“Neither of us have the power to break these chains. I’ve tried.”

Desperately, the [Knight] strained, but the death magic didn’t so much as budge. He fought, his form glowing. But he couldn’t break the magic.

Sidheag reached out and felt the life leaving her. She pulled—and then fell back. Dalius looked at her as Sidheag stood up. She grabbed the magic again and heaved. The [Knight] shook his head, speaking to her.

“Stop it. Sometimes we are weak. I died to plague. I could not overcome that.”

She turned on him, furious.

“But you came back. You came back from death! What’s the point? There is magic in this world. Magic and Skills and—what’s the point if we can’t do the impossible?”

He strained again, and gave up. The [Knight] looked at Sidheag.

“I…I—thought I was chosen for some great destiny. For a purpose. I waited for someone to call out to me. But no one did. I went mad with loneliness until I met you. Alone, I was just a worthless ghost. I felt the most alive when I had to guide you. Protect you.”

His form glowed. The [Knight] pulled. Sidheag regarded the bindings, but they gave no sign of weakening. Her hands were shaking. She didn’t have the strength to even pull.

Dalius didn’t give up. His voice was strained. He fought, with no hope of success—then his eyes opened wide. He turned his head.

“Sidheag. Cara. You—you lied one last time.”

She hesitated. Dalius was fighting, and she was helpless, unable to even hold the magic. She tried to assure him.

“I didn’t. Truly!”

“You did.”

The ghost hissed. He looked at Sid, straight into her eyes. His eyes were alight with emotion.

“You did! The lie—did you fool yourself? You said a song did not matter. But it did. It saved you from my blade. I was mad. But the song gave me sanity. The song! It matters. Sing for me, Cara. Sidheag. If you crave a miracle—then give me one. Believe in that. Your music. Give me the strength to break my chains and fulfill my vow!”

She hesitated. Ser Dalius shouted at her, glowing brighter. Straining against the magic that bound him.

The [Singer] closed her eyes. She was afraid. Afraid to try—and fail again.

And if she failed? If she failed…if she failed, so what? The worst had happened.

Do I believe my voice can break magic? Do I truly think I can shatter an enchantment with a song?

Sidheag’s legs faltered as she stood. She looked up as she caught herself, and saw Dalius fighting. He could not sweat. He had no body left, but his eyes shone with every fiber of his being fighting. He was watching her. Waiting.

How could she answer that? With proof there could be that miracle?