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It wasn't much, but it was something to cling to. A sliver of possibility in the darkness.

"What do I need to do?" I asked, squaring my shoulders. "For the ritual. How do I make sure it works?"

"When the moment comes, you must place yourself between the weapon and the forge's fire," Azrael explained. "As the flames touch the blade, you must open yourself completely. Become a vessel for the combined powers of your mates. Let them flow through you, into the sword."

"And then?"

"And then the transformation will occur. Lightsbane will become Lightbringer, and you..." He trailed off, his ancient eyes filled with a sorrow that transcended time. "You will be forever changed."

I nodded, accepting the weight of my choice. "Will it defeat the Shadow Beast? Will it be enough?"

"With Lightbringer in the hands of one who knows how to wield it, yes." Azrael's certainty was comforting. "The Beast will be banished back to the void between worlds, unable to threaten this realm again for millennia."

"Good." I stood, feeling strangely calm now that my path was clear. "Then it's worth it."

Azrael rose as well, his massive form towering over me. "There is one more thing you should know, Sierra."

I looked up at him, waiting.

"The ritual will be most effective if performed at the exact moment of your birth, not just on your birthday. The alignment of celestial forces at that precise time will amplify the power channeled through you."

"4:17 a.m.," I said, remembering the time Gran had always told me I was born. "That's when we need to perform the ritual."

Azrael nodded. "Precisely."

I took a deep breath, steeling myself for what was to come. "Thank you, Grandfather. For everything."

He reached out, his massive hand gently cupping my cheek. "You honor our bloodline, Sierra. Know that whatever happens, I will be watching over you."

The garden began to fade around me, reality reasserting itself. Before it disappeared completely, I heard Azrael's voice one last time:

"Remember, granddaughter. Love is the strongest magic of all. Hold onto it, even when everything else is gone."

From the corner of my eye, I saw another figure standing there, at the edge of the tree line. Archer's mother, Lianna was standing there, and she heard everything Azrael had said to me. She lifted her finger to her lips, telling me quiet, just before the vision completely faded away.

I opened my eyes to find myself back in the bathroom, tears streaming down my face. I quickly wiped them away, splashing cold water on my cheeks to erase the evidence of my distress. I couldn't let them suspect anything was wrong.

As I slipped back into bed, Callum stirred slightly, his arm automatically reaching for me. I curled against him, breathing in his scent of pine and shadow, committing it to memory.

"Where'd you go?" he murmured sleepily, not fully awake.

"Just the bathroom," I whispered, pressing a kiss to his shoulder. "Go back to sleep."

He hummed contentedly, pulling me closer. On my other side, Archer shifted to accommodate my return, his hand finding mine in the darkness. Rowen's large palm settled on my hip once more, his presence solid and reassuring.

I lay awake long after they had all fallen back asleep, memorizing the feeling of being surrounded by their love, protected and cherished. Tomorrow night, I would sacrifice everything to save them.

To save all the realms.

And maybe, just maybe, if love truly was the strongest magic of all, I would find my way back to them.

To remember.

To love them again.

It was a slim hope, but it was all I had.

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