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"Maneha, no!"
She looks completely unfazed. "Maneha yes. Is this not the ultimate way to repay the world for what I've done? This could be it, the answer I've been waiting for."
You rush toward her, grabbing her crossed arms, ripping them apart so you could hold her hands in yours. "You didn't do that! There's nothing to repay!" You bite your lip to stop the oncoming tears, your throat tightens and so do your hands. "Stay with me. Please."
Maneha smiles at you, sweet and uncomplicated. "No one else is jumping at the chance to go."
"We'll draw straws-"
She pulls you to her, encasing you in her warm arms, placing a kiss on top of your head. "That's not right. It's gotta be me."
This can't be it. This can't be the way it ends for you and her. It's not fucking fair. But nothing ever is. You nod your head and pull away with a shaky breath. "I love you, you know?"
Maneha smiles wider and nods. "I love you too." She rips the hammer out of your hands and pushes you towards Zahua, already turning and walking toward the mother crystal. "Run fast!" she called behind her.
You're moving, Zahua pushing you ahead as Maneha's hits ring true, the bell begins to toll.
—
You're gasping cold and wet, everyone else is dry but you're not alone. Lagufaeth shimmer beneath the surface, a dark mass between them.
They surface and one hisses, "Debts repaid." And they push Maneha's too-cold body to the shore beside you.
The numbness prickling at your finger didn't matter, you crawled on top of her, trying to warm her with your own lack of body heat. "Maneha," you whispered but it felt like a yell. "Maneha. Maneha." You put your ear to her chest and you hear it, a faint and drawn out heartbeat.
Durance pushes through the others to begin casting his last spell of the night to warm you all enough to make the journey back to Stalwart.