Chapter 17: Confrontation

Nina's gaze locked onto his, her heart aching at the thought of what she was about to say. "Alex, there's something you need to know." She took a deep breath, struggling to find the right words. "The conflict that's been happening across dimensions, the instability, it's all because of you."

Alex's brows furrowed in confusion. "What? What do you mean?"

Nina felt tears welling up again, but she fought to keep her voice steady. "You're not just my friend, Alex. You're the companion I will fight against. The same conflict is repeating itself, and the only way to end it is... is to end you."

Alex's eyes widened in shock, and he took a step back as if struck. "What?"

Tears spilled down Nina's cheeks as she struggled to maintain her composure. "I know it's a lot to take in, Alex. I'm struggling too, but my grandmother explained everything. The realms, the convergences, the cycle of conflict. She's been trying to find another way, but she believes that the only way to break this is to..." Her voice cracked. "...to kill you."

Alex's face paled, his expression a mix of disbelief and sorrow. "Nina, you can't honestly be considering this, right?"

Nina nodded, her tears falling onto the ground. "I argued the same thing, Alex. I can't believe this is the only way, but my grandmother insists that the cycle won't break unless one of you dies. we've been trapped in this loop, for eons."

Alex's eyes were filled with pain as he stared at her. "And what do you think, Nina? What do you believe?"

Nina's voice was barely a whisper, choked with emotion. "I don't know, Alex. I truly don't know." She looked at him, her heart torn between her love for him and the responsibility she felt for the realms.

Alex Alex's rage grew again. He could feel his fist tighten, he could feel his teeth gritting, but he stepped closer, his hand reaching out to wipe away her tears. "Whatever you decide, Nina, just remember that I'm here for you. We'll face this together." He was angry, at the revelation, that Lysara was right, he had questions left unanswered, things he needed to understand. He wanted to know why, What all this was, why they had to suffer, what did Nina plan to do? But... he couldn't, not right now.

Nina looked into his eyes, her heart heavy with the weight of the decision before her. She knew that whatever choice she made, it would shape the course of their destinies and the fate of the realms.

"Alex," she whispered, her voice trembling, "I... I can't bear the thought of losing you. But I also can't ignore all this... I have something else i have to tell y-"

Alex held his hand up to silence her. He didn't want to hear the reason, he didn't want his rage to take hold. His gaze softened as he held her hand. "I understand, Nina. We'll find a solution together. We've faced countless challenges before, and we've always overcome them as a team. This will be no different."

Nina's heart swelled with gratitude. "Thank you."