Hassan didn’t understand. They had tried. They had held fast to hope. And every time, they’d watched as it was trampled underfoot. Every time, Jude’s fate became more painful to accept.

Now they stood at the brink of the end of the world, and no matter how hard they tried, no matter how much they hoped, they couldn’t deny destiny.

“It’s too late,” Jude heard himself say in a hollow voice.

Hector’s expression flashed with anger. Ephyra and Illya hesitated a few feet behind him.

Lightning struck down into the sea in a violent burst.

“The god is already here,” Jude said in a stronger voice. “And the longer we delay, the more people will suffer. We don’t even know how to do what you’re suggesting.”

“But I can find out,” Anton said quietly. His eyes were on Jude, dark and full of challenge. “The Wanderer showed me how to scry into the past. Maybe I can see what they tried to do. And maybe I can finish what they started. We can finish what they started. But only if—only if you’re all willing.”

He looked around at the others.

“No one ever asked me,” Anton said. “No one gave me a choice. So I’m asking you. All of you. You get to choose.”

Everyone was silent for a long moment.

Hector was the first to speak. “Of course my answer is yes.”

“So’s mine,” Khepri said.

Hassan nodded. “Me too.”

“None of this would be happening if it wasn’t for me,” Ephyra said. “So if I can save one person—if I can help save Jude, then I’m in.”

Anton looked at Illya.

“You told me to stop trying to redeem myself in your eyes,” Illya said. “So don’t take this as an attempt to earn your forgiveness. But yes, sure, why not? Let’s save the world.”

“Thank you,” Anton said. He looked at Jude. “It’s your choice, too, Jude. I won’t do this if you don’t agree.”

Jude couldn’t speak for a moment. He wanted, more than anything, to say yes. But he didn’t want the others to put themselves in danger for him. Didn’t want Anton to risk himself more than he already was.

“We can’t,” he said, his voice breaking. He sounded desperate. He sounded like he was asking. “We—”

“I had a vision,” Anton said abruptly. “Or … I think it was vision. I saw … I saw you. And me. Under the stars, in a garden … together. I saw the life we could’ve had.”

It felt like Anton had reached inside Jude’s chest and tore out his heart. He could only stare at Anton. He wanted to know everything he’d seen.

And he knew that if he did, it would destroy him.