I am standing in the Hork-Bajir valley, feeling the wind pull at my hair. There are voices calling to each other in the camp, but I do not hear them. I am alone, now, and that is all that matters.

Things have changed in the past few months. The war is open, all-out, and people are going to die.

I am going to die.

Jake has come to me with a request. I must follow through with it, because if I do not, the world will fall, and it will be my fault. I cannot allow that to happen, and so I have accepted his request.

He sees it as a terrible burden, but I see it as a privilege. I have a chance to save the world, though it is at the cost of my own life. I knew that this had to happen someday.

I hear a rustling of feathers above me, and I look up and smile to see a soaring bird-of prey, wings outstretched.

"Tobias?" I call silently.

The rust-coloured bird dives down and lands at my feet. In a few moments, a boy stands before me.

"Hello Rachel," he says.

I want to tell him everything, in this moment. His eyes are bright in a way they never were before the war, a smile lighting up his face like the sun. It makes my heart break at the sight, for I know he reserves this face for my eyes only, and when I am gone, the world will never see it again.

"Hello, Tobias," I say simply. I cannot say anymore, because I know I will reveal my secret burden, my privilege, and if I do, it will only hurt him.

He is nervous, I realize suddenly. But what about?

He pulls at his tight shirt and rubs his neck with his arm. "Rachel, can I talk to you?" he asks quietly.

I nod, not trusting myself to speak.

Suddenly, he is at me feet, my hand in his. He bows over it, as if it is precious to him.

"Rachel," he whispers. "This could be the end. Of Earth, of us. I don't know why I'm even thinking of asking this, but I can't let this slip by without even asking."

His grip on my hand tightens slightly. "Rachel Marie Berenson," he begins softly, "will you marry me?"

Shock prevents me from saying anything. What can I say? I am going to die, and I cannot tell him. I cannot even say a proper good-bye. But how am I to react to this? What do I say? How can I tell him yes, knowing what I do? How can I tell him no?

"Tobias," I whisper once I find my voice. "I love you more than anything in this universe." I pull him to his feet, then release his hand slowly. "I will always love you, no matter what happens. But…" I hesitate painfully. "…but I can't go through with this. Someday, you will understand." I lean closer and kiss his cheek softly. "I love you Tobias. Don't ever forget that."

A flash of hurt appears on his face, and is gone just as quickly. He leans into my embrace. "I love you, too, Rachel. I'm sorry that I don't understand now."

"No, you aren't," I say so quietly that he cannot hear.

Tobias shoves his hands in his pockets. A whisper of a sigh escapes him, then, "All right. I guess I'll be going, then. That's all I came to say." With that, he changes back to what I now recognize is his true form, and flies away.

I watch him soar high in the sky, until he disappears into the clouds. Then I, too, leave this place.

Tobias was wrong, I realise suddenly. This isn't the end of everything.

This is the beginning.