The tension in the room was suffocating. The weight of Lucien's condition pressed down on all of them, but it was Mira who finally broke the silence.
"We don't always have to find and fix," she said, pacing the length of the room. "We don't have that much time. The world—the one we know—it's shifting. Changing. If we wait too long, we might not have a world to come back to."
Elias frowned. "What are you saying?"
Mira took a deep breath. "I have an idea."
Everyone stiffened.
"But it's dangerous," she admitted. "We have… maybe a five percent chance of success."
As if rehearsed, every single one of them responded at the same time:
"No."
Mira narrowed her eyes. "It's the only option we've got. Any better ideas?"
Silence.
Dave sighed, rubbing his face. "Alright, let's hear your brilliant idea—the one that might get us all killed."
Mira crossed her arms. "I need to go to the other side of the world
Jonas raised a hand lazily from where he sat.
"Quick question—when you say 'other side of the world,' do you mean like… Australia? Or hell? Just so I pack the right trauma."
Everyone ignored him.
Jonas raised a hand lazily from where he sat.
"Quick question—when you say 'other side of the world,' do you mean like… Australia? Or hell? Just so I pack the right trauma."
Everyone ignored him.
Evelyn frowned. "The other side?"
"To bring her soul back."
The air went cold.
Dave's expression darkened. He stepped forward, eyes flashing with anger. "Are you kidding me? We just spent a fucking night trying to get God knows who back to his world. And now you want to take a vacation to that same world?"
"This isn't a vacation," Mira snapped. "It's the only way to get Lucien back."
Jonas exhaled sharply. "Mira, do you even know what you're saying?"
"Yes," she said firmly. "Lucien isn't just unconscious. She's trapped. If we don't go after her… she might never wake up."
Elias, who had been silent, finally spoke. "And what happens if you go there—and get trapped too?"
Mira hesitated. "I won't."
Dave let out a dry laugh. "Oh, well. That's reassuring."
Evelyn looked between them. "Mira… even if we believed this could work… how would you even do it?"
Mira took a breath. "I know a way."
Jonas didn't miss a beat.
"Of course you do. You're like a walking plot twist."
Elias crossed his arms. "And this 'way' of yours… does it require more sacrifices?"
Mira didn't answer right away.
Dave scoffed. "Oh great. That's a yes."
"Mira…" Evelyn's voice was softer now. "Are you sure?"
Mira's eyes flickered to Lucien's unconscious form.
"I don't think we have a choice."