The following day, Alexander stirred from his slumber to find Owen staring at him.

"Good morning."

Alexander smiled at first, only to realize Owen looked rather sad.

"I wish we could run away from this…." he told Alexander, his voice revealing all his emotions.

Alexander slowly sat up, "Me too… I'm sorry…."

Owen sighed and leaned back before asking a question that had been on his mind for some time now.

"Something has been bothering me, though. Your aunt mentioned that your grandfather was from here. Did you know?"

Alexander shook his head, "I didn't, but I also didn't think it necessary to ask when it won't matter much after today."

Owen visibly flinched, "Please don't bring it up. I don't want to think about it…"

He finally sat back up.

"I never thought that my brother Callum would be right. He told me one day I would meet someone who I wouldn't be able to shut my heart to…" Owen looked at Alexander, "But now I may lose that person forever."

Alexander hugged him, and they stayed silent, no longer talking about what the day could bring or what it could take away. Alexander was scared, but he wouldn't admit it aloud. The two of them felt poorly enough already without him making it worse.

The silence was interrupted by a light rapping on the door.

Valencia spoke from the other side, "Come on, let's get up, shall we? I'm making breakfast."

The two looked at each other. Dread filled Owen's expression before he closed his eyes and spoke, "I know I said I couldn't watch yesterday, and I don't want to, but- I will, for your sake. I can't imagine how you must be feeling. Just leaving you now would make you feel even worse."

Alexander cast his gaze downward. "I'm sorry…" was all he could get out before they headed out of the bedroom and into the kitchen area where breakfast was being prepared.

The sweet smell of syrup and pancakes paired with the salty bacon wasn't enough to lift their spirits as they sat down and had plates placed in front of them.

Valencia read the mood and smiled sadly, "I know this isn't the best day to prepare for, but… you should at least eat something. Besides… none of us can be sure, right? I want to keep my hopes up that you’ll be okay."

Alexander forced a smile, "Thank you, it smells great."

He lied. He felt numb and couldn't smell a thing. He wished he didn't know he could die today. It would make a better day if things were so horrifyingly depressing.

No one said anything after that. Alexander was too afraid, Owen was too depressed, and Valencia just didn't think she could muster up the strength to cheer anyone up.

Now Owen and Alexander stood watching Valencia. She had been studying the prophecy for years, apparently, and had collected many scrolls about it. She had initially hoped to save her nephew, but now it seemed out of anyone’s hands but the gods themselves, if they existed.

As soon as the portal was opened, Valencia turned to face Alexander with a solemn expression: "We can't follow you through, I'm afraid. The scroll with the coordinates is clear about that part.

Owen's eyes went wide, "what? No, I want to go with him!"

Alexander placed his hands on Owen's shoulders. "Owen. Owen, look at me!"

Alexander's voice was pleading as Owen faced him. Panic and fear were apparent on his face.

"I can't just leave you to this alone…" Owen’s voice was all but a whisper, and Alexander barely made out what he had said.

"It's alright…." He hoped his own fear wasn't making his voice tremble, and he pulled Owen into him. Embracing him for what may be the last time. Owen's arms were shaking. He had lost his brother only recently, a fresh wound. Now, he could lose the person he was growing to believe was his soul mate.

"Fate is cruel… why did we meet just to part like this?"

Alexander didn't care if his aunt was standing there. Able to see everything. Hear everything. Alexander initiated a kiss, pressing his lips against Owen's. He didn't want to leave him. This was the first time Alexander had ever felt love like this. Owen was his first kiss and, now, perhaps his last. He wanted to experience more with Owen and learn more about him. That all seemed like such a faraway dream now.

It felt like an eternity as they embraced each other. Seemingly melting into each other's arms.

Valencia had turned away when they had first kissed. Not wanting to invade on such a precious and private moment.

Alexander pulled away, even though neither of them wanted to leave the embrace. It felt safe and comfortable, but they couldn't stay like this forever. It had to end sometime.

Owen took a small step away. Their hands slowly slipping from each other's grasp.

As Alexander walked away from Owen, Valencia smiled and hugged him, "I'm sure my sister would be proud of you, Alex. You have grown into a fine young man."

He hugged her back, "Thank you for that."

After they pulled away from each other, Alexander gazed into the portal.

"Where will it lead?"

Valencia shook her head as Owen came to stand next to her, "I wish I could tell you, but unfortunately, with every scroll I found, none mentioned where this would lead."

Alexander closed his eyes for a moment. Preparing himself. Before stepping into the portal.

As his vision cleared, an old, neglected temple appeared with weather-worn stone pillars surrounded by dead clumps of grass and cracked stones broken by tree roots. He approached the main temple, cautious, unsure of what would come. The steps were pitted, and the roof was mostly caved in, weighed down by vines. Great stone statues came into view, each with an inscription. Cobwebs hung in every corner, swaying in the breeze, and sunlight filtered through overgrowth that had long since claimed this place. Leaves crunched under his feet, and he could hear the wind slipping through the stone corridors and through the cracks and openings. He hated the old smell of mildew and cold stone.

