The battle paused briefly as both sides regrouped.
Everyone understood something silently:
Some of them might not survive this.
Kael approached Lyra first.
His usual confidence was softer now.
"If I die today…" he started.
Lyra immediately shook her head.
"You're not dying."
He smiled gently.
"Let me finish."
She allowed it.
"I fell for you the moment you stopped running from your fear."
Lyra's chest tightened.
"You make me want to be better… not just stronger."
He touched her forehead gently.
"No regrets."
Rylan stepped forward next.
"Well this is awkward, I guess it's my turn."
Even now he smiled.
But his eyes were serious.
"I like that you brought light into a very dark life."
He shrugged lightly.
"And yeah… I'm also in love with you."
Lyra felt tears forming.
This was real.
Not just attraction anymore.
The stranger waited last.
As always.
Quiet.
Controlled.
Until now.
"I tried not to love you."
Lyra looked up slowly.
"Why?"
"Because loving you means I will eventually lose you."
Her heart broke a little hearing that.
"But I failed."
He placed his hand over hers.
"And I don't regret it."
Lyra couldn't hold back anymore.
She hugged him.
Then Kael.
Then Rylan.
Not choosing.
Not rejecting.
Just accepting what they meant to her.
"I don't know what happens after this," she said softly.
"But whatever it is… you changed my life."
The creature roared again.
The final battle was beginning.