Page 68 of Draekora

A hint of a smile touched Kaiden’s mouth. “They did much more than that, but yes, they are an incomparably powerful race of beings who inhabit a world called Tia Auras. That’s where the Meyarins originated from before they were banished long ago to live in Medora.”

Head spinning, Alex wasn’t sure what to ask first.

“We’re out of time,” Kaiden said before she could gather a single thought. “I’m sorry you had to see all this, but you need to know what you’re fighting for, what the stakes are. You already knew it would be bad, but it’s not just a few humans Aven will kill, it’s everyone you care for and more. He won’t stop until every mortal in Medora is dead.”

In a voice barely holding any sound, Alex asked, “What must I do?”

“You’re already doing it. Just don’t stop.”

Her lips trembled as she looked into his tender eyes. “I’m scared, Kaiden. I’m not strong enough for something like this. What if I can’t keep this future from happening?”

He let out a soft laugh and stroked her cheek. “Oh, Alex. There’s no one stronger than you.” He leaned forward and pressed a kiss to her forehead, pausing there to whisper, “I believe in you.”

And with those four words, the scenery faded back into reality and Alex found herself lying on the floor of the Library’s dark cavern.

She had to take a few moments to calm herself before she was able to rise to her feet, and even then she struggled to form words.

“I don’t—” Alex’s voice was so rough that she had to clear her throat and try again. “I don’t want that future.”

“No one does,” the Library replied. “Not even Aven.”

“Am I really the only person who can stop it?” she asked, feeling the weight of the world on her shoulders.

“You’re not the only one who can defeat Aven,” the Library said, and Alex felt a shred of hope until the voice added, “but you are the only one who can put a stop to that future.”

Closing her eyes tightly, Alex wrapped her arms around her body to ward off the chill of those words.

“Can you take me back to my time?” she asked again.

“If that is what you want,” the Library said, opening a door to Alex’s left.

She looked through the doorway, her eyes widenening as she watched a live-action replay of her last moments before falling into the past. There her future self was, in the snow-covered forest with Xiraxus, his wings outstretched, ready to take flight and haul her up and into theabrassa.

“Why was he there?” Alex whispered. “Why did Aven pull Xiraxus into the future?”

The Library was silent.

“If I leave now, I’m not going to find out, am I?” Alex realised. “I’ll leave with so many questions unanswered. Zain being a criminal, Kyia despising Roka, even Queen Niida’s personality transplant.” Her thoughts continued spiralling until she concluded, “I won’t have a chance to try and influence Aven’s decisions in any way, to leave any kind of mark on him. I’ll be left reacting to future events as they unfold, with not even the smallest hope to sway his mind or his actions in our favour.”

Again, the Library was silent.

“Come on!” Alex cried, throwing her arms out. “Give me something here! Anything!”

Still, the Library didn’t answer. Not directly. Instead, Alex heard Eanraka’s words echo throughout the cavern.

“… you were Called to Medora—both past and future—for a reason.”

Trembling inside, Alex realised that was all the guidance she needed. But just as she moved her shaking legs to close the doorway back to her future, the Library spoke again, causing her to pause mid-motion.

“One thing to consider, Alexandra. I will never again offer you a doorway through time. If you choose to remain now, you will only be able to travel back through the Void.”

Alex had already presumed as much given the gravity of the decision, but that didn’t make it any easier to hear. Regardless, now that she had made her choice, she wouldn’t waver from her path.

Squaring her shoulders, she sealed the door with a resolute sound, and seconds later it disappeared entirely.

Alex stared at the now empty space, suddenly overcome by doubt. “Every time I come down here, I end up having to make really hard decisions.”

“Life is full of hard decisions, Alexandra.It’s merely evidence that you are alive.”

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