The ritual took place in the farmhouse basement, where five generations of Elara's family had faced the hunger.
Lyra knelt in the center of the circle. Elara knelt across from her. The void flowed from mother to daughter—warm, golden, gentle.
Hello, it said. I have waited for you.
"I know," Elara whispered.
You are not afraid.
"I'm terrified. But I'm ready."
That is enough.
The light faded.
Lyra collapsed.
---
Elara caught her mother.
"Mom? Mom!"
"I'm okay." Lyra's voice was weak. "Just tired."
"You're not carrying the void anymore."
"No. I'm just... me."
"Can you stand?"
"Give me a minute."
Elara helped her sit against the wall.
The void stirred inside her.
Your mother is weak. The void sustained her for decades.
"She'll recover?"
She will learn to live without me. It
