(Tyler's pov)

[December, 2154]

As night fell upon the sacred tree, the time of healing was about to begin. Everyone in the clan was there, preparing for it.

Brendon came in, carrying Jenna's avatar body, followed by myself, who carried Jenna's human body, with Josh by my side.

As I carried her, I remembered how much she wanted to come here, how much she wanted to see this. I looked down upon her.

"Look where we are Jenna."

Barely staying awake, Jenna opened her eyes and saw the Tree of Souls for the first time. She was very happy.

"I need to take some samples."

I chuckled a little, but it turned to sadness, knowing she might not last long.

Jenna's avatar body was placed down before the tree in front of Lyubov, then I placed down Jenna's human body with the help of Josh.

With both bodies laying side by side together, the tree's stems started wrapping around them, covering them from their chest to their feet.

I watched as Lyubov explained the process.

"The great mother may choose to save all that she is, in this body."

"Is that possible?" I asked.

"In order for this to work, she must pass through the eye of the great mother and return, but Tayler Yosef, she's very weak."

I sat right next to Jenna's human body, staying by her side.

"Hang on Jenna, we're gonna fix you up."

As the ritual began, Lyubov began chanting a prayer to the great mother, with everyone joining arms, waving together, repeating the phrase.

"Poslukhay nas, bud' laska maty!"

"Chudova maty, dopomozhit' yiy!"

"Viz'mit' tsey dukh do sebe!"

"Chudova maty, dopomozhit' yiy!"

"I vdykhnit' yiyi spynoyu do nas!"

"Chudova maty, dopomozhit yiy!"

"Nekhay vona khodyt' sered nas!"

"Chudova maty, dopomozhit yiy!"

"Yak odyn iz lyudey!"

"Chudova maty, dopomozhit yiy!"

Light was starting to flash. The chanting turned into screeches of spiritual connections. It seemed like it was working, until it stopped.

Lyubov stopped the chanting and quieted down the people.

Jenna opened her eyes and slightly turned, still clinging onto her life.

"T-Tyler."

I came to her side, holding her hand.

"Jenna."

She looked up to me, smiling.

"I'm with her Tyler. She's real."

She looked up to the sky for a moment, then her eyes closed, drawing her last breath.

It felt like my world was shattering, but I couldn't believe it.

"Jenna?"

I squeezed her hand.

"Jenna!"

Nothing.

"What's happening?"

I ran over to Lyubov, who was checking to see if anything happened.

"Did it work?"

She looked up to me, sighing with sadness.

"Her wounds were too great. It was not enough time. She is with Velyka maty now."

My hopes for Jenna's life turned into sadness. I just couldn't believe she wasn't here anymore, but somewhere beyond Omega, a place I never knew existed, until now.

Jenna was gone, and I was held accountable. I could've prevented her from getting shot, but I couldn't.

With my approval, Josh removed Jenna's breathing mask and placed it next to her.

I reached over and touched her face, and gave her a kiss on the side of her forehead.

I lowered my head and wept for Jenna's death. I cried more tears than when my parents died, or when I lost my little brother.

Watching Jenna die was like watching my family disappear all over again.

Josh came over next to me, placing his arm around me.

"I'm so sorry Tyler. I know she meant everything to you."

"She died because of me, and I couldn't stop it."

"Don't worry, we're going to stop the sky people. I promise."