The Price of Mercy

Selene

The gods spoke without mouths, yet the sound of their words cracked the skies.

The tallest of the three, crowned in obsidian flame, extended a hand toward her.

"You may save him."

Selene's heart surged.

"But," the second god hissed, "it requires equal exchange."

"Your life?" asked the third. "Too easy."

"Your soul?" said the first. "Too small."

"No," they said in unison.

"Give us the part of you he loves most."

Selene's breath caught.

"And what part is that?"

The gods smiled, slow and cruel.

"Your memory of him."

---

Kael

He stood back, watching Selene tremble beneath the weight of the gods' demand. He knew her well—how fiercely she clung to pain, how deeply she rooted herself in grief. And now they wanted her love for Ashren?

To save her son… and never remember he was hers?

"No," Kael whispered under his breath. "That's not a price. That's murder by forgetting."

---

Liora

Her voice cut the air like lightning.

"There has to be another way."

The gods turned.

"There is," they replied.

All three looked to Liora.

"You."

---

Ashren

He stood before a mirror that hadn't been there a moment ago.

In it, his reflection moved wrong—too fast, too slow, eyes too dark.

"Let me in," the other Ashren said.

"Why?" he asked.

"Because you're afraid."

"I'm not."

"Yes," the voice said, stepping through the glass. "You are."

Ashren backed away. Magic surged in his fingertips.

"You'll lose her," the voice hissed. "She'll give you up to protect you. She'll forget you existed."

"No!" Ashren cried.

But the shadow lunged.

---

Selene – At the Pillars

Selene dropped to her knees, hands clenched.

"I won't forget him."

The gods waited.

"I won't trade my love like a coin. I'll fight fate itself."

The shadows stirred.

Then the first god leaned close.

"Then your son will suffer. The thing inside him will take over. The world will burn."

Selene looked up, voice steady.

"Then teach me how to kill it."

A pause.

Then: "So be it."

---

Final Scene – Ashren Breaks

Ashren screamed as the reflection melted into his body. Magic exploded from his skin, scorching the ground, collapsing the outer wing of the palace.

Selene felt it from miles away.

"Ashren."

Kael turned to her. "What is it?"

She looked at him, eyes wide with fire.

"He's breaking."

And far away, in the shattered remains of his soul, Ashren stood alone—facing the thing that bore his face, his voice, and none of his mercy.