Aslan's return to camp was met with heavy silence. The weight of his words hung in the air like a thick fog, and Elizabeth could see the sorrow spread across the faces of her siblings. Their expressions were a mixture of disbelief, fear, and profound sadness as the truth of his sacrifice set in.

Edmund, especially, looked torn. His face was pale, and his hands trembled at his sides as he stood near Elizabeth, unable to fully grasp the depth of what was being asked of Aslan. He had been given a second chance at life, yet the cost was the life of the noble lion-like Emperor who had saved him.

Susan stood beside Lucy, both of them with tears in their eyes. Lucy spoke first, her voice soft but trembling. "But... Aslan... you can't," she whispered, her heart breaking. "You can't leave us. You're the reason Narnia exists. We can't lose you."

Peter's face was set in a firm, unreadable expression, but the tension in his jaw betrayed the conflict within him. "We'll stop her. We'll fight her together, Aslan. You can't give yourself up."

Aslan gave them all a soft, solemn look, his golden eyes filled with sorrow and strength. "I must, my dear ones," he said, his voice gentle but firm. "This is the only way to ensure Narnia's future. Edmund is free because of this, and Narnia will live again. The darkness will be driven away." He glanced at each of them, his gaze lingering on Lucy and Peter, then Edmund. But Elizabeth held his gaze the longest, her silent plea cutting through him.

Elizabeth's heart was torn. She stepped forward, her voice barely a whisper, filled with desperation. "Aslan... please, don't do this." Her eyes searched his, a mixture of love and fear. "You mean everything to me. I—" Her words caught in her throat, unable to fully express the depth of her feelings. The thought of losing him was more than she could bear.

Aslan's gaze softened, and he stepped toward her. He placed his large, gentle hand on her shoulder, his warmth enveloping her. "I will always be with you, Elizabeth," he said, his voice a quiet, steady reassurance. "In your heart, in Narnia... I will never truly be gone." He leaned down slightly, his silver-white hair flowing. "You have brought light to this world, and you will always carry that light with you."

Elizabeth's eyes welled with tears, and she reached out, her hand trembling as she touched his face. "I can't live without you, Aslan. Please, don't go."

Aslan's eyes met hers as if time stood still for a moment. He leaned his head down, brushing his hand against her face in a soft, almost tender gesture. "You will never be alone. You have your family. And Narnia... Narnia will rise again, Elizabeth. That is the promise I make to you."

He gave her a final, lingering glance before facing the rest of her siblings. "You must remain strong, all of you. There is a greater purpose in this. Do not let fear guide you. Let love and hope carry you, as it always has."

With those words, Aslan turned, his massive form gliding toward the edge of the camp, where the path to the forest awaited him. Though heavy, the sound of his feet seemed to echo in the hearts of everyone who watched him walk away. Elizabeth remained rooted to the spot, her heart aching as she watched him disappear into the shadows of the trees. The air felt colder, the camp more empty without his presence.

Aslan paused at the forest's edge, his silhouette framed against the darkening sky. He turned back for a moment as if to say something more, but instead, he nodded—his silent promise to return one day. With that, he disappeared into the trees, his footsteps fading into the night.

Elizabeth stood there long, feeling like part of her had been ripped away. Fear and sadness gripped her, but she knew that Aslan was doing this not only for Edmund but also for Narnia, for the future they all fought for. She could only hope that this sacrifice would be enough to turn the tide and end the darkness that threatened to consume them all.

The camp was silent now, the moment's weight heavy on all their hearts. Elizabeth's hand trembled as she wiped away her tears but forced herself to be strong—for Aslan, her family, and Narnia.

As Elizabeth stood alone in the shadow of the trees, her heart filled with grief and the weight of Aslan's decision, a thought began to take root in her mind. She couldn't let him face this alone. The feeling of helplessness was unbearable, and as much as she knew she needed to be strong, she couldn't bear the thought of losing him without being by his side, even in the final moments.

Without a word, Elizabeth turned away from the camp and began to walk toward the forest quietly, her steps light but purposeful. Her mind was racing, the guilt and sorrow churning, but she felt a deep need to follow him. She couldn't just stand by while Aslan faced the ultimate sacrifice.

