Chapter 39

Livira kneels by Malar’s body, torn between honoring him and preventing another’s death. Yolanda urges moving on, and as soldiers approach, Livira runs, colliding into Evar. Their relief is palpable as old friends—Meelan, Jella, Salamonda, and Arpix—gather around her, along with canith siblings Kerrol and Clovis.

Livira shares that the Soldier saved her and that Malar died fighting. The canith howl their grief. Yute, aged by sorrow, appears; Livira offers condolences for Yamala, and Evar reveals that Mayland killed Yamala. The revelation tempers Clovis’s fury but stokes collective grief.

Clovis vows vengeance, but Livira stops her, recognizing that blades cannot defeat guns and that an assault would doom their friends. Livira wrestles with rage and responsibility, imagining catastrophic losses if they attack.

Yolanda reappears, otherworldly pale, calling Yute “Father” and warning that the cracks are spreading and a summons has been issued. She implies Yamala is dead by others’ hands and chastises Yute’s indecision. Distant gunfire erupts, breaking the stalemate.

With shots echoing closer, Livira takes the lead, urging everyone to follow Yolanda. The group abandons thoughts of revenge to seek escape as the threat converges on them.