The Price to Pay

Beads of sweat trickled down Marissa's neck and her breath came in heavy pants as she trekked up the hillside. She was almost nearing the end of her journey.

There, not 10 feet away, lay the sword, gleaming in its magnificent glory. Her best friend gasped in awe. The single item that granted all wishes and the power of immortality. They had given so much, yet received so little in return for his object, but would it be worth it?

There would be a terrible price to pay once it was wielded once again after a millennium of disregard, but it was a price she was willing to pay if it meant that she could see him again.

This was it. Every moment from the past five years had led up to this. One decision that would change her life forever. Slowly, Marissa reached for the sword, her heart thudding in her chest, but then her friend's arm knocked her own out of the way as she snatched the sword from its pedestal.

In a flash, the words of the sage flooded her mind, "Near the end of your journey, one who you call a friend shall betray you beyond measure."

She looked on helplessly as her best friend was consumed in a bright glow. The same friends who had promised to never betray her; the one who swore that she would make sure Marissa's wish came true. Marissa wanted to scream and kick things to make the pain go away, but she was frozen in place as her mind scrambled to catch up. Marissa was feeling too much when she wanted to be numb. Every sacrifice she had ever made was for nothing. The sword wasn't in her possession and it never would be. The glow diminished and the traitor turned around. Gone was the shy girl who was terrified of hurting anyone's feelings and replaced by a fierce warrior. She cackled and said, "Be careful of who you trust, Marissa." The glow returned and the said person shielded her eyes from the glare. When she looked again, the air was calm and peaceful as if nothing out of the ordinary had happened. She felt her knees collapse and sobs broke through her body, this was too much to handle, above everything else that had happened. Marissa swore that her best friend would pay for all the pain she had put her through even if it was the last thing she did.