Behind her, Susan and Lucy exchanged a glance, their worry evident. They had silently watched Elizabeth since Aslan left, knowing she would never let him go without a fight. They both knew that Elizabeth wouldn't be able to stay at camp, not with Aslan so close, and they couldn't let her go alone.

Without hesitation, the two sisters followed Elizabeth's path into the darkening forest. They crept, their footsteps barely making a sound on the forest floor. Susan reached out to grasp Elizabeth's arm softly. "We can't let you go by yourself," she said, her voice barely whispering. "We'll stay with you, Elizabeth."

Lucy nodded, her expression determined. "You don't have to do this alone. We're with you."

Elizabeth stopped, turning to face them. Her heart felt torn—she wanted to be strong for them, to keep them safe, but she knew they were right. She couldn't do this alone. With a deep breath, she nodded, her voice choked with emotion. "Thank you... I don't know what I would do without you both."

The three girls continued their journey, the forest growing darker with each step. The air was thick with the smell of pine and damp earth, and the distant sounds of the camp faded into silence behind them. Elizabeth's thoughts were consumed with Aslan, but she couldn't shake the sense that something else was waiting in the shadows. She had to reach him, no matter the cost.

Unbeknownst to the girls, Oreius had seen them leave the camp. His keen instincts had told him that something wasn't right. He had followed them silently, determined to ensure their safety. As much as he respected the girls' determination, he knew this journey was dangerous, and the White Witch's forces lurked nearby. The last thing they needed was to face her wrath unprepared.

Oreius kept a safe distance, his silent footsteps barely making a sound as he moved through the underbrush. He had promised Aslan that he would protect Elizabeth and her siblings, and even if they were heading into danger, he couldn't let them face it alone. He knew the girls would never turn back once they set their minds to something.

Aslan's fate hung heavily in the air, but Oreius's presence was like a shadow in the trees, ever-watchful and ready to act when the time came.

The forest felt colder as they neared the clearing where Aslan had gone. Elizabeth's heart ached, each beat like a heavy drum, as she thought of the sacrifice he was making. But as they moved forward, she knew deep down that she could do nothing to stop it. All she could do now was be with him in his final moments, even if it meant losing him forever.

At the clearing's edge, they saw Aslan standing tall, his majestic form illuminated by the moon's faint light that broke through the canopy above. He was waiting as if he had known they would follow.

Elizabeth's voice cracked when she called out to him. "Aslan..."

He turned slowly, his golden eyes locking onto hers with sadness and acceptance. He had known this would happen—he knew that Elizabeth would never let him go without a final, tender moment. He was not angry, only deeply touched by the love and devotion she showed.

"Elizabeth," Aslan spoke softly, his voice a comforting rumble. "You should not have come. This is my choice, and it must be made for the future of Narnia."

Elizabeth stepped forward, her tears glistening in the moonlight. "I couldn't just... let you go alone," she whispered, her voice trembling. "Please... don't leave us. Please, don't leave me."

Aslan's heart ached for her, but he knew this was how it had to be. He could not turn back. He stepped toward her, lowering his head slightly in a gesture of affection. "I will never truly leave you, Elizabeth. My heart will always be with you. Narnia will always carry the light you and your family brought to it."

With tears of her own, Lucy stepped beside Elizabeth and placed her hand on her arm. "We love you, Aslan," she whispered. "And we'll never forget what you've done for us—for all of Narnia."

Susan nodded, fighting back tears. "We're with you, always. No matter what happens."

Oreius emerged from the shadows, his presence steady and strong, as he moved to stand beside them. He looked at Elizabeth, then at Aslan, and gave a silent nod, his eyes filled with determination and respect.

Aslan's gaze softened as he looked at the girls and Oreius, and for a moment, it felt as if time had stopped. The forest around them seemed to hold its breath.

"Thank you," Aslan said, his voice barely above a whisper. "You have given me the strength to face what comes."

Elizabeth stood there, her heartbreaking, but she understood. This was their destiny. Aslan's sacrifice would bring Narnia back from the brink of darkness, and the love and courage they had all shown would never be forgotten.

Aslan turned, his majestic form casting a long shadow across the forest floor. Slowly, he began to move toward the clearing where the White Witch would be waiting.

Elizabeth, Lucy, and Susan watched him go, their hearts full of grief and love, knowing they would never forget the noble lion-like Emperor who had given everything for them. Oreius remained by their side, ready to protect them, but he, too, understood the weight of what was happening.

