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I shook my head, vision blurring.

I'd done everything she asked — suppressed my thoughts and feelings to obey her. FOUGHT to give her what she wanted in a way I could live with.

But she never wanted that — never fucking cared. She wanted to break me … and turn me into something like her!

"Gods! You say I am blind to reality, and I am," I said, voice sharp. "But not in the way you think. A stone-fucking heart won't help me! That's just a coward's way out."

"Kaiya, watch your —"

"But me turning off my mind so I could follow your orders andhopeit would fix things wasn't much better! No,neitherof those are right. We are both just running from the truth — and the pain — of our choices.Refusingto accept the consequences of our mistakes."

I wiped hot tears from my eyes. "But I'm done, Frexin. I see it now, and I am done fucking running! So, when you, the world, oranyonetries to break me, I am going tofucking THINK and FEEL, because how else will I know what hurt to cause and what burden to bear?"

Frexin's eyes went wide with shock and anger. "Stop it! Stop being so stubborn!" she snarled. "Don't you get it? If you don't do as I say, Iwillhold on to your people until the day they die! I will make them suffer!"

She stepped in close, face contorted in fury. "Obey me and choose! You know there is no other option!"

"Obey?" I hissed, determination unfurling in my chest. "I willobey.I willgiveyou six volunteers."

Reaching out, I tore Frexin's pendant off her neck and tossed it at her feet.

Corruption exploded from her into the Korra Realm, warping the space in thorny darkness, as she stared at me with eyes full of … fear?

"Corruptme, Frexin," I snapped. "I will be the sixth!"

Her expression twisted, now desperate and angry. "I will not corrupt you, Kaiya!"

"No?" I leaned closer. "Where is that stoney heart of yours? Or do you see it now? See that maybe your heart of stone is the reason you wade through a sea of blood."

She recoiled, gray eyes flaring.

I nodded. "I think that's the real reason why you try so hard to convince me. You worry that maybe you chose wrong, and now you're desperate to prove toyourselfthat you were right."

"No —" she whispered. "I just —"

"No more games, Frexin. Stick to our deal and acceptme as the sixth volunteer." Grabbing her hand, I placed it over my heart. "Corrupt me and free them, Reaper!"

Wetness filled her eyes as she stared at me, jaw working — unable to find words.

Finally, her jaw snapped shut. "FINE! I WILL!" she snarled, tearing off her glove. "You're just likeher —broken! Weak!" A tear rolled down her cheek. "And just like her, you're going to die. But no one can say I didn't try to help. Gods know I tried."

Then her hand was pressing into me and pain sliced through me, deeper than anything I'd ever felt.

I screamed — screamed until I was hoarse — as my korra twisted and burned, and the world around me darkened …

"Stupid girl!"she snapped, releasing me and stepping back.

I slumped to the ground, shaking and weak.

"I — I should punish you for forcing my hand," she said, voice rough. "You —"

"My lady —" Korym's voice interrupted her.

"Not now, Korym," she hissed. "I am dealing with something!"

"My lady, it is urgent."

I looked up to see him glaring at me, before turning back to Frexin.