"Knock, knock..."
A knock sounded at the door of the secret chamber.
Inside, Agamotto did not react. He went on muttering to himself.
Outside, Oshtur knocked a few more times, worry spreading across her face.
Chthon came over and asked anxiously, "He still hasn't come out?"
Oshtur shook her head. "No. He went into the chamber three days ago and hasn't come out since."
"Ah..."
Chthon sighed quietly. "You can't blame him. Anyone in his place would have made the same choice."
Confusion filled Oshtur's eyes. "Would they? Was sacrificing half of Blue Star's people to drive back the enemy worth it? Were we protecting Blue Star, or just ourselves?"
She understood exactly how Agamotto felt.
She felt the same way.
Had they done the right thing? None of them knew.
Technology and medicine still limited population growth, but Blue Star was vast.
There were at least a billion humans in all. Half of them meant five hundred million lives.
No one could bear the weight of five hundred million deaths.
And if the enemy came again, would they have to sacrifice the other half?
Had those people died to save the survivors, or to save them?
Chthon merely patted Oshtur on the shoulder and left.
He had not yet fallen to darkness. The cost of five hundred million lives weighed heavily on him too, and he had no idea what to say.
Just then, the door opened.
Agamotto emerged, haggard and looking a little unhinged.
Oshtur hurried to meet him.
"Agamotto, you're finally out. Are you hungry? Should I get you something to eat?"
Agamotto shook his head. "Are the monsters from the Dark Dimension gone?" he asked hoarsely.
Oshtur nodded. "Yes. They kept their word and left two days ago."
At her words, all strength seemed to drain