By the time Sagan allowed herself to take a break, hours later, she was exhausted and starving. She’d spent so much energy ferrying people to their homes that the provisions couldn’t keep up with her metabolism. And there was still more work ahead of them. Eventually, someone tagged the transport people and put them in touch with Lucas. Using his Aegis blood, he opened conduits left and right and relieved the Seamswalkers for a time. Now, Overseers traveled between worlds to set things right again.

So, Sagan piled a platter full of Yun fruits, Pil cheeses, and Reipon meats and plopped her ass down under a shady spot in the amphitheater. Coincidentally, it was the same place she’d taken up hours earlier for the premiere. Damn, what a show—

“Hey, gorgeous.”

At the sound of Rayne’s voice, Sagan looked up and found her girlfriend sitting on the edge of the stage with her booted feet hanging off the edge.

Sagan asked, “Where’s Nox? I figured you’d two would be attached at the hip—Nope. Nope, I didn’t mean it like that.” She rolled her eyes at Rayne’s snickering fit.

“He’s helping Korac, and in a six degrees kind of way, helping Xelan. It’s not a comfortable vibe yet, but I’m hoping it’ll get there.”

Tameka alerted them with her heavy sigh off to the side. “I can’t believe I’m saying this, but I agree with you. We’re all better off if those three find some peace with one another.” She sat in the seat beside Sagan.

Rayne asked, “Do you think Kyle will ever—”

Not only did Sagan and Tameka say, “No,” at the same time, but Andrew popped up from backstage and contributed as well. He said, “Don’t even get your hopes up. And can you blame him?”

Sagan thought about it for a minute. It was impossible to get over Rayne, and Kyle felt responsible for most of the worst Nox had inflicted on them. Sagan shrugged before offering, “It’s complicated.”

“What is?”

They all looked down the opposite end of the aisle to find Kyle making his way down it.

Tameka said, “Everything.”

“Shit, tell me about it. Do you know how many people just requested to have the last week removed from their heads? Not that I blame them.” Kyle glanced over at Rayne before saying, “I could use some brain bleach.”

This tale has been pilfered from Royal Road. If found on Amazon, kindly file a report.

Sagan smiled. Not at what Kyle said, but because the five of them were together. Sure, she loved all of the Shadow, but there was something magical about their Progeny click. Trained and bled together. She said, “Since you decided to stay with us, Rayne, we’ll all need to make a special trip to the gorge.”

Each of them made an approving sound or nodded. Now this was a comfortable vibe. They soaked in the quiet moment, smiling at one another.

They didn’t just survive a universal cataclysm; they won it.

“I love you guys.” Rayne choked up a bit.

They pulled tighter together until Andrew and Rayne jumped off the stage and joined Tameka, Kyle, and Sagan in a hug.

“Now there’s a sight your guardian loves to see.”

As Xelan announced his arrival, Pax ran into the center of the hug and clung to his mom’s legs. “I’m Progeny, too, mommy.”

Tameka broke the hug to kneel and squeeze her son as she said, “Thank you for coming to our rescue, big man.”

“Hee.”

Sagan kept her arm around Rayne’s waist, who pulled her in tight for a side hug. Rayne said, “I’m not going anywhere this time. I promise.”

A whistle drew their attention to the stairs. Korac was walking down them with a bundle in his arms. “She wants to see her mother.”

Elated and determined, Sagan gripped Rayne by the hand and dragged her up the stairs to meet Korac halfway. He held Echo out for Rayne to meet her niece. Sagan said, “Echo, meet your Auntie. We named you after her.”

The joy on Rayne’s face meant the worlds to Sagan, especially as the Lyriki baby sighed when Rayne tickled her pitch-black foot. The smell of the beach suffused the air, and tears tightened Rayne’s voice. “She’s so beautiful. Hello, Echo.”

Sagan glanced up at Korac. “Have you introduced her to Nox?”

He shook his head. “I brought her straight to you.”

“I got you.”

They all looked over at Xelan. He shirked their astonished stares and muttered as he ran up the stairs, “I’ll get him. We left him with Caedes.”

As hope entered Sagan’s heart, it filled Rayne’s eyes. They both peered at Korac, who didn’t bother to hide the optimism in his expression.

A second later, the famous Icarean brothers returned with a joyous anticipation in Nox’s expression and a careful mask on Xelan’s face. Sagan would say the gigantic Icarus approached gingerly, as if by hurrying he would frighten Echo. Korac turned and held his daughter for Nox to see Echo.

He glanced at Rayne for hesitant permission. Sagan had never seen such a radiant smile on her girlfriend’s face. Rayne said, “Go ahead, Nox. She’s already waving. Look!” She pointed at Echo.

The baby held her hand up at Nox, with her fingers spread wide. He took his enormous hand and placed it against hers. Echo’s hand couldn’t even fill Nox’s palm, and she smiled as if this amused her.

The girls went “Aw” simultaneously.

While Sagan enjoyed the endearing display, she kept her eyes on the men. Korac stared at his big brother with warmth and respect before glancing behind Nox to Xelan. Wingmaster watched on with fascination and… hope. It was hesitant, but it was definitely there.

Korac saw it and turned to Sagan for confirmation. She smiled.

The future looked more promising with every passing second.