THE PRICE OF LIGHT

At the corner, she saw him.

Yukki stood with Sophie, laughing —a bright, unclouded laugh she had not heard in years. Sophie’s hand rested upon his arm; she glowed. And he looked at her as though she were the answer to every silent prayer. Their joy shone so brilliantly it hurt to behold.

Tears spilled unchecked. Aisha could not remain. She left the motorcycle abandoned at the gate and fled —no destination, no plan, only the need to be away from what she could not bear to see.

“Aisha —wait!”

She ran faster, breath burning, until her legs gave out and she found herself in a narrow alley —high walls, no exit. Trapped.

Yukki reached her moments later, breathless. “Why do you run? What has happened?”

She pressed her back against stone, tears falling freely. “You ask what has happened?” Her voice broke. “I love you. I have loved you for so long… and seeing you thus… it is a sharper pain than any blade.”

“Aisha…” He stepped nearer, moved and confused.

“Let me speak,” she entreated. “You do not remember. We found the gem. The assailant came. You stepped before me. You died in my arms. You told me to use it —to save them. And I did. I returned. But the world I have come to… it is not ours.”

“I do not recall…” he said softly.

“Because this is a new thread in time,” she answered. “One where you draw breath —but not beside me.”

Sophie appeared then at the alley’s mouth. Her smile had vanished. She approached in silence, drew a blade —and drove it into Yukki’s chest.

“NO!” Aisha caught him as he fell.

Sophie’s form rippled and dissolved —revealing the hooded figure from the temple. Its voice was final:

“Every choice demands payment. Light is never bestowed without cost. You have preserved your family… now settle your debt.”

Yukki slumped in her arms —and then the light returned. From nowhere, the Longibus Gem’s radiance flared between her hands, blinding and unrelenting, wrapping them both.

“Not again…” she whispered.

The light expanded, and time halted once more.