Niah

My head's pounding. It's the first thing I notice before I feel the muggy air that smells of dirt and murk. There's a soft murmur of voices nearby and the fuzzy sound of their speech slowly takes shape into words as my mind reconnects with the world around me.

"What is it, do you think?"

"I don't know. She's really hot again." I recognise Tye's voice. It's soft and deep with concern.

"It keeps happening, doesn't it?"

The pause of silence between them speaks volumes. I know I need to break it but I'm not sure my lips are working yet. When I open my eyes, I'm glad for the darkness of the earthen walls around us. And even more glad that they're lit with the flickering glow of firelight rather than the bright lights of the Elixr. Even then, my eyelids feel so heavy that I can't keep them open.

"I'm okay." My voice is a croaked whisper. I cough, feeling the tightness of my chest. My heart still races. I feel it pounding in my temples. I try again. "I'm okay."

A cool hand brushes back the hair from my brow. I want to sink into it because the cold feels so good against the hot flush of my skin. "Niah?" Tye's voice is gentle. His breath warms my cheek so I know he must be really close. I try to open my eyes again. His face is murk-streaked. His eyes are dark with worry. "You okay?"

I nod but the pounding in my head stabs my eyes. I blink, trying to fight back against the pain. I draw a breath as I fight to remember what happened. Then I remember and push my whole body upright. "Wish?"

Tye grips my arm to hold me steady as I sway. "Hey, go slow."

I turn toward him. "What happened to Wish? Where is she?"

I can see from the shadows in his eyes that the news isn't good.

"They took her," Tye whispers.

I nod. I'd already guessed it but hearing it from him makes my heart feel heavy.

Blake steps forward. "They've increased the guard but the Elixr is still open. The Shadows haven't noticed them bringing the girl or the droid out."

"We have to go get them." I gaze at Tye, imploring him to help me, but I know there's no way the two of us will have any chance against what is probably a whole contingent of armed soldiers now. I glance around at the others and bite my lip. "It'll take an army, won't it?"

Tye glances up at Blake. Blake shakes his head. Tye stares him down. "She's the one, Blake. You know she is."

"It's too great a sacrifice."

"It's not just one girl. It's the cure. We've been waiting two hundred narcycles. Isn't any sacrifice worth this?"

"We're Shadows, Tye, not Faithful."

"Baull-scat! The Shadows have always been Faithful. We might live beyond the Outer Rim but these people, this world, their hope for a better future, it has always been ours, too."

Jenin puts a hand on Blake's arm. "You know he's right, Blake. The Faithful would not ask it of you, but you're one of us." She turns to me. "We might be able to help you, too."

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Hope swells in me for a moment then fades. "Even with four of us there won't be enough, will there?"

Blake sighs. "If Bellamy needs an army then we have one."

I swallow, hearing the dead man's name. I can't help feeling like it's carved on my chest. I bite my lip and shake my head. "You know I'm not Bellamy."

Tye touches my arm so I turn to him. "Niah, we don't need Bellamy. We need you." I glance around at them. Jenin nods.

Blake's eyes seem dark with sorrow. I'm not sure if he feels sad for me or if he's doubtful that any of us will succeed in saving anyone, let alone a whole world. I notice a tick in his jaw. He swallows, then steps forward and kneels beside me. "Niah, we need you, too."

A shiver runs through me at his words. They sit heavy on me, holding the weight of expectation. As if sensing my tension Tye turns to me. He lifts a hand to turn my chin so that we're face to face.

"Niah," Tye says with a whisper. His voice grows stronger as he continues, "I know you never wanted to be our Bellamy, but we need you. The Shadows live beyond the Outer Rim for a reason. We're outcast. We don't usually come together." I nod, trying to understand. I think he must sense the uncertainty in my gaze. His lips curve in a soft smile that caresses my aching heart. "They'll rally for you, Niah. They'll rally for the one who brings the cure. They'll rally for Bellamy reborn."

I shake my head and with a wry laugh, I say, "Was I even born?"

His grin sparks a light within me and he shrugs. "No idea, but however you came into being, I'm glad you're here. You can do this. We can do it together."

