Chapter Thirty-Six

Having to sit there and listen to people joyfully anticipate something you think will destroy you is awful.  Michael is facing the reality of a hero’s choice: save those you care about or save the world.  It’s a horrible choice, which is why arch-villains are so fond of forcing heroes to make it. 

Gwen’s drawing of the man standing under the stars with an outline of a flag above him is a reference to McBride and the sequel.  She was the logical one to remind Michael that it is the people we care about which makes sacrifice meaningful.  If Dani had gone through the ritual without cementing her connection with Michael, she would not have survived her testing.  She would have sought oblivion and the divine connection would have been permanently lost.