"I'm leaving," Rei said after Mel got to the dining hall.
"Wait! I was thinking, what if I go instead? You know how little experience I have in the outside world."
"You won't be able to make it past the desert. It's better if I go."
A lump formed in Mel's throat, and she swayed. Gaining courage, she lifted her head and looked determinedly at her grandfather. "Please, let me go."
"I don't feel like waiting while you mess around. This is life and death, and I promised your grandmother that I would protect you."
"Please, I promise I won't mess around. I'll go right there and back, no detours."
"No means no."
"I hate you!"
"Hate me all you want. You will never leave the Middle Kingdom."
"What kind of grandfather keeps his granddaughter locked up like this?"
"The kind that is willing to do whatever it takes to keep her safe. Now stop messing around, I need to leave." Rei walked towards the door.
"Immovable." The word escaped Mel before she knew it. She clasped her hands over her mouth as Rei forcefully turned towards her, his magic building in the room.
"Mel, release me this instant!"
The room shook, and Mel held onto a pillar as the castle threatened to fall. Pieces of the ceiling plummeted to the ground as Rei struggled against the magic holding him in place.
"I can't let my friends die," Mel cried
"You looked into the future, didn't you?" His movements caused Mel to cough up blood. "That witch will kill us all. I need to do this, and those monster's lives are a small price to pay." The look in the old man's eyes caused Mel's magic to waver.
Rei lunged at her, but she rolled out of the way. "I'll need to confine you again."
Mel grit her teeth, and tears burned in her eyes. "I'm not five anymore. I won't be locked up again."