The night was quiet, save for the sound of distant footsteps, and as the girls stood there, they knew the battle for Narnia's future had only just begun.

The moon hung low in the sky, casting an eerie light across the clearing where Aslan stood. His human form was resolute and unyielding as he faced the White Witch, Jadis. The air was thick with tension, the cold night around them made even colder by the heavy presence of the Witch's followers—silent, watchful, and eager for the inevitable.

Aslan didn't flinch as her loyal subjects surrounded him. They were rough with him, jostling him, their harsh laughter echoing off the stone tablets that would be his final resting place. His hands were bound, his arms pulled back roughly, but he said nothing, his gaze never leaving the Witch. There was no fear in his eyes—only acceptance. The prophecy was upon him, and he would fulfill it.

Elizabeth, Susan, Lucy, and Oreius watched from the shadows, hidden among the trees, but they could see everything—every movement, every harsh gesture. Their hearts broke in unison as Aslan, the great lion-like Emperor, was tied to the cold stone tablet at the center of the clearing, ready to face the sacrifice that would bring Edmund's salvation.

Elizabeth's breath caught in her throat as she looked at Aslan. He was already looking toward them. His eyes found hers, and for a moment, everything else seemed to vanish—the harshness of the Witch's followers, the coldness of the night, even the looming threat of the Witch herself. It was as though the world around them paused, holding its breath, and for that brief, fleeting moment, it was just the two of them.

Aslan's lips curled into a soft, sad smile that spoke volumes—full of tenderness, love, and regret that he could not do more. He wished, if only for a second that he could comfort her, but there was no time. He had made his choice.

'I am glad you are here,' he thought, though the words were not spoken aloud. His heart swelled with gratitude. His eyes softened as he looked toward Elizabeth. Even in his final moments, he felt at peace knowing she was with him.

Jadis stepped forward, her icy presence suffocating the air. Her gaze was as cold as ever, but there was a flicker of something else in her eyes—something dark and triumphant. She was about to claim what she had wanted for so long—the final victory, the ultimate price.

She raised her hands, a twisted smile playing at the corners of her lips. "So, it is you who will die in place of Edmund," she said, her voice dripping with disdain. "The great Lion Emperor finally cowers before me. But it is of no consequence. You will be nothing more than a footnote in my victory."

Aslan's eyes never left hers, his voice calm but heavy with the weight of fate. "You do not understand, Jadis. My death will not give you what you seek. It will only set Narnia free."

The White Witch sneered, stepping closer, a cold blade in her hand. She raised it high, her eyes never leaving his as she took her place above him.

Elizabeth watched her heart in her throat. She wanted to cry out, to beg for mercy, but she couldn't make a sound. Her throat felt constricting, and her eyes burned with tears. She had to watch him die. She had to watch him give everything for them.

Despite the moment's pain, Aslan gave one last look at the girls. He could hear their hearts breaking, feel their sorrow, but it didn't matter. This was his purpose, his destiny.

The blade came down swiftly, piercing Aslan's chest.

Elizabeth's hand flew to her mouth as she gasped. Susan and Lucy's silent cries were lost in the air, their hearts breaking into pieces. The pain of losing him, the agony of watching the light dim from his eyes, was too much to bear.

But in the quiet, in the space between breaths, something shifted in Aslan. He didn't die alone. His last thought was of Elizabeth, her love, and their connection that would never fade. His soul was at peace, even in the face of death.

As the Witch's followers cheered, their cruel laughter filling the clearing, Aslan's smile remained, even as the life left his body. And somewhere, deep within the earth, Narnia began to stir.

For Elizabeth, time seemed to stop. The world seemed to fall away as she looked at the stone tablet where Aslan lay, his human form lifeless, but his spirit—his love—never gone.

And though she couldn't speak, the depth of her love for him filled the air, reaching across the vast distance that death had brought between them.

At that moment, as did Aslan, she knew that no matter what came next, they would always be connected. Even through the most profound sorrow, their bond would never break even in the face of the impossible.

And with that, Elizabeth took a deep breath, standing tall in the face of the night, knowing that Aslan's sacrifice had given Narnia a future—and in that future, she would find him again.

