you'd better tell me about the entire battle."

* * * * *

"So Katherine was sucked into the portal?" Rachel asked. We were on our way back from the heart of the Northern Mountains and set up camp in one of the caves we took shelter in from the blizzard. Lucian was still unconscious, but his condition was stabilizing. Now five of us were huddled around a campfire—Rachel, Aaron, Lionel, Madeline, and me.

I shook my head. "She was inside the portal, and there was magic inside that sucked her away. She stayed inside so we could seal the portal."

"But she's not dead, right? If we open the portal again, maybe we can find her." Lionel pointed out.

"I don't know, Lionel. I don't think any of us have the ability to open the portal, not to mention it might release Lord Victor again." Rachel replied. "Aaron said he wasn't completely dead and pulled Katherine back. That's why she couldn't get out in time."

We lapsed into a depressed, hopeless silence. Aaron stared into the crackling fire with soulless eyes. Madeline spoke up. "I think you children are forgetting something. There is hope still."

"What?" We all perked up immediately.

Aaron looked towards the sorceress, and some hope crept into his gaze. "You mean, there's a way for Kath to come back?"

Madeline nodded slowly. "I believe so. Think back to the prophecy. Did you really fulfill it completely?"

"The prophecy…" I ran it through my head, matching each line with an event. My eyes widened. "The last line—'Ancient summons bring home a friend'. There's a spell to reopen the portal and bring Katherine back!"

"But didn't Rachel just say reopening the portal might release Lord Victor again?" Lionel asked.

"This is part of the prophecy, though. It must occur." I argued.

"I don't care if Lord Victor comes back. I'll kill him a second time." Aaron's voice was filled with determination. "As long as we can bring Kath back, I'll do anything."

"We're right with you, Aaron." I patted his shoulder. "Madeline, do you know what the spell is?"

"Unfortunately, I do not," said Madeline. "But if the prophecy decrees that Katherine returns, then she will. You five will have to search the ancient books to find the spell, or ritual, whatever it is. Of course, I will help if you'd like me to."

"Yes, yes, please." Hope stirred in all of us. Some life returned to Aaron's eyes.

Although the war had been won, there was still so much left to do. We have to figure out what to do with the now-empty stronghold and Lord Victor's surrendered soldiers. We have to assess the damage caused by the Evils' invasions across Crystallea, treat the wounded, bury the dead, and rebuild. We have to travel back across Crystallea to return to the Academy and reunite with our families after such a harrowing and painful journey. Most importantly, we have to find the spell that can bring Katherine back.

Katherine will return. We just have to help her find her way home.