Only eight miles into the front with twelve more to go. Andrew stared at the blockade of Icarean soldiers. Turned out, crawlers—even giant ones—floundered on their backside. It took seven Icari, two Tritans, and all the Lyriks to hold it up enough to evacuate Jack, Chris, and Karter. Too bad. They could really use it right now.

“I know you can do this.” Lucas stepped up beside him, genuine rapier in hand. His suit all but immaculate aside from the blood.

“It’s a big ask,” Andrew countered.

The golden-eyed Icarus scoffed, “You can’t handle a few million Icari on your own?” Mock gasp. Hand clasped to his chest. “I’ve misplaced my faith in you.”

His performance won a chuckle from Andrew. The Progeny sobered real fast as he sought the opposition’s intentions. “So many want to defect to our side.”

“Well, Nox did just order them to kill half their own people.”

It cut the Progeny to think about it. What kind of monster—

Pehton cried, “Look out!”

The aerial battle waged on, forcing sky troops to retreat to land warfare. Rayne and Nox produced four shock waves now that impacted the playing field. Whatever made them that strong excelled beyond containment. At this point, people—Collective and Icarean alike—took cover if the two soared by.

Tameka broke through the grappling duo with her chain dart, eliciting a scowl from Nox. Sagan Seamswalked beside them and swung her axe. Nox vanished and reappeared. He clutched both women by the back of their heads and smashed them together. The crowd gasped as the two Progeny women plummeted to the ground with their faces splattered in blood.

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Light and electricity crackled from Rayne, and everyone took to the ground. All the hairs on Andrew’s body stood on end. Peeking through his static-tickled fingers, he stared in awe as one of his closest friends swung with Night Killer. It met with Nox’s sword.

Lightning struck them both.

The fusion of energies sparked to the ground where Sagan grabbed Tameka and disappeared to escape in the nick of time. The rest of the ground forces weren’t so lucky. Electricity danced. A fire started everywhere lightning kissed the drought-ridden underbrush.

Andrew cried, “Fuck me!”

Lucas called over the roar of the growing blaze, “Is it too late to ask them to get a room?”

Collective soldiers scattered for cover, but the Icarean blockade persisted. To the point of burning. A few dozen nearest him caught fire from their robes and never wavered.

“This isn’t right,” Andrew muttered. And he was the one to do something about it. He clenched his fists and closed his eyes. Before he knew it, he took to the air and hovered over the blockade.

What matters? What’s most important?

The race.

Our people.

Our planet.

Join the Collective. Don’t stand there and die. The Progeny will win. Fight on our side.

King Nox will kill us.

Rayne will kill Nox.

We don’t want to kill our own kind.

Then help in other ways. Please. Don’t die. Elden wouldn’t want this for his people.

Help us.

Andrew unleashed his will.

Millions of Icari walked away from the blockade—away from the fires and immediate ruin. Some attempted to stop their fellow soldier from defecting. But most stared and watched with sorrow and longing. No one wanted to die this day.

One more push.

Andrew tried to reach the potential of his ability. Just outside his reach. But the further he pressed, the worse he felt. His head ached, his nose bled, and his vision swam. Blood streamed from his hands where his nails bit into his palms. No distractions. No friends. No Lucas. Saving them was his only thought.

One.

More.

Push.

The air felt funny around him. Puffy and fuzzy, like he reached the clouds. He’d never been this high before. It was warm here. Safe. As cheers sounded below him, Andrew faded into the black.

A nap. A nap sounded good.