The entity's fractal form shifted, tendrils of light elongating toward Darling. Its voice reverberated through the Plane. "A presence must anchor the Nexus. To restore balance, one must become the bridge. Are you willing to surrender?"
Darling stepped forward, his determination evident. "If it means saving our reality, I'll do it."
"Casper, stop!" Ashton's voice broke through the tension, sharp and desperate. She placed herself between him and the entity. "You've done enough. You don't need to throw yourself away."
Darling shook his head. "This isn't up for debate. If I don't do this, everything will fall apart. I have to—"
"No," Ashton interrupted, her voice fierce. "You don't have to. We can find another way."
"There isn't one," Darling said, his voice breaking. "Please, Mary, don't make this harder than it needs to be."
Before Darling could take another step, Ashton spun around and pushed him backward. "If someone has to do this, it's going to be me," she said, locking eyes with him. "The Bureau needs you, Darling. Don't let my sacrifice be for nothing."
"Ashton, no!" Darling lunged to stop her, but she was already stepping into the light. The entity's form encased her, and the Plane erupted in a blinding brilliance.
The light dimmed, and the entity's voice echoed. "The balance is restored." Ashton's form was gone, consumed by the Nexus, and the Plane stilled to an unnatural calm.
Darling fell to his knees, his hands trembling. The guilt crashed over him like a wave, his mind flashing to Hayley Niedbala's death nearly two years earlier—another loss he hadn't been able to prevent. Tears blurred his vision as he whispered, "It should have been me."
Underhill approached cautiously, placing a hand on his shoulder. "We need to go, Casper. She was right. The Bureau still needs you."
Darling didn't respond immediately. He stared at the spot where Ashton had disappeared, her words echoing in his mind. Slowly, he rose, the weight of her sacrifice settling heavily on his shoulders.
As the team made their way back to the gateway, Darling glanced back at the Plane one last time. He vowed to ensure Ashton's sacrifice, like Niedbala's, wouldn't be in vain—even if it meant carrying the burden of their losses for the rest of his life.