We still had many lessons to learn before we left Earth.

A commotion drew my attention to the terrace of the Egyptian fortress. Before I could stand to check it, Korac burst through the double doors of the observatory. He gripped Devis by the arm. His black features contrasted against the General's paler ones. Red blood spilled from his fingers onto the observatory's carpet.

I raised an eyebrow.

Korac helped the Progeny to a chair. He checked his eyes for responsiveness. "Celindria publicly denounced him as a traitor. The city went wild and almost ripped him apart. I flew him here for safety. Your majesty, we should depart for Cinder at once."

Leave Earth? Already?

"Perhaps." I knelt in front of the other man. "Devis, explain."

He met my gaze, too proud to let his fear show. "She accused me of divulging information to you. And of tampering with... her plans." He licked his lips. "I would never do that. I hate the Icari. I want the Progeny to succeed. But..."

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My brows popped high. Korac offered me a shrug. This was the way of things now.

"She guides us. Our star..." He turned hollow eyes to mine. "How could she do this to me?"

I spared the thirty minutes to clasp his shoulder. "You and I both fell prey to the monster hidden within her. Tell me what you need, and I will provide it for you. Let me help you find shelter from her storm."

His stare broke away into the void. "Yes. A storm."

The General granted, "We can protect you. Take you with us to Cinder."

Devis shook himself from his stupor. "No. I still have much to do. Please, provide me with a forge here on Earth. Before you go."

The last he added with gravity.

After a few weeks, Korac escorted Devis to his new home. His parting words stayed with me. "Estimations of worth can be wrong, after all."

We evacuated to Cinder. I hated every second. Resented that liar for hurting my people while collaborating with my own brother.

Korac stared at Earth through Cinder's conduit. "We wanted to see the stars."

I valued these rare moments with him as if he were my blood. My heart ached for him as he referred to Xelan. "They were worth seeing."

"Were they worth losing?"

I hung my head, unable to answer. Was any of this worth it?

Korac's features hardened. His voice was like ice, "I want my revenge, King Nox."

"We will have it, General."

We spent the following months calculating our available prospects for vengeance. Burned and hardened, we deserved justice. I looked back on that time and reminisce on my innocence, even then. Little did I know the abyss would open for me once more, and I would finally welcome it.