The next morning, I wake when the first glimpses of light are beginning to invade our home. My eyes threaten to droop with each passing second, and my mind is foggy after being kept awake by nightmares of the future if I were to follow my mother's plan.

I sit up slowly and lean over in my cot. My mother and sister's forms are still. I wonder how they can sleep so soundly knowing that whatever steps they take next to avenge Landiani will surely result in their deaths, as well as the deaths of many other citizens.

I lie back down and stare at the ceiling. After a night of fitful sleep, my mind is still resolved to what I decided yesterday evening. I will not take part in my mother's plan. I will find a different way to free Landiani from Magnuvia's rule, one that does not sacrifice Asteria.

A deep sigh wracks through my body. I know the decision I am making is foolish. My mother is correct – there is nowhere for me to go. I would be more idiotic than Mama and Kiana to try to go back to Asteria. She would most likely have me executed immediately. Anywhere else I go, there will be soldiers hunting me down. I may not even be able to make it out of Landiani, or even just the village of Satavau, without being arrested and killed for my crimes.

Yet, it is a risk I must take.

I quietly crawl out from under my sheets and fish for the knife stowed away in the small box of my belongings underneath my cot. I have not gathered much in the time that I have been here. Inside the box are clothing and personal supplies Aulii provided us. I remove my nightgown and dress into a skirt and lightweight blouse for the day. I twist the knife in my hand carefully before shoving it into my pocket.

I tipetoe carefully across the room, desperately trying not to wake my sister or mother, though the floorboards creak at the slightest of movements. Thankfully, they remain asleep, and it will most likely be another hour before they fully wake.

On the kitchen table lies the crate of supplies that Aulii brought the day before. I know that to sneak out now guarantees I lose my breakfast, so I quietly shove my hand inside until I can feel the hairs of a coconut. I carefully remove it from the crate, cradle it under my arm, and exit swiftly through the front door. My mother will be angered when she discovers the coconut missing later, but after skipping dinner last night, I'm not sure my rumbling stomach can take another lost meal.

The morning air is warm and humid as I step outside. Seeing the gentle waves in the distance, I am tempted to abandon my mission entirely for a morning swim, but when I glance back at the hut, I am quickly reminded of why I left early this morning. I need to prepare for my eventual departure from Satavau.

I head towards the secluded beach but halt near the jungle's edge. I glance around for a few moments, more concerned that my mother or sister have followed me rather than soldiers. When I see and hear no one, I walk towards a large, hollow log about ten paces to my right. It must have been knocked down during a violent storm many years ago as moss and other plant life now completely cover its surface. I reach my hand inside, grasping the edge of the sack that I have been stowing away inside.

I open the bag, relieved to see all my money still safely tucked away. I did not take much with me from Esterpool, save for the murder weapon used in Zofia's death, some spare clothing, and a few letters, but most importantly, I managed to save a fair chunk of the money I made when I was serving as Asteria's maid. The clothing now is now stored inside our hut, but I managed to hide the money and other sentimental items when I told my mother and sister one day that I was going down to the beach to discard of the sack after a large hole rendered it useless.

The reality is that I was able to patch the hole with some sewing supplies I personally asked Aulii for. Ever since, I have kept the sack and its important belongings hidden in this hollow trunk.

For a few days after initially hiding it, I was wracked with guilt, feeling I owed the money to my family, but deep down, I knew it was rightfully mine and that it could come in handy someday. Now knowing my mother is going to resume her plans, I am thankful I came to my senses and kept the money hidden all this time.

I sink down against the log and sort through the wads of cash and coins, counting and recounting my totals. It's a substantial amount, but only a partial percentage of my entire earnings. If Maria had not distracted me that night, perhaps I would have been able to stow away more, if not all of it.

I tuck the cash back away into my bag. It will not be enough to last forever, but it should at least cover the first month of my travels if I am careful with it. However, I will need to use most on supplies, and that will eat away a fair percentage.

Sighing, I find one of the letters tucked away in the pouch. The letters that remain are mainly those that my mother sent me in Esterpool. I rarely look at them, remembering their harsh, biting words, but I have not found myself able to part with them yet, especially now that I know my mother and I will be separated soon. However, there is one letter in particular that I always reach for. The parchment has become worn with time and the weather, but the handwriting is still visible.