Their love and bond were far greater than the world could ever contain.

The moonlight filtered through the trees. The echoes of the White Witch's cruel laughter still lingered in the air, but the clearing where Aslan's body lay now felt impossibly still. Jadis and her followers had gone to celebrate, oblivious to the sorrow that filled the air in their wake.

After what seemed like an eternity of holding back, Elizabeth stepped out from the shadows. Her steps were slow and deliberate, but every movement carried with it the weight of the grief that had overtaken her heart. Her eyes were fixed on the stone table, where Aslan's form lay, lifeless and still. She could hardly breathe as she approached him, feeling a hollowness inside that was too vast to comprehend.

Susan, Lucy, and Oreius stayed hidden, keeping a respectful distance, allowing Elizabeth to have this moment with the man she had come to love. They knew her heart was breaking, that the pain of losing him would forever change her. But they also knew this moment was one she needed to face alone.

Elizabeth dropped to her knees beside Aslan's body, her breath hitching in her throat as tears fell freely from her eyes. She reached out, her hands trembling as she gently cradled Aslan's face, the warmth that had once radiated from him now absent.

"You were right," Elizabeth whispered, her voice thick with emotion. "I... I was a fool for not telling you sooner..." Her tears mixed with the dirt at her knees, and the weight of her words crushed her chest. She had so many regrets—so many things she wished she had said or done before it was too late. "I love you, Aslan... I will always love you."

The world seemed to freeze around her. Time felt like it had stopped as she gazed into his unmoving face. The crushing guilt that flooded her heart was overwhelming. She hadn't told him or dared to speak the words she knew were true. She had allowed herself to believe that, somehow, they had more time.

But time had run out.

Elizabeth leaned forward, her heart aching as she gently kissed his lips—soft and lingering, full of love and finality. In that moment, the kiss was a promise, a silent vow. "I'll be strong for you," she whispered against his lips, a tear slipping down her cheek. "I will find the strength and be strong for Narnia. And we... we will see each other again."

Her voice trembled, but there was a resolve in her heart, even as the sorrow weighed her down. She knew the pain would never truly leave her, but she also knew she had to carry on—for him, for Narnia.

Behind her, Susan and Lucy watched in silence, both with hearts heavy with the grief of their dear eldest sister and Aslan. Susan's eyes glistened with unshed tears, and Lucy clutched her sister's hand tightly. Even though they had lost Aslan, too, they could not fathom the depth of the pain Elizabeth felt. She had always seen Aslan as more than a protector, more than a guide—she had seen him as someone who had captured her heart.

And now, he was gone.

Oreius stood at the edge of the clearing, his expression softened as he watched Elizabeth. His heart, too, was heavy with sorrow for his Emperor. He had been by Aslan's side for many years, and Aslan had been more than just a leader to him. But now, his thoughts were with Elizabeth. He knew she would need someone to lean on in the days ahead.

He had always been there for her as a protector and a loyal friend, and that would not change. No matter how deep her grief was, he would be there to help her through it, to carry the weight with her when the burden felt too heavy.

Elizabeth slowly stood, her gaze lingering on Aslan one last time. She whispered a final goodbye, her heart unwilling to let go. But she knew the journey ahead would be difficult. She would need to carry on, even without him by her side.

With one final, lingering look, Elizabeth turned and walked back toward those waiting for her. Susan and Lucy rushed to her side, their arms offering the comfort she needed. Oreius stepped behind them, his presence a quiet but steady reassurance.

Elizabeth's heart still ached, but there was a spark of determination in her eyes. For Aslan. For Narnia. For herself.

They would face the future together and see it through—just as Aslan had asked them to.

As they walked back through the forest to the camp, Elizabeth felt a whisper in her heart, a promise that Aslan's spirit would always guide them, no matter the distance between them.

And in the silent night, the wind seemed to carry a soft, distant voice that spoke to Elizabeth's soul.

"I am always with you."

~*~

AN: Not me being in the feels after writing this chapter.

I hope everyone likes the story so far!

The first part of (The First Empress of Narnia) will soon end.

The inspiration for this chapter is Die with a Smile by Bruno Mars and Lady Gaga.

Also, I want to thank my dear Wattpad-Sister.   

Thank you for creating this beautiful book cover for The First Empress of Narnia!!