#us84

“It wasn’t planned,” Rasmodius said. “But Najia knew what was at stake. She chose to sacrifice herself. It was the only way the war could be won.”

“You let her die,” John hissed.

“There was nothing I could have done.”

“Nothing you could have done?” John roared.

“Najia was the key to winning this war,” Rasmodius said loudly.

“You were the one that told me to reach out to her, that she was still alive. You told me to bring her to Stardew Valley. And for what? So you could give her a sword that would ultimately kill her?”

“John-”

“You used us,” John shouted at him, his face red.

Rasmodius stood his ground, holding his head high. “I did what I had to do to see this war end,” he said through gritted teeth.

“That’s enough, Rasmodius!” John shouted, his eyes wet. “You’ve done enough.”

The group watched on in silence, waiting, but Rasmodius did not speak.

“Get out of here,” John said, his voice a low growl. He pulled a handgun out of his back pocket in threat. “Get out of this valley, and don’t even think about stepping foot here again.”

The wizard held his gaze on John for a moment before speaking. “Very well,” he said simply. And with that, he left them alone on the dirt road, making his way back into the forest. The villagers stood in silence until John cleared his throat.

“Excuse me,” he muttered. Without another wood, he made his way down the road towards his cabin.

“Shane?” Jas’s fingers wrapped around his. Her voice caused him to jump. He looked at the girl at his side, then down the road to where Marnie and Penny stood, watching silently. Shane pulled his hand out of hers and walked down the road.

“Shane-” Marnie started, but Shane pushed passed her without a word.

*****

It had been two days since they returned to the valley. Two days since Shane seemed to have disappeared without a single word to her. But Marnie didn’t try to look for him. Not after Marlon and Gil told her what had happened.

It was on the night of the second day that Shane finally emerged; a still figure by the edge of the lake.

Marnie stood at Shane’s side, looking out over the lake. The moon’s reflection glistened off the still, glassy surface.

“It’s been two days,” she said softly.

Shane didn’t answer.

“Jas needs you. She’s scared.”

“Seven,” Shane said simply.

Marnie looked to him, puzzled. “Seven?”

Shane met her gaze. “Seven people I watched die.” He turned back to the lake.

Marnie looked back across the water.

“And that’s only since the invasion.”

“Shane-”

“I did nothing.”

“You know that’s not true.”

“I didn’t even tell her.” He met Marnie’s gaze. “She warned me not to.”

“Shane.”

Shane waited, searching Marnie’s eyes, but she said nothing more. He broke his gaze. “What?”

Marnie shrugged. “Tell her.”

Shane turned away abruptly, looking back across the water.

“You don’t have to always pretend you have it all together,” Marnie said softly. “Jas would understand.”

“Jas is scared. She depends on me. I don’t have a choice but to keep it all together.”

“Jas isn’t here.”

Shane shoved his hands in his pockets and sighed. “What do you want me to say? Najia is dead.” He gritted his teeth together. “And I did nothing. I didn’t even tell her I love her.” His throat tightened around the last three words. He closed his eyes.

“I think she knows,” Marnie said.

Shane said nothing for a moment as he stared across the lake. “I can’t keep it together anymore,” he said softly.

“Then don’t.”

Shane hesitated. “Is it over? Really over?”

Marnie nodded. Malone had met with the Dwarves just outside the valley the day before, where they agreed upon a peace treaty between the two races. The Shadow Army was gone. Light had returned to their world. The war was over. “It’s really over,” she said.