Dear Fe, it begins. I skip down a paragraph, until I find those familiar lines:

It is true that from the moment I saw you through the window of the garden, I thought you were one of the most beautiful women I'd ever seen.

My face grows hot just by the words alone, and I continue reading with vivacity. I have since memorized the letter, but the emotions her words invoke in me are just as raw as when I read the them for the first time. I can hear her warm voice accompanying the sentiments so clearly, even if we have been apart for some time now.

It's strange rereading the letter Asteria wrote me shortly before we confessed our feelings for each other. I was tempted to toss it into the ocean as soon as I arrived to Satavau. I even made it so far as to wade in the surf to dispose of it, but at the last moment, my hand could not drop it. I sobbed for hours that evening, missing Asteria and blaming myself for still loving her. Reading the letter now, I am transported to a moment back in time, at least momentarily, when all seemed well. We loved each other, and that was all that mattered.

The ending paragraphs of the letter sadden me now though. Asteria wrote this letter under the impression we would part, and I calmed her worries. However, now that we have separated, perhaps permanently, there is a pang in my chest reading some of her final words:

You have meant a lot to me, and I will never forget you.

I wonder if those words ring true to her now. I am sure she was angered at my betrayal, and I am almost grateful I was not around to witness her reaction. I suppose I will never know what her feelings are now, even though my heart yearns for us to cross paths again one day.

I shove the painful letter away and pocket some of my money. I decide I'll plan to hide a small amount among my belongings so that I can take off to the market one day when my mother and sister are preoccupied.

Once my sack is squared away inside the log, I head down to the beach to enjoy my breakfast. It will be a pleasant break before I am forced to rejoin my family and confront my mother's desire to resume the mission.

I comfortably settle on the sand and feel the sea breeze against my skin. I crack open the coconut in my hand on a rock and drink the juices that flow from it. Afterwards, I use the knife in my pocket to cut off the meat inside and eat its contents. It feels wrong using what was once a murder weapon to sustain myself, but it's all I have in the moment, and I should devour my breakfast quickly so I can make it back before my mother or Kiana begin to question my whereabouts.

I let out a belch as I finish the remainder of the coconut and spend a few moments staring out into the sea. I know which supplies I need to purchase, and I have the money to do so, but the most important question becomes where do I flee to?

I wish I could simply return to Tetoa, but now that the village is falling apart and overrun with soldiers, I am sure that Tetoa, along with anywhere else in Landiani, will be unsafe. That leaves my options limited for where I should try to flee.

I gaze out into the waves, my head beginning to hurt from thinking so hard. If I were to cross into Magnuvia, I would be arrested almost immediately. Even if I attempted to make it to Esterpool, which is more remote compared to the rest of Magnuvia, where would I go while there? If it's true that Asteria left the estate, her maids may remain, and the town is small enough that civilians who lived nearby might easily recognize me as one of Asteria's former maids.

I consider Flumensia to the east, as well as Tabafaga to the southeast, but the thought of crossing nearly all of Landiani on foot frightens me. With the increased presence of soldiers in the country, I am sure I would barely make it to Tetoa before being captured.

I gaze up at the clouds, as white as snow, and realize that leaves me one choice. I will have to head to Kilneu, the mountainous country north of here. It's foolish, especially when there will be countless soldiers up there engaged in battle for northern territories. However, the country's low population, dense forest and mountains, and extreme weather patterns may work in my favor.

"Taika, do you think I am making a wise decision?" I ask the rolling waves.

They give no answer. Perhaps it is good they don't, as I assume Taika would scold me for behaving so recklessly.

As the morning breeze tousles my hair, I think of how nice and comfortable it is in Landiani. The weather is warm, a benefit of living so close to the sea, but northwards, the seasons have been changing rapidly in my absence. I look down at my hands and count months on my fingers. The warm days I spent in Esterpool with Asteria are long gone. In fact, autumn must be reaching its end, and if I do not hasten, I will not make it over the mountain pass before winter.

