Stellar Hearts: Lost in Seoul

Chapter 18: "The Last Gamble"

Chiquita's POV

I can't breathe.

The air feels thick—almost suffocating—as I stare at Ahyeon standing between us and the only thing that can save us. The ship. Our escape.

And she's not moving.

I want to yell at her. I want to tell her to get out of the way, but my voice feels stuck in my throat. Instead, I grip Asa's hand harder, as though that small action might somehow push us forward.

But I know it won't.

"You've come so far, Asa," Ahyeon says, her voice soft, almost mockingly gentle. "But you're not going anywhere."

I'm standing there, watching the two of them face off, and everything in my body is screaming for us to just run—but where?

Where do we run now?

I try to steady my breath, my mind a whirlwind of fear and confusion. But then I feel Asa's hand squeeze mine. It's not panic. It's not desperation. It's calm. Steady.

I look at her, my heart pounding in my chest. Asa's eyes meet mine. She's not defeated. She's not afraid.

"I'll fight," she says quietly, but with enough conviction that it takes me by surprise. "We don't have a choice, Chiquita."

I open my mouth to say something, but the words catch in my throat. Instead, I nod. I can't lose her. Not now.

Asa's POV

I can feel the weight of Ahyeon's gaze, and it's almost suffocating. It's like she's trying to break me with just her eyes. But I won't let her.

I won't let anyone break me. Not now. Not when I'm so close.

I glance at Chiquita—her face is tight with fear, but there's something else there, too. Resolve. Her grip on my hand is steady, like she's ready for whatever comes next. And that makes me want to fight even harder.

Ahyeon smiles, a cold, almost predatory smile. "Do you think you can win, Asa? Do you honestly think you can just leave like this?"

"I'm not leaving," I reply, my voice steady, even though every part of me is screaming to run. "I'm returning."

She laughs, but it's sharp, bitter. "That's the problem. You're not like us. You never will be."

"Maybe not," I say, my heart hammering in my chest. "But that doesn't mean I'll let you control me. Or Chiquita."

I don't know if I'm being reckless or brave, but I don't care. I have to do this. I can't fail her.

Chiquita's POV

I can see the tension in Asa's shoulders, the tightness in her stance. She's trying to keep it together—for me.

And it breaks my heart.

I reach out, brushing my fingers against her arm. "Asa," I whisper, my voice shaking but quiet. "We don't have to do this. We can go back. We can fight them later, when we're stronger, when we're not cornered."

She looks at me, her eyes softer than they've been all night. There's something in her gaze—something that makes me realize just how much she's holding back. How much she's sacrificing to keep us both alive.

"I can't, Chiquita," she whispers, her voice barely audible. "If I don't make it back to my world... I'll vanish. I'll die."

Her words hit me like a punch to the stomach. I try to swallow the lump in my throat, but it's impossible.

"What?" I breathe, my voice cracking.

Asa nods, her eyes unwavering. "I've got 365 days and now it's only 24 hours left. And if I don't return... I won't survive."