Lyra

I couldn't shake the feeling that the crystal was watching me. Not in a way that made me paranoid—more like it was waiting for something. And that something was up to me.

The stone pulsed gently in my hand, its faint glow brighter than before. I felt its power, subtle but ever-present. The visions I'd had earlier were starting to make sense—cryptic, scattered flashes of what needed to be done. But the weight of it all was too much to handle alone.

I stood by the mouth of the cave, my back to the group, staring out into the shifting forest. They were all just behind me, waiting for me to figure out what to do next. But how could I? I wasn't a leader. I was a survivor, a girl who had never asked for any of this.

"Lyra," Alex's voice cut through my thoughts. "You okay?"

I turned to face him, forcing a smile. "Yeah, just... thinking."

He looked at me, concern clear in his eyes. I hated that look. I hated how much he worried about me. How much I worried about him. But I pushed it aside, focusing on the crystal in my hand.

"Are you sure you want to keep holding that thing?" Alex asked quietly, his gaze flicking to the glowing stone. "It seems... powerful."

It was more than powerful. It was overwhelming. But I wasn't about to admit that. I couldn't afford to look weak—not when they needed me the most.

"I have to," I replied, my voice sharper than I intended. "I have to figure out what this means. I have to make it work."

He stepped closer, lowering his voice. "You don't have to do it alone, you know. We're all in this together."

I swallowed hard, trying to hold back the lump forming in my throat. Alex didn't understand. He couldn't. He wasn't the one who felt the weight of the world pressing down on their shoulders. The weight of the crystal's power, of all the lives that could depend on my choices. But he was right about one thing—we were in this together. And maybe, just maybe, I didn't have to carry the burden alone.

Before I could say anything, the crystal pulsed again, its light brighter, as if it were reacting to my emotions. I froze, heart pounding in my chest. The light shifted, like it was trying to show me something, something important.

I closed my eyes, letting the visions take over. This time, they weren't as fragmented. I saw a flash of the distant past, a vision of the stranger who had hidden the crystal so many years ago. He looked... desperate. His face was marked with sorrow, his eyes filled with guilt.

"I'm sorry," he whispered. "I couldn't save them. But maybe... maybe you can."

The vision faded as quickly as it had come, leaving me gasping for air. I felt dizzy, like I was losing myself in the power of the crystal. But then I saw it again—the cave, the glowing crystal, the stranger's plea. He had failed, but he had left something behind for me. Something I wasn't ready for.

"Lyra?"

I blinked, snapping out of the trance. Alex was standing in front of me now, concern etched on his face. I hadn't realized how tightly I was gripping the crystal.

"I—I saw something," I stammered, still shaken. "A vision. The person who hid the crystal... he... he couldn't save the world, but he thought I could."

Alex's expression softened, and he placed a hand gently on my arm. "I know it feels heavy, but you don't have to do this alone. You never will. We've got your back, no matter what."

I nodded, trying to steady my breathing. But as his words sank in, something inside me shifted. The crystal pulsed again, but this time it felt different. Like it was responding to my resolve. The light was steady, no longer flickering with doubt.

For the first time, I felt like maybe, just maybe, I wasn't in this alone. And maybe, I could make it work.

Alex

I could see it in her eyes—Lyra was carrying more weight than anyone could imagine. The way she was holding that crystal, like it was a part of her, yet also something that could crush her if she wasn't careful.

I hated that she felt like she had to do this alone. I hated that she was pushing herself so hard, trying to take on everything when we were all here, all willing to help her.

"Are you sure about this?" I asked, stepping up to her. I couldn't help myself. I needed to know she was okay.

Lyra looked at me, her face softening just a bit. She opened her mouth to speak, but then stopped herself. I could see the conflict in her eyes, the internal battle she was fighting. She was afraid. Afraid of failing. Afraid of what would happen if she couldn't live up to whatever destiny had been thrust upon her.

But I wasn't going to let her fight this battle alone.

"We'll figure this out together," I said, my voice steady. "No matter what happens, we're with you."

Her gaze softened, and for a moment, I saw a flicker of relief in her eyes. Maybe she had been waiting for someone to say that.

"I'm scared, Alex," she admitted, her voice barely above a whisper.

I didn't say anything at first. There was nothing I could say that would make it all okay, nothing that would take away her fear. But I could be here for her, no matter what.

"Me too," I finally said. "But that's why we have each other."

She nodded, then glanced down at the crystal in her hand. I knew she had a lot more to figure out, but at least now she knew she didn't have to do it alone.

And neither did I.