I gulp dryly. That means I must plan to leave within a week's time, or even sooner, depending on what my mother's plans shape out to be.

I laugh nervously. "Perhaps I am crazy, Taika, but there is no other way." Even now, my limbs tremble at the thought of being on my own. I am not guaranteed safety anywhere but here, and I will have no companions. The fear alone almost makes me want to remain by my mother's side.

But memories flash back to me then – Asteria's warm gaze on my own, Stephan's twisted smile, the knife sinking into Zofia's flesh and her scream echoing throught the woods, my mother's lack of remorse at Taika's death...

If I am to change anyone's fate, as well as the fate of my own country, I will need to forge this new path on my own.

I take a deep breath and stand, ready to face this unknown. However, I nearly drop back down to my knees when a voice calls out to me.

"Fetia? Are you out here?"

I calm when Kiana comes into view behind me from some palm trees.

"If you came to tell me breakfast is ready, don't bother. You can eat my share," I say.

"We already have," Kiana replies.

I grit my teeth. I should have expected nothing less from my mother after her threats the evening before.

"Let's head home. Mama wants to speak to us," Kiana says.

"About the plan, I'm assuming?" I ask annoyingly.

"Fetia," Kiana warns. I can tell already she doesn't want me to cause any trouble.

"Kiana, be honest. Have you thought seriously about this? Because—"

Kiana turns around and looks at me with fire in her eyes. "Yes, Fetia, I have! I know you will say to think about the dangers, but you weren't there during the assassination like I was. I'm well aware of what risks await me. I know this may be a suicide mission. But I know what is best for my country, and I believe Mama does as well." She takes a deep breath, and her voice softens. "I am tired of feeling like I have to pick sides between you two. Will you please come and listen to what she has to say?"

I sigh. There was a part of me that hoped I could convince Kiana to join me, but her words say otherwise, and I suppose I always knew deep down that it would be impossible to sway her. My heart pangs knowing that I will have to leave her again so soon after reuniting, but she has made her choice, and I have effectively made mine. Perhaps that is just the reality of growing up.

I rise and brush sand from my body before nodding in agreement. Relief flashes in Kiana's eyes, much to my dismay. We return back to hut, accompanying each other in silence.

At home, my mother is dressed in long clothing that covers her arms and legs, similar to what we wore during our journeys to the jungle. She seems pleased when I re-enter alongside Kiana, but I keep my face calm and stoic. I do not know yet what she plans to do.

"Did you enjoy your walk down to the beach?" Mama asks. Her tone is friendly and warm, but I know there is no care beneath her words. She must be eager to convince me to rejoin her plan. I can only imagine she was crafting what she would say to me in my absence.

"Yes," I say. I take a seat at the small, rounded table in our home. Once again, I take notice of her outfit. "Why are you dressed that way?"

"If we are going to revive our original mission, then we have work to catch up on," my mother says. "We have abandoned the Landiani Caves for far too long. For all we know, it is only a matter of time before the soldiers discover that sacred place. It's time for us to make the trek there."

"Why would we endanger ourselves like that?" I ask. "There could be more soldiers that way, especially since the caves are closer to Tetoa. We can train perfectly well here."

"We aren't going to just train," my mother says. "I intend to collect crystals."

"Collect them? Why? We've only ever used them for training purposes."

Kiana interjects. "Mama sent me with some when I moved to Magewell. They were helpful in allowing me to climb the ranks. I would not have gotten my body into good enough shape without them."

My priorities and ideals have changed considerably in the time that I first left for Esterpool, and yet Kiana's words still sting. I remember vividly the resentment and jealousy over her receiving the more coveted role in my mother's plan. Although, there is a part of me that finds it satisfying that I was able to gain Asteria's trust all on my own without the use of any magic enhancements, not that the crystals would have helped.

"But we aren't going to become soldiers this time, are we? Even if we managed to make it into their ranks without our identity being known, we'd be thrown to the front lines up north like the rest of the Landiani soldiers. The Magnuvians would find a way to kill us off quickly."

