Chapter 96

Raeve emerges onto Bulder’s mountainside as moons crash across the world, each strike shaking the land. When Hae’s Perch falls, she is hurled from the slope but lands on Líri, who carries her through the ash-choked sky. Surveying the peak, Raeve sees Kyzari held by a powerful winged being, later known as Caelis, as rippling waves radiate from them and wrench more moons from the sky.

Realizing the pair’s energy is causing the devastation, Raeve dives toward the summit. Veya crawls futilely across the flattened peak, repeatedly blown back, while Uno shelters behind a crumbling rock. Raeve lands near Uno’s position and draws Veya into Líri’s partial cover, then commits to reach Kyzari herself.

With Clode forming a shield at Raeve’s song, Raeve forces her way step by agonizing step through the blasting surge. As she nears, she discerns tenderness between Kyzari and Caelis and accepts both envy and gratitude that Caelis is soothing her daughter amid the chaos. Clode’s shield sputters, revealing Raeve’s determination alone is carrying her forward.

At arm’s reach, Raeve senses Caelis’s name and sees he is partly manifested, silver ribbons from the stone on Kyzari’s forehead stitching him into being. Caelis silently soul-reads Raeve, sharing his own vast pain and devotion to Kyzari, then grants unspoken permission.

Raeve steps through Caelis to seize Kyzari. At Raeve’s touch, Kyzari stops singing; Caelis withdraws into the stone, the violent clamor ceases, and an eerie cold calm replaces it. Raeve assures Kyzari she is present and regrets arriving late. Overwhelmed, Kyzari faints, and Raeve catches her—finally holding the daughter she lost long ago.