Fates Entwined

Chapter 29: Fate's Heavy Hand

The air in Ursula's hidden lair was thick with anticipation. Miri stood at the center of the room, her hands trembling as she prepared herself for the sacrifice that would bind her to Risha's fate forever. The spell she was about to perform would drain a part of her essence, an irreversible act that would leave her forever altered, half-immortal, bound by the unspoken promise she had made to Risha's mother. Her heart was heavy with the knowledge of what she had to do, but her resolve was unshakable.

Outside, in the shadows of the darkened woods, Aaron was making his way to Ursula's sanctum. His mind raced with the information he had just learned. A second, far more dangerous option existed. A way to save both Miri and Risha—one that Eron alone knew. But there was a price. Eron would only reveal this path if he was granted the kingship of the immortal realm.

Aaron's pulse quickened as he approached the entrance. His father, Lord Siamese, had placed a powerful protection around Aaron's spirit, but this time, it wasn't his own magic that had brought him here. It was the whispered secrets of one of Eron's spies, a minion who had long been working under the tyrant's rule. This spy, Noel, had been a close confidant for years, but unbeknownst to Eron, Noel had been feeding information to Aaron for months—secretly, under the protection that Lord Siamese had placed over Aaron's soul.

Aaron's mind was clouded with thoughts of Noel. The spy had always kept him informed, feeding him the knowledge of Eron's dark plans. But now, Noel's report had changed everything. Eron knew the second way to save Risha and Miri, but the price was higher than anyone could imagine. If Eron was to have the kingship, he would reveal the solution.

Aaron's boots echoed in the narrow hallway as he made his way to Ursula's chambers. He had to act quickly—before it was too late.

Inside the lair, Ursula and Mitzy were discussing the situation with the gravity it demanded. Risha lay unconscious, her body trembling from the energy that had drained her. Miri hovered near her, her fingers brushing against Risha's pale face, whispering quiet words of comfort.

"Is this really the only way?" Mitzy asked, her voice laced with doubt. "Is there no other choice?"

Ursula's expression was grim. "There's nothing more we can do. We've tried everything we know. Miri is about to make the ultimate sacrifice to protect Risha. She's already tied herself to this fate, but even if she succeeds, the price will be steep. Half of her soul will be bound to Risha's. Half of her immortality will be taken."

"Then we must find a way to stop it. There has to be something we can do." Mitzy's voice trembled with the weight of it all.

Ursula sighed deeply, her eyes turning to the darkened sky outside. "There is always another way, but it's dangerous. Only one person knows it, and he's not someone we can trust."

At that moment, the door to the chamber creaked open, and Aaron stepped inside. His eyes were dark, filled with urgency. Ursula and Mitzy looked up in surprise.

"I know how to save both of them," Aaron said, his voice firm despite the storm of thoughts raging inside him. "But it comes with a cost."

Ursula raised an eyebrow, her interest piqued. "What are you talking about, Aaron? You know what's at stake here."

Aaron swallowed, his jaw tightening. "I've learned something, from a source you wouldn't expect. Eron knows another way. There's a second option to save both Miri and Risha, but only if Eron is given the kingship of the immortal realm. He's been plotting this for years."

Mitzy gasped, her hand flying to her mouth. "No... no, that can't be right. Eron is a monster! To give him the throne—"

"I know," Aaron said, his eyes darkening with the weight of the decision. "But it's the only way to undo what's happening to Miri and Risha. If Eron takes the throne, he'll tell us the truth, the one thing that can reverse all of this."