Mackenzie Crowe. Mackenzie Crowe, it is your time. Come to me, Mackenzie Crowe…

I quickly sit up at the sound of a voice whispering to me. Everything seem hazy as I look around the cave and back down to Locke sleeping on the ground next to me. The fire is almost out, and the little amount of light in the room casts long shadows everywhere. I pull my clothes on, making sure to keep quiet so I don’t wake Locke up.

Mackenzie Crowe, grab your weapon and meet your fate…

I nearly jump as I hear the voice again. Looking around the empty cave, I wonder where the hell that voice is coming from. I glance at the silver tube on the floor, feeling a need to pick it up. Just as I do, the distant sound of music reaches my ears. It’s a sweet, familiar I walk to the cave exit, looking back at Locke once before walking out. I know I shouldn’t just follow a disembodied voice, but I’m too curious not too. Just outside the cave is a white orb of light, just floating in the air, lighting the whole tunnel up. I walk closer, feeling a little bit of warmth coming from it, and then it floats away slowly, straight down the tunnel.

Follow. You must come alone for your marks. The test is yours alone to face or you will fail.

This time I don’t jump when I hear the voice, but it still creeps me out. I don’t know what to do. I bite my lip as I look back at the cave and then back towards the light. I know I shouldn’t go far, especially not in this cave where I could get lost so quickly, but I want my marks back. I need them back, or this is all pointless. I’m stronger than this. I can do this. I repeat the sentences in my head as I walk down the straight part of the corridor, following the sound of the music, and the light orb. I look back, not seeing the warm light from the cave anymore, and I know I can’t go back now without likely getting lost. The orb floats right in front of me, the music getting louder as we get closer to wherever it wants to take me. The orb floats into a large room at the end of the tunnel. The room is empty, just smooth white painted walls and dirt covered floor. The orb stops right in the middle, and I pause near it, turning and seeing the entrance I came through is has disappeared.

“What the hell?” I mutter, searching the room for another exit and seeing nothing but white walls.

“Weird ghost voice, now would be a good time for you to tell me what to do!” I shout, and my voice echoes around the room, but no one replies. I step back as the orb starts descending and hits the ground, spreading out into a circle of bright light.

Step onto the light. The light is all magic, all marked. It will decide your fate.

I pause, glancing at the light as the voice whispers. Taking a deep breath, I remind myself the reasons why I need my marks back. Why I have no choice but to step into the light. My father has to die. Ryan needs revenge, and my men need me back with them. I can’t just disappear and die here. I’m alone, and it frightens the hell out of me, but I must be strong on my own now. I step closer, placing one foot in the light circle and then the other. I wait, but nothing happens for a long time. Just silence, and then suddenly the light fades, and I fall to the floor in the dark room.

“Hello? What the hell was that?” I ask the weird voice, but nothing responds. I keep a tight grip on the silver tube as I stand up, looking around at the darkness, but I can’t see a thing.

“Kennie,” a deep voice says behind me, and I freeze. I can’t move as I process the sound of that voice. A voice that both breaks my heart and fills me with a false sense of hope. I turn slowly, and almost can’t believe the sight of Ryan standing not far from me. It’s Ryan, but it’s not. He is dressed in the clothes he died in, and blood covers his shirt and coat. His brown hair is messy, and he even has dirt mixed with blood on his right cheek. I remember my mum holding his cheek with her blood covered hand. A white light surrounds him, and he is almost see through. It’s his spirit, his soul, but I don’t have any marks to see his soul. This is impossible. I don’t understand how he’s here, and I don’t know what to say as hot tears pour down my cheeks, so I just stare.

“I’m sorry,” are the only words that escape my lips, and Ryan doesn’t move. He is so still, so quiet. So…well, dead.

“Kelly. Kelly must know it was for her,” he says each word slowly, his voice so distant, and his lips never move.

“She will know. I bet she already does. She knows you loved her, and she loves you,” I say, harshly wiping my tears away. “I love you Ry, and I wish I could change what happened.”

“You cannot change what was meant to be,” his distant voice replies as I keep my eyes locked on his.

“Did it hurt? When you died?” I ask, needing to know if he suffered or not. Though I know if he says he did, it would break my heart even more.

“Not when you’re loved, or when you’re remembered by those that loved you,” he tells me, and it somewhat relieves me to know that.

“I miss you. I really, really do, Ry,” I cry out, falling to my knees, and looking away from him.

“It’s time for me to leave, for me to find peace. If you can face death, you’re strong,” Ry says, making me glance up, seeing him looking up at the ceiling.

“I’m not strong. I’m just a weak child who let her brother die,” I sob out.

“If that is what you think, then join me in death,” Ry says, looking back down at me and holding out an almost completely see through hand. “No more pain, and no more worry. You will have eternal peace.” I stare at my brother’s hand for a long time. The coward inside of me wants to accept it because it’s the easy option, and it would mean I would get to be with my brother.

“No.” I answer simply, standing up and shaking my head. “Life isn’t easy, but I am needed here. If I die, it will be fighting to fix the mess I caused with my men at my side. I miss you Ry, and you have no idea how much I want to go with you, but I can’t. I have to stay,” I finally say, and he smiles.

“Kennie, I knew your answer, but I had to be the test. The next test will be based on your decision,” he says and takes a step back. “Tell mum and our dads that I’m happy, and I miss them, won’t you, Kennie?”

“I will,” I say, trying not to sob anymore as he starts to fade away.

“Kennie, don’t cry. I won’t ever really leave. I love you too much,” he says, and then he is gone, and I fall to the ground in tears.