"I am not foolish enough to do that," my mother says. "However, the crystals can create great physical strength, and perhaps if we experiment, they can enhance whatever other tools we craft as well. It would beneficial for us to collect some. I have no doubt they will aid us in our plans."

I remember that feeling suddenly when I used to train in the caves with my mother and sister. There was a pit in my stomach when I was forced to guzzle down the magical liquid trapped inside those crystals. At the time, I was merely happy to do as my mother said, but I remember always feeling that it was wrong in some sense. I was too scared to speak up then, but I have the courage to open my mouth now.

"If our family is sworn to protect the caves, then why would we be stealing from them? How does that make us any better than the Magnuvians?"

My mother looks at me incredulously, as if I am as stupid as the drunken soldiers that used to stumble down the streets of Tetoa late at night.

"We are not pillaging this country for resources like they are," my mother says. "We will take only what we need. The rest of the crystals will remain intact."

"That still—"

"Enough with your false sense of pride, Fetia," my mother snaps. Her friendly tone from earlier vanishes in an instant. "We cannot afford to be reasonable about this anymore. The Magnuvians take from us. We must do whatever we can to fight back, even if it means taking advantage of our own country. I'm sure the rest of Landiani will understand."

I sit in silence for a moment. I consider accepting her words. Kiana would appreciate me not causing trouble, but I cannot stand by and let my mother think so selfishly.

"You're a hypocrite," I mutter.

"Pardon?"

"You're a hypocrite!" I say louder. I slam my palms down on the table and stand up to face my mother and sister. "You say you want what is best for this country, but you are only saying that to fulfill your selfish needs."

I can see my mother's eyes growing aflame the more I speak, but I have held the words in so long that they cannot do anything else but pour from my lips like a violent summer storm.

"Why was it that Kiana and I had to go travel into Magnuvia while you stayed behind? Are we just slaves forced to do your own work so that you can keep your hands clean?" I ask. I look at Kiana, too, finding that anger flows through my veins just as much as it does when I address my mother. "And you're just as much of a hypocrite as she is for using the crystals!"

Kiana glares. "That's not—"

I speak over my sister. "You two may not believe me, but I also think I know what is best for this country, and it doesn't involve seeking power. I won't go with you to harvest crystals. I won't ever touch magic again."

My mother gazes at me in anger. A quick glance at Kiana, and only shock appears on her face. By far this is one of the worst fights we've had since reuniting, but I will not back down. I remain standing, immovable in my pose.

My mother rises to face me. I can tell she is trying to use the few inches she has over me to intimidate me, but I remain staring up at her, keeping my gaze fixed.

"You will come with us to the caves," she says quietly, a tone reserved only for when she is at her angriest.

"No," I state firmly. "Never again."

Though she tries to mask it, something inside my mother breaks in that moment. I see the slightest bit of shock reflected on her face. The manipulation tactics she once held over me are no longer working their charm, and I am not so weak anymore as to submit to her. I have already lost everything and everyone I loved – Tetoa, Taika, possibly Palila and Lagi, and, of course, Asteria. Agreeing with my mother will not save me from the tragedies that have already occurred.

My mother's usually eloquent tongue devolves into stammering for the first time in my life. "Y-You...you will come with us to the caves. Get dressed immediately," she says.

"No," I say once more.

My mother throws her hands up in the air, exasperated, and reaches for her belongings. "Fine! Stay here and have your temper tantrum. Fetia, I expect us to have a long conversation once we return," she says. She snaps her gaze quickly to my sister. "Kiana, let's go."

Kiana pauses, seemingly startled with my mother's decision to let me remain.

"Kiana, now!" my mother yells.

Kiana breaks free of her trance and rises. The surprise in her face fades quickly to disappointment. My promise to get along with Mama is yet another promise I have failed to keep.

The door slams shut as my mother and Kiana escort themselves out. I quickly release a breath and feel my racing heart calm with their exit. My limbs tremble slightly as I realize the weight of my words. My mother will no doubt be infuriated with me when she returns, but I find newfound pride in standing up to her.

However, now is not the time for me to linger on whatever consequence awaits me later today. My mother and Kiana will be gone for presumably the entirety of the day.

Now is the time to prepare for my escape.