I nod. Tye grips my hand in his and I feel his strength coursing through me. Tye really does believe in me. He believes with such unwavering certainty that it feels easier for me to believe it, too, than to shatter his faith.

My throat is still tight but I force steel into my voice as I smile, nod, and say, "Let's do this."

***

Niah

I was able to rest for a few factors while Blake sends word to call the Shadows to meet.

Now, we stand on a high ridge looking down into a valley of dark dirt. Beneath us, of a horde of Shadows gather. They stand, murk-covered and raggedly-clothed, gazing up at us. I wonder if they can see my face through the gloom of the Shadowland.

As Blake steps to the edge of the ridge, he thrusts a small stone into the sky. It flares into brilliant white light, casting a glow over the heads of the gathered Shadows and, I presume, illuminating those of us standing above them.

"Shadows, I thank you for coming," Blake calls. His heavy voice echoes from the canyon below. "We've waited two hundred narcycles, but at last, the circuit has arrived. The Elixr has returned. We have a cure."

The cheer of a hundred voices roars up from the valley. The noise echoes and the ground beneath us trembles. I feel my stomach quiver. All of these people are waiting for a miracle I'm not sure I can deliver. Blake turns toward me.

I take a step forward so I'm standing at the edge of the cliff. Beneath me, the crowd seems to roar louder than ever before. I swallow, suddenly uncertain what to say.

Tye steps up beside me. I feel his shoulder brush mine. "You can do this, Niah," he whispers.

I draw a ragged breath and gaze down at the faces beneath me. I force myself to feel Tye's faith, to feel Wish's courage, even Hart's certainty in my destiny. I exhale one last shuddering breath, fill my lungs again, and raise my voice.

"People of Nar, I stand before you." Their voices roar out again and I hear in their chanting chorus Bellamy's name. Draped in the shadow of his coat, I must look like him. I shake my head, raise my hands, and continue, "I have travelled from the far reaches of space. I bring you the cure. For two hundred narcycles, you have been made outcast by Lord Oliver and his City of Light. Now, at this final factor, your salvation is held hostage. I come to you this circuit to plead your help. I cannot do this alone."

As one, the Shadows raise their hands in the air. I feel the energy of them pulsing toward me. They truly believe that there is a future beyond what they've experienced these two hundred narcycles. None of us know what the cure will deliver and yet every single one of them dreams of a circuit beyond it. These people will rally, and we will take down the tyrant.

Beside me, Tye calls out. "Lord Oliver has taken the Elixr. She, and the cure, are held captive. Together, we must retake the ship. His men are well-armed and numerous, but together we can triumph."

"Bellamy!" The sound of the dead man's name on the lips of these people makes me cringe. I raise my hands to quiet them.

"I do not wish to mislead you. I'm not Captain Jacob Bellamy!" I cry. A few angry shouts rise up from the crowd but others hush them to silence. "My name is Niah, designation November-One-Alpha-Four. I am a clone. I was created on the Elixr to complete Captain Bellamy's mission." The gasp of their shock slows my heart rate. I pause a moment, waiting for them to be ready for what I'm about to say. "He died a brave man, sparing his crew, saving all of Nar."

A combination of outrage, disbelief, and grief washes over the crowd. Their voices rise in uproar. I fear I've lost them. Beside me, Tye cries out. "Please Shadows, you must listen." The Shadows fall silent, clearly respectful of Tye's presence. Tye continues, "She may not be the captain returned, but she is the only hope we will ever have."

I place my hand on Tye's arm then turn back to the crowd. "I am not Captain Jacob Bellamy," I cry again, "but I will complete his mission. I know how to deliver the cure. Right this moment, Lord Oliver seeks to destroy it. We must retake the Elixr. People of Nar, will you stand with me?"

Blake steps forward. "Shadows!" He roars. "I stand behind Niah. I'm with her. Will you stand with us?"

Tye cries out, "I stand with Niah! For the cure!"

I smile, then turn my gaze down on the crowd. "For the cure!" I echo. I pump my fist in the air and hope they go with us on this.

My breath races as our cry is taken up. "For the cure!" they cry in unison, again and again.

"To the Elixr!" Blake shouts.

As one, the wave of Shadows marches on the ship.