“You think history will repeat itself.”
The last war started because of the varying opinions on magic.It was unifying once.When all people had some degree of magic.But as it dwindled in the population, it became more and more divisive, and eventually war broke out.Their world had never been the same.They were still recovering, and suffering, from its vicious end.
“Yes and no.I think it will be worse this time.Because the power is with realms who would see mages enslaved.We’re on the losing side this time.”
He couldn’t even argue with her.It was why his team had been assigned to Eldridge.The realm was considered a tipping point.One they needed to keep a close eye on.Most of the other realms already leaned too far, one way or another.Mostly against mages.
The weight of knowledge settled heavily in his gut.
“All I’ve ever wanted was to protect you, Connor.To make the world better.Safer.But that’s not a small task.It requires sacrifice.Hard choices.Peace and safety are worth fighting for.Your mother believed that.So do I.And so do you.”
Everything she said was true, but his heart couldn’t bear the burden of silence any longer.“Was I worth it, Ali?When you thought I was dead?”
She stared him straight in the eyes.“Yes, my son.You were.”
The knife turned in his heart at her words.“You’re my guardian!How could you knowingly let me be killed?Even for the greater good?”
“The same way your mother walked into the clearing she knew she would die in.Because the future hangs on our choices.Difficult, heart crushing choices, Connor.”Her voice rose in emotion to match his own.“You’re a warrior and a parent.You should understand that.Sometimes, sacrifices are needed to create a better future.”
“That’s it?You’re not even going to apologize?I trusted you, Ali!Loved you.”His voice broke, tears blurring his vision.
“I know.And I understand why you’d be so upset.I made the same choice your mother made.Sacrificed my family so that others, in the future, would be safe.Peace is kept by the blood of warriors.You knew that when you took her sword.When you followed me.It’s the weight we bear as warriors.Someone has to.”
“I…” Connor was shocked, struggling to calm the chaos in his mind into words.Hearing it from her hurt more than he’d been expecting.Eviscerated him.“It’s not the same thing.”
“It is!And you can still stand with us, Connor.With me.”
Connor stumbled back toward the trees, shaking his head.Anger vibrated through his body, making tremors run through him.How could she possibly think that after everything she’d done to him, he would want to join her?
“You know… if it was only for peace… I would consider it.Because I get it.I do.And you’re right about a lot of it,” he admitted.“I made a promise recently that I was going to make the world a safer place.Not just for my daughter.But for all children.All mages.It was a hard choice, and it meant making a sacrifice that still pains me deeply.”
Triumph blazed briefly in her eyes.“You understand.”
“I do.And that goal… I can’t argue with it.It’s valid.Worthy.”
“So, you’d join me?”
His treacherous heart interpreted her tone to mean that she didn’t want to kill him, but she would if she had to.Because he’d mis-stepped.Letting the conversation go the way he had.One of them wasn’t walking out of the greenhouse.He could see her shifting her weight.Hopeful at his words but ready for a negative response from him.
“I’d consider it,” he said, voice steady.“If you weren’t also supporting the research labs.What we’ve guessed about them is horrific.I can’t condone that.Can’t be part of it.”
“You always did have a weak stomach for a warrior.”She sighed.
“Maybe.But you can’t convince me that the torture and death those children at the labs suffer are worth the research they’re doing.You say that we need to eliminate the resource to prevent war.What if we did the opposite—made it so that everyone had magic?Why not research that?”
“Who says I’m not?”
Her words stopped him, hope rekindling.“Are you?”
“I’m disappointed in you, Connor.You found what you wanted in order to support your theories when you searched my house.That’s one of the most basic reconnaissance lessons.You let your emotions and expectations lead the search.”
Had he done that?There was no doubt he’d been emotional.It was why he wasn’t walking this path alone.Why Morgan was leading.Why Ryan and Thalia had been with him at her house.Had they missed more evidence?Something that gave a fuller picture?It was possible.Yet even if they had, it didn’t counter what they had found.
“Tell me the truth, Ali.The labs… why?That drug temporarily blocks magic.They’ll use it on us next.In battle.You’ve left us defenseless against it!”
“Our warriors need to remember that magic is only one resource.One weapon that could be taken away at any time, just like their sword.We rely on it too much.”
Connor was vaguely aware that he was losing control.Drifting into dangerous territory as the conversation began to spiral.But he was in too deep now.There was only one way it could end.He tried to strengthen himself for what was coming.
