[COMPLETE] Earth Girl, Star Boys (EXO Fanfic)

18 - The Final Sacrifice (END)

SEHUN'S POV

We trained for exactly five days. Astrid was able to keep her promise and finished honing us by then. The night before, we sat around the fire and enjoyed the company and the warmth. The stars twinkled merrily, unaware of what we were about to do. Tomorrow is the day. Tomorrow, we are going home as traitors.

Tomorrow, we are saving Suho.

As we sat by the fire, Chanyeol suddenly started singing. We recognized the song and we all joined in. Astrid closed her eyes and swayed to our song.

I won't ever forget

I will make you happy

Just like the saying, we are one

Even after time, I couldn't say anything and just swallowed my words

Words saying, I'm sorry, I love you, please believe in me like you do now

I'll hug you, I'll hold your hands

If your heart can be at rest

I'll give it my all

I want to protect your smile always*

Suddenly, we heard sniffles and turned to see Astrid looking at us, smiling and crying at the same time. We stopped singing and Chanyeol, Kai, and I hugged her. The rest of them followed, and we surrounded our princess with our warmth.

"Guys? Whatever happens, thank you, I love you, I'm sorry."

The three words wanted to spill out of my mouth and I looked at Kai and he must have felt the same. Kai, being Kai, said, "Astrid. When all of this is over, I... Sehun and I want to tell you something." She merely smiled, but it was such a sad, sad smile. We did not know what it meant then.

She gave us all hugs, and we all hugged her back, even Baekhyun.

We fell asleep that night dreaming that when tomorrow comes, we will be united once more. We do not know what will happen after we save Suho, but we will figure it out, together.

We woke up refreshed but we realized Astrid was missing. We searched the island and went to the spellbinding circle. We stared incredulously at the words beside it and Baekhyun started screaming obscenities. Kai went to it, but it did not activate. He fell on his knees and slammed his fist on the sand, beside the words 'Good – bye'.

ASTRID'S POV

Astrid, when the time comes, you have to make a choice. A great sacrifice. More than one life can be saved that day. Train them well. The rest is up to you.

I read Melissandre's message one last time and activate the spellbinding circle. I have so many words unsaid, but not enough time. I take a last look at my knights and a tear falls. Before it hits the sand, I am gone.

I find myself back home. Or what was left of it. The wave that I summoned drenched everything and the walls that were once smooth were now crumbling – some with age, and some with the wear and tear of nature. Clouds of dust rise up as I tread silently down the basement, to the secret corridor that leads to the Citadel. I cloak myself with Darkness, and pass by sentries, unseen. I go to the Execution Hall, and I see the judges sitting smugly in their high chairs, chairs that once belonged to my mother and father, chairs that should be mine and Melissandre's. Today, we are giving them up.

I make my way towards the center of the Hall, where a big spellbinding circle was engraved. No one knows what it means, but the royal family. I reveal myself to them, and they all pale, as if they've seen a ghost. Maybe they have, because I am the ghost of their past, coming to haunt them. But that is not why I've come.