Euryce ~ Epilogue ~ the strings of a Lyre END

Lyra finished explaining Pole’s plan to me, looking extremely unsure about it.

“So, his idea is to grab the cutter, and abandon this world?” I asked, still in disbelief of such an idea.

I would consider it completely impossible from the start, but after looking at the visitor…

Yeah, such an horrifying thing could only come from a different world. It was the only thing that made sense.

“If it works… the stream will be cut. There won’t be any more sacrifices after this.” Lyra said, her voice low, still unsure.

Pole had theorized that the stream was what stole the light, when he looked at it and it saw it moving upwards. But, even then, there was no way to know if it was true or not. It may as well be a mistaken impression, and cutting the stream could doom us all.

“Should… should I help with this?” Asked Lyra, her voice cracking as she got more and more unsure with every passing second.

This must have been the only time I have ever seen her look like a frightened little girl. It was not a good look on her, at all.

I got closer to her, putting my hand slowly under her chin, rising her head so she would look at me in the eyes.

“Go for it.” I said, fully confident.

Lyra seemed surprised by it.

“But… what if…”

“If no one goes into the stream today, the barrier in Nochightdad will fall” I admitted. Lyra looked at me confused for a second, but then the implication was clear for her.

I continued before she could raise the complaint I knew popped up in her head.

“No, the only way we could change that it’s if Howard entered the stream right now. Do you want that?” I asked, still forcing her to look at me in the eyes.

Her fright only deepened.

“No, absolutely no. I refuse.” Said Lyra, her doubt slowly fading away.

“I think the same thing. It may be a bit selfish from us, but I refuse to sacrifice him to save our lives. That is simply not going to happen.” I confirmed, seeing how Lyra started getting incensed too, agreeing with me.

I smiled, but it soon faded away. I guess this may be the only chance I have to say this.

“Lyra. You said that Pole thinks that if he moves through the worlds, he may be able to find a way home, right?” I asked, trying to confirm it.

Lyra’s confidence wavered for a moment, transforming into confusion as she nodded.

I sighed. There truly was no easy way to say this, is there?

“I think you should go with him.” I said, in the most blunt way possible.

It was so blunt that she looked like I had struck her when I did. I started backtracking immediately.

“It’s now what you are thinking. Nothing would make me happier than to have you here with me for the rest of my life… but this is not the life I want for you.

I have heard Howard’s stories about his world, about it’s brightness, it’s kindness, it’s safety. Going there was only a fever dream for me, but if you accompany Pole you may have a chance.

You deserve better, Lyra. And… as sad as it would be to see you go… nothing would make me happier than knowing that you are in a better place than this hellhole I call home”

Lyra was stunned by her speech, taking a couple of steps back, trying to process it all.

“I… don’t know” Simply said Lyra, too shocked to say anything else.

“You don’t have to answer me now. You can think about it while we wait for the trap to spring. But you must know something. If everything goes according to plan and this truly works, you won’t ever have other chance like this again. Think about it very carefully, and do what’s best for you, my child.”

I ruffled her hair a bit and she slapped my had away softly.

She could not give me an answer in that moment, but in my heart, I hoped that she would choose to go.

I could not say goodbye. If I did, she would feel like it truly is one, and would probably refuse to leave. She can’t also say goodbye to Howard anymore. If she went to see him again… she probably would choose to stay forever.

We simply walked towards the clearing in the path to sacrifice mountain, in silence, as in my heart I hoped everything would work out as well as it all could.