Night was about to fall. On B24, sunset was a slow process, the two smaller suns hovering  for hours above the horizon. Countless stars had already begun their endless dance in the skies, above dark volcanoes and seemingly random arrangements of steep mountains.

In a remote fold of the most desolate corner of the gigantic planet, a very silent crowd had sat down near the entrance of the Cave, facing the immensities of the Sulphur Lands.

Jay was sitting in front of them, on the other side of the entrance. He, too, was considering the vast expanse of lands, as if remembering how small they all were in comparison with this awe-inspiring geography. Next to him, Aura was recapitulating one last time the dangers of their entreprise in a low, subdued voice.

"Are we good, then?"

"I believe we are."

"Kizuna, on the count of forty, be ready to heal Jay's wrists. Remember, whatever happens, do not do it before, or all of this will be for nothing."

Kizuna nodded in silent agreement, not daring to look at Jay. Aura took Jay's hands. As he approached his laser knife, Jay took a deep breath and reclined a little against the wall of the Cave.

An instant later, Aura was pressing his cutting tool against Jay's wrists. An immediate surge of dark ruby blood rushed out of the incisions, and trickled forcefully down Jay's steady hands. He started gazing at the incessant flow, then looked intently at Aura, pleading for silence. After all, everything had been said. In this pointless life, this was probably the most meaningful thing he had ever done.

"One, two, three." Seconds passed. A red pool was now forming on the ground, gradually approaching the silent crowd's feet.

"Oh man!" exclaimed Starling. Ananda squeezed his hand. Arende cleared his throat. And Kizuna did her best to stay calm, fighting back the acrid tears filling her eyes.

"Four, five, six, seven."

As Aura kept counting, Jay's face was becoming livid, and his hands began to shake slightly.

"You stupid bastards. You're killing him in vain. Don't you see? There's no way in or out of this fucking life!?" Epos stood up and stomped the ground, sending heavy drops of blood in all directions.

"Twelve, thirteen, fourteen." Jay leaned heavily against the wall.

"Maybe... maybe Epos is right? Maybe we're doing the wrong thing?" cried Ananda.

"Come on Nanda, we gotta do something. We all agreed with him... right?" said Starling.

"Twenty-one, twenty-two..." Aura gently brushed Jay's nape with his analyzer. The tiny device instantly turned orange. The hermit frowned and kept counting.

Jay's thoughts were becoming as hazy as his eyesight, and the blood leaving his body strangely roared in his ears. He was feeling more and more peaceful, warm waves alternating with cold sweats throughout his body. The whole world seemed more and more remote, and he could hear the voices of his friends strangely echoeing in the distance. It was clear they were feeling restless and insecure. But he didn't see the point. An invisible current was carrying him higher, and he didn't feel the rock behind his back or beneath his feet anymore.

"Thirty-one..."

With all his might, Jay opened his eyes and saw Kizuna and Aura observing him closely. Human kindness and boundless wisdom seemed to be reunited in these two beings, and he felt blissful that fate had bestowed these two special people upon him. His attempt to smile triggered a flow of tears on Kizuna's cheeks, while Aura smiled back at him.

"Thirty-four, thirty-five..."

Something was obviously wrong. Why did he feel so good and relaxed? Why did the tumult outside shift into a great surge of comforting heat inside? Why did the ice feel like fire? It was obvious that people were touching him, placing him gently on his back. He wished they would leave him in peace, but it was hard to remember who they were or where he was exactly.

He just wanted to sleep. A brief memory flashed through his mind. Hera. His friends...

"I'll meet you on the other side..."

"What did he say?" asked Starling. They were all kneeling around Jay's body now, forgetting the huge pool of blood soaking their suits and warming their legs. Their friend had become a quiet, listless creature.

"Thirty-seven..." Kizuna took Jay's cold hand.

"No, Kizuna. Remember what I told you..."

"But... his vitals are off. Aura, he's dying!"

"This is the plan, Kizuna. A man is trying to free himself from his destiny. Let us give him a chance to win, even if it is only one chance..."

As he passed his analyzer on Jay's nape, a red light blinked and dwindled. Aura sighed. Kizuna gasped.

"My friend, please... hold on!" Starling shook Jay's shoulders.

"Thirty nine..."

Life is a distant murmur. Oh, I'm drenched in sweat. Or is that blood? Is someone touching me? I must be flying. It's wonderful... So slow. So quiet... Oh, I wish it didn't stop.

It's getting so silent now. Please, touch me... Please, don't forget me!

I wish you knew how this feels...

"Now, Kizuna."

Immediately, Kizuna pressed the healing device on Jay's gaping wounds. The already darkening flesh seemed to shiver under the pressure, and the sides of the gash were sealed together in a matter of seconds. But Jay's hands fell on the ground, lifeless.

"He's.. dead?" asked Starling.

"I told you so!" cried Epos.

Not deterred by the sobbing and mumbling around him, Aura took care of Jay, following the initial plan.

"Oh, Jay... you didn't deserve that..." said Kizuna, taking his injured wrist.

"Jay, do you hear me? Jay? Please Aura, tell us he's not dead!" said Ananda.

"Not far from it. I administered the normovolenic hemodilution to compensate for the loss of blood. We'll know in a few minutes if he has chosen to meet you on the other side or not. But don't get your hopes too high."

Aura sat next to Jay, looking exhausted, his white robes turned crimson. Kizuna, throwing caution to the wind, brought Jay's hand to her lips and kissed it softly.

And silence fell again. Lulled by the Sulphur Lands' whispers and lit only by distant fumaroles and twinkling stars, everyone froze, joining Jay in a world of stillness and dead hopes.