Was this really where the scrolls were meant to send him? He wondered as he wandered through the forgotten temple. Then, a voice sent chills down his spine.

"So, you've made your way here. Have you chosen one?"

The voice seemingly came from nowhere and yet was everywhere all at once. It echoed throughout the ancient temple and rang in Alexander's ears— a flat and disembodied voice.

Then everything changed, and it seemed like Alexander had stepped through time. The once caved-in roof was now renewed, and the vines were gone. The great stone statues that had only moments ago been cracked and weathered were now polished and new, with cobwebs and other bugs gone and replaced by clean stone and carpet. The windows were bright, with stained glass that allowed sunlight through.

That wasn't the only thing either. Alexander was now surrounded by three witches.

"You seem surprised?"

The voice from before spoke again, though now Alexander could see the man who owned the voice—a sturdy and athletic-looking man with a long beard and short tousled hair whose eyes shone unnaturally.

Alexander nodded to the question, "Y-yes, I'm sorry I hadn't expected this…."

Then again, what exactly had he expected?

Another voice spoke, this one belonging to a tall and fair woman with pixie-cut hair whose eyes seemed to dance as she spoke.

"This isn't something I would expect either, young man." She said teasingly and winked at him.

"Oh, come off it, Esmerelda, he didn't come here for your teasing."

This voice came from an older man with a long white beard. His eyes showed much wisdom.

Alexander dipped his head to them, unsure of whom he spoke with, but he was sure they were powerful and influential, perhaps even gods.

"Ah, he has manners; look at that! The world isn't so lost after all."

The first man jokingly laughed and asked him to raise his head again: "There isn't any need for that here, boy."

"What’s going to happen?" Alexander couldn't help but ask them. "Am I going to die? Or… perhaps I'm already dead?"

The woman answered, her voice not expressing emotion this time, "You aren't dead yet, and your answers here will determine if you will or not."

"Wait, you're saying I could still live?"

The older man said, "Mayhap not, dear boy; only time will tell."

He waved his hand, and the scenery before Alexander changed, and he was home. Back on Earth. His father had fallen asleep at the kitchen table, a newspaper in front of him that showed Alexander's face. A missing person report.

"Seems your father misses you greatly." Came the woman's voice.

Then the scenery changed again, and he was back in Ellond. Valencia was trying to console Owen, who was on his knees, tears uncontrollably falling down his face as he screamed for Alexander. Alexander suddenly felt guilty. He wanted to go to Owen, but he knew that this was illusionary. He wasn't there, and Owen wouldn't be able to hear or see him.

"Your life seems to have great importance in not just one but two worlds." Came the older man's voice before they returned to the temple.

The man who he had heard when he had first arrived now spoke.

"You have a decision, boy, one that will ultimately decide whether you live or die, so answer honestly but not hastily."

"If you could choose only one realm, which would you choose? The grieving father or the heartbroken lover?" the woman's voice said, sending chills down his spine.

Alexander thought for a moment. What he wouldn't give to show his father he was okay, to show him he could cast magic now and that he was alive and well. However, then Owen would grieve him and never know he was alive. Alexander wasn't sure he could handle the guilt he would feel no matter his choice, so he shook his head.

"I'm sorry. If this is the wrong answer, I suppose I will remain here, but I can't choose. I could not bear the thought of returning to Owens's side to know my father would be grieving a son who wasn't dead. Nor could I return to him just to think of Owen every day and how he wouldn't ever have known what happened to me."

As he waited for their answer, he unexpectedly received a laugh from the old man. A laugh that cracked with an ancient voice.

"Good job, boy. You're the first."

"We have had numerous souls come here, attempting to claim the prophecy, but you are the first not to choose. Some chose their homeland, and others chose Ellond. This answer would always leave one wounded and grieving, which would have left the individual's soul broken as they would have been unable to forget the choice they did not make. Yet, they did not realize the correct answer was simple. Neither answer was correct."

The woman smiled at him.

Alexander was confused. "What does this mean?"

The younger man spoke up. His voice was rather grim.

"It means you have one final test, chosen one—a test of battle. If you win, you will be returned to Ellond to await the next two trials. Then, finally, fulfill the prophecy, which is a battle that the world has yet to face."

"What is this test of battle?"

"To face one who has already been defeated and yet whose corruption makes him stronger in death."

Came the old man's voice. Once the words were said, everything seemed to fade, and Alexander found himself on what appeared to be a grass field littered with bodies. It was as if he could feel the souls trapped here. Perhaps these were all the ones who came before him?