“Exactly. For the sake of humanity. Not that you’ve got a choice. Refusing’s a death sentence, and before any of you thinks of any funny ideas. Let’s analyze the situation: You’re all weakened from the fights. Bedivere and I are more or less at full power. And even if I weren’t, you think you can beat her?” Agravaine pointed at Bedivere, who nodded. “Reinforcement’s about to arrive, and even if you managed to defeat us and escape, what do you think you’ll accomplish?” Agravaine chuckled. “You’ve no evidence. Who would believe that Vishnu’s still alive and powering the AT-Shield? But let’s say they did. What then? There’s no way for you to stop the AT-Shield, and if you somehow managed, what then?” He raised his voice. “What will stop the contaminated winds? What will stop the hordes of abominations? It will be the end of Heorot. If not all of Avalon. Millions. No billions will die. You’ll plunge the entire world into chaos. And for what? For one single man? A man who brought us into this mess in the first place? A man who for all we know might have accepted his fate?” Agravaine paused for a second to breathe. “So, give me your answer. Stay quiet, and you can leave this place. Refuse, and we’ll kill you right here and now.”

Altera’s lips trembled.

No. This wasn’t right. It was beyond inhuman. They had stripped Vishnu of everything – his most basic human rights and even his right to die. She couldn’t accept this. But what should she do? How could she guarantee the safety of Heorot’s citizens? They didn’t know that by living, they perpetuated the original sin. But did that make it okay to let Vishnu suffer? Yet, by granting Vishnu salvation, she risked the lives of others. What should she do? No. She couldn’t let indecision drag her down. She would save Vishnu, deal with Agravaine and Bedivere, and find a way to save everyone. Having to choose between one or the other, she wouldn’t let such a false dichotomy keep her from performing her duties.

“I don’t like these terms.” Before anyone could voice their opinions, Ragna had already spoken. She walked past Grendel and positioned herself between Altera and Agravaine’s gun. “So, let’s negotiate.”

Altera sighed in relief. Ragna was more assertive than her, and she could deal better with people. She might convince Agravaine to accept their proposal.

“Well, that makes it ea-“

“I wouldn’t do that if I were you.” Agravaine was about to pull the trigger when Ragna held up her phone in front of his face. “Unless you want the entire world to know.”

“What do you mean?”

Ragna smirked. “While you were arguing, I caught everything on video.” She tapped the screen with her finger and let the video play. True to her word, it showed Vishnu’s body and Agravaine revealing the truth behind the Sea Mither. “The video’s set to upload within fifteen minutes on my Insta profile unless I change the settings. So, yeah. Kill me, and everyone will know.”

“You wouldn’t dare,” Agravaine narrowed his eyes.

“Oh. I would. Because here’s the thing. I would lose nothing.” Ragna’s voice deepened, her eyes glowing. “Here’s the funny thing about media. I can frame it however I want. And make it look like some deep Avalonian conspiracy. And the other kingdoms would use you as scapegoats to save their own asses.” She walked closer to Agravaine, standing directly in front of him. “No, they would use the situation to wring you until your asses bleed.”

“You fucking bitch.” Agravaine’s voice growled under heavy breaths. If he could, he would have shot her multiple times by now.

“Like you wouldn’t know it. I’m the bitch queen. But guess what?” Ragna laughed. “We’re living in a bitch world. Everyone’s thinking about how to enrichen themselves the best. Be it money, love, power, or even paradise. And we’re doing whatever it takes.” She stabbed her finger into his chest. “I’ll throw your kingdom into chaos if it means reaching my goals.”

“Don’t fucking touch me.” Agravaine snapped at her, distancing himself.

“Or what?” Ragna performed a pirouette and gave Agravaine a mocking bow. “You know you can’t kill me.”

Altera gulped, forcing herself to smile.

She had to remind herself that Ragna was just playing theatrics. She didn’t mean her words as much because she was still a good person. And she would help them bring justice to Vishnu. Just a bit, and she would win the argument for them. She could trust Ragna to do the right thing. She was her friend. And, no matter what she claimed, she was a Valkyrie at heart.

