Zara followed Adisa beneath the city.
They fell into the chamber below the Covenant hall.
Taiwo was waiting.
Behind him, the Gate of Names stood open.
Adisa was chained before it.
His skin had gone pale.
Gris Charnel remained faintly around him, but the fragrance seemed to be draining into the Gate.
Zara could smell it leaving him.
Fig first.
Then black tea.
Then sandalwood.
“You have two choices,” Taiwo said. “Join me... or watch him die.”
Portrait of a Lady rose from Zara’s skin.
The Gate pulled at it.
The rose held.
Zara looked at the chains.
Each one was tied to a stolen name.
“If I join you?”
“You help me create one perfect destiny for the world.”
Adisa raised his head.
“Do not listen to him.”
Taiwo tightened the chains.
Adisa gasped.
The last warmth of Gris Charnel flickered.
Zara stepped forward.
“And if I refuse?”
Taiwo smiled.
“Everyone keeps suffering.”
“You mean everyone remains free.”
“Freedom is the source of suffering.”
“No,” Zara said. “Men like you are.”
She attacked!
Portrait of a Lady exploded through the chamber.
Taiwo moved faster.
The black blade appeared in his hand.
He drove it toward Zara’s heart.
Adisa broke one chain.
“Zara!”
He stepped between them.
The blade passed through his chest.
Gris Charnel disappeared.
Everything stopped.
Taiwo pulled the blade free.
Adisa fell into Zara’s arms.
His blood covered her dress.
“No...”
She pressed her face against his neck.
Nothing.
No fig.
No tea.
No warm wood.
Taiwo stood over them.
“Choose the world, Zara.”
“Leave us.”
“His life is already gone.”
Adisa’s heart stopped.
The Gate began pulling his spirit from his body.
Zara held his face.
“I love you.”
His eyes did not open.
She took the small bottle of Portrait of a Lady from her bag.
Her hands shook as she opened it.
She placed the fragrance on his chest.
Rose and incense filled the chamber.
For one second, Gris Charnel returned beneath it.
Faint.
Almost gone.
Taiwo stepped back.
“What are you doing?”
Zara looked at him.
“Choosing.”
She pressed her forehead to Adisa’s.
Then she allowed the Gate to take her too.
Her body fell beside his.
Portrait of a Lady and the final trace of Gris Charnel disappeared into the dark.
Taiwo watched both Ori vanish.
For the first time... he looked uncertain.