The girl lifted her head as the markings on her skin flared.
The air darkened.
A pressure rolled outward while Victor stepped aside.
"It's time," he said quietly.
The girl took a step forward.
Then another.
Each footfall echoed unnaturally loud.
Her gaze locked onto the elders and in that moment, something ancient and immeasurable surfaced within her eyes.
Recognition.
Pain.
Rage.
"You remember," she said softly.
Several elders collapsed to their knees instantly.
One began sobbing uncontrollably. "We had no choice!"
"We were dying!" another screamed. "Our world was ending!"
"We did what we had to do!"
The girl tilted her head.
"So did they," she replied.
Darkness spread out and memories came alive once again.
The city felt them.
The screams of ten women dragged against their will.
Hands clawing at ice.
Bellies swollen with life.
Promises of honor.
Lies of necessity.
The final moment of sacrifice.
Twenty souls extinguished.
