Life Goes On

Chapter 27: Fear of Losing You

"Ominis, please, we need to talk about this." Sebastian begged, following Ominis into his dorm room.

"What is there to talk about, she's given me an ultimatum." Ominis punched his pillow, he felt enraged and hurt, how could Ophelia threaten to end their relationship when all he was trying to do was protect it.

Sebastian walked towards Ominis's bed and sat down before letting a deep breath out. "Ominis, Ophelia loves you, and I love you just as much. We don't want you to risk your life for us though, not like this. Stupidly, in case you need that clarified."

Ominis shook his head. "So why not let me do this? If it works, I'd be rid of my family for good. If they disown me, I never have to worry about them again. We never have to worry about them again." He punched his pillow again.

Sebastian huffed. "You just said it mate, IF this works. You don't know if it will, and you don't know how badly it could go. Listen... if Anne was still alive, I would rather she never speak to me in her entire long life but still know that she's breathing, that she's experiencing things, learning, loving, losing, crying, laughing. I would choose that, a million times, over having her be dead. If we lose you, what becomes of us? Did you stop to think about how broken we would be? Losing one more person that we love?"

"You could just be happy... together." Ominis wanted to believe that was true.

Sebastian shook his head, "Ominis, we are three pieces of a whole, you can't take one piece away and ever be the same." Sebastian reached his hand over to Ominis's and held it tightly. "We can't let you do this alone."

"Fine. I won't go alone, but you have to be there too, you must protect Ophelia, whatever comes. Understand?" Ominis demanded.

Sebastian took a breath of relief. "We will all protect each other."

Ominis nodded silently.

***

"What is there to talk about, she's given me an ultimatum."

I'd followed Sebastian up to Ominis's room after our talk but hesitated by the door. When I heard how upset Ominis was I had to leave. Ominis sounded so hurt, he was so upset that he lost his composure. I had seen Ominis upset before, but not like this. Certainly not to the point of punching his pillow.

I couldn't believe the words as I spoke to them, and yet, I felt that I had no other option. I would rather set Ominis free from our ties than risk him losing his life. No more death, not because of me.

I ran to the quad courtyard. I looked out at the frozen river, the sun had long set, and the moon reflected off the ice. I started to wonder then, if maybe Sebastian and Ominis would've been happier had I died instead of professor Fig.

I was the new student, no one knew me very well, if I'd defeated Ranrok and died from battle wounds, I would've simply been remembered as the Hero of Hogwarts. Great Aunt Cleo would've been sad, but everyone here, Poppy, Natty, Sebastian, Ominis, they would've eventually moved on and continued their lives as they were before me. The weakness in me made me angry, it filled me with hate for myself.

"Ophelia! I knew we'd find you here." Sebastian called out as they approached me near the overlook.

Ominis walked behind him silently with his head down.

"Hey, what... Uhm... Did you..." I stammered.

"You'll both come with me." Ominis stated as his shoulders slumped just a bit further. "Are you ok?" His head tilted to the side.

"Yes, of course I am, thank you... for letting us take care of you." I said.

Ominis shook his head and gave me a half smile. "I should be thanking you, you're both risking your lives with me now. I suppose we have much to prep for. Shall we?"