FINAL Chapter 17: Embracing Death

Ida had left the hospital, but the thoughts echoing in her mind wouldn't let her go. Batuhan's words haunted her. The power inside her was slowly consuming her. She was now aware of it; the brief time she had spent in the hospital confirmed Batuhan's words. But what if listening to Batuhan led her into darkness? On the other hand, Atilla... Being with him meant trust and peace, but Batuhan had clearly said that this path would lead to death. The choice lay between two opposing paths: survival or choosing the right thing and risking death.

As Ida stepped out of the hospital room, she took a deep breath. The cold air of the day hit her face, but it brought no relief. The storm inside her wouldn't settle. On one side, Batuhan's dark promises, on the other, the peace she found with Atilla. Should she choose the easy way and listen to Batuhan? This path would ensure her survival, but what price would it demand? Surrendering her soul to darkness, was survival worth such a price?

Walking slowly, her eyes stared blankly ahead. She was so lost in thought that she didn't notice the people around her. It felt like the world had stopped for her. She paused for a moment, clenched her fists, and lifted her head to the sky. "What should I do?" she whispered.

What would happen if she chose the easy way? Batuhan's promises seemed tempting; she would survive, control her power, and maybe even become stronger. But the path was clearly dark. The unsettling gleam in Batuhan's eyes revealed his true intentions. Ida knew Batuhan was playing a game with her, but in this game, survival might be her only option.

But then Atilla came to her mind. The peaceful moments spent with him, the quiet nights when she felt safe... Atilla was like a refuge to her. Being with him brought a reality that was pure and distant from the danger of power. But if she chose Atilla's path… Batuhan's warning echoed that this road would lead to death. If she continued to use her power, it would eventually consume her completely.

Ida thought for a while longer. Deep within her heart, the trust she felt for Atilla was stronger than the darkness Batuhan had offered. But this trust might not grant her the chance to survive. Could she bear to make that sacrifice for her life? Was she strong enough to accept death?

She cupped her face in her hands and retreated to a corner. Her thoughts were suffocating her, and she tried to find a way in the midst of all this uncertainty. What should she do? Should she take the easy way? Should she accept Batuhan's offer of power and the promise of saving her life? Or should she trust Atilla, even though that path would lead to death?

Closing her eyes, she took a deep breath. She had to make a decision. But both paths came with heavy costs.

If she chose the easy way, she would survive, but she would likely remain forever a prisoner of darkness. If she chose Atilla, she would die for her loyalty and love, but at least she would have done the right thing.

Ida's heart, soul, and mind were engaged in a fierce battle.

But what should she do?

She stood up, took a deep breath, and kept walking. She needed to make her choice, but she felt the weight of the decision pressing down on her.

Ida stopped and thought. After weighing everything carefully, she felt that she had to choose Atilla. The darkness Batuhan offered was tempting, but Ida's heart was pulling her in another direction. Fighting for her life was appealing, but the cost of this fight was too great. Surrendering her soul to darkness was never something she would accept. In that moment, she realized what was right. Instead of sacrificing her values for survival, she chose Atilla. Being with him, even if it meant her life would end, was the only place where her heart found peace.

Not long after leaving the hospital, she slowly walked toward the place where Atilla was waiting. By the time she reached him, her eyes were filled with tears, but these tears were not of sorrow—they symbolized her determination. Atilla looked at Ida's face and saw the darkness within her. This darkness was the mark left by Batuhan, but Ida had refused to surrender to it.

Atilla quietly approached Ida and opened his arms to embrace her. Ida leaned into his chest, closing her eyes. Being with him brought her a sense of peace. She felt the end of the internal battle she had been fighting. "Atilla," she whispered, her voice trembling, "I've chosen you. I trust you. No matter what, I want to be with you."

Atilla was deeply moved by these words. He didn't know how to respond to the sacrifice Ida was making. He held her tightly, but deep inside, he knew this was the end. Ida's power had become uncontrollable. As Batuhan had said, this power was slowly consuming her. Unfortunately, there was no turning back now.

As Ida grew weaker in Atilla's arms, she felt her life slowly slipping away. Atilla's warmth seemed to anchor her to life, but her body was growing heavier. "Atilla," she murmured, "My love for you… I'm thankful you're here with me, even at my last moment."

Atilla, trying to hold back his tears, gently stroked Ida's hair. "You don't deserve this, Ida. If only I could have saved you... I wish I could have done something."

Ida lifted her head slightly and looked into his eyes. "You… You've already saved me. You showed me the right path. By choosing you, I found peace."

Then, slowly, she closed her eyes in Atilla's arms. Atilla could feel her breathing grow fainter. Time seemed to stop. Ida's final moments had come, and she was spending them in Atilla's embrace, with his warmth surrounding her. As she took one last breath, a faint smile crossed her face. She had accepted death, found peace.

Atilla, holding Ida's lifeless body, couldn't stop his tears. In that moment, everything stopped, and the world fell silent. Ida had found eternal peace, but Atilla's heart was left with a deep emptiness. He had lost the one he loved, but he understood the magnitude of the sacrifice she had made.

Ida had breathed her last in the arms of the one she loved, making her choices, embracing death without surrendering to the darkness, and leaving this world in peace.