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Our next stop was the living quarters near the roots of the Great Tree, where Sora was helping settle the newly freed Vakra captives.

As we walked up, Sky was leaning against a carved wooden railing, watching the adults work with a solemn, stern expression on his small face.

"Sky," I called out, pulling the worn, dirty teddy bear from my satchel.

Sky’s dark eyes flicked over to the bear. A sharp, telltale hitch caught in his breath, but instead of reaching for it, he immediately straightened his spine and crossed his small arms over his chest in a stiff imitation of a vanguard warrior.

"That is not mine," Sky stated, his voice flat as he tried to act mature. "I have no need for soft things."

I blinked, biting back a smile as I realised what he was doing. I looked down at the ragged, one-eyed bear and let out a dramatic sigh. "Oh. Well... that's a shame. I suppose I'll just have to throw it into the scrap fire then, shall I?"

I made a show of turning toward the nearest burn pit.

Sky broke instantly. "No! Wait!" he blurted out, dropping his warrior facade as he took a hurried step forward, his eyes wide with panic.

I checked my movement, crouching down so I was at eye level with him. Sky flushed slightly, looking down at his feet, embarrassed to have broken character. I reached out and gently took his small hand in mine.

As my fingers brushed his, I caught sight of his skin in the warm light—the deep brownish-grey tones shifting, warmer reddish hues beginning to bloom across his arms and cheeks as he grew healthier and stronger away from the dark. Even his dark eyes, once shadowed with fear, now held tiny, bright speckles of gold.

The darkness wasn't leaving him all at once.

But little by little, the forest. The Alu’un itself was reclaiming one of its own.

"It'll be our secret," I whispered with a warm smile, giving his hand a soft squeeze. "Though... this little guy definitely needs a good scrubbing before he goes anywhere near your furs."

Sky looked at the bear, his shoulders slumping in quiet relief as he stepped closer. "I found him when I was smaller," he explained quietly, his tone surprisingly serious for his age. "Amongst the fallen scrap the Vakra brought down the holes from old sky-ship wrecks. It was... the only thing I had that was truly mine. The only thing no one took from me."

My heart ached for him. I gently pressed the bear into his hands. "Well... you don't ever have to worry about anyone taking your things again, Sky. You're safe now."

Sky clutched the bear to his chest and gave me a firm, solemn nod. Nearby, Sora leaned against the doorframe, watching us with golden eyes shining with deep, silent gratitude, offering me a subtle nod that echoed the bond of sisters we shared.

By full nightfall, the Nest had settled into a peaceful quiet.

Kaelen and I walked to the edge of the highest lookout platform, high above the main canopy. The wind up here was cool, carrying the sweet scent of night-blooming flora. Far above us, the tear in the sky shimmered softly against the dark—a strange, beautiful scar on the universe.

Kaelen stepped up behind me, wrapping his broad arms around my waist and pulling me flush against his towering frame. Because of his massive height, my head rested easily against the centre of his chest. I leaned back into his solid heat, closing my eyes as the double-thump of his hearts reverberated straight through my spine.

Down our bond, the lingering edge of his worry about Sila was there, tucked away beneath his fierce resolve. We both knew the shadow might return one day. We knew the outer borders would need watching, that Toren would have to learn to fight with one hand, and that Tyler had a long road of healing ahead of him.

But as I looked out over the glowing fires of the Nest—where humans, Alu'un, and freed Vakra were beginning to share space, food, and life—I knew we were no longer just surviving.

We were building something new.

"What are you thinking, little star?" Kaelen rumbled against the top of my head, his lips brushing my hair before dipping down to press against the metallic mark on my neck.

"I'm thinking..." I murmured, turning around in his grip, my hands coming up to rest against his broad chest as I looked up into his burning golden eyes. "...that we made it."

Kaelen’s lips curved into a rare, breathtaking smile—full of warmth, devotion, and absolute pride. He leaned down and pressed his broad forehead against mine.

"We made it," he echoed softly, his hand sliding up to cup my cheek. "And whatever comes next... the sky will have to answer to both of us."

I smiled, pulling him down into a deep, lingering kiss as the wind swept through the canopy, carrying our quiet peace into the night.

For the first time since I had fallen through the stars, I wasn't wondering where I belonged.

I was already home.

Epilogue