The Silver Knife and the Gold Necklace

A/N: Hi! I'm just gonna plop a little note here, since not all of you will have read the story's description. There are tons of triggers in this piece,  including but not limited to death, blood, and knives. If any of these triggers you, please stop reading. You have been warned. Okay, onto the story!

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The knife pressed closer into my throat. I could feel the blade against my skin, the chill of the metal like ice.

"Don't hurt her," Ilizna said. Her hand closed around the locket even harder. Her knuckles were white from the force of her grasp. "Please. I'll do anything."

No, I thought at her. Her brown eyes locked with mine. You have to let me go.

I can't. Maranaya, you mean everything to me. I can't let him kill you.

Ilizana, please. Think of everyone else. Think of Mom. Think of ... my mental voice hitched as I tried to block out red splatter on soft green fabric. Think of Saime. Wouldn't he want revenge? 

 Ilizana looked down. She knew I was right. 

"So have you made your decision?" a chillingly sick voice rang out from above me. "Your sister or the locket. The choice is yours, young Salanar."

I could feel a bead of blood as the knife pressed ever deeper into my flesh. I wanted to run. To do anything. My body knew that it would not survive if I didn't do something. 

Surviving is a human instinct. Humans are naturally selfish creatures. All animals are. They're meant to survive. So it made sense how badly I wanted to run. But no. I couldn't. 

I'm sorry, Ilizana thought. The knife pressed deeper. I could feel blood run down my neck. My dress of soft green fabric must be starting to absorb some. 

You need to do this. I love you. Make things better, I thought back. 

"Yes, I have." Her voice didn't waver as Ilizana stared death in the eye. 

"So give it," came the response. "Give it or she dies. Won't you do anything?"

Ilizana swallowed hard. I could feel my dress grow heavy with sticky red liquid. My vision grew blurry. 

"No."

"I'm sorry?"

"Go on and kill her."

I knew that Ilizana had to do this. But the words stung. 

"What?" the figure holding me spluttered. 

"I said kill her. I won't give up the fate of the world for one girl."

The knife pressed harder. Goodbye, sister. 

As my vision faded, I could remember one thing. One thing that my mind focused on. 

"Take care of her, Maranaya. She needs your help."

"I will, Mom. I always will."

I'm so sorry. 

That was the last thing I thought. Then, everything turned to black.