“So, let’s get down to business.” Ragna straightened up, her smile gone. “You’ll allow us to enter Avalon, and in turn, we’ll keep quiet about your dirty little secret.”

“Huh?” Altera blinked at Ragna.

Did she hear that right? Ragna would let Vishnu suffer so they could get into Avalon? No. That couldn’t be right. There had to be a trick. Something that Ragna kept to herself that would allow them to save Vishnu, protect the citizens of Heorot, and achieve their goal of getting to Avalon. She just couldn’t see it. Yeah, that had to be it. But how? No matter how she saw it, there was no way Ragna’s plan would help Vishnu. Unless she never intended to do so. Could Ragna be this selfish? After everything they went through, could she still misjudge her?

“Sorry, but I cannot accept this.” The words came from Jareth’s direction. “Such unnecessary suffering goes beyond the principles of life.”

Altera’s stomach twisted further.

That he, out of everyone, would be against Vishnu’s fate. If anyone wouldn’t, she would have picked him. She had misjudged him too.

Ragna glanced at him. “Well, then it’s good that this doesn’t involve you. You’re an outsider. This is about the kingdom. So, stay out of this.”

“Bu-“

“It’s an order.” Ragna’s voice roughened, dropping by several octaves. “Don’t forget our contact.”

Jareth stayed quiet. His mask stared back at Ragna, and he clenched his fist. “This isn’t over. After we’re done here, we’ll discuss our current agreement.”

“Fine.” Ragna shrugged.

Altera couldn’t tell if she was pretending not to care or if Ragna genuinely felt apathetic toward the topic.

“You can’t be serious, Ragna.” This time, Grendel objected. He placed his claws at his chest, his violet eyes almost tearing with betrayal. “This is messed up. To let him suffer for your goals. I can’t allow this.”

“Why? Because it wouldn’t be just?” Ragna crossed her arms. “Then tell me, what should I’ve done? How many would suffer if we had released Vishnu? Would that be just?”

“That…” Grendel stopped. “We would’ve come up with a solution.”

“What solution? Tell me, how can you protect the people of Heorot from the abominations? You couldn’t even defeat this one.”

“I…I…” Grendel averted his eyes. “I don’t know.”

“Then don’t speak of justice like you can actually do anything about it.” Ragna’s eyes brimmed with cold, staring at Grendel, who could do nothing but wince. “You wanna bring justice to the world? Then become strong enough to back up your words. People’s lives hinge on our actions, and this world doesn’t need another dreamer who talks big but can’t deliver.”

Ragna’s words hit like a whiplash as she hissed them out with more emotions than anyone had expected.

Grendel let his head down. No arguments he could bring up would refute Ragna’s points. He had no choice but to accept his loss. And so did Altera. Everything Ragna had said applied to her, too.

“Looks like there are no objections left.” Ragna looked back to Agravaine. “So, what will it be? Will you let us to Avalon, or will you let the secret out? The choice is yours.”

“How can I trust that you won’t break the deal the minute you got what you want?” Agravaine asked.

Ragna shrugged. “I can swear on my mother’s honor, on my honor, on the princess’ honor. What you have.”

“As if a woman’s word has any worth,” Agravaine scoffed.

“Be careful. Piss me off, and I’ll release the video.” Ragna smiled, showing him her fangs.

“I’ll vouch for her.” Lutz raised his hand. “On my name as a Paladin and the Kaiser’s honor, as well.”

“Thank you,” Ragna said and then addressed Agravaine. “And now you, how can I trust your misogynistic ass?”

“He can swear on the Professor’s name,” Bedivere chimed in.

Agravaine growled, but without saying a word, he nodded.

“Great. Then, we have a deal.” Ragna pocketed her phone and clapped her hands. “But just to be on the safe side. Until we got what I want, I’ll keep postponing by fifteen minutes.”

Altera lowered her eyelids. Silently, she had observed their discussion.

She couldn’t contribute to anything. Nothing she could say and nothing she could do would save Vishnu. She couldn’t accept this, but she had no choice. She was powerless here.