The story so far:

----Luka sacrifices himself to save Earth. Thieron is upset about Luka. Rei learns Vincent is alive. He finds out that Iyler and John helped Ea. Aija finally feels the enormity of Luka's death. Rei feels scared about the still glowing Avo. Zuri has the inexplicable urge to talk to Aija. She leaves in search of her. Thieron wakes to find Aija gone. Aija goes to the Avo. Thieron tries to stop her. Aija sacrifices herself for Earth.

----Zuri is shocked when she finds Aija dead.

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****44.2 REI****

Rei had seen the golden light cocooning them.

He'd held onto Vincent, waiting for the world to fall.

But the light ebbed, and the Earth still existed.

Rei and Vincent dressed and rushed out as several others did.

"What was that?" Premiere Zhaleh joined them in the hallway. "Was the Àvo used?"

Rei remembered Ea saying there was a Priority Soul she could use. But Earth didn't quake. Everything felt fine.

"Check on Ea," he told Himari, who'd run to them.

"Yes, Premiere,"

"The Àvo was used to save Earth," Nir approached them from upstairs.

"How do you know?" Vincent asked.

Nir pursed his lips, eyes on Rei. "The Priority Soul; I didn't think she knew what she was."

Himari returned, panting. "Ea's there, so is Wiet, Iyler, and John. Ea's bloody upset with your sister; she won't say why."

"With Aija?" Rei frowned.

Priority Soul...didn't know she knew what she was.

What...?

Rei heard Zuri's voice. She wailed; Xan led her in. He saw them in the hallway and came to them with a hysterical Zuri in his arms. Xan's face was tear-streaked.

"Aija sacrificed herself to heal Earth," Xan declared.

Everything blurred.

"Rei?" Vincent's voice sounded garbled. "Oh, Rei,"

Aija sacrificed herself to heal Earth.

It felt like the world rushed past him and yet, slowed down insanely at the same time.

Rei fell as the world went black.  

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