Celindria’s will was an awesome force, and Andrew struggled against it. The weight of her lives crushed his mind and threatened his grip on her and on reality. So he tried and pressed, leaving her no option but to—
A heartbeat pulsed across the sky, and it rattled Andrew’s bones. Not only his, but everyone in every remaining Probability. The Progeny looked to the great expanse of Celindria’s memoryscape.
Kyle asked, “What was that?”
Andrew held his breath.
The pulse came again.
Slower this time.
No.
“Celindria, don’t do this,” Andrew muttered it to the sand, but Tameka looked at him.
“What’s happening?”
Rayne answered, “Celindria would rather die than let us save her.”
Another heartbeat came, sluggish and heavy.
Sagan cupped a hand to her mouth and, through it, said, “Is she… Is she killing herself?”
Kyle’s brows shut up, bewildered. “How crazy is she that she’d rather die than face the consequences of her actions?”
Tameka said, “I suppose that depends on the consequences.”
Kyle licked his lips before confessing, “Uh, I’ve never been in a memoryscape of someone dying before.”
Sagan asked the obvious question. “Can her death affect us?”
Rayne’s brows were drawn tight in concern. “We can’t give up now.”
“I won’t let her die.” Andrew meant it as he challenged her volition, forcing her control out of her organ systems.
The heartbeat sounded again, stronger, but with it came Celindria’s avian shriek in the distance.
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Andrew couldn’t maintain control long enough to say, “I’m losing.”
“Guys, I don’t—” Sagan’s knees hit the sand before she fell over on her side. She blinked and focused on her breathing, using all her energy to keep the conduits open.
Kyle gripped a hand in his tangled hair. “What do we do?”
“Do it fast!” Rayne shouted through gritted teeth. “We don’t have much longer—Tameka!”
Tameka fell to her knees. Her eyes flickered between solid black Atramentous to normal. “I keep draining her, but she refills endlessly. How is she so strong?!”
Straining with everything in him, Andrew fell face-forward onto the sand.
Xelan’s warning pierced the memoryscape. “We’re losing them!”
No.
The surrounding scenery flickered in time to Celindria’s pulse, stronger and steadier.
No.
Rayne was the only one sitting up. Andrew reached out and took her hand, borrowing from her strength. Kyle took Andrew’s, and Tameka gripped Sagan’s.
They were losing, but at least they’d do it together.
Fading, Tameka breathed, “We will always remain.”
Andrew’s eyes closed.
Opened.
So heavy…
Too many…
“I got you.”
Andrew’s eyes snapped open. That wasn’t Xelan’s voice. It was—
“Sissy, it’s time to let go.” Pax stood in the center of the memoryscape’s valley.
And he wasn’t alone.
Andrius reached out his hand to Andrew, saying, “C’mon, descendant. Let’s finish this.”
Andrew took the offered hand and climbed to his feet, gazing across the sky. Nighttime had replaced the day, and Earth’s constellations peppered the scene. A chilling wind replaced the gentle desert breeze.
Devis said, “She knows this is it. Hurry.” He helped Kyle to stand.
Ross and Bethany ran into their older brother’s arms, all of them straining to maintain control of Celindria’s memoryscape.
With a delighted cry, Rayne jumped to her feet and embraced Jack. He said, “You couldn’t have this final showdown without me. Are you ready to end this?”
Despite Rayne’s hopeful smile, she sounded uncertain. “At this point, we’re wondering how.”
“Kindness is her greatest enemy,” T.a.o. said, as she pulled Sagan and Tameka to their feet.
Pax looked up at Andrew and said, “Show her everything, but above all, show her kindness.”
With Andrius’ help, Andrew sought Celindria’s will. It thrived in her mind, but the two pressed for access to her intentions.
I must defeat the Shadow. I must save Pax, save Hope, and save Nox—my Nox—to be with me. I will reestablish Paradise and prove to everyone I was right. They are happier with me.
Above all…
I will experience this life.
I will feel.
Andrew clung to the last one. Feel, Celindria. Feel with us.
Andrius’ volition joined the invasion. Feel it all.
When they nodded, Rayne gripped their shoulders and closed her eyes. T.a.o. and Sagan waited nearby, holding the conduits open outside. Once more, Kyle and Devis sifted their hands into the sand, and all of them took a boost from Tameka, who resumed the drain on Celindria’s nacre with Pax’s help.
No more walls.
Feel.
Celindria’s shriek tore from her core and ripped through the fabric of reality.