Chapter 18

CHAPTER EIGHTEEN

My hands shook as I reached for the next piece of the puzzle, acutely aware of the sand trickling through the hourglass. Each grain sent a jolt of panic through my body. Time was running out, and I still had so much to piece together.

The memories came in a disorienting rush, fragments of my life flashing before my eyes. I saw myself training not only with my father and brother but also with my mother. It moved to me training with my team, trying to prove myself to them and myself as I took on the role of leader. The faces of my team swam before me, loyal, brave, counting on me to guide them. I gritted my teeth, forcing myself to focus through the emotional onslaught.

As the puzzle neared completion, one final piece shimmered into existence. My heart clenched as Brody's face materialized, his familiar features etched with determination and sorrow I'd never forget.

The memory was a knife piercing my beating heart. Loyal, brave, selfless Brody, making the ultimate sacrifice to save us all. I could see it play out in vivid detail. His resolute expression as he made his decision, the way he looked at each of us one last time, his final words of encouragement before the cave-in crushed him to death.

Tears streamed down my face as my mother's words echoed in my mind, a bittersweet mantra that now held new meaning. "The greatest love is to sacrifice yourself for others." Brody had embodied that truth, his act of supreme selflessness saving me and everyone I held dear.

His sacrifice tore out pieces of my heart, a mixture of grief, gratitude, and guilt threatening to overwhelm me. I placed my hand on the puzzle piece bearing his image, my fingers trembling as they traced the contours of his face.

"Brody," I whispered. "I'm so sorry. I'm so grateful. I promise your sacrifice won't be in vain."

As I fit the piece into place, the puzzle was almost complete. Brody's sacrifice had changed everything. It had given me a chance, yes, but it had also shown me the true meaning of love and courage.

I drew a shuddering breath, steeling myself for what was to come. Brody's act of love would fuel our fight, inspire our bravery, and remind us what we were fighting for. I vowed to honor Brody's memory in everything I did from this moment forward.

Another piece clicked into place, and suddenly, I was reliving the horror of discovering the vampire's betrayal, the one who had murdered my mother. The sting of that wound felt fresh, and I had to remind myself to breathe through the pain. I had no time to dwell on past hurts.

My fingers fumbled with the next piece, and I released a frustrated cry as it slipped from my grasp. "Come on, Sawyer," I muttered, snatching it back up. "You can do this."

As I fit more pieces together, the full scope of my journey took shape. The trials I'd faced, the losses I'd endured, the strength I'd found within myself. It was all there, laid out before me like a roadmap of my life. But I still noticed gaps, crucial pieces missing.

I glanced at the hourglass, my stomach dropping as I saw how little sand remained in the upper bulb. Sweat beaded on my brow as I worked faster, my mind racing to make connections.

The puzzle showed me glimpses of epic battles, of alliances forged and broken, of sacrifices made for the greater good. Each memory that slotted into place felt like a physical blow, the weight of my experiences threatening to overwhelm me.

With trembling hands, I reached for one of the final pieces. It connected, and a memory of a ritual surged forth. The key to defeating our greatest enemy. My heart soared with hope, only to plummet as I realized I still had more to uncover.

The last grains of sand began to fall, and panic clawed at my throat. One puzzle piece left. Only one, but I couldn't make it fit. I turned it over and over in my hands, desperately trying to see where it belonged.

The memory seemed to escape me, but then it came into play. Not only my team, but others fighting the same cause. The Paranormal Mercenary Corps. Dr. Gould, the head of it, Chelby, now Queen of the Court of Blossoms. I hadn't trusted them, but I saw the heartbreaking sacrifices they made.

"Please," I whispered, tears streaming down my face. "Please, I can't fail now."

The sound of the final grains of sand hitting the bottom of the hourglass seemed to echo in the room. In that moment of utter despair, something clicked in my mind. I realized I wasn't alone. Others may have been different, but whether orcs, vampires, wolf shifters, or dragon shifters, we were all on the same mission to protect the innocent—both supernatural and human.

With a burst of clarity, I saw where the last piece fit.

My hand moved almost of its own accord, slotting the final fragment into place as the last glimmer of sand disappeared from the upper bulb.

For a heartbeat, nothing happened. Then, with a soft glow, the completed puzzle hummed with energy. I sagged to the ground, exhausted but triumphant. I had done it. Pieced together the shards of my memory and unlocked the knowledge we desperately needed.

As the room around me shifted and changed, signaling the end of this trial, I closed my eyes and inhaled deeply. The journey wasn't over. In many ways, it was only beginning. But now, with my memories restored and my resolve strengthened, I was ready to face the future.

I rose to my feet, wiping away the tears and squaring my shoulders. I held my breath, every nerve in my body on edge as I waited for what would come next.

Suddenly, the air before me rippled like disturbed water, and the mirror materialized. Its surface swirled with an otherworldly glow before settling to reveal a face of impossible beauty and ancient wisdom.

"You have done well, Sawyer Grant," it intoned, and relief and trepidation washed over me. "You have saved not only yourself but your friends."

My heart raced. My friends were safe? A wave of gratitude threatened to overwhelm me, but I forced myself to focus on the mirror's next words.

"To free your friends from the demons of lust, you must show them the Mirror of Aethereal."

I nodded, committing this crucial information to memory. The task was all or nothing. My friends' fate rested in my hands.

"The Sands of Yesteryear hourglass awaits you in the vault," the face continued, its expression growing serious. "Remember, you can only use it once. Choose wisely, Champion."

That title, "Champion," rang in my ears. It was both an honor and a burden, a reminder of everything at stake.

As the mirror's glow faded, I stood straighter, squaring my shoulders. The path ahead was clear but fraught with danger and difficult choices. I would have to be careful, strategic in my use of these powerful artifacts.

"I understand." My voice was steady despite the turmoil of emotions within me. "Thank you."

The mirror disappeared, leaving me alone with my racing thoughts and the enormity of the task. I drew a deep breath, centering myself. My friends needed me. The world needed me. Now, armed with my restored memories and these new tools, I had a fighting chance.

"Hold on, everyone," I whispered to the empty room, a promise to my friends and myself. "I'm coming."