Not today.

It can't be today.

No sound. Nothing. Everything ceases to exist. There's only me and that man onstage. The one who's proclaiming the day I've been dreading.

Suddenly, I'm brought back to life when Candice nudges me. "Oi, Elara!" she says in a hissing whisper. "General Lyson's asking for you to go onstage."

I'm petrified. I can't lead the Aliumites back into Ether. They chose the wrong person to be the sign.

Then I remember my parents' last words. . .

We hope you can shine, Elara

. . .and know that this is what they would have wanted. For me to shine.

I step up like a soldier towards the stage. I can feel the eyes trained on me but I ignore them. General Lyson's face holds a stern, battle-worthy expression. I direct my eyes towards my audience as I take the mike.

"I know that you've all been waiting for this day for some time," I begin, the words rolling off my tongue. "I know that you all want to go back to Ether, even though this place is amazing." Then I think of something. "But I want this resolved in the least violent way possible."

There's a silence as a wave of shock rolls over the crowd. But Candice doesn't react. All she does is look at me like she expected me to say that.

General Lyson stares. "Elara Jones, are you crazy? We've all been trained for a battle. And now you want us to negotiate it out?"

"Yes," I say indistinctly, then sweep my gaze over the discord. "Yes," I say more forcefully. "The least loss of life is best. For us. For everyone."

Head Lythe comes to my side, gliding like a sylph. She lays a hand on my shoulder, and I feel her strength transmitting into my body. "Elara's right. Who knows what consequences a war could bring?"

I smile grimly. "So let's get back to Ether." I turn to General Lyson, who still seems to be considering my proposal. "When do we set off?"

It's not General Lyson, but Jinx who answers.

"Tonight."