Silence filled the room after Mira's last words. No one wanted to be the first to break it, but the weight of her plan hung over them like a storm cloud.
Elias finally exhaled, shaking his head. "So let me get this straight—you want to go to the other side, to a place none of us fully understand, to drag Lucien's soul back? And you expect us to just go along with it?"
Mira's gaze didn't waver. "That's exactly what I'm saying."
Dave let out a bitter laugh. "Unbelievable. Absolutely unbelievable." He turned away, hands on his hips, then spun back around. "Do you even hear yourself? We have no idea what's waiting on the other side. What if this isn't just about Lucien? What if it's a trap? What if the second you step in—you can't come back?"
Mira folded her arms. "We don't have time for what ifs. The world is shifting. We all feel it. If we wait too long, we might not have the chance to fix this."
Jonas, who had been quiet until now, finally spoke. "And what exactly makes you think you can do this?"
Mira hesitated for only a second. "Because I've been there before."
The room went still.
Evelyn's eyes widened. "What?"
Elias narrowed his gaze. "When?"
Mira glanced at Lucien's unconscious form before looking back at them. "A long time ago. Before I even met all of you." She took a breath. "I know how to get there. And I know how to come back."
Dave stared at her, then shook his head. "This just keeps getting better and better."
Evelyn stepped closer. "If you've been there before… then you know how dangerous it is."
Mira nodded. "I do."
"And you still want to go?"
She clenched her jaw. "Yes."
Elias sighed, rubbing his temples. "Okay. Let's say we go along with this insane plan. What's the actual plan? You walk in, grab Lucien's soul, and just… leave?"
Mira hesitated. "Not exactly."
Dave groaned. "Of course not."
"There are… things I need to do first," she admitted. "Preparations. If I just barge in, I'll end up like her."
Jonas exhaled. "And how long do these 'preparations' take?"
"A day. Maybe two."
Elias looked at Lucien, then back at Mira. "And if something goes wrong?"
Mira met his gaze. "Then you'll have to trust me to find my way back."
The room was silent again.
Evelyn bit her lip. "I hate this."
"You're not the only one," Jonas muttered.
Dave ran a hand down his face. "Fine. Whatever. But if you die doing this—I'm going to kill you."
Mira smirked. "Noted."
Elias sighed. "Alright. Then let's get started."
Later That Night
Mira moved quickly. There was no time to waste. She gathered everything she needed—protective charms, a map marked with places only she understood, and a small vial of something dark and shimmering.
Elias watched from the doorway, arms crossed. "You sure you don't need any help?"
Mira didn't look up as she double-checked her supplies. "I need to do this alone."
Dave scoffed from the couch. "Of course you do."
Evelyn shot him a look, but he just threw up his hands. "Look, I'm not saying I want to go with her. I just think this is insane."
Mira finally glanced up. "It is insane." She slipped a dagger into her belt. "But so is sitting here, waiting for Lucien to wake up."
Jonas, still leaning against the wall, finally spoke. "And if you don't come back?"
Mira hesitated. Then pulled a small notebook from her bag and tossed it onto the table.
"Then you'll know what to do."
Evelyn picked it up, flipping through pages filled with notes, symbols, and rough sketches of things none of them recognized.
"This… this is how you're getting there?"
Mira nodded. "It's not just about getting there. It's about finding her."
Elias' jaw tightened. "And what if she doesn't want to come back?"
Silence.
Mira's expression hardened. "Then I'll bring her back anyway."
Dave let out a short laugh, but there was no humor in it. "You really think it's that simple, don't you?"
"No," Mira admitted. "But that doesn't mean I won't try."
Jonas crossed his arms. "How long do we wait before we come looking for you?"
Mira slung her bag over her shoulder. "You won't need to."
Evelyn's voice was soft. "And if we do?"
Mira didn't answer.
She turned toward the door.
"I'll see you all soon."
No one stopped her as she stepped out into the night.
The journey had begun.