Zara slumped against Tobi, vision raging. "Not one future rivers splitting. One path: you claim Zuciya Kishi's heart, golden domains flooding your veins, love sealing gates. We stand on dune peaks, hands locked."
Sweat beaded her brow, metallic on her tongue. "Another: envy twists you cold, Zara dies in your arms, Africa falls to rot-vines choking Lagos."
Tobi's grip tightened, iron tattoo searing. "Show the winning river."
She shuddered, blood crusting her lip. "Ours. But costly, my sight trades for your strength. Blindness permanent, yet your threads glow with my courage, comet-bright, carving victory from stars."
Thunder rumbled but not rain, but hooves. Yusuf burst in, beast foaming.
"Scouts! Zara's call saved us!"
Nneka's gauntlets whirred. "Code ready to lead us, stargazer!"
Zara nodded, eyes refocusing sharp. "Flank east three blades, envy hearts exposed."