The Maiden of Fate gathered the children closer.
Charlotte was already crying, her face pressed against her aunt's shoulder.
Astrid was trying to be brave as the older sister, but tears streamed down her cheeks despite her efforts.
The others were sobbing openly, their small voices rising in a chorus of confusion and terror.
"What happened to Mika!?"
"Is he going to be okay!?"
"Why does he look like that!?"
"I want to see him! Let me see him!"
They had imagined the reunion so many times—Mika emerging from the darkness ready to be smothered in hugs and kisses and tears of joy.
This wasn't how it was supposed to go.
"Don't look." The Maiden of Fate whispered, holding them tighter. "Don't look, my darlings. Just stay here. Stay with me."
But even as she said it, tears were streaming down her own face. Because she had known.
She had seen this moment in her visions, had glimpsed the terrible divergence of fates that awaited the two children in the darkness.
