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A battle bloodthirsty

Hope may flee as heartache comes

From choices most costly

As darkness reigns and shadows fall

Through many a killing spree

When comes the end and all is done

Not even I can see

If destiny that once was true

Will turn to tragedy

But there is more, so listen well

For always will there be

A hidden chance, a secret hope

For one true victory

So here it is, do take note

And follow perfectly

What now I’ll say and speak so well

One final mystery:

If Day and Night combine and fight

Against one Enemy

Then Dark and Light shall meet mid-strike

And set the Captives free

… If, however, darkness wins

There is no strategy

To keep from all that will be lost

And so will always be.

After reading the prophecy three times, Alex became alarmingly aware of the black spots dotting her vision and the ringing in her ears—both effects only increasing as she re-read the final two verses over and over again.

It was amazing how much a single word could make a world of difference. And when Alex was finally able to push those two letters through her lips, she did so while looking at Aes Orsa and Raife with wide, accusing eyes. “If?”

Comparing the parchment to the first one she’d seen the copy of in Raelia, she quickly confirmed that in the early version, that word had definitely been ‘when’. And while Alex had never put much stock in prophecies, she’d at least presumed that it allowed some semblance of hope for their current mission—thatwhenDay and Night combined to fight, freedom would come.

When.

Notif.