Chapter 18: Sacrifice

The rebels regrouped in a nearby bunker, their numbers diminished. The loss of those who'd stayed behind weighed heavily on everyone, especially Elara. She knew they had sacrificed themselves so that the mission could succeed, but the guilt gnawed at her.

"We're not done yet," Raya said, her voice grim. "The charges are in place, but we need someone to detonate them manually from inside the control room. The signal won't reach remotely."

A heavy silence filled the room. It was a suicide mission; whoever stayed behind wouldn't make it out alive.

Kade immediately volunteered. "I'll go."

Elara's heart lurched. "No. Kade, you can't."

But he looked at her with fierce determination. "This is our only chance, Elara. If we don't do this, all of this—everyone who sacrificed for us—will be for nothing."

Elara wanted to argue, to beg him to stay, but she knew he was right. Tears pricked at her eyes as she nodded, swallowing the lump in her throat.

"Thank you," she whispered.

He gave her a sad smile. "We promised we'd see this through together, didn't we?"

With a final, lingering look, he turned and disappeared back into the shadows.