The power Tameka drained from the army repaired her body, but not her soul. Once again, she abandoned someone to fight a lone battle against that monster. Once again, she waited on Cinder to learn the results. At least this time she wasn’t alone. Although, she wasn’t necessarily among friends.

T.A.O. elected to stay and guard the First Wave Progeny in case of Celindria’s impending return. It worked for Tameka seeing how they were so confused after their eight thousand-year imprisonment. The fragile woman sat between the two men. They leaned on each other, not dissimilar to how the current Progeny treated their family.

Korac hovered over Sagan. He monitored her as she lay unconscious. Even with genuine love in his eyes, ingrained animosity and suspicion prevented Tameka from trusting him alone at her sister’s side.

Then there was Tumu. The Tritan scrutinized her every move. She couldn’t adjust her ass on the rough ground without him visibly analyzing the effects on her unborn son. He actually asked to scan her after she drained the army. She fended him off with one word, “Space.”

God damn, but she needed some space. For the love of everything on Earth and Cinder, she wanted to return to yesterday with all of her family asleep at the picnic. She—

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A rain drop patted onto the back of Tameka’s brown hand. She looked to the sky. A few more pats, and Tumu also gazed upward. Followed by Korac and the First Wave Progeny.

Rain poured from the skies of Cinder.

Korac stood and gazed at the sight.

Afraid he’d finally seize the opportunity to renegade away, Tameka asked, “What’s wrong? It’s just rain.”

The fair Icarus spared her a glance. He explained with a frown, “It doesn’t rain on Cinder. It hasn’t rained in eight thousand years.”

“It does now.” Tameka gestured with her hands. “Don’t get any ideas about running. If I so much as think you’re trying to escape, I’ll drain you dryer than a tank of gas in a Fast and Furious movie.”

Tumu muttered to himself, “So impressive… Empathetic atmospheric circuits.”

They all stared at him, puzzled, and waited for him to elaborate.

He continued, “The nacre shield and the atmosphere contained within are controlled by the health of the core nacre. It’s a reflection of the container.”

Korac narrowed his pale gaze at him and translated, “Wait, are you saying it never rained because Nox nor Umbra never…”

“Cried,” Sagan finished in a croaky voice.

The Icarus immediately dropped to her side and checked her vitals.

Tameka hurried over while maintaining some space to let the blond girl breathe.

Tumu confirmed, “Yes, that’s exactly it. This—” He spanned his hand to encompass the sky. “—Elden’s Sphere was formed on the emotions of the Icari that desired it. It makes sense any descending controllers over the machine were tuned to it, empathetically.”

Korac looked up at the Tritan. “The controller? Then, Rayne…”

“She won,” Tameka finished with pride.