While originally written to change some things about the ending of Air Keep, namely the death scene (it wasn't sad enough), it later became a prediction/piece of inspiration for how the next book, Fire Keep, may turn out in the future. (And if Mr. Savage is kind enough to read my work, *waves hands in fan-boyish fashion* I hope he will take into consideration some of the ideas presented for the next installment. Hey, a guy can dream, right?)

Disclaimer: I do not own any rights to the Farworld series. All rights are reserved for author J. Scott Savage and producer Kayla Hackett. I use two full page excerpts from the "Air Keep" installment, and I do not mean to plagiarize in any way. I did not receive nor expect to receive profit from this work. Thank you.

Chapter 45: Goodbye

-From the beginning of the end-

The crowd started to clap, but Kyja held up a hand to stop them so she could continue. Marcus noticed her hand was trembling slightly. "I also want to say that even if I have to leave for a while, know that I love you all. And..." She swallowed and brushed her eyes with the back of her hand. "And I will always be here. Even if you can't see me."

There was a smattering of confused applause as Kyja quickly drank the liquid from her goblet and sat down.

"What was that about?" Marcus whispered to her, taking his seat. "Where are we going?"

Kyja rested her hands flat on the table. "Mortals can't enter the doorway to Fire Keep. It's..." She took a deep breath and relaxed back in her seat. "It's designed to keep humans out and fire elementals in."

"Then we'll figure a way around that," Marcus said. "Maybe Mr. Z can help us."

"He can't," Kyja said, looking up with her deep green eyes. "No one with magic can enter the doorway. That's why I need to go first and then pull you over."

"Are you alright?" Marcus asked. Her face seemed too pale, and her breathing was slowing down.

"I'm fine." Kyja smiled softly. "The last rule about Fire Keep is that I can't go through the door by myself. I have to be sent by someone I love." She reached out and squeezed his hand. Her fingers were ice cold.

Suddenly, Marcus remembered where'd he'd seen her hairstyle before. The flowers. The braid resting on a silk pillow in the glass coffin. He looked from her empty goblet to the silver decanter. The decanter he had poured her drink from.

I couldn't go through the door by myself. I had to be sent by someone I love.

"No!" he screamed. "You can't do this. There has to be another way."

Kyja smiled at him one last time. She whispered, "I...love...you," then closed her eyes and stopped breathing.

—«•»—

Chapter 1

What Happened Next

The scene before her, one of triumphant wizards and warriors, to screams and Master Therapass' concerned and confused frown, began to fade ever so swiftly. She smiled at Marcus. It was all she could do to reassure him that it was going to be alright. Her head tilted back involuntarily. She was already losing all strength to stay alive. She could have fought it, but Kyja wouldn't allow herself to do so. She welcomed the darkness as it grew stronger, heavier, thicker. Minor convulsions racked her body as her systems all began to shut down.

Then, all at once, her lungs refused to pump, and the air was sucked away from her precious body. Her spirit was falling. It tumbled over and over, end over end, and plunged into the impossibly cold waters of death, the waves crashing over her head and the currents pulling her deeper.

Fighting back the fear of it all- she had to be brave for Marcus and all of Farworld- Kyja let go of her hold on life.

—«•»—

"Kyja? Kyja!" Marcus couldn't stop shaking her. She had to wake up. She had to. "KYJA!" It was no use. She was dead.

No. No she's not. I promised she wouldn't- I promised...I was going to change it.

Tears of grief and pain obstructed his vision. He wiped them away furiously as he continued to plead with whatever omnipotence that kept her asleep to relinquish its hold on the only friend he had ever had. He called upon the elements to aid him in his desperation.

Water and air

For my sake

Remove this poison

Make her wake

The rushed incantation didn't cause so much as a flicker of an eyelash from the corpse of the poisoned girl. Why wasn't it working? Why had the elements refused his plea in the time he needed them most? After all they had gone through together to help the elementals, how could they now turn their backs on them? Who dared to deny him their power!?

The concerned crowd pressed forward, selfishly trying to gain a glimpse as to the fate of the strange girl whom they had seen to appear to commit suicide.

"Get away!" Marcus screamed at them, waving his hand in a clearing gesture. He wished that by doing so they would all be blown out the doors; punishment for not doing anything to prevent this tragedy, even though Marcus understood fully well that they had nothing to do with it. He hadn't even known. How could he have known? He should have known. Why hadn't she trusted him enough to tell him?

Marcus' hands trembled with rage and hurt. He couldn't let her die. He wouldn't let her die. Seeing no other option, he did the unthinkable. If the ones he had sought the help of for so long betrayed him now, he would force them. Dark magic was the only answer. It didn't matter if he was corrupted, at least Kyja would be okay. He yanked the thin length of shadow wood from his vest and held it high, letting his anger swell within him, envisioning the elements bowing down to his great power. He opened his mouth as to utter an incantation, but was suddenly blown off balance by a fierce gust of wind, knocking the wand from his hand.

"Don't you dare!" Master Tharapass stood with his arm outstretched, clearly sensing what Marcus had intended to do. "Don't you dare give up now, when all of us here are depending on you." Regaining his balance, wincing at the pain the jolt had brought to his limbs, he ignored the old wizard and stared straight passed him at the one who, throughout the entire event, still remained seated and calm.

"You!" Marcus pointed a quivering finger. "How could you?"

The mass of heads all turned to look at the one he had pointed to. Staring straight back at Marcus, with a sad smile on her tulip lips, was Divum.

"You told her about Fire Keep. You poisoned the drink, didn't you!" Marcus understood it all now. The way the drink smelled like flowers. The way the decanter had been placed in front of her the whole time. The way his call for magical aid had been refused by the elements. He never hated the Aerisian's light tinkle of a laugh more than now.

"Yes. She asked me if I would. I poisoned it, but you gave it to her to partake?" Divum giggled once more. "Oh it's ironic, isn't it? The boy who wants to change fate ends up bringing it about. Hehe. It's a wonderful joke." Her words pierced him to the very soul. She was right. It had been him. He had killed her. It all came together as a sickening puzzle he hadn't known he'd been hiding the final piece. He fell back once more, too stunned for words.

"Take me away," Marcus whispered quietly under his breath. The guard that stood by him just looked at him, then to Master Therapass, and then to Divum. "Take me away, I said!" Marcus' eyes burned with hatred, both for himself and for the guard's inaction. Clumsily, he obliged, fumbling with his spear and gently taking Marcus by the arm, leading him to the dungeon for a purpose he didn't understand.

—«•»—