Star Beings: Dawn

Sunrise

The next morning we continued our trek further up into the mountain range, all three of us avoiding talk of the events of last night at all costs. It's not all that difficult, though, considering that the trail up the mountain is unbelievably thin and most of our concentration is on trying not to die.
"Hade, stop jumping around like an idiot before you fall off a cliff."
"Leigh, I will be perfectly f-" as if on cue, Hade's platform catches on a rock and almost sends them spiraling off the side of the narrow path. Leigh stares at them with a weary expression, exhausted by both Hade's shenanigans and the hike. As time goes on, I begin to notice a dark mass in the distance. The pit in my stomach feels as though it is about to swallow me whole, dread building inside my lungs. It chokes me, and I know Leigh has taken notice.
"Hey, Ani are you doing ok?"
"Yep... Just fine..." I wheeze.
"Why don't we take a break? The map says the castle is about a mile or so away, so it won't affect our schedule too much."
"Leigh, I am fi-"
"Sounds great, El." Hade cuts in, sitting down on the nearest rock. I glare at their stupid face as they gaze off into the distance.
Prick.
"Stop looking at me like that Anai."
"Like what, Hade?" I ask through gritted teeth, turning my gaze towards the wilderness that stretches out like a lush green carpet below us.
They don't answer. I see Leigh sit down beside them out of the corner of my eye. They both know I can tell they're whispering about me, right?
"Gods this is my amnesia spell all over again... If you two have something to say about me, at least say it to my face."
"Anai you're just..." "You're acting off, asshat. We wanna know whats wrong but since you obviously don't want to say anything-"
"I had a vision of Corinna impaling me."
"Ok? You're a Star Being, you should be fine," Hade states. But then they look over at Leigh's horrified face and the pieces fall into place. As they slowly turn their gaze back to me, their face grows paler and paler.
"No..."
"I'm not leaving the castle alive. I've known that for months. I'm walking straight to my death, and the only variable here is time. That's the reason I agreed. Because I know I can still get information out of these fucks and if I die so be it. At least then I can prove to the world that I was willing to sacrifice myself for all of the people I hurt. My blood may just be enough to convince everyone that rightfully hates me that there was good somewhere inside me."
"No... No Anai, we need you. We need your strength, your skills and your intelligence. If you die the rest of us are fucked, you can't do this!"
"I have to Hade! We're too far to turn back now. I'm not running away from this. I refuse to-"
I don't know when Hade stands, but suddenly they have me by my wrist as if to keep me from running away.
"No! You can't just... fucking die like this!"
"Let go of me, Hade."
They stare down at me, their gray eyes hardened by anger.
"Make. me."
"Hade, let her go." Leigh commands. Hade, surprised by the sudden interruption, frees me from their tight grasp. My friend pushes past them and  stalks over to me, studying my features as though she's trying to take a mental picture of what I look like so she won't forget.
Then she slaps the living shit out of me.
"What the fuck are you thinking, Anai?! WELL?! The Star Beings need you, the world needs you... I NEED YOU!!! YOU CAN'T FUCKING DO THIS!!!" She screams, tears beginning to well up in her eyes. I'd be lying if I said it didn't sting. They don't understand. Of course they don't, from their perspective I'm basically committing suicide.
"Leigh, if I don't do this vital info that could help us get the upper hand is going to be lost for good. We either end this war before it starts and I go down as the only casualty or I stay behind and thousands if not millions of people die. There's not a choice here."
"She's right Leigh," Hade states abruptly.
I flash a grateful smile, but they avoid my eyes.
"Thank you, Hade."
"Anai, You're definitely right about there not being a choice. We're turning back now."

As the Star Being reaches for me once more, I duck out of the way. Hade quickly resorts to violence, seeing it as the only way to sedate me.
Either way, I am making a selfish decision. We all know that. However one of those choices results in only one death, mine. I do not care if I die, because I know if I don't do this the two people standing in front of me will. I care deeply for Leigh. I might even love her. And Hade... I consider them a friend. I truly do. Not to mention Elian, Hera and the twins. My family, my real family means everything to me.
In all honesty, I deserve to die. I might as well go out saving everyone I love. I will never be a hero.
But I don't have to be a villain.
I step backwards towards the edge of the cliff, one of my eyes beginning to swell shut, and the same bastard that caused the injury reaches out for me, trying to grab hold of my person by any means necessary. But I'm too quick.
As I step off the edge, the last thing I see is Leigh's panic stricken eyes as I teleport directly to my doom.