The rebellion erupted before dawn.
Flames devoured the cane fields. Shouts filled the air. Arinya raced through the smoke as Kelan led her toward the marsh. They were so close, so close to freedom.
Just ahead, Kelan said, pushing through reeds.
But fate, as always, was waiting.
A gunshot cracked the sky.
Kelan jerked forward.
Arinya screamed.
Another shot. Then another.
He shielded her with his body, forcing her behind a fallen tree.
Kelan! She grabbed him, hands slick with blood. No, no stay with me!
He collapsed into her, breath shuddering. Arinya… I promised I would free you.
And I promised we'd escape together! she cried.
He cradled her cheek with a trembling hand.
In the next life, he whispered. Find me… again.
His hand fell.
Arinya's cry split the night.
Around her, the rebellion burned.
And as she held Kelan's lifeless body, the weight of centuries pressed against her chest, an echo of every loss she could not remember but could feel.
The stars looked down and did not move.
They never did.